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Abstract: The excellent properties of magnesium alloys, especially the high strength/weight ratio, make them desirable materials in the automotive industry. However, their high corrosion susceptibility has greatly limited or even prevented their larger scale use for various applications. Organic coating is one of the most effective ways to prevent magnesium alloys from corrosion. In this report, the recent progress of organic coatings on magnesium alloys and techniques for evaluating the performance of organic coatings are reviewed. As a critical layer in a normal coating system, organic coating has great potential to prevent magnesium alloys from corrosion attack. However, some unsolved problems currently limit the application of organic coatings. Firstly, organic coatings usually have poor adhesion if they are applied without an appropriate pre-treatment. Sol–gel coating or plasma polymerization requires the least pre-treatment prior to deposition. However, the corrosion and wear resistance of these coatings have not been documented. Secondly, it is difficult to prepare a uniform, pore-free organic layer. So, it is usually necessary to apply multiple layers of these coatings to provide sufficient/optimum corrosion and wear resistance. Finally, a number of organic coating techniques are still solvent based, which poses an environmental concern. New water-borne and powder coating technologies should be developed. In order to evaluate the performance of organic coatings on magnesium, both electrochemical and non-electrochemical techniques have been developed. Information from different techniques gives insight into the organic coating/magnesium alloy interface in different aspects. Comprehensive knowledge about the interface is indispensible for understanding the degradation of the organic coating and developing new coating strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The tetranuclear cubane-like complex of the formula [Ni4(HL1)3(HL2)(H2O)(CH3OH)] [CH3COO]·2CH3OH·CH3CN (1) (H3L1=3-(2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)propane-1,2-diol; H2L2=3-aminoprppane-1,2-diol) has been prepared by a one-pot reaction of nickel(II) acetate, salicylaldehyde and 3-aminopropane-1,2-diol, where the H3L1 ligand was generated in situ via the condensation reaction between salicylaldehyde and 3-aminopropane-1,2-diol. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the complex showed a Ni4O4 cubane arrangement and the coordination environments of four Ni(II) ions are different from each other. Magnetic studies indicated ferromagnetic behavior for the complex. The magnetic data were fitted and the parameters were given as g =2.43, J 1 =15.96, and J 2 =4.116. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), provide a dynamic tool for revealing early embryonic development, modeling pathological processes, and developing therapeutics through drug discovery and potential cell replacement. The first step toward the utilities of human PSCs is directed differentiation to functionally specialized cell/tissue types. Following developmental principles, human ESCs, and lately iPSCs, have been effectively differentiated to region- and/or transmitter-specific neuronal and glial types, including cerebral glutamatergic, striatal γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic, forebrain cholinergic, midbrain dopaminergic, and spinal motor neurons, as well as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. These studies also reveal unique aspects of human cell biology, including intrinsically programmed developmental course, differential uses of transcription factors for neuroectoderm specification, and distinct responses to extracellular signals in regulating cell fate. Such information will be instrumental in translating biological findings to therapeutic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Long-lasting phosphorescence (LLP) was observed in Pr3+-doped Y3Al5O12 (YAG:Pr) after it was excited by 240 or 290nm light. The photoluminescence (PL) and LLP properties were studied. It is interesting that the PL and LLP spectra were different. In the PL emission spectra both the emissions of d–f and f–f transitions of Pr3+ ions were observed. However, in the LLP spectra of YAG:Pr the emissions of d–f transition were absent. It is deduced that the differences were due to the energy transfer process between traps and emission centers. On the other hand, significant differences were observed between the two LLP spectra after the sample was excited by 240 and 290nm lights, respectively. The thermoluminescence (TL) properties were also studied. It is suggested that these studies will be significant for understanding the mechanism of LLP phenomenon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Utilizing reactions of [α-GeW11O39]8− and Eu3+ under different pH conditions, two types of polymer chains, Cs3K[Eu4(H2O)18Ge2W22O78] · 16.5H2O (1) and Cs3K2[Eu(H2O)2GeW11O39] · 10H2O (2), have been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The Eu/[α-GeW11O39]8− ratio is 1 : 1 in polyanion 2a and is an infrequent 2 : 1 in polyanion 1a. The Ln : POM ratio can be increased by controlling the reaction conditions. The solid photoluminescence spectra of 1 and 2 have been investigated at room temperature. The luminescence of 1 and 2 are distinctly different owing to their different Eu coordination geometries. UV spectra and electrochemical properties of 1 and 2 have been investigated. Compound 1 displays good electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of nitrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Treatment regimens of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) are complicated and individualized. CHOP regimen is well known for the treatment of adult sHLH, but it was not so effective for the 56-year-old male patient in our study. Splenomegaly, one of clinical manifestations of HLH, has urged us to investigate the role of splenectomy in HLH patients. Splenectomy is not only beneficial to confirm the underlying diseases, but also beneficial for the treatment of HLH. Here, we present a case diagnosed as sHLH who has recovered from HLH following comprehensive treatment based on splenectomy. The therapeutic value of splenectomy in sHLH needs further study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hydrogen production from the aqueous phase derived from fast pyrolysis of biomass was carried out by catalytic steam reforming in a fluidized bed reactor. The effects of reaction conditions such as reaction temperature, steam-to-carbon ratio (S/C) and weight hourly space velocity of the aqueous phase (WHSV) on the results of hydrogen yield, potential hydrogen yield and carbon selectivity of product gases were investigated. The effect of reaction temperature on the carbon deposition on catalyst was also studied. The hydrogen yield of 64.6%, potential hydrogen yield of 77.6% and the carbon selectivity for product gases of 84.3% can be obtained at the optimized conditions of reaction temperature 800°C, S/C 10 and WHSV 1.0h−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two new sesquiterpenoid esters, pestalotiopins B and C ( 1 and 2, resp.) related to the eremophilane class, together with one known compound, berkleasmin C ( 3), were isolated from the fermentation broth of the plant endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis photiniae. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D- and 2D-NMR (HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY), and MS experiments. Compound 1 has an interesting lactam structure, and this type of sesquiterpenoid with a lactam structure is reported for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T(15;17) is the most common chromosomal aberration in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), leading to the formation of PML-RARα fusion gene. In a small subset of patients with APL, the RARα gene is fused with different partners. Here, we report a rare APL case with STAT5B-RARα fusion transcript. Cytomorphologic and immunophenotypic analyses showed typical features of APL. However, cytogenetic analysis showed normal karyotype, and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed PML-RARα negative. Quantitative RT-PCR also showed PML-RARα negative but STAT5B-RARα positive and sequencing analysis confirmed the result. Molecular markers including FLT3, NPM1, c-Kit and C/EBPα mutation were all negative. To our knowledge, this is the first APL patient with STAT5B-RARα in Chinese population and the fifth patient around the world according to published paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three complexes of composition [Co2 IICo2 III(H2hbhpd)2(H4hbhpd)2(H2O)2]Cl2(CH3OH)4 (1), [Co2 IICo2 III(H2hbhpd)2(H4hbhpd)2(H2O)2](NO3)2(CH3OH)4 (2) and [Ni2(H4hbhpd)2(NO3)](NO3)(CH3OH)1.5 (3) (H5hbhpd=2-(2-hydroxy-benzylamino)-2-hydroxymethyl-propane-1,3-diol) have been synthesized and their structures have been characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 are mixed-valence cobalt clusters and display face-sharing monovacant dicubane structures. In the complexes 1 and 2, one of the three alkyl hydroxyl groups of H5hbhpd ligand is deprotonated instead of deprotonation of phenyl hydroxyl group; thus monoanionic H4hbhpd− ligand displays novel η3, η1, η1, μ3 coordination mode. Complex 3 is binuclear, and the two metal centers of 3 are bridged by two deprotonated phenyl hydroxyl oxygen atoms and iso-orthogonalized by a nitrato group in η1η1-O,O′ coordination fashion. Variable-temperature solid-state dc magnetization studies have been performed in the temperature range 2–300K for compounds 1 and 3. Antiferromagnetic interactions were determined for 1 and ferromagnetic couplings were found for 3. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Systematic explorations of new phases in the LnIII–VV–SeIV–O systems by hydrothermal syntheses led to four new quaternary compounds, namely, Nd2(VV2O4)(SeO3)4·H2O (1), Ln(VVO2)(SeO3)2(Ln = Eu 2, Gd 3, Tb 4). The structure of Nd2(VV2O4)(SeO3)4·H2O features a 3D framework composed of the 2D layers of [N d(SeO3)]+bridged by the infinite [VO2(SeO3)]−chains with the lattice water molecules located at the 6-membered ring tunnels formed. The structure of Ln(VVO2)(SeO3)2(Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb) also features a 3D framework composed of 2D layers of [Ln(SeO3)]+bridged by the infinite [(VO2)(SeO3)]−double chains. The 1D vanadium oxide selenite chain of 1differs significantly from those in compounds 2–4in terms of the coordination modes of the selenite groups and the connectivities between neighbouring VO6octahedra. Luminescent and magnetic properties of these compounds were also measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Graphite oxide was prepared by the Hummers method. Then after further oxidation, a new kind of carbon nanoparticle, with diameter 10–30nm, was formed in the aqueous solution. On the basis of structural characterization by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy it is deduced that the nanoparticles are generated by the self-assembly of few-layer graphene oxides. A possible formation mechanism is proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Non-rigid registration of ultrasound images takes an important role in image-guided radiotherapy and surgery. Intensity-based method is popular in non-rigid registration, but it is sensitive to intensity variations and has problems with matching small structure features for the existence of speckles in ultrasound images. In this paper, we develop a new algorithm integrating the intensity and feature of ultrasound images. Both global shape information and local keypoint information extracted by scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) are incorporated into intensity similarity measure as the body force of viscous fluid model in a Bayesian framework. Experiments were performed on synthetic and clinical ultrasound images of breast and kidney. It is shown that shape and keypoint information significantly improves fluid model for non-rigid registration, especially for alignment of small structure features in accuracy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report the enhancement of piezoelectric properties of (Ba0.95Ca0.05)(Ti1−x Zr x )O3 (BCTZx) ceramics by optimizing Zr content in the range of 0≤ x ≤15at.%. The BCTZx were synthesized by the solid-state reaction method and sintered at 1350°C in a reducing atmosphere of pO2 =5×102 Pa, for potential co-firing with base metal electrodes (BMEs). The BCTZx ceramics were characterized by an orthorhombic to pseudocubic polymorphic phase transition (PPT) at 5≤ x ≤7at.%, based on X-ray diffraction patterns. The orthorhombic to pseudocubic phase-transition temperature T 1 was shifted to 36°C near room temperature for Zr content of x =4at.