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In July to August 2022, Pakistan suffered historic flooding while record-breaking heatwaves swept southern China, causing severe socioeconomic impacts. Similar extreme events have frequently coincided between two regions during the past 44 years, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using observations and a suite of model experiments, here, we show that the upper-tropospheric divergent wind induced by convective heating over Pakistan excites a barotropic anomalous anticyclone over eastern China, which further leads to persistent heatwaves. Atmospheric model ensemble simulation indicates that this dynamic pathway linking Pakistan flooding and East Asian heatwaves is intrinsic to the climate system, largely independent of global sea surface temperature forcing. This dynamic connection is most active during July to August when convective variability is large over Pakistan and the associated divergent flow excites barotropic Rossby waves that propagate eastward along the upper troposphere westerly waveguide. This robust waveguide and the time delay offer hopes for improved subseasonal prediction of extreme events in East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate how Guilu Erxian gum treats osteoporosis by using network pharmacology and related experiments. Methods: The TCMSP database, ETCM database, Chemical Specialties database, and DrugBank database were used to retrieve the potential active ingblueients and corresponding targets of Guilu Erxian gum. Therapeutic targets associated with osteoporosis were obtained from the OMIM and Genecards databases. The network was analyzed using Cytoscape 3.8.0 software to determine topological parameters and identify key active ingblueients and targets. Additionally, the effects of Guilu Erxian gum on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were evaluated through alkaline phosphatase assay and alizarin blue calcium nodule staining. The expression of osteogenesis-related genes (Runx2, Osterix, OPN) was assessed using RT-PCR and Western blot. Results: The analysis revealed that Guilu Erxian gum contained 41 active ingblueients and 236 targets, while there were 5,262 known therapeutic targets for osteoporosis. A protein-protein interaction network diagram was constructed using the String database. Enrichment analysis suggested that Guilu Erxian gum may regulate osteoporosis through various signaling pathways and cellular metabolism. The experiments demonstrated that Guilu Erxian gum could promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, potentially contributing to the treatment of osteoporosis. Moreover, the results showed that Guilu Erxian gum could increase the expression of osteogenesis-related genes (Runx2, Osterix, OPN). Conclusion: Guilu Erxian gum may have anti-osteoporosis effects by stimulating the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. This study provides a theoretical basis for further understanding the pharmacological mechanism of Guilu Erxian gum in treating osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering applications for honeycomb sandwich structures (HSS) are well recognized. Heterogeneous structures have been created using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material, glass fiber-reinforced PEEK (GF-PEEK), and carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK (CF-PEEK) to further enhance the load-carrying capacity, stiffness, and impact resistance of HSS. In this study, we investigated the low-velocity impact response of HSS using numerical simulation. Our findings demonstrate that the choice of construction material significantly affects the impact resistance and structural stability of the HSS. We found that using fiber-reinforced PEEK significantly enhances the impact resistance of the overall structure, with GF-PEEK identified as the more appropriate face sheet material for the composite HSS based on a comparative study of load–displacement curves. Analysis of the plastic deformation of the honeycomb core, in combination with the stress and strain distribution of the composite HSS after low-velocity impact, indicates that CF-PEEK face sheets cause more noticeable damage to the core, resulting in evident plastic deformation. Additionally, we discovered that the use of fiber-reinforced materials effectively reduces deflection during low-velocity dynamic impact, particularly when both the face sheet and honeycomb core of the HSS are composed of the same fiber-reinforced PEEK material. These results provide valuable insights into the design and optimization of composite HSS for impact resistance applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep shale gas (3500-4500 m) will be the important succeeding field for the growth of shale gas production in China. Under the condition of high temperature and high pressure in deep shale gas reservoirs, its gas occurrence characteristics are markedly different from those of medium and shallow layers. To elucidate the gas occurrence characteristics and controlling factors of deep shales in the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation, methane adsorption, low-temperature N2, and CO2 adsorption experiments were conducted. The results show that in deep shales, the mesopores provide approximately 75% of the total specific surface area (SSA) and 90% of the total pore volume (PV). Based on two hypotheses and comparing the theoretical and actual adsorption capacity, it is speculated that methane is adsorbed in deep shale in the form of micropore filling, and free gas is mainly stored in the mesopores. Correlation analysis demonstrated that TOC is the key material constraint for the adsorption capacity of deep shale, and micropore SSA is the key spatial constraint. Other minerals and mesopore parameters have limited effect on the amount of adsorbed gas. Moreover, the