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This study seeks to investigate theimpactof China’sexchange rate onthe trade balance of 41 Sub‑aharan African countries for the period from 1994 to 2016. Using an augmented gravity model, the grouped and ungrouped results of the study confirm the elasticity and absorption approaches of the trade balance. Similarly, the robustness check, by dividing the sample period into two sub‑eriods (2005–016 and 1994–004), also confirms the elasticity and absorption approaches of the trade balance.

We demonstrate the coexistence of pseudospin- and valley-Hall-like edge states in a photonic crystal with C_{3v} symmetry, which is composed of three interlacing triangular sublattices with the same lattice constants. By tuning the geometry of the sublattices, three complete photonic band gaps with nontrivial topology can be created, one of which is due to the band inversion associated with the pseudospin degree of freedom at the Γ point and the other two due to the gapping out of Dirac cones associated with the valley degree of freedom at the K,K^{′} points. The system can support triband pseudospin- and valley-momentum locking edge states at properly designed domain-wall interfaces. Furthermore, to demonstrate the novel interplay of the two kinds of edge states in a single configuration, we design a four-channel system, where the unidirectional routing of electromagnetic waves against sharp bends between two routes can be selectively controlled by the pseudospin and valley degrees of freedom. Our work combines the pseudospin and valley degrees of freedom in a single configuration and may provide more flexibility in manipulating electromagnetic waves with promising potential for multiband and multifunctional applications.

We, the authors, wish to make the following corrections to our paper [...]

Two neolignan glycosides including a new one (1), along with seven iridoid glycosides (3 − 9) and nine flavonoid glycosides (10 − 18), were isolated from the leaves of Vaccinium bracteatum. Their structures were established mainly on the basis of 1D/2D NMR and ESIMS analyses, as well as comparison to known compounds in the literature. The structure of 1 with absolute stereochemistry was also confirmed by chemical degradation and ECD calculation. Selective compounds showed antiradical activity against ABTS and/or DPPH. Moreover, several isolates also suppressed the production of ROS in RAW264.7 cells and exerted neuroprotective effect toward PC12 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium has become a major impediment to stable wheat production in many regions worldwide. Infected wheat plants not only experience reduced yield and quality but their spikes generate toxins that pose a significant threat to human and animal health. Currently, there are two primary methods for effectively controlling Fusarium head blight (FHB): spraying quantitative chemical agents and breeding disease-resistant wheat varieties. The premise of both methods is to accurately diagnosis the severity of wheat FHB in real time. In this study, a deep learning-based multi-model fusion system was developed for integrated detection of FHB severity. Combination schemes of network frameworks and backbones for wheat spike and spot segmentation were investigated. The training results demonstrated that Mobilev3-Deeplabv3+ exhibits strong multi-scale feature refinement capabilities and achieved a high segmentation accuracy of 97.6% for high-throughput wheat spike images. By implementing parallel feature fusion from high- to low-resolution inputs, w48-Hrnet excelled at recognizing fine and complex FHB spots, resulting in up to 99.8% accuracy. Refinement of wheat FHB grading classification from the perspectives of epidemic control (zero to five levels) and breeding (zero to 14 levels) has been accomplished. In addition, the effectiveness of introducing HSV color feature as a weighting factor into the evaluation model for grading of wheat spikes was verified. The multi-model fusion algorithm, developed specifically for the all-in-one process, successfully accomplished the tasks of segmentation, extraction, and classification, with an overall accuracy of 92.6% for FHB severity grades. The integrated system, combining deep learning and image analysis, provides a reliable and nondestructive diagnosis of wheat FHB, enabling real-time monitoring for farmers and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Evidence shows that STON2 gene is associated with synaptic function and schizophrenia. This study aims to explore the relationship between two functional polymorphisms (Ser307Pro and Ala851Ser) of STON2 gene and the cortical surface area in first-episode treatment-naïve patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Magnetic resonance imaging of the whole cortical surface area, which was computed by an automated surface-based technique (FreeSurfer), was obtained from 74 first-episode treatment-naïve patients with schizophrenia and 55 healthy controls. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the effect of genotype subgroups on the cortical surface area. A significant genotype-by-diagnosis effect on the cortical surface area was observed. Pro-allele carriers of Ser307Pro polymorphism had larger right inferior temporal surface area than Ser/Ser carriers in the patients with schizophrenia; however, no significant difference was found in the same area in the healthy controls. The Ala851Ser polymorphism of STON2 gene was not significantly associated with the cortical surface area in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The present study demonstrated that the functional variant of the STON2 gene could alter cortical surface area on the right inferior temporal and contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) is a promising degree of freedom for fundamental studies in electromagnetics and quantum mechanics. The unlimited state space of OAM shows a great potential to enhance channel capacities of classical and quantum communications. By exploring the Pancharatnam-Berry phase concept and engineering anisotropic scatterers in a metasurface with spatially varying orientations, a plane wave with zero OAM can be converted to a vortex beam carrying nonzero OAM. In this paper, we proposed two types of novel perfect electric conductor-perfect magnetic conductor anisotropic metasurfaces. One is composed of azimuthally continuous loops and the other is constructed by azimuthally discontinuous dipole scatterers. Both types of metasurfaces are mounted on a mushroom-type high impedance surface. Compared to previous metasurface designs for generating OAM, the proposed ones achieve nearly perfect conversion efficiency. In view of the eliminated vertical component of electric field, the continuous metasurface shows very smooth phase pattern at the near-field region, which cannot be achieved by convectional metasurfaces composed of discrete scatterers. On the other hand, the metasurface with discrete dipole scatterers shows a great flexibility to generate OAM with arbitrary topological charges. Our work is fundamentally and practically important to high-performance OAM generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electromagnetic-circuital-thermal multiphysics simulation is a very important topic in the field of integrated circuits (ICs), microwave circuits, antennas, etc. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the state of the art of electromagnetic-circuital-thermal multiphysics simulation method. Most efforts were focused on electromagnetic-circuital co-simulation and electromagnetic-thermal cosimulation. A brief introduction of related theories like governing equations, numerical methods, and coupling mechanisms is also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel source reconstruction method (SRM) based on the convolutional neural network algorithm. The conventional SRM method usually requires the scattered field data oversampled compared to that of target object grids. To achieve higher accuracy, the conventional SRM numerical system is highly singular. To overcome these difficulties, we model the equivalent source reconstruction process using the machine learning. The equivalent sources of the target are constructed by a convolutional neural networks (ConvNets). It allows us to employ less scattered field samples or radar cross section (RCS) data. And the ill-conditioned numerical system is effectively avoided. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the validity and accuracy of the proposed approach. Comparison with the traditional NN is also benchmarked. We further expand the proposed method into the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation to demonstrate the generality of the proposed procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, for the first time the electromagnetic features of graphene are characterized by a circuit model derived instead of fitted from the electric field integral equation (EFIE). The atomically thick graphene is equivalently replaced by an impedance surface. When it is magnetized, the impedance surface is anisotropic with a tensor conductivity. Based on EFIE, the graphene's circuit model can be derived by the partial element equivalency circuit (PEEC) concept. The anisotropic resistivity is modeled using a serial resistor with current control voltage sources (CCVSs). From the derived circuit model, electromagnetic properties of graphene can be conveniently analyzed. This work also provides a new characterization method for dispersive and anisotropic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote sensing has been used widely in studying the earth terrain such as snow or sea ice due to its fast, convenient and long-term monitoring capabilities. SAR images acquired could be used to analyze the condition of snow, snow water equivalent (SWE), surface roughness and others. Theoretical models have also been developed to understand how microwave interacts with the snow medium and the scatterers embedded inside the medium. Conventionally, spherical shape of scatterers is commonly used to represent the ice particles embedded inside snow where the actual shape of scatterers can vary. This paper is to present a theoretical model based on radiative transfer formulation that utilizes computational electromagnetics in the modelling of scattering from arbitrary shape of scatterers. The paper also studies the effect of scatterer shape on scattering mechanisms and total backscattering coefficient. Numerical solution of Relaxed Hierarchical Equivalent Source Algorithm (RHESA) was integrated with existing radiative transfer theoretical model to simulate a layer of random discrete snow medium. Several shapes of scatterers were simulated, and theoretical simulation were compared with ground truth measurement data with promising results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is a rare cardiac anomaly with potentially serious complications, including life-threatening systemic thromboembolism, atrial tachyarrhythmia, and cardiac dysfunction. Currently, early surgical intervention is generally recommended