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Sensitivity is one of the most important characteristics of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) humidity sensors, and the methods to improve the sensitivity have always been the research focus in the field of QCM humidity sensors. This study proposes an ultrasensitive (179.88 Hz/%RH) QCM humidity sensor using graphene oxide (GO) and hydroxylated graphene quantum dots (OH-GQDs) as the sensitive materials. The experimental results show that the incorporation of OH-GQDs significantly increases the number of active sites on the GO, and the GO/OH-GQDs composite has a larger specific surface area, which greatly increases the water absorption capacity. In addition, the sensor has a low humidity hysteresis (1.3%), fast response and recovery times (7/10 s), good stability, and good repeatability. This sensor’s ultrahigh sensitivity suggests significant potential for advancing the development of high-performance QCM humidity sensors.

Microenvironment regulation near the catalyst surface plays a critical role in heterogeneous electrocatalytic reactions. The local concentration of reactants and intermediates significantly affects the reaction kinetics and product selectivity. Herein, we propose an innovative strategy of utilizing the spatial confinement effect in a sandwich-structured C/Cu/C assembly to regulate kinetic mass transport during the electrocatalytic CO2reduction reaction. The sandwich C/Cu/C assembly catalyst was successfully prepared using a simple bidirectional freezing and freeze-drying method. The sandwich structure changes the free diffusion pathway of the CO intermediate within the sandwich interlayer and helps confine CO with locally increased CO concentration near the catalyst surface, which in turn promotes C–C coupling and thus improves the reaction activity and doubles the C2product selectivity compared to its disordered mixture counterpart. This kinetics regulation in the sandwich structure may provide a new insight into the catalyst design and inspire the understanding of the structure-performance relationship in electrocatalysis.

Rapid measurement of the resonant frequency of quartz crystal (QC) devices plays a key role in applying QC-based dynamic monitoring, such as respiration monitoring and kinetic process, in electrochemical reactions. This work develops an FPGA-accelerated QC measurement system without software-based curve fitting. A negative feedback loop based on the susceptance response collected by the quadrature demodulation circuit is constructed. Moreover, a proportional–integral–differential control and tracking strategy is applied to improve the measurement speed significantly. The test results show that the implemented system can track a frequency shift of 5 kHz bandwidth within 50 ms. The standard deviation of the measured frequency of a QC device under test is only 0.17 Hz, which indicates that the proposed system has high stability and high precision. The frequency measurement results have a relative error of 0.8 ppm compared with the Agilent 4294 A impedance analyzer. It is demonstrated that the proposed QC measurement system has great potential for QC-based dynamic detection.

Sensitivity and linearity are two crucial parameters in the context of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) humidity sensors. Achieving a highly sensitive response in a QCM-based humidity sensor involves employing a significant mass of humidity-sensitive material; however, this approach may introduce a viscosity effect, leading to a nonlinear response from the sensor. The Sauerbrey equation suggests that a QCM device exhibits a linear mass-frequency response when a micro-mass is deposited on its surface. In this study, we present a design strategy for a QCM humidity sensor based on a small-size, high-frequency QCM transducer. A minimal mass ( $1 ~\mu \text{g}$ ) of graphene oxide (GO) serves as the moisture-sensitive material and is deposited on a 16-MHz QCM device enclosed in a 5032 package, resulting in the fabrication of a QCM humidity sensor. The sensor demonstrates both high sensitivity (82.40 Hz/%RH) and high linearity (adjusted R-square: 0.9892) across a relative humidity (RH) range of 11%–97%; furthermore, the sensor exhibits low humidity hysteresis (2.5% RH), excellent stability, and repeatability. The methodology proposed in this article is anticipated to contribute to the development of high-performance QCM humidity sensors.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have substantially proven their merit in diminishing recuperation durations and mitigating postoperative adverse events in geriatric populations undergoing colorectal cancer procedures. Despite this, the pivotal aspect of postoperative pain control has not garnered the commensurate attention it deserves. Typically, employing a multimodal analgesia regimen that weaves together nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, local anesthetics, and nerve blocks stands paramount in curtailing surgical complications and facilitating reduced convalescence within hospital confines. Nevertheless, this integrative pain strategy is not devoid of pitfalls; the specter of organ dysfunction looms over the geriatric cohort, rooted in the abuse of analgesics or the complex interplay of polypharmacy. Revolutionary research is delving into alternative delivery and release modalities, seeking to allay the inadvertent consequences of analgesia and thereby potentially elevating postoperative outcomes for the elderly post-colorectal cancer surgery populace. This review examines the dual aspects of multimodal analgesia regimens by comparing their established benefits with potential limitations and offers insight into the evolving strategies of drug administration and release.

