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Continuous global warming and frequent extreme high temperatures keep the urban climate health risk increasing, seriously threatening residents' emotional health. Therefore, analysis on spatial distribution of the health risk that the urban heat island (UHI) effect imposes on emotional health as well as basic research on the characteristics of vulnerable populations need to be conducted. This study, with Tianjin city as the case, analyzed data from Landsat remote-sensing images, meteorological stations, and digital maps, explored the influence of summer UHI effect on distress (a typical negative emotion factor) and its spatiotemporal evolution, and conducted difference analysis on the age groups, genders, family state, and distress levels of vulnerable populations. The results show: (1) During the period of 1992-2020, the level and area of UHI influence on residents' distress drastically increased-influence level elevated from level 2-4 to level 4-7, and highlevel influence areas were concentrated in six districts of central Tianjin. (2) Influence of the UHI effect on distress varied in different age groups-generally dropping with fluctuations as residents got older, especially residents aged 50-59. (3) Men experienced a W-shaped pattern in distress and were more irritable and unsteady emotionally; while women were more sensitive to distress in the beginning, but they became more placid as temperature got higher. (4) Studies on family status show that couples living together showed sound heat resistance in the face of heat stress, while middle-aged and elderly people living alone or with children were relatively weak in adjusting to high ambient temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study evaluated the retrospective outcomes of implant-borne dental rehabilitation in patients with mandibular defects reconstructed with a fibula free flap. Materials and Methods: Patients with segmental mandibular defects were enrolled in this cohort study. Defects in these patients were caused by oral neoplasm, trauma, and osteoradionecrosis. The patients were treated with a fibula free flap procedure and dental implant–borne prostheses between 1988 and 2010. Clinical and radiographic data were evaluated; Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Poisson regression analysis were used to evaluate implant survival parameters. The statistical significance (α = .05) of the results was determined. Results: Seventy-four patients were selected in this study. All patients were available for continuous follow-up. Nine patients (12.1%) developed fibular graft complications postoperatively: 3 in donor sites and 6 in recipient sites. One hundred ninety-two implants were inserted, and 18 implants failed (9.3%). Overall implant survival in patients was 90.1%, 83.1%, and 69.3% after 5, 10, and 20 years, respectively. In 152 implants, probing depth (PD) ranged from 2 to 3 mm. In 31 implants, PD was greater than 5 mm. In 9 implants, PD was greater than 7 mm. The highest implant failure rates were expected for men (odds ratio [OR] = 2.948; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 to 7.85; P = .031), patients receiving primary fibula free flap reconstruction (OR = 3.696; 95% CI, 1.16 to 11.73; P = .027), and patients receiving radiotherapy (OR = 5.269; 95% CI, 1.40 to 19.7; P = .014). Conclusion: Fibula free flap procedures and implant-borne prostheses proved to be reliable approaches for rehabilitation of mandibular defects and oral function. The overall postoperative fibula free flap and peri-implant complication rates proved to be low. Regular follow-up visits and proper oral hygiene maintenance contributed to the long-term successful treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on measurements of the thermal conductivity of reactively sputtered aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films with different thickness, ranging from 100 nm to 1 μm, on silicon substrates. The measurements were made at room temperature using the pulsed photothermal reflectance technique. The thermal conductivities of the sample are found to be significantly lower than the single-crystal bulk AlN and increase with an increasing thickness. The thermal resistance at the interface between the AlN film and the silicon substrate is found to be about 7–8×10-8 m2 K/W. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This clinical report presents a novel approach that integrates a new optical digitizing (scanning) technique, a three-dimensional ocular prostheses database, and the Selective Laser Sintering technique to achieve the computer-aided design and manufacture of an orbital prosthesis. An optical-structured light scanner was used to develop a color digital model of the unaffected orbital contour, which was copied and then mirrored to generate the orbital prosthesis contour data. The ocular prostheses database was applied to ascertain the size and position of the eyeball within the orbital prosthesis. Then, a Selective Laser Sintering machine directly manufactured the wax pattern of the definitive orbital prosthesis from the three-dimensional orbital data. This new approach is time and cost-effective and can be considered an alternative to traditional manual techniques of creating facial prostheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firstly, this paper analyzed current situations, major practice and existing problems of under-forest economy in Henan Province. Then, it made an in-depth discussion of guiding thought, principle and objectives, construction task and safeguarding measures of the under-forest economic development plan. Besides, it analyzed benefits of the under-forest economic development plan. By 2017, the area of under-forest economic land will reach 1. 