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Background: To explore the clinical significance of miR-125b-5p and its potential mechanisms in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Materials and Methods: An integrated analysis of data from in-house quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), microRNA-sequencing, and microarray assays to appraise the expression level of miR-125b-5p in LUSC tissues compared to adjacent noncancerous controls. The authors identified the candidate targets of miR-125b-5p and conducted functional analysis using computational biology strategies from gene ontology, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, disease ontology (DO), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses to investigate the prospective mechanisms. Results: According to qRT-PCR results, the expression level of miR-125b-5p was markedly decreased in LUSC tissues compared to noncancerous control tissues. Receiver operating characteristic and summary receiver operating characteristic analyses showed that miR-125b-5p had good specificity and sensitivity for distinguishing LUSC tissue from noncancerous lung tissue. The standard mean difference revealed that men and women with lower expression levels of miR-125b-5p may have a higher risk for LUSC. KEGG analysis and DO analysis intimated that target genes were evidently enriched in pyrimidine metabolism and pancreatic carcinoma. The PPI network of the top assembled KEGG pathway indicated that RRM2, UMPS, UCK2, and CTPS1 were regarded as crucial target genes for miR-125b-5p, and RRM2 was eventually deemed a key target. Conclusions: The authors' findings implicate a low expression level of miR-125b-5p in LUSC. A tumor-suppressive role of miR-125b-5p is proposed, based on its effects on LUSC tumor growth, clinical stage progression, and lymph node metastasis.

Here, we show that miRNA‐126‐3p is significantly underexpressed in 685 cases of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) as compared to 298 nontumor lung tissues, by combining various methods including in‐house RT‐qPCR, miRNA‐sequencing, and miRNA microarrays. The downregulation of miRNA‐126‐3p may regulate cell cycle signaling by targeting E2F2 and E2F3, and this may result in LUSC carcinogenesis., Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is the main pathological type of pulmonary malignant tumors; at present, less than 10% of patients with advanced metastatic LUSC live for more than 5 years. We previously reported that low expression of miRNA‐126‐3p is associated with the occurrence and progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Here, we examined expression of miRNA‐126‐3p in 23 samples from patients with LUSCs and 23 normal control specimens by quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR). Associations between miRNA‐126‐3p expression and clinical features were studied from materials derived from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) chips and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Twelve online platforms were used to identify candidate target genes of miRNA‐126‐3p. Further analyses of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO), and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were performed on the target genes. GEO microarray analysis, TCGA data mining, RT‐qPCR, and integration analysis consistently reported low expression of miRNA‐126‐3p in LUSC. A total of 42 genes were identified as potential target genes of miRNA‐126‐3p from online platforms, GEO microarrays, and the TCGA database. GO and KEGG analyses demonstrated that the target genes are involved in several biological processes that promote the progression of LUSC. SOX2, E2F2, and E2F3 were selected as hub genes from the PPI network for further analysis. In summary, our results suggest that the low expression of miRNA‐126‐3p may play a role in promoting the development of LUSC and miRNA‐126‐3p may be a biomarker for LUSC early diagnosis and prognosis.

Accurate evaluation of habitat availability for wildlife is relevant for ecological applications. Researchers have frequently used models to simulate habitats thermally suitable for reptiles, but these results have limited application for species highly selective for habitat humidity. Here, we use the biophysical Niche Mapper™ model to investigate impacts of vegetation cover on the habitat quality of a high-elevation forest skink, Sphenomorphus taiwanensis, and to predict changes in habitat suitability in a future warmer climate (3 °C increase in air temperature). We assess habitat suitability with different densities of canopy cover in our study areas using two ecologically relevant estimates for lizards: maximum activity time and evaporative water loss (EWL) during the activity season. We measured preferred body temperature and EWL of this species for model parameterization, and behavioral response to EWL to supplement habitat quality assessment. The results indicated that this species is sensitive to EWL and reduces its activity when dehydrated. The model predicted that denser canopy levels increase microclimate cooling and humidity, and that most canopy levels are thermally suitable for this species, as the lizard can thermoregulate to manage adverse temperatures. Nevertheless, increasing canopy density could significantly decrease EWL during activity. In the warmer climate scenario, simulated maximum activity time and EWL changed little because of thermoregulation behavior. Our results suggest that habitat preference of this species is a consequence of water and energy requirements, and we note that combining EWL and maximum activity time data can enhance model accuracy of lizards’ habitat quality in a warmer climate.

