Search

Oculopharyngodistal myopathy (OPDM) is an adult-onset neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive ptosis, dysarthria, ophthalmoplegia, and distal muscle weakness. Recent studies revealed that GGC repeat expansions in 5'-UTR of LRP12, GIPC1, and NOTCH2NLC are associated with OPDM. Despite these advances, approximately 30% of OPDM patients remain genetically undiagnosed. Herein, we aim to investigate the genetic basis for undiagnosed OPDM patients in two unrelated Chinese Han families.Parametric linkage analysis was performed. Long-read sequencing followed by repeat-primed polymerase chain reaction and amplicon length polymerase chain reaction were used to determine the genetic cause. Targeted methylation sequencing was implemented to detect epigenetic changes. The possible pathogenesis mechanism was investigated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence staining of muscle biopsy samples.The disease locus was mapped to 12q24.3. Subsequently, GGC repeat expansion in the promoter region of RILPL1 was identified in six OPDM patients from two families, findings consistent with a founder effect, designated as OPDM type 4. Targeted methylation sequencing revealed hypermethylation at the RILPL1 locus in unaffected individuals with ultralong expansion. Analysis of muscle samples showed no significant differences in RILPL1 mRNA or RILPL1 protein levels between patients and controls. Public CAGE-seq data indicated that alternative transcription start sites exist upstream of the RefSeq-annotated RILPL1 transcription start site. Strand-specific RNA-seq data revealed bidirectional transcription from the RILPL1 locus. Finally, fluorescence in situ hybridization/immunofluorescence staining showed that both sense and antisense transcripts formed RNA foci, and were co-localized with hnRNPA2B1 and p62 in the intranuclear inclusions of OPDM type 4 patients.Our findings implicate abnormal GGC repeat expansions in the promoter region of RILPL1 as a novel genetic cause for OPDM, and suggest a methylation mechanism and a potential RNA toxicity mechanism are involved in OPDM type 4 pathogenesis. ANN NEUROL 2022;92:512-526.

Despite the increasing number of genes associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, many patients currently still lack appropriate genetic diagnosis for this disease. Autosomal dominant mutations in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) have been implicated in CMT. Here, we describe causal missense mutations in the gene encoding seryl-tRNA synthetase 1 (SerRS) for 3 families affected with CMT.Whole-exome sequencing was performed in 16 patients and 14 unaffected members of 3 unrelated families. The functional impact of the genetic variants identified was investigated using bioinformatic prediction tools and confirmed using cellular and biochemical assays.Combined linkage analysis for the 3 families revealed significant linkage (Zmax LOD = 6.9) between the genomic co-ordinates on chromosome 1: 108681600-110300504. Within the linkage region, heterozygous SerRS missense variants segregated with the clinical phenotype in the 3 families. The mutant SerRS proteins exhibited reduced aminoacylation activity and abnormal SerRS dimerization, which suggests the impairment of total protein synthesis and induction of eIF2α phosphorylation.Our findings suggest the heterozygous SerRS variants identified represent a novel cause for autosomal dominant CMT. Mutant SerRS proteins are known to impact various molecular and cellular functions. Our findings provide significant advances on the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with ARS-related CMT. ANN NEUROL 2022.

Dihydropyrimidinones and their derivatives (DHPMs) possess extensive and important biological and pharmacological activities such as antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer and antitumor properties.1–...

The thermal-activated serpentine prepared by heating natural serpentine at different temperatures was used to immobilize cadmium (Cd) in simulated contaminated soils. The results showed that the in...

In situ immobilisation zinc (Zn) in simulated polluted soil was conducted by using the thermal-activated serpentine prepared via heating natural serpentine at different temperatures as amendments. ...

