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The receptor binding domain (RBD) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) spike protein must undergo a crucial conformational transition to invade human cells. It is intriguing that this transition is accompanied by a synchronized movement of the entire spike protein. Therefore, it is possible to design allosteric regulators targeting non‐RBD but hindering the conformational transition of RBD. To understand the allosteric mechanism in detail, we establish a computational framework by integrating coarse‐grained molecular dynamic simulations and a state‐of‐the‐art neural network model called neural relational inference. Leveraging this framework, we have elucidated the allosteric pathway of the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein at the residue level and identified the molecular mechanisms involved in the transmission of allosteric signals. The movement of D614 is coupled with that of Q321. This interaction subsequently influences the movement of K528/K529, ultimately coupling with the movement of RBD during conformational changes. Mutations that weaken the interactions within this pathway naturally block the allosteric signal transmission, thereby modulating the conformational transitions. This observation also offers a rationale for the distinct allosteric patterns observed in the SARS‐CoV spike protein. Our result provides a useful method for analyzing the dynamics of potential viral variants in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to effectively utilize renewable energy and improve the economic efficiency of microgrid system and its ability to consume renewable energy has become one of the main problems facing China at present. In response to this challenge, this paper establishes a multiobjective capacity optimization model with the minimum levelized cost of energy, the maximum proportion of renewable energy consumption, and the minimum comprehensive system cost. Based on this model, a new improved beluga whale optimization algorithm is proposed to solve the multiobjective optimization problem in the capacity allocation process of wind–solar–storage microgrid system with the goal of ensuring that the microgrid can meet the maximum load demand at different moments throughout the year. In this paper, opposition‐based learning, artificial bee colony, dynamic opposite, and beluga whale optimization are combined to improve the population diversity and convergence accuracy, thereby enhancing the optimization performance of the algorithm. Finally, after finding the optimal Pareto front solution, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution is used to help decision‐makers select the optimal solution. Using real load data and meteorological data, the results of this paper show that the multiobjective capacity allocation optimization method of grid‐connected scenic storage microgrid system based on the improved beluga whale optimization algorithm can improve the economics of the wind–solar–storage microgrid system and promote the photovoltaic consumption simultaneously, providing a solution for the realization of low‐carbon power and regional economic development. The best‐found levelized cost of energy for the wind–solar–storage microgrid system is 0.192 yuan/kWh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploration of new electron‐withdrawing building blocks plays a key role in the development of n‐type organic semiconductors. Herein, a strong electron‐withdrawing building block, dipyridyl‐fused quinoxalineimide (DPQI), was successfully designed and synthesized. Single‐crystal structure reveals that DPQI molecule possesses a completely planar backbone, which is beneficial for charge transport. For comparison, dibenzo‐fused quinoxalineimide (DBQI) was also synthesized. The frontier molecular orbital (FMO) energy levels downshift with the incorporation of nitrogen atoms onto the π‐conjugated backbone of quinoxalineimide. Two acceptor‐acceptor (or all‐acceptor) polymers P(BTI‐DBQI) and P(BTI‐DPQI) based on DBQI and DPQI were synthesized, respectively. Two polymers exhibit deep lowest‐unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels (~−3.5 eV). Additionally, P(BTI‐DPQI) exhibits unipolar n‐type charge transport with μe of 1.4×10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1 in the organic field‐effect transistors (OFET), which render them highly attractive for developing n‐type semiconductors device. This work demonstrates that DPQI is a promising building block for constructing n‐type polymer semiconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated energy system (IES) is one of the ways to realize energy saving and emission reduction. Facing the crisis of fossil energy depletion and the challenge of global warming, low‐carbon technology and market economic guidance mechanism have an important impact on the low‐carbon operation of integrated energy system (IES). In this study, IES with carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technology is established, the carbon emission model based on life cycle theory is built for the input energy and energy system of IES, and the ladder carbon trading mechanism is considered in the market economy to establish the low‐carbon economic optimization model of IESs. A system combining carbon capture technology and power to gas can effectively consume new energy sources and provide energy dispatch flexibility. The ability to capture greenhouse gases generated by energy units reduces the system's carbon emissions. Based on the IES low