1. The invasive many-lined sun skink, Eutropis multifasciata, is established in much of southern Taiwan and is spreading northward. We investigated whether winter temperatures constrain further dispersion of this skink by comparing its cold tolerance to the spatial distribution of winter temperatures in Taiwan. 2. We measured the 28-day survival rate of this species at 4 constant temperatures (10−16 °C in 2 °C increments) and its critical thermal minimum (CTmin), i.e., the body temperature at which the righting reflex is lost during the cooling process. For comparison with the spatial distribution of temperatures over Taiwan, we used the biophysical model Niche Mapper™ in order to simulate the soil temperatures, where lizards are inactive in the winter, during the coldest month of the year, January, under three climatic scenarios (average temperature, average−3 °C, average+3 °C). 3. Our results indicate that this species has low tolerance to cold. Combining cold tolerance data with soil temperature data suggests that its upper elevation limit could range from 1000 m to 1500 m, above which the weather is lethal and precludes overwintering. The locations of sightings of E. multifasciata are consistent with this prediction, with no known locations above 500 m elevation. 4. This study highlights that the winter climate is a major factor in determining population establishment and hence in limiting this species’ range. Future studies would benefit from accounting for low winter temperatures and their potential influence on range limits of invasive species.

After many years of the excessive use of praziquantel against Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni), it has already led to the development of drug resistance. While schistosomiasis is still affecting millions of people every year, vaccination may be one realistic alternative way to control the disease. Currently, S. mansoni 14-kDa fatty acid-binding protein (Sm14) has shown promising results as a vaccine antigen. Yet, the use of an adjuvant may be necessary to further increase the effectiveness of the vaccine. Herein, we investigated the potential of using heat-killed Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) as an adjuvant for recombinant Sm14 (rSm14). Immunization of mice with C. acnes-adjuvanted rSm14 showed increased humoral immune responses, compared with mice immunized with rSm14 alone. Additionally, C. acnes-adjuvanted rSm14 vaccination provided higher protection to mice against S. mansoni infection and liver injuries. These results suggest that C. acnes increases the immunogenicity of rSm14, which leads to better protection against S. mansoni infection. Therefore, heat-killed C. acnes may be a promising adjuvant to use with rSm14.

Ni-rich layered oxides, like LiNi

The clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 were analysed to determine the factors influencing the prognosis and virus shedding time to facilitate early detection of disease progression. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationships among prognosis, clinical characteristics and laboratory indexes. The predictive value of this model was assessed with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, calibration and internal validation. The viral shedding duration was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and the prognostic factors were analysed by univariate log-rank analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model. A retrospective study was carried out with patients with COVID-19 in Tianjin, China. A total of 185 patients were included, 27 (14.59%) of whom were severely ill at the time of discharge and three (1.6%) of whom died. Our findings demonstrate that patients with an advanced age, diabetes, a low PaO2/FiO2 value and delayed treatment should be carefully monitored for disease progression to reduce the incidence of severe disease. Hypoproteinaemia and the fever duration warrant special attention. Timely interventions in symptomatic patients and a time from symptom onset to treatment

Background Previous studies have shown that miR-144-3p might be a potential biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nevertheless, the comprehensive mechanism behind the effects of miR-144-3p on the origin, differentiation, and apoptosis of NSCLC, as well as the relationship between miR-144-3p and clinical parameters, has been rarely reported. Methods We investigated the correlations between miR-144-3p expression and clinical characteristics through data collected from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) microarrays, the relevant literature, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and real-time quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses to determine the clinical role of miR-144-3p in NSCLC. Furthermore, we investigated the biological function of miR-144-3p by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was created to identify the hub genes. Results From the comprehensive meta-analysis, the combined SMD of miR-144-3p was − 0.95 with 95% CI of (− 1.37, − 0.52), indicating that less miR-144-3p was expressed in the NSCLC tissue than in the normal tissue. MiR-144-3p expression was significantly correlated with stage, lymph node metastasis and vascular invasion (all P

Climate warming may have an impact on invasive species and their ecological consequences. Invasive reptiles, which have temperature-dependent physiology, are expected to be greatly impacted by climate warming, though data supporting this is limited. We investigated the potential impact of a warmer climate on an invasive lizard, Eutropis multifasciata, in Taiwan. A mechanistic model, NicheMapR, was used to simulate the maximum activity time available at three elevations, with varying forest densities, under the current climate and a warmer scenario. The results show that climate warming will provide this species more time for activity in the currently occupied lowland region but not in the mountain areas, which are covered with dense forests. However, if the landscape becomes more open in mountain areas, it will become more suitable for this species and may enable an expansion upslope. Our results show that climate warming has a positive impact on this species, and that landscape's characteristics profoundly modulate its impact and the possibilities for elevational expansion in the future.