The natural diatomite was treated with NaOH to obtain alkali-activated diatomite. The materials were systematically characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic, scanning electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption–desorption. Meanwhile, the potential use of alkali-activated diatomite as adsorbent for the removal of basic fuchsin from aqueous solution was assessed by batch experiment. Results indicated that the structure and textural properties of diatomite were obviously changed via alkali activation, and then affecting its adsorption performance. The adsorption capacity of alkali-activated diatomite for basic fuchsin was higher than that of natural diatomite. In the case of alkali-activated diatomite, its adsorption capacity was increased with increasing the activation temperature, and the diatomite activated at 115°C (alkali-activated diatomite-115) exhibited the maximum adsorption capacity. The pseudo-first-order kinetics and the Sips isotherm model were preferable to describe the adsorption process of basic fuchsin on alkali-activated diatomite-115 and the thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous.

Adsorption properties of nature and thermal-activated serpentines to Pb2+ in aqueous solution were investigated. The results showed that Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics...

The reaction of the selective catalytic oxidation of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone using 30 wt% H2O2 as an oxidant and sodium tungstate as a catalyst was studied. The influencing factors in the reactions such as ligand types, the ratio of sodium tungstate and the ligand, reaction time, reaction temperature, the amount of catalyst and oxidant were investigated. The experimental results showed that the addition phosphotungstic acid into the system could obviously increase the yield of cyclohexanone. Under the beneficial conditions (i.e. cyclohexanol of 10 mL, sodium tungstate of 1.1 mmol, phosphotungstic acid of 0.11 mmol, 30 wt% hydrogen peroxide of 35 mL, the reaction temperature at 80 °C, reaction time for 5 h), the yield of cyclohexanone could reach 80.99%.

The chitosan–montmorillonite composites (CTS–MMT) were prepared by CTS in combination with Na-type montmorillonite (Na-MMT). The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effects of initial pH value of the solution, adsorbent dose, the mass ratio of CTS to Na-MMT, the adsorption temperature, and contact time on acid fuchsin (AF) removal efficiency were investigated. The results indicated that the CTS could be successfully intercalated into the interlayers of Na-MMT. With the increase in content of CTS, some of them may be distributed on the surfaces of the clay and the AF removal efficiency can reach 80.2% using CTS–MMT as adsorbent to treatment AF wastewater (the AF concentration 20 mg/L) under the condition of pH, 5; adsorbent dose, 5 g/L; the mass ratio of CTS to Na-MMT, 0.25:1; adsorption temperature, 40°C; and contact time, 90 min. Meanwhile, it was shown that the adsorption processes were better fitted by pseudo-second-order model and...

Evoked tactile sensation (ETS) is induced with stimulation of areas in the projected finger map (PFM) in the stump skin of forearm amputees. The aim of the present study is to further explore the neural correlation of the ETS with central activities in the somatosensory cortex (SI). Two forearm amputees were recruited to participate in this study. The neuroimaging technique of Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was employed to reveal the activities in the somatosensory cortex (SI), while the thumb and little finger areas in the PFM and the thumb and little finger of the contralateral hand were stimulated with a bi-phasic current pulse train. In one subject, local anesthesia was applied to the skin areas of the thumb and little finger of the PFM to examine the effects of blocking peripheral nerve transmission on the central activities in SI. Results obtained in the two subjects indicated that stimulation of the thumb and little finger areas in the PFM of amputated side produced the similar neural activities in the somatosensory cortex as those of stimulating the thumb and little finger of the contralateral hand, both of which were consistent with the homunculus organization of the SI cortex. The intensity of SI cortical activities was proportional to the intensity of the amplitude of peripheral stimulation. In particular, local anesthesia reduced the intensity of central activities in SI as revealed by the MEG response, as well as the sensitivity of ETS as reported by the subject. This neural correlation appears to suggest that the finger areas in the PFM in the stump skin are neuroanatomically connected to the finger areas of the somatosensory cortex. Thus, electrical stimulation of the PFM can induce natural sensation as that of normal fingers. This establishes the neural basis of natural sensory feedback from the prosthetic hand to the forearm amputee with finger-to-finger specificity.

An efficient Al-Fe cointercalated bentonite composite material (Al-Fe/Bent) which is capable of removing hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] from aqueous solutions was prepared. The batch experiment studies were conducted to evaluate the adsorption performance of Cr(VI) contained in aqueous solution. The XRD results showed the spacing of layers of bentonite was increased due to the aluminum and iron polycation intercalated into the layer of bentonite. The removal rate of Cr(VI) from the aqueous solution could be up 87.4% under the condition of the dosage of Al-Fe/Bent 8 g/L, pH 4, and a contact time of 60 min. The equilibrium data fitted well to the Freundlich model. The adsorption process could be well described by the pseudosecond order kinetic model.

