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A series of two-dimensional (2D) spin-crossover coordination polymers (SCO-CPs) [FeII(TPE)(NCX)2]·solv (1: X = BH3, solv = H2O·2CH3OH·DMF; 2: X = Se, solv = H2O·2CH3OH·0.5DMF; 3: X = S, solv = H2O·2CH3OH·0.5DMF) were synthesized by employing 1,1,2,2-tetra(pyridin-4-yl)ethene (TPE) and pseudohalide (NCX-) coligands. Magnetic measurements indicated that complexes 1-3 exhibited SCO behaviors with diminishing thermal hysteresis (7/4/0 K) upon decreasing the ligand-field strength. The critical temperatures (Tc) during spin transition were found to be inversely proportional to the coordination ability parameters (a™) with a linear correlation. The guest effect was also investigated in the solvent-exchanged phases 1-SE/2-SE/3-SE wherein the DMF molecules were replaced by methanol molecules. Compared with 1-3, 1-SE/2-SE/3-SE displayed more abrupt and complete single-step SCO behaviors but narrower thermal hysteretic loops. The results reported here demonstrate that the Tc values of these two families were dominated by the ligand-field strength of the NCX- anions (NCBH3 > NCSe > NCS), whereas the guest effect only modulated the kinetic factor of the SCO nature in this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The absence of a safe and effective therapy for recurrent spontaneous abortion due to a maternofetal failure in immunological tolerance remains an intractable clinical obstacle for surgeons. Recently, traditional Chinese medicine has become a feasible alternative for certain diseases, including recurrent spontaneous abortion. However, because of the complex composition of the traditional Chinese medicine formula, its action mechanism remains unclear. Methods: We selected two isolated active ingredients (RAMP and baicalin) from the traditional Chinese medicine formula and used an abortion-prone CBA/J × DBA/2 model to simulate human RSA and compared the changes in fetal resorption rate, Treg cell percentage, and relevant cytokines before and after combination therapy. In addition, The mechanisms were preliminarily discussed using in vitro differentiation models. Results: In CBA/J × DBA/2 abortion-prone mice, the combination therapy resulted in a lower embryo resorption rate compared to that obtained with individual delivery of either RAMP or baicalin, thereby playing an embryo-protective role through the increase in Treg cells for the maintenance of maternal-fetal immune tolerance. In in vitro primary cell differentiation experiments, the concentration of Treg cells significantly increased from 11% to 17.9% after the combination therapy compared to that of the single administration group. Conclusion: the synergistic effects of RAMP and baicalin were responsible for Treg differentiation. The present study provides a solid basis for improving the applicability of traditional Chinese herbs in the treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current treatment strategies for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are highly individualized and subject to ongoing debates. In the era of immunotherapy, surgery assumes a critical role. The aim of this study was to investigate if subsequent surgical intervention, following a favorable response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, could yield a more favorable prognosis for patients with advanced stage III NSCLC compared to the continuation of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Methods: We included patients whose tumors exhibited a favorable response (including partial response [PR] and complete response [CR]) to immunotherapy and chemotherapy. These patients were categorized into two groups based on their subsequent treatment plans: surgical and nonsurgical (continuation of maintenance immunotherapy and chemotherapy). The efficacy and long-term prognosis of these groups were compared after matching them in a 1:1 ratio using propensity scores. Results: In total, 186 patients (93 in each group) were included in this study after matching via propensity scores. The 1- and 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 96.0%, 88.5%, and 93.1%, 80.7% in the surgical group, and 93.2%, 83.1%, and 57.7%, 50.4% in the nonsurgical group, respectively. Patients in the surgical group exhibited significantly superior PFS and OS compared to those in the nonsurgical group (p = 0.025 and p = 0.00086). Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed ΔBMI, Δtumor size reduction, tumor response, earlier clinical stage (IIIb vs. IIIa), and surgery as independent protective factor for patient prognosis. We further selected 101 patients with CR (39 in the surgical group and 62 in the nonsurgical group) and found that patients in the surgical group were significantly better in both PFS and OS. Our subgroup analysis in postoperative patients demonstrated that different surgical strategies did not significantly affect the long-term prognosis of patients (PFS and OS) but could impact their perioperative experience. Conclusion: Patients with advanced stage III NSCLC, whose tumors achieved PR and CR after 2-4 cycles of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy, experience a more promising prognosis with subsequent surgical intervention compared with the continued immunotherapy. Despite encountering formidable obstacles, such as protracted surgical procedures and associated trauma, we must rise to the challenge and unleash the power of surgery after immunotherapy in advanced NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context • Osteoporosis (OP) is a common complication for patients who have liver cirrhosis or cholestatic liver disease or who have received a liver transplantation. Osteoporotic fractures are serious clinical consequences of OP, and they often occur in the spine, hip, and wrist; have a high disability and mortality rate; cause a serious, social, medical burden; and threaten people’s health. Objective • The study intended to explore the correlation between different degrees of liver fibrosis and bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and hip as well as the factors influencing those differences. Design • The research team performed a retrospective observational study. Setting • The study took place at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Medical College at Ningbo University (Bund Courtyard) in Ningbo, China. Participants • Participants were 164 patients who had received two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) to measure liver stiffness and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to measure bone density at the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University (Bund Courtyard) in Ningbo from May 2020 to April 2022 Groups • According to the liver-stiffness value, the research team divided participants into three groups: (1) the F0-F1 group with no or mild liver fibrosis, (2) the F2 group with significant liver fibrosis, and (3) F3-F4 group with severe liver fibrosis. For the three groups, the research team also compared the differences between the groups—F0-F1 to F2, F0-F1 to F3-F4, and F2 to F3-F4—in the BMD of the lumbar spine—Total, L2, L3, L4—and of the hip—Total, Neck, and Troch. Outcome Measures • The research team: (1) determined participants’ degrees of liver fibrosis to create the F0-F1, F2, and F3-F4 groups and compared the BMDs of the lumbar spine and hip among those groups; (2) compared the degrees of liver fibrosis for three age groups—<40, 40-60, and ≥60 years old; (3) compared the degrees of liver fibrosis for participants with two etiologies of the disease—hepatitis or other causes; and (4) analyzed the correlations between different degrees of liver fibrosis and BMD of the lumbar spine and hip and the factors influencing those relationships. Results • The study revealed significant differences among the F0-F1, F2, and F3-F4 groups in terms of age group, degree of liver fibrosis, and bone mineral density (BMD) at various sites. Specifically, there were significant age group differences between individuals aged 40-60 years and those aged ≥60 years (P < .05). There were also significant differences noted in the degree of liver fibrosis with mean values of 5.59 ± 0.81, 7.43 ± 0.26, and 15.48 ± 10.02 for the F0-F1, F2, and F3-F4 groups, respectively (P < .05). The BMDs of the lumbar spine (L2, L3, L4, and Total values) and hip (Total values, right femoral neck (Neck), and trochantor (Troch)) showed significant differences (all P < .05). However, no significant differences were found in the BMDs for the L1 vertebra and Ward’s triangle among the groups (both P > .05). The analysis also revealed that the mean BMDs of the F2 group were significantly higher than those of the F0-F1 and F3-F4 groups. