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Huntington's disease (HD) is a lethal autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder resulting from a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin (

Abnormal growth of airway smooth muscle cells is one of the key features in asthmatic airway remodeling, which is associated with asthma severity. The mechanisms underlying inappropriate airway smooth muscle cell growth in asthma remain largely unknown. Myocd has been reported to act as a key transcriptional coactivator in promoting airway-specific smooth muscle development in fetal lungs. Whether Myocd controls airway smooth muscle remodeling in asthma has not been investigated. Mice with lung mesenchyme-specific deletion of Myocd after lung development were generated, and a chronic asthma model was established by sensitizing and challenging the mice with ovalbumin for a prolonged period. Comparison of the asthmatic pathology between the Myocd knockout mice and the wild-type controls revealed that abrogation of Myocd mitigated airway smooth muscle cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia, accompanied by reduced peri-airway inflammation, decreased fibrillar collagen deposition on airway walls, and attenuation of abnormal mucin production in airway epithelial cells. Our study indicates that Myocd is a key transcriptional coactivator involved in asthma airway remodeling. Inhibition of Myocd in asthmatic airways may be an effective approach to breaking the vicious cycle of asthmatic progression, providing a novel strategy in treating severe and persistent asthma. © 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John WileySons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

For identifying the surface features of ultra-smooth optical or non-optical surfaces, light scattering analysis and measurement is a very useful method. Aiming at the requirement of detecting depth information of surface defects on ultra-smooth surfaces, the author propose a method of measuring the depth information about the surface defects of optical elements by using a relationship model between surface roughness and surface defects. The relationship between surface roughness and surface scratches is analyzed, and the relationship model is established. Then, by simulating the surface roughness with scratches and without scratches, according to the relationship model, the depth information of the surface of the optical component is calculated and the correctness of the model is verified. Finally, the length and width information of the surface scratches are measured according to the microscopic scattering dark field imaging method, the surface roughness is measured by white light interferometry, and the depth information of the surface scratches is calculated according to the above relationship model. The results are compared with the conclusion of the white light interferometer. The depth calculated by the roughness is basically consistent with the measured scratch depth, and the error is between 0.205 nm and 4.246 nm. Therefore, the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of this proposed method.

The functions and roles of OMVs on ARG and virulent gene transfer and dissemination have been reported in numerous Gram-negative bacteria. However, the role of OMVs in mediating antibiotic resistance in A. paragallinarum has not been reported.

In this paper, we expand the Muirhead mean (MM) operator and dual Muirhead mean (DMM) operator with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IVIFNs) to propose the interval -valued intuitionistic fuzzy Muirhead mean (IVIFMM) operator, interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy weighted Muirhead mean (IVIFWMM) operator, interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy dual Muirhead mean (IVIFDMM) operator and interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy weighted dual Muirhead mean (IVIFWDMM) operator. Then the MADM methods are proposed with these operators. In the end, we utilize an applicable example for green supplier selection in green supply chain management to prove the proposed methods.

The problem of fault estimation and fault tolerant control for Lipschitz nonlinear systems subject to actuator and sensor faults is investigated in this paper. A fault decomposition technique is introduced to design a set of iterative estimation observers for the system in consideration. The obtained mean sequence of estimates, under certain conditions, converge to the true values of state and multi-faults. A convergence theory with a theoretical proof is given. A sufficient LMIbased stability condition dependent on the coefficient matrix of disturbance is proposed to determined the observer gains. Finally, an output feedback FTC is designed to stabilize the Lipschitz nonlinear system. The longitudinal dynamics of an aircraft is applied to test the proposed method.

The deformation mechanism of C5191 phosphor bronze sheet under ultra-high-speed blanking was investigated. By virtue of a DOBBY-OMEGA F1 ultra-high-speed press, the ultra-high-speed blanking test was conducted on C5191 phosphor bronze sheets with a thickness of 0.12 mm at 3000 strokes per minute. The microstructures of the blanked edges were characterized and analyzed separately by electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that grains in the blanked edges are stretched along the blanking direction. Strong {001}〈100〉 cube textures (maximum pole densities of 9 and 12, respectively) and secondarily strong {011}〈011〉 textures (maximum pole densities of 4 and 7, respectively) are formed in local zones. Additionally, deformation twins are found in the shear zone of the blanked edges which are rotated and coarsened due to the blanking-induced extrusion and local thermal effect which can further form into sub-grains with clear and high-angle boundaries. The C5191 phosphor bronze sheet is subjected to adiabatic shear during ultra-high-speed blanking, accompanied with dynamic recrystallization.

