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This paper reports on computational results of continuum spectra of atomic lithium in white-dwarf-strength magnetic fields. The adiabatic-basis-expansion method with R -matrix propagation has been used to study photoionization of magnetized alkali metal atoms. The R -matrix propagation technique and the two-dimensional matching scheme were utilized to obtain wavefunctions of the continuum states. Cross-sections of photoionization are calculated for lithium atoms in magnetic fields. Continuum spectra for its various bound-free transitions in magnetic white dwarf stars are presented as a function of field strengths ranging from 11.75 to 117.50 MG. Comparison is made between continuum spectra of diamagnetic hydrogen and lithium atoms. The comparison shows good agreement or remarkable difference for final continuum states with different symmetries in the photoionization processes concerned. A detailed analysis has been performed to understand the obtained results. The good agreement displayed manifests the reliability of the extended adiabatic-basis-expansion method. This method is suited to produce a large number of photoionization cross-section data for alkali metal atoms in a strong magnetic field, and therefore can serve as a tool to simulate continuum spectra observed in the atmospheres of magnetic white dwarfs with alkali metal atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the evolution of the InGaN layer growth on the ridge shaped GaN was studied. A mass transport model was presented to simulate the epitaxy process of the InGaN layer. The model consisted of two consecutive components, gas-phase diffusion process and surface diffusion process. The mean lifetime of adatoms on epitaxial surface was associated with their reaction rate in this model. An InGaN layer on ridge shaped GaN, including (0002) and [formula] facets, was grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition to confirm the mass transport model. Gradient indium content distribution and inhomogeneous thickness of the InGaN layer were observed. Simulation of the InGaN layer growth process was performed by finite difference method with the mass transport model. By analyzing the results from calculations and experiments, the origins of the InGaN layer characteristics were attributed to the two diffusion components in the growth process. Surface diffusion resulted in the inhomogeneous thickness and gas-phase diffusion chiefly led to the gradient indium content. In addition, the adatoms reaction rate on epitaxial surface determined their mean lifetime as speculated by the analysis. The demonstration of the growth process of InGaN layer offers valuable insight in obtaining high efficiency white light emitting diodes by selective area growth technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effect of liraglutide on renal damage in rats with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) through the protein kinase B-mammalian target of rapamycin (Akt-mTOR) pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 45 specific pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into healthy group (no diabetes, n=15), diabetes group (diabetes, n=15), and liraglutide group (diabetes + liraglutide intervention, n=15). The differences in the biochemical indexes, lesion degree, glomerular Nephrin expression level, and mRNA and protein expressions of Akt-mTOR in renal tissues were detected in three groups via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. RESULTS: The albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and levels of serum creatinine (Scr), urine microalbumin (UmAlb), fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and total cholesterol (TC) in renal tissues were the lowest in healthy group and the highest in diabetes group, while they significantly declined in liraglutide group compared with those in diabetes group. Also, there were statistically significant differences (p<0.05). The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in renal tissues was the highest in healthy group and the lowest in diabetes group, while it was significantly increased in liraglutide group compared with that in diabetes group. Also, there were statistically significant differences (p<0.05). In healthy group, the mesangial structure and renal tubules were normal, the tubular basement membrane was smooth and intact, and there were no interstitial widening and inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with diabetes group, the mesangial cell proliferation and vacuolar degeneration were alleviated, while the tubular dilatation or atrophy, fibrous tissues, and inflammatory cells were reduced in liraglutide group. Moreover, the results of immunohistochemical staining revealed that the glomerular Nephrin protein was arranged uniformly and showed the blue-black particles in healthy group. The glomerular Nephrin protein expressed was significantly decreased and arranged disorderly in diabetes group compared with that in healthy group, while it was increased in liraglutide group compared with that in diabetes group (p<0.05). The protein expression of Akt-mTOR in renal tissues was the lowest in healthy group and the highest in diabetes group, while it markedly declined in liraglutide group compared with that in diabetes group, displaying statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Similarly, the mRNA expression of Akt-mTOR in renal tissues was the lowest in healthy group and the highest in diabetes group, while it markedly declined in liraglutide group compared with that in diabetes group, displaying also statistically significant differences (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide can significantly reduce the blood glucose and improve the renal function in rats by suppressing the protein expression of AKT-mTOR, thereby exerting a protective effect on renal damage in rats with DKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of melatonin on acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning (AOPP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this randomized control trial, a total of 59 AOPP patients with subsequent delirium were randomly divided into two groups, the melatonin group (n=29) and the placebo-controlled group (n=30). Patients in the melatonin group (n=29) underwent oral administration of melatonin in addition to the symptomatic treatment, while those in the placebo-controlled group took a placebo in addition to the symptomatic treatment. Before and 12 weeks after treatment, adverse events of participants in both groups were classified according to their scores in the assessment of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness (CGI-SI) scale, and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS). RESULTS: The excellence rates of patients in the melatonin group and the placebo-controlled group were 82.75% and 30.00%, respectively (χ2 = 17.054, p < 0 .01). No adverse events were identified in all participants. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin may serve as an effective drug in the treatment of AOPP-induced deliration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]