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Herein, a sturgeon skin gelatine film combined with esculin and ferric citrate was developed as an edible food packaging material to prevent Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) contamination. E. faecalis is able to hydrolyse esculin in the film, and then the hydrolysed product, esculetin, combines with ferric citrate to form a brown-black phenol iron complex. This phenomenon can be observed easily after 48 h of contamination under visible light, and it can be determined under 365 nm ultraviolet light with high sensitivity. With the addition of esculin and ferric citrate, the film showed better mechanical properties and water vapour permeability than those of the unmodified gelatine. When an increased amount of esculin was added, an increase in thermal stability, antioxidant activity, and antioxidant stability of the film was observed. These physicochemical characteristics are beneficial for developing a packaging material for food storage that mitigates foodborne illness caused by E. faecalis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, and it is a liver manifestation of metabolic syndrome, with a histological spectrum from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH can evolve into progressive liver fibrosis and eventually lead to liver cirrhosis. The pathological mechanism of NASH is multifactorial, involving a series of metabolic disorders and changes that trigger low-level inflammation in the liver and other organs. In the pathogenesis of NASH, the signal transduction pathway involving succinate and the succinate receptor (G-protein-coupled receptor 91, GPR91) regulates inflammatory cell activation and liver fibrosis. This review describes the mechanism of the succinate-GPR91 signalling pathway in NASH and summarizes the drugs that act on this pathway, with the aim of providing a new approach to NASH treatment.

The widespread use of antibiotics has made the problem of bacterial resistance increasingly serious, and the study of new drug-resistant bacteria has become the main direction of antibacterial drug research. Among antibiotics, the fully synthetic oxazolidinone antibacterial drugs linezolid and tedizolid have been successfully marketed and have achieved good clinical treatment effects. Oxazolidinone antibacterial drugs have good pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics and unique antibacterial mechanisms, and resistant bacteria are sensitive to them. This Perspective focuses on reviewing oxazolidinones based on the structural modification of linezolid and new potential oxazolidinone drugs in the past 10 years, mainly describing their structure, antibacterial activity, safety, druggability, and so on, and discusses their structure-activity relationships, providing insight into the reasonable design of safer and more potent oxazolidinone antibacterial drugs.

Ganoderma lucidum is a multi-purpose plant medicine that is homologous to functional food. The most attractive properties of G. lucidum are its immunomodulatory and antitumour activities, which are mainly attributed to the following two major active components: G. lucidum polysaccharides and G. lucidum triterpenoids (GLTs). GLTs are effective as supplemental therapies and improve health when combined with other medications to treat hepatitis, fatigue syndrome, and prostate cancer. However, research investigating the mechanism and application of G. lucidum or GLTs in the treatment of diseases remains preliminary in terms of both the utilization efficacy and product type. This review offers comprehensive insight into the pharmacological activities of GLTs and their potential applications in the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals. Specifically, 83 GLTs were selected, and their molecular structures and chemical formulas were described. We also describe 7 ganoderic acids that are currently at different stages of clinical trials (ganoderic acids A, C2, D, F, DM, X and Y). The related pharmacodynamic mechanisms and targeted signalling proteins were further analysed. Notably, the specific relationship between autophagy and apoptosis induced by ganoderic acid DM is summarized here for the first time.

All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is effective for preventing cancer and treating skin diseases and acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). These pharmacological effects of ATRA are mainly mediated by retinoid X receptors (RXRs) and retinoic acid receptors (RARs). This article provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical progress on and the molecular mechanisms of ATRA in the treatment of APL. ATRA can promote the transcriptional activation of differentiation-related genes and regulate autophagy by inhibiting mTOR, which results in anti-APL effects. In detail, the structures, pharmacological effects, and clinical studies of 68 types of ATRA analogues are described. These compounds have excellent antitumour therapeutic potential and could be used as lead compounds for further development and research.

Herein, 11 general types of natural cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa as well as 50 (-)-CBD analogues with therapeutic potential were described. The underlying molecular mechanisms of CBD as a therapeutic candidate for epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases were comprehensively clarified. CBD indirectly acts as an endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist to exert its neuroprotective effects. CBD also promotes neuroprotection through different signal transduction pathways mediated indirectly by cannabinoid receptors. Furthermore, CBD prevents the glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) hyperphosphorylation caused by Aβ and may be developed as a new therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer's disease.

Nano micro-electrolysis materials with loading copper were synthesized by a modified reduction method under inert atmosphere and characterized with XRD, BET, SEM and SEM mapping. The effects of nano micro-electrolysis material types, initial pH, nano micro-electrolysis material with loading copper dosage, and initial chlortetracycline concentration on chlortetracycline removal were evaluated. Batch studies results indicated that the maximum removal and total organic carbon removal of chlortetracycline were found to be 99.1% and 70.7% under the optimal conditions of m = 0.5 g/L, pH = 3.6 and C0 = 50 mg/L. The degradation mechanisms and kinetics were investigated, and the two constants model was discovered to be reasonable fit for the experimental data kinetic model with initial chlortetracycline as variables. These results demonstrated that nano micro-electrolysis materials with loading copper could potentially be used for chlortetracycline removal.

