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The abundance of domesticated sheep varieties and phenotypes is largely the result of long-term natural and artificial selection. However, there is limited information regarding the genetic mechanisms underlying phenotypic variation induced by the domestication and improvement of sheep. In this study, to explore genomic diversity and selective regions at the genome level, we sequenced the genomes of 100 sheep across 10 breeds and combined these results with publicly available genomic data from 225 individuals, including improved breeds, Chinese indigenous breeds, African indigenous breeds, and their Asian mouflon ancestor. Based on population structure, the domesticated sheep formed a monophyletic group, while the Chinese indigenous sheep showed a clear geographical distribution trend. Comparative genomic analysis of domestication identified several selective signatures, including家绵羊丰富的品种和表型主要是长期自然和人工选择的结果。然而，关于绵羊在驯化和改良中所导致表型变异的遗传机制的研究有限。在该研究中，为了探讨绵羊的基因组多样性和选择信号，对10个品种的100只羊进行全基因组重测序，并结合公共数据库中公布的亚洲摩弗伦野羊、非洲地方绵羊品种、中国地方绵羊品种以及培育绵羊品种的225个个体的基因组数据进行研究。群体结构分析表明，家绵羊聚为单独的一类，而中国地方绵羊呈现明显的地理分布趋势。在驯化过程中，发现了与免疫反应（

This study evaluated the accuracy of implant placement with surgical-template guidance both in vitro and in vivo. Virtual surgical planning was performed based on the data from CBCT scans and an intraoral scanner. Surgical templates were designed according to the planned implants and manufactured with stereolithography. In vitro, 60 implants were placed in 15 resin models. In vivo, 74 implants were placed in 54 patients. The implants were scanned with CBCT postoperatively. Implant accuracy was evaluated by measuring the following parameters: central deviation at the apex and shoulder, horizontal deviation at the apex and shoulder, vertical deviation at the apex and shoulder, and angular deviation. There were statistically significant in vitro and in vivo deviations for all parameters, and the implant deviations in vivo were significantly greater than those in vitro. When using a mucosa-supported template, horizontal deviations at the apex were significantly greater than when a teeth-supported template was used. Within the limitation of the study design, inaccuracy existed in implant placement guided with a surgical template. More studies are needed to investigate the value of the procedure in future.

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (NHA) is a biocompatible, biodegradable, and osteoconductive bone graft material; however, it lacks osteoinductivity. The present study is aimed at investigating the feasibility of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (NHA) as an osteoinductive growth factor carrier. Bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2), an osteoinductive growth factor, was incorporated into NHA (BMP2-NHA) using a simple adsorption method. The growth factor loading and release kinetics were profiled using fluorescein-isothiocyanate-labeled bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) as a mimic of the osteoinductive growth factor BMP2. The effect of BMP2-NHA on the osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells and ectopic bone formation in mice were tested. Confocal laser-scanning microscopy showed that FITC-BSA was diffused throughout the porous structure of NHA. FITC-BSA was efficiently loaded in NHA and sustained release was observed up to 35 days in vitro. BMP2-NHA enhanced the expression of osteogenic markers Runx2, Osterix, Alp, and Col1α1 and ALP activity in C2C12 cells compared to NHA. Similarly, μ-CT and histological examinations showed that BMP2-NHA robustly induced ectopic bone formation in mice. This study suggests that NHA could be used as an effective carrier of osteoinductive growth factors, which ensures osteoinductivity of NHA via sustained release of the growth factor.

Background Three-dimensional (3D) printing is becoming increasingly important in spinal surgery, and few literatures have reported the surgical management for sacroiliac joint tuberculosis assisted by three dimensional printing technology. Purpose The study aim to assess the efficacy and feasibility of surgical treatment in sacroiliac joint tuberculosis (SJT) by posterior sacroiliac screws fixation, debridement and fusion, which assisted by three dimensional printing technology. Method Twenty-six patients with sacroiliac joint tuberculosis treated by surgery in our department between January 2008 and December 2015 . All the patients were divided into two group base on three dimensional printing technology: 11 cases in Group A underwent posterior debridement, fusion and sacroiliac screws fixation, and 15 cases in Group B underwent posterior debridement, bone graft, sacroiliac screws fixation, and three dimensional printing technology. Clinical and radiographic results for the two groups were analyzed and compared. Results All patients were followed up with an average 33.8±7.9 months (24–48 months). The sacroiliac joint tuberculosis was completely cured and the grafted bones were fused in all 26 patients. No injured nerve or other severe complications occurred in both groups. Group B achieved much better results in time of operation, intra-operative blood loss, and number of intra-operative fluoroscopy than group A ( p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in ESR, fusion time, and VAS score in the last follow-up ( p >0.05). Conclusions The three dimensional printing technology can achieve the better effect in the treatment of sacroiliac joint tuberculosis. Posterior surgery assisted by three dimensional printing technology in the treatment of sacroiliac joint tuberculosis has the characteristics of shorter operative time, less bleeding, and less number of intra-operative fluoroscopy.