free gas content ranges from 2.72 m³/t to 6.20 m³/t, with an average value of 4.60 m³/t, and the free gas content ratio is approximately 58%, suggesting that the deep shale gas reservoirs are dominated by free gas. This ratio may also increase to approximately 70% when considering the formation temperature effect on adsorbed gas. Gas density, porosity, and gas saturation are the main controlling factors of free gas content, resulting in significantly larger free gas content in deep shale than in shallower formations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are extreme climatic events that can have a significant impact on marine ecosystems and their services across the world. We examine the spatiotemporal variation of summer MHWs in the north Indian Ocean (NIO) and find that the whole NIO Basin exhibits a pronounced spatial variability as well as a significant increasing trend in MHW frequency. We show that the NIO has two leading MHW modes linked to two distinct sea surface temperature (SST) patterns during summer. The first MHW mode is associated with basinwide warming, which is preconditioned by a decaying El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and sustained throughout the summer by anomalous northeasterlies extending from the anticyclonic circulation of the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH). The combined effect of thermocline warming due to downwelling oceanic planetary waves, decreased wind-induced evaporative cooling, and enhanced insolation cause basinwide summer MHWs. The second MHW mode exhibits a zonal dipole pattern, which has unfavorable cooling conditions in the previous seasons. The second MHW mode is associated with a phase change of ENSO and is greatly influenced by the formation of an interhemispheric pressure difference (IHPD) due to strengthening of the Australian high (AH) and weakening of the WNPSH. The IHPD induces cross-equatorial southerly winds across the eastern Indian Ocean. These winds favor the transformation of basinwide cooling conditions into zonal SST patterns via wind-evaporation-SST and thermocline-SST feedback, causing MHWs with a zonal dipole pattern. These MHW modes have a significant influence on the distribution and intensity of summer precipitation in the NIO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How phosphate levels are detected in mammals is unknown. The bone-derived hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) lowers blood phosphate levels by reducing kidney phosphate reabsorption and 1,25(OH)2D production, but phosphate does not directly stimulate bone FGF23 expression. Using PET scanning and LC-MS, we found that phosphate increases kidney-specific glycolysis and synthesis of glycerol-3-phosphate (G-3-P), which then circulates to bone to trigger FGF23 production. Further, we found that G-3-P dehydrogenase 1 (Gpd1), a cytosolic enzyme that synthesizes G-3-P and oxidizes NADH to NAD+, is required for phosphate-stimulated G-3-P and FGF23 production and prevention of hyperphosphatemia. In proximal tubule cells, we found that phosphate availability is substrate-limiting for glycolysis and G-3-P production and that increased glycolysis and Gpd1 activity are coupled through cytosolic NAD+ recycling. Finally, we show that the type II sodiumdependent phosphate cotransporter Npt2a, which is primarily expressed in the proximal tubule, conferred kidney specificity to phosphate-stimulated G-3-P production. Importantly, exogenous G-3-P stimulated FGF23 production when Npt2a or Gpd1 were absent, confirming that it was the key circulating factor downstream of glycolytic phosphate sensing in the kidney. Together, these findings place glycolysis at the nexus of mineral and energy metabolism and identify a kidney-bone feedback loop that controls phosphate homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This multi‐center study was aimed at retrospectively evaluating the feasibility, safety, clinical outcomes, and surgical learning curve of an optimized procedure for right upper lobectomy (RUL), which is challenging because of the anatomical structures and features of this lobe. Methods: This study included 45 RUL cases of robot‐assisted thoracoscopy (RATS) in a pilot cohort and 187 RUL cases of video‐assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) in three cohorts. A total of 121 and 111 patients underwent traditional and optimized RUL, respectively. The optimized surgical procedure was performed to consecutively transect the superior arterial trunk and bronchus, and finally disconnect the pulmonary vein and posterior ascending artery with interlobar fissures. Clinical and radiological data were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Optimized RUL can be performed successfully by RATS or VATS. The optimized procedure yielded better clinical outcomes than the traditional procedure, including shorter operation times, less blood loss, fewer complications, shorter hospital times, lower costs, and a lower likelihood of postoperative intermedius bronchial kinking. Additionally, for calcified interlobar lymph nodes, the optimized VATS group was less likely to be converted to thoracotomy than the traditional group. The skills required to perform optimized VATS RUL can be gained by surgeons after 12 to 15 cases. The two RUL procedures in the pilot cohort showed similar disease‐free survival. Conclusions: The optimized RUL was safe, economical, and feasible, with a short learning curve and satisfactory disease‐free survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulator flashover caused by atmospheric icing is a serious accident with high frequency. The flashover risk on insulators during ice-melting process is higher than that during icing accretion process. Therefore, it is of great theoretical significances and engineering value to carry out research on risk prediction methods of ice-melting