The fabrication of overhanging structure is difficult in Selective laser melting. Currently, temporary supports must be installed when fabricating horizontal overhanging structures, but this method inevitably results in additional waste. This paper presents an original study for the fabrication of horizontal overhanging structure. By using a defocused laser, a new structure layer was successfully printed directly on the powder bed, which was used as the initial layer of a horizontal overhanging structure to replace the traditional supports. As a feasibility check, a closed box with a large horizontal top was printed. The experimental results show that the new approach can significantly reduce the additional waste caused by conventional supports.

Water seepage of building walls is a common problem in our lives. However, the lack of early seepage detection methods often makes the problem worse. To develop effective early wall seepage detection methods, an ultrasensitive quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) humidity sensor based on fullerenol (C60-OH)-assisted dispersion of Nafion/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites is proposed. The prepared sensor shows almost seven times higher frequency shift than pure Nafion-based sensor, which reaches −10814 Hz. This is mainly attributed to the uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in the Nafion with the assistance of C60-OH to form a reticular structure that generates more voids, which greatly improves the diffusion ability of water molecules in the composite materials and thus further enhances humidity sensing properties of the sensor. The high-performance QCM humidity sensor is expected to be used for early detection of water seepage in building walls by monitoring air humidity changes near the wall surface.

This article documents experiences from frontline anesthesia providers in Wuhan, China, mainly from the anesthesiologists in Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China. Those experiences offer valuable insight into the processes used to optimize the emergency response system, and the medical resources and emergency allocation, as well as providing information on the role anesthesiologists played in managing the pandemic.

Tao-He-Cheng-Qi granule (THCQ) was derived from Tao-He-Cheng-Qi Decoction, which has been proved to be one of the effective traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) applied in the treatment of Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH). The objective of this investigation was to study the quality control of THCQ and explore its potential mechanism in treating ICH. According to the results, 20 batches of THCQ had similar chromatographic fingerprints. The similarities of chromatograms of the 20 batches were 0.937∼0.998 and 15 major chromatographic peaks were identified as the common peaks for the quality control of THCQ. Subsequently, four analytical methods were successfully established to determine 7 index components of THCQ, respectively, which then were applied in 20 batches of THCQ to determine the content of these index components. Besides, animal experiments were conducted to explore the mechanism of THCQ in the treatment of ICH. After a three-day treatment, behavioral changes and brain histopathological evaluations of SD rats showed that THCQ dose-dependently improved the symptoms of rats with ICH. The results of immunohistochemical evaluations showed that THCQ reduced the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β. The results of protein expressions detected by ELISA revealed that THCQ dose-dependently reduced Notch1 level and increased the expression of VEGFR. Collectively, the mechanisms of THCQ for treating ICH might be closely relevant to the downregulation of Notch and NF-κB and the upregulation of VEGFR. These findings provided insight for studies in investigating the quality control and further clinical application of THCQ.

Introduction:The dry ripe sarcocarp of Cornus officinalisSieb.et Zucc (in Chinese Shanyurou) has the properties of tonifying the liver and kidney. Wine-steamed Corni Fructus, as the main processed product from Corni Fructus, is widely used in traditional Chinese clinical medicine. This article aims to study the Corni Fructus composition changes when wine-steamed processed and to discuss the optimal processing technology of Corni Fructus combined with pharmacological experiments. Methods:The differences between Corni Fructus and wine-steamed Corni fructus constituents were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The effects of Corni Fructus and wine-steamed Corni Fructus with different processing times were studied from the aspects of immune activity, liver protection, and kidney yin deficiency. Results:A total of 132 compounds were identified in the wine-steamed process of Corni Fructus. There were no significant differences in immune function, liver protection, and kidney yin deficiency of Corni Fructus with different processing times. However, the effects of Corni Fructus processed by wine-steaming were significantly enhanced in all aspects. Conclusion:The wine-steamed Corni Fructus chemical composition may be the material basis for enhancing liver and kidney function. After processing, Corni Fructus can enhance immune function, liver protection function, and liver and kidney toning function.

