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Aims Under intensive and stressful aquaculture conditions, cultured eels are highly susceptible to virulent Aeromonas sp. infections. To rapidly and simultaneously confirm Aeromonas isolate and its virulence, a two-tube multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay incorporating gyrB gene for genus-specific recognition and seven major virulence genes for virulence assessment was developed. Methods and results Eight pairs of primers were designed and divided into two groups-gyrB, ahpA, epr and aerA in tube 1 and alt, act, ast and hlyA in tube 2. The optimized mPCR conditions were the same except for their final concentrations. The specificity of the mPCR was validated by the extracted DNA of 10 Aeromonas and 8 non-Aeromonas species, or mixed DNA templates. Detection limits were determined to be 200 copies per μl in tube 1 and 20 copies per μl in tube 2. The mPCR reproducibility was tested by both artificial challenge and clinical samples. Conclusions The results showed this two-tube mPCR assay was rapid, specific, sensitive and reliable. Significance and impact of the study To our knowledge, this is the first report to distinguish virulent Aeromonas isolates from nonvirulent ones by seven popular and major virulence genes at the genus-specific level. And it will be useful for large-scale screening of virulent Aeromonas sp. in cultured eels.

Effective removal of dental plaque is a key measure to prevent and control common oral diseases and to maintain the long-term effect of dental prostheses. The methods of oral plaque control are mainly depending on mechanical measures, including regular toothbrushing, interdental cleaning and oral irrigation. Toothbrushing is the most common and effective method for mechanical removal of dental plaque.How ever the effect of toothbrushing alone to remove dental plaque is limited. It is necessary to control the interdental plaque using tools such as dental floss and interdental brushes. Oral irrigation is an assistant method to improve oral hygiene. Toothbrushing combined with the use of oral irrigator can significantly improve the removal rate of dental plaque. The present article reviews the research progress of the mechanical plaque control methods and their application results.有效清除牙菌斑生物膜是预防和控制常见口腔疾病、维持修复远期效果的关键措施。自我菌斑控制的方法中以机械方法为主，包括常规刷牙、牙间隙清洁及口腔冲洗。刷牙是机械性去除牙菌斑最常用的有效方法；单纯刷牙对于全面清除牙菌斑仍然不够，通过牙线、牙间隙刷等工具进行牙间隙清洁对控制邻面菌斑十分必要；口腔冲洗属于新兴的口腔辅助清洁方式，刷牙结合使用冲牙器可有效提高牙菌斑的清除率。本文就自我菌斑控制的机械方法及其应用效果的研究进展等内容作一综述。.

The aim of this study was to explore the association between TP53 gene polymorphisms (rs8068934 AG and rs218698 CT) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).CLL patients who received treatment in our hospital were enrolled in this study as the disease group. Meanwhile, healthy subjects were taken as the control group. Peripheral blood samples were collected to detect TP53 gene polymorphisms at rs8068934 and rs218698, and the haplotype analysis was performed. The expression of TP53 was detected via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Furthermore, the survival conditions were analyzed.The allele distribution at rs8068934 (p=0.046) and rs218698 (p=0.028) of TP53 gene was different between control group and disease group. A allele frequency at rs8068934 and T allele frequency at rs218698 were significantly higher in disease group (p0.05). The genotype distribution at rs218698 of TP53 gene in disease group was also different from that in control group (p=0.038). The results demonstrated that CC genotype frequency in disease group was significantly lower than that in control group (p0.05). Besides, the distribution of dominant model at rs8068934 (p=0.042) and recessive model at rs218698 (p=0.033) in disease group exhibited remarkable differences from control group, in which AA+AG frequency (dominant model) at rs8068934 and CC+CT frequency (recessive model) at rs218698 in disease group were significantly higher. Meanwhile, the distribution of AT (p=0.029) and GC (p=0.007) haplotypes at rs8068934 and rs218698 in disease group was evidently different from that in control group. The results indicated that disease group showed significantly higher frequency of AT haplotype and lower frequency of GC haplotype (p0.05). Moreover, TP53 gene polymorphisms at rs8068934 were significantly associated with the levels of white blood cells (WBC) (p=0.000) and platelets (PLT) (p=0.035). Patients with GG genotype had significantly higher level of WBC, while those with AG genotype showed significantly lower level of PLT (p0.05). TP53 gene polymorphisms at rs218698 were associated with the level of red blood cells (RBC) (p=0.000). Patients with CT genotype had a remarkably lower level of RBC (p0.05). There were significant correlations of TP53 gene polymorphisms at rs8068934 (p=0.000) and rs218698 (p=0.000) with the expression of TP53. The expression of TP53 was lower in people with AA genotype at rs8068934 but higher in people with TT genotype at rs218698 (p0.05). Furthermore, TP53 gene polymorphisms at rs8068934 (p=0.000) and rs218698 (p=0.000) were markedly associated with patients' survival.TP53 polymorphisms are significantly correlated with the occurrence and progression of CLL.