carbon economy model, the model is analyzed with examples to analyze the correlation between different carbon trading prices and IES low carbon economy transport. We analyze the impact of CCU technology inputs on the low‐carbon nature of IES. The study proposes an IES dispatching model based on life cycle assessment and CCU technology to provide a new strategy for the operation of IESs and a new method for other energy systems to reduce low carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic thermoelectric (OTE) materials have garnered increasing attention due to their potential application in wearable/flexible TE generator for energy harvesting. To meet the practical application of thermoelectric device, high‐performance p‐ and n‐type OTE materials are both necessary. In the past few years, improved n‐type polymer semiconductors have developed rapidly in the OTE field; however, their thermoelectric performance is still lagging behind p‐type counterparts. Therefore, more efforts should be made to enhance n‐type polymer TE performance, including development of novel molecule structure, synthesis of new dopants and optimization of device engineering. In this Review, we highlight the effects of molecular structure and side chain length and polarity of n‐type polymer semiconductors on the TE performance such as electron transport, electrical conductivity, and power factor. Finally, further perspectives and challenges are also discussed to provide useful guidelines for the design of high‐performance n‐type OTE materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticle surfactants (NPSs), formed by using dynamic interactions between nanoparticles and complementary ligands at the liquid‐liquid interface, have emerged as "smart emulsifiers" with attributes of high emulsification efficiency, long‐term stability, and on‐demand emulsification/demulsification capabilities. However, only pH‐responsiveness can be adopted for the assembly of reported NPSs formed by electrostatic interactions. Here, we propose an alternative design strategy, by taking advantage of the ferrocenium (Fc+) sulfate ion pair, to develop a new type of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) surfactant. The Fc+ groups are sensitive to pH, redox reagents and voltage, imparting the CNC surfactants and derived Pickering emulsions with multi‐stimuli‐responsiveness, and showing promising applications in controllable delivery, release, and biphasic biocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil contamination is problematic in subaqueous environments. Here, a cationic poly(N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)‐N‐[2′‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]‐ ammonium chloride) (PCBMAE) was synthesized, and a one‐step approach of dopamine‐assisted codeposition was used to generate PCBMAE/polydopamine (PDA) superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic coatings coated on a stainless steel mesh for oil/water separation. The structures, surface morphologies, and properties of the coatings were analyzed by IR, SEM, TGA, and contact angle measurements. During deposition at a PCBMAE and DA mass ratio of 1:1, PCBMAE/PDA mixture particles uniformly adhered to the skeletons of the mesh, increased the surface roughness, created enriched surface micro/nanostructures, and reduced the surface energy of the coating. This endowed the metal mesh with superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity (oil contact angle 163°) without blocking the mesh, and the deposition density was 0.26 mg/cm2. The separation efficiency of the coated mesh was 99.6% for the first castor oil/water separation and dropped to 98.0% after 5 cycles. After 25 cycles, the separation efficiency was still higher than 95%. The PCBMAE/PDA codeposited mesh exhibited high oil/water separation efficiency, stable mechanical properties, and weather stability under different harsh environments, making it a promising separation material for future industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The jamming of nanoparticle surfactants (NPSs) at liquid–liquid interface imparts attractive properties to the interfacial assemblies and enables the structuring of liquids. Herein, we report photoresponsive supramolecular microcapsules with jammed NPS assemblies at the oil‐water interface, taking advantage of host–guest molecular recognition. The permeability of the colloidal membrane can be effectively manipulated by switching the NPSs from a jammed state to an unjammed state with a photo trigger, leading to a controlled molecular diffusion and release, affording a versatile platform for the construction of next generation smart microcapsule systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reservoir construction greatly affects the regional ecological environment, particularly surface water–groundwater interactions around the reservoir. Xiluodu Reservoir, a representative large‐scale reservoir in China, has had substantial impacts on surface water–groundwater interactions at the dam site since impoundment. This study analysed the dynamic characteristics of surface water–groundwater level, temperature, and hydrochemistry to determine the evolution of surface water–groundwater interaction before and after the impoundment. The levels of groundwater and some surface water rose by more than 100 m after impoundment and the water level of saturated limestone gradually stabilized, whereas basalt saturation in the affected area continued to expand. The groundwater temperature did not decrease significantly, whereas the