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This study was conducted to determine the correlation between vitamin A restriction and serum metabolites as well as global proteins expression. Forty-eight animals were randomly divided into three groups and given different vitamin A supplementation: High (4.8 IU/g feed), Medium (2.43 IU/g feed) and Low (1.14 IU/g feed). Blood was collected individually via the external jugular veins. Results showed that the concentrations of Ca, total cholesterol, cortisol and cortisone, and the activity of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) type 2 varied among the groups. An up-regulated (hibernation protein 25) and four down-regulated proteins (gelsolin a, alpha-1-microglobulin/bikunin precursor, transthyretin, and complement factor B) were identified in a proteomics study. These data demonstrated that vitamin A deficiency had considerable effects on the serum levels of several metabolites and global proteins expression and these metabolites and proteins may be used as physiological markers in the study of adipogenic differentiation prevention by vitamin A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advents of how anesthesia works have helped in the discovery of anesthetic target protein. One such target protein named Y-aminobutyric acid (GABAA), which is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. Asparagine at 289 position of GABAA protein within TM2 is important for its anesthetic function. This study explores Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) against ASN 289 of GABAA for novel anesthetic compounds. The in silico approach showed gastrodin out of all compounds to be the best compound to start further analysis. It is a potential anesthetic compound suitable for the development of new drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is challenging to reduce ground-level ozone (O3) pollution at a given locale, due in part to the contributions of both local and distant sources. We present direct evidence that the increasing regional effects have negated local control efforts for O3 pollution in Hong Kong over the past decade, by analyzing the daily maximum 8 h average O3 and Ox (=O3+NO2) concentrations observed during the high O3 season (September-November) at Air Quality Monitoring Stations. The locally produced Ox showed a statistically significant decreasing trend over 2002-2013 in Hong Kong. Analysis by an observation-based model confirms this decline in in situ Ox production, which is attributable to a reduction in aromatic hydrocarbons. However, the regional background Ox transported into Hong Kong has increased more significantly during the same period, reflecting contributions from southern/eastern China. The combined result is a rise in O3 and a nondecrease in Ox. This study highlights the urgent need for close cross-boundary cooperation to mitigate the O3 problem in Hong Kong. China's air pollution control policy applies primarily to its large cities, with little attention to developing areas elsewhere. The experience of Hong Kong suggests that this control policy does not effectively address secondary pollution, and that a coordinated multiregional program is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the genetic causes of consanguineous Uyghur families with nonsyndromic deafness. Method Seven consanguineous Uyghur families with nonsyndromic deafness were recruited in this study and characterized for their audiometric phenotype. Mutation analysis of common deafness genes GJB2, SLC26A4 and MT-RNR1 was performed in all families by direct sequencing. Result Bi-allelic mutations in SLC26A4, including p.N392Y/p.N392Y, p.S57X/p.S57X and p.Q413R/p.L676Q, were detected in three families as the pathogenic causes for the deafness. No mutations were identified in GJB2 and MT-RNR1. Conclusion Mutations in SLC26A4 was the most common causes of the Uyghur consanguineous deaf families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in various fractions of cotton boll might have significant impact on within-boll lint and seed yields. The objective of this research was to determine how NSC in the three fractions of cotton boll (the fiber, the seed, and the burfluctuated at various stages of development and assess whether there was any association between carbohydrate profiles and boll characters. Five upland cotton genotypes differing in boll size and its components were examined in 2011 and 2012. Boll samples were harvested at 10, 17, 24, 31, 38, 45, and 52 days post anthesis (DPA) and analyzed for glucose, fructose, sucrose and starch. The starch concentration in those fractions from all genotypes was characterized by a declining trend with a faster decrease during the first 24 DPA than during later stages of boll development in both years. The sucrose concentration in embryos increased up to 24 DPA and then declined down to a minimum at 38 DPA corresponding the beginning of embryo desiccation. Thereafter, the sucrose concentration increased linearly, to form a second peak observed at 52 DPA. No difference between two years was found for the kinetics of sucrose concentration in embryos. The sucrose, glucose and fructose concentrations in fibers presented as single-peak curves during fiber development with the maxima occurring at either 17 or 24 DPA, corresponding to the transition phase from primary to secondary wall formation or to the beginning of massive secondary cell wall formation. Boll characters (boll size, lint percentage, and lint mass per boll) were more related to the starch and sucrose changes in embryos than in fibers. Sucrose might withdraw from either seeds or fibers to burs by maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this retrospectively study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Aidi injection (ADI) combined with FOLFOX4 chemothreapy regimen in the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma. Patients and Methods: One hundred and twenty one patients with pathology confirmed advanced colorectal carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed in the department of colorectal surgery in Union Medical Center, Tianjn (UMC). Of the included 121 cases, 58 subjects received the treatment of ADI combined with FOLFOX4 chemotherapy (experiment group) and the other 63 cases received the FOLFOX4 chemotherapy alone (control group). After two cycles chemotherapy treatment, the short-term clinical efficacy such as complete response (CR), partial response (PR) and objective response rate (ORR) were compared between the two groups. The quality of life improvement and chemotherapy related toxicity were also recorded and analyzed. Results: The response rate including CR, PR and ORR were not statistical different between the experiment group and control group (P > 0.05); The KPS score was significant decrease in the control group compared to that in experiment group (P < 0.05); The risk of developing grade- nausea vomiting and diarrhea was much lower in experiment than that in control group (Pall < 0.05). Conclusion: ADI combined with FOLFOX4 chemotherapy can improve the quality of life and decrease some of the toxicity related to chemotherapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The stem cell-associated intermediate filament nestin has recently been linked with neoplastic transformation, but the specific mechanism by which nestin positive tumor cells leads to malignant invasion and metastasis behaviors of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. Methods To obtain insight into the biological role of nestin in ESCC, we explored the association of the nestin phenotype with malignant proliferation and apoptosis in esophageal squamous cancer cells. Nestin expression was determined in ESCC specimens and cell lines, and