Search

In this article, the Polynomial Chaos–Kriging (PCK) metamodel is proposed to surrogate the physical model for model-assisted probability of detection (MAPoD) analysis in eddy current non-destructive testing (ECNDT). Two popular non-intrusive metamodels, the Polynomial Chaos Expansion (PCE) and Kriging, are combined properly to replace the time-consuming boundary element method-based ECNDT forward solver for accelerating the uncertainty propagation within MAPoD analysis in NDT. In PCK, the global behaviour of the model is estimated by the trend function of PCE, and the remaining local changes of it are captured by Kriging. Both the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed PCK metamodel are demonstrated on 3D ECNDT MAPoD cases involving surface flaws on the conducting thick plate using the detecting coil with rectangular cross section. Numerical results show improved performance of PCK metamodel over PCE and Kriging metamodels, respectively, while maintaining at least two digits of accuracy of the PoD metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changsha City is the political, economic and cultural centre of Hunan Province. In recent years, because of large-scale urban construction and special geological structure, land subsidence has become one of the main geological disasters in Changsha City, which seriously threatens the health of buildings and infrastructure. To solve this problem, this paper monitored the land subsidence in Changsha City from 2015 to 2021 using the Point Target (PT) based Small Baseline Subset InSAR (SBAS-InSAR), revealed the spatial distribution characteristics of land subsidence in the study area, studied the causes of subsidence, and carried out geological disaster risk assessment. The results show that the overall stability of Changsha City is dominated by uneven subsidence. The subsidence areas are mainly distributed in the north of Kaifu District, Moon Island, Malan Mountain Chuangzhi Park and the periphery of the main urban area. The maximum settlement rate is about 87 mm/year, and the cumulative settlement reaches 250 mm. The settlement monitoring results are basically consistent with the actual situation at the same time, which is mainly caused by engineering construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional substrate binder releases greenhouse gases during the production and application processes, and is detrimental to the vegetation restoration on slopes. To develop a new environmentally friendly soil substrate, this paper conducted a serial of experimental studies on the ecological function and mechanical properties of the xanthan gum (XG)-amended clay by plant growth tests and direct shear tests. The improvement mechanism of the xanthan gum (XG)-amended clay has also explored through microscopic examinations. Experimental results of plant growth tests show that the germination of ryegrass seeds and growth of seedlings can be effectively promoted by adding a proper content (≤2%) of XG into clay. Plants in substrates with 2% of XG grew best, while a high content (3-4%) of XG has an inhibitory effect on the plant growth. The results of direct shear tests illustrate that the shear strength and cohesion both increase with the increase of XG contents, while the internal friction has an opposite trend. The improve mechanism of the xanthan gum (XG)-amended clay were also explored by XRD tests and micro-scopic examinations. It is found that shows that XG does not react chemically to form new mineral components after mixing with clay. The mechanism of XG improving clay is mainly because the XG gel can fill the pores between clay particles, and enhance the cementation between clay particles. XG can enhance the mechanical properties of clay and offset the deficiencies of traditional binder. It can play an active role in the ecological slope protection project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical studies have found a processing asymmetry between Chinese subject-extracted relative clauses (SRCs) and object-extracted relative clauses (ORCs). Still, there is no consensus on how this SRC-ORC asymmetry occurs. Thus, aiming to elucidate how the neural activity, in the forms of both event-related potentials (ERPs) and brain oscillations (i.e. event-related synchronisation/desynchronisation, ERS/ERD), attuned to sentences with different levels of processing difficulty, we conducted an electroencephalography (EEG) study to examine the comprehension of Chinese SRCs and ORCs. The results showed an N400 and a P600 effect when comparing SRCs and ORCs. Simultaneously, delta ERS was associated with N400 during the processing of both types of relative clauses and theta ERS with P600 during the processing of SRCs. By incorporating the ERP and ERS indexes, we propose that the dissociation between the integration and retrieval effort involved in sentence comprehension may account for the processing asymmetry between sentences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study integrated augmented