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Osmotic stress and abscisic acid (ABA) signaling are important for plant growth and abiotic stress resistance. Activation of osmotic and ABA signaling downstream of the PYL-type ABA receptors requires the release of SnRK2 protein kinases from the inhibition imposed by PP2Cs. PP2Cs are core negative regulators that constantly interact with and inhibit SnRK2s, but how osmotic signaling breaks the PP2C inhibition of SnRK2s remains unclear. Here, we report that an Arabidopsis receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase, BIK1, releases PP2C-mediated inhibition of SnRK2.6 via phosphorylation regulation. The dominant abi1-1 ABA-signaling mutation (G180D) disrupts PYL-PP2C interactions and disables PYL-initiated release of SnRK2s; in contrast, BIK1 releases abi1-1-mediated inhibition of SnRK2.6. BIK1 interacts with and phosphorylates SnRK2.6 at two tyrosine residues, which are critical for SnRK2.6 activation and function. Phosphorylation of the two tyrosine residues may affect the docking of the tryptophan "lock" of PP2C into SnRK2.6. Moreover, the bik1 mutant is defective in SnRK2 activation, stress-responsive gene expression, ABA accumulation, growth maintenance, and water loss under osmotic stress. Our findings uncover the critical role of BIK1 in releasing PP2C-mediated inhibition of SnRK2s under osmotic stress. Synopsis: Plants respond to a lack of water through a series of responses triggered by the hormone abscisic acid (ABA). This work shows that, under osmotic stress, SnRK2 and PP2C (components of the ABA signalling pathway) need to be activated by BIK1-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of SnRK2s. BIK1 releases SnRK2.6 from PP2C binding and inhibition under osmotic stress. Release of SnRK2s from PP2Cs by BIK1 differs in mechanism from that of ABA and PYLs. Two tyrosine residues that are phosphorylated by BIK1 are critical for SnRK2.6-ABI1 interaction. The tryptophan lock of PP2C plays a critical role in PP2C-SnRK2.6 binding. BIK1 triggers early abscisic-acid-independent osmotic stress signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The space hurricane is a large‐scale three‐dimensional magnetic vortex structure that can cause massive local energy injections in the polar cap. By analyzing Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F16–F19 satellite observations from 2005 to 2016, we found that the Southern Hemisphere space hurricane mainly occurs in summer under negative By dominated northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions. In particular, the space hurricanes are more likely to occur in the dayside polar cap at magnetic latitude greater than 80°. The characteristics for the Southern Hemisphere are basically consistent with the characteristics of space hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere. The different dependences of By component in different hemispheres supports the high‐latitude lobe reconnection as the formation mechanism. Plasma data from DMSP satellites in both hemispheres show that the appearance of the space hurricane greatly enhances the convection in the polar cap and the electron density on its dawn side. Within the space hurricane, electron temperatures typically increase significantly, accompanied by strong upward field‐aligned currents and electron precipitation. These results give us a better understanding of the solar wind‐magnetosphere‐polar ionosphere coupling process under northward IMF conditions. Plain Language Summary: The space hurricane is defined as a large three‐dimensional magnetic vortex structure that spans the polar ionosphere and magnetosphere. Previous research has pointed out that it often appears as an aurora spot near the north magnetic pole, which can greatly enhance the convection patterns and current systems in the polar ionosphere. To clarify its occurrence rate and characteristics in the Southern Hemisphere, we identified the 259 space hurricane events from the long‐term DMSP satellite observations in the Southern Hemisphere. The statistical results indicated that the Southern Hemisphere space hurricanes mainly occur in summer and dayside polar cap under negative By dominated and northward IMF conditions. In addition, we found that the electron temperatures within the space hurricane increased significantly and accompanied by strong upward field‐aligned field currents and electron precipitation. The appearance of the space hurricane greatly enhances the plasma velocity and the electron density on its dawn side. The characteristics in the Southern Hemisphere are basically consistent with the characteristics of space hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere, and support high‐latitude lobe reconnection as the formation mechanism. This work helps us understand the spatial and temporal characteristics of the space hurricane and their impact on plasma parameters. Key Points: Space hurricanes in the Southern Hemisphere mainly occur in summer and afternoon sector with negative By dominated northward IMFPlasma data from DMSP satellites indicate that the space hurricane has enhanced Te, horizontal convection and Ne on its dawn sideStatistical properties of space hurricanes in the Southern Hemisphere are consistent with high‐latitude lobe reconnection [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous observations from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, Swarm, Resolute Bay all‐sky imagers, GPS Total Electron Content