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The high-temperature deformation and damage behavior of ultrafine-grained (UFG) Cu produced by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) were investigated and compared at two strain rates of 10-2 s-1 and 10-3 s-1. It is found that the strain rate has an obvious effect on the deformation and damage behavior of UFG Cu, especially at the testing temperatures near and above recrystallization. In general, the lower the strain rate, more universally grain coarsening takes place, the lower the yield stress and steady flow stress are, and more aggravated the degree of deformation damage becomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title three compounds have been synthesized by solid state reactions at high temperatures, with excess indium as flux, and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Eu3Co2In15 forms a new structure type and crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4/mbm (No. 127), whereas KM2In9 (M = Co, Ni) in the BaFe2Al9 type crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P6/mmm (No. 191). Their structures all feature a three- dimensional anionic framework based on 1 D [MIn6] single cluster chains composed of face-sharing [MIn9] clusters. in Eu3Co2In15, two adjacent [CoIn6] single cluster chains form a [Co2In11] double cluster chain via corner-sharing In atoms as well as In-In bonds; the latter chains are further interconnected by additional indium atoms via In-In bonds into a complicated 3D framework, forming two types of tunnels along the c-axis, which are filled by the europium atoms. In KM2In9, the [MIn6] single cluster chains are directly interconnected via corner sharing and exo In-In bonds into a 3D framework with the K+ ions encapsulated in the 1 D tunnels along the c-axis. Band structure calculations of three compounds based on density functional theory methods indicate that all three compounds are metallic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present paper we report the results obtained with the photosystem II (PSII) isolated from spinach treated by MgCl2, and studied the effect of Mg2+ on spectral characteristics and photosynthetic functions of PSII. The results showed that Mg2+ treatment at a suitable concentration could significantly increase the absorption intensity of PSII and the intensity ratio of Soret band to Q band of chlorophyll-a. The treatment also elevated the excited peak intensity at 230, 278 and 343nm, and the emitted peak intensity at 304 and 682nm, and the ratio of F 278/F 230, respectively. The results implied that Mg2+ increased absorbance for visible light, improving energy transfer among amino acids within PSII protein complex and accelerating energy transport from tyrosine residue to chlorophyll-a. The photochemical activity and oxygen evolving rate of PSII were also enhanced by Mg2+. This is viewed as evidence that Mg2+ can promote energy transfer and oxygen evolution in PSII of spinach. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: NbCr2 Laves phase intermetallics with or without Ni were successfully synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) and hot pressing (HP) techniques. The mechanical alloyed powders were vacuum hot-pressed at 1250°C for 0.5h. The fracture toughness at room temperature was measured by Anstis’ mode and the responded microstructures were analyzed by using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the addition of Ni could obviously toughen the matrix. When the content of Ni in NbCr2 is about 5at.%, the fracture toughness value increases by about 30% more than that of pure NbCr2. The corresponding toughening mechanisms depend on the following: Ni replacing Cr, solid solution toughening, fine-grain, crack deflection, crack microbridging, crack bowing and branching. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to enhance 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) fraction in copolyesters of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), the propionate permease gene prpP or the propionyl-CoA synthase gene prpE was transformed into Escherichia coli XL10-Gold with co-expression of PHB operon (phaCAB) from Ralstonia eutropha. The recombinant E. coli strains were cultured on mixed carbon sources composed of glucose and propionic acid to promote PHBV accumulation. It was shown that the over-expression of prpE suppressed 3HV incorporation into PHBV copolymer, which led to reduced 3HV fraction. In contrast, the over-expression of prpP improved the 3HV content from 5.6 to 14.3 mol%, followed by an increased PHBV accumulation up to 62wt%. The results showed that the expression of prpP stimulated the uptake and utilization of propionic acid and increased the 3HV fraction in PHBV. However, the over-expression of prpE in E. coli did not affect 3HV content in PHBV. Surprisingly, co-expression of prpE and prpP did not lead to any 3HV formation. This study showed the possibility to change the PHBV composition without overdose of propionic acid which is expensive and toxic for the cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Skin dose is one of the key issues for clinical dosimetry in radiation therapy. Currently planning computer systems are unable to accurately predict dose in the buildup region, leaving ambiguity as to the dose levels actually received by the patient’s skin during radiotherapy. This is one of the prime reasons why in vivo measurements are necessary to estimate the dose in the buildup region. A newly developed metal-oxide-semiconductor-field-effect-transistor (MOSFET) detector designed specifically for dose measurements in rapidly changing dose gradients was introduced for accurate in vivo skin dosimetry. The feasibility of this detector for skin dose measurements was verified in comparison with plane parallel ionization chamber and radiochromic films. The accuracy of a commercial treatment planning system (TPS) in skin dose calculations for intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was evaluated using MOSFET detectors in an anthropomorphic phantom as well as on the patients. Results show that this newly developed MOSFET detector can provide a minimal but highly reproducible intrinsic buildup of 7 mg cm-2 corresponding to the requirements of personal surface dose equivalent Hp (0.07). The reproducibility of the MOSFET response, in high sensitivity mode, is found to be better than 2% at the phantom surface for the doses normally delivered to the patients. The MOSFET detector agrees well with the Attix chamber and the EBT Gafchromic® film in terms