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In this paper, an improved AC-link voltage matching control (IVM) strategy is proposed for the multiport modular multilevel DC transformer (M3DCT), which comprises a single-phase modular multilevel converter (MMC) and a series of cascaded H-bridge units. The objective of the proposed IVM strategy is to address the AC-link voltage mismatch phenomenon. Distinct from existing control methods, such as various phase-shifting control methods and the conventional AC-link voltage matching control strategy, the proposed IVM strategy orchestrates the operation of the M3DCT in an innovative fashion. It allows the sum of inserted submodule (SM) numbers in the upper and lower arms to be flexible, no longer confined to a specific SM number per arm. Consequently, the AC-link voltage of the M3DCT is maintained proximate to the matched operating condition, regardless of the degree of mismatch in the DC side voltage of the M3DCT. This enables the enhancement of the M3DCT's overall operational performance, particularly under conditions of light loads within medium-voltage DC (MVDC) distribution systems. The correctness and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy and the corresponding analysis are substantiated through simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pore structure characterization plays key role in efficient development of petroleum, natural gas and shale gas, and it also holds important place in the evaluation of gas outburst and rock weathering damage. In this paper, a high-precision, nondestructive, and repeatable method for characterizing pore size distribution of rock is proposed. By taking sandstone, marble, granite, and rock-like samples as object, capillary pressure curves derived from the transverse relaxation time and centrifugal results are acquired based on the nuclear magnetic resonance test and centrifugation test. The pore size conversion coefficients are obtained through capillary pressure curves fitting, and they are compared with the value gained by the other two methods. Results show that the pore size conversion coefficients of sandstone, marble, granite, and rock-like specimens calculated by the proposed method are 0.483 μm/ms, 0.583 μm/ms, 0.253 μm/ms, and 0.077 μm/ms, respectively. These pore size distribution curves obtained by the proposed method are quite close to curves obtained by the other two methods. One defect of this method is that it cannot obtain complete capillary pressure curves. Overall, it provides a new idea and path for characterizing pore structure accurately and repeatedly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dispatching center in the intelligent integrated station (IIS) collects multi-source information flow such as operating information of electric vehicles (EVs), energy level of the IIS, grid loading level, and power flow between the IIS and the grid. To achieve better management for the energy exchange between the IIS and the grid, this paper applies information fusion technology to the control of IIS. The Boyd's Observe-Orient-Decide-Act (OODA) process model is introduced to estimate and analyze the multi-source information flow inside and outside the IIS. Two issues associated with the operation of the IIS are studied: (i) the power flow between the IIS and the grid considering operating information of the IIS and the grid; (ii) the charging/discharging order of batteries considering batteries information to assure the number of full-capacity batteries and prolong the battery life. Simulation results suggest that the proposed control strategy based on OODA allows significant improvements in both the user satisfaction and economic operation of the power grid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voltage source converter (VSC)-based DC distribution networks (DCDNs) can automatically adjust the control strategy of overloaded VSCs to adapt to the variation in renewable energy power, but it brings difficulties to the steady-state performance analysis of DCDNs. This paper presents a piecewise linear power flow (PLPF) algorithm to estimate the joint effect of power disturbance and VSC control strategy adjustment on steady-state performance. Firstly, according to the VSC power balance, the critical point of the VSC hitting the capacity limit is directly determined, and the power variations in each node before VSC control strategy adjustment are obtained. Then, the linear power flow is revised considering the VSC control strategy adjustment. Inversion of the block Jacobian matrix is used to improve the calculation speed of linear power flow revision. Finally, linear power flow calculation is performed in each stage, and the steady-state performance is obtained by using the superposition method. Simulation results show that the proposed PLPF model can estimate the steady-state performance faster and more simply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The equations of thermal conduction and flow diffusion are refined by using the peridynamic least squares minimization method. • The thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling peridynamic model was built. • The proposed peridynamic model can capture the deformation and failure of rock materials under the coupling effect. This paper presents a thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling peridynamic (PD) model to simulate the deformation and failure of rock materials and the diffusion of the flow and temperature subjected to the coupling effect of multi-physical fields. By using the peridynamic least squares minimization (PD LSM) method, the thermal conduction and the flow diffusion equation in the coupling of thermo-mechanical, hydro-mechanical, and thermo-hydro-mechanical are refined in the PD form. The equation of motion for thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling is built in the framework of the bond-based PD model. The verification of the coupling PD model is demonstrated by comparison against the analytical solutions and previous numerical results in the problems of steady thermal conduction, thermal deformation, transient flow, hydraulic fracturing, thermal consolidation, and hydraulic fracturing considering the heat effect. The comparison results show that the proposed thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling PD model can capture the deformation and failure of rock materials under the coupling effect of