The mortality risk related to anaesthesia in China remains poorly characterized. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anaesthesia-related mortality in terms of its incidence, changes, causes and preventability in Hubei, China, between 2017 and 2021 using a series of annual surveys.

Soil moisture has a significant influence on water, energy, and carbon biogeochemical cycles. A numerical method for solving Richards' equation is usually used for simulating soil moisture. Selection of a lower boundary condition for Richards' equation will further affect the simulation results for soil moisture, water cycle, energy balance, and carbon biogeochemical processes. In this study, the soil water movement dynamic sub-model of a hydrologically based land surface model, the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) model, was modified using the finite difference method (FDM) to solve a mixed form of Richards' equation. In addition, the VIC model was coupled with a terrestrial biogeochemical model, the Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach model of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus (CASACNP model). The no-flux boundary (NB) and free-drainage boundary (FB) were selected to investigate their impacts on simulations of the water, energy, and soil carbon cycles based on the coupling model. The NB and FB had different influences on the water, energy, and soil carbon simulations. The water and energy simulations were more sensitive, while the soil carbon simulation was less sensitive to FB than to NB. Free-drainage boundary could result in lower soil moisture, evaporation, runoff, and heterotrophic respiration and higher surface soil temperature, sensible heat flux, and soil carbon content. The impact of the lower boundary condition on simulation would be greater with an increase in soil permeability. In the silt loam soil case, evaporation, runoff, and soil respiration of FB were nearly 16%, 13%, and 1% smaller, respectively, compared to those of NB.

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels were reported to express in the well-known vasomotor region, rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), and can be inhibited by propofol. However, whether HCN channels in RVLM contribute to propofol-induced cardiovascular depression remains unclear. We recorded the hemodynamic changes when either continuous intravenous infusions or microinjections of propofol and ZD-7288 (4-ethylphenylamino-1,2-dimethyl-6-methylaminopyrimidinium chloride; HCN channel blocker) in RVLM. Expressions of HCN channels in RVLM neurons of mice of different ages were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The effects of propofol and ZD-7288 on HCN channels and the excitability of RVLM neurons were examined by electrophysiological recording. Propofol (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 mg/kg per minute, i.v., 10 minutes) decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) in a concentration-dependent manner in wild-type mice that were markedly attenuated in HCN1 knockout mice. Bilateral microinjection of propofol (1%, 0.1 μl) in RVLM caused a sharp and pronounced drop in MAP and HR values, which were abated by pretreatment with ZD-7288. In electrophysiological recording, propofol (5, 10, and 20 μM) concentration-dependently inhibited HCN current, increased input resistance, decreased firing rate, and caused membrane hyperpolarization in RVLM neurons. These actions of propofol were attenuated by ZD-7288 pretreatment. The mRNA and protein level of HCN channels increased in an age-dependent manner, which may contribute to the age-dependent increase in the sensitivity to propofol. Our results indicated that the inhibition of HCN channels in RVLM neurons may contribute to propofol-induced cardiovascular inhibition.

Regenerating gene IA (REGIA) plays an important role in tissue regeneration and tumors prognosis of epithelium origin. However, the role of REGIA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is unclear. This study aims to investigate the expression and function of REG1A in NPC. We have found that there was 63 patients with REGIA positive expression of 155 patients in this study (40.65%). The positive expression rate of REGIA was 30.50, 44.44 and 47.83% in stage T2, T3 and T4 patients, respectively. The REGIA expression was significantly difference in T2 and T4 stage tumors or T2 and T3–T4 stage. The positive expression rate of REGIA was found to be higher in patients with cervical lymph node persistence than those with cervical lymph node complete regression. Patients with negative REGIA expression had a better overall survival and free survival than those with REGIA positive expression. In addition, according to the univariate and multivariate analysis, the REGIA expression was an independent adverse prognostic factor for NPC patients. REGIA expression was a useful biomarker in NPC patients for assessing T stage and survival.

We investigate the supercontinuum (SC) generation in an 1 cm long silica photonic crystal fiber (PCF) pumped by the pulse sources with single, dual, and triple wavelengths, respectively. The silica PCF has two zero-dispersion wavelengths at 900 and 2620 nm, respectively. When pumped by a single wavelength, the SC spectral range covers about 1000 nm. When pumped by dual and triple wavelengths, the SC spectral range covers wider than 2000 nm. Both the SC spectral range and the flatness are improved obviously when pumped by triple wavelengths. The maximum SC spectral range is obtained when the silica PCF is pumped by the triple wavelengths at 800, 1450, and 1785 nm. The SC spectral range covers 2810 nm from 350 to 3160 nm wider than three octaves. The 10 dB bandwidth covers 2280 nm from 450 to 2730 nm wider than two octaves. This is the first investigation on comparison of the SCs generated by different pump wavelengths up to three experimentally. The generated SC spectra have covered the full transmission window of silica fiber.