We report updates to an ongoing lattice-QCD calculation of the form factors for the semileptonic decays $B \to \pi \ell \nu$, $B_s \to K \ell \nu$, $B \to \pi \ell^+ \ell^-$, and $B \to K \ell^+ \ell^-$. The tree-level decays $B_{(s)} \to \pi (K) \ell \nu$ enable precise determinations of the CKM matrix element $|V_{ub}|$, while the flavor-changing neutral-current interactions $B \to \pi (K) \ell^+ \ell^-$ are sensitive to contributions from new physics. This work uses MILC's (2+1+1)-flavor HISQ ensembles at approximate lattice spacings between $0.057$ and $0.15$ fm, with physical sea-quark masses on four out of the seven ensembles. The valence sector is comprised of a clover $b$ quark (in the Fermilab interpretation) and HISQ light and $s$ quarks. We present preliminary results for the form factors $f_0$, $f_+$, and $f_T$, including studies of systematic errors., Comment: 7 pages; 3 figures; presented at the 37th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, 16-22 June 2019, Wuhan, China

Low surface free energy coating can effectively suppress the initial adhesion of fouling organism. However, continuous attack of corrosive medium will inevitably weaken the coating barrier effect. Herein, a novel self-healing coating based on fluorine‑silicon copolymer (FSiAC) and 0.1 wt% graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by free radical copolymerization. The formed GO/FSiAC coating with the surface free energy of 22.6 mJ/m2 effectively suppressed the adhesion of chlorella, and the inhibition rate was 97%. EIS results showed that the impedance of GO/FSiAC coating increased and the coating porosity decreased with immersion time, indicating that the coating had self-healing property. DSC and FTIR measurements revealed that during the immersion process, the coating cross-linking degree increased due to the formation of net-like Si-O-Si structure. The barrier performance of GO and the self-healing capacity contributed to the superior corrosion resistance of the coating. The outstanding antifouling property is dependent on the low surface free energy of the coating and the antibacterial effect of GO. Novel GO/FSiAC coating with excellent antifouling and good self-healing anticorrosion performance has a potential application in marine engineering fields.

The effect of copper addition to 2205 duplex stainless steel (DSS) on its resistance against pitting corrosion by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm was investigated using electrochemical and surface analysis techniques. Cu addition decreased the general corrosion resistance, resulting in a higher general corrosion rate in the sterile medium. Because DSS usually has a very small general corrosion rate, its pitting corrosion resistance is far more important. In this work, it was shown that 2205-3%Cu DSS exhibited a much higher pitting corrosion resistance against the P. aeruginosa biofilm compared with the 2205 DSS control, characterized by no significant change in the pitting potential and critical pitting temperature (CPT) values. The strong pitting resistance ability of 2205-3%Cu DSS could be attributed to the copper-rich phases on the surface and the release of copper ions, providing a strong antibacterial ability that inhibited the attachment and growth of the corrosive P. aeruginosa biofilm.

We use lattice QCD to calculate the form factors f+(q2) and f0(q2) for the semileptonic decay Bs→Kℓν. Our calculation uses six MILC asqtad 2+1 flavor gauge-field ensembles with three lattice spacings. At the smallest and largest lattice spacing the light-quark sea mass is set to 1/10 the strange-quark mass. At the intermediate lattice spacing, we use four values for the light-quark sea mass ranging from 1/5 to 1/20 of the strange-quark mass. We use the asqtad improved staggered action for the light valence quarks, and the clover action with the Fermilab interpolation for the heavy valence bottom quark. We use SU(2) hard-kaon heavy-meson rooted staggered chiral perturbation theory to take the chiral-continuum limit. A functional z expansion is used to extend the form factors to the full kinematic range. We present predictions for the differential decay rate for both Bs→Kμν and Bs→Kτν. We also present results for the forward-backward asymmetry, the lepton polarization asymmetry, ratios of the scalar and vector form factors for the decays Bs→Kℓν and Bs→Dsℓν. Our results, together with future experimental measurements, can be used to determine the magnitude of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |Vub|.

We use lattice QCD to calculate the form factors $f_+(q^2)$ and $f_0(q^2)$ for the semileptonic decay $B_s\to K\ell\nu$. Our calculation uses six MILC asqtad 2+1 flavor gauge-field ensembles with three lattice spacings. At the smallest and largest lattice spacing the light-quark sea mass is set to 1/10 the strange-quark mass. At the intermediate lattice spacing, we use four values for the light-quark sea mass ranging from 1/5 to 1/20 of the strange-quark mass. We use the asqtad improved staggered action for the light valence quarks, and the clover action with the Fermilab interpolation for the heavy valence bottom quark. We use SU(2) hard-kaon heavy-meson rooted staggered chiral perturbation theory to take the chiral-continuum limit. A functional $z$ expansion is used to extend the form factors to the full kinematic range. We present predictions for the differential decay rate for both $B_s\to K\mu\nu$ and $B_s\to K\tau\nu$. We also present results for the forward-backward asymmetry, the lepton polarization asymmetry, ratios of the scalar and vector form factors for the decays $B_s\to K\ell\nu$ and $B_s\to D_s \ell\nu$. Our results, together with future experimental measurements, can be used to determine the magnitude of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element $|V_{ub}|$., Comment: 57 pages, 22 figures, 13 tables

We use lattice QCD to calculate the form factors $f_+(q^2)$ and $f_0(q^2)$ for the semileptonic decay $B_s\to K\ell��$. Our calculation uses six MILC asqtad 2+1 flavor gauge-field ensembles with three lattice spacings. At the smallest and largest lattice spacing the light-quark sea mass is set to 1/10 the strange-quark mass. At the intermediate lattice spacing, we use four values for the light-quark sea mass ranging from 1/5 to 1/20 of the strange-quark mass. We use the asqtad improved staggered action for the light valence quarks, and the clover action with the Fermilab interpolation for the heavy valence bottom quark. We use SU(2) hard-kaon heavy-meson rooted staggered chiral perturbation theory to take the chiral-continuum limit. A functional $z$ expansion is used to extend the form factors to the full kinematic range. We present predictions for the differential decay rate for both $B_s\to K����$ and $B_s\to K����$. We also present results for the forward-backward asymmetry, the lepton polarization asymmetry, ratios of the scalar and vector form factors for the decays $B_s\to K\ell��$ and $B_s\to D_s \ell��$. Our results, together with future experimental measurements, can be used to determine the magnitude of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element $|V_{ub}|$., 57 pages, 22 figures, 13 tables

