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High-grade granulite facies rocks (one of extreme granulites) refer in particular to a part with high metamorphic temperature (HT) and high metamorphic pressure (HP) within granulite facies. A part of basement rocks of the North China Craton (NCC) experiences high-grade metamorphisms up to HP-HT granulite-facies or granuite-eclogite transition facies in Paleoproterozoic, which offers ideal natural laboratories to probe into early Precambrian tectonic evolution of the Earth. The studies of Precambrian high-grade metamorphic rocks have made steady progresses on distributions and occurrences of high-grade granulite facies rocks, their mineral interactions (including micro-inclusion mineral), metamorphic conditions, metamorphic chronologies, and metamorphic processes and P-T paths in recent decades. The concept of Incipient Plate Tectonics was proposed by Zhai (1997, 2004, 2012, 2014) and Zhai and Santosh (2011). However, some intractable and controversial scientific problems still exist, which are challenging and significant issues to understand early tectonic evolution of continent crust and the Earth. This paper reviews study advances of Paleoproterozoic high-grade granulite terranes in the NCC and overviews its prospect. Three fundamental characteristics are distinct: 1) Paleoproterozoic high-grade metamorphic rocks seemingly occur in area or broad pan-belt, which widely spread in the northwest NCC, middle NCC, south NCC, eastern NCC and Korean peninsula, in almost all outcrops of Precambrian basements of the NCC (Sino-Korean Craton) except for some coverage districts of Phanerozoic rocks; Three kinds of high-grade rocks have been distinguished, which are HP mafic granulite, HT pelitic granulite and ultramafic granulite. As their country rocks, some tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite gneisses (TTGs) could have undergone metamorphism under the same P-T conditions. 2) The HP mafic granulites and HT pelitic granulites are commonly spatially-associated with concordant occurrences, showing the both underwent contemporaneous deformation and metamorphism since peak metamorphic stage. The HP mafic granulites are suggested to be metamorphosed gabboric dykes by previous studies. Detail district geological mappings in some terranes also demonstrate that the gabbroic dykes intruded into sedimentary rocks and had been in position before peak metamorphic stage. In Jiaobei region of northern East Shandong Province, ultramafic granulites are distributed associated with HP mafic granulites and/or HT pelitic granulites. Metamorphism studies demonstrate that all the three granulite facies rocks record uplift processes and they were uplifted to surface as a whole. 3) All the three types of granulite facies rocks underwent three major metamorphic stages, which are peak HP-HT granulite facies, moderate granulite facies and amphibolites facies. The corresponding metamorphic ages are ∼1980–1900 Ma, ∼1890 ∼ 1820 Ma, and ∼1800 Ma, respectively. Some sedimentary rocks underwent ultra-high temperature (UHT) metamorphism with the indicating mineral assemblages of sappirine + quartz. Eclogite facies minerals were found in a minor amount of HP mafic granulites, which were presented by pseudomorphed omphacite ± rutile ± quartz preserved as inclusion minerals in garnets, or by some matrix clinopyroxenes broken down to wormy symplektite of albite + Na-poor clinopyroxene. Base on P-T conditions of the metamorphism and the corresponding geochronologic data, it is calculated that the Paleoproterozoic metamorphic terranes in the NCC have obviously high geothermal gradient of about 14–28 °C/km (average 21 °C/km), and abnormally slow uplift rate of about 0.18–0.24 mm/yr, both of which are remarkably different from Phanerozoic continent collisional belts. The concept of incipient plate tectonics is established for Paleoproterozoic metamorphism in the NCC. Being clearly different from tectonic style of Archean high-grade region and greenstone belt, Paleoproterozoic terranes are seemingly more similar to tectonic style of Phanerozoic continent-continent collision. Metamorphic pressures of ∼10–14 Kbar in the HT pelitic granulites indicate that the supracrustal rocks had sunk into lower crust with depth of 40–50 km and then were uplifted to the surface again. This implies that the NCC had attained a considerable thickness and an extra drive force could be necessary for so great vertical displacement of supracrustal rocks. In consideration of the broad distributions of these high-grade metamorphic rocks, some “quasi-rigid” blocks were proposed to have preliminarily formed in Paleoproterozoic, which could facilitate sinking and uplifting motion of these rocks by subduction-collision-like processes between micro-blocks. In other words, the principle of plate tectonics might have been operated at that time. However, these blocks are limited in rigidity for their disability to sink into depth of boundary between lithosphere and asthenosphere but activation only in crustal scale. In this regard, a process of “hot” subduction-collision is considered, which comprehensively includes various elements, such as smaller continent blocks, high geothermal gradient, tiny density distinction between subducted slab and wall rock (lower crust), which together define a motion limited in crustal scales with lacking in enough strengths of thrust force and buoyancy. The incipient plate tectonics have displayed lateral compressional structure and kinematic interaction between blocks, but it is much smaller in scale relative to Phanerozoic collisional orogeny, although the tectonic style is more or less similar.

Paleoproterozoic granulite-facies metapelites are widespread in northern part of the North China Craton (NCC), and their metamorphic conditions and P-T paths provide important constraints for tectonic evolution of the NCC. However, it is still controversial on the metamorphic evolution of these rocks due to variations of retrograde modification. In combination with detailed petrological studies, geological mapping, and geochronology, we here present new evidence from Gushan, Datong, conjunction zone of the Ji’ning Complex and Huai’an Complex to constrain P-T evolution of the metapelites. Field investigations reveal that the pelitic granulites are spatially associated with high-pressure (HP) mafic granulites, showing concordant characteristics of deformation and metamorphism. Fine mineralogical and microstructural studies reveal that kyanite-bearing HP granulite-facies indicators preserved in garnet porphyroblasts of the pelitic granulites. It suggests the previously assumed moderate- to low-pressure (MP-LP) and high- to ultrahigh-temperature (HT-UHT) pelitic granulites have experienced HP granulite-facies metamorphism. Four metamorphic generation assemblages (M1–M4) are recognized in the studied samples. The pre-Pmax assemblages (M1) are characterized by mineral inclusions within garnet core, including Bt-Qz-Rt±Ms±Liq, representing the late stage of prograde metamorphism. The Pmax assemblages (M2, HP granulite-facies) are represented by garnet mantle and its inclusion-type minerals, i.e., Grt-Ky-Kfs-Bt-Rt-Liq-Qz±Ms±Zn Spl. It is followed by heating until the maximum of temperature stage (M3, Tmax), featured by disappearance of biotite and transition from kyanite into sillimanite, with mineral assemblages of Grt-Sil-Kfs-Liq-Qz-Ilm±Zn Spl. The cooling stage (M4) is featured by breakdown of garnet to Bt+Qz±Pl±Sil±Ilm. Phase equilibrium modeling and titanium-in-biotite thermometer are combined to constrain the P-T evolution of the studied samples. The P-T conditions for the M1–M4 are respectively estimated around ∼11–11.5 kbar/∼770–790 °C, ∼10.3–13.8 kbar/∼820–835 °C, ∼6.5–9.5 kbar/∼850–925 °C, ∼6 kbar/∼645–761 °C, which defined a clockwise P-T path. Zircon U-Pb ages of two representative samples demonstrated comparable age clusters of ∼1950 Ma and ∼1850 Ma, which are interpreted to represent the timing of HP and MP-LP granulite-facies stages, respectively. Combining with other studies of the NCC, we propose that the pelitic granulites and associated HP mafic granulites have experienced the common metamorphic processes from peak stage (HP-HT granulite-facies) to retrograde metamorphism. Due to intensive and pervasive overprint of sillimanite-type granulite-facies metamorphism, the HP granulite-facies mineral assemblages of the pelitic granulites are partially or completely reworked. The metamorphic peak conditions and relatively high thermal gradients of these granulite-facies rocks suggest that their formation is probably in response to a crustal-scale subduction-collision process during the late Paleoproterozoic.

