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The dendrite structure of aluminum alloys can be refined with titanium, boron, and rare earth elements. The effect of a refiner on the dendrite sizes was currently neglected in the cellular automata method. The parameter setting of the cellular automata method, considering the effect of rare earth elements on the α-Al dendrite of a hypereutectic AlSi alloy, was systematically investigated. The α-Al primary phase sizes of an AlSi7Cu3Mg alloy with different Y contents are experimentally studiedю With the Y addition of up to 0.2 wt.%, the refinement effect was the most effective, and grain sizes decreased to 0.67 mm. The microstructure simulation by the cellular automata method was studied experimentally and theoretically. By the use of this model, the parameter-setting effect on the Y refinement was more consistent with physical meaning. The calculation results fit the experimental ones well, and the validity and applicability of the model were verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. There are two goals in this study. One is to investigate how frequently white-light flares (WLFs) occur in a flare-productive active region (NOAA active region 11515). The other is to investigate the relationship between WLFs and magnetic transients (MTs). Methods. We used the high-cadence (45 s) full-disk continuum filtergrams and line-of-sight magnetograms taken by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to identify WLFs and MTs, respectively. Images taken by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on board SDO were also used to show the flare morphology in the upper atmosphere. Results. We found at least 20 WLFs out of a total of 70 flares above C class (28.6%) in NOAA active region 11515 during its passage across the solar disk (E45°-W45°). Each of these WLFs occurred in a small region, with a short duration of about 5 min. The enhancement of the white-light continuum intensity is usually small, with an average enhancement of 8.1%. The 20 WLFs we observed were found along an unusual configuration of the magnetic field that was characterized by a narrow ribbon of negative field. Furthermore, the WLFs were found to be accompanied by MTs, with radical changes in magnetic field strength (or even a sign reversal) observed during the flare. In contrast, there is no obvious signature of MTs in the 50 flares without white-light enhancements. Conclusions. Our results suggest that WLFs occur much more frequently than previously thought, with most WLFs being fairly weak enhancements. This may explain why WLFs are reported rarely. Our observations also suggest that MTs and WLFs are closely related and appear cospatial and cotemporal, when considering HMI data. A greater enhancement of WL emission is often accompanied by a greater change in the line-of-sight component of the unsigned magnetic field. Considering the close relationship between MTs and WLFs, many previously reported flares with MTs may be WLFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted to investigate whether ghrelin level in obese women predicts the quality of life (QOL). A total of 307 subjects fulfilled the criteria: (1) age between 20 and 65 years old, (2) body mass index ≥27 kg/m2(3) waist circumference ≥80 cm were enrolled in the study. All subjects were assigned to one of the plasma ghrelin level categories according to the quartiles. The median of age and BMI of the 307 obese women were 45 ± 18 years and 29.9 ± 4.1 kg/m2, respectively. The main outcome evaluated is the associations of plasma ghrelin level and QOL, which were evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis. Results of linear trend test show significant statistical difference in plasma lipoproteins (triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL-cholestero and LDL-cholesterol = and levels of obesity-related hormone peptides, including leptin, adiponectin, insulin among quartiles of ghrelin. Multiple liner regression analysis of serum obesity-related hormone peptide level and QOL using stepwise method shows ghrelin concentration was the only predictor of QOL, including PCS-12 level (β = −0.18,p = 0.001), MCS-12 level (β = −0.14,p = 0.009), WHOQOL-BREF scores: physical (β = −0.13,p = 0.03), psychological (β = −0.16,p = 0.007), social (β = −0.21,p =  < 0.001), and environmental (β = −0.22,p =  <0.001), after adjusting other factors for obese female subjects. This study demonstrated that ghrelin concentration is strongly associated with QOL level among obese women. Hence, ghrelin concentration might be a valuable marker to be monitored in obese women. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Influence of the system temperature on the micro-structures and dynamics of dust clusters in dusty plasmas is investigated through laboratory experiment and molecular dynamics simulation. The micro-structures, defect numbers, and pair correlation function of the dust clusters are studied for different system temperatures. The dust grains' trajectories, the mean square displacement, and the corresponding self-diffusion coefficient of the clusters are calculated for different temperatures for illustrating the phase properties of the dust clusters. The simulation results confirm that with the increase in system temperature, the micro-structures and dynamics of dust clusters are gradually changed, which qualitatively agree with experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of the system temperature on dust aggregation in plasmas are investigated using two-dimensional molecular dynamics simulations. It is shown that as the system temperature increases, the boundary of the clusters becomes gradually irregular (i.e., deviating from sphere-like), and the cluster system gradually changes from solid to liquid and finally to gas state. The mean square displacement, mean nearest-neighbor distance in the clusters, cluster size and coupling parameter of the system are obtained and the properties of the system structure and dynamics are investigated. The time τ needed for reaching equilibrium for different temperatures is obtained. It is shown that τ firstly decreases and then increases with the temperature, indicating that there is an optimum temperature allowing a dust aggregation to reach an equilibrium state most rapidly. The simulation results agree qualitatively with the experimental observations. (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructure and corrosion behavior of the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coatings modified by TiO2 on AZ91 magnesium alloys were investigated by SEM, EDS, XRD, electrochemical analysis and drop test, respectively. The modified MAO coatings were consisted of not only MgAl2O4 and MgO, which usually could be found in MAO coatings on the AZ91 alloys, but also a small quantity of Ti. With increasing the contents of TiO2 nanoparticles from 0 to 4.8 g/L in the electrolyte, the coatings thickness increased from 19 to 24 µm, and the color of the MAO coating changed from light gray to dark. The addition of TiO2 could effectively decrease the number of the pores and improve the density of the coatings. The corrosion potential of the modified coatings positively shifted about 180 mV and the corrosion current density declined and the drop time increased. The mechanism of the corrosion resistances of the modified coatings lay in the fact that TiO2 nanoparticles could increase the thickness and the density of the coatings on the AZ91 magnesium alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mutations in 6 genes have been identified as being part of the etiology of amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) with various phenotypes in an isolated condition. Among them the FAM83H gene is the major contributor to the etiology of AI with unknown function. Objective: This study aims to determine the phenotypic and molecular characterization of Chinese AI patients and to analyze the structure and function of the FAM83H protein. Methods: We enrolled 6 hypocalcified AI and 3 hypoplastic AI families from the Chinese population. Mutation analysis was performed by amplifying and sequencing all exons including intron-exon borders for FAM83H and ENAM genes. Structural modeling and function analysis on the FAM83H protein were carried out by bioinformatic processing. Results: No obvious anterior open bite was observed in all the investigated individuals. Five mutations (c.906T>G, c.924dupT, c.973C>T, c.1354C>T and c.2029C>T) in the C-terminal of the FAM83H gene were revealed, respectively, in 5 out of 6 hypocalcified AI families, and a splicing mutation c.534 + 1G>A in the ENAM gene was identified in 1 out of 3 hypoplastic AI families. Structural models of the N- and C-terminal regions of FAM83H were generated by homology modeling. The predicted structure of the FAM83H N-terminal shows resemblance to that of glycosyltransferases with GT-A folds, and the predicted structure of the FAM83H C-terminal possesses similarity to type I collagen protein. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of AI with specific molecular variations in families of Chinese descent. Our study provides new insights into the structure and function of the FAM83H protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(±)-Praeruptorin A (PA) is the major component of Peucedani Radix. The present study investigated stereoselectivity in PA metabolism in liver microsomes of rats (RLMs) and humans (HLMs), for the first time. PA was enantioseparated by semi-preparative chiral HPLC. Metabolic profiles of the dextrorotatory (dPA) and the levorotatory (lPA) forms in HLMs and RLMs were determined using LC-MS/MS. (-)-cis-Khellactone (D1) prepared from basic hydrolysis of dPA, and (3′R, 4′R)-4′-angeloyl-khellactone (L8) and (3′R, 4′R)-3′-angeloyl-khellactone (L9) isolated from a scale-up incubation of lPA with rat plasma were unambiguously identified by LC-MS/MS and NMR analysis. Other metabolites were tentatively identified using LC-MS/MS. In the absence of NADPH-regenerating system, dPA remained intact, however, lPA yielded L8 and L9 via a carboxylesterase(s)-mediated process. In the presence of NADPH-regenerating system, lPA produced 9 (L1-9) metabolites in