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Filtration temperature-sensitive H (FtsH) is an ATP-dependent protease family that plays important roles in many aspects of cellular processes and environmental adaption. However, little information is available about the FtsH genes in pear (Pyrus bretschneideri). In this study, 19 PbrFtsH genes were identified and classified into eight groups with several subgroups. The FtsH genes in pear show high sequence and structural conservation in the coding regions, and the majority of the FtsH members were located on the chromosome 3 (three members), chromosome 9 (four members), and chromosome 15 (three members). The WGD/segmenta, dispersed duplication played a major driving force in pear FtsH evolution. A Synteny analysis provided deep insight into the evolutionary relationships of PbrFtsH genes. The subcellular localization of the PbrFtsH genes showed them in the mitochondrion or chloroplast. Expression profiles derived from transcriptome data and RT-qPCR analysis revealed distinct expression patterns of PbrFtsH genes in different fruit developmental stages. These results provided valuable information that extends our understanding of the function, evolution and expression profile of the FtsH family during fruit development in pear, and a foundation for the further functional characterization of PbrFtsH genes, which can be applied to pear crop improvement.

Quantum coherence is one of the most fundamental and striking features in quantum physics. Considered the standard coherence (SC), the partial coherence (PC) and the block coherence (BC) as variance of quantum states under some quantum channels (QCs) [Formula: see text], we propose the concept of channel-based coherence of quantum states, called [Formula: see text]-coherence for short, which contains the SC, PC and BC, but does not contain the positive operator-valued measure (POVM)-based coherence. By our definition, a state [Formula: see text] is said to be [Formula: see text]-incoherent if it is a fixed point of a QC [Formula: see text], otherwise, it is said to be [Formula: see text]-coherent. First, we find the set [Formula: see text] of all [Formula: see text]-incoherent states for some given channels [Formula: see text] and prove that the set [Formula: see text] forms a nonempty compact convex set for any channel [Formula: see text]. Second, we define [Formula: see text]-incoherent operations ([Formula: see text]-IOs) and prove that the set of all [Formula: see text]-IOs is a nonempty convex set. We also establish some characterizations of a [Formula: see text]-IO in terms of its Kraus operators. Lastly, we discuss the problem of quantifying [Formula: see text]-coherence and prove some related properties.

Type 2C protein phosphatase (PP2C) plays an essential role in abscisic acid (ABA) signaling transduction processes. In the current study, we identify 719 putative PP2C genes in eight Rosaceae species, including 118 in Chinese white pear, 110 in European pear, 73 in Japanese apricot, 128 in apple, 74 in peach, 65 in strawberry, 78 in sweet cherry, and 73 in black raspberry. Further, the phylogenetic analysis categorized PbrPP2C genes of Chinese white pear into twelve subgroups based on the phylogenic analysis. We observed that whole-genome duplication (WGD) and dispersed gene duplication (DSD) have expanded the Rosaceae PP2C family despite simultaneous purifying selection. Expression analysis finds that PbrPP2C genes have organ-specific functions. QRT-PCR validation of nine PbrPP2C genes of subgroup A indicates a role in ABA-mediated response to abiotic stress. Finally, we find that five PbrPP2C genes of subgroup A function in the nucleus. In summary, our research suggests that the PP2C family functions to modulate ABA signals and responds to abiotic stress.

Peach is a typical climacteric fruit that releases ethylene during fruit ripening. Several studies have been conducted on the transcriptional regulation of ethylene biosynthesis in peach fruit. Herein, an ethylene response factor, PpERF.A16, which was induced by exogenous ethylene, could enhance ethylene biosynthesis by directly inducing the expression of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (PpACS1) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (PpACO1) genes. Moreover, the NAM/ATAF1/2/CUC2 (NAC) transcription factor (TF) PpNAC.A59 was coexpressed with PpERF.A16 in all tested peach cultivars. Interestingly, PpNAC.A59 can directly interact with the promoter of PpERF.A16 to induce its expression but not enhance LUC activity driven by any promoter of PpACS1 or PpACO1. Thus, PpNAC.A59 can indirectly mediate ethylene biosynthesis via the NAC-ERF signaling cascade to induce the expression of both PpACS1 and PpACO1. These results enrich the genetic network of fruit ripening in peach and provide new insight into the ripening mechanism of other perennial fruits.

