Search

The interplay among frustrated lattice geometry, non-trivial band topology and correlation yields rich quantum states of matter in kagome systems1,2. A series of recent members in this family, AV3Sb5(A= K, Rb or Cs), exhibit a cascade of symmetry-breaking transitions3, involving the 3Q chiral charge ordering4–8, electronic nematicity9,10, roton pair density wave11and superconductivity12. The nature of the superconducting order is yet to be resolved. Here we report an indication of dynamic superconducting domains with boundary supercurrents in intrinsic CsV3Sb5flakes. The magnetic field-free superconducting diode effect is observed with polarity modulated by thermal histories, suggesting that there are dynamic superconducting order domains in a spontaneous time-reversal symmetry-breaking background. Strikingly, the critical current exhibits double-slit superconductivity interference patterns when subjected to an external magnetic field. The characteristics of the patterns are modulated by thermal cycling. These phenomena are proposed as a consequence of periodically modulated supercurrents flowing along certain domain boundaries constrained by fluxoid quantization. Our results imply a time-reversal symmetry-breaking superconducting order, opening a potential for exploring exotic physics, for example, Majorana zero modes, in this intriguing topological kagome system.

Kidney fibrosis is the hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, whereas no effective anti-fibrotic therapies exist. Recent evidence has shown that tubular ferroptosis contributes to the pathogenesis of CKD with persistent proinflammatory and profibrotic responses. We previously reported that natural flavonol fisetin alleviated septic acute kidney injury and protected against hyperuricemic nephropathy in mice. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of fisetin against fibrotic kidney disease and the underlying mechanisms. We established adenine diet-induced and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced CKD models in adult male mice. The two types of mice were administered fisetin (50 or 100 mg·kg−1·d−1, i.g.) for 3 weeks or 7 days, respectively. At the end of the experiments, the mice were euthanized, and blood and kidneys were gathered for analyzes. We showed that fisetin administration significantly ameliorated tubular injury, inflammation, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the two types of CKD mice. In mouse renal tubular epithelial (TCMK-1) cells, treatment with fisetin (20 μM) significantly suppressed adenine- or TGF-β1-induced inflammatory responses and fibrogenesis, and improved cell viability. By quantitative real-time PCR analysis of ferroptosis-related genes, we demonstrated that fisetin treatment inhibited ferroptosis in the kidneys of CKD mice as well as in injured TCMK-1 cells, as evidenced by decreased ACSL4, COX2, and HMGB1, and increased GPX4. Fisetin treatment effectively restored ultrastructural abnormalities of mitochondrial morphology and restored the elevated iron, the reduced GSH and GSH/GSSG as well as the increased lipid peroxide MDA in the kidneys of CKD mice. Notably, abnormally high expression of the ferroptosis key marker ACSL4 was verified in the renal tubules of CKD patients (IgAN, MN, FSGS, LN, and DN) as well as adenine- or UUO-induced CKD mice, and in injured TCMK-1 cells. In adenine- and TGF-β1-treated TCMK-1 cells, ACSL4 knockdown inhibited tubular ferroptosis, while ACSL4 overexpression blocked the anti-ferroptotic effect of fisetin and reversed the cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic effects of fisetin. In summary, we reveal a novel aspect of the nephroprotective effect of fisetin, i.e. inhibiting ACSL4-mediated tubular ferroptosis against fibrotic kidney diseases.

ABSTRACTHigh strength structural steels have recently achieved increasing application in civil and structural engineering worldwide. For instance, the sony center tower located in Berlin were constructed through steel truss made [...]

