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This research estimates the effect of climate change on bank performance by considering the mediating role of natural disasters via unbalanced panel data from 2005 to 2018 in 127 countries. Moreover, this paper uses forest land, carbon dioxide emissions, and temperature change to measure climate change, takes economic loss and the number of deaths as costs of natural disasters, and utilizes the non-performing loan ratio and the ratio of bank capital to assets as bank performance. The following conclusions are reached according to our empirical evidence. First, forest land has a strong negative effect on the non-performing loan ratio. Second, forest land decreases the economic losses and deaths due to natural disasters, and natural disasters also decrease banks’ non-performing loan ratio. We also find that forest land increases the ratio of bank capital to assets through decreasing natural disasters. Third, there is a significant mediating effect of climate change on bank performance via natural disasters in high-income countries, but not in low-income countries. Finally, the decline of forest land and the rise of carbon dioxide emissions both have significantly positive effects on man-made disasters, which increase banks’ non-performing loan ratio and decrease the ratio of bank capital to assets. One policy implication is that improving climate change, preventing natural disasters, and promoting financial institutions can help decrease the economic losses of natural disasters and banks.

This article estimates agglomeration effects via calculating EG (Elilsion & Glaeser) and TFP growth (Total Factor Production) by considering the undesired output of the industrial enterprise database and the entropy weight method. Using panel data of 207 county-level cities in China and 28 two-digit manufacturing industries from 2003 to 2013 based on SIC codes, this paper analyzes the relationship between agglomeration and TFP growth through the smooth transition model under different regions and factor-intensity. The results are as follows. (1) A negative relationship appears in manufacturing productivity. The agglomeration effect changes to the crowded effect. Environmental pollution is also generated by transportation and inadequate pollution treatment technology. (2) The excessive agglomeration phenomenon of developed areas (eastern region) is less than the less developed areas (central and western regions). (3) Resource-intensity industries present two thresholds that indicate complex regional features. For various intensive industries in different regions, the relationship between GML and agglomeration is different. High agglomeration does not always promote TFP growth. (4) At different levels of urban industrial agglomeration, the influences of efficiency change and technical change on GML are different. Overall, moderate agglomeration in all regions helps promote economic development.

To evaluate whether core decompression could prevent progression of asymptomatic type C osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) according to the Japanese Investigation Committee (JIC) classification.This retrospective cohort study included 124 hips (117 patients) with asymptomatic type C ONFH. Seventy-one hips (67 patients) received core decompression (core decompression group) and 53 hips (50 patients) received no surgical treatment (control group). Clinical and radiological follow-up was conducted at 6 and 12 months, then annually until 5 years. Clinical outcomes were evaluated in terms of the Oxford hip score and UCLA Activity Level rating. Radiological outcomes were evaluated using X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging. Survival analysis was performed based on collapse of the femoral head as the first endpoint and total hip arthroplasty (THA) as the second endpoint.There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between the core decompression group and the control group within 2 years after surgery. Patients in the core decompression group had significantly better Oxford hip score and UCLA Activity Level from year 3 to the end of follow-up (P 0.05). In year 5, the absolute difference in Oxford hip score (5.3 points) exceeded the reported minimal clinically important difference (MCID, 5.2 points). In years 3-5, the absolute difference in UCLA Activity Level rating (0.95 points, 0.95 points, and 0.99 points, respectively) exceeded the reported MCID (0.92 points). By 5-year follow-up, significantly fewer patients in the core decompression group had experienced femoral head collapse (40.8% vs 62.3%, P = 0.011) or received THA (26.8% vs 45.3%, p = 0.022).Core decompression can prevent progression of asymptomatic type C ONFH according to the JIC classification, leading to better medium-term hip function and activity levels than no surgical treatment. Core decompression is recommended for early intervention against asymptomatic type C ONFH.

Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides information theoretically secure key exchange requiring authentication of the classic data processing channel via pre-sharing of symmetric private keys to kick-start the process. In previous studies, the lattice-based post-quantum digital signature algorithm Aigis-Sig, combined with public-key infrastructure (PKI), was used to achieve high-efficiency quantum security authentication of QKD, and we have demonstrated its advantages in simplifying the MAN network structure and new user entry. This experiment further integrates the PQC algorithm into the commercial QKD system, the Jinan field metropolitan QKD network comprised of 14 user nodes and 5 optical switching nodes, and verifies the feasibility, effectiveness and stability of the post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithm and advantages of replacing trusted relays with optical switching brought by PQC authentication large-scale metropolitan area QKD network. QKD with PQC authentication has potential in quantum-secure communications, specifically in metropolitan QKD networks.

Introduction Clinical studies have shown that a combination of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and pemetrexed overcame acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) TKI in NSCLC. Previously, pemetrexed+gefintib (P+G) had improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with gefitinib. We present OS, updated PFS, biomarker analysis, and safety of P+G versus gefitinib. Methods This was a phase 2, multicenter, randomized study conducted in East Asian patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC with EGFR mutations. Patients were randomized (2:1) to receive P+G (500 mg/m2 intravenously 3-weekly + 250 mg/day orally) or gefitinib. Results In total, 191 patients (P+G, n=126; gefitinib, n=65) comprised the intent-to-treat and safety populations. Median OS was 43.4 months in P+G versus 36.8 months in gefitinib arm; adjusted HR 0.77 (95% CI, 0.5-1.2); one-sided P=0.105. Median PFS was significantly longer in the P+G (16.2 months) versus gefitinib arm (11.1 months); adjusted HR 0.67 (95% CI, 0.5-0.9); one-sided P=0.009. In the P+G and gefitinib arms, median PFS was 22.6 and 11.0 months, respectively, in patients with low thymidylate synthase (TS) expression, and 12.6 and 9.9 months, respectively, in patients with high TS expression. Common second-line post-discontinuation systemic therapies were EGFR-TKIs and chemotherapy. Most patients experienced at least one adverse event. Conclusions Addition of pemetrexed to EGFR TKI gefitinib resulted in significantly improved PFS and numerically longer OS compared with gefitinib in treatment-naive patients with EGFR-mutated advanced nonsquamous NSCLC. Low TS expression appeared to be a good predictor for treatment outcomes.

Bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) are a group cells that function as an underlying cell source for bone tissue regeneration. However, the molecular mechanisms of how BMSCs are induced into apoptosis remains unclear. In the present study, it was demonstrated that the molecular mechanisms of BMSCs were exerted via microRNA‑15a‑5p (miR‑15a‑5p) in femoral head necrosis (FHN). Briefly, miRNA‑15a‑5p expression was elevated in a rat model of FHN. Overexpression of miR‑15a‑5p promoted the apoptosis of BMSCs and reduced cell growth through the Wnt/β‑catenin/peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor γ (PPARγ) signaling pathway. Downregulation of miR‑15a‑5p reduced the apoptosis of BMSCs and promoted cell growth through the Wnt/β‑catenin/PPARγ signaling pathway. The activation of Wnt attenuated the effects of miR‑15a‑5p on the apoptosis of BMSCs via the β‑catenin/PPARγ signaling pathway. In conclusion, the present results indicated that miRNA‑15a‑5p was involved in the regulation of the apoptosis of BMSCs through regulating the Wnt/β‑catenin/PPARγ signaling pathway, which may serve an important role in the regulation of FHN.

