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With the advantages of low power consumption and high stability, chirp transform spectrometer (CTS) has become a powerful tool widely used in spectrum analysis today. In recent years, compared with other spectrum analyzers, CTS is limited by the lack of bandwidth, which severely restricts its application and development. In this article, a CTS system with a wide bandwidth is proposed. The chirp signal with 2 GHz bandwidth is generated by DAC and multiplier, and its dispersion characteristics are matched with a 1 GHz bandwidth surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter to build a spectrum analyzer with an analysis bandwidth of 1 GHz. Experimental results show that the system frequency resolution can reach up to 102 kHz, which is very close to the theoretical value (100 kHz). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the ALICE collaboration analyzed the three- and four-pion Hanbury–Brown–Twiss (HBT) correlations in Pb–Pb collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. The measured suppressions of three- and four-pion correlations may originate from a substantial coherence of the particle-emitting sources. In this work we investigate the normalized three- and four-pion HBT correlation functions for evolving pion gas (EPG) sources with Bose–Einstein condensation. We find that the intercepts of the normalized correlation functions at zero relative momentum are sensitive to source condensation and particle momentum. The normalized correlation functions in low average-momentum regions of three and four pions decrease with decreasing temperature and increasing particle number of the source, indicating a dependence of the normalized correlation functions on source condensation. However, this dependence becomes weak in an intermediate average-momentum region because particles with high momenta are likely emitted from excited states incoherently in the EPG model, even if the source has a considerable condensation fraction. For a wide momentum range, the normalized correlation functions for low source temperatures are enhanced at larger relative momenta because of a rapid increase of two-pion chaoticity parameter with increasing particle momentum. We hope the significant enhancement of the normalized four-pion correlation function at high relative momentum will be identified through future analyses of experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed ultrasonic experiments in specimens from a tight oil reservoir. The P-wave attenuation of fluid-saturated specimens was estimated by the spectral ratio method. The results suggest that at ultrasonic frequencies, most specimens have stronger attenuation under gas-saturated conditions than at water- or oil-saturated conditions. The P-wave attenuation positively correlates with permeability. Scanning electron microscopy observations and the triple-porosity structure model were used to simulate the wave propagation. The P-wave velocity dispersion and attenuation are discussed on the basis of the Biot, Biot-Rayleigh double-porosity medium, and the triple-porosity structure models. The results suggest that the Biot and Biot-Rayleigh models cannot explain the attenuation, whereas the triple-porosity structure model is in agreement with the experimental data. Furthermore, we infer that microcracks are common in a porosity of 5%–10%, and the size of microcracks increases in samples with higher porosity. However, the volume ratios of microcracks and clay inclusions remain constant regardless of porosity variations. The size of microcracks is significantly larger than the clay inclusions, and the bulk modulus of microcracks is lower than the bulk modulus of clays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four-stage main helicopter transmission system occupies several strong points like good carrying capacity and is addressed by many scholars. However, the influence of variable parameters on natural characteristics in a three-engine helicopter, is not to be investigated, according to the limited published issues. Thus, in the study, a vibration model of the four-stage main helicopter transmission system is established through the lumped mass method. In the model, many factors, including time-varying meshing stiffness and torsional stiffness of gear shaft are considered. The differential equation of the system is solved via the Fourier method, 27-orders natural frequency and modal shape corresponded by each degree of freedom (DOF) of the system are obtained. The influence of the shaft torsional stiffness on the first five orders of the system natural frequency is studied. Besides, the impact of the matching relationship of key shafts' torsional stiffness on the system stability is analyzed. These contributions would improve modification developments of four-stage deceleration helicopter in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) contact model is established, the oil film stiffness is calculated based on Dowson-Higginson empirical minimum thickness equation. The vibration model of single-rotor three-input helicopter main reducer is proposed by lumped mass method, and nonlinear factors like oil film stiffness, dynamic meshing force are taken into account. The influence of oil film stiffness on system natural frequency is analyzed as well. The results show that oil film stiffness of the internal and external meshing pairs in the planetary gear system have greater impact on the natural frequency, which tends to destabilize the system. Therefore, the planetary gear train is the most crucial branch regarding the system splash lubrication. When all the oil film stiffness in the system are greater than 4x109 N/m, the natural frequencies tend to be stable. This study can provide the theoretical reference for the lubrication characteristics in the single-rotor multi-input helicopter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, we study the pion momentum distribution of a coherent source and investigate the influences of coherent emission on the pion transverse-momentum ( p T ) spectrum and elliptic anisotropy. With a partially coherent source, constructed by a conventional viscous hydrodynamics model (chaotic