Aim To investigate the value of hepatic extracellular volume fractions (fECVs) measured using routine liver computed tomography (CT) evaluating liver fibrosis (LF). Materials and methods A total of 60 patients (male:female ratio, 39:21; mean age, 42.4 years) histologically diagnosed with LF underwent routine liver CT. Absolute enhancement (in Hounsfield units) of the liver parenchyma (E liver ) and aorta (E aorta ) 3 minutes after contrast medium administration was calculated using precontrast and equilibrium phase scans. The fECV was calculated using the following equation: fECV (%)=E liver × (100 − haematocrit [%])/E aorta . Correlation between fECV and LF stage was evaluated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The fECVs were compared between each stage of LF. The diagnostic performance of fECV was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results The difference among the groups was statistically significant ( p p r =0.468, p =0.001). The sensitivity and specificity were 0.76 and 0.68 for severe LF (F≥3); and 0.89 and 0.63 for cirrhosis (F=4). The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) for F≥3 and F=4 were 0.757 and 0.775, respectively. Conclusions Calculation of fECV during routine contrast-enhanced liver CT may provide a non-invasive means of assessing LF.

The chemical flooding in Daqing Oilfield has entered the following water flooding stage, and about more than 50% of the crude oil remains in the reservoir. In order to maintain the sustainable and effective development of oilfield, the formulation of chemical flooding system suitable for after chemical flooding is studied. The surfactants in field application at home and abroad were investigated. The foam and interfacial properties of the surfactants were measured through a foam scanner and an interfacial tension tester. The properties of the surfactant system were optimized by using compound method. The injection pressure and oil displacement effect of surfactant system were studied by physical simulation experiment. The results show that the compatibility of DWS or AOS with oilfield sewage and polymer is good, and the foaming property and foam stability of DWS or AOS with polymer binary system are good. The ultra-low interfacial tension is formation between DWS and crude oil under oilfield sewage conditions. The foaming property and foam stability of DWS/AOS or DWS/RFD system are good. When the binary system is aged for three months under the condition of nitrogen, the viscosity retention rate is more than fifty percent. The viscosity stability under the condition of nitrogen is better than that in the air. When the liquid–gas ratio is 1:1, the pressure gradient and displacement effect of foam-flooding are the best. This gives a method to improve oil recovery after chemical flooding and provides a basic guarantee for oilfield development.

To explore the correlation of the lymphotoxin alpha (LTα) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) gene polymorphisms with childhood asthma.A total of 102 asthma children (observation group) and 80 healthy children (control group) were enrolled. The information was collected via questionnaires and the polymorphisms of LTα rs2844484 and NQO1 rs2917666 were examined with the TaqMan-MGB probe.Observation group had higher constituent ratios of contact with animal furs, personal history of infection, personal history of allergy, familial infection history and familial allergic history than those of control group (p0.05). However, there were no differences in age, sex, passive smoking, purchase of new furniture and mask wearing between the two groups (p0.05). The frequency of LTα rs2844484 genotype AA was significantly higher than that of genotype AG and GG (p0.01), and NQO1 rs2917666 genotype CC showed notably higher frequency than that of genotype CG and GG (p0.05). The frequency of LTα rs2844484 A allele was significantly higher than that of G allele (p0.01), while NQO1 rs2917666 C allele had remarkably higher frequency than G allele (p0.05). The comparisons of the recessive and additive modes revealed differences between the two groups (p0.05). However, we did not observe significant difference in dominant mode between the two groups (p0.05).The risk factors for childhood asthma include the contact with animal furs, personal history of infection, personal history of allergy, familial infection history and familial allergic history. Polymorphisms of LTα and NQO1 genes are correlated with childhood asthma.

