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Emission of volatile organic compounds has important influence on complex air pollution and human health. In this paper, a series of tungsten–iron composite oxides with different proportions and preparation methods were synthesized and first used for catalytic combustion of chlorobenzene and toluene, as typical polluting gas sources. These WO3-based solid catalytic materials were systematically characterized by modern analytical methods, and the results showed that there was strong electron interaction between W and Fe elements in the composite oxides, and the presence of a certain amount of tungsten oxide inhibited the crystallization of iron oxide, and vice versa, which were beneficial to the uniform dispersion of tungsten–iron components into each other and the improvement of redox properties. Compared with single-component oxide, the formation of tungsten–iron composite oxide affected the micro-structure, improved the specific surface area and optimized the pore structure of materials. The performance test results showed that the tungsten–iron composite oxide (FeWO4–0.5Fe2O3, molar ratio of tungsten and iron was 1/2) prepared using citric acid-based sol–gel method was the optimal, and its catalytic degradation efficiency could reach 90% for chlorobenzene and 83% for toluene at 320 °C, and maintain at least 60 h without obvious deactivation, with high selectivity to the formation of HCl and CO2.

ObjectiveThe objective is to evaluate the 5-year follow-up results of percutaneous intramyocardial septal radiofrequency ablation (PIMSRA) for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), including clinical status, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic characteristics.Methods27 patients (age: 44.3±15.5 years; 67% men, 33% women) with severely symptomatic HOCM who underwent PIMSRA from October 2016 to September 2017 were included. Their clinical status, resting and exercise stress echocardiography, electrocardiography and cardiac MRI (CMRI) after long-term follow-up were assessed.ResultsOne patient died of intracerebral haemorrhage 1 year post procedurally. The New York Heart Association class, Canadian Cardiovascular Society class and exercise-induced syncopal attacks improved significantly in 26 patients (all p<0.01). Left ventricular (LV) outflow tract gradients revealed sustained reduction (resting: from 95.0 to 9.0 mm Hg, p<0.001; post exercise: from 130.5 to 21.0 mm Hg, p<0.001). The echocardiographic evaluation revealed decreased septal thickness, LV posterior wall thickness and left atrial (LA) diameter (all p<0.001). CMRI data revealed decrease in LV mass index and LA volume index and increase in LV end-diastolic volume index and stroke volume index between baseline and long-term follow-up (all p<0.05). The global longitudinal strain of LV improved from (−11.9%±3.7%) before the procedure to (−13.1%±3.9%) at the last check (p<0.001). Malignant ventricular arrhythmia and heart failure events were not observed.ConclusionsPIMSRA can effectively alleviate symptoms in patients with HOCM and improve their hemodynamics in the long term.Trial registration numberNCT02888132.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is increasingly becoming the recommended treatment for locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) with promising results. According to previous reports, few studies have evaluated the benefits of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) after NACT.

AbstractRock masses are highly characterized by size effect due to the existence of complex discontinuities, which could be reflected by representative volume element (RVE). This study exemplified calculation of RVE in Datengxia sluice rock mass analysis with consideration of anisotropy, which extends the application of traditional RVE featured by three-dimensional (3-D) equal sizes. Specifically, fracture network modeling was conducted to generate fractures in 3-D space. Fracture frequency values, which can comprehensively reflect the fracture density, size and occurrence in different lengths, were used to represent size effect of one-dimensional (1-D) parameters. Subsequently, geostatistic theory was introduced to synthesize substantial fracture frequency data and analyze their relationships in different regions and educe convergence size by analyzing the significant sub-theory of variogram. Linear representative volume elements (LRVE) in different directions were proved to be varied; thus, a modified RVE with orthogonal directions corresponding to individual LRVE values were applied. As RVE takes account on linear anisotropy features of rock masses, size effect can better guide parameter selection and numerical modeling of rock masses.

MXene-based structural microwave-absorbing materials achieve an impressive reflection loss of − 47.9 dB in the low-frequency S-band, without the presence of magnetic materials and with low density.The elucidation of the mechanism behind the shift of the absorption band from high to low frequencies is attributed to the coupling of controlled multilevel polarization with induced electric field interactions.