In 2002, de Gennes suggested a glass model to bring in a real contact between different schools of thought. The central assumption is that there is a low-density soft matrix in the hard-sphere molecules (HSMs). This study shows that the soft matrix is another spin system in de Gennes n = 0 theory. It is the largest dynamic nanoscale two-dimensional cluster composed of directional excited states of coupled electron pairs (CEPs). Molecular clustering is when two HSMs overlap and share a set of z-axis CEP excited states on their overlapping interface. Each z-axis excited state causes the two HSMs to suddenly acquire the identical spin in opposite directions (Ising-spin). The CEP excited state whose energy is three orders of magnitude smaller than the energy of the electronic excited state is embedded in the local random region without changing its randomness. Therefore, the molecule also has a low-density cubic lattice spin form composed of z-axis CEP excited states. Each low-density soft matrix causes its local volume to suddenly increase due to the appearance of the cavity space (free volume) in the center. The model shows that, from solid to liquid, there are only overlapping two-HSMs in the system, and the state difference at different temperatures lies only in the number density of the overlapping two-HSMs. The excluded volume interactions between polymer chain units are also the interface-excitation spin interactions. Reveals the origin of the relaxation time spectrum of metallic glass from picoseconds to infinity.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of the human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) and hyaluronan acid (HA) combination to attenuate osteoarthritis progression in the knee while simultaneously providing some insights on the mitigation mechanism. In vitro, the effect of hUC-MSCs with HA treatment on chondrocyte cell viability and the cytokine profile were analyzed. Additionally, the antioxidation capability of hUC-MSCs-CM (conditioned medium) with HA towards H2O2-induced chondrocyte cell damage was evaluated. The HA addition increased the hUC-MSC antioxidation capability and cytokine secretion, such as Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), while no adverse effect on the cell viability was observed. In vivo, the intra-articular injection of hUC-MSCs with HA to a mono-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rat model was performed and investigated. Attenuation of the KOA progression in the MIA-damaged rat model was seen best in hUC-MSCs with a HA combination compared to the vehicle control or each individual element. Combining hUC-MSCs and HA resulted in a synergistic effect, such as increasing the cell therapeutic capability while incurring no observable adverse effects. Therefore, this combinatorial therapy is feasible and has promising potential to ameliorate KOA progression.

Objective: To study the effect of hTERC and FOXP3 gene amplification in condyloma acuminate lesions on the immune response and cell apoptosis. Methods: The condyloma acuminate lesions diagnosed between May 2014 and October 2016 and the normal skin tissue from circumcision during the same period were collected to extract RNA and then determine hTERC, FOXP3 and apoptosis-related gene mRNA amplification, and after protein extraction, the protein levels of immune response-related cytokines were determined. Results: hTERC, FOXP3, Livin and Survivin gene mRNA amplification as well as IL-4 and IL-10 protein levels in condyloma acuminatum lesions were significantly higher than those in normal skin tissue while TRAIL, Caspase-3 and PDCD4 mRNA amplification as well as IL-2 and TNF-α protein levels were significantly lower than those in normal skin tissue; IL-2 and TNF-α protein levels in condyloma acuminatum lesions with high FOXP3 mRNA expression were significantly lower than those in condyloma acuminatum lesions with low FOXP3 mRNA expression while IL-4 and IL-10 protein levels were significantly higher than those in condyloma acuminatum lesions with low FOXP3 mRNA expression; Livin and Survivin mRNA amplification in condyloma acuminatum lesions with high hTERC mRNA expression were significantly higher than those in condyloma acuminatum lesions with low hTERC mRNA expression while TRAIL, Caspase-3 and PDCD4 mRNA amplification were significantly lower than those in condyloma acuminatum lesions with low hTERC mRNA expression. Conclusion: Highly expressed hTERC and FOXP3 genes in condyloma acuminatum lesions can inhibit apoptosis and inhibit antiviral immune response respectively.

Geological implications of ∼1.95 Ga and ∼1.85 Ga metamorphic ages for HP granulites in the Huai’an terrane are still controversial, which have affected the crustal evolution models for the North China Craton. This study reports two geological sections in which distinct geological relationships of a quartz-dioritic and a tonalitic dike cutting through mafic HP granulite and granulite facies meta-sedimentary rocks are described. In these two sections, magmatic dikes, mafic HP granulites and meta-sedimentary rocks preserve conformable foliation to indicate their similar deformation history. The U–Pb dating and Lu–Hf isotopic analysis of zircons from metamorphic and meta-igneous rocks provide new constraints on the timing and mechanism of thermal events associated with metamorphic and deformation events. Both magmatic dikes were formed around ∼1.95 Ga and overprinted by later metamorphic event during ∼1.85 Ga. The S-type granite, at geological section (GS) 1, revealed its formation age was formed around 1959 ± 34 Ma (n = 3, MSWD = 1.5), and overprinted by later metamorphic event at 1840 ± 8 Ma (n = 10, MSWD = 1.2). Additionally, zircons from the mafic HP granulite in the GS2 are dominated by metamorphic ages of 1972 ± 22 Ma (n = 6; MSWD = 0.03) with few grains recording an age of 1856 ± 29 Ma (n = 3; MSWD = 0.17). In situ Lu–Hf analyses on zircons from the quartz-dioritic dike, tonalitic dike, mafic HP granulite and S-type granite, reveal that the magmatic dikes were derived from partial melting of ∼2.0–2.2 Ga meta-basic rocks and the S-type granite was generated by melting of meta-sediments beyond 840 ± 50 °C. It suggested that those meta-sediments were taken into the lower crust in a certain way at granulite facies conditions ca. 1.95 Ga ago. A clockwise P-T path acquired from mafic HP granulite revealed peak metamorphic conditions of 880–890 °C and 11–13 kbar. The temperature results recorded in the ∼1.95 Ga zircons of mafic HP granulite, similar to those of high-pressure mineral assemblage in matrix, suggest that the HP granulite metamorphism was approximately ∼1.95 Ga ago. According to the results above, this contribution concludes that mafic and meta-sedimentary rocks were metamorphosed together under high-pressure granulite metamorphic conditions ∼1.95 Ga ago, followed by high-temperature granulite facies melting event that gave rise to granite and S-type granite at ∼1.95 Ga. The granulite facies metamorphic rocks and magmatic dikes in the Huangtuyao graphite mine experienced the same evolution history after ∼1.95 Ga. The mafic and pelitic HP granulites in the Huai’an terrane are interpreted to be collisional products of the Paleoproterozoic cratonization of the NCC.