Rifampicin (RIF) induces cytochrome P450, which in turn catalyzes drug metabolism; however, pharmacokinetic studies on this phenomenon in the Chinese population, especially in the context of disease, are limited. Therefore, we sought to establish population-based pharmacokinetic models of RIF in a Chinese population with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Clinical data were retrospectively collected from 54 patients with pulmonary TB and analyzed alongside RIF blood levels from 95 samples collected prior to RIF administration and between 2 and 12 hours after treatment. HPLC was used to measure serum RIF concentrations. A nonlinear mixed model used to characterize RIF pharmacokinetics and the data generated from the present study were validated using a bootstrap method. Covariates, including demographics, as well as hematological and biological indicators were analyzed. We observed a 1-compartment model with first-order absorption. Typical population values of apparent clearance (CL/F) and apparent volume of distribution (VD /F) were 4.02 L/h and 57.8 L, respectively. No covariate significantly changed the parameters of CL/F and VD . The present study may serve as a foundation for individualized therapy and offer a basis for pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) analysis.

1: The decrease of temperatures along an elevation gradient imposes physiological constraints on reptiles that ultimately determine their distribution ranges. Forest patterns are likely to interact with this process, but very few studies have examined their contribution in determining distribution limits. 2: We examined the role played by thermal physiology and forest cover in determining the elevational ranges of a lizard, Eutropis longicaudata. We integrated this species' thermal traits in simulating its maximum activity time under different conditions of forest cover and elevation using a NicheMapR model. In addition, we evaluated the influence of winter temperatures on the range limit by examining the simulated soil temperatures at the occurrence sites. 3: Laboratory experiments showed that E. longicaudata has a high preferred body temperature and low cold tolerance. The model predicts that maximum activity time decreases with elevation and forest cover. Although unforested areas may provide longer active time in all simulated elevations, mountain areas in Taiwan are heavily forested and are predicted to allow only a very short period of activity above 1000 m elevation. 4: All sightings were indeed located in areas below 1000 m elevation, in which the predicted average soil temperature is above 10 °C in January in cold years. 5: Our results show that reptile physiological response does respond strongly to the change of microclimate induced by forest cover and elevation. Overall, this suggests that forest cover is a major determinant of some reptiles' elevational range.

1. Temperature rise due to climate change affects seasonal activity times, leading to a discordance of phenology among species and changing the strength of interaction between species. Understanding how temperature changes will affect the length of a species’ activity period is essential in order to forecast its response to climate warming. 2. We investigated the thermal physiology and monthly activity of a skink from subtropical areas in Taiwan, Scincella formosensis. In addition, we predicted its response to climate warming and potential landscape vegetation changes using a mechanistic model, Niche MapperTM. We incorporated the animals’ thermal traits and climatic data to simulate thermally suitable time for activity each month in two sites (open area, dense forest). 3. We found that this species restricts its activity to the cool months of the year, and that juveniles emerge in June. The thermally suitable period for activity is predicted to be longer in cool months than warm months. 4. Our model predicts that a 3 °C increase in temperature will curtail the thermally suitable time for activity in open areas in late spring and result in very minimal time for activity in the summer, even when dense forest is available. These results add to the growing body of literature indicating that a temperature rise will have a widespread impact on sub/tropical forest reptiles.

The significance of discontinuous gas-exchange cycles (DGC) in reducing respiratory water loss (RWL) in insects is contentious. Results from single-species studies are equivocal in their support of the classic ‘hygric hypothesis’ for the evolution of DGC, whereas comparative analyses generally support a link between DGC and water balance. In this study, we investigated DGC prevalence and characteristics and RWL in three grasshopper species (Acrididae, subfamily Pamphaginae) across an aridity gradient in Israel. In order to determine whether DGC contributes to a reduction in RWL, we compared the DGC characteristics and RWL associated with CO2 release (transpiration ratio, i.e. the molar ratio of RWL to CO2 emission rates) among these species. Transpiration ratios of DGC and continuous breathers were also compared intraspecifically. Our data show that DGC characteristics, DGC prevalence and the transpiration ratios correlate well with habitat aridity. The xeric-adapted Tmethis pulchripennis exhibited a significantly shorter burst period and lower transpiration ratio compared with the other two mesic species, Ocneropsis bethlemita and Ocneropsis lividipes. However, DGC resulted in significant water savings compared with continuous exchange in T. pulchripennis only. These unique DGC characteristics for T. pulchripennis were correlated with its significantly higher mass-specific tracheal volume. Our data suggest that the origin of DGC may not be adaptive, but rather that evolved modulation of cycle characteristics confers a fitness advantage under stressful conditions. This modulation may result from morphological and/or physiological modifications.

