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Abstract: We use multiscale detrended fluctuation analysis (MSDFA) and multiscale detrended cross-correlation analysis (MSDCCA) to investigate auto-correlation (AC) and cross-correlation (CC) in the US and Chinese stock markets during 1997–2012. The results show that US and Chinese stock indices differ in terms of their multiscale AC structures. Stock indices in the same region also differ with regard to their multiscale AC structures. We analyze AC and CC behaviors among indices for the same region to determine similarity among six stock indices and divide them into four groups accordingly. We choose S&P500, NQCI, HSI, and the Shanghai Composite Index as representative samples for simplicity. MSDFA and MSDCCA results and average MSDFA spectra for local scaling exponents (LSEs) for individual series are presented. We find that the MSDCCA spectrum for LSE CC between two time series generally tends to be greater than the average MSDFA LSE spectrum for individual series. We obtain detailed multiscale structures and relations for CC between the four representatives. MSDFA and MSDCCA with secant rolling windows of different sizes are then applied to reanalyze the AC and CC. Vertical and horizontal comparisons of different window sizes are made. The MSDFA and MSDCCA results for the original window size are confirmed and some new interesting characteristics and conclusions regarding multiscale correlation structures are obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Context: Treatment of chronic and irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) with ventral compression is challenging for surgeons. The main procedures are occipitocervical/C1-C2 fusion after transoral odontoidectomy or release of the periodontoid tissues. These surgical procedures, which are performed simultaneously or intermittently, have many disadvantages that may discount their effectiveness. Therefore, a more effective way to achieve surgical reduction and to keep solid stability with only a single procedure is needed. Purpose: We describe a technique to reduce chronic and irreducible AAD with C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw and rod system. Study Design: This was a retrospective case series. Patient Sample: Our sample comprised 26 patients (9 men and 17 women) with irreducible AAD who ranged in age from 15 to 54 years (mean, 35 years). Outcome Measures: Patients' neurologic status was evaluated with the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scale. Methods: Twenty-six symptomatic patients underwent posterior realignment and reduction through the C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw and rod system. The proposed mechanism of reduction is that the implanted screws and rods between C1 and C2 acting as a lever system drew C1 backward and pushed C2 downward and forward after removing circumambient obstruction and scars and thoroughly releasing the facet joints. The preoperative and postoperative JOA score, the extent of reduction, and the conditions of C1-C2 bony fusion were examined. Results: No neurovascular injury occurred during surgery. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 40 months (mean 20.7 months). Radiographic evaluation showed that solid bony fusion was achieved in all patients, and that complete reduction was attained in 18 patients and partial reduction (>60% reduction) in 8 patients. The mean postoperative JOA score at last follow-up was 15.7, compared with the preoperative score of 12.1 (p<.01). Conclusions: This C1-C2 screw and rod system provides reliable stability and sufficient reduction of the anatomic malalignment at the craniovertebral junction and meanwhile retains the mobility of atlanto-occipital joints in the treatment of chronic and irreducible AAD. Sophisticated skills, thorough release of the facet joints, and intraoperative protection of the vertebral artery are key points to accomplish this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background context: Treatment of chronic and irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) with ventral compression is challenging for surgeons. The main procedures are occipitocervical/C1–C2 fusion after transoral odontoidectomy or release of the periodontoid tissues. These surgical procedures, which are performed simultaneously or intermittently, have many disadvantages that may discount their effectiveness. Therefore, a more effective way to achieve surgical reduction and to keep solid stability with only a single procedure is needed. Purpose: We describe a technique to reduce chronic and irreducible AAD with C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw and rod system. Study design: This was a retrospective case series. Patient sample: Our sample comprised 26 patients (9 men and 17 women) with irreducible AAD who ranged in age from 15 to 54 years (mean, 35 years). Outcome measures: Patients' neurologic status was evaluated with the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scale. Methods: Twenty-six symptomatic patients underwent posterior realignment and reduction through the C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw and rod system. The proposed mechanism of reduction is that the implanted screws and rods between C1 and C2 acting as a lever system drew C1 backward and pushed C2 downward and forward after removing circumambient obstruction and scars and thoroughly releasing the facet joints. The preoperative and postoperative JOA score, the extent of reduction, and the conditions of C1–C2 bony fusion were examined. Results: No neurovascular injury occurred during surgery. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 40 months (mean 20.7 months). Radiographic evaluation showed that solid bony fusion was achieved in all patients, and that complete reduction was attained in 18 patients and partial reduction (>60% reduction) in 8 patients. The mean postoperative JOA score at last follow-up was 15.7, compared with the preoperative score of 12.1 (p<.01). Conclusions: This C1–C2 screw and rod system provides reliable stability and sufficient reduction of the anatomic malalignment at the craniovertebral junction and meanwhile retains the mobility of atlanto-occipital joints in the treatment of chronic and irreducible AAD. Sophisticated skills, thorough release of the facet joints, and intraoperative protection of the vertebral artery are key points to accomplish this technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Vegetation dynamics could lead to changes in the global carbon and hydrology cycle, as well as feedbacks to climate change. This paper reviews the response of forest dynamics to climate change. Based on palaeoecological studies, we summarized the features and modes of vegetation response to climate change and categorized the impacts of climate change on vegetation dynamics as three types: climate stress on vegetation, buffer effects by non-climatic factors, and perturbation of the vegetation distribution by stochastic events. Due to the openness of the vegetation system and the integrated effects of both climatic and non-climatic factors, the vegetation-climate relationship deviates far from its equilibrium. The vegetation distribution shows a non-linear response to climate change, which also makes it difficult to quantify the modern vegetation distribution in terms of specific climatic factors. Past analog, space-for-time-substitution and Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVMs) are three approaches to predicting the future vegetation distribution, but they have all been established on the assumption of vegetation-climate equilibrium. We propose that improving DGVMs is a future task for studies of vegetation dynamics because these are process-based models incorporating both disturbance (e.g. fire) and the variability in Plant Functional Types (PFTs). However, palaeoecological results should be used to test the models, and issues like spatial and temporal scale, complexity of climate change, effects of non-climatic factors, vegetation-climate feedback, and human regulation on vegetation dynamics are suggested as topics for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bone morphogenetic protein receptor I B (BMPR1B) is a transmembrane receptor mediating TGF-β signal transduction. Recent studies indicate a tumor suppressor role for BMPR1B in ovarian cancer. Polymorphism at BMPR1B 3′UTR within the miR-125b binding site alters its binding affinity toward the miRNA, which may result in insufficient post-transcriptional repression. Methods: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs1970801, rs1434536, and rs11097457 near the miR-125b binding site in BMPR1B were genotyped by Taqman assay on 193 endometriosis patients and 202 healthy controls. BMPR1B and CA125 levels in ectopic endometrial tissues were evaluated by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. Luciferase reporter assay was