reality (AR) and three-dimensional (3D) maps into mobile learning for library use instruction. To maximize the benefits of mobile library applications (MLAs), their technology acceptance was examined. Because of the e-learning context, the General Extended Technology Acceptance Model for E-Learning (GETAMEL) developed by Abdullah and Ward ([2016]. Developing a general extended technology acceptance model for e-learning (GETAMEL) by analysing commonly used external factors. Computers in Human Behavior, 56, 238–256) was used. A total of 450 university students participated in this study. Structural equation modeling was conducted to identify factors influencing MLA adoption, to test the measurement invariance of the GETAMEL questionnaire and to compare the structural coefficients of GETAMEL between the AR and 3D map groups. The results showed that subjective norms, enjoyment, computer-related experience, self-efficacy, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness are essential for designing MLA. Moreover, the measures of the questionnaire had the same meanings across the two MLAs, and the impacts of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use on behavioral intention differed significantly across the two groups, suggesting that AR-based MLA suits people who are not familiar with libraries, whereas 3D map-based MLA suits people who want to find research materials immediately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rank estimation is an effective inference method for the nonparametric transformation model. This approach avoids any nonparametric estimation about the transformation function and can be applied to the high-dimensional censored data. However, most existing methods do not utilize the potential correlation structures among predictors. In order to incorporate such priori information, we propose a penalized smoothed partial rank with sparse Laplacian shrinkage (PSPRL) method and develop a forward and backward stagewise with sparse Laplacian shrinkage (LFabs) algorithm to compute the estimator. The non-asymptotic bound and algorithm properties are established. Simulation results show that the proposed method outperforms the competing alternatives with better variable selection and prediction. We apply our method to a glioblastoma gene expression study to further demonstrate the advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of hierarchical interactions has long been a challenging problem due to the large number of candidate main effects and interaction effects, and the need for accommodating the "main effects, interactions" hierarchy. The two-stage analysis methods enjoy simplicity and low computational cost, but contradict the fact that the outcome of interest is attributable to the joint effects of multiple main factors and their interactions. The existing joint analysis methods can accurately describe the underlying data generating process, but suffer from prohibitively high computational cost. And it is not straightforward to extend their optimization algorithms to general loss functions. To address this need, we develop a new computational method that is much faster than the existing joint analysis methods and rivals the runtimes of two-stage analysis. The proposed method, HierFabs , adopts the framework of the forward and backward stagewise algorithm and enjoys computational efficiency and broad applicability. To accommodate hierarchy without imposing additional constraints, it has newly developed forward and backward steps. It naturally accommodates the strong and weak hierarchy, and makes optimization much simpler and faster than in the existing studies. Optimality of HierFabs sequences is investigated theoretically. Simulations show that it outperforms the existing methods. The analysis of TCGA data on melanoma demonstrates its competitive practical performance. for this article are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the prediction accuracy of milling tool wear, a prediction method based on Attention-LSTM is proposed. In the training phase, first, the data are pre-processed by truncation, downsampling, and the Hampel filtering method, and then features are extracted by the time domain, frequency domain, and time-frequency domain analysis methods. Second, a deep neural network is designed to describe the complex nonlinear function between features and tool wear. Last, aiming at the insufficient prediction accuracy due to the LSTM lacking feature extraction and enhancement, the Attention mechanism is introduced to optimize the model. The results suggest that this prediction method provides an efficient strategy for milling tool wear prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through quantitative content analysis, this study outlines the media construction of video games in Chinese newspapers in the period 2010–2020 from four aspects: dominant themes, tones, benefits–threats, and stakeholders. The findings indicate that the dominant themes of game coverage shifted from the commercial and industrial