to prevent these complications.Case Presentation: We present a case of congenital giant LAAA in a female patient who successfully completed pregnancy and underwent caesarean section with no obvious complications. Surgical resection of the LAAA was performed 3 years later, at the onset of chest pain resulting from compression of adjacent cardiac structures by the LAAA.Conclusion: Surgical resection is recommended for the majority of patients with LAAA because of potential LAAA-related severe outcomes. However, clinical monitoring may be an optional strategy for asymptomatic patients without intra-atrial thrombus or other complications. Precise evaluation with echocardiography and brain magnetic resonance imaging is valuable for the subsequent management of LAAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electromagnetic behaviour of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene at low frequencies is still a mystery. No conclusion is made from the experimental point of views. We systematically investigate the electromagnetic response of graphene at microwave frequencies, which are from direct current (DC) to 40 GHz. Both a coplanar transmission line embedded with different-sized graphene flakes of 48 × 48 and 48 × 240 µm² and a microwave termination based on the graphene sheet of 6 × 6mm² are manufactured through standard microfabrication procedures. We conclude that CVD graphene behaves as a frequency-independent surface resistance at the microwave frequencies, which is consistent with the theoretical model by rigorously solving the Maxwell's equations with the Kubo formula. The work offers a simple, accurate, and conclusive electromagnetic analysis to graphene and thus is of great help to design graphene incorporated microwave components and devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the accuracy improvement of the high frequency scattered fields from 3-D convex scatterers. The Fock currents from the convex scatterers are carefully studied. Furthermore, we propose the numerical contour deformation method to calculate the Fock currents with frequency independent workload and error controllable accuracy. Then, by adopting the Fock currents and the incremental length diffraction coefficient (ILDC) technique, the scattered fields are clearly formulated. Compared to physical optics (PO) scattered fields from 3-D convex sphere, numerical results demonstrate significant accuracy enhancement of the scattered field via the Fock current approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender equality is not only a policy reform agenda for developing countries but also an important goal of Millennium Development Goals. With respect to all socio-economic indicators, the development history demonstrates extremely gloomy image of gender inequality in Pakistan. With this background this paper investigates the nexus between wage inequality and economic growth and detects co-integration between gender wage differential and economic growth using ARDL bound test. It is confirmed from the empirical results that there exists long-run relationship between economic growth and wage differential. The findings of unrestricted error correction model indicate that the wage inequality showed negative and significant impact on economic growth in the long run. The results of this study showed dissimilarity with the findings of Seguino (2000) that there is existed constructive association between wage inequality and economic growth. An important finding from the present examination is that the gender wage gap is detrimental for the process of growth in long run. Policies should be made to reduce gender wage gap. Such government policy should be designed which could address and adjust economic priorities in the face of changing global economic realities and provide comprehensive framework for conducive environment for gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional equivalence principle algorithm (EPA) exploits cubical surfaces to support equivalent sources. However, it introduces strong discontinuities due to sharp edges and corners. In this letter, a spherical surface is employed as the equivalence surface to avoid singularities from nonsmoothness. To achieve better accuracy, the meshless sampling scheme is used for integral operators on the spherical equivalence surface. The numerical examples are provided to validate the performance enhancement of EPA through the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Implantable coils have been widely utilized in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) owing to their superior signal to noise ratio. To effectively minimize the magnetic field distortion and image artifacts, the magnetic susceptibility of the implantable coil needs to be evaluated before practical use. In this work, we experimentally identify the magnetic susceptibility of each component of the implantable coil with the 7T Bruker NMR imaging scanner and provide useful guidelines for the following manufacturing. A 5 x 5 mm² implantable surface coil with a tunable frequency range is subsequently introduced for the 7T fMRI of the rat primary somatosensory cortex (S1FL). A detachable external tuning circuit for the implantable coil is employed to facilitate in-vivo measurements in the rat model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzed the impact and causal relation of outbound Chinese FDI on growth, employment and export performance of 16 selected US States by using Panel data. The contemporaneous panel fixed estimation results shows that the impact of Chinese