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Polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), a strong polyelectrolyte, was used to prepare red photoluminescent PSS-penicillamine (PA) copper (Cu) nanoclusters (NC) aggregates, which displayed high selectivity and sensitivity to the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The size of the PSS-PA-Cu NC aggregates could be readily controlled from 5.5 μm to 173 nm using different concentrations of PSS, which enabled better dispersity and higher sensitivity towards H2S. PSS-PA-Cu NC aggregates provided rapid H2S detection by using the strong Cu-S interaction to quench NC photoluminescence as a sensing mechanism. As a result, a detection limit of 650 nM, which is lower than the maximum level permitted in drinking water by the World Health Organization, was achieved for the analysis of H2S in spring-water samples. Moreover, highly dispersed PSS-PA-Cu NC aggregates could be incorporated into a plate-format paper-based analytical device which enables ultra-low sample volumes (5 μL) and feature shorter analysis times (30 min) compared to conventional solution-based methods. The advantages of low reagent consumption, rapid result readout, limited equipment and long-term storage make this platform sensitive and simple enough to use without specialized training in resource constrained settings.

Carnosol is an ortho-diphenolic diterpene with excellent antioxidant potential. The present study was designed to identify the protective role of carnosol against spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in Wistar rats.In the present study, oxidative stress status was determined through estimating total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, lipid peroxide content, protein carbonyl and sulfhydryl levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant status (superoxide-dismutase, catalase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase). Inflammatory effects were determined by analyzing the expression of NF-κB and COX-2 through Western blot analysis. Further, carnosol-mediated redox homeostasis was analyzed by determining p-AKT and Nrf-2 levels.SCI resulted in a significant increase in oxidative stress status through increased ROS generation, total oxidant levels, lipid peroxide content, protein carbonyl and sulfhydryl levels. The antioxidant status in SCI rats was significantly reduced, indicating imbalance in redox status. In addition, the expression of NF-κB and COX-2 was significantly upregulated, while p-AKT and Nrf-2 levels were downregulated in SCI rats. However, treatment with carnosol showed a significant enhancement in the antioxidant status with concomitant decline in oxidative stress parameters. Further, carnosol treatment regulated the key proteins in inflammation and redox status through significant downregulation of NF-κB and COX-2 levels and upregulation of p-AKT and Nrf-2 expression.Thus, the present study shows for the first time on the protective role of carnosol against SCI-induced oxidative stress and inflammation through modulating NF-κB, COX-2 and Nrf-2 levels in Wistar rats.

Purpose – The bottleneck of current DNA computing paradigms based on brute‐force search strategy is that initial solution space grows exponentially with problem size, thus only trivial instances of NP‐complete problem can be solved. The purpose of this paper is to present a novel molecular program based on sticker models for solving dominating set problems.Design/methodology/approach – The authors do not synthesize the initial solution pool containing every possible candidate solution as previously reported algorithm. Instead, solutions DNA molecules to the problem of interest are constructed during the course of computation.Findings – It is shown that “exponential explosions” inherent in current DNA computing paradigms may be overcome in this way.Originality/value – The paper proposes an error‐resistant DNA algorithm based on sticker model for solving minimum dominating problems.

To detect the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) expressed in Cashmere goat fetal fibroblasts (GFb), mTOR gene was cloned from Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat ( Capra hircus ) and expressed in Escherichia coli followed by immunizing mice with the purified recombinant protein as an immunogen to produce the anti-goat mTOR recombinant polyclonal antibody. Antiserum was collected from the immunized mice after the fifth immunization and its titer was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the recombinant polyclonal antibody had a titer 1:200 000 and could react with the mTOR expressed in GFb cells with a specific and sensitive affinity. Western blot showed that mTOR expression and phospho-mTOR (Ser 2448) activity were inhibited when GFb cells were treated with CCI-779, an mTOR specific inhibitor.

To verify the damping effect of dual mass flywheel, the experiment is designed in use of power-transmission test-bed and rev-torque testing apparatus, and dual mass flywheel of DCT transmission system DQ250 is used to test its damping effect in the experiment. Kinds of conditions of car, like idle condition, run condition, climb condition, are simulated in experiment. The results show that different engine revs and loads, different damping effects of dual mass flywheel. The high engine rev and the more load, the better damping effect of dual mass flywheel.

