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Aim: Rev‐erbα has been reported to regulate the healing of inflammatory lesions through its effect on the immune system in a variety of inflammatory disease. Moreover, the balance of macrophages polarization plays a crucial role in immune response and inflammatory progression. However, in refractory periapical periodontitis (RAP), the role of Rev‐erbα in inflammatory response and bone resorption by regulating macrophage polarization remains unclarified. The aims of the present study were to investigate the expression of Rev‐erbα in experimental RAP and to explore the relationship between Rev‐erbα and macrophage polarization through the application of its pharmacological agonist SR9009 into the in vivo and in vitro experiments. Methodology: Enterococcus faecalis‐induced RAP models were established in SD rats. Histological staining and micro‐computed tomography scanning were used to evaluate osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone resorption. The expression of Rev‐erbα and macrophage polarization were detected in the periapical tissues from rats by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and western blots. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were performed to explore the relationship between Rev‐erbα and inflammatory cytokines related to macrophage polarization. Result: Compared to healthy periapical tissue, the expression of Rev‐erbα was significantly down‐regulated in macrophages from inflammatory periapical area, especially in Enterococcus faecalis‐induced periapical lesions, with obvious type‐1 macrophage (M1)‐like dominance and the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. In addition, Rev‐erbα activation by SR9009 could induce type‐2 macrophage (M2)‐like polarization in periapical tissue and THP1 cell line, followed by increased secretion of anti‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐10 and TGF‐β. Furthermore, intracanal application of SR9009 reduced the lesion size and promoted the repair of RAP by decreasing the number of osteoclasts and enhancing the formation of mineralized tissue in periapical inflammatory lesions. Conclusions: Rev‐erbα played an essential role in the pathogenesis of RAP through its effect on macrophage polarization. Targeting Rev‐erbα might be a promising and prospective therapy method for the prevention and management of RAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A friction stir joining technology was used in preparing a performance gradient aluminum alloy sheet through friction stirring. The sheet was treated by solution aging, and the metallographic structure and hardness of the sheet before and after heat treatment were analyzed. Results showed that the sheet with good hardness gradient distribution can be obtained by selecting appropriate process parameters. When the rotation speed of the stirring tool is 300 rpm, the feed speed of the stirring tool is 250 mm/min, the downward pressure of the stirring tool is 6.6 mm, the hardness distribution of the upper and lower surfaces and sections of the specimens with or without heat treatment improves, and the best gradient hardness distribution of the sections is obtained. The grains in the stirred region of the prepared gradient sheet obtained by each parameter are refined to a certain extent, especially after heat treatment. Grain changes are obvious, but the grains grow after heat treatment. The second phase precipitated after heat treatment is evenly distributed, and this is effect improves the hardness of the sheet. The aluminum alloy gradient material prepared in this paper can meet the requirements of the automobile industry and other molding plate performance requirements. It is also found that the friction stir joining technology can better prepare aluminum alloy gradient material, and the fabricated material has fewer defects than the continuous casting technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work was based on analysis of the flow regime of fibre suspensions, that corresponds to furnishes and process conditions typically established for tissue paper manufacturing, i.e., under the common range of stock consistencies at the machine headbox and most usual furnish compositions. The flocculation potential of fibre suspensions used for toilet papers, facial tissues, paper towels and table napkins were evaluated on the principles of analytical concepts for fibre agglomeration propensity. The results show crowding numbers from 5.0 to 69.0, depending on the type of fibre or fibre blending ratios. The findings regarding agglomeration factors indicate that flow regimes are mainly in semi-concentrated and around gel state zones but reached the concentrated flow regime, in extreme conditions of fibre morphology and stock consistency. The influence of hardwood and softwood mixture ratios on the fibre suspension features is shown and discussed for common formulations of tissue base paper. The effect of fibre length and coarseness on the flocculation potential and the impacts of fibre suspension flow regimes on the structural properties of tissue paper, such as the formation uniformity are discussed, demonstrating the reasons for the preferred use of high hardwood content in furnish balance for tissue paper manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the evolution of enthalpic changes across the glass transition of model sodium silicate glasses (Na2O)x(SiO2)100−x, focusing on the detection of a flexible-rigid transition and a possible reversibility window in relationship with dynamic properties. We show that the hysteresis resulting from enthalpic relaxation during a numerical cooling–heating cycle is minimized for 12% ≤ x ≤ 20% Na2O, which echoes with the experimental observation. The key result is the identification of the physical features driving this anomalous behavior. The intermediate-flexible boundary is associated with a dynamic onset with increasing depolymerization that enhances the growing atomic motion with a reduced internal stress, whereas the intermediate-stressed rigid boundary exhibits a substantial increase in the temperature at which the relaxation is maximum. These results suggest an essentially dynamic origin for the intermediate phase observed in network glass-forming liquids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the method of friction stir surface processing (FSSP), the Nip/H63 modified surface layer was obtained by adding nickel particles (Nip) to the H63 copper alloy surface. The microstructure, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), electrochemical properties, and surface hardness of Nip/H63 were researched. The metallographic structure analysis results proved that the modified copper alloy surface grain was remarkably refined, and the grain refinement degree decreased slightly with increasing rotating speed. EBSD analysis showed that the grain size of Nip/H63 after modification was more concentrated and uniform, particularly between 10 and 25 μm at 500 rpm. Compared with the characteristics of the base metal, the grain size distribution of all modified metals was reduced (2~120 μm). EBSD analysis also showed that the amount of it in each test sample greatly improved after modification for large-angle grain boundaries. The large-angle grain boundaries proportion was 89.2% at 800 rpm, which was much higher than the base material (45.0%). As for hardness and corrosion resistance, FSSP-modified samples were the best at the stirring tool rotation rate of 500 rpm, and the hardness values were 30.1% higher than the base metal. Moreover, these two indicators of the modified layer were improved compared with the base metal under various FSSP parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the anti-aging properties of composites doped with nano and micro BiFeO3 and treated with different magnetic fields were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and broadband dielectric spectroscopy. SEM results showed that thermal aging had a significant effect on LDPE and composites, and the effect of magnetization treatment on the structure was significantly weakened. FTIR results showed that with the increase in aging time, the carbonyl content increased, the carbonyl content of nanocomposites increased less, and the carbonyl content of micron composites increased gently. DSC results showed that the addition of BiFeO3 acted as heterogeneous nucleation agent, and the orientation of magnetic field changed the arrangement of molecular chain and improved the crystallinity of the composite. Compared with the aged LDPE, the aged composite had lower dielectric constant and loss factor. 