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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2010.07.032 Byline: Anabel Rojas, William Schachterle, Shan-Mei Xu, Franz Martin, Brian L. Black Keywords: GATA4; Forkhead proteins; FoxA2; Endoderm progenitors; Enhancer; Transgenic mouse Abstract: The embryonic endoderm is a multipotent progenitor cell population that gives rise to the epithelia of the digestive and respiratory tracts, the liver and the pancreas. Among the transcription factors that have been shown to be important for endoderm development and gut morphogenesis is GATA4. Despite the important role of GATA4 in endoderm development, its transcriptional regulation is not well understood. In this study, we identified an intronic enhancer from the mouse Gata4 gene that directs expression to the definitive endoderm in the early embryo. The activity of this enhancer is initially broad in all endodermal progenitors, as demonstrated by fate mapping analysis using the Cre/loxP system, but becomes restricted to the dorsal foregut and midgut, and associated organs such as dorsal pancreas and stomach. The function of the intronic Gata4 enhancer is dependent upon a conserved Forkhead transcription factor-binding site, which is bound by recombinant FoxA2 in vitro. These studies identify Gata4 as a direct transcriptional target of FoxA2 in the hierarchy of the transcriptional regulatory network that controls the development of the definitive endoderm. Article History: Received 22 June 2010; Revised 22 July 2010; Accepted 27 July 2010

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2009.06.041 Byline: Jione Kang (a), Elisha Nathan (b), Shan-Mei Xu (a), Eldad Tzahor (b), Brian L. Black (a) Keywords: Isl1; Second heart field; Anterior heart field; Transgenic; Transcription factor; Forkhead; FoxC2; FoxA2; FoxF1; Mouse Abstract: The cells of the second heart field (SHF) contribute to the outflow tract and right ventricle, as well as to parts of the left ventricle and atria. Isl1, a member of the LIM-homeodomain transcription factor family, is expressed early in this cardiac progenitor population and functions near the top of a transcriptional pathway essential for heart development. Isl1 is required for the survival and migration of SHF-derived cells into the early developing heart at the inflow and outflow poles. Despite this important role for Isl1 in early heart formation, the transcriptional regulation of Isl1 has remained largely undefined. Therefore, to identify transcription factors that regulate Isl1 expression in vivo, we screened the conserved noncoding sequences from the mouse Isl1 locus for enhancer activity in transgenic mouse embryos. Here, we report the identification of an enhancer from the mouse Isl1 gene that is sufficient to direct expression to the SHF and its derivatives. The Isl1 SHF enhancer contains three consensus Forkhead transcription factor binding sites that are efficiently and specifically bound by Forkhead transcription factors. Importantly, the activity of the enhancer is dependent on these three Forkhead binding sites in transgenic mouse embryos. Thus, these studies demonstrate that Isl1 is a direct transcriptional target of Forkhead transcription factors in the SHF and establish a transcriptional pathway upstream of Isl1 in the SHF. Author Affiliation: (a) Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16th Street, Box 2240, San Francisco, CA 94158-2517, USA (b) Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel Article History: Received 20 May 2009; Accepted 27 June 2009

Members of the Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 (MEF2) family of transcription factors play key roles in the development and differentiation of numerous cell types during mammalian development, including the vascular endothelium. Mef2c is expressed very early in the development of the endothelium, and genetic studies in mice have demonstrated that mef2c is required for vascular development. However, the transcriptional pathways involving MEF2C during endothelial cell development have not been defined. As a first step towards identifying the transcriptional factors upstream of MEF2C in the vascular endothelium, we screened for transcriptional enhancers from the mouse mef2c gene that regulate vascular expression in vivo. In this study, we identified a transcriptional enhancer from the mouse mef2c gene sufficient to direct expression to the vascular endothelium in transgenic embryos. This enhancer is active in endothelial cells within the developing vascular system from very early stages in vasculogenesis, and the enhancer remains robustly active in the vascular endothelium during embryogenesis and in adulthood. This mefze endothelial cell enhancer contains four perfect consensus Ets transcription factor binding sites that are efficiently bound by Ets-1 protein in vitro and are required for enhancer function in transgenic embryos. Thus, these studies identify Mefze as a direct transcriptional target of Ets factors via an evolutionarily conserved transcriptional enhancer and establish a direct link between these two early regulators of vascular gene expression during endothelial cell development in vivo. Keywords: MEF2; MEF2C; ETS; Endothelial; Vascular; Mouse; Transgenic; Transcription; Enhancer; Promoter