correlated with clinicopathological properties, including clinical prognosis and proliferative markers. The association of the nestin phenotype with apoptotic indicators was also analyzed. Results Nestin was expressed in ESCC specimens and cell lines. ESCC patients with nestin-positive tumors had significantly shorter median survival and progression-free survival times than those with nestin-negative tumors. Positive staining for the proliferation markers Ki67 and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) was detected in 56.9% and 60.2% of ESCC specimens, respectively, and was strongly correlated with the nestin phenotype. Notably, expression of cyclin dependent kinase-5 (CDK5) and P35 was detected in 53.8% and 48.4% of ESCC specimens, respectively, and was strongly associated with the nestin phenotype. Conclusion Our data demonstrated nestin expression in ESCC specimens and cell lines, and revealed a strong association of the nestin phenotype with poor prognosis in ESCC patients. Furthermore, we showed that nestin positive ESCC cells played an important role in the malignant proliferation and apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population decay (real transition) and pure dephasing (virtual transition) determine the dephasing rates of excitons in quantum-dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifiers. In previous theoretical studies, population-decay and pure dephasing are usually handled separately. In this paper, the theory of exciton dephasing in an InAs/GaAs QD semiconductor optical amplifier is presented to elucidate the combination of population decay and pure dephasing and determine the total dephasing rate. The proposed model extends the classical independent boson model to include the effects of real transition. Results show that population decay decreases the pure dephasing rate and imply that the former is directly coupled to pure dephasing despite their differences. Our theoretical results are consistent with the reported experimental phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of a peritoneal bladder fistula as a result of radiation cystitis following radiotherapy for cervical cancer is extremely rare and, to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported previously. The present study reports the case of a 50-year-old woman who was diagnosed with cervical cancer 20 years previously and was treated with radiotherapy. The patient was diagnosed with radiation cystitis 10 years ago, which was treated with Chinese medicine, and began experiencing sudden abdominal pain and bowel difficulties following urination 3 years ago. B-ultrasound examination at The People's Hospital of Tongchuan (Tongchuan, China) detected the presence of abdominal pelvic fluid. Following antibiotic (levofloxacin for 5 days) and ascites extraction treatment, symptoms were relieved without recurrence. However, 5 days prior to admission to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiatong University (Xi'an, China) on June 25, 2014, the patient experienced difficulty when urinating, abdominal pain and bloating, but did not experience frequent urination, hematuria or fever. Cystoscopic examination revealed a visible fistula on the bladder wall measuring 1x1 cm in diameter. Cytoscopic examination 1 month after catheterization and ascites extraction revealed no evidence of the fistula. The patient was followed up every 3 months for a year and a half, and is currently alive and well. In conclusion, the occurrence of peritoneal bladder fistula following radiation therapy is rare and cystoscopy is the preferred method of examination and diagnosis. Early detection and treatment may significantly improve the prognosis of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We identify by ab initio calculations of a three-dimensional three-connected chiral framework structure of BN (named cT8-BN) in I-42d (D2d12) symmetry, which has a body-centered tetragonal unit cell comprising 4-fold helical chains with complementary chirality. Our calculations show that the cT8-BN is a high ductile material with a small density of 2.43 g/cm³. The phonon and electronic band structures reveal that it is dynamic stable and shows as a transparent insulator with a large indirect band gap of 5.38 eV. These results broaden our understanding of the BN compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method to compensate the residual magnetic field for an atomic magnetometer consisting of two perpendicular beams of polarizations was demonstrated in this paper. The method can realize magnetic compensation in the case where the pumping rate of the probe beam cannot be ignored. In the experiment, the probe beam is always linearly polarized, whereas, the probe beam contains a residual circular component due to the imperfection of the polarizer, which leads to the pumping effect of the probe beam. A simulation of the probe beam's optical rotation and pumping rate was demonstrated. At the optimized points, the wavelength of the probe beam was optimized to achieve the largest optical rotation. Although, there is a small circular component in the linearly polarized probe beam, the pumping rate of the probe beam was non-negligible at the optimized wavelength which if ignored would lead to inaccuracies in the magnetic field compensation. Therefore, the dynamic equation of spin evolution was solved by considering the pumping effect of the probe beam. Based on the quasi-static solution, a novel magnetic compensation method was proposed, which contains two main steps: (1) the non-pumping compensation and (2) the sequence compensation with a very specific sequence. After these two main steps, a three-axis in situ magnetic compensation was achieved. The compensation method was suitable to design closed-loop spin-exchange relaxation-free magnetometer. By a combination of the magnetic compensation and the optimization, the magnetic field sensitivity was approximately 4 fT/Hz1/2, which was mainly dominated by the noise of the magnetic shield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Laser spot weld bonding (LSWB) is a novel joining technology, which combines laser spot welding with a layer of structural adhesive in a single joint. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of the adhesive properties on the joining process, the peel and the shear strength of the LSWB joints. The present work demonstrates that the adhesive viscosity has great influence on the vaporized adhesive gas exhaust process, and the low viscosity is good for the exhaust process. The mechanical test result shows that the tension–shear load of LSWB joint isn׳t always higher than that of the adhesive bonded joint, and LSWB joint with high elastic modulus of adhesive may get the same tension–shear load as the adhesive bonded joint gets. The reaction zone produced by the carbon diffusion between the adhesive and the metal sheet will influence the mechanism of LSWB joint. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Gastric carcinoma (GC) is a common and lethal malignancy, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is believed to contribute to invasive and metastatic tumor growth. Aquaporin 3 (AQP3) is overexpressed in human GC tissues, while human epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hepatocyte growth factor, which can induce EMT, are able to up-regulate AQP3 expression, subsequently promoting GC cell migration and proliferation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of AQP3 on EMT in human GC. Methods AQP3 and EMT-related proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry in human GC specimens and their clinical significance evaluated. AQP3 knockdown was attempted using small interfering RNAs, while EGF was used to up-regulate AQP3 expression. Western blotting, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate changes in expression of AQP3 and EMT-related proteins in the SGC7901 and MGC803 human GC cell lines. Results AQP3 up-expression was associated with EMT-related proteins in human GC specimens, which correlated with poor prognosis for GC. AQP3 modulated GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, and induced E-cadherin repression. AQP3 also up-regulated the expression of vimentin and fibronectin in vitro. The PI3K/AKT/SNAIL signaling pathway was likely involved in the induction of EMT by AQP3 in GC. Conclusions AQP3 promotes EMT in human cases of GC, allowing us to understand the mechanisms of AQP3 in GC progression, thus providing a potential strategy for its treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method for solving the problem of recognising the leakage state of a measured object by means of a gas leak detection system, using an ultrasonic method based on data fusion and neural networks. The neural network is trained using cross-correlation information from a probe as the prior probability, combined with the Dempster-Shafer (D-S) evidential reasoning method, and then applied in the gas leak ultrasonic detection system. Experimental results show that recognition based on this combination is significantly better than with a single sensor. Consequently, the validity and correctness of this method have been verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a recently developed approach to constructing covalent network structures from linear carbyne, we identify by ab initio calculations a new carbon allotrope in R3m (D5 3d) symmetry that comprises six-fold helical chains with alternating sp2-type single and double bonds along the chains that are connected via zigzag benzene rings. This 6-fold carbene is characterized as a three-dimensional three-connected chiral crystalline modification of graphite. Phonon and electronic band calculations indicate that this new structure is dynamically stable and is a semiconductor with a band gap of 0.47 eV, in contrast to the semimetallic nature of graphite. Simulated x-ray diffraction patterns of the 6-fold carbene provide an excellent match to the previously unexplained distinct diffraction peak of a new carbon allotrope found in recent detonation experiments. These results establish a new carbon phase and offer insights into its outstanding structural and electronic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical optical BVRI band data are combined on the BL Lac object AO 0235 + 164. In order to examine the possible existence of lags and correlations between variations in different optical bands from this source, a statistical analysis is performed through the Discrete Correlation Function (DCF) method. Monte Carlo simulations called Flux Redistribution/Random Subset Selection (FR/RSS) are performed to obtain statistically meaningful values for the cross-correlation time lags and their related uncertainties. The analysis confirms that the variations in different optical light curves are strongly correlated, with no or very weak lag within the errors. Long term variability of color indices are also analysed. No color variabilities are found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinization, which is one of the most important land degradation problems in arid and semiarid regions, has a significant impact on ecological equilibrium. Hyperspectral remote sensing, with a large number of measured wavelength bands and a high resolution, has gradually become a popular technology to investigate soil salinization. In this study, a model based on field-derived spectra was developed for soil salinity and the quantitative relationships between the soil spectrum and vegetation spectrum with the soil salt content (SSC) and soil electrical conductivity (EC). A field study was performed in Minqin County, China. A genetic algorithm (GA), partial least squares regression (PLS), and back-propagation neural network (BPNN) were used for modeling. The results showed that GA has a relatively strong ability for band selection. After the selection, the predictive ability of the GA-PLS model was better than the PLS model based on the full spectra. The BPNN model built by selected bands (GA-BP) was superior to the GA-PLS linear model. The models built using the soil spectrum after band selection have a high predictive ability. The R² and ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD) for SSC were 0.68 and 1.76 for GA-PLS and 0.72 and 1.89 for GA-BP, respectively. There were no significant correlational relationships between the normalized difference vegetation index and SSC or EC. The GA-BP model fitted using the vegetation spectrum was superior to a single vegetation index model, whereas the predictive ability of SSC (0.56 for R² and 1.47 for RPD) was not high due to influences such as plant species differences and vegetation coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In subjects mismatched in the HLA alleles C*03:03/C*03:04 no allogeneic cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses are detected in vitro. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with unrelated donors (UDs) showed no association between the HLA-C allele mismatches (CAMMs) and adverse outcomes; antigen mismatches at this and mismatches other HLA loci are deleterious. The absence of effect of the CAMM may have resulted from the predominance of the mismatch C*03:03/C*03:04. Patients with hematologic malignancies receiving UD HSCT matched in 8/8 and 7/8 HLA alleles were examined. Transplants mismatched in HLA-C antigens or mismatched in HLA-A, -B, or -DRB1 presented significant differences (P < .0001) in mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.37, 1.30), disease-free survival (HR = 1.33, 1.27), treatment-related mortality (HR = 1.54, 1.54), and grade 3-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (HR = 1.49, 1.77) compared with the 8/8 group; transplants mismatched in other CAMMs had similar outcomes with HR ranging from 1.34 to 172 for these endpoints. The C*03:03/C*03:04 mismatched and the 8/8 matched groups had identical outcomes (HR ranging from 0.96-1.05). The previous finding that CAMMs do not associate with adverse outcomes is explained by the predominance (69%) of the mismatch C*03:03/03:04 in this group that is better tolerated than other HLA mismatches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the genetic differentiation of Sinorhizobium strains nodulating Glycine max and related microevolutionary mechanisms, three housekeeping genes (SMc00019, truA, and thrA) and 16 symbiosis-related genes on the chromosome (7 genes), pSymA (6 genes), and pSymB (3 genes) were analyzed. Five distinct species were identified among the test strains by calculating the average nucleotide identity (ANI) of SMc00019-truA-thrA: Sinorhizobium fredii, Sinorhizobium sojae, Sinorhizobium sp. I, Sinorhizobium sp. II, and Sinorhizobium sp. III. These species assignments were also supported by population genetics and phylogenetic analyses of housekeeping genes and symbiosis-related genes on the chromosome and pSymB. Different levels of genetic differentiation were observed among these species or different replicons. S. sojae was the most divergent from the other test species and was characterized by its low intraspecies diversity and limited geographic distribution. Intergenic recombination dominated the evolution of 19 genes from different replicons. Intraspecies recombination happened frequently in housekeeping genes and symbiosis-related genes on the chromosome and pSymB, whereas pSymA genes showed a clear pattern of lateral-transfer events between different species. Moreover, pSymA genes were characterized by a lower level of polymorphism