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Mindfulness practices are valuable exercises for physical and mental health. Various digital applications exist that support individuals in practicing mindfulness. Following the trend of gamifying utilitarian systems, many mindfulness applications (MAs) incorporate game design elements (GDEs). However, little is known about users’ GDE preferences in this unique context. In line with extant research that investigated users’ GDE preferences in other contexts, we conducted an online survey among 168 potential users of MAs. The results indicate that users generally prefer progress, levels, and goals in MAs, while leaderboards and avatars are not highly rated. Furthermore, we identified four context-independent and three context-dependent rationales that help explain users’ GDE preferences. By providing first insights into MAs as a peculiar application context for gamification, our work contributes to advancing knowledge of contextual differences in users’ GDE preferences while challenging the extant research assumptions regarding the dominance of contextual factors in forming user preferences.

The present analysis aimed to test the dynamic (interactive) model of affect, motivation, and engagement (Linnenbrink, 2007) in mathematics education with a nationally representative sample. Self-efficacy, self-concept, and mathematics anxiety were indicators of pleasant and unpleasant affect. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were indicators of mastery and performance approach. Educational persistence and cognitive activation were indicators of behavioral and cognitive engagement. The 2012 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) supplied a sample of 4,978 students from the United States for structural equation modeling. The results indicated that the PISA data overall supported the dynamic model. Specifically, the PISA data completely supported the specification of the relationship between motivation and affect, largely supported the specification of the relationship between affect and engagement, but failed to support the specification of the relationship between motivation and engagement. The PISA data largely supported the specification of the mediation effects of affect on the relationship between motivation and engagement. Keywords: affect; motivation; engagement; mathematics; structural equation modeling La présente analyse visait à tester le modèle dynamique (interactif) de l'affect, de la motivation et de l'engagement (Linnenbrink, 2007) dans l'enseignement des mathématiques avec un échantillon représentatif au niveau national. L'auto-efficacité, le concept de soi et l'anxiété liée aux mathématiques étaient des indicateurs de l'affect agréable et désagréable. La motivation intrinsèque et extrinsèque était des indicateurs de l'approche de la maîtrise et de la performance. La persistance éducative et l'activation cognitive étaient des indicateurs de l'engagement comportemental et cognitif. Le Programme international pour le suivi des acquis des élèves (PISA) de 2012 a fourni un échantillon de 4 978 élèves des États-Unis pour la modélisation des équations structurelles. Les résultats indiquent que les données PISA soutiennent globalement le modèle dynamique. Plus précisément, les données PISA ont complètement soutenu la spécification de la relation entre la motivation et l'affect, ont largement soutenu la spécification de la relation entre l'affect et l'engagement, mais n'ont pas soutenu la spécification de la relation entre la motivation et l'engagement. Les données PISA ont largement soutenu la spécification des effets de médiation de l'affect sur la relation entre la motivation et l'engagement. Mots clés : affect ; motivation ; engagement ; mathématiques ; modélisation par équations structurelles., Alberta Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 68 No. 3 (2022): Fall

BackgroundMost adrenal disorders have an insidious onset and are not severe. Only a minority of adrenal lesions can lead to life-threatening cardiovascular crisis. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is an extracorporeal life support technology that can partially replace human cardiopulmonary function. To date, many case reports have indicated that this technology can temporarily help patients survive critical condition and to achieve a good prognosis. Case presentation: A 27-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department with sudden dyspnoea and haemoptysis. Pulmonary oedema, cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest occurred immediately after admission, prompting VA-ECMO treatment. After the patient’s haemodynamics were stabilized, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) was detected via laboratory tests and imaging examination. After the withdrawal of VA-ECMO support, surgical resection of the lesions was performed, and a good prognosis was achieved.ConclusionVA-ECMO can be used as an emergency treatment for refractory cardiogenic shock caused by adrenal lesions. However, a large number of prospective studies are still needed to confirm its safety and efficacy and to clarify the timing of initiation and assessment of patient prognosis.

Background: With the number of critically ill patients increasing in gastroenterology departments (GEDs), infections associated with Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) are of great concern in GED. However, no CR-GNB bloodstream infection (BSI) risk prediction model has been established for GED patients. Almost universally, CR-GNB colonization precedes or occurs concurrently with CR-GNB BSI. The objective of this study was to develop a nomogram that could predict the risk of acquiring secondary CR-GNB BSI in GED patients who are carriers of CR-GNB. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective case–control study from January 2020 to March 2022. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors of secondary CR-GNB bloodstream infections among CR-GNB carriers in the gastroenterology department. A nomogram was constructed according to a multivariable regression model. Various aspects of the established predicting nomogram were evaluated, including discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility. We assessed internal validation using bootstrapping. Results: The prediction nomogram includes the following predictors: high ECOG PS, severe acute pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, neutropenia, a long stay in hospital, and parenteral nutrition. The model demonstrated good discrimination and good calibration. Conclusions: With an estimate of individual risk using the nomogram developed in this study, clinicians and nurses can identify patients with a high risk of secondary CR-GNB BSI early.