part) and a parameterized expanding coherent source model, we reproduce the pion p T spectrum and elliptic anisotropy coefficient v 2 ( p T ) in the peripheral Pb–Pb collisions at s N N = 2.76 TeV . It is found that the influences of coherent emission on the pion p T spectrum and v 2 ( p T ) are related to the initial size and shape of the coherent source, largely due to the interference effect. However, the effect of source dynamical evolution on coherent emission is relatively small. The results of the partially coherent source with 33% coherent emission and 67% chaotic emission are consistent with the experimental measurements of the pion p T spectrum, v 2 ( p T ) , and especially four-pion Bose–Einstein correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the preservation effectiveness of selected antistaling agents on lotus seeds (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) status and the alteration of phenolic acids during their storage. Ascorbic acid (AA), benzoic acid (BA), sodium hydrogen sulfite (SHS), BA+ AA and SHS+ AA were identified as effective to keep lotus seeds fresh with the order of SHS+ AA > BA+ AA > AA > SHS > BA in terms of general performance on not-browning degree, microorganism contamination status, sensory evaluation, and the protection of polyphenols against being oxidized. The polyphenols determined by HPLC and HPLC-MS in lotus seeds were mainly gallic, chlorogenic, gentisic, caffeic, cinnamic, p-coumaric, ferulic, rosmarinic, and salicylic acids. Chlorogenic, gentisic, and caffeic acids were the main phenolic acids correlated with oxidative browning. SHS+ AA was found on inhibiting chlorogenic acid oxidized (p < 0.05) as well as SHS or AA did. BA+ AA also had protective effect on all these three phenolics. The increment of gallic, caffeic, chlorogenic, and p-coumaric acids at the beginning of storage, which was from the hydrolyzation of glycosides promoted by BA, had accordance with the deteriorate sensory of lotus seeds and led to worse anti-browning effect. Gallic acid was found to be relevant to the degree of microorganism contamination. The stronger antibacterial capacity antistaling agents had, the later regeneration of gallic acid appeared. In conclusion, the selected antistaling agents had different preservation effectiveness, which would synchronously indicate alteration of relevant phenolic acids profiles of lotus seed during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the impact of the in-medium mass splitting between bosons and anti-bosons on their spectra and elliptic flow. The in-medium mass splitting may cause a separation in the transverse momentum spectra, as well as a division in the elliptic flow between bosons and anti-bosons. The magnitude of this effect becomes greater as the in-medium mass splitting increases. With the increasing rapidity, the splitting effect of the spectra increases and the splitting effect of the elliptic flow decreases. These phenomena may provide a way to differentiate whether the influences on boson and anti-boson in the medium are consistent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vibration model of four-stage main transmission system in helicopter was established through lumped mass method. In the model, many factors, including time-varying meshing stiffness and torsional stiffness of gear shaft were considered. The differential equation of the system was solved via Fourier method, and the influence of the torsional stiffness of shafts on the first five orders of the system's natural frequency was studied. Some theoretical results were summarized as guidelines for further research and design of four-stage deceleration helicopter at last. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new oleanane-type saponins, named oleiferasaponins C4 (1) and C5 (2), were isolated from Camellia oleifera Abel. seed cake residue. Their respective structures were identified as 16a-hydroxy-22α-O-angeloyl-23α-aldehyde-28-dihydroxymethylene-olean-12-ene-3β-O-[β-D-galactopyranosyl-( 1→2)]-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-galactopyranosy-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranosid-uronic acid methyl ester (1) and 16a-hydroxy-22α-O-angeloyl-23α-aldehyde-28-dihydroxy-methylene-olean-12-ene-3β-O-[β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)]-[β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid methyl ester (2) through 1D- and 2D-NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and GC-MS spectroscopic methods. The two compounds exhibited potent cytotoxic activities against five human tumor cell lines (BEL-7402, BGC-823, MCF-7, HL-60 and KB). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Tumorigenesis is associated with increased glucose consumption and lipogenesis, but how these pathways are interlinked is unclear. Here, we delineate a pathway in which EGFR signaling, by increasing glucose uptake, promotes N-glycosylation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) and consequent activation of SREBP-1, an ER-bound transcription factor with central roles in lipid metabolism. Glycosylation stabilizes SCAP and reduces its association with Insig-1, allowing movement of SCAP/SREBP to the Golgi and consequent proteolytic activation of SREBP. Xenograft studies reveal that blocking SCAP N-glycosylation ameliorates EGFRvIII-driven glioblastoma growth. Thus, SCAP acts as key glucose-responsive protein linking oncogenic signaling and fuel availability to SREBP-dependent lipogenesis. Targeting SCAP N-glycosylation may provide a promising means of treating malignancies and metabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local acceptance of wind energy technology has become an important factor to consider when designing local and national wind energy technological innovation policies. Previous studies have investigated the factors that shape the local acceptance of wind power in high-income countries. However, to the best of our knowledge, these factors had not been investigated in China. Utilizing a survey and quantitative analysis, we have identified the factors that are correlated with local acceptance of wind power in China. We conducted our study in the city of Jiuquan, Gansu Province, which currently possesses the largest installed capacity for wind power generation in China. Two factors, namely, perceived economic benefits and perceived environmental costs, influence local acceptance of wind power in China most significantly. Local acceptance of wind power in China can be described as “not in my backyard, but not far away from me”. In other words, the acceptance rate is lowest when the source of wind power is located in their village or community, highest when the project is located in their county and city and decreases for projects that are constructed further away. