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Abstract Primarily due to the scarce direct field evidence along a same fault, understanding the relationship between the pre‐existing off‐fault damage and coseismic slip distribution remains challenging. This study offers the first field‐based quantitative assessments of fault damage zones along the surface rupture generated by the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake in China over eight profiles with 254 outcrops. The width and mean tectonic fracture intensity of the damage zones exhibit pronounced variations along the fault strike. We introduce the damage index as a proxy to quantify the extent of pre‐existing damage. We find a statistically significant anti‐correlation between the damage index and coseismic on‐fault slip. We thus infer that pre‐existing off‐fault damage plays a significant role in dissipating rupture energy, thereby reducing coseismic on‐fault slip. This study provides a natural case for linking the long‐term fault zone evolution and the short‐term earthquake rupture dynamics.

(+)-2-(1-hydroxyl-4-oxocyclohexyl) ethyl caffeate (HOEC) was isolated from Incarvillea mairei var. granditlora (Wehrhahn) Grierson. The plants of the Incarvillea genus have long been used as folk medicines for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases in China. 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX), a key enzyme in the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade, was identified as a potential target of HOEC by a pulldown assay, and then extensively validated by biosensor-based affinity detection, enzyme-based activity assays, cell-based AA metabolite analysis and computer-aided AA network simulation. Further in vivo studies of AA-induced ear oedema, ovalbumin (OVA)-induced lung inflammation and collagen-induced arthritis demonstrated the anti-inflammatory potency and validated the therapeutic target of HOEC. This work revealed that HOEC acted as an anti-inflammatory agent targeting 5-LOX, which not only confirmed the key role of 5-LOX in inflammation but also provided a paradigm for the exploration of natural product mechanisms of action.

In many applications, one may need to characterize a given network among a large set of base networks, and these networks are large in size and diverse in structure over the search space. In addition, the characterization algorithms are required to have low volatility and with a small circle of uncertainty. For large datasets, these algorithms are computationally intensive and inefficient. However, under the context of network mining, a major concern of some applications is speed. Hence, we are motivated to develop a fast characterization algorithm, which can be used to quickly construct a graph space for analysis purpose. Our approach is to transform a network characterization measure, commonly formulated based on similarity matrices, into simple vector form signatures. We shall show that the [Formula: see text] similarity matrix can be represented by a dyadic product of two N-dimensional signature vectors; thus the network alignment process, which is usually solved as an assignment problem, can be reduced into a simple alignment problem based on separate signature vectors.

Planting depth can cause nonuniform emergence and poor field stands. There have been no investigations to compare the planting depth on field emergence between vegetable soybean and grain soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. This study examined the effect of planting depth on preemergence and seedling emergence in growth chamber conditions using one vegetable soybean and one grain soybean cultivar. The hypocotyl and radicle length in the vegetable soybean were significantly longer than that of the grain soybean at emergence, while the hypocotyl and radicle diameter in the vegetable soybean were significantly larger than that of the grain soybean during emergence period irrespective of planting depth. The weight of hypocotyl + radicle in the vegetable soybean was significantly greater than that of the grain soybean during emergence period irrespective of planting depth and days after planting, but deeper planting depth reduced cotyledon weight in the vegetable soybean strongly at emergence. As planting depth increased from shallow (1-cm) to deep (5-cm), emergence declined. However, the grain soybean seed consistently emerged better than the vegetable soybean seed. Emergence of both the grain soybean seed and the vegetable soybean was >65% until planting depth increased to 3-cm, while the vegetable soybean seed had the lowest emergence (<30%) at the deepest (5-cm) level. The 3-cm planting depth had no effect on the emergence of both the grain soybean and the vegetable soybean. The vegetable soybean was more susceptible to deeper planting depth than the grain soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correlation coefficients and path coefficients of fresh pod yield and yield components of vegetable soybean were investigated in 2010. Thirty vegetable soybean genotypes were grown at the rate of 28 plants m-2 in a randomized complete block design with three replications in field condition in Northeast China. The