fields to social concerns, while the tone toward gaming became more negative. Entertainment remained the most prominent benefit of gaming in media coverage, while media concerns about game addiction increased immensely. Notably, game developers increased their presence as information sources. They were also the dominant responsibility takers for the gaming impacts in 2010–2015, after which the media more frequently attributed responsibility to all stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor-secreted exosomes are critical for the functional regulation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). This study aimed to explore how exosomes secreted by ovarian carcinoma cells regulate the phenotype and function of macrophages. Hypoxic treatment of A2780 cells was postulated to mimic the tumor microenvironment, and exosomes were co-cultured with TAMs. miR-1225-5p was enriched in hypoxic exosomes and contributed to M2 macrophage polarizationby modulating Toll-like receptor 2 expression (TLR2). Furthermore, hypoxia-treated macrophages promote ovarian cancer cell viability, migration, and invasion via the wnt/β-catenin pathway. This study clarified that exosomal miR-1225-5p promotes macrophage M2-like polarization by targeting TLR2 to promote ovarian cancer, which may via the wnt/β-catenin pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the clinical efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) alone and microwave ablation (MWA) combined with PVP for the treatment of painful spinal metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). From October 2014 to October 2021, the data of 58 NSCLC patients with refractory painful spinal metastases (visual analog scale score ≥ 5) were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Patients in Group A (n = 30) and Group B (n = 28) received PVP alone and MWA combined with PVP, respectively. The primary endpoint was pain relief. The secondary endpoints were quality of life (QoL), local tumor progression (LTP), and complications. The technical success rate was 100% in both groups. Patients in both groups showed similar pain relief at 1–12 weeks, but patients in Group B still showed sustained pain relief at 24 weeks compared to those in Group A (p = 0.03). The assessment of QoL showed similar changes. LTP (33.00% vs. 7.14%, p = 0.02) and cement leakage rates (40.00% vs. 7.14%, p = 0.03) were lower in Group B. The multivariate analysis demonstrated spinal metastases with a maximum diameter ≤ 3.0 cm (p = 0.027) and MWA combined with PVP (p = 0.028) were two independent protective factors for LTP. For cement leakage, spinal metastases with vertebral body compression (p = 0.019) was an independent risk factor, while MWA combined with PVP (p = 0.042) was an independent protective factor. MWA combined with PVP for painful spinal metastases from NSCLC performed more sustained pain relief (>6 months) and ultimately improved QoL with lower LTP and cement leakage rates, compared to PVP alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early Paleozoic subduction beneath peri-Gondwana microcontinents formed a major Proto-Tethys magmatic arc system. Appinite suite rocks constitute important components within that magmatic arc. Herein, we report hornblende 40Ar/39Ar and zircon U–Pb geochronology data, zircon Hf isotope, mineral chemistry, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope data for the rocks of hornblende gabbro-diorite-quartz diorite-quartz monzodiorite from the Renda appinite suite and adjacent granite porphyry in the southeastern Qilian Orogen. Hornblende 40Ar/39Ar and zircon U–Pb isotopic data constrain ages of the intrusions of the Renda appinite suite to 439–435 Ma. Rocks in this suite represent the calc-alkalic to alkali-calcic series, and they are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements and depleted in high-field-strength elements. The hornblende gabbros exhibit moderate initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7046–0.7055) and higher whole-rock εNd(t) (–1.3 to +1.7) and zircon εHf(t) (+7.2 to +11.2) values relative to the other rocks of the suite (0.7047–0.7064, – 7.7 to – 1.1, and – 6.6 to +6.8, respectively) as well as Pb isotopic features similar to EM2 lithospheric mantle. These geochemical characteristics suggest that the Renda appinite suite originates from partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle, with subsequent fractional crystallization and hybridization with crustal components. The granite porphyry formed by partial melting of the crust coeval with the emplacement of juvenile magma. This study suggests emplacement occurred during a short-lived collision with slab failure (breakoff) after latest stage (cessation) of Proto-Tethys oceanic subduction along the northern side of the southeastern Qilian Orogen. The heat supplied by the asthenospheric upwelling through a gap in the subducted slab induced melting in lithospheric mantle and deep crust producing Renda appinite suite rocks and granite