To continuously improve air quality, it is necessary to carry out fine management of air pollution prevention and control. However, research into regional transport of PM 2.5 at a smaller spatial scale such as district is limited. In this study, a novel combined method was constructed to simulate and identify the regional transport trajectories and potential sources of PM 2.5 concentrations at district scale, based on a hybrid model that integrates the Bayesian maximum entropy (BME) model, Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) and backward trajectory model. Take Tianjin as an example, an analysis of the transport trajectories showed that the air masses from northwest and southwest were the dominant atmospheric transport pathway in all seasons except summer. The number of transport trajectories from northwest and southwest accounted for 42.41% and 40.75% of the total number of transport trajectories. Despite the dominant wind direction in winter was northwest, it can be beneficial to atmospheric transport. This was because northwest trajectories were the long-range pathways, corresponding to fast-moving air masses that facilitate the dispersion of pollutants. On contrast, it is noteworthy that the southwest trajectories were the short-range pathways, resulting in limited diffusion and unfavorable conditions. The major potential cities that were likely contributors of PM 2.5 (Weighted Concentration-Weighted Trajectory (WCWT) values greater than 40 μg m−3) were situated in the southwest. Furthermore, the inter-district transport results indicated that the primary direction of PM 2.5 transport in Tianjin was also from south to north. It is critical that the current layout of Tianjin is adjusted in a timely manner through relocating or phasing out, as the majority of industrial enterprises with severe air pollution in Tianjin are located in the southern districts. This method of combining BME, WRF and backward trajectory can be used for atmospheric environment planning in other similar city and district-scale around the world. It also provides useful insights to policy makers when they formulate pollutants prevention control policies. [Display omitted] • BME-WRF-WCWT model was constructed to simulate sources of PM 2.5 at district scale. • Main transport direction of PM 2.5 without and within Tianjin was from south to north. • Non-local pollution emission has a more significant impact at small district scale. • The industrial layout is adjusted in a timely manner based on transport results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Many studies have shown that some game motives help to identify the risk for the development of problematic Internet use, especially advancement, escapism and socializing. Previous researchers have investigated multiple risky motives in each study but treated them as individual variables with less concern about their interplay. However, in many studies, the results showed that all gaming motives were correlated, implying the possibility that gamers might endorse multiple motives simultaneously. This study thus adopted a person-centered approach that was capable of distinguishing people with apparent combinations of gaming motives. The first aim of this study was to examine the co-occurrence of three different gaming motives, using latent profile analysis. The second aim of this study was to examine whether there were differences among gamer profiles in their characteristics, problematic Internet use, depression, and other well-being indicators across five time points. Panel data were collected from the same college student sample every six months for 2 years, from 2012 to 2014. At time point 1, a total of 387 freshmen (female = 109; male = 278) were recruited in Taiwan. Four reliable clusters of gamers were identified: high-engagement, medium-engagement, low-engagement, and healthy-engagement. The validated analysis results showed that the high-engagement gamers were risky and had higher depression and problematic Internet use scores than the other gamer clusters from time 1 to time 5. Academic performances had no significant effect on the 4 gamer clusters from time 1 to time 5. When the high-engagement cluster was compared to the healthy-engagement cluster, the major difference was seen in the level of escapism motives and the consequent risk of developing negative psychological symptoms. However, when the healthy-engagement cluster was compared to the low-engagement cluster, there were no significant differences in their level of escapism motive or psychological outcomes in depression and problematic Internet use (PIU) scores. Taken together, these findings imply that the endorsement of the escapism motive might be a risky inner factor for depression, PIU, and other well-being indicators in college gamers. Based on our findings, the person-centered study may provide further insights to help gamers with functional impairment. In addition, intervention programs can be designed to bring awareness to gamers' own escapism motives and to persuade them to face the pressures and problems in real life. Highlights • Clustering gamers with gaming motives using a person-centered approach. • Four clusters were identified, namely: high-, medium-, low-, and healthy-engagement. • Academic performance showed no difference across the 4 clusters. • High-engagement cluster developed more negative consequences across five time points. • Escapism motives seem to be a risky driving force for gamers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal mediation effects of multiple gaming motives from online game involvement to problematic Internet use (PIU). In terms of mediators, the present study included three specific gaming motivations - escapism, advancement, and socializing. A sample of 389 gamers participated in the study from freshman to junior college years. Gaming involvement was collected at the freshman year, motives at sophomore, and PIU at junior. Initially, the three gaming motives were examined separately for their longitudinal mediation effects in a series of single-mediator models. Next, the three motives were simultaneously included in a multiple-mediator model to compare the relative levels of their mediation