results showed that fresh pod yield was positively correlated with 3-seed pod per plant (0.81""), 2-seed pod per plant (0.76""), 2-seed pod width (0.59"") and 100-fresh seed weight (0.47""), and negatively correlated with plant height (-0.75"") and 2-seed pod length (-0.64""). Path coefficient analysis also revealed that 3-seed pod per plant (0.58) had the greatest direct positive effect on fresh pod yield, followed by 2-seed pod per plant (0.56), 2-seed pod width (0.31), and 100 fresh seed weight (0.23), whereas plant height (-0.36) and 2-seed length (-0.35) had negative direct effect on fresh pod yield. It was concluded that more considerations should be given to the number of seed pod per plant, 2-seed pod width, 100-fresh seed weight, plant height, and 2-seed pod length when selecting higher fresh pod yield of vegetable soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric-pressure microplasma-assisted electrochemistry was used to synthesize Ag nanoparticles (NPs) for plasmonic applications. It is shown that the size and dispersion of the nanoparticles can be controlled by variation of the microplasma-assisted electrochemical process parameters such as electrolyte concentration and temperature. Moreover, Ag NP synthesis is also achieved in the absence of a stabilizer, with additional control over the dispersion and NP formation possible. As the microplasma directly reduces Ag ions in solution, the incorporation of toxic reducing agents into the electrolytic solution is unnecessary, making this an environmentally friendly fabrication technique with strong potential for the design and growth of plasmonic nanostructures for a variety of applications. These experiments therefore link microplasma-assisted electrochemical synthesis parameters with plasmonic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(+)-2-(l-hydroxyl-4-oxocyclohexyl) ethyl caffeate (HOEC) was isolated from Incarvillea mairei var. grandiflora (Wehrhahn) Grierson. The plants of the Incarvillea genus have long been used as folk medicines for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases in China. 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX), a key enzyme in the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade, was identified as a potential target of HOEC by a pulldown assay, and then extensively validated by biosensor-based affinity detection, enzyme-based activity assays, cell-based AA metabolite analysis and computer-aided AA network simulation. Further in vivo studies of AA-induced ear oedema, ovalbumin (OVA)-induced lung inflammation and collagen-induced arthritis demonstrated the anti-inflammatory potency and validated the therapeutic target of HOEC. This work revealed that HOEC acted as an anti-inflammatory agent targeting 5-LOX, which not only confirmed the key role of 5-LOX in inflammation but also provided a paradigm for the exploration of natural product mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicle emissions of VOCs were determined in summer and winter of 2003 at the Shing Mun Tunnel, Hong Kong. One hundred and ten VOCs were quantified in this study. The average concentration of the total measured VOCs at the inlet and outlet of the tunnel were 81 250 pptv and 117 850 pptv, respectively. Among the 110 5 compounds analyzed, ethene, ethyne and toluene were the most abundant species in the tunnel. The total measured VOC emission factors ranged from 67 mg veh-1 km-1 to 148 mg veh-1 km-1, with an average of 115 mg veh-1 km-1. The five most abundant VOCs observed in the tunnel were, in decreasing order, ethene, toluene, n-butane, propane and i-pentane. 10 These five most abundant species contributed over 38% of the total measured VOCs emitted. The high propane and n-butane emissions were found to be associated with LPG-fueled taxi. And fair correlations were observed between marker species (ethene, i-pentane, n-nonane, BTEX) with fractions of gasoline-fueled or diesel-fueled vehicles. Moreover, ethene, ethyne, and propene are the key species that were abundant in the 15 tunnel but not in gasoline vapors or LPG. In order to evaluate the ozone formation potential emissions in Hong Kong, the maximum increment reactivity is calculated. It was found that about 568 mg of O3 is induced by per vehicle per kilometer traveled. Among them, ethene, propene and toluene contribute most to the ozone-formation reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective:  To investigate the effects of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced proliferation and reactive oxygen species production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Methods:  RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with or without LPS in the absence or presence of LXA4. In another experiment, the cells were incubated with rmG-CSF (recombinant mouse granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) or neutralizing anti-G-CSF Ab in the absence or presence of LPS and LXA4. The proliferation effects were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Reative oxygen species were quantified by flow cytometry and laser confocal scanning microscopy. G-CSF gene expression and protein secretion were measured by real time PCR and