The relationship between PLIN2 expression and prognosis, and clinicopathological significance of various cancers has been extensively studied, but the results are not completely consistent. This review followed the guidelines for systematic reviews of prognostic factors studies and was reported under the Preferred Reporting Program for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Academia for relevant articles up to September 2, 2022, and calculated the pooled hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to determine the association between PLIN2 expression and the prognosis of various cancers. The meta-analysis ultimately included 17 studies. The quality of all included cohort studies was evaluated using the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool, and an adaptation of Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) method was used to assess the certainty of the results. High expression of PLIN2 was associated with poorer overall survival (HR  =  1.65; 95% CI  =  1.14, 2.38; P=  0.008), metastasis-free survival (HR  =  1.48; 95% CI  =  1.12, 1.94; P=  0.005), progression-free survival (HR  =  2.11; 95% CI  =  1.55, 2.87; P< 0.0005) and recurrence-free survival/relapse-free survival (HR  =  2.21; 95% CI  =  1.64, 2.98; P< 0.0005) in cancers. The clinicopathological parameters of digestive system malignancies suggested that high expression of PLIN2 was notably associated with distant metastasis ( + ) (odds ratio (OR)  =   3.37; 95% CI  =  1.31, 8.67; P=  0.012), lymph node metastasis ( + ) (OR  =  1.61; 95% CI  =  1.01, 2.54; P=  0.004), and tumor stage (III–IV) (OR  =   1.96; 95% CI  =   1.24, 3.09; P=  0.006). In summary, overexpression of PLIN2 is significantly associated with a poor prognosis in various human cancers, especially in respiratory and digestive malignancies. Thus, PLIN2 expression may be a potential prognostic biomarker in cancer patients.

The majority of blood malignancies is incurable and has unforeseeable remitting-relapsing paths in response to different treatments. Cynaropicrin, a natural sesquiterpene lactone from the edible parts of the artichoke plant, has gained increased attention as a chemotherapeutic agent. In this study, we investigated the effects of cynaropicrin against multiple myeloma (MM) cells in vitro and assessed its in vivo effectiveness in a xenograft tumor zebrafish model. We showed that cynaropicrin exerted potent cytotoxicity against a panel of nine MM cell lines and two leukemia cell lines with AMO1 being the most sensitive cell line (IC50 = 1.8 ± 0.3 µM). Cynaropicrin (0.8, 1.9, 3.6 µM) dose-dependently reduced c-Myc expression and transcriptional activity in AMO1 cells that was associated with significant downregulation of STAT3, AKT, and ERK1/2. Cell cycle analysis showed that cynaropicrin treatment arrested AMO1 cells in the G2M phase along with an increase in the sub-G0G1phase after 24 h. With prolonged treatment times, cells accumulated more in the sub-G0G1phase, implying cell death. Using confocal microscopy, we revealed that cynaropicrin disrupted the microtubule network in U2OS cells stably expressing α-tubulin-GFP. Furthermore, we revealed that cynaropicrin promoted DNA damage in AMO1 cells leading to PAR polymer production by PARP1 hyperactivation, resulting in AIF translocation from the mitochondria to the nucleus and subsequently to a novel form of cell death, parthanatos. Finally, we demonstrated that cynaropicrin (5, 10 µM) significantly reduced tumor growth in a T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) xenograft zebrafish model. Taken together, these results demonstrate that cynaropicrin causes potent inhibition of hematopoietic tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common causes of end-stage renal disease worldwide. ?3-Fatty acids (?3FAs) were found to attenuate kidney inflammation, glomerulosclerosis, and albuminuria in experimental and clinical studies of DN. As G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) was firstly identified as the receptor of ?3FAs, we here investigated the function of GPR120 in DN. We first examined the renal biopsies of DN patients, and found that GPR120 expression was negatively correlated with the progression of DN. Immunofluorescence staining analysis revealed that GPR120 protein was mainly located in the podocytes of the glomerulus. A potent and selective GPR120 agonist TUG-891 (35?mg?·?kg-1?·?d-1, ig) was administered to db/dbmice for 4 weeks. We showed that TUG-891 administration significantly improved urinary albumin excretion, protected against podocyte injury, and reduced collagen deposition in the glomerulus. In db/dbmice, TUG-891 administration significantly inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of fibronectin, collagen IV, a-SMA, TGF-ß1, and IL-6, and downregulated the phosphorylation of Smad3 and STAT3 to alleviate glomerulosclerosis. Similar results were observed in high-glucose-treated MPC5 podocytes in the presence of TUG-891 (10?µM). Furthermore, we showed that TUG-891 effectively upregulated GPR120 expression, and suppressed TAK1-binding protein-1 expression as well as the phosphorylation of TAK1, IKKß, NF-?B p65, JNK, and p38 MAPK in db/dbmice and high-glucose-treated MPC5 podocytes. Knockdown of GPR120 in MPC5 podocytes caused the opposite effects of TUG-891. In summary, our results highlight that activation of GPR120 in podocytes ameliorates renal inflammation and fibrosis to protect against DN.