Osteoarthritis (OA) a disease associated with joints and become severe with age, due to softening, inflammation and degradation of cartilage in joints. The agents that can target OA is needed, specifically without any side effects. Garcinia mangostana L. (Mangosteen) a tropical fruit used to treat many skin and stomach associated ailments. γ- Mangostin (γ-MS) a key bioactive substance present in mangosteen. Here, we aimed to explore γ-MS potential in targeting the pro-inflammatory cytokine, factors and miRs in OA progression. Significantly, γ-MS suppresses the inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and INF- γ) and factors (NF-κB, STAT3, and COX-2) which regulates/participate in the catabolic process of cartilage destruction. Result of Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining of tissue sections of OA joints of γ-MS treated and non-treated mice confirm γ-MS improves the signs of injuries, and maintains the structural integrity of the articular cartilage (epiphyseal disk joints and bone marrow) and reduces inflammation. Mechanistically, γ-MS targets miR-98-5p and miR-124-3p which are found to suppress the expression IL-6 and NF-κB, respectively. But in OA these miRs are inhibited, especially miR-124-3p which regulates not only NF-κB but also TNF-α, IL-6 and MMP7. With a further investigation underway, γ-MS represents an important source for treating and managing OA.

Background When lowlanders rapidly ascend to altitudes > 2500 m, they may develop acute mountain sickness (AMS). The individual susceptibility, ascending velocity, time spent at altitude, activity levels and altitude reached are considered risk factors for AMS. However, it is not clear whether sex is a risk factor. The results have been inconclusive. We conducted a meta-analysis to test whether there were sex-based differences in the prevalence of AMS using Lake Louise Scoring System. Methods Systematic searches were performed in August 2019 in EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science for prospective studies with AMS data for men and women. The titles and abstracts were independently checked in the primary screening step, and the selected full-text articles were independently assessed in the secondary screening step by the two authors (YPH and JLW) based on pre-defined inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis was performed using by the STATA 14.1 software program. A random-effects model was employed. Results Eighteen eligible prospective studies were included. A total of 7669 participants (2639 [34.4%] women) were tested. The results showed that there was a statistically significant higher prevalence rate of AMS in women than in men (RR = 1.24, 95%CI 1.09–1.41), regardless of age or race. Howerver, the heterogeneity was significant in the analysis (Tau2 = 0.0403, Chi2 = 50.15, df = 17; I2 = 66.1%, P = 0.000), it was main caused by different numbers of subjects among the studies (coefficient = − 2.17, P = 0.049). Besides, the results showed that there was no evidence of significant publication bias in the combined studies on the basis of Egger’s test (bias coefficient = 1.48, P = 0.052) and Begg’s test (P = 0.130). Conclusions According to this study, the statistically significant finding emerging from this study was that women have a higher prevalence of AMS. However, the authors could not exclude studies where patients were on acetazolamide. Our analysis provided a direction for future studies of the relationship of sex and the risk of AMS, such as the pathological mechanism and prevention research.

Objective The current therapeutic strategy for posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) focuses on early intervention to attenuate disease progression, preserve joint function, and defer joint replacement timing. Sequential transcriptomic changes of articular cartilage in a rat model were investigated to explore the molecular mechanism in early PTOA progression. Design Anterior cruciate ligament transection and medial meniscectomy (ACLT + MMx)–induced PTOA model was applied on male Wistar rats. Articular cartilages were harvested at time 0 (naïve), 2 week, and 4 weeks after surgery. Affymetrix Rat genome 230 2.0 array was utilized to analyze the gene expression changes of articular cartilages. Results We identified 849 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 2 weeks and 223 DEGs at 4 weeks post–ACLT + MMx surgery compared with time 0 (naïve group). Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed to gain further insights from these DEGs. 22 novel genes and 1 novel KEGG pathway (axon guidance) in cartilage degeneration of osteoarthritis were identified. Axon guidance molecules— Gnai1, Sema4d, Plxnb1, and Srgap2 commonly dysregulated in PTOA progression. Gnai1 gene showed a concordant change in protein expression by immunohistochemistry staining. Conclusions Our study identified 22 novel dysregulated genes and axon guidance pathway associated with articular cartilage degeneration in PTOA progression. These findings provide the potential candidates of biomarkers and therapeutic targets for further investigation.

Oil spilling has been a serious problem in the world for a long time, which can bring toxic substances to marine life. A large number of researchers around the world have introduced many measures to address this problem. One of the effective methods to remove oil from the oil/water mixture is to absorb oil from the mixture. Here, we prepared porous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) membranes using the electrospinning approach with different sized syringe needles, and used these membranes to absorb oil from the top of the water. It was found that the diameter of the needle has a big impact on the size and structure of the pores on the PLA fibers. The oil absorption capacity of membranes increases with a decreasing needle diameter due to the increased pore volume and specific surface area. The highest absorption capacity reached was 42.38 g/g for vacuum pump oil, 28.17 g/g for peanut oil, and 6.74 g/g for diesel oil.

Whether aging or Parkinson's disease (PD) affects the responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to immunosuppression by bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSCs) and which cytokines are more effective in inducing BM-MSCs to be immunosuppressive remains to be elucidated. PBMCs were isolated from healthy young (age 26–35), healthy middle-aged (age 56–60) and middle-aged PD-affected individuals. All the recruits were male. The mitogen-stimulated PBMCs and proinflammatory cytokine-pretreated BM-MSCs were co-cultured. The PBMC proliferation was measured using Cell Counting Kit-8, while the cytokine secretion was assayed by cytometric bead array technology. The immunosuppressive ability of BM-MSCs was confirmed in young healthy, middle-aged healthy and middle-aged PD-affected individuals. Among the three groups, the PBMC proliferation and cytokine secretion of the young healthy group were suppressed more significantly compared with those of the middle-aged healthy and middle-aged PD-affected group. No significant differences were identified in the PBMC proliferation and cytokine secretion between the patients with PD and the middle-aged healthy subjects. Interferon (IFN)-γ synergized with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1α or IL-1β was more effective than either one alone, and the combinations of IFN-γ + IL-1α and IFN-γ + IL-1β were more effective than IFN-γ + TNF-α in inducing BM-MSCs to inhibit PBMC proliferation. The results of the present study suggested that aging, rather than PD, affects the response of PBMCs toward the suppression of BM-MSC, at least in middle-aged males. Patients with PD aged 56–60 remain eligible for anti-inflammatory BM-MSC-based therapy. Treatment of BM-MSCs with IFN-γ + IL-1α or IFN-γ + IL-1β prior to transplantation may result in improved immunosuppressive effects.

The menisci are the essential structures of the knee joint because they disperse body weight and reduce friction during the movement. An avulsion fracture of the posterior medial meniscus root, also known as meniscal ossicles, can lead to meniscal extrusion. Consequently, the medial meniscus loses its ability to absorb hoop stress. One patient presented with nonunion posterior root avulsion fracture of the medial meniscus concomitant with posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury. The patient underwent arthroscopic suture repair through the placement of a tibial tunnel 1 year after injury. The fracture united well, and complete recovery was achieved at the 2-year follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing a posterior root avulsion fracture of the medial meniscus with concomitant PCL avulsion fracture.