effects from gaming involvement to PIU across a period of two years. In the multiple-mediator model, the most compelling results showed that escapism and advancement were positively associated with PIU, yet socializing was not; socializing failed to significantly predict later PIU. Also, the direct effect of gaming involvement on PIU was weak and failed to reach significant level, contradicting to the findings of previous cross-sectional studies. Many game players experience great pleasure from immersing themselves in a virtual world, and often to the extent of developing addictive symptoms. This phenomenon is referred to as “pull” effect which is considered comparable to the motive of “pursuing in-game advancement” in the present study. Conversely, frustrations or other negative experiences in real life might also bring about a “push” effect that tugs players into gaming. The motive of escapism from the real-life in this study resembles the so-called “push” effect. The authors suggest when gamers demonstrated social motive during game time, such as participating in a gamer community and collaborating with the others despite being socially withdrawn in real life, it would be less reasonably to be regarded as PIU. During game time, if gamers experience a temporary sense of well-being, it might help to vent their real-life frustration. However, an excessive use of this emotion-focused coping strategy might still increase the risk of PIU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black carbon (BC) exposure in China continues to be relatively high, prompting researchers to assess BC exposure levels using data from monitoring sites, satellite remote sensing, and models. However, data regarding the application of a combined strategy comprising the analysis of monitoring data and various types of data to simulate BC exposure levels are lacking. Hence, the current study seeks to estimate short- and long-term BC exposure levels by combining national monitoring data with data from the second Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA-2). Furthermore, this study attempts to improve the spatio-temporal resolution of BC exposure levels using Bayesian maximum entropy (BME). The BME model performed well in terms of estimating short- (R2 = 0.74 and RMSE = 1.76 μg/m3) and long-term (R2 = 0.76 and RMSE = 1.3 μg/m3) exposure. Premature mortalities and economic losses were also assessed by applying localised concentration–response coefficients simulated in China. A total of 74,500 (95% confidence interval (CI): 23,900–124,500) and 538,400 (95% CI: 495,000–581,300) all-cause premature mortality cases were found to be associated with short- and long-term BC exposure, respectively. Meanwhile, short-term BC exposure was associated with economic losses ranging from 7.5 to 13.2 billion US dollars (USD) (1 USD = 6.36 RMB on January 19, 2022) based on amended human capital (AHC) and willingness to pay (WTP), accounting for 0.06%–0.1% of China's total gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017 (1.2 × 104 billion USD), respectively. The economic losses for long-term exposure varied from 53 to 93.2 billion USD based on AHC and WTP, accounting for 0.4%–0.8% of China's total GDP in 2017, respectively. [Display omitted] • Modelled black carbon (BC) exposure level was the highest in Sichuan Basin, China. • All-cause premature mortalities due to long-term BC exposure were 538,400 cases in 2017. • Economic losses due to BC exposure accounted for 0.8% of the 2017 GDP of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zoxamide is a benzamide fungicide applied to control diseases caused by oomycete fungi. Fertilizers are important agricultural supplies to adjust soil properties and increase nutrition. To investigate the impact of zoxamide and seven fertilizers urea, phosphate fertilizer, potash fertilizer, compound fertilizer, organic fertilizer, vermicompost and soya bean cakes on the soil environment, the enantioselective dissipation characteristics of zoxamide, soil enzyme activities, pH and N, P nutrition changes were comprehensively analyzed in our present study. The enantioseparation method was successfully validated to quantify the zoxamide enantiomers in soil by HPLC using Chiral NQ (2)-RH column. Our results demonstrated that the R -(−)- and S -(+) - zoxamide half dissipated in the range of 10.88–17.81 and 8.05–14.41 days, respectively. S -(+)-zoxamide disappeared faster in soil. The vermicompost accelerated the dissipation rate of S -(+)-zoxamide, while urea, phosphate, organic and vermicompost fertilizer increased the dissipation selectivity. Zoxamide and fertilizers other than urea caused soil acidification during 80 days. Zoxamide was beneficial to soil catalase, instead inhibited soil urease, dehydrogenase activities and available phosphorus content. No significant effects on sucrase activity and available nitrogen content were found by zoxamide. Vermicompost and soya bean cakes had lasting and outstanding performance in efficiently improving soil enzyme activity and N, P nutrition. The comprehensive understanding of the ecological impact induced by chiral pesticide enantiomers and fertilizers on soil is vital to ensure the sustainable development and safety of agricultural production. [Display omitted] • Fertilizers impact the selectivity for preferential dissipation of S -(+)-zoxamide. • Zoxamide and fertilizers often cause soil acidification. • Zoxamide shows negative effects on soil urease, dehydrogenase and available P. • Vermicompost and soya bean cake better enhance soil enzyme activity, soil N and P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Abelmoschus manihot (L.) medic (AM) is a natural medicinal plant used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Recently, Huangkui