Purpose: Construction productivity issues have constantly surfaced in Singapore's construction industry. To push for productivity, the Government has implemented various initiatives to encourage industry players, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and to adopt more productive construction technologies. One of these technologies is prefabrication prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC), a concept of the design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) approach. This exploratory study sheds lights on PPVC adoption and its issues in Singapore in the context of the launch of the Construction Industry Transformation Map (ITM). Design/methodology/approach: The methodology used here is mainly a quantitative approach in the form of a survey. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to a pool of about 100 contractors, randomly chosen as part of a stratified sample. The questionnaire survey helps gain further insights into the industry's perceptions of PPVC and its adoption. Findings: The study succeeded in identifying and analysing a list of drivers of and barriers to the adoption of PPVC. The top three most important potential drivers were “increase efficiency,” “technological change” and “changing nature of composition of workforce”. The three most important barriers were “ineffective on-site storage,” “high up-front payment” and “transportation issues”. Originality/value: This study also looked into the organizational change management theory. Various theories were considered to help understand and implement change. It is understood that it is not only important for an organization to focus on the steps of these frameworks and models when the change is initiated but also for the organization to acknowledge and be mindful of the emotions of employees and take measures to overcome their emotions as part of organizational change management.

Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata,is a notorious destructive pest that mainly feeds on the leaves of potato and several other solanaceous plants. CPB is widely recognized for its adaptation to a remarkable variety of host plants and diverse climates, and its high resistance to insecticides and Bacillus thuringiensistoxins. RNA interference (RNAi) is a sequence-specific, endogenous gene silencing mechanism evoked by small RNA molecules that is used as a robust tool for virus and pest control. RNAi has been extensively tested for CPB management by employing various target genes and delivery methods. This article reviews the screening of RNAi target genes, efficient RNAi delivery systems, and factors affecting RNAi efficiency in CPB, which may help understand the mechanisms of RNAi and its application in CPB control strategy.

Photo-responsive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have evoked considerable attention due to their potential application in inkless printing paper. However, the poor cycling performance and low printing resolution greatly inhibit their practical application. Herein, a novel MOF based on naphthalenediimide derivate moiety, [La(H2O)(BINDI)0.5(DMF)3][NO3] (1, H4BINDI = N,N’-bis(5-isophthalic acid) naphthalenediimide), was successfully synthesized for inkless erasable printing. This material exhibits reversible photochromic behavior and good stability. The inkless printing paper coated with 1delivers high resolution reaching up to 0.2 mm, comparable to commercial printers. Furthermore, the stable framework and suitable reversibility enable excellent cycling performance with 197 cycles, surpassing almost all reported MOFs. This work sheds light on new opportunities in designing outstanding photochromic MOFs for ink-free printing.