Platinum-based chemotherapy drugs can lead to the development of anorexia, a detrimental effect on the overall health of cancer patients. However, managing chemotherapy-induced anorexia and subsequent weight loss remains challenging due to limited effective therapeutic strategies. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) has recently gained significant attention in the context of chemotherapy-induced anorexia. Here, we report that hepatic GDF15 plays a crucial role in regulating body weight in response to chemo drugs cisplatin and doxorubicin. Cisplatin and doxorubicin treatments induce hepatic Gdf15 expression and elevate circulating GDF15 levels, leading to hunger suppression and subsequent weight loss. Mechanistically, selective activation by chemotherapy of hepatic IRE1α-XBP1 pathway of the unfolded protein response (UPR) upregulates Gdf15 expression. Genetic and pharmacological inactivation of IRE1α is sufficient to ameliorate chemotherapy-induced anorexia and body weight loss. These results identify hepatic IRE1α as a molecular driver of GDF15-mediated anorexia and suggest that blocking IRE1α RNase activity offers a therapeutic strategy to alleviate the adverse anorexia effects in chemotherapy.

The newly discovered medium-scale Huangling uranium deposit is located in the Shuanlong area of the southeast Ordos Basin. This paper presents the systematic geochemical and zircon U-Pb studies on the Zhiluo Formation sandstones in the Huanling area. The data obtained play an important role in deducing the provenance and tectonic setting of the source rocks. The results show that the lower part of the Zhiluo Formation is mainly composed of felsic sedimentary rocks. The source rocks originated from a continental island arc environment in terms of tectonic setting. U-Pb ages of detrital zircons obtained can be roughly divided into three groups: 170–500 Ma, 1600–2050 Ma, and 2100–2650 Ma. Based on the characteristics of trace elements and rare earth elements (REE) and the zircon U-Pb dating results, it is considered that the Cryptozoic Edo provenance of the Zhiluo Formation mainly includes magmatic rocks (such as granodioritic intrusions) and metamorphic rocks (such as gneiss and granulite) in the orogenic belts on the northern margin of the North China Plate and in the Alxa Block. Based on sedimentological and petrological results, it can be concluded that the provenance of clastic sediments in the Zhiluo Formation was in north-south direction. The preconcentration of uranium is relatively low in the Lower Zhiluo Formation in the Huangling area. Meanwhile, the paleocurrent system in the sedimentary period is inconsistent with the ore-bearing flow field in the mineralization period, which restricts the formation of large-scale and super-large-scale uranium deposits and ore zones in the southeast Ordos Basin. The understanding of provenance directions will provide crucial references for the Jurassic prototype recovery and paleo-geomorphology of the Ordos Basin and the prediction of potential uranium reservoirs of the basin.

AbstractIn this study, four representative machine learning methods (support vector machine (SVM), maximum entropy (MaxEnt), random forest (RF), and artificial neural network (ANN)) were employed to construct a landslide susceptibility map (LSM) in Xulong Gully (XLG), southwest China. The models were subsequently compared in order to select the best-performing model. This model was further improved to optimize the machine learning method. A total of 16 layers were extracted from the collected data and employed as conditional factors for the correlation analysis and subsequent modelling. The LSMs were then divided into four levels (very high susceptibility (VH), high susceptibility (H), moderate susceptibility (M) and low susceptibility (L)). The results were verified by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and Frequency Ratio (FR). The higher of the area under ROC curve (AUC) and the lower the RMSE, the more accurate and stable the performance. Following the factor performance analysis, the optimal SVM model was linearity improved to the Trace Ratio Criterion (TRC)-SVM, with a better performance and the ability to overcome the factor defect. The comprehensive comparisons and proposed LSM can support future research, as well as local authorities in the development of landslide remission strategies.

In this study, Shan et al. set out to identify the array of cold-responsive cell types within white adipose tissue (WAT) that drive thermogenic beige adipocyte biogenesis. Using in vivo and genomic approaches, the authors report a select subpopulation of iWAT adipocyte precursor cells (APCs) that are uniquely cold-responsive and serve to couple adrenergic signaling to immune cell activation to facilitate the early stages of cold-induced thermogenic remodeling.