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that electrical stimulation of projected finger map (PFM) in the stump skin of forearm amputees activates concurrently the corresponding finger areas in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1). The technique of magnetoencephalo-graphy (MEG) was used to detect S1 activities, while electrical stimulation pulses or trains were delivered to three sites: (1) the thumb and little finger areas of the PFM on the stump skin of an amputee subject; (2) the thumb and little finger of the contralateral hand of the subject; and (3) the contralateral forearm skin areas matching the PFM in the amputated stump. Result indicated that at single pulse stimulus (1Hz) to the thumb and little fingers in the PFM and contralateral hand, symmetric areas in S1 corresponding to the thumb (more lateral) and little finger (lateral) in both sides could be identified. With stimulation train (50Hz and duty cycle of 50%) to the thumb and little finger in the PFM and contralateral hand, the subject experienced pressure sensations similarly at both sites, and the same symmetric areas of the thumb (more lateral) and little finger (lateral) in S1 were activated. With stimulation at the third site, the activation area in S1 was located towards more medial (elbow) segment. MEG results indicated that PFM stimulation evoked S1 activation consistent with homunculus organization. This may imply that the thumb and little finger areas in the PFM on the stump skin are connected neuroanatomically to the thumb and little finger areas in S1 before amputation.

At the end of the twentieth century, a basic education reform was initiated in China, and this led to the development of a new curriculum system. This was a new breakthrough, different from the previous mathematics curricula that had been in place since 1949, both in design and implementation. For example, the new features included the orientation of curriculum goals with student-centered principles, the highlighting of a curriculum structure with selective characteristics, and curriculum organization with a comprehensive block-based design, integrated curriculum content, and the development of basic knowledge and basic skills.

The evolution of the secondary school mathematics curriculum in China has been ongoing for more than sixty years, since 1949. To harness the history of these sixty years’ development, it is necessary to select the appropriate focus, and this depends on how to comprehend the curriculum.

The existence of projected finger territories (PFTs) near the stump provides an essential way to realize the tactile sensation of lost fingers by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). After amputation, the somatosensory cortex corresponding to lost fingers might be invaded by other cortical areas due to cortical plasticity. However, it was seldom observed how the amputees could feel the projected or lost finger tactile sensation in the cerebral cortex under TENS. To answer this question, by using magnetoencephalography (MEG), we investigated the cortical response under TENS of the projected thumb territory and normal thumb with 2 Hz current pulses. One subject with long-term left forearm amputation was recruited. The temporal and spatial characteristics of the activated cortical magnetic signals were analyzed. The Equivalent Current Dipoles (ECDs) corresponding to the strongest strength were mapped in the cerebral cortex, and the current density distribution were clearly illustrated. We found that the latencies at the maximum ECD strength were 60 ± 1.41 ms for the projected thumb and 46 ± 1.25 ms for the normal counterpart. The strongest ECD corresponding to projected thumb was located in the central sulcus near the mirror location of the normal thumb counterpart. And the response strengths of projected thumb cortex were stronger than normal thumb counterpart.

The degradation of polyacrylamide (PAM) in simulate wastewater was studied in UV/Fenton/C4H4O62− system. The factors such as molecular ratio of H2O2/Fe2+/C4H4O62−, pH, and the dosage of Fenton reagent that could affect the PAM degradation in the UV/Fenton/C4H4O62− system were investigated. The experimental results showed that adding C4H4O62− to UV/Fenton system could form photosensitive ferrous complexes, which led to higher degradation efficiency of PAM. The degradation rate of PAM could be up to 95.2% under the following conditions: the concentration of H2O2, Fe2+, and C4H4O62− were 22.5, 2.25, and 2.25 mmol/L, respectively (i.e., molecular ratio of H2O2/Fe2+/C4H4O62− was 10:1:1), the pH value was 3.0.