utilized to verify regulatory roles of BMPR1B 3′UTR with allelic variants of rs1434536 in a cell line model. Cell proliferation and migration were recorded, while expression of BMPR1B, CA125, glucocorticoid receptor (GCCR) and IL-1β were measured by quantitative PCR in endometrial cells transfected with wild-type or mutated miR-125b. Results: This study found two endometriosis-associated SNPs, rs1434536 (P = 0.010) and rs1970801 (P = 0.0087), located within and next to a miR-125b binding site on BMPR1B. Interestingly, patients with homozygous variant alleles at rs1434536 showed significantly lower serum CA125 levels. Immunohistochemistry staining further confirmed inverse correlation between BMPR1B and CA125 levels in three rs1434536 genotypes. Cell assays demonstrated the variant allele of rs1434536 up-regulating BMPR1B at both mRNA and protein levels, which negatively correlated with CA125 and IL-1β levels. Disruption of the binding between miR-125b and BMPR1B hampered abnormal cell proliferation. Conclusions: SNPs of BMPR1B within and next to the miR-125b binding site manifested strong correlation with endometriosis development in a Taiwanese cohort. Disrupting the binding of miR-125b toward BMPR1B would increase protein expression, diminishing abnormal cell proliferation as well as serum and cellular CA125 levels. Genetic variation at the miR-125b binding site may play functional roles to protect against endometriosis progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] PCB 77 was the dominant congener in workplace dust. [•] Bioaccessibility of PCBs in intestine was higher than that in stomach. [•] Significant correlation was observed between K OW and bioaccessibility. [•] Bioaccessibility should be incorporated into risk assessment process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and most other eukaryotes, mitotic recombination is important for the repair of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs). Mitotic recombination between homologous chromosomes can result in loss of heterozygosity (LOH). In this study, LOH events induced by ultraviolet (UV) light are mapped throughout the genome to a resolution of about 1 kb using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarrays. UV doses that have little effect on the viability of diploid cells stimulate crossovers more than 1000-fold in wild-type cells. In addition, UV stimulates recombination in G1-synchronized cells about 10-fold more efficiently than in G2-synchronized cells. Importantly, at high doses of UV, most conversion events reflect the repair of two sister chromatids that are broken at approximately the same position whereas at low doses, most conversion events reflect the repair of a single broken chromatid. Genome-wide mapping of about 380 unselected crossovers, break-induced replication (BIR) events, and gene conversions shows that UV-induced recombination events occur throughout the genome without pronounced hotspots, although the ribosomal RNA gene cluster has a significantly lower frequency of crossovers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, active control of periodic impulsive noise based on an optimal repetitive control (RC) algorithm is studied. The characteristic equation of the closed-loop active noise control (ANC) system based on the RC algorithm is first obtained, and then the stability condition of the ANC system is derived. According to the stability condition, a novel optimal RC algorithm is developed for an ANC system with a non-minimum phase secondary path. Computer simulations have been carried out to suggest that the proposed algorithm is effective for attenuating periodic impulsive noise, and then the proposed algorithm has been implemented in a digital signal processor (DSP)-based experimental ANC system. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme has good performance for canceling periodic impulsive noise in a non-minimum phase ANC system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ecological responses to climate change are strongly regulated by long-term processes, such as changes in species composition and carbon dynamics in soil; therefore, understanding and predicting these processes require long time scale studies. Based on high-resolution lake sediment records of the Angili Nuur Lake from the forest-steppe ecotone at the southeastern margin of the Asian Gobi, we found three pronounced drought events during the mid-Holocene (∼7.0–6.3ka BP, BP means “before present”, where present means 1950 and ka=1000 years) and a subsequent graduate drying trend. During the extreme drought events, lake aquatic system showed strong desiccation and instant salty marsh expansion; whereas regional forest showed strong resilience. During the following long-term drying at millennial scale, broadleaf forest, coniferous forest and steppe successively dominated in this region, in 6.3–4.4ka BP, 4.0–2.7ka BP and since 2.7ka BP, respectively; but the changing dominance between forest and steppe did not match the climate change rate as reconstructed in previous studies, suggesting a lagged and non-proportional change of vegetation type to the range of climate change. The resilience of forest implies a strong buffering effect of biotic and abiotic factors other than climate, probably explained by diverse micro-environments of this mountainous region that allowed forest to survive during the drought spells, and also by gradual soil coarsening that retarded soil field capacity change and nutrient loss. However, under accumulative drying trend, forest was in general replaced by steppe around 2.0ka BP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The locations (longitudes and latitudes) of the tropical cyclones (TCs) making landfall on the Chinese mainland from 1949 to 2008 are investigated in detail by using ArcGis and FORTRAN routine. The southeast coastline (110 to 122°E) with most landfall TCs was selected as the key region, which was divided into 12 subsections with 1° intervals of longitude. The study period was from July to September in each year. The result showed that the average sustaining time of TCs making landfall on the subsections east of 118°E is longer than those west of 118°E. Before landfall, the averaged TC intensity in the subsections east of 118°E is stronger than that west of it. After landfall, however, the difference between the west and east is not significant. The index of destructive potential for the period before/after landfall was defined as TDP1/TDP2. The maximum of TDP1/TDP2 occurred in the subsection of (119, 120°E)/(110, 111°E). The ENSO impact on the frequency and average location of landfall TC over the whole region at 110 to 122°E is not obvious, but the effect varies with specific subsections. There is little differences of averaged TDP1 in the subsections between different phases of ENSO events, but the averaged TDP2 is larger in the warm events than that in the cold events. The rainstorm days of each station caused by TCs in different subsections were counted respectively. The results suggested that the rainstorm days of the subsections east of 118°E are much more than those west of 118°E. The larger values are primarily distributed at the subsections of [119, 120°E) and [110, 111°E). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new cobalt-free perovskite oxide Pr0.5Sr0.5Fe0.8Cu0.2O3−δ (PSFC) has been synthesized and evaluated as cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The chemical compatibility of PSFC with Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) electrolyte has be proven by XRD, and its electrical conductivity reaches the maximum value of 264.1 S cm−1 at 475 °C. Symmetrical cells with the configuration of PSFC/SDC/PSFC are used for the impedance study and the polarization resistance (Rp) of PSFC cathode is as low as 0.050 Ω cm2 at 700 °C. Single cells, consisting of Ni–YSZ/YSZ/SDC/PSFC structure, are assembled and tested from 550 °C to 800 °C with wet hydrogen (∼3% H2O) as fuel and static air as oxidant. A maximum power density of 1077 mW cm−2 is obtained at 800 °C. All the results suggest that the cobalt-free perovskite oxide PSFC is a very promising cathode material for application in IT-SOFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Validating model simulations of vegetation-climate feedback needs information not only on changes in past vegetation types as reconstructed by palynologists, but also on other proxies such as vegetation cover. We present here a quantitative regional vegetation cover reconstruction for North China during the Holocene. The reconstruction was based on 15 high-quality lake sediment profiles selected from 55 published sites in North China, along with their modern remote sensing vegetation index. We used the surface soil pollen percentage to build three pollen-vegetation cover transfer models, and used lake surface sediment pollen data to validate their accuracy. Our results showed that vegetation cover in North China