In this study, Shao et al. demonstrate that the protein–protein interaction between the transcriptional coregulator ZFP423 and brown fat determination factor EBF2 is essential for restraining the thermogenic phenotype of white adipose tissue (WAT). Using CRISPR–Cas9 gene editing to disrupt the ZFP423–EBF2 protein interaction triggers widespread “browning” of WAT in adult mice, and overall their data indicate that ZFP423 controls EBF2 coactivator recruitment and PPARγ occupancy to determine the thermogenic plasticity of adipocytes.

Recent studies have revealed cellular heterogeneity of mesenchymal stromal cells and immune cells in adipose tissue and emphasized the need for quantitative analysis of small numbers of functionally distinct cells using state-of-the-art “omics” technologies. Here, we present an optimized protocol for precise protein quantification from minute amounts of samples. We describe steps for isolation of mouse adipose progenitor cells, proteomics sample preparation, mass spectrometry measurement, and computational analysis. This protocol can be adapted to other samples with limited amounts.

SPOP is one of the important subunits for CUL3/SPOP/RBX1 complex tightly connected with tumorigenesis. However, its exact roles in different cancers remain debatable. Here, we identify CYCLIN E1, as a novel substrate for SPOP. SPOP directly interacts with CYCLIN E1 and specific regulates its stability in prostate cancer cell lines. SPOP/CUL3/RBX1 complex regulates CYCLIN E1 stability through poly-ubiquitination. CDK2 competes with SPOP for CYCLIN E1 interaction, suggesting that SPOP probably regulates the stability of CDK2-free CYCLIN E1. CYCLIN E1 expression rescued proliferation, migration, and tumor formation of prostate cancer cell suppressed by SPOP. Furthermore, we found SPOP selectively regulates the substrates’ stability and signaling pathways in prostate cancer and CCRC cell lines, suggesting that complicated mechanisms exist for SPOP to regulate substrate specificity. Altogether, we have revealed a novel mechanism for SPOP in suppressing prostate cancer and provided evidence to show SPOP has dual functions in prostate cancer and CCRC.

As the feature size of integrated circuit devices is shrinking to sub-7 nm node, the chip power dissipation significantly increases and mainly converted to the heat. Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube arrays (VACNTs) have a large number of outstanding properties, such as high axial thermal conductivity, low expansion coefficient, light-weight, anti-aging, and anti-oxidation. With a dramatic increment of chip temperature, VACNTs and their composites will be the promising materials as Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs), especially due to their high thermal conductivity. In this review, the synthesis, transfer and potential applications of VACNTs have been mentioned. Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition (TCVD) has been selected for the synthesis of millimeter-scale VACNTs. After that, they are generally transferred to the target substrate for the application of TIMs in the electronics industry, using the solder transfer method. Besides, the preparation and potential applications of VACNTs-based composites are also summarized. The gaps of VACNTs are filled by the metals or polymers to replace the low thermal conductivity in the air and make them free-standing composites films. Compared with VACNTs- metal composites, VACNTs-polymer composites will be more suitable for the next generation TIMs, due to their lightweight, low density and good mechanical properties.

As feature sizes of devices shrink every year, deposition and etching processes change to be very challenge, especially for sub-7 nm technology node. The acceptable variability of feature size is expected to be several atoms of silicon/germanium in the future. Therefore, Remote Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition (RPE-ALD) and Atomic Layer Etching (ALE) change to be more and more important in the semiconductor fabrication. Due to their self-limiting behavior, the atomic-scale fidelity could be realized for both of them in the processes. Compared with traditional Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) methods, atomic-scale thickness controllability and good conformality can be achieved by RPE-ALD. Unlike conventional plasma etching, atomicscale precision and excellent depth uniformity can be achieved by ALE. The fundamentals and applications of RPE-ALD and ALE have been discussed in this paper. Using the combination of them, atomic-level deposition/etch-back method is also mentioned for achieving high quality ultra-thin films on three dimensional (3D) features.