Collagen, an ubiquitous biomaterial, confers robustness and resilience to connective tissues. In this study, we analyzed the structure and elasticity profile of collagen from the vaginal wall connective tissue of healthy pre-menopausal (pre-M) and postmenopausal (post-M) women. The histological staining assisted study with an atomic force microscope renders the examination of native collagen fibers on site of the connective tissue from nanoscopic scale to microscopic scale with high spatial resolution. Our results suggest that during menopause, collagen’s structure and elasticity are subject to changes at all levels of organization- between individual collagen fibers, between collagen and muscle, and between collagen and other matrix elements. The systematic analysis of the native structure and mechanical properties of collagen within a tissue provides a potential way to study non-fatal conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse and other genito-urinary disorders, where the initial symptoms are subtle and multivariate, and where early detection of patient’s condition may allow better non-invasive interventions and reduce the number of women undergoing surgical correction of these common disorders.

To explore the role of mitochondrial DNA 5178 C/A (Mt5178) polymorphism of NADH-dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among ethnic Han Chinese through a case-control study.The Mt5178C/A polymorphism was determined by sequencing 1103 T2DM patients and 791 healthy controls. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). To confirm the results, a meta-analysis was conducted based on published literature on the association of Mt5178 variant with T2DM.No significant association was found between the Mt5178C/A variant and T2DM either by our study or the meta-analysis which included eight published studies. Nevertheless, it was found that the T2DM patients with 5178C genotype were at a higher risk for nephropathy complication (OR=1.49, 95%CI: 1.005-2.197, P0.05) and at significantly lower risk for hypertension complication (OR=0.744, 95%CI: 0.556-0.996, P0.05) compared with those carrying a 5178A genotype.No association was found between the Mt5178C/A polymorphism of mitochondrial ND2 gene with the increased risk of T2DM. However, the polymorphism may affect the development of nephropathy and hypertension complications among T2DM patients.

Using the reference sequences of pgip genes in GenBank, a fragment of 930 bp covering the open reading frame (ORF) of rice Ospgip1 (Oryza sativa polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein 1) was amplified. The prokaryotic expression product of the gene inhibited the growth of Rhizoctonia solani, the causal agent of rice sheath blight, and reduced its polygalacturonase activity. Bioinformatic analysis showed that OsPGIP1 is a hydrophobic protein with a molecular weight of 32.8 kDa and an isoelectric point (pI) of 7.26. The protein is mainly located in the cell wall of rice, and its signal peptide cleavage site is located between the 17th and 18th amino acids. There are four cysteines in both the N- and C-termini of the deduced protein, which can form three disulfide bonds (between the 56th and 63rd, the 278th and 298th, and the 300th and 308th amino acids). The protein has a typical leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain, and its secondary structure comprises α-helices, β-sheets and irregular coils. Compared with polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins (PGIPs) from other plants, the 7th LRR is absent in OsPGIP1. The nine LRRs could form a cleft that might associate with proteins from pathogenic fungi, such as polygalacturonase.

A novel bimetallic 4d-4f complex, {[HoIII(DMF)6] [MoV(CN)8]·3H2O}n (1) (DMF = N,N’-dimethylformamide), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The crystalline analyses shown that the complex 1 consists of a one-dimensional (1D) infinite chain, which adopts a 1D zigzag motif, and this is the first structurally characterized example of a 1D structure based on the [Mo(CN)8]3− and Ho3+ building blocks. The complex 1 crystallizes in a monoclinic system of space group P21/c, with a = 10.8672(7), b = 20.920(2), c = 17.9097(7) A, β = 92.646(4)°, and Z = 4.

This paper deals with large deployable networks constructed by interconnected Bricard linkages. Three kinds of tilings, which correspond to three kinds of deployable networks, are employed as the auxiliary tools for the arrangement of the basic deployable Bricard units. Joint connections between deployable units are designed in a special way so that links of the deployable units are deployable/foldable and do not suffer from interference. The CAD models are built to show the feasibility of the deployable networks presented in this paper.