of surface and buildup region dose measurements, even for oblique incident beams. While the dose difference between MOSFET measurements and TPS calculations is within measurement uncertainty for the depths equal to or greater than 0.5 cm, an overestimation of up to 8.5% was found for the surface dose calculations in the anthropomorphic phantom study. In vivo skin dose measurements reveal that the dose difference between the MOSFET results and the TPS calculations was on average -7.2%, ranging from -4.3% to -9.2%. The newly designed MOSFET detector encapsulated into a thin water protective film has a minimal reproducible intrinsic buildup recommended for skin dosimetry. This feature makes it very suitable for routine IMRT QA and accurate in vivo skin dosimetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anammox is an efficient and carbon-saving process for biological nitrogen removal; however, the long start-up period and poor stability of anammox bioreactors hinder their application in wastewater treatment. An innovative technical strategy was developed in this study that used a packed-bed biofilm reactor (PBBR) to grow healthy anammox biofilms for the fast start-up of bioreactors. With a greatly reduced fluid turbulence in the PBBR, the attachment and growth of anammox biofilms were found to be accelerated and the specific anammox biofilm formation rate was 60% higher than that in the conventional moving-bed biofilm reactor (0.032 vs. 0.020/d). In the PBBR operation, maintaining a low free ammonia (<2.7 mg/L) and free nitrous acid (<5.8 μg/L) concentrations in the early stage and stepwise increasing the nitrogen load also assisted the biofilm formation. With the rapid anammox biofilm formation and growth, the nitrogen removal capacity of the PBBR increased from 77.6 to 876.8 mg N/(L·d) in 2 months. The anoxic condition and prolonged sludge retention time in the PBBR also benefited the growth of fermentative bacteria and denitrifiers, which induced the partial denitrification–anammox process and decreased the nitrate accumulation by 50%. [Display omitted] • Low turbulent condition in PBBR improved the biofilm formation rate by 60%. • Low FA (<2.7 mg/L) and FNA (<5.8 μg/L) benefited anammox growth and N removal. • PBBR provides a reliable technique for rapid start-up of anammox biofilm reactors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the models of desulfurization and denitrification are added to solve the problem of SO 2 and NO X standardized discharge. The design and optimization strategy of steam power system (SPS) considering contaminant emissions reduction technology is proposed to achieve the trade-off between economic and environmental goals. Detailed superstructure networks of desulfurization based on wet limestone flue gas desulfurization and denitrification based on selective catalytic reduction were established and embedded in the SPS model. Then, based on this combined superstructure model, a mathematical formulation of multiple objective mixed integer nonlinear programming describing the SPS coupled with desulfurization and denitrification was established. The steam flow rate, outlet enthalpy, the consumption of the turbine power of the direct drive equipment and the electricity generated by the turbine, the flow rate and efficiency of desulfurization and denitrification are chosen as the optimization variables. The operating conditions and equipment parameters of the global system are optimized. Finally, the second-generation non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) was applied to obtain the Pareto optimization curve, exploring trade-offs between economic and environmental goals. Two case studies are used to assess the applicability and performance of the optimization formulation and solution algorithm. [Display omitted] • The desulfurization and denitrification were introduced to SPS superstructure model. • The MO-MINLP model of SPS coupled with L-FGD-S and SCR-FGD-N was established. • NSGA-Ⅱ was used to solve the MO-MINLP model. • Total annual cost of case 1 increases by 10.9%, and its environmental impact index is only reduced by 69.2%. • Total annual cost of case 2 is reduced by 1.4%, and its environmental impact index is reduced by 5.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two new ternary ytterbium transition metal stannides, namely, Yb3CoSn6 and Yb4Mn2Sn5, have been obtained by solid-state reactions of the corresponding pure elements in welded tantalum tubes at high temperature. Their crystal structures have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Yb3CoSn6 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm (no. 63) with cell parameters of a=4.662(2), b=15.964(6), c=13.140(5)Å, V=978.0(6)Å3, and Z=4. Its structure features a three-dimensional (3D) open-framework composed of unusual [CoSn3] layers interconnected by zigzag Sn chains, forming large tunnels along the c-axis which are occupied by the ytterbium cations. Yb4Mn2Sn5 is monoclinic space group C2/m (no. 12) with cell parameters of a=16.937(2), b=4.5949(3), c=7.6489(7)Å, β=106.176(4)°, V=571.70(8)Å3, and Z=2. It belongs to the Mg5Si6 structure type and its anionic substructure is composed of parallel [Mn2Sn2] ladders interconnected by unusual zigzag [Sn3] chains, forming large tunnels along the c-axis, which are filled by the ytterbium cations. Band structure calculations based on density function theory methods were also made for both compounds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An artin algebra A is said to be CM-finite if there are only finitely many, up to isomorphisms, indecomposable finitely generated Gorenstein-projective A-modules. We prove that for a Gorenstein artin algebra, it is CM-finite if and only if every its Gorenstein-projective module is a direct sum of finitely generated Gorenstein-projective modules. This is an analogue of Auslander''s theorem on algebras of finite representation type [M. Auslander, A functorial approach to representation theory, in: Representations of Algebras, Workshop Notes of the Third Internat. Conference, in: Lecture Notes in Math., vol. 944, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1982, pp. 105–179; M. Auslander, Representation theory of artin algebras II, Comm. Algebra (1974) 269–310]. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The fatigue fracture behavior of a single-slip-oriented Fe-35wt.