The number (n) and diameter (d) of superheated droplets in bubble detectors of Type T-12 have been determined with high-energy heavy ions 56Fe, 84Kr and 132Xe at HIMAC accelerator in the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), Chiba Japan. The approach to determining the number and diameter of superheated droplets is based on determination of (1) the average gap distance (g) between two neighboring bubbles in a track of high-energy heavy ion and (2) the volume ratio (VL/V) of superheated droplets to the whole volume of the detector. The volume ratio is known from preparation process of bubble detectors. The average gap distance can be obtained from the mean of gap distances measured between two neighboring bubbles in a track of heavy ion. From g and VL/V one can obtain the two basic parameters n and d of the bubble detector, which are unknown due to invisibility of superheated droplets in bubble detector. Four batches of bubble detectors of Type T-12 were calibrated by this approach. It shows that the average gap distance of bubbles in the detectors is ∼1 mm, the volume density (number n) of superheated droplets in the detectors is ∼106 cm−3 and the diameter of superheated droplets is in the range from ∼30 to 50 μm. It also shows that the two parameters n and d are different from batch to batch of the detectors when VL/V is the same. Therefore, one should make a calibration of bubble detectors at accelerator with heavy ions before using the detectors. This property is similar to that of etch track detectors (SSNTD). Keywords: Bubble detector, Number of superheated droplets, Diameter of superheated droplets, Gap distance between two neighboring bubbles in a track, Calibration of bubble detectors with heavy ions at accelerator, Grubbs criteria for rejecting parasitic erroneous data

To examine the expression level of microRNA-485-5p (miRNA-485-5p) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its biological function in regulating the proliferative ability of AML through targeting SALL4.Serum level of miRNA-485-5p in AML patients and healthy controls was determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). MiRNA-485-5p level in AML cell lines was detected by qRT-PCR as well. Proliferative and apoptotic changes in AML5 and U937 cells overexpressing miRNA-485-5p were assessed. Subsequently, the regulatory effect of miRNA-485-5p on SALL4 level was evaluated. Rescue experiments were conducted to uncover the role of miRNA-485-5p/SALL4 regulatory loop in regulating cellular behaviors of AML.Compared with healthy controls, serum level of miRNA-485-5p was lower in AML patients. MiRNA-485-5p was similarly downregulated in AML cell lines. Overexpression of miRNA-485-5p stimulated proliferation and alleviated apoptosis in AML. SALL4 level was downregulated by transfection of miRNA-485-5p mimics in AML5 and U937 cells. Overexpression of SALL4 could reverse the regulatory effect of miRNA-485-5p on proliferative and apoptotic abilities of AML.MiRNA-485-5p is downregulated in AML. Overexpression of miRNA-485-5p alleviates the malignant progression of AML through downregulating SALL4.

1. Aulacopilum glaucum WilsonContributors. P. Srivastava, V. Sahu and A. K. AsthanaIndia. Manipur, Imphal, Bishnupur, Leimaram, near Sadu Chiru Falls, 24°44′21.3″N, 093°44′56.3″E, epiphytic, 1111 m...

Extra length and large sized bubble detectors (BD) of Type T-15 have been irradiated with 500 MeV/u 56 Fe ions at HIMAC accelerator in the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), Chiba, Japan. Linear tracks composed of regular arrays of tiny bubbles are visible by the naked eyes. The total length of each track is longer than 4.2 cm. In each track there are commonly more than 24 bubbles. The gap distance (or called pitch distance) between two neighboring bubbles in a track has been measured and analyzed, which reflects the distance between the two invisible superheated droplets that form the visible bubbles. The gap distance is related to the volume ratio of the superheated liquid (Freon-115) droplets to the whole sensitive volume of the detector and to the sizes of the droplets of the superheated liquid. A technique has been developed to deduce the average diameter of superheated droplets and to derive the number of the droplets in unit volume of the detector. A method to calibrate bubble detectors with high-energy heavy ions at accelerators is advanced, which is similar to that of calibration of solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) at accelerators. Feasible ranges of the percentage volume of superheated liquid being 10 −4 –10 −1 , droplet diameter 1–10 3 μm, and droplet number density 1–10 11 cm −3 in bubble detectors are outlined according to the experiences of the authors. These techniques and method will facilitate the development and applications of bubble detectors.

MicroRNA166 (miR166) is known to have highly conserved targets that encode proteins of the class III homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-ZIP III) family, in a broad range of plant species. To further understand the relationship between HD-ZIP III genes and miR166, four HD-ZIP III family genes (PpHB14, PpHB15, PpHB8, and PpREV) were isolated from peach (Prunus persica) tissue and characterized. Spatio-temporal expression profiles of the genes were analyzed. Genes of the peach HD-ZIP III family were predicted to encode five conserved domains. Deduced amino acid sequences and tertiary structures of the four peach HD-ZIP III genes were highly conserved, with corresponding genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. The expression level of four targets displayed the opposite trend to that of miR166 throughout fruit development, with the exception of PpHB14 from 35 to 55 days after full bloom (DAFB). This finding indicates that miR166 may negatively regulate its four targets throughout fruit development. As for leaf and phloem, the same trend in expression level was observed between four targets and miR166 from 75 to 105 DAFB. However, the opposite trend was observed for the transcript level between four targets and miR166 from 35 to 55 DAFB. miRNA166 may negatively regulate four targets in some but not all developmental stages for a given tissue. The four genes studied were observed to have, exactly or generally, the same change tendency as individual tissue development, a finding that suggests genes of the HD-ZIP III family in peach may have complementary or cooperative functions in various tissues.