Apple bitter pit primarily occurs during fruit ripening and storage; however, its formation mechanism remains unclear. Although it is considered that Ca2+ deficiency causes metabolic disorders in apples, there have been few studies on the mechanism of the bitter pit from the perspective of cell structure. At the fruit ripening stage, the fruit with a bitter pit on the tree was taken as the research material. In this study, the microscopic observation revealed numerous amyloplasts in the pulp cells of apples affected with bitter pit, but not in the healthy pulp. Furthermore, the results of fluorescence staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the bitter pit pulp cells undergo programmed cell death (PCD), their nuclear chromosomes condense, and amyloplast forms autophagy. The cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration in the healthy fruits was lowest near the peduncle, followed by that in the calyx, whereas it was highest at the equator. In contrast, the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration in apple fruits showing bitter pit disorder was lowest near the peduncle and highest in the calyx. Moreover, the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in the flesh cells of apples with the bitter pit was much lower than that in the healthy apple flesh cells; however, the concentration of Ca2+ in the vacuoles of fruits with the bitter pit was higher than that in the vacuoles of healthy fruits. In summary, bitter pit pulp cells contain a large number of amyloplasts, which disrupts the distribution of Ca2+ in the pulp cells and causes PCD. These two processes lead to an imbalance in cell metabolism and induce the formation of a bitter pit.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a potent mycotoxin produced by many Fusarium spp. that invade grains during the growth and storage seasons. Lactic acid bacteria have been reported to be capable of removing several toxins, thereby providing an effective detoxification method for possible contaminated substrates. The present study mainly focused on investigating the detoxification characteristics of DON by a Lactobacillus paracasei LHZ-1 strain, which was recently isolated from yogurt with a strong promise of removing DON from liquid culture. The results obtained showed that the cell wall of L. paracasei LHZ-1 can remove up to 40.7% of 50 μg/mL DON, whereas only 10.5 and 8.9% are removed by the culture supernatant or cellular lysate, respectively. Laser scanning confocal microscopy helped to identify the mechanism of DON detoxification by L. paracasei LHZ-1 through cellular adsorption, where DON was found to bind to the surface of bacterial cells to form complexes. In stability tests, about 39 or 99% of bound DON, either to viable bacterial cells or heat-inactivated cells, respectively, was released by methanol extractions, which indicated that the binding force between viable cells and DON could be stronger than it is in heat-inactivated cells. Adsorption kinetics demonstrated that approximately 33% of DON was removed within 20 h, with a maximum adsorption capacity of approximately 50.5 μg/mL in phosphate-buffered solution.

Harmful metal ions have received intense attention. In particular, palladium, a rare inner transition metal, is the subject of intense research in light of its catalytic capabilities and the restrictions on the levels of residual harmful metal ions in end products，has attracted wide spread interest from chemists. A near-infrared Pd2+ probe Cy202 has been synthesized that exhibits pronounced fluorescence enhancement in the presence of Pd2+. The Pd2+ recognition properties were examined by using UV–Vis spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy in DMSO/PBS buffer solution (pH 7.40, 8/2, v/v). The solution of the probe exhibits color change turned from yellow to brown upon the addition of Pd2+ while no significant response to other metal ions. The detection limit was calculated as low as 0.52 μM. The probe could be useful for imaging Pd2+ in palladium-containing catalyst and samples.

Traditional inhibitors have such disadvantages as unstable inhibitory effects and short active lifetimes. Sodium bicarbonate, stable in nature, is expected to absorb heat and lower the temperature upon heated and decomposition, enabling its decomposition product to be effective for preventing coal oxidation and spontaneous combustion. Accordingly, the present study investigates the characteristics of sodium bicarbonate and proposes a novel method for preventing the spontaneous combustion of coal using sodium bicarbonate. By establishing a programmed temperature experimental system of coal spontaneous combustion in the laboratory, the researchers added sodium bicarbonate (0.5–3 g) to the coal samples, and analyzed changes in CO and O2 concentration. The results out of the present experimental conditions, compared with those of coal samples treated with magnesium and calcium chlorides, show that adding different amounts of sodium bicarbonate can inhibit coal oxidation with an optimal addition amount of 3 g. When the amount of sodium bicarbonate added was larger than 2 g and the temperature above 130 °C, its inhibitory effect is more significant than that of existing inhibiting agents.