flashover on insulators. Firstly, this paper presents a thermal balance equation of the iced insulator surface for icing natural melting process and calculates the main influencing parameters of the ice-melting process by thermodynamic analysis. Secondly, this paper extracts the meteorological data from great numbers of on-site ice-melting flashover cases to calculate the meteorological condition with the highest flashover risk. On the basis of this, to judge the state of freezing or melting, a thermodynamic criterion of freezing and melting state is proposed, and the finite element analysis is applied to model iced and non-iced insulators, and the temperature distribution, the wall heat transfer coefficient distribution of the air-flow field are analyzed. The results suggest that the local micrometeorological temperature and the heat transfer coefficient have the greatest impact on the ice-melting process of insulators. The structure of insulator will be changed by the covered ice, ended up to a cone-like structure which will weaken the influence of the vortex on the central leeward side. The heat dissipation and melt characteristics of iced insulator will be quite different from that of non-iced insulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male‐specific wing spots are usually associated with wing displays in the courtship behavior of Drosophila and may play important roles in sexual selection. Two closely related species, D. nepalensis and D. trilutea, differ in wing spots and scissoring behavior. Here, we compare male morphological characters, pigmentation intensity of male wing spots, wing‐scissoring behavior, courtship songs, and reproductive isolation between 2 species. F1 fertile females and sterile males result from the cross between females of D. nepalensis and males of D. trilutea. The pigmentation of wing spots is significantly weaker in D. trilutea than in D. nepalensis and the F1 hybrid. Males scissor both wings in front of the female during courtship, with a posture spreading wings more widely, and at a faster frequency in D. nepalensis than in D. trilutea and the F1s. Males of D. trilutea vibrate wings to produce 2 types (A and B) of pulse songs, whereas D. nepalensis and the F1s sing only type B songs. The incidence of wing vibration and scissoring during courtship suggests that wing vibration is essential but scissoring is a facultative courtship element for successful mating in both species. The association between the darker wing spots with more elaborate scissoring might be the consequence of correlated evolution of these traits in D. nepalensis; however, D. trilutea retains wing scissoring during courtship despite having weaker pigmentation of wing spots. The genetic architecture of 2 traits differs in the F1s, consistent with maternal or sex‐linked effects for spots but nonadditive effects for scissoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of El Nino –Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the winter stratospheric polar vortex intensity (PVI) is re-examined, using JRA-55 datasets and the CESM2 model. Our results show that the negative correlation between ENSO and PVI has weakened in recent decades and is no longer statistically significant after the mid-1990s. This weakening ENSO–PVI relationship after the mid-1990s is associated with wave-1 fluxes entering the stratosphere; that is, the ENSO-induced increasing wave-1 fluxes are weaker after the mid-1990s than before the mid-1990s. Except for the Pacific–North America (PNA)-like wave train, the stratospheric wave flux changes are related to ENSO-induced geopotential height changes over East Asia. The ENSO-induced tropical zonal circulation anomalies are enhanced from the central Pacific to East Asia, leading to more substantial wave flux anomalies propagating westward from the central Pacific to East Asia and a more significant high center over Northeast Asia after the mid-1990s than before the mid-1990s. This ENSO-induced high center after the mid-1990s is out of phase with the climatological center of wave 1, leading to a relatively weaker increase in wave 1. Model results show that changes in the ENSO–PVI relationship and ENSO–Asia circulation are associated with changes in ENSO-related SST combined with global mean SST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUD: Chinese Luzhou-flavor baijiu (LFB) was fermented in an underground cellar, and the bottom and side of the cellar were covered with pit muds (PMs), where the metabolic activity of the microorganisms had a significant effect on the LFB quality. PMs can be divided into aged pit mud (AP) and degenerated pit mud (DP), thus, the qualities of LFB generated from AP and DP were different. In this essay, metatranscriptomics method was applied to illustrate the differences of the two PMs, as well as to search out the pivotal microorganisms and genes influencing the quality of LFB. RESULTS: Archaea, Clostridium and some thermophilic microorganisms might bring significant effect in AP, while the active eukaryota and Anaeromyxobacter would cause degeneration in PM. Also, the metabolism of carbohydrate and amino acid were more active in AP. What is more, carbohydrate, amino acid and their derivant can produce important organic acids via the activity of the microorganisms in PMs. There were eight critical enzymes noticed in the organic acids metabolic pathway, which were more actively expressed in AP, demonstrating active expression of the critical genes related to organic acid metabolism could have a positive effect on LFB quality. CONCLUSION: This study identified specific differences in active microorganisms, active expressed genes and the expression levels of key genes in vital metabolic pathway between AP and DP. Which may be the actual reason for the differences in the quality of LFB made from different PMs. Mastering these results will provide