0.2 wt% nano and micro BiFeO3/LDPE composites had significant anti-aging ability, and the dielectric constant and loss factor of the composites could be further reduced by magnetic field treatment. All the test results showed that the doping of BiFeO3 and magnetic field treatment could change the internal structure of the composite, increase the compactness of the material, and make the composite have obvious thermal aging resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between COVID-19 disclosure stigma and COVID-19 testing hesitancy and assesses their changes between November 2020 and 2021. This was a longitudinal cohort. A total of 355 participants completed four study waves between November 2020 and November 2021. Factor analyses and Cronbach's alpha assessed the factor structure and internal consistency of the COVID-19 Disclosure Stigma scale. Paired t -tests and McNemar's Chi-squared test assessed change between the study waves. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the relationship between COVID-19 disclosure stigma and testing hesitancy at four study waves. COVID-19 disclosure stigma declined significantly between the last study waves (P = 0.030). The greatest disclosure concern was reporting a positive test to close contacts (range: 19%–21%) followed by disclosure to friends (range: 10%–15%) and family (range: 4%–10%). Over the course of the four study waves, COVID-19 testing hesitancy when symptomatic ranged from 23% to 30%. Older age, female gender, and having received a COVID-19 vaccine were associated with decreased odds of testing hesitancy. Greater COVID-19 disclosure stigma and more conservative political ideology showed a consistent relationship with increased odds of COVID-19 testing hesitancy. Study findings suggest that many people anticipate feeling stigmatized when disclosing positive test results, especially to close contacts. A substantial percentage of study participants reported hesitancy to be tested when symptomatic. This study identifies a need for interventions that normalize COVID-19 testing (e.g. engaging leaders with conservative followings), provide strategies for disclosing positive results, and allow anonymous notification of potential COVID-19 exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the combined effects of vacuumed hydrogen peroxide vapour (VHPV) and vacuum‐sealed dry heat (vacuum heat, VH) to inactivate food‐borne pathogens (Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes) on alfalfa seeds. Alfalfa seeds inoculated with food‐borne pathogens were sequentially treated initially with 1·0 ml of 0 or 30% VHPV for 1 min and later with dry heat (DH) or VH for 2 h, and the rate of seed germination was evaluated. The combination treatment decreased the populations of three food‐borne pathogens below the limit of detection (1·0 log CFU per gram) on alfalfa seeds without decreasing germinability. The sequential treatment using VHPV and VH greatly reduced the total treatment time needed to inactivate pathogens on alfalfa seeds by more than 5 log CFU per gram. These results demonstrate that a combination of VHPV and VH has potentially employed as a new method for pasteurization of alfalfa seeds without affecting their germinability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bombyx mori belonging to the Lepidoptera family of insects, is an oligophagous insect that feeds on mulberry leaves. But why the silkworm has a soft spot for mulberry leaves is still a scientific mystery. The existing silkworm genome assembly and annotation are not satisfactory, which limits further analysis of silkworm gene functions. We used next-generation and third-generation sequencing technology, Hic, and other new technologies to resequence and assemble the whole genome of Bombyx mori Jiangsu. Through Venn analysis, Bombyx mori Jiangsu, Bombyx mori_JP and Bombyx mandarina that eats mulberry leaves was compared with other 6 species, and the Bombyx-specific gene families were found. The positive selection analysis was used to find the positively selected genes among the Bombyx mori Jiangsu, Bombyx mori_JP and Bombyx mandarina. And then, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were used to explore the functions of these genes, trying to find genes that affect silkworm feeding. The total amount of data obtained by next-generation, third-generation and Hi-C sequencing was 198.67 G, and the ratio of GC was 38.31%, with contig N50 of 3.75 Mb and scaffold N50 of 17.26 Mb. We found that UGT46A1, UGT33R1 and UGT33R2 were only found in Bombyx mori Jiangsu, Bombyx mori_JP, and Bombyx mandarina. And they were all involved in multiple pathways such as cytochrome P450 foreign body metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and pentose and glucuronate conversion pathways. We found that cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel subunit A-like (CNGA) was subject to positive selection and was involved in the olfactory transduction pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the role of pregnant-associatedplasma protein A (PAPP-A) and uterine artery Doppler ultrasound in predicting fetal growth restriction (FGR). Materials and Methods: In total, 120 pregnant women diagnosed with FGR in Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were selected as the FGR group, and 120 normal pregnant women were selected as the control group during the identical time frame. Maternal serum pregnancyrelated protein A combined with uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography was performed during the period from the 11th, to the 13th+6 weeks of pregnancy. The course of pregnancy was observed in both groups of pregnant women. Results: The FGR group exhibited significantly reduced rates of vaginal delivery and fetal survival compared to the control group, while experiencing higher rates of preterm delivery and cesarean section, with statistical significance (P<0.001). The pulsatility index of the uterine artery (UtA-PI) and the resistance index of the uterine artery and the FGR group exhibited a higher proportion of early blood diastolic incisors compared to the normal group, with statistical significance noted at a level of P<0.001. The concentration of PAPP-A was lower than that of normal group (P<0.001). The sensitivity of combining UtA-PI and PAPP-A to predict FGR was 81.6%, and the sensitivity of combining UtA-PI and PAPP-A is 82.9%, which is 1.3% higher, but there was no statistically significant distinction between the two approaches (P>0.05). Conclusion: The implementation the combination between PAPP-A and Doppler ultrasound is an effective method to predict FGR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium disilicate (LD) glass-ceramics have adequate