multi-physical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular senescence is an important tumor-suppressive mechanism. However, acquisition of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype ( SASP) in senescent cells has deleterious effects on the tissue microenvironment and, paradoxically, promotes tumor progression. In a drug screen, we identified melatonin as a novel SASP suppressor in human cells. Strikingly, melatonin blunts global SASP gene expression upon oncogene-induced senescence ( OIS). Moreover, poly( ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 ( PARP-1), a sensor of DNA damage, was identified as a new melatonin-dependent regulator of SASP gene induction upon OIS. Here, we report two different but potentially coherent epigenetic strategies for melatonin regulation of SASP. The interaction between the telomeric repeat-containing RNA ( TERRA) and PARP-1 stimulates the SASP, which was attenuated by 67.9% (illustrated by the case of IL8) by treatment with melatonin. Through binding to macroH2A1.1, PARP-1 recruits CREB-binding protein ( CBP) to mediate acetylation of H2 BK120, which positively regulates the expression of target SASP genes, and this process is interrupted by melatonin. Consequently, the findings provide novel insight into melatonin's epigenetic role via modulating PARP-1 in suppression of SASP gene expression in OIS-induced senescent cells. Our studies identify melatonin as a novel anti- SASP molecule, define PARP-1 as a new target by which melatonin regulates SASP, and establish a new epigenetic paradigm for a pharmacological mechanism by which melatonin interrupts PARP-1 interaction with the telomeric long noncoding RNA(lnc RNA) or chromatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile method to synthesize core-shell iron oxide/polymer nanospheres has been developed. Oleic acid-modified iron oxide nanoparticles were first prepared by the coprecipitation method. The iron oxide nanoparticles were then assembled into colloidal magnetic nanoparticle clusters (MNCs) by a miniemulsion-based assembly approach. The size of the MNCs can be tuned from about 50 nm to about 93 nm by rationally designing the experimental conditions. Magnetic iron oxide/poly(methyl methacrylate-co-divinylbenzene) (P(MMA-co-DVB)) nanospheres with well-defined core-shell structure and uniform size were finally prepared by seeded emulsion polymerization with the MNCs as the seeds. By the same procedure, core-shell iron oxide/poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) (P(St-co-DVB)) nanospheres were also successfully fabricated, demonstrating the versatility of the preparation method. The prepared composite nanospheres have uniform size, high saturation magnetization, and easily functionalized surface, promising for further biomedical applications and liquid phase catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective process for the synthesis of nano spinel zinc ferrite/expanded graphite composites was developed in order to get an electromagnetic interference shielding material. Firstly, expandable graphite was prepared using sulfuric and nitric acid solutions. Then, the precursor of the composites was produced by chemical co-precipitation method, followed by heating treatment. The obtained composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric and magnetic properties were determined using vector network analyzer and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results showed that ferrite nanoparticles with the sizes of about 50-150 nm were uniformly dispersed on the surface and interspace of EG. The magnetic properties of the composites changed by adjusting the ferrite/EG ratio and the composites had high dielectric constant in the range of 2-18 GHz. These properties of the prepared composites suggest that they can be used as a promising electromagnetic interference shielding material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freeze-thaw weathering changes the pore structure, permeability, and groundwater transportation of rock material. Meanwhile, the change in rock material structure deduced by frost heaving deteriorates mechanical properties of rock material, leading to instability and insecurity of mine slopes in cold regions. In this paper, rock-like specimens containing prefabricated cracks at different angles and having undergone various freeze-thaw cycles are used as the object. Their pore structure, compressive mechanical properties, strain energies, failure characteristics, and the connection between pore structure and mechanical properties are analyzed. Results show that the porosity, spectrum area of mesopores, and spectrum area of macropores increase with the increase in freeze-thaw cycles, while crack angle shows no obvious influence on pore structure. Peak stress and elastic modulus drop with the increase in freeze-thaw cycles, while peak strain shows an increasing trend. Peak stress and elastic modulus decrease in the beginning, and then increase with the increase in crack angle, while peak strain shows a reverse trend. Elastic strain energy and pre-peak strain energy drop with the increase in freeze-thaw cycles. Elastic strain energy decreases first, and then increases with the increase in crack angle. The correlation between the spectrum area of macropores and elastic modulus is the strongest among different pores. Elastic modulus and peak stress decrease with the increase in macropore spectrum area, and peak strain increases with the increase in macropore spectrum area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) regulate diverse biological processes such as development, differentiation, neoplastic conversion, inflammation and wound healing in addition to their critical roles in energy (lipid and carbohydrate) metabolism. Unliganded PPARs heterodimerize with retinoid X receptor α and repress transcription when bound to DNA by interacting with corepressor molecules. Upon canonical ligand binding, PPARs manifest conformational changes that facilitate the dissociation of corepressor molecules to enable a spatiotemporally orchestrated recruitment (association) of coactivators and coactivator-associated proteins to the liganded receptor. Functional significance for the existence of over 200 nuclear receptor cofactors is not readily evident, but emerging gene knockout mouse models show that some of the coactivators are essential for embryonic growth and survival and for controlling