Summary Background In the global phase 3 RAINBOW study, ramucirumab plus paclitaxel significantly improved overall survival compared with placebo plus paclitaxel in patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. RAINBOW-Asia, a bridging study with similar design to RAINBOW, aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ramucirumab plus paclitaxel for advanced gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma in Asian, predominantly Chinese, patients. Methods RAINBOW-Asia was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial done at 32 centres in China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Adult patients (≥18 years) with metastatic or locally advanced, unresectable gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma who previously received fluoropyrimidine–platinum-based chemotherapy were randomly assigned with a centralised interactive web response system in a 2:1 ratio to receive ramucirumab 8 mg/kg or placebo intravenously on days 1 and 15 plus paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15 of every 28-day cycle. Randomisation was stratified by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and presence of peritoneal metastases. The co-primary endpoints were progression-free survival and overall survival. Efficacy analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population, and safety analysis included patients who received at least one dose of study treatment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02898077 , and has been completed. Findings Between March 2, 2017, and June 30, 2020, 440 patients were randomly assigned to receive ramucirumab plus paclitaxel (n=294) or placebo plus paclitaxel (n=146). Median progression-free survival was 4·14 months (95% CI 3·71–4·30) in the ramucirumab plus paclitaxel group compared with 3·15 months (2·83–4·14) in the placebo plus paclitaxel group (hazard ratio [HR] 0·765, 95% CI 0·613–0·955, p=0·0184). Median overall survival was 8·71 months (95% CI 7·98–9·49) in the ramucirumab plus paclitaxel group and 7·92 months (6·31–9·10) in the placebo plus paclitaxel group (HR 0·963, 95% CI 0·771–1·203, p=0·7426). The most common grade 3 or worse treatment-emergent adverse events were decreased neutrophil count (159 [54%] of 293 patients in the ramucirumab plus paclitaxel group vs 56 [39%] of 145 in the placebo plus paclitaxel group), decreased white blood cell count (127 [43%] vs 42 [29%]), anaemia (46 [16%] vs 24 [17%]), hypertension (21 [7%] vs nine [6%]), and febrile neutropenia (18 [6%] vs one [ Interpretation These findings, along with the results from RAINBOW, support the use of ramucirumab plus paclitaxel as second-line therapy in a predominantly Chinese population with advanced gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma. Funding Eli Lilly and Company, USA. Translation For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Microstructure and property of bearing steel with and without nitrogen addition were investigated by microstructural observation and hardness measurement after different heat treatment processing. Based on the microstructural observation of both 9Cr18 steel and X90N steel, it was found that nitrogen addition could effectively reduce the amount and size of coarse carbides and also refine the original austenite grain size. Due to addition of nitrogen, more austenite phase was found in X90N steel than in 9Cr18 steel. The retained austenite of X90N steel after quenching at 1050 °C could be reduced from about 60% to about 7% by cold treatment at −73 °C and subsequent tempering, and thus finally increased the hardness up to 60 HRC after low temperature tempering and to 63 HRC after high temperature tempering. Furthermore, both the wear and corrosion resistance of X90N steel were found much more superior than those of 9Cr18 steel, which was attributed to the addition of nitrogen. It was proposed at last that nitrogen alloying into the high chromium bearing steel was a promising way not only to refine the size of both carbides and austenite, but also to achieve high hardness, high wear property and improved corrosion resistance of the stainless bearing steel.

Nonlinear scalarization is a very important method to deal with the vector optimization problems. In this paper, some conic nonlinear scalarization characterizations of E-optimal points, weakly E-optimal points, and E-Benson properly efficient points proposed via improvement sets are established by a new scalarization function, respectively. These results improved and generalized some previously known results. As a special case, the scalarization of Benson properly efficient points is also given. Some examples are given to illustrate the main results.

A superior self-assemble whiskery ZnFe2O4 has been synthesized by a facile coprecipitation method in the presence of oxalic acid. After performed as anode for lithium ion battery, the ZnFe2O4 exhibits excellent electrochemical performance with an initial discharge capacity of 1364.6 mAh g-1, maintained an effective discharge capacity of 1086.9 mAh g-1 after 50 cycles and wonderful rate capacity (687.4 mAh g-1 at 3.0C). The excellent electrochemical performance was related to the novel whiskery structure, which is made of small spherical nanoparticles and hundreds of voids.