Background Many options exist for the management of cholelithiasis and secondary choledocholithiasis. Among them, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) with choledocotomy followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy has gained popularity. However, efforts should be made to ensure minimally invasive or noninvasive management of the common bile duct (CBD). The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical experience of non-invasive surgical modality, i.e., laparoscopic transcystic dilation of the cystic duct confluence in CBD exploration (LTD-CBDE), including feasibility, safety, adverse events, and incidence. Methods In this retrospective analysis, 68 patients were offered the LTD-CBDE technique from December 2015 to April 2018 based on patient’s own intention. During the surgery, the cystic duct confluence was dilated with separation forceps and/or a columnar dilation balloon. Subsequently, CBD exploration and stone extraction were performed with a choledochoscope. The entrance of the CBD was covered with a cystic duct stump wall and was subjected to primary closure at the end of surgery. Results Forty-nine females and 19 males with cholelithiasis and secondary choledocholithiasis were included. The mean age was 53 years old (18 to 72 year). Of these patients, 62 (91.2%) were successfully treated with the LTD-CBDE technique, and bile leakage was observed in 3 patients (4.4%). The mean operation time was 106 min, and the mean hospital stay was 5.9 days. Among the other 6 patients, 3 were converted to open cholecystectomy due to severe fibrosis, unclear anatomical structure at Calot’s triangle (n = 2) or Mirizze syndrome (n = 1); LCBDE was performed in 3 patients due to cystic duct atresia (n = 2) and low level of flow from the gallbladder duct into the CBD (n = 1). These patients had a smooth postoperative course. In total, 43/68 of the patients presented no radiological evidence of retained CBD stones at the postoperative follow-up (40 patients treated with LTD-CBDE) 1 year later. Conclusions The current work suggests that LTD-CBDE for the management of cholelithiasis and secondary choledocholithiasis is a feasible, safe and effective technique with a low complication rate. LTD-CBDE offers another alternative for surgeons to treat patients in similar scenarios. However, additional randomized, controlled studies are needed to demonstrate its efficacy, safety, and impact on CBD stenosis.

Objectives: Many options exist in the management of cholelithiasis and secondary choledocholithiasis. Among them, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) with the choledocotomy followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy has gained popularity. However, efforts should be made for minimally invasive or non-invasive to the common bile duct (CBD). For this purpose, we modified the surgical modality of laparoscopic transcystic approach by dilating the cystic duct confluence in CBD exploration (LTD-CBDE). Based on our preliminary experience, the aim of this work was to assess the feasibility, safety and effectivity of LTD-CBDE.Patients and methods: Sixty-eight patients were arbitrarily offered new LTD-CBDE technique from December 2015 to April 2018. During the surgery, we dilated the cystic duct confluence with separation forceps and/or the columnar dilation balloon. Subsequently, the CBD exploration and stone extraction were performed with choledochoscope. The entrance of CBD was covered with cystic duct stump wall and primarily closed at the end of surgery.Results: 49 females and 19 males with cholelithiasis and secondary choledocholithiasis were included. The mean age was 53 years old (18 to 72 yr). Of which, 62 cases (91.2%) were performed with LTD-CBDE techniques successfully, bile leakage was observed in 3 cases (4.4%). The mean operation time was 106 minutes and the mean hospital stay was 5.9 days. As for the other 6 patients, 3 cases were converted to open cholecystectomy due to severe fibrosis, unclear anatomical structure at the Calot’s triangle (n=2) and Mirizze syndrome (n=1); LCBDE were performed in 3 patients due to cystic duct atresia (n=2) and low level of the gallbladder duct into CBD (n=1). These patients had smooth postoperative course. None of the patients presented radiological evidence of retained CBD stone on the postoperative follow-up in 43/68 (40 cases used LTD-CBDE) patients one year later.Conclusion: The current work suggests that LTD-CBDE for the management of cholelithiasis and secondary choledocholithiasis is a feasible, safe and effective technique with a low rate of complications. It offers another alternative for surgeons to treat patients in similar scenarios. However, additional randomized, controlled study is further needed to demonstrate its efficacy, safety, and impact on CBD stenosis.