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the profiles change in proanthocyanidins (PAs) catalyzed by polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from lotus seedpod in a model wine system (MWS). Results showed that PAs from lotus seedpod consisted of dimer (74.00 %) and trimer (22.75 %). PPO could tolerate ethanol concentrations below 20 % (v/v). The optimum temperature of PPO activity was 80 °C, and the optimal pH was 9.0. Its molecular weight was approximately 31 kDa, and its secondary structures were α-helix (59.0 %), β-sheet (4.3 %), turns (14.1 %), and random coils (22.6 %). In the MWS, the trimers gradually increased from 22.55 % at 0 h (control) to 100 % at 10 h incubation, while the dimers decreased from 74.33 % (control) to 0 % at 10 h incubation. Moreover, the composition of the precipitate formed at different incubation time points was approximately 16.54 % of monomers, 21.03 % of dimers, and 62.43 % of trimers at 2 h incubation with PPO. The results from this study have provided in vitro evidence for a possible application of PPO in red wine aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constitutively activated oncogenic signaling via genetic mutations such as in the EGFR/PI3K/Akt and Ras/RAF/MEK pathways has been recognized as a major driver for tumorigenesis in most cancers. Recent insights into tumor metabolism have further revealed that oncogenic signaling pathways directly promote metabolic reprogramming to upregulate biosynthesis of lipids, carbohydrates, protein, DNA and RNA, leading to enhanced growth of human tumors. Therefore, targeting cell metabolism has become a novel direction for drug development in oncology. In malignant gliomas, metabolism pathways of glucose, glutamine and lipid are significantly reprogrammed. Moreover, molecular mechanisms causing these metabolic changes are just starting to be unraveled. In this review, we will summarize recent studies revealing critical gene alterations that lead to metabolic changes in malignant gliomas, and also discuss promising therapeutic strategies via targeting the key players in metabolic regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using one- and two-body density matrices, we calculate the spatial and momentum distributions, two-particle Hanbury-Brown-Twiss (HBT) correlation functions, and the chaotic parameter λ in HBT interferometry for the systems of boson gas within the harmonic oscillator potentials with anisotropic frequencies in transverse and longitudinal directions. The HBT chaotic parameter, which can be obtained by measuring the correlation functions at zero relative momentum of the particle pair, is related to the degree of Bose-Einstein condensation and thus the system environment. We investigate the effects of system temperature, particle number and the average momentum of the particle pair on the chaotic parameter. The value of λ decreases with the condensed fraction, f0. It is one for f0 = 0 and zero for f0 = 1. For a certain f0 between 0 and 1, we find that λ increases with the average momentum of the particle pair and decreases with the particle number of system. The results of λ are sensitive to the ratio, ν = ωz/ωρ, of the frequencies in longitudinal and transverse directions. They are smaller for larger ν when ωρ is fixed. In the heavy-ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) energy the large identical pion multiplicity may possibly lead to a considerable Bose-Einstein condensation. Its effect on the chaotic parameter in two-pion interferometry is worth considering in earnest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the framework of the recombination model we determine the shower parton distri-butions (SPDs) with the fragmentation functions (FFs) for mesons and then predict the fragmentation functions for baryons. We get the fragmentation functions of gluon splitting into charmed hadrons. We show the relationship of fragmentation functions for mesons and baryons and find that they are not independent if the hadronization of the shower partons is taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dynamics model of herringbone planet train with double teeth coupling is established based on the vibration theory of the concentrated parameter. The mesh stiffness formula of the helical gear is introduced to calculate the time-varying mesh stiffness of the herringbone teeth in the way of stiffness parallel of two helical gears. The relationship curves between the mesh stiffness of the internal and external meshes and the dynamic load coefficients of the internal and external meshes are obtained by solving the dynamic equation, and the impact of the mesh stiffness of the internal and external meshes on the dynamics load characteristics of the train is analyzed. The research results show that the dynamic load coefficients of the internal and external meshes increase with the average components of the mesh stiffness of internal and external meshes without regard to the resonance, respectively. The impact of the alternate component of the mesh stiffness of the internal and external meshes on the dynamic load coefficients is much less. Because of smooth operation and small vibration of the herringbone tooth, it is feasible that the average component of the mesh stiffness represents the mesh stiffness for the calculation of dynamic load coefficient of herringbone planetary train, when the required accuracy is not too high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore new noninvasive treatment options for depression, this study investigated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at the auricular concha region (ACR) of depression rat models. Depression in rats was induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) combined with isolation for 21 days. Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups: normal, UCMS alone, UCMS with EA-ACR treatment, and UCMS with EA-ear-tip treatment. Rats under inhaled anesthesia were treated once daily for 14 days. The results showed that blood pressure and heart rate were significantly reduced in the EA-ACR group than in the UCMS alone group or the EA-ear-tip group. The open-field test scores significantly decreased in the UCMS alone and EA-ear-tip groups but not in the EA-ACR group. Both EA treatments downregulated levels of plasma Cortisol and ACTH in UCMS rats back to normal levels. The present study suggested that EA-ACR can elicit similar cardioinhibitory effects as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and EA-ACR significantly antagonized UCMS-induced depressive status in UCMS rats. The antidepressant effect of EA-ACR is possibly mediated via the normalization of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and versatile method for the introduction of redox unites onto the surface of magnetic nanoparticles has been developed based on “click” chemistry. Azide-functionalized Fe2O3magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and further reacted with ethynylferrocene via Cu(I)-catalyzed azide alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. The functionalized magnetic nanoparticles were characterized using a powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The resulting materials have properties of both magnetism and electrochemistry, and the electrochemical properties of the nanoparticles are dependent on the features of ethynylferrocene, while the magnetic properties remain independent of ethynylferrocene. Because of the magnetism of Fe2O3nanoparticles and the electrocatalytic activity of ferrocene unites, a recyclable, magneto-switchable bioelectrocatalytic system for glucose oxidation in the presence of glucose oxidase is developed by alternate positioning of an external magnet, and the system has a linear response for glucose biosensing over the range of 1.0−10.0 mM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Form of matter created in high-energy heavy ion collisions is pertinent to color deconfinement. We calculate time dependences of number densities of pions, rhos, kaons, vector kaons, free quarks and antiquarks. Due to medium screening which leads to constant confinement at large distances, meson-meson reactions $A(q_1 \bar q_1 ) + B(q_2 \bar q_2 ) \to q_1 +\bar q_1 + q_2 +\bar q_2$ in hadronic matter below the critical temperature Tc produce an appreciable amount of quarks and antiquarks freely moving in hadronic matter and establish a new mechanism for deconfinement of quarks and antiquarks in hadronic matter. We therefore arrive at a new form of matter below Tc: hadrons plus free quarks and antiquarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because rigidity of either hub or rim of diaphragm coupling is much greater than that of the disk, and asymmetrical bending is under the condition of high speed revolution, an assumption is made that each circle in the middle plane before deformation keeps its radius unchanged after deformation, but the plane on which the circle lies has a varying deflecting angle. Based on this assumption, and according to the principle of energy variation, the corresponding Euler’s equation can be obtained, which has the primary integral. By neglecting some subsidiary factors, an analytic solution is obtained. Applying these formulas to a hyperbolic model of diaphragm, the results show that the octahedral shear stress varies less along either radial or thickness direction, but fluctuates greatly and periodically along circumferential direction. Thus asymmetrical bending significantly affects the material’s fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Triple-quark elastic scattering amplitudes from perturbative QCD are first calculated and then used in a transport equation to study the thermalization of quark matter. By examining momentum isotropy to which the transport equation leads, we can determine thermalization time and offer an initial thermal quark distribution function. With an anisotropic initial quark distribution, which is relevant to quark matter initially created in a central Au–Au collision at , the transport equation gives a time of the order of 1.8 fm/c for quark matter itself to thermalize by the triple-quark scatterings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Due to the development of sequencing technology and the great reduction in sequencing costs, an increasing number of plant genomes have been assembled, and numerous genomes have revealed large amounts of variations. However, a single reference genome does not allow the exploration of species diversity, and therefore the concept of pan-genome was developed. A pan-genome is a collection of all sequences available for a species, including a large number of consensus sequences, large structural variations, and small variations including single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertions/deletions. A simple linear pan-genome does not allow these structural variations to be intuitively characterized, so graph-based pan-genomes have been developed. These pan-genomes store sequence and structural variation information in the form of nodes and paths to store and display species variation information in a more intuitive manner. The key role of graph-based pan-genomes is to expand the coordinate system of the linear reference genome to accommodate more regions of genetic diversity. Here, we review the origin and development of graph-based pan-genomes, explore their application in plant research, and further highlight the application of graph-based pan-genomes for future plant breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first global extraction of the jet transport coefficient (q ˆ) for cold nuclear matter within the framework of higher-twist expansion. The analysis takes into account the world data on transverse momentum broadening in semi-inclusive e -A deep inelastic scattering (DIS) and in Drell-Yan dilepton