and recombination than those on the chromosome and pSymB. Taken together, genes from different replicons of rhizobia might be involved in the establishment of symbiosis with legumes, but these symbiosis-related genes might have evolved differently according to their corresponding replicons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a recently developed approach to constructing covalent network structures from linear carbyne, we identify by ab initio calculations a new carbon allotrope in R3m (D53d) symmetry that comprises six-fold helical chains with alternating sp2-type single and double bonds along the chains that are connected via zigzag benzene rings. This 6-fold carbene is characterized as a three-dimensional three-connected chiral crystalline modification of graphite. Phonon and electronic band calculations indicate that this new structure is dynamically stable and is a semiconductor with a band gap of 0.47 eV, in contrast to the semimetallic nature of graphite. Simulated x-ray diffraction patterns of the 6-fold carbene provide an excellent match to the previously unexplained distinct diffraction peak of a new carbon allotrope found in recent detonation experiments. These results establish a new carbon phase and offer insights into its outstanding structural and electronic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of hydrogen with defects in ZnO nanoparticles under H2-Ar mixed gas was investigated by positron annihilation, Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Two series of experiments were performed, including annealing the samples in pure Ar gas and H2-Ar mixed gas. The thermal stability of hydrogen-related defects was also carried out by subsequent isochronal annealing in air. The positron annihilation results showed that more vacancy clusters were formed in the hydrogenated samples due to the reducing effect of hydrogen when compared to those samples annealed in pure Ar gas, which was consistent with the smaller grain size, and more surface and interfaces observed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Raman, electron paramagnetic resonance, and photoluminescence spectra indicated that there existed two main forms of hydrogen in the ZnO nanoparticles: hydrogen occupying the oxygen vacancy HO and interstitial hydrogen Hi. Hi diffused out at 150 °C, while HO was completely removed at 700 °C. The results are helpful to understand the role of hydrogen in nanoscale ZnO and the applications in UV optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The purpose of this study was to detect the serum microRNAs (miRNAs) that are differentially expressed in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients and negative controls, with a focus on the miRNA profiles of the patients before and after surgery. The aim of the study is to evaluate the potential of these miRNAs as novel markers for the posttherapeutic monitoring of cervical SCC patients. Results A total of 765 serum miRNAs from 10 cervical SCC patients before surgery, 10 cervical SCC patients after surgery, and 10 negative controls were profiled using a TaqMan MicroRNA Array. A set of selected differentially expressed miRNAs were further analyzed in the patients at different perioperative periods, including preoperative, 1 week postoperative, and one month postoperative. The results showed that several serum miRNAs were differentially expressed in the cervical SCC patients compared with the negative controls, including miR- 646, miR-141" and miR-542-3p. More importantly, we found that levels of specific serum miRNAs were deregulated in the pre- and postoperative stages, and these miRNAs could be useful for post-therapeutic monitoring of disease progression. Finally, we depicted a regulatory network of differentially expressed serum miRNAs, and many possible target genes were predicted in the estrogen-mediated signal pathways, supporting the hypothesis that cervical SCC is a hormone-associated gynecological disease. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that the circulating miRNAs miR-646, miR-141" and miR-542-3p could potentially serve as non-invasive biomarkers for cervical SCC. The levels of these specific miRNAs might be useful for the post-therapeutic monitoring of disease progression. This is the first report showing that circulating miRNAs could serve as biomarkers for the therapeutic intervention of cervical SCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The goal of this study was to compare treatment outcomes for Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIB cervical carcinoma patients receiving radical surgery followed by adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy versus radical radiotherapy. Methods Medical records of FIGO stage IIB cervical cancer patients treated between July 2008 and December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 148 patients underwent radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (surgery-based group). These patients were compared with 290 patients that received radical radiotherapy alone (RT-based group). Recurrence rates, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), local control rates, and treatment-related complications were compared for these two groups. Results Similar rates of recurrence (16.89% vs. 12.41%, p = 0.200), PFS (log-rank, p = 0.211), OS (log-rank, p = 0.347), and local control rates (log-rank, p = 0.668) were observed for the surgery-based group and the RT-based group, respectively. Moreover, the incidence of acute grade 3-4 gastrointestinal reactions and late grade 3-4 lower limb lymphedema were significantly higher for the surgery-based group versus the RT-based group. Cox multivariate analyses found no significant difference in survival outcome between the two groups, and tumor diameter and histopathology were identified as significant prognostic factors for OS. Conclusions Radical radiotherapy was associated with fewer treatment-related complications and achieved comparable survival outcomes for patients with FIGO stage IIB cervical cancer compared to radical hysterectomy followed by postoperative radiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and highly efficient Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling of triarylbismuths with a variety of P(O)--H compounds has been developed that proceeds smoothly without exclusion of moisture or air and provides a general and powerful tool for the preparation of various valuable arylphosphonates, arylphosphinates, and arylphosphine oxides, with high atom-economy, operational simplicity of the procedure, and good to high yield. The coupling reaction is the first example of transition-metal-catalyzed C--P bond construction using triarylbismuth compounds as substrates. DFT calculations reveal that C--P bond formation is the rate-determing step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current development of high-performance transparent conductive oxide (TCO) films is limited with tradeoff between carrier mobility and concentration since none of them can be improved without sacrificing the other. In this study, we prepare fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) films by chemical vapor deposition with inclusions of different additives and report that the mobility can be varied from 0.65 to 28.5 cm2 V-1 s-1 without reducing the achieved high carrier concentration of 4 × 1020 cm-3. Such an increase in mobility is shown to be clearly associated with the development of (200) preferred orientation (PO) but concurrent degradation of (110) PO in films. Thus, at a constant high carrier concentration, the electrical conductivity can be improved via carrier mobility simply by PO control. Such a one-step approach avoiding conventional post-deposition treatment is suggested