The defect rate of initially produced block bamboo (Bambusoideae) parts is >20 percent. Sorting out these defective parts manually is a highly time-consuming and tedious process. An intelligent sorting system was developed based on machine vision using a Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network learning algorithm in this study. First, a high-speed charge-coupled device camera was used to obtain a series of images of perfect and defective block bamboo parts. Next, the RBF neural-network learning algorithm was applied to obtain defect characteristics and to locate defective parts moving forward on a conveyor belt. An array of air jets was designed to force defective parts off the belt. Experimental results showed that the average defective part removal rate of the proposed system was 91.7 percent.

Infectious coryza is an acute upper respiratory tract infectious disease caused by Avibacterium paragallinarum, which can cause growth retardation and egg production decline of bred chickens, and bring great economic losses to poultry industry. A. Paragallinarum is a Gram-negative bacterium and can release outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). In this study, a comparative genomic analysis of A. Paragallinarum isolate P4chr1 and its OMVs were carried out, and the ability to transfer antibiotic resistance genes via the OMVs was studied. The sequencing and data analysis showed that genome size of A. paragallinarum P4chr1 is about 2.77 Mb and it has a 25 kb tolerance island covering 6 types of antibiotics and 11 resistance genes. The genome size of its OMVs is about 2.69 Mb, covering 97% genome length and almost all gene sequences of P4chr1. When purified and DNase treated A. paragallinarum P4chr1 OMVs were co-cultured with antibiotic sensitive A. paragallinarum Modesto strain on an antibiotic containing plate, the colonies grown on the plate were detected corresponding antibiotic resistance gene (ARG). However, antimicrobial susceptibility test exposed that drug resistance genes delivered by OMVs were not persistent, they only existed temporarily on the antibiotic plates. The antibiotic resistance and ARGs disappeared at second bacterial passage. Overall, this study is the first report to compare genomic characteristics of OMVs with its parent A. paragallinarum strain, and to study A. paragallinarum ARG transfer via OMVs. This work has provided useful data for further study on the issue of non-plasmid ARG transfer mediated by A. paragallinarum OMVs.

In this study, a total of 177 flexural experimental tests of corroded reinforced concrete (CRC) beams were collected from the published literature. The database of flexural capacity of CRC beam was established by using unified and standardized experimental data. Through this database, the effects of various parameters on the flexural capacity of CRC beams were discussed, including beam width, the effective height of beam section, ratio of strength between longitudinal reinforcement and concrete, concrete compressive strength, and longitudinal reinforcement corrosion ratio. The results indicate that the corrosion of longitudinal reinforcement has the greatest effect on the residual flexural capacity of CRC beams, while other parameters have much less effect. In addition, six available empirical models for calculating the residual flexural strength of CRC beams were also collected and compared with each other based on the established database. It indicates that though five of six existing empirical models underestimate the flexural capacity of CRC beams, there is one model overestimating the flexural capacity. Finally, a newly developed empirical model is proposed to provide accurate and effective predictions in a large range of corrosion ratio for safety assessment of flexural failure of CRC beams confirmed by the comparisons.

Using a hybrid simulation approach that combines a finite difference method with a Brownian dynamics, we investigated the motion of charged polymers. Owing to the fact that polymer-solution systems often contain a large number of particles and the charged polymer chains are in a state of random motion, it is a time-consuming task to calculate the electrostatic interaction of the system. Accordingly, we propose a new strategy to shorten the CPU time by reducing the iteration area. Our simulation results illustrate the effect of preset parameters on CPU time and accuracy, and demonstrate the feasibility of the “local iteration” method. Importantly, we find that the increase in the number of charged beads has no significant influence on the time of global iterations and local iterations. For a number of 80 × 80 × 80 grids, when the relative error is controlled below 1.5%, the computational efficiency is increased by 8.7 times in the case that contains 500 charged beads. In addition, for a number of 100 × 100 × 100 grids with 100 charged beads, the computational efficiency can be increased up to 12 times. Our work provides new insights for the optimization of iterative algorithms in special problems.