The first report of Paleoproterozoic mafic high-pressure (HP) granulite terranes in Manjinggou area of the Huai’an Complex, North China Craton (NCC) since 1992 has attracted broad attention from geologists, and accordingly various Early Precambrian continent-continent collision or micro-blocks amalgamation hypotheses were suggested. ​However, one important issue is still controversial whether the pelitic granulites and associated mafic H P granulites underwent similar metamorphic history. Here we report newly recognized pelitic H P granulites in Manjinggou area of the Huai’an Complex to provide direct evidence that both pelitic and mafic H P granulites suffered similar metamorphic history. The metamorphic peak mineral assemblage of the pelitic granulites is characterized by Grt-Ky-Kfs-Bt-Rt-Qz-Liq±Ms, and the subsequent medium-pressure (M P ) granulite facies retrogression is characterized by Grt-Sil-Kfs-Pl-Bt-Rt-Liq-Qz. Pseudosection approaches were undertaken in the Na 2 O-CaO-K 2 O-FeO-MgO-Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 -H 2 O-TiO 2 -O (NCKFMASHTO) system to account for textural development, mineral composition and P – T evolution of the pelitic granulites. The estimated peak and retrograde granulite facies conditions are 11.5–15 kbar, 810–860 °C and ∼9.5 kbar, ∼850 °C, respectively, comparable with those of associated mafic H P granulites. Consistently, field geological observations and available geochronological data also indicate their similar deformation and metamorphic history from H P granulite facies stage (∼1.96–1.90 Ga) to retrograde stages (∼1.88–1.80 Ga). This finding changes previous views that the pelitic rocks and associated mafic granulites are different slabs with individual metamorphic history. The khondalite series from the Huai’an Complex and adjacent Ji’ning Complex were probably experienced H P granulite facies metamorphism, but previously derived M P granulite facies conditions might be attributed to mineral re-equilibrium due to long dwell time under M P granulite facies. Additionally, these granulite facies rocks record high apparent geothermal gradients and slow exhumation rates relative to H P –UH P rocks in the Phanerozoic continental collisional orogens. It seems to indicate that the thermal regimes and tectonic mechanisms of Paleoproterozoic probably differ from those of Phanerozoic eons, and these H T –H P granulite terranes from the NCC were likely formed in a hot and slow cooling orogen.

Recently, more attention has been paid to Precambrian magma events and crustal growth of the North China Craton (NCC), accompanying with controversy in activity stages and dynamic mechanism. In this study, we report the Archean (2802 ± 13 Ma) granodioritic gneisses in the Taihua Complex from the Xiaoqinling area, located in the southern margin of the NCC. The zircon Lu–Hf isotope analysis of the rocks showed 176Hf/177Hf ratios of 0.280977–0.281228, corresponding to eHf(t) values ranging from −3.5 to +6.6, and two–stage Hf model ages varying from 2836 to 3409 Ma. It was confirmed that late Mesoarchean (2.9–2.8 Ga) juvenile crust made contribution to the source material of these ca. 2.8 Ga granodioritic gneisses in the Xiaoqinling area. The whole rock geochemical data indicate that the granodioritic gneisses are high-K calc-alkaline series, probably generated at relatively high pressure and temperature, and formed under the continental arc setting. Statistically, we conclude that the magmatic activities during 2.9–2.7 Ga may represent the most intense crustal growth events in the NCC and these Archean rocks at different locations in southern NCC underwent a similar crustal evolution history.

We had previously demonstrated that excitatory amino acid glutamate plays a role in the progression and severity of knee osteoarthritis (OA), and early hyaluronic acid injection attenuates the OA progression by attenuation of knee joint glutamate level, which was also related to the cystine/glutamate antiporter system X (system XC-) expression. System XC- uptakes cystine into chondrocytes for glutathione (GSH) synthesis, but the role of system XC- in OA is rarely addressed. Sulfasalazine (SSZ) is a system XC- inhibitor; SSZ was applied intra-articularly to study the function of system XC- in the development of OA in rats subjected to anterior cruciate ligament transection and medial meniscectomy (ACLT + MMx). Moerover, the system XC- activator N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was also applied to verify the role of system XC-. The intra-articular injection of SSZ significantly attenuated knee swelling and cartilage destruction in the knees of ACLT + MMx rats and this effect was blocked by NAC. The results showed that inhibition of system XC- function can attenuate ACLT + MMx-induced cartilage destruction. In the present study, system XC- inhibitor SSZ was shown to reduce glutamate content in synovial fluid and GSH in chondrocytes. It was also showed SSZ could attenuate ACLT + MMx-induced cartilage destruction, and treatment of NAC reversed the protective effect of SSZ.

The Taihua Complex is exposed mostly in the central-western part along the southern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). In this study, field geological, geochemical, LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb age dating and Lu-Hf isotopic analysis are applied to the orthorgneisses, felsic leucosomes, and granites of the Taihua Complex, in order to provide constraints on its crustal evolution from the Mesoarchean to Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2.9–1.8 Ga). The ca. 2.90–2.73 Ga magmatism was an important episode of contemporaneous crustal growth and crustal reworking. Among them, the ca. 2.90 Ga granodioritic enclaves have features similar to those of the Archean sanukitoids, and were generated by the direct partial melting of peridotitic mantle wedge in the subduction processes, representing the early continental nucleus. The ca. 2.84 Ga high Mg# TTGs were derived from the partial melting of subducted oceanic crust after interaction with mantle wedge, whereas the ca. 2.82–2.77 Ga low Mg# TTGs were originated from the partial melting of underplated basaltic crust, pointing to a series of continuous arc magmatic activities. The formation of the ca. 2.75–2.73 Ga crust-derived granites and felsic leucosomes in association with the contemporaneous metamorphism indicate the presence of a crustal anatexis, which probably was the result of an important magmatic underplating event. The magmatism between 2.9 Ga and 2.73 Ga indicates that the increased crust-mantle interaction and crustal differentiation stimulated the crust in the Taihua Complex to become more matural. The ca. 2.57–2.43 Ga magmatism represents another prominent magmatism in the Taihua Complex. The TTG gneisses and dioritic gneisses aged at ca. 2.57–2.50 Ga were derived from partial melting of the hydrated basalts under eclogite to garnet amphibolite facies conditions with interaction between initial melts and mantle wedge, indicating that incessant subduction led to the amalgamation of micro-blocks. The intrusion of granitic rocks, felsic leucosomes, TTG-like gneisses accompanied by metamorphism during ca. 2.50–2.43 Ga indicate that a dominant crustal anatexis event occurred in association with the cratonic stabilization processes. The ca. 2.36–2.24 Ga magmatism was also characterized by reworking of the basement rocks, which are represented by the intrusion of calc-alkaline monzogneisses, A-type granitic gneisses and mafic dykes. This scenario was coeval with the formation of volcanic-sedimentary sequences, indicating the presence of an extension event in the Taihua Complex. The ca. 1.96–1.85 Ga tectono-thermal event represented the last phase of compressional deformation and consequent metamorphism, leading to reworking of the pre-existed basement rocks. This event formed a WNW-ESE trending metamorphic belt that extends over 1000 km along the southern margin of the NCC and was well concordant with the world-wide orogeny associated with the amalgamation of Nuna supercontinent. Subsequently, widespread A-type granites, mafic dykes and volcanic rocks aged of ca. 1.84–1.74 Ga formed, marking the final consolidation of the crystalline basement at the Taihua Complex. Since then, the southern NCC became stable and entered into the stage of development of platform.