This study investigates whether children with Asperger syndrome (AS) show superior competence in creativity, and it examines the relationship between nonverbal creativity and nonverbal IQ and vocabulary size. Sixteen (16) children with AS and forty-two (42) typically developing peers completed the exercises in divergent thinking and feeling from a creativity assessment packet. The results revealed that the participants with AS scored significantly higher in originality and elaboration, compared to their peers. Nonverbal divergent thinking was correlated to nonverbal IQ for participants with AS. It was observed that participants with AS drew the 12 incomplete figures mostly in the areas which interest them. This result may indicate better performances in originality and lesser performances in flexibility. The study suggests that opportunities to develop expertise in the subjects in which they are absorbed may be necessary for children with AS.

Bi0.5(Na0.85K0.15)0.5TiO3 (BNKT15) thin films were synthesized by metal-organic decomposition (MOD) at annealing temperatures of 650, 680, 710 and 740℃, and the effects of annealing temperature on the microstructure, dielectric properties, remnant polarization (2P(subscript r)) and leakage current density were studied with X-ray diffractometer, atomic force microscope, precision impedance analyzer, ferroelectric analysis station and semiconductor parameter tester. The results show that the thin film annealed at 710℃ exhibits a typical perovskite structure without predominant orientation and a smooth surface with evenly distributed grains. 2P(subscript r) value (67.4 UC/cm^2 under 830 kV/cm) and the leakage current density (1.6×l0^(-6) A/cm^2 at 170 kV/cm) for BNKT15 thin film annealed at 710℃ are better than those for thin films annealed at other temperatures.

A method of blending circular quadrics with parametric patches is proposed in this paper. It needs n rational bi-cubic Bezier patches and two S-patches to blend n (n > 2) quadrics. Bi-cubic rational Bezier patches are used to G1-continuously blend each pair of adjacent base surfaces. These patches enclose two n-sided holes. And an S-patch is used to fill each hole, which keeps nearly G1-continuity. Explicit formulas of control points for both Bezier patches and S-patches are derived from their constraint conditions, which make modeling by blending quadrics very simple and convenient. In addition, the shapes of the blending surfaces can be intuitively adjusted by free parameters.

Patterning is of paramount importance in many areas of modern science and technology. As a valuable part in miniaturized devices, large-scale aligned CNTs with serial port configuration is highly desirable. Here, we reported that the synthesis of a pair of patterned carbon nanotubes with the shape of serial port by CVD starting from different breath figure templates, cross-linked polymer matrix and ferrous inorganic micropatterns. The growth mechanism of the isolated CNT bundles is attributed to the selectively interfacial aggregation of the ferrocene to the walls of the cavities, a so-called Pickering-emulsion effect, whereas the honeycomblike skeleton of the dense CNT arrays develop from the catalytically functionalized hexagonal edges. This synthesis strategy exemplifies a new possibility for making use of CNTs to fabricate functional carbons with unique geometry or specific properties in a controllable way. We expect that the methodology can be also applied onto the fabrication of patterned graphene.

Bullying involvement is prevalent among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examined the effects of theory of mind performance training (ToMPT) on reducing bullying involvement in children and adolescents with high-functioning ASD. Children and adolescents with high-functioning ASD completed ToMPT (n = 26) and social skills training (SST; n = 23) programs. Participants in both groups and their mothers rated the pretraining and posttraining bullying involvement of participants on the Chinese version of the School Bullying Experience Questionnaire. The paired t test was used to evaluate changes in bullying victimization and perpetration between the pretraining and posttraining assessments. Furthermore, the linear mixed-effect model was used to examine the difference in the training effect between the ToMPT and SST groups. The paired t test indicated that in the ToMPT group, the severities of both self-reported (p = .039) and mother-reported (p = .003) bullying victimization significantly decreased from the pretraining to posttraining assessments, whereas in the SST group, only self-reported bullying victimization significantly decreased (p = .027). The linear mixed-effect model indicated that compared with the SST program, the ToMPT program significantly reduced the severity of mother-reported bullying victimization (p = .041). The present study supports the effects of ToMPT on reducing mother-reported bullying victimization in children and adolescents with high-functioning ASD.

