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Continental shale in China is a key exploration target with regard to unconventional hydrocarbons. Systematic research on the mineral composition, organic geochemistry, and hydrocarbon mobility has been performed in the Da'anzhai (J1dn) lacustrine shale oil reservoirs, clarifying the factors controlling shale oil accumulation. The results suggest that J1dn consists of three sub-members, with an organic-rich interval developed within the second sub-member. Three types of lithological associations have developed within the organic-rich interval: Type 1 represents the interbedding relationship between shale and shell limestone and Type 2 represents shale with intercalated limestone, followed by Type 3. The brittleness index of the J1dn continental organic-rich shale is relatively low. The porosity of the Da'anzhai lacustrine shale ranges between 0.5% and 10.5% (average value of 5.89%). The porosity is predominantly due to inorganic pores, with a small amount being attributable to nanoscale microfractures and organic pores. The average porosity of the shell limestone is only 1.2%, but fractures at the micron and centimeter scales are well developed. The organic matter in the J1dn continental shale is mainly II1–II2, with maturity in the oil generation stage. The average oil saturation of the J1dn continental shale is 3.15%, with most samples having oil saturation of less than 4%. The J1dn continental shale has great exploration potential with regard to shale oil. Type 1 shale oil is affected by multiscale fractures, including bedding fractures, and has the best mobility. The high hydrocarbon generation capacity of lacustrine shale, coupled with the multiscale fractures within shell limestone and shale, is the principal controlling factor for hydrocarbon enrichment. Based on exploration practices, the Type 1 shale association may represent the optimal interval for future shale oil exploration in the Da'anzhai Member. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optogenetics is a cell-type specific and high spatial-temporal resolution method that combines genetic encoding of light-sensitive proteins and optical manipulation techniques. Optogenetics technology provides a novel approach for research on cardiac arrhythmia treatment, including pacing, recovering the conduction system, and achieving cardiac resynchronization with precise and low-energy optical control. Photosensitive proteins, which usually act as ion channels, pumps, or receptors, are delivered to target cells, where they respond to light pulses of specific wavelengths, evoke transient flows of transmembrane ion currents, and induce signal transmission. With the development of gene technology, the in vivo efficiency of optogenetics in cardiology has been trialed, and in vitro experiments have been performed to test its potential in cardiac electrophysiology. Challenges for applying optogenetics in large animals and humans include the effectiveness, safety, and long-term expression of photosensitive proteins, unscattered and unattenuated exogenous light stimulation, and the need for implantable miniature light stimulators. Photosensitive proteins, genetic engineering technology, and light equipment are essential for experiments in cardiac optogenetics. Optogenetics may provide an alternative method for evaluating the mechanism of cardiac arrhythmias, testing hypotheses, and treating cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nd2SiO5 ceramics were synthesized and their microwave dielectric properties were investigated. The hexagonal Nd4Si3O12 second phase disappeared and the pure monoclinic Nd2SiO5 phase could be obtained when the molar ratio of Nd2O3/SiO2 was 1:1.05 at 1450°C. The relative density of Nd2SiO5 ceramics increased with increasing temperature. The Nd2SiO5 ceramics sintered at 1500°C exhibited microwave dielectric properties: a dielectric constant (ε r) of 7.94, a quality factor (Q × f) of 38 800GHz and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ f) of −53ppm/°C. High resonant frequency led to a low dielectric constant and low Q × f value. Nd2SiO5 ceramics have a wide sintering temperature region. They are promising candidate materials for microwave passive components. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Sm2SiO5 ceramics were synthesized and their microwave dielectric properties were investigated. The pure monoclinic Sm2SiO5 phase could be obtained when the molar ratio of Sm2O3/SiO2 was 1:1.05 at 1350°C. A small amount of hexagonal Sm4(SiO4)3 second phase occurred as temperature increased. The relative density of Sm2SiO5 ceramics increased with increasing temperature. The Sm2SiO5 ceramics sintered at 1500°C exhibited microwave dielectric properties: a dielectric constant (εr) of 8.44, a quality factor ( Q × f) of 64 000 GHz, and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) of −37 ppm/°C. The Sm2SiO5 ceramics have a wide sintering temperature region and small negative τf values. They are promising candidate materials for millimeter-wave devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-encapsulated MnGeO 3 microspheres have been yielded via a facile, scalable and environmentally friendly route. Hydrothermal method was utilized to recrystallize MnGeO 3 particles and form rGO encapsulation. Such rationally designed