To measure dynamic forces more accurately, a novel elastomer of a six-dimensional force sensor was proposed. The sensor adopted a new inner ring to replace the center platform of the traditional cross beam sensor. Determined the connection mode of the Wheatstone full-bridge circuit, which could realize theoretical decoupling. Then, the key size parameters of the sensor were analyzed by response surface analysis ,and the regression equations between the response value and the key sizes of the elastomer were established, which provided a theoretical basis for the sensor design. The analysis results of the examples in this paper show the sensor has good dynamic performance, with the first-order natural frequency as high as 3196.30Hz. Designed the size parameters by response surface analysis to improve the sensitivity of each force component, which increased the sensitivity of Fx direction by 26.09%.

Neuronal death and neuroinflammation play critical roles in regulating the progression of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, associated pathogenesis has not been fully understood. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 7 (TRAF7), as the unique noncanonical member of the TRAF family, mediates various essential biological processes. Nevertheless, the effects of TRAF7 on TBI are still unclear. In this study, we showed that TRAF7 expression was markedly up-regulated in cortex and hippocampus of mice after TBI. Brain-specific TRAF7 deletion markedly ameliorated neuronal death in cortical and hippocampal samples of TBI mice, accompanied with cognitive impairments and motor dysfunction. Moreover, the aberrant activation of astrocyte and microglia in cortex and hippocampus of TBI mice was significantly restrained by TRAF7 conditional knockout in brain, as indicated by the increased expression of GFAP and Iba1. In addition, the releases of pro-inflammatory factors caused by TBI were also considerably diminished by brain-specific TRAF7 knockout, which were largely through the blockage of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathways. Importantly, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 3 (MEKK3) expression levels were greatly enhanced in cortex and hippocampus of mice with TBI, while being dramatically ameliorated by TRAF7 knockout in brain. Mechanistically, we showed that TRAF7 directly interacted with MEKK3. Of note, MEKK3 over-expression almost abrogated the capacity of TRAF7 knockout to mitigate neuronal death and neuroinflammation in the isolated primary cortical neurons and glial cells upon oxygen-glucose-deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) stimulation. Collectively, TRAF7 may be an important molecular switch that leads to TBI in a MEKK3-dependent manner, and can be served as a therapeutic target for TBI treatment.

Shanshan Hu, 1,* Meigui Hu, 2,* Jian Liu, 3 Bei Zhang, 4 Zhen Zhang, 5 Fiona H Zhou, 6 Liping Wang, 5, 6 Jianghui Dong 5, 6 1Good Clinical Practice Center, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563003, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China; 2The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai 519041, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Anatomy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Stomatology, The First People’s Hospital of Zunyi, Zunyi 563099, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Hand Surgery, Department of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, Ningbo No. 6 Hospital, Ningbo 315040, People’s Republic of China; 6School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and UniSA Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jianghui Dong; Liping WangDepartment of Hand Surgery, Ningbo No. 6 Hospital, Ningbo 315040, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +618 8302 2715Fax +618 8302 1087Email Jianghui.dong@mymail.unisa.edu.au; liping.wang@unisa.edu.auPurpose: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. The α-Synuclein is a major component of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, the pathologic hallmark of PD. It is known that α-Synuclein is phosphorylated (p-α-Synuclein) in PD and tau-hyperphosphorylation (p-Tau) is also a pathologic feature of PD. However, the relationship between p-Synuclein and p-Tau in PD is not clear, in particular in the MPTP model of PD. The purpose of this study was to reveal their relationship in the mouse MPTP model.Methods: Firstly, the p-α-Synuclein, α-Synuclein, p-Tau and Tau protein levels were analyzed. Then, GSK3β activation was determined using immunoblot and immunohistochemical staining. Finally, the dopaminergic neurodegeneration was assessed using Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH) staining and retrograde labeling and microglial marker were labeled. Microglial activation and nigrostriatal pathway degeneration were observed.Results: The results showed that p-α-Synuclein, α-Synuclein, p-Tau and Tau were upregulated in both hippocampus and substantia nigra of the PD mouse model. Furthermore, p-α-Synuclein and p-Tau were localized in the same regions of substantial nigra (SN) and dentate gyrus (DG) of hippocampus (Hippo). The activated form of GSK3β (phosphor GSK3β Y216) was increased in multiple brain areas. The GSK3β inhibitor AZD1080 injected in MPTP mice suppressed the expression of p-Tau and p-GSK3β and improved motor functions.Conclusion: These findings revealed that p-α-Synuclein and p-Tau proteins are key pathological events leading to neurodegeneration and motor dysfunctions in the mouse MPTP model of PD. Our data suggest that the interference with the GSK3β activity may be an effective approach for the treatment of PD.Keywords: α-Synuclein phosphorylation, Tau phosphorylation, Parkinson’s disease

