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Two statistical downscaling models, the non-homogeneous hidden Markov model (NHMM) and the Statistical Down-Scaling Model (SDSM) were used to generate future scenarios of both mean and extremes in the Tarim River basin, which were based on nine combined scenarios including three general circulation models (GCMs) (CSIRO30, ECHAM5, and GFDL21) predictor sets and three special report on emission scenarios (SRES) (SRES A1B, SRES A2, and SRES B1). Local climate change scenarios generated from statistical downscaling models was also compared with that projected by raw GCMs outputs. The results showed that the magnitude of changes for annual precipitation projected by raw GCMs outputs was greater than that generated by using statistical downscaling model. The difference between changes of annual maximum air temperature projected by statistical downscaling model and raw GCMs outputs was not as significant as that for annual precipitation. In total, the magnitude of these increasing trends projected by both statistical downscaling models and raw GCMs outputs was the greatest under SRES A2 scenario and the smallest under B1 scenario, with A1B scenario in-between. Generally, the magnitude of these increasing trends in the period of 2081 to 2100 was greater than that in the period of 2046 to 2065. The magnitude of standard deviation changes for daily precipitation projected by raw GCMs outputs was greater than that generated by statistical downscaling model under most of combined scenarios in both periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Increased consumption of anthocyanins is helpful to decrease incidence of cardiovascular morbidity. These cardioprotective activities are closely related to their antioxidant properties. In diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress. Usually, PKC activation provokes modifications in extracellular matrix, induces myocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of anthocyanin extracted from grape seed on cardiac remodeling and assessed mechanisms involved.Methods: Diabetes was induced in male SD rats by intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (STZ) at a dose of 65 mg/kg. Rats were divided into four groups: normal rat, diabetic rat, normal rat with anthocyanin treatment and diabetic rat with anthocyanin treatment. Anthocyanin (95 purity) was orally administrated at a dose of 100 mg kg-1ôñd-1 for 6 weeks. At termination, evaluation of hemodynamic parameters and oxidative stress status were performed. Left ventricular (LV) tissues were collected for the assessment of myocardial ultrastructure, collagen density, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Finally, expression of PKC and ERK 1/2 in cardiac tissues were determined.Results: After treatment with STZ, rats developed diabetes evidenced by hyperglycemia, while experimental DCM was indicated by LV dysfunctions. Rats with DCM showed lower body weight and higher heart-to-body weight ratio, impaired systolic and diastolic function accompanied with myocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis, as well as elevated malonaldehyde level. However, anthocyanin treatment significantly restored LV dysfunction, decreased oxidative stress status, and attenuated LV remodeling as evidenced by reduced mean myocyte diameter and interstitial collagen deposition. Meanwhile, brain natriuretic peptide mRNA expression were markedly decreased. More importantly, anthocyanin could dramatically prevent up-regualted expression of phosphorylated PKC alpha and ERK1/2, as well as TGF-β mRNA expression and NF-κB activationConclusions: Anthocyanin extracted from grape seed has protective potential for targeting cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis through suppression of PKC-ERK pathway, highlighting a possible cardioprotective therapy for prevention of cardiac remodeling in DCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of coal mining generates high amounts of coal gangue. Accordingly, coal–gangue separation is a key problem limiting coal production and quality. Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy was combined with multivariate statistical analyses to identify different kinds of coal and gangue. First, the terahertz spectrum and power spectrum of the sample were measured, and the refractive index and absorption coefficient of the sample were calculated from the terahertz time-domain spectrum of the sample. Significant differences in the power spectrum, refractive index, and absorption coefficient were found between different kinds of coal and gangue. After combining multivariate statistical methods — cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) — a model based on THz parameters and different types of coal and gangue was established. During cluster analysis, the Euclidean distance of two types of samples and the score of the first principal component in the principal component analysis could reflect the similarity and dissimilarity between coal and gangue samples, and consistent results were obtained for CA and PCA. The experimental results showed that the combination of terahertz technology and multivariate statistical methods yielded an accurate approach to distinguishing between coal and gangue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present research, the phase distribution of the detonation products of emulsion explosives used to prepare nano-MnFeO powders by detonation is simulated by a numerical method. The mechanism of nano-MnFeO powder synthesis via detonation of emulsion explosives is discussed and explained. The results obtained indicate that FeO and MnO form in the reaction zone before the Chapman-Jouguet detonation state is reached; these oxides react with surplus oxygen in air during the decrease in temperature and pressure, resulting in MnFeO generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a 52-year-old female patient with a 2-year history of local neck pain, decreased cervical spine rotation, progressive numbness and weakness of both arms. Preoperative, dynamic X-rays, computed tomography, three-dimensional computed tomography demonstrated a displaced Os odontoideum with irreducible Subluxation of C1/2. We used a single transoral approach release, reduction using an assistance of skull traction, bone fusion and stabilization in the treatment of Os odontoideum with irreducible alantoaxial dislocation. Postoperative, the patient was free of all symptoms and X-rays taken showed a stable fusion of C1/2 at 6th postoperative month. This technique in the treatment of Os odontoideum with irreducible alantoaxial dislocation is atraumatic and effective. And preoperative dynamic X-rays, computed tomography, three-dimensional computed tomography and MRI scans provided an invaluable aid to select this operative procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]