Intestinal ischemic post-conditioning (IPo) protects against lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia–reperfusion (IIR) partly through promotion of expression and function of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) is a key transcription factor that interacts with HO-1 and regulates antioxidant defense. However, the role of Nrf2 in IPo protection of IIR-induced pulmonary injury is not completely understood. Here we show that IPo significantly attenuated IIR-induced lung injury and suppressed oxidative stress and systemic inflammatory responses. IPo also increased the expression of both Nrf2 and HO-1. Consistently, the beneficial effects of IPo were abolished by ATRA and Brusatol, potent inhibitors of Nrf2. Moreover, the Nrf2 agonist t-BHQ showed similar activity as IPo. Taken together, our data suggest that Nrf2 activity, along with HO-1, plays an important role in the protective effects of IPo against IIR-induced acute lung injury.

Intestinal ischemic post-conditioning (IPo) protects against lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia–reperfusion (IIR) partly through promotion of expression and function of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) is a key transcription factor that interacts with HO-1 and regulates antioxidant defense. However, the role of Nrf2 in IPo protection of IIR-induced pulmonary injury is not completely understood. Here we show that IPo significantly attenuated IIR-induced lung injury and suppressed oxidative stress and systemic inflammatory responses. IPo also increased the expression of both Nrf2 and HO-1. Consistently, the beneficial effects of IPo were abolished by ATRA and Brusatol, potent inhibitors of Nrf2. Moreover, the Nrf2 agonist t-BHQ showed similar activity as IPo. Taken together, our data suggest that Nrf2 activity, along with HO-1, plays an important role in the protective effects of IPo against IIR-induced acute lung injury.

This study investigated the effects of Bacillus coagulansX26 on the production performance, egg quality, intestinal structure, intestinal short-chain fatty acids, and microbial diversity of laying hens during the peak laying period and explored the possibility of using B. coagulansX26 as an alternative to antibiotics. The results showed that adding 1.0 × 106CFU/g B. coagulansX26 to the basal diet had the best effect: the average laying rate increased by 4.20% (P< 0.05), the survival rate increased by 7.15% (P< 0.05), the feed intake decreased by 3.06% (P< 0.05), the ratio of feed to egg decreased by 7.42% (P< 0.05), the rate of soft-broken eggshell decreased by 73.04% (P< 0.05), the average egg weight increased by 2.94% (P< 0.05), and the content of egg white protein increased by 5.77% (P< 0.05). The production performance and egg quality of laying hens reached the same level as that of hens fed a diet supplemented with chlortetracycline hydrochloride in this study, and there were significant advantages in the average laying rate and feed-egg ratio (P< 0.05). Both chlortetracycline hydrochloride and B. coagulansX26 altered the flora composition and the SCFA content of the intestinal contents; however, B. coagulansX26 also significantly increased the villus height of the ileum and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (P< 0.05).

Local anesthetic–induced convulsions remain a concern of anesthesiologists when performing regional anesthesia. Our previous study found that the lidocaine requirement for IV regional anesthesia was reduced with coadministration of emulsified isoflurane. We designed this study to examine whether emulsified isoflurane could increase the convulsive threshold of lidocaine and produce protection after a lidocaine-induced convulsion.