In view of the current situation that the number of failures of electric energy meter is high due to electrochemical corrosion, the corrosion of electric energy meter is studied by visual inspection, metallographic profile analysis, surface SEM and EDS analysis and ion chromatography analysis in this paper, based on the principle of electrochemical corrosion and combined with the application enviroment. It is found that there is cracking in the three anti-paint at the solder joint where the electric energy meter is corroded. The DC power supply current flows through the copper pad to the solder joint, and other metals such as tin are easily accelerated to corrode as the anode; In the case of power-on, whether the anode end of the device is covered with three anti-paint is directly related to whether corrosion occurs. The research results in this paper have positive significance for reducing the electrochemical corrosion phenomenon of electric energy meter and optimizing the manufacturing process of electric energy meter.

The design scale and the complexity of the software for the smart energy meter are increasing along with its functions. Aiming at the structure of the smart energy meter according with IR46 standard, based on Cyclone V SOC FPGA hardware platform, a smart energy meter software testing system is designed. The architecture of FPGA + Linux + PC is adopted and the hardware environment of the smart energy meter software is established for the test system. By injecting the faults and monitoring the parameters through the platform of the test system, the legitimacy of the dynamic and static software for the new generation smart energy meter in the operating mode can be detected. The software separation between the legal measurement and non-legal measurement can be identified and verified. The testing system overcomes the disadvantage of the traditional detection method, which is difficult to discover the internal defects in the measurement software or other malicious functions. Moreover, the requirements of the software testing for the new generation smart energy meter with dual core are satisfied.

A simple chemosensor, namely, ethyl 5-(isonicotinoylimino)methyl-2,4-dimethyl-pyrrole-3-carboxylate (1), was synthesized and characterized. Probe 1 exhibited great selectivity when used as an off–on fluorescent sensor for Zn2+. Moreover, 1 can be used as a colorimetric probe for the detection of Cu2+ in semiaqueous media. The putative binding mechanism of 1 with its target analytes was confirmed through UV-Vis absorption analysis, fluorescence measurements, mass spectroscopy, 1H NMR analysis, and density functional theory calculations. In addition, the resulting 1 + Cu2+ complex can be used as a colorimetric sensor for pyrophosphate. Probe 1 is successfully applied in monitoring intracellular Zn2+ in the glioma cell line U251.

Boron trifluoride-mediated transformation of tetrahydrofuran to corresponding N-aryl-substituted pyrrolidines is conducted under mild reaction conditions, providing a practical synthetic method with reasonable yields. Computational studies confirmed the reaction mechanism involving a fast Lewis acid-assisted ring-opening step, followed by the 7-membered intermediate formation and a ringclosing process as the rate-determining step.

Titanium tetrachloride-mediated transformation of five- and six-membered cyclic ethers to the corresponding N-aryl-substituted azacycles is conducted in moderate to good yields under mild reaction conditions. Computational studies suggested a mechanism involving a Lewis acid-assisted ring-opening, a seven-membered metallacycle intermediate and a ring-closing process facilitated by direct participation of the metal center.

The micro upwelling and the large difference of current velocity in the three-dimensions has limited the traditional flow velocity sensors to measure the upwelling. Thus, a three-dimensional current sensor which can measure the horizontal velocity and small upwelling is introduced. Based on the theory of flow around the ball, the horizontal flow velocity is measured by the ball. Additionally, based on Kutta-Joukowski theorem, the vertical flow velocity is measured by the thin disc through the results of horizontal flow velocity measurement. Through theoretical calculation and fluid simulation, the whole structure of this three-dimensional sensor has little effect on the flow around the ball and disc. Based on the results of fluid and structural simulation, it can be known that the device can measure the velocity in the range of 0 mm/s∼400 mm/s and the minimum flow velocity which can be accurately measured is about 8 mm/s; if the horizontal flow velocity is 100 mm/s, the minimum upwelling velocity which can be measured is about 0.0087 mm/s and if the horizontal flow velocity is 30 mm/s, the minimum upwelling velocity which can be measured is about 0.029 mm/s.