In order to improve the anti-fouling characteristics of the electric insulator for electric railway, a functional coating for preventing pollution was carried out on the surface of the T type post insulator and long rod insulator in the railway insulators. In order to ensure the durability of the thin film on the coated insulator surface, the coating was annealed at three different annealing cases by using a furnace. Case 1 is annealing treatment at 250°C and case 2 is annealing treatment at 400°C. Case 3 is the double annealing treatment (case 1 + case 2). The film Surface conductivity and anti-fouling characteristics of the insulators annealed at three temperature conditions were measured. It was confirmed that the insulator annealed in case 3 had both good conductivity and anti-fouling characteristics.

Obesity is associated with metabolic inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, both of which promote metabolic disease progression. Adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) are key players orchestrating metabolic inflammation, and ER stress enhances macrophage activation. However, whether ER stress pathways underlie ATM regulation of energy homeostasis remains unclear. Here, we identified inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) as a critical switch governing M1–M2 macrophage polarization and energy balance. Myeloid-specific IRE1α abrogation in Ern1f/f; Lyz2-Cre mice largely reversed high-fat diet (HFD)-induced M1–M2 imbalance in white adipose tissue (WAT) and blocked HFD-induced obesity, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia and hepatic steatosis. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity, WAT browning and energy expenditure were significantly higher in Ern1f/f; Lyz2-Cre mice. Furthermore, IRE1α ablation augmented M2 polarization of macrophages in a cell-autonomous manner. Thus, IRE1α senses protein unfolding and metabolic and immunological states, and consequently guides ATM polarization. The macrophage IRE1α pathway drives obesity and metabolic syndrome through impairing BAT activity and WAT browning.

The prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes is escalating to an epidemic proportion worldwide. Obesity is known to be associated with a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation. Emerging lines of evidence have shown that both innate and adaptive immune responses play crucial roles in the control of metabolic homeostasis. Macrophages in adipose tissues are the essential effector cells in orchestrating metabolic inflammation, which is thought to promote the pathogenic progression of obesity and obesity-related disorders. Here we discuss our current understanding of the distinct modes of activation of adipose tissue macrophages, which can sense the metabolic cues and exert profound effects upon adipose homeostasis. Targeting macrophages in adipose tissues may provide new avenues for developing immunomodulation-based therapeutics against obesity and obesity-associated metabolic diseases.

Selecting composite connections is a crucial factor for researching mechanical performance of GluBam-concrete composite structure (BCC). An initial stage of research on the feasibility of GluBam-concrete composite beams is described. Total three types of composite connector, six specimens in each type, have been conducted direct shear tests on small blocks. The shear-relative slip curves were measured and all the relevant mechanical properties such as slip moduli and shear capacities were calculated. According to the test results, all connectors can be classified into two types, which owned strong and stiff mechanical properties but low ductility, or less strength and stiffness but high ductility. The BCC systems presented own characteristics compared with the outcomes obtained from the TCC system. It was founded that some of connection systems were suitable for constructed GluBam-concrete composite structures. However only qualitative conclusions can be drawn at this stage and the performance of GluBam-concrete composite beams need to be investigated further.

Considerable cold energy embodied in liquefied natural gas (LNG) can be recycled in LNG regasification, which can not only save energy but also avoid cold pollution within the low-temperature fluid emission. Review on both domestic and overseas is conducted on the recycling of LNG cold energy in different applications. Against the single purpose utilization of LNG cold energy with a large amount of energy loss, the cascade recycling strategy is proposed for highly-efficient utilization of LNG cold energy. Based on the defined cold exergy efficiency, the exergy analysis is performed for some different recycling applications of LNG cold energy. The system exergy rate method is used to compare the superiority of modes in which the LNG is converted into NG under normal temperature. The results show that the exergy efficiency of a LNG cold energy cascade recycling system is higher than that of a single utilization system. Apart from the improved efficiency, the cascade recycling strategy can expand the applicable temperature range of LNG cold energy compared with the single utilization. Finally, the entropy and entransy for evaluating the LNG cold energy transport process are compared and discussed, from which it is indicated that entransy is more appropriate for the heat transfer process with low-temperature or large temperature difference, as is the case for LNG cold energy recycling.

A Ce-Zr-Ti oxide catalyst was prepared by an impregnation method and tested for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3. The Ce-Zr-Ti oxide catalyst exhibited high activity and more than 95% NO conversion was obtained within the temperature range 300-500 °C at the high gas hourly space velocity of 50,000 h-1. The addition of Zr improved the activity of Ce-Ti oxides especially at higher reaction temperatures and their resistance to SO2.