%. The piezoelectric constant d 33, electromechanical coupling coefficient k p, and dielectric constant ɛ r were optimized to 338 pC/N, 36%, and 2070, respectively. The results indicate that optimizing Zr content is an effective way to enhance the piezoelectric properties of (Ba,Ca)(Ti,Zr)O3 ceramics, which are promising as a lead-free piezoelectric candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new method—negative pressure cavitation extraction (NPCE) was proposed and investigated for the extraction of the main isoflavonoids, namely genistein and genistin from pigeon pea roots. The effects of extraction time and particle size on the extraction yields were firstly optimized, then a central composite design (CCD) combined with response surface methodology (RSM) was used to study the effects of negative pressure, ethanol concentration and liquid/solid ratio on the extraction yields. The maximum extraction yields of genistein and genistin reached 0.418 and 0.398mg/g, respectively, under the optimal conditions: extraction time 45min, particle size 50 mesh, negative pressure −0.05MPa, ethanol concentration 70% and liquid/solid ratio 44:1. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of NPCE extract was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay. NPCE extract possessed notable concentration-dependent antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 0.062mg/ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) possess the potential to become all cell and tissue types of the human body. Under chemically defined culture systems, hESCs and hiPSCs have been efficiently directed to functional spinal motoneurons and astrocytes. The differentiation process faithfully recapitulates the developmental process predicted from studies in vertebrate animals and human specimens, suggesting the usefulness of stem cell differentiation systems in understanding human cellular development. Motoneurons and astrocytes differentiated from genetically altered hESCs or disease hiPSCs exhibit predicted phenotypes. They thus offer a simplified dynamic model for analyzing pathological processes that lead to human motoneuron degeneration, which in turn may serve as a template for pharmaceutical screening. In addition, the human stem cell-derived motoneurons and astrocytes, including those specifically derived from a patient, may become a source for cell therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Enrichment and separation of genistein and apigenin from extracts of pigeon pea roots were studied using eleven macroporous resins with different physical and chemical properties. ADS-5 resin showed the maximum effectiveness among the tested resins. The solute affinity towards ADS-5 resin at different temperatures was described in terms of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, and the equilibrium experimental data were well-fitted to the two isotherms. In order to optimize the operating parameters for separating genistein and apigenin, dynamic adsorption and desorption tests were carried out. After one run treatment with ADS-5 resin, the contents of genistein and apigenin in the product were 9.36-fold and 11.09-fold increased with recovery yields of 89.78% and 93.41%, respectively. The process achieved easy and effective enrichment and separation of genistein and apigenin by using ADS-5 resin, and it is a promising basis for large-scale preparation of genistein and apigenin from pigeon pea or other plants extracts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SF-CO2) extraction (SFE) of seed oil from yellow horn and its anti-oxidant activity were investigated. The effects of CO2 flow rate and particle size were firstly optimized, and a central composite design (CCD) combined with response surface methodology was used to study the effects of extraction pressure, temperature and time on the extraction yields. A maximal extraction yield of 61.28% was achieved under optimal conditions of extraction pressure 30MPa at 45.68°C, 2.08h and CO2 flow rate 12kg/h with 0.5mm particle size. By analyzing the chemical composition of the seed oil, we found that the content of unsaturated fatty acids was approximately 90%. Furthermore, the anti-oxidant activity of seed oil was assessed by a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay and a β-carotene bleaching test. Yellow horn seed oil possessed notable concentration-dependent anti-oxidant activity with IC50 values of 0.151 and 0.195g/mL, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An efficient microwave-assisted transesterification (MAT) technique was developed to prepare biodiesel from yellow horn (Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge.) oil with a heteropolyacid (HPA) catalyst namely Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40. A study for optimizing the reaction conditions such as reaction temperature, time, molar ratio of methanol/oil, catalyst amount, and recycle number of catalyst has been performed. The maximum yield of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) reached 96.22% under optimal conditions of temperature 60°C, 10min, molar ratio of methanol/oil 12:1, 1% (w/w of oil) catalyst and minimum recycle number nine times. The final product of biodiesel, obtained after the new catalyzed process, was analyzed by gas chromatography. The results showed that the Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40 heterogeneous acid catalyst had higher efficiency for transesterification under microwave irradiation compared with the conventional method. The product properties of yellow horn biodiesel are found to be in agreement with EN 14214 standard. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Alternatives to using native arteries in vascular surgery are urgently needed. Vessels made from synthetic polymers have shortcomings such as thrombosis, rejection, intimal hyperplasia, calcification, infection, chronic inflammation and no growth potential. Tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBV) may overcome these problems. We developed a tissue-engineered artery using autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and a decellularized arterial scaffold. Vascular smooth muscle cell (SMCs)-like cells and endothelial cell (ECs)-like cells were differentiated from MSCs in vitro. We constructed TEBV by seeding these autologous cells onto decellularized ovine carotid arteries and interposed into the carotid arteries in an ovine host models. The scaffold retained the main structural components of a blood vessel, such as collagen and elastin. The TEBVs were patent, anti-thrombogenic, and mechanically stable for 5 months in vivo, whereas non-seeded grafts occluded within 2 weeks. Histological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic analyses of the TEBVs demonstrated the existence of endothelium, smooth muscle and the presence of collagen and elastin both at 2 and 5 months, respectively. MSCs labeled with a fluorescent dye prior to implantation were detected in the harvested TE artery 2 months after implantation, indicating that the MSCs survived and contributed to the vascular tissue regeneration. Therefore, TEBVs can be assembled from autologous MSCs and decellularized bioscaffold. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Five new transition metal molybdenum(Vl) seleniles or tellurites, namely, TM(MoO3)(SeO3)(H2O) (TM m Mn, Go), Fe2(Mo2O7)(SeO3)2(H2O), Cu2(MoO4)(SeO3), and Ni3(MoO4)(TeO3)2, have been prepared and structurally characlerized. They belong to five different types of structures. Mn(MoO3)(SeO3)(H2O) and Ni3(MoO4)(TeO3)2 are non-centrosymmetric and crystallize in the orthorhombic space groups Pmd21 and P212121, respectively, whereas Co(MoO3)(SeO3)(H2O), Fe2(Mo2O7)(SeO3)2(H2O), and Cu2(MoO4)(SeO3) are centrosymmetric and crystallize in P¯I, C2/c, P2,Ic, respectively. The Mo6+ cations in Mn(MoO3)(SeO3)(H20), Co(MoO3)(SeO3)(H2O), and Fe2- (Mo2O7)(SeO3)2(H2O) are in severely distorted octahedral geometry whereas those in Gu2(MoO4)(SeO3) and Ni3(MoO4)(TeO3)2 are in a slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry. Second-Harmonic Generation (SHG) measurements revealed that (MoO3)(SeO3)(H2O) displays a moderate SHG signal of about 3 x KH2PO4 (KDP) whereas the SHG response of Ni3(MoO4)(TeO3)2 is much weaker than that of KOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: (Ba0.95Ca0.05)(Ti0.88Zr0.12)O3 (BCTZ) ceramics have been produced in a protective atmosphere of industrial N2 gas for potential piezoelectric applications. For comparison, the ceramics were also sintered at 1200–1400°C in air. The results revealed that the reducing atmosphere of pO2 =5×102 Pa had no substantial effect on the phase structure or the microstructure of the BCTZ ceramics. The XRD patterns suggested a tetragonal to pseudocubic phase transition at sintering temperatures above 1300°C in both atmospheres. The nitrogen-sintered BCTZ samples had higher dielectric constants ɛ r but lower electromechanical coupling coefficients k p than the air-sintered samples. The piezoelectric constant d 33 for the BCTZ ceramics was not significantly influenced by the reducing atmosphere of pO2 =5×102 Pa. The correlation of dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the BCTZ ceramics with the sintering temperature was explained based on a competing mechanism between phase structure and microstructure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Reaction of potassium N′-(pyridine-4-carbonyl)-hydrazinecarbodithioate ([K+(H2 L)−]) with HgII or MnII inorganic salt in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 4,4′-bipyridine (bipy), yields complexes [Hg(pyt)2(phen)] (1) and {[Mn(pyt)2(H2O)2]·(bipy)·(H2O)2} n (2), in which the pyt ligand (Hpyt=5-(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol) is obtained by in situ ligand formation from the acyclic precursor [K+(H2 L)−]. Single crystal X-ray diffraction suggests that the pyt anionic ligands in 1 and 2 behave as thiolate and thione isomers, respectively, and display S- and μ-N pyridyl, N oxadiazole-binding fashions. Complex 1 shows a 1-D fishbone-like supramolecular array via strong aromatic stacking interactions between the discrete mononuclear coordination motifs, whereas 2 has a 2-D layered host coordination framework with the inclusion of bipy and water guests in the cavities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aims: To study the impact of genetic factor on pancreatic β-cell function in the Chinese population. Methods: 233 first-degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with no history of blood glucose abnormalities and their 190 spouses, who did not have a family history of T2D, underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Based upon the OGTT, these two groups were further divided into three subgroups, including groups with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose regulation (IGR), and type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance (IR) was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment–IR (HOMA-IR), β-cell function indices of basal and first-phase were measured by DI1 (HOMA-β/HOMA-IR) and DI2 (ΔI30/ΔG30/HOMA-IR), respectively. Results: Among the first-degree relatives and their spouses, the HOMA-IR was highest in the T2D group and lowest in the NGT group. However, the HOMA-β, DI1 and DI2 declined significantly with progressive reductions in glucose tolerance (P <0.01 or 0.05). DI1 and DI2 of the NGT group of first-degree relatives (FNGT) were significantly lower than those of the spouse NGT (SNGT) group (P <0.05). DI1 and DI2 of the IGR of first-degree relatives (FIGR) group were significantly lower than those of the spouse IGR (SIGR) group. Conclusions: Defects in pancreatic β-cell function exist in the first-degree relatives, who have different glucose tolerance statuses, of T2D patients. These defects are more profound in FNGT and FIGR when compared to their spouses in corresponding glucose tolerance subgroups. However, there is no difference in IR between the corresponding glucose tolerance subgroups of the first-degree relatives and their spouses. It suggests that the genetic factor possibly aggravates β-cell lesion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cigarette smoke has been widely investigated in terms of epidemiology and pathological endpoints in relation to human lung diseases and animal study. In this study we exposed Wistar rats to cigarette smoke at concentrations of 20% and 60% to explore potential molecular mechanisms at the protein level. Exposures were conducted twice a day, 5 days a week for 43 weeks. As a major metabolite of nicotine in cigarette, cotinine level in rat urine was determined by HPLC–MS. A dose-dependent analysis indicated that cotinine may be used as an exposure marker of cigarette smoke. Expression of receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), an immunoglobulin super family that triggers the intracellular signal cascade reaction leading to inflammation and its ligand S100A6 (calgranulin) in bronchial epithelial cells and lung tissues of rats, were found to be positive correlated with cotinine levels, indicating that RAGE and S100A6 may be attributable to inflammation and oxidative damage caused by cigarette smoke. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Three complexes of composition [Co3(Hdcp)2(phen)3(H2O)2] n · nH2O (1), [Ni2(Hdcp)2(H2O)4](Im)2 (2) and [Cu2(Hpca)2(H2O)2(Im)2] (3) (H3dcp=3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid, H2pca=1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylic acid, Im=imidazole and phen=1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized via hydrothermal reactions and their structures have been characterized. Complex 1 is mainly constructed by Hdcp and ancillary ligand 1,10-phenanthroline and exhibits one-dimensional linear chain structure. Complexes 2 and 3 are pyrazolato-bridged dinuclear complexes. The ancillary imidazole ligand was not involved in the coordination and stacked to the lattice of the complex in 2. In the process of synthesis 3, imidazole ligand was coordinated to the metal centre; with one of the carboxylic group of the H3dcp ligand was eliminated to form [Cu2(Hpca)2(H2O)2(Im)2] (3) in situ. The results of magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that there exist antiferromagnetic interactions between Co(II) and Ni(II) centres in compounds 1 and 2, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Shape characteristics of malignant and benign breast tumors are significantly different. In this paper, the reflective symmetry of breast tumor shapes on ultrasound images was investigated. A new reflective symmetry measure (RSML) derived from multiscale local area integral invariant was proposed to quantify the shape symmetry of breast tumor, which could be computed directly from the binary mask image without the shape parameterization in terms of arc length. The performance of several symmetry measures for differentiating malignant and benign breast tumors at varying scales was evaluated and compared by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RSML with Gaussian kernel at scale 0.04 (related to the maximal diameter) achieved the highest area under the ROC curve (0.85) on the image data of 168 tumors (104 benign and 64 malignant). The experimental results showed that the reflective symmetry of breast tumor shape was capable of providing potential diagnostic information, which could be characterized quantitatively by RSML with the appropriate scale parameter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: [Ni3(pymp)4(pya)2](NO3)2(CH3OH)2 (1), [Ni3(pymp)4(pya)2]Cl2(CH3OH)2 (2) and [Ni(pymp)2(py)2] (3) (Hpymp=2-[(pyridine-2-ylimine)methyl]phenol, pya=pyridin-2-amine and py=pyridine) were synthesized and characterized. Crystal structures reveal that 1 and 2 contain phenoxo-bridged and N–C–N bridged linear trinuclear cores (uncommon for trinuclear nickel complexes), with the central Ni(II) being coordinated in a NiO4N2 fashion while the two terminal Ni(II) atoms adopt a NiO2N4 coordination mode. Two novel coordination modes of Hpymp ligand are presented in 1 and 2. Complex 3 displays a NiO2N4 coordination mode with the Ni(II) in a slightly distorted octahedral environment. Magnetic measurements of 1 indicated that the Ni centers are ferromagnetically coupled. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fully bio-based benzoxazine is classified into sustainable high-performance thermosetting resin and has become current focus in polybenzoxazine field. But lack of bio-based primary diamine restricted the preparation of bis-benzoxazine with high biomass content. In this report, renewable furan-containing diamine (PDFA) derived from furfurylamine was condensed with cardanol/eugenol and formaldehyde under solventless condition to obtain two biomass-based bis-benzoxazine monomers of BBOZ-Ca and BBOZ-Eu. The curing behaviors of two monomers were investigated by non-isothermal DSC method and the results showed that BBOZ-Ca possessed broad processing window comparing with BBOZ-Eu, the characteristic polymerization temperature and activation energy of two monomers were very close to each other, but the total heat releasing (enthalpy of polymerization) of BBOZ-Eu was higher than that of BBOZ-Ca due to its high oxazine content. The TGA results indicated that cured BBOZ-Eu had better thermal resistance than cured BBOZ-Ca, the char yield of cured BBOZ-Eu was 65.4% at 850 °C. Copolymerization with BBOZ-Eu effectively increased the char yield of cured BBOZ-Ca. Isothermal DMA was utilized to further investigate the curing kinetics and the results showed that the storage modulus increased rapidly when polymerization was initiated. The surface properties of cured films were studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and contact angle measurement. [Display omitted] • Renewable furan-containing diamine was utilized in preparing fully bio-based bis-benzoxazine; • Solvent-free method was adopted to prepare bio-benzoxazines. • Cardanol-based bis-benzoxazine possessed wide processing window and eugenol-based one possessed high char-formation ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that the strong coupling can synchronize a network of nonlinear oscillators. Synchronization provides the basis of the remarkable computational performance of the brain. In this paper the FitzHugh-Nagumo neuron network is constructed. The dependence of the synchronization on the coupling strength, the noise intensity and the size of the neuron network has been discussed. The results indicate that the coupling among neurons works to improve the synchronization, and noise increases the neuron random dynamics and the local fluctuations; the larger the size of network, the worse the synchronization. The dependence of the synchronization on the strength of the electric synapse coupling and chemical synapse coupling has also been discussed, which proves that electric synapse coupling can enhance the synchronization of the neuron network largely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mutual information (MI)-based image registration has been proved to be very effective in multimodal medical image applications. For computing the mutual information between two images, the joint histogram needs to be estimated. As we know, the joint histogram estimation through linear interpolation and partial volume (PV) interpolation methods may result in the emergency of the local extreme in mutual information registration function. The local extreme is likely to hamper the optimization process and influence the registration accuracy. In this paper, we present a novel joint histogram estimation method (HPV) by using an approximate function of Hanning windowed sinc as kernel function of partial volume interpolation. We apply it to both rigid registration and non-rigid registration. In addition, we give a new method estimating the gradient of mutual information with respect to the model parameters during non-rigid registration. By the experiments on both synthetic and real images, it is clearly shown that the new algorithm has the ability to reduce the local extreme, and the registration accuracy is improved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The tetranuclear cubane-like [Ni4(H3hbhpd)4]·4H2O complex has been prepared by the reaction of nickel(II) acetate with H5hbhpd, where H5hbhpd is 2(2-hydroxy-benzylamino)-2-hydroxymethyl-propane-1,3-diol. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the complex showed a Ni4O4 cubane arrangement of four nickel atoms. Magnetic studies indicate ferromagnetic behavior for the complex. The magnetic data were fitted and the parameters are given as g =2.21, J 1 =0.32, J 2 =8.27, D =−0.05cm−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is currently the most harmful greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Obtaining long-term, high-resolution atmospheric column CO2 concentration (XCO2) datasets is of great practical significance for mitigating the greenhouse effect, identifying and controlling carbon emission sources, and achieving carbon cycle management. However, mainstream satellite observations provide XCO2 datasets with coarse spatial resolution, which is insufficient to support the needs of higher-precision research. To address this gap, in this study, we integrate spatial information with the extreme random trees model and develop a new machine learning model called spatial extreme random trees (SExtraTrees) to reconstruct a 1 km spatial resolution XCO2 dataset for China from 2016 to 2020. The results indicate that the predictive ability of spatial extreme random trees is more stable and has higher fitting accuracy compared to other methods. Overall, XCO2 in China shows an increasing trend year by year, with the spatial distribution revealing significantly higher XCO2 levels in eastern coastal regions compared to western inland areas. The contributions of this study are primarily in the following areas: (1) Considering the spatial heterogeneity of XCO2 and combining spatial features with the advantages of machine learning, we construct the spatial extreme random trees model, which is verified to have high predictive accuracy. (2) Using the spatial extreme random trees model, we reconstruct high-resolution XCO2 datasets for China from 2016 to 2020, providing data support for carbon emission reduction and related decision making. (3) Based on the generated dataset, we analyze the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of XCO2 in China, thereby improving emission reduction policies and sustainable development measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high infrared emissivity material Gd 1-x Ca x CoO 3 was synthesized using the sol-gel method. The structure and composition of Gd 1-x Ca x CoO 3 were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), specific surface area analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method for void analysis, and Ultraviolet-Visible-Near-Infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) diffuse reflection spectrum were employed to analyze the surface morphology, elemental composition, specific surface area, pore size distribution, and band gap of the prepared powders. The average infrared emissivity of samples with different doping concentrations at various temperatures (8-14 μm and 3-5 μm) was determined using a dual-band emissivity meter. At room temperature, the infrared emissivity of the doped powders is generally higher, exceeding 0.75 in comparison to the undoped sample powder. As the test temperature increases, the infrared emissivity of all samples shows a significant rise. The infrared emissivity of all samples surpasses 0.91 at 500 °C, with the emissivity of the samples reaching as high as 0.98 8-14μm (0.99 3-5μm) with a Ca doping concentration of 5 %. These findings indicate that Ca-doped GdCoO 3 powder represents a promising high-emissivity material with broad potential in spacecraft thermal control applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the impact of drought on agriculture is critical for reducing drought-related yield losses in the Koshi River Basin, Nepal. This study used the Standardized Potential Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) to analyze drought during the crop growing season. The Lagrange interpolation method was employed to identify expected crop yields and to quantify crop yield losses in the Koshi River Basin, Nepal. Finally, the correlation method was applied to observe the relationship between yield loss and drought in the basin. Spatially, the growing seasons of maize, rice, and wheat in the hill region exhibited a more pronounced increase in the drought trend compared to the mountain and Terai regions. Similarly, the maize growing season demonstrated a more significant increasing drought trend than rice and wheat across all regions. However, the wheat growing season in the mountain exhibited an increasing drought trend. The correlations between the detrended SPEI and crop yield loss revealed that maize yields in the Terai and mountain regions are sensitive to drought in both the early stages (from sowing to tasseling) and later stages (milking, seed ripening) in the hill. Similarly, rice yields are sensitive to drought from the plant elongation to ripening in both the hill and Terai regions. Wheat yield analysis showed a weak positive relationship in all regions. The findings of our study can enhance understanding of drought conditions and their impact on crop growth stages, thereby assisting local farmers and agricultural institutions in managing crop yield loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has attracted lots of attention in preventing the clearance of plasma low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C). PCSK9 inhibitors are developed to primarily reduce the cardiovascular risk by lowering LDL‐C level. Recently, a number of pleiotropic extrahepatic functions of PCSK9 beyond the regulation of cholesterol metabolism, particularly its effects on central nervous system (CNS) diseases have been increasingly identified. Emerging clinical evidence have revealed that PCSK9 may play a significant role in neurocognition, depression, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke. The focus of this review