Summary A future warmer climate is generally predicted to threaten reptiles. But many high-altitude reptiles that rely on external heat to survive current cold climate may benefit from future warmth. This prediction can be tested by simulating activity time and energetics of reptiles with a biophysical model. We modelled the potential response of a high-altitude snake, Trimeresurus gracilis, to a 3 °C increase in air temperature, using the biophysical/behavioural NicheMapper™ model. Using animal and environmental properties, we first analysed the effects of shade level (i.e. the reduction of solar radiation) on activity time and energetics of T. gracilis. We then computed activity time, energetics and potential habitats in its current range of Taroko National Park, Taiwan (>1800 m in altitude), with a spatial climate, vegetation and topography data set. In the current climate, increased shade levels were predicted to decrease activity time, maintenance energy requirements and discretionary energy (i.e. energy left after maintenance costs are met). In heavy shade (i.e. 81–100% reduction of solar radiation) at 3000 and 3500 m, T. gracilis was predicted to have impaired digestive capacity and hence to be unable to meet basic maintenance costs for survival. In a warmer climate, the predicted digestive capacity, energetics and activity time of T. gracilis increase. But in heavy shade at 3500 m, the digestive capacity was predicted to remain impaired for supporting basic energy requirements for survival. In the current climate, the predicted suitable habitat area (i.e. where T. gracilis obtains positive discretionary energy) in coniferous and coniferous–broadleaf forests decreased with increasing elevation. At elevations higher than 3000 m, most suitable habitats were in open areas like grasslands where T. gracilis was also predicted to have more discretionary energy than in heavily forested habitats. Our field sightings agreed with model predictions. A warmer climate was generally predicted to increase the activity time, energetics and habitat area, given the current vegetation pattern. Overall, we demonstrate that metabolism, digestive function and vegetative shade levels are critical elements affecting T. gracilis' energetics and habitats with climate change. Trimeresurus gracilis is likely to benefit energetically from future warmth.

The geographic distribution of species can be affected by environmental factors. The adult highaltitude lizard Takydromus hsuehshanensis (altitude > 1800 m) has been shown to tolerate summer lowland air temperature; its absence in lowland areas may therefore be caused by other factors. We employed a transplant experiment to monitor survival in different life stages and female reproduction in lowland areas. We maintained the T. hsuehshanensis adults in semi-natural outdoor enclosures with sufficient food, water, and the exclusion of potential predators. The results showed that (1) the survival rates of adults gradually decreased to 23.4% from one summer to the next, (2) illness occurred in adults during the winter, and (3) reproductive capacity (2 eggs/female), hatching success (31.7%), and hatchling survival rate (0% at the end of 11 weeks) were very low during the active season. We suggest that environmental factors synergistically caused these impairments in T. hsuehshanensis across different life stages and different seasons. This may partially explain its current altitudinal distribution.

Thermal stress, as one of the most important stress of the arch dam during construction period, strongly influences the sliding stability of the arch dam. To analyze this kind of impact on arch dam sliding stability, numerical modeling of a typical slope dam section from 300-meter-high levels arch dam during construction period was conducted. Based on the rigid body limit equilibrium method, results of the case considering thermal stress as well as those without thermal stress were presented. Detailed comparison with the results of multiple monoliths was also made. In addition, the relevant sliding stability coefficient with the consideration of thermal stress was suggested.

With the continuous development of dam construction technology, the RCC dam becomes one of the most popular types of dam in the world with its unique advantages. Temperature control measures research is one of the key issues of design and construction of mass concrete structures. How to choose the proper temperature control measures to prevent concrete cracks becomes the important problem of dam construction technology. In a RCC gravity dam, the climate environment is so severe that a single temperature control measure can’t meet the requirements of temperature control and crack prevention. In this paper, 3D FEM simulation analysis is used to calculate temperature field and thermal creep stress field during the whole construction process. According to the simulation results, the temperature control measures design of the dam has been comprehensively evaluated and the temperature control measures of this project have been put forward.

Ammonium salt, [2-(methacyloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium methyl sulfate (MAOTMA), was adopted to modify montmorillonite (MMT) via the cationic exchange process in an acidic environment and a successful enlargement of MMT lamellar spacing from 1.18 to 1.39 nm was identified by x-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Accordingly, UV-curable epoxy nanocomposite resins containing various amounts of MAOTMA-modified MMT were prepared with the aid of a planetary mechanical milling process. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a uniform dispersion of exfoliated MMT lamella in epoxy matrix, leading to the distinct improvements on thermal stability and thermal expansion property of nanocomposite samples. Calcium (Ca) test indicated that the good dispersion of MMT fillers in polymer effectively suppresses the moisture permeation in sample matrix. More than twofold increment on retention time of 5% Ca hydrolysis and 20% improvement on the permeation kinetic parameters were observed in the nanocomposite sample containing 8 wt % MMT in comparison with the pristine epoxy sample. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Recent contest experience can influence an individual’s behaviour in subsequent contests. When the probability of winning a subsequent contest is used to quantify experience effects, a loser effect usually lasts longer than a winner effect. This conclusion, however, may be caused by this probability understating the persistence of the influence of a winning experience on contest decisions. Using Kryptolebias marmoratus, a mangrove killifish, as the study organism, we investigated whether different conclusions about the relative persistence of winning and losing experiences would be reached when different aspects of contest behaviour (probability of initiating attacks, probability of winning non-escalated and escalated contests, escalation rate and contest duration) were measured. The results indicated that the apparent persistence of the effect of winning or losing experiences varied with the behaviour studied. When the likelihood to initiate attacks was used, no winner effect was detected while the loser effect lasted for