Highlights • The present review summarizes the plausible molecular mechanism of specific LH capsules in the control of SARS-COV-2 infection and the inhibition of cytokine storms caused by IL-6. • Preclinical and clinical trials of LH capsules in COVID-19 conducted in and outside China are elaborated. • A promising antiviral mechanism of LH capsules is defined, and the mechanism involving the suppression of inflammatory cytokine storms is explained. • Active substances in LH capsules that dock in ACE2 to prevent S protein binding are highlighted., Background In December 2019, a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 caused a series of acute atypical respiratory diseases worldwide. However, there is still a lack of drugs with clear curative effects, and the clinical trial research of vaccines has not been completely finished. Purpose LH capsules are approved TCM patent medicine that are widely used for the treatment of respiratory tract infectious diseases caused by colds and flu. On April 12, 2020, LH capsules and granules were officially repurposed by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for patients with mild COVID-19 based on their safety and efficacy demonstrated through multicentre, randomized, controlled clinical trials. We hope to conduct a comprehensive review of it through modern pharmacy methods, and try to explain its possible mechanism. Methods Using the full names of LH capsules Lianhuaqingwen, Lianhua Qingwen andSARS-COV-2, COVID-19 as the keywords of the search terms, systemically search for existing related papers in various databases such as Web of Science and PubMed. And completed the collection of clinical data in ClinicalTrials.gov and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Last but not least, we have sorted out the anti-inflammatory and antiviral mechanisms of LH capsules through literature and Selleck. Results This review systematically sorted out the active ingredients in LH capsules. Furthermore, the related pharmacological and clinical trials of LH capsule on SARS-CoV-2, IAV and IBV were discussed in detail. Moreover, the present review provides the first summary of the potential molecular mechanism of specific substances in LH capsules involved in resistance to SARS-COV-2 infection and the inhibition of cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) caused by IL-6. Conclusion This review summarizes the available reports and evidence that support the use of LH capsules as potential drug candidates for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. However, TCM exerts its effects through multiple targets and multiple pathways, and LH capsules are not an exception. Therefore, the relevant mechanisms need to be further improved and experimentally verified., Graphical abstract Image, graphical abstract

Graphical abstract, The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and pandemic that began near the end of 2019 has posed a challenge to global health. At present, many candidate small-molecule therapeutics have been developed that can inhibit both the infection and replication of SARS-CoV-2 and even potentially relieve cytokine storms and other related complications. Meanwhile, host-targeted drugs that inhibit cellular transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) can prevent SARS-CoV-2 from entering cells, and its combination with chloroquine and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitors can limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and reduce the morbidity and mortality of patients with COVID-19. The present article provides an overview of these small-molecule therapeutics based on insights from medicinal chemistry research and focuses on RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors, such as the nucleoside analogues remdesivir, favipiravir and ribavirin. This review also covers inhibitors of 3C-like protease (3CLpro), papain-like protease (PLpro) and other potentially innovative active ingredient molecules, describing their potential targets, activities, clinical status and side effects.

This review fully describes the coronavirus 3CLpro peptidomimetic inhibitors and nonpeptidic small molecule inhibitors developed from 2010 to 2020. Specifically, the structural characteristics, binding modes and SARs of these 3CLpro inhibitors are expounded in detail by division into two categories: peptidomimetic inhibitors mainly utilize electrophilic warhead groups to covalently bind the 3CLpro Cys145 residue and thereby achieve irreversible inhibition effects, whereas nonpeptidic small molecule inhibitors mainly interact with residues in the S1', S1, S2 and S4 pockets via hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic bonds and van der Waals forces. Based on the emerging PROTAC technology and the existing 3CLpro inhibitors, 3CLpro PROTAC degraders are hypothesised to be next-generation anti-coronavirus drugs.

Remdesivir (GS-5734), a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) inhibitor that can be used to treat a variety of RNA virus infections, is expected to be an effective treatment for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. On May 1, 2020, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for remdesivir to treat COVID-19 patients. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this review presents comprehensive information on remdesivir, including information regarding the milestones, intellectual properties, anti-coronavirus mechanisms, preclinical research and clinical trials, and in particular, the chemical synthesis, pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of remdesivir. Furthermore, perspectives regarding the use of remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 are also discussed., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • This article provides a comprehensive overview of remdesivir (GS-5734). • Remdesivir inhibits a variety of RNA viruses, including Coronaviridae, Filoviridae, Paramyxoviridae and Arenaviridae . • The remdesivir synthetic routes were comprehensively collected and are presented as a compilation of roadmaps. • The mechanism and clinical trial information of remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 are summarized.

In this study, 3D porous anodic coatings containing 1.92 wt% copper (Cu-1.92 wt%) are developed on Ti-6Al-4V alloys via micro-arc oxidation (MAO). The in vitro long-term antibacterial activity of the MAO-treated samples is systematically evaluated. The results show that after 14 days’ immersion in Hanks’ solution, the antibacterial rate of Cu-1.92 wt% against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) remains at 100%, while that against Escherichia coli (E. coli) decreases to 92% and 12% after 8 and 14 days, respectively, suggesting that Cu-1.92 wt% still exhibits good long-term antibacterial properties even after 14 days. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence imaging reveal that the antibacterial efficiency of Cu-1.92 wt% is higher than those of Cu-1.92 wt%-8D, Cu-1.92 wt%-14D, and the untreated control. The enhanced antibacterial properties of the MAO samples are attributed to ROS-mediated DNA damage prompted by the presence of Cu in the coatings. In addition, Cu-1.92 wt% favors good initial cell adhesion and high cell viability. These results reveal that the fabricated biocompatible copper-doped 3D porous coatings exhibit good in vitro long-term antibacterial properties and have potential to be applied in the orthopaedics clinic in the future.