Study Design Retrospective cohort study.Objective Physicians may be deterred from operating on elderly patients due to fears of poorer outcomes and complications. We aimed to compare the outcomes of surgical treatment of spinal metastases patients aged ≥70-yrs and <70-yrsMaterials and Methods This is a retrospective study of patients surgically treated for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression and spinal instability between January-2005 to December-2021. Follow-up was till death or minimum 1-year post-surgery. Outcomes included post-operative neurological status, ambulatory status, medical and surgical complications. Two Sample t-test/Mann Whitney U test were used for numerical variables and Pearson Chi-Squared or Fishers Exact test for categorical variables. Survival was presented with a Kaplan-Meier curve. P< .05 was significant.Results We identified 412 patients of which 29 (7.1%) patients were excluded due to loss to follow-up and previous surgical treatment. 79 (20.6%) were ≥70-yrs. Age ≥70-yrs patients had poorer ECOG scores (P= .0017) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (P< .001). No significant difference in modified Tokuhashi score (P= .393) was observed with significantly more ≥ prostate (P< .001) and liver (P= .029) cancer in ≥70-yrs. Improved or maintained normal neurological function (P= .934), independent ambulatory status (P= .171), and survival at 6 months (P= .119) and 12 months (P= .659) was not significantly different between both groups. Medical (P= .528) or surgical (P= .466) complication rates and readmission rates (P= .800) were similar.Conclusion ≥70-yrs patients have comparable outcomes to <70-yr old patients with no significant increase in complication rates. Age should not be a determining factor in deciding surgical management of spinal metastases.

Hyperactivated KRAS mutations fuel tumorigenesis and represent attractive targets for cancer treatment. While covalent inhibitors have shown clinical benefits against the KRASG12Cmutant, advancements for non-G12C mutants remain limited, highlighting the urgent demand for pan-KRAS inhibitors. RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s) in the 5′-untranslated region of KRASmRNA can regulate KRAS translation, making them promising targets for pan-KRAS inhibitor development. Herein, we designed and synthesized 50 novel coumarin-quinolinium derivatives, leveraging our previously developed rG4-specific ligand, QUMA-1. Notably, several compounds exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against cancer cells as pan-KRAS translation inhibitors. Among them, 15adisplayed exceptional capability in stabilizing KRASrG4s, suppressing KRAS translation, and consequently modulating MAPK and PI3K-AKT pathways. 15ainduced cell cycle arrest, prompted apoptosis in KRAS-driven cancer cells, and effectively inhibited tumor growth in a KRAS mutant xenograft model. These findings underscore the potential of 15aas a pan-KRAS translation inhibitor, offering a novel and promising approach to target various KRAS-driven cancers.

The cerium dioxide films were prepared with cerium foils as raw materials by anodization in Na2C2O4-NH3∙H2O-H2O-(CH2OH)2 electrolyte. The anodic cerium oxide films were heat treated in 100~400°C and 0.5~2.5h, respectively. The heat treated anodic cerium oxide films were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD). The heat treated anodic cerium oxide film at 100°C is semi crystalline film. The heat treated anodic cerium oxide film at 200°C, 300°C, 350°C, 400°C, respectively for 2h, is the cerium dioxide film respectively, and has a structure of cubic fluorite respectively. The crystal structures of the cerium dioxide films become more complete with the increase of heat treatment temperature in 200 ~ 400 °C. The heat treated anodic cerium oxide film at 400°C for 0.5h, 1h, 1.5h, 2.5h, respectively, is the cerium dioxide film respectively, and has a structure of cubic fluorite respectively. The crystal structures of the cerium dioxide films become more complete with the increase of heat treatment times in 0.5h ~ 2.5h.