A Ce-Zr-Ti composite oxide catalyst was prepared by the sol-gel method and its NH3-SCR activities were investigated. The Ce-Zr-Ti oxide catalyst exhibited high activity and 92.7-98.8% NO conversion was obtained in the temperature range 250-450 °C at the high gas hourly space velocity of 50,000 h-1. In comparison with Ce-Ti oxide catalyst, the Ce-Zr-Ti oxide catalyst showed strong resistance to H2O and SO2. The excellent performance of the Ce-Zr-Ti oxide catalyst might be attributed to the large surface area and strong interaction among the three elements of Ce, Zr and Ti.

A mathematical model of pulsating laminar flow inside an annular space for power-law fluid was established basing on the background of petroleum engineering. The characteristic of pulsating flow was obtained by employed SIMPLE algorithm. The investigation result shows that the velocity profile and axial pressure gradient are affected by the frequency, amplitude, liquidity index and annular distance of reciprocating motion and the affection is violent near the inner wall.

As mining progresses to deeper reserves, the accompanying high stress and rockburst hazards increase and cannot be prevented. Therefore, the position of rockburst, hazard level, as well as how much energy released need to have quantitative analysis, which can provide a safe and effective guideline for mining operation. In this paper, take the Linglong Gold Mine as background, the relationship of surrounding rockmass and rock impact energy index could be derived from simulating the ground stress environment in lab. Based on above equation, FLAC 3D is used for simulating the mining operation of Linglong Gold Mine in regard of the size of rock impact energy in current excavation stress condition, which breakdown the limitation of previous method of getting the indicator of rock burst tendency evaluation from uniaxial compressive full stress-strain curve, and provide the reference for safe mining operation.

Debris flows are common natural hazards in China. The outbreak of debris flows in reservoir region not only affects the stability of the hydropower stations dam, but also threatens the safety of human life and their property. Therefore, hazard assessment and protection of debris flows close to the dam are necessary and important. In this paper, SPOT5 remote sensing images and DEM model and scene investigation are introduced to acquire the characteristics of debris flow gullies. Ten debris flow occurrence related factors were selected. Then, on the basic of analyzing the relationship of the major factors and fuzzification of debris flow hazard degree, the model of two-stage fuzzy synthetic evaluation (TFSE) was established for hazard assessment. The debris flow risk under different designed rainstorm frequency was calculated. By the evaluation results, we can know that with the design storm intensity increases, the risk of debris flow increases, which is consistent with the actual situation.

Prefabricated light-frame bamboo trusses are widely used in light-frame construction as the main vertical load-carrying elements in roof and floor systems because of their long-span capabilities, ease of use, versatile configuration, rapid installation, and competitive cost. This paper presents experimental studies on glue-laminated bamboo trusses. Six full-scale model trusses with two types of configuration and sizes were tested to failure under gradually increased vertical load. The failure of the model trusses was caused by lateral buckling of the top chords. Tests show that the modern glue-laminated bamboo trusses have adequate stiffness and strength.

This paper reports the first step of a study to evaluate the lateral resistance capacity of Round bamboo shear walls and its mechanical properties under Monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The bamboo shear walls are built with round bamboo as its stub and with ply-bamboo sheet as its sheathing. Load-displacement curves of six round bamboo shear walls, with three different connection types, were obtained in this experiment, and the test results showed that the lateral resistance capacity of round bamboo shear walls can exceed 4.0kN/m, satisfying the projects requirement. A combination of nail and panel failures were observed in the test.

Based on the practice of the landscape sketch bamboo buildings of Meixi Lake in Changsha, this thesis, from the perspective of material construction, aims to perceive the region and bamboo structure, to concern the bamboo frame form and space construction, to try to integrate bamboo structure with other materials and to explore the formation of bamboo-framed building and the related regional expression. Excavating bamboo value, improving bamboo performance and developing bamboo structural building can satisfy requirements as the main part of construction and expression in architecture and promote the using level of GluBam. Technological innovation such as suitable construction skills and reasonable structural system can promote the effective utilizing bamboo and development of modern bamboo structure. It is a alternative green building system for sustainable development.