The Muglad basin, regarded as a typical passive rift, had undergone three-phase rifting-sagging cycles during Early Cretaceous, Later Cretaceous, and Tertiary respectively. The primary plays in the first cycle had been testified, and hydrocarbon was also discovered in the second one. However, the hydrocarbon prospectivity in the third cycle has been much less explored. Hence, the sequence stratigraphic framework of the third rifting-sagging cycle was built, and the depositional systems of each system tracts were thoroughly analyzed by using the comprehensive analysis of tectonic evolution, geological features, cores and cuttings, well logs, and seismic faices. Furthermore, favorable plays were also discussed. The third rifting-sagging cycle, approximately corresponding to Paleogene Nayil formation and Neogene Tendi formation, can be classified into five third-order sequences and eleven parasequence sets, meanwhile, five sedimentary faices and related sub-facies and micro-faices were identified. The braided delta and lacustrine deposits were widely distributed in SQ1 and SQ2, whereas fan delta and alluvial plain were locally developed. The braided delta was dominated in the western slope, and lacustrine was distributed in the Kaikang trough. The delta and alluvial plain deposits were massively developed during SQ3, while the braided delta was deposited in the western slope and northern Gudaim area. As a result, the lacustrine began to shrink in the north of the Kaikang trough and expanded to the southern Gurial area. The lacustrine continued to expand from SQ4 through SQ5, and the delta and braided delta were locally distributed. The hydrocarbon, generated in the first rifting-sagging cycle, migrated vertically for long distance along major or boundary faults, and finally accumulated again in SQ1 and SQ3, should be expected to have great hydrocarbon prospectivity.

Amu Darya Basin is an important gas-rich basin in Central Asia. In recent years, some small-sized and sporadically-distributed oil reservoirs have been discovered in this basin during exploration of pre-salt gas. However, the oil reservoir-forming conditions, distribution and size of these oil reservoirs are not clear, which brings troubles to exploration and development. The tectonic evolution, geochemical analysis, oil-source rock correlation and the simulation & analysis of hydrocarbon generation from source rocks made for the framework cross-section in the Amu Darya Right Bank have revealed that: 1) There are three sets of source rocks, including the Lower-to-Middle Jurassic coal-bearing strata, Upper Jurassic marlstones and mudstones, and crude oil mainly comes from the Upper Jurassic mudstones; 2) The Lower-to-Middle Jurassic coal-bearing source rocks, which matured at the beginning of Early Cretaceous and entered the peak hydrocarbon generation stage at the beginning of Late Cretaceous, are now mainly in the stage of wet gas and dry gas; whilst the Middle-to-Upper Jurassic marlstones and mudstones, which matured at the end of Early Cretaceous and entered the peak hydrocarbon generation stage at the end of Late Cretaceous, are now mainly in the stage of oil generation window; 3) At the beginning of Late Cretaceous, hydrocarbon accumulations were formed in pre-salt reef and shoal traps and low-amplitude inherited uplifts, and pre-salt thrust structures of Paleogene age began to develop. The Lower-to-Middle Jurassic natural gas migrated to carbonate rocks on a large scale, and the natural gas expelled crude oil that accumulated earlier to form gas reservoirs. Gas-cap oil reservoirs were formed as some crude oil was not completely expelled; 4) The development of paleo-traps in the early period and the weak expulsion of natural gas in the late period are important conditions for the formation of oil reservoirs. The areas featured by a paleo-uplift setting in the early stage and now located in a sag zone are the plays for development of oil reservoirs, which are dominated by small-sized oil reservoirs and limited in overall size of resources.

Osteomyelitis is a refractory infectious disease in surgery, which takes a long time to be treated and the condition is easy to be repeated, which causes a heavy burden to individuals and families. Actively looking for the cause is the key to the treatment of osteomyelitis. In our work, we encountered a patient with cuboid osteomyelitis who had forgotten the history of injury and had received surgical treatment before seeing a doctor in our hospital, which caused great difficulties to our work. In the work of diagnosis and treatment, we constantly adjust the treatment plan and treatment ideas, and finally remove the branches from the infected focus, and obtain satisfactory treatment results.