Superfine wool surface texture changed after the processing with biochemistry technology. Its fiber thinness and friction effect reduce, the itchy feeling caused by wool is rid of, and the contraction of carpets diminishes so that it lives up to the standard of machine washing and anti-pilling. Meanwhile, the chemical groups of fiber surface of the superfine wool changes as well, which produces a material of which the physical and chemical structure of the surface differs from the nano-interface of the original fiber. If supplemented by functional stuff and combined in the form of chemical bonds, it would equally distribute and functions everlasting, thus achieving a comprehensive effect of the superfine wool-smoothness glutinosity, brightness, as well as anti-virus. Boiled under high temperature, it is still capable of retaining all the styles prior to the dyeing with no apparent reduction of the feel.

Here, we show a facile and versatile method-prepare highly ordered inorganic patterns on solid substrates by pyrolyzing UV cross-linked polymr/functional. precursor hybrid films. The crosslinked polymer matrix acted as structure-directing agent in a pyrolyzing process, whereas the functional precursor was converted into the skeleton of the micropatterns. The inorganic micropatterns could be further catalytically functionalized to grow CNT and ZnO nanorod arrays by simply changing different functional precursors. This simple technique offers new prospects in the field of micropatterns, nanolithography, and template.

Effectively allocating R&D resources to potential new products under development is an important issue for a company. To resolve this problem, this work suggests a fuzzy TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) model. The proposed model considers quantitative and qualitative criteria as well as the different importance of criteria in the evaluation process for the potential new products. The ranking approach of the mean of removals is applied to defuzzify all the fuzzy weighted ratings for developing positive-ideal and negative-ideal solutions in order to complete the model. Finally, a numerical example demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed model.

High-density markers are necessary for map-based cloning of rice genes, but the currently available markers are not satisfactory enough. InDel (insertion-deletion length polymorphism) and SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) are the new generation of molecular markers and can basically meet the need of fine mapping. InDel and SNP markers can be developed through bioinformatics. These markers are valuable markers with the characters of low cost, high specificity and stability. This article introduced the methods for designing InDel and SNP markers, taking the mapping of a rice rolled leaf gene as an example. In addition, some key factors in improving the design efficiency were also discussed.

Under spinning conditions, lubricant on islandic spot patterned M2 steel disc experiences centrifugal and tangential force components. Depending upon the relative position of the spots and the flow of lubricant, accumulation of lubricant in front of patterned islandic spots creates thrusting to mating part and subsequently reduces contact between the mating couple. Whilst wear debris is likely to be spun off the plateau of the spots to their neighbouring valleys so as to reduce wear. Hence, it gives favorable tribological characteristics. Aiming at verifying such mechanisms, studies were performed on M2 steel disc specimens slid with ASSAB 17 tool steel pin. The M2 steel disc specimens were respectively (i) machined with non-patterned (NP), (ii) etched to produce in-lined (INE) islandic patterns, and (iii) etched to produce staggered (STE) islandic spot patterns. Results indicated that the INE patterned discs gave most favorable wear characteristics, the NP of the worse characteristics whilst the STE ranged in the middle. However, the actual contact mechanism leads to the descending sequence of favorable friction behaviors nominally as: NP, INE and STE.

The present study is an investigation of the properties of poly (vinyl alcohol), which would be a better contact lens material than conventional HEMA in some ways. A transparent PVA hydrogel was prepared from a PVA solution in a mixed solvent consisting of water and a water-miscible organic solvent, DMSO, by the freezing-thawing method. The water content, visible light transmittance, mechanical and swelling properties of the hydrogels were evaluated as a function of PVA concentration and number of freeze-thaw cycles. The results show that the properties of PVA hydrogels depend on the polymer concentration, the number of freeze-thaw cycles and the addition of the organic solvent.