and Super Dual Auroral Radar Network, are used to investigate the evolution and key characteristics of the Tongue of Ionization (TOI) being restructured into a polar cap patch. Six satellites crossed the TOI of patch as it moved from the dayside to the nightside. It was initially hot, then a mix of both cold and hot, and finally it became a cold patch. This suggests that cold patch is not only a result of solar extreme ultraviolet radiation, but may also develop when a hot patch cools down. Soft‐electron precipitation and flow shears both contribute to the TOI restructuring and the appearance of polar cap patch. The plasma density of patch at ∼500 km was at least 4 times higher than at ∼800 km. The plasma density enhancement gradually decreased as the patch evolved due to decreased production and transport of cold nightside low‐density plasma. Moreover, the duskward motion of the patch was influenced by changes in the ionospheric convection pattern. Plain Language Summary: The appearance of high‐density plasma is a common phenomenon in the polar ionosphere. High‐density polar cap patches usually form near the dayside sunlit region, and then move from the dayside to the nightside with the ionospheric flow. In the paper, we use multiple instruments including six satellites and ground‐based observations to carefully investigate an event that started out on the dayside. It was initially a hot tongue of ionization (TOI) of high density and high electron temperature, followed by a mix of hot and cold (high vs. low electron temperature), before it finally became a cold patch. Soft‐electron precipitation and flow shears both influenced the dayside high‐density TOI plasma restructuring and the appearance of polar cap patch. The enhanced plasma density gradually weakened as the plasma migrated toward the nightside due to decreased production and transport of cold nightside low‐density plasma. Moreover, the duskward motion of the patch was influenced by changes in the ionospheric convection pattern. Key Points: Cold dense plasma in the polar cap can appear either via transport of solar extreme ultraviolet plasma or after a hot patch cools downSoft‐electron precipitation and flow shears both influence the Tongue of Ionization restructuring and the appearance of polar cap patchesThe enhanced plasma density is reduced due to decreased production and transport of cold nightside low‐density plasma [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a spinal deformity with unknown etiology and high incidence, especially in adolescent females. If scoliosis patients do not get effective treatment in the early stage, the degree of scoliosis will continue to worsen with the growth of age or the rapid development of scoliosis in a short time, and the appearance deformities such as high and low shoulders and razor back will gradually appear, which can affect the cardiopulmonary function and even shorten life expectancy. It has a great impact on the physical and mental health of the patients. Mild scoliosis is often well controlled by bracing, and moderate to severe scoliosis deformity often requires scoliosis corrective surgery. In adolescent idiopathic scoliosis correction, pedicle screws offer better stability and firmness, stronger orthopedic force, and lower incidence of related complications caused by instruments than traditional hook and conical internal fixation instruments. At the same time, scoliosis patients have uneven development of the left and right sides of the vertebral body, narrow diameter of concave pedicle and varying degrees of rotation of parietal vertebra, resulting in changes in the position of important anatomical structures such as spinal cord and thoracic aorta in the spinal canal. It makes it difficult to place pedicle screws, resulting in a high misplacement rate. How to improve the safety of screw placement, reduce the misplacement rate and the risk of spinal cord, nerve root, blood vessels, viscera and so on, has always been the focus of spinal surgeons. This paper summarizes the related literature on the effects of new techniques such as pedicle anatomy, complications of nail placement and computer navigation, and 3D guided template on the accuracy of screw placement in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients, and the safety of nail placement. In order to provide reference for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the correlation between the amplitude changes of motor evoked potential (MEP), the 3D volume changes of spinal canal measuring by postoperative CT and the improvement rate of clinical symptoms after the spinal canal decompression in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF), and to explore the predictive value of the changes of both MEP amplitude and spinal canal volume in the assessment of long-term clinical prognosis in MIS-TLIF. Methods: A retrospective study of 68 patients with L4/5 spinal stenosis treated with MIS-TLIF was performed. The changes of both intraoperative MEP amplitude and 3D spinal canal volume during the spinal canal decompression, as well as the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) scores in the long-term follow-up were all recorded. Results: The values of intraoperative MEP amplitude was 159.04% higher in 68 patients with MIS-TLIF after spinal canal decompression (P < 0.01) . The postoperative 3D spinal canal volume (4.89 ± 1.27) cm3 increased by 31.22% in comparison with preoperative date (3.78±1.08) cm³ (P < 0.01) . The VAS and