is to elucidate the functions of PCSK9 and highlight the effects of PCSK9 in CNS diseases, with the aim of identifying the potential risks that may arise from low PCSK9 level (variant or inhibitor) in the clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xinjiang has abundant cotton by-products resources, but their utilization rate is relatively low. Cotton by-products include cotton stalks, cottonseed meal, cottonseed hulls, cottonseed residue, and more. Among them, cottonseed meal is an important protein source in livestock and poultry production, while cotton stalks, cottonseed hulls, and cottonseed residue can serve as coarse feed sources for ruminant animals. However, the long-term application of cotton by-products in the livestock and poultry breeding industry is constrained due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors such as free gossypol and the relatively high crude fiber content in cotton stalks, cottonseed hulls, and cottonseed residue. The article reviews the production, types, nutritional value of cotton by-products, and their research and application in the livestock and poultry breeding industry, aiming to provide a reference for further application of cotton by-products in the livestock and poultry breeding industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem cells can produce progenies that constitute an organism or a tissue while replenishing (renewing) themselves. The ability to produce large quantities of stage-specific cells from self-renewing stem cells in a precisely controlled manner makes it possible to dissect out complex interactions among macromolecules along development, such as early brain development at the global level. These cellular differentiation pathways also serve as templates for identifying biological effects of novel or existing chemical compounds. Thus, stem cells find their most powerful use in chemical biology, which may ultimately lead to applications in regenerative medicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigate the role of mutations of receptor tyrosine kinases as well as their downstream scaffold molecules in leukemogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in Chinese patients. Genes of interest included FLT3, PDGFRβ, KDR, CSF2Rβ, SOCS1, PIAS3 and SHIP. The coding sequence of these genes was analysed by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to search novel mutations. A novel mutation (A > T, Q1154L) of SHIP (1 of 192, 0.52%) was identified and another novel mutation (C > T, R685C) of PDGFRβ (2 of 192, 1.04%). In addition, FLT3 mutations were seen in three of five patients with AML following myelodysplastic syndrome (60%) and 39 of 268 (14.6%) de novo AML patients (P < 0.05). No mutations were found in the coding sequence regions of KDR, CSF2Rβ, SOCS1 or PIAS3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The vortex-induced nonlinear vibration of casing pipes in the deep water was investigated considering the loads of current and combined wave-current. The vortex-induced vibration equation of a casing pipe was set up with considering the beam mode and Morison''s nonlinear fluid loads as well as the vortex-excited loads. The approach of calculating vortex-excited nonlinear vibration by Galerkin''s method was proposed. The natural vibration frequencies and modes were obtained, and the response including primary resonance induced by current and the composite resonance under combined wave-current for the 170m long casing pipe in the 160m depth of water were investigated. The results show that the dynamics response of casing pipe obviously increases, and the complicated response behaviors of casing pipe are described under combined wave-current. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present an alternative scheme to prepare entangled states of multiple trapped ions in thermal motion. In this scheme the vibrational degrees of freedom are only regarded as intermediate states and the ions exchange energy via the mediation of the vibration of the vibrational mode in coupling processes. The scheme is insensitive to both the initial vibrational state and heating if the system remains in the Lamb–Dicke regime. Since the effective Rabi frequency has a small dependence on the vibrational quantum number, the heating will have no direct effect on the internal state evolution. The scheme can also be used for the storage of entangled states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present paper, the computation for the nonlinear dynamic system is discussed. Firstly the nonlinear dynamic system is converted into an augmented dynamic system in the Minkowski space, which results in the system of Lie type locally. Then Runge–Kutta Munthe-Kaas (RKMK) methods are used to the new augmented dynamic system and group-preserving integration scheme for the augmented dynamic system is constructed, in which the precise integration method is used to compute the exponential mapping. In the process of computation, the numerical schemes are formulated for nonlinear dynamic system directly. The advantages of the method presented in this paper lie in not only its group-preserving character but also in its simplicity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new analytical method for the acoustic-structure coupled problem within an irregular enclosure, which has both inner sound sources, and exterior forces exciting it, was developed based on a method called the covering domain method. The method is not only more accurate and faster than numerical methods, such as FEM/BEM, but also can be used to solve acoustic-structure coupled problems within any irregular enclosure in a convenient way, that are impossible for the traditional analytical method. The model for, the active structure acoustic control (ASAC) system of an irregular enclosure based on the method above was founded, and then the optimized actuators outputs were given, which is the key step for ASAC system design. Then the method was applied to a car-like-cavity and it was found that the simulation result is quite good and shows us this new general analytical method for solving active structure acoustic control problems within an irregular enclosure considering acoustic-structure coupling to be quite effective and fit for any irregular enclosure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The C3 halophyte Suaeda salsa L. grown under the high concentration of NaCl (200 m M) was used to investigate the role of the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-scavenging