porphyry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effect of media exposure and social networking sites (SNS) involvement on environmental concern and perceived personal responsibility to the environment and the consequent behaviors. It also tests the mediator and moderator between environmental concern and pro-environmental behavior. The results show that media exposure to environmental-related messages positively predicts environmental concern and perceived personal responsibility, while SNS involvement shows a negative effect on environmental concern and positive influence on perceived personal responsibility. Perceived personal responsibility mediates the relationship between environmental concern and pro-environmental behavior. Subjective norm weakens the effect of environmental concern on both behavioral intention and actual behavior. Self-efficacy and collective efficacy do not moderate the effect of environmental concern on behavior intention, while collective efficacy weakly moderates the effect on actual behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the microbiota composition and quality changes of the tiger puffer (Takifugu rubripes) during 4°C refrigerated storage and ice storage for 14 days. The results showed that the sensorial shelf life of refrigerator-stored and ice-stored tiger puffer was 6 and 12 days, respectively. Macroccus and Kocuria were dominant microbiota in fresh fish fillets. Pseudomonas became dominant in refrigerated fillets on day 6, while its dominance was largely weakened in the ice-stored group. At the end of storage, Pseudomonas and Carnobacterium became dominant microbiota in the refrigerated group, while Carnobacterium was inhibited in the ice-stored condition. Furthermore, total viable counts, color, texture, sensory evaluation, K-value and related values, and biogenic amines of puffer fillets in the two groups showed that the quality gradually deteriorated during the storage, and puffer fillets in the ice-stored group decayed slower than that in the refrigerator-stored group. In conclusion, ice storage inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas and Carnobacterium. It also can inhibit the increase of K-value and related values, which was beneficial to the maintenance of fish fillet quality and thereby extended the shelf life of the tiger puffer when compared with refrigerated storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractLiquid nitrogen spray cooling is crucial in cryogenic wind tunnels, while the understanding of its basic phenomenon, liquid nitrogen droplet impact, remains elusive. In this study, a numerical model of a liquid nitrogen droplet impacting on a liquid nitrogen film is established, and the impact mechanisms and influencing factors are analyzed. The dynamic behavior of the liquid nitrogen droplets reveals that as the dimensionless liquid film thickness varies from 0.1 to 0.8, the droplet impact behavior changes from deposition, and crown formation to splash with the Weber number increasing from 0 to 1000. The variation of the dimensionless crown diameter with the dimensionless time solely negatively correlated with liquid film thickness. The maximum dimensionless crown height increases approximately linearly with the Weber number. The splash characteristics indicate that the lower surface tension and viscosity of liquid nitrogen make the droplet easier to exhibit splash as compared with water droplets. As the dimensionless liquid film thickness increases from 0.1 to 0.4, the critical Weber number enabling splash to occur increases from 170 to 375, indicating that a thick liquid film suppresses the splash. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum-ion batteries are favorable for the next generation of rechargeable batteries by virtue of their high theoretical energy density, high safety and low cost. Graphite with excellent electronic conductivity and large surface area is likely to be the most pleasurable cathode material for aluminum-ion batteries. However, due to the lack of high-performance cathodes and cost-effective electrolytes, aluminum-ion batteries are greatly hindered. Herein, a nitrogen doped three-dimensional porous carbon material cathode (N-3PC) with controlled porous and disordered structures is synthesized via a facile heating reaction in oil bath combined with sintering method. Moreover, the controlled porous structures by the Zn(NO3)2 pore-forming agent method support a very large specific surface area, which is beneficial to a relatively high initial Coulombic efficiency. In terms of open porous structures of N-3PC, the increased disordered structures can not only benefit the diffusion of Al3+ ions but also enlarge the reversible capacity of Al storage. When applied as cathode materials for aluminum-ion batteries, N-3PC cathode showcases rosy rate capability (33 mA h g−1 at 500 mA g−1) and perfect reversible capacity (13 mA h g−1 at a high current density of 2000 mA g−1). Furthermore, the high-performance N-3PC cathode material is prepared via a green approach stemming