The purpose of this article is the CRM Boost PFC circuit, which analyzes the conducted electromagnetic interference of the converter. It mainly introduces: the converter's conducted EMI noise source, including MOS switch drain source voltage VDS, gate drive signal voltage overshoot, rectifier bridge noise generated by diode and transformer magnetics. An equivalent model of the gate drive circuit is established. The cause of the noise is analyzed and the corresponding suppression measures are proposed. This article builds a low power 100W CRM Boost PFC prototype and uses the R&S EMI receiver ESU26 to perform EMI noise tests on prototypes. EMI caused by overshoot of the drive voltage is analyzed and the voltage overshoot is suppressed by adding capacitance between the power supply terminals of the DC power supply of the control chip. [1]–[2]

Objective The present study explored how the inhibition of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) induced proliferation and apoptosis in cervical cancer in vitro and in vivo. Methods mRNA and protein expression of PAR2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) was determined by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. The proliferation and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells were assayed by the cell counting kit-8 kit, flow cytometry, and western blotting. The effects of PAR2 inhibition on cervical cancer were also examined in BALB/c nude mice in vivo. Results SLIGRL-NH2 (SL), a selective PAR-2 agonist, promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of healthy cervical cancer cells and HeLa cells, while the PAR-2 antagonist FSLLRY-NH2 (FS) inhibited proliferation and led to apoptosis. SL also promoted the activation of STAT-3, while FS inhibited it and inhibited cancer growth in vivo. Conclusion FS inhibited cervical cancer by reducing proliferation and inducing apoptosis by interfering with STAT-3 signaling.

Additional file 1 This file records the detailed drug-target pairs on enzymes, ion channels, GPCRs and nuclear receptors of the Dataset2.

A combined measurement method on the basis of liquid compressibility and the characteristics of deep sea pressure compensators and pistons is proposed to solve the difficulty in measuring the large pressure of several kilometers of water depth and the small fluctuation pressure of several centimeters of water depth in ocean pressure detection. First, the working principle of the proposed method is introduced. Second, the force of piston is evaluated under static and dynamic pressure measurement conditions, and the corresponding mathematical models are established. Third, the measurement accuracy of static and dynamic pressures is analyzed. Finally, a test platform is built. The results show that the maximum dynamic pressure of 0.025 bar is realized at a pressure changing speed of 0.2 bar/s, and the small fluctuation pressure of 2.8 × 10−3 bars is realized at a pressure of 20 bars. The measurement system can track the changing ambient pressure in real time, and the measurement accuracy of the small fluctuation pressure is only related to the characteristics of the measurement system itself but not to the external large pressure. The accuracy and feasibility of the proposed method are verified. This study provides a new approach for measuring deep sea large pressure and its small fluctuation pressure.

A novel hemicyanine-based near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probe CY1OH2S for Hg2+ ions detection was synthesized, which can selectively and sensitively responds to Hg2+ ions based on the Hg2+-promoted deprotection of thioacetal. The probe exhibits good response and anti-interference performance for Hg2+ ions based on the fluorescence enhancement in the NIR region under physiological conditions. The detection limit of probe CY1OH2S for Hg2+ ions was as low as 0.32 μM. Probe-coated test paper was fabricated as a “naked-eye” indicator for Hg2+ ions in water samples. In addition, probe CY1OH2S exhibited good cell permeability and was successfully applied in living cells by NIR fluorescence imaging.

Software quality has become a key factor affecting the overall quality of the smart meter. To improve the reliability of the smart meter software, analyzed the typical failure modes and mechanism based on actual failure cases of smart meters. For different software failure modes, the test techniques were studied from the perspective of the software development cycle. Designed a test program of the smart meter software and provided automated test tools to improve the breadth and depth of the software test and improve the product reliability.

A new three-dimensional flow velocity sensor which can measure upwelling was proposed. This sensor was composed of horizontal flow sensor and vertical flow sensor, and it can measured horizontal flow and tiny upwelling separately. The structure of horizontal flow and vertical flow velocity measuring device were analyzed and optimized based on static simulation, static calculation and an experiment. The results show that the sensor can measure both the small upwelling and the horizontal flow velocity in principle. Based on the root of energy loss, the amplifying structure was optimized. After optimization, the magnification factor was increased by 436.84%. According to experimental results, mechanical analysis of cross beams and static simulation, there was a good linear relationship between the flow resistance around the sphere and the output strain of the horizontal velocity measuring device, and it can be used to measure the horizontal flow velocity.

The present study tested the interactive model of affect, motivation, and engagement (Linnenbrink, 2007) in mathematics education with a nationally representative sample. Self-efficacy, self-concept, and anxiety were indicators of pleasant and unpleasant affect. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were indicators of mastery and performance approach. Persistence and cognitive activation were indicators of behavioral and cognitive engagement. The 2012 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) supplied a sample of 4,978 students from the United States for structural equation modeling. The results indicated that PISA data overall supported the interactive model. Specifically, PISA data completely supported the specification of the relationship between motivation and affect, largely supported the specification of the relationship between affect and engagement, but failed to support the specification of the relationship between motivation and engagement. Finally, PISA data largely supported the specification of the mediation effects of affect on the relationship between motivation and engagement.