increased slightly before its maximum at 6.5 cal ka BP and has since declined significantly. The vegetation decline since 6.5 cal ka BP has likely induced a regional albedo change and aerosol increase. Further comparison with paleoclimate and paleovegetation dynamics in South China reproduced the regional cooling effect of vegetation cover decline in North China modelled in previous work. Our discussion demonstrates that, instead of reconstructing vegetation type from a single site, reconstructing quantitative regional vegetation cover could offer a broader understanding of regional vegetation-climate feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mortar void is a hidden defect in ballastless slab track difficult to be efficiently identified by traditional detection methods. This paper is dedicated to proposing a new detection method to identify the mortar void position and length using the vehicle response combined with the hybrid convolutional neural network-support vector machine (CNN-SVM) classifier. The vertical wheelset accelerations with different mortar void conditions are collected from a vehicle-track coupled dynamics simulation model. The first components decomposed from wheel-set accelerations by local mean decomposition and their envelopes are utilized as the training data due to their sensitivity to mortar void. To improve the identification precision, the scope descent method is proposed to determine the range influenced by mortar void (IMVR) and samples are labeled according to IMVR. Meanwhile, identification results are post processed based on the mortar void characteristics. The results show that over 90 % mortar void conditions with the length of 0.65 m are detected correctly and the identification has a higher precision with the mortar void length greater than 0.95 m. The proposed technology of mortar void detection using the wheelset accelerations with the hybrid CNN-SVM classifier provides reference for engineering application, which is of great significance to relieve the pressure of health monitoring of railway track. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical application of cisplatin is limited by its adverse events, of which nephrotoxicity is the most commonly observed. In a cisplatin-induced pathological response, oxidative stress is one of the upstream reactions which inflicts different degrees of damages to the intracellular material components. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are also one of the early signaling molecules that subsequently undergo a series of pathological reactions, such as apoptosis and necrosis. This review summarizes the mechanism of intracellular ROS generation induced by cisplatin, mainly from the consumption of endogenous antioxidants, destruction of antioxidant enzymes, induction of mitochondrial crosstalk between the endoplasmic reticulum by ROS and Ca2+, and destruction of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system in the endoplasmic reticulum, all of which result in excessive accumulation of intracellular ROS and oxidative stress. In addition, studies demonstrated that natural antioxidants can protect against the cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, by reducing or even eliminating excess free radicals and also affecting other nonredox pathways. Therefore, this review on the one hand provides theoretical support for the research and clinical application of natural antioxidants and on the other hand provides a new entry point for the detailed mechanism of cisplatin nephrotoxicity, which may lay a solid foundation for the future clinical use of cisplatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A method was developed to determine herbicides in sediments and aquatic products. • The method was used for the risk assessment of rice-fish co-culture system in China. • Human health risks of the herbicides were low in paddy field fish (HQ<0.002408). • Five herbicides in the sediment of paddy field showed high ecological risks (RQ>1.0). A sensitive method for determination of nine herbicides (prometryn, acetochlor, butachlor, quinclorac, bensulfuron methyl, metsulfuron methyl, atrazine, linuron and bentazone) in sediments and muscle of aquatic products was developed and validated using QuEChERS and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The results demonstrated that the matrix-matched calibration curves for sediment and fish muscle were satisfactory linearly of a concentration (0.50 to 100 μg/L) (r > 0.999). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.10 ~ 0.50 μg/kg and 0.50 ~ 1.50 μg/kg, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 82.94 to 114.41%, with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 13.11% for nine herbicides. Finally, the validated method was applied to detect nine herbicides in 68 rice-fish and 30 sediment samples in the rice-fish co-culture system (RFCS) in six provinces of China. The dietary and ecological risks were evaluated through a calculated hazard quotient (HQ) and risk quotient (RQ). The residues of herbicides in the paddy fish did not harm the human body (HQ < 0.002408). However, the ecological risks of herbicides in the RFCS could not be ignored. The seven herbicides were detected in the sediment of RFCS. They had ecological risks to the fish, daphnia and algae (RQ values ranged from 0.1666 to 28.4381). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Transverse Anderson localization of light in one-dimensional waveguide arrays with both width and position disorders of individual waveguide has been studied and characterized quantitatively in the viewpoint of transverse localization of eigen modes of the disordered arrays. With the increase in the disorder of the waveguide arrays, more and more eigen modes become localized near the band edges of the finite-sized waveguide arrays in the linear regime. Such a disorder-induced light localization is more effective in waveguide arrays with the width disorder than those with the position disorder. It is shown that, a self-focusing nonlinearity results in an increase of the inverse participation ratio of the nonlinear disordered modes originating from Anderson modes near the edge of the semi-infinite bandgap, therefore, tends to enhance the transverse localization of light. On the other hand, with the increase of the self-defocusing nonlinearity, the inverse participation ratio first increases to a maximum and then decreases for the nonlinear disordered modes originating from Anderson modes near the edge of the first bandgap. The delocalization effect in the self-defocusing case is mainly the result of the joint effects of the normal diffraction near the second band edge and the resonant interaction between the nonlinear disordered modes and the eigen modes in the second band of the waveguide array. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Superconducting qubits probe environmental defects such as nonequilibrium quasiparticles, an important source of decoherence. We show that "hot" nonequilibrium quasiparticles, with energies above the superconducting gap, affect qubits differently from quasiparticles at the gap, implying qubits can probe the dynamic quasiparticle energy distribution. For hot quasiparticles, we predict a non-negligible increase in the qubit excited state probability Pe. By injecting hot quasiparticles into a qubit, we experimentally measure an increase of Pe in semiquantitative agreement with the model and rule out the typically assumed thermal distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (11): 1189-1196 Abstract Background Vitamin D has been reported to be reversely associated with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome and is involved in modulation of lipid metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) has a protective effect on high fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis in rats and to elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. Materials and methods Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed with normal fat diet, HFD or HFD with intraperitoneal injection of 1, 2·5 and 5 μg/kg 1,25(OH)2D3, respectively, each 2 days for 8 weeks. Serum lipid profile and liver triglyceride were determined. Hepatic histology was examined by haematoxylin /eosin (H&E) and Oil Red O stainings. Hepatic gene expression involved in lipogenesis and lipid oxidation was analysed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The administration of 1,25(OH)2D3 prevented HFD-induced body weight gain and reduced liver weight. 