from low-cost and Zn(NO3)2 template, demonstrating a feasible development of carbon cathode materials for aluminum-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method is reported using attenuated total reflection – Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and chemometrics analysis for the forensic discrimination of ship deck paint. The automatic baseline correction, peak area normalization, multiple scattering correction and Savitzky-Golay algorithm using smoothing were adopted to preprocess the spectral data. Several pattern recognition methods including principal component analysis (PCA), Fisher discriminant analysis (FDA), and K-nearest neighbor analysis (KNN) were adopted as the algorithms for constructing classifiers. The results showed that in the principal component analysis model, the scores of 5 brands of samples were different from each other. The derivative spectroscopy revealed hidden differences in the original spectra with improved resolution. In the Fisher discriminant analysis model, samples achieved a more ideal discrimination result. In K-nearest neighbor analysis model, 1 was selected to be the optimal K value to construct the classification model and the discrimination result was ideal. Fisher discriminant analysis was better than principal component analysis and the K-nearest neighbor analysis in the ability to discriminant between samples. It is important to use multiple indicators to evaluate and assess the classification results instead of a single indicator. The precision rate, recall rate, and F-measure may be considered except for the total accuracy in evaluation and assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, although no commercial process for the selective oxidation of methane has been realized, various novel processes with effective solid materials operated at low temperature have been proposed. It is found that the addition of water in any processes not only influences the activity, selectivity, and stability of the solid materials but also affects the extraction efficiency of methanol from the product. Herein, the published results on the roles of water in the methanol production via the quasicatalytic and catalytic selective methane oxidation process using various solid materials in gas and liquid phases at low temperatures are critically reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new censoring scheme named by adaptive progressively interval censoring scheme is introduced. The competing risks data come from Marshall–Olkin extended Chen distribution under the new censoring scheme with random removals. We obtain the maximum likelihood estimators of the unknown parameters and the reliability function by using the EM algorithm based on the failure data. In addition, the bootstrap percentile confidence intervals and bootstrap-t confidence intervals of the unknown parameters are obtained. To test the equality of the competing risks model, the likelihood ratio tests are performed. Then, Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to evaluate the performance of the estimators under different sample sizes and removal schemes. Finally, a real data set is analyzed for illustration purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of zircon U-Pb age dating and whole-rock geochemistry for the Late Cretaceous Nize granodiorite porphyries, combined with analysis of near-coeval structural deformation of the Lower Cretaceous Langshan Formation, provide new data to better understand the tectonic evolution of the northern Lhasa subterrane, central Tibet. Zircon U-Pb ages of 89.2 ± 0.3 Ma to 87.8 ± 0.3 Ma indicate emplacement during the Late Cretaceous. Granodiorite porphyry intrusions were contemporaneous with the development of a regional angular unconformity, overlain by the Upper Cretaceous Jingzhushan (or Abushan) Formation, within the collision zone between the South Qiangtang and Lhasa terranes. Geochemical data for Nize granodiorite porphyries indicate that they have a calc-alkaline composition enriched in large-ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements and depleted in high-field-strength elements and heavy rare earth elements. High Al2O3 and Sr contents, low Yb and Y contents, and high Sr/Y ratios are similar to adakitic magmas. Structural analysis indicates two stages of deformation (D1 and D2), with D1 forming the focus of the present study. The D1 deformation is represented by large-scale faults and records two periods of faulting. These periods are recognized as early compressional thrust faulting and a dominant late stage characterized by normal faulting and extension, with the latter stages of D1 being near-coeval with the emplacement of the Nize granodiorite porphyries. The combination of zircon ages, geochemical data, and structural analysis indicates that the Nize granodiorite porphyries formed after collision of the South Qiangtang and Lhasa terranes. Adakitic magma derived from partial melting of the thickened lower or middle crust resulted from lithospheric delamination