Aim A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in detecting and staging hepatic fibrosis. Materials and methods A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library Database up to October 2013 was undertaken to find studies on the evaluation of MRE in patients suspected of hepatic fibrosis. Data from the articles were analysed using Meta-disc 1.4 and Stata 12.0 software. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUROC) were pooled for all stages of hepatic fibrosis (F ≥ 1, F ≥ 2, F ≥ 3, and F = 4). Publication bias was assessed through the Deeks' funnel plot asymmetry tests. Results Thirteen studies comprising 989 patients met the inclusion criteria. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for F ≥ 1, F ≥ 2, F ≥ 3, and F = 4 were 0.87 (95% CI = 0.84–0.89) and 0.92 (95% CI = 0.87–0.96), 0.87 (95% CI = 0.84–0.90) and 0.92 (95% CI = 0.89–0.95), 0.88 (95% CI = 0.85–0.91) and 0.91 (95% CI = 0.88–0.93), 0.91 (95% CI = 0.87–0.94) and 0.92 (95% CI = 0.89–0.94), respectively. The pooled AUROC for F ≥ 1, F ≥ 2, F ≥ 3, and F = 4 were 0.9502, 0.9663, 0.9644, and 0.9768, respectively. The non-significant slope of Deeks' funnel plot asymmetry tests indicated that no significant bias was found. Conclusions MRE has a high diagnostic accuracy for the quantitative detection and staging of hepatic fibrosis.

To achieve fast flood modelling for urban area, a efficient two-dimensional model based on cellular automata was developed and further coupled with a hydrological model. The model is tested using an analytical and a real event case. The analytical case results show that the model is capable of simulating water-depth process with good agreement with the analytical solution under a reasonable slope threshold and grid resolution. Slope threshold and grid resolution are the two key factors affecting the computational efficiency and model accurcay. In the case of the real event case, the results are also reasonably.In general, this model can be applied to rapid flood analysis in large urban areas.

Hot compression tests of In conel 625 super alloy were conducted between 1,000°C and 1,200°C with strain rates ranging from 0.01 to 10 s−1. A series of flow stress curves were obtained and the microstructure evolution during dynamic recrystallization (DRX) was investigated. The results show that the dependence of the peak stress on deformation temperature and strain rate can be expressed by a hyperbolic–sine type model, and the initiation of DRX occurs earlier by the increasing deformation temperature or decreasing strain rate. Microstructure analysis shows that the nucleation mechanism of DRX for the alloy deformed at 1,150°C is composed of discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) and continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX), and the deformation parameters have a great influence on the microstructures. The optimizing hot processing parameters can be determined to be of deformed to a true stain large than 0.7 at temperature range of 1,100–1,200°C with strain rates of 0.01–10 s−1.

Large sized bubble detectors with different sensitivities have been irradiated with high-energy protons at the cyclotron in RIKEN, Japan. Distributions of bubbles induced by the protons in the detectors have been studied. It shows that quite a large number of random bubbles are produced in the detectors in the range traveled by the beam protons. The existence of random bubbles hints that high-energy protons as an important component of primary and secondary cosmic rays at higher altitude and in space may cause significant number of bubbles in the bubble detectors in aircrafts or spacecrafts. The origin of the random bubbles has been investigated. The detection efficiencies of bubble detectors for protons via the random bubbles have been determined, being (0.93 ± 0.27) × 10 −2 , (4.6 ± 1.5) × 10 −2 and (4.7 ± 1.7) × 10 −2 (Bubble cm −3 )/(Proton cm −2 ), respectively for T-14, T-24 and T-12 types of bubble detectors. The detection efficiencies for protons are quite high, which are about two orders of magnitude higher than that for 0.3–19 MeV mono-energetic neutrons. The astonishing high efficiencies for protons can only be attributed to Rutherford scattering of protons with nuclei of C, F, and Cl in the compositions of superheated liquid droplets in the detectors. The recoil nuclei of C, F and Cl from Rutherford scattering create the random bubbles. In contrast, in terrestrial calibrations of bubble detectors with mono-energetic neutrons, only nuclear interactions of neutrons with nuclei are involved. Special consideration must be given to the effect of Rutherford scattering of high-energy protons on detection of neutrons with bubble detectors at higher altitude and in space.

