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This paper proposes a multi-channel magnetic induction tomography measurement system for biological conductivity imaging in a human brain model. A hemispherical glass bowl filled with a salt solution is used as the human brain model; meanwhile, agar blocks of different conductivity are placed in the solution to simulate the intracerebral hemorrhage. The excitation and detection coils are fixed co-axially, and the axial gradiometer is used as the detection coil in order to cancel the primary field. On the outer surface of the glass bowl, 15 sensor units are arrayed in two circles as measurement parts, and a single sensor unit for canceling the phase drift is placed beside the glass bowl. The phase sensitivity of our system is 0.204deg/S m[?]1 with the excitation frequency of 120 kHz and the phase noise is in the range of [?]0.03deg to +0.05deg. Only the coaxial detection coil is available for each excitation coil; therefore, 15 phase data are collected in each measurement turn. Finally, the two-dimensional images of conductivity distribution are obtained using an interpolation algorithm. The frequency-varying experiment indicates that the imaging quality becomes better as the excitation frequency is increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, 3 β-caffeoxyl-1 β,8 α-dihydroxyeudesm-4(15)-ene ( 1), together with two known compounds including ludongnin V ( 2) and isoneorautenol ( 3), were isolated from the roots of Pteris multifida. Their structures were determined by spectral and chemical methods, with their antibacterial activities being evaluated by the microdilution technique, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new ent-kaurane diterpenoid glucoside, 7 α,14 β,15 α-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene-1 α-O- β-Dglucopyranoside ( 1), along with three known compounds, quercetin-3-O- β-D-glucoside ( 2), kaempferol-3- O- β-D-glucopyranoside ( 3), and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside ( 4), was isolated from the roots of Rabdosia excisa. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. Compounds 3 and 4 were isolated from this plant for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Primary vaginal leiomyosarcomas are uncommon, especially those growing outside the vagina.Out of all malignant vaginal neoplasms, leiomyosarcomas account for about 2%. Reports in the literature mostly concern the pathology of these tumors; few reports have been published that discuss how to surgically remove them.Case Presentation: A 69-year-old Chinese woman presented with a mass in her buttocks that had been present for more than four months. Computed tomography demonstrated a mass of approximately 12.0×9.5×8.0cm in her retroperitoneal space. We resected the tumor via a posterior incision, and resected part of her sacrum and coccyx. The resected tumor was diagnosed by its pathological features as a leiomyosarcoma. Our patient received adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery. She was free of disease at a one-year follow-up and her general condition is good.Conclusions: We report a rare case of a primary vaginal leiomyosarcoma that was resected through an approach that has not, to the best of our knowledge, been previously reported. This case report adds valuable knowledge to the sparse available literature on the surgical treatment of vaginal leiomyosarcomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Quenching-induced η phase has higher potential than ageing-induced η phase. • Quenching-induced η phase acts as a cathode to trigger corrosion. • Corrosion pits change into reticular morphology due to slow quenching. • Depletion of Zn and Mg atoms improves corrosion resistance of PFZ after ageing. The specific corrosion behavior of quenching-induced η precipitate is usually ignored. In this work, the corrosion initiation and propagation of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy after different quenching rates and ageing are studied by quasi-in-situ corrosion and microchemical analysis. The quenching-induced precipitates act as cathodes to trigger corrosion, and the morphology changes from deep pit-like into reticular intergranular corrosion with the quenching rate decreasing. After artificial ageing, Zn and Mg atoms in solute-depletion zone are consumed and migrate into quenching-induced precipitates or form ageing-induced precipitates. This enhances the potential of precipitation-free zone and improves the corrosion resistance of aged samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the morphology and crystallization properties of the two crystalline phases of pentacene grown by thermal evaporation on p+-Si substrates at room temperature by the methods of atomic force microscopy and x-ray diffraction. This kind of substrate induces a thin film phase and a triclinic phase which are formed directly onto p+-Si substrates and constitute a layer consisting of faceted grains with a step height between terraces of 15.8 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) and 14.9 Å, respectively. Above the critical thickness of the thin film phase, lamellar structures are found with an increasing fraction with the increase of the film thickness. When the film thickness is fixed, the fraction of lamellar structures increases with the increase of annealing temperature. These lamellar structures are identified as the second phase with a interplanar distance of 14.9 Å corresponding to the pentacene triclinic phase. Furthermore, the thin film phase consisting of several micrometre sized uniformly oriented grains at an annealing temperature of less than 80°C and a deposition rate of 0.6 Å/s is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centromere protein F (CENPF) plays a key role in the regulation of the cell cycle. The present study revealed that CENPF was overexpressed in a variety of tumors and associated with the poor prognosis of osteosarcoma. The mRNA expression levels of CENPF were analyzed using the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database and the protein levels of CENPF were detected in the specimens from patients with osteosarcoma using immunohistochemistry. Cell proliferation, cell cycle and flow cytometry assays were performed after the transfection of control or CENPF plasmids into osteosarcoma cells. A xenografts assay was used to determine the effects of CENPF on tumor growth in vivo. The results showed that CENPF was upregulated in osteosarcoma tissues and associated with high-grade tumor stage (P=0.023) and intraglandular dissemination (P=0.046). The transfection-induced depletion of CENPF in human osteosarcoma MG-63 and U-2 OS cell lines inhibited cell proliferation, stimulated apoptosis and induced cell cycle arrest. Induced CENPF depletion in MG-63 cells inhibited tumor growth of osteosarcoma cells in mice. These findings suggested that elevated CENPF levels contributed to increased cell proliferation by mediating apoptosis and cell cycle in osteosarcoma. Therefore, CENPF might be a potential biomarker for poor prognosis of osteosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional vibrational spectroscopy is applied to investigate the dilution process of 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Emim][BF 4]) in water. With increasing water content in ionic liquid (IL)/water mixtures, the C−H stretching vibration of the imidazolium cation showed systematic blue-shifts, which reflect the weakening of the cohesion between the cation and anion of ILs. The two-dimensional IR results reveal that the ILs sense quite different environments during the whole dilution process. First, the three-dimensional network structure of pure ILs was destroyed gradually into ionic clusters, then the clusters were further dissociated into ionic pairs surrounded by water molecules, and finally the latter became the dominant form in bulk water. Within the concentration range we investigated (0.02 < XD2O< 0.90), the intruding water does not dissociate ILs into ions completely. The structure evolution of ILs can be clearly detected and visualized in the asynchronous spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For high-frequency (HF) interference in an HVDC converter station, the modeling of the noise source which causes interference with the power line carrier (PLC) remains a problem. Based on the profound analysis of the basic principles on which HF noise in PLC band is produced during the commutation process, the equivalent model of the HVDC valve with a snubber circuit is applied to the simulation of the GUI-GUANG HVDC project in PSCAD/EMTDC. Then spectrum plots of the noise source in the frequency domain are obtained by FFT analysis of the voltage waveforms gained from the simulation. Through analyzing the spectrum characteristics of the noise source in various operating modes, the main factors influencing the level of HF noise are found. Furthermore, a modified empirical model used to calculate the level of the noise source is introduced, with particular explanation of the physical quantities used in the model. The spectra of the noise source gained from the modified empirical model and from the simulation are compared with an actual spectrum based on the GUI-GUANG HVDC project. The results show that the modified empirical model can meet the requirement of HF interference calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sumoylation has emerged as an indispensable post-translational modification that modulates the functions of a broad spectrum of proteins. Recent studies have demonstrated that reactive oxygen species influence the equilibrium of sumoylation-desumoylation. We show herein that H2O2 induces formation of an intermolecular disulfide linkage of human SUMO protease SENP1 via the active-site Cys 603 and a unique residue Cys 613. Such reversible modification confers a higher recovery of enzyme activity, which is also observed in yeast Ulp1, but not in human SENP2, suggesting its protective role against irreversible sulfhydryl oxidation. In vivo formation of a disulfide-linked dimer of SENP1 is also detected in cultured cells in response to oxidative stress. The modifications are further elucidated by the crystal structures of U1p1 with the catalytic cysteine oxidized to sulfenic, sulfinic, and sulfonic acids. Our findings suggest that, in addition to SUMO conjugating enzymes, SUMO proteases may act as redox sensors and effectors modulating the desumoylation pathway and specific cellular responses to oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposed voltage source converter is composed of a series double bridge converter with an auxiliary circuit. The auxiliary circuit injects DC voltage via the mid point of the double bridge converter. The injection ratio and frequency are chosen to convert the standard 12-pulse into 60-pulse configuration without PWM or increasing the number of bridges, thus the voltage and current harmonic can fulfill the THD limit without a conventional filter. The converter is operated under fundamental frequency for the main bridges, thus its switching lose is low. The converter can be widely used in the STATCOM and HVDC system. The paper describes the principles and control strategies of the proposed converter. The operational feasibility of the proposed converter is verified by computer simulation using the PSCAD/EMTDC package. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of evaporation conditions of organic semiconductor material tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminium (Alq3) on the performance of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) is reported. In the process of organic material thermal evaporation, the chamber was dark or had white light from a 100?W filament lamp. The devices prepared in the dark show higher emission intensity and efficiency compared with the ones prepared in white light under the same driving voltage. Atomic force microscopy measurements show that surface morphology and phase of Alq3thin films are quite different for the previous cases. The different evaporation conditions are found to have direct effects on the electrical and luminance performance. The Alq3thin films prepared in the dark as active emission layers of OLEDs show higher intensity and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal copper films with thicknesses from several nanometres to several micrometres were deposited on the surface of cenosphere particles by the magnetron sputtering method under different working conditions. An ultrasonic vibrating generator equipped with a conventional magnetron sputtering apparatus was used to prevent the cenosphere substrates from accumulating during film growth. The surface morphology, the chemical composition, the average grain size and the crystallization of cenosphere particles were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), inductively coupled plasma-atom emission spectrometer, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, respectively, before and after the plating process. The results indicate that the copper films were successfully deposited on cenosphere particles. It was found from the