receptor specific target gene expression in a cell specific need based demands. Coactivators contain one or more highly conserved LXXLL amphiphatic α-helix motif, called nuclear receptor box, for direct interaction with the activation function 2 (AF-2) regions in nuclear receptors. PPARs interact with large multisubunit coactivator protein complexes, some exhibiting intrinsic histone acetyltransferase or methyltransferase activity, while others functioning as facilitators of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling or as linkers to the basal transcription machinery. While the dynamic and coordinated changes in nuclear receptor expression and differences in the nature of their key target genes are important, it is becoming increasingly evident that perturbations in the expression of coactivators may affect the function of many nuclear receptors including PPARs. Tissue specific differences in coactivator expression add another dimension to the complexity of gene- and cell-specific transcriptional regulation. Identification of PPAR specific coactivators should further our understanding of the complexities of metabolic diseases associated with energy metabolism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) isoforms, α, γ and β/δ, function as important lipid sensors as well as key regulators of energy homeostasis. PPARα plays a dynamic role in energy combustion by transcriptionally upregulating fatty acid oxidation systems primarily in liver, whereas PPARγ functions as a regulator of adipogenesis and lipid storage. Overexpression of PPARγ, using adenoviral expression approach, in PPARα deficient mouse liver results in hepatic steatosis with concurrent expression of adipocyte specific genes. In this study, to gain a global molecular understanding of PPARγ1-induced gene expression in liver, we have analyzed gene expression profiles using the Affymetrix GeneChip mouse expression array set 430, that enables a comprehensive gene expression profiling with >39,000 transcripts. Microarray data analysis provided us with over 278 genes up-regulated fourfold or higher, and 121 genes down-regulated fourfold or higher in liver with PPARγ-induced hepatic adiposis. We have found 101 uncharacterized genes out of 278 up-regulated and 29 uncharacterized among the down-regulated gene categories, respectively. Of 177 functionally characterized candidate genes in the up-regulated category many appear to be involved in adipogenesis, lipid metabolism and signal transduction. To focus attention on the uncharacterized genes in the up-regulated category, we cloned the full-length cDNAs of two novel candidates, which we designated as promethin and PGLP. Promethin, a 15-kDa cytosolic protein, is not normally expressed in liver but induced robustly in liver with hepatic adiposis caused by PPARγ overexpression. PGLP, which encodes a 38 kDa cytoplasmic membranous protein, is a low abundant transcript in normal liver, but induced dramatically following PPARγ overexpression. The expression of these two genes was not increased in fatty livers induced by fasting or choline deficiency. The identification of these and other novel PPARγ-target genes should provide a basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying energy storage and lipid homeostasis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In order to evaluate the beneficiation plant environment in a more scientific and reasonable way, this paper took the workshop environment of the beneficiation plant as the research object. This paper divided the beneficiation plant into 7 evaluation units according to its functions. The evaluation indices are dust, noise, light environment, microclimate, benzene, toluene and xylene. This paper combines the G1 method and the entropy weight method to evaluate the weight of each evaluation index, the element extension model of the concentrator working environment is established by the element analysis method, and the matter element analysis method is used to establish an evaluation index system of a beneficiation plant in East China. The results show that the evaluation level of the breaking workshop and the auxiliary facilities are unqualified, the auxiliary facility is qualified, the culling workshop, culled yard and accessory building are medium, the screening workshop and grinding workshop are good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

γ/δ T cells have stimulated a lot of interest because of their unique features in antigen recognition and cytotoxicities to many autologous and/or allogeneic tumor cells. We have developed a novel method to selectively expand larger amounts of human tumor–infiltrating γ/δ T lymphocytes (γ/δ TILs) ex vivo by immobilized pan– anti–TCRγ/δ monoclonal antibody in the presence of exogenous IL–2. The expanded γ/δ TILs mainly expressed CD45RO and HLA–DR molecules and did not express CD4. CD8+ γ/δ TILs accounted for 19% of γ/δ TILs. The expression of CD25 molecule on expanded γ/δ T cells was inducible and downregulated following a time course. The Vδ1 and Vδ2 subsets amount to 37 and 58%, respectively. The expanded γ/δ TILs show an IL–2–dependent proliferation, MHC class I–unrestricted and TCRγ/δ–related cytotoxicities to two MHC class I[sup +] and two MHC class I[sup +] allogeneic tumor cell lines in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the energy characteristics of seismic waves on the liquid CO2 blasting system, the blasting seismic wave signal of liquid CO2 blasting was obtained by on-site microseismic monitoring tests. The adaptive optimal kernel time-frequency analysis method was used to study the basic time-frequency properties of the seismic wave signal. Combining wavelet packet transform decomposition and reconstruction and adaptive optimal kernel time-frequency analysis method, the liquid CO2 energy distribution of the seismic wave signal was further analyzed. And the energy regression model of seismic wave source of liquid CO2 blasting system was discussed. The results show that the vibration velocity is at a low level, and the main frequency range is between 30 and 70 Hz, and the duration is about 20-30 ms. The energy is mainly distributed in 0-125 Hz, which is composed of two main regions. The power function model can be used to describe the attenuation law of the seismic wave energy. The energy conversion coefficient and characteristic coefficient of the source of liquid CO2 blasting system were defined and analyzed. Combined with the empirical formula of the Sadovsky vibration velocity, the energy regression model of the seismic wave source of liquid CO2 blasting system was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Microstructure damage; F-T cycles; NMR; Porosity; SCB; SHPB EN Microstructure damage F-T cycles NMR Porosity SCB SHPB 3853 3858 6 07/31/20 20200801 NES 200801 Introduction In high altitude and cold regions, cyclic freezing and thawing often caused rock degradation, resulting in the instability of rock involved engineering structures such as rock slopes and tunnels. 1, cylindrical rods between samples and transmitted bar acted as supporting pins, HT ht is the span between two rods. The strength can be calculated according to the peak value ( HT ht ), as follows (Dai et al. [4]): 1 HT ht Graph Graph: Fig. The dynamic flexural strength, HT ht , is approximately proportional to HT ht . [Extracted from the article]