mechanical properties and are considered as a candidate for repairing large bone defects. However, LD glass-ceramic is an inherently inert restorative material, which cannot induce new bone tissue. In the present study, LD glass-ceramics were ion-exchanged at 235 °C for 16 h, 64 h and 128 h in a mixed salt bath of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate (1:1 M ratio) respectively. A gradient concentration distribution of Na+-rich layer was obtained by Li+/Na+ exchange and Na+ ions were released from the Li+/Na+ exchanged LD glass-ceramics in an aqueous condition. The hydroxyapatite (HA) layer was formed on Li+/Na+ exchanged LD glass-ceramic and exhibited a significant exchange time-dependent after soaking in the simulated body fluid (SBF). Moreover, the Li+/Na+ exchange treatment could improve cell adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of LD glass-ceramic significantly, and long-time treatment could achieve a better performance. Therefore, ion-exchange process is a feasible strategy to promote the surface biomineralization, cytocompatibility and osteogenesis of LD glass-ceramics. These results suggest that Li+/Na+ exchange is a promising process for LD glass-ceramic application in clinical orthopedic reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report an optical absorption redshift map for GeTe-Sb2Te3 pseudo-binary alloys. We found that, with phase change from amorphous to crystalline, the observed redshift increases with Ge concentration along pseudo-line of compositions, which directly reflects the enhanced electron delocalization/resonant bonding and increased carrier concentrations in the respective crystal compounds. The measured valence band maximum shift towards the Fermi energy from amorphous to crystalline phase supports the observed similar trend in redshift and carrier density. We show that the correlation between optical redshift and carrier density, attributed to the resonant bonding, can be rationalized by calculating the valence electron concentration, the ionicity, and hybridization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to make an anechoic chamber operate similarly to ideal OATS, various design methods of the anechoic chamber have been studied. Without changing of RAM and major structural design of the rectangle anechoic chamber, we propose a method of automatically designing the shape of a slanted wall anechoic chamber by applying the PSO to 3D deterministic ray tube method. The 3D Deterministic Ray Tube method enables efficient and fast calculation of the electric field in any slanted wall anechoic chamber. The optimized slanted wall anechoic chamber has very good performance for NSA, sVSWR compared to the general rectangle chamber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of the well-known theoretical concepts and some experimentally substantiated hypotheses, we propose a mathematical model aimed at description of the effect of diffusion-mobile hydrogen on the corrosion of pipe materials of crucial metal structures. The influence of hydrogenation of the metal on the corrosion rate of heat-exchange equipment is quantitatively evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Assessment of lymph node (LN) involvement is of crucial importance in the estimation of prognosis and choice of therapeutic options for patients with colon cancer. The relationship between the radiological size of LNs and prognosis in node‐negative colon cancer remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate the prognostic impact of radiologically enlarged LNs on the survival of patients with node‐negative colon cancer. Method: This retrospective study recruited 395 patients with Stages I and II colon cancer diagnosed between January 2012 and March 2016. Preoperative computed tomography was reviewed for the maximum short‐axis diameter of regional LNs, the optimal cutoff value of which was set to 8 mm. The prognostic relevance was analysed in Kaplan–Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regressions. Results: Patients with tumour in the left colon, TNM Stage II and 12 or more retrieved LNs tended to have radiologically enlarged LNs. Our results suggest that 3‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly worse in patients with enlarged LNs than those without (RFS 82.8% vs 92.4%, P = 0.026; OS 87.1% vs 95.2%, P = 0.017), which was also confirmed in multivariable analysis [RFS hazard ratio (HR) = 2.192, P = 0.018; OS HR = 3.305, P = 0.010]. Subgroup analysis revealed that in patients with Stage II disease or at least 12 retrieved LNs, radiologically enlarged LN remained an independent predictor of poor RFS and OS. Conclusion: The presence of radiologically enlarged LNs in patients with node‐negative colon cancer had an adverse prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymectomy is sometimes carried out via median sternotomy; however, patients undergoing thymectomy via median sternotomy may experience severe postoperative pain. In this study, an ultrasound-guided regional anesthetic technique called a parasternal block, which can be used to relieve postoperative surgical pain after thymectomy via median sternotomy by blocking the medial nerve branch of the anterior cutaneous branch is presented. In this patient bilateral parasternal blocks provided long-lasting analgesia (18 h) with no side effects. While these are preliminary findings, further confirmatory clinical trials will be conducted. In summary, ultrasound-guided bilateral parasternal block appears to be a safe, simple, effective and minimally invasive technique for surgery via median sternotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a high-power laser beam is focused into liquid, it results in a shock wave emission and cavitation bubble generation. Upon inserting a rigid substrate into the liquid, the bubbles migrate towards the substrate due to the Bjerknes attractive force. Due to bubble–substrate and/or bubble–free-surface interaction, a high-speed liquid jet is formed during bubble collapse, and a collapse shock wave is generated at the moment of bubble collapse near the substrate. These shock waves and liquid jet induce large forces acting on the substrate to remove particles from it. For a substrate several millimeters away from the laser focus point, the collapse shock wave and liquid jet play key roles in removal of particles. The cleaning efficiency increases with an increase of laser fluence and decreases with an increase of distance between substrate surface and laser beam focus point or depth below liquid surface. In a case of bubbles close to substrate and liquid-surface boundaries, implosion of the bubbles will give rise to shock waves and liquid jets oblique to the substrate surface with the parallel and perpendicular components of the forces onto the particles. These oblique liquid jets and shock waves result in high cleaning efficiency. A liquid, such as alcohol and commercial washing solution, as the surrounding medium, rather than air or vacuum, can reduce adhesion force and enhance cleaning efficiency. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have tested the ability of the OPLS–AA models (optimized potentials for liquid simulations) of alkanes and perfluoroalkanes recently developed by Jorgensen and co-workers to represent the unusual mixing behavior of alkane+perfluoroalkane systems. We find that these all-atom Lennard-Jones (6-12)+Coulomb representations, together with the usual Lorentz–Berthelot combining rules, fail to reproduce the weaker-than-anticipated interactions between these two classes of molecules. Systematic disagreements with experiment are found in the case of second pressure virial coefficients, gas solubilities, and liquid–liquid mixing properties. These discrepancies are not specific to the choice of OPLS–AA potentials, but are rather linked to the failure of the geometric mean combining rule for relating unlike atom interactions. In all cases examined, a reduction in the strength of cross H+F interactions by ∼25% relative to the geometric mean is required in order to achieve reasonable agreement with experiment. Several less commonly used combining rules were also examined. Although some of these rules are able to provide a reasonable description of the interactions among perfluoroalkane and alkane species, they fail to provide a consistent treatment when atoms other than C, H, and F are considered, as is necessary for modeling the interaction of the former molecules with rare-gas atoms. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural, magnetic, and transport properties of La[sub 0.7]Ca[sub 0.3]Mn[sub 1 - x]Cu[sub x]O[sub 3] (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) have been investigated. The maximum magnetoresistance (MR) is about 4 × 10[sup 6]% for the sample with x = 0.15, which is about ∼10[sup 4] times the maximum MR for samples with x ≤ 0.1. A change in the structural parameters and magnetic and resistivity properties of the samples shows that Cu exists in Cu[sup 3+] ionic form in the sample with x ≤ 0.05. However, Cu[sup 2+] ions begin to appear and then they increase with further Cu doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in magnetic thin films has attracted much attention due to its potential applications in spintronics devices. Here, we report the continuous strain-mediated PMA in epitaxial (111) CoFe 2 O 4 (CFO) thin films grown on (0001) LiTaO 3 substrates. A large variation in lattice strain (∼ 0.9 %) in a continuous way is realized in the CFO thin films by changing substrate temperature during deposition due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient between CFO and LiTaO 3. As a result, the PMA of the (111) CFO thin films can be continuously mediated by the strain with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy energy in the range of 0.12 - 14.69 × 10 6 erg/cm 3. Furthermore, the strain as well as the consequent PMA in the (111) CFO thin films can be maintained within the thickness of 25–205 nm, which is consistent with the scenario of the magnetoelastic effect. Our results reveal that the CFO/LiTaO 3 system can be regarded as an ideal platform to realize robust PMA and its continuous strain tuning in the (111) CFO thin films by virtue of strain-induced magnetic anisotropy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feature of reinforcing bars is introduced into dynamic cavity-expansion theory. Based on the elastic–plastic response penetration model of plain (i.e., unreinforced) concrete (Forrestal and Tzou, 1997), a dynamic spherical cavity-expansion penetration model for reinforced-concrete targets is developed with consideration of the circumferential restriction effect derived from reinforcing bars in the crushed region. The theoretical solution and simplified calculation formula for the cavity radial stress in incompressible and compressible reinforced concrete are obtained by introducing a reinforcement ratio as the volume fraction of rebars in the concrete target. A damping function is presented to describe the restriction effect of a single layer of reinforcing bars on the surrounding concrete, thus establishing a model to calculate the penetration resistance of multilayer reinforced-concrete targets. Compared with test data for the penetration depth, this model considering the circumferential restriction effect produces better results compared with the existing theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The purpose of this research was to determine optimum conditions for broth recovery of heat‐injured Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Methods and Results: Exposure to 55°C for 15 and 25 min, respectively, induced cellular injury to those pathogens. Comparison was made with the commonly used overlay method using selective medium for recovering sublethally injured cells of S. Typhimurium. For E. coli O157:H7, phenol red agar base with 1% sorbitol was used. After cell suspensions were heated at 55°C for selected time intervals, microbes were 10‐fold diluted with brain heart infusion (BHI), tryptic soy broth (TSB) and TSB with 0·6% yeast extract (TSBYE) and incubated at 37°C for up to 3 h. At hourly intervals, diluents were plated onto selective medium for recovery. Simultaneously, diluents were plated onto tryptic soy agar (TSA) for recovery of sublethally injured cells. For overlays, diluents were plated onto TSA and overlaid with selective agar after a resuscitation interval. Broth recovery conditions for S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 were determined to be 1 h in any of the following broth media: BHI, TSB or TSBYE. When liquid resuscitation was applied to sublethally injured cells in food samples (milk), 1 h was also sufficient time for recovery. Conclusions: The broth recovery method is a convenient alternative to conventional recovery methods. Significance and Impact of the Study: Cells sublethally injured by control interventions might not grow on selective medium because they have no resistance to several selective compounds. However, injured cells can recuperate and multiply under conditions sufficient for recovery. To repair and detect heat‐injured cells, the overlay method is commonly used but this method has some limitations. This study confirms the effectiveness of liquid resuscitation method on recovery of injured cells. The broth recovery can replace the overlay method due to greater convenience and timesaving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the efficacy of gamma irradiation to inactivate food‐borne pathogens on pistachios (Pistacia vera L.). Pistachios inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes were subjected to gamma irradiation in the range of 0, 0·5, 1, 3 and 5 kGy, and colour change was evaluated after treatment and during storage at room temperature. Pathogen populations decreased with increasing treatment doses. A gamma irradiation dose of 5 kGy decreased the three pathogens on pistachios to under the detection limit (1·0 log CFU per g) without effecting colour change. During storage following treatment, pathogens were reduced due to the postirradiation effect. D‐values of pathogens on pistachios showed that L. monocytogenes was more resistant to gamma irradiation than was E. coli O157:H7 or S. Typhimurium. During gamma irradiation treatment, L, a and b values of pistachios did not significantly change but these values changed during storage. These results show that gamma irradiation has potential as a nonthermal process for inactivating food‐borne pathogens in pistachios without inducing colour changes. Significance and Impact of the Study: Generally, nuts have lower water activity which precludes the growth of food‐borne pathogens. But, food‐borne outbreaks due to pathogen‐contaminated nuts have been reported in the last few decades. Pistachios are one of the most popular nuts and have many health beneficial effects. However, many pasteurization interventions have been used to reduce pathogens on pistachios, but most of them are not effective. This study confirms the effectiveness of gamma irradiation on pasteurization of pistachios. This may be helpful in nut processing industries to ensure the microbial safety of nuts. Significance and Impact of the Study: Generally, nuts have lower water activity which precludes the growth of food‐borne pathogens. But, food‐borne outbreaks due to