Directly modified bentonite was obtained by directly adding modifier cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTMAB) to sodium bentonite.The modified bentonites adsorption performance to methyl orange and methylene blue was studied, and it was compared with modified bentonite prepared by classical method. The results show that directly modified bentonite has a greater and faster absorption for both methyl orange and methylene blue; the relationship between adsorption quantity and equilibrium concentration conforms to the Langmuir isotherm equation; absorption kinetics is in accordance with the secondary dynamics equation.

TiO2/bentonite composites were prepared by a sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction measurements of the samples revealed that TiO2 had intercalated into the layers of bentonite and existed in anatase phase of TiO2. Acid red 3R was used as model compounds of textile dyes in this study. The effects of operational parameters, including TiO2 content, pH, as well as catalyst dosage, on photocatalytic degradation performance were examined. The experimental results showed that the removal rate of acid red 3R can be up to 96.7% under the following conditions: the dosage of TiO2/bentonite was 2 g/L, the content of TiO2 was 30%, the pH value was 3. And the photocatalytic reaction followed pseudo-first-order kinetics models.

Novel B 2 O 3 –GeO 2 –Gd 2 O 3 ternary scintillating glasses doped with 1 mol% rare-earth and transition-metal activators were synthesized by melt-quenching method. Their transmittance, photoluminescence (PL) and X-ray excited luminescence (XEL) spectra were investigated. The results suggest that a high content of Gd 2 O 3 is of significance for designing dense glass with density of 6.0 g/cm 3 . And energy transfer from Gd 3+ to the incorporated activators can be realized in the borogermanate glasses. The emission position and decay time can be efficiently tuned by incorporating various kinds of activators. All results imply the developed borogermanate scintillating glass is potential for scintillating fields.

Na–bentonite was modified via an ion-exchange reaction with hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). X-ray diffractometer (XRD) indicated CTAB cations had exchanged with Na+ ions in Na–bentonite and the interlayer space of bentonite was increased. Batch adsorption tests were carried out to remove phenol from model wastewater using the modified bentonite, and the effect of amount of CTAB, contact time, pH, and adding quantity of modified bentonite were evaluated. The experimental results showed that the removal efficiency of phenol can be up to 81.36% under the following conditions: the amount of CTAB was 1.5 cation exchange capacity (CEC), the dosage of organic modified bentonite was 7 g/L, the adsorption time was 60 min, and the pH value was 7. The adsorption isotherms of organic modified bentonite for phenol-based wastewater met the Freundlich adsorption equation.

Fe-pillared bentonite (Fe-Bent) was prepared by ion exchange as heterogeneous catalyst for degradation of organic contaminants in petroleum refinery wastewater. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the existence of α-Fe2O3. The effects of pH, H2O2 concentration, and catalyst dosage on the rate of lowering the chemical oxygen demand (COD) were investigated in detail. Removal efficiency of COD can be up to 92% under the following conditions: dosage of Fe-Bent 7 g L−1, pH value 3, and H2O2 concentration 10 mmol L−1. Fe-Bent showed good stability for the degradation of organics in petroleum refinery wastewater for five cycles. The adsorption of organics in wastewater onto Fe-Bent could be well described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model.

A solid base catalyst KOH/NaY was prepared by supporting KOH on NaY and the transesterification of castor oil to biodiesel catalyzed by the KOH/NaY was studied. The effects of molar ratio of methanol to castor oil, catalyst dosage (catalyst mass/oil mass), loading amount of KOH, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the conversion rate of transesterification were investigated. Under the optimal conditions of reaction temperature 65°C, molar ratio of methanol to oil 9:1, mass fraction of catalyst 10%, loading amount of KOH 10%, and reaction time 3 h, the conversion rate of transesterification was 86.9%. And KOH/NaY catalyst could be reused at least for three cycles with a significant conversion.