Highlights • An index is designed to evaluate the power flow in DC distribution networks. • It calculates the dispatching power of the DC systems based on the index. • The calculated power is allocated to each bus, improving the economy. Abstract This work proposes an index based on droop control to evaluate operating state of flexible DC distribution networks, which becomes the foundation of dispatch and control. And it provides a focus for solving the lack of effective evaluating methods for operations of networks. First, this paper introduces the principle of droop control and studies the operating characteristics of buses with droop control. Then, a comprehensive evaluation index is presented by analyzing the electrical network mechanism of flexible DC distribution networks by Thevenin theorem and involving the effects of droop control. The index represents a voltage error caused by the influence of variations of bus powers on bus voltages in the network. Hence, the expected dispatching power of the network can be obtained by the PI control of the index. In addition, according to the constraints of DC power flow and converter capacity, and the optimization objective of reducing network losses, power dispatching to each bus is calculated by the modified genetic algorithm (GA). Finally, a testing network and a physical experiment are employed to verify the practicability of the index and the effectiveness of the strategy. The proposed evaluation index can underlie forming the industry standard for the performance assessment of the DC distribution network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to radiation resistance and the immunosuppressive microenvironment of metastatic osteosarcoma, novel radiosensitizers that can sensitize radiotherapy (RT) and antitumor immunity synchronously urgently needed. Here, the authors developed a nanoscale metal–organic framework (MOF, named TZM) by co‐doping high‐atomic elements Ta and Zr as metal nodes and porphyrinic molecules (tetrakis(4‐carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP)) as a photosensitizing ligand. Given the 3D arrays of ultra‐small heavy metals, porous TZM serves as an efficient attenuator absorbing X‐ray energy and sensitizing hydroxyl radical generation for RT. Ta–Zr co‐doping narrowed the highest occupied molecular orbital‐lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO–LUMO) energy gap and exhibited close energy levels between the singlet and triplet photoexcited states, facilitating TZM transfer energy to the photosensitizer TCPP to sensitize singlet oxygen (1O2) generation for radiodynamic therapy (RDT). The sensitized RT–RDT effects of TZM elicit a robust antitumor immune response by inducing immunogenic cell death, promoting dendritic cell maturation, and upregulating programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐L1) expression via the cGAS–STING pathway. Furthermore, a combination of TZM, X‐ray, and anti‐PD‐L1 treatments amplify antitumor immunotherapy and efficiently arrest osteosarcoma growth and metastasis. These results indicate that TZM is a promising radiosensitizer for the synergistic RT and immunotherapy of metastatic osteosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The repeated cyclic freeze-thaw effect in low-temperature environments causes irreversible damage and deterioration to the microscopic pore structure and macroscopic mechanical properties of a rock. To study the effects of the freeze-thaw cycle on the porosity and mechanical properties, the indoor freeze-thaw cycle test and mechanical tests of sandstone-like materials were conducted. Based on nuclear magnetic resonance, the influence of the freeze-thaw cycle on microscopic pores was analyzed, and the intrinsic relationship between porosity and mechanical strength was discussed. Meanwhile, the energy change in the uniaxial compression test was recorded using the discrete element software (PFC2D). The influence of freeze-thaw cycles on different types of energy was analyzed, and the internal relationship between different energies and freeze-thaw cycles was discussed. The results showed that the microscopic pore structure is dominated by micropores, followed by mesopores and the smallest macropores. With an increase in the freeze-thaw cycle, both micropores and mesopores showed an increasing trend. The porosity showed an exponentially increasing trend with the increase in freeze-thaw cycles. The peak strength and elastic modulus decreased exponentially with the increase in freeze-thaw times, while the peak strain showed an exponentially increasing trend. The strain energy and bond strain energy showed a trend of increasing and decreasing in the front and back stages of the peak strength, respectively. However, the frictional energy always showed an increasing trend. The total energy, strain energy, bond strain energy, and friction energy all showed exponential increases with the increase in the number of freeze-thaw cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggregate plays an important role in cement-based materials. Evaluating the impact of aggregate gradation on pore structure and mechanical properties will help to optimize the mortar ratio and improve its durability. In this study, artificial sand with 5 different particle sizes was used as aggregate, and the synthetic gradation formed by their coupling was compared. The pore structure distribution of mortar was quantitatively characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology. Surface-to-volume