The effect of sliding duration on the tribological behaviors of spot patterned coatings was investigated. Two patterns based on physical vapor deposition (PVD) TiN coatings were used, such as, in-lined (IN) and staggered (ST) spots. The tribological behaviors were evaluated by using a Cameron-Plint wear test rig. The M2 steel discs deposited TiN coatings with IN and ST patterns slid against the ASSAB 17 tool steel pins at a speed of 0.23 m/s, in Shell Tellus T32 lubricant and were loaded with 900 N. The testing results on disc specimens with two types of PVD TiN spot patterns, ail coated with a bias voltage of -180 V and slid for 4, 8 and 11 h respectively, were presented. The results revealed that the in-lined coatings possessed relatively better wear behaviors than the staggered pattern coatings. Mechanisms for such superiority and for the cause of peeling were discussed. A relevant design approach was suggested for the application of such patterned coatings.

DNA computing aims at using nucleic acids for computing. Since micromolar DNA solutions can act as billions of parallel nanoprocessors, DNA computers can in theory solve optimization problems that require vast search spaces. However, the actual parallelism currently being achieved is at least a hundred million-fold lower than the number of DNA molecules used. This is due to the quantity of DNA molecules of one species that is required to produce a detectable output to the computations. In order to miniaturize the computation and considerably reduce the amount of DNA needed, we proposed that fluorescence labeling techniques can be applied to DNA computing. In the paper, we solved the simple 0-1 programming problem with fluorescence labeling techniques based on surface chemistry. It is attempt to apply DNA computing to programming problem.

To investigate the effect of stretching force on late apoptosis of human periodontal ligament cells.HPDLCs were cultured in vitro, and cells were stretched by dynamic mechanical strain 1%, 10% and 20% for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. Then late apoptosis were detected through TUNEL method binding by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The data was analyzed with SPSS 11.0 software package.HPDCLs inclined parallel to each other and aligned their long axis perpendicular to the stretching force vector. The number of apoptotic cells increased significantly in a time-and force-dependent manner in response to stretching strain within 24 h.It is found that stretching force can induce apoptosis in HPDLC and show time- and stress-dependent manner with a tendency of increase in 24 h.

Herein, a series of 3-phenyliminoindolin-2-one derivatives were designed, synthesized, and screened for their antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities. The IR spectra of the compounds afforded NH stretching (3340-3346 cm(-1)) bands and C=O stretching (1731-1746 cm(-1)). In the (1)H-NMR spectra of the compounds, N-H protons of indoline ring were observed at 10.65-10.89 ppm generally as broad bands, and (13)C-NMR spectra of the compounds C=O were seen at 161.72-169.27 ppm. Interestingly, compounds 3o, 3p and 3r significantly shortened immobility time in the The forced swimming test (FST) and The tail suspension test (TST) at 50 mg/kg dose levels. In addition, compound 3r exhibited higher levels of efficacy than the reference standard fluoxetine but had no effect on locomotor activity in the open-field test. Compound 3r significantly increased serotonin and norepinephrine and the metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in mouse brain, suggesting that the effects of compound 3r may be mediated through these neurotransmitters. In the seizure screen, 15 compounds showed some degree against PTZ-induced seizure at a dose of 100 mg/kg, and the tested compounds did not show any neurotoxicity at a dose of 300 mg/kg in the rotarod test.

Interleukin-28B (IL28B) and patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) gene polymorphisms are associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance and fatty liver, respectively. We aimed to test if their polymorphisms are associated with virologic responses in Chinese chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.This was a retrospective-prospective cohort study. Consecutive patients infected by genotype 1 and 6 HCV received antiviral therapy were included. Host IL-28B rs12979860/rs8099917 and PNPLA3 rs738409 genotype were tested. The primary outcome was sustained virologic response (sustained virologic response [SVR]: undetectable HCV RNA 24 weeks post-treatment).From 305 patients had positive antibody to HCV, 52 and 31 patients infected by genotype 1 and 6 HCV, respectively were recruited. Mean age was 58 ± 11 years; 70% were male. Mean baseline HCV RNA was 6.8 ± 2.7 log IU/ml. The SVR for patients infected by genotype 1 and 6 HCV was 67.3% and 90.3%, respectively. The proportions of IL28B genotypes were 78%, 21%, and 1% for TT/TG/GG at rs8099917, and 81%, 18%, and 1% for CC/TC/TT at rs12979860, respectively. The proportions of PNPLA3 rs738409 genotypes were 16%, 36%, and 48% for GG/GC/CC. IL28B genotype was significantly associated with SVR in patients infected by genotype 1 but not genotype 6 HCV, with 80% versus 38% of patients infected by genotype 1 achieved SVR carried TT versus TG/GG at rs8099917, respectively (P=0.003). PNPLA3 genotype was not associated with SVR.IL28B gene with rs8099917 T allele as an independent predictor of SVR in Chinese CHC patients infected by genotype 1 but not genotype 6 HCV.