Background: Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is currently one of the most reliable and improved tools for analyzing gene expression. Various studies have shown that housekeeping genes was varied with cultivars, tissues and treatment. The reliable and stable reference genes were necessarily identified and evaluated according to different experimental requirements. Result: In this study, 10 candidate reference genes were initially screened based on the transcriptome sequencing data of four pear fruit development stages of three different pear cultivars, including a candidate housekeeping gene PbrTUB. Furthermore, we ranked the expression stability of 10 candidate reference genes using algorithms GeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and ReFinder. Finally, the result showed that Pbr028511, Pbr038418 and Pbr041114 were the most stable reference gene in Cuiguan, Housui and Xueqing fruit, respectively. Concludion: Thee results provide a valuable resource that serve as significant reference for gene function explorations and molecular mechanism studies in fruit development and ripening of different pear cultivars.

In pyrite-bearing shaly sandstones, the distortion in the resistivity logging response of formations in high-frequency resistivity logging because of dispersion hinders the calculation of reservoir saturation. To eliminate the effect of resistivity dispersion of pyrite and shale, and to avoid factors, such as mineral composition, content, and distribution in natural cores, we synthesized twelve samples with dispersed pyrite and shale grains at high temperature and pressure (60 MPa and 120 °C). We performed experiments at different water salinities and oil saturations, and different frequency to assess the effect of frequency on the conductivity of pyrite-bearing shaly sandstones. Both the dispersed pyrite and shale grains show dispersion, and the real part of the complex resistivity decreases with increasing frequency. Based on symmetrical effective medium conductivity theory and the experimental data, the effective medium dispersion model for the real part of the complex resistivity for pyrite-bearing shaly sandstones is established considering the effect of pyrite and shale content on resistivity dispersion. Simulations suggest that the predicted resistivity dispersion by the model in pyrite-bearing shaly sandstones for variable frequency, and pyrite and shale content agrees with the experimental results. The proposed model can successfully predict the dispersion of pyrite-bearing shaly sandstones. Finally, the resistivity dispersion correction plot for the conductivity of pyrite and shale grains of 0.062 S/m and 0.031 S/m, respectively, is established based on the frequency applied to various electric logs, and the correction method for the high-frequency resistivity log response is given to obtain the real formation resistivity.

Plant-specific TCP transcription factor has been studied in plant growth and development, but little is known the roles during fruit development and ripening. Based on phylogenetic analysis, in this study, the 20 TCP genes isolated from peach were divided into two classes (I and II) comprised by four groups (A → D), and distributed into 19 clusters. Expression profiles of TCP genes in peach were analyzed to evaluate their potential roles during fruit development and ripening. The result showed that there are four genes (PpTCP.A2, PpTCP.A10, PpTCP.B1, and PpTCP.C1) and each gene had similar expression patterns detected by qRT-PCR to that tested by RNA-Seq, and higher expressed in fruitlets than in other developmental and ripening fruits, suggesting that these four genes were probably related to early development in peach fruit. Noteworthy, PpTCP.A2 was lower expressed in ripening fruits than in developmental or pre-ripening fruits of 11 peach cultivars, and virus-induced silencing PpTCP.A2 increased ethylene production and promoted PpACS1, but not PpACO1 and PpendoPGM expression. This result indicates that PpTCP.A2 was a transcription repressor, which could regulate ethylene biosynthesis by affecting PpACS1 expression, and thus should be involved in fruit ripening.