Summary Solidago canadensis is a noxious invasive species in China. We examined the influences of herbicides on pollen germination and pollen tube growth and the effects of cutting flowers and herbicides on seed production and quality. We also determined the seed production and resource allocation to different organs of S. canadensis after uprooting the plants during their reproductive periods. The main results were as follows: (i) 49% pollen of S. canadensis was able to germinate on an appropriate medium; (ii) compared with paraquat, ethephon and 2,4-D, glyphosate had an ideal inhibitory effect on pollen germination and the formation of seeds of S. canadensis; (3) cut flowering branches, when placed in water or nutrient solution, were still able to produce viable seeds; (4) resources were allocated more to the inflorescences to facilitate seed maturation after plants were uprooted at the flowering stage. Uprooted flower branches were still able to produce viable seeds, especially those in full flower. Therefore, in order to reduce the seed production of S. canadensis and spread of the species we suggest: (i) apply glyphosate at the flower bud stage, (ii) completely destroy uprooted plants at flowering stages and (iii) avoid using the flowering branches as ornamental materials.

The specific role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis of mice, a model of human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, has not been characterized. We injected bleomycin intratracheally into TLR4 knockout (TLR4(-/-)) and wild-type (WT) mice. Twenty-one days after injection, mice were sacrificed and their lungs were harvested for pathological, hydroxyproline, mRNA expression, and collagen I analyses. Body weight changes and mortality were observed. Light microscopy showed that lung fibrosis was minimal in TLR4(-/-) compared to that in WT mice on day 21 after bleomycin instillation. The Ashcroft score was significantly lower in TLR4(-/-) than in WT mice (3.667 ± 0.730 vs 4.945 ± 0.880, P0.05). Hydroxyproline content was significantly lower in TLR4(-/-) than in WT mice on day 21 after bleomycin injection (0.281 ± 0.022 vs 0.371 ± 0.047, P0.05). Compared to WT mice, bleomycin-treated TLR4(-/-) mice expressed significantly lower type I collagen mRNA levels (mesenchymal marker; 11.069 ± 2.627 vs 4.589 ± 1.440, P0.05). Collagen I was significantly lower in TLR4(-/-) than in WT mice (0.838 ± 0.352 vs 2.427 ± 0.551, P0.05). Bleomycin-treated TLR4(-/-) mice had a significantly lower mortality rate on day 21 than WT mice (33 vs 75%, P0.05). Body weight reduction was lower in TLR4(-/-) mice than in WT mice; this difference was not statistically significant (-3.735 ± 5.276 vs -6.698 ± 3.218, P0.05). Thus, bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis is TLR4-dependent and TLR4 promoted fibrosis in bleomycin-challenged mice.

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common human cancers with a particularly high incidence in certain regions of China. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) between the esophageal squamous carcinoma tissues and matched normal esophageal mucosal epithelial tissues can be detected by employing the gene microarray technology. This can aid the analysis of the underlying disease mechanism and can help to identify potentially critical genes as well as related molecular signalling pathways.The potentially critical genes and related signal pathways are examined by bioinformatics analysis including Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, pathway analysis and signal transduction networks. Here, we performed microarray analysis with 8 pairs of ESCC and normal esophageal mucosal epithelial tissues.Compared to the control group, 347 and 203 genes were found to be up-regulated and down-regulated in the experimental group, respectively. Based on pathway analysis, 52 and 51 signal transduction pathways were involved in the up-regulated and the down-regulated genes, respectively. SLC27A6, RAB11A, ABCA8, JAM2, HNMT, GSTM1, and CDKN3, which play critical roles in regulating the expression of ESCC, were identified among the key genes involved in the signal transduction networks.Investigation of the mechanism underlying ESCC can provide a direction for the clinical prevention and treatment of ESCC.

Calculations on the formation of a linear track of a heavy ion in bubble detector have been carried out based on a theoretical model considering the minimum energy (including bubble surface energy, internal energy, evaporation energy, expansion energy, kinetic energy and viscous energy) required during the formation of a critical bubble at the cost of the ionization energy of the heavy ion. The calculated minimum energy is 8.99 keV for dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) at 25 °C. The results of calculations have been combined with those of calibrations of bubble detectors with heavy ions at accelerator. The threshold (1.51 ± 0.04) MeV mg - 1 cm 2 is obtained in the calibration with heavy ions for the above liquid and temperature. It shows that the distance over which the heavy ion traverses and transfers energy to the superheated liquid to produce a critical bubble is 4.67 times the radius of the seed bubble. The radius of the cylinder along which the heavy ion deposits energy to form a seed bubble is about 5.2 nm. This dimension indicates that the process of track formation in bubble detectors is consistent with the model of thermal spike.