Thermal activated serpentine with high adsorption capacity for heavy metals was prepared. The batch experiment studies were conducted to evaluate the adsorption performance of Cd2+ in aqueous solution using thermal activated serpentine as adsorbent. These samples before and after adsorption were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, XPS, and N2 adsorption-desorption at low temperature. It was found that serpentine with layered structure transformed to forsterite with amorphous structure after thermal treatment at over 700°C, while the surface area of the samples was increased with activated temperature and the serpentine activated at 700°C (S-700) presented the largest surface area. The pH of solution after adsorption was increased in different degrees due to hydrolysis of MgO in serpentine, resulting in enhancing adsorption of Cd2+. The S-700 exhibited the maximum equilibrium adsorption capacity (15.21mg/g), which was 2 times more than pristine serpentine. Langmuir isotherm was proved to describe the equilibrium adsorption data better than Freundlich isotherm and pseudo second order kinetics model could fit the adsorption kinetics processes well. Based on the results of characterization with XPS and XRD, the adsorption mechanisms could be explained as primarily formation of CdCO3 and Cd(OH)2 precipitation on the surface of serpentine.

Double Rayleigh scattering (DRS) induces coherent noises in remotely interrogated optical fiber sensor systems especially when high coherence laser sources are used. Phase generation carried (PGC) technique has been used in optical fiber sensors to overcome bias induced signal fading and eliminated incoherent noises at low frequency. In this paper we demonstrated that PGC technique can also suppress DRS induced coherent noises. In an experimental setup with total 50-km input and output lead fibers, we achieved maximum 7dB of intensity noise suppression and maximum 10dB of phase noise suppression. With PGC technique, DRS induced phase noise has been suppressed to the sensor self-noise level.

In order to study the character of a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) in treating petrochemical wastewater, the authors offer the comparison experiment between MBBR and activated sludge process (A...

Oxytocin (OT) has been reported to have a potential protective effect on stress-induced functional gastrointestinal disorders. This study determined whether colonic contraction in adults was affected by antenatal maternal hypoxia, and whether OT is involved in antenatal maternal hypoxia induced colonic contraction disorder. Isometric spontaneous contractions were recorded in colonic longitudinal muscle strips in order to investigate colonic contractions and the effects of exogenous OT on the contraction in antenatal maternal hypoxia and control mice. Both high potassium and carbachol-induced contractions of proximal colon but not distal colon were reduced in antenatal maternal hypoxia mice. Exogenous OT decreased the contractions of proximal colonic smooth muscle strips in control mice, while it increased contractions in antenatal maternal hypoxia mice. OT increased the contractions of distal colonic smooth muscle strips in both antenatal maternal hypoxia and control mice. Hexamethonium blocked the OT-induced potentiation of proximal colon but not distal colon in antenatal maternal hypoxia mice. These results suggest that exogenous oxytocin reverses the decrease of proximal colonic smooth muscle contraction in antenatal maternal hypoxia mice via ganglia.

Bentonite was used as an adsorbent for removing copper ions from aqueous solutions，and the kinetic experiments and isothermal were performed. The results showed that the bentonite on Cu2+adsorption followed the pseudo-secondary kinetic model, the high temperature was benefit for adsorption; The isothermal experimental data were fitted using Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm.

We calculate the spectra and oscillator strengths for highly ionized cobalt-like Cd 21+ ions 3p 6 3d 9 -3p 5 3d 10 , 3p 6 3d 9 -3p 6 3d 8 4p transitions by using multi-configuration self-consistent field method program together with fitting formula proposed by us. The calculations have a good agreement with observations.

The aromatization reaction performance of P-Zn/HZSM-5 catalyst was investigated on a fixed bed reactor using five fluid catalytic cracked (FCC) gasoline fractions (

Spectroscopic properties of various concentrations Dy3+-doped silicate glasses were characterized by excitation and emission spectra. The optimal doping concentration of Dy3+ ions was found to be 3.0 wt%, and the nature of resonance energy transfer was confirmed to be electric dipole–dipole interaction according to Huang’s rule. Simulation of white-light for these glasses was also performed by varying the excitation wavelength. The results show that the white-light luminescence color could be tuned to various wavelength excitations, and the present silicate glass is more suitable for generation of white-light for blue LED chips.