and heavy quarkonium production in p -A collisions, as well as the nuclear modification of the structure functions in DIS. The results of this work provide the first quantitative evidence for the universality and non-trivial scale dependence of the medium transport property, similar to that for nucleon structure as encoded in the standard parton distribution functions. We expect the extracted scale dependence of q ˆ for cold nuclear matter can be extended to precisely identify the fundamental property of quark gluon plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the influence of coherent pion emission on long-range azimuthal correlations in relativistic proton-proton collisions. We study the pion momentum distribution for a coherent source with both transverse and Bjorken longitudinal expansions, and calculate the two-particle correlation function C (Δ η , Δ ϕ). A "ridge" structure is observed in the correlation function C (Δ η , Δ ϕ) of the coherent pion emission, whether the coherent source is expanding or static. The onset of this long-range azimuthal correlation can be traced back to the asymmetric initial transverse profile of the coherent source, owing to the interference in coherent emission. We further construct a partially coherent pion-emitting source by incorporating a chaotic emission component. From the experimental data of the two-pion Hanbury-Brown-Twiss correlations in pp collisions at s = 7 TeV, we extract a coherent fraction of pion emission, which increases with increasing charged-particle multiplicity, as an input of the partially coherent source model. The ridge structure is observed in the correlation function C (Δ η , Δ ϕ) for the partially coherent source. The correlation becomes stronger at higher multiplicities because of the larger degrees of coherence. The results in this work are meaningful for fully understanding the collectivity in the small system of pp collisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) replicate in the respiratory/oral mucosa, mimic natural infection, and can induce mucosal and systemic immune responses to the full repertoire of SARS-CoV-2 structural/nonstructural proteins. Generally, LAVs produce broader and more durable protection than current COVID-19 vaccines. We generated a temperature-sensitive (TS) SARS-CoV-2 mutant TS11 via cold-adaptation of the WA1 strain in Vero E6 cells. TS11 replicated at >4 Log10-higher titers at 32 °C than at 39 °C. TS11 has multiple mutations, including those in nsp3, a 12-amino acid-deletion spanning the furin cleavage site of the S protein and a 371-nucleotide-deletion spanning the ORF7b-ORF8 genes. We tested the pathogenicity and protective efficacy of TS11 against challenge with a heterologous virulent SARS-CoV-2 D614G strain 14B in Syrian hamsters. Hamsters were randomly assigned to mock immunization-challenge (Mock-C) and TS11 immunization-challenge (TS11-C) groups. Like the mock group, TS11-vaccinated hamsters did not show any clinical signs and continuously gained body weight. TS11 replicated well in the nasal cavity but poorly in the lungs and caused only mild lesions in the lungs. After challenge, hamsters in the Mock-C group lost weight. In contrast, the animals in the TS11-C group continued gaining weight. The virus titers in the nasal turbinates and lungs of the TS11-C group were significantly lower than those in the Mock-C group, confirming the protective effects of TS11 immunization of hamsters. Histopathological examination demonstrated that animals in the Mock-C group had severe pulmonary lesions and large amounts of viral antigens in the lungs post-challenge; however, the TS11-C group had minimal pathological changes and few viral antigen-positive cells. In summary, the TS11 mutant was attenuated and induced protection against disease after a heterologous SARS-CoV-2 challenge in Syrian hamsters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine experimental diets at three protein (35%, 40% and 45% crude protein) and lipid (5%, 8% and 11% crude lipid) levels with variable digestible protein to digestible energy ( DP/ DE) ratios ranged from 21.9 to 27.8 g protein MJ−1 were fed to topmouth culter ( Culter alburnus Basilewsky) fingerlings (initial weight 6.5 ± 0.9 g) in triplicated groups (30 fish per replicated) for a period of 10 week to assess the optimum dietary DP/ DE ratio and the protein sparing effect by utilizing dietary lipid. 27 cages of 1.5 m3 capacity placed in a lake located in Wuhan were used for rearing the fish. At the end of the experiment, maximum weight gain and thermal-unit growth coefficient was found in fish fed diet D4 with 45% protein, 8% lipid and P/E ratio of 26.2 g protein MJ−1, but without a significant difference compared to fish fed diet D5 with 40% protein, 8% lipid and DP/ DE ratio of 25.3 g protein MJ−1. The best flesh quality evaluated by muscle collagen content was found in fish fed D5. High fat accumulation with increasing dietary lipid levels was observed in whole body but not in muscle tissue. Hence, it may be concluded that the optimum formulation for maximum growth and quality of topmouth culter is a diet containing 40% protein and 8% lipid with a resultant DP/ DE ratio of 25.3 g protein MJ−1. In addition, the protein sparing effect by inclusion lipid was observed but limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a pilot smoking cessation service in an emergency department (ED) clinical observation unit. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive case series review was undertaken of smoking cessation service patients in the short-stay unit of an acute hospital in Singapore from July 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019. METHODS: Upon admission, ED nurses screen all patients regarding their current smoking status and implement the 5 A's framework, which involves the steps of Ask-Advise-Assess-Assist-Arrange. Patients in the "contemplation" and "preparation" stages were offered the following components: (1) a bedside counseling session by a pharmacist and (2) a follow-up appointment at an outpatient smoking cessation clinic. Postdischarge follow-up telephone calls at 1, 6, and 12 months were carried out as part of the study data collection to obtain abstinence information. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were included in the study; the majority were male (n = 41; 87.2%). The median numbers of cigarettes smoked per day at baseline, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months were 14, 5, 3, and 5, respectively. The overall point-prevalence abstinence rates over the same follow-up time points were 26.5%, 38.7%, and 31.3%, respectively. The proportions of patients lost to follow-up at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months were 27.7%, 34.0%, and 31.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Given the small sample and high number of uncontactable patients, more research is needed to assess whether the trend toward increasing point-prevalence abstinence rate over time and the trend toward decreasing median number of cigarettes smoked are observed in a larger sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the clinical significance of the methylated status of CpG site count of PCDH10 promoter in the survival prediction in gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: In the previous study, we demonstrated that the methylated CpG site count was significantly associated with the overall survival (OS) of GC patients by using the bisulfite genomic sequencing (BGS) with no less than five clones per sample. It was so complex and expensive for patients to undergo the BGS clones. In this study, we detected the different CpG site counts (hypermethylated and hypomethylated) of PCDH10 DNA promoter in GC samples of 471 patients by directly bisulfite genomic sequencing (D-BGS) without any clone. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationships between the methylated status of PCDH10 promoter and OS. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-seven of 471 (54.6%) GC patients were identified to present with PCDH10 promoter methylation by D-BGS. Patients who presented with 5 or more methylated CpG site counts of PCDH10 promoter had significantly poorer prognosis than patients who with less than 5 methylated CpG site counts of PCDH10 promoter (p = 0.039). With the multivariate survival analysis, we demonstrated that T stage, N stage and the hypermethylated CpG site counts of PCDH10 DNA promoter were the independent predictors of OS of GC patients. In addition, the hypermethylated CpG site counts of PCDH10 DNA promoter had smaller Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) values than the other two independent predictors of the OS, indicating the hypermethylated CpG site counts of PCDH10 DNA promoter as the best prognostic predictor of GC. CONCLUSIONS: Our present findings suggested that the hypermethylated CpG site counts of PCDH10 DNA promoter for evaluating the prognosis of GC was reasonable by using the D-BGS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noise interference has become a common health risk in population-densified urban areas where social noise occurs frequently. However, the influence of an individual's perception of social noise exposure risk on reactive behavior remains unknown. This study developed an integrative psychosocial perspective-based model that includes constructs from two theoretical frameworks (the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Value-Belief-Norm theory) to analyze noise risk perception and behavioral intention for social noise mitigation. Haidian District, Beijing, was selected as the case study area and 300 questionnaires were distributed. The results showed that personal attributes had significant effects on residents' noise exposure risk perception and noise-mitigation behavioral intentions. Noise perception, as represented by awareness of consequences and ascription of responsibility, was significantly related to noise mitigation behavioral intention. Awareness of consequences directly positively influenced behavioral intention (β = 0.235, p < 0.001) and indirectly positively influenced behavioral intention through the mediating effect of the ascription of responsibility, which accounted for 24 % of the total effect of awareness of consequences on behavioral intention. This study provides valuable insights into the risks of social noise and encourages adaptive measures to reduce it. • Noise perception and behavioral intention was discussed on a community scale. • Education level showed differences in noise perception and behavioral intention. • The ascription of responsibility affected noise reduction behavior intention positively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant modification of eukaryotic mRNA. Although m6A has been demonstrated to affect almost all aspects of RNA metabolism, its global contribution to the post-transcriptional balancing of translational efficiency remains elusive in plants. In this study, we performed a parallel analysis of the transcriptome-wide mRNA m6A distribution and polysome profiling in two maize (Zea mays) inbred lines to assess the global correlation of m6A modification with translational status. m6A sites are widely distributed in thousands of protein-coding genes, confined to a consensus motif and primarily enriched in the 3' untranslated regions, and highly coordinated with alternative polyadenylation usage, suggesting a role of m6A modification in regulating alternative polyadenylation site choice. More importantly, we identified that the m6A modification shows multifaceted correlations with the translational status depending on its strength and genic location. Moreover, we observed a substantial intraspecies variation in m6A modification, and this natural variation was shown to be partly driven by gene-specific expression and alternative splicing. Together, these findings provide an invaluable resource for ascertaining transcripts that are subject to m6A modification in maize and pave the way to a better understanding of natural m6A variation in mediating gene expression regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous study, it was demonstrated that the Stathmin1 (STMN1) is overexpressed in gastric cancer (GC) and that its high expression level is associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has also been shown to be critically involved in GC invasion and metastasis. Certain