Objective: To study the effect of Claudin6 (CLDN6) gene on cell proliferation and invasionrelated gene expression in meningioma tissue. Methods: Patients with meningioma and patients with brain trauma who received surgical treatment in Yibin First People’s Hospital between May 2014 and March 2017 were selected, the meningioma and normal meninges tissue were collected, the positive protein rate of CLDN6 was determined by immunohistochemical kit, and the protein expression of CLDN6, invasion genes and proliferation genes were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: The protein content and positive protein rate of CLDN6 in meningioma tissue were significantly lower than those in normal meninges tissue; PHH3, MCM2, E2F3, MMP2, MMP9, N-cadherin and Vimentin protein contents in meningioma tissue were significantly higher than those in normal meninges tissue while BAG-1 and Caspase-3 protein contents were significantly lower than those in normal meninges tissue; PHH3, MCM2, E2F3, MMP2, MMP9, N-cadherin and Vimentin protein contents in CLDN6-positive meningioma tissue were significantly lower than those in CLDN6- negative meningioma tissue while BAG-1 and Caspase-3 protein contents were significantly higher than those in CLDN6-negative meningioma tissue. Conclusions: The low expression of CLDN6 gene in meningioma tissue is closely related to the abnormal proliferation and invasion of cells.

C24H46ClNO5, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 7.5992(3) Å, b = 9.6634(5) Å, c = 34.7499(7) Å, V = 2551.8(10) Å3, Z = 4, R gt(F) = 0.0554, wR ref(F 2) = 0.1479, T = 170 K.

To date, the recovery of large bone defects is a major clinical challenge despite the availability of numerous therapeutic procedures including tissue engineering. Although there is a pressing need for large tissue-engineered constructs, inadequate vascularization remains an insurmountable barrier for successful clinical translation. Considering that vascularization is a prerequisite for osteogenesis, we proposed an advanced design of large customized porous β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) scaffolds with biomimetic vascular hierarchy which upon embedding of femoral axial vascular bundles significantly improved overall vascularity of the scaffolds. Such scaffolds also promoted osteogenesis when they were coated with recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). Compared to the conventional TCP scaffolds (S), the newly designed multi-channeled β-TCP (CS) scaffolds led to adequate blood vessels and bone-like tissue formation throughout their porous hierarchy within 4 weeks of implantation. Especially, the scaffolds coated with rhBMP-2 and embedded with flow-through vascular bundle (FVB) were able to form more uniform vascularized bone within 2 weeks post-implantation. Based on the clinical, radiographic, angiographic and histological assessments, the newly designed multi-channeled scaffolds were found to be promising for successful recovery of large bone defects.

Icariside II is a flavonoid extracted from Epimedium that has antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects icariside II on diabetic cardiomyopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Icariside II treatment improved body weight, heart/body weight ratio and fasting blood glucose in diabetic model rats. Icariside II was demonstrated to reduce the expression levels of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in serum, and to lower cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis levels in diabetic rats. Icariside II treatment induced phosphoinositide 3‑kinase and phosphorylated‑Akt expression, and suppressed inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor (NF)‑κB protein expression in diabetic rat. Results from the present study suggested that treatment with icariside II improved diabetic cardiomyopathy in streptozotocin‑induced diabetic rats by activating the Akt/NOS/NF‑κB pathway.

The outer space of city, construction space and underground space are city’s material spaces with disaster prevention function and are direct carriers of disasters, this paper propsoses the concepts and approaches to integrate, recombine and share city spaces based on the current situation of city’s disasters and spaces for disaster prevention, puts forward ideas and concepts including “ active disaster prevention”, “comprehensive disaster prevention”, “evacuation center” combining the latest research development of nanjing city’s comprehensive disaster prevention planning, and conducts deeper research in aspects of improving the disaster prevention function of city space and inspring planning and construction of city disaster prevention.