A magnetic-separated catalyst of chitosan-palladium complex (Fe3O4-CS-Pd) based on chitosan coated Fe3O4 microspheres was prepared by the “bottom-up” approach. The catalytic behavior of the catalyst in the cross coupling reaction of acrylic acid (AA) with iodobenzene (ArI) was investigated. Compared with the traditional homogeneous palladium catalysts, the catalyst was easily separated and reused.

The ubiquitin-protein ligase E3C (UBE3C) belongs to the E3 ligase enzyme family and implicates in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, thus regulates physiological and cancer-related processes. Here, we investigated the expression and roles of UBE3C in glioma. We demonstrated that UBE3C was overexpressed in glioma tissues and cell lines. Inhibition of UBE3C expression in glioma cells significantly decreased cell migration and invasion in vitro. Mechanistically, we disclosed that UBE3C physically interacted with and ubiquitinated tumor suppressor gene annexin A7 (ANXA7), resulting in ubiquitination and degradation of ANXA7. Our results also revealed that increased UBE3C expression was accompanied by a reduction in ANXA7 protein expression in glioma tissues, but not ANXA7 mRNA. Importantly, the inhibition of ANXA7 expression in gliomas cells with UBE3C interference could rescue the cell invasion. Clinically, UBE3C overexpression significantly correlated with high-grade tumors (p

The bidentate ferrocenyl sandwich molecule N , N ′-bis-3-pyridylmethyl-1,1′-ferrocenedicarboxamide (3-BPMFA) has been employed as an organometallic coordination ligand in reaction with CdBr 2 to construct heterobimetallic architectures. By assembling the flexible arm-like molecule with CdBr 2 , two novel bimetallic 1D chain structures are constructed in different solvent systems: the solvated [Cd(μ-3-BPMFA) 2 Br 2 ] n ·nMeOH ( 1 ) from methanol and the unsolvated [Cd(3-BPMFA)(μ-Br) 2 ] n ( 2 ) from DMF–Et 2 O. Different roles of bromine ions have been observed in these two complexes. In 1 , bromine ions only act as terminal coordinated ligand, while they play bridging roles in 2 . Electrochemistry properties of the ligand and complexes were discussed preliminarily.

There are two peaks of different polarizations in the reflection spectrum of the side-hole fiber grating and their separation interval has a linear variation along with the pressure changing while it is insensitive to the temperature. We have proposed a novel measurement scheme based on polarization detection. The detection of peak separation is achieved by measuring the two peaks center wavelengths separately with all polarization maintaining fiber system. The side-hole fiber grating pressure sensing within, the range of 0∼3.5 MPa is realized successfully with the new scheme.

Using maleimidoethylmonoamide cysteine (Fmoc)(StBu) (1) as a medium, cysteine residues on proteins of chicken eggshell membrane (ESM) were successfully converted into N-terminal cysteines. After a biocompatible condensation reaction between the N-terminal cysteine and fluorescent probe 2-cyanobenzothiazole-Gly-Gly-Gly-fluorescein isothiocyanate (2), a new fluorogenic structure luciferin-Gly-Gly-Gly-FITC (3) was obtained, which exhibits a 2-fold fluorescence emission increase compared to that of 2. Thus, a new method for effectively labeling cysteine residues on ESMs was developed. Enhanced fluorescence images of ESMs were directly observed under a microscope and a small animal imaging machine.

A caspase-3 controlled condensation was applied to self-assemble biotinylated nanoparticles for capturing FITC-labelled streptavidin and subsequently turning on the fluorescence signal.