The lab-on-a-chip (LOC) has attracted much attention recently as the advances in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). The applications of lab-on-a-chip devices include point-of-care disease diagnostics, medicine analysis, and drugs discovery. The flow-based microfluidic biochip has been adopted to implement lab-on-chips. However, the flow-based microfluidic biochips are usually designed manually due to the lack of computer-aided design tools. Manual design procedures are time consuming and make the developments less efficient. Furthermore, there may be human negligence as the designs become more complicated. In this paper, we propose a systematic methodology on control-layer design of flow-based microfluidic biochips. Optimized solutions can be found efficiently through the proposed design procedure.

The rapid economic and social developments in the Luoyuan and Lianjiang counties of Fujian Province, China, raise certain environment and ecosystem issues. The unusual phytoplankton bloom and eutrophication, for example, have increased in severity in Luoyuan Bay (LB). The constant increase of nutrient loads has largely caused the environmental degradation in LB. Several countermeasures have been implemented to solve these environmental problems. The most effective of these strategies is the reduction of pollutant loadings into the sea in accordance with total pollutant load control (TPLC) plans. A combined three-dimensional hydrodynamic transport-transformation model was constructed to estimate the marine environmental capacity of chemical oxygen demand (COD). The allowed maximum loadings for each discharge unit in LB were calculated with applicable simulation results. The simulation results indicated that the environmental capacity of COD is approximately 11×104 t year−1 when the water quality complies with the marine functional zoning standards for LB. A pollutant reduction scheme to diminish the present levels of mariculture- and domestic-based COD loadings is based on the estimated marine COD environmental capacity. The obtained values imply that the LB waters could comply with the targeted water quality criteria. To meet the revised marine functional zoning standards, discharge loadings from discharge units 1 and 11 should be reduced to 996 and 3236 t year−1, respectively.

The study aim was to determine the extent and determinants of reporting depressive symptoms in caregivers for persons with intellectual disabilities based on assessment of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). A cross-sectional study was conducted, recruiting 455 caregivers for adults with ID who were providing care in community residences, with complete PHQ-9 data being analyzed. The results indicated that the mean of each item scored on the PHQ-9 varied from 0.3 (Q9) to 1.1 (Q4). For two items (Q3 - "sleeping difficulties" and Q4 - "fatigue"), the respondents reported occurrence during several days in the previous two weeks. However, after scrutinizing the distribution of each item in the PHQ-9, 3.3-14.5% respondents reported that each item happened nearly every day, and 4.0-17.8% expressed that each happened more than half of the days in the previous two weeks. With respect to difficulties examined on the PHQ, 47% of cases expressed that it was somewhat difficult, 8.2% expressed that it was very difficult, and 4.5% felt that it was extremely difficult to work, care for things at home, or get along with others. Finally, a logistic regression model revealed that only one factor of self-perceived health status (fair/poor vs. excellent/very good, OR=7.519, 95% CI=3.03-18.68, p

Aims Study on the in vivo regulatory role of glutamate in osteoblast (OB) and osteoclast (OC) differentiation is less advanced. The present study investigated the effect of dextromethorphan (DXM), an N-methyl- d -aspartate receptors (NMDARs) antagonist, on osteoporosis development. Main methods In order to examine the role of glutamate in bone metabolism, ovariectomized (Ovx) female Wistar rats were injected three times per week for 8 weeks with either saline, or 15 μg/kg of β-estrodiol, or DXM (40 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Serum samples were collected every two weeks for measuring osteocalcin and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1) level. Rats were then sacrificed at week 8 and the femurs harvested for micro-CT scanning and mechanical strength. Key findings In saline-treated group, osteocalcin level significantly lower than that of sham-operated rats at 8 weeks after operation, while CTX-1 levels were not affected. Estrogen treatment, as a positive control, partially inhibited the Ovx-induced reduction of osteocalcin serum level. DXM injection prevented the Ovx-induced reduction of osteocalcin expression and significantly upregulated CTX-1 expression. The micro-CT scan showed that the bone volume density decreased significantly in DXM treated rats compared to the sham-operated rats. In the mechanical strength assay, the maximum failure load for DXM treatment was significantly lower than the other groups. Significance Treatment with DXM upregulated OB and OC markers in Ovx rats, however with a greater effect on the OC marker, and had no significant benefit on bone volume density or bone strength.

The primary healthcare service profile is important and provides valuable information on healthcare policies for patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and co-occurring conditions. The present study analyzed data associated with outpatient care visits and expenditures in patients with ASD and co-occurring intellectual disability (ID) using healthcare setting insurance claims data in Taiwan. A retrospective analysis was conducted by merging database of healthcare setting medical care discharge claims used by the Taiwan Bureau of National Health Insurance and Disability Registration System. There were 5273 children and adolescents with ASD who utilized outpatient services during the year 2005. Taiwan NHI claims (510 cases with co-occurring ID and 4763 cases without ID) were analyzed in the study. The study found that ASD subjects without ID have 1.6-fold the annual outpatient visits of those with ID (13 visits vs. 8 visits). Those ASD cases with ID are more likely to use psychiatric visits and that individuals without ID use more rehabilitation services. The total annual outpatient care expenditure from 5273 children and adolescents with ASD was 137,842,159 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD). Cases without ID have increased medical costs compared with cases with ID in annual outpatient care expenditure (OR = 1.274, 95% CI = 1.173–1.384). A logistic regression analysis of outpatient expenditure (low vs. high) showed that of the cases with ASD and ID, the factors of age (reference: 6–11 years; 0–5 years, OR = 1.383, 95% CI = 1.106–1.730), severe illness (reference: no; OR = 1.838, 95% CI = 1.538–2.196), low income family (reference: no; OR = 1.799, 95% CI = 1.344–2.408), medical care setting (reference: clinic; private hospital: OR = 1.769, 95% CI = 1.199–2.610; corporate hospital, OR = 1.624, 95% CI = 1.139–2.315) and clinical unit (reference: psychiatric; rehabilitation, OR = 1.913, 95% CI = 1.651–2.344; pediatrics, OR = 1.461, 95% CI = 1.014–2.017) had more outpatient costs (on average) than their counterparts. Finally, this study highlights that health authorities should pay much attention to the factors which correlated to medical needs and costs of children and adolescents with ASD and ID to ensure efficacy of medication and continuing support for patients in treatment.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is widely used to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). An association of reduction of glutamate content with the synovial fluid of OA rats was reported previously.Anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT) was performed on one knee in male Wistar rats, the other knee was assigned to sham control and HA or saline was injected intraarticularly into the ACLT knee from week 3 to week 7. Knee dialysate was collected for amino acid measurement at week 20. Morphology and histopathology of the femoral medial condyles and synovium were examined and evaluated using Mankin and synovitis scores.HA injection provided better cartilage (3.38 ± 0.03 vs. 5.45 ± 0.0.02) and synovial condition (3 ± 0.02 vs. 6.03 ± 0.02) than saline controls. Moreover, HA injection reduced the concentration of glutamates in knee dialysates compared to saline controls (1.11 ± 0.14-folds and 2.21 ± 0.19-folds of the sham-operated knee, respectively). Cystine/glutamate antiporter system [Formula: see text] expression was significantly downregulated in the saline group, but not in the HA group (0.32 ± 0.08-folds and 0.71 ± 0.10-folds of the sham-operated knee, respectively).Early intraarticular injection of HA attenuates the progression of cartilage destruction in the ACLT knee, and the downregulation of the cystine/glutamate antiporter system [Formula: see text] was accompanied by the progression of OA.