Systemic administration of local anesthetics has beneficial perioperative properties and an anesthetic-sparing and antiarrhythmic effect, although the detailed mechanisms of these actions remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a local anesthetic, lidocaine, on hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels that contribute to the pacemaker currents in rhythmically oscillating cells of the heart and brain. Voltage-clamp recordings were used to examine the properties of cloned HCN subunit currents expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells under control condition and lidocaine administration. Lidocaine inhibited HCN1, HCN2, HCN1-HCN2, and HCN4 channel currents at 100 µM in both oocytes and/or HEK 293 cells; it caused a decrease in both tonic and maximal current (∼30–50% inhibition) and slowed current activation kinetics for all subunits. In addition, lidocaine evoked a hyperpolarizing shift in half-activation voltage (ΔV1/2of ∼–10 to –14 mV), but only for HCN1 and HCN1-HCN2 channels. By fitting concentration-response data to logistic functions, we estimated half-maximal (EC50) concentrations of lidocaine of ∼30 to 40 µM for the shift in V1/2observed with HCN1 and HCN1-HCN2; for inhibition of current amplitude, calculated EC50values were ∼50 to 70 µM for HCN1, HCN2, and HCN1-HCN2 channels. A lidocaine metabolite, monoethylglycinexylidide (100 µM), had similar inhibitory actions on HCN channels. These results indicate that lidocaine potently inhibits HCN channel subunits in dose-dependent manner over a concentration range relevant for systemic application. The ability of local anesthetics to modulate Ihin central neurons may contribute to central nervous system depression, whereas effects on Ifin cardiac pacemaker cells may contribute to the antiarrhythmic and/or cardiovascular toxic action.

This paper deals with the regional dimension of innovation in the context of the Chinese economy. The paper provides a special research innovation matrix framework namely research-based innovation vs. production-based innovation, and knowledge creation vs. knowledge learning, to include typical innovation activities in developing countries such as China. An empirical study on the geographical dimension of innovation in China is conducted. By applying the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method to 14 innovation measures selected under the research framework, based on statistical data covering 31 sample regions in China. The study reveals that these two innovation settings in China are geographically differentiated and in most cases are significantly distinguished. By further investigating typical external influencing factors, the study concludes that while research-based innovation is largely related to governmental supporting policy, production-based innovation is primarily influenced by Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the flows and development of a market mechanism.

Purpose: The present study was designed to clarify the direct effects of the volatile anesthetics halothane, isoflurane and sevoflurane on oxytocin-induced uterine smooth muscle contraction from pregnant rats. Methods: Longitudinal smooth muscle layers were obtained from pregnant rats. Intracellular concentration of free Ca++([Ca++]i) was measured, using a fluorescence technique, simultaneously with muscle tension. Inward Ba++current (IBa) through voltage-dependent Ca++channels (VDCCs) was measured using a whole cell patch clamp technique. After incubation with 20 nM oxytocin, halothane, isoflurane or sevoflurane (1, 2, and 3%) was introduced into the tissue bath. Results: All volatile anesthetics significantly inhibited muscle contraction concomitant with a decrease in [Ca++]i. Volatile anesthetics also inhibited the peak IBa. When the anesthetic concentrations were expressed as multiples of minimum alveolar concentrations, there were no differences in the inhibitory potencies of the three volatile agents tested for muscle tension and VDCC. Conclusions: Volatile anesthetics halothane, isoflurane and sevoflurane reduce the oxytocin-induced contraction of pregnant uterine smooth muscle. Inhibition of the contraction by the volatile anesthetics is due, at least in part, to the decrease in [Ca++]i, and the decrease in [Ca++]imay be mediated by inhibition of VDCC activity.

A convenient and rapid method for the genetic transformation of Escherichia coliwith plasmids is proposed. By mixing the recipient cells and plasmid DNA and spreading them directly on selective medium plates containing Ca2+, the so-called `plate transformation' could achieve almost the same transformation efficiency as the classical transformation method with calcium. The whole protocol takes only about 2 min, its simplicity compared favorably, not only to the usual protocol, but also to all other documented modifications.

Purpose: To compare hemodynamic changes after tracheal intubation when using a new fibreoptic stylet scope (Styletscope™ ) and a conventional laryngoscope in normotensive and hypertensive patients. Methods: Normotensive (N; n = 30) and hypertensive (H; n = 30) patients undergoing general anesthesia participated in this study. Each group was divided into two groups. In one group, patients were intubated by using a stylet scope with a laryngoscope as an adjuvant (S; n = 15 each), while patients in the other group were intubated using a laryngoscope by the usual technique (L; n = 15 each). The time necessary for intubation, hemodynamic changes, and adverse effects were recorded. Results: Patients in the normotensive groups (SN and LN groups) showed significant increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures from before induction to one minute after intubation; however, blood pressures in the SN group were significantly lower than those in the LN group. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased after intubation in the LH group, but not in the SH group. Heart rates in all four groups showed significant increases, and there were no differences between heart rates in the stylet scope and laryngoscope groups or between the normotensive and hypertensive groups. The number of patients who complained of sore throat was greater in the laryngoscope groups. Conclusions: Tracheal intubation with a stylet scope can attenuate hemodynamic changes and reduce the incidence of sore throat in comparison with the conventional laryngoscope technique in both normotensive and hypertensive patients.