that may have been promoted by the convective removal of deeper lithospheric mantle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study and predict quality changes of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) during storage at different temperatures (273, 276, 279, 282, and 285 K), changes in quality of sensory assessment (SA), total aerobic counts (TAC), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and K-value were determined. An Arrhenius model and a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) model were built to predict quality changes of Pacific white shrimp, and the relative performances between the two models were compared. For the Arrhenius model, SA and K-values showed good performance in first-order reactions, while TAC and TVB-N showed good performance in zero-order reactions. The relative errors of the RBFNN model for all indicators were within 10%, but the range of relative errors based on the indicators of SA, TAC, TVB-N, and K-value were 1.68-81.20%, 5.54-25.50%, 2.58-71.06%, and 3.66-48.39%, respectively, for the Arrhenius model. Thus, the RBFNN model was more effective for predicting quality changes of Pacific white shrimp during storage between 273 and 285 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of the internet has brought huge benefits and social impacts; however, internet security has also become a great problem for users, since traditional approaches to packet classification cannot achieve satisfactory detection performance due to their low accuracy and efficiency. In this paper, a new stateful packet inspection method is introduced, which can be embedded in the network gateway and used by a streaming application detection system. This new detection method leverages the inexact automaton approach, using part of the header field and part of the application layer data of a packet. Based on this approach, an advanced detection system is proposed for streaming applications. The workflow of the system involves two stages: the training stage and the detection stage. In the training stage, the system initially captures characteristic patterns from a set of application packet flows. After this training is completed, the detection stage allows the user to detect the target application by capturing new application flows. This new detection approach is also evaluated using experimental analysis; the results of this analysis show that this new approach not only simplifies the management of the state detection system, but also improves the accuracy of data flow detection, making it feasible for real-world network applications. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In estimation of multiplicative or accelerated failure time models, the relative error criterion has been recognized as an alternative to the squared or absolute error criterion. The general relative error criterion introduced by Chen et al. [Least product relative error estimation. J Multivariate Anal. 2016;144:91–98] is a unified framework for efficient estimation, which includes the least absolute relative error estimation and least product relative error estimation as special cases. In this paper, by combining the empirical likelihood and general relative error criterion in multiplicative model, we develop a new empirical likelihood method for inference on the unknown parameters under high-dimensional setting. Limiting theory is established for the proposed empirical likelihood statistic. We conduct some simulation studies and real data analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this article, we show that the log empirical likelihood ratio statistic for the population mean converges in distribution to χ2(1)asn→ ∞ when the population is in the domain of attraction of normal law but has infinite variance. The simulation results show that the empirical likelihood ratio method is applicable under the infinite second moment condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population in la-baicai (spicy cabbage), a traditional fermented food made by the Korean-Chinese community in northeastern China and screened for functional LAB. LAB diversity was analyzed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and 81 LAB strains were isolated and identified based on 16S rDNA sequencing analysis. Polymerase chain reaction DGGE detected 21 LAB species, belonging to the genera Lactobacillus (Lb.), Leuconostoc (Leu.), Pediococcus and Weissella, in 45 la-baicai samples. Lb. plantarum and Lb. sakei were considered to be dominant in the bacterial community. Among 81 LAB isolated by traditional pure culture methods were Lb. plantarum (25 strains), Lb. brevis (two strains), Lb. casei, (four strains), Lb. pentosus (three strains), Enterococcus faecium (45 strains), and E. durans (two strains). The tolerances of these LAB were investigated. Six LAB with high salt (NaCl)-tolerance were screened from the isolates, and 16% (w/v) was the highest salt-tolerance reached. Among the isolates, strain N1, identified as Lb. pentosus, survived well