Objective This study was performed to identify the correlation between contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (CE-MDCT) as well as the correlation between serum liver enzyme concentrations and CE-MDCT in classification of the severity of blunt hepatic trauma using CE-MDCT as a reference standard.Materials and methods A blunt liver trauma model was created using 20 rabbits, and CE-MDCT, CEUS, and serum liver enzyme assays were performed. A radiologist and an ultrasound physician independently evaluated the degree of liver trauma. The diagnostic performance of CEUS and serum liver enzyme measurements was compared with that of CE-MDCT using Spearman’s correlation analysis and Pearson’s correlation analysis, respectively.Results Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient between the CEUS-based classification and CE-MDCT was 0.888. The aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase concentrations and the aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio were positively correlated with the grade of liver injury; Pearson’s correlation coefficients were 0.664, 0.704, and 0.503, respectively. The gamma-glutamyltransferase concentration had a significantly negative correlation with the grade of liver injury (r = −0.467).Conclusions CEUS and serum liver enzyme measurement exhibited high consistency with CE-MDCT for both detection and grading of intraparenchymal lesions in blunt liver trauma. These techniques may permit more accurate diagnosis of liver trauma.

Mutations in NRASpromote tumorigenesis and drug resistance. As this protein is often considered an undruggable target, it is urgent to develop novel strategies to suppress NRASfor anticancer therapy. Recent reports indicated that a G-quadruplex (G4) structure formed in the untranslated region of NRASmRNA can downregulate NRAStranslation, suggesting a potential NRASsuppression strategy. Here, we developed a novel cell-based method for large-scale screening of NRASG4 ligand using the G-quadruplex-triggered fluorogenic hybridization probe and successfully identified the clinically used agent Octenidine as a potent NRASrepressor. This compound suppressed NRAStranslation, blocked the MAPK and PI3K-AKT signaling, and caused concomitant cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy. It exhibited better antiproliferation effects over clinical antimelanoma agents and could inhibit the growth of NRAS-mutant melanoma in a xenograft mouse model. Our results suggest that Octenidine may be a prominent anti-NRAS-mutant melanoma agent and represent a new NRAS-mutant melanoma therapy option.

When an inaudible sound covert channel (ISCC) attack is launched inside a computer system, sensitive data are converted to inaudible sound waves and then transmitted. The receiver at the other end picks up the sound signal, from which the original sensitive data can be recovered. As a forceful countermeasure against the ISCC attack, strong noise can be used to jam the channel and literally shut down any possible sound data transmission. In this paper, enhanced ISCC whose transmission frequency can be dynamically changed is proposed. Essentially, if the transmitter detects that the covert channel is being jammed, the transmitter and receiver both will switch to another available frequency and re-establish their communications, following the proposed communications protocol. Experimental results show that the proposed enhanced ISCC can remain connected even in the presence of a strong jamming noise source. Correspondingly, a detection method based on frequency scanning is proposed to help to combat such an anti-jamming sound channel. With the proposed countermeasure, the bit error rate (BER) of the data communications over enhanced ISCC soars to more than 48%, essentially shutting down the data transmission, and thus neutralizing the security threat.

TiO2/VOx nanofibers were synthesized via electrospinning and dipping technologies. They increased the photocatalytic property by reducing the recombination rate of electrons and holes at the surface of TiO2. The composition, structure and morphology were characterized. The effect of annealing temperature to the dendritic structure and their photocatalytic property were demonstrated. The results showed dendritic TiO2/VOx nanofiers were obtained via dipping in vanadium sol, which was annealed at 550°C in 90% Ar/10% H2 atmosphere. The average diameter of the samples was 354±42nm. Both the size and the number of dendritic structure were increased as the annealing temperature was rising. The degradation rate of methyl orange (5mg/L) by as-prepared TiO2/VOx nanofibers was 76.4% after exposure under UV light for 120min, which was 25.7% higher than which annealed in air atmosphere.