hydrochemical types and ion contents of both surface water and groundwater experienced significant changes. Calculation of the saturation index indicated spatiotemporal changes in the saturation state of minerals. The replenishment source of each type of water and their mutual relationships were determined using cluster analysis and isotope characteristics. The results confirmed continuous, significant, and variable surface water–groundwater interactions at the dam site, which were partially reversed after impoundment. Changes in surface water–groundwater interactions were due to impoundment, the impact of which decreases with distance from the dam, as well as the unique geological conditions and artificial construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method of crystal growth by introducing jet flow to the pyramidal‐restriction long‐seed growth system of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4, KDP) in rotating crystal method, namely, the jet‐rotating crystal method, is proposed. To evaluate the prospect of this new method, three‐dimensional (3D) time‐dependent numerical simulations of flow and mass transfer involved in the jet‐rotating crystal method are conducted. Compared with the rotating crystal method, the jet‐rotating crystal method can improve the magnitude and distribution homogeneity of the prismatic face supersaturation and obtain high‐quality KDP crystals. The supersaturation on the prismatic face as a function of rotation rate, jet velocity, and crystal size is investigated. The effects of solution flow on mass transfer are analyzed in detail. A further improvement in the magnitude and distribution homogeneity of the prismatic face supersaturation can be observed through designing the jet flow pipes to swing periodically in vertical plane. Besides, the role of natural and forced convection in mass transport is discussed, which indicates that the effects of natural convection can be neglected when the jet velocity is equal to or greater than 0.6 m s–1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High emissivity coatings have received a great attention due to their energy saving capability for using in spacecraft and industrial furnaces applications. In this study, a feasible spray deposition method was employed to prepare a high emissivity coating on Kovar alloy substrate with porous structure after heat treatment. Graphene oxide was used to dope coating to improve its emissivity. The emissivity enhancement mechanisms of the graphene oxide doped SiO2 coatings have been investigated. Results show that coating emissivity can be significantly improved (6.41 and 9.64% of coating emissivity at 500 and 800°C, respectively) by doping graphene oxide. Thus, this study proposed a feasible and effective method to prepare high emissivity coatings. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48794. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perennial issue of information value creation needs to be understood in the contemporary era of a more networked user environment enabled by information technology (IT). This mixed‐methods study investigates information value cocreation from the social informatics perspective to surface sociotechnical implications for IT design and use, since cocreation is inherently social and technology‐mediated. Specifically, the cocreation of software as an information‐intensive product is examined. Data on the cocreation of Xiaomi's MIUI firmware were collected from two sources: 49 interviews of staff and user participants and web crawling of the cocreation platform. They were analyzed with interpretive analysis, topic modeling, and social network analysis for triangulation. Findings indicate three sociotechnical information practices co‐constituted by information, IT, people, and their activities. Each practice is instrumental in rapidly and continuously converting external information into cocreated information value. The adsorption information practice attracts new and diverse external information; the absorption practice integrates external and internal information rapidly by involving users; the desorption practice allows rapid adoption of the cocreated product so that information value can be realized and demonstrated for further cocreation. Critically analyzing these practices reveals unanticipated or paradoxical issues affecting the design and use of common cocreation technology such as discussion forums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin recognition complex (ORC) is indispensable for the initiation of DNA replication during the cell cycle. The DNA‐binding modes of the human ORC winged helix domain (WHD) remain enigmatic, as the dsDNA recognition sites of archaeal and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ORC WHDs are distinct. Here, we solved the high‐resolution crystal structure of the human ORC2 WHD, although its complex with dsDNA is difficult to crystallize due to its weak binding affinities. The near‐complete NMR backbone assignments and chemical shift perturbations reveal a new dsDNA binding topology in addition to the conserved β‐sheet hairpin region, in which residues show higher dynamics. The key interacting residues (R540, K548, and K549) were validated by mutagenesis studies. Our data suggest that the ORC2 WHD recognizes dsDNA sequences through its flexible β‐sheet hairpin as an anchor point, while the rest of the protein adopts various orientations in different species. This weak but real interaction module identified by NMR is useful for the structural reconstruction of large biomolecular