both species, while dPA generated 12 (D1-12) and 6 (D1-3, 6, 9 and 10) metabolites in RLMs and HLMs, respectively. Hydrolysis, oxidation and acyl migration were demonstrated to be the predominant pathways for both enantiomers. Both enantiomers were eliminated faster in RLMs than in HLMs, while lPA showed greater species difference. PA enantiomers exhibited stereoselective metabolism in RLMs and HLMs, implying chiral discrimination in their actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the generalized gradient approximation (GGA), the electronic and magnetic properties are studied for H-terminated zigzag edge Si nanoribbon (ZSiNR) decorated with a single C chain by using the first-principles projector augmented wave (PAW) potential within the density function theory (DFT) framework. The results show that either a perfect ZSiNR or a single C chain decorated ZSiNR, the ferromagnetic state is preferred over the antiferromagnetic state. But a single C chain decorated ZSiNR is more stable than the perfect one. Furthermore, the electronic and magnetic properties of a ZSiNR can be modulated in detail by a single C chain at different positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(±)-Praeruptorin A (dl-PA) is one of the main pyranocoumarins of Peucedani Radix and the chemical marker for quality control of the herb in China. This study investigated the transport and metabolism of dl-PA, for the first time, in Caco-2 cell monolayers. PA enantiomers of dl-PA in the transport study were simultaneously determined using a simple and rapid enantio-selective high performance liquid chromatography-UV method. Both dextrorotatory (d–PA) and levorotatory (l–PA) enantiomers traversed Caco-2 monolayer rapidly in both directions (absorptive Papp: 2.01–3.03 × 10−5 cm/s; secretory Papp: 1.58–1.96 × 10−5 cm/s) mainly via passive diffusion. Higher transport rates of dPA were observed in both directions. PA enantiomers were incompletely recovered after the transport study. Nonspecific binding to the Transwell inserts, irreversible binding to cellular components and metabolism within the cells accounted for the loss. dl-PA was partially hydrolyzed in Caco-2 monolayers and yielded two stereoisomers via removal of the acetyl group from C-4′ position. Both phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (a nonspecific esterase inhibitor) and bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate sodium salt (a specific inhibitor of carboxylesterases) completely abolished dl-PA hydrolysis. In summary, PA enantiomers were rapidly transported across Caco-2 cells and partially hydrolyzed by carboxylesterases during permeation. These findings provide mechanistic understanding of in vivo pharmacokinetic properties of dl-PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion behavior of a new Mg–9Al–1Zn (AZ91) magnesium alloy containing neodymium (Nd) is investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), immersion tests and electrochemical experiments. The results indicate that Nd decreases the size and volume fraction of the β (Mg17Al12) phase and forms Al2Nd in the alloy. In addition, during corrosion, Nd is incorporated into corrosion film in the form of Nd2O3. AZ91 alloy containing 1.0 wt.% Nd possesses an outstanding passivation property and excellent corrosion resistance. The corrosion resistance enhancement is attributed to the reduction in the size and volume fraction of the β phase and the incorporation of Nd2O3 in the corrosion film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper presents a method for weld location extraction in radiographic images. Images are processed line by line by applying fuzzy reasoning based on local pixel characteristics. For each pixel, values of spatial contrast and spatial variance are computed for evaluating the edge fuzzy membership value. The method proposed uses the machine learning approach for knowledge acquisition, which automatically generates fuzzy rules by learning from examples. Using this method, all welds are successfully extracted from 101 radiographic images taken from aluminium alloy welding parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents new findings on ultrasonic spray pyrolysis of zirconium hydroxyl acetate precursor drops whose sizes were precisely measured using laser light diffraction technique. Precursor concentration plays a predominant role in determination of product particle size. At 0.01 wt% precursor concentration, conventional spray pyrolysis at 750°C using precursor drops 5-8 μm in diameter, generated by an ultrasonic nebulizer at 2.66 MHz, yielded uniform spherical yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) particles 73 nm in diameter measured by scanning electron microscopy. The YSZ particle diameters were much smaller than those predicted by the one-particle-per-drop mechanism. Under similar reaction conditions, the high-throughput ultrasound-modulated two-fluid (UMTF) spray pyrolysis of larger precursor drops (28-μm peak diameter) also yielded spherical dense particles; they were significantly smaller in size than those produced by the low-throughput conventional ultrasonic spray pyrolysis of smaller drops (6.8-μm peak diameter). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents new findings regarding the effects of precursor drop size and precursor concentration on product particle size and morphology in ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. Large precursor drops (diameter> 30 µm) generated by ultrasonic atomization at 120 kHz yielded particles with holes due to high solvent evaporation rate, as predicted by the conventional one particle per drop mechanism. Precursor drops 6-9 µm in diameter, generated by an ultrasonic nebulizer at 1.65 MHz and 23.5W electric drive power, yielded uniform spherical particles 90 nm in diameter with proper control of precursor concentration and residence time. Moreover, air-assisted ultrasonic spray pyrolysis at 120 kHz and 2.3 W yielded spherical particles about 70% of which were smaller than those produced by the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis of the 6-9 µm precursor drops, despite much larger precursor drop size (28 µm peak diameter versus 7 µm mean diameter). These particles are much smaller than predicted by the conventional one particle per drop mechanism, suggesting that a gas-to-particle conversion mechanism may also be involved in spray pyrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Song YL, Bian Z, Fan B, Fan MW, Gutmann JL, Peng B. A comparison of instrument-centering ability within the root canal for three contemporary instrumentation techniques. International Endodontic Journal, 37, 265–271, 2004. To study and compare Great Taper (GT) hand files using a reversed balanced force technique, nickel–titanium (NiTi)flex files with a balanced force technique and stainless steel (SS) K-type files using a step-back technique. Forty-eight extracted mandibular premolar teeth with single root canals having curvatures between 15 and 45° were prepared using a modified Bramante model and randomly divided into three groups. The teeth were cross-sectioned at 2, 6 and 10 mm from the working length. Preoperative images of canals at three levels were captured at 20× magnification using a stereomicroscope. Canals in each group were, respectively, prepared to an apical size .10 GT file with 0.2 mm tip diameter, size 30 NiTiflex file and size 30 SS K-file. The GT file was used in a reversed balanced force technique, the NiTiflex file was used in a balanced force technique, and the SS K-file was used in a step-back technique. Postoperative canals were imaged under the conditions same as those for the preoperative canals. The postoperative images were superimposed over the preoperative images using software photoshop 6.0. The ability to maintain the instrument in the central axis of the canal and the deviation from the central canal axis were determined and compared by statistical analysis, along with the assessment of the amount of dentine removed. At apical level, the centering ratio, the distance of transportation and the dentine removed in GT and NiTiflex groups were significantly less than those in SS group ( P < 0.01), but no statistical differences were found between the two NiTi groups. At other levels, there were no substantial differences amongst the groups. Compared with SS K-files, GT hand files and NiTiflex files remain better centered and produce significantly less transportation in curved canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing data from the Solar Magnetism andActivity Telescope (SMAT), analytical solutions of polarized radiative transfer equations, and in-orbit test data for the Full-disk Magnetograph (FMG) onboard the Advanced Space based Solar Observatory (ASO-S), this study reveals the magnetic-sensitivity spectral positions for the Fe i λ 5234.19 Å working line used by FMG. From the experimental data of SMAT, it is found that the most sensitive position is located at the line center for linear polarization (Stokes Q/U), while it is about −0.07 Å away from the line center for circular polarization (Stokes V). Moreover, both the theoretical analysis and the in-orbit test data analysis of FMG confirm the above results. Additionally, the theoretical analysis suggests the presence of distinct spectral pockets (centered at 0.08 – 0.15 Å) from the line, harboring intense magnetic sensitivity across all three Stokes parameters. Striking a balance between high sensitivity for both linear and circular polarization, while capturing additional valuable information, a spectral position of −0.08 Å emerges as the champion for routine FMG magnetic field observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitized lymphocytes isolated from the immunized eel, Anguilla japonica, upon interaction with the antigens in vitro, elaborated into the medium a soluble factor which was capable of inhibiting the migration of peritoneal exudate cells harvested from guinea pigs. Production of migration inhibition factor (MIF) was greatest to the specific antigen although there was also some nonspecific release. The elaboration of MIF from the sensitized lymphocytes occurred from the third day after immunization of