Using the MILC 2+1 flavor asqtad quark action ensembles, we are calculating the form factors $f_0$ and $f_+$ for the semileptonic $B_s \rightarrow K \ell\nu$ decay. A total of six ensembles with lattice spacing from $\approx0.12$ to 0.06 fm are being used. At the coarsest and finest lattice spacings, the light quark mass $m'_l$ is one-tenth the strange quark mass $m'_s$. At the intermediate lattice spacing, the ratio $m'_l/m'_s$ ranges from 0.05 to 0.2. The valence $b$ quark is treated using the Sheikholeslami-Wohlert Wilson-clover action with the Fermilab interpretation. The other valence quarks use the asqtad action. When combined with (future) measurements from the LHCb and Belle II experiments, these calculations will provide an alternate determination of the CKM matrix element $|V_{ub}|$., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, to appear in the Proceedings of Lattice 2017, June 18-24, Granada, Spain

Using the MILC 2+1 flavor asqtad quark action ensembles, we are calculating the form factors $f_0$ and $f_+$ for the semileptonic $B_s \rightarrow K \ell��$ decay. A total of six ensembles with lattice spacing from $\approx0.12$ to 0.06 fm are being used. At the coarsest and finest lattice spacings, the light quark mass $m'_l$ is one-tenth the strange quark mass $m'_s$. At the intermediate lattice spacing, the ratio $m'_l/m'_s$ ranges from 0.05 to 0.2. The valence $b$ quark is treated using the Sheikholeslami-Wohlert Wilson-clover action with the Fermilab interpretation. The other valence quarks use the asqtad action. When combined with (future) measurements from the LHCb and Belle II experiments, these calculations will provide an alternate determination of the CKM matrix element $|V_{ub}|$., 8 pages, 6 figures, to appear in the Proceedings of Lattice 2017, June 18-24, Granada, Spain

We compute the form factors for the B→Kl+l− semileptonic decay process in lattice QCD using gauge-field ensembles with 2+1 flavors of sea quark, generated by the MILC Collaboration. The ensembles span lattice spacings from 0.12 to 0.045 fm and have multiple sea-quark masses to help control the chiral extrapolation. The asqtad improved staggered action is used for the light valence and sea quarks, and the clover action with the Fermilab interpretation is used for the heavy b quark. We present results for the form factors f+(q2), f0(q2), and fT(q2), where q2 is the momentum transfer, together with a comprehensive examination of systematic errors. Lattice QCD determines the form factors for a limited range of q2, and we use the model-independent z expansion to cover the whole kinematically allowed range. We present our final form-factor results as coefficients of the z expansion and the correlations between them, where the errors on the coefficients include statistical and all systematic uncertainties. We use this complete description of the form factors to test QCD predictions of the form factors at high and low q2.

[ABSTRACT]This study investigates the characteristics of dust aerosols over Loess Plateu of Northwest China using observation data collected in this region during 2009 and 2010. As the first part of the research, comparison of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and single scattering albedo (SSA) measured by two independent instruments (SKYNET sky radiometer and AERONET sun photometer) is performed. We find very good agreement of AOT, whereas SSA from the former instrument is systematically higher than the latter on. The possible reasons for such differences are discussed. As the second part of the study, we study the characteristics of dust aerosols in this region. We find that strong dust events can carry high concentration of anthropogenic aerosols, such as black carbon (BC) aerosol, during their transport from the source region. This finding may provide some clues to justify absorptive Asian dust aerosols observed in the Pacific Ocean region in the past studies. The study also suggests that significant dust aerosols may exist in the atmosphere of this region even during no dust event days.

[ABSTRACT]Aerosol optical characteristics observed by a POM-01 sky radiometer over Loess Plateau in China during the period from March 15th to October 31th 2009. A good agreement was implemented by the improved Langley method. The measured and retrieved AOD from the PREDE sky radiometer are very consistent with the measured by Cimel sunphotometer’s results. We find that the daily average values of AOD500 and ?ngstr?m exponent ( α ) both show very large day-to-day variations, especially during the springtime. The relationship between AOD500 and ?ngstr?m exponent shows obvious negative correlation during the whole period. Dust aerosol particles are dominant during springtime at SACOL, and fine mode particles are predominant during summertime due to the impact of the rainy season.

The rare decay B→πℓ+ℓ− arises from b→d flavor-changing neutral currents and could be sensitive to physics beyond the standard model. Here, we present the first ab initio QCD calculation of the B→π tensor form factor fT. Together with the vector and scalar form factors f+ and f0 from our companion work [J. A. Bailey et al., Phys. Rev. D 92, 014024 (2015)], these parametrize the hadronic contribution to B→π semileptonic decays in any extension of the standard model. We obtain the total branching ratio BR(B+→π+μ+μ−)=20.4(2.1)×10−9 in the standard model, which is the most precise theoretical determination to date, and agrees with the recent measurement from the LHCb experiment [R. Aaij et al., J. High Energy Phys. 12 (2012) 125].

We present a lattice-QCD calculation of the B→πℓν semileptonic form factors and a new determination of the CKM matrix element |Vub|. We use the MILC asqtad (2+1)-flavor lattice configurations at four lattice spacings and light-quark masses down to 1/20 of the physical strange-quark mass. We extrapolate the lattice form factors to the continuum using staggered chiral perturbation theory in the hard-pion and SU(2) limits. We employ a model-independent z parametrization to extrapolate our lattice form factors from large-recoil momentum to the full kinematic range. We introduce a new functional method to propagate information from the chiral-continuum extrapolation to the z expansion. We present our results together with a complete systematic error budget, including a covariance matrix to enable the combination of our form factors with other lattice-QCD and experimental results. To obtain |Vub|, we simultaneously fit the experimental data for the B→πℓν differential decay rate obtained by the BABAR and Belle collaborations together with our lattice form-factor results. We find |Vub|=(3.72±0.16)×10−3, where the error is from the combined fit to lattice plus experiments and includes all sources of uncertainty. Our form-factor results bring the QCD error on |Vub| to the same level as the experimental error. We also provide results for the B→πℓν vector and scalar form factors obtained from the combined lattice and experiment fit, which are more precisely determined than from our lattice-QCD calculation alone. These results can be used in other phenomenological applications and to test other approaches to QCD.