Five types of bubble detectors (T-15, T-34, T-12, T-24 and T-14) of large volume and different sensitivities were developed in the China Institute of Atomic Energy for the purpose of heavy ion research. Calibrations were carried out with beams of high-energy protons, He, C, Si, Ar, Fe, Kr and Xe, at accelerators in the energy region 150– 650 MeV /u . The bubble detectors were demonstrated to be a family of detectors for recording tracks of high-energy heavy ions with atomic numbers from Z=1 (proton) to all the numbers in the whole periodic table of elements. The threshold levels of the detectors differ from each other with values 0.05±0.01 (T-15), 1.62±0.05 (T-34), 1.68±0.03 (T-12), 2.24±0.06 (T-24) and 6.04±0.80 ( T- 14) MeV mg −1 cm 2 , respectively, which are about the same or even lower than the levels of plastic track detectors for recording heavy ions. The distinguishing features of bubble detectors are high sensitivity, active recording, real-time display, volume registration and background discriminating capacities. Bubble detectors are a new type of high sensitivity detectors and are very promising for detection of heavy ions, neutrons and exotic particles.

Characteristics of tracks created by heavy ions in bubble detectors have been studied in detail by using four types of super long (23 cm ) , self-made bubble detectors and six species of high energy heavy ions: 12 C, 28 Si, 40 Ar, 56 Fe, 84 Kr and 132 Xe. The following characteristics of heavy ion tracks in bubble detectors have been recognized: (1) Heavy ion tracks are lines of tiny bubbles, which are measurable in coordinates, lengths and directions. (2) The threshold property is the governing factor for track formation. The essence of the threshold seems to be a critical rate of energy loss ( d E/ d X) c . The thresholds of three types of detectors are 1.69±0.03 , 2.24±0.06 and 6.04±0.80 MeV mg −1 cm 2 , respectively, which are appropriate for the detection of heavy ions. (3) A maximum track length L m is fixed in a given type of detector for a given species of heavy ions, which proposes an approach to identifying high-energy heavy ions by measurement of maximum track lengths. (4) The linear bubble density d N/ d X (number of bubbles in unit length of track) in the first part of a track is correlated with the energy loss rate d E/ d X of the heavy ion in the detector. These characteristics propose another independent way to identify heavy ions through the d N/ d X – d E/ d X relationship.

Fission track dating of apatite from granites collected at six elevations at Taibai mountains, Qinling range, central China has been carried out. The ages of apatites range from 31.3 to 40.5 Ma in sequence consistent with elevations from 1320 to 3760 m above sea level. The age–elevation plot suggests the presence of a break in slope, which may represent the base of an exhumed palaeo partial annealing zone (PAZ). Further work on track length measurements is urged for confirmation of this preliminary inference.

Bubble detectors which are commonly used as neutron detectors have been demonstrated through this study to be good detectors for registration of high energy heavy ion tracks. Large size bubble detectors made in China Institute of Atomic Energy were irradiated to heavy ions Ar and C up to 650 MeV/u and 400 MeV/u, respectively. Very clear features of stringy tracks of high energy heavy ions and their fragmentations are manifested and distinguishable. A single track created by a specific high energy heavy ion is composed of a line of bubbles, which is visible by naked eyes and retained for months wihhout reduction in size. The creation of heavy ion tracks in bubble detectors is governed by a threshold whose essence is approximately a critical value of energy loss rate (dE/dX) c similar to that of etch track detectors. Ranges of heavy ions in bubble detectors are apparent and predictable by existing formulas. Identification of high energy heavy ions and the applications to heavy ion physics, cosmic rays, exotic particles and cancer therapy monitoring are obviously promising. The experimental and theoretical aspects of high energy heavy ion tracks in bubble detectors as well as the expectable applications are presented and discussed.

The subband dispersion relations have been computed as a function of the surface electron concentration in the accumulation layers of n-Hg1−xCdxTe photoconductive detectors, while the mobility and concentration for all kinds of carriers in the subband are determined from Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillation measurements and quantitative mobility spectrum analysis (QMSA). The results show that the QMSA can provide accurate electric parameters for all kinds of carriers in the subband without considering the complex energy band in the semiconductors, while the SdH oscillation can only offer qualitative data because the analysis is based on parabolic energy band approximation.

We introduce the flatband magnetocapacitance measurement to study magnetotransport properties in bulk semiconductors. This method is better, in some cases, than the Hall measurement because it can avoid some problems inherent to the latter method, such as the influence of the surface conducting layer, the carrier mobility, and the sample geometry correction factor. By using this experimental method some interesting phenomena concerning magnetotransport properties in an n-type InSb sample were observed, including Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations, resonant defect states, conduction process transitions, and the metal–insulator phase transition. The experimentally determined magnetotransport properties for the InSb sample are compared with those reported in literature.

Bubble damage detectors have been prepared by using polyacrylamide as detector solid and freon as detector liquid. Tests show that the prepared detectors are sensitive to fast neutrons and have proportionality between bubble number and neutron fluence within a certain range of neutron fluence. Therefore, it can be used as a fast neutron detector and a dosimeter. Our experiments also show that the sensitivity of the detector increases with temperature.