Based on a systematic review of morphology and distribution of plants, alternate names, actions, and properties of herbs recorded in ancient and modern literatures, in combination of field investigation, 18 Chinese herbal medicines recorded in ancient bencao literature were regarded to be derived from 7 species in the Ardisia genus. Among them, the variety Ardisia crenata f. hortensis was identified as the source of Zhushagen and Zijinniu. A. hanceana is referenced as Tiesan in the illustrated atlas of Botanical Nomenclature (Zhiwu Mingshi Tukao). The name Pingdimu refers to a different substance in the illustrated atlas of Botanical Nomenclature and the Flower Mirror (Huajing). The medicinals named Yedihong, Aicha, and Duanjiao sanlangare all derived from A. japonica. The origin of the herb Xiaoqing referenced in the Illustrated Classic of the Materia Medica (Bencao Tujing) is A. pusilla. The medicinals Bailiangjin, Jiuguanxue and Zoumatai are derived from A. crispa, A. brevicaulis, and A. gigantifolia, respectively. This investigation clarifies the botanical sources and actions of related Chinese medicinal materials in the genus Ardisia, and provides clues and evidence for utilizing and developing their medicinal plant resources.

Interspinous spacers have been designed to provide a minimally invasive surgical technique for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis. A novel pedicle screw-based interspinous spacer has been developed in this study, and the aim of this finite element experiment was to investigate the biomechanical differences between the pedicle screw-based interspinous spacer (M-rod system) and the typical interspinous spacer (Coflex-F™). A validated finite element model of an intact lumbar spine was used to analyze the insertions of the Coflex-F™, titanium alloy M-rod (M-Ti), and polyetheretherketone M-rod (M-PEEK), independently. The range of motion (ROM) between each vertebrae, stiffness of the implanted level, the peak stress at the intervertebral discs, and the contact forces on spinous process were analyzed. Of all three devices, the Coflex-F™ provided the largest restrictions in extension, flexion and lateral bending. For intervertebral disc, the peak stress at the implanted segment decreased by 81% in the Coflex-F™, 60.2% in the M-Ti and 46.7% in the M-PEEK when compared to the intact model. For the adjacent segments, while the Coflex-F™ caused considerable increases in the ROM and disc stress, the M-PEEK only had small changes.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to objectively evaluate whether double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can better restore the normal translational and rotational laxities than the conventional single-bundle ACL reconstruction among the reported biomechanical studies. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted to identify in vitro and in vivo (intraoperative) biomechanical studies that compared the laxities (anterior or anteroposterior or rotational) between single- and double-bundle ACL reconstructions. Because of large variability among the loading conditions and testing methods used to determine the rotational laxities among the studies, a meta-analysis of rotational laxities was not feasible. Results Seven in vitro and three in vivo studies were included in this analysis based on the predefined inclusion criteria. The overall mean differences calculated by the random effects model in anteroposterior laxity between the single-bundle and double-bundle ACL reconstruction techniques at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion were 0.99 mm, 0.38 mm, 0.34 mm, and 0.07 mm, respectively. No statistically significant difference was noted between the 2 treatments at all flexion angles. Among the 9 studies that compared the rotational laxity of single-bundle and double-bundle ACL reconstructions, 4 reported that double-bundle reconstruction can provide better rotational control than single-bundle reconstruction. The other 5 studies could not identify any significant difference between the 2 reconstructions in terms of rotational laxity. Conclusions Both single- and double-bundle treatment options for ACL injury result in similar anteroposterior knee joint laxity at time 0. No conclusive evidence on the superiority of 1 reconstruction technique over the other in terms of rotation laxity can be obtained because of several variations in the experimental protocol and the kinematics used to measure the rotational laxity among the studies. Level of Evidence Level III, meta-analysis.

The interface excitation (IE) on intermolecular interface is a common concept connecting the glass transition (GT), macromolecular entan-glement (ME), and turbulence. IE has an addi-tional repulsion energy and extra vacancy vol-ume that result from the two neighboring molecules with antiparallel delocalization all in, e.g., the z-axial ground state of single-molecule instantaneous polarized dipole at GT. IEs only occur in the 8 orders of 2D IE loop-flows on lo-cal x-y projection plane. Theoretical proof of the 3.4 power law of ME viscosity reveals that (i) the delocalization mode of GT and solid-liquid tran-sition is solitary wave; wave- particle duality of solitary wave is ascribed to the equal probabili-ties between appearing and disappearing of IE loop-flow in inverse cascade and cascade mode; (ii) macromolecular chain-length in ME motion corresponds to Reynolds number in hydrody-namics; both the ME motion and the turbulent flow obey the same scale law. IE is not the ex-citation of dipole energy level at GT. However, when IEs are associated with the energy levels of instantaneous polarized dipole, we predict that the coherent structure formed by multilevel 8 orders of 2D IE loop-flows is the physical ori-gin of turbulence based on the universal ran-dom delocalization transition theory.

A basic concept in chain-particle cluster-motion, from frozen glassy state to melt state, is the 2D soft nano-scale mosaic structure formed by 8 orders of 2D interface excitation (IE) loop-flows, from small to large in inverse cascade and re-arrangement structure in cascade along local one direction. IE has additional repulsive energy and extra vacancy volume. IE results from that the instantaneous synchronal polarized electron charge coupling pair is able to parallel transport on the interface between two neighboring chain-particles with antiparallel delocalization. This structure accords with de Gennes' mosaic structure picture, from which we can directly deduce glass transition temperature, melt temperature, free volume fraction, critical entangled chain length, and activation energy to break solid lattice. This is also the in-herency maximum order-potential structure in random systems., Comment: 10Papers, 6 figures, 14 References

Failure to diagnose injury to the posterolateral structures has been found to increase the forces experienced by the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and ACL grafts which may cause their subsequent failure. An isolated injury to the popliteus complex (PC) consisting of the popliteus tendon and popliteofibular ligament is not uncommon. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to discover if an isolated injury to the PC can significantly affect the forces experienced by the ACL graft under external loading conditions. We hypothesised that, under external tibial torque, the ACL graft will experience a significant increase in force, in knees with PC injury compared to the intact PC condition. Under varus tibial torque (10 N m), we observed minimal changes in the varus tibial rotation due to isolated sectioning of the PC in an ACL reconstructed knee (P > 0.05). Consequently, no significant increase in the ACL graft force was observed under varus tibial torque. In contrast, sectioning the PC resulted in a significant increase in the external tibial rotation compared to the intact PC knee condition under the external rotational tibial torque (5 N m) at all flexion angles (P

This study examines the effects of the temperature field on the sensitization of Alloy 690 butt welds fabricated using the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) method and the laser beam welding (LBW) method, respectively. The welding thermal cycles of the two welding methods are simulated using ANSYS software based upon a moving heat source model and the high-temperature thermal physical property data maintained in the JMatPro database. The validity of the numerical model is confirmed by comparing the simulation results with the corresponding experimental findings. It is found that the agreement between the numerical results for the temperature field and the experimental temperature measurements by utilizing the value of the thermal diffusivity (α) in the thermal model for the GTAW and LBW weldments. In addition, it is shown that the LBW weldment experiences a more rapid heating and cooling effect than the GTAW weldment, and therefore has both a smaller heat-affected zone (HAZ) and a narrower sensitization region. Overall, the simulation results presented in this study are found to be in good agreement with the experimental findings. Thus, the validity and general applicability of the thermal welding model are confirmed.