% Cr alloy single crystals containing fine-scale Cr-rich precipitates is investigated at constant plastic strain amplitudes (ɛ pl) ranging from 5.0×10−4 to 5.0×10−3 at ambient temperature in air. In the early stage of cyclic deformation, the initial primary crack nucleates at the specimen surface and develops along the primary slip band. With further cycling the deflection of the primary crack takes place into the nearby soft regions, and eventually the zigzag primary crack forms roughly along the primary slip plane , accompanied with a few secondary cracks formed in soft regions. In addition, the fracture surface seems to become more brittle-like with increasing ɛ pl. It is suggested that such a fatigue fracture behavior is mainly bound up with the enhanced strain localization resulting from the dissolution of fine Cr-rich precipitates during cycling, and also with the special macroscopic state of stress, namely, the primary slip plane , which makes an angle of 45° with the stress axis, , is exactly a maximum shear stress plane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Genetic immunity is a new promising approach for the development of novel tuberculosis vaccines. In this study, it is shown that DNA vaccines expressing the fusion protein of antigen 85B (Ag85B) and early secreted antigenic target 6-kDa antigen (ESAT6) can induce high levels of specific IgG2a antibody subtype in the mice. With the prolongation of postimmunization time, the levels of IgG2a antibody decrease gradually. Although a high-level specific IgG2a antibody subtype is also elicited by classical BCG, the ratio of antibody subtypes IgG2a to IgG1 changes 4 weeks after immunization, and IgG1 is gradually shifted to the main antibody subtype. DNA vaccines also elicit cellular immunity as shown by specific spleen lymphocytes proliferation to Ag85B or ESAT6 protein and the production of high levels of IFN-γ and IL-2, which is similar to that elicited by BCG. Vaccination of mice with DNA vaccines expressing the fusion protein Ag85B-ESAT6 results in a significant level of protection against the subsequent high-dose challenge with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) H37Rv. Dramatic reduction in the number of MTB colony-forming units in the spleens and lungs is observed. Pathological examination showed that recombinant plasmid and BCG groups have only minor damage and organizational structures that are kept relatively complete, while in the control group, spleens and lungs are damaged seriously. Therefore, although the reducing degree of mycobacterial loads in the organ of mice immunized with recombinant plasmid is not more than that of BCG, through the analysis of pathological changes, we may conclude that the protective effect provided by DNA vaccine expressing the Ag85B-ESAT6 fusion protein is equivalent to that afforded by the classical BCG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, ovariectomized Sparague-Dawley rats were used to mimic the pathological changes of post-menopausal females with genistein and estradiol benzoate (EB) as substitutes for endogenous estradiol. Measurements of hippocampal ATP content, mitochondrial ATP content and the rate of mitochondrial ATP synthesis in the hippocampus indicated that after ovariectomy, brain energy metabolism of the rats presented a transient change in hippocampal ATP content which was significant from the 6th to the 8th day after ovariectomy. The change on the 6th day was the most noteworthy. Mitochondrial ATP content and the rate of mitochondrial ATP synthesis of the hippocampus were also lowered. However, after using EB or genistein, the three indicators returned to normal. It is suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction may play a key role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) of the post-menopausal female, and may serve as the target for endogenous estrogen and exogenous phytoestrogen. In addition, genistein, which possesses the properties of estrogen but not its side effects such as carcinogenicity, could reverse the bioenergetic defects of ovariectomized rats and perhaps be used as a substitute for estradiol to prevent or treat central neurodegeneration in post-menopausal women. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that a finite-dimensional algebra over an algebraically closed field is of derived dimension 0 if and only if it is an iterated tilted algebra of Dynkin type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to construct comodules of and modules of via quiver, where is not a root of unity. By embedding into the path coalgebra , where is the Gabriel quiver of as a coalgebra, we obtain a basis of in terms of combinations of paths of the quiver ; this special basis enables us to describe the category of -comodules by certain representations of ; and this description further permits us to construct a class of modules of , from certain representations of , via the duality between and . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper deals with the stability of systems with discontinuous right-hand side (with solutions in Filippov’s sense) via locally Lipschitz continuous and regular vector Lyapunov functions. A new type of “set-valued derivative” of vector Lyapunov functions is introduced, some generalized comparison principles on discontinuous systems are shown. Furthermore, Lyapunov stability theory is developed for a class of discontinuous systems based on locally Lipschitz continuous and regular vector Lyapunov functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor about the dislocation structures induced by the cyclic deformation of single-slip-oriented copper single crystals is presented.

The feasibility of a recently designed metal–oxide–semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) dosimetry system for dose verification of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatment planning was investigated. MOSFET detectors were calibrated with a 0.6 cm3 NE-2571 Farmer-type ionization chamber in water. Key characteristics of the MOSFET detectors, such as the energy dependence, that will affect phantom measurements with HDR 192Ir sources were measured. The MOSFET detector was then applied to verify the dosimetric accuracy of HDR brachytherapy treatments in a custom-made water phantom. Three MOSFET detectors were calibrated independently, with the calibration factors ranging from 0.187 to 0.215 cGy/mV. A distance dependent energy response was observed, significant within 2 cm from the source. The new MOSFET detector has a good reproducibility (<3%), small angular effect (<2%), and good dose linearity (R2=1). It was observed that the MOSFET detectors had a linear response to dose until the threshold voltage reached approximately 24 V for 192Ir source measurements. Further comparison of phantom measurements using MOSFET detectors with dose calculations by a commercial treatment planning system for computed tomography-based brachytherapy treatment plans showed that the mean relative deviation was 2.2±0.2% for dose points 1 cm away from the source and 2.0±0.1% for dose points located 2 cm away. The percentage deviations between the measured doses and the planned doses were below 5% for all the measurements. The MOSFET detector, with its advantages of small physical size and ease of use, is a reliable tool for quality assurance of HDR brachytherapy. The phantom verification method described here is universal and can be applied to other HDR brachytherapy treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We prove that triangulated categories with bounded t-structures are Karoubian. Consequently, for an Ext-finite abelian category over a commutative noetherian complete local ring, its bounded derived category is Krull–Schmidt. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The motion of planar symmetric [100]-tilt grain boundaries in high purity aluminium under cyclic elastic deformation conditions was investigated. Bicrystals were fabricated to obtain grain boundaries with different misorientation angles between 3.7° and 42.5°. They were deformed under cyclic tension and compression at elevated temperatures and maximum stresses of ±0.5MPa. Grain boundary displacements were measured by optical microscopy. After deformation activation parameters were calculated from an Arrhenius analysis of the displacements as a function of the temperature. Two regions can be distinguished; within each region the activation enthalpy was found to be constant. The misorientation angle which separates the two regions can be correlated with the transition angle between low and high angle grain boundaries. The mechanism of cyclic motion of [100]-boundaries is discussed in terms of migration and sliding. The results were compared with stress-induced grain boundary motion under the influence of a constant shear stress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using certain pairings of couples, we obtain a large class of two-sided non-degenerated graded Hopf pairings for quantum symmetric algebras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is concerned with the problem of disturbance attenuation with stability for uncertain nonlinear systems by adaptive output feedback. By a partial-state observer and Backstepping technique, an adaptive output feedback controller was constructed, which can solve the standard gain disturbance attenuation problem with internal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbocyclic nucleosides are of considerable interest for the development of new therapeutic agents. A key reaction in the preparation of many such nucleoside analogues is dihydroxylation of appropriately substituted cyclopentenes. Although often considered a routine reaction, in this paper, we report the dramatic influence of substituents on the facial selectivity of dihydroxylations. The substituted cyclopentene substrates are derived from acylnitroso cycloaddition reactions of cyclopentadiene, followed by NO reduction and efficient enzymatic resolution. The results are directly utilized in a very efficient asymmetric synthesis of an antiviral carbocyclic nucleoside, noraristeromycin 5. Extensions toward the synthesis of carbocyclic sinefungin 7 document the importance of realizing the substituent dependence of the dihydroxylation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Let A be a -Hopf algebra with bijective antipode and let M be a G-graded A-bimodule. We prove that there exists an isomorphism where is viewed as the trivial graded A-module via the counit of A, is the adjoint A-module associated to the graded A-bimodule M and denotes the G-graded Hochschild cohomology. As an application, we deduce that the graded cohomology of color Lie algebra L is isomorphic to the graded Hochschild cohomology of its universal enveloping algebra , solving a question of M. Scheunert. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The problem of adaptive regulation of a class of high-order parametric nonholonomic systems in chained-form was discussed. Using adding a power integrator technique and state scaling with discontinuous projection technique, a discontinuous adaptive dynamic controller was constructed. The controller guarantees the estimated value of unknown parameter is in the prescribed extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screening of new microorganism being able to produce efficiently flocculants was carried out. A new model for screening efficient flocculant-producing strains was designed and tested. The results showed that this model for screening efficient flocculant-producing strains is very reliable and can greatly shorten the screening period. 13 flocculant-producing strains were isolated from activated sludge by conventional method. A strain, designated as HHE6, produced the bioflocculant with the turbidity removal 98% for kaolin suspension. Six of 13 strains selected as the original strains were treated with NTG as mutagen, and five mutant strains (HHE-P7, HHE-A8, HHE-P21, HHE-P24, HHE-A26) with high flocculation efficiency was obtained by selection, which exhibited the flocculation rate for kaolin suspension above 90%. Strains HHE6, HHE-P7, and HHE-P24 were classified as Penicillium purpurogenum, HHE-P21 as Penicillium cyclopium, HHE-A26 as Aspergillus versicolor and HHE-A8 as Aspergillus fumigatus, and it is hitherto unreported for biofloccutant-producing strains of Penicillium. The growth of the six strains (HHE6, HHE-P7, HHE-A8, HHE-P21, HHE-P24, HHE-A26) had similar curves, i.e. firstly increasing rapidly, keeping relatively constant then and finally decreasing gradually with cultivation time. The production of bioflocculants by strains showed the similar pattern to strain growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We reported previously that neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is the predominant NOS in rat small intestine and is down-regulated by platelet-activating factor (PAF). The severity of the bowel injury induced by PAF is inversely related to its suppressing effect on nNOS. Here, we investigated whether intestinal perfusion is regulated by nNOS and whether tetrahydrobiopterin, a co-factor and stabilizer of nNOS, reverses PAF-induced intestinal hypoperfusion and injury.Setting: Animal laboratory.Design: We first examined nNOS regulation of splanchnic blood flow by measuring the