The conductance of pyrite-bearing laminated and dispersed shaly sands is not well understood and resistivity models for pyrite-bearing shaly sands are nonexistent. Thus, we first synthesize clean pyrite-matrix samples, and quartz-matrix samples with variable laminated shale, dispersed shale, and pyrite content and then perform petrophysics experiments to assess the effect of pyrite content on the conductivity of pyrite-bearing shaly sands. Second, based on the differences in conductivity and conduction pathways and geometries because of the variable composition of the pyrite-bearing laminated and dispersed shaly sands, we divide the shaly sands into their components, i.e., laminated shale, quartz grains, pyrite grains, hydrocarbon, dispersed shale, microscopic capillary water, and mobile water. A generalized resistivity model is proposed to describe the conductivity of pyrite-bearing laminated and dispersed shaly sands, based on the combined conductivity differential equation and generalized Archie equation. In the generalized resistivity model, the conductivity differential equation is used to describe the conductivity of dispersed inclusions in a host, whereas the generalized Archie equation is used to describe the conductivity of two conducting phases. Moreover, parallel conductance theory is used to describe the conductivity of dispersed shaly sands and laminated shale. Theoretical analysis suggests that the proposed model satisfies the physical constraints and the model and experimental results agree. The resistivity and resistivity index of shaly sands decrease with increasing conductivity and pyrite. Finally, the accuracy of the resistivity model is assessed based on experimental data from 46 synthetic core samples with different oil saturation. The model can describe the conductivity of clean pyrite-matrix samples, and quartz-matrix samples with different volumes of laminated shale, dispersed shale, and pyrite. An accurate saturation model of pyrite-bearing laminated and dispersed shaly sands is thus obtained and the log data interpretation in complex shaly sands can improve with the proposed model.

BackgroundBrief cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is an emerging treatment for schizophrenia in community settings; however, further trials are needed, especially in non-Western countries.AimsTo test the effects of brief CBT for Chinese patients with schizophrenia in the community (trial registration: ChiCTR-TRC-13003709).MethodA total of 220 patients with schizophrenia from four districts of Beijing were randomly assigned to either brief CBT plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone. Patients were assessed at baseline, post-treatment and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups by raters masked to group allocation.ResultsAt the post-treatment assessment and the 12-month follow-up, patients who received brief CBT showed greater improvement in overall symptoms, general psychopathology, insight and social functioning. In total, 37.3% of those in the brief CBT plus TAU group experienced a clinically significant response, compared with only 19.1% of those in the TAU alone group (P= 0.003).ConclusionsBrief CBT has a positive effect on Chinese patients with schizophrenia in the community.

For simulation analysis of piezoelectric device with a driver circuit, this paper proposes a hybrid simulation scheme with a combination of multi-physics field finite element simulation and circuit analysis software. Taking the drive analysis of piezoelectric transformer as an example, the paper firstly uses the circuit analysis software Multisim to carry out the actuation simulation with the equivalent circuit model. Then, the modal analysis of the piezoelectric transformer is carried out in Comsol, and the driving circuit is imported by the SPICE netlist for hybrid simulation. Finally, the paper introduces the temperature model of the piezoelectric parameter d 33 and analyzes the effect of temperature changes on the driving performance of the piezoelectric transformer. Comparing the simulation data, the results of the hybrid simulation are more accurate and more in line with the actual working process of the piezoelectric transformer.

Homeobox transcription factors belong to a superfamily that has been widely studied in plant growth and development, but little is known regarding their role in fruit development and ripening. Using a genome-wide expression analysis of homeobox (HB) genes and quantitative real-time PCR, a HD-ZIP II member, PpHB.G7, which presented higher levels of expression in ripening fruits than in developing fruits in all of the tested cultivars, was isolated from peach. Transient transformations showed that PpHB.G7 affects ethylene production and the expression of ethylene biosynthesis genes (PpACS1 and PpACO1). Both dual-luciferase and yeast one-hybrid assays confirmed that PpHB.G7 interacts with the promoters of PpACS1 and PpACO1. Thus, PpHB.G7 mediates ethylene biosynthesis by stimulating PpACS1 and PpACO1 activities. Furthermore, we also found that the other eight HB genes were differentially expressed in the developing fruits, with seven of these genes belonging to the HD-ZIP family. These results suggest that the HB genes in the HD-ZIP family play important roles in fruit development and ripening.