FE-SEM results that the films were well compacted and highly uniform in thickness. The XRD results show that the copper film coated on cenospheres has a face centred cubic structure and the crystallization of the film sample increases with increasing sputtering power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that Oct4 and Sox2 play an important role in the maintenance of embryonic stem cell pluripotency. These transcription factors bind to regulatory regions within hundreds of target genes to control their expression. Zfp206 is a recently characterized transcription factor that has a role in maintaining stem cell pluripotency. We have demonstrated here that Zfp206 is a direct downstream target of Oct4 and Sox2. Two composite sox-oct binding sites have been identified within the first intron of Zfp206. We have demonstrated binding of Oct4 and Sox2 to this region. In addition, we have shown that Oct4 or Sox2 alone can activate transcription via one of these sox-oct elements, although the presence of both Oct4 and Sox2 gave rise to a synergistic effect. These studies extend our understanding of the transcriptional network that operates to regulate the differentiation potential of embryonic stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The SrS:Eu, Sm powder was prepared by wetting-method in a reducing atmosphere. The influences of synthesize conditions, such as heating temperature and fired time, on properties of samples were studied. XRD analysis shows that crystal structure of SrS was formed at 750°C. Spectrum analysis results show that the sample which was stimulated by 980nm laser after exposing to ultraviolet lamp emits luminescence which is located at 599nm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: CaSrS:Eu,Sm powders were prepared by wet-method in a reducing atmosphere. For application as an optical storage material, its spectra, such as emission spectrum, excitation spectrum, photostimulated spectrum, and thermal spectrum, were measured. The sample was stimulated by a 980 nm infrared laser after exposure to ultraviolet lamp (265 nm). The peak of the photostimulated spectrum is located at 615 nm. Its trap level is deep, and can make information stored stable. Optical storage mechanism of CaSrS:Eu,Sm is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) have been shown to act as adjuvants when coadministered with peptide antigens or given as fusion proteins and enhance the vaccination efficiency. To evaluate the enhancement of the potency of Hantaan virus (HTNV) nucleocapsid protein (NP) immunogenicity by heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), we developed a novel chimeric HTNV S-HSP70 DNA vaccine plasmid by genetically linking HSP70 gene to the full-length HTNV S segment DNA (HTNV S DNA). C57BL/6 mice were immunized with this plasmid followed by a subsequent boost with homologous recombinant protein. The levels of HTNV NP-specific antibody and cellular immune response were measured by use of ELISA, fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis, cytotoxicity assay, and IFN-γ ELISPOT assay. We found that HTNV S-HSP70 DNA vaccination significantly increased the levels of HTNV NP-specific antibody, IgG2a/IgG1 ratio, IFN-γ producing CD8+ T-cell precursor frequencies, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response when compared with immunization with HTNV S DNA alone or HTNV S DNA physically mixed with HSP70 DNA. By contrast, HSP70 DNA or vector DNA immunization could not induce appreciable levels of specific antibodies and CTL response. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time that HSP70-based HTNV S DNA can induce both humoral and cellular immune response specific for HTNV NP and is a promising candidate DNA vaccine for HTNV infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Muon spin relaxation/rotation (μSR) are carried out on a new magnetic system of M2X(OH)3 (M=transition metal, X=halogen), which we show to be a new geometric frustration system for d-electron spins. Contrasting behaviors were observed for clinoatacamite Cu2Cl(OH)3 and Co2Cl(OH)3. Clinoatacamite Cu2Cl(OH)3 undergoes antiferromagnetic transition at T N=18K with distinct muon spin rotations, and then it transforms abruptly into a metastable state with nearly complete depolarization of muon spins which suggests strong fluctuation. The system then enters a state in which partial long-range order and spin fluctuation coexist down to the lowest experimentally attainable temperature of 20mK. For Co2Cl(OH)3, although dynamic interactions exist at temperatures higher than 400K, static order only forms at a much lower temperature of T C=10K with coexistence of spin fluctuation. This work demonstrates the coexistence of long-range order and spin fluctuation in a novel system of d-electron transition metal oxides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

cDNA encoding pituitary (PRL) of giant panda was obtained using RT-PCR and expressed in E. coli . The results revealed that panda PRL cDNA encodes a precursor protein of 229 amino acids including a putative signal peptide of 30 amino acids and a mature protein of 199 residues with one potential N-glycosylation site. Sequence comparison indicated that panda PRL shares a high degree of identity to other known PRL sequences ranging from 98% with mink PRL to about 50% with rodent PRL. Six cysteine residues and 29 conserved residues distributed in four domains (PD1, PD2, PD3, and PD4) of PRL were observed through multiple sequence alignment. Fourteen key residues of binding sites 1 and 2 involved in receptor binding are conserved in panda PRL. GST fused recombinant panda PRL protein was efficiently expressed with the form of insoluble inclusion bodies in E. coli BL21 transformed with a pGEX-4T-1 expression vector containing the DNA sequence encoding mature panda PRL. Western blot analysis indicated that GST-panda PRL recombinant protein could be recognized by antibody against human PRL. Our results would contribute to further elucidating the structural and functional characteristics of pituitary PRL and provide a basis for the production of recombinant panda prolactin for future use in the breeding of giant panda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three types of organic–inorganic heterostructure device are fabricated. The emission from the organic layer, inorganic layer and both of the organic and inorganic layers are observed, respectively. The emission mechanism of these organic–inorganic heterostructure devices is different, which can be attributed to the difference of electric field and