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the F2 and F0-F1 groups and a negative correlation between the F2 and F3-F4 groups (P < .05). The logistic regression analysis showed that age group (OR = 2.047, 95% CI: 0.135-1.298, P = .016) and Total BMD for the hip (OR = 176.368, 95% CI: 0.233-10.112, P = .040) were significantly, independently correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis. Conclusions • According to the findings of the present study, a positive correlation was observed between liver stiffness and bone mineral density (BMD) values in patients at the F0-F1 to F2 stage of liver fibrosis. In contrast, a significant negative correlation was identified between these parameters in patients at the F2 to F3-F4 stage, indicating that BMD tends to decrease as the degree of liver fibrosis increases. These results suggest a potential link between liver fibrosis and bone health. The comparisons between groups F0-F1 and F3-F4 with group F2. Specifically, the study found that the BMD values of the F2 group were significantly higher than those of the F0-F1 and F3-F4 groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A noisy stabilized Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation is analyzed by stochastic decomposition. For values of the control parameter for which periodic stationary patterns exist, the dynamics can be decomposed into diffusive and transverse parts which act on a stochastic potential. The relative positions of stationary states in the stochastic global potential landscape can be obtained from the topology spanned by the low-lying eigenmodes which interconnect them. Numerical simulations confirm the predicted landscape. The transverse component also predicts a universal class of vortex-like circulations around fixed points. These drive nonlinear drifting and limit cycle motion of the underlying periodic structure in certain regions of parameter space. Our findings might be relevant in studies of other nonlinear systems such as deep learning neural networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate use of multidata analysis based on an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict long-term pain outcomes after microvascular decompression (MVD) in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and to explore key predictors. Perioperative and long-term follow-up multidata of 1041 patients with TN who received MVD surgery at Hangzhou First People's Hospital from March 2013 to May 2018 were collected to construct an ANN model for prediction. The prediction results were compared with the actual follow-up outcomes, and the variables in each input layer were changed to test the effectiveness of ANN and explore the factors that had the greatest impact on prediction accuracy. The ANN model could predict the long-term pain outcomes after MVD in patients with TN with an accuracy rate of 95.2% and area under the curve of 0.862. Four factors contributed the most to the predictive performance of the ANN: whether the neurovascular offending site of the trigeminal nerve corresponded the region of facial pain, immediate postoperative pain remission after MVD, degree of nerve compression by culprit vessels, and the type of culprit vessels. After these factors were sequentially removed, the accuracy of the ANN model decreased to 74.5%, 78.6%, 87.2%, and 90.1%, while the area under the curve was 0.705, 0.761, 0.793, and 0.810. The ANN model, constructed using multiple data, predicted long-term pain prognosis after MVD in patients with TN objectively and accurately. The model was able to assess the importance of each factor in the prediction of pain outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stochastic excitations inevitably pose a significant threat to the safety and reliability of structures, making it imperative to develop stochastic vibration control techniques. This paper utilizes the mass amplification property of inerter to construct inertial nonlinear energy sink (INES) to suppress the random response of a spring-mass-damper structure under random excitation. Specifically, the governing equations of a main oscillator coupled with INES forced by a stochastic excitation are derived. After that, the equivalent form of system equations is treated by the stochastic averaging technique together with the Jacobi transformation to obtain the steady-state probability density function (PDF), leading to determination of stochastic response as well as parameters optimization. The effects of parameters including inertance ratio and intensity of the external excitation on the random response of main structure are examined. This paper illustrates that INES exhibits both superior random vibration control capability and lightweight design characteristic. Besides, excellent consistency is found between the results of the present approach and the available simulation data. Note that this work presented herein will promote the design and application of INES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice production is highly seasonal, and the timing for conducting harvest operations has a relatively significant impact on yields, especially the appropriate timing of the harvesting operations. Using scientific methods to monitor the appropriate harvest period can effectively reduce harvesting losses. Most of the existing studies in this field focus on yield changes that occur during the harvest period of rice and also use multispectral remote sensing for inversion of the crop canopy. However, there has been no research on combining the yields and spectral characteristics of the harvest period. In this article, a monitoring method for the appropriate harvest period of rice based on multispectral remote sensing was established. Remote sensing data of the rice canopy were acquired using UAV equipped with multispectral (550 nm, 660 nm, 735 nm, and 790 nm) cameras, and physiological characteristic data of rice moisture content, thousand-grain weight, and tassel ratios were determined simultaneously. Single-band and combined-band spectral reflectance were introduced as model input variables to compare the BP neural network, SVM, and decision tree; a quantitative inversion model of the physiological characteristics of rice was established. The accuracy of the inversion model with different input variables and model methods was evaluated, and the optimal inversion model for rice moisture content and thousand-grain weight was selected, which could be used to determine whether the crop was harvested during the appropriate period. The continuous monitoring of two rice varieties (South Japonica 46 and South Japonica 5055) indicated that the moisture content of South Japonica 46 decreased linearly during the 20-day trial period, while its thousand-grain weight showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. The moisture content of South Japonica 5055 showed a fluctuating downward trend, and its thousand-grain weight also showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. The spectral reflectance at 735 nm increased gradually, and that of both rice varieties increased from about 35% at the beginning of the trial to about 75% in the later stage. The spectral reflectance at the other three bands did not show significant change with the harvest date. The inverse model of spectral reflectance with rice thousand-grain weight and moisture content was established using the BP neural network, SVM, and decision tree. In single-band inversion models, the regression effect at 735 nm was relatively good in the BP neural network model, with the highest determination coefficients of spectral reflectance and thousand-grain weight of both rich varieties and the smallest RMSE of prediction results. In combined-band inversion models, the regression effects at 550 + 660+735 nm and 660 + 735+790 nm were the best in the SVM and thousand-grain weight inversion models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The level of annoyance is an important basis to determine the acceptable degree of noise and develop noise standards. Psychoacoustic annoyance (PA) calculated by Zwicker's model and perceived annoyance (such as mean annoyance, MA and the percentage of highly annoyed population, % HA) obtained through individual self-reports are widely used. PA and MA (or %HA) cannot be directly compared because the ranges of their values are different. Thus, the conversion relationship of PA and MA (or %HA) needs to be developed. As a case study, the model between PA and MA (or %HA) of substations noise was established and the rationality of model was verified. Results showed that the maximum value of the difference of MA (or % HA) between the calculation result of model and experimental result was less than 0.89 (or 15%). In this way, the perceived annoyance of substation noise samples can be determined by calculation without experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on advancements in large-area all-perovskite tandem solar cells, which have the potential to transform energy needs. Topics include the challenges in developing large-area all-perovskite tandem modules; strategies to control homogeneous crystallization; and the importance of interface quality in perovskite films.