A series of novel salicylic acid derivatives containing metronidazole as Staphylococcus aureus Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) inhibitors have been synthesized and evaluated their biology activities as potential antibacterial agents. Among these compounds, compound 5r exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (S. aureus ATCC 6538 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli ATCC 35218 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 13525) with MICs of 0.39-1.57 μg/mL and showed the most potent S. aureus Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitory with 2.3 μM. Docking simulation was performed to insert compound 5r into the crystal structure of S. aureus Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase active site to determine the probable binding model. These results suggested that compound 5r may be a promising antibacterial agent.

Objectives: Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), the treatment mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CBT on changes in the intrinsic whole-brain functional network of OCD patients. Materials and Methods: Twenty drug-naive and noncomorbid OCD patients were recruited, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after 12 weeks of CBT. Moreover, 20 healthy controls were scanned twice with a 12-week interval. A graph-theory degree centrality (DC) approach and functional connectivity method were used to analyze the whole-brain functional network hub and connectivity changes in OCD patients before and after CBT treatment. Results: A significant group × time interaction on DC was found in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC); the DC in the left DLPFC was significantly reduced after CBT treatment. Resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) between the left DLPFC and right orbitofrontal cortex was increased in the OCD patients at baseline, and normalized after CBT treatment. RSFC changes between the left DLPFC and default mode network (DMN) positively correlated with changes in clinical symptoms in OCD patients. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CBT can modulate changes in intrinsic functional network hubs in the cortico–striato–thalamo-cortical circuit in OCD patients. Cognitive control network and DMN connectivity may be a potential imaging biomarker for evaluating CBT treatment for OCD.

BackgroundMeta-analyses support the efficacy of cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) for schizophrenia in western cultures. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of CBT and supportive therapy (ST) for patients with schizophrenia in China.MethodA multicentre randomized controlled, single-blinded, parallel-group trial enrolled a sample of 192 patients with schizophrenia. All patients were offered 15 sessions of either CBT or ST over 24 weeks and followed up for an additional 60 weeks. All measures used were standardized instruments with good reliability and validity. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess symptoms of schizophrenia. The Schedule for Assessing Insight (SAI) was used to assess patients’ insight and the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) was used to assess their social functioning.ResultsEffect-size analysis showed that patients made rapid improvements in all symptoms, insight and social functioning as measured by the PANSS, SAI and PSP at 12 and 24 weeks and maintained these improvements over the course of the study to 84 weeks. Patients in the CBT group showed significantly greater and more durable improvement in PANSS total score (p = 0.045, between-groupd = 0.48), positive symptoms (p = 0.018, between-groupd = 0.42) and social functioning (p = 0.037, between-groupd = 0.64), with significant differences emerging after completion of therapy.ConclusionsBoth CBT and ST combined with medication had benefits on psychopathology, insight and social functioning of patients with schizophrenia. CBT was significantly more effective than ST on overall, positive symptoms and social functioning of patients with schizophrenia in the long term.

The aim of this paper is to establish a series of important properties of local Lipschitz-α mappings from a subset of a normed space into a normed space. These mappings include Lipschitz operators, Lipschitz-α operators and local Lipschitz functions. Some applications to the theory of sublinear expectation spaces are given.

The generation of Damintun Depression base-rock reservoirs are mainly controlled by fracture development. Currently, for the fracture-system space distribution characters, we haven’t understood clearly. Therefore, we must find fracture developing zones and learn their development state in order to study the planar distribution law of factures. The principal stress was calculated and fractures were identified using sonic and electrical image logging data. Combined with the relationship in borehole breakout method that borehole collapse direction was substantially perpendicular to principal stress direction, the modern horizontal principal stress was determined. Then the base-rock fractures were extracted manually in imaging interactive interpretation graphic. Thus the relation is obtained that the maximum horizontal Earth stress direction is vertical to fracture distribution, and the structural-zone faults are consistent with the fracture distribution law.