BackgroundThere is limited information on the difference in epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes of the initial outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan (the epicenter) and Sichuan (the peripheral area) in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted to investigate the differences in the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 between the epicenter and peripheral areas of pandemic and thereby generate information that would be potentially helpful in formulating clinical practice recommendations to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe Sichuan & Wuhan Collaboration Research Group for COVID-19 established two retrospective cohorts that separately reflect the epicenter and peripheral area during the early pandemic. The epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients in the two groups were compared. Multivariate regression analyses were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with regard to the outcomes.ResultsThe Wuhan (epicenter) cohort included 710 randomly selected patients, and the peripheral (Sichuan) cohort included 474 consecutive patients. A higher proportion of patients from the periphery had upper airway symptoms, whereas a lower proportion of patients in the epicenter had lower airway symptoms and comorbidities. Patients in the epicenter had a higher risk of death (aOR=7.64), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (aOR=1.66), delayed time from illness onset to hospital and ICU admission (aOR=6.29 and aOR=8.03, respectively), and prolonged duration of viral shedding (aOR=1.64).ConclusionsThe worse outcomes in the epicenter could be explained by the prolonged time from illness onset to hospital and ICU admission. This could potentially have been associated with elevated systemic inflammation secondary to organ dysfunction and prolonged duration of virus shedding independent of age and comorbidities. Thus, early supportive care could achieve better clinical outcomes.

Background: There has been little information on difference of epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes between epicenter and peripheral areas of Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Based on Sichuan & Wuhan collaboration research group for Covid-19, we established two retrospective cohorts reflecting the epicenter and peripheral area of pandemic. Epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients were compared. Multivariate regression analyses were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) to identify clinical variables associated with outcomes.Results: Upon March 12, 2020, Wuhan cohort consisted of 710 patients using random sampling, and 474 consecutive cases constituted Sichuan cohort. Sichuan cohort had more upper airway symptoms, while Wuhan cohort is elder, has more lower airway symptoms and comorbidities. Wuhan cohort had higher risk of death (aOR=7.64), ICU admission (aOR=1.66), delayed time from illness onset to hospital and ICU admission (aOR=6.29 and aOR=8.03) and prolonged duration of viral shedding (aOR=1.64). Conclusions: Worse outcomes in the epicenter would be explained by delayed time from illness onset to hospital and ICU admission associated with elevated systemic inflammation reflecting organ dysfunction and prolonged duration of virus shedding except for age and comorbidities. It indicates potentially clinical implications of Covid-19 that early supportive care would achieve better clinical outcome.

The influence of blanking speed on the blanked surface quality of C5191 bronze phosphorus sheets, with a thickness of 0.12 mm, was systematically studied to demonstrate the mechanism under high speed blanking. The morphology and microstructure of the blanked edge were observed by using a variety of techniques, including optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results revealed that the local temperature and microhardness of the shear zone increased with the increase in blanking speed. Moreover, the quality of blanked edge significantly improved with the increase in blanking speed due to the combined influence of strain rate hardening and thermal softening. In addition, the blanked edge grains were elongated along the blanking direction and formed dislocation cells and sub-grains in some areas. The blanked edge is dominated by {000} &lt, 100&gt, cubic texture at higher blanking speeds, and {112} &lt, 111&gt, texture at lower blanking speeds. When punched at an ultra-high speed of 3000 strokes per minute (SPM 3000), the local area of the blanked edge exhibited distinct microstructural features, including low dislocation density, nanocrystals with high-angle grain boundaries, and significant differences in grain orientation. Additionally, the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern exhibited a discontinuous ring-like structure, indicating the occurrence of adiabatic shearing with dynamic recrystallization.

Multiple hot-compression tests were carried out on the 6082 aluminum (Al) alloy using a Gleeble-1500 thermal simulation testing machine. Data on flow stresses of the 6082 Al alloy at deformation temperatures of 623 to 773 K and strain rates from 0.01 to 5 s&minus, 1 were attained. Utilizing electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM), the dynamic recrystallization behaviors of the 6082 Al alloy during hot compression in isothermal conditions were explored. With the test data, a hot-working processing map for the 6082 Al alloy (based on dynamic material modeling (DMM)) was drawn. Using the work-hardening rate, the initial critical strain causing dynamic recrystallization was determined, and an equation for the critical strain was constructed. A dynamic model for the dynamic recrystallization of the 6082 Al alloy was established using analyses and test results from the EBSD. The results showed that the safe processing zone (with a high efficiency of power dissipation) mainly corresponded to a zone with deformation temperatures of 703 to 763 K and strain rates of 0.1 to 0.3 s&minus, 1. The alloy was mainly subjected to continuous dynamic recrystallization in the formation of the zone. According to the hot-working processing map and an analysis of the microstructures, it is advised that the following technological parameters be selected for the 6082 Al alloy during hot-forming: a range of temperatures between 713 and 753 K and strain rates between 0.1 and 0.2 s&minus, 1.