Experiments were performed to investigate systematically the influence of sliding speeds on tribological behaviours of in-lined (IN), staggered (ST) spot-islandic and fully coated (FC) physical vapour deposition (PVD) TiN coatings on M2 steel discs sliding with ASSAB 17 tool steel pins. Results revealed that: (i) the friction coefficients of the individual mating couples generally decreased with the sliding speed and the order in increasing magnitude at each specific sliding speed was FC, IN, and ST pair, respectively and (ii) the wear loss was inversely related to the sliding speed, and the wear loss of both the pin and disc of FC mating pair was the largest with ST the second and IN the third. Relevant mechanisms for the friction and the wear loss are proposed and discussed in this paper.

Experiments were performed to investigate systematically the tribological behaviours of in-lined and staggered spot-island PVD TiN patterns on M2 steel discs sliding with ASSAB 17 tool steel pins. Testing results on disc specimens with full PVD TiN coating and with the two types of PVD TiN spot-island patterns coated under three bias voltages (i.e.− 30, − 90 and − 180 V) were presented. Results revealed that both in-lined and staggered patterned coatings possessed relatively better wear behaviours (with in-lined patterned coating being the most superior) than the fully coated discs. Mechanisms for such superiority were discussed in this paper.

Most electrocatalysts for the ethanol oxidation reaction suffer from extremely limited operational durability and poor selectivity toward the CC bond cleavage. In spite of tremendous efforts over the past several decades, little progress has been made in this regard. This study reports the remarkable promoting effect of Ni(OH)2 on Pd nanocrystals for electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation reaction in alkaline solution. A hybrid electrocatalyst consisting of intimately mixed nanosized Pd particles, defective Ni(OH)2 nanoflakes, and a graphene support is prepared via a two-step solution method. The optimal product exhibits a high mass-specific peak current of >1500 mA mg−1Pd, and excellent operational durability forms both cycling and chronoamperometric measurements in alkaline solution. Most impressively, this hybrid catalyst retains a mass-specific current of 440 mA mg−1 even after 20 000 s of chronoamperometric testing, and its original activity can be regenerated via simple cyclic voltammetry cycles in clean KOH. This great catalyst durability is understood based on both CO stripping and in situ attenuated total reflection infrared experiments suggesting that the presence of Ni(OH)2 alleviates the poisoning of Pd nanocrystals by carbonaceous intermediates. The incorporation of Ni(OH)2 also markedly shifts the reaction selectivity from the originally predominant C2 pathway toward the more desirable C1 pathway, even at room temperature.

OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of Pollen Typhae total flavone (PTF) on glucose and lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. METHODS The content of glucose which disappeared from the culture medium after incubation with drugs for 24 hours was determined as glucose consumption of the cells. The activity of cells was detected by XTT method. The transport of glucose was observed by (3)H-glucose uptake method. The efflux of free fatty acid (FFA) from adipocytes was observed by the concentration of FFA in the culture medium. RESULTS The glucose concentration in culture medium was significantly decreased with a concentration-dependent effect, when PTF concentrations were from 0.025 g/L to 0.4 g/L. The toxic effect on cells appeared while PTF concentration was 0.4 g/L, and the MTT value decreased. PTF also significantly increased glucose transportation in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes as rosiglitazone (ROS) did. At the same time, FFA concentration in culture medium was significantly decreased as compared to the normal control group, while ROS-treated group did not show any difference. CONCLUSION PTF can increase insulin sensitivity by increasing glucose transportation and consumption in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes as well as decreasing the FFA efflux from the cells.