rGO-encapsulated MnGeO 3 microspheres afforded excellent electrochemical performances, i.e. high first discharge capacity of 1364 mAh g −1 and charge capacity of 810.8 mAh g −1 , and reversible capacity of 624.6 mAh g −1 after 50 cycles at a current density of 200 mA g −1 when they were employed as anode materials for Li ion batteries. These advantageous attributes make rGO-encapsulated MnGeO 3 microspheres the potential anode materials for Li-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: SnO2-doped CaSiO3 ceramics were successfully synthesized by a solid-state method. Effects of different SnO2 additions on the sintering behavior, microstructure and dielectric properties of Ca(Sn1−x Si x )O3 (x=0.5–1.0) ceramics have been investigated. SnO2 improved the densification process and expanded the sintering temperature range effectively. Moreover, Sn4+ substituting for Si4+ sites leads to the emergence of Ca3SnSi2O9 phase, which has a positive effect on the dielectric properties of CaO–SiO2–SnO2 materials, especially the Qf value. The Ca(Sn0.1Si0.9)O3 ceramics sintered at 1375°C possessed good microwave dielectric properties: ε r =7.92, Qf =58,000GHz and τ f =−42ppm/°C. The Ca(Sn0.4Si0.6)O3 ceramics sintered at 1450°C also exhibited good microwave dielectric properties of ε r=9.27, Qf=63,000GHz, and τ f =−52ppm/°C. Thus, they are promising candidate materials for millimeter-wave devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Optogenetics is a cell-type specific and high spatial-temporal resolution method that combines genetic encoding of light-sensitive proteins and optical manipulation techniques. Optogenetics technology provides a novel approach for research on cardiac arrhythmia treatment, including pacing, recovering the conduction system, and achieving cardiac resynchronization with precise and low-energy optical control. Photosensitive proteins, which usually act as ion channels, pumps, or receptors, are delivered to target cells, where they respond to light pulses of specific wavelengths, evoke transient flows of transmembrane ion currents, and induce signal transmission. With the development of gene technology, the in vivo efficiency of optogenetics in cardiology has been trialed, and in vitro experiments have been performed to test its potential in cardiac electrophysiology. Challenges for applying optogenetics in large animals and humans include the effectiveness, safety, and long-term expression of photosensitive proteins, unscattered and unattenuated exogenous light stimulation, and the need for implantable miniature light stimulators. Photosensitive proteins, genetic engineering technology, and light equipment are essential for experiments in cardiac optogenetics. Optogenetics may provide an alternative method for evaluating the mechanism of cardiac arrhythmias, testing hypotheses, and treating cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: To explore the role of leukoaraiosis (LA) on the cognitive function in patients with Parkinson disease (PD)., Methods: The cohort for this study included 63 patients with PD, whom were divided into 3 groups according to cognitive status:with intact cognition (PD-IC, n = 23), with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI, n = 23) and with dementia (PDD, n = 17). All the patients were recruited from the Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University between September 2011 and July 2012. The cognitive functions were evaluated by mini-metal state examination (MMSE), the Cambridge cognitive examination-Chinese version (CAMCOG-C), clinical dementia rating (CDR), clock drawing task (CDT) and verbal fluency test, etc. Depression symptoms were assessed by the geriatric depression scale (GDS) while motor symptoms by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-motor (UPDRS-motor) and the Hoehn and Yahr scale (HY). All the patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a 3.0-T system. LA was rated using the semiquantitative visual rating system proposed by scheltens et al., Results: Both the PD-IC (2.43 ± 2.79) and PD-MCI (4.48 ± 4.33) groups showed significantly lower deep hyperintensities (DHs) scores than the PDD group (7.88 ± 6.69, P = 0.004 and 0.040, respectively), especially in frontal (1.09 ± 1.31; 1.83 ± 1.90; 3.24 ± 2.64, P < 0.05) and parietal areas (0.09 ± 0.29; 0.65 ± 1.03; 1.53 ± 2.32, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in periventricular (1.57 ± 1.75; 2.52 ± 2.37; 3.24 ± 2.64, P > 0.05), basal ganglia (0.09 ± 0.42; 0.30 ± 0.77; 0.53 ± 1.33, P > 0.05) and infratentorial white matter hyperintensities scores (--; 0.13 ± 0.63; 0.18 ± 0.73, P > 0.05) among three groups. The DHs showed a significant correlation with age (P = 0.003), MMSE (P = 0.009), verbal fluency test (P = 0.009), orientation (P = 0.047) and executive function (P = 0.027) in CAMCOG-C. The multiple regression analysis showed that the MMSE scores were associated significantly with education (P < 0.001, β = 0.600), DHs (P = 0.001, β = -0.678) and HY (P = 0.035, β = -0.480). DHs were the most significantly associated with MMSE scores., Conclusion: There was a significant correlation between DHs and multiple domain cognitive impairment in PD, especially in executive function. DHs, which were the most significantly variable associated with MMSE scores, may contribute to cognitive impairment in PD.