interfacial barrier of the device. By changing the thickness of organic and inorganic layers or adjusting the relative height of barrier potential at organic–inorganic interface, we can tune the emission zone and obtain different emission from each layer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have observed a novel kind of luminescence due to direct bombardment by electrons accelerated in a semiconducting thin film adjacent to the phosphor layer. We call this emission solid-state cathodoluminescence because the physical process is similar to cathodoluminescence except that the electrons are accelerated in a solid instead of in vacuum. This phenomenon is also not ordinary electroluminescence. It can be observed not only in semiconductors but also in insulators. In this paper we introduce two different kinds of proof of this phenomenon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using the secondary properties of inorganic material such as electron multiplication and acceleration, we discovered the cathodoluminescence-like (CL-like) emission. Now, using heterojunction and brightness waveform we investigated the temporary properties of the two peaks in CL-like emission. Further we found the identity of phase relation of luminescence relative to sinusoidal voltage for two different unsymmetrical devices and revealed the existence of CL-like excitation and the mutual enhancement of CL-like emission and organic electroluminescence. These processes are mutually compensatory additive and one strengthening the others. Choosing appropriate material and structural parameters might control the luminescence properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents an integrated linear and nonlinear control for a unified power flow controller (UPFC). Three Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) parameters of the UPFC are controlled by Proportional-Integral-Differential (PID) laws, and an analytic expression of the nonlinear control law for the UPFC phase angle ρ 2 is obtained by a feedback linearization method. This combined linear and nonlinear control strategy enables the UPFC to improve power system transient stability and dynamic performance effectively. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the developed control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bioinformatics tool called ODS3 has been created for mapping by sequencing. The tool allows the creation of integrated genomic maps from genetic, physical mapping, and sequencing data and permits an integrated genome map to be stored, retrieved, viewed, and queried in a stand-alone capacity, in a client/server relationship with the Fungal Genome Database (FGDB), and as a web-browsing tool for the FGDB. In that ODS3 is programmed in Java, the tool promotes platform independence and supports export of integrated genome-mapping data in the extensible markup language (XML) for data interchange with other genome information systems. The tool ODS3 is used to create an initial integrated genome map of the AIDS-related fungal pathogen, Pneumocystis carinii. Coutig dynamics would indicate that this physical map is ∼50% complete with ∼200 contigs. A total of 10 putative multigene families were found. Two of these putative families were previously characterized in P. carinii, namely the major surface glycoproteins (MSGs) and HSP70 proteins; three of these putative families (not previously characterized in P. caranii) were found to be similar to families encoding the HSP60 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the heat-shock ψ protein in S. pombe, and the RNA synthetase family (i.e., MES1) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Physical mapping data are consistent with the 16S, 5.8S, and 26S rDNA genes being single copy in P. carinii. No other fnngus outside this genus is known to have the rDNA genes in single copy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The copper complex {[Cu(2,2′-bpy)(azpy)(H 2 O)(ClO 4 )} n 1 (2,2′-bpy=2,2′bipyridine, azpy=4,4′-azopyridine), has been synthesized and characterized. X-ray analysis reveals that copper is coordinated by two N atoms of 2,2′-bpy, two N atoms from two bridging azpy ligands, one O atom of coordinated water and O atom from $\rm {ClO}_4^-$ and has a distorted octahedral coordination environment in complex 1 . Copper ions are linked to each other through bridging azpy ligands to form a one-dimensional chain. Stacking the one-dimensional chains results in the formation of rhombic channels with ca . 6 Å × 6 Å. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies show that there is a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the copper ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tackles the role of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) in modulating cellular levels of phosphotyrosine in resting T cells. Overview of T cell receptor signal transduction; Regulation of nonreceptor PTK by tyrosine phosphorylation; Role of PTP CD45 in regulating immune cell function.

Reports on the phenotype of mice with a single point mutation, glutamate 613 to argine, that inactivates the inhibitory wedge of CD45. Model proposed for the regulation of CD45; Inhibition by dimerization of photophase activity through symmetrical interaction; Cause of polyclonal lymphocyte activation.

Mechanoluminescence (ML) refers to the photon emission from materials subjected to mechanical stimuli. A general concept concerning ML materials is that they cannot directly record a stress history (mechanical record; MR). Here, we report an approach that retrieves a quantitative recording of stress history through the afterglow characteristics analysis of a specific multi-piezo ML material Li0.12Na0.88NbO3:Pr (LNNO), which has been designated to exist near the structural phase boundary of rhombohedral R3c and orthorhombic P21ma. Contrary to the general expectation that the afterglow characteristics are irrelevant to mechanical loading history, LNNO was strongly correlated with the stress distribution after UV excitation. This enabled us to read the recorded stress precisely from the afterglow image of the material. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of the MR was also realized, showing the capability of the readout of stress history in both time and space. This unusual MR function is attributed to eliminating shallow trap sites, which affected the afterglow characteristics upon applying mechanical load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface engineering in perovskite solar cells, especially for the upper surface of perovskite, is widely studied. However, most of these studies have primarily focused on the interaction between additive functional groups and perovskite point defects, neglecting the influence of other parts of additive molecules. Herein, additives with ‐NH3+ functional group are introduced at the perovskite surface to suppress surface defects. The chain lengths of these additives vary to conduct a detailed investigation into the impact of molecular size. The results indicate that the propane‐1,3‐diamine dihydroiodide (PDAI2), which possesses the most suitable size, exhibited obvious optimization effects. Whereas the molecules, methylenediamine dihydroiodide (MDAI2) and pentane‐1,5‐diamine dihydroiodide (PentDAI2) with unsuitable size, lead to a deterioration in device performance. The PDAI2‐treated devices achieved a certified power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.81% and the unencapsulated devices retained over 80% of their initial PCE after 600 h AM1.5 illumination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to being rooted in the ground, maize (Zea mays L.) is unable to actively escape the attacks of herbivorous insects such as the Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis). In contrast to the passive damage, plants have evolved defense mechanisms to protect themselves from herbivores. Salicylic acid, a widely present endogenous hormone in plants, has been found to play an important role in inducing plant resistance to insects. In this study, we screened and identified the insect resistance gene SPI, which is simultaneously induced by SA and O. furnacalis feeding, through preliminary transcriptome data analysis. The functional validation of SPI was carried out using bioinformatics, RT-qPCR, and heterologous expression protein feeding assays. Results: Both SA and O. furnacalis treatment increased the expression abundance of SA-synthesis pathway genes and SPI in three maize strains, and the upregulation of SPI was observed strongly at 6 hours post-treatment. The expression of SPI showed a temporal relationship with SA pathway genes, indicating that SPI is a downstream defense gene regulated by SA. Protein feeding assays using two different expression vectors demonstrated that the variation in SPI protein activity among different strains is mainly due to protein modifications. Conclusions: Our research results indicate that SPI, as a downstream defense gene regulated by SA, is induced by SA and participates in maize's insect resistance. The differential expression levels of SPI gene and protein modifications among different maize strains are one of the reasons for the variation in insect resistance. This study provides new insights into ecological pest control in maize and valuable insights into plant responses to SA-induced insect resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rotational Doppler shift in acoustic waves carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) has been applied in experiments to demonstrate the Zel'dovich amplification, which is analogously linked with the black hole radiance. However, rotating microphones used in the published experiments are difficult to assemble and intrinsically weak in the frequency response at frequencies around 0 Hz. To circumvent the limitations, this paper proposes an experimental method to study the rotational Doppler shift in acoustic OAM waves using static microphones. The Doppler shifted signals viewed by a rotating observer were extracted from the original acoustic signals at frequencies around 100 Hz, where the microphones had flat frequency response. The measured results not only demonstrated the extreme Doppler shift to a negative frequency but also showed that the acoustic amplitudes were very low when the Doppler shifted frequency was 0 Hz. This phenomenon was explained by showing in a time-domain numerical simulation that the wave was co-rotating with the observer. In addition, the characteristics of the simulated pressure contours of the rotating wave have been discussed. The proposed methods can further be used to study the physics related to the wave carrying OAM, such as the acoustic super-radiance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to analyze the sharpness of combustion noise of the gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine, the in-cylinder pressure and noise of different loads and speeds of a three-cylinder GDI engine are measured. An adaptive cycle Wiener filter method is proposed to separate the combustion noise. The result indicated that the proposed method can overcome the drawbacks of the original Wiener filter method and is able to separate high-frequency combustion noise components more accurately and effectively. The sharpness of the combustion noise is calculated by the Zwicker method and Aures method, and the comparison results show that the Aures method is more suitable for evaluating combustion noise. The influence of different loads and speeds on the sharpness of combustion noise is investigated by the proposed method systematically. The results indicated that at low speed (1500 r/min), the combustion noise and sharpness will increase with the load while at medium (3000 r/min) and high (5500 r/min) speeds, the combustion noise under half load (50%) has the highest sharpness. Excessive high load (100%) and too low load (0%) both suppress the generation of combustion noise. As for the same engine load, a higher engine speed will lead to higher combustion noise and sharpness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical evidence recently suggests that the regular use of aspirin is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer metastasis, but mechanisms remain unclear. Resistance to anoikis has been implicated in malignant transformation and metastasis. Here, we investigated whether aspirin might prevent breast cancer metastasis to lung by targeting anoikis resistance. Aspirin sensitized breast cancer cells to anoikis in vitro and lowered the circulating tumor cells as well as distant metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, thromboxane A2 (TXA2) pathway was identified as the relevant molecular target for aspirin in anoikis sensitization. Upon detachment, both thromboxane A2 receptor (TP) and thromboxane A2 synthase 1 (TBXAS1) were up-regulated in metastatic breast cancer cells, conferred anoikis resistance through persistent activation of Akt, thereby facilitated breast cancer metastasis to lung. Consistently, either knockdown of TP in cancer cells or genetic deletion of TP in mice protected against lung metastasis in