The rare decay $B\to\pi\ell^+\ell^-$ arises from $b\to d$ flavor-changing neutral currents and could be sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model. Here, we present the first $ab$-$initio$ QCD calculation of the $B\to\pi$ tensor form factor $f_T$. Together with the vector and scalar form factors $f_+$ and $f_0$ from our companion work [J. A. Bailey $et~al.$, Phys. Rev. D 92, 014024 (2015)], these parameterize the hadronic contribution to $B\to\pi$ semileptonic decays in any extension of the Standard Model. We obtain the total branching ratio ${\text{BR}}(B^+\to\pi^+\mu^+\mu^-)=20.4(2.1)\times10^{-9}$ in the Standard Model, which is the most precise theoretical determination to date, and agrees with the recent measurement from the LHCb experiment [R. Aaij $et~al.$, JHEP 1212, 125 (2012)]. Note added: after this paper was submitted for publication, LHCb announced a new measurement of the differential decay rate for this process [T. Tekampe, talk at DPF 2015], which we now compare to the shape and normalization of the Standard-Model prediction., Comment: V3: Corrected errors in results for Standard-Model differential and total decay rates in abstract, Fig. 3, Table IV, and outlook. Added new preliminary LHCb data to Fig. 3 and brief discussion after outlook. Replaced outdated correlation matrix in Table III with correct final version. Other minor wording changes and references added. 7 pages, 4 tables, 3 figures

We present a lattice-QCD calculation of the $B\to\pi\ell\nu$ semileptonic form factors and a new determination of the CKM matrix element $|V_{ub}|$. We use the MILC asqtad 2+1-flavor lattice configurations at four lattice spacings and light-quark masses down to 1/20 of the physical strange-quark mass. We extrapolate the lattice form factors to the continuum using staggered chiral perturbation theory in the hard-pion and SU(2) limits. We employ a model-independent $z$ parameterization to extrapolate our lattice form factors from large-recoil momentum to the full kinematic range. We introduce a new functional method to propagate information from the chiral-continuum extrapolation to the $z$ expansion. We present our results together with a complete systematic error budget, including a covariance matrix to enable the combination of our form factors with other lattice-QCD and experimental results. To obtain $|V_{ub}|$, we simultaneously fit the experimental data for the $B\to\pi\ell\nu$ differential decay rate obtained by the BaBar and Belle collaborations together with our lattice form-factor results. We find $|V_{ub}|=(3.72\pm 0.16)\times 10^{-3}$ where the error is from the combined fit to lattice plus experiments and includes all sources of uncertainty. Our form-factor results bring the QCD error on $|V_{ub}|$ to the same level as the experimental error. We also provide results for the $B\to\pi\ell\nu$ vector and scalar form factors obtained from the combined lattice and experiment fit, which are more precisely-determined than from our lattice-QCD calculation alone. These results can be used in other phenomenological applications and to test other approaches to QCD., Comment: 63 pages, 48 figures; v2: minor changes in Sec. IV, Table X, modified Fig.14,16, results unchanged

We compute the form factors for the $B \to Kl^+l^-$ semileptonic decay process in lattice QCD using gauge-field ensembles with 2+1 flavors of sea quark, generated by the MILC Collaboration. The ensembles span lattice spacings from 0.12 to 0.045 fm and have multiple sea-quark masses to help control the chiral extrapolation. The asqtad improved staggered action is used for the light valence and sea quarks, and the clover action with the Fermilab interpretation is used for the heavy $b$ quark. We present results for the form factors $f_+(q^2)$, $f_0(q^2)$, and $f_T(q^2)$, where $q^2$ is the momentum transfer, together with a comprehensive examination of systematic errors. Lattice QCD determines the form factors for a limited range of $q^2$, and we use the model-independent $z$ expansion to cover the whole kinematically allowed range. We present our final form-factor results as coefficients of the $z$ expansion and the correlations between them, where the errors on the coefficients include statistical and all systematic uncertainties. We use this complete description of the form factors to test QCD predictions of the form factors at high and low $q^2$. We also compare a Standard-Model calculation of the branching ratio for $B \to Kl^+l^-$ with experimental data., Comment: V2: Fig.7 added. Typos text corrected. Reference added. Version published in Phys. Rev. D

We compare two calculations of the particle density in the superfluid phase of the classical XY model with a chemical potential $\mu$ in 1+1 dimensions.The first relies on exact blocking formulas from the Tensor Renormalization Group (TRG) formulation of the transfer matrix. The second is a worm algorithm. We show that the particle number distributions obtained with the two methods agree well. We use the TRG method to calculate the thermal entropy and the entanglement entropy. We describe the particle density, the two entropies and the topology of the world lines as we increase $\mu$ to go across the superfluid phase between the first two Mott insulating phases. For a sufficiently large temporal size, this process reveals an interesting fine structure: the average particle number and the winding number of most of the world lines in the Euclidean time direction increase by one unit at a time. At each step, the thermal entropy develops a peak and the entanglement entropy increases until we reach half-filling and then decreases in a way that approximately mirror the ascent. This suggests an approximate fermionic picture., Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures

We present a lattice-QCD calculation of the $B\to��\ell��$ semileptonic form factors and a new determination of the CKM matrix element $|V_{ub}|$. We use the MILC asqtad 2+1-flavor lattice configurations at four lattice spacings and light-quark masses down to 1/20 of the physical strange-quark mass. We extrapolate the lattice form factors to the continuum using staggered chiral perturbation theory in the hard-pion and SU(2) limits. We employ a model-independent $z$ parameterization to extrapolate our lattice form factors from large-recoil momentum to the full kinematic range. We introduce a new functional method to propagate information from the chiral-continuum extrapolation to the $z$ expansion. We present our results together with a complete systematic error budget, including a covariance matrix to enable the combination of our form factors with other lattice-QCD and experimental results. To obtain $|V_{ub}|$, we simultaneously fit the experimental data for the $B\to��\ell��$ differential decay rate obtained by the BaBar and Belle collaborations together with our lattice form-factor results. We find $|V_{ub}|=(3.72\pm 0.16)\times 10^{-3}$ where the error is from the combined fit to lattice plus experiments and includes all sources of uncertainty. Our form-factor results bring the QCD error on $|V_{ub}|$ to the same level as the experimental error. We also provide results for the $B\to��\ell��$ vector and scalar form factors obtained from the combined lattice and experiment fit, which are more precisely-determined than from our lattice-QCD calculation alone. These results can be used in other phenomenological applications and to test other approaches to QCD., 63 pages, 48 figures; v2: minor changes in Sec. IV, Table X, modified Fig.14,16, results unchanged