Purpose: The purpose was to compare the concentrations of compound A in inspired gas breathed by patients produced by different types of anesthetic machines under prolonged sevoflurane low-flow anesthesia. Methods: The anesthetic machines tested were Excel™ 210 SE (Datex-Ohmeda, Louisville, CO), Cicero™ (Dräger, Lübeck, Germany), and AS/3™ ADU (Datex-Ohmeda, Louisville, CO). Anesthesia expected to last more than four hours was maintained with 2.0% sevoflurane and nitrous oxide (0.5 L·min−1) / oxygen (0.5 L·min−1). The concentrations of compound A, obtained from the inspiratory limb of the circle system, were measured using a gas Chromatograph. Results: When Excel™ and Cicero™ were used, concentrations of compound A increased steadily from the baseline values to 28 and 29 (mean) ppm, respectively, at two hours after exposure to sevoflurane and became constant. There was no significant difference between the concentrations of compound A produced by these anesthetic machines. In contrast, the new anesthetic machine AS/3™ was associated with lower concentrations of compound A (6 ppm at one hour, P &lt; 0.05 compared with Excel™ and Cicero™), and the concentration did not change significantly thereafter. Conclusion: In spite of the use of a conventional carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbent with strong bases, the anesthetic machine AS/3™ with a small volume of canister/soda lime (900 ml/700 ml) produced lower concentrations of compound A than those produced by the other machines.

A novel halovirus, VOLN27B, was isolated from a drill core sample taken at a depth of approximately 430 m, from a layer formed during the Cretaceous period (Anhui, China). VOLN27B infects the halophilic archaeon Halorubrum sp. LN27 and has a head-tailed morphotype with a contractile tail, typical of myoviruses. The average head diameter is 64±2.0 nm, and uncontracted tails are 15±1.0×65±2.0 nm. The latent period is about 10 h. The maturing time of VOLN27B in cells of Halorubrum sp. LN27 was nearly 8 h. The adsorption time of VOLN27B on cells of Halorubrum sp. LN27 was less than 1 min. Virus particles are unstable at pH values less than 5 or when the NaCl concentration is below 12% (w/v). VOLN27B and Halorubrum sp. LN27 were recovered from the same hypersaline environment and provide a new virus-host system in haloarchaea.

To study the low temperature effects of compressive mechanical properties on Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant, a quasi-static mechanical experiment was conducted. The results show that compressive mechanical parameters are closely related to strain rate and low temperature. With the decrease of temperature and increase of strain rate, the modulus and compressive strength of HTPB propellant increase obviously. Based on the time-temperature equivalence principle (TTEP), the master curves of compressive strength and initial modulus for HTPB propellant were obtained, which can facilitate the structural integrity analysis of the propellant.

Haloarchaeon Natrinema sp. J7, the first reported archaeon harboring both plasmid and chromosome-based temperate viruses, is a useful model for investigating archaeal virus-host and virus-virus interactions. However, the lack of genetic tools has limited such studies. On the basis of the automatically replicating sequences of the J7 chromosome and the pyrF marker, we constructed seven vectors, six of which were confirmed to possess replication ability in a pyrF-deletion derivative of J7 (J7-F). Among these vectors, pFJ1, pFJ4, and pFJ6 could be transformed into the host strain with relatively high efficiency (approximately 103 colony-forming units/μg DNA) and were present at about one copy per chromosome. These three vectors could be stably maintained in J7-F without selection and were used for heterologous protein expression. Only pFJ6 was found to be present in the transformed cells in an exclusively episomal, nonintegrated state (one copy per chromosome). In contrast, some pFJ1 and pFJ4 DNA was probably integrated into the J7-F chromosome. In addition, pFJ6 was found to be compatible with pYCJ in J7 cells, suggesting that these two vectors could be used for further studies of virus-virus and virus-host interactions.

We demonstrate the supercontinuum (SC) generation in a chalcogenide step-index fiber with AsSe2 core and As2S5 cladding. The characteristics of fiber are analyzed using the full-vectorial mode solver technique. The fiber has two zero-dispersion wavelengths at 2898 and 5140 nm. The evolving of SC spectra with fiber length and pump wavelength is investigated experimentally. The maximum SC range covering one octave from 1550 to 3300 nm is obtained when the 20 cm long fiber is pumped by 2000 nm pulses in normal dispersion region. The fiber can push forward the nonlinear application based on the stimulated Raman effect, stimulated Brillouin effect, four-wave mixing, supercontinuum generation, and so on in the mid-infrared waveband. The SCs are simulated by the nonlinear Schrodinger equation. The simulated results agree well with the experiments.