Functional dyspepsia is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder. Gastric hypersensitivity (GHS) is a hallmark of this disorder, but the cellular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Stressors during gestational period could have effects on the offspring's tissue structure and function, which may predispose to gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of this study was to test whether prenatal maternal stress (PMS) induces GHS and to investigate role of acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling by examining Asic1 methylation status in adult offspring rats. Gastric hypersensitivity in response to gastric distension was examined by electromyography recordings. Changes in neuronal excitability were determined by whole-cell patch-clamp recording techniques. Demethylation of CpG islands of Asic1 was determined by methylation-specific PCR and bisulfite sequencing assay. Prenatal maternal stress produced GHS in adult offspring rats. Treatment with amiloride, an inhibitor of ASICs, significantly attenuated GHS and reversed hyperexcitability of gastric-specific dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons labeled by the dye DiI. Expression of ASIC1 and NF-κBp65 was markedly enhanced in T7 to T10 DRGs. Furthermore, PMS led to a significant demethylation of CpG islands in the Asic1 promoter. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that PMS also enhanced the ability of NF-κBp65 to bind the promoter of Asic1 gene. Blockade of NF-κB using lentiviral-p65shRNA reversed upregulation of ASIC1 expression, GHS, and the hyperexcitability of DRG neurons. These data suggest that upregulation of ASIC1 expression is attributed to Asic1 promoter DNA demethylation and NF-κB activation, and that the enhanced interaction of the Asic1 and NF-κBp65 contributes to GHS induced by PMS.

Background: There has been little information on difference of epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes between epicenter and peripheral areas of Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Based on Sichuan & Wuhan collaboration research group for Covid-19, we established two retrospective cohorts reflecting the epicenter and peripheral area of pandemic. Epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients were compared. Subgroup analyses were also explored. Multivariate regression analyses were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) to identify clinical variables associated with outcomes. Findings: Upon data cut-off (March 12, 2020), Wuhan cohort consisted of 710 patients using random sampling, and 474 consecutive cases constituted Sichuan cohort, who included two sub-cohorts with (n=305) and without Wuhan-related exposure (n=169). The cases in Sichuan cohort distinctly peaked behind of Wuhan cohort by 7 days. Sichuan cohort had more upper airway symptoms, while Wuhan cohort is elder, has more lower airway symptoms and comorbidities. The case fatality rate in Sichuan cohort was lower (0.6% vs. 8.3%, P < 0.001). The multivariable regression models indicated Wuhan cohort had higher risk of death (aOR=7.64, p=0.001), ICU admission (aOR=1.66, p=0.031), delayed time from illness onset to hospital and ICU admission (aOR=6.29 and aOR=8.03, both p

Avibacterium paragallinarum, the causative agent of infectious coryza, is known to release outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). In the present study, we investigated the composition, bioactivities, and functional properties of the OMVs of A. paragallinarum. Following extraction and purification, the OMVs were observed to be spherical in shape, with diameters ranging from 20 to 300 nm. The vesicles contained endotoxin as well as genomic DNA. The molecular weights of the OMV-contained protein fragments were mostly concentrated at 65 and 15 kDa. The components of the OMV proteins were mainly various functional enzymes (e.g., ATP-dependent RNA helicase), structural components (e.g., streptomycin B receptor and membrane protein), and some hypothetical proteins with unknown functions. The expression levels of inflammation-related factors, such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs), were significantly upregulated in chicken macrophage cells HD11 incubated with OMVs. Serum IgG antibodies were measured after two intramuscular injections of an OMV-based vaccine into specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. The vaccinated chickens were then challenged by A. paragallinarum of homologous and heterologous serovars. It was noted that the vaccinated chickens produced immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against A. paragallinarum. The OMVs conferred an acceptable level of protection (70%), defined as an absence of colonization and of clinical signs, against the homologous strain (serovar A), while the cross-protection against heterologous challenge with serovars B and C was much weaker. However, the OMVS did provide significant protection against clinical signs for all three serovars. Overall, this study laid a foundation for further unraveling the functional roles of OMVs released by A. paragallinarum.