assistance to improve the quality of LFB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To discuss whether the dome or anterior wall of bladder adenocarcinoma (BAC) should be classified into urachal carcinoma (UrC) and the relationship of primary tumor location (PTL) as well as treatment with survival. Methods: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 database was examined for eligible patients from 1975 to 2016. Patients were classified into adenocarcinoma originating from the urachus (UAC), the dome (D-BAC), the anterior wall (A-BAC), and the other sites adenocarcinoma of the bladder (O-BAC). The clinicopathological features, treatment, and survival were compared among the groups. Results: Comparable clinicopathologic features were obtained between UAC and DBAC, which were different from those of A-BAC and O-BAC; otherwise, the latter two had similar clinicopathologic features. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses indicated that PTL was an independent predictor for survival. OBAC conferred the worst prognosis then followed by A-BAC, D-BAC, and UAC. For non-metastatic UAC or D-BAC, partial cystectomy (with an en bloc resection of the urachus and umbilicus) is optimal for survival. However, the worse survival of non-metastatic D-BAC (compared with UAC) suggested different modalities, maybe more intensive surgery approaches, should be considered for D-BAC. Conclusion: This study illustrates that PTL of UAC and BAC was an independent predictor for survival. A-BAC had comparable characters and prognosis with O-BAC and should not be classified into and treated as UrC. For non-metastatic disease, nonmetastatic D-BAC may need more intensive modality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous materials have been investigated as efficient photochromic platforms for detecting hazardous radiation, while the utilization of hydrogen bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) in this field has remained intact. Herein, two HOFs were synthesized through self‐assembly of tetratopic viologen ligand and formic acid (PFC‐25, PFC‐26), as a new class of "all‐organic" radiochromic smart material, opening a gate for HOFs in this field. PFC‐26 is active upon both X‐ray and UV irradiation, while PFC‐25 is only active upon X‐ray irradiation. The same building block yet different radiochromic behaviors of PFC‐25 and PFC‐26 allow us to gain a deep mechanistic understanding of the factors that control the detection specificity. Theoretical and experimental studies reveal that the degree of π‐conjugation of viologen ligand is highly related to the threshold energy of triggering a charge transfer, therefore being a vital factor for the particularity of radiochromic materials. Thanks to its convenient processibility, nanoparticle size, and UV silence, PFC‐25 can be further fabricated into a portable naked‐eye sensor for X‐ray detection, which shows obvious color change with the merits of high transmittance contrast, good sensitivity (reproducible dose threshold of 3.5 Gy), and excellent stability. The work exhibits the promising practical potentials of HOF materials in photochromic technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Of Study: The conclusions on the association between glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) gene polymorphism and lung cancer risk are still debated. This meta-analysis was performed to update the association between GSTP1 and the risk of lung cancer.Materials and Methods: The association investigations were identified from PubMed and Cochrane Library, and eligible studies were included and synthesized using meta-analysis method.Results: Fifty reports were included into this meta-analysis for the association of GSTP1 A/G gene polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility. The association between GSTPI G allele/GG genotype and lung cancer risk was found in this meta-analysis (G allele: odds ratio [OR] = 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.14, P = 0.006; GG genotype: OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.00-1.18, P = 0.04). However, the AA genotype was not associated with the susceptibility of lung cancer.Conclusion: GSTP1 G allele/GG genotype is associated with the lung cancer susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant ovule initiation determines themaximumof ovule number and has a great impact on the seed number per fruit. The detailed processes of ovule initiation have not been accurately described, although two connected processes, gynoecium and ovule development, have been investigated. Here, we report that ovules initiate asynchronously. The first group of ovule primordia grows out, the placenta elongates, the boundaries of existing ovules enlarge and a new group of primordia initiates fromthe boundaries. The expression pattern of different marker genes during ovule development illustrates that this asynchronicity continues throughout whole ovule development. PIN-FORMED1 polar distribution and auxin response maxima correlate with ovule primordia asynchronous initiation. We have established computational modeling to show how auxin dynamics influence ovule primordia initiation. Brassinosteroid signaling positively regulates ovule number by promoting placentae size and ovule primordia initiation through strengthening auxin response. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrates numerous known regulators of ovule development and hormone signaling, and many new genes are identified that are involved in ovule development. Taken together, our results illustrate that the ovule primordia initiate asynchronously and the hormone signals are involved in the asynchrony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aneuploidy, defined as whole chromosome gains and losses, is associated with poor patient prognosis in many cancer types. However, the condition causes cellular stress and cell cycle delays, foremost in G1 and S phase. Here, we investigate how aneuploidy causes both slow proliferation and poor disease outcome. We test the hypothesis that aneuploidy brings about resistance to chemotherapies because of a general feature of the aneuploid condition--G1 delays. We show that single chromosome gains lead to increased resistance to the frontline chemotherapeutics cisplatin and paclitaxel. Furthermore, G1 cell cycle delays are sufficient to increase chemotherapeutic resistance in euploid cells. Mechanistically, G1 delays increase drug resistance to cisplatin and paclitaxel by reducing their ability to damage DNA and microtubules, respectively. Finally, we show that our findings are clinically relevant. Aneuploidy correlates with slowed proliferation and drug resistance in the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) dataset. We conclude that a general and seemingly detrimental effect of aneuploidy, slowed proliferation, provides a selective benefit to cancer cells during chemotherapy treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southerly wind in the lower troposphere is an essential feature of East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) circulation, which is reported to be enhanced under global warming scenarios and interglacial epochs. Based on an analysis of an ensemble of CMIP6 models, this study shows that the magnitude of intensification of the EASM circulation is much smaller under global warming scenarios than during interglacial epochs. Distinct changes in the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH) are responsible for the different responses of the EASM circulation. The WNPSH is substantially enhanced during interglacial epochs, which acts to strengthen the southerly wind associated with the EASM on the western flank of the WNPSH. However, the change in the WNPSH is insignificant and cannot strengthen the EASM under global warming scenarios, and the weakly enhanced EASM circulation may be a direct response to intensified heating over the Tibetan Plateau. The land-ocean thermal contrast explains the different responses of the WNPSH. During interglacial epochs, the summertime surface warming over the subtropical North Pacific is much weaker than over Eurasia due to the large thermal inertia of the ocean to increased insolation, and the WNPSH is intensified as a response to the suppressed latent heating over the subtropical North Pacific. The fast response of the WNPSH to abrupt quadrupling of CO2 without sufficient ocean warming is an analog to the interglacial epochs, but it is offset by the effect of slow oceanic warming, resulting in an insignificant change of the WNPSH under global warming scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Silk Road pattern (SRP) is a well-known teleconnection pattern along the upper-level westerly jet over the Eurasian continent during boreal summer. The SRP has experienced an interdecadal change around the late 1970s. The present study identified a new change of the SRP around the late 1990s, which is characterized by significant weakening and zonal phase shift of the major centers of the SRP during the recent decades. The recent reshaping of the SRP is attributed to an enhanced impact of precipitation anomalies over the northeastern Indian summer monsoon (ISM), which is associated with the leading mode change of the ISM precipitation anomalies around the late 1990s. The interdecadal weakening of the upper-level westerly jet over central and East Asia also favors the southward movement of the SRP during recent periods. The differences of the features, climate impact, and causes related to the recent SRP change from those related to the SRP change around the late 1970s are also contrasted in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of Study: There were many reports published on the relationship between glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) null/presence gene polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer in these years. In previous, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between GSTT1 null/presence gene polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer. This study was conducted to update it.Materials and Methods: The association studies were identified from PubMed and Cochrane Library on March 1, 2016.Results: Sixty-three reports were recruited into this meta-analysis for the association of null genotype of GSTT1 with lung cancer susceptibility, consisting of 21,220 patients with lung cancer and 21,496 controls. There was a marked association between GSTT1 null genotype and lung cancer risk in overall populations and in Asians (overall populations: Odds ratio [OR] = 1.17, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.07-1.28, P = 0.006; Asians: OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.23-1.62, P < 0.00001). However, GSTT1 null genotype was not associated with the risk of lung cancer in Caucasians, Brazilian population, and Africans.Conclusion: GSTT1 null genotype is associated with the lung cancer risk in overall populations and in Asians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gulf Stream (GS) transports a massive amount of heat northward to high latitudes and releases sensible and latent heat to the atmosphere, playing an important role in the North Atlantic and European climate change. The change trends of the GS transport and pathway are still uncertain to date. Our analyses of altimeter observations from 1993 to 2016 indicate that the linear trends in surface maximum speed, transport, and latitudinal location of the GS are significant east of 61° W at the 95% level while they are small and not significant between 72° W and 61° W. The weakening trend of the GS during the period from 1993 to 2016 is accompanied with a southward-shifting path, which is associated with the decline