The Rashba spin-orbit interaction of the two-dimensional electron gas with high mobility in the inversion layer of p-type Hg0.77Cd 0.23Te is investigated by magnetotransport measurements. Both the Rashba spin splitting and Rashba coefficient are extracted by analysis of the weak anti-localization effect using the Golub model. It is found that both the splitting and coefficient increase with increasing electron density (∼3.0-6.0 × 1015 m-2), i.e., with the gate voltage. A self-consistent Schrodinger-Poisson calculation is performed and suggests that the nonlinear Rashba effect caused by the weakening of interband coupling, especially at high electron density, dominates this system. © 2013 American Institute of Physics.

The magneotransport properties of a high carrier concentration and high mobility 20-nm thick In0.53Ga0.47As/In 0.52Al0.48As quantum well (QW) are investigated by tilt angle dependent Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations and by weak antilocalization (WAL) in an in-plane magnetic field. The effective g-factor g* and zero field spin splitting Δ 0 are extracted from tilt angle dependent beating pattern. We found that g* shows a dramatic reduction with increasing carrier density due to the increased effective band gap. Furthermore, an anomalously rapid suppression of the WAL effect with increasing in-plane magnetic field B|| is observed. This reveals that the total dephasing rate is not solely contributed by Zeeman splitting. The microroughness scattering in the QW is proposed to be another factor to cause the dephasing and thus responsible for this effect. © 2013 American Institute of Physics.

The effective masses for spin-up and spin-down electrons of a partially spin-polarized Fermi liquid are theoretically expected to be different. We extract the spin-up and spin-down effective masses from magnetotransport measurements at different temperatures for a two-dimensional electron gas in an In0.65Ga0.35As/In0.52Al0.48As quantum well exhibiting zero-field spin splitting. We apply two analytical methods, one involving the simultaneous fitting of fast Fourier transform (FFT) spectra and the other involving inverse FFT analysis. Both methods confirm that the effective masses for spin-up and spin-down are different, consistent with theoretical expectations. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.

Highly (100) oriented Ba0.9Sr0.1TiO3/LaNiO3 heterostructures have been grown on Si(100) using chemical solution routes. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that Ba0.9Sr0.1TiO3 thin films are high (100) orientation (α100=0.92). Atomic force microscopy investigation shows that they have large grains about 80–200 nm. A Pt/Ba0.9Sr0.1TiO3/LaNiO3 capacitor has been fabricated and showed excellent ferroelectricity, the remnant polarization and coercive field are 10.8 μC/cm2 and 96 kV/cm, respectively. The electric field dependence of capacitance measurement shows that the capacitor has large capacitance tuning ([Cmax−Cmin]/Cmax×100%) of 63%. The Ba0.9Sr0.1TiO3 thin films have high dielectric constant (e) of 200 at 1 MHz.

Harmonic distortion is an intrinsic problem of vibroseis. There are several indistinct possibilities for the harmonic source. We have concluded that there are two types: an internal factor caused by the mechanical system and an external factor due to grou

The flow rate of some liquids (water, heptane, toluene, xylene, dodecane) through Kapton nuclear track filters has been measured. The results can be interpreted with a modified Poiseuille formula. The influence of the viscosity of the liquids on their throughput through Kapton nuclear track filters has been determined. The purification of liquids with Kapton filters has been investigated. It is possible to measure the density of solid particles in deionized water by using Kapton filters. Consequently, nuclear track filters can remove solid particles from high-purity liquids. The soaking effect of some common liquid chemicals on Kapton filters has also been studied, no such soaking could be observed in most of the cases. Finally, these Kapton nuclear track filters are compared with a filter device from Hamamatsu (Japan).

A structural strain flexibility identification method by processing the multiple-reference impact testing data is proposed. First, a kind of novel long-gauge fiber optic sensor is developed for structural macro-strain monitoring. Second, the multiple-reference impact testing technology is employed, during which both the impacting force and structural strain responses are measured. The impact testing technology has unique merit because it is able to extract exact structural frequency response functions (FRFs), while other test methods, for instance ambient tests, can only output the FRFs with scaled magnitudes. Most importantly, the originality of the article is that a method of identifying the structural strain flexibility characteristic from the impact test data has been proposed, which is useful for structural static strain prediction and capacity evaluation. Examples of a six meter simple supported beam and a multiple-span continuous beam bridge have successfully verified the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Magnetocapacitance spectroscopy is introduced to study the magnetic-field-induced carrier freeze-out in narrow-gap semiconductors (NGS). By using this experimental method the magnetic-field-induced carrier freeze-out in an n-type InSb sample has been investigated at 4.2 K in a magnetic field range from 0 to 7.0 T. With increasing magnetic field between 2.0 T and 7.0 T, the activation energy of shallow donors in the sample increased from about 1.0 meV to 2.7 meV. The experimental results are compared with both theoretical and other experimental data. Good agreement is obtained between our experimental results and others, while discrepancies still exist between the experiment and theory.