1,25(OH)2D3 attenuated hepatic steatosis in a dose-dependent manner along with improved serum lipid profile. Furthermore, 1,25(OH)2D3 downregulated mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and its target genes acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) involved in lipogenesis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and its target gene carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) involved in hepatic fatty acid (FA) oxidation were upregulated by 1,25(OH)2D3. Conclusions These results suggest that the preventing effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 against HFD-induced hepatic steatosis is related to the inhibition of lipogenesis and the promotion of FA oxidation in rat liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel recyclable Pd/C catalyst mediated dehydrogenation of sterols is developed. The conversion of sterols to 1,4,6-trien-3-ones is best achieved with Pd/C as a catalyst (10%) in the presence of six equivalents of allyl diethyl phosphate (ADP) and excess amount of sodium carbonate in DMF under vigorous reflux conditions. This transformation gives 17,17-ethylenedioxyandrost-1,4,6-trien-3-one in better yield than that of DDQ oxidation and thus provides an improved synthesis of 1α-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone from DHEA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work, an amphiphilic polymeric prodrug Cis-3-(9H-purin-6-ylthio)-acrylic acid-graft-carboxymethyl chitosan (PTA-g-CMCS) was designed and synthesized. In aqueous solution, this grafted polymer can self-assemble into spherical micelles with a size ranging from 104 to 285nm and zeta potential ranging from −12.3 to −20.1mV. For the release study, less than 24% of 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) was released from PTA-g-CMCS1 in the media containing 2 and 100μM glutathione (GSH), whereas 37%, 54% and 75% of 6-MP was released from the media with GSH of 1, 2 and 10mM, respectively. Besides, pH and drug content of the polymeric prodrug only presented slight influence on the 6-MP release. MTT assay demonstrated that this system had higher inhibition ratio on HL-60 cells (human promyelocytic leukemia cells) in the presence of GSH and lower cytotoxicity on mouse fibroblast cell line (L929). Therefore, this nano-sized system is glutathione-dependent, and it can be employed as a potential carrier for the controlled release of 6-MP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Stimulated by the pursuit of small and portable electronic devices, film supercapacitors have gradually developed. Due to the advantages of composition design and controllable performance, high entropy materials have shown excellent capacitive performance in electrochemical energy storage. Therefore, in this work, five transition metal elements Fe, Co, Cr, Mn and Ni were selected with different potential windows, and the (FeCoCrMnNi)C thin films with wide potential windows were successfully deposited on titanium and graphite substrates by using magnetron sputtering technology. The body centered cubic structured (FeCoCrMnNi)C films all have crystal orientation, showing irregular particle morphology, and the optimal orientation makes them eventually grow into morphologies similar to those of the substrates. The layered structure of the (FeCoCrMnNi)C film deposited on graphite substrate for 10 min is the most conducive to the storage of pseudocapacitance. We also found that (FeCoCrMnNi)C powder has better electrochemical properties than (FeCoCrMnNi)C film in the two low-dimensional states of the (FeCoCrMnNi)C, which is of great significance for exploring the development direction of supercapacitor electrode materials in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the effect of K33 only mutant ubiquitin (K33O) on bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells' (BMDCs') maturity, antigen uptake capability, surface molecule expressions and BMDC‐mediated CTL priming, and further investigate the role of PI3K‐Akt engaged in K33O‐increased BMDC maturation, antigen uptake and presentation, surface molecule expressions and BMDC‐based CTL priming. BMDCs were conferred K33O and other ubiquitin mutants (K33R, K48R, K63R‐mutant ubiquitin) incubation or LY294002 and wortmannin pretreatment. PI3K‐Akt phosphorylation, antigen uptake, antigenic presentation and CD86/MHC class I expression in BMDC were determined by western blot or flow cytometry. BMDC‐based CTL proliferation and priming were determined by in vitro mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), ex vivo enzyme‐linked immunospot assay (Elispot) and flow cytometry with intracellular staining, respectively. The treatment with K33O effectively augmented PI3K‐Akt phosphorylation, BMDCs' antigen uptake, antigenic presentation, CD86/MHC class I and CD11c expressions. MLR, Elispot and flow cytometry revealed that K33O treatment obviously enhanced CTL proliferation, CTL priming and perforin/granzyme B expression. The pretreatment with PI3K‐Akt inhibitors efficiently abrogated K33O's effects on BMDC. The replenishment of K33 only mutant ubiquitin augments BMDC‐mediated CTL priming in bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells via PI3K‐Akt signalling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmodium vivax serological exposure markers (SEMs) have emerged as promising tools for the actionable surveillance and implementation of targeted interventions to accelerate malaria elimination. To determine the dynamic profiles of SEMs in current and past P. vivax infections, we screened and selected 11 P. vivax proteins from 210 putative proteins using protein arrays, with a set of serum samples obtained from patients with acute P. vivax and documented past P. vivax infections. Then we used a murine protein immune model to initially investigate the humoral and memory B cell response involved in the generation of long-lived antibodies. We show that of the 11 proteins, especially C-terminal 42-kDa region of P. vivax merozoite surface protein 1 (PvMSP1-42) induced longer-lasting long-lived antibodies, as these antibodies were detected in individuals infected with P. vivax in the 1960-1970s who were not re-infected until 2012. In addition, we provide a potential mechanism for the maintenance of long-lived antibodies after the induction of PvMSP1-42. The results indicate that PvMSP1-42 induces more CD73+CD80+ memory B cells (MBCs) compared to P. vivax GPI-anchored micronemal antigen (PvGAMA), allowing IgG anti-PvMSP1-42 antibodies to be maintained for a long time. Author summary: P. vivax serological exposure markers (SEMs) that reflect exposure to blood-stage P. vivax parasites, could play an important role in assessing progress towards malaria elimination. Serological surveillance can be a useful tool for identifying areas of high transmission intensity or hidden asymptomatic reservoirs, especially as malaria transmission declines. These immune responses can persist long after the clearance of blood-stage infection, making antibodies valuable markers for both past exposure and current infection status. Furthermore, gaining a better understanding of the host immune response to malaria, particularly regarding the induction and maintenance of high levels of circulating antibodies, is crucial for effective serological surveillance efforts. Using serum obtained in 2007 or 2012 from patients with acute P. vivax infection, 5-year, 12-year and 30-year recovery of P. vivax-infected patients we provide evidence that PvMSP1-42 induces long-lived anti-PvMSP1-42 antibodies. Then we used a murine protein immune model, show that more CD73+CD80+ memory B cells, allowing IgG anti-PvMSP1-42 antibodies to be maintained for a long time (Fig 1). The results of this study represent an important step forward in our understanding of the host immune response to P. vivax blood stages, including the induction and maintenance of high levels of circulating antibodies. These findings may have important implications for the development of effective serological surveillance tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures have gained significant attention in photodetectors due to their seamless integration with materials possessing diverse functionalities. In this study, the fabrication of a Te nanomesh/black‐Si vdW heterostructure is presented, and investigated its photoresponse properties. The heterostructure exhibits a pronounced rectification behavior, characterized by a rectification ratio of 2.2 × 104. Notably, the heterostructure device demonstrates commendable photoresponse properties, including a high responsivity of 350 mA W−1, an extensive linear dynamic range of 45.5 dB, a high specific detectivity of 9.6 × 1011 Jones, and a wide spectral response ranging from 400 to 1550 nm. Furthermore, the heterostructure exhibits rapid response, with a rise time and a decay time of 70 and 140 µs, respectively. These exceptional photoresponse properties can be attributed to the robust internal built‐in electrical field at the hetero‐interface and the augmented light absorption in black‐Si. The outstanding photoresponse properties of the heterostructure make it a promising candidate for multiwavelength single‐pixel imaging, enabling the collection of mask patterns under varying wavelengths of light radiation. This work provides a novel approach for fabricating