Acid soluble collagen (ASC) from scales of croceine croaker (ASC-C) was successfully isolated with the yield of 0.37% ± 0.08% (dry weight basis), and characterized as type I collagen on the basis of amino acid analysis and electrophoretic pattern. The antioxidant hydrolysate of ASC-C (ACH) was prepared through a two-stage in vitro digestion (4-h trypsin followed by 4-h pepsin), and three antioxidant peptides (ACH-P1, ACH-P2, and ACH-P3) were further isolated from ACH using ultrafiltration, gel chromatography, and RP-HPLC, and their amino acid sequences were identified as GFRGTIGLVG (ACH-P1), GPAGPAG (ACH-P2), and GFPSG (ACH-P3). ACH-P1, ACH-P2, and ACH-P3 showed good scavenging activities on hydroxyl radical (IC50 0.293, 0.240, and 0.107 mg/mL, respectively), DPPH radical (IC50 1.271, 0.675, and 0.283 mg/mL, respectively), superoxide radical (IC50 0.463, 0.099, and 0.151 mg/mL, respectively), and ABTS radical (IC50 0.421, 0.309, and 0.210 mg/mL, respectively). ACH-P3 was also effectively against lipid peroxidation in the model system. The antioxidant activities of three collagen peptides were due to the presence of hydrophobic amino acid residues within the peptide sequences. The collagen peptides might be used as antioxidant for the therapy of diseases associated with oxidative stress, or reducing oxidative changes during storage.

Rising electricity prices, falling photovoltaic (PV) system costs and the availability of net metering are encouraging consumers to consider PV systems. However, the variety and complexity of utility rate structures can be a formidable barrier to consumers in making economically informed decisions. This paper describes a methodology to integrate Green Button energy use data from electric utilities, with solar and temperature data to analyze the economics of PV systems, with and without battery storage, under different rate structures. Case study results indicate that the economics of PV systems are nearly identical under PG&E’s time-of-use and inverted-block rate structures, and are more favorable than under flat rate structures with the same average annual cost per kWh. However, simple paybacks remain well short of the typical life of PV systems. The simple payback for the addition of batteries is initially competitive with PV systems, but rises rapidly as battery size is increased.Copyright © 2013 by ASME

Multi-level carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays with adjustable patterns were prepared by a combination of the breath figure (BF) process and chemical vapor deposition. Polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid)/ferrocene was dissolved in carbon disulfide and cast onto a Si substrate covered with a transmission electron microscope grid in saturated relative humidity. A two-level microporous hybrid film with a block copolymer skeleton formed on the substrate after evaporation of the organic solvent and water. One level of ordered surface features originates from the contour of the hard templates; while the other level originates from the condensation of water droplets (BF arrays). Ultraviolet irradiation effectively cross-linked the polymer matrix and endowed the hybrid film with improved thermal stability. In the subsequent pyrolysis, the incorporated ferrocene in the hybrid film was oxidized and turned the polymer skeleton into the ferrous inorganic micropatterns. Either the cross-linked hybrid film or the ferrous inorganic micropatterns could act as a template to grow the multi-level CNT patterns, e.g. isolated and honeycomb-structured CNT bundle arrays perpendicular to the substrate.

Gallbladder cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the biliary tract. Early diagnosis of gallbladder cancer is difficult because of the latent onset and lack of good biomarkers. To identify new biomarkers that improve the early diagnosis and/or serve as possible therapeutic targets in gallbladder cancer is essential. In the present study, serum proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in 3 patients with gallbladder cancer and 3 healthy volunteers. The differentially expressed spots were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to verify the expression of certain candidate proteins. Protein expression and clinical correlation was evaluated. We found that 64 protein spots were significantly changed in gallbladder cancer. Twenty-four proteins including S100A10, haptoglobin, cystatin-B, profilin-1 and superoxide dismutase were successfully identified. Among these proteins, S100A10 and haptoglobin were validated using Western blotting. Immunohistochemically, the expression of S100A10 and haptoglobin proteins was found to be higher in gallbladder cancer tissues compared to that in gallbladder adenoma, liver cholangiocarcinoma and cholecystitis tissue. Patients with high expression of S100A10 and haptoglobin were linked to late stage disease and poor clinical prognosis. Our data suggest that combined comparative proteomic analysis by 2-DE and MALDI-TOF-MS is an effective method for identifying differentially expressed proteins in serum samples. These proteomic approaches could be used for identifying new serum biomarkers in gallbladder cancer. S100A10, haptoglobin and other identified proteins may be potential molecular targets for early gallbladder cancer diagnostics and therapeutic applications.