C6H12O4N4, monoclinic, Cc (no. 9), a = 9.8171(4) Å, b = 16.1119(6) Å, c = 6.9125(5) Å, β = 121.443°, V = 932.81(9) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0346, wRref(F2) = 0.0894, T = 170 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the outbreak of COVID-19 began, people could not go out. It was not allowed to provide agricultural machinery services in different places across regions to reduce the flow and gathering of people. Improvement of utilization efficiency of agricultural machinery resources is required through scientific scheduling of agricultural machinery. With seizing the farming season and stabilizing production as the goal, this paper studied the scientific scheduling of tractors within the scope of town and established agricultural machinery operation scheduling model with the minimization of total scheduling cost as the optimization objective. Factors such as farmland area, agricultural machinery, and farmland location information and operating time window are considered in this model to improve the accuracy of the agricultural machinery operation scheduling model. The characteristics of multiple scheduling algorithms are analyzed comprehensively. The scheduling requirements of agricultural machinery operation to ensure spring ploughing are combined to design the agricultural machinery scheduling algorithm based on the SA algorithm. With Hushu Street, Jiangning District, Nanjing City, as an example, a comparative experiment is conducted on the simulated annealing algorithm (SA) designed in this paper and the empirical algorithm and genetic algorithm (GA). The results suggest that the total cost of the scheduling scheme generated by the SA algorithm is 19,042.07 yuan lower than that by the empirical scheduling algorithm and 779.19 yuan lower than that by the genetic algorithm on average. Compared with the GA algorithm, the transfer distance, waiting cost, and delay cost of the SA algorithm are reduced by 11.6%, 100%, and 98.1% on average, indicating that the transfer distance of agricultural machinery in the scheduling scheme generated by the SA algorithm is shorter, so is the waiting and delay time. Meanwhile, it can effectively obtain the near-optimal solution that meets the time window constraint, with good convergence, stability, and adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface residual stress is generated during the micro-milling thin-walled parts of nickel-based superalloy Inconel 718. Because of the low rigidity, deflection of thin-walled parts is easy to occur under residual stress, which makes it difficult to ensure the dimensional accuracy of thin-walled parts. Additionally, the performance of thin-walled parts is directly impacted by the residual stress state. At present, the research on the prediction of residual stress in micro-milling thin-walled parts is still blank. In this paper, the Inconel 718 mesoscopic thin-walled parts are taken as the machining objects. Firstly, a simulation model of micro-milling thin-walled parts process is established by using the finite element program ABAQUS, which realizes the prediction of residual stress in micro-milling thin-walled parts based on process simulation. And the validity of the prediction results of residual stress is verified by XRD experiments. Then, a four-factor and three-level L9 orthogonal simulation experiment is designed, which uses spindle speed, feed per tooth, axial cutting depth, and radial cutting depth as influencing factors. The prediction model of surface residual stress of Inconel 718 micro-milling thin-walled parts is built based on the results of orthogonal simulation experiments. And the model is verified by variance test and experimental validation. Finally, the optimization of cutting parameters for micro-milling Inconel 718 thin-walled parts is achieved with the maximum residual compressive stress as the optimization objective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Measure the solubility of DNAN in the range of 298.15 K ∼ 333.15 K in three binary mixed solvents by laser dynamic method. • Use four models to correlate solubility in order to expand the applicability of solubility. • Use solubility parameters to explain the regular pattern of the solubility of DNAN in three binary mixed solvents. • Calculate the thermodynamic parameters (enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy) of DNAN. Melt cast explosive is the most widely used type of military explosives. Then 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) is a liquid phase carrier of melt cast explosives, and it is the most promising substitute for TNT. In this study, the solubility of DNAN in three binary mixed solvents (MeOH + water, EtOH + water, i-PrOH + water) at the temperature range of 298.15 ∼ 333.15 K at atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa) was measured by laser dynamic method. The experimental results show that the solubility of DNAN increase with increasing temperature and the fraction of the organic solvents. In order to expand the applicability of solubility, Apelblat equation, van't Hoff equation, λh equation and modified Jouyban-Acree model were used to correlate the solubility, and satisfactory results were obtained. The Apelblat equation have best correlation with the solubility data of DNAN. The solubility parameters of DNAN and binary mixed solvents were calculated through Hansen solubility parameter and Materials Studio. The solubility of DNAN in three binary mixed solvents show a regular pattern of i-PrOH + H 2 O > EtOH + H 2 O > MeOH + H 2 O. The above pattern is consistent with the solubility parameters prediction results and prove that the solubility data is true and effective. In addition, according to the experimental data, the standard solubility enthalpy Δ H dis ° degree, standard entropy Δ S dis ° degree, standard Gibbs free energy Δ G dis ° , the enthalpy %ξ H and the entropy %ξ S were calculated and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell is a promising method in cancer immunotherapy but faces many challenges in solid tumors. One of the major problems was immunosuppression caused by PD-1. In our study, the expression of c-Met in GC was analyzed from TCGA datasets, GC tissues, and cell lines. The c-Met CAR was a second-generation CAR with 4-1BB, cMet-PD1/CD28 CAR was c-Met CAR adding PD1/CD28 chimeric-switch receptor (CSR). In vitro, we measured the changes of different subgroups, phenotypes and PD-1 expression in CAR-T cells. We detected the secretion levels of different cytokines and the killing ability of CAR-Ts. In vivo, we established a xenograft GC model and observed the anti-tumor effect and off-target toxicity of different CAR-Ts. We find that the expression of c-Met was increased in GC. CD3+CD8+ T cells and CD62L+CCR7+ central memory T cells (TCM) were increased in two CAR-Ts. The stimulation of target cells could promote the expression of PD-1 in c-Met CAR-T. Compared with Mock T, the secretion of cytokines as IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 secreted by two CAR-Ts was increased, and the killing ability to c-Met positive GC cells was enhanced. The PD1/CD28 CSR could further enhance the killing ability, especially the long-term anti-tumor effect of c-Met CAR-T, and reduce the release level of IL-6. CAR-Ts target c-Met had no obvious off-target toxicity to normal organs. Thus, the PD1/CD28 CSR could further enhance the anti-tumor ability of c-Met CAR-T, and provides a promising design strategy to improve the efficacy of CAR-T in GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible DC distribution system has become the research and development trend of the future distribution network with its