mixed‐dimensional vdW heterostructures, offering promising prospects for advancements in optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A few previous cross-sectional studies investigated correlated factors of suicidal ideation or suicide attempts among suicide prevention hotline callers; however, scarcely any evidence was from a longitudinal study. In addition, it is still unclear whether improvements in some suicide risk factors could reduce the occurrence of subsequent suicidal acts. This longitudinal study focusing on the risk factors for subsequent suicidal acts among adolescent and young adult callers with high suicide risk aims to fill this gap. Methods: This study recruited 12–25-year-old high-risk callers to a China nationwide suicide prevention hotline. Potential risk factors, including hopefulness, psychological distress, depression, history of suicide attempts, alcohol or substance misuse, and acute life events, were examined during the index calls, and improvements in hopefulness, psychological distress, and suicide intent were assessed before ending the index calls. The recruited callers were followed up 12 months after their index calls. The primary outcome was the occurrence of suicidal acts (suicide attempts or suicide death) during follow-up. Kaplan–Meier survival curves, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards model were used. Results: During the follow-up period, 271 of 1656 high-risk adolescent and young adult callers attempted suicide, and seven callers died by suicide. After adjusting for demographic variables, low hopefulness (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 2.03, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=[1.47, 2.80]) at the beginning of the index call was associated with a higher risk for subsequent suicidal acts, whereas improvements in psychological distress (HR = 0.61, 95%CI [0.41, 0.89]) and suicidal intent (HR = 0.56, 95%CI [0.38, 0.84]) during the index call reduced the risk of subsequent suicidal acts. In addition, alcohol or substance misuse (Model 2, HR = 1.65, 95%CI [1.11, 2.46]) and suicide attempt history(Model 1: one episode, HR = 1.96, 95%CI=[1.05, 3.66]; two or more episodes, HR = 2.81, 95%CI [1.59, 4.96]. Model 2: one episode, HR = 2.26, 95%CI [1.06, 4.82]; two or more episodes: HR = 3.28, 95%CI [1.63, 6.60]) were risk factors for subsequent suicidal acts. Conclusions: While suicide prevention hotline operators deliver brief psychological interventions to high-risk adolescent and young adult callers, priority should be given to callers with low hopefulness and to the alleviation of callers' high psychological distress and suicide intent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular communication (CC) influences tumor development by mediating intercellular junctions between cells. However, the role and underlying mechanisms of CC in malignant transformation remain unknown. Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of CC molecular expression during malignant transformation. It was found that although both tight junctions (TJs) and gap junctions (GJs) were involved in maintaining the tumor microenvironment (TME), they exhibited opposite characteristics. Mechanistically, for epithelial cells (parenchymal component), the expression of TJ molecules consistently decreased during normal-cancer transformation and is a potential oncogenic factor. For fibroblasts (mesenchymal component), the expression of GJs consistently increased during normal-cancer transformation and is a potential oncogenic factor. In addition, the molecular profiles of TJs and GJs were used to stratify colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, where subtypes characterized by high GJ levels and low TJ levels exhibited enhanced mesenchymal signals. Importantly, we propose that leiomodin 1 (LMOD1) is biphasic, with features of both TJs and GJs. LMOD1 not only promotes the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) but also inhibits the Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) program in cancer cells. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the molecular heterogeneity of CC and provide new insights into further understanding of TME heterogeneity. Highlights: Tight junctions are involved in malignant transformation of intestinal epithelial cells. Gap junctions are involved in malignant transformation of fibroblasts. LMOD1 is identified to resembles tight junctions in the epithelium and is similar to gap junctions in the stroma. LMOD1 regulates FGF1 expression in the stroma to promote tumorigenesis and is regulated by AKAP12 in the epithelium to inhibit tumorigenesis. LMOD1 is associated with low immunotherapy response rates in colorectal cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Difunctional devices have great potential in the application of many areas, they can perform two functions simultaneously, and structural difunctional supercapacitor is one of them. The difunctional supercapacitor can carry out bearing capacity and storge electric energy, but it's difficult to keep the balance between bearing capacity and energy storage capacity. In this work, the montmorillonite based geopolymer has a compressive strength of 31.6 MPa after curing for 28 days, and a compressive strength of 30.5 MPa after repolymerization. We use the geopolymer as the framework, and inject 0.5 M Na 2 SO 4 into the geopolymer to prepared a structural electrolyte. Then, the structural electrolyte membrane, electrodeposited MnO 2 , and an activated carbon are assembled into a difunctional supercapacitor. The maximum specific capacity reaches 2216.7 mF cm−2 at 1 mA cm−2 under 15 MPa, achieving a good balance between compressive strength and energy storage capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuroendoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure for clot evacuation in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) which may have advantages compared with open surgical evacuation procedures. The application of neuroendoscopy in ICH has attracted increasing attention in recent years. However, it remains unclear whether it could improve outcomes in patients with ICH. Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the efficacy and safety of neuroendoscopic hematoma evacuation surgery compared with standard conservative treatment for spontaneous deep supratentorial cerebral hemorrhage. Methods: The Efficacy and safety of NeuroEndoscopic Surgery for IntraCerebral Hemorrhage (NESICH) Trial is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label, blinded-endpoint clinical trial. Up to 560 eligible subjects with acute deep supratentorial ICH will be randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either neuroendoscopic hematoma evacuation or standard conservative treatment at more than 30 qualified neurosurgery centers in China. Outcomes: The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients with a good functional outcome (mRS score 0–3) in both groups at 180 days after onset. The main safety endpoints include all-cause mortality at 7, 30, and 180 days, rebleeding at 3, 7, and 30 days, and serious complications within 180 days. Discussion: NESICH will provide high-quality evidence for the efficacy and safety of neuroendoscopic hematoma evacuation surgery in ICH patients. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05539859. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, alumina foam ceramics (AFC) were prepared by foaming method, and AFC/salt composite phase change materials were prepared by melt infiltration method using AFC as skeleton materials. The results showed that AFC had good chemical compatibility with Na 2 SO 4 and NaCl. The salt contents of AFC/Na 2 SO 4 and AFC/NaCl were 37.8 wt% and 31.7 wt%, respectively, with compressive strength of 100.1 MPa and 72.8 MPa, thermal conductivity of 5.53 W/m·K and 6.40 W/m·K, and energy density of 1129 J/g and 1019 J/g, respectively. Due to the better wettability, AFC and Na 2 SO 4 form a chimeric structure, which has better binding and bonding strength, and is not prone to molten salt leakage. AFC/ Na 2 SO 4 is expected to be applied to industrial waste heat recovery and solar thermal power generation with periodic temperature changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite has great potential to fabricate deep‐red light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) owing to excellent color purity, thermal stability, and carrier mobility. However, fabricating high‐quality CsPbI3 thin films for high‐performance LEDs remains challenging. While it is demonstrated that hydrogen bonds between organic ammonium cations and molecule additives can lead to high‐quality organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite films, this method cannot be applied to CsPbI3 thin films due to the absence of hydrogen bonds between Cs+ ions and additives. In this study, an amorphous complex‐seed‐crystal growth process to