eels and was detectable until day 106. The inhibitory activity from the blood appeared to persist over a longer period compared to that from the spleen and the anterior kidney. The inhibitory activity. however, was diminished by starvation of the immunized eels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The full-disk magnetograph is a main scientific payload onboard the Advanced Space based Solar Observatory (ASO-S/FMG) that through Stokes-parameters observation measures the vector magnetic field. The accuracy of magnetic-field values is an important aspect of checking the quality of the FMG magnetic-field measurement. According to the design of the FMG, the linear calibration method under the weak-field approximation is the preferred scheme for magnetic-field calibration. However, the spacecraft orbital velocity can affect the position of observed spectral lines, which then results in a change of the polarization-signal strength. Thus, the magnetic field is modulated by the orbit velocity of the spacecraft. In this article, through cross-calibration between FMG and HMI (Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager onboard the Solar Dynamic Observatory), the effects of spacecraft orbital velocity on the coefficient of magnetic-field calibration are investigated. By comparing the magnetic field of FMG and HMI with spacecraft orbital velocity as an auxiliary reference, revised linear-calibration coefficients that depend on spacecraft orbital velocity are obtained. The magnetic field of FMG corrected by the revised calibration coefficients removing the effect of spacecraft orbital velocity will be more accurate and suitable for scientific research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the effect of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) inhibitor BGJ-398 on the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM MSC) into osteoblasts in wild type (wt) mice and in animals with mutation in TBXT gene (mt) and possible differences in the pluripotency of these cells. Cytology tests showed that the cultured BM MSC could differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes. The effect of different BGJ-398 concentrations on the expression of FGFR3, RUNX2, SMAD1, SMAD4, SMAD5, SMAD6, SMAD7, and SMAD8 were studied by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. The expression of RUNX2 protein was evaluated by Western blotting. BM MSC of mt and wt mice did not differ in pluripotency and expressed the same membrane marker antigens. BGJ-398 inhibitor reduced the expression of FGFR3 and RUNX2. In BM MSC from mt and wt mice have similar gene expression (and its changing) in FGFR3, RUNX2, SMAD1, SMAD4, SMAD5, SMAD6, SMAD7, and SMAD8 genes. Thus, our experiments confirmed the effect of decreased expression of FGFR3 on osteogenic differentiation of BM MSC from wt and mt mice. However, BM MSC from mt and wt mice did not differ in pluripotency and are an adequate model for laboratory research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanometer-scale recording on an organic-complex thin film with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) under ambient conditions is demonstrated. The recording marks are made by applying external voltage pulses between the tip and the highly ordered pyrolytic graphite substrate. A 30×30 nm2 STM image with recorded marks is given. The average recorded mark is 1.3 nm in diameter, which corresponds to a data storage density of about 1013 bits/cm2. The current–voltage characteristics measured by the STM show an insulator behavior for the unrecorded regions, and a conductor behavior for the recorded regions, which indicates that the data are recorded by local change of the electrical property of the films. © 1996 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetography using magnetic sensitive lines is regarded traditionally as the main instrument for measuring the magnetic field of the whole Sun. Full polarized Stokes parameters (I , Q , U , V ) can be used to deduce the magnetic field under specific theoretical models or inversion algorithms. Due to various reasons, there are often cross-talk effects among Stokes signals observed directly by magnetographs. Especially, the circularly polarized signal V usually seriously affects the linearly polarized Q and U signals, which is one of the main errors in the value of the transverse magnetic field (parallel to the solar surface) that is related to Q and U . The full-disk magnetograph onboard the Advanced Space based Solar Observatory (ASO-S/FMG) is designed to observe Stokes parameters and deduce the magnetic-field vector. In this article, the methods for correcting the effects of cross-talk V on Q and U based on the assumption of perfectly symmetric Q and U and anti-symmetric Stokes V profiles and a new method for reducing the crosstalk effect under observation mode of the FMG are developed. Through the test, it is found that the two methods are effective in cross-talk removal in the sunspot region and have better consistency. Additionally, the developed method can be applied to remove the cross-talk effect by