The rare decay $B\to��\ell^+\ell^-$ arises from $b\to d$ flavor-changing neutral currents and could be sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model. Here, we present the first $ab$-$initio$ QCD calculation of the $B\to��$ tensor form factor $f_T$. Together with the vector and scalar form factors $f_+$ and $f_0$ from our companion work [J. A. Bailey $et~al.$, Phys. Rev. D 92, 014024 (2015)], these parameterize the hadronic contribution to $B\to��$ semileptonic decays in any extension of the Standard Model. We obtain the total branching ratio ${\text{BR}}(B^+\to��^+��^+��^-)=20.4(2.1)\times10^{-9}$ in the Standard Model, which is the most precise theoretical determination to date, and agrees with the recent measurement from the LHCb experiment [R. Aaij $et~al.$, JHEP 1212, 125 (2012)]. Note added: after this paper was submitted for publication, LHCb announced a new measurement of the differential decay rate for this process [T. Tekampe, talk at DPF 2015], which we now compare to the shape and normalization of the Standard-Model prediction., V3: Corrected errors in results for Standard-Model differential and total decay rates in abstract, Fig. 3, Table IV, and outlook. Added new preliminary LHCb data to Fig. 3 and brief discussion after outlook. Replaced outdated correlation matrix in Table III with correct final version. Other minor wording changes and references added. 7 pages, 4 tables, 3 figures

Based on unique data from a sample of nearly 9,000 people ages 80 to 105 interviewed in 22 provinces in 1998, we found that gender differentials in educational attainment among the Chinese oldest old are enormous: Many more women are illiterate. Oldest old women are more likely to be widowed and economically dependent, much less likely to have pensions, and thus more likely to live with their children and rely on children for financial support and care. The female oldest old in China are also seriously disadvantaged in activities of daily living, physical performance, cognitive function, and self-reported health, as compared with their male counterparts; these gender differences are more marked with advancing age. The large gender differentials among the Chinese oldest old need serious attention from society and government, and any old-age insurance and service programs to be developed or reformed must benefit older women and men equally.

THE NUMBER OF oldest old persons in China, defined here as aged 80 and older, is calculated by the United Nations to climb from about 11.5 million in the year 2000 to 27 million in 2020, 39 million in 2030, 64 million in 2040, and 99 million in 2050. 1 Under the UN’s medium fertility assumption, 2 the percent aged 65 and older is expected to increase from 6.9 in 2000 to 15.7 in 2030 and 22.7 in 2050, while the share of the oldest old which in 2000 is 13 percent of the elderly population will be some 30 percent in 2050. The main reason the number of oldest old will climb so quickly after 2030 is that China’s “baby boomers,” who were born in the 1950s and 1960s, will fall into the category of “oldest old” at that time. During 2000‐50 the population of the oldest old will grow faster than any other age group in China. This phenomenon is not limited to China. The average annual rates of increase of oldest old persons between 2000 and 2050 are expected to be around 4.3 percent in China, India, and Mexico and 2.2‐2.8 percent in Canada, Japan, the United States, Germany, and France (UN 2001b). The rate of increase of the Chinese oldest old subpopulation is much faster (4.4 percent vs. 2.7 percent) than that of the entire elderly population aged 65 and older. The oldest old are much more likely to need help in daily living than the younger elderly. The oldest old consume medical care and other services and benefits of government and private transfers far out of proportion to their numbers. As evidenced later in this article, the proportion of individuals leading active daily lives declines and the disability rate increases dramatically with age among the Chinese oldest old. Torrey (1992: 382) estimated that in the United States, the Medicare costs of those aged 80 and older are 77, 60, and 36 percent higher than those of the younger elderly aged 65‐69, 70‐74, and

We compute the $B\to\pi\ell\nu$ semileptonic form factors and update the determination of the CKM matrix element $|V_{ub}|$. We use the MILC asqtad ensembles with $N_f=2+1$ sea quarks at four different lattice spacings in the range $a \approx 0.045$~fm to $0.12$~fm. The lattice form factors are extrapolated to the continuum limit using SU(2) staggered chiral perturbation theory in the hard pion limit, followed by an extrapolation in $q^2$ to the full kinematic range using a functional $z$-parameterization. The extrapolation is combined with the experimental measurements of the partial branching fraction to extract $|V_{ub}|$. Our preliminary result is $|V_{ub}|=(3.72\pm 0.14)\times 10^{-3}$, where the error reflects both the lattice and experimental uncertainties, which are now on par with each other., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures; talk presented at Lattice 2014. the 32nd International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, 23-28 June, 2014, Columbia University New York, NY

The idea of blocking in configuration space has played an important role in the development of the RG ideas. However, despite being half a century old and having had a huge intellectual impact, generic numerical methods to perform blocking for lattice models have progressed more slowly than sampling methods. Blocking may be essential to deal with near conformal situations. Typically, blocking methods have smaller statistical errors but larger systematic errors than sampling methods. This situation is evolving with recent developments based on the Tensor RG (TRG) method. We report recent results for spin and gauge lattice models obtained with this new method regarding searches for fixed points, calculations of critical exponents and resolutions of sign problems. An interesting model for comparison is the 2-dimensional O(2) model with a chemical potential which has a sign problem with conventional Monte Carlo but allows sampling with the worm algorithm and blocking with various TRG formulations. We compare the efficiency and accuracy of these two methods., 7 pages, 5 figures, talk given by Yannick Meurice at the 32nd International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, 23-28 June, 2014, Columbia University New York, NY; submitted as PoS(LATTICE2014)319