ELISA, respectively. IκBα degradation and NF-κB translocation were determined by Western blot, and NF-κB transcriptional activity was tested by transfections and luciferase activities assay. Results:  (1) LXA4 controlled LPS-induced proliferation and reactive oxygen species production. (2) LXA4 decreased LPS-induced G-CSF gene expression and protein secretion. (3) LXA4 restrained LPS-induced IκBα degradation, NF-κB translocation, and NF-κB transcriptional activity. (4) rmG-CSF could rescue the inhibitory effects of LXA4, and neutralizing anti-G-CSF Ab was able to enhance the roles of LXA4. Conclusions:  LXA4 inhibited LPS-induced proliferation and reactive oxygen species production in RAW264.7 macrophages partially through modulation of G-CSF secretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Honglian cytoplasmic male sterility ( cms-HL) system, a novel type of gametophytic CMS in indica rice, is being used for the large-scale commercial production of hybrid rice in China. However, the genetic basis of fertility restoration ( Rf) in cms-HL remains unknown. Previous studies have shown that fertility restoration is controlled by a single locus located on chromosome 10, close to the loci Rf1 and Rf4, which respond to cms-BT and cms-WA, respectively. To determine if the Rf locus for cms-HL is different from these Rf loci and to establish fine-scale genetic and physical maps for map-based cloning of the Rf gene, high-resolution mapping of the Rf gene was carried out using RAPD and microsatellite markers in three BCF 1 populations. The results of the genetic linkage analysis indicated that two Rf loci respond to cms-HL, and that these are located in different regions of chromosome 10. One of these loci, Rf5 , co-segregates with the SSR marker RM3150, and is flanked by RM1108 and RM5373, which are 0.9 cM and 1.3 cM away, respectively. Another Rf locus, designated as Rf6(t), co-segregates with RM5373, and is flanked by RM6737 and SBD07 at genetic distances of 0.4 cM. The results also demonstrated these loci are distinct from Rf1 and Rf4. A 105-kb BAC clone covering the Rf6(t) locus was obtained from a rice BAC library. The sequence of a 66-kb segment spanning the Rf6(t) locus was determined by a BLASTX search in the genomic sequence database established for the cultivar 93-11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrison performance of three Fe–Al model alloys (10, 20, 45, at.%Al), was examined at 650° C in air beneath a KCl solid deposit and in the presence of trace KCl vapor. The two low-Al-Content Fe–10Al and Fe–20Al alloys experienced accelerated corrosion yet exhibited similar degradation behavior regardless of the solid or vapor state of KCl. The corrosion products consist of an outermost layer of cracked Fe2O3, overlying an intermediate region of the mixed oxides of Fe and Al. Finally, an aluminum-depleted, internal-oxidation zone was observed. Fe-45Al suffered relatively the least attack by developing a dense alumina surface layer, which was particularly stable in the presence of KCl vapor. However, porous iron oxide could be produced locally on the Fe–45Al surface after breakdown of the passive alumina film beneath the KCl deposit. Consequently, an Al-depleted zone was formed underneath the iron oxide, due to the preferential removal of aluminum from the matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is devoted to identifying a time-dependent source term in a multi-dimensional time-fractional diffusion equation from boundary Cauchy data. The existence and uniqueness of a strong solution for the corresponding direct problem with homogeneous Neumann boundary condition are firstly proved. We provide the uniqueness and a stability estimate for the inverse time-dependent source problem. Then we use the Tikhonov regularization method to solve the inverse source problem and propose a conjugate gradient algorithm to find a good approximation to the minimizer of the Tikhonov regularization functional. Numerical examples in one-dimensional and two-dimensional cases are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Monocytes are important regulators for the maintenance of homeostasis in innate and adaptive immune system and have been reported to play important role in cancer progression. CD47‐SIRPα recognition is a coinhibitory immune signal to inhibit phagocytosis in monocytes and macrophages and has been well‐known as the “Don't eat me” signal. By using an approach of integrated sensing and activating proteins (iSNAPs), we have rewired the CD47‐SIRPα axis to create iSNAP‐M which activates pathways in engineered human monocytes (iSNAP‐MC). The mRNA expression levels of the monocyte/macrophage markers CD11b, CD14, and CD31 are upregulated in iSNAP‐monocytes (iSNAP‐MC). With PMA induction, the iSNAP‐MC‐derived macrophages (iSNAP‐MΦ) showed upregelation in CD86 and CD80, but not CD206. TNFα expression and secretion were also increased in iSNAP‐MΦ. Furthermore, the injection of iSNAP‐MC into mice bearing human B‐lymphoma tumors led to the suppression of tumor progression. Therefore, the engineered monocytes, via blockage of coinhibitory immune signals by rewiring CD47‐SIRPα axis, can be applied to suppress target tumors for cancer immunotherapy.