60 million hm², create output value of 155.2 billion yuan (accounting for more than 20% of forest output value), provide 3.27 million jobs, and will greatly increase ecological carrying capacity of construction and development of the Central Plains Economic Region (CPER). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present case-control study explored the interaction between marine-derived n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC PUFAs) and uric acid (UA) on glucose metabolism and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Two hundred and eleven healthy subjects in control group and 268 T2DM subjects in case group were included. Plasma phospholipid (PL) fatty acids and biochemical parameters were detected by standard methods. Plasma PL C22:6n-3 was significantly lower in case group than in control group, and was negatively correlated with fasting glucose (r = -0.177, p < 0.001). Higher plasma PL C22:6n-3 was associated with lower risk of T2DM, and the OR was 0.32 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.12 to 0.80; p = 0.016) for per unit increase of C22:6n-3. UA was significantly lower in case group than in control group. UA was positively correlated with fasting glucose in healthy subjects, but this correlation became negative in T2DM subjects. A significant interaction was observed between C22:6n-3 and UA on fasting glucose (p for interaction = 0.005): the lowering effect of C22:6n-3 was only significant in subjects with a lower level of UA. In conclusion, C22:6n-3 interacts with UA to modulate glucose metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Developing cartilage constructs with injectability, appropriate matrix composition and persistent cartilaginous phenotype remains an enduring challenge in cartilage repair. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have chondrogenic potential. Current approaches to drive their chondrogenic differentiation require extensive cell manipulation ex vivo and using exogenous growth factors. However, preventing hypertrophic transition of BMSCs in vivo and maintaining persistent chondrogenesis remain bottlenecks in clinical application. This study aimed to develop completely biological, injectable constructs to generate cartilage by co-transplanting chondrocyte and BMSCs. Methods: We fabricated fragmented chondrocyte macroaggregate (cell bricks) and mixed them with platelet rich plasma (PRP); BMSCs were mixed into the above constructs, allowed to clot and then subcutaneously injected into nude mice. Gross morphology observation, histological and immunohistochemical assay, immunofluorescence assay, biochemical analysis and gene expression analysis were used to compare the properties of BMSC-cell bricks-PRP complex with BMSC in PRP or BMSC/chondrocytes in PRP. Results: The constructs of BMSCs-cell bricks-PRP that were subcutaneously injected resulted in persistent chondrogenesis with appropriate morphology, adequate central nutritional perfusion without central necrosis or ossification, and further augmented nasal dorsum without obvious contraction and deformation. Conclusions: We concluded that cell bricks-enriched PRP clotting provides an autologous substance derived niche for chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs in vivo, which suggests that such an injectable, completely biological system is a suitable stem cell carrier for micro-invasive cartilage repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new pregnane glycosides 1-4 were isolated from the ethanol extract of the stem of Gymnema sylvestre and named gymsylvestrosides A-D. Hydrolysis of compound 1 under the catalysis of Aspergilus niger β-glucosidase afforded compound 5 (gymsylvestroside E). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods such as HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, as well as HMQC-TOCSY experiment. Compounds 1-4 were screened for Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microarc oxidation (MAO) has been well-documented as an advantageous surface coating technique to improve implant osseointegration. Nevertheless, its strong susceptibility to bacteria critically impedes the development of MAO in clinical trials. Aimed at the efficient inhibition of bacterial invasion of MAO treated titanium (MAO-Ti) implants, a composite coating created by applying sodium chloride (NaCl) on a MAO-Ti implant surface layer was designed herein with the capacity to resist a broad spectrum of bacteria. In the present study, 10% NaCl was impregnated onto an optimized MAO-Ti implant to achieve a composite NaCl-MAO-Ti coating. First, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a frequently detected