fabricate high‐quality γ‐CsPbI3 cuboid crystallite thin films, is reported. During the initial annealing, the metastable intermediates formed crystal nucleate seeds and transformed into amorphous complex intermediates, maintaining stability at an elevated temperature for perovskite crystallization. With prolonged annealing, the amorphous complex around the nucleate seeds gradually converts to γ‐CsPbI3 perovskite, enabling us to fabricate CsPbI3 thin films with high crystallinity and orientation. The resulting deep‐red LEDs exhibit a peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 16.5% and a high maximum luminance of 3158 cd m−2. Moreover, the devices show significantly suppressed efficiency roll‐off, maintaining an EQE of 14.8% even under a high current density of 500 mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite is a promising emitter for deep‐red light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). However, presently fabricated CsPbI3 polycrystalline films are composed of island‐like polycrystals, encountering the problems of serious interface current leakage and low‐efficiency carrier radiative recombination. Here, a CsPbI3‐xBrx quantum dots (QDs) matrix encapsulated CsPbI3 polycrystal film is reported to address the low‐efficiency issue of island‐like CsPbI3 polycrystalline film applied in deep‐red LEDs. The developed QDs matrix encapsulation strategy has two benefits. One is the filling of void space in the island‐like CsPbI3 polycrystal film to suppress the interface current leakage. The other more important benefit is utilizing the strong carrier confinement effect of QDs to strengthen the formation of excitons in the composite film and thus improve the electroluminescence efficiency. Moreover, interesting grain growth is found between CsPbI3‐xBrx QDs and CsPbI3 polycrystals, which further enhances the exciton transfer effect brought by the QDs matrix and optoelectronic properties of the fabricated composite films. Based on the obtained high‐quality QDs/polycrystal composite films, efficient and bright deep‐red LEDs are achieved with a peak external quantum efficiency of 15.24% and a maximum luminance of 3691 cd m−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have reported sex differences in altered brain function in patients with chronic insomnia (CI). However, sex-related alterations in brain morphology have rarely been investigated. This study aimed to investigate sex-specific grey matter (GM) alterations in patients with CI and to examine the relationship between GM alterations and neuropsychological assessments. Ninety-three (65 females and 28 males) patients and 78 healthy (50 females and 28 males) controls were recruited. Structural magnetic resonance imaging data were analysed using voxel-based morphometry to test for interactions between sex and diagnosis. Spearman's correlation was used to assess the associations among structure, disease duration, and sleep-, mood-, and cognition-related assessments. Males with CI showed reduced GM volume in the left inferior parietal lobe, left middle cingulate cortex, and right supramarginal gyrus. Females with CI showed increased GM volume in the right Rolandic operculum. Moreover, mood-related assessments were negatively correlated with GM volumes in the right supramarginal gyrus and left inferior parietal lobe in the male patients, and cognitive-related assessments were positively correlated with GM volumes in the Rolandic operculum in the female patients. Our findings indicate sex-specific alterations in brain morphology in CI, thereby broadening our understanding of sex differences in CI and potentially providing complementary evidence for the development of more effective therapies and individual treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Vessel structures such as retinal vasculature are important features for computer-aided diagnosis. In this paper, a probabilistic tracking method is proposed to detect blood vessels in retinal images. During the tracking process, vessel edge points are detected iteratively using local grey level statistics and vessel''s continuity properties. At a given step, a statistic sampling scheme is adopted to select a number of vessel edge points candidates in a local studying area. Local vessel''s sectional intensity profiles are estimated by a Gaussian shaped curve. A Bayesian method with the Maximum a posteriori (MAP) probability criterion is then used to identify local vessel''s structure and find out the edge points from these candidates. Evaluation is performed on both simulated vascular and real retinal images. Different geometric shapes and noise levels are used for computer simulated images, whereas real retinal images from the REVIEW database are tested. Evaluation performance is done using the Segmentation Matching Factor (SMF) as a quality parameter. Our approach performed better when comparing it with Sun''s and Chaudhuri''s methods. ROC curves are also plotted, showing effective detection of retinal blood vessels (true positive rate) with less false detection (false positive rate) than Sun''s method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Gastric subepithelial tumors are usually asymptomatic and observed incidentally during endoscopic examination. Although most of these tumors are considered benign, some have a potential for malignant transformation, particularly those originating from the muscularis propria layer. For this type of tumor, surgical resection is the standard treatment of choice. With recent advent of endoscopic resection techniques and devices, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been considered as an alternative way of treatment. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of a modified ESD technique with enucleation for removal of gastric subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer, and to evaluate its efficacy and safety. Methods: From November 2009 to May 2011, a total of 16 patients received a modified ESD with enucleation for their subepithelial tumors. All tumors were smaller than 5 cm and originated from the muscularis propria layer ofthe stomach, as shown by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). The procedure was conducted with an insulated-tip knife 2. Patient’s demographics, tumor size and pathological diagnosis, procedure time, procedure-related complication, and treatment outcome were reviewed. Results: Fifteen of the sixteen tumors were successful complete resection. The mean tumor size measured by EUS was 26.1 mm (range: 20–42 mm). The mean procedure time was 52 minutes (range: 30–120 minutes). Endoscopic features of the 4 tumors were pedunculated and 12 were sessile. Their immunohistochemical diagnosis was c-kit (+) stromal tumor in 14 patients and leiomyoma in 2 patients. There was no procedure-related perforation or overt bleeding. During a mean follow up duration of 14.8 months (range: 6–22 months), there was no tumor recurrence or metastasis.Conclusions: Using a modified ESD with enucleation for treatment of gastric subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer and larger than 2 cm, complete resection can be successfully performed without serious complication. It is a safe and effective alternative to surgical therapy for these tumors of 2 to 5 cm in size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper describes the preparation and characterization of unimorph actuators for deformable mirrors, based on Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT52) thin film. As comparison, two different designs, where the PZT layer in the unimorph actuators was driven by either interdigitated electrodes (IDT-mode) or parallel plate electrodes (d31-mode), were investigated. The actuators utilize a unimorph membrane (diaphragm) structure consisting of an active PZT piezoelectric layer and a passive SiO2/Si composite layer. To fabricate the diaphragm structures, n-type (100) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers with 1μm thermal SiO2 were used as substrates (for d31-mode actuators, the upper Si part of SOI need to be heavily doped and used as bottom electrodes simultaneously). Sol–gel derived PZT piezoelectric layers with PbTiO3 (PT) bufferlayer in total of 0.86μm were then fabricated on them, and 0.15μm Al reflective layers were deposited and patterned into top electrode geometries, subsequently. The diaphragms were released using orientation-dependent wet etching (ODE) with 5–10μm residual silicon layers. The complete unimorph actuators comprise 4×4 discrete units (4mm2 in size) with patterned PZT films for parallel plate configuration or 3×3 individual pixels (2mm in IDT diameter) with continuous PZT films in graphic region for IDT configuration. The measurement results indicated that both of the two configurations can generate considerable deflections at low voltage. The measured maximum central deflections at 15V were approximately 2.5μm and 2.8μm, respectively. The intrinsic strain