of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and possibly reduction in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-term plasticity is a fundamental synaptic property thought to underlie memory and neural processing. The glomerular microcircuit comprises complex excitatory and inhibitory interactions and transmits olfactory nerve signals to the excitatory output neurons, mitral/tufted cells (M/TCs). The major glomerular inhibitory interneurons, short axon cells (SACs) and periglomerular cells (PGCs), both provide feedforward and feedback inhibition to M/TCs and have reciprocal inhibitory synapses between each other. Olfactory input is episodically driven by sniffing. We hypothesized that frequency-dependent short-term plasticity within these inhibitory circuits could influence signals sent to higher-order olfactory networks. To assess short-term plasticity in glomerular circuits and MC outputs, we virally delivered channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) in glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 promotor (GAD2-cre) or tyrosine hydroxylase promoter (TH-cre) mice and selectively activated one of these two populations while recording from cells of the other population or from MCs. Selective activation of TH-ChR2- expressing SACs inhibited all recorded GAD2-green fluorescent protein(GFP)-expressing presumptive PGC cells, and activation of GAD2-ChR2 cells inhibited TH-GFP-expressing SACs, indicating reciprocal inhibitory connections. SAC synaptic inhibition of GAD2- expressing cells was significantly facilitated at 5–10 Hz activation frequencies. In contrast, GAD2-ChR2 cell inhibition of TH-expressing cells was activation-frequency independent. Both SAC and PGC inhibition of MCs also exhibited short-term plasticity, pronounced in the 5–20 Hz range corresponding to investigative sniffing frequency ranges. In paired SAC and olfactory nerve electrical stimulations, the SAC to MC synapse was able to markedly suppress MC spiking. These data suggest that short-term plasticity across investigative sniffing ranges may differentially regulate intra- and interglomerular inhibitory circuits to dynamically shape glomerular output signals to downstream targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) form a highly promising class of bioplastics for the transition from fossil fuel-based plastics to bio-renewable and biodegradable plastics. Mixed microbial consortia (MMC)are known to be able to producePHAsfromorganic waste streams. Knowledge of key-microbes and their characteristics in PHA-producing consortia is necessary for further process optimization and direction towards synthesis of specific types of PHAs. In this study, a PHA-producing mixed microbial consortium (MMC) from an industrial pilot plant was characterized and further enriched on acetate in a laboratory-scale selector with a working volume of 5 L. 16S-rDNA microbiological population analysis of both the industrial pilot plant and the 5 L selector revealed that the most dominant species within the population is Thauera aminoaromatica MZ1T, a Gram-negative beta-proteobacterium belonging to the order of the Rhodocyclales. The relative abundance of this Thauera species increased from 24 to 40% after two months of enrichment in the selector-system, indicating a competitive advantage, possibly due to the storage of a reserve material such as PHA. First experiments with T. aminoaromatica MZ1T showed multiple intracellular granules when grown in pure culture on a growth medium with a C:N ratio of 10:1 and acetate as a carbon source. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses upon extraction of PHA from the pure culture confirmed polyhydroxybutyrate production by T. aminoaromatica MZ1T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The revitalization of ethnic minority areas is an important part of China's implementation of rural revitalization strategy. According to the experience accumulated in the preliminary poverty alleviation work of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, this article summaries the main contents of Qiandongnan Prefecture's poverty alleviation work from the aspects of key point (rural industries), assisting forces (ethnic culture and folklore industry) and important guarantee (human resources), and proposes that the rural revitalization strategy can be implemented in ethnic minority areas through consolidating the fundamental role of industrial revitalization in rural revitalization, promoting the prosperity of rural culture to realize simultaneous revitalization of rural industries and rural culture, promoting the revitalization of rural talents, and stimulating the vitality of rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The binomial τ-leaping method of simulating the stochastic time evolution in a reaction system uses a binomial random number to approximate the number of reaction events. Theory implies that this method can avoid negative molecular numbers in stochastic simulations when a larger time step τ is used. Presented here is a modified binomial leap method for improving the accuracy and application range of the binomial leap method. The maximum existing population is first defined in this approach in order to determine a better bound of the number reactions. To derive a general leap procedure in chemically reacting systems, in this method a new sampling procedure based on the species is also designed for the maximum bound of consumed molecules of a reactant species in reaction channel. Numerical results indicate that the modified binomial leap method can be applied to a wider application range of chemically reacting systems with much better accuracy than the existing binomial leap method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind power input to oceanic near‐inertial oscillations (NIOs) plays a crucial role in sustaining the global ocean conveyor belt. However, the impact of tropical cyclones (TCs) on wind power input to NIOs, despite being the most vigorous atmospheric dynamics capable of exciting NIOs, is often overlooked in global estimations due to their transient nature and a lack of observations. Utilizing hourly wind and ocean current records, we quantified the wind power on NIOs induced by TCs from 1990 to 2019. Our findings reveal that the wind power on NIOs due to TCs is estimated to be between 0.028 and 0.065 TW, which accounts for a significant proportion, that is, 8%–17%, of that over the globe. This study highlights the importance of incorporating the wind power induced by TCs when estimating the global wind power on NIOs, as its impact is non‐negligible. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the global energy balance by improving the estimation of wind power on NIOs. Plain Language Summary: Wind power input to oceanic near‐inertial oscillations (NIOs) is important for sustaining the global ocean conveyor belt. However, the influence of tropical cyclones (TCs) on wind power input to NIOs, despite being the most intense atmospheric dynamics that could easily excite NIOs, is often overlooked in global estimations due to their transient nature and a lack of observations. By analyzing wind and ocean current records from 1990 to 2019, the wind power on NIOs induced by TCs was quantified. We found that wind power on NIOs due to TCs is non‐negligible and accounts for a significant portion of that over the globe. This study highlights the importance of considering the wind power induced by TCs when estimating the global wind power on NIOs, which helps to achieve a more accurate estimation of wind power on NIOs, leading to an improved understanding of the global energy balance. Key Points: Observed data shows tropical cyclones contribute 8%–17% of global wind power on near‐inertial oscillationsTropical cyclones could contribute up to 90% of wind power on near‐inertial oscillations in their prone regionsAccounting for tropical cyclones is essential when estimating wind power on near‐inertial oscillations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Utilization of coal fly ash (CFA) has attracted extensive attentions in the last decades because of the increasing awareness of environmental protection and waste recovery. In the present paper, a new treatment process for utilization of CFA by extracting alumina and preparing Fe-Si alloys was proposed. The main procedures of the process contain carbothermic reduction and magnetic separation. Both of the thermodynamic analysis and experimental results show that an addition of Fe 2 O 3 can significantly cut down the reduction temperature and strongly enhance the decomposition of stable mullite phase (Al 6 Si 2 O 13) in CFA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) demonstrated that spherical Fe-Si alloys were formed adjacent to the alumina (obtained from the decomposition of mullite) during the carbothermic reduction. The alumina and Fe-Si alloys in the reduced sample can be effectively separated by the subsequent magnetic separation, and the mass fraction of alumina in the non-magnetic part reached 91.33%. Compared with the conventional sinter process and acid leaching process, carbothermic reduction method with addition of Fe 2 O 3 for extracting aluminum makes fewer residues, which may provide a new idea for large-scale utilization of CFA. Highlights • A new process for extracting alumina and preparing Fe-Si alloy from CFA is proposed. • An addition of Fe 2 O 3 can significantly cut down the reduction temperature of CFA. • The addition of Fe 2 O 3 can also enhance the decomposition of mullite in CFA. • Silicon in quartz and mullite was transformed into the byproduct Fe-Si alloys. • Fe-Si alloys and alumina can be effectively separated by magnetic separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practice makes perfect. In human olfaction, such plasticity is generally assumed to occur at the level of cortical synthetic processing that shares information from both nostrils. Here we present findings that challenge this view. In two experiments, we trained human adults unirhinally for the discrimination between odor enantiomers over a course of about 10 to 11 days. Results showed that training-induced perceptual gain was restricted to the trained nostril yet partially generalized to untrained odor enantiomers in a structure- rather than quality- based manner. In other words, learning enhanced the differentiation of chirality (molecular configuration) as opposed to overall odor quality (odor object) per se. These findings argue that, unlike earlier beliefs, one nostril does not readily know what the other learns. Moreover, the initial analytical processing of the structural features of uninarial olfactory input remains plastic in human adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining Argo observations with satellite remote sensing data during the period of 2002-2014, the mean three-dimensional structures of mesoscale eddies on both sides of the Luzon Strait (LS) were obtained via a composite method and analyzed to statistically examine the influences of background marine environment and the Kuroshio current on the eddy structures. The significant signals of temperature and salinity anomalies within the composite eddies extend much deeper in the region east of the LS (zone E) than those in the region west of the strait (zone W) because of stronger eddy intensity and larger vertical gradients of background temperature and salinity in the deep layer in zone E. In the vertical structure of temperature anomaly within the eddies, two cores occur at around 200 and 400 dbar depths, respectively, in zone E and only one core is centered at about 100 dbar in zone W. There is a clear three-core sandwich pattern in the vertical structure of salinity anomaly within the eddies