unique advantages such as high efficiency and flexibility. However, the DC fault identification and protection is challenging due to the fact that the short-circuit current provided by converters is limited and last for a very short period, how to identify and isolate faults reliably using limited fault transient information becomes a serious problem faced by system protection. Based on the analysis of the fault characteristics of three typical faults in the DC distribution system, the setting principle and the calculation methods are proposed, and the reasonable range of protection setting boundaries is derived. According to the requirements of protections, the parameters of the actual DC distribution system are used for setting calculations, and a complete set of DC line protection schemes is designed in this study. Finally, the performance of the proposed protection scheme is verified in PSCAD/EMTDC simulation platform, the built simulation model has been successfully applied to the analysis and calculation in the commissioning of the DC distribution system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We formulate a general method to extend the decomposition of stochastic dynamics developed by Ao et al. [J. Phys. Math. Gen. 37, L25–L30 (2004)] to nonlinear partial differential equations which are nonvariational in nature and construct the global potential or Lyapunov functional for a noisy stabilized Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation. For values of the control parameter where singly periodic stationary solutions exist, we find a topological network of a web of saddle points of stationary states interconnected by unstable eigenmodes flowing between them. With this topology, a global landscape of the steady states is found. We show how to predict the noise-selected pattern which agrees with those from stochastic simulations. Our formalism and the topology might offer an approach to explore similar systems, such as the Navier Stokes equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses that how epithelial cell–specific loss of function of Miz1 causes a spontaneous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-like phenotype and up-regulates ACE2 (reported as a SARS-CoV-2 receptor) expressing in mice. It mentions that recapitulates features of COPD, with implications for Covid-19.

Background: In oncology clinical development, objective response rate, disease control rate and early tumor size changes are commonly used as efficacy metrics for early decision-making. However, for immunotherapy trials, it is unclear whether these early efficacy metrics are still predictive of long-term clinical benefit such as overall survival. The goal of this paper is to identify appropriate early efficacy metrics predictive of overall survival for immunotherapy trials. Methods: Based on several checkpoint blockade based immunotherapy studies in metastatic melanoma, we evaluated the predictive value of early tumor size changes and RECIST-based efficacy metrics at various time points on overall survival. The cut-off values for tumor size changes to predict survival were explored via tree based recursive partitioning and validated by external data. Sensitivity analyses were performed for the cut-offs. Results: The continuous tumor size change metric and RECIST-based trichotomized response metric at different landmark time points were found to be statistically significantly associated with overall survival. The predictive values were higher at Week 12 and 18 than those at Week 24. The percentage of tumor size changes appeared to have comparable or lower predictive values than the RECIST-based trichotomized metric, and a cut-off of approximately 10% tumor reduction appeared to be reasonable for predicting survival. Conclusions: An approximate 10% tumor reduction may be a reasonable cut-off for early decision-making while the RECIST-based efficacy metric remains the primary tool. Early landmark analysis is especially useful for decision making when accrual is fast. Composite response rate (utilizing different weights for PR/CR and SD) may be worth further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the third-order optical nonlinearity of ferroelectric thin films of Mn doped Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 using Z-scan measurement with femtosecond laser pulses at 800 nm. The nonlinear refraction index and two-photon absorption coefficient are measured to be 3.0×10-4 cm2/GW and 1.7 cm/GW, respectively, which are about one order of magnitude larger than those of the undoped Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 thin films. The enhancement is attributed to the acceptor behavior of Mn ions dopant. The figure of merit, T, defined by T=βλ/n2, was calculated to be 0.44, less than 1. The results indicate that the thin films have great potential applications in nonlinear photonic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Wind is an important abiotic factor that influences an array of biological processes, but it is rarely considered in studies on plant--herbivore interactions. 2. Here, we tested whether wind exposure could directly or indirectly affect the performance of two insect herbivores, Plutella xylostella and Pieris brassicae, feeding on Brassica nigra plants. 3. In a greenhouse study using a factorial design, B. nigra plants were exposed to different wind regimes generated by fans before and after caterpillars were introduced on plants in an attempt to separate the effects of direct and indirect wind exposure on herbivores. 4. Wind exposure delayed flowering, decreased plant height and increased leaf concentrations of amino acids and glucosinolates. 5. Plant-mediated effects of wind on herbivores, that is effects of exposure of plants to wind prior to herbivore feeding, were generally small. However, development time of both herbivores was extended and adult body mass of P. xylostella was reduced when they were directly exposed to wind. By contrast, wind-exposed adult P. brassicae butterflies were significantly larger, revealing a trade-off between development time and adult size. 6. Based on these results, we conducted a behavioural experiment to study preference by an avian predator, the great tit (Parus major) for last instar P. brassicae caterpillars on plants that were exposed to either control (no wind) or wind (fan-exposed) treatments. Tits captured significantly more caterpillars on still than on wind-exposed plants. 7. Our results suggest that P. brassicae caterpillars are able to perceive the abiotic environment and to trade off the costs of extended development time against the benefits of increased size depending on the perceived risk of predation mediated by wind exposure. Such adaptive phenotypic plasticity in insects has not yet been described in response to wind exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of the photovoltaic industry, pressurized Siemens belljar-type polysilicon CVD reactors have been enlarged from 24 rods to 96 rods in less than 10 years aimed at much greater single-reactor productivity. A CFD model of an industry-scale 96-rod CVD reactor was established to study the internal temperature distribution and the flow field of the reactor. Numerical simulations were carried out and compared with actual growth results from a real CVD reactor. Factors affecting polysilicon depositions such as inlet gas injections, flow field, and temperature distribution in the CVD reactor are studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hubble Space Telescope observation of the double white dwarf (WD) binary SDSS J125733.63+542850.5 reveals that the massive WD has a surface gravity log g1 ~ 8.7 (which implies a mass of M1 ~ 1.06 M⊙) and an effective temperature T1 ~ 13 000 K, while the effective temperature of the low-mass WD (M2 < 0.24 M⊙) is T2 ~ 6400K. Therefore, the massive and the low-mass WDs have a cooling age τ1 ~ 1 Gyr and τ2 ≥ 5 Gyr, respectively. This is in contradiction with traditional binary evolution theory. In this paper, we propose a strange dwarf (SD) scenario to explain the formation of this double WD binary. We assume that the massive WD is a SD originating from a phase transition (PT) in a ~1.1 M⊙ WD, which has experienced accretion and spin-down processes. Its high effective temperature could arise from the heating process during the PT. Our simulations suggest that the progenitor of SDSS J125733.63+542850.5 can be a binary system consisting of a 0.65 M⊙ WD and a 1.5 M⊙ main-sequence star in a 1.492 d orbit. Especially, the secondary star (i.e. the progenitor of the low-mass WD) is likely to have an ultra-low metallicity of Z = 0.0001. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the effects of air, High speed spacecrafts form a layer of plasma sheath on the surface, which may scatter and absorb electromagnetic wave. Thus, it leads to decreasing of the electromagnetic wave’s intensity, and affects the quality of communications. In this paper, a double parabolic electron density distribution model is established. Then, the power transmission coefficient is deduced in detail by the analytic method using the Weber equation. Meanwhile, the power transmission coefficient of WKB method is deduced. Finally, the power transmission coefficients of these two methods are numerically simulated, which verifies the feasibility of WKB method in the hyperbolic model. In particular, we compare the applicability and limitations of the two methods. By comparing with other models (double exponential model and hyperbolic model), the WKB method has the least deviation in the case of the same electrical parameters and the same plasma thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its first emergence in East China in early 2013, many cases of avian influenza A H7N9 have been reported. The disease has extended to 22 provinces in mainland China and some surrounding areas. Strategies to combat viral infection are urgently needed. We previously isolated a human monoclonal antibody, HNIgGA6, that neutralized the H7N9 virus both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we determined the crystal structure of viral hemagglutinin (HA) globular head bound to the fragment antigen-binding region (Fab) of HNIgGA6. The crystal structure shows that the tip of the HNIgGA6 heavy-chain complementarity-determining region 3 (HCDR3) directly interposes into the receptor binding site (RBS) and mimics, in many respects, the interaction of the sialic acid receptor. Three residues at Y98, H183, and E190, which are critical to human cellular receptor binding, are also essential for HNIgGA6 recognition. Meanwhile, dual mutations at V186G and L226Q in RBS were able to disrupt viral HA1 binding with the antibody. Our study provides a better understanding of the mechanism for protective antibody recognition and a sound foundation for the design of therapeutic drugs and vaccines against H7N9 influenza. IMPORTANCE Neutralization by antibody is one of the most important mechanisms for a host to defend against viral infections. Human-originated antibody HNIgGA6 was generated in response to the natural infectious H7N9 virus and showed potential for use in suppression of H7N9 infection, with possible therapeutic implications. The crystal structure of the HNIgGA6/HA1 complex provided new insight into the protective immune response to H7N9 virus in humans, as well as possibilities for the development of effective H7N9 pandemic vaccines and antiviral molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A plasma sheath is formed on the surface of high speed spacecrafts when they return to atmosphere, which leads to electromagnetic waves be reflected, absorbed, and finally the intensity decreases. In this paper, the hyperbolic electron number density distribution model is established firstly. Then, the power reflection coefficient, power absorption coefficient and the power transmission coefficient of this model is derived by the analytic method. Finally, this study mainly focuses on the comparison of the analytic method and Wentzel-Kramer-Brillouin (WKB) method about their applicability and limitations, by discussing the electromagnetic wave power transmission coefficient of one-dimensional case. In short, the related research can provide a theoretical reference for the spacecraft to overcome the “blackout” effect of communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the reduction of CO2 emissions has become a joint effort throughout the world, and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is an effective approach to solving the problem of CO2 emissions. In the present study, the effects of adding CH4, Ar, and H2S to CO2 on the interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability (contact angle, CA) of the CO2/water/silica system have been investigated using molecular dynamics simulation methods at 20 MPa and 318 K when the molar concentration of impurity gas was fixed at 20%. For the conditions studied, (1) CH4 has no significant effect; (2) Ar leads to a higher IFT, a larger CA on silica surfaces with a high hydroxyl density, and a smaller CA on silica surfaces with a low hydroxyl density; and (3) H2S causes a decrease of the IFT and an increase of the CA. Capillary pressure and gas storage capacity were predicted using IFT and CA data, and the variation of IFT and CA were explained based on density profiles normal to the gas/water and gas/silica interfaces. These findings might be helpful for better understanding the effects of impurities on CCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypoxic response is a stress response triggered by low oxygen tension. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) play a prominent role in the pathobiology of hypoxia-associated conditions, including pulmonary hypertension (PH) and polycythemia. The c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), a stress-activated protein kinase that consists of two ubiquitously expressed isoforms, JNK1 and JNK2, and a tissue-specific isoform, JNK3, has been shown to be activated by hypoxia. However, the physiological role of JNK1 and JNK2 in the hypoxic response remains elusive. Here, using genetic knockout cells and/or mice, we show that JNK2, but not JNK1, up-regulates the expression of HIF-1α and HIF-2α and contributes to hypoxia-induced PH and polycythemia. Knockout or silencing of JNK2, but not JNK1, prevented the accumulation of HIF-1α in hypoxia-treated cells. Loss of JNK2 resulted in a decrease in HIF-1α and HIF-2α mRNA levels under resting conditions and in response to hypoxia. Consequently, hypoxia-treated Jnk2-/- mice had reduced erythropoiesis and were less prone to polycythemia because of decreased expression of the HIF target gene erythropoietin (Epo). Jnk2-/- mice were also protected from hypoxia-induced PH, as indicated by lower right ventricular systolic pressure, a process that depends on HIF. Taken together, our results suggest that JNK2 is a positive regulator of HIFs and therefore may contribute to HIF-dependent pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytokine‑induced killer cells (CIKs) adoptive immunotherapy for efficient antitumor ability is used clinically, but details regarding the proteins associated with CIK activity remain unclear. In the current study, the cytotoxicity of CIKs on hepatoma was identified to be significantly downregulated by 1.61‑fold following gentamincin treatment. Further research revealed that a differentially expressed protein (P43) was significantly downregulated by 1.22‑fold using one‑dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis. Of these, the P43 was identified as human haptoglobin using liquid chromatography‑mass spectrometry. Western blotting demonstrated that the haptoglobin specifically reacted with rabbit anti‑human‑haptoglobin. Furthermore, western blotting results verified that the haptoglobin was significantly downregulated by 1.17‑fold compared with the control group. In addition, the expression of haptoglobin mRNA was significantly downregulated by 1.73‑fold following gentamincin treatment. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that the expression of haptoglobin protein was associated with the activity of CIKs, and the results will be beneficial to the further investigation of CIK activity‑enhancement mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Strychnos alkaloid minfiensine and a series of akuammiline alkaloids, such as vincorine, aspidophylline A, and picrinine, possess a common core skeleton, a 4a,9a-heterocycle-fused tetrahydrocarbazole. Efficient construction of this core structure in a highly enantioselective manner would facilitate the total synthesis of these alkaloids. In this article, we briefly summarize the established strategies for obtaining this core structure, together with the corresponding total-synthesis routes, and we describe our own effort on the development of a new strategy, the asymmetric cascade dearomative cyclization, for the efficient total synthesis of (+)-minfiensine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the reaction the reaction solution was poured into the evaporating dish. The asymmetric unit of the title compound includes a 1-methylpyrazole cation and a nitrate ion. Table 1 contains crystallographic data and Table 2 contains the list of the atoms including atomic coordinates and displacement parameters. [Extracted from the article]