capsule (HKC), a Chinese patent medicine extracted from AM, has been widely applied to the clinical therapy of renal fibrosis in patients with early diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the therapeutic mechanisms involved in vivo remain ambiguous. The goal of this study is to expound the mechanism in vivo of HKC in order to deepen the understanding of its clinical effects, by using the approaches of contrasting the dose-effects of HKC on oxidative stress (OS) in the kidney compared to α-lipoic acid (LA), and then demonstrating whether and how anti-oxidative properties of HKC or LA might be beneficial for the treatment of renal fibrosis in vivo. Materials and methods Thirty-three rats were divided into 5 groups, a Sham group, a Vehicle group, a L-HKC group, a H-HKC group and a LA group. The different doses of HKC, LA and distilled water were daily administrated for 8 weeks after the induction of DN by the unilateral nephrectomy combined with streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneal injections. Rat's general status, biochemical parameters, renal histological changes and OS indicators, as well as the key protein expressions in p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK)/serine-threonine kinase (Akt) signaling pathways and downstream cytokines including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were examined, respectively. Results HKC and LA ameliorated body weight, kidney weight, urinary albumin and renal function including blood urea nitrogen and serum uric acid, attenuated renal fibrosis including the cell numbers and extracellular matrix rate in glomerulus, and controlled OS indicators including malondialdehyde, total superoxide dismutase, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4, but did not lower blood glucose in DN model rats. Among them, the anti-renal fibrosis effect of H-HKC was better than that of LA. In addition, HKC simultaneously down-regulated the protein expressions of phosphorylated p38MAPK, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), TGF-β1 and TNF-α in the kidney of DN model rats, unlike HKC, LA only down-regulated p-Akt and TNF-α protein expressions. Conclusion We have demonstrated that HKC, similar to LA, is renoprotective via attenuating OS and renal fibrosis in the DN rat model. The potential mechanisms by which HKC and LA exert their therapeutic effects in vivo are respectively through down-regulating the activation of p38MAPK and/or Akt pathways as well as the expressions of TGF-β1 and/or TNF-α in the kidney. Our findings thus provide the useful information about a clinical combination of HKC and LA in early DN patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Purpose Internet addiction is the coming problem around the world. The diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction among adolescents (DC-IA-A) has become a widely used measure for assessing the presence of Internet addiction in Taiwan. This study examined the diagnosis criteria for Internet addiction in adolescents by expert evaluation. Methods Twenty psychiatrists rated the adequacy of each criterion in DC-IA-A. The content validity and homogeneity reliability proposed by Aiken were calculated. Results The coefficients content validity and homogeneity reliability showed twenty psychiatrists agreed on each of DC-IA-A as relevant to the diagnosis of Internet addiction, though several criteria need improvements. Two criteria “excessive time spent on Internet activities and leaving the Internet” and “excessive effort spent on activities necessary to obtain access to the Internet” should be omitted, and the criteria of “tolerance” should be modified. Conclusion The diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction among adolescents should be revised to meet the real condition of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelial and erythropoietic lineages arise from a common developmental progenitor. Etv2 is a master transcriptional regulator required for the development of both lineages. However, the mechanisms through which Etv2 initiates the gene-regulatory networks (GRNs) for endothelial and erythropoietic specification and how the two GRNs diverge downstream of Etv2 remain incompletely understood. Here, by analyzing a hypomorphic Etv2 mutant, we demonstrate different threshold requirements for initiation of the downstream GRNs for endothelial and erythropoietic development. We show that Etv2 functions directly in a coherent feedforward transcriptional network for vascular endothelial development, and a low level of Etv2 expression is sufficient to induce and sustain the endothelial GRN. In contrast, Etv2 induces the erythropoietic GRN indirectly via activation of Tal1, which requires a significantly higher threshold of Etv2 to initiate and sustain erythropoietic development. These results provide important mechanistic insight into the divergence of the endothelial and erythropoietic lineages. [Display omitted] • Etv2 hypomorphic mutant mouse embryos have profound anemia and normal vasculature • Higher Etv2 expression is required for erythropoiesis than for vasculogenesis • Etv2 directly regulates the embryonic endothelial gene-regulatory network (GRN) • Etv2 indirectly regulates the embryonic erythropoietic GRN via Tal1 Sinha et al. demonstrate that the master regulatory transcription factor Etv2 directly regulates the mouse embryonic endothelial gene-regulatory network (GRN). In contrast, Etv2 regulates the erythropoietic GRN indirectly via the bHLH transcription factor Tal1, making erythropoiesis more sensitive than vasculogenesis to reduced Etv2 gene dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the content of the team mental model with a case study about a successful online game