APETALA2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERF) transcription factor (TF) is a superfamily in plant kingdom, which has been reported to be involved in regulation of plant growth and development, fruit ripening, defense response, and metabolism. As the final response gene in ethylene signaling pathway, AP2/ERF TF could feedback modulate phytohormone biosynthesis, including ethylene, cytokinin, gibberellin, and abscisic acid. Moreover, AP2/ERF TF also participates in response to the signals of auxin, cytokinin, abscisic acid, and jasmonate. Thus, this superfamily is key regulator for connecting the phytohormonal signals. In this review, based on the evidence of structural and functional studies, we discussed the multiple regulator roles of AP2/ERF TF in angiosperm, and then constructed the network model of AP2/ERF TF in response to various phytohormonal signals and regulatory mechanism of the cross-talk.

To real-timely monitor the environment in the forestry schistosomiasis control project (CFSCP) area and to early warn the status of Oncomelania hupensis snails in the schistosomiasis endemic area.Based on ArcGIS Engine 10.1 software, the Geographic Information System (GIS) platform of the forestry schistosomiasis project of real-time monitoring, early warning and emergency management in Renshou County, Sichuan Province, was designed and established.The functions of the platform mainly included real-time monitoring of the environment in CFSCP area, and early warning of the crisis status of 0. hupensis snails, as well as editing the map of snail distribution, query, spatial analysis and other GIS functions.This platform could provide the scientific support to the forestry administrative department of the CFSCP area.

ORM1 is a plasma drug binding protein. Its polymorphism rs17650 (SF) has been reported to be an important factor affecting the binding ability and effect of antiretroviral protease inhibitors. The aim of this study was to determine whether the ORM1 rs17650 polymorphism also influences warfarin therapy.A total of 191 Chinese patients with steady-dose warfarin therapy were enrolled in this study. The patients were studied for warfarin maintenance dose, the ORM1 rs17650 polymorphism, and two polymorphisms previously demonstrated to affect warfarin response [CYP2C9 rs1057910 (3) and VKORC1 rs7294 (-1639 GA)].Warfarin dose was partially correlated with the VKORC1 rs7294, CYP2C9 rs1057910 and ORM1 rs17650 polymorphisms. Patients carrying the wild-type of these three genes (n = 96) took a mean dose of 3.0 ± 1.1 mg warfarin, which was significantly higher than that taken by the 52 S patients (2.7 ± 0.7) and 11 S S patients (2.5 ± 0.6 mg) (p = 0.048).We identified ORM1 as another polymorphic gene affecting warfarin dose requirements. ORM1 S carriers require lower maintenance doses to achieve and maintain an optimal level of anticoagulation.

The application of air-decked blasting technology has enabled the efficient use of explosion energy, which proves that the air-decked blasting technology can overcome many disadvantages caused by column charge effectively, getting ideal explosion effect. Based on the JHC model of concrete damage evolution, the dynamic stress characteristics and failure mechanism of blast-hole near-field about bottom-air-decked charge structure is studied by numerical simulation. Result shows that the failure mechanism of typical elements changes from compression-shear failure into shear-tensile failure gradually with the increase of their position, for the effecting factors of the freedom and the loading from the hole. Comparing the dynamic stress characteristics of different detonating manners, indirect initiation can improve the static function intensity and delay the time of detonation gas, so it is easier to destroy the bottom rock of hole.

Aim The aim of this study was to inform thinking around the terminology for ‘schizophrenia’ in different countries. Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate: (1) whether medical students view alternative terminology (psychosis subgroups), derived from vulnerability-stress models of schizophrenia, as acceptable and less stigmatising than the term schizophrenia; (2) if there are differences in attitudes to the different terminology across countries with different cultures and (3) whether clinical training has an impact in reducing stigma. Design This is a cross-sectional survey that examined the attitudes of medical students towards schizophrenia and the alternative subgroups. Setting The study was conducted across eight sites: (1) University of Southampton, UK; (2) All India Institute of Medical Science, India; (3) Rowan University, USA; (4) Peshawar Medical College, Pakistan; (5) Capital Medical University, China; (6) College of Medicine and Medical sciences, Bahrain; (7) Queens University, Kingston, Canada and (8) University of Cape Town, South Africa. Method This study extended an initial pilot conducted by the Royal College of Psychiatrists on the term schizophrenia and psychosis subgroups to assess whether the subgroup terminology might have an effect on the attitudes of a convenience sample of medical students from eight different countries and potentially play a role in reducing stigmatisation. Results 1873 medical students completed a questionnaire recording their attitudes to schizophrenia and the psychosis subgroups. A reduction in negative perceptions were found for the psychosis subgroups, especially for the stress sensitivity psychosis and anxiety psychosis subgroups. Negative perceptions were found for drug-related psychosis. Participants who had undergone clinical training had overall positive attitudes. Differences across different countries were found. Conclusion The attitudes towards psychosis subgroups used in this study have shown mixed results and variation across countries. Further research is warranted to investigate acceptability of terminology. Methods of reducing stigma are discussed in line with the findings. Ethics The study received ethical approval from ERGO (Ethics and Research Governance Online; ID: 15972) and subsequently from the ethics committee at each site.