This paper applies digital image techniques to observe the slagging characteristics of blended coals in a pilot-scale furnace. Collected deposit samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy linked with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) to acquire the microstructure, chemical composition, and mineralogy. The deposit thickness of three blends was analyzed between their parent coal A (Datong) and coal B (Shan), and we noted that the time to reach a stable stage decreased with the ratio of coal B. The addition of coal A into coal B could remarkably restrained the growth and thickness of ash deposits. The results of XRD analysis indicated the initial layer was predominantly comprised of the crystalline minerals quartz, anorthite, or albite except for coal B. All of the blends and coals contained quartz and Ca- to Al-silicates (Ca0.68Na0.32)(Al1.68Si0.32)Si2O8in the slag layer where iron-bearing minerals (e.g., ilvaite) were altered into an amorphous phase. The result of SEM-EDX suggested that there was an elemental disparity between the coal ash and deposit.

Mo-Ni coatings were prepared on Ni alloy by pulse electrodeposition method. The effects of current density, electrodeposition temperature, frequency, duty cycle and electrodeposition time on microhardness of Mo-Ni coating were researched, respectively. Microhardness of Mo-Ni coating increases with the increase of current density, electrodeposition temperature, frequency and electro-deposition time in 17.75 A/dm2 ~ 19.25 A/dm2. 21 °C~ 25 °C, 1000 Hz ~ 5000 Hz and 10 min ~ 20 min, respectively. Microhardness of Mo-Ni coating decreases with the increase of electrodeposition temperature, electrodeposition time and duty cycle in 25 °C ~ 37 °C, 20 min ~ 30 min and 0.5 ~ 0.9, respectively. In the range of current density from 19.25A/dm2 to 20.75 A/dm2, microhardness of Mo-Ni coating is neariy constant with the increase of current density. When electrodeposition parameters: current density 19.25 A/dm2, electro-deposition temperature 25 °C, frequency 5000 Hz, duty cycle 0.5 and electrodeposition time 20 min, microhardness of Mo-Ni coatin is as high as 707.9 HV.

The southern and eastern Tibetan Plateau is very rich in the Geothermal resource, especailly in Yangbajain. To study the Geothermal in Yangbajain, a wide band magnetotelluric sounding profile, which belongs to the project “the process of the magnetotelluric sounding data in the Tibetan Plateau”, was finished in 2013. The line is from Zhanang to Yangbajain. The line is more than 200KM long and has 36 stations, and it crosses the Indus-Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone (IYZSZ). The result shows that a large scale highly conductive body exists between the area of Zhanang and Yangbajain, which reaches more than 15KM in depth. It is proved that the highly conductive body suggests that partial melt and/or aqueous fluids are widespread within the Tibetan crust. Generally speaking, the existence of the large highly conductive body has a close relation with the underground thermal state. So we infer that the existence of a huge scale highly conductive body under Yangbajain means the active underground thermal movement which leads to the rich geothermal in Yangbajain.

ABSTRACTMRX-I is a potent oxazolidinone antibiotic against Gram-positive pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae(PRSP), penicillin-intermediate S. pneumoniae(PISP), and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). In this study, the in vivoefficacy of orally administered MRX-I was evaluated using linezolid as a comparator. MRX-I showed the same or better efficacy than linezolid in both systemic and local infection models against the tested strains.

We have applied point-contact spectroscopy (PCS) to investigate the nonmagnetic hidden order (HO) state of the skutterudite compound PrFe4P12with its transition temperature THO∼ 6.5 K. Its point-contact conductance curves exhibit a reproducible gap structure in the HO state below THOand its temperature dependent gap magnitude follows a BCS-like mean-field behavior. A Fano-like conductance shape is observed to emerge below the coherence temperature of PrFe4P12. In a magnetic field, the gap feature is gradually suppressed and evolves into a pronounced Fano peak, signaling the heavy fermion state and vividly demonstrating the competition between HO and the formation of heavy fermion states. Our results strongly suggest the itinerant characteristic of felectrons in PrFe4P12, which constrains theoretical models to explain the HO mechanism.