ODI scores were improved to 78.55% and 80.60%, respectively at the last follow-up (P < 0.01) . The improvement rate of MEP amplitude on the decompression side was positively correlated with the improvement rate of postoperative spinal canal volume (r = 0.272, P = 0.025) . The improvement rate of postoperative spinal canal volume was positively correlated with the improvement rate of VAS and ODI at the last follow-up ( r = 0.656, r = 0.490, P < 0.01) . Moreover, the improvement rate of MEP amplitude on the decompression side was also positively correlated with the improvement rate of VAS and ODI at the last follow-up (r = 0.322 and 0.235, respectively, P < 0.05) . Conclusion: The increase of MEP amplitude after spinal canal decompression in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis treated by MIS-TLIF was closely correlated with both of the increase of spinal canal volume and the improvement of clinical symptoms. Therefore, MEP amplitude monitoring was not only the one of the important monitoring methods for predicting the prognosis of MIS-TLIF but also the reliably predictive value in the long-term clinical prognosis in MIS-TLIF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection is a worldwide health problem. Polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylated interferon (PEG-IFN) is an available therapy for CHB that has antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. However, PEG-IFN therapy is limited by the fact that only a subset of patients show a sustained response, its severe side effects, and high cost. The aim of this study was to explore novel biomarkers for the early prediction of PEG-IFN treatment response and to uncover its underlying mechanism. Patients and Methods: We enrolled 10 paired patients with Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB who received PEG-IFN-α 2a monotherapy. Patient serum samples were collected at 0, 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks and serum samples were collected from eight healthy people as healthy controls. For confirmation, we enrolled 27 patients with HBeAg-positive CHB receiving PEG-IFN therapy and serum samples at 0 and 12 weeks were obtained. Serum samples were analyzed using Luminex technology. Results: Among 27 assessed cytokines, 10 cytokines were identified to have high expression levels. Among them, six cytokines had significant differences in their levels between the patients with HBeAg-positive CHB and the healthy controls (P < 0.05). Potentially, treatment response could be predicted using the early time points of 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Moreover, after 12 weeks of PEG-IFN treatment, increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines were observed. The fold change of IP-10 between 12 weeks and 0 weeks correlated with the decrease in ALT levels from 0 to 12 weeks (r = 0.2675, P = 0.0024). Conclusion: In patients with CHB, we observed a certain pattern in the levels of cytokines during treatment with PEG-IFN, and the cytokine IP-10 might be a potential biomarker for treatment response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the position and the grade of screw perforation in the apical region of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery using a calibration technique for the intraoperative navigation error, and to analyze the related factors of navigation deviation and the clinical significance of the calibration technique. Methods: From 2017 to 2020, a total of 60 Lenke 1 AIS surgical cases were enrolled in this research. The 30 cases received surgery using the intraoperative navigation system (Navigation group) and another 30 cases were assisted with intraoperative navigation system with calibration technique (Calibration group) for the intraoperative navigation error. The basic information and radiological data of the both groups were all recorded. According to the Fu Chang-feng's pedicle channel classification system, the pedicle on the apical region of the two groups was classified. And then the accuracy of screw placement of the two groups was evaluated according to the Rao's classification. Results: A total of 600 screws were placed in the two groups. The 297 and 303 pedicle screws were implanted in the navigation group and the calibration group, respectively. In the apical region of the calibration group, the rates of the grade 0 screw placement in type A, B and C pedicle were 95.7%, 86.7% and 68.9% respectively. It was a statistically significant difference from the 73.9%, 66.9% and 30.0% in the navigation group respectively (P<0.05). In the calibration group, the rates of the medial cortical perforation in the type A, B, C and D pedicle were 0%, 1.6%, 1.6% and 0%, respectively. The corresponding rates were 16.3%, 16.9%, 30.0% and 47.6% in the navigation group, respectively. Moreover, in the concave side of the apical region of the calibration group, the rates of the medial cortical perforation in the type A, B, C and D pedicle were 0%, 3.6%, 2.6% and 0%, respectively. Compared with the calibration group, the corresponding rates were higher in the navigation group (34.4%, 25.9%, 37.2% and 60.0%, respectively). No serious complications such as spinal cord or neurovascular injury occurred for the two groups. Conclusion: Compared with the intraoperative navigation system, the calibration technique for the intraoperative navigation error could provide the higher accuracy of pedicle screw placement in the apical region of the major curve, the lower medial cortical perforation rate, the less screws misplacement rate on the concave side and the less complication rate of the severe Lenke 1 AIS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combination therapy with pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) can enhance hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance. However, the specific treatment strategy and the patients who would benefit the most are unclear. Therefore, we assessed the HBsAg loss rate of add‐on PEG‐IFN and explored the factors associated with HBsAg loss in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. This was a real‐world cohort study of adults with CHB. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative NAs‐treated patients with baseline HBsAg ≤1500 IU/ml and HBV DNA < the lower limit of detection, or 100 IU/ml, received 48 weeks of add‐on PEG‐IFN. The primary outcome of the study was the rate of HBsAg loss at 48 weeks of combination treatment. Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, we determined factors associated with HBsAg loss. HBsAg loss in 2579 patients (mean age: 41.2 years; 80.9% male) was 36.7% (947 patients) at 48 weeks. HBsAg loss was highest in patients from south‐central and southwestern China (40.0%). Factors independently associated with HBsAg loss included: increasing age (odds ratio = 0.961); being male (0.543); baseline HBsAg level (0.216); HBsAg decrease at 12 weeks (between 0.5 and 1.0 log10 IU/ml [2.405] and >1.0 log10 IU/ml [7.370]); alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increase at 12 weeks (1.365); haemoglobin (HGB) decrease at 12 weeks (1.558). There was no difference in the primary outcomes associated with the combination regimen. In conclusion, HBsAg loss by combination therapy was higher in patients from southern China than those from the north. An increased chance of HBsAg loss was associated with baseline characteristics and dynamic changes in clinical indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The management of discharge COVID-19 patients with recurrent positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA is challenging. However, there are fewer scientific dissertations about the risk of recurrent positive. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between SARS-COV-2 RNA positive duration (SPD) and the risk of recurrent positive. Methods: This case–control multi-center study enrolled participants from 8 Chinese hospital including 411 participants (recurrent positive 241). Using unadjusted and multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analyses, generalized additive model with a smooth curve fitting, we evaluated the associations between SPD and risk of recurrent positive. Besides, subgroup analyses were performed to explore the potential interactions. Results: Among recurrent positive patients, there were 121 females (50.2%), median age was 50 years old [interquartile range (IQR): 38–63]. In non-adjusted model and adjusted model, SPD was associated with an increased risk of recurrent positive (fully-adjusted model: OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.08, P = 0.001); the curve fitting was not significant (P = 0.286). Comparing with SPD < 14 days, the risk of recurrent positive in SPD > 28 days was risen substantially (OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.44–6.63, P = 0.004). Interaction and stratified analyses showed greater effect estimates of SPD and risk of recurrent positive in the hypertension, low monocyte count and percentage patients (P for interaction = 0.008, 0.002, 0.036, respectively). Conclusion: SPD was associated with a higher risk of recurrent positive and especially SPD > 28 day had a two-fold increase in the relative risk of re-positive as compared with SPD < 14 day. What's more, the risk may be higher among those with hypertension and lower monocyte count or percentage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new dynamic predict method for solving the problem of a wearable body temperature measuring equipment’s poor dynamic response characteristics and a data fitting method of body temperature under experimental conditions are proposed in this paper. The method is based on the law of conservation of energy, Taylor expansion in respect of time and the idea of finite difference. The predictive equations of predict temperature with respect to predict coefficient and known time nodes’ temperature are established, the body temperature can be quickly obtained by measuring the first few minutes’ temperature. The predicted results are well verified by experimental data. And the possible influencing factors for prediction are analyzed, which include difference scheme, initial temperature, body temperature, time constant and temperature difference. This method allows the body temperature measurement equipment with lower price get higher performance, which greatly improved the practicability of temperature sensors that measurement process satisfy the first order inertia link. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Oto-Laryngologica is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an important phytohormone regulating plant growth, development, and stress responses. It has an essential role in multiple physiological processes of plants, such as stomatal closure, cuticular wax accumulation, leaf senescence, bud dormancy, seed germination, osmotic regulation, and growth inhibition among many others. Abscisic acid controls downstream responses to abiotic and biotic environmental changes through both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms. During the past 20 years, ABA biosynthesis and many of its signaling pathways have been well characterized. Here we review the dynamics of ABA metabolic pools and signaling that affects many of its physiological functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of reverberating shock experiments on the precompressed hydrogen-deuterium (H-D) mixture were performed by using a two-stage light gas gun, and an elaborately designed diagnostic configuration was presented to probe the multishock states of dense fluid H-D mixtures. The particular diagnostics allowed multiple physical parameters, including the equation of state (EOS), refractive index, reflectivity, molecular polarizability, and energy gap, of H-D mixtures under double-shock compression to be simultaneously determined in a single shot. The multiple parameters obtained provide a comprehensive evaluation for existing theoretical models from multiple perspectives. It is found that, compared with the semilocal Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof xc functional, the EOS data predicted by a nonlocal van der Waals exchange-correlation (xc) functional (vdW-DF1) are in much better agreement with the experimental results. Furthermore, the commonly used Gladstone–Dale relation is not appropriate for describing the refractive index in high-pressure-temperature regions, and the refractive index and reflectivity can be well reproduced by the Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof hybrid xc functional. These observations may provide insights into future theoretical developments and a better understanding of material properties under extreme pressure-temperature conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The effects of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) have been controversial. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LMWH on prognosis of SAP by systematic review and meta‐analysis. Methods: We searched relevant studies published up to March 2019 in five databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Chinese Journal of Science and Technology of VIP database). Results: Sixteen randomized controlled trials with 1625 patients were included in the final analysis. Most studies were from China. In analysis of laboratory parameters and clinical scores, SAP patients receiving LMWH treatment had lower white blood cell counts, C‐reactive protein level, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and computed tomography severity index. In clinical outcomes, SAP patients who received LMWH treatment had shorter hospital stay (pooled mean difference [95% confidence interval; CI] −8.79 [−11.18, −6.40], P < .01), lower mortality (pooled risk ratio [RR] [95% CI] 0.33 [0.24‐0.44], P < .01), lower incidences of multiple organ failure (pooled RR [95% CI] 0.34 [0.23‐0.52], P < .01), pancreatic pseudocyst (pooled RR [95% CI] 0.49 [0.27‐0.90], P =.02), and operation rate (pooled RR [95% CI] 0.39 [0.31‐0.50], P < .01). Conclusions: LMWH could improve the prognosis of SAP, and has a potential role in reducing hospital stay, mortality, incidences of multiple organ failure, pancreatic pseudocyst, and operation rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The survival outcomes between supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) and total laryngectomy (TL) were compared in the groups of matched-pair patients with T3 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).Methods: Patients with T3 LSCC were matched based on prognostic factors. The Kaplan–Meier curve and the Cox proportional hazards model were used for analysis on survival.Results: A total of 212 patients with T3 LSCC were included after matching (106 underwent SCPL and 106 underwent TL). Multivariable analysis showed no differences in overall survival (hazard risk [HR]=1.15; 95% CI: 0.79–1.67; P=0.47), disease-specific survival (HR=1.11; 95% CI: 0.69–1.80; P=0.66), and recurrence-free survival (HR=1.07; 95% CI: 0.68–1.68; P=0.77) between the SCPL group and TL group.Conclusion: SCPL provides reliable therapeutic outcomes and can be used to avoid a TL surgery in some patients with advanced primary laryngeal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effects of microRNA-145 (miR-145) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of TGF-β1-induced human renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells. Methods The gene sequence of miR- 145 was synthesized and cloned into pCMV-myc to construct recombinant plasmid pCMV-miR-145. HK-2 cells were divided into four groups: control (untreated), TGF-β1 (treated with TGF- β1), blank+TGF-β1 (treated with TGF-β1 after HK-2 cells transfected with blank plasmid) and miR-145+TGF-β1 (treated with TGF-β1 after HK-2 cells transfected with pCMV-miR-145 recombinant plasmid). Expression of miR-145 was detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). TGF- β1, Smad3, Smad2/3, p-Smad2/3, α-SMA, FN and type I collagen (Col I) protein levels were detected by Western blot. Concentrations of fibronectin (FN) and Col I in cell culture supernatants were measured using ELISA. Results pCMV- miR-145 recombinant plasmid was successfully transfected into HK-2 cells. Compared with the control group, the miR- 145+TGF- β1 group showed a significant up-regulation in the expression level of miR-145 (P<0.01). However, the TGF-pi and blank+TGF- β1groups showed a significant