complexes using cryo‐EM. The binding topology and dynamics of ORC2 WHDs were also underpinned by molecular dynamics simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We find that summertime air quality in the eastern U.S. displays strong dependence on North Atlantic sea surface temperatures, resulting from large‐scale ocean‐atmosphere interactions. Using observations, reanalysis data sets, and climate model simulations, we further identify a multidecadal variability in surface air quality driven by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). In one‐half cycle (~35 years) of the AMO from cold to warm phase, summertime maximum daily 8 h ozone concentrations increase by 1–4 ppbv and PM2.5 concentrations increase by 0.3–1.0 μg m−3 over much of the east. These air quality changes are related to warmer, drier, and more stagnant weather in the AMO warm phase, together with anomalous circulation patterns at the surface and aloft. If the AMO shifts to the cold phase in future years, it could partly offset the climate penalty on U.S. air quality brought by global warming, an effect which should be considered in long‐term air quality planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel system for rapid crystal growth, namely three-dimensional motion growth method ('3D MGM') was proposed. Using this system, a potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) seed was grown to a single crystal with a final size of 50×55×85 mm3. The KDP crystal was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, extinction ratio, laser damage threshold, and etching studies. Raman spectrum shows KDP crystal grown by '3D MGM' maintains good crystallinity as that grown by rotating-crystal method ('RCM'). The '3D MGM' grown KDP crystal has much better transmittance, higher extinction ratio, higher damage threshold and less dislocation density, compared to 'RCM' grown crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been utilized in studies of the growth mechanism on the (100) face of zinc tris (thiourea) sulphate (ZTS) crystals growing from solution. The growth on the (100) face of pure ZTS crystal is mainly controlled by two dimensional (2D) nucleation mechanisms, under which the hillock is formed through layer-by-layer growth. It is easier to form 2D nuclei at edge dislocation and the apex of steps. The growth of 2D nucleus is in accord with nucleation-spreading mode. The growth rate along the 〈010〉 direction is faster than that along 〈001〉 direction, both of which increase firstly and then decrease with the spread of nucleus. The kinetic coefficients of one nucleus have been roughly estimated to be 3.6 × 10−4 cm/s and 1.8 × 10−4 cm/s in two directions, while the activation energy E was calculated to be 53.7 kJ/mol and 55.4 kJ/mol, respectively. The 2D nuclei can be generated under lower supersaturation with the addition of EDTA. If there are several hillocks growing together, step bunches will form when the steps moving in the same direction meet each other, while the meeting of steps that move in the inverse direction will result in the separation of steps. The ability of nucleation of edge dislocation outcrops are different even they are close to each other on the same surface. When the nucleus was generated at the edge dislocation sites, it cannot spread speedily until finishes an 'incubation period'. Moreover, the detour of microsteps was observed due to the existence of pits. If the microcrystals attached on the surface block the step advancement, or leave the surface or are covered by the macrosteps, the pits are formed. If the macrosteps advanced across the pits, the pits will be covered and the liquid inclusions may form. However, if the microcrystal forming in the pit grow up and expose on the surface, the pit will not be covered by macrosteps. The formation of solid inclusions may be caused by the microcrystals being embedded into the single steps which move layer-by-layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation of crystal growth under screw dislocation mechanisms on the (100) face of zinc tris (thiourea) sulphate (ZTS) crystals doped ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) has been carried out in a fluid cell by in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM). The generation of a dislocation spiral during the step advancing was observed. Through the measurement of the critical length of four sides of a rectangular spiral with a complete growth period, the advancement velocities, step edge free energies and kinetic coefficients of steps have been obtained. The changes in the step velocity with time have been studied. It was found that the relationship between the step velocity and step length is inconsistent with the previous report. The emergent points of dislocations do not disappear even though they are covered by either several elementary steps or macro-steps. It is also shown that the interchange of two spirals whose emergent points of dislocations are adjacent will lead to a distortion of two contiguous steps and affect the growth rates of spirals. The obviously asymmetric growth of spirals of opposite sign in real time was observed. The coexistence and competition of dislocation spirals under different conditions was emphasized considering the activity of dislocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In wireless sensor networks ( WSNs), the congestion problem not only causes packet loss, but also leads to an increase in delays and energy consumption. The actual performance of wireless sensor networks ( WSNs) can be severely influenced