outbound FDI on the economic growth, employment and export of selected states are insignificant. But the impact of FDI on growth turns positive and significant when interacted with States export to China. Applying heterogeneous panel causality approach on a refined dynamic panel model indicates that Chinese FDI does not cause GDP, exports and employment while the results of reverse causality confirm that US State GDP (market size) cause the inflow of Chinese outbound FDI. The overall impact of Chinese outbound investment, a small portion of the total FDI inflow to the US, varies from conditionally positive to utterly insignificant without any adverse impact on the local economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, we present a differential-forms-motivated procedure to unify and guide discretizations of differential and integral equations in computational electromagnetics (CEM). In order to solve such equations accurately, it is crucial to find an appropriate matrix representation of the governing differential or integral operator. Differential forms theory inspires a general procedure of selecting both expansion and test functions wisely. Many well-functioning discretizations in finite element method (FEM) and boundary element method (BEM) can be reinterpreted with this theory. Moreoever, our approach offers guidance for discretizing complicated problems where straightforward discretizations may not be available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radiation principle of traveling-wave-type phase-reversal antennas is explained in detail, unveiling the presence of magnetic-dipole radiation in addition to well-known electric dipole radiation. It is pointed out that such magnetic- dipole radiation is specific to the case of traveling-wave phase-reversal antennas, whereas only electric-dipole radiation exists in resonant-type phase-reversal antennas. It is shown that a phase-reversal traveling-wave antenna alternately operates as an array of magnetic dipoles and an array of electric dipoles during a time-harmonic period. This radiation mechanism is confirmed through both full-wave and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the low-frequency breakdown inherent from the electric field integral equation (EFIE), an alternative new form of the EFIE is proposed by using the Coulomb-gauge Green's function of quasi-static approximation. Different from the commonly adopted Lorentz-gauge EFIE, the Coulomb-gauge EFIE separates the solenoidal and irrotational surface currents explicitly, which captures inductive and capacitive responses through electrodynamic and electrostatic Green's functions, respectively. By applying existing techniques such as the loop-tree decomposition, frequency normalization, and basis rearrangement, the Coulomb-gauge EFIE also can remedy the low-frequency breakdown problem. Through comparative studies between the Lorentz-gauge and Coulomb-gauge EFIE approaches from mathematical, physical and numerical aspects, the Coulomb-gauge EFIE approach shows the capability of solving low-frequency problems and achieves almost the same accuracy and computational costs compared to the Lorentz-gauge counterpart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shoot density, shoot length, and above-ground biomass of Equisetum fluviatile communities were characterized during the growing season at six lakes in the Jiuzhaigou wetland system during 2007. Shoot length, shoot density, and above-ground biomass of E. fluviatile showed significant seasonal changes in all sites. The shoot length increased significantly from April to August except in seasonally flooded sites in Arrow-Bamboo Lake. Stepwise multiple regressions indicated that shoot density was correlated with water depth in all growth months. Total nitrogen in soil correlated positively with the maximum above-ground biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fast multipole algorithm manifests in two very different forms at low frequencies and at mid frequencies. Each can operate in their respective regimes, but are not tenable in the other regimes. The paper reports on a way to factorize the Green's function for fast algorithm using a mixed form. The low-frequency fast multipole algorithm (LF-FMA) will be used at low frequencies or the long-wavelength regime, and the multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA) will be used for the mid frequencies or the shorter-wavelength regime. For object modeling where both long-wavelength and wave physics are important, we propose a mixed-form fast multipole algorithm (MF-FMA). This algorithm has no low frequency break down, and it can work seamlessly from static (where circuit physics is important) to dynamic (where wave physics is important). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review recent advances in fast algorithms for fast integral equation solvers that are useful for IC applications. We review fast solvers for Laplace's equation, which is about 10 times faster than the conventional fast multipole method. Then we review the physics of low-frequency electromagnetics, and the relevant low-frequency method of moments. We describe a fast solver that allows us to solve over one million unknowns on a workstation recently. In addition, we demonstrate the applications of these fast integral equation solvers to the lithography problem. In addition, we propose a scheme whereby we first characterize blocks of linear circuits with network S, Y, or Z parameters. Then a fast real-time convolution scheme is used to calculate the Interaction of a linear circuit with nonlinear terminations such as transistors and diodes. Such a scheme requires no model-order reduction of the circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study of reaction kinetics between hydrogen and hydriding alloys, what is the most important is to obtain intrinsic kinetic data. The hydriding kinetics of 0.5 g La1.5Ni0.5Mg17 sample in the two-phase (α-β) region was investigated as a function of temperature and pressure in the ranges 553–573 K and 0.256–0.992 MPa H2 respectively. Mathematical analyses of the time-dependent hydrogen absorption curves indicate agreement with Jander diffusion model, [1 - (1 - ξ)1/3]2 = k(T, P)t, which suggests that the rate-controlling step for hydrogen absorption is three-dimensional diffusion. An apparent activation energy for such diffusion process of 83 ± 1 kJ/mol H2 has been obtained from the absorption data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new nano-ternary Mg-8 mol% LaNi0.5 was prepared by melted and subsequent mechanical alloying technique for hydrogen storage. It was found from our experiments that, this kind of alloy had superior hydriding/dehydriding characteristics in comparison with conventional materials for hydrogen storage. It possessed large hydrogen capacity at a lower temperature, which could absorb 4.55-7.01 mass% H under 3 MPa hydrogen pressure and desorb 4.40-6.90 mass% H under 0.0133 MPa in 600 s above 423 K without any activation requirement drawn from our pressure-composition isotherm and kinetic experiments. Through the x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy experiments, we further found that these superior characteristics could be attributed to the multiphase structure and a catalytic effect of LaH3 and Mg2Ni that were formed in the material preparation of mechanical alloying process. Finally, based on these data the relationships between equilibrium pressure of hydrogen and temperature were obtained, they were lgp(0.1 MPa) = -3985/T + 7.188(553 K ≤ T ≤ 573K) for hydriding and lgp(0.1 MPa) = -3804/T + 6.770 (553 K ≤ T ≤ 573 K) for dehydriding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 4th instar larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L, when treated with anti-juvenile hormone (Jinlu) had its larval period extended by 2 days and the total larval period shortened by about 4 days. The conversion ratio of tetramolters into trimolters was 100%. But anti-juvenile hormone administration to the 5th instar larvae lengthened the silkworm age by one day. When anti-juvenile hormone was administered, we could find many neurosecretory granules of the brain transferred to the cells of the corpora allata, but there was little endoplasmic reticulum. In the prothoracic gland, the micropile edge was clear and there were large nucleoli, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. This study was carried out to show that anti-JH compound inhibits the secretion of Juvenile hormone in silkworm Bombyx mori L. The investigation revealed that the antijuvenile hormone inhibited the secretion of corpora allata and initiated the activity of the prothoracic gland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tensor impedance metasurfaces have attracted much attention recently due to their ability to flexibly manipulate both propagating and surface waves. So far, the analysis of tensor impedance has not been fully supported by commercial electromagnetic simulation software. Also, the representation of formulas of penetrable tensor impedance for both propagating and surface waves is limited in the literature. Hence, a unified analysis framework is proposed for this purpose. It allows the calculation of wave reflection and transmission with arbitrary incident angles, or inversely, the calculation of surface impedance tensors given the desired wave propagation properties. It also allows surface eigenmode analysis, where surface modes with novel isofrequency contours are found for penetrable tensor impedance surfaces. The relationship between penetrable and impenetrable metasurfaces is derived so that the resultant formulas are applicable in both scenarios. A finite difference method code is implemented to validate the derived formulas. The proposed unified formulas are of closed form, hence offering very fast operation for research and design of tensor impedance metasurfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A passive chipless radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag based on a log-periodic (LP) dipole array is proposed, where the tailorable band-rejection property of the LP aperture is utilised to realise a large number of codes. The proposed tag principle is successfully validated by measurements, where the absence and presence of the band-rejection is shown to carry the bit information. Its fabrication simplicity is also demonstrated by its implementation on a flexible substrate. Finally, two different tag formation schemes, based on a specific set of resonance suppressions, are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundT helper 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T cells (Treg) are known to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Improving the balance between Treg and Th17 cells can be a promising new therapeutic target in SLE patients. Vitamin D has a significant impact on the immune inflammatory process and the immune cells involved in this process. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between Th17, Treg, cytokines, and serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in patients with initial-onset childhood SLE.MethodsA total of 82 children aged