down-regulation in the expression level of miR-145 compared with that in the control and miR-145+TGF- β1 groups (P<0.01). Compared with the TGF- β1 and blank+TGF- β1 groups, the miR-145+TGF-β1 group showed significantly reduced levels of the signal proteins TGF-β1, Smad3, Smad2/3 and p-Smad2/3 (P<0.05), as well as significantly reduced levels of the biomarkers α-SMA, FN and Col I (P<0.05). Meanwhile, concentrations of FN and Col I in cell culture supernatants also decreased (P<0.05). Conclusions miR- 145 modulates the EMT of HK-2 cells treated with TGF-β1, possibly by inhibition of the activation of TGF-β-dependent Smad signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted on a questionnaire survey for the current college students' civic awareness from four aspects of equality consciousness, national consciousness, freedom consciousness and public consciousness. Survey data was analyzed with the SAS® statistical software, the results shown that some of our country's College Students with a strong national consciousness, and their patriotic feeling is deep at present. They identity the consciousness of equality, but their awareness of fighting for rights is not strong. They have a sense of freedom, but some students are not clear about the relationship between freedom and law. Their enthusiasm to participate in public affairs is not high. Their awareness of social morality is not comprehensive. The reason is that the influence of traditional culture and the political development can't keep up with the development of economy and the systematic citizenship education is lacked. Finally, we put forward a method of improve the civic awareness of Contemporary College Students in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of the platinum-based superconductor SrPt3P under pressure are investigated by the generalized gradient approximation with the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof exchange-correlation functional in the framework of density-functional theory. The calculated structural parameters (a,c) and the primitive cell volumeVof SrPt3P at the ground state are in good agreement with the available experimental data and seem to be better than other calculated results. The pressure dependences of the elastic constants \mathop C\nolimits_{ij}, bulk modulusB, shear modulusG, Young’s modulusEand Poisson’s ratioσof SrPt3P are also obtained successfully. The computed elastic constants indicate that SrPt3P is mechanically stable up to 100 GPa. The obtainedB/Gis 2.56 at the ground state, indicating that SrPt3P behaves in a ductile manner. The ratioB/Galso increases with growing pressures, indicating that the structure becomes more and more ductile. Even though SrPt3P is an ionic-covalent crystal, the obtained density of states shows that it has metallic characteristic. These conclusions can be further demonstrated by analysing the charge and Mulliken population. In addition, we have investigated the dielectric function and the loss function. It is found that the dielectric function in (E||x,E||y) is isotropic, whereas the directions (E||x,E||z) are anisotropic; the effect of pressure on the loss function of the deep ultraviolet region gradually increases as the pressure increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Zhejiang University: Science A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Numerical and experimental investigations were carried out in order to reduce the forming load and defects for non-axisymmetrical complex components. The component with intricate shape and V-type high ribs was widely used as key load-bearing structures. Single-step integral loading with different billet shapes and two-step local loading schemes were used to simulate the forming process and study the metal flow laws. Forming processes of preforming and finisher were analyzed to predict the detail characteristics of material flow using the 3D finite element method models. The simulated results showed that the two-step local loading schemes significantly reduced the forming load and improved the metal filling formability without defects, the required forming load obviously lower than single-step integral. The occurrences of defects, forming loads, and velocity vector distributions were studied and a suitable preform and corresponding die designs were obtained. The experimental results also showed that the component could meet the requirements of dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high speed steel composite roll billet was fabricated, which is regular in shape, smooth in surface, slight in trace, compact in internal structure, free of slag inclusion, shrinkage cavity, cracks and other flaws, and good in macro quality of junction surface using a vertical continuous casting machine. The interface zone microstructure of bimetallic in billet of high speed steel composite roll was analyzed by metallurgical microscope (OM), X-ray diffractmeter (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS). The results indicate that the microstructure of roll billet is composed of chilled solidified layer, dendrite zone, interfacial zone of bimetal and core material zone. The microstructure of outer shell material is composed of martensite + bainite + residual austenite + some small labyrinth-shape, small-short lath-shape, or dollop-shape eutectic carbides. The microstructure of core material is slice-shape pearlite and a little ferrite along boundary of cells. The interface region microstructure of