(001)-oriented LiNbO3(LN) ferroelectric films were grown on (100)-oriented n-type Si substrates using 15 nm-thick ZnO layers as buffers by pulse laser deposition technique and the LN/ZnO/n-Si heterojunctions were fabricated. Obvious photoswitching characteristics to white light were observed when the reverse voltages were applied on the LN/ZnO/n-Si heterojunction. High performance was exhibited, such as a largeON/OFFratio, short photoresponse time, steadyONorOFFstates, and well reversible. The results were discussed in terms of the band diagrams of the LN/ZnO/Si heterojunctions in this work.

In this paper, we first give some characterizations of improvement sets via quasi interior. Furthermore, as applications of these characterizations, we establish an alternative theorem via improvement sets and quasi interior, and then obtain a scalarization result of weak $$E$$ -efficient solutions defined by improvement sets and quasi interior for vector optimization problems with set-valued maps. Moreover, we also present some examples to illustrate the main conditions and results.

To meet the management requirement of potted flowers, a maneuverable and low-cost wireless monitoring system on the potted flower is designed in this paper. The system includes measuring module, data read and control module, remote wireless communication module and cloud storage module. The Arduino UNO platform is the core control module for this system, and the WiShield module is used as the wireless communication module. And, YL-69, GY-30 and SHT1x sensors constitute the data acquisition module. This system realized the acquisition of the air temperature and humidity, soil humidity and illumination, which were transmitted to the Yeelink platform to be saved or be used for online monitoring by the wireless communication module. This system is easy to be deployed, and has the features of low costs and good scalability.

A new recognition method based on Gaussian mixture model for speech emotion recognition is proposed in this paper. To improve the effectiveness of feature extraction and accuracy of emotion recognition, extraction of Mel frequency cepstrum coefficient combined with Gaussian mixture model is used to recognize speech emotion. According to feature parameters extraction method by analyzing the principle of vocalization theory, emotion models based on Gaussian mixture model are generated and the similarity of their templates is obtained. A series of experiments is performed with recorded speech based on Gaussian mixture model and indicates the system gains high performance and better robustness.

In this paper, a realistic 3D numerical model is established to investigate the flow distribution of a 10-cells short planar SOFC stack. The effect of the basic geometric parameters, such as the sub-manifold radii () and the single channel width (), on the stack flow uniformity is examined. And the results and discusses are presented in this paper. This investigation for the SOFC stack holds great significance for the SOFC stack commercialization.

A Mechanical model of impact and contact between the ball and re-circulating mechanism in ball screw was brought forward according to the Hertz contact model and classical impact theory, along with the joint relationship of re-circulating mechanism and nut taken into account. Then the formula of the impact force and contact time was induced, which the elastic coefficient of restitution was considering in contact time calculation. Moreover, a special test unit was designed for contact time measurement and the contact time was measured. The result indicates that the new model proposed in this paper is closer to the practical situation than the old model proposed in literature. Based on works mentioned above, the influence of impact angle, parameters of structure and material on impact force was analyzed by numerical simulation.

We present a quantum secure imaging (QSI) scheme based on the phase encoding and weak+vacuum decoy-state BB84 protocol of quantum key distribution (QKD). It allows us to implement a computational ghost imaging (CGI) system with more simplified equipment and reconstructed algorithm by using a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) to preset the specific spatial distribution of the light intensity. What is more, the quantum bit error rate (QBER) and the secure key rate analytical functions of QKD are used to see through the intercept-resend jamming attacks and ensure the authenticity of the imaging information. In the experiment, we obtained the image of the object quickly and efficiently by measuring the signal photon counts with a single-photon detector (SPD), and achieved a secure key rate of 571.0 bps and a secure QBER of 3.99%, which is well below the lower bound of QBER of 14.51%. Besides, our imaging system uses a laser with invisible wavelength of 1550 nm, whose intensity is as low as single-photon, that can realize weak-light imaging and is immune to the stray light or air turbulence, thus it will become a better choice for quantum security radar against intercept-resend jamming attacks.