The current study investigates the effect of the beam offset (BOF) on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and the corrosion resistance of the fusion zone (FZ) of Alloy 690–SUS 304L stainless steel (SS) dissimilar metal butt joints formed by electron beam welding (EBW). The experimental results showed that as the value of the BOF increased from 0 to 0.30 mm, i.e. the electron beam shifted progressively toward the Alloy 690 base metal (BM), the tensile strength of the FZ fell from 582.1 to 541.2 MPa. However, the modified Huey test results indicated that the interdendritic corrosion resistance of the FZ was significantly enhanced. Pit nucleation potential value (Enp) was raised from 385 to 1050 mV. An offset of 0.30 mm appears to be the optimal BOF setting when fabricating Alloy 690–SUS 304L SS dissimilar metal butt joints using the EBW technique.

Background: The function of the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during gait has not been reported. Hypothesis: The AM and PL bundles have distinct functional behavior during the stance phase of treadmill gait. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Three-dimensional models of the knee were created by magnetic resonance images from 8 healthy subjects. The contour of the 2 bundle attachments were constructed on each model. Each bundle was represented by a straight line connecting its tibial and femoral attachment centroids. Next, the knee kinematics during the stance phase of gait was determined with a dual fluoroscopic imaging system. The relative elongation, sagittal plane elevation, coronal plane elevation, and transverse plane deviation of the 2 bundles were measured directly from heel strike to toe-off. Results: At heel strike, the AM and PL bundles had first peak elongation of 9% ± 7% and 9% ± 13%, respectively. At 50% progress of the stance phase, both bundles were maximally elongated, 12% ± 7% for the AM bundle and 13% ± 15% for the PL bundle. No significant difference was found for each bundle between 40% and 60% of the stance phase ( P > .05). With increasing knee flexion, the sagittal plane and coronal plane elevations of the 2 bundles decreased, whereas the deviation angles increased. Conclusion: Both bundles are anisometric and function in a similar manner during the stance phase of gait. They were maximally elongated throughout the midstance where they were stretched maximally to resist anterior tibial translation. Clinical relevance: This information can be useful for further improving anatomical ACL reconstructions to better reproduce the 2 bundle functions. It may also be useful for designing postoperative rehabilitation regimens to prevent overstretch of the grafts.

This study focused on the temperature distributions and thermal histories of alloy 690 weldments, as well as the residual stress, grain boundary character distribution, degree of sensitization, and carbide precipitation, to evaluate the combined effects of these factors on the intergranular corrosion resistance of the weldments. Both laser beam welding and gas tungsten arc welding were performed for comparison. The results show that laser beam welding, with its narrower temperature distribution and rapid heating/cooling, resulted in more low energy Σ (1 ≦ Σ ≦ 9) boundaries, lower residual stress, and considerable suppression of Cr 23 C 6 carbide formation. Therefore, laser weldment had a low degree of sensitization, and thus the intergranular corrosion resistance was significantly improved.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency alters 6 degrees of freedom knee kinematics, yet only anterior translation and internal rotation have been the primary measures in previous studies. Purpose: To compare the 6 degrees of freedom knee kinematics and the graft forces after single- and double-bundle ACL reconstructions under various external loading conditions. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Ten human cadaveric knees were tested with a robotic testing system under 4 conditions: intact, ACL deficient, single-bundle reconstructed with a quadrupled hamstring tendon graft, and double-bundle reconstructed with 2 looped hamstring tendon grafts. Knee kinematics and forces of the ACL or ACL graft in each knee were measured under 3 loading conditions: an anterior tibial load of 134 N, a simulated quadriceps muscle load of 400 N, and combined tibial torques (10 N·m valgus and 5 N·m internal tibial torques) at 0°, 15°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion. Results: The double-bundle reconstruction restored the anterior and medial laxities closer to the intact knee than the single-bundle reconstruction. However, the internal rotation of the tibia under the simulated quadriceps muscle load was significantly decreased when compared with the intact knee after both reconstructions, more so after double-bundle reconstruction ( P < .05). The entire graft force of the double-bundle reconstruction was more similar to that of the intact ACL than that of the single-bundle reconstruction. However, the posterolateral bundle graft in the double-bundle reconstructed knee was overloaded as compared with the intact posterolateral bundle. Conclusion: The double-bundle reconstruction can better restore the normal anterior-posterior and medial-lateral laxities than the single-bundle reconstruction can, but an overloading of the posterolateral bundle graft can occur in a double-bundle reconstructed knee. Clinical relevance: Both single-bundle and double-bundle techniques cannot restore the rotational laxities and the ACL force distributions of the intact knee.

Transtibial pullout suture (TPS) repair of posterior medial meniscus root (PMMR) tears was shown to achieve good clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare biomechanically, a novel technique designed to repair PMMR tears using tendon graft (TG) and conventional TPS repair. Twelve porcine tibiae (n = 6 each) TG group: flexor digitorum profundus tendon was passed through an incision in the root area, created 5 mm postero-medially along the edge of the attachment area. TPS group: a modified Mason-Allen suture was created using no. 2 FiberWire. The tendon grafts and sutures were threaded through the bone tunnel and then fixed to the anterolateral cortex of the tibia. The two groups underwent cyclic loading followed by a load-to-failure test. Displacements of the constructs after 100, 500, and 1000 loading cycles, and the maximum load, stiffness, and elongation at failure were recorded. The TG technique had significantly lower elongation and higher stiffness compared with the TPS. The maximum load of the TG group was significantly lower than that of the TPS group. Failure modes for all specimens were caused by the suture or graft cutting through the meniscus. Lesser elongation and higher stiffness of the constructs in TG technique over those in the standard TPS technique might be beneficial for postoperative biological healing between the meniscus and tibial plateau. However, a slower rehabilitation program might be necessary due to its relatively lower maximum failure load.

This study investigates the correlation between the thermal cycles experienced by Alloy 690 weldments fabricated using gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and laser beam welding (LBW) processes, and their corresponding corrosion resistance properties. The corrosion resistance of the weldments is evaluated using a U-bend stress corrosion test in which the specimens are immersed in a boiling, acid solution for 240 h. The experimental results reveal that the LBW inputs significantly less heat to the weldment than the GTAW, and therefore yields a far faster cooling rate. Moreover, the corrosion tests show that in the GTAW specimen, intergranular corrosion (IGC) occurs in both the fusion zone (FZ) and the heat affected zone (HAZ). By contrast, the LBW specimen shows no obvious signs of IGC.

This study investigates the effects of welding method, peak temperature, and cooling rate on the susceptibility to intergranular corrosion of alloy 690 weldments. The experimental results reveal that the laser beam welding process with cooling rate of around 212.6 °C/s can be produced with much less mass loss and a lower value of maximum reactivation current density/maximum anodic current density than with the gas tungsten arc welding process, where cooling rate is at around 17–20.6 °C/s. This is because the very rapid cooling rate during welding leads to an insufficient exposure time of around 2.1 s within the chromium (Cr)-carbide precipitation temperature range, suppressing Cr-carbide precipitation and Cr-depletion along grain boundaries in the weld decay region of the heat affected zone.