In order to attain good hardenability in the single-stage quenching process of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys, rapid cooling rate is often desirable. But this would inevitably increase the residual stress. Therefore, the aim of this study is to achieve coupling control of the cooling rate and the residual stress by using the multi-stage quenching process. First, a series of single-stage quenching tests were conducted based on the end quenching equipment. Then in the double-stage quenching tests, a higher cooling rate was obtained comparing to the single-stage quenching. Based on this discovery, three kinds of multi-stage quenching processes were designed based on the experimental results of the single-stage quenching tests. The mechanism of the multi-stage quenching has been analyzed by comparing the cooling curves, the microstructure, the hardening depth, and the maximum residual stress. Furthermore the optimal multi-stage quenching process for 7050 aluminum alloy plate was obtained.

Single-phased white-light-emitting Sr 3 NaLa(PO 4 ) 3 F:Eu 2+ ,Mn 2+ phosphor is synthesized via the combustion-assisted synthesis technique. Upon excitation of 344 nm ultraviolet (UV) light, two intense broad bands have clearly been obtained due to the allowed 5d–4f transition of Eu 2+ and the forbidden 4 T 1 − 6 A 1 transition of Mn 2+ , respectively. As a result of fine-tuning of the emission composition of the Eu 2+ and Mn 2+ ions, white-light emission can be realized by combining the emission of Eu 2+ and Mn 2+ in a single host lattice under UV light excitation. The obtained phosphor exhibits a strong excitation band between 250 and 420 nm, matching well with the dominant emission band of a UV light-emitting-diode (LED) chip, which could be a promising candidate for UV-converting white-light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

New Eu 2+ and/or Mn 2+ activated Ca 6 La 2 Na 2 (PO 4 ) 6 F 2 phosphors were prepared and their photoluminescence properties upon ultraviolet excitation were investigated. Phosphor Ca 6 La 2 Na 2 (PO 4 ) 6 F 2 :Eu 2+ ,Mn 2+ shows a broad blue emission band and an orange emission band, which originates from Eu 2+ and Mn 2+ , respectively. The resonant type energy transfer from Eu 2+ to Mn 2+ was demonstrated, and the energy transfer efficiency was also calculated according to their PL decay curves. Tuning of the content of Mn 2+ can generate the varied hues from blue to white and eventually to orange. Our results demonstrate that the phosphor is promising for producing UV-LED-based white LEDs.

A new compound Ca 2 SrNaLa(PO 4 ) 3 F, isotypic with hexagonal Ca(Sr,Na,Ca)(Ca,Sr,Ce) 3 (PO 4 ) 3 F, is reported. Its cell parameters have been determined from X-ray powder diffraction data. Crystallization occurs in the hexagonal space group P 6 3 (No. 173) with a = 9.515(1) A, c = 7.028(1) A, and Z = 2. Eu 2+ and Mn 2+ activated Ca 2 SrNaLa(PO 4 ) 3 F phosphors have been prepared. The energy transfer of Eu 2+ → Mn 2+ has been investigated. The resonant type energy transfer from Eu 2+ to Mn 2+ has been demonstrated, and the energy transfer efficiency has also been calculated according to their PL decay curves. A color-tunable emission in Ca 2 SrNaLa(PO 4 ) 3 F phosphors can be realized by Eu 2+ → Mn 2+ energy transfer. White light can be achieved in a single-phased Ca 2 SrNaLa(PO 4 ) 3 F host by co-doping Eu 2+ and Mn 2+ with CIE (0.32, 0.31). Our results demonstrate that the potential application of these phosphors in solid-state lighting and (or) other areas.

Olgite-type Na 2 SrMgP 2 O 8 doped with Eu 2+ and Mn 2+ solely or doubly were prepared by a combustion-assisted synthesis method. The phase formation was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction measurement. Upon excitation of 352 nm ultraviolet (UV) light, two intense broad bands have clearly been observed due to the allowed 5d–4f transition of Eu 2+ and the forbidden 4 T 1 – 6 A 1 transition of Mn 2+ , respectively. On the basis of the luminescence spectra and fluorescence decay curves, we confirm that the energy transfer process from the Eu 2+ to Mn 2+ ions occur in the codoped Na 2 SrMgP 2 O 8 :Eu 2+ , Mn 2+ phosphor. The composition-optimized Na 2 Sr 0.99 MgP 2 O 8 :0.01Eu 2+ and Na 2 Sr 0.99 Mg 0.9 P 2 O 8 : 0.01Eu 2+ , 0.1Mn 2+ phosphors exhibits superior external quantum efficiency (87.2% and 69.3%, respectively). Based on the principle of energy transfer, the relative intensities of blue and red emission could be tuned by adjusting the contents of Eu 2+ and Mn 2+ .