pathogen‐contaminated nuts have been reported in the last few decades. Pistachios are one of the most popular nuts and have many health beneficial effects. However, many pasteurization interventions have been used to reduce pathogens on pistachios, but most of them are not effective. This study confirms the effectiveness of gamma irradiation on pasteurization of pistachios. This may be helpful in nut processing industries to ensure the microbial safety of nuts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of hydroxyapatite (HAp) precipitation in ionic liquid (ChCl-urea) was studied and the influence of various factors on the crystalline forms and yields of HAp were analysed. It was concluded that Na-citrate made the regenerated HAp appear as a long cylindrical crystal (perfect rod-like grain) when chosen to be an additive/surfactant. The optimum conditions for HAp precipitation (regenerated HAp) were applied to extract HAp from chicken bone in ChCl-urea (product HAp). The product HAp was characterized by FTIR, SEM XRD and Particle Size Analyser. The results displayed that there is no obvious difference between HAp extracted from chicken bone (product HAp) and regenerated HAp regarding crystalline forms and compositions. The product HAp is relatively pure, and its average particle size is 555.6 nm, meaning that this product has the application value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twinned dendrites in Al-Zn alloy with high Zn content (40% wt.%) were successfully prepared by directional solidification. At different directional solidification rates (1000 and 1500 μm/s), microstructures and growth orientation variations of Al twinned dendrite and non-twinned dendrite were characterized. By using the inverted trapezoidal graphite sleeve at 1000 μm/s, Al twinned dendrite were formed to developed feather crystal structures in longitudinal section. Its primary and secondary twinned dendrite were grew along [110] direction. Moreover the deviation angle between [110] direction of Al twinned dendrite and the heat flow direction was about 27.15°. While not using the inverted trapezoidal graphite sleeve at 1000 and 1500 μm/s, Al dendrite was the non-twinned dendrite and the twinned dendrite was not appeared. The experimental results showed that the higher temperature gradient, a certain pulling rate and convection environment were the formation conditions of twinned dendrites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of limit equilibrium of an elastoplastic body weakened by a crack is considered in the case of simultaneous realization of three macromechanisms of fracture. On the basis of the energy approach and some hypotheses, the criterion equations are proposed for the case of mixed fracture. The comparison of the theoretical and experimental values is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to meet the heating requirement of EAST tokamak, ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) heating is utilized as one of the main auxiliary heating methods, which plays an important role in coupling radio frequency (RF) power into the plasma. As a member of plasma facing components, ICRF antenna suffers the plasma radiation as well which is one of the causes of the thermal load on the antenna. Plasma radiation and RF thermal load during the operation of ICRF and thermal load caused by HALO current during vertical displacement event will contribute together to a huge thermal load on the surface of the antenna and consequently the structural stability and reliability of ICRF antenna will be affected. Therefore, cooling channels is needed to remove heat on the ICRF antenna. In this paper, cooling channels for straps of ICRF antenna are designed based on the thermal load on the antenna, and thermal-structural analysis of straps with cooling channels is also carried out by the finite-element method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common immune‐mediated non‐scarring hair loss, with a worldwide incidence between 0.57% and 3.8%. The incidence and prevalence of AA in the Australian general population have not been previously reported. Objective: To describe the incidence and prevalence of AA in Australia using primary care data. A secondary objective was to identify common demographic characteristics, comorbidities and treatment patterns among Australians living with AA. Methods: We analysed electronic health record data captured from a national clinical practice management software over a 10‐year index period between 2011 and 2020 calendar years, inclusive. The incidence of new‐onset AA and the prevalence of active records with AA were estimated. Differences in incidence by sociodemographic groups, and patterns of treatment were also evaluated. Results: There were 976 incident AA records. The incidence of new‐onset AA in the total study cohort was 0.278 per 1000 person‐years (95% CI 0.26–0.295). By age, the incidence was highest in the 19‐ to 34‐year‐old age bracket (0.503 per 1000 person‐years: 95% CI 0.453–0.554). AA incidence was lower among females than males (IRR 0.763, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.673–0.865). Among active records, 520 were prevalent AA records. AA point prevalence at 31/12/2020 was 0.13% (1.26 per 1000 persons; 95% CI 1.15–1.37). Conclusion: This is the first study to describe the epidemiology (incidence and point prevalence) and management of AA in the Australian primary health‐care population through large‐scale database analysis. Incidence and prevalence findings were consistent with earlier estimates from other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to obtain the maximum up-conversion luminescence intensity of Ho3+/Yb3+-doped NaGd(MoO4)2 phosphors, samples with 1.00%Ho3+/22.89%Yb3+ doping concentration were prepared by high-temperature solid-phase method. The doping concentration of 1.00%Ho3+/22.89%Yb3+ corresponds to the maximum luminescence intensity of red light excited by a 980 nm laser. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the prepared samples were in pure NaGd(MoO4)2 phase. Under the excitation of a 980 nm laser, the measured and theoretical luminescence intensities of the optimal sample are close to each other. The relationship between different pumping currents and up-conversion luminescence intensity was tested. The red light of the sample was proved to be a two-photon process. Up-conversion luminescence mechanism of the sample was discussed in detail. Finally, we measured the emission spectrum of the optimal sample in the up-conversion to temperature. It was fitted using the fluorescence intensity ratio formula, and its relative sensitivity was calculated to be 0.0204 K-1 at 440 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronic properties, such as binding energy, magnetic property, charge transfer, ionization potential, and electron affinity, of Nin-1Al (n = 2-20) neutral and ionic clusters are studied using the density functional theory calculations with the PBE exchange-correlation energy functional. The calculated total magnetic moments and ionization potential can decrease and increase with the addition of the Al atom, respectively. The calculated electron affinity has occurred with no significant change, except the Ni16Al cluster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We further consider the effect of rod strength by employing the compressible penetration model to study the effect of compressibility on hypervelocity penetration. Meanwhile, we define different instances of penetration efficiency in various modified models and compare these penetration efficiencies to identify the effects of different factors in the compressible model. To systematically discuss