ratio (SVR) and ρ d (aggregate packing density) were used to characterize the aggregate grading characteristics. The correlation between aggregate gradation characteristics and mortar parameters, such as porosity, pore structure fractal dimension, permeability coefficient, and mechanical strength, was analyzed, and a compressive modulus of mortar was established. The results indicate that the pore structure characteristics, K (permeability), and mechanical characteristics of mortar are all influenced by both SVR and ρ d. The predominant pores in the mortar are micropores and movable fluid pores, and the addition of 0.1–0.5 mm aggregates reduces the formation of micropores, mesopores, macropores, and movable fluid pores in the mortar. As the number of pores increases, the complexity of the pore structure decreases, leading to higher homogeneity. Moreover, the K shows a strong power function relationship with the total porosity and the total porosity fractal. The compressive strength and E c (compression modulus) of GM 1–6 are significantly higher than those of GM 7–9 , correlating with the minimum aggregate size and the inherent strength of the aggregates. The regression results of the strength correlation model are significant, and the strength model established based on the porosity of micropores and E c can accurately predict the compressive strength of mortar. • The pore structure and mechanical characteristics of mortar are influenced by surface-to-volume ratio and aggregate packing density. • The aggregate grade plays an important role in the formation of pore structure and mechanical strength of mortar, and they show a good correlation. • The influence of pore structure and its own characteristics should be considered comprehensively in the prediction of mortar strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To further enhance our understanding of the microstructure of SRM and its intrinsic relationship with macroscopic properties, this paper conducted indoor freeze-thaw cycles, EIS and uniaxial compression tests. The results indicated that the number of freeze-thaw cycles has a significant exponential relationship with R CPP , R CPP 1 and C DSRP. As the number of cycles increased, R CPP and R CPP 1 exhibited a decreasing trend, whereas C DSRP showed an increasing pattern. The freeze-thaw cycles led to the expansion and connection of different pores, resulting in the widening or multiplication of channels in CPP , leading to a decrease in both R CPP and R CPP 1. However, in DSRPP , the liquid-filled pores underwent radial expansion during freeze-thaw cycles, connecting with gas-filled pores around them. This transition led the conductive path to transform into CPP , reducing the accumulated thickness of non-continuous points. Consequently, C DSRP exhibited an increasing trend. Furthermore, the increase in porosity weakened the deformation resistance, increasing the compaction stage of pores and the peak strain, while reducing its peak strength and secant modulus. The peak strength, strain and secant modulus also exhibited significant exponential relationships with different cycles. There was a good exponential correlation between ∆ R CPP of CPP and the uniaxial strength, and the freeze-thaw deterioration model constructed with it as an influence factor could better assess its peak mechanical strength after freezing and thawing. • An electrochemical circuit model for different conductive paths was proposed. • The microstructure was characterized by EIS parameters of the equivalent model. • The influence and mechanism of freeze-thaw cycles on EIS parameters were analyzed. • A degradation model for the uniaxial strength was established with EIS parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) continue to have a low survival rate. The number of CRLM regulators and clinical indicators remains limited. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a new master regulator of cell invasion and metastasis. However, the function and regulation mechanism of lncRNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis are yet unknown. Methods: To screen and identify CRLM-related lncRNAs, public transcriptome data were used. Gain and loss of function experiments were carried out to investigate the biological activities of lncRNA CRLM1 in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP), immunofluorescence (IF), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), western blotting, and rescue experiments were performed to explore the molecular mechanism of CRLM1. Moreover, identified the proteins, DNAs, and RNAs that interact with CRLM1. Results: The investigation of lncRNA expression dynamics in CRLM, primary CRC, and normal tissues in this work resulted in identifying a series of lncRNAs associated with metastasis, including CRLM1. CRLM1 inhibited apoptosis of CRC cells and promoted liver metastasis in Balb/C nude mice. CRLM1 was weakly associated with the chromatin regions of genes involved in cell adhesion and DNA damage, and this association was bidirectionally correlated with CRLM1-regulated pro-metastatic gene expression. CRLM1 physically interacts with the hnRNPK protein and promotes its nuclear localization. CRLM1 effectively enhances hnRNPK promoter occupancy and co-regulates the expression of a panel of metastatic genes. Conclusions: The finding of the clinically significant lncRNA CRLM1 in promoting metastasis and regulating gene expression suggests a potential biomarker and target for CRLM therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment of rock-like material plays an important role in the simulation of engineering fractured rock mass. To further understand the influence of raw materials on rock-like materials, this paper carried out the indoor mechanical properties test and the micro-pore structure detection combining NMR and SEM. The effects of micron-silica fume (SF) on microporous structure parameters and macroscopic mechanical properties under different conditions of water–cement ratio (WCR) and sand–cement ratio (SCR) were discussed. The intrinsic relationship between parameters of different scales was analyzed. The experimental results showed that the porosity parameters of different radii gradually decreased with the increase in SF. The reduction rate of macroporous porosity was the greatest, and the decreasing rate of microporous porosity was the smallest. With the increase in SF, the microscopic characteristics of the