To explore the surgical treatment of hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancers and the ways of reconstruction after hypopharyngo-oesphagectomy, and to evaluate their efficacy.Twenty five patients with cancer of the laryngopharynx and cervical esophagus treated in our department between 1995 and 2007 were included in this study. Their clinical data were restrspectively analyzed. Among them, 17 cases had the tumor originated from the pyriform sinus, 3 of the posterior pharyngeal wall and 5 of the postcricoid region. Acording to the 2002 UICC criteria, all the tumors were stage T4, including 9 patients with cN0, 11 with cN1, and 5 with cN2 disease. The pharyngoesophageal defect reconstruction methods were as following: pharyngogastric anastomosis in 7 patients, free jejunal transplantion in 4, laryngotracheal flap in 8, and pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap in 6 patients. All patients were treated with modified and/or selective neck dissection. Among them, 8 cases received pre-operation radiotherapy, 17 received post-operative auxiliary radiotherapy.There was no operation death case in this group. All patients were followed up for 3 to 5 years. Three patients died in the first year. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 1-year survival rate was 88.0%, 3-year survival rate was 48.0%, and 5-year survival rate was 28.0%.The use of primary repair of the defects of laryngopharynx and cervical esophagus expands the operative indication for cancers of the laryngopharynx and cervical esophagus, improves the survival rate and life quality of the patients. Regarding the repair method of choice, site of the tumor and size of the defect are the most important factors regarding choice of reconstruction method, while the patients' age and general condiction should also be considered to minimize the complications as more as possible.

Large deformation will generate in thin-walled structures suffer from normal force. The analysis method to this problem for increase the accuracy of milling machining and reduce the deformation was introduced in this paper. Difference fixtures design always effect the milling machining deformation and the method of fixtures design for thin-walled structures in milling machining were analysis. Based on Abaqus software and some experiments test, an equivalent simulation method for milling machining deformation was introduced through some actual examples.

通讯作者地址: Xie,SY(通讯作者),Xiamen Univ, Coll Chem & Chem Engn, State Key Lab Phys Chem Solid Surfaces, 422 Si Ming Rd, Xiamen 361005, Peoples R China

To study the immunological suppressing effect of recombinant adenovirus vector rAD-mTERT promotor-m4-1BBL (rAD-mTERT) on mouse hepatoma cell line Hepa1-6 cells in co-culture with T lymphocytes.Adding recombinant adenovirus rAD, rAD-CMV-m4-1BBL (rAD-CMV) and rAD-mTERT to Hepa1-6 and L929 cells, respectively, to observe the effect of these adenoviruses on growth and apoptosis of these cells in co-culture with T lymphocytes.Adding adenovirus significantly suppressed the growth and slightly increased apoptosis of the two types of cells (P0.05). rAD-mTERT promotor-m4-1BBL showed only pro-apoptotic effect on Hepa1-6 cells. When co-cultured with T lymphocytes, rAD-CMV-m4-1BBL showed promoting effect on apoptosis of the cells. Compared with that of T cells pre-co-culture, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells were proliferated, and the ratio of CD4/CD8 was significantly reduced (from 1.27 to 1.08).Adding the recombinant adenoviruses only suppresses the cell growth, but not promotes their apoptosis. In co-culture with T lymphocytes, recombinant adenovirus vector rAD-mTERT promotor-m4-1BBL can targetingly suppress the growth and induce apoptosis of Hepa1-6 cells. The apoptosis is induced through the immunological killing effect of T lymphocytes.