The genes responsible for silk biosynthesis are switched on and off at particular times in the silk glands of Bombyx mori. This switch appears to be under the control of endogenous and exogenous hormones. However, the molecular mechanisms by which silk protein synthesis is regulated by the juvenile hormone (JH) are largely unknown. Here, we report a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, Bmdimm, its silk gland-specific expression, and its direct involvement in the regulation of fibroin H-chain (fib-H) by binding to an E-box (CAAATG) element of the fib-H gene promoter. Far-Western blots, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that Bmdimm protein interacted with another basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, Bmsage. Immunostaining revealed that Bmdimm and Bmsage proteins are co-localized in nuclei. Bmdimm expression was induced in larval silk glands in vivo, in silk glands cultured in vitro, and in B. mori cell lines after treatment with a JH analog. The JH effect on Bmdimm was mediated by the JH-Met-Kr-h1 signaling pathway, and Bmdimm expression did not respond to JH by RNA interference with double-stranded BmKr-h1 RNA. These data suggest that the JH regulatory pathway, the transcription factor Bmdimm, and the targeted fib-H gene contribute to the synthesis of fibroin H-chain protein in B. mori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the backscattering cross sectionof acylinder both using traditional method modeland a new numerical solution model, namely Relaxed Hierarchical Equivalent Source Algorithm (RHESA). The purpose of this study is to investigate the prospect of incorporating numerical solution model into volume scattering calculation, to be applied into microwave remote sensing in vegetation area. Results show a good match, suggesting that RHESA may be suitable to be used to model the more complex nature of vegetation medium.

Secondary brain damage caused by hyperactivation of autophagy and inflammatory responses in neurons plays an important role in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD). Although previous studies have implicated Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in the neuroinflammatory response elicited by brain injury, the role and mechanisms of the TLR4-mediated autophagy signaling pathway in neonatal HIBD are still unclear. We hypothesized that this pathway can regulate brain damage by modulating neuron autophagy and neuroinflammation in neonatal rats with HIBD. Hence, we established a neonatal HIBD rat model using the Rice-Vannucci method, and injected 0.75, 1.5, or 3 mg/kg of the TLR4 inhibitor resatorvid (TAK-242) 30 minutes after hypoxic ischemia. Our results indicate that administering TAK-242 to neonatal rats after HIBD could significantly reduce the infarct volume and the extent of cerebral edema, alleviate neuronal damage and neurobehavioral impairment, and decrease the expression levels of TLR4, phospho-NF-κB p65, Beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein l light chain 3, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β in the hippocampus. Thus, TAK-242 appears to exert a neuroprotective effect after HIBD by inhibiting activation of autophagy and the release of inflammatory cytokines via inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This study was approved by the Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, China (approval No. 20180114-15) on January 14, 2018.

The backscattering cross section of cylindrical and elliptical disk-shaped scatterers was investigated in this study, utilising a new numerical solution method called the relaxed hierarchical equivalent source algorithm (RHESA). The results were compared with the backscattering cross section of similar cases, using analytical method validation from literature. The objective of this research was to look into the possibility of replacing analytical methods with the RHESA in volume scattering calculations, and integrating it into modelling the backscattering of layers of dense media for microwave remote sensing in vegetation; as RHESA provides the freedom to model any shape of scatterer, as opposed to the limited shapes available of scatterers in analytical method models. The results demonstrated a good match, indicating that the RHESA may be a good fit for modelling more complicated media, such as vegetation, in future studies.

Objective: To identify the gene mutation of Stormorken syndrome and review the published Stromal Interaction Molecule 1 (STIM1) mutation phenotype.Methods: We described the clinical and molecular aspects of a Chinese female with Stormorken syndrome by laboratory tests, muscle biopsies, and genetic analysis. We used this information to summarize all the mutation sites reported in the literature. We also reviewed the clinical features of published cases with a gain of function mutations of STIM1.Results: A 12-year-old Chinese female presented with skin purpura in the lower limbs and stroke-like episodes. Muscle biopsy and microscopic examination revealed atrophy in her skeletal muscle. Genetic analysis identified a novel heterozygous missense mutation, a c.1095G>C transition (NM_003156.3), which caused a p.K365N amino acid substitution in the protein and affected a STIM1-orai1-activation region (SOAR).Conclusions: The novel variant c.1095G>C transition (NM_003156.3) was located in the SOAR, which expands the phenotypic spectrum of STIM1 variants in human disorders and may define the molecular basis of Stormorken syndrome.