by the quality of the communication channel and the bit in transmission. In this paper, the distributed protocols, which attain global optimum control for signals by the compressed sensing technique and achieve fair channel allocation by the scheduling algorithm, are proposed for WSNs. We take into account the congestion problem by robust optimization with congestion ratio for two classic aspects in energy limited WSNs: minimum transmission rate and maximum transmitted information. To achieve the goal, three protocols are developed. In the first protocol, the desired control input is designed based on the compressed sensing technique. A minimal bit of signal is provided to reduce the transmission flow for the congestion model. The second protocol is resource allocation. The resources can be allocated increasingly to the channel in order to avoid more severe congestion. This can also avoid conservative reduction of resource allocation for eliminating congestion. Channel selection abides by the fair resource allocation principle. The above protocols separately are implemented through a congestion ratio at network layer, transport layer, and MAC layer. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm effectively relieves congestion, and achieves higher throughput and lower energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase stability, electronic structure, compressibility, optical and elastic properties of two polymorphs of Ti3SnC2 were investigated using first-principle calculation. α-Ti3SnC2 is confirmed to be the preferred equilibrium phase under high pressure and high temperature. The electronic structure calculations reveal that the Ti and C atoms form a strong Ti1-C-Ti2-C-Ti1 covalent bond chain while the bonding between Ti1 and Sn is relatively weak. In the low frequency range from radio waves to visible light, Ti3SnC2 behaves similarly with TiC. This material exhibits anisotropic compressibility under hydrostatic pressure: it is more compressible along the c-direction than along a-direction, related to the different bond stiffness and bond angle changes under high pressure. The second-order elastic coefficients were calculated. For the α-phase, the bulk, B, shear, G, and Young's moduli, E, are calculated to be 169.4, 124, and 197.4 GPa, respectively. The low G/ B ratio partially explains why Ti3SnC2 is relatively soft and damage tolerant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Programmed cell death is an important mechanism during brain development in order to control neuronal cell numbers and to correctly form neuronal circuitries. Programmed cell death is also present in neurogenic regions of the adult brain, and a significant portion of the adult-born cells is eliminated during the first months of maturation. We here address the question whether overexpression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 would improve the survival of neural progenitor cells and, as a consequence, increase neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus. Transgenic animals, which express human Bcl-2 under the neuron-specific enolase promoter (NSE-huBcl-2), show a significant reduction of apoptotic cells in the hippocampal granule cell layer to about half of the wild-type level. These apoptotic cells are almost exclusively found in the zone of hippocampal progenitor activity and frequently co-label with the neuronal progenitor marker doublecortin (DCX). The rate of adult neurogenesis is doubled in the dentate gyrus of Bcl-2-overexpressing mice as demonstrated by quantification of progenitor cells using DCX and new neurons using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)/neuronal nuclei antigen (NeuN) double-labelling. The effect of Bcl-2 is limited to the late phase of progenitor maturation, as proliferation and early-phase progenitor cells were not affected. The increased level of neurogenesis leads to a significantly higher total number of granule cells in the dentate gyrus. These results underline the importance of developmental cell death during neurogenesis in the adult brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methylprednisolone (MP) is a synthetic glucocorticoid used for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Soluble Nogo-66 receptor (NgR) ectodomain is a novel experimental therapy for SCI that promotes axonal regeneration by blocking the growth inhibitory effects of myelin constituents in the adult central nervous system. To evaluate the potential complementarity of these mechanistically distinct pharmacological reagents we compared their effects alone and in combination after thoracic (T7) dorsal hemisection in the rat. Treatment with an ecto-domain of the rat NgR (27–310) fused to a rat IgG [NgR(310)ecto-Fc] (50 µ m intrathecal, 0.25 µL/h for 28 days) or MP alone (30 mg/kg i.v., 0, 4 and 8 h postinjury) improved the rate and extent of functional recovery measured using Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) scoring and footprint analysis. The effect of MP treatment on BBB score was apparent the day after SCI whereas the effect of NgR(310)ecto-Fc was not apparent until 2 weeks after SCI. NgR(310)ecto-Fc or MP treatment resulted in increased axonal sprouting and/or regeneration, quantified by counting biotin dextran amine-labeled corticospinal tract axons, and increased the number of axons contacting motor neurons in the ventral horn gray matter caudal to the lesion. Combined treatment with NgR(310)ecto-Fc and MP had a more pronounced effect on recovery of function and axonal growth compared with either treatment alone. The