There are three types thin film thermocouples (TFTCs) fabricated on the nickel-based superalloy substrates, including type-K (Ni-10%Cr/Ni-3%Si), type-S (Pt-10%Rh/Pt) and indium tin oxide (ITO) versus platinum (Pt) TFTCs. All of the samples were calibrated and cycled in tube furnace. The Seebeck coefficient of type-K, type-S and ITO/Pt TFTCs is 36.53 μV/°C, 8.89 μV/°C and 81.67 μV/°C, respectively. The life time of type-K and type-S TFTCs is 3 calibrating cycles (about 25 h) and 2 calibrating cycles (about 20 h), respectively. The ITO/Pt TFTCs shows longer life time that is longer than 5 cycles (about 50 h).

The mechanism of logging signals generating was researched. In the same time, correlation dimension, largest Lyapunov exponent and approximate entropy of chaotic characteristics were extracted. On this basis, chaotic characteristic parameters were applied in processing, analysis and interpretation, try to find chaotic characteristics of different of reservoirs for example oil, water layer and the dry layer. The results showed that chaos characteristics in different reservoir is different, therefore, we can distinguish the different natures of reservoirs by extracting chaos characteristics.

The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients in order to arrive at qualitative and quantitative conclusions about the efficacy of CoQ10. Databases searched included PubMed, Google scholar, CNKI, Wan-Fang, and the Cochrane Library from inception to March 2016. We only included sham-controlled, randomized clinical trials of CoQ10 intervention for motor dysfunction in patients with PD. Relevant measures were extracted independently by two investigators. Weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated with random-effects models. Eight studies with a total of 899 patients were included. Random-effects analysis revealed a pooled WMD of 1.02, indicating no significant difference when CoQ10 treatment compared with placebo in terms of UPDRS part 3 (p = 0.54). Meanwhile, the effect size of UPDRS part 1, UPDRS part 2, and total UPDRS scores were similar in CoQ10 group with in placebo group (p > 0.05). Moreover, we found CoQ10 was well tolerated compared with placebo group. Subgroup analysis showed that the effect size of CoQ10 in monocentric studies was larger than in multicenter studies. Using the GRADE criteria, we characterized the quality of evidence presented in this meta-analysis as moderate to high level. The current meta-analysis provided evidence that CoQ10 was safe and well tolerated in participants with PD and no superior to placebo in terms of motor symptoms. According to these results, we cannot recommend CoQ10 for the routine treatment of PD right now.

To establish a rapid and sensitive ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban in rat plasma. The analytes and the internal standard (diazepam) were separated on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 chromatography column (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 1.7 μm) using gradient elution with a mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0.1 % formic acid in water at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring mode to monitor the precursor-to-product ion transitions of m/z 436.1 → 145.1 for rivaroxaban, m/z 460.0 → 443.1 for apixaban, m/z 548.2 → 366.1 for edoxaban and m/z 285.2 → 193.1 for diazepam (IS) using a positive electrospray ionization interface. The method was validated over a concentration range of 1.0-200 ng/mL for rivaroxaban, 1.0-100 ng/mL for apixaban and 1.0-500 ng/mL for edoxaban. Total time for each chromatograph was 3.5 min. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy of the quality control samples at low, medium, and high concentration levels exhibited relative standard deviations

For the complex features of many varieties, varying quantities of inserting production, we use such a complex system as Swarm intelligence to study the process of the production line of SMEs setting up and human resources scheduling. Based on the analysis of the operating characteristics of production cell and their comparison labor division model of the ant colony, it re-designs the workers’ features and the deployment of staff between the Production cells and finally, realizes an adaptive division of labor model by the control of computer, depending on the production task requirements and each production cell load. The experiments show that the digital simulation results can match the real cases well.

Aluminium doping TaNx thin films were deposited on Al2O3 ceramic wafers by DC reactive magnetron sputtering. The influences of nitrogen partial flux on the phase structures and the electrical properties of the samples were investigated in detail. The results show that the main phases in the samples are gradually changed from poor nitrogen phases to rich nitrogen phases with the increase of the nitrogen partial flux. The deposition rate of the samples is decreased with the increase of the nitrogen partial flux. With the increase of the nitrogen partial flux, the resistivity and the absolute value of the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of the samples increase slowly at lower nitrogen partial flux, and then increase remarkably at higher nitrogen partial flux. These experimental results can be explained by the presentation of rich nitrogen phases with higher resistivity and absolute value of the TCR when the samples were prepared at higher nitrogen partial flux.

