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Superlattices constructed with the wide-band-gap semiconductor ZnO and magnetic oxide FeO, both in the wurtzite structure, have been investigated using spin-polarized first-principles calculations. The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the (ZnO)n/(w-FeO)n superlattices were studied in great detail. Two different interfaces in the (ZnO)n/(w-FeO)n superlattices were identified and they showed very different magnetic and electronic properties. Local symmetry-driven interfacial magnetization and electronic states can arise from different Fe/Zn distributions at different interfaces or spin ordering of Fe in the superlattice. The local symmetry-driven interfacial magnetization and electronic states, originating either from different Fe/Zn distribution across interfaces I and II, or by spin ordering of Fe in the superlattice, can be identified. It was also found that, in the case of the ferromagnetic phase, the electrons are more delocalized for the majority spin but strongly localized for the minority spin, which resulted in interesting spin-dependent transport properties. Our results will pave the way for designing novel spin-dependent electronic devices through the construction of superlattices from semiconductors and multiferroics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degeneration of dopamine (DA) neurons is known to be associated with defects in mitochondrial biogenesis caused by aging, environmental factors, or mutations in genes, leading to Parkinson's disease (PD). As PD has not yet been successfully cured, the strategy of using small molecule drugs to protect and restore mitochondrial biogenesis is a promising direction. This study evaluated the efficacy of synthetic chiisanoside (CSS) identified in the leaves of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus to prevent PD symptoms. The results show that in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model, CSS pretreatment can effectively alleviate the reactive oxygen species generation and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells, thereby lessening the defects in the C. elegans model including DA neuron degeneration, dopamine-mediated food sensitivity behavioral disorders, and shortened lifespan. Mechanistically, we found that CSS could restore the expression of proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1-alpha (PGC-1α), a key molecule in mitochondrial biogenesis, and its downstream related genes inhibited by 6-OHDA. We further confirmed that this is due to the enhanced activity of parkin leading to the ubiquitination and degradation of PGC-1α inhibitor protein Zinc finger protein 746 (ZNF746). Parkin siRNA treatment abolished this effect of CSS. Furthermore, we found that CSS inhibited 6-OHDA-induced expression of miR-181a, which targets parkin. The CSS's ability to reverse the 6-OHDA-induced reduction in mitochondrial biogenesis and activation of apoptosis was abolished after the transfection of anti-miR-181a and miR-181a mimics. Therefore, the neuroprotective effect of CSS mainly promotes mitochondrial biogenesis by regulating the miR-181a/Parkin/ZNF746/PGC-1α axis. CSS potentially has the opportunity to be developed into PD prevention agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous roll forming (CRF) is a new technology that combines continuous forming and multi-point forming to produce three-dimensional (3D) curved surfaces. Compared with other methods, the equipment of CRF is very simple, including only a pair of bendable work rolls and the corresponding shape adjustment and support assembly. By controlling the bending shapes of the upper and lower rolls and the size of the roll gap during forming, double curvature surfaces with different shapes can be produced. In this paper, a simplified expression of the exit velocity of the sheet is provided, and the formulas for the calculation of the longitudinal curvature radius are further derived. The reason for the discrepancy between the actual and predicted values of the longitudinal radius is deeply discussed from the perspective of the distribution of the exit velocity. By using the response surface methodology, the effects of the maximum compression ratio, the sheet width, the sheet thickness, and the transverse curvature radius on the longitudinal curvature radius are analyzed. Meanwhile, the correction coefficients of the predicted formulas for the positive and negative Gaussian curvature surfaces are obtained as 1.138 and 0.905, respectively. The validity and practicability of the modified formulas are verified by numerical simulations and forming experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The movement disorder Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most frequently diagnosed neurodegenerative disease, and is associated with aging, the environment, and genetic factors. The intracellular aggregation of α-synuclein and the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta are the pathological hallmark of PD. At present, there