for developing next-generation FTO as well as other TCO films with better than ever conductivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new complexes, [Cd(L)2(bipy)0.5(H2O)] and [Zn(L)2(bipy)] (HL=3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid and bipy=4,4'-bipyridine) have been synthesised and structurally characterised by single-crystal diffraction analysis. Although both complexes have a one-dimensional network, the resulting supramolecular architectures are different. Their three-dimensional fluorescence spectra are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless sensor networks are evolving with increasingly device heterogeneity, while the problem of effectively composing the platform-specific functionalities provided by heterogeneous sensor nodes to achieve specific goals still remains a challenge. Because of the constrained resources and unreliable communication in sensor networks, traditional service composition techniques in web services with adequate resources are insufficient. In this paper, focusing on the limited energy of sensor nodes, we propose an energy-aware service composition framework for developing various applications in heterogeneous wireless sensor networks. With both the energy-aware metrics: energy-aware load-balancing factor and overall energy consumption, we formulate the process of energy-aware sensor service composition into a combinatorial optimization problem; furthermore, an improved discrete particle swarm optimization (IDPSO) algorithm with inertia weights adjustment and extreme perturbation scheme is proposed to solve the combinatorial optimization problem. The experiment results have shown that the performance of the service route given by IDPSO is approximately equal to the best service route searched out by the exhaustive algorithm. Meanwhile, our proposed energy-aware service composition method is able to reduce the energy consumption and prolong the lifetime of the sensor network when providing stable service composition for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Altai orogen is an important constituent of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The main orogenic processes occurred mainly in the early to middle Paleozoic and involved a series of northward subduction and terrane accretion. However, termination of the accretionary and post-accretionary processes remains poorly defined. The Chinese Altai is located in the southern part of this orogeny, which is widely intruded by Permian granitic plutons. These plutons are approximately circular in shape, free of deformation and generally cutting pre-Permian structures, suggesting a post-tectonic formation. We report the results of geochronological and geochemical data from five specific granitic plutons (Buerjin, Xibodu, Daqiaonan, Aweitan, and Adenbluk), which all yielded magmatic zircon U-Pb ages of about 270 Ma. These plutons are composed of high-K calc-alkaline rocks, including K-feldspar megaphyric granite, biotite granite and monzogranite that have metaluminous to weakly LREE-enriched, coupled with negative Eu anomalies. Significant negative anomalies of Ba, Sr, P, and Ti are also observed in the primitive-mantle normalized diagram. They have positive whole-rock εNd(t) (+1.3 to +7.2) and zircon εHf(t) values (+5.6 to +12.9), yielding Sm-Nd model ages of ⩽0.9 Ga. Therefore, these granitoids are proposed to have been generated by differentiation of mantle-derived magmas with variable crustal contamination. In view of the field occurrence, structural analysis, regional tectonics and geochemical characteristics, these Permian plutons are concluded to be post-accretionary or post-collisional. Asthenospheric upwelling after the collision and amalgamation of the Altai and Junggar blocks could have caused the mantle-derived magmas that evolved to form the granitoids. We note diat Permian intrusions are not only widespread but also voluminous in the CAOB. They mostly are post-collisional products, and some of them might have been related to the large igneous province activity in the Tarim Block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is the world's largest Phanero-zoic accretionary orogen and is the most important site for juvenile crustal growth in die Phanerozoic. In this work, we employed U-Pb zircon geochronology to identify the early and middle Mesozoic intraplate granitic intrusive events in the Chinese Altai segment of die southern CAOB in order to better understand the crustal architecture of the CAOB. We also used whole-rock geochemical, Sr-Nd isotopic and zircon Hf isotopic data to constrain the generation for these granitic rocks and to evaluate the implications for vertical crustal growth in this region. The Early Mesozoic granitic intrusions were emplaced between 220 and 200 Ma in the central Altai "microcontinental terrane" (also widely referred to as Units 2 and 3). The granites have shoshonitic and high-K calc-alkaline affinities and show the characteristics of differentiated I-type granite. The whole-rock initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7058-0.7128) and εNd(210) values (-0.6 to -4.3), as well as the zircon eHf(t) values (-4.0 to +5.0) and two-stage Hf model ages (0.94-1.52 Ga), suggest that die granitic magmas were produced from a mixed source widi both mande-derived and recycled crustal components. The middle Mesozoic granites were emplaced at ∼150 Ma in die soudiern Altai "accretionary terrane" (Units 4 and 5). They show A-type characteristics widi the REE tetrad effect and have positive εNd(151) whole-rock values of +1.0 to +5.2 and two-stage Nd model ages (TDM2) of 0.6 to 1.0 Ga. Zircon Hf data show positive zircon εHf( 151) values of+ 1 to +8 and two-stage Hf model ages of 0.6 to 1.2 Ga. The Nd-Hf isotopic data suggest that the granitic magmas were derived from short-lived juvenile mande-derived materials. Thus, the isotopic signatures of all the Mesozoic granites from the central (old terrane) and southern (young accretional terrane) Altai suggest diat the basement of both terranes has retained its original nature. The data furdier imply that die Altai orogen has kept its original architecture of Paleozoic horizontal accretion during Mesozoic time, as commonly observed in accretionary orogens where horizontal tectonics are dominant. All the early Mesozoic intrusions in die Altai were emplaced in an intraplate anorogenic setting; hence are distinguished from the contemporaneous syn- or post-orogenic magmatism in the eastern CAOB. We conclude that the early Mesozoic granites in the CAOB were emplaced in a variety of tectonic settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental limitations in vibrational excitation efficiency have previously hindered investigation of how vibrational energy might mediate the role of dynamical resonances in bimolecular reactions. Here, we report on a high-resolution crossed-molecular-beam experiment on the vibrationally excited HD(v =1 ) + F → HF + D reaction, in which two broad peaks for backward-scattered HF(v' =2 and 3) products clearly emerge at collision energies of 0.21 kilocalories per mole (kcal/mol) and 0.62 kcal/mol from differential cross sections measured over a range of energies. We attribute these features to excited Feshbach resonances trapped in the peculiar HF(v' =4 )-D vibrationally adiabatic potential in the postbarrier region. Quantum dynamics calculations on a highly accurate potential energy surface show that these resonance states correlate to the HD(v' = 1) state in the entrance channel and therefore can only be accessed by the vibrationally excited HD reagent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is imperative for the prevention of disease progression and the development of effective treatments. Objective: Clinically, AD diagnosis has been based on adherence to clinical criteria. It has recently been proposed that diagnostic criteria should also incorporate biomarker findings. However, the most studied candidates or group of candidates for AD biomarkers, including pathological processes and proteins, needs further research. The current study aimed to investigate the capabilities of the following plasma proteins in the diagnosis of AD and amnesia mild cognitive impairment (aMCI): peripheral interleukin (IL) 10, IL-6, amyloid- β (A β) 40, A β42, phosphorylated tau 181, and total tau. Methods: In addition to 122 normal control (NC) group, 97 AD patients and 54 aMCI patients were recruited for this study. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze the concentration of the following blood plasma biomarkers: IL-10, IL-6, A β40, A β42, phosphorylated tau 181, and total tau. Results: A one-way analysis of variance (one-factor analysis of variance) of A β40 and IL-10 levels revealed a statistically significant difference between the three groups (p<0.001 and p = 0.020). Using A β40 ≥ 42.70 pg/ml as the cut-off point, the sensitivity of the ability of A β40 to discriminate between AD and NC groups was 80.0%, and specificity was 69.6%. Conclusions: The plasma A β40 biomarker was able to distinguish between AD and NC groups. However, the plasma biomarkers in the present research were not able to distinguish between aMCI and NC groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Microglia/macrophages are known to play important roles in initiating brain inflammation after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (Tim-3) have been proven to play a critical part in several inflammatory diseases through regulation of both adaptive and innate immune responses. Tim-3 can be expressed by microglia/macrophages and regulates their function in the innate immune response. However, the effect of Tim-3 on inflammatory responses following ICH is unclear. Methods In this study, we investigated Tim-3 expression, the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and brain water content in peri-hematomal brain tissue at 12 hours and at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days post-ICH in wild type (WT) ICH and Tim-3-/- ICH mice. The numbers of Tim-3 positive cells,astrocytes, neutrophils and microglia/macrophages were detected using immunofluorescence staining. Cytokines were measured by ELISA. Double immunoflurorescence labeling was performed to identify the cellular source of Tim-3 expression. Mouse neurological deficit scores were assessed through animal behavior. Results Expression of Tim-3 increased early in mouse peri-hematomal brain tissue after autologous blood injection, peaked at day 1, and was positively correlated with the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, and brain water content. Tim-3 was predominantly expressed in microglia/macrophages. Compared with WT mice, Tim-3-/- mice had reduced ICH-induced brain inflammation with decreased TNF-α and IL-1β, cerebral edema and neurological deficit scores. Moreover, Tim-3 inhibited activation of microglia/macrophages. The number of activated microglia/macrophages in Tim-3-/- ICH mice was much lower than that in WT ICH mice. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that Tim-3 plays an important role in brain inflammation after ICH, and may be a potential treatment target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Pulsed laser spot welding of Zircaloy-4 spacer grid assembly was realized. [•] Peak power has significant influence on the penetration depth of weld beads. [•] Fracture surface was a mixture of ductile and cleavage feature. [•] Microstructure of Zircaloy-4 weld beads was investigated in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine biopsy specimens for histologic features suggestive of Clostridium difficile infection in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: Nine patients with UC had colonic biopsy specimens taken during a symptomatic flare that coincided with positive C difficile (C difficile+) tests. Twenty-eight controls were biopsied during a UC flare but tested negative for C difficile. We reviewed the slides for evidence of pseudomembranes, ischemic-like changes, degree of colitis, and lamina propria hemorrhage. Results: In C difficile+ patients, 4 (44.4%) of 9 had microscopic pseudomembranes compared with 11% in controls (P < .05). Other histologic/clinical features were not predictive. Conclusions: Although the presence of microscopic pseudomembranes suggests C difficile infection in patients with UC, sensitivity and specificity are poor; biopsy findings do not reliably detect this infection in patients with UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HLA disparity has a negative impact on the outcomes of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We studied the independent impact of amino acid substitution (AAS) at peptide-binding positions 9, 99, 116, and 156, and killer immunoglobulin-like receptor binding position 77 of HLA-A, B, or C, on the risks for grade 3-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), chronic GVHD, treatment-related mortality (TRM), relapse, and overall survival. In multivariate analysis, a mismatch at HLA-C position 116 was associated with increased risk for severe acute GVHD (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.45,95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15-1.82, P = .0016). Mismatch at HLA-C position 99 was associated with increased transplant-related mortality (HR = 1.37,95% CI = 1.1-1.69, P = .0038). Mismatch at HLA-B position 9 was associated with increased chronic GVHD (HR = 2.28,95% CI = 1.36-3.82, P = .0018). No AAS were significantly associated with outcome at HLA-A. Specific AAS pair combinations with a frequency >30 were tested for association with HCT outcomes. Cysteine to tyrosine substitution at position 99 of HLA-C was associated with increased TRM (HR = 1.78, 95% = C11.27-2.51, P = .0009). These results demonstrate that donor-recipient mismatch for certain peptide-binding residues of the HLA class I molecule is associated with increased risk for acute and chronic GVHD and death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a novel coaxial cable Fabry-Perot interferometer for sensing applications. The sensor is fabricated by drilling two holes half-way into a coaxial cable. The device physics was described. The temperature and strain responses of the sensor were tested. The measurement error was calculated and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aluminum alloy T-joints for aircraft fuselage panels were fabricated by double-sided fiber laser beam welding with filler wire, and the influence of the wire feeding posture on the welding process stability was investigated. A CMOS high speed video system was used to observe the wire melting behavior and the weld pool dynamics in real time during the welding process by using a bandpass red laser with an emission wavelength of 808nm as backlight source to illuminate the welding zone. The weld porosity defects were analyzed by X-ray radiography. The effects of wire feeding posture on the wire melting behavior, process stability, and porosity defects were investigated. The experimental results indicated that three distinct filler material transfer modes were identified under different wire feeding positions: liquid bridge transfer mode, droplet transfer mode, and spreading transfer mode. The liquid bridge transfer mode could guarantee a stable welding process, and result in the lowest porosity. Compared with wire feeding in the leading direction, the process was not stable and porosity increased when wire feeding in the trailing direction. Increased in the wire feeding angle was disadvantage for pores to escape from the weld molten pool, meanwhile, it made the welding process window smaller due to increasing the centering precision requirement for adjusting the filler wire. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Neuron apoptosis is known to mediate a change of ethology following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Additionally, Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 proteins may exert a significant effect on neuron injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the role, mechanism of action and clinical significance of these proteins in neuron apoptosis and functional impairment following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Sixty male healthy adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into control (n=6), sham operation (n=6) and experimental (n=48) groups. The model of rat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was set up according to the method of Zea-Longa. Eight subsets of 6 rats-subset were designed according to time points (at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h and at 3, 7 and 14 days). Nerve functional injury was evaluated and graded using nerve function score, balance, coordination function detection and measurement of forelimb placing. The neurons expressing caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 in the cortical area, CA3, CA1, stratum lucidum (Slu) and molecular layer of the dentate gyrus (MoDG) of the hippocampus were detected using immunohistochemistry or the TUNEL method. The expression of caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 genes was detected by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results indicated that, compared to the sham operation group, the score of nerve function and balance beam walking were distinctly higher (P<0.01) and the percentage of rat foreleg touching the angle or margin of the table was significantly lower in the experimental rat group (P<0.01) at 3 h following reperfusion. The expression of TUNEL-positive neurons was high in the cortical area and the CA3 region of the hippocampus (P<0.01), caspase-3 was at peak value in the cortical area and the CA1 region of the hippocampus (P<0.01), Bax was increased in the cortical area and the Slu of the hippocampus (P<0.01) and Bcl-2 was low in the cortical area and the MoDG of the hippocampus (P<0.01) in the experimental group at 48 h following reperfusion. In conclusion, cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury may cause neurological impairment and lead to a change of ethology, and neuron apoptosis may be associated with the activation of caspase-3 and Bax and the downregulation of Bcl-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here identify by ab initio calculations two distinct three-dimensional three-connected (3D3C) chiral framework structures of carbon in R3m and I41/amd symmetry, respectively, which comprise 3-fold and 4-fold helical chains with complementary chirality. The helical carbon chains are connected by an ethene-type planar π-conjugation, and the resulting structures contain a network of sp2 carbon bonds with one-third being double bonds between the chains and two-thirds single bonds along the chains. Phonon and electronic band structure calculations show that these chiral carbene structures are dynamically stable and exhibit a large band gap (2.4 ∼ 2.9 eV). This semiconducting nature reflects a key distinction from previously proposed metallic isomers of helical or zigzag carbon chains with twisted π states that are dynamically unstable. The present results solve the long-sought 3D3C all-sp2 carbon structures and may help design other covalent bonding networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Astragalus memebranaceus is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used in treatment of common cold, diarrhea, fatigue, anorexia and cardiac diseases. Recently, there are growing evidences that Astragalus extract may be a potential anti-tumorigenic agent. Some research showed that the total saponins obtained from Astragalus membranaceus possess significant antitumorigenic activity. Gastric cancer is one of the most frequent cancers in the world, almost two-thirds of gastric cancer cases and deaths occur in less developed regions. But the effect of Astragalus membranaceus on proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of gastric cancer BGC-823 cells remains unclear. Methods Astragalus saponins were extracted. Cells proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by the flow cytometry. Boyden chamber was used to evaluate the invasion and metastasis capabilities of BGC-823 cells. Tumor growth was assessed by subcutaneous inoculation of cells into BALB/c nude mice. Results The results demonstrated that total Astragalus saponins could inhibit human gastric cancer cell growth both in vitro and in vivo, in additional, Astragalus saponins deceased the invasion ability and induced the apoptosis of gastric cancer BGC-823 cells. Conclusions Total Astragalus saponins inhibited human gastric cancer cell growth, decreased the invasion ability and induced the apoptosis. This suggested the possibility of further developing Astragalus as an alternative treatment option, or perhaps using it as adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent in gastric cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epigenetic histone modifications play critical roles in the control of self-renewal and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Mysm1 is a recently identified histone H2A deubiquitinase with essential and intrinsic roles for maintaining functional HSCs. In this study, in addition to confirming this function of Mysm1, by using Mysml-deficient (Mysm1-/-) mice, we provide more evidence for how Mysml controls HSC homeostasis. Mysml deletion drives HSCs from quiescence into rapid cycling and increases their apoptotic rate, resulting in an exhaustion of the stem cell pool, which leads to an impaired self-renewal and lineage reconstituting abilities in the Mysm1-deficient mice. Our study identified Gfi1 as one of the candidate genes responsible for the HSC defect in Mysml-deficient mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that Mysml modulates histone modifications and directs the recruitment of key transcriptional factors such as Gata2 and Runx1 to the Gfi1 locus in HSCs. We found that Mysml directly associates with the Gfi1 enhancer element and promotes its transcription through Gata2 and Runx1 transactivation. Thus, our study not only elaborates on the.initial reports of Mysm1 association with HSC homeostasis but also delineates a possible epigenetic mechanism through which Mysml carries out this function in the HSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the challenges of cancer chemotherapeutics, including poor physicochemical properties, low tumor targeting, insufficient tumor cell internalization/bioavailability, and side effects, we developed a unique tumor-targeted micellar drug-delivery platform. Using paclitaxel as a model therapeutic, a nanopreparation composed of a matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2)-sensitive self-assembly PEG 2000-paclitaxel conjugate (as a prodrug and MMP 2-sensitive moiety), transactivating transcriptional activator peptide-PEG1000-phosphoethanolamine (PE) (a cell-penetrating enhancer), and PEG1000-PE (a nanocarrier building block) was prepared. Several major drug delivery strategies, including self-assembly, PEGylation, the enhanced permeability and retention effect, stimulus sensitivity, a cell-penetrating moiety, and the concept of prodrug, were used in design of this nanoparticle in a collaborative manner. The nanopreparation allowed superior cell internalization, cytotoxicity, tumor targeting, and antitumor efficacy in vitro and in vivo over its nonsensitive counterpart, free paclitaxel and conventional micelles. This uniquely engineered nanoparticle has potential for effective intracellular delivery of drug into cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral NCN pincer rhodium(III) complexes with bis(imidazolinyl)phenyl ligands were found to be effective catalysts for the allylation of a variety of electronically and structurally diverse aldehydes with allyltributyltin, giving the corresponding optically active homoallylic alcohols in high yields with enantioselectivities of up to 97% ee. These complexes were also applied in the carbonyl-ene reaction of ethyl or methyl trifluoropyruvate with various 2-arylpropenes. With the aid of silver trifluoromethanesulfonate, the pincer rhodium(III) catalysts could catalyze the reaction to provide the corresponding chiral α-hydroxy-α-trifluoromethyl esters in good yields with high stereoselectivities (up to 95% ee). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CXC chemokine receptor 4 was found to be expressed by many different types of human cancers and its expression has been correlated with tumor aggressiveness, poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy. However the effect of CXCR4 on the esophageal carcinoma cells remains unclear, the present study explored the effects of CXCR4 siRNA on proliferation and invasion of esophageal carcinoma KYSE-150 and TE-13 cells. Two siRNA sequence targeting CXCR4 gene were constructed and then were transfected into KYSE-150 and TE-13 cells by Lipofectamine™2000. Changes of CXCR4 mRNA and protein were analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Effect of CXCR4 siRNA on KYSE-150 and TE-13 cells proliferation was determined by MTT. Transwell invasion assay was used to evaluate the invasion and metastasis of KYSE-150 and TE-13 cells. Tumor growth was assessed by subcutaneous inoculation of cells into BALB/c nude mice. qRT-PCR and Western blot demonstrate that the expression level of CXCR4 gene were obviously decreased in KYSE-150 and TE-13 cells transfected with CXCR4 targeting siRNA expression vectors. The average amount of cells transfected with CXCR4 siRNA penetrating Matrigel was significantly decreased (p<0.05). Injection of CXCR4 siRNA transfected cells inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft model compared with blank and negative control groups (p <0.05). CXCR4 silenced by siRNA could suppress the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of esophageal carcinoma cell lines KYSE-150 and TE-13 in vitro and in vivo. The results provide a theoretical and experimental basis for the gene therapy of ESCC using RNAi technology based on CXCR4 target site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric metal-containing particles adversely affect human health because of their physiological toxicity. Mixing state, size, phase, aspect ratio, and sphericity of individual metal-containing particles collected in Hong Kong air in winter are examined through transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Eighteen percent of the sulfate particles have one or more tiny metal inclusions. Size distributions of metal and fly ash particles (or inclusions) with diameters from 15 nm to 2.7 μm show the same peak at 210 nm. The major metal particles were classified as Fe-rich (e.g., hematite), Zn-rich (e.g., zinc sulfate and zinc oxide), Pb-rich (e.g., anglesite), Mn-rich, and As-rich, which were likely emitted from industries and coal-fired power plants at high temperatures in mainland China. Compared to fly ash and S-rich particles, metal particles display a lower sphericity of 0.51 and a higher aspect ratio of 1.47, which means their shapes are poorly defined. The elemental mapping of individual particles reveal that sulfate areas without metal inclusions also contain minor Fe, Mn, or Zn. Therefore, the internal mixing of metals and acidic constituents likely solubilize metals and modify metal inclusion shapes. Solubilization of metals in airborne particles can extend their toxicity into nontoxicity parts in the particles. The structure of the metal-containing particles may provide important information for assessing health effects of fine sulfate and nitrate particles with metal inclusions in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate theoretically transport characteristics in a graphene-based pseudospinmagnet/superconductor junction, including the s-wave and the d-wave pairing symmetry potential in the superconducting region. It is found that the pseudospin polarization, in sharp contrast to spin polarization in the graphene-based ferromagnet/superconductor junction, holds no influence on the specular Andreev reflection for a negligible Fermi energy. Furthermore, the Fano factor is crucially affected by the zero bias state. Therefore, we suggest here that the findings could shed light on the realization of graphene-based pseudospintronics devices and provide a new way to detect the specular Andreev reflection and the zero bias state in the actual experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yunmeng Shan metamorphic core complex (MCC) is composed of the lower plate, the upper plate and the detachment zone. The detachment zone consists of ductile shear zone (mylonite zone), chloritized microbreccias zone and the brittle fault plane. The ductile shear zone contains mylonitic rocks, protomylonites, and mylonites. Finite strain measurements of feldspar porphyroclasts from those rocks using the R f/φ method show that the strain intensities increase from mylonitic rocks ( Es=0.66-0.72) to protomylonites ( Es=0.66-0.83), and to mylonites ( Es=0.71-1.2). The strain type is close to flatten strain. Kinematic vorticity estimated by Polar Mohr diagrams suggest that foliations and lineation of mylonite (0.47< W k<0.85) record a bulk simple-dominated general shearing at the initial evolution stage of the Yunmeng Shan MCC's detachment zone; and the extensional crenulation cleavage(ecc) (0.34

Actin filament polymerization plays a critical role in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. However, our knowledge regarding modulation of the actin cytoskeleton in smooth muscle just begins to accumulate. In this study, stimulation with acetylcholine (ACh) induced an increase in the association of the adapter protein c-Abl interactor 1 (Abi1) with neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) (an actin-regulatory protein) in smooth muscle cells/tissues. Furthermore, contractile stimulation activated N-WASP in live smooth muscle cells as evidenced by changes in fluorescence resonance energy transfer efficiency of an N-WASP sensor. Abi1 knockdown by lentivirus-mediated RNAi inhibited N-WASP activation, actin polymerization, and contraction in smooth muscle. However, Abi1 silencing did not affect myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation at Ser-19 in smooth muscle. In addition, c-Abl tyrosine kinase and Crk-associated substrate (CAS) have been shown to regulate smooth muscle contraction. The interaction of Abi1 with c-Abl and CAS has not been investigated. Here, contractile activation induced formation of a multiprotein complex including c-Abl, CAS, and Abi1. Knockdown of c-Abl and CAS attenuated the activation of Abi1 during contractile activation. More importantly, Abi1 knockdown inhibited c-Abl phosphorylation at Tyr-412 and the interaction of c-Abl with CAS. These results suggest that Abi1 is an important component of the cellular process that regulates N-WASP activation, actin dynamics, and contraction in smooth muscle. Abi1 is activated by the c-Abl-CAS pathway, and Abi1 reciprocally controls the activation of its upstream regulator c-Abl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]