in a simulated digestive environment. Traditional fermented la-baicai from northeastern China is a rich LAB resource. Further study is needed and would be worthwhile to advance the benefits of these LAB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Duguer area represents one of the few occurrences of high-grade metamorphic rocks in the ‘Central Uplift’ zone of the Qiangtang terrane, central Tibet. The metamorphic rocks consist mainly of orthogneiss, paragneiss, and schist. To better understand the formation of these rocks, seven samples of gneiss and schist from the Duguer area were selected forin situzircon U–Pb analysis and Ar–Ar dating of metamorphic minerals. The results suggest two distinct metamorphic stages, during the Late Triassic (229–227 Ma) and Late Jurassic (150–149 Ma). These stages correspond to the closure of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean and northward subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Neo-Tethys oceanic crust, respectively. We suggest that the Late Triassic metamorphic rocks of the Duguer area in the central South Qiangtang subterrane provide evidence of continental collision between the North and South Qiangtang subterranes, following the subduction of oceanic crust. It is likely that deep subduction of oceanic crust occurred along the Longmu Co–Shuanghu–Lancangjiang suture zone (LSLSZ), which would have hindered exhumation owing to the high density of oceanic crust. Subsequent break-off and delamination of the subducted oceanic slab at ~220 Ma may have resulted in exhumation of high-pressure and high-grade metamorphic rocks in the South Qiangtang subterrane. The Late Jurassic ages of metamorphism and deformation obtained in this study indicate the occurrence of an Andean-type orogenic event within the South Qiangtang subterrane. This hypothesis is further supported by an apparent age gap in magmatic activity (150–130 Ma) along the magmatic arc, and the absence of Late Jurassic sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tibetan Plateau is located in the eastern Himalayan–Alpine orogen, an area where previous research has focused on ophiolites and a high-pressure metamorphic belt, whereas comparatively little research has been undertaken on the Tibetan basement. Cambrian granitic gneiss crops out in the Duguer area of the South Qiangtang terrane in northern Tibet and yields zircon laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb ages of 502–492 Ma, providing insight into the possible existence of basement rocks within the South Qiangtang terrane. The granitic gneisses are geochemically similar to high-K, calc-alkaline S-type granites, and Hf isotopic analysis of zircons within the gneisses yields negativeεHf(t) values (–7.4 to – 1.1) and old zircon Hf model ages (TDMC = 1757–1406 Ma). These granitic gneisses were generated by partial melting of ancient pelitic rocks, and the resulting melts were contaminated by a small amount of mantle-derived material. Combining our new data with previous research, we conclude that these Cambrian granitic gneisses developed in a post-collisional tectonic setting after Pan-African tectonism. This suggests that the South Qiangtang terrane might have the same early Palaeozoic crystalline basement as the Lhasa, Himalaya, Baoshan, Gongshan, and Tengchong terranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) motif has previously been demonstrated to specifically bind to CD13, which is selectively overexpressed in tumor vasculature and some tumor cells (e.g. HT1080). It was reported that NGR-modified stealth liposomes (NGR-SL) could be prepared with different lipid composition, such as 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), hydrogenated soy posphatidylcholine (HSPC) and soy posphatidylcholine (SPC). In the present study, NGR-modified liposomes were prepared with DPPC, HSPC, SPC or the mixture of HSPC and SPC. The resultant liposomes with different lipid composition were compared in terms of cell uptake, antitumor efficacy and targeted drug delivery efficiency using HT1080 tumor model. It was found that NGR-SL composed of the mixture of HSPC and SPC was able to improve targeted drug delivery efficiency to tumor producing the most significant antitumor activity. Collectively, the NGR-modified liposomes composed of the mixture of HSPC and SPC are promising carriers for the treatment of tumor. Besides NGR ligand, lipid composition could also significantly affect the targeted delivery efficiency to the tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome of an endangered mangrove plant: Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea was analyzed in this paper, which is the first for the genus within the family Rubiaceae. The mitogenome sequence is 354,155 bp in length containing 3 ribosomal RNA genes, 16 transfer RNA genes, and 37 protein-coding genes. Gene ccmFc, ccmFn, rps3, rps13, rps10, rpl12, nad3 and cox1 contain one intron, gene cox2 and atp9 contain three introns and gene nad1, nad4 and nad7 contain four introns. Furthermore, Gene