A novel zinc-rich pigment based on P(St-BA-MAA-SPAA) nano-latex was obtained, which is suitable for the use in hot alkali liquid medium. The nano-latex was synthesized by active emulsifier latex polymerization method with monomers of styrene (St), butylacrylate (BA), methylacrylic acid(MAA) in the presence of active emulsifier 3-sulfopropylacrylate(SPAA). The synthesis condition and properties of the latex were investigated. And the anti-corrosive property of the resultant zinc-rich coating was studied. The results show that the nano-latex is self-stabilized and has a narrow particle diameter distribution, the average diameter of the latex particles is 71 nm. Zinc powders can be evenly dispersed in the nano-latex, which indicates that the P(St-BA-MAA-SPAA) nano latex can be used as the binder of zinc-rich coating. The resultant zinc-rich coating is able to resist the invasion of hot alkali solution(the temperature is 95 °C and the pH value is 14) for 480 h and the exposure time in salt spray is 1 200 h. Moreover, the coating shows good thermal conductivity and static electricity properties, its thermal conductivity and electric resistivity are 21–37 W/(m·K) and 6.7×105–3.5×106 Ω·cm, respectively.

To explore the effect of Yixintai Granule (YG) on mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP2 in renal medulla of chronic heart failure (CHF) rabbits.CHF rat model was established by ear marginal vein injection of adriamycin. Successfully modeled rabbits were divided into the model group, the high (8.4 g/kg), middle (4.2 g/kg), and low dose (2.1 g/kg) YG group, and the Furosemide group (2 mg/kg). Besides, a normal control group was set up. Equal volume of physiological saline was administered to rabbits of the model group and the normal control group by gastrogavage. YG at different doses was administered to rabbits of the 3 YG groups by gastrogavage. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks, once per day. After treatment the urine volume and pathomorphological changes of renal medulla tissue were observed. mRNA and its protein expression levels of AQP2 were detected.Compared with the normal control group, the urine volume decreased significantly, mRNA and protein expression levels of renal medulla AQP2 increased significantly in the model group (all P0.01). Compared with the model group, the urine volume increased significantly, and mRNA and protein expression levels of renal medulla AQP2 decreased significantly in all medicated groups (all P0.01). Compared with the low dose YG group, the urine volume significantly increased and the mRNA expression level of renal medulla AQP2 significantly decreased in the middle and high dose YG groups (all P0.01). The expression level of AQP2 protein significantly decreased in the high dose YG group (P0.01). Pathological changes of the renal medulla was the most obviously seen in the model group. But they were alleviated to various degrees in all medicated groups. They were more obviously attenuated in the middle and high dose YG groups.YG could improve CHF possibly through down-regulating mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP2 in renal medulla, and elevating the urine volume.

For Hilbert spaces [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], we use the notations [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] to denote the sets of all [Formula: see text]-Bessel sequences, [Formula: see text]-frames and Riesz bases in [Formula: see text] with respect to [Formula: see text], respectively. By defining a linear operation and a norm, we prove that [Formula: see text] becomes a Banach space and is isometrically isomorphic to the operator space [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text]. In light of operator theory, it is proved that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are open sets in [Formula: see text]. This implies that both [Formula: see text]-frames and Riesz bases are stable under a small perturbation. By introducing a linear bijection [Formula: see text] from [Formula: see text] onto the [Formula: see text]-algebra [Formula: see text], a multiplication and an involution on the Banach space [Formula: see text] are defined so that [Formula: see text] becomes a unital [Formula: see text]-algebra that is isometrically isomorphic to the [Formula: see text]-algebra [Formula: see text], provided that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are isomorphic.