is no successful treatment for PD. Maackiain (MK) is a flavonoid extracted from dried roots of Sophora flavescens Aiton. MK has emerged as a novel agent for PD treatment that acts by inhibiting monoamine oxidase B. In this study, we assessed the neuroprotective potential of MK in Caenorhabditis elegans and investigated possible mechanism of this neuroprotection in the human SH-SY5Y cell line. We found that MK significantly reduced dopaminergic neuron damage in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-exposed worms of the BZ555 strain, with corresponding improvements in food-sensing behavior and life-span. In transgenic worms of strain NL5901 treated with 0.25 mM MK, the accumulation of α-synuclein was diminished by 27% (p < 0.01) compared with that in untreated worms. Moreover, in worms and the SH-SY5Y cell line, we confirmed that the mechanism of MK-mediated protection against PD pathology may include blocking apoptosis, enhancing the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and augmenting autophagy by increasing PINK1/parkin expression. The use of small interfering RNA to downregulate parkin expression in vivo and in vitro could reverse the benefits of MK in PD models. MK may have considerable therapeutic applications in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superlattices constructed with the wide-band-gap semiconductor ZnO and magnetic oxide FeO, both in the wurtzite structure, have been investigated using spin-polarized first-principles calculations. The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the (ZnO) n /(w-FeO) n superlattices were studied in great detail. Two different interfaces in the (ZnO) n /(w-FeO) n superlattices were identified and they showed very different magnetic and electronic properties. Local symmetry-driven interfacial magnetization and electronic states can arise from different Fe/Zn distributions at different interfaces or spin ordering of Fe in the superlattice. The local symmetry-driven interfacial magnetization and electronic states, originating either from different Fe/Zn distribution across interfaces I and II, or by spin ordering of Fe in the superlattice, can be identified. It was also found that, in the case of the ferromagnetic phase, the electrons are more delocalized for the majority spin but strongly localized for the minority spin, which resulted in interesting spin-dependent transport properties. Our results will pave the way for designing novel spin-dependent electronic devices through the construction of superlattices from semiconductors and multiferroics.

Taipu River is a river spanning two provinces and one city in a demonstration area in the Yangtze River Delta on an ecologically friendly developmentand an important water source in the upper reaches of the Huangpu River in Shanghai. To understand the multi-media distribution characteristics, pollution status, and ecological risk of heavy metals in the Taipu River, the contents of heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn) in the sediments of Taipu River were analyzed, and the pollution status and potential ecological risk were evaluated using the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index, geo-accumulation index, and potential ecological risk index methods. In addition, the health risk assessment model was used to assess the health risk of heavy metals in surface water of Taipu River. The results showed that the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Mn, and Ni in the surface water of Taipu River exceeded the class Ⅲ water limit at the upstream point in spring; the concentrations of Sb exceeded the class Ⅲ water limit at all points in winter; the average value of As exceeded the class Ⅲ water limit in overlying water during the wet season; and the average values of As and Cd exceeded the class Ⅲ water limit in pore water during the wet season. The health risk assessment of surface water implied that both adults and children had higher health risk in spring and lower health risk in other seasons. The health risk of children was significantly higher than that of adults, and it mainly came from chemical carcinogenic heavy metal elements As, Cd, and Cr. The average contents of Co, Mn, Sb, and Zn in Taipu River sediments in the four seasons all exceeded the Shanghai soil baseline; the average contents of As, Cr, and Cu in summer, autumn, and winter exceeded the Shanghai soil baseline; and the average contents of Cd, Ni, and Pb in summer and winter exceeded the Shanghai soil baseline. The evaluation results of the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index and geo-accumulation index showed that the pollution degree of the middle reaches of Taipu River was higher than that of the upper and lower reaches, and the Sb pollution was more serious. The potential ecological risk index method revealed that the Taipu River sediment was at a low risk. Cd had a high contribution in both the wet and dry seasons and could be regarded as the main heavy metal of potential ecological risk in the Taipu River sediment.