An epidemiological method, field-tested in Hunan, China, to identify residents potentially susceptible or insusceptible to endemic schistosomiasis japonica is described, as a prelude to selection of subjects for immunogenetic studies. After an initial cross-sectional survey on two islands (Qingshan and Niangashanpopulation 2990) in 1995-1996, an informative cohort (N = 249) was selected for treatment and 9-month follow-up to measure exposure and re-infection. Both the population prevalence (15.8%) and the geometric mean intensity of infection (26.2 eggs/g faeces) indicated that the islands were moderately endemic for schistosomiasis. Exposure measurements revealed a strong, positive, linear association (r = 0.70) between daily activity diaries and direct water-contact observation. Individuals identified as stool-positive for schistosomiasis had significantly more water contact than those who were egg-negative (P = 0.03). Almost all (93%) of the cohort had ultrasonographic evidence of periportal fibrosis before treatment but in only 1.2% was this fibrosis scored 1 in terms of the stages identified by the World Health Organization. At the follow-up it was possible to classify the 249 subjects into three, distinct, exposure-infection epidemiological groups. The first group (N = 20) was susceptible to re-infection and constituted 8% of the cohort. The second group (N = 61) was apparently insusceptible to re-infection despite the continuing high levels of exposure and included 24% of the cohort. The other 68% of the cohort (N = 168) remained uninfected but were at most only moderately exposed, or had a status indeterminate due to non-compliance. This epidemiological identification of susceptibles and insusceptibles for schistosomiasis japonica links field and ongoing laboratory studies aimed at characterising the genetic and immunological factors associated with resistance to re-infection and/or disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of dietary chromium (Cr) as Cr methionine (CrMet) on growth performance, carcass traits, pork quality, meat colour and expression of meat colour-related genes in growing-finishing pigs, 189 crossbred Duroc×(Landrace×Yorkshire) growing-finishing pigs (male, castrated, average initial BW 74.58±1.52 kg) were selected and randomly allocated into four groups. Dietary treatments per kg of feed were as follows: 0 (CT), 0.3 mg/kg (T1), 0.6 mg/kg (T2) and 0.9 mg/kg (T3) Cr (in the form of CrMet; as-fed basis), and each treatment was replicated five times with 8 to 10 pigs per replicate pen. During the 28 d of the experiment, both the ADG and the ADFI increased linearly (p

Tropospheric ozone is of great importance with regard to air quality, atmospheric chemistry, and climate change. In this paper we report the first continuous record of surface ozone in the background atmosphere of South China. The data were obtained from 1994 to 2007 at a coastal site in Hong Kong, which is strongly influenced by the outflow of Asian continental air during the winter and the inflow of maritime air from the subtropics in the summer. Three methods are used to derive the rate of change in ozone. A linear fit to the 14-year record shows that the ozone concentration increased by 0.58 ppbv/yr, whereas comparing means in years 1994–2000 and 2001–2007 gives an increase of 0.87 ppbv/yr for a 7-year period. The ozone changes in air masses from various source regions are also examined. Using local wind and carbon monoxide (CO) data to filter out local influence, we find that ozone increased by 0.94 ppbv/yr from 1994–2000 to 2001–2007 in air masses from Eastern China, with similar changes in the other two continent-influenced air-mass groups, but no statistically significant change in the marine air. An examination of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) column obtained from GOME and SCIAMACHY reveals an increase in atmospheric NO2 in China's three fastest developing coastal regions, whereas NO2 in other parts of Asia decreased during the same period, and no obvious trend over the main shipping routes in the South China Sea was indicated. Thus the observed increase in background ozone in Hong Kong is most likely due to the increased emissions of NO2 (and possibly volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well) in the upwind coastal regions of mainland China. The CO data at Hok Tsui showed less definitive changes compared to the satellite NO2 column. The increase in background ozone likely made a strong contribution (81%) to the rate of increase in "total ozone" at an urban site in Hong Kong, suggesting the need to consider distant sources when developing long-term strategies to mitigate local ozone pollution.

To determine the levels and variations of carbonaceous aerosol in Hong Kong, PM2.5 and PM10 samples were collected by high volume (Hi-vol) samplers at three monitoring stations (representing middle-scale roadside, urban-, and regional-scale environments) during winter (November 2000 to February 2001) and summer (June 2001 to August 2001) periods. The highest concentrations of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) were found at the middle-scale roadside site with the lowest at the regional-scale site. The percentages of WSOC in total carbon at these sites were inversely correlated with their concentrations (i.e., the highest percentages of WSOC were observed at the regional-scale site). A high WSOC fraction may be associated with aged aerosol because of the secondary formation by photochemical oxidation of organic precursors of anthropogenic pollutants during transport. The annual average of isotope abundances (δ13C) of OC and EC were –26.9±0.5‰ and –25.6±0.1‰, respectively. There were no notable differences for seasonal distributions of carbon isotopic composition, consistent with motor vehicle emissions being the main source contributors of carbonaceous aerosol in Hong Kong. OC 13C abundances at the regional-scale site were higher than those at the middle-scale roadside and urban sites, consistent with secondary organic aerosols of biogenic origin.