The measurement of the second-order degree of coherence [g^(2)(τ)] is one of the important methods used to study the dynamical evolution of photon-matter interaction systems. Here, we use a nitrogen-vacancy center in a diamond to compare the measurement of g^(2)(τ) with two methods. One is the prototype measurement process with a tunable delay. The other is a start-stop process based on the time-to-amplitude conversion (TAC) and multichannel analyzer (MCA) system, which is usually applied to achieve efficient measurements. The divergence in the measurement results is observed when the delay time is comparable with the mean interval time between two neighboring detected photons. Moreover, a correction function is presented to correct the results from the TAC-MCA system to the genuine g^(2)(τ). Such a correction method will provide a way to study the dynamics in photonic systems for quantum information techniques.

Our understanding of the genus Natrinema is presently limited due to the lack of available genetic tools. Auxotrophic markers have been widely used to construct genetic systems in bacteria and eukaryotes and in some archaeal species. Here, we isolated four auxotrophic mutants of Natrinema sp. J7-2, via 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitroso-guanidin mutagenesis, and designated them as J7-2-1, J7-2-22, J7-2-26, and J7-2-52, respectively. The mutant phenotypes were determined to be auxotrophic for leucine (J7-2-1), arginine (J7-2-22 and J7-2-52), and lysine (J7-2-26). The complete genome and the biosynthetic pathways of amino acids in J7-2 identified that the auxotrophic phenotype of three mutants was due to gene mutations in leuB (J7-2-1), dapD (J7-2-26), and argC (J7-2-52). These auxotrophic phenotypes were employed as selectable makers to establish a transformation method. The transformation efficiencies were determined to be approximately 103 transformants per µg DNA. And strains J7-2-1 and J7-2-26 were transformed into prototrophic strains with the wild type genomic DNA, amplified fragments of the corresponding genes, or the integrative plasmids carrying the corresponding genes. Additionally, exogenous genes, bgaH or amyH gene, were expressed successfully in J7-2-1. Thus, we have developed a genetic manipulation system for the Natrinema genus based on the isolated auxotrophic mutants of Natrinema sp. J7-2.

The expression and localization of bFGF and TGF‐β1 in the inner ear of ten 10‐29 week human fetuses were studied using the LSAB immunohistochemical technique referred to the method of Shi. The bFGF was strongly expressed in Corti’s organs, vestibule macula and ampullar crista. The color of the upper cells of Corti’s anlage was a little deeper than that of the basal cells. The hair cells and supporting cells in the matured Corti’s organ continued to have distinct expression. Sites such as spiral ganglion (SG) neurons, stria vascularis (SV) had positive expression. Some cartilaginous cells and osseous cells in the developing osseous labyrinthus had light expression. TGF‐β1 was expressed in the epithelium of Corti’s organ, vestibule macula, and ampullar crista. Hair cell color had a tendency to become weak with the maturity of the sensory epithelium, SG neurons, SV and spiral prominence (SP) had the TGF‐β1 expression too. The results indicated that bFGF and TGF‐β1 had participated in the course of inner ear development. The bFGF is a strong mitogen. However in this experiment it was found that it had the effect to promote differentiation. TGF‐β1 had double effect of promotion and inhibition on the proliferation and differentiation of cells. The expression of bFGF and TGF‐β1 in SG neurons indicated that both factors had participated in the development of the nervous system of the inner ear.

Epitaxial ?-FeSi2film on Si(111) was prepared by codeposition of iron and silicon onto a ?-FeSi2template at 400°C and subsequent annealing at 700°C for 2 h. The template was prepared by reactive deposition epitaxy on Si(111). X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern shows only ?-FeSi2(202) or (220) peak which is in correspondence with the epitaxial ?-FeSi2(101) or (110) on Si(111). Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) and high resolution TEM (HRTEM) observation show that the ?-FeSi2/Si interface was quite flat near atomic level. Conversion electron Msbauer spectrum proves that the film grows in one or more epitaxial equivalent orientations rather than in a polycrystalline manner.