Currently, more and more residential district have built the underground parking and created more water and green space use the ground. The environment has been improved. This paper analyzed the microclimate of two planning programs use the microclimate fluid dynamics simulation software Envi-met, that one is have been made the underground parking planning, the other one is haven't. The results include microclimate parameters air quality parameters (the distribution of CO2) and the outdoor thermal comfort parameters (mean radiant temperature). By comparing the results of the two programs, this paper quantitative analyzed the influence and benefits of the underground parking to the microclimate in residential quarter.

The Henry reaction of aromatic aldehydes and nitroalkanes could be performed by catalyst of Lipase A from Aspergillus niger in organic/water medium, and the corresponding Henry products were obtained in yields up to 94%.

At present, smart grid is developing in China, in order to reach a safe and economical power system. In the process of establishment of smart grid, transformers which are dissatisfied with the demand of increasing load must be renovated or replaced. Economic costs and loss reduction and energy saving should be taken into account when choose a transformer. According to existing algorithms, a novel algorithm for energy savings of transformer after the original transformer is renovated or replaced. Combined with one practical project, the effectiveness and accuracy of this algorithm have been verified.

As a result of the popularity of ecotourism in China, the number of tourists has increased and the development scale of tourism area has expanded constantly. It will inevitably affect natural landscape and ecological balance. In order to protect the environment and maintain the sustainable development of ecotourism area, this paper argues that underground space utilization in ecotourism area is an effective method. By introducing the contemporary situation of ecological tourist area in China, it points out the necessity of underground space development. Combined with the characteristics of underground space, the advantages and disadvantages of underground space development in ecotourism area were analyzed. The main principles of underground space development in ecotourism area were discussed. From the perspective of overall planning in ecotourism area, the calculation method for underground space demand was proposed.

According to requirement of the energy conservation of the distribution system, this paper analyses the principle of D-STATCOM reducing Loss and saving energy in distribution system, from the point of reactive power compensation and harmonic filtering in this article from no point of view. Based on instantaneous reactive power theory, a control strategy for the D-STATCOM voltage bridge circuit designed, to use D-STATCOM the purpose to improve the distribution network power factor. The effectiveness and good operating performance of the device and control strategy are certified by simulation with PSCAD/ EMTDC, filtering out the harmonics and compensating reactive power, so as to achieve the purpose of energy conservation Loss Reduction.

In order to compare precisions of different finite volume schemes for plane stress problems, this paper discussed three typical finite volume schemes(FVM2, FVM3 and FVM4) through theoretical deduction and example verification, and introduced a new scheme(FVM1). Force equilibrium equations were obtained, which derived from the principle of the finite volume method (FVM). Using triangular units and in view of internal cells and boundary elements, this paper put forward these four finite schemes linear equations similar to the finite element method(FEM) stiffness equations but with different coefficients. The analyses and numerical example results show that FVM1 is the optimal finite volume scheme, and suggest that in practical civil, architectural and hydraulic engineering calculations, schemes should be selected carefully and FVM1 is a good option.

In order to study the creep properties of coal or rock containing gas, the creep properties of coal or rock without gas were studied firstly. Through analyzing the previous creep experiment results of coal or rock, one nonlinear damage creep model of coal or rock was founded based on the general Kelvin model. In this model, assumed that the damage is a function of stress level and time, and introduced one nonlinear hardened function into the general Kelvin model, the nonlinear damage fading creep equation and the nonlinear damage creep whole process equation were obtained. Besides this model, considering the composite structure of coal or rock, gas and gas absorption layer, and assuming that this structure has the stick-slip property under the outside load, so a stick-slip module was added in the general Kelvin model and a new nonlinear damage creep model of coal or rock containing gas was founded. Given the value of the material parameters in the two equations, the creep curves varied with the time were drawn under different axial compression. Through the theoretical curves, the nonlinear damage creep model in this paper was proved to be rational.

This paper generalizes the arc-length method, and proposes a new scheme of controlling equilibrium path including static equilibrium and electrostatic equilibrium. To take example for the thin plate electrode posing on the electrostatic field force, whose governing equations are the two fold nonlinear coupling equation, the method to compute the incremental factor is give in detain. The result is to show that not only the approximate critical voltage is obtained but also the trace after losing stability is found stably.