NiCr-NiSi K-type thin film thermocouples with multi-layer structure were fabricated on Ni-based superalloy substrates (95 mm×35 mm×2 mm). The multi-layer structure contains NiCrAlY buffer layer (2 μm)/ thermally grown Al2O3 bond coating (200 nm)/ Al2O3 insulating layer (8 μm)/ NiCr-NiSi thin film thermocouples (1 μm)/ Al2O3 protecting layer (500 nm). The samples were statically calibrated in a tube furnace in the temperature range from 170 °C to 610 °C. The results show that the resistance of Al2O3 insulating layer is about 14.6 kΩ at 800 °C and exceeds 100 MΩ at room temperature. The Seebeck coefficient a of the samples is about 34 μV/°C, and the sensitivity coefficient K is greater than 0.8 in the temperature range from 170 °C to 610 °C. The maximal sensitivity coefficient is about 0.97 at 265 °C.

In this paper, barium hexaferrite thick films with thickness of 80 microns were prepared on alumina substrates by screen printing method for applications in self-biased planar microwave devices. The influences of sintering temperature on the microstructures and magnetic properties of barium ferrite (BaM) thick films were investigated. The results show that with the increase of sintering temperature, the grain size increases and the porosity of the BaM thick films decreases. When the sintering temperature is below 1200 °C, the BaM thick films show magnetic properties with coercive force of about 3.5 kOe and magnetization at 20 KOe (4πM20kOe) of about 1750 Gs. When the sintering temperature is greater than 1200 °C, the magnetic properties deteriorate remarkably and exhibit a coercive force of 0.4 kOe and 4πM20kOe of about 480 Gs due to the over-sintering and diffusion of Al atoms into the BaM thick films. A new non-ferromagnetic phase Al13Ba7 is formed, which is detected by XRD.

In this work, the CoPtRu nanocomposite films with were fabricated on the Ru seed layer. The effects of Ru content on the microstructure and magnetic properties of the CoPtRu-SiO2single layer nanocomposite films, and magnetic properties of the CoPtRu-SiO2/Co72Pt28-SiO2double layer nanocomposite films were studied. Results showed that with an increase of Ru content in the CoPtRu film, the ordering degree ofhcp-CoPtRu decreased, the volume of soft magneticfccphase increased, both the anisotropy constant and the saturation magnetization of the CoPtRu film decreased greatly. As a result, the anisotropy field of the film did not decrease notably. Therefore, the coercivity of the CoPtRu-SiO2/Co72Pt28-SiO2double layer film was very close to that of Co72Pt28-SiO2single layer film at both room temperature and low temperature.

TaN thin films were deposited on Al 2 O 3 wafers by DC reactive magnetron sputtering. The composition control by nitrogen partial flux in the working gas and the electrical properties of the samples were investigated in detail. The results show that the atomic number ratio of Ta to N in the samples can be adjusted from 4 to 0.88, corresponding to the contents of N in the samples from 20 at.% to 53 at.%, by adjusting the nitrogen partial flux from 2% to 6%. The main phases in the TaN x thin films are hexagonal Ta 2 N , body centered cubic Ta 10 N and face centered cubic TaN at lower N contents (lower than 28 at.%). However, at higher N contents (higher than 28 at.%), orthorhombic Ta 3 N 5 phase gradually precipitates out from the samples, and the hexagonal Ta 2 N phase disappears. When the N contents in the samples are lower than 28 at.%, the sheet resistance and resistivity of TaN x thin films are all low. With further increase of the N contents, the sheet resistance and resistivity of TaN x thin films increase sharply. The sheet resistance and the resistivity of the samples can be adjusted from 17 Ω/sq. to 77 Ω/sq., from 344 μΩ ·cm to 1030 μΩ ·cm by adjusting the nitrogen contents, respectively. When the nitrogen contents in the samples are lower than 28 at.%, the TCR of the samples is less than 50 ppm/°C. With further increase of N contents, the TCR of the samples increases sharply up to a few hundred ppm/°C.