The cental Asian orogenic belt (CAOB) which between the North China Craton and the Siberian Craton is one of the tectono-metallogenic belts in the world. The central Inner Mongolia belongs to the eastern part of the CAOB, recently a series of research and exploration work has been done in this region. However, no breakthrough has been made in the exploration of metal ore. In order to research current mineralization issues in the eastern part of the CAOB, a long magnetotelluric (MT) profile was acquired across the central part of Inner Mongolia. The profile starts within the DongUjimqinqi in the northwest, goes southeastward across the Chagan Obo-Arongqi fault, the Erenhot-Hegenshan fault, the Xilinhot fault and the Linxi fault, and ends around the Xar Moron fault in the northern part of Chifeng city; the strike direction of most faults is southeast; the faults have direct control effect to the magmation and mineralization of this region. The model of electrical structure along the profile can be divided into two regions: widely distributed low resistivity is the key feature north of Nianzigou; high resistance is the key feature south of Nianzigou. The Chagan Obo-Arongqi fault, the Erenhot-Hegenshan fault and the Xilinhot fault all present as a southeastward dipping conductor, which reflects their overthrusting process; there are many high conductivity areas along the faults in the region. The electrical structure to the south of Nianzigou is expressed as a mushroom shape, which reflects the tectonic origin of magmatic rock in this region.

n this paper, we present a novel algorithm for uneven illumination image processing based on HIS color space and joint color space. Compared with many existing algorithms of image enhancement for the uneven illumination image, the proposed method have high performance compared with Histogram Equalization, Homomorphic filtering and Retinex. Some experiments are implemented to testify this conclusion.

Mixed solvent of ethylenediamine (EDA) and ethylene glycol (EG) using MnCl4H2O, and (NH2)2CS as precursors was used to synthesize α-MnS micronsized architectures. Optimal α-MnS crystals were successfully grown from a mixed solvent of EDA:EG with a volume ratio of 1:1, reaction temperature of 140-180 °C and maintained for 6h. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to characterize the structure and morphology of the product. The results show that the morphologies of α-MnS are found to be temperature dependent.

Mixed solvent of ethanol and water using FeSO4?7H2O and (NH2)2CS as precursors with polyvinylpyrrolidone as surfactant was used to synthesize cubic FeS2(pyrite) crystals. Crystalline phase and surface morphologies of the crystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Volume ratio of solvent, reaction temperature, reaction time, and sulfur source were found to be the key parameters for the formation of pure pyrite crystals. Optimal micron-size pyrite crystals were successfully grown from a mixed solvent of ethanol and water with a volume ratio of 3:2, heated to a reaction temperature of 180 ?C, and maintained for 36 h with thiourea as the sulfur source.

In this paper, a new three-dimensional Markov model is proposed for the estimation of saturation throughput of RTS/CTS (request to send/clear to send) scheme in an error-prone wireless local area network (WLAN) channel. The model takes account of the effect of bit error on all the frames, and station short and long retry limits. Saturation throughput was re-analyzed using the new Markov model and numerical results closely matched those from simulation, confirming the accuracy of the new model. Evaluation of the influence of different parameters on throughput showed that the saturation throughput is sensitive to channel bit error rates and packet length, especially in high bit error conditions.

The quantum breakdown of superconductivity (QBS) is the reverse, comprehensive approach to the appearance of superconductivity. A quantum phase transition from superconducting to insulating states tuned by using nonthermal parameters is of fundamental importance to understanding the superconducting (SC) phase but also to practical applications of SC materials. However, the mechanism of the transition to a nonzero resistive state deep in the SC state is still under debate. Here, we report a systematic study of MgB2bilayers with different thickness ratios for undamaged and damaged layers fabricated by low-energy iron-ion irradiation. The field-induced QBS is discovered at a critical field of 3.2 Tesla (=Hc), where the quantum percolation model best explains the scaling of the magnetoresistance near Hc. As the thickness of the undamaged layer is increased, strikingly, superconductivity is recovered from the insulating state associated with the QBS, showing that destruction of quantum phase coherence among Cooper electron pairs is the origin of the QBS.