Background/aims Gastric hypersensitivity contributes to abdominal pain in patients with functional dyspepsia. Recent studies showed that hormones induced by stress are correlated with visceral hypersensitivity. However, the precise mechanisms underlying gastric hypersensitivity remain largely unknown. The aim of the present study was designed to investigate the roles of corticosterone (CORT) on excitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons innervating the stomach. Methods DRG neurons innervating the stomach were labeled by DiI injection into the stomach wall. Patch clamp recordings were employed to examine neural excitability and voltage-gated sodium channel currents. Electromyograph technique was used to determine the responses of neck muscles to gastric distension. Results Incubation of acutely isolated DRG neurons with CORT significantly depolarized action potential threshold and enhanced the number of action potentials induced by current stimulation of the neuron. Under voltage-clamp mode, incubation of CORT enhanced voltage-gated sodium current density of the recorded neurons. Pre-incubation of GF109203X, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, blocked the CORT-induced hyperexcitability and potentiation of sodium currents. However, pre-incubation of H-89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A, did not alter the sodium current density. More importantly, intraperitoneal injection of CORT produced gastric hypersensitivity of healthy rats, which was blocked by pre-administration of GF109203X but not H-89. Conclusions Our data strongly suggest that CORT rapidly enhanced neuronal excitability and sodium channel functions, which is most likely mediated by protein kinase C but not protein kinase A signaling pathway in DRG neurons innervating the stomach, thus underlying the gastric hypersensitivity induced by CORT injection.

It is taken as a novel prospective process to treat iron concentrate from hydrometallurgical zinc kiln slag for comprehensive utilization of valuable metals by a hydrochloric acid leaching-spray pyrolysis method. The leaching mechanism of different valuable metals was studied. The results revealed that the leaching rates of Ag, Pb, Cu, Fe, As and Zn were 99.91%, 99.25%, 95.12%, 90.15%, 87.58% and 58.15%, respectively with 6 mol/L HCl and L/S ratio of 10:1 at 60 °C for 120 min. The action of SiO2 in leaching solution was also studied. The results showed that the precipitation and settlement of SiO2(amorphous) adsorbed part of metal ions in solution, which greatly inhibited the leaching of Cu, Fe, As and Zn, so it is crucial to control the precipitation of amorphous SiO2.

Based on the empirical electronic theory of solids and molecules (EET), the actual model for unit cell of cementite (θ-Fe3C) was built and the valence electron structures (VES) of cementite with specified site and a number of Fe atoms substituted by alloying atoms of M ( M=Cr, V, W, Mo, Mn ) were computed by statistical method. By defining P as the stability factor, the stability of alloyed cementite with different numbers and sites of Fe atoms substituted by M was calculated. Calculation results show that the density of lattice electrons, the symmetry of distribution of covalent electron pairs and bond energy have huge influence on the stability of alloyed cementite. It is more stable as M substitutes for Fe2 than for Fe1. The alloyed cementite is the most stable when Cr, Mo, W and V substitute for 2 atoms of Fe2 at the sites of Nos. 2 and 3 (or No. 6 and No. 7). The stability of alloyed cementite decreases gradually as being substitutional doped by W, Cr, V, Mo and Mn.

In this study, we used the multi-resolution graph-based clustering (MRGC) method for determining the electrofacies (EF) and lithofacies (LF) from well log data obtained from the intraplatform bank gas fields located in the Amu Darya Basin. The MRGC could automatically determine the optimal number of clusters without prior knowledge about the structure or cluster numbers of the analyzed data set and allowed the users to control the level of detail actually needed to define the EF. Based on the LF identification and successful EF calibration using core data, an MRGC EF partition model including five clusters and a quantitative LF interpretation chart were constructed. The EF clusters 1 to 5 were interpreted as lagoon, anhydrite flat, interbank, low-energy bank, and high-energy bank, and the coincidence rate in the cored interval could reach 85%. We concluded that the MRGC could be accurately applied to predict the LF in non-cored but logged wells. Therefore, continuous EF clusters were partitioned and corresponding LF were interpreted, and the distribution and petrophysical characteristics of different LF were analyzed in the framework of sequence stratigraphy.