internal surface changed from more pores, complex morphological distribution, rough surface to fewer pores, regular morphological distribution and flat and uniform surface. The box fractal dimension also showed a decreasing trend. Micro-pore structure makes a valuable contribution to the influence of SF on mechanical properties. The compressive strength and tensile strength increased with the increase in SF. The box fractal dimension and porosity of different radii were negatively correlated with mechanical strength. Different porosity parameters conformed to a good exponential relationship with mechanical properties. The research results can provide reference value and research space for subsequent rock-like material research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of crushed rock sand (CRS) as a substitute for natural sand is a necessary and feasible approach to address depletion of natural sand resources. This study investigated the effect of CRS aggregate gradation, based on Talbot grading theory, on pore structure and mechanical properties of mortar. 10 CRS mortars with different Talbot gradations were prepared, and quantitative relationships between Talbot gradation, pore characteristics (size distribution, fractal dimensions, and pore connectivity), acoustic emission (AE) characteristics, and compressive mechanical properties were analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and AE techniques. The optimal Talbot index value was determined to be 0.4, based on the observed changes in pore structure and mechanical properties. Furthermore, the influence of Talbot index on internal damage process of CRS mortar was analyzed in conjunction with AE characteristics, and a prediction model for mortar strength was established based on porosity and AE cumulative counts. The correlation between pore structure, AE characteristics and mechanical properties of CRS mortar under Talbot grading was systematically investigated, which provides theoretical support for optimal design of CRS mortar materials. The application of Talbot grading theory in design of mortar is explored to provide a scientific basis for improvement of mortar engineering performance. • Crushed rock sand as a substitute for natural sand in mortar. • Application of Talbot grading theory in mortar material design. • A mortar strength prediction model based on porosity and AE cumulative counts was established. • The research results provide theoretical support for the optimal design of Crushed rock sand mortar materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ciprofibrate, a potent peroxisome proliferator, induces pleiotropic responses in liver by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), a nuclear receptor. Transcriptional regulation by liganded nuclear receptors involves the participation of coregulators that form multiprotein complexes possibly to achieve cell and gene specific transcription. SDS–PAGE and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometric analyses of ciprofibrate-binding proteins from liver nuclear extracts obtained using ciprofibrate–Sepharose affinity matrix resulted in the identification of a new high molecular weight nuclear receptor coactivator, which we designated PRIC320. The full-length human cDNA encoding this protein has an open-reading frame that codes for a 320kDa protein containing 2882 amino acids. PRIC320 contains five LXXLL signature motifs that mediate interaction with nuclear receptors. PRIC320 binds avidly to nuclear receptors PPARα, CAR, ERα, and RXR, but only minimally with PPARγ. PRIC320 also interacts with transcription cofactors CBP, PRIP, and PBP. Immunoprecipitation–immunoblotting as well as cellular localization studies confirmed the interaction between PPARα and PRIC320. PRIC320 acts as a transcription coactivator by stimulating PPARα-mediated transcription. We conclude that ciprofibrate, a PPARα ligand, binds a multiprotein complex and PRIC320 cloned from this complex functions as a nuclear receptor coactivator. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Considering that it can significantly reduce the irreversible loss in the heat exchange process, the organic flash cycle (OFC) was proposed as a feasible alternative with great potential to the organic Rankine cycle (ORC). Furthermore, many modified configurations of OFC have been proposed in the existing literature. However, studies on these configurations are fragmented and lack a systematic summary of existing configurations, which cannot provide a roadmap that can guide subsequent studies on the construction of configurations. Therefore, this study aims to bridge this gap. According to whether new types of components (i.e., the internal heat exchanger, two-phase expander, and ejector) are introduced or not, this study firstly divides the improvement measures for the OFC configuration into two categories. Then, thirty-two modified configurations of OFC existing in the literature are summarized. Furthermore, the connections between these configurations are deeply revealed and exploration space for more configurations is presented. Finally, based on the analysis of the improvement measures and existing configurations, some suggestions for modifying the OFC configuration are put forward. Configurations with ejectors and polygeneration configurations are worthy of further research in the future. • Connections between existing configurations of organic flash cycle (OFC) are revealed. • Exploration space for more configurations of OFC is presented. • Configurations of OFC with ejectors are considered more worthy to study. • Application of more configurations in poly-generation systems should be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Explosive synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning occur in the hippocampus during the first two weeks of postnatal life, coincident with a heightened susceptibility to seizures in rodents. To determine the temporal correlation between microglial development and age-dependent susceptibility and response to seizures, we quantified developmental changes in basal microglia levels and seizure-induced microglial activation in the hippocampus of Cx3Cr1GFP/+ transgenic mice. Methods: Basal levels of microglia were quantified in the hippocampi of Cx3Cr1GFP /+ mice at P0, P5, P10, P15, P20, P25, P30, P40, and P60. Seizure susceptibility and seizure-induced microglial activation were assessed in response to febrile