using only one group of Q , U and V images observed at one wavelength position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plasmonic properties of asymmetric /2/ sandwiched cross-shape nanobars are investigated theoretically using the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) method. Two localized surface plasmon resonances are observed in the extinction spectra, which perform extreme sensitivity to the length and width of the nanobar and can be tuned easily throughout visible and into near-infrared spectral regions. The local electric fields around the nanobar are calculated and a pure electromagnetic Raman enhancement factor of about 106 can be achieved. In addition, compared to a monolayer gold nanobar, it exhibits more "hot spots" and stronger localized electric field enhancements. This plasmonic substrate provides potential applications in surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and nonlinear optical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of AM50 magnesium alloy, T6 heat treatment was applied. The microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion properties of as-cast and T6 heat-treated alloy were studied. The results indicated that the β phase presented at the grain boundaries along with Al-Mn phase after T6 heat-treatment. Because of solid solution and aging treatments, the tensile strength of the AM50 magnesium alloy was increased. The decreasing of the β phase owing to the solidsolution during T6 treatment, which causes Al solid solution in the α-Mg phase, and it is favourable for increasing the corrosion resistance of AM50 magnesium alloy. The fracture mechanisms of the as-cast and T6 heat-treated alloy were quasi-cleavage fracture. The corrosion residual strength of the T6 heat-treated alloy was higher than that of the as-cast alloy. Compared with the as-cast alloy, the corrosion rate of the T6 heat-treated alloy decreased gradually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile fabrication of flower-shaped porphyrin Janus colloids with oriented arrangement was demonstrated based on the interfacial assembly and water droplet template. The as-fabricated colloidal crystals from flower-shaped Janus particles show a special optical signal produced from the hierarchical structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SFTS virus ( SFTSV) is a novel bunyavirus that causes severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome ( SFTS), an emerging infectious disease that occurred in China in recent years, with an average case fatality rate of 10-12%. Intervention in the early clinical stage is the most effective measure to reduce the mortality rate of disease. To elucidate the natural course of and immune mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of SFTSV, 59 laboratory-confirmed SFTS patients in the acute phase, who were hospitalized between October 2010 and September 2011, were enrolled in this study, and the patients sera were dynamically collected and tested for SFTSV viral RNA load, 34 cytokines or chemokines and other related laboratory parameters. All clinical diagnostic factors in the acute phase of SFTS were evaluated and assessed. The study showed that the severity of the disease in 11 (18.6%) patients was associated with abdominal pain (p 0.007; OR = 21.95; 95% CI, 2.32-208.11) and gingival bleeding (p 0.001; OR = 122.11; 95% CI, 6.41-2328). The IP-10, TNF- α, IL-6, IL-10, granzyme B and HSP70 levels were higher over the 7-8 days in severe cases, accompanied by altered AST, CK and LDH levels. HSP70 (p 0.012; OR = 8.29; 95% CI, 1.58-43.40) was independently correlated with the severity of the early acute phase of SFTSV infection. The severity of SFTS can be predicted based on the presence of symptoms such as abdominal pain and gingival bleeding and on the level of HSP70 in the acute phase of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to define the role of procalcitonin (PCT) in identifying infectious complication in organ transplant recipients. Methods: We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cochrane database, and reference lists of relevant articles, with no language restrictions, published from inception through May 2013. We selected original research that reported the diagnostic performance of PCT alone or when compared with other biomarkers to diagnose infectious complication among organ transplant recipients. We summarized test performance characteristics with the use of forest plots, hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curves, and bivariate random-effects models. Results: We found 7 qualifying studies (studying 1226 episodes of suspected infection with 186 confirmed infectious episodes) from 4 countries. The patients were lung, kidney, liver, and heart transplant recipients. Bivariate pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios, and negative likelihood ratios for identification of bacterial infections in patients after transplantation were 85% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75%–92%), 81% (95% CI, 72%–88%), 4.41 (95% CI, 2.86–6.81), and 0.18 (95% CI, 