Glubam is a kind of environmentally friendly and energy efficient composite material in civil engineering developed in recent years. But the mechanical performance after subjected aging under the outdoor conditions is a blank of research field. In this paper, a new artificial accelerated aging test method and equipment for glubam have been presented by authors. The basic material performance, including deformation changing, tensile properties, compressive properties, bending properties and internal bonding strength, are tested according to the equivalent aging duration of 120 days, 240 days, 480 days and 960 days. The failure mode of specimens shows that delamination of glubam caused by dry wet circulation is the main reason for mechanical properties degradation. All test results present monotone decreasing trend and the internal bonding strength is the most sensitive to aging duration. Aging influence factor β, internal bonding correlation coefficient η and internal correlation coefficient θ can be used to evaluate aging performance of glubam, but the accuracy of evaluation results need further research.

Ferulic acid, a compound showing antioxidant ability, is found in abundance in wheat bran. Its release depends mainly on the breaking of its ester linkage to other constitutive elements of the cell wall, such as arabinoxylans, ligin, cellulose and so on. Response surface methodology and orthogonal design were respectively used to evaluate the effects of NaOH concentration, alkali/ethanol ratio, extraction temperature and pH on ferulic acid extraction yield from wheat bran. The released ferulic acid concentration was determinated by HPLC method Experiments carried out under the predicted optimal conditions，with NaOH concentration of 5.76%, pH of 3.2, alkali/ethanol ratio of 1.39:1, temperature of 59.75 ℃, the actual extraction yield in agreement with the expected yield, with 4.45mg.g-1 extraction rate of ferulic acid in wheat bran . And the results confirm the potential of wheat bran valorization in the field of natural antioxidant extraction, possibly viable in an industrial scheme.

At present, there exist a lots of problems in general bean sprout incubators such as uneven spray, water wasting, slow heating, high energy consumption, inaccurate temperature control and so on. To solve these problems, an intelligent bean sprout incubator has been developed based on MSP430 Single Chip Computer. The incubator has advantages of humidity uniformity, water saving, fast heating, low energy consumption, and precise temperature control.

The equivalent elastic modulus is a parameter for controlling the deformation behavior of fractured rock masses in the equivalent continuum approach. The confining stress, whose effect on the equivalent elastic modulus is of great importance, is the fundamental stress environment of natural rock masses. This paper employs an analytical approach to obtain the equivalent elastic modulus of fractured rock masses containing random discrete fractures (RDFs) or regular fracture sets (RFSs) while considering the confining stress. The proposed analytical solution considers not only the elastic properties of the intact rocks and fractures, but also the geometrical structure of the fractures and the confining stress. The performance of the analytical solution is verified by comparing it with the results of numerical tests obtained using the three-dimensional distinct element code (3DEC), leading to a reasonably good agreement. The analytical solution quantitatively demonstrates that the equivalent elastic modulus increases substantially with an increase in confining stress, i.e. it is characterized by stress-dependency. Further, a sensitivity analysis of the variables in the analytical solution is conducted using a global sensitivity analysis approach, i.e. the extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (EFAST). The variations in the sensitivity indices for different ranges and distribution types of the variables are investigated. The results provide an in-depth understanding of the influence of the variables on the equivalent elastic modulus from different perspectives.

A modified cellular automaton model was proposed to simulate the dendrite growth of alloy. Different from previous models, this model used neither an analytical equation(such as KGT model) nor an interface solute gradient equation to solve the velocity of solid-liquid interface, but used the interface solute and energy conservation and thermodynamic equilibrium condition to describe the solid/liquid interface growth kinetics process. In present model, once the temperature field and solute field were solved by finite different method in the entire domain, the material thermodynamic properties can be substituted into four algebraic equations to easily determine the variation of solid fraction, interface temperature and solute concentration, instead of calculating interface moving velocity. As a result, the complexity of the calculation can be largely reduced. The simulated dendrite growth was in a good agreement with the Lipton–Glicksman–Kurz (LGK) model for free dendritic growth in undercooled melts.