seizures (lipopolysaccharide followed by hyperthermia) and kainic acid-induced status epilepticus. Results: The density of microglia within the hippocampus increased rapidly after birth, reaching a peak during the second week of life - the age at which the animals became most vulnerable to seizure triggers. In addition, this peak of microglial development and seizure vulnerability during the second postnatal week represented the time of maximal seizure-induced microglia activation. Conclusions: Overreactive innate immunity mediated by activated microglia may exacerbate acute injury to neuronal synapses and contribute to the long-term epileptogenic effects of early-life seizures. Anti-inflammatory therapy targeting excessive production of inflammatory mediators by activated microglia, therefore, may be an effective age-specific therapeutic strategy to minimize neuronal dysfunction and prevent increases in susceptibility to subsequent seizures in developing animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of adipose tissue in vivo has been significantly advanced through the use of genetic mouse models. While the aP2-CreBI and aP2-CreSalk lines have been widely used to target adipose tissue, the specificity of these lines for adipocytes has recently been questioned. Here we characterize Cre recombinase activity in multiple cell populations of the major adipose tissue depots of these and other Cre lines using the membrane-Tomato/membrane-GFP (mT/mG) dual fluorescent reporter. We find that the aP2-CreBI and aP2-CreSalk lines lack specificity for adipocytes within adipose tissue, and that the aP2-CreBI line does not efficiently target adipocytes in white adipose depots. Alternatively, the Adiponectin-CreERT line shows high efficiency and specificity for adipocytes, while the PdgfRα-CreERUCL and PdgfRα-CreERJHU lines do not efficiently target adipocyte precursor cells in the major adipose depots. Instead, we show that the PdgfRα-Cre line is preferable for studies targeting adipocyte precursor cells in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] α-Fe2O3@graphene nanocomposites were developed by one-step facile hydrothermal method. [•] α-Fe2O3@graphene nanocomposites exhibit good gas-sensing performance to ethanol in comparison with pure α-Fe2O3. [•] The gas sensing mechanism of as-prepared nanocomposites to ethanol is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Phosphate-activated mitochondrial glutaminase (GLS2) is suggested to be linked with elevated glutamine metabolism. It plays an important role in catalyzing the hydrolysis of glutamine to glutamate. The present study was to investigate the potent effect of GLS2 on radioresistance of cervical carcinoma. GLS2 was examined in 144 cases of human cervical cancer specimens (58 radioresistant specimens, 86 radiosensitive specimens) and 15 adjacent normal cervical specimens with immunohistochemistry. HeLa cells were treated with a cumulative dose of 50Gy X-rays, over 6months, yielding the resistant sub-line HeLaR. The expressions of GLS2 were measured by Western blot. Radioresistance was tested by colony survival assay. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The levels of glutathione (GSH), reactive oxygen species (ROS), NAD+/NADH ratio and NADP+/NADPH ratio were detected by quantization assay kit. Xenografts were used to confirm the effect of GLS2 on radioresistance in vivo. The expressions of GLS2 were significantly enhanced in tumor tissues of radioresistant patients compared with that in radiosensitive patients. In vitro, the radioresistant cell line HeLaR exhibited significantly increased GLS2 levels than its parental cell line HeLa. GLS2 silenced radioresistant cell HeLaR shows substantially enhanced radiosensitivity with lower colony survival and higher apoptosis in response to radiation. In vivo, xenografts with GLS2 silenced HeLaR were more sensitive to radiation. At the molecular level, knock-down of GLS2 increased the intracellular ROS levels of HeLaR exposed to irradiation by decreasing the productions of antioxidant GSH, NADH and NADPH. GLS2 may have an important role in radioresistance in cervical cancer patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background & Aims: Gestational alloimmune liver disease is the main cause of the neonatal hemochromatosis phenotype, wherein severe neonatal liver disease is associated with iron overload and extrahepatic tissue siderosis. How fetal liver disease produces extrahepatic siderosis is not known. We hypothesized that fetal liver injury causes deficient hepcidin production and poor regulation of placental iron flux. Under the resulting conditions of iron overload, the tissue pattern of extrahepatic siderosis is determined by the normal expression of proteins involved in the import of non-transferrin-bound iron and the export of cellular iron. Methods: Liver and extrahepatic tissues from infants with gestational alloimmune liver disease were examined and compared to normal age-appropriate tissues. Results: Serum iron indices indicate iron overload and excess non-transferrin bound iron in gestational alloimmune liver disease. The diseased liver showed significantly reduced hepcidin, hemojuvulin, and transferrin gene expression compared to the normal fetal and neonatal liver. Those extrahepatic tissues that are typically involved in pathological siderosis in neonatal hemochromatosis, whether from normal or diseased newborns, consistently expressed solute carrier family 39 (zinc transporter), member 14 (ZIP14) for non-transferrin-bound iron uptake and expressed little ferroportin for iron export. Conclusions: Excess non-transferrin-bound iron in gestational alloimmune liver disease may result from fetal liver injury that causes reduced synthesis of key iron regulatory and transport proteins. Whereas, the pattern of extrahepatic siderosis appears to be determined by the normal capacity of various tissues to import non-transferrin-bound iron and not export cellular iron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) regulates transcription of phenobarbital-inducible genes that encode xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in liver. CAR is localized to the hepatocyte cytoplasm but to be functional, it translocates into the nucleus in the presence of phenobarbital-like CAR ligands. We now demonstrate that adenovirally driven EGFP-CAR, as expected, translocates into the nucleus of normal wild-type hepatocytes following