We compute the $B\to��\ell��$ semileptonic form factors and update the determination of the CKM matrix element $|V_{ub}|$. We use the MILC asqtad ensembles with $N_f=2+1$ sea quarks at four different lattice spacings in the range $a \approx 0.045$~fm to $0.12$~fm. The lattice form factors are extrapolated to the continuum limit using SU(2) staggered chiral perturbation theory in the hard pion limit, followed by an extrapolation in $q^2$ to the full kinematic range using a functional $z$-parameterization. The extrapolation is combined with the experimental measurements of the partial branching fraction to extract $|V_{ub}|$. Our preliminary result is $|V_{ub}|=(3.72\pm 0.14)\times 10^{-3}$, where the error reflects both the lattice and experimental uncertainties, which are now on par with each other., 7 pages, 4 figures; talk presented at Lattice 2014. the 32nd International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, 23-28 June, 2014, Columbia University New York, NY

Zeno Yi. Val pel James W . Xiao Zhenyu. Zhang Chunyuan, Liu Yuzhi - L'enquête sur la longévité en bonne santé : l'espérance de vie sans incapacité des personnes très âgées en Chine Cet article décrit succinctement le contexte, les objectifs, le plan d'étude et l'évaluation de la qualité des données de l'enquête chinoise de 1998 sur la longévité en bonne santé II présente aussi les premiers résultats concernant le thème specitique de l'espérance de vie sans incapacité comparée à l'espérance de vie avec incapacité Diverses mesures attestent la qualité généralement bonne des declarations d'âge et d'autres aspects qualitatifs des données de notre enquête de 1998 Les données relatives aux activités de la vie quotidienne collectées auprès de 2 274 centenaires, 3 035 nonagénaires et 3 496 octogénaires montrent que les personnes très âgées ont plus de chance de poursuivre les activités de la vie quotidienne jusqu'à leurs derniers jours si elles vivent en milieu rural plutôt qu'en ville Le pourcentage des hommes très âges qui restent actits est supérieur à celui des femmes, bien que celles-ci aient une longévité totale supérieure Nous terminons par quelques explications de ces differences intéressantes selon le sexe et l'habitat rural ou urbain, Zeng Yi, Vaupel James W , Xiao Zhenyu, Zhang Chunyuan, Liu Yuzhi - Encuesta sobre la longevidad en buena salud: la esperanza de vida sin incapacidades en edades muy avanzadas en China Este articulo háce una descnpción sucinta del contexto, objetivos, plan de estudio y evaluacion de la cahdad de los datos de la encuesta china de 1998 sobre la longevidad en buena salud Tambien présenta los pnmeros resultados de la investigacion sobre la esperanza de vida sin incapacidad comparada con la esperanza de vida con incapacidad Vanos indicadores sugieren que la cahdad de los datos relativos a las declaraciones de edad y otros aspectos cua- htativos es generalmente buena Los datos relativos a las actividades cotidianas, disponibles para 2 274 centenanos, 3 035 nonagenanos y 3 496 octogenanos, muestran que entre las per- sonas mayores existe mayor probabilidad de seguir reahzando las actividades de la vida coti- diana si viven en un medio rural El porcentaje de personas mayores que permanecen activos es superior entre los hombres que entre las mujeres. aunque para estas la longevidad total sea mas elevada El articulo présenta algunas explicaciones de estas interesantes diterencias por sexo y segun el lugar de residencia (rural, urbano), Yi Zeng, Vaupel James W., Zhenyu Xiao, Chunyuan Zhang, Yuzhi Liu. L'enquête sur la longévité en bonne santé. L'espérance de vie sans incapacité des personnes très âgées en Chine. In: Population, 56ᵉ année, n°1-2, 2001. Perspectives biodémographiques de la longévité humaine, sous la direction de Jean-Marie Robine. pp. 109-131.

We calculate the Fisher zeros for $SU(3)$ gauge theory with different $N_f$ flavors of staggered fermions for various values of the fermion mass. We discuss the finite-size scaling near the end point of the line of discontinuity of $\bar{\psi} \psi$ in the beta-mass plane and in the larger beta-lower mass region. We discuss possible interpretations of these results in terms of Wilsonian RG flows and their possible relevance to construct composite Higgs models., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, Presented at the 31st International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory - LATTICE 2013, July 29 - August 3, 2013, Mainz, Germany

We update the lattice calculation of the $B\to\pi$ semileptonic form factors, which have important applications to the CKM matrix element $|V_{ub}|$ and the $B\to\pi\ell^+\ell^-$ rare decay. We use MILC asqtad ensembles with $N_f=2+1$ sea quarks and over a range of lattice spacings $a \approx 0.045$--$0.12$ fm. We perform a combined chiral and continuum extrapolation of our lattice data using SU(2) staggered chiral perturbation theory in the hard pion limit. To extend the results for the form factors to the full kinematic range, we take a functional approach to parameterize the form factors using the Bourrely-Caprini-Lellouch formalism in a model-independent way. Our analysis is still blinded with an unknown off-set factor which will be disclosed when we present the final results., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, presented at the 31st International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (Lattice 2013), 29 July - 3 August 2013, Mainz, Germany

We update the lattice calculation of the $B\to��$ semileptonic form factors, which have important applications to the CKM matrix element $|V_{ub}|$ and the $B\to��\ell^+\ell^-$ rare decay. We use MILC asqtad ensembles with $N_f=2+1$ sea quarks and over a range of lattice spacings $a \approx 0.045$--$0.12$ fm. We perform a combined chiral and continuum extrapolation of our lattice data using SU(2) staggered chiral perturbation theory in the hard pion limit. To extend the results for the form factors to the full kinematic range, we take a functional approach to parameterize the form factors using the Bourrely-Caprini-Lellouch formalism in a model-independent way. Our analysis is still blinded with an unknown off-set factor which will be disclosed when we present the final results., 7 pages, 3 figures, presented at the 31st International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (Lattice 2013), 29 July - 3 August 2013, Mainz, Germany