team. This team was formed by high-ranking managers in a large raid guild to conduct a raid in War of Worldcraft. They were interviewed with a set of 5-W questions developed according to the conceptualizations of team mental model (Levine & Moreland, 1991). Toward the interview protocol, a content analysis was conducted with two-cycle coding method from exploratory to explanatory and a hierarchical framework from code, category, theme, to theory were generated to describe the team mental model. In the first cycle, 17 codes were extracted from participants' own wording for concepts that were shared by whom controlled various gaming characters. These codes are knowledge convergence about the problem at-hand, actors, events, affects and outcomes – what the core gamers have experienced through the collaborative gaming process. In the second cycle, coding was guided by learning theories. Six categories, mingled from 17 codes, showed collective knowledge of co-work process, leaders' works, work under supervision, seeking joint fun, relationship oriented, and balance between extrinsic-intrinsic motivations. From 6 categories, two themes were synthesized: the team (1) performed “joint hard work” for (2) seeking “joint hard fun.” The first theme comprised declarative and procedural knowledge representations and we consider it to be the commonality between this game team and ordinary work/learning teams. The second theme was composed of affective and cognitive evaluation components about intrinsic motivation which is in accordance with Self-determination theory (SDT, Deci & Ryan, 2000). In general, “Jointly hard work for hard fun” is the gist content of the team mental model. We found ample evidences that members explicitly recall shared motivational beliefs of team mates and emotional–motivational events in gaming. Based on the results of this study, several implications have been addressed for teachers to enhance students' intrinsic motivation in conducting quality Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning. Future studies are needed to further explore the relationship between the quality of team mental models and team-level performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tuberculosis is a human disease caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. M. tuberculosis (Mtb) is a facultative intracellular pathogen. The alveolar macrophages provide a critical niche for the intracellular pathogen. It has been shown that virulent strains mycobacteria (Mtb-H37Rv, Mycobacterium bovis) induce less apoptosis in host macrophage than avirulent mycobacteria strains (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, H37Ra). Comparative genomics analysis has revealed that the region of difference (RD1) of M. tuberculosis is absent from all strains of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). On the contrary, it presents in all virulent strains of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis. The culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP10) and early secretory antigenic target protein 6 (ESAT6) are encoded by RD1 genes Rv3874 and Rv3875, respectively. Recent studies indicated that the CFP10 and ESAT6 played an important role in M. tuberculosis virulence. It has been shown that incorporation of the RD1 region into BCG to restore the expression of CFP10 and ESAT6 leads to increasing the virulence and immunogenicity of bacterium. On the contrary, deletion of the genes encoding CFP10 and ESAT6 from the virulent M. bovis strain results in attenuation of virulence. Meanwhile, several studies showed that CFP10 and ESAT6 could inhibit and/or promote the production of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) from macrophages. Furthermore, TNF-α can induce apoptosis and necrosis of infected macrophages in tuberculosis. Considering above results, we hypothesize that the CFP10 and ESAT6 may be involved in the virulence of Mycobacterium through modulating macrophage cell death. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to research the influence of Grid-connected with wind farm to protection in distribution system, in this article a simulation model of Grid-connected with a 3 MW wind farm is constructed. Three-phase short circuit faults at the point in the transmission line and at the access point of the wind farm are simulated. In both short-circuit case weather the wind farm exist or not the differences is analyzed. Simulation results show that in order to ensure the stable operation of the system, the wind farms’ impact to the system can not be ignored. Finally, an new method of protection is proposed, the grid which connect with wind farms is divided into several areas, the protection device cut the fault zone in time, while other regions will not be affected. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In vitro adsorption of zearalenone (ZEA) by cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-modified montmorillonite nanocomposites (CMN) was investigated. The particle size of CMN was below 38.06nm determined with atomic force microscopes. The maximum adsorption of ZEA by CMN at 37°C and pH 7.0 was 8.83 and 5.07mg/g calculated with Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms, respectively, whereas the maximum adsorption by MN was 0.60 and 0.19mg/g, respectively. The effect of pH, temperature, ZEA concentration, and adsorbent concentration on ZEA adsorption were also studied and they all had certain influence on ZEA adsorption, especially the pH. The coexistence of Ca2+, Fe3+, Fe2+, vitamin E and/or lysine showed no significant influence on ZEA adsorption by CMN, suggesting that the nanograde particle size and hydrophobic property of CMN are responsible for the specific adsorption. These results suggest that