The reliability characteristics of silicon–oxide–nitride–oxide–silicon (SONOS) devices with different thin tunnel oxides are studied. The device with the tunnel oxynitride grown in pure N2O ambient at a high temperature has better performance, including better leakage current, programming speed, read-disturb, and retention characteristics, than that with a tunnel oxide layer grown by dry oxidation with N2 annealing treatment. Moreover, the properties of two-bit operation are also displayed by a reverse read method. Furthermore, the surface roughness and interface states between a tunnel oxide layer and a Si substrate are also observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and charge-pumping method to evaluate interfacial nitrogen incorporation. The results show that data retention reliability attained a significant improvement while maintaining good programming/erase performance and two-bit operation. This work can provide a straightforward way of reliability improvement for future flash memory application.

A silicon nitride film is one of the most important factors for determining the trapping efficiency of nonvolatile silicon–oxide–nitride–oxide–silicon (SONOS) memory devices. In this work, we focus on the nitride-layer deposition at different temperatures by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) and examine the trap levels through photoluminescence (PL) measurement. Moreover, using DC current–voltage (I–V) and capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurements, we investigate the electrical characteristics, breakdown characteristics, and the relationship between performance and trap-level depth. Our results show that the silicon nitride deposited by LPCVD at 830 °C has better performance and reliability. However, the charge-to-breakdown (QBD) quality of the nitride film deposited at 600 °C is better due to the suppression of the influence of the transition layer near the interface at the lower deposition temperature. In summary, this study can help researchers to understand the temperature effect on nitride-film deposition and the analysis of its electrical characteristics.

We had previously demonstrated that excitatory amino acid glutamate plays a role in the progression and severity of knee osteoarthritis (OA), and early hyaluronic acid injection attenuates the OA progression by attenuation of knee joint glutamate level, which was also related to the cystine/glutamate antiporter system X (system XC-) expression. System XC- uptakes cystine into chondrocytes for glutathione (GSH) synthesis, but the role of system XC- in OA is rarely addressed. Sulfasalazine (SSZ) is a system XC- inhibitor; SSZ was applied intra-articularly to study the function of system XC- in the development of OA in rats subjected to anterior cruciate ligament transection and medial meniscectomy (ACLT + MMx). Moerover, the system XC- activator N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was also applied to verify the role of system XC-. The intra-articular injection of SSZ significantly attenuated knee swelling and cartilage destruction in the knees of ACLT + MMx rats and this effect was blocked by NAC. The results showed that inhibition of system XC- function can attenuate ACLT + MMx-induced cartilage destruction. In the present study, system XC- inhibitor SSZ was shown to reduce glutamate content in synovial fluid and GSH in chondrocytes. It was also showed SSZ could attenuate ACLT + MMx-induced cartilage destruction, and treatment of NAC reversed the protective effect of SSZ.

The purpose of this study was to review the correlation between the imaging studies and the histological findings in the diagnosis of this disease. We retrospectively reviewed 21 lesions in 20 patients (median age, 23.7 years old) who had been diagnosed with cavernous haemangiomas (n=11), capillary (n=6), and mixed (n=3) types. The imaging studies were obtained with plain film radiography (n=20), Tc-99 m bone scans (n=5), angiography (n=7) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; n=20). All the patients underwent marginal to wide excision. Based on the imaging studies, the rate of accurate prediction of intramuscular haemangioma using MRI in our study was 90%. Using the preoperative imaging studies and surgical excisions, only one (5%) local recurrence happened 2 years after marginal excision. The remaining patients were free of disease. For the avoidance of recurrence, wide excision is necessary with the help of the imaging studies, which can provide more specific information, making possible the preoperative identification of characteristic features of the tumuor.

Pre-bond testing of silicon interposer is difficult due to the large number of nets to be tested and small number of test access ports. Recently, it was proposed to include a test interposer that is contacted with the interposer under test in the testing process. Combining these two interposers provides access to nets that are not normally accessible. Previous synthesis method for test interposer was based on constrained breadth-first search, which can be time-consuming. Besides, separate test interposers have to be provided for open and short fault testing. In this paper, we present a theoretical study on the topology of testable circuit structure for interconnect faults in silicon interposer. Based on the theoretical framework, a more efficient synthesis method is developed. Furthermore, a single test interposer can be used for both open and short fault detection, which leads to shorter test time and lower test cost.

Most analyses on pressure sensors focus mainly on their static characteristics, while their dynamic characteristics have rarely been explored. In the field of applied engineering, a pressure sensor with a quick response rate and high stability is required to reflect the dynamic behaviour of the hydraulic system. This study developed a square pressure wave generator to replace the traditional directional control valve. The developed generator can generate a square pressure wave of as high as 2 kHz and can achieve high-frequency switching by utilizing the differential principle through a series of mechanical rotations between the revolving spindle and revolving ring. The square pressure wave generated is input into the hydraulic system while the output voltage signals given by the pressure sensor can be analysed by spectrum analysis and system identification to obtain various dynamic characteristics of the pressure sensor, including transfer function, natural resonance frequency and damping ratio.

Objective The visual analog score (VAS) is widely used in clinical medicine to evaluate the severity of subjective symptoms. There is substantial literature on the application of the VAS in medicine, especially in measuring pain, nausea, fatigue, and sleep quality. Hypobaric chambers are utilized to test and exercise the anaerobic endurance of athletes. To this end, we evaluated the degree of AMS using the visual analog scale (VAS) in a hypobaric chamber in which the equivalent altitude was increased from 300 to 3500 m. Methods We observed 32 healthy young men in the hypobaric chamber (Guizhou, China) and increased the altitude from 300 to 3500 m. During the five hours of testing, we measured the resting blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) and heart rate (HR). Using the VAS, we recorded the subjects' ratings of their AMS symptom intensity that occurred throughout the phase of increasing altitude at 300 m, 1500 m, 2000 m, 2500 m, 3000 m, and 3500 m. Results During the phase of increasing altitude in the hypobaric chamber, the patients' SaO2 was 96.8±0.8% at 300 m and 87.5±4.1% at 3500 m (P

Caregivers of adults with an intellectual disability experience depressive symptoms, but the aging factors of the care recipients associated with the depressive symptoms are unknown. The objective of this study was to analyze the onset aging conditions of adults with an intellectual disability that associated with the depression scores of their primary caregivers. A cross-sectional survey was administered to gather information from 455 caregivers of adults with an intellectual disability about their symptoms of depression which assessed by a 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The 12 aging conditions of adults with an intellectual disability include physical and mental health. The results indicate that 78% of adults with an intellectual disability demonstrate aging conditions. Physical conditions associated with aging include hearing decline (66.3%), vision decline (63.6%), incontinence (44%), articulation and bone degeneration (57.9%), teeth loss (80.4), physical strength decline (81.2%), sense of taste and smell decline (52.8%), and accompanied chronic illnesses (74.6%). Mental conditions associated with aging include memory loss (77%), language ability deterioration (74.4%), poor sleep quality (74.2%), and easy onset of depression and sadness (50.3%). Aging conditions of adults with an intellectual disability (p0.001) was one factor that significantly affected the presence of depressive symptom among caregivers after controlling demographic characteristics. Particularly, poor sleep quality of adults with an intellectual disability (yes vs. no, OR=3.807, p=0.002) was statistically correlated to the occurrence of significant depressive symptoms among their caregivers. This study suggests that the authorities should reorient community services and future policies toward the needs of family caregivers to decrease the burdens associated with caregiving.