Two techniques have been developed to investigate the characteristic of the sensitivity of CR-39 (polyallyldiglycol carbonate) track detector using AmBe neutron source. The firstis to measure volume track density created by fast neutrons in CR-39 detectors. The second is to measure areal asymptotic track density on the surface of CR-39 sheets. Two types of CR-39—SY-2 CR-39 made in China and another made in USA were calibrated using the techniques. It shows that the two types of CR-39 detectors have nearly the same sensitivity to detect fast neutrons. The techniques developed in this work can be applied to calibration of other track detectors.

To evaluate the curative effect and safety of dibutyl phthalate on demodicidosis.A single blinded and controlled study of human demodicidosis treated with dibutyl phthalate was conducted. One hundred and forty three patients with demodicidosis, including 81 acne and 62 rosacea, randomly divided into trial and control groups. The trial group was treated with dibutyl phthalate and control group with "new fumanling" cream twice a day in the early morning and evening respectively for six weeks consecutively.The rates of excellent, good, and fair efficacy and total effective rate in the trial group with acne were 53.7%, 41.5%, 4.9% and 100% respectively, with a significant difference to the control group (P0.05). The rates in the trial group with rosacea were 40.6%, 40.6%, 18.8% and 100% respectively, with no statistical difference to the control group (P0.05). No complaint of side effects in the trial group was recorded.Dibutyl phthalate is highly effective to demodicidosis without prominent adverse reactions.

A digital automatic phase adjustment system which has been successfully used for two short-wave broadcasting transmitters working in parallel in order to increase broadcasting range is described. When the carrier frequency of broadcasting transmitters is changed, the microcomputer will adjust digital phase shifters to ensure the maximum value of composite transmission field intensity, allowing the optimal working state to be established. >

Magnetotransport properties of Al0.22Ga0.78N/GaN modulation-doped heterostructures have been studied at low temperatures and high magnetic fields. The inter-subband scattering of the two-dimensional electron gas was observed. The inter-subband scattering is very weak and depends weakly on temperature when temperature is between 1.3 K and 10 K and becomes stronger with increasing temperature when temperature is higher than 10 K. The strain relaxation of the Al0.22Ga0.78N layer influences the inter-subband scattering. It is suggested that the inter-subband scattering is dominant by the elastic scattering when temperature is lower than 10 K, and changes to be dominant by the inelastic scattering of the acoustic phonons when temperature is higher than 10 K.

The antilocalization effect in a compensated HgCdTe film is observed. With an applied microwave field, both the zero-magnetic-field conductance and the dephasing time are enhanced nonlinearly with microwave power. The observation concerning the dephasing time is inconsistent with a heating mechanism. Such behavior is also in contrast to the microwave-induced suppression of weak-antilocalization and dephasing time seen for a two-dimensional electron gas of the anodic-oxidized HgCdTe. The nonlinear increase in zero-magnetic-field conductance is consistent with a microwave-assisted-hopping mechanism. The increased dephasing time can be explained qualitatively by the microwave-assisted-hopping mechanism and a microwave-induced increase in the electron density. © 2013 American Institute of Physics.

A variety of materials have been employed for brow suspension surgery for ptosis. Gore-Tex (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene ePTFE) has been used as vascular prosthesis. We have used cylinder Gore-Tex in brow suspension surgery for 15 ptotic eyelids (11 patients), including 10 eyes (8 patients) of congenital ptosis, 1 eye of traumatic ptosis in a young male, and 4 eyes (2 patients) of myogenic ptosis in elderly patients. All of the eyelids had minimal or absent levator muscle function, and drooped to cover the visual axes. The surgical technique for the 10 congenital ptotic eyelids was a modified Fox's method. The remaining 5 adult eyelids were operated by a modified Crawford's method, with interlocking of the two suspension bands at the lower apex of each triangle and direct suturing of the bands to the tarsal plate. The use of Gore-Tex in brow suspension makes it easy to adjust the height and contour of the operated eyelids. Patients were followed-up from 2 to 16 months (average 9.1 months) postoperatively. The only complication was granuloma formation at the most upper knot area in 5 patients (6 eyelids), one of which also had granuloma at the ipsilateral fornix with the Gore-Tex band cutting through the conjunctiva. One eyelid drooped due to knot granuloma and infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)