Investigation into the temperature programmed reduction (TPR) of bulk or γ-Al2O3 supported molybdenum trioxide using n-hexane as a carbon source in hydrogen was carried out. The resulting catalyst was evaluated using dibenzothiophene (DBT) as a model compound for the hydrodesulfurization (HDS). The results show that the utilization of n-hexane can lower the temperature, to fulfill carburization to some extent. For DBT HDS, however, there exists an optimal temperature at which carburization is carried out, leading to a high activity of the resulting catalyst. In these experiments, it has been found that the resulting catalyst exhibits the highest DBT HDS activity if the precursor, MoO3/γ-Al2O3, with 30% theoretic loading, is carburized at 620°C under atmospheric pressure and 0.025 mol ratio of n-hexane to hydrogen in carburizing reagents.

In this paper, the variety behavior in spraying process of nanoparticle agglomerated ZrO2 −8% Y2O3 (YSZ)powder by air plasma spraying(APS) is studied. The morphology, microscopic structure and phase structure of sprayed powder were analyzed by SEM and XRD. The result indicates that the agglomerated particle surface happens to melt and be crystallization by APS sprayed, and the grain size is 0.5∼1.5μm. The molten zone thickness increases gradually as the particle diameter reduces. The particle inside still keeps nanoparticle structure. The phase structure accords with the powder before spraying.

To examine the expression of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor-1 (CysLTR-1) and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor-2 (CysLTR-2) in the adenoid tissues from children with adenoid hypertrophy (AH) and to explore the role of leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of AH.Sixty children with AH who were treated by adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy were classified into two groups: simple AH and AH plus allergic rhinitis (n=30 each). Twenty children who underwent tonsillectomy due to recurrent purulent tonsillitis were selected as the control group. The expression of CysLTR-1 and CysLTR-2 in the excised tonsil and/or adenoid tissues was determined by immunofluorescence histochemical labeling and integrated optical density measurement.The expression of CysLTR-1 and CysLTR-2 in the adenoid and tonsil tissues increased significantly in both the simple AH group and AH plus allergic rhinitis group compared with the control group (P0.01). The expression of CysLTR-1 and CysLTR-2 in the AH plus allergic rhinitis group increased more significantly compared with the simple AH group (P0.01).CysLTR-1 and CysLTR-2 are highly expressed in the adenoid tissues from children with AH, suggesting that leukotrienes are involved in the pathogenesis of AH.

Preventing pipeline from rapid crack propagation is a critical issue to avoid casualties and disasters. In this paper, by combining the energy balance theory with FEM simulation and arrest criteria, the numerical analysis is developed to solve the problem of crack dynamic propagation in gas pipeline. This simulation, in combination with the full-scale blast tests, provides a broad prediction of the dynamic fracture process. The crack tip opening angle (CTOA) criterion is consummated through the comparison between CTOA in FEM calculation and the critical value of (CTOA)C obtained by the experiment. The result of the simulation for the crack speed and location is consistent with data by Alliance and Japanese full-scale blast tests.

Objective To investigate the morbidity of functional gastrointestinal disorder (FIGD) and the effect of intervention treatment in personnel undertaking prolonged sea voyage. Methods Based on the Rome Ⅲ classification and diagnostic criteria of FGID, a questionnaire survey was conducted before and after long ocean voyage using the cluster sampling method. The types of FGID investigated in this study included functional dyspepsia (epigastric pain syndrome and postprandial distress syndrome), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, including diarrhea-predominant IBS and constipation-predominant IBS), functional bloating, functional constipation, and biliary pain (gallbladder dysfunction and Oddi's sphincter dysfunction). A systematic health education was carried out and appropriate adjuvant drug was used, and then the effect of interventional treatment on the prognosis of FGID was investigated. Results Three hundred and fifty-five valid questionnaires were returned before and after long sea voyage respectively. The result showed that after health education and adjuvant medication, the prevalence of FGID was significantly controlled after the long sea voyage, the remission and disappearance rate of symptoms was up to 49.44%, meanwhile, it also showed that prevalence of FGID was higher among the persons working in mechanical and electrical departments than in other departments, higher in personnel undergoing prolonge duty than in non-duty personnel, and higher in personnel with the habit of smoking, alcohol/tea drinking than in those without the habits. Conclusion The prevalence of FGID is higher in prolonged sea voyage personnel. Systematic health education and appropriate adjuvant medication could reduce the incidence and improve the symptoms of FGID.