Purpose Age-related cataract (ARC) is a complex multifactorial disorder, including genetic and environmental factors. Ezrin (EZR), a member of the ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) protein family, plays a crucial role in the development of the lens as a plasma membrane–cytoskeleton linker. We conducted this study to investigate the role of genetic variations of ezrin and the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in EZR and susceptibility to ARC in a Chinese population. Methods A total of 205 sporadic age-related cataract patients and 218 unrelated random healthy controls participated in our study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. All exons of EZR were sequenced after being amplified with polymerase chain reaction. The functional consequences of the mutations were analyzed using PolyPhen2. SNP statistical analysis was performed using SNPstats. Results We found three novel variations in 205 patients. None presented in the 218 controls, including c.441C>G, c.924G>C, and c.1503G>A. PolyPhen2 predicted that the c.924G>C mutation probably had pathogenicity. Compared with the healthy controls, the rs5881286 -/GT genotype and - allele frequencies (p=0.0012; odds ratio [OR]=3.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.70–6.70; p=3.96e-5; χ2=18.98, respectively), rs2242318 T/C genotype and C allele frequencies (p=0.0045; OR=3.40; 95% CI=1.70–6.79; p=8.82e-6; χ2=21.86, respectively), and rs144581330 A/G genotype and G allele frequencies (p=0.0472; OR=14.46; 95% CI=1.29–162.43; p=0.0244, χ2=6.99, respectively) were higher in the patients with age-related cataract. SNP rs144581330 in exon 2 was also predicted to be probably damaging by PolyPhen2. Haplotype association including the - allele of rs5881286, C allele of rs2242318, and A allele of rs144581330 exhibited significantly higher distribution in the patients with ARC (p=8.0e-4; OR=3.38; 95% CI=1.66–6.87). Conclusions This study suggests that the genetic variations and SNPs in the gene EZR possibly contribute to the development of age-related cataracts in the Chinese population.

Rare earth-doped phosphates have attracted much attention in recent years because of their interesting optical applications. However, few studies have reported on optical properties of fillowite-like compounds. Eu2+ and Mn2+ singly doped and Eu2+/Mn2+-codoped Mg21Ca4Na4(PO4)18 phosphors were synthesized for the first time via combustion-assisted synthesis technique. The Eu2+-activated sample emits an intense blue light under 360 nm excitation, while the Eu2+/Mn2 + -codoped Mg21Ca4Na4(PO4)18 sample exhibits a broad blue emission band and a red emission band, resulting from Eu2+ and Mn2+, respectively. Energy transfer between Eu2+ and Mn2+ was discovered and the transfer efficiency was also estimated based on relative intensities of Eu2+ and Mn2+ emission. Thus, the relative strength of blue and red emission intensities could be tuned by varying the relative concentration of Eu2+ and Mn2+. Since the photoluminescence excitation spectra of the newly developed Mg21Ca4Na4(PO4)18:Eu2+, Mn2+ phosphors exhibit a strong absorption in the range of 250–400 nm, they are promising for producing UV-LED-based white LEDs.

Noncoding RNAs are critical regulatory factors in essentially all forms of life. Stem cells occupy a special position in cell biology and Biomedicine, and emerging results show that multiple ncRNAs play essential roles in stem cells. We discuss some of the known ncRNAs in stem cells such as embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, adult stem cells, and cancer stem cells with a focus on long ncRNAs. Roles and functional mechanisms of these lncRNAs are summarized, and insights into current and future studies are presented.

Purpose To investigate the role of genetic variations in three known cataract-associated genes, gap junction protein α3 (GJA3), gap junction protein α8 (GJA8), lens intrinsic membrane protein 2 (LIM2), encoding lens fiber cell membrane proteins in the development of age-related cataracts. Methods One hundred and forty-five sporadic age-related cataract patients and one hundred and fifty-six unrelated random healthy controls participated in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. All exons of GJA3, GJA8, and LIM2 were sequenced after being amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The functional consequences of the mutations were analyzed using PolyPhen. Results We found five novel variations in 145 patients and none of them presented in the 156 controls. There are two variations in GJA3 (c.-39C>G, c. 415G>A); one in GJA8 (c. 823G>A), and two in LIM2 (c.57G>A, c.67A>C). PolyPhen predicted that the LIM2 c.67A>C mutation may have potential pathogenicity. Conclusions The genetic mutation in GJA3, GJA8, and LIM2 may slightly contribute to the development of age-related cataracts. This study showed a potential relationship between lens fiber cell membrane protein genes and the development of age-related cataracts in the Chinese population.