vivo. Collectively, TXA2 pathway plays a critical role in anoikis resistance and might serve as potential target for chemoprevention of breast cancer metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonatites host the world's most important rare earth element (REE) resources. The origins of REE mineralization in carbonatite-related deposits, particularly the role of hydrothermal fluids in REE mobilization and mineralization, remain enigmatic. The Cenozoic Mianning–Dechang REE belt in eastern Tibet is one of the largest REE production regions worldwide, and is an ideal area for investigating REE mineralization. Geological investigations and fluid inclusion studies suggest that ore fluids in this belt evolved from hydrothermal stage I (fenitization at high temperatures of ~480 °C) to hydrothermal stage II (calcite, quartz, barite, and fluorite crystallization at temperatures of 300–350 °C and salinities of ~20 wt% NaCl equiv.), and then to the REE mineralization stage (temperatures of ~200 °C and low salinities of ~9 wt% NaCl equiv.). The bulk fluid compositions demonstrate that the ore fluids contained significant amounts of alkalis (up to 5 wt% Na + K), halogens (up to 12 wt% Cl; up to 7 wt% F), sulfate (>2 wt% SO 4 2−), Ba (>1123 ppm), Sr (>1120 ppm), and REEs (>5 wt%). Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of these fluids are light REE-enriched and exhibit moderate depletion in Eu ([Eu/Eu⁎ CN = 0.85 ± 0.08), similar to the carbonatites and nordmarkites. These fluid characteristics and plots of Rb/Na vs. K/Na and Mn vs. Na suggest that the ore fluids in the Mianning–Dechang REE belt were derived from a late-stage alkaline–carbonatitic magma. High concentrations of Cl−, F−, SO 4 2−, and REEs, and the absence of REE fluoride (REEF 3) and fluorite (CaF 2), suggest that the ore fluids in hydrothermal stage I were a high-temperature, SO 4 2−-rich (>2 wt%), and acidic fluid system (pH < 3.5). In this system, chloride REE complexes were predominant over fluoride and sulfate REE complexes, which resulted in efficient transport of REEs. Sulfate species were predominant in hydrothermal stage II at temperatures of 260–350 °C and a pH between 3.5 and 5.2. The higher pH and fluid cooling from hydrothermal stage I to hydrothermal stage II caused an increase in F−, which in turn lowered fluid REE concentrations, owing to the formation of REE-rich fluorite. This suggests that F− was a depositional ligand in hydrothermal stage II. Continued fluid cooling (~200 °C) and increasing pH (~6), combined with the precipitation of barite and fluorite in the REE mineralization stage, destabilized the REE complexes because of the decreasing concentrations of SO 4 2−, Cl−, and F−, which thus led to widespread REE deposition. A review of different-sized deposits in the Mianning–Dechang REE belt indicates that appreciable amounts of SO 4 2−, Cl−, REEs, CO 2 , and particularly F− and alkalis in fluids, along with a high fluid exsolution temperature, represent the ideal conditions for potential REE mineralization in a carbonatite-related setting. Ore fluids in the Mianning–Dechang REE belt contained appreciable chloride (Cl−), sulfate (SO 4 2−), and fluoride (F−), and formed an alkali-, sulfate-, and halogen-rich fluid system, in which chloride REE complexes were predominant over sulfate and fluoride complexes in hydrothermal stage I, whereas sulfate species were predominant in hydrothermal stage II. Fluoride was a depositional ligand in hydrothermal stage II, resulting in formation of REE-rich fluorite (CaF 2) and removal of REEs from the fluids. Due to mixing with meteoric water and further cooling, all ligands became involved in the efficient deposition of REEs by destabilization of complexes and widespread precipitation of barite, fluorite, and bastnäsite-(Ce) in the REE mineralization stage. [Display omitted] • Bulk fluid analysis can effectively quantify carbonatitic fluid compositions. • Ore fluids at MD were enriched in alkalis, sulfate, halogens, and REEs (>5 wt%). • Hydrothermal processes are important for REE mobilization and mineralization. • Cl− and SO 4 2− are the major ligands responsible for hydrothermal REE mobilization. • High ligand, alkali, and CO 2 contents facilitate potential REE mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The finite element analysis based on the blocked force test method was developed. • The frequency resolution of the vibration source was improved by signal processing. • The effectiveness of the numerical calculation was verified with high accuracy. In the continuous development of automotive technology, source characterization is becoming a significant and challenging step in the research of vehicle vibration and noise. Compared to classical transfer path analysis (CTPA), blocked force-transfer path analysis (BF-TPA) method is introduced as a more effective technique to characterize the intrinsic properties of the vibration source without disconnecting the source and receiver. This paper focused on the vibration of a brake booster with a short duration and conducted the rig test to obtain the internal excitation based on BF-TPA combined with signal processing methods of zero-padding, periodic extension and symmetric extension, respectively. The vibration response of dash panel on which the booster installed was calculated by the three proposed signal processing methods. The comparison showed that more accurate simulation results can be obtained with the periodic extension of the data than with the zero-padding, while the results of the symmetric extension are almost the same as the periodic extension. The good agreement between the results of the calculation and the corresponding vibration test verified that the blocked force obtained by the modified BF-TPA method can be applied in the numerical calculation of the coupled assembly composed of the vibration source and receiver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information pertaining to the releasing of the Mgadenosine triphosphate (MgATP)-dependent and MgATP-independent [3H]noradrenaline from perforated synaptosomes, while referencing to their use of the N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein. How vesicle depriming was detected; Indication of results; Reference to the releasing of neurotransmitters.

Reports on an interactive online laboratory for remote education called Automated Internet Measurement Laboratory (AIM-Lab) which utilizes the Internet and the World Wide Web. Benefits of AIM-Lab; System architecture of AIM-Lab; Application of remote experiments on semiconductor device characterization.