bimetallic composite roll consists of diffusion region, chilled solidified layer and columnar grain region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the challenge of large margin classification for spam filtering in the presence of an adversary who disguises the spam mails to avoid being detected. In practice, the adversary may strategically add good words indicative of a legitimate message or remove bad words indicative of spam. We assume that the adversary could afford to modify a spam message only to a certain extent, without damaging its utility for the spammer. Under this assumption, we present a large margin approach for classification of spam messages that may be disguised. The proposed classifier is formulated as a second-order cone programming optimization. We performed a group of experiments using the TREC 2006 Spam Corpus. Results showed that the performance of the standard support vector machine (SVM) degrades rapidly when more words are injected or removed by the adversary, while the proposed approach is more stable under the disguise attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim is to investigate the effect of 1.5 and 3.0% sevoflurane on the expression of M acetylcholine receptor (mAChR M) in the hippocampus and the cognitive function of aged rats. Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats of 12-month old were randomly divided into five groups. All SD rats received 1.5 or 3.0% sevoflurane in a special glass anesthesia box for 2 h, respectively, except for the normal control group. Y-maze was used to test the ability of learning and memory after being received sevoflurane for 1 or 7 days at the same moment portion. The expression of mAChR M in the hippocampus of rats was tested by RT-PCR. The results showed that 3% sevoflurane induced the decline of cognitive function and significantly decreased the mAChR M expression at mRNA levels at 1 day in the 3.0% sevoflurane I group when compared with the normal control group. However, there was no significant difference among the other groups when compared with normal control group. Therefore, administration of sevoflurane might temporally affect the ability of cognitive function of rats through suppressing the mAChR M expression at mRNA levels in hippocampus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of complementary cycles in tournaments and bipartite tournaments was completely solved. However, the problem of complementary cycles in semicomplete n-partite digraphs with n ≥ 3 is still open. Based on the definition of componentwise complementary cycles, we get the following result. Let D be a 2-strong n-partite ( n ≥ 6) tournament that is not a tournament. Let C be a 3-cycle of D and D \ V ( C) be nonstrong. For the unique acyclic sequence D, D, ..., D of D V ( C), where α ≥ 2, let D = { D\ D contains cycles, i = 1, 2, ..., α}, $$D_{\bar c} = \{ D_1 ,D_2 , \cdots ,D_\alpha \} \backslash D_c$$. If D ≠ ∅, then D contains a pair of componentwise complementary cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel chemical method for preparing nanocrystalline α-Al2O3 powder has been developed in this study. The aluminum hydroxide precipitates were initially formed in a three-dimensional space network micro-area of the wet gel, and then the precursor was obtained after the wet gel was dried. The nanocrystalline α-Al2O3 powders were obtained after the precursor was calcined at 1100°C. The precursor and as-calcined powders were characterized using TGA-DTA, XRD, and TEM. The α-Al2O3 powders calcined at 1100°C for 2 h are of narrow distribution, little agglomeration, and small particle size of ∼51 nm. The reason for the synthesis of the high-quality powders is explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a generalization of orthogonal factorization in graphs. Application of orthogonal factorization of graphs on combinatorial designs; Presentation of orthogonal problems; Proof of theorems.

Mitochondrial DNA plays an important role in living organisms. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Wugangtong grey goose was reported in Human Province first, which was determined through PCR-based method. The total length of the mitogenome is 16,740 bp. It contains the typical structure, including 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and 1 non-coding control region (D-loop region) as that of most other vertebrates. The overall composition of the mitogenome was estimated to be 30.22% for A, 22.67% for T, 32.05% for C and 15.07% for G. All the protein initiation codons are ATG, except for COX1, COX2 and ND5 are GTG, ND6 is CTA. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Wugangtong grey goose will provides an important data set for the study in genetic mechanism of goose in Hunan province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Linwu duck was first reported in Human Province, which was determined through PCR-based method. Linwu duck is one of the famous native breed in China. The total length of the mitogenome is 16,604 bp, with the base composition of 29.20% for A, 22.21% for T, 32.82% for C, 15.78% for G, in the order C > A > T > G feature occurring in the Linwu duck. It is made up of 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and one non-coding control region (D-loop region). The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Linwu duck in Human Province provides an important data for further study about genetic mechanism and breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]