This is a systemic review of plants used traditionally for neuroendocrinological diseases related to hypothalamus-pitutary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamus-pitutary-gland (HPG) axis. By searching from PubMed literature search system (1950-2013), Medline (1950-2013) and CNKI (China Journals of Full-text database; 1989-2013), 105 papers met the inclusion criteria were displayed in this review. 96 herbal drugs were classified into two parts which include hormones mainly related to HPA and HPG axis. The full scientific name of each herbal medicine, dose ranges and routes, models or diseases, affect on hormones and pertinent references are presented via synoptic tables. Herbal remedies that have demonstrable the activities of hormones have provided a potential to various diseases related to neunoendocrine and deserve increased attention in future studies. This review provides a basis for herbs use in neuroendocrinological diseases. The data collected here will benefit to further research associated to herbal medicines and hormones.

Background Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic psychiatric disorder defined by recurrent thoughts, intrusive and distressing impulses, or images and ritualistic behaviors. Although focal diverse regional abnormalities white matter integrity in specific brain regions have been widely studied in populations with OCD, alterations in the structural connectivities among them remain poorly understood. Objective The aim was to investigate the abnormalities in the topological efficiency of the white matter networks and the correlation between the network metrics and Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale scores in unmedicated OCD patients, using diffusion tensor tractography and graph theoretical approaches. Methods This study used diffusion tensor imaging and deterministic tractography to map the white matter structural networks in 26 OCD patients and 39 age- and gender-matched healthy controls; and then applied graph theoretical methods to investigate abnormalities in the global and regional properties of the white matter network in these patients. Results The patients and control participants both showed small-world organization of the white matter networks. However, the OCD patients exhibited significant abnormal global topology, including decreases in global efficiency (t = − 2.32, p = 0.02) and increases in shortest path length, Lp (t = 2.30, p = 0.02), the normalized weighted shortest path length, λ (t = 2.08, p = 0.04), and the normalized clustering coefficient, γ (t = 2.26, p = 0.03), of their white matter structural networks compared with healthy controls. Further, the OCD patients showed a reduction in nodal efficiency predominately in the frontal regions, the parietal regions and caudate nucleus. The normalized weighted shortest path length of the network metrics was significantly negatively correlated with obsessive subscale of the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (r = − 0.57, p = 0.0058). Conclusions These findings demonstrate the abnormal topological efficiency in the white matter networks in OCD patients.

Mangrove forest is a special wetland forest growing in the inter-tidal zone of tropical and subtropical regions, playing important roles in windbreak, promoting silt sedimentation, resisting extreme events such as cyclones and tsunamis, and protecting coastline, etc. The total area of global mangrove forests is about 152000 km2, only accounting for 0. 4% of all forest area. There are about 230 km2 mangrove forests in China. The mangrove forests in the tropics have an average carbon storage as high as 1023 Mg hm-2, and the global mangrove forests can sequestrate about 0. 18-0. 228 Pg C a-1. In addition to plant species composition, a variety of factors such as air temperature, seawater temperature and salinity, soil physical and chemical properties, atmospheric CO2 concentration, and human activities have significant effects on the carbon storage and sink ability of mangrove forests. Many approaches based onfield measurements, including allometric equations, remote sensing, and model simulation, are applied to quantify the carbon storage and sink ability of mangrove forest wetland. To study the carbon storage and sink ability of mangrove wetland can promote the further understanding of the carbon cycle of mangrove wetland and related controlling mechanisms, being of significance for the protection and rational utilization of mangrove wetland.