When a vehicle is under the idle condition, the direct engine noise and structure-radiated noise caused by engine vibration are perceived by passengers more easily than the vehicle is in moving due to the absence of road and wind noises. These abnormal noises have become the most annoying sound of passenger vehicles. However, there are very few researches on the mechanism of how such noises were generated. In this paper, a passenger vehicle equipped with an inline four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine was used to diagnose the abnormal noise under idle condition. The experimental studies with replacement of some engine parts and adjustment of electric control parameters of the valve train showed that the influence of variable camshaft timing (VCT) system on the idling abnormal noise was significant, and increasing the angle of the VCT system of the intake camshaft can greatly reduce the abnormal noise. In order to reveal the mechanism of idling abnormal noise, the oil pressure inside the camshaft phaser of the VCT system was further measured with the vibration and noise signals being simultaneously acquired. The vibration signal characterizing abnormal noise was extracted by the algorithm of dichotomy-based variational mode decomposition. Based on the comprehensive angle domain analyses of the oil pressure of the VCT system, the vibration of the cylinder head and the rotating speed of camshaft and crankshaft, and verification with the experimental data, it was finally concluded that the idling abnormal noise was caused by the impact of the rotor and stator inside the camshaft phaser of the VCT system. The result of this research can also be applied as guideline for diagnosis of other abnormal noises of vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate (EMIES) was synthesized by using N -methylimidazole and diethyl sulfate as raw materials, the density, viscosity and surface tension of aqueous EMIES with various concentrations were measured in the temperature range from 288.15 to 328.15 K. According to the Jones-Dole empirical equation, the viscosity B -coefficients were calculated. Using the empirical equation of the relationship between Δ μ 2 ≠0 and T , the activation entropy (Δ S 2 ≠0) and activation enthalpy (Δ H 2 ≠0) were further obtained, the viscosity values of aqueous EMIES were predicted by using the Eyring semiempirical equation, which were highly consistent with experimental values of the viscosity. Furthermore, on the basis of the traditional Eӧtvӧs empirical equation, the new Eӧtvӧs equation was further derived by using the linear relationship between the molar surface Gibbs energy (g s) and temperature, each parameter has the definite physical meaning and a new unit of energy in new Eӧtvӧs equation. The predicted values of the surface tension of aqueous EMIES were obtained by the definition of the molar surface Gibbs energy, which were highly consistent with the experimental values of the surface tension. • Thermodynamic parameters of the activation for viscous flow were obtained. • The viscosity values of aqueous EMIES were estimated by Erying empirical equation. • The surface tensions of aqueous EMIES were predicted by molar surface Gibbs energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposed a local active control method for the reduction of road noise inside a vehicle cabin. A multichannel simplified hybrid active noise control (sHANC) system was first developed and applied to the rear left seat of a large sport utility vehicle (SUV). The attenuation capability of the sHANC system was investigated through simulations, using reference signals provided by accelerometers on the suspensions and bodywork of the vehicle and microphones on the floor of cabin, respectively. It was shown that compared to the traditional feedforward system, the sHANC system using either vibrational or acoustical reference signals can produce a significant suppression of the narrowband peak noise between 75 and 80 Hz, but the system lost the control capability in a range of 100–500 Hz when the acoustic signals were used as references. To reduce the practical implementation costs while maintaining excellent reduction performance, a modified simplified hybrid ANC (msHANC) system was further proposed, in which combined vibrational and acoustical signals were used as reference signals. The off-line analyses showed that four reference accelerometers can be substituted by ten microphones without compromising attenuation performance, with 3.7 dBA overall noise reduction being achieved. The effect of delays on the reduction performance of msHANC system was also investigated. The result showed that the msHANC system was more sensitive to the delays compared to the sHANC system if using only vibrational reference signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after cardiac arrest (CA) often leads to neurological deficits in the absence of effective treatment. The aim of the present basic research study was to investigate the effects of human urine-derived stem cells (hUSCs) on the recovery of neurological function in rats after CA/CPR. hUSCs were isolated in vitro and identified using flow cytometry. A rat model of CA was established, and CPR was performed. Animals were scored for neurofunctional deficits following hUSC transplantation. The expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the hippocampus and temporal cortex were detected via immunofluorescence. Moreover, brain water content and serum S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) levels were measured 7 days following hUSC transplantation. The results demonstrated that hUSCs had upregulated expression levels of CD29, CD90, CD44, CD105, CD73, CD224 and CD146, and expressed low levels of CD34 and human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype. In addition, hUSCs were able to differentiate into neuronal cells in vitro. The SPSS 19.0 statistical package was used for statistical analysis, and it was found that the neurological function of the rats after CA/CPR was significantly improved following hUSC transplantation. Furthermore, hUSCs aggregated in the hippocampus and temporal cortex, and secreted large amounts of BDNF and VEGF. hUSC transplantation also effectively inhibited brain edema and serum S100B levels after CPR. Therefore, the results suggested that hUSC transplantation significantly improved the neurological function of rats after CA/CPR, possibly by promoting the expression levels of BDNF and VEGF, as well as inhibiting brain edema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Early- and late-stage pyrite have high concentrations of Au and As at Bangbu. • Sulfur for mineralization was derived from the Greater Himalayan crystalline complex. • Bangbu deposit occurred during or after amphibolite-facies metamorphism during ~50–45 Ma. The Bangbu orogenic gold deposit in the North Himalaya of the southern Tibet contains more than 40 t Au at an average grade of 7.0 g/t. In this deposits, gold-bearing quartz veins were controlled by nearly E-trending