In many species, males tend to behave more aggressively than females and female aggression often occurs during particular life stages such as maternal defence of offspring. Though many studies have revealed differences in aggression between the sexes, few studies have compared the sexes in terms of their neuroendocrine responses to contest experience. We investigated sex differences in the endocrine response to social challenge using mangrove rivulus fish, Kryptolebias marmoratus . In this species, sex is determined environmentally, allowing us to produce males and hermaphrodites with identical genotypes. We hypothesized that males would show elevated androgen levels (testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone) following social challenge but that hermaphrodite responses might be constrained by having to maintain both testicular and ovarian tissue. To test this hypothesis, we staged fights between males and between hermaphrodites, and then compared contest behaviour and hormone responses between the sexes. Hermaphrodites had significantly higher oestradiol but lower 11-ketotestosterone than males before contests. Males took longer to initiate contests but tended to fight more aggressively and sustain longer fights than hermaphrodites. Males showed a dramatic post-fight increase in 11-ketotestosterone but hermaphrodites did not. Thus, despite being genetically identical, males and hermaphrodites exhibit dramatically different fighting strategies and endocrine responses to contests.

Polo-like kinase 1 plays an essential role in mitosis and cytokinesis. Expression and nuclear localization of Plk1 during the S phase are necessary for its functions. Although it was reported that a bipartite nuclear localization signal located at the N-terminal kinase domain is required for nuclear import of Plk1, Plk1 carrying mutations in the polo box I of the polo box domain exhibited increased cytoplasmic accumulation. We further showed that the polo box domain was able to confer nuclear import of β-galactosidase in vivo and GST–EGFP in vitro. The import carriers transportin and importin α were found to interact with the polo box domain directly in a Ran–GTP sensitive manner. These results indicate the presence of a nuclear localization signal in the polo box domain. A 38 amino acid sequence with the function of nuclear localization signal was identified to interact with transportin. Our findings demonstrated that a transportin-dependent nuclear localization signal is present in the polo box domain of Plk1, possibly required for efficient nuclear import. Showing little similarity to the M9 sequence, the 38 amino acid sequence identified here likely represents a novel nuclear localization signal.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the predominant pathogen of primary liver abscess. However, our knowledge regarding the molecular basis of how K. pneumoniae causes primary infection in the liver is limited. We established an oral infection model that recapitulated the characteristics of liver abscess and conducted a genetic screen to identify the K. pneumoniae genes required for the development of liver abscess in mice. Twenty-eight mutants with attenuated growth in liver or spleen samples out of 2,880 signature-tagged mutants that produced the wild-type capsule were identified, and genetic loci which were disrupted in these mutants were identified to encode products with roles in cellular metabolism, adhesion, transportation, gene regulation, and unknown functions. We further evaluated the virulence attenuation of these mutants in independent infection experiments and categorized them accordingly into three classes. In particular, the class I and II mutant strains exhibited significantly reduced virulence in mice, and most of these strains were not detected in extraintestinal tissues at 48 h after oral inoculation. Interestingly, the mutated loci of about one-third of the class I and II mutant strains encode proteins with regulatory functions, and the transcript abundances of many other genes identified in the same screen were markedly changed in these regulatory mutant strains, suggesting a requirement for genetic regulatory networks for translocation of K. pneumoniae across the intestinal barrier. Furthermore, our finding that preimmunization with certain class I mutant strains protected mice against challenge with the wild-type strain implied a potential application for these strains in prophylaxis against K. pneumoniae infections.

The interaction of LiN(SiMe 3 )CH 2 Ph with one equivalent of benzenitrile gave the N -silyl- N ′-benzyl-benzamidinato-lithium compound [{Me 3 SiNC(Ph)N(CH 2 Ph)}Li(Et 2 O)] 2 ( 1 ). The derivative zirconium and hafnium compounds were produced by the treatment of 1 with ZrCl 4 or HfCl 4 in tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether at ambient temperature, respectively, with the general formula [Me 3 SiNC(Ph)N(CH 2 Ph)] 3 MCl (M = Zr ( 2 ), Hf ( 3 )). Compounds 1 , 2 and 3 were also characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction and NMR analysis.