Background: Commercial sex is illegal in China but there are still many hospitality girls (HGs) working at licenced entertainment establishments in many places in the country. Hospitality girls can be categorised as sex-HGs and non-sex-HGs. Objective: To understand the proportion of sex-HGs and non-sex-HGs, the prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and the high-risk behaviours among HGs. Methods: A total of 257 HGs at 29 entertainment establishments (13 sauna/massage parlors, 10 dancing/karaoke bars and six barbershops) from seven urban districts in Wuhan were investigated and studied with a two-step sampling frame during November and December 1999. Information on sexual practices, drug abuse, condom use and other related factors were collected by anonymous interviewer-administered questionnaires. Anonymous laboratory testing was performed on 185 (72%) serum samples obtained for HIV-1 and HSV-2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Of the 257 HGs, the mean age was 22.7 years (range 16?36 years); 147 (57.2%) stated they were sex-HGs, 15 (5.8%) were drug users, of whom 12 (80%) were injecting and 3 (20%) were inhaling. Sex-HGs was significantly correlated with drug abuse (P < 0.01, OR = 11.47). Among the 147 sex-HGs, 29 (19.7%) had sex with male clients more than seven times per week, 76 (51.7%) claimed to have used condoms consistently. The sero-prevalence survey of 185 HGs revealed that none tested HIV seropositive, and 40 (21.6%) were HSV-2 seropositive, which was positively correlated with sex-HGs (P < 0.01, OR = 3.13). Conclusions: Although the HIV epidemic in Wuhan has not yet reached a high level, HIV/AIDS prevention and control must be taken into account in entertainment establishments because of the existing high risk-taking behaviours and high STI incidence among HGs. It is feasible to carry out epidemiological investigations, which are concerned with sensitive topics such as sex, drug abuse, etc, among community-based female sex workers if designed and implemented prudently.

Adipose precursor cells (APCs) exhibit regional variation in response to obesity, for unclear reasons. Here, we reveal that HIFα-induced PDGFRβ signaling within murine white adipose tissue (WAT) PDGFRβ+cells drives inhibitory serine 112 (S112) phosphorylation of PPARγ, the master regulator of adipogenesis. Levels of PPARγ S112 phosphorylation in WAT PDGFRβ+cells are depot dependent, with levels of PPARγ phosphorylation in PDGFRβ+cells inversely correlating with their capacity for adipogenesis upon high-fat-diet feeding. HIFα suppression in PDGFRβ+progenitors promotes subcutaneous and intra-abdominal adipogenesis, healthy WAT remodeling, and improved metabolic health in obesity. These metabolic benefits are mimicked by treatment of obese mice with the PDGFR antagonist Imatinib, which promotes adipocyte hyperplasia and glucose tolerance in a progenitor cell PPARγ-dependent manner. Our studies unveil a mechanism underlying depot-specific responses of APCs to high-fat feeding and highlight the potential for APCs to be targeted pharmacologically to improve metabolic health in obesity.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Background About one-half of persons with acute myeloid leukemia have normal cytogenetics but have diverse outcomes which might be explained, at least in part, by specific mutations. We focused on DDX11,the budding yeast ortholog of ChlR1, which encodes an ATP-dependent RNA- and DNA-helicase involved in diverse cell processes such as sister chromatid exchange cohesions and implicated in other cancers and which is associated with telomere shortening.

Introduction-About 25% of persons with new-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have normal cytogenetics and no NPM1or FLT3-ITDmutation. The prognosis and best therapy of these persons is controversial.

Vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays (VACNTs) have been successfully achieved by CVD. The carbon nanotubes were almost triple-walled. Furthermore, the graphene/VACNT composite films have been prepared as thermal interface materials, using photolithographic and densification processes. Compared with pure epoxy resin, the longitudinal thermal conductivity of the composite films was obviously improved, which confirmed that VACNTs provided additional longitudinal heat transfer channels in the films. Furthermore, their longitudinal thermal conductivity was largely dependent on the distribution of VACNTs. The transversal thermal conductivity of the composite film with a pattern size of 300 um was about seven times higher than that of pure epoxy resin. This indicated that graphene provided additional horizontal heat transfer channels to achieve the enhancement of transversal thermal conductivity in composite films.