nad2 and nad5 have five introns. Gene nad1, nad2, nad5, nad7and Cox2 are trans-splicing genes. Phylogenetic analysis using the maximum likelihood method positioned S. hydrophyllacea closely with Asclepias syriaca in Gentianales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant tolerance is one of the preconditions in soil phytoremediation. The physiological responses and tolerance threshold of centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) were investigated under eight different Cd concentrations (0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, and 420 mg Cd kg−1) in a sand culture system. The results showed that turf quality, leaf relative water content (RWC), leaf electrolyte leakage (EL), leaf osmotic potential did not show significant changes under 180 mg Cd kg−1 compared with the control, and relative growth rate (RGR), turf density, leaf chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) did not show significant changes under 240 mg Cd kg−1 compared with the control throughout the whole experiment. Regression analysis was used to determine the threshold Cd concentrations for each physiological parameter and the most sensitive parameter occurred by RWC of 197 mg Cd kg−1 which was chose as Cd tolerance threshold in centipedegrass because under this concentration the plant did not show any significant difference with the control in all growth and physiological parameters measured in this experiment. The phytoextration rate of centipedegrass reached 0.87% in 36 d under 180 mg Cd kg−1 treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The development of an efficient targeted drug delivery system into cells is an important subject for the advancement of drug carriers. In this study, a novel hepatocyte-targeted delivery system with glycyrrhizin (GL) surface modification based on N-caproyl chitosan (CCS) has been developed. Method: CCS was synthesized by acylation of amino group of chitosan, and GL was oxidized to be conjugated to the surface of N-caproyl chitosan nanoparticles (CCS-NPs-GL). The synthesized nanoparticles were first characterized for their morphology, particle size, zeta potential, in vitro stability in plasma, tissue distribution, and hepatocyte-targeting uptake in vivo. Results: The obtained results showed that the spherical and discrete nanoparticles prepared with oxidized GL/CCS ratio of 0.14:1 (w/w) exhibited a positive electrical charge and associated adriamycin quite efficiently (association efficiency: 87.5%). The prepared nanoparticles also possessed dimensional and GL surface-binding stability and slow release property in plasma in vitro. The biodistribution of these particles after intravenous injections in mice revealed accumulating drug concentrations in the liver, spleen, and lungs while decreasing drug concentrations in the heart and kidney. The content of adriamycin-loaded CCS-NPs-GL in the liver was 1.6 times higher than that of non-GL-modified CCS-NPs. Furthermore, in vivo uptake of CCS-NPs-GL by rat hepatocytes showed 2.1 times higher nanoparticle uptake compared with non-GL-modified CCS-NPs, which suggested that CCS-NPs-GL were preferentially distributed in hepatocytes by a ligand–receptor interaction. Conclusion: This article indicated that CCS-NPs-GL was a stable and effective drug delivery vehicle for hepatocyte targeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study aimed to explore the association between dietary intake of tomatoes and lycopene with all-cause and cancer mortality among US adults with diabetes. We hypothesized that a higher intake of tomato and lycopene is related to a reduced risk of all-cause and cancer mortality among adults with diabetes. This prospective study was conducted among 9213 US adults with diabetes using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2016. Data on dietary intake of tomatoes and lycopene were obtained from two 24-h dietary recalls. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models determined the associations between tomato/lycopene intake and mortality. A higher intake of tomatoes and lycopene was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (tomato: Q5 vs. Q1: HR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.54–0.86, p = 0.001, p for trend = 0.001; lycopene: Q5 vs. Q1: HR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.64–0.95, p = 0.013, p for trend = 0.006) after adjusting for all covariates. Compared with the lowest quintile of tomato and lycopene intake, the highest quintile was associated with a lower risk of cancer mortality (tomato: HR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.35–0.96, p = 0.035; lycopene: HR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.40–0.98, p = 0.043). Our study demonstrated that dietary intake of tomatoes and lycopene was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in US adults with diabetes. High consumption of tomatoes and lycopene was also related to reduced cancer mortality in US adults with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]