AIM: To observe the clinical effects of 23-G micro-incision vitrectomy combined with 1.8mm micro-incision phacoemulsification and immediate intraocular lens(IOL)implantation.METHODS: A retrospective analysis were done in 48 patients with 54 eyes from September 2014 to March 2015 in our hospital who received micro-incision vitrectomy combined with micro-incision phacoemulsification and immediate IOL implantation. Best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure(IOP), corneal astigmatism and corneal endothelial cells were recorded before and at 1d, 1 and 3mo after operations. All patients were followed up to observe the fundus, IOL position and postoperative low IOP, corneal edema, posterior capsular opacification, ocular hypertension and other complications.RESULTS: All procedures were successfully completed. After 3mo, BCVA increased in 49 eyes(91%)compared to that preoperative. Visual acuity did not improve in 5 eye(9%), and no visual acuity decreased. The differences on IOP and corneal endothelial cells before and after operation were significant(PPP>0.05).There were 6 eyes with transient high IOP(IOP greater than 25mmhg in 1mo), 7 eyes with corneal edema at early stage, 2 eyes with formed exudation in anterior chamber, and there were 3 eyes with posterior capsular opacification, in which 2 eyes were performed with YAG laser for posterior capsulotomy and whose visual acuity improved significantly. There was no retinal detachment, choroidal detachment, endophthalmitis, neovascular glaucoma, hypotony, IOL misalignment or dislocation.CONCLUSION: Micro-incision vitrectomy combined with micro-incision phacoemulsification and immediate IOL implantation is a safe and effective method with wide application, small damage, rapid recovery and less complication, and it is worth of promotion.

We present a theoretical study of the characteristics of the nonlinear spin-orbital angular momentum coupling induced by second-harmonic generation in plasmonic and dielectric nanostructures made of centrosymmetric materials. In particular, the connection between the phase singularities and polarization helicities in the longitudinal components of the fundamental and second-harmonic optical fields and the scatterer symmetry properties are discussed. By in-depth comparison between the interaction of structured optical beams with plasmonic and dielectric nanostructures, we have found that all-dielectric and plasmonic nanostructures that exhibit magnetic and electric resonances have comparable second-harmonic conversion efficiency. In addition, mechanisms for second-harmonic enhancement for single and chiral clusters of scatterers are unveiled and the relationships between the content of optical angular momentum of the incident optical beams and the enhancement of nonlinear light scattering is discussed. In particular, we formulate a general angular momenta conservation law for the nonlinear spin-orbital angular momentum interaction, which includes the quasi-angular-momentum of chiral structures with different-order rotational symmetry. As a key conclusion of our study relevant to nanophotonics, we argue that all-dielectric nanostructures provide a more suitable platform to investigate experimentally the nonlinear interaction between spin and orbital angular momenta, as compared to plasmonic ones, chiefly due to their narrower resonance peaks, lower intrinsic losses, and higher sustainable optical power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the changes of X-box binding protein 1 splicing (XBP1s) and inflammatory cytokine expression in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)., Methods: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to detect the forms of XBP1s and the expression of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, and IL-17α. Differences between patients with UC and normal subjects were then determined., Results: Mononuclear cells of the peripheral blood of normal subjects and UC patients with were stimulated with no drugs (control), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), thapsigargin (TG), or both PHA and TG. XBP1s in patients with UC exhibited splicing, which was greater with co-stimulation than single stimulation. Co-stimulation increased the expression level of IL-2, IFN-γ, and IL-17α., Conclusion: The T lymphocytes of both normal subjects and patients with UC responded to ERS by activating the XBP1s-mediated signalling pathway, upregulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines, and increasing the occurrence of inflammation. The mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood of patients with UC were more sensitive to ERS than those in the peripheral blood of normal subjects.