Series of Tm3+/Yb3+ co-doped GdF3 powders were synthesized through an easy and mild hydrothermal method. The phase and purity of powders were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) (Rigaku RU-200b). The morphologies of the samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE SEM) (Hitachi S-4800). The ultraviolet (UV) up-conversion (UC)emission spectra were recorded by a fluorescence spectrophotometer (Hitachi F-4500) with a 980 nm semiconductor continuous wave laser diode as the excitation source. And the luminescent dynamics was measured by excitation with 980 nm using an optical parameter oscillator (OPO) laser pumped by a pulsed Nd : YAG laser with a pulse duration of 10 ns, repetition frequency of 10 Hz, and the signal was recorded by using a monochromator and an oscillograph. Under 980 nm excitation, Gd3+, acting as a kind of host ion in the studied system, and its UV UC emissions were observed and studied. The luminescent dynamics of the characteristic emission of Gd3+ (311.6 nm, 6P7/2 --8S7/2) was explored and studied. The luminescent dynamics analysis results indicated that, on UV UC emissions of Gd3+, Yb3+ ions served as primary sensitizer ions successively transferring energy to Tm3+ to populate the 3P2 level. Then, Tm3+ ions served as secondary sensitizer ions transferring energy to populate the multiple 6 I(J) states of Gd3+ 3P2 --3H6 (Tm3+): 8S7/2 --6 I(J) (Gd3+). Further, 6D(J) levels were populated through other energy transfer processes between Gd3+ and Yb3+ or Tm3+. Finally, UV UC emissions from the excited 6D9/2, 6 I(J), 6P5/2, and 6P7/2 states to the ground state 8S7/2 were observed. Meanwhile, Tm3+ acted as activator in its own UC emissions, and the article did not put emphasis on those except the 3P2 and 1 I6 levels to the ground state 3 H6 transitions. Especially, the dependences of UV UC emissions of Gd3+ on the Yb3+ concentrations, the Tm3+ concentrations, the annealing temperatures, and the excitation power densities of the 980 nm semiconductor continuous wave laser diode were studied, too.

Numerous studies have described both motor defects and cognitive impairments in several strains of rodents following 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) intoxication. In the present study, we investigated spatial recognition memory in Kunming mice that just recovered from motor defects induced by 3-NP.Mouse model was made by systemic subacute 3-NP treatment, and spatial recognition memory was measured through the Y-maze Test, a simple two-trial recognition test.(1) On day 15 following 3-NP treatment, affected Kunming mice did not show motor defects in the Rotarod test and presented normal gait again. (2) In the following Y-maze test after 1h interval, the percentage (90.0%) of mice showing novel arm preference in 3-NP treatment group was significantly higher than the random chance level (50%), although it was only slightly higher than that (83.3%) in control group. On day 45 after 3-NP treatment, mice failed to choose unfamiliar novel arm as first choice, and the same occured in the control group. (3) For both post-intoxicated (on day 15 and day 45 following 3-NP treatment) and control groups, the duration in the novel arm and the frequency of entering it, were longer and higher compared with familiar start and other arms. For these mice that recently recovered from motor defects following 3-NP intoxication, no spatial memory deficits were observed through Y-maze Test.Kunming mice used in our assays might possess resistance to cognitive impairment induced by 3-NP, which is consistent with previous findings in Swiss EPM-M1 mice.

Novel red phosphor, Eu3+ -doped oxyphosphate (La3 PO7:Eu3+), was synthesized by a solid state method under high temperature. All the starting materials were analytical grade. La2O3, EuO3 and (NH4)2HPO4 weighed in appropriated molar ratios and ground in an agate mortar. Then the powder was treated under 1000 degrees C. The crystal phase of La3PO7:Eu3+ was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) using a Cu target radiation resource (lamda = 1.54078 ?) and exhibited prominent peaks accordant with JCPDS standard card (33-0720) of La3PO7 in monoclinic phase. Emission and excitation spectra of La3PO7:Eu3+ were recorded at room temperature using a fluorescence spectrometer (Hitachi F-4500). Under 254 nm excitation, intense red fluorescence was observed from La3PO7:Eu3+, which was assigned to the (5)D0--(7)F2 transition of Eu3+ ions. The intensity of the (5)D0--(7)F2 transition is stronger than that of the (5)D0--(7)F1 transition, showing that the Eu3+ ions were in the non-centrosym-metric sites in La3PO7. The CommissionIn-ternational DeL" Eclairage (CIE) coordinate of La3PO7:Eu3+ is (0.63,0.37) in the red area of CIE1931 XY chromaticity coordinate graph and close to that of Y2o3:Eu3+, but the cost of La3PO7 host is lower. This novel material may have potential applications in plasma display panels and Hg-free fluorescent lamps in the future.