Electron-electron interactions are the fastest processes in materials, occurring on femtosecond to attosecond timescales, depending on the electronic band structure of the material and the excitation energy. Such interactions can play a dominant role in light-induced processes such as nano-enhanced plasmonics and catalysis, light harvesting, or phase transitions. However, to date it has not been possible to experimentally distinguish fundamental electron interactions such as scattering and screening. Here, we use sequences of attosecond pulses to directly measure electron-electron interactions in different bands of different materials with both simple and complex Fermi surfaces. By extracting the time delays associated with photoemission we show that the lifetime of photoelectrons from the d band of Cu are longer by ∼100 as compared with those from the same band of Ni. We attribute this to the enhanced electron-electron scattering in the unfilled d band of Ni. Using theoretical modeling, we can extract the contributions of electron-electron scattering and screening in different bands of different materials with both simple and complex Fermi surfaces. Our results also show that screening influences high-energy photoelectrons (≈20 eV) significantly less than low-energy photoelectrons. As a result, high-energy photoelectrons can serve as a direct probe of spin-dependent electron-electron scattering by neglecting screening. This can then be applied to quantifying the contribution of electron interactions and screening to low-energy excitations near the Fermi level. The information derived here provides valuable and unique information for a host of quantum materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent timing analysis reveals that the orbital period of the first-discovered accreting millisecond pulsar SAX J1808.4-3658 is increasing at a rate Ṗorb = (3.89 ± 0.15) × 10-12 s s-1, which is at least one order of magnitude higher than the value arising from the conservative mass transfer. An ejection of mass-loss rate of 10-9Mʘ yr-1 from the donor star at the inner Lagrangian point during the quiescence state could interpret the observed orbital-period derivative. However, it is unknown whether this source can offer such a high mass-loss rate. In this work, we attempt to investigate an evolutionary channel towards SAX J1808.4-3658. Once the accretion disc becomes thermally and viscously unstable, the spin-down luminosity of the millisecond pulsar and the X-ray luminosity during outbursts are assumed to evaporate the donor star, and the resulting winds carry away the specific orbital angular momentum at the inner Lagrangian point. Our scenario could yield the observed orbital period, the orbital-period derivative, and the peak X-ray luminosity during outbursts. Low-mass X-ray binaries with a 1.0Mʘ donor star, and an orbital period in the range of 0.8-1.5 d, may be the progenitor of SAX J1808.4-3658. Our numerical calculations propose that the current donor-star mass is 0.044Mʘ, which is approximately in agreement with the minimum mass of the donor star. In addition, our scenario can also account for the formation of black widows or the diamond planets like PSR J1719-1438. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) M82 X-2 has been identified to be an accreting neutron star, which has a P = 1.37 s spin period, and is spinning up at a rate Ṗ = −2.0 × 10−10 s s−1 −1. Interestingly, its isotropic X-ray luminosity Liso = 1.8 × 1040 erg s−1 during outbursts is 100 times the Eddington limit for a 1.4M⊙ neutron star. In this Letter, based on the standard accretion model we attempt to constrain the dipolar magnetic field of the pulsar in ULX M82 X-2. Our calculations indicate that the accretion rate at the magnetospheric radius must be super-Eddington during outbursts. To support such a super-Eddington accretion, a relatively high multipole field ( ≳ 1013 G) near the surface of the accretor is invoked to produce an accreting gas column. However, our constraint shows that the surface dipolar magnetic field of the pulsar should be in the range of 1.0−3.5 × 1012 G. Therefore, our model supports that the neutron star in ULX M82 X-2 could be a low-magnetic-field magnetar (proposed by Tong) with a normal dipolar field (∼1012 G) and relatively strong multipole field. For the large luminosity variations of this source, our scenario can also present a self-consistency interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thermally tunable slot-coupled dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) has been designed and prepared by placing a thermosensitive ceramic resonator onto the slot. Typical magnetic resonance occurs in the resonator, which is closely related to its dielectric constant. Because the dielectric constant of the ceramic resonator decreases as the temperature increases, the resonance frequency of the proposed DRA increases as the temperature increases. The simulated results are in good agreement with the measured ones, which confirms the thermally tunable behavior. This approach provides a way for designing the frequency tunable antennas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant intrapelvic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors arising in the sciatic nerve in the pelvic cavity are a rare occurrence and their symptomatology is usually misdiagnosed as intervertebral disc herniation. We herein report the case of a 46-year old woman presenting with pain, hypesthesia and weakness of the left lower extremity due to a giant intrapelvic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the sciatic nerve. Prior to being referred to our institution, the patient was misdiagnosed as a case of sciatica due to a lumbar disc herniation and underwent an operation unsuccessfully, as there was little symptomatic improvement 2 months after the surgery. A magnetic resonance imaging examination of the pelvic cavity revealed a tumor of the sciatic nerve. The mass was resected via the posterior approach and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Intrapelvic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors are an uncommon cause of sciatica and are commonly misdiagnosed as lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Accurate diagnosis and complete surgical excision prior to metastasis are crucial for effective management of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendritic cell (DCs) are essential antigen processing and presentation cells that play a key role in the immune response. In this study, DCs were co-cultured with cytokine-induced killer cells (DC-CIKs) in vitro to detect changes in cell proliferation, cell phenotype and cell cytotoxicity. The results revealed that the DCs were suitable for co-culture with CIKs at day 7, and that cell quantity of DC-CIKs was lower than that of CIKs until day 11, but it was significantly improved to 1.17-fold that of CIKs at day 13. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell phenotype of CIKs and DC-CIKs. Compared with CIKs at day 13, the percentage of CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+ and CD3+CD56+ T cells in DC-CIKs was significantly improved 1.02, 1.79, 1.26 and 2.44-fold, respectively. In addition, trypan blue staining analysis demonstrated that the cell viability of CIKs and DC-CIKs was 96% and 98%, respectively. Furthermore, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) analysis verified that CIK and DC-CIK cytotoxicity in Hela cells was 58% and 80%, respectively, with a significant difference. Taken together, our results indicate that the cell proliferation, cell phenotype and antitumor activity of CIKs were all enhanced following co-culture with DCs in vitro. These results are likely to be useful for DC-CIK application in antitumor therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attosecond spectroscopic techniques have made it possible to measure differences in transport times for photoelectrons from localized core levels and delocalized valence bands in solids. We report the application of attosecond pulse trains to directly and unambiguously measure the difference in lifetimes between photoelectrons born into free electron-like states and those excited into unoccupied excited states in the band structure of nickel (111). An enormous increase in lifetime of 212 ± 30 attoseconds occurs when the final state coincides with a short-lived excited state. Moreover, a strong dependence of this lifetime on emission angle is directly related to the final-state band dispersion as a function of electron transverse momentum. This finding underscores the importance of the material band structure in determining photoelectron lifetimes and corresponding electron escape depths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alkyl-alkoxysilane (AAS) pre-impregnation method and thermal modification were combined to improve the water-related properties of southern yellow pine (Pinus spp.) sapwood. Four types of AAS with varied alkyl chain lengths, including butyltrimethoxysilane (BTMOS), octyltrimethoxysilane (OTMOS), dodecyltrimethoxysilane (DTMOS), and cetyltrimethoxysilane (CTMOS), were used to pre-impregnate wood samples at a concentration of 5% or 15% mass fraction, and the subsequent thermal modification was processed at either 180 °C or 200 °C. The water absorption, dimensional stability, equilibrium moisture content (EMC), mechanical properties (modulus of rupture (MOR), and modulus of elasticity (MOE)), and mold resistance of the treated wood were evaluated. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to reveal the mechanism of the combined treatments in improving the properties of wood. Compared with thermal modification alone, the AAS combined treatment improved the water repellency, mechanical properties, and mold resistance of the modified wood. The study also identified the penetration of AAS into the wood cell wall and its reaction with the chemical components of the cell wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) with a large spin reversal barrier have been recognized to exhibit slow magnetic relaxation that can lead to a magnetic hysteresis loop. Synthesis of highly stable SMMs with both large energy barriers and significantly slow relaxation times is challenging. Here, we report two highly stable and neutral Dy(III) classical coordination compounds with pentagonal bipyramidal local geometry that exhibit SMM behavior. Weak intermolecular interactions in the undiluted single crystals are first observed for mononuclear lanthanide SMMs by micro-SQUID measurements. The investigation of magnetic relaxation reveals the thermally activated quantum tunneling of magnetization through the third excited Kramers doublet, owing to the increased axial magnetic anisotropy and weaker transverse magnetic anisotropy. As a result, pronounced magnetic hysteresis loops up to 14 K are observed, and the effective energy barrier (Ueff = 1025 K) for relaxation of magnetization reached a breakthrough among the SMMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stable DyIII-dispersed compound with single-molecule magnet behavior, Dy0.06Y0.94(OH)CO3, was isolated by a general strategy targeted at the doping of paramagnetic Dy3+ into a diamagnetic 3D inorganic network of Y(OH)CO3. The single-ion origin of slow magnetic relaxation was gradually released as variations of the dysprosium/yttrium ratio and finally gave a relatively large spin-reversal barrier around 200 K and high hysteresis temperature of 8 K. This study opens up new opportunities to investigate the slow magnetic relaxation and magnetostructural correlation by choosing a suitable inorganic architecture with strong axial anisotropy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional regulator of cell growth, apoptosis, differentiation and migration. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has been implicated in a wide spectrum of diseases, including numerous cancers and degenerative disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate if simultaneous blocking of TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways exerts synergistic anti-tumor effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Short hairpin (sh) RNA eukaryotic expression vectors, specific to TGF-β receptor II (RII) and Frizzled receptor (FZD)-7, were constructed by gene recombination. The expression vectors were transfected into human HCC HepG2 and Huh-7 cells using Lipofectamine 2000 to investigate the synergistic effects between TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways on HCC cell proliferation, invasion and migration and the cell-cycle distribution. Western blot analysis was used to identify the expression of β-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1 in transfected cells to investigate the underlying mechanisms that cause TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HCC cells. shTGF-βRII-c and shFZD-7-2 were selected as the most efficient plasmids. A cell growth assay and colony-forming assay consistently demonstrated that the proliferative activity of the co-transfected group was significantly decreased compared to the single-transfected group. A wound healing invasion and migration assay demonstrated that co-transfection of shTGF-βRII-c and shFZD-7-2 decreased the invasion and migration abilities of the cells compared with either single-transfected group. In addition, the present study demonstrated that the observed reduction in cell proliferation was due to the cells arresting at the G1 phase of the cell cycle, and the downregulation of β-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1 impaired the proliferative and invasive abilities of the HCC cells. The present results demonstrate that simultaneous blocking of TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin signaling by targeting TGF-βRII and FZD-7 may inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells more effectively compared with blocking either the TGF-β or Wnt/β-catenin pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) that can be trapped in one of the bistable magnetic states separated by an energy barrier are among the most promising candidates for high-density information storage, quantum processing, and spintronics. To date, a considerable series of achievements have been made. However, the presence of fast quantum tunnelling of magnetization (QTM) in most SMMs, especially in single-ion magnets (SIMs), provides a rapid relaxation route and often sets up a limit for the relaxation time. Here, we pursue the pentagonal bipyramidal symmetry to suppress the QTM and present pentagonal bipyramidal Dy(III) SIMs [Dy(Cy3PO)2(H2O)5]Cl3·(Cy3PO)·H2O·EtOH (1) and [Dy(Cy3PO)2(H2O)5]Br3·2(Cy3PO)·2H2O·2EtOH (2), (Cy3PO = tricyclohexyl phosphine oxide). Magnetic characterizations reveal their fascinating SMM properties with high energy barriers as 472(7) K for 1 and 543(2) K for 2, along with a record magnetic hysteresis temperature up to 20 K for 2. These results, combined with the ab initio calculations, offer an illuminating insight into the vast possibility and potential of what the symmetry rules can achieve in molecular magnetism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional groups on silica surfaces under CO2 sequestration conditions are complex due to reactions among supercritical CO2, brine and silica. Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to investigate the effects of hydroxyl functional groups on wettability. It has been found that wettability shows a strong dependence on functional groups on silica surfaces: silanol number density, space distribution, and deprotonation/protonation degree. For neutral silica surfaces with crystalline structure (Q³, Q³/Q4, Q4), as silanol number density decreases, contact angle increases from 33.5° to 146.7° at 10.5 MPa and 318 K. When Q³ surface changes to an amorphous structure, water contact angle increases 20°. Water contact angle decreases about 12° when 9% of silanol groups on Q³ surface are deprotonated. When the deprotonation degree increases to 50%, water contact angle decreases to 0. The dependence of wettability on silica surface functional groups was used to analyze contact angle measurement ambiguity in literature. The composition of silica surfaces is complicated under CO2 sequestration conditions, the results found in this study may help to better understand wettability of CO2/brine/silica system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lysine-specific demethylase 1(LSD1) is implicated in the tumorigenesis and progression in various cancers. However, the expression of LSD1 in epithelial ovarian cancer and its clinical significance has not been examined in detail. Methods: Immunohistochemical was used to detect the expression of LSD1 in normal ovarian epithelial tissues, cystadenoma, borderline cystadenoma, and cystadenocarcinoma. Next, the correlations between expression of LSD1 and clinicopathological features was assessed in 96 species of serous cystadenocarcinoma and 36 species of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Results: Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of LSD1 was gradually increased from benign cystadenoma and borderline cystadenoma to cystadenocarcinoma. The positive ratio of LSD1 expression was 50% in normal ovarian epithelial tissues, 72% in serous cystadenoma, 73% in mucinous cystadenoma, 82% in borderline serous cystadenoma, 83% in borderline mucinous cystadenoma, 94% in serous cystadenocarcinoma and 92% in mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, respectively. LSD1 expression levels were associated with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage and lymphatic metastasis in both serous and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma samples. Kaplan-Meier curves suggested that overall survival time of patients with high LSD1 expression was significantly shorter than that of patients with low LSD1 expression. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression indicated that higher LSD1 expression was a significant independent predictor of poor survival of EOC patients (P = 0.016). Conclusions: These results suggest that LSD1 may be involved in carcinogenesis and progression with promising therapeutic potential for epithelial ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microglia are the resident immune cells in the CNS and play diverse roles in the maintenance of CNS homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that microglia continually survey the CNS microenvironment and scavenge cell debris and aberrant proteins by phagocytosis and pinocytosis, and that reactive microglia are capable to present antigens to T cells and initiate immune responses. However, how microglia process the endocytosed contents and evoke an immune response remain unclear. Here we report that a size-dependent selective transport of small soluble contents from the pinosomal lumen into lysosomes is critical for the antigen processing in microglia. Using fluorescent probes and water-soluble magnetic nanobeads of defined sizes, we showed in cultured rodent microglia, and in a cell-free reconstructed system that pinocytosed proteins become degraded immediately following pinocytosis and the resulting peptides are selectively delivered to major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) containing lysosomes, whereas undegraded proteins are retained in the pinosomal lumen. This early size-based sorting of pinosomal contents relied on the formation of transient tunnel between pinosomes and lysosomes in a Rab7- and dynamin II-dependent manner, which allowed the small contents to pass through but restricted large ones. Inhibition of the size-based sorting markedly reduced proliferation and cytokine release of cocultured CD4 + T cells, indicating that the size-based sorting is required for efficient antigen presentation by microglial cells. Together, these findings reveal a novel early sorting mechanism for pinosomal luminal contents in microglial cells, which may explain how microglia efficiently process protein antigens and evoke an immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of using endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in novel anticancer therapy and the repair of vascular injury has been increasingly recognized. In the present study, EPCs were labeled with N-alkyl-polyethylenimine 2 kDa (PEI2k)-stabilized superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) to facilitate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of EPCs in a mouse lung carcinoma xenograft model. EPCs derived from human peripheral blood were labeled with alkyl-PEI2k/SPIO. The viability and activity of labeled cells were evaluated using proliferation, migration, and tubulogenesis assays. Alkyl-PEI2k/SPIO-labeled EPCs were injected intravenously (group 1) or mixed and injected together with A549 cells subcutaneously (group 2) into groups of six mice with severe combined immunodeficiency. The labeling efficiency with alkyl-PEI2k/SPIO at 7 µg Fe/mL concentration was approximately 100%. Quantitative analysis of cellular iron was 6.062 ± 0.050 pg/cell. No significant effects on EPC proliferation, migration, or tubulogenesis were seen after labeling. Seven-tesla micro-MRI showed the presence of schistic or linear hypointense regions at the tumor margins starting from days 7 to 8 after EPC administration. This gradually extended into the inner tumor layers in group 1. In group 2, tumor growth was accompanied by dispersion of low-signal intensity regions inside the tumor. Iron-positive cells identified by Prussian blue dye were seen at the sites identified using MRI. Human CD31-positive cells and mouse CD31-positive cells were present in both groups. Labeling EPCs with alkyl-PEI2k/SPIO allows noninvasive magnetic resonance investigation of EPC involvement in tumor neovasculature and is associated with excellent biocompatibility and MRI sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AMPK, a serine/threonine protein kinase, has proven to be an important positive regulator of autophagy, which is a key factor in the regulation of cardiac hypertrophy. Thus, we explored whether AMPK could inhibit cardiac hypertrophy by regulating autophagy. In pressure overload induced cardiac hypertrophy, decreased autophagy was detected. Administration of AMPK activators (AICAR and metformin) significantly blocked hypertrophy, accompanied by enhanced autophagy level in the hearts. Furthermore, AMPK activation resulted in enhanced autophagosome formation and unimpaired lysosomal function. In vitro studies demonstrated adenoviral overexpression of constitutively activated AMPK increased autophagy and blunted PE-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Additionally, we found AICAR reduced the phosphorylation of the mTORC1 downstream effectors 4EBP1 and p70S6K, but AKT, which is a downstream signal of mTORC2, was not affected. Furthermore, activation by AMPK failed to lead to an additive effect on autophagy induced by the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin, indicating AMPK activates autophagy through the inhibition of mTORC1 but not of mTORC2. This study proved that AMPK can inhibit cardiac hypertrophy by stimulating autophagy through mTORC1 signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new oxalate-bridged Gd(III) coordination polymers, namely, (choline)[Gd(C2O4)(H2O)3Cl]Cl·H2O (1) and [Gd(C2O4)(H2O)3Cl] (2), were first obtained ionothermally by using a deep eutectic solvent (DES). The magnetic studies and heat capacity measurements reveal that the two-dimensional Gd(III)-based coordination polymer of 2 has the higher magnetic density and exhibits a larger cryogenic magnetocaloric effect (MCE) (ΔSm = 48 J kg-1 K-1 for ΔH = 7 T at 2.2 K). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE This study aims to quantitatively characterize the passive kinematics of the healthy, soft tissue-intact equine stifle to establish an objective foundation for providing insights into the etiology of stifle disorders and developing a possible surgical treatment for stifle degenerative disease. ANIMALS 5 whole-horse specimens. PROCEDURES Reflective markers with intracortical bone pins and a motion capture system were used to investigate the stifle joint kinematics. Kinematics of 5 whole-horse specimens euthanized within 2 hours were calculated for internal/external rotation, adduction/abduction, and cranial/caudal translation of the medial and lateral femoral condyles and estimated joint contact centroids as functions of joint extension angle. RESULTS From 41.7° to 121.6° (mean ± SD, range of motion: 107.5° ± 7.2°) of joint extension, 13° ± 3.7° of tibial external rotation and 6° ± 2.7° of adduction were observed. The lateral femoral condyle demonstrated significantly greater cranial translation than the medial during extension (23.7 mm ± 9.3 mm vs. 14.3 mm ± 7.0 mm, P = .01). No significant difference was found between the cranial/caudal translation of estimated joint contact centroids in the medial and lateral compartment (13.3 mm ± 7.7 mm vs. 16.4 mm ± 5.8 mm, P = .16). CLINICAL RELEVANCE The findings share similarities with kinematics for human knees and sheep and dog stifles, suggesting it may be possible to translate what has been learned in human arthroplasty to treatment for equine stifles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]