Amorphous TbFe films were fabricated by DC magnetron sputtering, and the effects of argon pressures on the microstructure, magnetic properties and the low magnetic field magnetostrictions of the samples were explored. It is found that with the increase of argon pressure, the surface smoothness and the compactness of TbFe films are declined. At lower argon pressure, maze magnetic domains exist, and it possesses, hence, stronger perpendicular anisotropy. With the increase in argon pressure, the domain walls become gradually wider and the contrast of domain image appears to be less sharper. It implies that the magnetic anisotropy direction of the films gradually changes from perpendicular to parallel to the film plane with larger argon pressure. In addition, the magnetization is stronger with increase in argon pressure, and reaches its maximum value at 0.6 Pa. After that, the magnetization begins to decrease with further increase in argon pressure. However, the coercivity of the films decreases monotonically with the increase in the argon pressure. At low magnetic fields, the magnetostriction of amorphous TbFe films becomes larger with increase in the argon pressure. After reaching its maximum value at 0.6 Pa, a decrease was observed with further increase in argon pressure.

Background To construct a primary rat colonic epithelial cell model for treatment with specific methylated oligonucleotides (MOs) and to determine whether the transcriptional inactivation of ERβ mRNA is mediated by the induction of hypermethylation of the ERβ gene promoter. Methods Suckling rat colonic epithelial cells were cultured in DMEM. Two methylated oligonucleotides complementary to the promoter regions of ERβ were synthesized and applied to the cultured cells to induce promoter hypermethylation of the ERβ gene. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used to determine the methylation status of the ERβ promoter in the cultured cells. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantify the expression of ERβ mRNA after treatment with MOs. Results Suckling rat colonic epithelial cells were successfully cultured in vitro. The MOs and unmethylated oligonucleotides (UMOs) we designed, synthesized, successfully transfected into the colonic epithelial cells, and assembled in the nuclei of the cells, which had extremely elevated proliferative activity. RT-PCR demonstrated that the expression of ERβ mRNA was significantly suppressed in the cells treated with MOs, whereas its expression in the control cells treated with UMOs was not. MSP analysis showed that the promoter of ERβ in the cells treated with MOs was hypermethylated compared with that of the control cells. Conclusion The transcriptional inactivation of ERβ mRNA in rat colonic epithelial cells may be mediated by the hypermethylation of the ERβ gene promoter. Our model markedly simulates the epigenetic modification of the ERβ gene in colonic cancer cells.

In this paper, a theoretical model has been established to study the contributions of the magnetization rotations to the magnetic properties of stressed amorphous magnetic films. The influences of both magnitude and direction of the applied stress on the magnetic properties have been discussed. The results show that the shapes of the hysteresis loops are significantly dependent on the applied stress. For amorphous magnetic film with positive magnetostriction, the longitudinal tensile stress can increase the coercivity but the remanence seems independent on the stress. Both the coercivity and remanence approach zero while the longitudinal compressive stress is large enough. The observed magnetostrictions of the amorphous magnetic films are influenced markedly by applied stress.

In this paper, the influences of depositing angles on TbFe film magnetic and magnetostrictive characteristics were discussed. TbFe films were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering. With the decrease of depositing angles from 900 to 150, TbFe film in-plane magnetization measured at 1600kA.m-1 external field is greatly increased. With the decrease of depositing angles from 900 to 150, the magnetostrictive saturation field is decreased. TbFe film in-plane magnetostriction is improved when depositing angles are changed from 900 to 150. Magnetic domain structures detected by MFM indicates that film easy magnetization direction is gradually changed from perpendicular to parallel with the decrease of depositing angles. The variation of film magnetic and magnetostrictive performances can be explained by the oblique anisotropy associated with columnar grain morphology of the films.