data demonstrate that NgR(310)ecto-Fc and MP act in a temporally and mechanistically distinct manner and suggest that they may have complementary effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caspases play an important role in neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease (HD). Members of the Bcl-2 family are critical modulators of terminal cell death pathways. However, alterations of Bcl-2 family members and their functional role in an in vivo model of HD have not been documented. With the goal of gaining mechanistic insight, we used a transgenic mouse model of HD (R6/2) to investigate the chronology of caspase activation and functional alterations in members of the Bcl-2 family. In R6/2 mice caspase activation precedes proapoptotic changes in Bcl-2 family members. Of the caspases that we screened, caspase-1-like activation was the first to be detected in the disease process (7 weeks). Proapoptotic changes in members of the Bcl-2 family were first detected at 9 weeks. To demonstrate a potential functional/therapeutic role of Bcl-2 in HD, we crossed R6/2 mice with mice overexpressing Bcl-2 in neurons. Transgenic expression of Bcl-2 in R6/2 mice resulted in slight prolonged survival. Understanding the chronology of apoptotic events provides important information for appropriate therapeutic targeting in this devastating and untreatable disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver-targeted gene therapy using hepatocyte as recipient cells has recently been documented to be effective in treatment of numerous hepatic diseases, such as metabolic diseases and liver carcinoma. IFN-γ elicits antipreliferative and antifibrogenic activity in a variety of mesenchymal cells, including hepatic satellite cells. To investigate the antifibrogenic response of liver gene therapy mediated by intrasplenic transplantation of gene-modified hepatocytes, normal mouse liver cell line BNL CL.2 cells were transfected with murine IFN-γ gene (BNL.IFN-γ) in vitro, and transplanted intrasplenically into Schistosoma japonicum-infected mice. The amounts and distribution of IFN-γ (which inhibits collagen synthesis), TGF-β (which stimulates collagen synthesis) and extracellular matrix, including type I and III collagen, were detected. In mice infected with S. japonicum and then treated with BNL.IFN-γ, an increase of IFN-γ and decrease of TGF-β1 were detected at 20 weeks postinfection compared to untreated S. japonicum-infected mice. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that S. japonicum infection induced a marked increase of type I and III collagen synthesis. Whereas, 4 weeks after treatment with BNL.IFN-γ, net synthesis rates of type I and III collagen were markedly decreased in the liver of infected mice. In addition, a decreased expression of TGF-β1 and its receptor TGF-βRII in the liver of BNL.IFN-γ-treated mice was also observed. Moreover, the decrease in TGF-β1 and TGF-βRII protein approximately paralleled the decrease in their mRNA expression, which was detected by RNA dot blotting. The data indicate that intrasplenic transplantation of IFN-γ gene-modified hepatocyte can be a candidate approach to treat hepatic fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thin surface layer growth during the regeneration of incomplete potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystal is more perplexing than the ordinary layer‐by‐layer growth. In a previous paper, the driving force of the thin surface layer growth was discussed; the present paper focuses on the regeneration process and final regeneration morphology. Based on the analysis of thin surface layer area per unit repaired volume, it is found that convex polyhedron is more advantageous than concave polyhedron. It is also found that the general morphology of repaired incomplete crystal is convex polyhedron of minimum volume covered by singular surfaces. The most important thing is, numbers of regeneration details suggest that the incomplete crystal achieves the self‐repairing by morphology prejudging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of thin surface layer growth during the regeneration of incomplete crystallographic potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystal has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. In the present study, four sets of incomplete crystallographic KH2PO4 crystals enclosed by singular faces are designed to observe their regeneration characteristics in supersaturated solution. In all the crystals, even though every crystal face is singular surface, thin surface layers still grow from crystal edges or concave angles to repair themselves to convex polyhedrons. Through surface energy calculation, it is found that the thin surface layer growth encounters higher growth barrier than ordinary layer‐by‐layer growth. Here, an assumption is proposed that the incomplete crystal possesses a "potential of morphology repair", which drives the thin surface layers growing to repair itself into complete form. This assumption is confirmed to some extent by a thin surface layer fragments experiment. The experiment implies that thin surface layer is the same as the ordinary crystal seed once separated from incomplete crystal, and its growth rate is one order slower than in incomplete crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a correction to the article "Sequential Activation of Individual Caspases, and of Alterations in Bcl-2 Proapoptotic Signals in a Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease," that was previously published in the "Journal of Neurochemistry."