We calculate the form factors for the semileptonic decays $B_s\to K\ell\nu$ and $B\to K\ell\ell$ with lattice QCD. We work at several lattice spacings and a range of light quark masses, using the MILC 2+1-flavor asqtad ensembles. We use the Fermilab method for the $b$ quark. We obtain chiral-continuum extrapolations for $E_K$ up to $\sim1.2$ GeV and then extend to the entire kinematic range with the model-independent $z$ expansion., Comment: 7. pp, 6 figs. Presented at the 31st International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory - LATTICE 2013, July 29 - August 3, 2013, Mainz, Germany

We show that the Tensor Renormalization Group (TRG) method can be applied to O(N) spin models, principal chiral models and pure gauge theories (Z2, U(1) and SU(2)) on (hyper) cubic lattices. We explain that contrarily to some common belief, it is very difficult to write compact formulas expressing the blockspinning of lattice models. We show that in contrast to other approaches, the TRG formulation allows us to write exact blocking formulas with numerically controllable truncations. The basic reason is that the TRG blocking separates neatly the degrees of freedom inside the block and which are integrated over, from those kept to communicate with the neighboring blocks. We argue that the TRG is a method that can handle large volumes, which is crucial to approach quasi-conformal systems. The method can also get rid of some sign problems. We discuss recent results regarding the critical properties of the 2D O(2) nonlinear sigma model with complex beta and chemical potential. As some of these results appeared in a recently published paper (PRD 88, 056005) and two recent preprints (arXiv:1309.4963 and arXiv:1309.6623), these proceedings rather emphasize the conceptual aspects of our ongoing effort., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures.Talk given at the 31st International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory LATTICE 2013, July 29-August 3, 2013; Mainz, Germany. PoS(LATTICE 2013)329

Fisher zeros are the zeros of the partition function in the complex beta=2N_c/g^2 plane. When they pinch the real axis, finite size scaling allows one to distinguish between first and second order transition and to estimate exponents. On the other hand, a gap signals confinement and the method can be used to explore the boundary of the conformal window. We present recent numerical results for 2D O(N) sigma models, 4D U(1) and SU(2) pure gauge and SU(3) gauge theory with N_f=4 and 12 flavors. We discuss attempts to understand some of these results using analytical methods. We discuss the 2-lattice matching and qualitative aspects of the renormalization group (RG) flows in the Migdal-Kadanoff approximation, in particular how RG flows starting at large beta seem to move around regions where bulk transitions occur. We consider the effects of the boundary conditions on the nonperturbative part of the average energy and on the Fisher zeros for the 1D O(2) model., PoS(Lattice 2012)229, submitted version

We discuss the possibility of extending the RG flows to complex coupling spaces. We argue that the Fisher's zeros are located at the boundary of the complex basin of attraction of IR fixed points. We support this picture with numerical calculations at finite volume for2D O(N) models in the large-N limit and the hierarchical Ising model using the two-lattice matching method. We present numerical evidence supporting the idea that, as the volume increases, the Fisher's zeros of 4-dimensional pure gauge SU(2) lattice gauge theory with a Wilson action, stabilize at a distance larger than 0.1 from the real axis in the complex beta=4/g^2 plane. We show that when a positive adjoint term is added, the zeros get closer to the real axis. We compare the situation with the U(1) case. We discuss the implications of this new framework for proofs of confinement and searches for nontrivial IR fixed points in models beyond the standard model., Comment: Proceedings of Lattice 2010, POS 259

We compare MC calculations of the density of states in SU(2) pure gauge theory with the weak and strong coupling expansions. Surprisingly, the range of validity of the two approximations overlap significantly, however the large order behavior of both expansions appear to be similar to the corresponding expansions of the plaquette. We discuss the implications for the calculation of the Fisher's zeros of the partition function., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, talk by Y. Meurice at the XXVI International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, 14-19 July 2008, Williamsburg, VA, USA

We calculate numerically the density of states n(S) for SU(2) lattice gauge theory on $L^4$ lattices. Small volume dependence are resolved for small values of S. We compare $ln(n(S))$ with weak and strong coupling expansions. Intermediate order expansions show a good overlap for values of S corresponding to the crossover. We relate the convergence of these expansions to those of the average plaquette. We show that when known logarithmic singularities are subtracted from $ln(n(S))$, expansions in Legendre polynomials appear to converge and could be suitable to determine the Fisher's zeros of the partition function., Comment: revtex, 10 pages, 20 figures, minor errors corected

[ABSTRACT]Arid and semi-arid areas comprise about 30% of the earth surface. Changes in climate and climate variability will likely have a significant impact on these regions. Gobi and desert region over Northwest China is one of major dust aerosol sources in East Asia. To improve our understanding of the impact of dust aerosol on climate, an intensive field experiment has been conducted by Semi-Arid Climate & Environment Observatory of Lanzhou University (SACOL) in Dunhuang (40.49°N/94.95°E, 1061m ASL) over Northwestern China from April 1th to June 30th, 2012. There are two sites deployed in Dunhuang: SACOL’s mobile facility (SMF) is set up nearby the farmland (located in the Gobi Desert), and a set of spectra and broadband radiometers are installed at the top of a three-floor building (about 10 meter above the ground and 1 km away from the SMF). A suite of active and passive ground-based remote sensing instruments are deployed in the field campaign, such as Micro-Pulse Lidar (MPL), Cimel sun photometer (CE318), Prede sky radiometer (POM-01), grating spectroradiometer (MS-700) and Multi-Filter Rotating Shadowband Radiometer (MFRSR). We can retrieve aerosol optical depth, ?ngstr?m exponent, volume size distribution, single scattering albedo, and asymmetry factor from these ground-based measurements. Furthermore, aerosol optical properties can be inter-compared and validated for each other. Surface radiation quantities estimated from SBDART radiative transfer model can be compared with a dozen of the state-of-the-art ground-based radiometers’ observations. The dust aerosol radiative forcing and heating rate in Gobi desert over Northwest China are estimated using the Fu-Liou radiative transfer model. This campaign is vital to understand the characteristics and variations of dust aerosols in East Asian so that we can evaluate more accurately the effect of mineral dust aerosols on global and regional climate change in the future.