A novel elastic body design idea of six-axis wrist force sensor with a floating beam was raised based on the analysis of the robot six-axis wrist force sensor with a floating beam. The design ideas improve the sensor&rsquo, s dynamic performance significantly, while not reducing its sensitivity. First, the design ideas were described in detail, which were analyzed by mechanical modeling and were verified by finite element analysis. Second, the static simulation analysis of the novel elastomer of sensor was carried out. According to the strain distribution performance, the position of the strain gauges pasted and the connection mode of the full-bridge circuits were decided, which can achieve theoretical decoupling. Finally, the comparison between the static and dynamic performance of the novel sensor and the original sensor with floating beams was done. The results show that the static and dynamic performance of the novel six-axis wrist sensor are all better than the original sensor.

Purpose To identify the underlying genetic defect in a four-generation family of Chinese origin with autosomal dominant congenital cataract-microcornea syndrome (CCMC). Methods All individuals in the study underwent a full clinical examination and the details of history were collected . Genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and the exons of all candidate genes were sequenced. Results Direct sequencing of the encoding regions of the candidate genes revealed a heterozygous mutation c.592C→T in exon 2 of the gap junction protein, alpha 8 (GJA8) gene. This mutation was responsible for the familial disorder through the substitution of a highly conserved arginine to tryptophan at codon 198 (p.R198W). This change co-segregated with all affected members of the family, but was not detected either in the non-carrier relatives or in the 100 normal controls. Conclusions This report is the first to relate p.R198W mutation in GJA8 with CCMC. The result expands the mutation spectrum of GJA8 in associated with congenital cataract and microcornea, and implies that this gene has direct involvement with the development of the lens as well as the other anterior segment of the eye.

Two Thousand and Thirteen was a good year for Netflix. The first Netflix original programming, House of Cards entire first season, was launched on February 1, 2013. It allows subscribers to binge watch, frees them from the anxiety of waiting, and of course, becomes popular. More than that, high quality of the show fetched positive critics' reviews and nine Primetime Emmy Award nominations which is a first for online-only web television series (CNN, 2014). Its success led to the renewal of the third season. In the era of the convergence of traditional and new media, the change caught everyone's attention. Content providers acquired a new distribution channel. Media owners combine their resources. It makes combined the function of two or more devices and the new way to distribute content happen. Some of the critics and researchers deem Netflix is the future of television (Paskin, 2013). However, the famous House of Cards is not the only Netflix Original. In fact, there are 23 other Netflix original shows in the year of 2013 only. It seems to be the solution to extend the on-demand content selection, so that, Netflix would not be just a platform for customers to access and manage their entertainment. By investigating into Netflix, we may understand what made House of Cards stand out and how it influenced the future of streaming media.

On-site construction requirements on the fracturing truck technology is very high, however, the diversity of the system increases the system difficulty to control. Based on the requirements of communication protocol conversion, we design a J1939-PROFIBUS-DP bus adapter based on the control of fracturing truck, which provides an effective solution for conversion between fracturing car CAT engine, Allision gearbox protocol and Siemens S7-300 communication protocol.

Reading is one of the core courses in English teaching. The reading ability directly influences the acceptance of students' language knowledge, the training of basic skills as well as the level of cultivating English ability. In order to improve the reading comprehension level, one should pay great attention to the English teaching. English teaching, especially reading teaching, involves more than new word explanation and grammatical teaching. In fact, language is a kind of carrier of history, politics, economy, culture and everyday communication, which must be displayed in the reading materials. This paper is directed against the situation that students can not effectively improve the reading ability because of lacking for background knowledge. It states the influence of background knowledge on reading comprehension and the effective ways to strengthen the background knowledge and to improve the reading result.

The cutting performance of the sugarcane harvester is affected by many factors. However, the influences of these factors are difficult to calculate accurately, and the qualitative performance evaluation has some fuzziness. Therefore, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation is integrated with the neural network to assess the cutting performance. The ratio of ragged root of sugarcane affected by many indexes is evaluated with the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, and the evaluated results are taken as the training samples of the BP neural network. After it is trained, the BP neural network is used to estimate and forecast the cutting performance to reduce the minute and complicated computing processes of the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and to lessen the effects of the error of the training samples on the forecast performance. Thus, it is beneficial to improve the efficiency of solving problem and the self-learning ability of the evaluation model. The results indicate that the method integrated the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation with the BP neural network can obtain better application effects