the effect of compressibility in different metallic rod-target combinations, we construct three cases, i.e., the penetrations by the more compressible rod into the less compressible target, rod into the analogously compressible target, and the less compressible rod into the more compressible target. The effects of volumetric strain, internal energy, and strength on the penetration efficiency are analyzed simultaneously. It indicates that the compressibility of the rod and target increases the pressure at the rod/target interface. The more compressible rod/target has larger volumetric strain and higher internal energy. Both the larger volumetric strain and higher strength enhance the penetration or anti-penetration ability. On the other hand, the higher internal energy weakens the penetration or anti-penetration ability. The two trends conflict, but the volumetric strain dominates in the variation of the penetration efficiency, which would not approach the hydrodynamic limit if the rod and target are not analogously compressible. However, if the compressibility of the rod and target is analogous, it has little effect on the penetration efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the relative attitude formation control problem for a group of rigid-body agents using relative attitude information on S O(3). On the basis of the gradient of a potential function, a family of distributed angular velocity control laws, which differ in the sense of a geodesic distance dependent function, is proposed. With directed and switching interaction topologies, the desired relative attitude formation is showed to be achieved asymptotically provided that the topology is jointly quasi-strongly connected. Moreover, several sufficient conditions for the desired formation to be achieved exponentially and almost globally are given. Additionally, numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed distributed control laws. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with higher hepatitis B virus (HBV) load (higher viral load [HVL], HBV DNA ≥1 × 107 copies/mL) require antiviral therapy, but data for evaluating the long-term outcome of this therapy with antiviral agents remain limited. We comparatively evaluated the efficacy and the safety of nucleoside analogues in 179 noncirrhotic CHB patients with HVL over 5 years. The HBeAg-positive (n = 104) or HBeAg-negative (n = 75) patients were treated consecutively with telbivudine (LdT, n = 88) or entecavir (ETV, n = 91) and evaluated for viral response, drug resistance and safety. HBV DNA, viral serology, biochemistries, HBV mutation and off-therapy relapse were determined. The cumulative rates of HBV DNA negativity were 86.4% and 94.5% for LdT and ETV at year 5, respectively. The rates of early viral response (EVR, HBV DNA <103 copies/mL at month 6) under LdT and ETV treatments were 58.0% and 34.1%, respectively ( P < .05). Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss-seroconversions were 47.7% and 18.2% on LdT and 16.5% and 2.2% on ETV ( P < .01). Eighteen patients (age 28.2 ± 3.1) experienced HBsAg loss-seroconversion, followed by 33 ± 4.6 month off-therapy without a relapse. Viral mutations and serum creatine kinase elevation were 9.1% and 8.0% on LdT, but only 1.1% and 0% on ETV. Both LdT and ETV suppressed HBV replication in HVL CHB patients within 5 years. LdT therapy achieved a higher EVR, HBeAg and HBsAg seroconversion, especially in the younger patients, whereas ETV caused lower drug resistance and fewer adverse events. This finding might help to identify the optimal treatment for CHB patients with HVL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pipe reeling may lead to plastic pre-deformation (prestrain) around existing cracks in components; therefore, investigating whether this process accelerates or counteracts ductile crack growth, especially for strength mismatched welded joints, is warranted. This study focused on the effect of prestrain history on ductile crack growth in mismatched welded joints. A single-edge-notched tension specimen was selected for numerical study, and the crack was assumed to have existed before a prestrain history was applied. Crack growth resistance curves for plane strain and mode I crack growth under large-scale yielding conditions have been computed using the complete Gurson model. Meanwhile, symmetrical and non-symmetrical prestrain cycle modes with different loading levels were applied to the overmatched specimens. The outcome demonstrated that the mismatch ratio (the ratio between the yield stress of the weld metal and base metal) showed a significant effect on fracture resistance regardless of the stage at which the prestrain cycle loading was located. By contrast, the processing of the crack growth was weakened by the increase of prestrain values, and the symmetrical prestrain cycle resulted in greater plastic damage than the non-symmetrical prestrain cycle did. However, the initial crack length had a non-significant effect on the ductile fracture considering the prestrain and mismatch effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The persistent photoconductivity (PPC) effect has been observed in trilayered films made of perovskite manganites La[sub 2/3]Ca[sub 1/3]MnO[sub 3]/(La[sub 0.3]Nd[sub 0.7])[sub 2.3]Ca[sub 1/3]MnO[sub 3]La[sub 2/3]Ca[sub 1/3]MnO[sub 3](LNL) induced by He-Ne laser with wavelength of 632.8 nm. According to the result obtained in the thin film of (La[sub 0.3]Nd[sub 0.7])[sub 2/3]Ca[sub 1/3]MnO[sub 3](LNCMO), which the PPC effect is also observed below ∼50 K, the PPC effect observed in trilayered film LNL should originate from the middle layer LNCMO. Compared with the thin film of LNCMO, the PPC effect of the trilayered film LNL appears at ∼86 K, which is higher than that of LNCMO at ∼50 K. The PPC effect of LNL can be quenched on thermal cycling in the vicinity of 98 K, which is also higher than that of LNCMO at ∼77 K. The difference of PPC behavior between the thin films of LNCMO and LNL can be attributed to the variation of cluster-glass state in the trilay! ered films of LNL caused by the strong coupling of interlayer between the middle layer LNCMO and the top/bottom layers LCMO. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of Li doping on the charge ordering (CO) state in perovskite-type manganates La[sub 0.5]Ca[sub 0.5-x]Li[sub x]MnO[sub 3] with x=0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 is investigated by transport and magnetic property measurements. The resistivity of the samples decreases with the increase of the Li-doped level. As x>=0.1, the insulator-metal (IM) transition has been induced. Accompanying the variation of transport properties, the sample undergoes the variation from antiferromagnetic order for x<0.05 to ferromagnetic (FM) order for x>=0.1. The experimental results indicate that the Li doping can destroy the CO state and induce the FM metallic (FMM) phase. These phenomena can be interpreted in terms of the strong competition between the CO state and FM phase induced by the Li[sup +] ions substitution for the Ca[sup 2+] ions. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycrystalline double perovskites A[sub 2]FeMoO[sub 6] (A=Ca, Sr, Ba) with nanometer-scale grain size have been synthesized using a sol-gel method. The grain size of the samples is controlled within nanometer scale by sintering at different temperatures. The phase purity and the crystal structure of the samples are analyzed by x-ray powder diffraction measurements. The electrotransport and magnetic properties are also measured in this article. In comparison with the large grain samples with micrometer scale, the nanometer-scale grain samples have different magnetic properties, such as lower magnetic transition temperatures and larger magnetoresistance, which can be explained in terms of size effect. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper details a study of the application of notch stress intensity theory to the fatigue failure mode analysis of the transition in load-carrying cruciform welded joints. The weldment fatigue crack initiation point is difficult to predict precisely because it usually occurs in the vicinity of the weld toe or weld root. To investigate the relationship between fatigue failure location and the geometry of the weldments, we analysed the weld toe and root asymptotic notch stress fields were analysed using the notch stress intensity factors on the basis of the Williams' solution in Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). Numerous configurations of cruciform joints of various plate thicknesses, transverse plate thickness, weld sizes and incomplete penetration size were used to investigate the location of the fatigue failure. The strain energy density (SED) surrounding the notch tip was introduced to unify the scalar quantity and preclude the inconsistency of the dimensionality of the notch stress intensity factors for various notch opening angles. The results of the investigation showed that the SED approach can be used to determine the transition zone for a variety of joint geometries. The validity of the SED criteria was verified by comparing the experimental results of this study with the complied results for load-carrying cruciform welded joints reported in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oriental fruit moth (OFM) Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is an important economic pest of stone and pome fruits worldwide. We sequenced the OFM genome using next-generation sequencing and characterized the microsatellite distribution. In total, 56,674 microsatellites were identified, with 11,584 loci suitable for primer design. Twenty-seven polymorphic microsatellites, including 24 loci with trinucleotide repeat and three with pentanucleotide repeat, were validated in 95 individuals from four natural populations. The allele numbers ranged from 4 to 40, with an average value of 13.7 per locus. A high frequency of null alleles was observed in most loci developed for the OFM. Three marker panels, all of the loci, nine loci with the lowest null allele frequencies, and nine loci with the highest null allele frequencies, were established for population genetics analyses. The null allele influenced estimations of genetic diversity parameters but not the OFM's genetic structure. Both a STRUCTURE analysis and a discriminant analysis of principal components, using the three marker panels, divided the four natural populations into three groups. However, more individuals were incorrectly assigned by the STRUCTURE analysis when the marker panel with the highest null allele frequency was used compared with the other two panels. Our study provides empirical research on the effects of null alleles on population genetics analyses. The microsatellites developed will be valuable markers for genetic studies of the OFM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to optimize the fermentation of cottonseed meal by Cellulosimicrobium funkei (C. funkei) for the ability of the bacteria to degrade aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and then to evaluate the bacterial detoxification in ducklings. In experiment 1, the fermentation of cottonseed meal by C. funkei was improved by changing the inoculation amounts by 10% (108 cfu/mL), using a 1:0.5 material to water ratio at 35°C temperature for a 144 h reaction duration, which resulted in an 83.4% biodegradation of AFB1. In experiment 2, 112 one-day-old male Cherry Valley ducklings were randomly allocated to 4 experimental groups with 4 replicates of 7 birds each. For a period of 2 wk the controls received a base duckling diet (BD), a second group received a base diet contaminated with 10% AFB1 cottonseed meal (96.8 μg AFB1/kg), a third group was fed a base diet added with 5% unfermented and 5% fermented AFB1-contaminated cottonseed meal (57.0 μg AFB1/kg), and the fourth group was fed a base diet added with 10% AFB1-contaminated fermented cottonseed meal (16.0 μg AFB1/kg). The growth performance, relative organ weights, and serum biochemistry were analyzed. The results showed that the feed conversion ratio in the second group was lower than that of the controls at wk one and 2 (P < 0.05). Also, after 2 wk, group 2 ducklings had increased relative weights of the liver, kidneys, and spleen, increased activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), increased concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Crt), and decreased relative weight of Fabricius bursa (P < 0.05). In addition, the concentrations of total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) in serum were also significantly higher at weeks one and 2 (P < 0.05). These alterations were attenuated or prevented when 5 or 10% fermented cottonseed meal substituted equal amounts of unfermented cottonseed meal in the diet. In conclusion, fermentation of AFB1-contaminated feed materials by C. funkei offers a new strategy to reduce the negative effects of aflatoxicosis in ducklings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surrogate models are used to dramatically improve the design efficiency of numerical aerodynamic shape optimization, where high-fidelity, expensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is often employed. Traditionally, in adaptation, only one single sample point is chosen to update the surrogate model during each updating cycle, after the initial surrogate model is built. To enable the selection of multiple new samples at each updating cycle, a few parallel infilling strategies have been developed in recent years, in order to reduce the optimization wall clock time. In this article, an alternative parallel infilling strategy for surrogate-based constrained optimization is presented and demonstrated by the aerodynamic shape optimization of transonic wings. Different from existing methods in which multiple sample points are chosen by a single infill criterion, this article uses a combination of multiple infill criteria, with each criterion choosing a different sample point. Constrained drag minimizations of the ONERA-M6 and DLR-F4 wings are exercised to demonstrate the proposed method, including low-dimensional (6 design variables) and higher-dimensional problems (up to 48 design variables). The results show that, for surrogate-based optimization of transonic wings, the proposed method is more effective than the existing parallel infilling strategies, when the number of initial sample points are in the range from N to 8N ( N here denotes the number of design variables). Each case is repeated 50 times to eliminate the effect of randomness in our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a doubly Q-switched 1.06 μm Nd:YVO4 pulse laser with acoustic-optic (AO) Q-switch and Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber passive Q-switch was demonstrated. The pulse width was compressed from 22.6 to 17.5 ns and the pulse peak power was increased from 3.92 to 4.17 kW for the doubly Q-switched laser when compared with the acoustic-optics Q-switched laser at the conditions of incident pump power of 12 W and repetition rate of 50 kHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the pulping process of wheat straw using ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Emim]Br) as the digestion liquor is presented. The influence of pulping conditions on the pulp yield are analysed by single- factor and