conditions shaping the deflection profiles for the diaphragm actuators were also analyzed. In this paper, the behaviors of clamped parallel plate configuration without a diaphragm were also evaluated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Here, we report a case of a pancreatobiliary (PB) fistula caused by an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas. The PB fistula was suspected after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and diagnosed after direct visualization with a direct peroral cholangioscopy and pancreatoscopy by using an ultra-slim endoscope. No previous reports exist on the precise diagnosis of a PB fistula with direct peroral cholangioscopy and pancreatoscopy. In our case report, a 69-year-old man underwent an ERCP because of a pancreatic head mass and biliary tract obstruction. During ERCP, a fistula between the common bile duct (CBD) and main pancreatic duct (MPD) was suspected. After endoscopic sphincterotomy, we examined both the CBD and MPD with an ultra-slim videoendoscope (GIF-N260; Olympus Optical Co, Tokyo, Japan) under direct visualization and biopsy of the mass. The analysis of the biopsy specimen confirmed this mass to be an IPMN of the pancreas. When we examined the CBD, one fistula with copious mucin secretion was identified at the distal CBD. In conclusion, direct peroral cholangioscopy and pancreatoscopy using the ultra-slim endoscope is an efficient tool for diagnosis of PB fistula and pancreatic IPMN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The semi-arid temperate steppe in northern central China is one of the main areas influenced by frequent dust and sand storms, and is at the same time a primary source of dust from deteriorated grasslands; thus, the sediment grain size distribution of inland lakes in this region can be a particularly useful indicator of palaeoenvrionmental change. The local pattern of grain size suggests that aeolian activity is the most important agent for sedimentation in the lake center in this region, as strong northwesterly winds prevail for most of the year and the surface runoff is very weak. Meanwhile, the regional pattern of topsoil grain size and its close association with mean annual precipitation (MAP) allows the establishment of a statistical model for palaeo-moisture reconstruction from sediment grain size. In this study, we reconstructed a humidity time series based on the sediment grain size sequence from Anguli Nuur Lake on the southern Inner Mongolian Plateau in China and found that it coincides very closely with the C/N ratio (carbon to nitrogen ratio) and other humidity indices revealed in previous studies of this temperate steppe region and from the δ 18O values of stalagmite calcite in southern, monsoon-dominated China. This close relationship suggests that climate change in the semi-arid areas of Asia is strongly influenced by the Pacific summer monsoon and that it is reasonable to use sediment grain size as an indicator of humidity variability in the semi-arid steppe region. The reconstructed humidity increased during the early Holocene, and generally humid conditions lasted from about 10,400 until 7000yr BP. The period from around 7000 to 5200yr BP was a transition phase from humid to semi-arid conditions, and the monsoon intensity of that time may have been at the threshold for a semi-arid vegetation ecosystem. Finally, since approximately 5200yr BP to present, the climate has become more arid, with corresponding vegetation deterioration and strong aeolian activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Effect of preparation method for Pr0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 − δ (PSCF) on its electrochemical performance was investigated. Powder samples were synthesized by hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) and EDTA–citric acid (EC) techniques, respectively. The particles synthesized by HMTA were smaller than those prepared by EC method as proved by TEM. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy illuminated that more oxygen sites including oxygen vacancy on the surface of HMTA-derived PSCF exist than that of EC-derived PSCF. The area specific resistance (ASR) value of HMTA-derived PSCF cathode was as low as 0.454Ωcm2 at 600°C, whereas the ASR value of EC-derived PSCF was 0.641Ωcm2. The results in the present study demonstrated the advantages of the HMTA method in the synthesis of highly catalytic active PSCF oxide powder for SOFCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A systematic study and evaluation were performed on the effect of scandium doping at the B site of Pr0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (PSCF) on key material properties as cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC). The doped products Pr0.6Sr0.4(Co0.2Fe0.8)(1−x)Sc x O3−δ (PSCFS x , x=0.0–0.2) retained perovskite structure confirmed by X-ray diffraction, and their particles were smaller than the non-doped materials as evidenced by TEM. The electrical conductivity (EC) of PSCFS x decreased with increasing Sc3+ content, but EC values were still larger than 100 S cm−1 in temperature range of 300–800 °C as x ≤ 0.1. The thermal expansion coefficients (TEC) of PSCFS x were observed to generally decrease with increasing x especially at lower temperature range of 50–600 °C. In addition, the AC impedance revealed better electrochemical performance of PSCFS x cathode as x ≤ 0.1 than that of the undoped sample PSCF. Therefore, PSCFS x (x ≤ 0.1) shows some potential as cathode electrode for IT-SOFC. The function of Sc3+ dopant was tentatively elucidated and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Mucin 4 (MUC4) plays an important role in protecting and lubricating the epithelial surface of reproductive tracts, but its role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis is largely unknown. Methods: To correlate MUC4 polymorphism with the risk of endometriosis and endometriosis-related infertility, we performed a case-control study of 140 patients and 150 healthy women. Six unique single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs882605, rs1104760, rs2688513, rs2246901, rs2258447 and rs2291652) were selected for this study. DNA fragments containing the target SNP sites were amplified by polymerase chain reaction using the TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay System to evaluate allele frequency and distribution of genotype in MUC4 polymorphisms. Results: Both the T/G genotype of rs882605 and the frequency of haplotype T-T (rs882605 and rs1104760) were higher in patients than in controls and were statistically significant. The frequency of the C allele at rs1104760, the C allele at rs2688513, the G allele at rs2246901 and the A allele at rs2258447 were associated with advanced stage of endometriosis. Moreover, the G allele at rs882605 was verified as a key genetic factor for infertility in patients. Protein sequence analysis indicated that amino acid substitutions by genetic variations at rs882605, rs2688513 and rs2246901 occur in the putative functional loops and the type D von Willebrand factor (VWFD) domain in the MUC4 sequence. Conclusions: MUC4 polymorphisms are associated with endometriosis development and endometriosis-related infertility in the Taiwanese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper is a report of a study of the effect of music on the quality of life of community-dwelling older Chinese people in Hong Kong. Background. Older people's quality of life can be improved by preparing for the transition into old age. Listening to music, as a vehicle for feeling, can facilitate the non-verbal expression of emotion, reaching people's inner feelings without being threatening, and it can be a tool for emotional catharsis. Method. A randomized controlled trial design was conducted from in 2007 in a community centre in Hong Kong. A total of 66 older people (31 in music group and 35 in control group), aged from 65 to 90 years were randomly assigned to undergo either a 30-minute music intervention or a rest period for 4 weeks; quality of life outcomes were then measured. Results. Quality of life improved weekly in the music group, indicating a cumulative dose effect, and a statistically significantly better quality of life was found over time in each sub-score for those in the music group compared with the controls. However, in the music group, there were no statistically significant improvements of quality of life in each sub-score over the 4 weeks. Conclusion. Being engaged in music activities can help a person to connect with their life experiences and with other people, and to be more stimulated. Music is a non-invasive, simple and inexpensive therapeutic method of improving quality of life in community-dwelling elders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A sediment sequence from Anguli Nuur Lake (41°18′–24′N, 114°20′–27′E) located at the forest–steppe ecotone in the southern Inner Mongolia Plateau