pathogen associated with peri-implantitis, was employed as an in vitro model. The visualization and quantification of S. aureus adhering to MAO-Ti and NaCl-MAO-Ti surfaces after incubation for 2, 4 and 24 h was described. Secondly, in an animal experiment, MAO-Ti and NaCl-MAO-Ti implants were placed into the tibia of male goats and these implants remained in situ for 9 weeks. The peri-implant soft tissue reactions, epithelial down growth and microorganisms separated from the inflammatory exudates were assessed during the whole process. The results of the in vitro study revealed that the NaCl-MAO-Ti implant surface significantly decreased the adhesion and multiplication of S. aureus compared to the untreated MAO-Ti. Moreover, the animal experiment established that the NaCl-MAO-Ti implants caused less peri-implant soft tissue infection and ultimately reduced the occurrence of peri-implantitis. Taken together, these data suggest that NaCl impregnated MAO-Ti implant products can effectively lower the risk of peri-implantitis and simultaneously preserve the osseointegration capacity of the MAO coating, which may help facilitate the application of NaCl-MAO-Ti implants in clinic trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibroblasts, which play an important role in biological seal formation and maintenance, determine the long-term success of percutaneous implants. In this study, well-defined microporous structures with micropore diameters of 10-60 µm were fabricated by microelectromechanical systems and their influence on the fibroblast functionalities was observed. The results show that the microporous structures with micropore diameters of 10-60 µm did not influence the initial adherent fibroblast number; however, those with diameters of 40 and 50 µm improved the spread, actin stress fiber organization, proliferation and fibronectin secretion of the fibroblasts. The microporous structures with micropore diameters of 40-50 μm may be promising for application in the percutaneous part of an implant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microarc oxidation (MAO) has been well-documented as an advantageous surface coating technique to improve implant osseointegration. Nevertheless, its strong susceptibility to bacteria critically impedes the development of MAO in clinical trials. Aimed at the efficient inhibition of bacterial invasion of MAO treated titanium (MAO-Ti) implants, a composite coating created by applying sodium chloride (NaCl) on a MAO-Ti implant surface layer was designed herein with the capacity to resist a broad spectrum of bacteria. In the present study, 10% NaCl was impregnated onto an optimized MAO-Ti implant to achieve a composite NaCl-MAO-Ti coating. First, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a frequently detected pathogen associated with peri-implantitis, was employed as an in vitro model. The visualization and quantification of S. aureus adhering to MAO-Ti and NaCl-MAO-Ti surfaces after incubation for 2, 4 and 24 h was described. Secondly, in an animal experiment, MAO-Ti and NaCl-MAO-Ti implants were placed into the tibia of male goats and these implants remained in situ for 9 weeks. The peri-implant soft tissue reactions, epithelial down growth and microorganisms separated from the inflammatory exudates were assessed during the whole process. The results of the in vitro study revealed that the NaCl-MAO-Ti implant surface significantly decreased the adhesion and multiplication of S. aureus compared to the untreated MAO-Ti. Moreover, the animal experiment established that the NaCl-MAO-Ti implants caused less peri-implant soft tissue infection and ultimately reduced the occurrence of peri-implantitis. Taken together, these data suggest that NaCl impregnated MAO-Ti implant products can effectively lower the risk of peri-implantitis and simultaneously preserve the osseointegration capacity of the MAO coating, which may help facilitate the application of NaCl-MAO-Ti implants in clinic trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a compact tri-band microstrip bandpass filter (BPF) using tri-section stepped- impedance resonators (TSSIRs) with open stub line and zero-degree feed line is presented. Three tunable passbands are achieved by changing the ratio of impedance. By adding the open stub line, the frequency responses of tri-band at 2.4GHz/3.5GHz/5.2GHz can be obtained precisely. With a proper length of the cone-shaped zero-degree feed structure, we can obtain transmission zeros in stopbands and better return loss in passbands. The proposed tri-band BPF has high selectivity and is simple in fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new paeonidanintype monoterpene glycosides, named suffrupaeonidanins A–C, were isolated as minor components from the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosaAndr.Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2DNMR, and mass spectral techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Changling Sag of the southern Songliao Basin is a terrestrial hydrocarbon-rich depression, and according to the “sag-wide oil-bearing theory”, oil and gas can be found in its whole effective source rock area. But prolific oil and gas areas that are usually called “sweet spots” are still controlled by several main factors in distribution. Fault belts above low uplifts and basement faults not only are the pathways allowing for hydrocarbon migration, but can form the lateral barriers of reservoirs, they are the main boundaries of oil and gas enriched areas. On the other hand, the fracture zone developed in the vicinity of the faults has improved the reservoir connectivity and increased the chances to obtain high production. These make the fault-developed zone itself become a “sweet spots” belt rich in oil and gas that should be paid more attention in exploration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Taking the wide band gap one-dimensional (1-D) tungsten oxide nanowires as an example, we here demonstrate systematically the physical characteristics of thermally processed nanowires at temperatures ranging from 400°C to 1000°C, for the first time. Accompanied by a significant drop of specific surface area from 151 m2/g for the as-prepared nanowires to 109 m2/g and 66 m2/g subject to annealing at 400°C and 450°C, dramatically morphology evolution and phase transformation have also been observed. The nanostructured bundles became straighter, larger in diameters and shorter in length, and eventually became irregular particles with size up to 5 µm. The Brunauer-Emmett-Tettler (BET) result suggests that 400°C can be considered as a top temperature limit in nanodevice design where high surface area is important, e.g. in gas sensors. A protocol for thermally processing of these bundled tungsten nanowires has been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have examined, by immunocytochemical methods and nociceptive behavior assessment in rats, whether astrocytes in the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) are involved in the regulation of traumatic occlusion. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in PBN of ipsilateral and contralateral sides was up-regulated 4 h after occlusal changes in molars, reached peak levels at 24 h, and was then gradually down-regulated. PBN astrocytes activated by traumatic occlusion were found to have enlarged cell bodies and thickened processes within 8 h. An inhibitor of glia metabolism (FCA, fluorocitrate) reduced astrocyte activation and significantly attenuated the development of pain hypersensitivity in this model. The results suggested that the GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes in PBN within the bridge of Varolius were activated by traumatic occlusion, and that they were involved in the transmission and modulation of nociceptive information in the central nervous system. However, although astrocytes in PBN are thus probably involved in causing post-occlusal hyperalgesia, we have not been able to exclude that astrocytes at other locations also contribute to this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-thin W18O49 nanowires were initially obtained by a simple solvothermal method using tungsten chloride and cyclohexanol as precursors. Thermal processing of the resulting bundled nanowires has been carried out in air in a tube furnace. The morphology and phase transformation behavior of the as-synthesized nanowires as a function of annealing temperature have been characterized by x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The nanostructured bundles underwent a series of morphological evolution with increased annealing temperature, becoming straighter, larger in diameter, and smaller in aspect ratio, eventually becoming irregular particles with size up to 5 µm. At 500 °C, the monoclinic W18O49 was completely transformed to monoclinic WO3 phase, which remains stable at high processing temperature. After thermal processing at 400 °C and 450 °C, the specific surface areas of the resulting nanowires dropped to 110 m2 g[?]1 and 66 m2 g[?]1 respectively, compared with that of 151 m2 g[?]1 for the as-prepared sample. This study may shed light on the understanding of the geometrical and structural evolution occurring in nanowires whose working environment may involve severe temperature variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remarkable mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have attracted extensive research interest as structural and functional materials. In particular, SWCNTs have been used to reinforce polymers and ceramic composites and great progress has been made. For metal matrix composites, the limitation of the conventional manufacturing process and the difficulty in dispersing nanotubes within metal matrices hinder the development of metal matrix composites. In this paper, we demonstrate a successful fabrication of Cu/SWCNT laminate composites by combined techniques of cold rolling and annealing, using 19 layers of large-area SWCNT films sandwiched between 20 layers of Cu thin foils. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of the resultant laminate composites are 361 MPa and 132 GPa, respectively, exhibiting an improvement over the comparative pure Cu foils processed under identical conditions. These results suggest that good interfacial adhesions between nanotubes and the Cu matrix have been achieved after the rolling-annealing-rolling processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]