orthogonal experiments, and optimum pulping conditions are obtained. The average pulp yield reaches 44 %, and the average recovery rate of ionic liquid is 93.5 %. The XRD pattern shows no obvious change in the crystal structure of the wheat straw cellulose. Additionally, the SEM image illustrates that there are many fine fibres in the pulp and the spaces between the fibres are large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A genetic algorithm (GA) coupled with a tight-binding (TB) interatomic potential is used to search for the low-energy structures of medium-sized Ni ( n = 36-40) clusters. Structural candidates obtained from our GA search are further optimized with first-principles calculations. The medium-sized nickel clusters ranging from 36 to 40 atoms are found to favor the double-icosahedron-based structures with a Ni core (a pentagonal bipyramidal structure) except Ni cluster. The lowest-energy structure of Ni can be considered to be a magic cluster, which is a typical face-centered cubic structure with large stability and magnetic moment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Asthma in the elderly (aged ≥ 65 years old) is a significant concern with high morbidity, but the pathophysiology remains unclear particularly in late-onset asthma. Recent studies suggest staphylococcal enterotoxin IgE ( SE-IgE) sensitization to be a risk factor for asthma in general populations; however, the associations have not been examined in late-onset elderly asthma. Objective We aimed to examine the associations of SE-IgE sensitization with late-onset asthma in the elderly, using a database of elderly asthma cohort study. Methods A total of 249 elderly patients with asthma and 98 controls were analysed. At baseline, patients were assessed for demographics, atopy, induced sputum profiles and comorbidities including chronic rhinosinusitis ( CRS). Serum total IgE and SE-IgE levels were measured. Asthma severity was assessed on the basis of asthma outcomes during a 12-month follow-up period. Results At baseline, serum SE-IgE concentrations were significantly higher in patients with asthma than in controls [median 0.16 (interquartile range 0.04-0.53) vs. 0.10 (0.01-0.19), P < 0.001]. Elderly asthma patients with high SE-IgE levels had specific characteristics of having more severe asthma, sputum eosinophilia and CRS, compared to those with lower SE-IgE levels. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the associations between serum SE-IgE concentrations and severe asthma were significant, independently of covariables [ SE-IgE-high (≥ 0.35 kU/L) vs. negative (< 0.10 kU/L) group: odds ratio 7.47, 95% confidence interval 1.86-30.03, P = 0.005]. Multiple correspondence analyses also showed that high serum SE-IgE level had close relationships with severe asthma, CRS and sputum eosinophilia together. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance This is the first report on the significant associations of SE-IgE sensitization with late-onset asthma in the elderly, particularly severe eosinophilic asthma with CRS comorbidity. Our findings indicate a potential implication of SE in the high morbidity burden of elderly asthma and suggest clues to the pathogenesis of severe late-onset eosinophilic asthma in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maxacalcitol ( 1), a kind of active vitamin D drugs, was prepared from pregnenolone acetate ( 2) using a novel synthetic method including the combination of five-step organic transformations and one-step biological transformation. The new protocol was shorter, milder, and simpler than the reported approaches. The unoptimized overall yield was 0.178%. The structure of all intermediates and final product was confirmed by H NMR, C NMR and MS techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims We investigated the effect of ozone treatment of apple juice at different pH levels for inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes. Methods and Results Apple juice (pH 3·0, 4·0 and 5·0) inoculated with the three pathogens were treated with gaseous ozone (3·0 l min−1 flow rate and 2·0-3·0 g m−3) for up to 4 min. Ozone treatment (4 min) of pH 3·0 apple juice resulted in >5·36 log CFU ml−1 reduction of E. coli O157:H7. Ozone treatment of pH 4·0 and 5·0 apple juice for 4 min reduced this pathogen by 5·12 log CFU ml−1 and 1·86 log CFU ml−1 respectively. The combination of low pH and ozone showed a great antimicrobial effect in apple juice. Salm. Typhimurium and L. monocytogenes showed a reduction trend similar to E. coli O157:H7. There were no significant changes of colour values when apple juice was treated with ozone, except for b values. Among all ozone treated samples, the browning index was lower than that of nontreated samples and there were no significant differences in total phenolic contents. Conclusions In conclusion, ozone treatment of low pH apple juice was significantly effective in inactivation of foodborne pathogens while maintaining acceptable apple juice quality. Significance and Impact of the Study The antimicrobial effect of ozone treatment on foodborne pathogens in apple juice can be reinforced by lowering the pH of apple juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report that targeting casein kinase 1-α1 (CSNK1α1) is a potential novel treatment strategy in multiple myeloma (MM) therapy distinct from proteasome inhibition. CSNK1α1 is expressed in all the tested MM cell lines and patient MM cells, and is not altered during bortezomib-triggered cytotoxicity. Inhibition of CSNK1α1 kinase activity in MM cells with targeted therapy D4476 or small hairpin RNAs triggers cell G0/G1-phase arrest, prolonged G2/M phase and apoptosis. D4476 also induced cytotoxicity in bortezomib-resistant MM cells and enhanced bortezomib-triggered cytotoxicity. CSNK1α1 signaling pathways include CDKN1B, P53 and FADD; gene signatures involved included interferon-α, tumor necrosis factor-α and LIN9. In addition, reduction of Csnk1α1 prevents cMYC/KRAS12V transformation of BaF3 cells independent of interleukin-3. Impartially, reducing Csnk1α1 prevented development of cMYC/KRAS12V-induced plasmacytomas in mice, suggesting that CSNK1α1 may be involved in MM initiation and progression. Our data suggest that targeting CSNK1α1, alone or combined with bortezomib, is a potential novel therapeutic strategy in MM. Moreover, inhibition of CSNK1α1 may prevent the progression of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report that targeting casein kinase 1-α1 (CSNK1α1) is a potential novel treatment strategy in multiple myeloma (MM) therapy distinct from proteasome inhibition. CSNK1α1 is expressed in all the tested MM cell lines and patient MM cells, and is not altered during bortezomib-triggered cytotoxicity. Inhibition of CSNK1α1 kinase activity in MM cells with targeted therapy D4476 or small hairpin RNAs triggers cell G0/G1-phase arrest, prolonged G2/M phase and apoptosis. D4476 also induced cytotoxicity in bortezomib-resistant MM cells and enhanced bortezomib-triggered cytotoxicity. CSNK1α1 signaling pathways include CDKN1B, P53 and FADD; gene signatures involved included interferon-α, tumor necrosis factor-α and LIN9. In addition, reduction of Csnk1α1 prevents cMYC/KRAS12V transformation of BaF3 cells independent of interleukin-3. Impartially, reducing Csnk1α1 prevented development of cMYC/KRAS12V-induced plasmacytomas in mice, suggesting that CSNK1α1 may be involved in MM initiation and progression. Our data suggest that targeting CSNK1α1, alone or combined with bortezomib, is a potential novel therapeutic strategy in MM. Moreover, inhibition of CSNK1α1 may prevent the progression of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]