0.10–0.33), respectively. Of the 4 studies that reported the experience of liver transplant patients, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios, and negative likelihood ratios were 90% (95% CI, 75%–97%), 85% (95% CI, 77%–91%), 6.12 (95% CI, 3.79–9.88), and 0.11 (95% CI, 0.04–0.32), respectively. There was no evidence of significant heterogeneity. Conclusion: The existing literature suggests reasonable sensitivity and specificity for the PCT test in identifying infection complications among patients undergoing solid organ transplantation. Given the imperfect sensitivity and specificity of the PCT test, medical decisions should be based on both PCT test results and clinical findings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis ( M. bovis) seriously affects efficiency of animal production with impacts on public health as well. Effective programmes of prevention and eradication of M. bovis infection therefore are urgently needed. Intracellular pathogen resistance gene 1 (Ipr1) is well known to mediate innate immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), but there are no reports as to whether Ipr1 can enhance the phagocytic ability of macrophage against M. bovis. In this investigation, RAW 264.7 macrophage was transduced with lentiviral vector carrying Ipr1 (named Lenti-Ipr1); transgenic cells were identified by RT-PCR and western blotting. Transgenic positive cells (R-Ipr1) were then infected with an M. bovis virulent strain, with non-transduced cells used as control. When cell proliferation, viability and apoptosis of the two groups were investigated, it was found that infected RAW 264.7 died by necrosis whereas R-Ipr1 underwent apoptosis. Furthermore, the numbers of intracellular bacteria in R-Ipr1 were lower than those in control cells ( P < 0.05). To identify the role of Ipr1, we measured the genes of Casp3, Mcl-1 and NOS2A which associated with macrophage activation and apoptosis by real-time quantitative PCR. The results demonstrated that Ipr1 gene expression can enhance anti- M. bovis infection of macrophage. This establishes a basis for the future production of Ipr1-transgenic cattle to strengthen the tuberculosis resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, organic thin films of a nonlinear optical (NLO) material ((E)-1-ferrocenyl-2-(l-methyl-4-pyridiniumyl) ethylene iodide) were prepared by a vacuum deposition method. The typical I–V curve of the film exhibits a favorable room-temperature bistability. Further recording experiments have been performed with a scanning tunneling microscope, which confirmed that the thin film of the donor–π–acceptor NLO material could certainly be applied for nanoscale data storage. The average size of the recorded marks is about 1.5 nm. Mechanism analyses suggest that the formation of the recording dots is due to the local change of electrical property of the thin film, and the intermolecular charge transfer induced by an electric field is proposed as the reason for the change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica inverse opal photonic crystals (PCs) were fabricated by using a sacrificial polymer template method, and were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and reflection spectra. The fluorescence of tricolor fluorescent powders has been enhanced obviously by silica inverse opals as the emission wavelengths of the tricolor fluorescent powders are in the range of stop bands of the inverse opal PCs, which demonstrates that the PCs will be efficient and selective reflection mirrors. A promising application of the strategy would be in novel effective lighting devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a direct observation of a structural transition at molecular scale in an organic p-nitrobenzonitrile (PNBN) thin film using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). STM images clearly show an ordered molecular structure of unrecorded regions in the films, while the PNBN molecular arrangements are disordered in the recorded regions. The current-voltage (I-V) measurements from the STM demonstrate a great increase of the conductance transition in the recorded regions after the voltage pulses. Those results suggest that the recording mechanism may be due to a crystalline structural transition, which is consistent with our previously proposed mechanism in another organic system for ultrahigh density data storage. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thin film of 1,1-dicyano-2,2-(4-dimethylaminophenyl) ethylene (DDME) has been grown by a modified vacuum deposition. The films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Highly ordered parallel molecular stacks were repeatedly observed with STM under ambient conditions. The dc current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of device Au/DDME/Au were measured, and the film was found to possess good electrical bistability and electrochromic properties. Nanometer-scale recording was realized on the film by applying pulse voltage between the STM tip and substrate. The possible switching mechanism is discussed. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]