perfusion of the heart, lung, ileum, and kidney in rats after a nNOS inhibitor. We then examined the protective effect of tetrahydrobiopterin on PAF-induced bowel injury, mesenteric hypoperfusion, and systemic inflammation.Subjects: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.Intervention: In part 1 of the experiment, rats were given 7-nitroindazole (a specific nNOS inhibitor, 50 mg.kg.day). In part 2 of the experiment, rats were treated with tetrahydrobiopterin (20 mg/kg) 5 mins before and 30 mins after PAF challenge (2.2 microg/kg, intravenously)Measurements: Perfusion of the heart, lung, ileum, and kidney was measured at 1 and 4 days after 7-nitroindazole, using fluorescent microspheres. Intestinal injury and inflammation (myeloperoxidase content), blood perfusion, calcium dependent-NOS activity, and systemic inflammation (hypotension and hematocrit increase) were assessed 1 hr after PAF with and without tetrahydrobiopterin treatment.Results: In part 1 of the experiment, 7-nitroindazole induced a long-lasting reduction of blood perfusion and inducible NOS expression selectively in the ileum but not in nonsplanchnic organs such as heart, lungs, and kidneys. In part 2, tetrahydrobiopterin protected against PAF-induced intestinal necrosis, hypoperfusion, neutrophil influx, and NOS suppression. It also reversed hypotension and hemoconcentration. Sepiapterin (2 mg/kg, stable tetrahydrobiopterin precursor) also attenuated PAF-induced intestinal injury.Conclusions: We conclude that nNOS selectively regulates intestinal perfusion. Tetrahydrobiopterin prevents PAF-induced intestinal injury, probably by stabilizing nNOS and maintaining intestinal perfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE:: We reported previously that neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is the predominant NOS in rat small intestine and is down-regulated by platelet-activating factor (PAF). The severity of the bowel injury induced by PAF is inversely related to its suppressing effect on nNOS. Here, we investigated whether intestinal perfusion is regulated by nNOS and whether tetrahydrobiopterin, a co-factor and stabilizer of nNOS, reverses PAF-induced intestinal hypoperfusion and injury.SETTING:: Animal laboratory.DESIGN:: We first examined nNOS regulation of splanchnic blood flow by measuring the perfusion of the heart, lung, ileum, and kidney in rats after a nNOS inhibitor. We then examined the protective effect of tetrahydrobiopterin on PAF-induced bowel injury, mesenteric hypoperfusion, and systemic inflammation.SUBJECTS:: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.INTERVENTION:: In part 1 of the experiment, rats were given 7-nitroindazole (a specific nNOS inhibitor, 50 mg·kg·day). In part 2 of the experiment, rats were treated with tetrahydrobiopterin (20 mg/kg) 5 mins before and 30 mins after PAF challenge (2.2 μg/kg, intravenously)MEASUREMENTS:: Perfusion of the heart, lung, ileum, and kidney was measured at 1 and 4 days after 7-nitroindazole, using fluorescent microspheres. Intestinal injury and inflammation (myeloperoxidase content), blood perfusion, calcium dependent-NOS activity, and systemic inflammation (hypotension and hematocrit increase) were assessed 1 hr after PAF with and without tetrahydrobiopterin treatment.RESULTS:: In part 1 of the experiment, 7-nitroindazole induced a long-lasting reduction of blood perfusion and inducible NOS expression selectively in the ileum but not in nonsplanchnic organs such as heart, lungs, and kidneys. In part 2, tetrahydrobiopterin protected against PAF-induced intestinal necrosis, hypoperfusion, neutrophil influx, and NOS suppression. It also reversed hypotension and hemoconcentration. Sepiapterin (2 mg/kg, stable tetrahydrobiopterin precursor) also attenuated PAF-induced intestinal injury.CONCLUSIONS:: We conclude that nNOS selectively regulates intestinal perfusion. Tetrahydrobiopterin prevents PAF-induced intestinal injury, probably by stabilizing nNOS and maintaining intestinal perfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymatic resolution of Boc-protected 4-aminocyclopenten- 1-ol 4c gave both enantiomers 5c and 6c in high ee. Boc removal and separate condensation with chioropyrazolopyrimidine 18 provided elaborated 1,4-aminocyclopentenol derivatives 20 and 26, respectively. Separate treatment of 20 and 26 with Pd(0) under basic conditions induced cyclization to unsaturated polycycles 22 and 27, which, upon catalytic hydrogenation, were transformed to new cyclopentane-containing pyrazolopyrimidines 24 and 28, analogues of recently described novel phosphodiesterase inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue engineering may offer patients new options when replacement or repair of an organ is needed. However, most tissues will require a microvascular network to supply oxygen and nutrients. One strategy for creating a microvascular network would be promotion of vasculogenesis in situ by seeding vascular progenitor cells within the biopolymeric construct. To pursue this strategy, we isolated CD34+/CD133+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) from human umbilical cord blood and expanded the cells ex vivo as EPC-derived endothelial cells (EC). The EPC lost expression of the stem cell marker CD133 but continued to express the endothelial markers KDR/VEGF-R2, VE-cadherin, CD31, von Willebrand factor, and E-selectin. The cells were also shown to mediate calcium-dependent adhesion of HL-60 cells, a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line, providing evidence for a proinfiammatory endothelial phenotype. The EPC-derived EC maintained this endothelial phenotype when expanded in roller botfies and subsequently seeded on polyglycolic acid-poly-L-lactic acid (PGA-PLLA) scaffolds, but microvessel formation was not observed. In contrast, EPC-derived EC seeded with human smooth muscle cells formed capillary-like structures throughout the scaffold (76.5 ± 35 microvessels/mm²). These results indicate that 1) EPC-derived EC can be expanded in vitro and seeded on biodegradable scaffolds with preservation of endothelial phenotype and 2) EPC-derived EC seeded with human smooth muscle cells form microvessels on porous PGA-PLLA scaffolds. These properties indicate that EPC may be well suited for creating microvascular networks within tissue-engineered constructs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let K be a field of characteristic 0 containing all roots of unity. We classified all the Hopf structures on monomial K-coalgebras, or, in dual version, on monomial K-algebras. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Robust adaptive control of nonholonomic systems in chained form with linearly parameterized and strongly nonlinear disturbance and drift terms is dicussed. The novelty of the proposed method is a combined use of the state-scaling and the back-stepping procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of almost disturbance decoupling (ADD) with internal stability is discussed, for a class of high-order cascade nonlinear systems having zero dynamics. Using adding power integrator techniques, the ADD problems via a smooth static state feedback is solved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) are important triggers of bowel inflammation and injury. We have previously shown that LPS activates the transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-κB in the intestine, which up-regulates many pro-inflammatory genes. This effect partly depends on neutrophils and endogenous PAF. However, whether LPS and PAF directly activate NF-κB in enterocytes remains controversial. In this study, we first investigated the effect of LPS and PAF on NF-κB activation in IEC-6 (a non-transformed rat small intestinal crypt cell line) cells, by electrophoresis mobility shift assay and supershift, and found that LPS, but not PAF, activates NF-κB mostly as p50–p65 heterodimers. The effect was slower than tumour necrosis factor (TNF). Both LPS and TNF induce the expression of the NF-κB-dependent gene inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which occurs subsequent to NF-κB activation. We then examined the effect of LPS and TNF on the inhibitory molecules IκBα and IκBβ. We found that TNF causes rapid degradation of IκBα and IκBβ. In contrast, LPS did not change the levels of IκBα and IκBβ up to 4 hr (by Western blot). However, in the presence of cycloheximide, there was a slow reduction of IκBα and IκBβ, which disappeared almost completely at 4 hr. These observations suggest that LPS causes slow degradation and synthesis of IκBα and IκBβ and therefore activates NF-κΒ via at least two mechanisms: initially, through an IκB-independent mechanism, and later, via an increased turnover of the inhibitor IκB. NF-κΒ activation precedes the gene expression of iNOS (assayed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction), suggesting that LPS up-regulates iNOS via this transcription factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tensile strength and fracture toughness of softwood and hardwood are measured by the Boundary Effect Model (BEM). The experimental results of single-edge notched three-point bending tests indicate that the BEM is an appropriate method to estimate the fracture toughness of the present fibrous and porous woods. In softwood with alternating earlywood and latewood layers, the variation in the volume percentage of different layers in a small range has no obvious influence on the mechanical properties of the materials. In contrast, the hardwood presents much higher tensile strength and fracture toughness simultaneously due to its complicated structure with crossed arrangement of the fibers and rays and big vessels diffused in the fibers. The present research findings are expected to provide a fundamental insight into the design of high-performance bionic materials with a highly fibrous and porous structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Housing is fundamental to livelihood. House prices are not only affected by house quality, but also closely related to the location. In order to recognize the urban real estate market, it is meaningful to quantitatively analyze the impact of location on house prices. This paper aims to investigate the relationship between house price and location. First, an inverse distance weighted (IDW) method is applied to recognize the spatial distribution of house prices. Second, spatial auto-correlation analysis is applied to uncover the spatial pattern of house prices. Finally, a geographic weighted regression (GWR) model is used to analyze the extent and spatial heterogeneity of the impacts of location elements on house prices quantitatively. The main area in Hangzhou is used as a case study area. Crawler and remote sensing technology are utilized to fetch the house prices and five public facilities revealing location, including subway stations, schools, hospitals, green space, and business centers. The study finds that house prices have evident spatial heterogeneity and spatially agglomerate. Ranking the five public facilities according to the impacts they have on house prices, we reveal that school > subway station > green space > business center > hospital. Schools and subway stations are the most important location factors on house prices. Schools, subway stations, and green space all have a positive effect on house prices in the study area, whereas business centers and hospitals have a negative effect. The research unfolds the relationship between public facilities and house prices and provides support for improving the distribution of spatial resource and sophisticated urban management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the role and mechanisms of Krüppel-like transcription factor 8 (KLF8) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: The transcriptional and translational levels of KLF8 in AML cell lines were determined by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. Two RNAs targeting KLF8 were transfected into KG-1 and HL-60 cells. The growth and apoptosis of AML cells were determined using CCK-8, 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU), flow cytometry, and western blot assays. Glycolysis was evaluated by relative glucose consumption, lactate generation, ATP levels, and hexokinase II (HK2), while glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) protein expression levels. AKT, phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and p-mTOR expression levels were assessed by western blot. Results: KLF8 mRNA and protein expression levels were elevated in AML cells (p < 0.01). KLF8 knockdown in AML cells decreased cell viability, EdU-positivity, relative glucose consumption, lactate generation, ATP levels, and HK2 and GLUT1 protein levels (p < 0.01). Apoptosis increased in KG-1 and HL-60 cells, with enhanced Bax and reduced Bcl-2 protein levels, after transfection with sh-KLF8. The relative expression levels of p-AKT/AKT and p-mTOR/mTOR were reduced in KG-1 and HL-60 cells transfected with sh-KLF8. Conclusion: Downregulation of KLF8 inhibits proliferation and glycolysis, and also promotes apoptosis in AML cells via AKT/mTOR pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 5-factor model of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) was tried in a Chinese speaking area. A total of 333 healthy participants (217 women and 116 men) with a wide range of occupations attended this study and were divided into 5 age ranges. They were free of depression and answered with low dissimulation in ZKPQ. The principal component analysis detected 16 factors with eigenvalues larger than 1.5, the first 5 of which accounted for 21.0% of the variance. The 5-factor solution analysis was, therefore, performed. The alpha internal reliabilities of the 5 personality scales ranged from 0.61 to 0.81. Sixty-one out of 89 items loaded larger than, or equal to, 0.3 on target factors. Scale scores were comparable to those reported in the United States, and the intercorrelations between 5 personality scales were lower. Gender and education level had little effect on the personality measures; the Impulsive Sensation Seeking declined with age only from 20 years on, in women. This study demonstrates the validity of the ZKPQ in Chinese culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the instability and toxicity of 3D Pb-based perovskite nanocrystals, lead-free low-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid metal halides have attracted widespread attention as potential substitutes. Herein, two new tin-based 0D halides [H4BAPP]SnBr5·Br and [H4BAPP]SnCl5·Cl·H2O (BAPP = 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine) were synthesized successfully based on [SnX5]3− as an emission center. Typically, [H4BAPP]SnBr5·Br and [H4BAPP]SnCl5·Cl·H2O display broadband yellow and yellow-green light emissions originating from the radiative recombination of self-trapped excitons (STEs). The photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of the two compounds were calculated to be 19.27% and 2.36%, respectively. Furthermore, the excellent chemical and thermal stability and broadband light emissions reveal their potential application in solid-state white lighting diodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmentally friendly and highly efficient blue luminescent materials are an unremitting pursuit in the optoelectronic field. Herein, we assembled a new 0D lead-free metal halide of (F-PPA)ZnBr4, which exhibits narrow blue light emission with a remarkable PLQY of 50.15%, high stability and high detection sensitivity toward UV light. These results indicate the potential for the application of low-dimensional zinc-based halides in multiple optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: To evaluate the potential benefits of Bacteroides fragilis 839 (BF839), a next-generation probiotics, in reducing myelosuppression and gastrointestinal toxicity associated with chemotherapy in breast cancer patient. Methods and Study Design: 40 women with early breast cancer were randomly assigned to the BF839 (n=20) or placebo (n=20) during the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy (4 cycles of epirubicin 100mg/m² and cyclophosphamide 600mg/m² ). Myelosuppression and gastrointestinal adverse effects were monitored in both groups. Results: Throughout the four treatment cycles, the percentage of patients experiencing myelosuppression was 42.5% in the BF839 group, significantly lower than the 66.3% observed in the control group (p=0.003). Two patients in the BF839 group and three patients in the placebo group received recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) due to leukopenia/neutropenia. When considering an ITT analysis, which included all patients regardless of rhG-CSF treatment, the BF839 group exhibited less reduction from baseline in white blood cells (-0.31±1.19 vs -1.15±0.77, p=0.012) and neutrophils (0.06±1.00 vs - 0.84±0.85, p=0.004) compared to the placebo group. The difference became even more significant when excluding the patients who received rhG-CSF injections. Throughout the four treatment cycles, compared to the placebo group, the BF839 group had significantly lower rates of 3-4 grade nausea (35.0% vs 71.3%, p=0.001), vomiting (20.0% vs 45.0%, p=0.001), and diarrhea (15.0% vs 30.0%, p=0.023). Conclusions: These findings suggest that BF839 has the potential to effectively mitigate myelosuppression and gastrointestinal toxicity associated with chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In tropical/subtropical monsoon regions, accurate rice mapping is hampered by the following factors: (1) The frequent occurrence of clouds in such areas during the rice-growing season interferes strongly with optical remote sensing observations; (2) The agro-landscape in such regions is fragmented and scattered. Rice maps produced using low spatial resolution data cannot well delineate the detailed distribution of rice, while pixel-based mapping using medium and high resolutions has significant salt-and-pepper noise. (3) The cropping system is complex, and rice has a rotation schedule with other crops. Therefore, the Phenology-, Object- and Double Source-based (PODS) paddy rice mapping algorithm is implemented, which consists of three steps: (1) object extraction from multi-temporal 10-m Sentinel-2 images where the extracted objects (fields) are the basic classification units; (2) specifying the phenological stage of transplanting from Savitzky–Golay filtered enhanced vegetation index (EVI) time series using the PhenoRice algorithm; and (3) the identification of rice objects based on flood signal detection from time-series microwave and optical signals of the Sentinel-1/2. This study evaluated the potential of the combined use of the Sentinel-1/2 mission on paddy rice mapping in monsoon regions with the Hangzhou-Jiaxin-Huzhou (HJH) plain in China as the case study. A cloud computing approach was used to process the available Sentinel-1/2 imagery from 2019 and MODIS images from 2018 to 2020 in the HJH plain on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. An accuracy assessment showed that the resultant object-based paddy rice map has a high accuracy with a producer (user) accuracy of 0.937 (0.926). The resultant 10-m paddy rice map is expected to provide unprecedented detail, spatial distribution, and landscape patterns for paddy rice fields in monsoon regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the preventive effect of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against integrins on platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced bowel injury. Intestinal myeloperoxidase MPO activity; Histological changes in the small intestine.