system [catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase (GR), ascorbic acid, and glutathione (GSH)] in removal of reactive oxygen species. The activity of catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11), and GR (EC 1.6.4.2) increased significantly after 7 days of NaCl treatment. The isoform patterns of CAT and GR were not affected, but the staining intensities were significantly increased by NaCl treatment. Activities of both the thylakoid-bound APX or GR and stromal APX (S-APX) or GR in the chloroplasts were markedly enhanced under high salinity. Fifty percent of APX in the chloroplasts is thylakoid-bound APX. S-APX and GR activity represented about 74–78 and 64–71% of the total soluble leaf APX and GR activity, respectively. Salt treatment increased the contents of ascorbic acid and GSH. By contrast, a decreased content of H2O2 was found in the leaves of NaCl-treated S. salsa. The level of membrane lipid peroxidation decreased slightly after NaCl treatment. The plants grew well with high rate of net photosynthesis under high salinity. These data suggest that upregulation of the H2O2-scavenging system in plant cells, especially in the chloroplasts, is at least one component of the tolerance adaptations of halophytes to high salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Titanium and its alloys find wide applicability in aerospace and medicine. The key restricting factor in using the Ti-based alloys is the difficulties associated with the processing of the alloy as they are forged at temperatures >800°C. In the current work, Ti was mechanically alloyed in a tumbler mixer with Al, Fe and Zr with a charge to ball ratio of 1:2. The mechanical properties such as tensile and compression strengths and the hardness profile were evaluated as per the ASTM/MPIF standards. SEM analysis of the fracture surfaces indicated that samples sintered in vacuum exhibited brittle failure while those sintered in argon exhibited ductile–brittle failure. The tensile strengths ranged from 300 to 850MPa for the samples tested. The alloying time affects the fracture mode and the strength of the alloy. Strain in excess of 20% was obtainable during upsetting samples alloyed for 48h which is comparable to the conventional Ti–6Al–4V alloy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article features the diagnostic language assessment system DIALANG, a computer software developed by the organization of the same name. This computer-based technology is able to provide tests of different language skills in fourteen European languages. The purpose of the DIALANG is to provide users with diagnostic information about their language proficiency which will allow them to become aware of their strengths and weakness and find ways to develop their language skills. Separate assessments in the language skills are provided. The target group is teenagers and adults who wish to have their foreign language skills diagnosed and evaluated, independent of any formal education system. A test session typically takes thirty to forty five minutes to complete. The two innovative features of DIALANG are its use of self-assessments in this low-stakes situation and its use of computers and the Internet as the medium of test delivery.

The remarkable developmental potential and replicative capacity of human embryonic stem (ES) cells promise an almost unlimited supply of specific cell types for transplantation therapies. Here we describe the in vitro differentiation, enrichment, and transplantation of neural precursor cells from human ES cells. Upon aggregation to embryoid bodies, differentiating ES cells formed large numbers of neural tube-like structures in the presence of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2). Neural precursors within these formations were isolated by selective enzymatic digestion and further purified on the basis of differential adhesion. Following withdrawal of FGF-2, they differentiated into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. After transplantation into the neonatal mouse brain, human ES cell-derived neural precursors were incorporated into a variety of brain regions, where they differentiated into both neurons and astrocytes. No teratoma formation was observed in the transplant recipients. These results depict human ES cells as a source of transplantable neural precursors for possible nervous system repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroglia are non-neuronal cells in the nervous system and are involved in virtually every aspect of neural function. Because of the ambiguity of glial function, the definition of glial cells relies chiefly on structural and biochemical characteristics. The use of molecular markers in identifying glial cells along their differentiation pathways is further complicated by recent findings that many of the molecules are also expressed by cells of the neuronal lineage. So, how specific are glial markers and how can a glial cell be defined during development? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are severely impeded by their poor cycling stability and low sulfur utilization due to the inevitable polysulfide shuttle effect and sluggish reaction kinetics. This work reports a Mott–Schottky RGO‐PANI/MoS2 (RPM) heterogeneous layer modified separator for commercial‐sulfur‐based LSBs through the vertical growth of molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) arrays on the polyaniline (PANI) in situ reduced graphene oxide (RGO). Due to the synergistic effects of the "reservoir" constructed by MoS2 and RGO‐PANI, strong absorbability, high conductivity, and electrocatalytic activity, RPM exhibits a successive "trapping–interception–conversion" behavior toward lithium polysulfides. As a result, the LSBs assembled using a commercial‐sulfur as the cathode and RPM as modified layer exhibit high sulfur utilization (3.8 times higher than that of the unmodified separator at 5 C), excellent rate performance (553 mAh g−1 at 10 C), and outstanding high‐rate cycle stability (524 mAh g−1 after 700 cycles at 5 C). Moreover, even at a high sulfur loading of 5.4 mg cm−2, a favorable areal capacity of 3.8 mAh cm−2 is still maintained after 80 cycles. Theoretical calculations elucidate that such a systematic strategy can effectively suppress the shuttling effect and boost the catalytic conversion of intercepted polysulfides. This work may provide a feasible strategy to promote the practical application of commercial‐sulfur‐based LSBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]