CMN has the potential as a novel and promising nanograde adsorbent to bind the mycotoxin effectively in the animal gastrointestinal tract to reduce its absorption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The ELISPOT assay has been considered as one of the most sensitive assays to measure antigen-specific CD8 T cells in vitro. Recently, recombinant vaccinia was successfully used to express internally processed target antigens in host cells in direct ex-vivo ELISPOT assays. However, the background in these assays was relatively elevated, and the risk of killing effector T cells was high. Therefore, we examined in this study an alternative approach where the replication of recombinant vaccinia virus was inhibited by the usage of Cidofovir in vitro. Our data indicate that recombinant vaccinia-infected target cells treated with Cidofovir retained their functional activity and present internally processed antigens more efficiently to T cells than non-treated ones. We also identify the optimum doses of Cidofovir to be in the range of 0.75–0.075 μg/ml. Thus, Cidofovir treatment of the target cells prior to antigen stimulation could be a useful methodology to increase the sensitivity of the ELISPOT assay. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Skeletal muscle development requires the coordinated expression of numerous transcription factors to control the specification of mesodermal progenitor cells to a muscle fate and the differentiation of those committed myoblasts into functional, contractile muscle. Two families of transcription factors play key roles in these processes. The myogenic basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins, MyoD and Myf5, are required for myoblast specification, while two members of the same family, myogenin and MRF4, play key roles in myoblast differentiation in vivo. All four members of the myogenic bHLH family are sufficient to dominantly induce myogenesis when introduced into a variety of non-muscle cells in culture, however this function requires the activity of a second family of transcriptional regulators, the myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) family. MEF2 factors are essential for muscle differentiation, and previous studies have shown that MyoD and MEF2 family members function combinatorially to activate transcription and myogenesis. Consistent with these observations, the majority of skeletal muscle genes require both MyoD and MEF2 family members to activate their transcription. A possible exception to this combinatorial model for activation is suggested by the observation that myogenic bHLH factors may be able to independently activate the expression of MEF2. This raises the question as to how mef2 gene transcription is induced by MyoD factors without cooperative activation by MEF2. During skeletal muscle development, mef2c is the first member of the MEF2 family to be expressed. In this study, we have investigated the regulation of a skeletal muscle-specific enhancer from the mouse mef2c gene using a transgenic approach. We show that mef2c is a direct transcriptional target of the MyoD family in vivo via an essential E box in the skeletal muscle enhancer of mef2c, and we show that mef2c is not a direct target for autoregulation by MEF2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using the SPOT vegetation normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) dataset from 2000 to 2013, we investigated the characteristics and future trends of spatiotemporal variations in vegetation in the Haihe River basin. At the same time, its associated driving factors were also analyzed. The Sen and Mann-Kendall models, the Hurst index and a partial correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. The study found that (1) the vegetation cover change of the study area exhibited a significant increase in 2000–2013 (linear tendency, 6.4 % ∕ 10 a). During 2002–2004, the vegetation growth rate was the fastest, while vegetation growth slowed after 2004. (2) Spatially, the vegetation coverage in the study area was good during the 14-year period but poor in the Bohai Bay area and in some urban centers. (3) The area of vegetation improvement in the Haihe River basin accounted for 90.35% of the total basin area, and the degraded area accounted for 5.90% of the area and was mainly distributed in the peripheral areas of some urban centers. (4) The change in vegetation coverage in the Haihe River basin towards sustainability was stronger and primarily exhibited a continuously increasing trend, accounting for 89.11% of the total area. (5) The change in vegetation coverage was mainly attributed to the increase in precipitation. (6) Human activities could induce dual effects on vegetation coverage, so they were also one of the most important factors affecting vegetation cover change. • We investigated the spatiotemporal variations characteristics in vegetation in the Haihe River basin from 2000 to 2013. • We analyzed the impacts of climate change and human activities on vegetation cover change. • NDVI showed that vegetation cover exhibited a significant increase in the study area during 2000–2013. • The change in vegetation coverage was mainly attributed to the increase in precipitation. • Human activities also had profound effect to the vegetation variation trends in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] PIU in Year 1 predicted negative changes in lifestyle in Year 2. [•] Lifestyle changes in Year 1 did not predict PIU in Year 2. [•] The reciprocal relationships of PIU and lifestyle changes were not warranted. [•] Measures of Problematic Internet use (PIU) and lifestyle changes were stable cross year. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in peri- and post-menopausal Taiwanese women, and to investigate the relation between depressive symptoms and demographic variables, chronic disease status, health habits, stress management, menopausal symptoms, and attitudes toward menopause and aging. Study design: Cross-sectional study, using a purposive sample of 566 women between 45 and 60 years of age from a medical center and residential community in Southern Taiwan. Main outcome measures: Demographic and health habits questionnaire, Women's Health Initiative Symptom Scale, Attitudes Toward Menopause and Aging Scale, and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms (CES-D score≧16) was 38.7% in peri- and post-menopausal Taiwanese women. Bivariate correlations and analyses of variance indicated that higher CES-D scores were related to lower family income, younger age, smoking for a greater number of years, consuming more alcohol, having multiple chronic diseases, not exercising regularly, consulting with a specialist for stress management, having more severe menopausal symptoms, and more negative attitudes toward menopause and aging. A stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that the key predictors, accounting for 33.7% of the variance, were menopausal symptoms, attitudes toward menopause and aging, family income, and chronic disease status. Conclusions: Results highlight the importance of considering psychosocial factors, life style, and chronic disease management in providing health guidance for peri- and post-menopausal women to enhance their quality of life and reduce the risk of depressive symptoms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study uses an integrated model utilizing a small-world network and choice-based conjoint adoption model to examine the dynamics of consumer choice and diffusion in the hybrid electric vehicles market. It specifically compares the effectiveness of hybrid diffusion through the traditional word of mouth and via social media. The results show that without the advantage of increased gasoline prices, the growth of the hybrid vehicles market is insignificant, and that the Internet has a significant influence on the word of mouth effect in the purchasing process. Hybrid electric vehicles market shares decrease dramatically as a result of negative word of mouth communication via social media. The use of a higher fuel taxes is more effective than providing a subsidy for disposing of old vehicles and purchasing a hybrid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A type of nitrogen and cerium co-doped titania photocatalyst, which could degrade nitrobenzene under visible light irradiation, was prepared by the sol–gel route. Titanium isopropoxide, ammonium nitrate, and cerium nitrate were used as the sources of titanium, nitrogen, and cerium, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffusive reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm were employed to characterize the as-prepared photocatalyst. The degradation of nitrobenzene under visible light illumination was taken as probe reaction to evaluate the photoactivity of the co-doped photocatalyst. The commercial TiO2 photocatalyst (Degussa P25), which was thought as a high active photocatalyst, was chosen as standard photocatalyst to contrast the photoactivity of the nitrogen and cerium co-doped titania photocatalyst. The results showed that the photocatalytic performance of the nitrogen and cerium co-doped titania was related with the calcination temperature and the component. The nitrogen atoms were incorporated into the crystal of titania and could narrow the band gap energy. The doping cerium atoms existed in the forms of Ce2O3 and dispersed on the surface of TiO2. The improvement of the photocatalytic activity was ascribed to the synergistic effects of the nitrogen and cerium co-doping. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The current state in China is characterised by an increased demand for renewable electricity due to energy shortage and emission reduction targets. This study utilises the contingent valuation method (CVM) to investigate provincial residents' willingness to pay (WTP) for renewable electricity and employs the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model to analyse the spatial heterogeneity of influencing factors. The average WTP for renewable electricity among Chinese residents is 0.85 yuan/kWh, surpassing the current electricity price of 0.5 yuan/kWh. Reducing air pollution and the occurrence of haze is prioritised by residents (66.89%), followed by saving fossil energy and avoiding energy crises (10.09%), and reducing carbon emission and mitigating climate change (22.04%). Chinese residents pay more attention to the immediate impacts of renewable electricity on personal well-being and quality of life. Factors such as economic status, education background, air quality, health concerns, and environmental crisis awareness significantly influence WTP, with spatial disparities further compounding these effects. Sensitivity to economic level and air quality was observed in the southeast, while the southwest showed sensitivity to air quality, and the northwest exhibited sensitivity to environmental awareness. These findings suggest that residents' adoption of renewable electricity could partially alleviate China's funding gap in this sector. Recognising the factors that shape WTP provides a strategic pathway to enhance residents' financial support for renewable electricity initiatives. • Provincial residents' WTP for renewable electricity in China is assessed using CVM. • Residents are more concerned about renewable electricity's impact on air pollution reduction. • Residents' WTP is sensitive to environmental awareness in the northwest. • Residents' WTP in the south show greater sensitivity to air pollution than