phenobarbital treatment under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. Using this approach we investigated the role of transcription coactivators PBP and PRIP in the translocation of EGFP-CAR into the nucleus of PBP and PRIP liver conditional null mouse hepatocytes. We show that coactivator PBP is essential for nuclear translocation of CAR but not PRIP. Adenoviral expression of both PBP and EGFP-CAR restored phenobarbital-mediated nuclear translocation of exogenously expressed CAR in PBP null livers in vivo and in PBP null primary hepatocytes in vitro. CAR translocation into the nucleus of PRIP null livers resulted in the induction of CAR target genes such as CYP2B10, necessary for the conversion of acetaminophen to its hepatotoxic intermediate metabolite, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine. As a consequence, PRIP-deficiency in liver did not protect from acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis, unlike that exerted by PBP deficiency. These results establish that transcription coactivator PBP plays a pivotal role in nuclear localization of CAR, that it is likely that PBP either enhances nuclear import or nuclear retention of CAR in hepatocytes, and that PRIP is redundant for CAR function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To study the influence of freeze-thaw weathering on dynamic tensile properties and damage mechanism of rock material, the porosity and T 2 spectrum distribution of rock samples underwent different freeze-thaw cycles were obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and the variation of micropores and macropore that caused by freeze-thaw cycles were calculated by T 2 spectrum and then analyzed. In addition, the dynamic splitting tensile test was carried out on rock samples by using split Hopkins pressure bar (SHPB), and dynamic tensile peak strength, Young's modulus and peak strain were gained and analyzed. Dynamic tensile strength degradation prediction model was established to predict the damage of rock caused by freeze-thaw weathering. Results show that the porosity of the rock sample increases with freeze-thaw cycles increase, the freeze-thaw damage on rock microstructure is mainly caused by the expansion of micropores into macropores, while the initiation of micropores is the secondary reason. With freeze-thaw cycles increasing, the peak strain increases, the dynamic Young's modulus decreases. In addition, the effect of freeze-thaw weathering deteriorates the rock's anti-deformation ability and durability. • Dynamic mechanical property of freeze-thaw weathering treated Granite was test on SHPB system. • Microstructure of Granite sample under different freeze-thaw cycles was test by NMR and then analyzed. • Dynamic tensile strength decay model was then established to predict the damage of rock caused by freeze-thaw weathering. • When freeze-thaw cycle reaches 204, the mechanical parameters will decay to half of the initial value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the filling mining method is widely used. To study strength evolution laws of cemented tailings backfill (CTB) under different curing ages, in the experiment, mine tailings were used as aggregates, ordinary Portland cement (PC32.5) was used as cementing materials, and different additives (lime and fly ash) were added to make filling samples with the solids mass concentration at 74% and the cement-sand ratios 1:4, 1:6 and 1:8. Based on the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology, the porosity test of filling samples with curing ages of 3 d, 7 d and 28 d was carried out, and the uniaxial compressive strength test was carried out on the servo universal material testing machine. The relationship between the uniaxial compressive strength and porosity of backfills and the curing age in the three groups was studied, and change laws of the porosity variation and strength growth rate of backfills were analyzed. Based on the variation in porosity, the strength evolution model of the CTB under different curing ages was established, and the model was fitted and verified with test data. Results show that the uniaxial compressive strength, porosity, porosity variation, and strength growth rate of the three groups of backfills gradually increase with the increase of the curing age, the porosity of backfill basically increases with the decrease of the cement–sand ratio, and the porosity of backfill decreases with the increase of the curing age. Porosity variations and relative strength values of the three groups of backfills under different cement-sand ratios obey an exponential function, and the two have a good correlation, indicating that the established filling strength evolution model can well reflect strength evolution laws of the CTB with the change of curing age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The method that could reflect the heterogeneity of the non-homogeneous materials was proposed. • The peridynamic model of rock-like material was established based on the Weibull distribution. • The non-homogeneous analysis method can obtain more reasonable results for crack propagating. The peridynamic (PD) theory has achieved good and wide application in analysing the fracture and crack propagation of rock-like materials. However, the results of the calculation may not be reliable due to rock heterogeneity. In this paper, the critical stretch that obeys a distribution function is proposed to describe the heterogeneity of the non-homogeneous materials. In addition, the relationship between the eigenvalue of the distribution function of the critical stretch and the macroscopic mechanical parameters of the non-homogeneous material is established. Based on the Weibull distribution function, the peridynamic model reflecting the heterogeneity of rock-like materials is established, and the relationship between the average critical stretch of rock-like materials bond and the shape parameter of Weibull distribution function is analysed. On this basis, we compared and analysed the simulation results obtained by the homogeneous analysis method (HAM) and the non-homogeneous analysis method (NHAM) by analysing three typical numerical calculation cases. Results show that NHAM not only reflects the inhomogeneity of rock-like materials, but numerical results of the crack propagation path and speed are more accurate than the traditional HAM numerical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]