The crystal structure of [CuII(SSC)Cl]2·CH3OH·2H2O (SSC = salicylaldehyde semicarbazone anion) was determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method at 293 K. Crystal data for Cu2C17H24Cl2N6O7: a = 10.272(2) A, b = 10.297(2) A, c = 11.462(2) A, α = 82.860(3)°, β = 78.384(3)°, γ = 81.330(2)°, triclinic, space group P1¯, Z = 2, dcalc = 1.769 g/cm3, R1 = 0.038. One N and two O atoms of SSC− occupy three coordination sites around Cu(II). The fourth site is occupied by Cl− to yield distorted square-planar environment. Two molecules of the complex form a planar dimer through intermolecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The most striking feature of the crystal structure is the packing of the planar dimers within the crystal. The interplanar distances between adjacent two layers are 3.280 A, indicative of strong π-π noncovalent interactions. The methanol solvent and water molecules are included as additional components in the crystal.

1. We investigated whether heat tolerance has a crucial impact on the altitudinal distribution of a high-altitude lizard, Takydromus hsuehshanensis (>1800 m altitude). 2. We measured and compared its heat tolerance with that of another two lowland species. Heat tolerance measurement included critical thermal maximum (CTMax) and survival rates under three fluctuating daily temperature treatments over a 3-month period. Two of the three temperature treatments, the extremely high temperature (EH treatment) and the average temperature (H treatment), were set to approximate lowland summer temperatures. The third one was set to approximate cool temperature in mountain areas (C treatment). 3. Our results showed that (1) CTMax of T. hsuehshanensis was higher than the summer temperature in the lowland areas, and not significantly lower than that of two other lowland species, (2) T. hsuehshanensis survived the H and EH treatments over a 3-month period and its survival rate was not significantly lower than that of the other two lowland species. Therefore, T. hsuehshanensis was not only able to tolerate high temperatures mimicking lowland areas for a short period of time, but also for a much longer period of time. 4. We conclude that the heat tolerance of T. hsuehshanensis is not a crucial factor limiting its current altitudinal distribution.

This study is mainly in temperature-control and anti-cracking of plant concrete in hydroelectric station. By means of FEM of three-dimension thermal creep stress and imitating construction progress, an emulator calculation is performed from construction period to operation period and distribution regularity of thermal creep stress is brought to light in the theory. The text described the developing process of concrete’s temperature and thermal stress, and then combined concrete’s time-varied thermotics and mechanics performance to analyze the possibility of yielding crack in different period and position.

The reaction of chromium(III) chloride, salicylic acid (SA) and ethylenediamine (en) led to the formation of chromium complex [Cr(SA)(en)(2)]Clx2H(2)O(1). The crystal structure belongs to monoclinic system with the space group P2(1), R(1)=0.0358. In this compound, Cr(III) atom is six-coordinated in octahedral coordination geometry by one phenolic hydroxyl oxygen, one carboxylate oxygen from the salicylic acid and four nitrogen atoms from two ethylenediamine molecules, respectively. The transfer manners of Cr(III) from the title compound to the low-molecular-mass chelator, ethylenediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and the iron-binding protein apoovotransferrin (apoOTf) were followed by a combination of UV-visible (UV-Vis) and fluorescence spectra in 0.01M Hepes at pH 7.4. The results show that Cr(III) can be transferred from the complex to apoovotransferrin with the retention of the salicylate acted as a synergistic anion.

1. We compared the thermal tolerances of a high-altitude skink, Sphenomorphus taiwanensis with that of the lowland S. incognitus to test whether their thermal tolerances correspond to their altitudinal distributions. 2. We measured the critical body temperatures, the CTMax and the CTMin, of the two species under three different acclimation temperature regimes (low: 10 °C for S. taiwanensis ; 15 °C for S. incognitus , medium: 20 °C, and high: 30 °C). We found that: (1) the critical body temperatures of these two skinks increased with an increase in acclimation temperatures, and (2) under the same acclimation temperature regime, the critical body temperature of S. taiwanensis was lower than that of S. incognitus as expected. 3. We also recorded the 6-month survival rates of S. taiwanensis under three temperature settings (10, 20, and 30 °C). The survival rate of S. taiwanensis at 30 °C dropped to 0% in 186 days accompanied with significant reduction in body weight over time. S. taiwanensis kept at 10 °C had a survival rate of 100% with no significant change in body weight. Individuals of S. taiwanensis kept at 20 °C had a survival rate of 84.6% and a significant increase in body weight. 4. We concluded that the thermal tolerances of S. taiwanensis and S. incognitus corresponded to their altitudinal distributions and that environmental temperature might be a limiting factor for their current altitudinal distributions.