of China was selected to reconstruct the Holocene history of vegetation development and to determine the primary driver of forest dynamics. The shifting of vegetation zones was reconstructed by pollen-vegetation zone discriminant functions established by contemporary distribution of surface pollen in a transect along both precipitation and vegetation gradients in northern China. Pollen indicators for human disturbance were selected by comparison with a sediment sequence from West Liao River basin which is also located in the forest–steppe ecotone but is abundant in archeological sites. Changes of coarse sand percentage show great consistency with changes of regional humidity index, suggesting a prominent role of climate in soil erosion. The discriminant functions showed that long-term replacement of the forest zone by steppe zone commenced at 2.1kaBP. Pollen percentages also show that climate drying since 5.0kaBP first led to replacement of broadleaf forest by pine forest due to soil coarsening. Further recession of pine forest from this region since 2.1kaBP was primarily driven by climate deterioration, because no pollen indicator of human disturbance was recognized. The study also suggests an earlier arrival but later recession of pine forest in the study region, implying pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) migrated from the south, and migration of pine forest in the current steppe region was driven by the Pacific monsoon movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A radial-current aqueous resistive solution load was applied to characterize a laser triggered transformer-type accelerator. The current direction in the dummy load is radial and is different from the traditional load in the axial. Therefore, this type of dummy load has smaller inductance and fast response characteristic. The load was designed to accommodate both the resistance requirement of accelerator and to allow optical access for the laser. Theoretical and numerical calculations of the load's inductance and capacitance are given. The equivalent circuit of the dummy load is calculated in theory and analyzed with a PSPICE code. The simulation results agree well with the theoretical analysis. At last, experiments of the dummy load applied to the high power spiral pulse forming line were performed; a quasisquare pulse voltage is obtained at the dummy load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes eco-protective countermeasures that may serve as theoretical reference for post-mining eco-rehabilitation of the Xiangshui coal mining area, Guizhou, China. These countermeasures were developed from baseline survey and assessment data for the eco-environment including plant communities, soil types, physical and chemical properties, water and soil loss, status quo, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To reveal the mechanisms of flame propagation through the hardly volatile metal dust clouds clearly, the flame propagating through zirconium particle clouds has been examined experimentally. A high-speed video camera was used to record the propagation process of the flame. Combustion zone temperature was detected by a fine thermocouple. Based on the experimental results, structure of flame and combustion courses of zirconium particles were analyzed, the combustion propagation in zirconium dust was investigated, and the velocity and temperature characteristics of the combustion zone were also elucidated. The combustion zone propagating through zirconium particle clouds consists of luminous particles. Particle concentration plays an important role in the combustion zone propagation process. With the increase of zirconium particle concentration, the maximum temperature of the combustion zone increases at the lower concentration, takes a maximum value, and then decreases at the higher concentration. It is also found that the propagation velocity of the combustion zone has a linear relationship with its maximum temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tremendous excitement has followed the recent discovery of superconductivity up to T c =56K in iron–arsenic based materials (pnictides). This discovery breaks the monopoly on high-T c superconductivity held by copper-oxides (cuprates) for over two decades and renews hope that high-T c superconductivity may finally be theoretically understood and widely applied. Since scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) have been key tools in the investigation and understanding of both conventional and unconventional superconductivity, these techniques are also applied to the pnictides. While the field is still in its early stages, several important achievements by STM and STS have been reported on the pnictides. In this paper, we will review their contribution towards an understanding of superconductivity in this new class of materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A compact high power pulsed modulator based on spiral water Blumlein line, which consists of primary storage capacitors, a Tesla transformer, a spiral Blumlein line of water dielectric, and a field-emission diode, is described. The experimental results showed that the diode voltage is more than 500 kV, the electron beam current of diode is about 32 kA, and the pulse duration is about 180 ns. The distributions for electrical field in the spiral water Blumlein line were obtained by the simulations. In addition, the process of the charging a spiral Blumlein line was simulated through the PSPICE software to get the wave form of charging voltage of pulse forming line, the diode voltage, and diode current of modulator. The theoretical and simulated results are in agreement. This accelerator is very compact and works stably and reliably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regularity of the limit function of a linear subdivision scheme is essentially irrelevant to the initial data. How data dependent, then, is the regularity of the limit of a nonlinear subdivision scheme? The answer is the most obvious—it depends. In this paper, we prove that the nonlinear convexity preserving subdivision scheme developed independently by Floater and Micchelli [M. S. Floater and C. A. Micchelli, Approximation Theory, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1998, pp. 209–224] and Kuijt and van Damme [F. Kuijt and R. van Damme, Constr. Approx., 14 (1998), pp. 609–630] exhibits a rather strong nonlinear, data-dependent, behavior: For any ν ∊ (1, 2), there exists initial convex data such that the critical Hölder regularity of the limit curve is exactly ν. We also show that the limit function of any initial data always has Hölder regularity less than 2, unless if restricted to a subset of the domain at which the initial data is sampled from the convex branch of a rational polynomial of degree 2 over degree 1. This result stands in contrast to what is reported in several recent publications on nonlinear subdivision schemes [I. Ur Rahman, I. Drori, V. C. Stodden, D. L. Donoho, and P. Schröder, SIAM J. Multiscale Modeling and Simulation, submitted, 2005; G. Xie and T. P.-Y. Yu, Constr. Approx., 22 (2005), pp. 219–254; G. Xie and T. P.-Y. Yu, Advances in Constructive Approximation, 2004, pp. 519–533; I. Daubechies, O. Runborg, and W. Sweldens, Constr. Approx., 3 (2004), pp. 399–463; T. P.-Y. Yu, Cutting corners on the sphere, preprint available at http://www.rpi.edu/∼yut/Papers/CuttingCorners.pdf, 2005], in which various families of nonlinear subdivision schemes are either proved or empirically observed to have rather weak nonlinearity in the sense that they produce limit curves with smoothness insensitive to initial data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission mediated through N-methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs) is essential for synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival. While under pathological states, abnormal NMDAR activation is involved in the occurrence and development of psychiatric disorders, which suggests a directional modulation of NMDAR activity that contributes to the remission and treatment of psychiatric disorders. This review thus focuses on the involvement of NMDARs in the pathophysiological processes of psychiatric mood disorders and analyzes the neuroprotective mechanisms of NMDARs. Firstly, we introduce NMDAR-mediated neural signaling pathways in brain function and mood regulation as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms of NMDARs in emotion-related mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Then, we provide an in-depth summary of current NMDAR modulators that have the potential to be developed into clinical drugs and their pharmacological research achievements in the treatment of anxiety and depression. Based on these findings, drug-targeting for NMDARs might open up novel territory for the development of therapeutic agents for refractory anxiety and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]