Brucella spp. is the causative agent of brucellosis, an extremely important disease worldwide. Innate immune cells detect pathogens via repeated cellular patterns (PAMPs) such as the Brucella suis (B. suis) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) coat on Gram-negative bacteria, which act as an important virulence factor of Brucella. B.suis LPS may be an issue for pro-inflammatory cytokine induction such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1â (IL-1â), which released from immune cells to mediate downstream inflammatory effects. To elucidate the mechanism of how B.suis LPS affects the secretion of IL-1, IL-18 and IL-1â in macrophages. We identified the up-regulation of caspase-11 in a porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM) cells stimulated with B.suis LPS. Furthermore, specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting caspase-11 effectively inhibited B.suis LPS stimulated IL-1, IL-18 and IL-1â release from PAM. The results indicated that the concentrations of IL-1, IL-18 and IL-1â of caspase-11 siRNA pretreated group were lower than that of control significantly. Caspase-11 plays an important role in IL-1, IL-18 and IL-1â secretion from porcine alveolar macrophage cells stimulated with Brucella suis LPS, and these findings might aid our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of Brucella and provide an entirely new innate immune response mechanism underlying macrophages dysfunction during Brucella infection.

Wave velocities in haloanhydrites are difficult to determine and significantly depend on the mineralogy. We used petrophysical parameters to study the wave velocity in haloanhydrites in the Amur Darya Basin and constructed a template of the relation between haloanhydrite mineralogy (anhydrite, salt, mudstone, and pore water) and wave velocities. We used the relation between the P-wave moduli ratio and porosity as constraint and constructed a graphical model (petrophysical template) for the relation between wave velocity, mineral content and porosity. We tested the graphical model using rock core and well logging data.

The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) modified by the carbon particles with diameter of 120-180 nm are prepared by using hydrocarbon ion deposition techniques. Based on the investigation of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, the CNTs are decorated by some nanospheres with size of 120-180 nm randomly, and the full CNTs surface besides the area of nanosphere is coated by the graphene stacks with size of 10-15 nm. The nanospheres are composed of several nanoparticles of graphene stacks and are seamless connected with graphene stacks. The sparse distribution CNTs on Si substrate is crucial for the formation of carbon nanospheres. The formation of carbon nanospheres proceeds through the following three stages: the formation of graphene nanoparticle on CNTs surface and silicon substrate – the migration of active hydrocarbon groups towards the surface of the CNTs deposition zone at high temperature – the formation of carbon nanospheres by the aggregating hydrocarbon active groups.

Microstructure properties of PbO-TiO2-SiO2 system sealing solder for vacuum glazing was studied. Sealing solder was placed on the sealing glass substrate. Samples were obtained by sintering at different temperatures. The microstructure properties and binding properties with soda lime glass substrate at different temperatures was observed and studied. Micro hardness of the sealing solder after sintering were tested. The results show that in the solder sealing temperature, a transition layer was formed gradually between the sealing solder and the glass substrate as the sintering temperature increases. PbO and SiO2are main ingredients of the transition layer. This layer performed tight connection with the glass substrate after it was completely formed. The interface between sealing solder and soda lime glass substrate showed good performance. PbO-TiO2-SiO2-RxOy system is an ideal sealing material for the production of vacuum glazing.

The equipment operational reliability evaluation is very important for working safely. The traditional reliability evaluation methods couldn’t meet the demands. In order to consider the detection information during the operation from devices, the operational reliability assessment method based on information entropy and empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is proposed. First, the equipment operation detected signals’ multiple intrinsic mode functions (IMF) are obtained by using EMD ; then the relative energy of each intrinsic mode functions are calculated and their information entropy are normalized. Finally the operational reliability of equipment operating status can be judged according to the normalization information entropy value. The method is used for a rotor test analysis considering of the degree of injury. The results demonstrated the method effectively, which provided an effective method for assessing the running reliability of mechanical equipment with less sample data.

Prolonged exposure to opiates induces a constellation of neuroadaptations, especially in the mesolimbic dopamine system (MLDS), which leads to alteration in the function of motivational circuitry. The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) mediates cell-cell interactions and plays an important role in processes associated with neural plasticity. Moreover, it has been shown that NCAM were related to risk of alcoholism in human populations. Here, coimmunoprecipitation and western blotting were used to investigate whether morphine treatment induced alteration of the expression of NCAM or its signaling level in MLDS. The rats receiving escalating dose of morphine treatment were divided into three groups: morphine 1d, 3d and 5d group, which were injected subcutaneously with morphine hydrochloride for 1 day, 3 days and 5 days, respectively. Twelve hours after the last injection, animals were sacrificed and the tissues of ventral tegmental area (VTA), prefrontal cortex (PFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) were punched out to examine the expression of NCAM or its signaling level. The results showed that morphine treatment had no significant effect on the expression of NCAM, but downregulated the phosphorylation of NCAM-associated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in the VTA and PFC of rats. In the NAc of rats, however, the expression of NCAM and its signaling were not altered significantly by morphine treatment. These results indicated that the downregulation of NCAM signaling in the VTA and PFC might be involved in the formation of morphine addiction.