Reaction of bis(amide) sodium Na2[(1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-(NSiMe3)2-C6H10] (Na2[L1]) with Ti(OiPr)2Cl2 in different conditions gave mixed-ligand complexes [Ti(OiPr)Cl][L1] (1) or [Ti(OiPr)2Cl]2[L1] (2); 2 is a dinuclear titanium example in which Ti atoms are bridged by nitrogen and oxygen atoms simultaneously forming a distorted rhombic core. Reaction of the amine-amidinate ligand (1R,2R)-(−)-1-Li[NC(Ph)N(SiMe3)]-2-(NHSiMe3)-C6H10(Li[L2]) or rarely linked bis(amidinate) ligand Li2[(1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-{NC(Ph)N(SiMe3)}2-C6H10](Li2[L3]) with ZrCl4 yielded the unbridged and bridged bis(amidinate) complexes ZrCl2[L2]2 (3) and [ZrCl2(THF)][L3] (4), respectively; Moreover, the reaction of (1R,2R)-(−)-1-Li[NC(Ph)N(SiMe3)]-2-Li(NSiMe3)C6H10(Li2[L2]) with Ti(OiPr)2Cl2 gave a new type of tridentate amido-amidinate product [Ti(OiPr)2][L2] (6), which is a distinct model compared to [Ti(OiPr)2Cl][L2] (5) yielded from Li[L2]. All the products have been characterized by X-ray crystallography and the structural studies are presented detailedly comparing with relevant compounds.

The ability of alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD, beta-CD and HP-beta-CD) to break pefloxacin mesylate (PM) aggregates by forming inclusion complexes has been studied using 1H NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy), 13C NMR and fluorescence spectra. The inclusion constants are determined to compare the corresponding inclusion capacity. Solid-inclusion complexes of PM with CDs are synthesized by coprecipitation method, and all the inclusion ratios are found to be 1:1. Additionally, spatial characterization of complexes has been proposed based on two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance technique (2D NMR) and spatial conformation is also investigated to propose two possible models between PM and CDs.

The chelating diamide lithium complex [Me2Si{NLiCH(Me)Ph}2]2 (1) was synthesized. The X-ray structure of complex 1 reveals that in the solid state it is a dimer; every lithium atom is three coordinated. The [{Me2Si{NCH(CH3)Ph}2}ZrCl2LiCl(OEt2)2]2 (2) and [{Me2Si{NCH(CH3)Ph}2}HfCl2LiCl(OEt2)2]2 (3) complexes were formed by treatment of complex 1 with ZrCl4 and HfCl4 respectively in diethyl ether at ambient temperature. Complexes (2) and (3) were also characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Presented are measurements of the zenith opacity (tau(0)) of the earth's atmosphere at 492 GHz made with the Portable Submillimeter Telescope (POST) at the observing station (elevation 3200 meters) located in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and belonging to Purple Mountain Observatory. The measurement spanned about 870 hours in the two winter seasons of 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, and resulted in 25842 sets of tau(0) values. The measured values of tau(0) are mainly distributed between 1.5 and 3.0, and about 3 percent of the total observing time had tau(0) less than or equal to1.0. A preliminary comparison is made with data obtained at other available submillimeter observing sites in the world.

Reaction of LiL or a new type of dianionic ligand Li2L (2) {H2L = (1R,2R)-(−)-1-[N(H)C(Ph)N(SiMe3)]-2-[N(H)SiMe3]C6H10} with TiCl2(OiPr)2 yielded the novel complexes [TiCl(L)(OiPr)2] (1) and [Ti(L)(OiPr)2] (3), respectively. Treatment of Na2L′ {H2L′ = (1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-[N(H)C(Ph)N(SiMe3)]2C6H10]} with Ti(OiPr)2Cl2 unexpectedly gave 3 via a unusual rearrangement/elimination reaction; The structure of complex 3 shows both an η3-π bond and σ-bonds to the central metal. This is a new coordination model and is obtained for the first time for this type of amido-amidinate complex. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)