studies have indicated that STMN1 may serve an important role in the EMT process. However, the association between STMN1 expression and EMT-associated markers, as well as clinicopathological characteristics of patients with GC, remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinicopathological significance and prognostic value of STMN1 and EMT-associated markers in GC. The expression of STMN1 and the EMT-associated proteins E-cadherin (E-Cad) and vimentin (VIM) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in GC and adjacent non-tumorous tissues. Associations between the expression of these markers and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. The association between STMN1 expression and EMT-associated markers was investigated in the GC cell lines BGC-803 and SGC-7901. The results revealed that STMN1 was expressed in 63.5% of the 167 GC tissues, which was significantly higher than the percentage observed in the adjacent non-tumorous tissues (P=0.003). The STMN1 expression was demonstrated to be positively associated with the VIM levels (P=0.001) and negatively associated with the E-Cad levels (P=0.022) in GC tissues. The STMN1 expression was associated with Lauren's Classification, invasion depth, lymph node metastasis and pathological Tumor-Node-Metastasis (pTNM) stage (P<0.05). In the univariate analyses, the high E-Cad expression was a positive prognostic indicator for overall survival, whereas the high STMN1 and VIM expression was a negative indicator. COX multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the pTNM stage [hazard ratio (HR) 1.912, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.282–2.851, P=0.001] and E-Cad expression (HR 0.403, 95% CI: 0.249–0.650, P=0.000) were independent prognostic factors. It was also revealed that the expression level of E-Cad decreased, while the expression level of VIM increased by depleting STMN1 levels in GC cells. The present results suggest that the aberrant expression of STMN1 may promote tumor progression through EMT in GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Low body weight in Parkinson's disease (PD) is poorly understood despite the associated risks of malnutrition, fractures, and death. Sarcopenia (loss of muscle bulk and strength) and frailty are geriatric syndromes that are likewise associated with adverse health outcomes, yet have received scant attention in PD. We studied body composition, sarcopenia, frailty, and their clinico-biological correlates in PD.Methods: 93 patients and 78 spousal/sibling controls underwent comprehensive assessment of diet, clinical status, muscle strength/performance, frailty, body composition (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), and serum levels of neurogastrointestinal hormones and inflammatory markers.Results: PD patients were older than controls (66.0 ± 8.5 vs. 62.4 ± 8.4years, P = 0.003). Mean body mass index (24.0 ± 0.4 vs. 25.6 ± 0.5kg/m2, Padjusted = 0.016), fat mass index (7.4 ± 0.3 vs. 9.0 ± 0.3kg/m2, Padjusted<0.001), and whole-body fat percentage (30.7 ± 0.8 vs. 35.7 ± 0.9%, Padjusted<0.001) were lower in patients, even after controlling for age and gender. There were no between-group differences in skeletal muscle mass index and whole-body bone mineral density. Body composition parameters did not correlate with disease duration or motor severity. Reduced whole-body fat percentage was associated with higher risk of motor response complications as well as higher levels of insulin-growth factor-1 and inflammatory markers. PD patients had a higher prevalence of sarcopenia (17.2% vs. 10.3%, Padjusted = 0.340) and frailty (69.4% vs. 24.2%, Padjusted = 0.010). Older age and worse PD motor severity were predictors of frailty in PD.Conclusions: We found reduced body fat with relatively preserved skeletal muscle mass, and a high prevalence of frailty, in PD. Further studies are needed to understand the patho-mechanisms underlying these alterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely accepted that keratinocytes act as non‑professional antigen‑presenting cells and support superantigen‑induced proliferation of resting T cells; however, it remains unknown whether keratinocytes function in situ with T cells via a non‑contact mechanism. The current study used a transwell co‑culture system and demonstrated, for the first time to the best of the authors' knowledge, that HaCaT cells (the human keratinocyte cell line) did induce T cell proliferation via indirect contact. The data further indicated that exosomes, small membrane vesicles that transfer antigens to recipient cells, are also involved in the superantigen‑associated immunity of keratinocytes. The current study provided experimental evidence that HaCaT‑exosomes contained MHC I and II, and could interact with T cells. In addition, following interferon γ stimulation, Staphylococcal aureus enterotoxin B‑loaded HaCaT cells secreted exosomes to induce the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in vitro. This novel biological function of exosomes reveals a new mechanism of how keratinocytes participate in bacterial superantigen‑induced immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously shown that givinostat can induce potent apoptosis in the BCR-ABL1 -positive, TP53 -wild type B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cell line SUP-B15. We extend our studies here to two additional B-ALL cell lines, BCR-ABL1 -negative CCRF-SB and p210 BCR-ABL1 -positive NAML1. Givinostat induced significant cell growth inhibition in both cell lines, with an IC50 of 0.65 ± 0.052 μM and 0.25 ± 0.028 μM in CCRF-SB and NAML1, respectively. The key signal protein of the BCR-ABL1, Crk-L1, was significantly reduced by givinostat treatment in NAML1. As in SUP-B15, givinostat induced apoptosis in both cell lines but showed different levels of cleavage of the procaspase proteins Casp-3, Casp-7 and PARP. Levels of cell cycle-DNA repair regulator p21, CHK1 and FANCD2 levels were markedly affected by givinostat treatment. These data further enrich our understanding of the mechanisms of the antineoplastic effects of givinostat in B-ALL and provide a preclinical rationale for the inclusion of givinostat or similar agent in leukemia therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of metastatic lymph node ratio (LNR) in patients having radical resection for stage III gastric cancer. Methods: A total of 365 patients with stage III gastric cancer who underwent radical resection between 2002 and 2008 at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital were analyzed. The cut-point survival analysis was adopted to determine the appropriate cutoffs for LNR. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and log-rank tests were used for the survival analysis. Results: By cut-point survival analysis, the LNR staging system was generated using 0.25 and 0.50 as the cutoff values. Pearson's correlation test revealed that the LNR was related with metastatic lymph nodes but not related with total harvested lymph nodes. Cox regression analysis showed that depth of invasion and LNR were the independent predictors of survival (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in survival between each pN stages classified by the LNR staging, however no significant difference was found in survival rate between each LNR stages classified by the pN staging. Conclusions: The LNR is an independent prognostic factor for survival in stage III gastric cancer and is superior to the pN category in TNM staging. It may be considered as a prognostic variable in future staging system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

stepwise strategy is reported for the design of a meditor-free amperometric tyrosinase biosensor. It is based on the azide-alkyne click reaction and carbodiimide coupling. Firstly, azide-terminated alkane thiols monolayers were self-assembled on the Au electrode surface. Then, nitrophenyl groups were covalent attached to the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) via the click reaction of copper(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of azide-alkyne. Finally, the nitrophenyl group terminated SAMs were converted to aminophenyl-terminated interface by electrochemical reduction, and tyrosinase was covalent immobilized onto the Au electrode via carbodiimide reaction. Based on the stepwise strategy, a meditor-free amperometric tyrosinase biosensor was farbricated, and it showed good electrocatalytic reduction ability toward phenol, pyrocatechol and m-Cresol. Their linear ranges were over the range of 0.2 to 15.0 μmol·L, 0.2 to 73.0 μmol·L, and 0.2 to 33.0 μmol·L, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Abnormal RNA splicing plays a fundamental role in leukemogenesis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Many cases of high-risk B-cell ALL cases, including BCR-ABL1+ and BCR-ABL1-like ALL, share a common molecular mechanism of aberrant fusion transcripts involving tyrosine kinase genes combined with dysregulation of the transcription factor and lymphocyte differentiation factor IKZF1. Dysfunction of IKZF1 in ALL is caused by mutation and gene deletion but also alternative splicing resulting in exon skipping with production of aberrant IKZF1 proteins. We report here an assay to detect aberrantly spliced isoforms of IKZF1 in ALL to assist in diagnosis, outcome prediction, and therapy selection in ALL and the identification of a novel altered IKZF1 product in a model ALL cell line. Leukemia-associated alternative splicing of IKZF1 can result in proteins with loss of one to four copies of its N-terminal zinc finger domains (N-ZnF). The best characterized pathogenic splice isoforms, Ik-6 and Ik-8, have been commonly found in BCR-ABL1+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and a subset of BCR-ABL1-like ALL. Infantile and childhood ALL that express these pathogenic IKZF1 isoforms have shown inferior clinical outcomes and can be resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Using ALL cell lines, we designed and validated a method to detect abnormal IKZF1 transcripts. In the SUP-B15 leukemia cell line, we noted novel IKZF1 transcripts that include both an Ik-6 splice and a transcript with a 14 base pair insertion at the C-terminus. There was also increased IKZF2 protein in SUP-B15 as compared to other ALL lines. Expression of Ik-6 could be suppressed by treatment with the pro-apoptotic type II histone deacetylase inhibitor givinostat. In 17 adult ALL samples, we noted the Ik-6 isoforms in 6 of 15 BCR-ABL1−, and 1 of 2 BCR-ABL1+ cases, with Ik-8 also expressed in one case. Cases with Ik-6 expression showed inferior survival as well as older age at presentation, lower expression of CD10 and more commonly a diploid karyotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anomalous hysteresis in a perovskite solar cell induced by an asymmetric field is confirmed by a capacitance–voltage measurement. By applying several cycles of alternating reverse and forward scans, this hysteresis phenomenon is obviously alleviated, resulting in a hysteresis-less state in the perovskite solar cell. Meanwhile, the open-circuit voltage and power conversion efficiency of the perovskite solar cell are enhanced by 55.74% and 61.30%, respectively, while the current density and fill factor keep almost invariable. The operation of alleviating hysteresis is essential for further research and is likely to bring in performance gains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the performances of the near-ultraviolet (about 350 nm–360 nm) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) each with specifically designed irregular sawtooth electron blocking layer (EBL) by using the APSYS simulation program. The internal quantum efficiencies (IQEs), light output powers, carrier concentrations in the quantum wells, energy-band diagrams, and electrostatic fields are analyzed carefully. The results indicate that the LEDs with composition-graded p-AlxGa1−xN irregular sawtooth EBLs have better performances than their counterparts with stationary component p-AlGaN EBLs. The improvements can be attributed to the improved polarization field in EBL and active region as well as the alleviation of band bending in the EBL/p-AlGaN interface, which results in less electron leakage and better hole injection efficiency, thus reducing efficiency droop and enhancing the radiative recombination rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]