Based on the latest conventional–unconventional oil and gas databases and relevant reports, the distribution features of global tight oil were analyzed. A classification scheme of tight oil plays is proposed based on developed tight oil fields. Effective tight oil plays are defined by considering the exploiting practices of the past few years. Currently, potential tight oil areas are mainly distributed in 137 sets of shale strata in 84 basins, especially South America, North America, Russia, and North Africa. Foreland, craton, and continental rift basins dominate. In craton basins, tight oil mainly occurs in Paleozoic strata, while in continental rift basins, tight oil occurs in Paleozoic–Cenozoic strata. Tight oil mainly accumulates in the Cretaceous, Early Jurassic, Late Devonian, and Miocene, which correspond very well to six sets of global-developed source rocks. Based on source–reservoir relationship, core data, and well-logging data, tight oil plays can be classified into eight types, above-source play, below-source play, beside-source play, in-source play, between-source play, in-source mud-dominated play, in-source mud-subordinated play, and interbedded-source play. Specifically, between-source, interbedded-source, and in-source mud-subordinated plays are major targets for global tight oil development with high production. In contrast, in-source mud-dominated and in-source plays are less satisfactory.

Curcumin is a polyphenol extracted from turmeric rhizome and has multiple pharmacological roles. Recently,its anticancer properties have been recognized. Also,curcumin regulates autophagy in tumor cells via signaling pathways including AMP-activated protein kinase,mammalian target of rapamycin,transcription factor EB,Beclin-1,B-cell lymphoma 2,and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Considering the complicated crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis,in this article we summaize the mechanism of curcumin-induced autophagy and its effect on apoptosis,with an attempt to provide insights on tumor therapy.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has been successfully used to deliver gene therapy to improve auditory function in mouse models of hereditary hearing loss. Many forms of hereditary hearing loss have mutations which affect the cochlear hair cells, the mechanosensory cells which allow for sound detection and processing. While most conventional AAVs infect inner hair cells (IHCs) with various efficiencies, they infect outer hair cells (OHCs) and supporting cells at lower levels in the cochlea. Here we examine the infection patterns of two synthetic AAVs (AAV2.7m8 and AAV8BP2) in the mouse inner ear. AAV2.7m8 infects both IHCs and OHCs with high efficiency. In addition, AAV2.7m8 infects inner pillar cells and inner phalangeal cells with high efficiency. Our results suggest that AAV2.7m8 is an excellent viral vector for inner ear gene therapy targeting cochlear hair cells and supporting cells, and it will likely greatly expand the potential applications for inner ear gene therapy., Adeno-associated virus is used in gene therapy in mouse models of hearing loss. Here the authors compare vectors and find AAV2.7m8 can infect cells in the inner ear with high efficiency.

Because inadequate control of the temperature of vacuum glazing may cause changes in form, stress, microstructure, or performance and thereby affect its lifetime, vacuum welding has been adopted to seal the vacuum glazing from the side, and experiments using different sealing temperatures have been executed. The impact of different sealing temperatures on the microstructure of the sealing layer was analyzed to evaluate the combination of material science features on the interface and to reveal the influence of the sealing temperature on the hardness and residual stress of the sealing layer. The results show that a sufficiently high sealing temperature will drive the sealing layer to transform from a hybrid structure to the liquid phase, accelerate the element migration, eliminate pores, stabilize and compact the structure and improve the sealing performance of the vacuum glazing. As the sealing temperature increases, the residual stress and hardness substantially increase. However, when the sealing temperature reaches 460 °C, the residual stress and hardness begin to plateau, and when the sealing temperature reaches 470 °C, no further change can be detected. Therefore, a sufficiently high sealing temperature is beneficial to the bonding of glass and sealing solder and can promote the sealing performance of the vacuum glazing.