Treatment of azaallyl-lithium [ LiN(R)C(Bu t )C HR] with equal portion of 1-piperidinecarbonitrile gave mix-substituted bdiketiminato-lithium 2. Double ratio of 2 with FeCl2, CoCl2 and NiCl2/6H2O yielded the b-diketiminate iron 3, cobalt 4, nickel 5 ,o r equivalent of ZrCl4 led to zirconium complex 6, respectively. The structural features of these complexes were described, and the catalytical behaviors of the complexes 3 � /6 for the polymerization of ethylene were investigated. # 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The large sialidase gene (nanH )o fClostridium perfringens ATCC 10543 was cloned in pCRII and subcloned in pQE70 expression vector. The large nanH consists of 2082 bp nucleotides and encodes 694 amino acids; large NanH is with four repeated “Asp-boxes” and one RIP (Arg–Ile–Pro) region formed by amino acids 266–268 in the sequence. It showed 26% of sequence homology with the small NanH from the same species (ATCC 10543). The large nanH, with six His residues adding to the C-terminus of NanH protein, was constructed in pQE70 (recombinant plasmid named pQE70-LSC) and expressed in Escherichia coli M15. The large NanH expressed in the periplasmic space of bacteria M15 showed 430-fold increase in large NanH enzymatic activity upon IPTG induction, as compared to the culture without IPTG added. The recombinant large NanH was purified with Ni–NTA and N-(p-aminophenyl) oxamic acid–agarose column chromatography. The purified enzyme showed specific activity of 136.6 U/mg when assayed with 4-MU-NeuAc as substrate. The truncated NanH (pQE70-Ld1), deletion of amino acids 1–215, exhibits similar specific activity, the same optimum temperature and optimum pH compared with those of wild-type large NanH. © 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

Contest decisions are influenced by the outcomes of recent fights (winner–loser effects). Steroid hormones and serotonin are closely associated with aggression and therefore probably also play important roles in mediating winner–loser effects. In mangrove rivulus fish, Kryptolebias marmoratus , individuals with higher testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone and cortisol levels are more capable of winning, but titres of these hormones do not directly mediate winner–loser effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of winning/losing experiences on brain expression levels of the receptor genes for androgen (AR), oestrogen α/β (ER α/β ), glucocorticoid (GR) and serotonin (5-HT 1A R). The effect of contest experience on AR gene expression depended on T levels: repeated losses decreased, whereas repeated wins increased AR gene expression in individuals with low T but not in individuals with medium or high T levels. These results lend strong support for AR being involved in mediating winner–loser effects, which, in previous studies, were more detectable in individuals with lower T. Furthermore, the expression levels of ER α/β , 5-HT 1A R and GR genes were higher in individuals that initiated contests against larger opponents than in those that did not. Overall, contest experience, underlying endocrine state and hormone and serotonin receptor expression patterns interacted to modulate contest decisions jointly.

During discontinuous gas exchange cycles in insects, spiracular opening follows a typical prolonged period of spiracle closure. Gas exchange with the environment occurs mostly during the period of full spiracular opening. In this study we tested the hypothesis that recently reported ventilatory movements during the spiracle closure period serve to mix the tracheal system gaseous contents, and support diffusive exchanges with the tissues. Using heliox (21% O2, 79% N2), we found that by increasing oxygen diffusivity in the gas-phase, ventilatory movements were significantly delayed compared to normoxic conditions. Exposure to hyperoxic conditions (40% O2 in nitrogen) resulted in a similar delay in forced ventilation. Together, these results indicate that limits to oxygen diffusion to the tissues during spiracle closure trigger ventilatory movements, which in turn support tissue demands. These findings contribute to our understanding of the mechanistic basis of respiratory gas exchange between insect tissues and the environment.

Effects of hypoxia on resting oxygen consumption (MO2), lung ventilation, and heart rate at different ambient PO2 were compared between lowland and high altitude populations of the toad, Bufo bankorensis. Resting MO2 decreased significantly in mild hypoxia (PO2 = 120 mm Hg) at 10 degrees C and in moderate hypoxia (PO2 = 80 mm Hg) at 25 degrees C in both altitudinal populations; however, resting MO2 did not differ significantly between the two populations. Numbers of lung ventilation periods (VP) and total inspired volume (VL) did not change with PO2 at 10 degrees C, but did increase at moderate and severe hypoxia (40 mm Hg), respectively, at 25 degrees C. Resting heart rates did not change during hypoxia and did not differ between altitude populations. The results suggest (1) the effect of PO2 change on MO2 should be considered in future studies involving transfer of anurans to a different altitude; and (2) the metabolic and ventilatory physiology in B. bankorensis does not compensate for the low temperature and PO2 at high altitude.

In the title compound, [Cr(C7H3O6S)(C2H8N2)2]·2H2O, the chromium(III) ion is at the centre of a compressed octa­hedron formed by four N atoms [Cr—N = 2.060 (5)–2.107 (5) A] from two ethyl­enediamine mol­ecules, one phenolate O atom [Cr—O = 1.899 (4) A] and a carboxyl­ate O atom [Cr—O = 1.929 (4) A] from the 2-oxido-5-sulfonatobenzoate ligand. These two O atoms and two of the N atoms occupy the equatorial positions and the remaining N atoms occupy the axial positions. The crystal structure is stabilized by a number of inter­molecular hydrogen bonds.