regions with severe air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The non-biorecognition of general biomaterials and inherent biospecificity of biological systems pose key challenges to the optimal functions of medical devices. In this study, we constructed the surface-mediated functional gene delivery through layer-by-layer self-assembly of protamine sulfate (PrS) and plasmid DNA encoding hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), aiming at specific enhancing endothelial cells (EC) compeititiveness over smooth muscle cells (SMC). Characterizations of the (PrS/HGF-pDNA) multilayered films present the linear buildup with homogeneous and flat topographical feature. The amount of DNA can be easily controlled. By using these multilayered films, both human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMC) can be directly transfected when they contact with the multilayered films. On transfection, increasing secretion of HGF has been detected in both HUVEC and HUASMC culture, which leads to selective promotion of HUVEC proliferation. In the co-culture experiment, we also exhibit the promoted and hindered growth of HUVEC and HUASMC, respectively, which could be attributed to the inverse influence of HUVEC on HUASMC. These results collectively demonstrate that our system can be served as a powerful tool for enhancing competitiveness of EC over SMC, which opens perspectives for the regulation of intercellular competitiveness in the field of interventional therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we have developed and revealed the wafer-level LED system-in-packaging (WL-LED-SiP) design and process platform. This platform provided an LED system solution with high packaging density, high performance, high reliability and cost effectiveness. Camera phone flash module was adopted as a test vehicle for demonstrating LED-SiP platform technologies, including wafer-level (WL) process integration with micro electromechanical system (MEMS) reflector, cavity-based lithography and through silicon via (TSV) filling. Meanwhile, LED flash module performance, including correlated color temperature (CCT), color rendering index (CRI), light energy and distribution, was characterized. The delivered LED-SiP flash module showed wide-view angle design of 80°×50° and light energy of 5.7lxs @ 1/30s. The volume of the module is 8×11×4mm3. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: We report an unexpected role for protease signaling in neural tube closure and the formation of the central nervous system. Mouse embryos lacking protease-activated receptors 1 and 2 showed defective hindbrain and posterior neuropore closure and developed exencephaly and spina bifida, important human congenital anomalies. Par1 and Par2 were expressed in surface ectoderm, and Par2 was expressed selectively along the line of closure. Ablation of Gi/z and Rac1 function in these Par2-expressing cells disrupted neural tube closure, further implicating G protein-coupled receptors and identifying a likely effector pathway. Cluster analysis of protease and Par2 expression patterns revealed a group of membrane-tethered proteases often coexpressed with Par2. Among these, matriptase activated Par2 with picomolar potency, and hepsin and prostasin activated matriptase. Together, our results suggest a role for protease-activated receptor signaling in neural tube closure and identify a local protease network that may trigger Par2 signaling and monitor and regulate epithelial integrity in this context. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Southern Xinjiang located in the far northwest of China is experiencing serious particulate matter (PM) pollution. The wind erosion has been recognized as a great contributor of PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations in southern Xinjiang. In this study we developed a method that used the Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) to establish the PM 10 and PM 2.5 emission inventories from the wind erosion source in southern Xinjiang with a 10 km × 10 km spatial resolution and a temporal resolution of one month. The PM 10 and PM 2.5 emission inventories from wind erosion sources were provided as input to the Models3/SMOKE (Sparse Matrix Operator Kernel Emission). The Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ) model was employed to simulate PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations from wind erosion source and the results were compared with the monitoring data to verify the emission inventories. The total PM 10 and PM 2.5 emissions were 12 × 106 t and 4 × 106 t, respectively, and the emission per unit area were 14.6 t/km2 and 4.9 t/km2, respectively, in southern Xinjiang in 2016. The PM 10 and PM 2.5 emissions per unit area were highest in Kashi being 19.1 t/km2 and 9.1 t/km2, respectively. The total emissions peaked at 5.4 × 106 t/km2 in PM 10 and 1.4 × 106 t/km2 in PM 2.5 in Bazhou. The PM 10 and PM 2.5 emissions were highest in spring, followed by summer, winter and autumn. The Normalized Mean Error (NME) between the predicted monthly average PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations from wind erosion source and the results from multiplying the monitoring data by the source apportionment results of PM 10 and PM 2.5 were 25.3% and 26.1%, respectively, which indicated that the accuracies of the PM 10 and PM 2.5 emission inventories from wind erosion source in southern Xinjiang were satisfactory. • PMs emission inventories of wind erosion source were established using WEPS model. • PMs emission inventories of wind erosion source were verified based on CMAQ. • The ratios of PM 2.5 to PM 10 emissions were derived from the wind tunnel experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]