A method for measuring the laser plasma flow field on the surface of a target with the use of a laser synchronous interference system is presented. A measuring theory for plasma parameters including temperature, pressure, density, and ionization degree is built. An interference measurement for laser plasma produced by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser acting on an Al target surface has been made, and results are given for the plasma parameters. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 14:271–274, 1997. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resolution in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) microscopy is limited by a combination of the inherent low sensitivity of NMR, the destruction of spin magnetization gratings by molecular diffusion, and variations in the local magnetic field strength introduced by spatial variations of the bulk susceptibility. While none of these may be completely overcome, constant time imaging methods are the optimal approach to recording images when the above factors are important. This method aims to instantaneously create a spin magnetization grating and then to efficiently sample the spatially invariant portion of this—corresponding to a selected Fourier component of the sample distribution. The method is introduced, analyzed in the presence of molecular diffusion, and demonstrated to yield high-resolution images. To implement the method, a microscopy probe was constructed for a standard-bore 400-MHz NMR spectrometer (the latter was also implemented at 600 MHz), which is described. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 8, 263–276, 1997 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New functionally diverse urea-derived MOF hydrogen-bond-donating heterogeneous catalysts were achieved via postsynthetic modification, which exhibit excellent catalytic activity and very broad substrate scopes for the Friedel–Crafts alkylation reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface mining has been subject to increased criticism and pressure due to its potential to cause environmental damage. China accounts for more than half of world coal consumption, and this continued demand for coal, combined with low costs, has accelerated surface coal mining worldwide. However, it isn't easy to understand the impact of surface mining in China. Therefore, combined with POI, the Exposed Coal Frequency Index (ECFI) was constructed without any mining information in China. A LandTrendr algorithm was used to identify past mining disturbances and reclamation events (1986–2021). While examining these events, surface destruction due to coal mining in China was revealed. Based on the results, (1) the detection accuracy of statistical surface mining sites by province reaches 91.8%, while the detection accuracy of disturbance and reclamation events exceeds 72.59 %. Also, by comparing the mine data, our results provide more accurate information regarding both time and spatial consistency. (2) 253.61 km2 of surface mining sites were identified in 14 provinces or autonomous regions during 1986–2021. Of these, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Shanxi and Xinjiang ranked in the top four occupying 89.0% of the total mining site. (3) China has cumulatively disturbed 545.84 km2 and reclaimed 169.41 km2 including more comprehensive human activities. In the last 12 years, large-scale mining and reclamation have accounted for 51.63% and 75.17% of the cumulative area, respectively. (4) Generally, reclamation in China can be completed within four years. In contrast, reclamation time intervals and the proportion of reclamation varied widely between mining areas. Clearly, this study provides the most accurate data on surface coal mining disturbances in China, which will be beneficial for future studies in spatial geography related to mining. It also includes more policies and management creation for mines. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern plain of China is one of the most important grain production areas in China. Meanwhile, the plain is also an important coal production area with a large number of "coal-grain composite regions". Coal mining causes land subsidence and waterlogging, which destroys a significant amount of cultivated land. However, there is no dataset for the spatio-temporal distribution of subsidence water to assist related decision-making on a regional scale. Accurate monitoring of subsidence water is still a challenge, especially distinguishing among subsidence water, natural water and artificially excavated water by only using remote sensing data. Here, A new method to generate a dynamic map for the subsidence ponding year and the restoration year using the Google Earth Engine platform with 33-year-old Landsat imagery was created. The time segmentation method was used to first extract the change water pixels corresponding to subsidence water and artificially excavated water with similar trajectory features. Then, the morphological characteristics of the two types of change water at the beginning year of water accumulation are used to construct 13 landscape indexes. This approach utilizes the Random Forest algorithm to distinguish between subsidence water and artificially excavated water. The Huang-Huai-Hai plain area in eastern China was selected as the study area and extracted the subsidence water areas from 1986 to 2018. The identification accuracies for subsidence ponding year and restoration year are 88% and 85%. 79% of the subsidence water areas are located in cultivated land, which shows significant impacts to agricultural activities. The method proposed could be applied to other similar areas, the results could provide reference and data for decision-making and related land reclamation planning. • A novel methodology was developed for mapping mining subsidence water. • Map of the subsidence ponding year and restoration year. • Random forest algorithm can effectively extract the patch of subsidence water. • Contribute to monitor annual subsidence water at a regional scale. • This paper belongs to change detection using Landsat time series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a report on a research related to the comparison of drought tolerance in two rice verities including YD2, YD6 and 3021 seedlings. The report highlights the higher accumulation of superoxide in YD6 as compare to YD2 by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) staining during the drought treatment condition. The report further mentions that YD6 showed better drought tolerance and higher antioxidant enzyme activity.