Traditionally, cancer research has focused on protein-coding genes, which are considered the principal effectors and regulators of tumorigenesis. Non-coding RNAs, in particular microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), have been widely reported to be important in the regulation of tumorigenesis and cancer development. However, to the best of our knowledge, investigation of the expression profiles of lncRNAs and a comparison of the involvement of lncRNAs, miRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in esophageal tumorigenesis and development have not previously been performed. In the current study, intrinsic associations among the expression profiles of lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs from normal esophageal tissues and those from cancer tissues were investigated. Oligonucleotide microarrays were used to detect the expression profiles of the three types of RNA in the canceration processes of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues. It was demonstrated that the different RNAs exhibit associated patterns of expression among normal esophageal epithelium, low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN), and carcinoma tissues, particularly in the critical period of canceration (HGIN to ESCC). Furthermore, the results indicated a high level of similarity in the potential function of lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs in the processes of ESCC development. In the current study, a first generation atlas of lncRNA profiling and its association with miRNAs and mRNAs in the canceration processes of ESCC were presented.

Characteristics of ultracapacitor and classic model have been introduced in this paper. Due to its superior performance, ultracapacitor is used for hybrid energy storage system with lead-acid battery. The performance and potential application of hybrid energy storage system have been elaborated, which make some contribution to the promotion and application of energy storage technology.

Proposed a storage method of disaster recovery system (SMDRS), adopted dynamic pre-allocation strategy to pre-allocate space for the task twice, thus effectively saving storage space; at the same time, pre-allocation strategy and requirement-based allocation strategy are combined to make the recovery data of the same disaster recovery task be aggregated as much as possible to reduce the seek time and to avoid unnecessary consumption.

To observe the effects of "Warmth-producing Needling for Removing Obstruction" (WPNRO) on the pathomorphological changes of brain and learning-memory abilities in vascular dementia (VD) rats.A total of 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, medication, needle-twirling, and WPNRO groups, with 10 cases in each group. VD model was established by repeated cerebral ischemia-reperfusion via repeated occlusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries under anesthesia (3% embutal 40 mg/kg, i.p.). "Dazhui" (GV 14), "Baihui"(GV 20) and "Shuigou"(GV 26) were punctured with filiform needles and stimulated with twirling technique and WPNRO technique respectively and continuously for 1 min. Animals of medication group were fed with Nimodipine (0.0108 g/kg). The treatment was conducted once daily continuously for 15 days. The rats' learning and memory results were detected respectively with step-down avoidance test in the first 6 days' training and 24 h later. At the end of experiments and after decapitation, the right brain was taken, cut into sections (5 microm) and stained with HE method for observing structural changes of hippocampus.1) Behavior reactions: compared with control group, the latency for finding the safe platform and the times of error in model group increased significantly, and compared with model group, both latencies and times of error in WPNRO, needle-twirling and medication groups decreased considerably (P0.05, 0.01). In comparison with needle-twirling group, both latencies and times of error in WPNRO group were significantly fewer (P0.05, 0.01), and no significant differences were found between WPNRO and medication groups in these two indexes (P0.05). It indicated that acupuncture particularly WPNRO could improve both learning and memory abilities in VD rats. 2) Structural changes of neurons in CA1 region of hippocampus: in normal group, the neurons arranged in order and closely, and were normal in the structure; in model group, the neurons arranged obviously in disorder, had karyopyknosis and hyperplasia in glial cells and decreased in the number. In WPNRO group, no evident cellular karyopyknosis or hyperplasia of glial cells was found, and the structure and number of cells were close to those of normal group. In acupuncture and medication groups, fewer neurons, cellular karyopyknosis and hyperplasia of more glial cells were found."Warming-producing Needling for Removing Obstruction" can significantly relieve cerebral ischemia induced disturbance of learning and memory and lessen structural injury of hippocampal neurons in rats.

The carburization of MoO 3 using toluene as carbon source provides a new route to β-Mo 2 C.

The wetting behavior of dust by droplets is investigated by experiments and numerical simulation methods. Experimental observation reveals that the surface of a coal slice is hydrophilic in nature, while surfaces of coal dust stacks are hydrophobic. We show that water droplets settle on these surfaces following the Cassie—Baxter wetting model, as supported by theoretical, numerical analyses and experimental observations, i.e. water droplets only wet the first layer of coal dust. Our numerical simulation results also show that a water droplet could not enclose any coal dust inside it and many coal dust particles are adhered with a hexagonal close packing on a large water droplet. Based on these results, we conclude that the surface area of water droplets is an important factor on their wetting and capturing coal dust, and producing smaller water droplets can improve the efficiency of settling dust.