Mangrove wetland is an important type of coastal wetlands, and also, an important sediment trap. Sediment is an essential medium for mangrove recruitment and development, which records the environmental history of mangrove wetlands and can be used for the analysis of material sources and the inference of the materials depositing process, being essential to the ecological restoration and conservation of mangrove. In this paper, surface sediment samples were collected along a hydrodynamic gradient in Gaoqiao, Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve in 2011. The characteristics of the surface sediments were analyzed based on grain size analysis, and the prediction surfaces were generated by the geo-statistical methods with ArcGIS 9.2 software. A correlation analysis was also conducted on the sediment organic matter content and the mangrove community structure. In the study area, clay and silt dominated the sediment texture, and the mean content of sand, silt, and clay was (27.8 +/- 15.4)%, (40.3 +/- 15.4)%, and (32.1 +/- 11.4)%, respectively. The spatial gradient of the sediment characteristics was expressed in apparent interpolation raster. With increasing distance from the seawall, the sediment sand content increased, clay content decreased, and silt content was relatively stable at a certain level. There was a positive correlation between the contents of sediment organic matter and silt, and a negative correlation between the contents of sediment organic matter and sand. Much more sediment organic matter was located at the high tide area with weak tide energy. There existed apparent discrepancies in the characteristics of the surface sediments in different biotopes. The sediment characteristics had definite correlations with the community structure of mangroves, reflecting the complicated correlations between the hydrodynamic conditions and the mangroves.

Psychological models of depression in schizophrenia have proposed that cognitive structures (e.g., self-esteem, dysfunctional beliefs) may have a role in the development and maintenance of depression. However, it has not been clear what the characteristics of these cognitive structures were in people with schizophrenia and whether they have an independent association with depression, especially in those from a Chinese cultural background. The present investigation examined 133 people with schizophrenia and 50 healthy controls and indicated that compared to the controls people with schizophrenia showed lower self-esteem, higher levels of dysfunctional beliefs and negative coping styles. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that only low frustration tolerance, problem solving and self-blame were found to be the independent correlates of depression in schizophrenia. Results are discussed with the view of clinical implications of cognitive formulation and therapy for schizophrenia in China.

In this study, we explored different spontaneous functional connectivity patterns between the anterior prefrontal cortex and other brain regions in nonmedicated patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder in a resting state, and examined the relationship between the abnormal spontaneous functional connectivity patterns of the anterior prefrontal cortex and clinical symptoms in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Twenty nonmedicated patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder and 20 sex-matched and age-matched healthy individuals underwent resting state functional MRI scanning. Compared with the healthy controls, significantly increased positive functional connectivity with the right anterior prefrontal cortex was observed in the right insula and the middle cingulate cortex in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Our findings suggest that abnormal intrinsic or spontaneous functional connectivity in the cognitive control system in a resting state may underlie the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

To investigate the effect of musk soluble components on the growth, the differentiation and the transfection efficiency of rat neural stem cell (NSC) in vitro.The growth and the differentiation of rat NSC were observed when musk soluble components were added into the culture medium of NSC. Meanwhile, the pEGFP-C1, which expressed the enhanced GFP protein, was transfected into the NSC by method of electro- transfection.When NSC was treated with musk soluble components, the neurites were outgrowth around NSC and attached to the plate, and the neural spheres were disassociated. The glia-like cells appeared at the concentration of 0.3 per thousand. When the concentration of musk soluble components was lower than 3 per thousand, the transformative cells could recover. Furthermore, the efficiency of transfection pEGFP into NSC was remarkably increased after the treatment with musk.After the treatment of NSC with musk soluble components, the neural spheres were disassociated, and then attached to the plate. Musk soluble components could induce NSC differentiation into glia-like cells and improve the transfection efficiency of pEGFP-C1 in vitro.

NDVI based on NOAA/AVHRR from 1982 to 2003 are used to monitor variable rules for the growing season in spring of vegetation in the north-south transect of eastern China (NSTEC). The following, mainly, are included: (1) The changing speed of greenness period in spring of most regions in NSTEC is slow and correlation with the year is not distinct; (2) The regions in which greenness period in spring distinctly change mainly presented an advance; (3) The regions in which inter-annual fluctuation of greenness period in spring is over 10 days were found in 3 kinds of areas: the area covered with agricultural vegetation types; the areas covered with evergreen vegetation types; the areas covered with steppe vegetation types; (4) changes of vegetation greenness period in spring have spatio-temporal patterns.