Qusong-Cuogu-Zhemulang shear zone and occurred within the secondary faults which crosscut Late Triassic greenschist- facies rocks. To further understand the sulfur source and ore-forming process, we have conducted a compressive study of in-situ SIMS sulfur isotopes and LA-ICP-MS trace element compositions of two stages of pyrite at Bangbu. Early-stage pyrite (Py1) is coarse-grained (mostly 0.2–2 mm) and euhedral, and has gold concentrations of less than 0.3–54 ppm (mean of 20 ppm) and δ34S values of 1.6–5.1‰ (mean of 3.2‰). Late-stage pyrite (Py2) is generally fine-grained (mostly <50 μm to 1 mm) and subhedral to anhedral, and has gold concentrations of 3.6–115 ppm (mean of 30 ppm) and δ34S values of 0.9–5.2‰ (mean of 2.7‰). Gold occurs mainly as invisible refractory within Py1 and Py2, and to a lesser extent as native gold within quartz, pyrite, arsenopyrite and sphalerite. Sulfur for Bangbu gold mineralization was probably sourced from the Greater Himalayan crystalline complex. Release of ore-forming fluids was likely related to amphibolite-facies metamorphism during ~50–45 Ma. Ore fluids deposited Au-rich pyrite during early and late mineralization stage and precipitation of native gold was probably related to fluid boiling and/or remobilization of invisible gold within pyrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Moisture needed to be removed in three building types is calculated. • Salt supported porous composites satisfy most climates and building types. • Zeolites are suitable for return air state, ARI summer and ARI humid climates. • Polyelectrolytes can cope with humid climates and buildings with high wet load. Energy conservation and emission reduction have become a global consensus. As a novel promising energy-saving dehumidification technology, desiccant coated heat exchanger (DCHE)-based air conditioning systems have attracted immense attention recently. This paper provides a quick and reasonable selection of desiccant materials for DCHE systems using water as the cooling medium in different buildings and climates. By the theoretical calculation of moisture needed to be removed in three types of buildings (offices, residential buildings and restaurants) and the analysis of the dehumidification capacity of desiccants in DCHEs reported in the literature, optimal desiccants for different building types and ambient air conditions under given parameters are recommended. Salt-supported porous composite desiccants possess flexible dehumidification performance and can be utilized in most climates and building types, except for extremely humid indoor environments with high requirement for fresh air. Zeolites are especially suitable for return air states, American Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) summer and ARI humid climates in buildings with moderate indoor moisture gain, such as offices or residential buildings. Polyelectrolytes can be applied in humid climates and buildings with high indoor wet loads, such as restaurants. This paper offers a promising route to the applications of desiccant materials in novel energy-saving air conditioning technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study on the significance of molecular hydration activation in catalytic hydrogenation of noble metal catalyst. When researchers did the process using neutral fullerene, fullerene anion or both, they found that these metals are excellent catalyst for converting amino aromatics and its selectivity under the ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Moreover, they concluded that hydrogenation activation method will promote the development of electronically excited state reactions.

Photoelectron spectroscopy was used to investigate poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), and their blends on various conductive substrates. The study shows a P3HT-rich layer at the top of the P3HT:PCBM blend films. The energy level alignment of the top P3HT changes with the work function of the substrate and the PCBM concentration at the bottom surface of the blend film. The results can be explained using the integer charge transfer model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, fabrication of organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) using a phenyltrimethoxysilane (PhTMS) modified SiO2 insulator greatly improves the device electrical properties over those with plain or octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) modified SiO2, particularly improves the carrier mobility, the subthreshold slope, and channel resistance resulted from reduced density of charge trapping states at the semiconductor/insulator interface. The pentacene OTFTs with modification from PhTMS (3.5‰ v/v) achieves carrier mobility of 1.03 cm2/V s, on/off current ratio of 1.98×105, and subthreshold slope of 0.20 V/decade. This work renders a new, simple approach to significantly improve the OTFT performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Allele frequencies of the 15 STR loci were determined in 208 unrelated individuals from Han population living in Henan, China (central China). All loci except D5S818 were found no deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The combined power of discrimination (PD) and the combined chance of exclusion (CE) for the 15 studied loci were >0.9999999 and 0.999996119, respectively. Our data were statistically compared with the previously reported data from other Chinese population groups, and significant difference was found between central Han Chinese (n =208) and eastern Chinese (n =100) at vWA, or between central Han Chinese (n =208) and southeast Chinese (n =122) at D13S317. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is difficult to decompose the in-cylinder pressure of combustion of the direct injection (DI) diesel engine, a transient process associated with complicated oscillation components, because of its steep property. An adaptive cyclic average method based on time varying filter based empirical mode decomposition (TVF-EMD) is proposed to decompose the in-cylinder pressure signal, and the cyclic number is determined adaptively with protruding ratio of high-frequency oscillation. The proposed method is used to compare with the ensemble empirical mode decomposition and original TVF-EMD. The results indicate that the proposed method can overcome the drawbacks of these methods and extract high-frequency oscillations accurately and effectively. Three evaluation indexes, center frequency, normalized energy, and average center frequency are defined to analyze the frequency and energy characteristics of high-frequency oscillation quantitatively. The influence of speed, load, rail pressure, main injection timing, pilot injection interval, and pilot injection quantity are investigated systematically. The energy of high-frequency oscillation reaches the peak at medium-high speed, and increase with engine load and rail pressure. However, the relationship of high-frequency oscillation with fuel injection parameters are non-monotonic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]