in zone E. The Kuroshio water trapped in the eddy is responsible for abnormally positive salinity anomaly in the surface layer of the anticyclonic eddy center in zone W. On both sides of the LS, an asymmetric dipole structure in the surface layer gradually turns into a monopole one at depths, which resulted from the competition between horizontal advection effect and eddy pumping effect. The Kuroshio current influences the distribution patterns of isotherms and isohalines and enhances background temperature and salinity horizontal gradients on both sides of the LS, determining the orientations of dipole temperature and salinity structures within eddies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin (IL)-20 is a member of the IL-10 family of cytokines, which has been reported to participate in autoimmune inflammatory diseases. However, the potential role of IL-20 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression has not yet been investigated. In the present study, it was observed that IL-20 mRNA and protein levels were markedly increased in the HCC tissues examined via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining. In addition, IL-20 expression was significantly associated with tumor size, metastasis, TNM stage and poor prognosis in patients with HCC. Mouse recombinant IL-20 (mIL-20) enhanced liver cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, while the anti-IL-20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) attenuated the effect of mIL-20, inhibiting cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and suppressing cell growth in vitro and in vivo. This was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, Transwell assays and a xenograft tumor nude mouse model. Western blotting revealed that IL-20 promoted HCC progression through inducing transforming growth factor-β and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression and enhancing the phosphorylation of Jun N-terminal kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. The results of the present study indicated that IL-20 promotes HCC development. In addition, anti-IL-20 mAb may attenuate the effect of IL-20 and suppress liver tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo, indicating that anti-IL-20 mAbs may potentially serve as effective therapeutic agents for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identifies the atmospheric circulation features that are favorable for the occurrence of low-level turbulence at Hong Kong International Airport [below 1600 feet (around 500 m)]. By using LIDAR data at the airport, turbulence and nonturbulence cases are selected. It is found that the occurrence of turbulence is significantly related to the strength of the southerly wind at 850 hPa over the South China coast. On the other hand, the east-west wind at this height demonstrates a weak relation to the occurrence. This suggests that turbulence is generated by flow passing Lantau Island from the south. The southerly wind also transports moisture from the South China Sea to Hong Kong, reducing local stability. This is favorable for the development of strong turbulence. It is also noted that the strong southerly wind during the occurrence of low-level turbulence is contributed by an anomalous zonal gradient of geopotential in the lower troposphere over the South China Sea. This gradient is caused by the combination of variations at different timescales. These are the passage of synoptic extratropical cyclones and anticyclones and the intraseasonal variation in the western North Pacific subtropical high. The seasonal variation in geopotential east of the Tibetan Plateau leads to a seasonal change in meridional wind, by which the frequency of low-level turbulence is maximized in spring and minimized in autumn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent developments have emphasized the global impacts of climate change and have renewed commitments in renewable energy and energy meteorology. Wind energy depends largely on prevailing meteorological conditions on both local and large scales, thus, wind power optimization should aid its assessment and development. This study uses ERA-Interim daily data from 1979 to 2014 to investigate the impact of the East Asian Monsoon on wind power in Asia. Wind power increase in the Bay of Bengal region as wind vectors strengthened from winter (DJF, December-January-February) to summer (JJA, June-July-August), while the predominant direction shifted to southwesterly. The influence of the South China Sea on South East Asia resulted in increased wind power that peaked in winter. Probability distribution functions for four sub-regions revealed higher probabilities of relatively lower wind speeds in JJA, except for the South East region, where most probable wind speeds were reached in winter. The capacity factor also varied by region and by season. Power generation was lowest in JJA for all the regions except the South West. The South East region also had the highest power generated over the domain. This variation of wind power impacts the amount of energy that must be supplied by non-wind sources, termed Demand NetWind (DNW). Knowledge of DNW fluctuations thus becomes an important consideration for optimization of power plants, grid networking and reliability, and energy markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sewage sludge biodrying is a treatment that uses bio-heat generated from organic degradation to remove water from sewage sludge. Dewatering is still limited during biodrying, due to the presence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in sludge. To study the biodrying mechanism associated with EPS compositions tryptophan and tyrosine degradations, this study investigated the microbial function in sludge biodrying material. This study conducted a taxonomic analysis of biodrying material; determined the most abundant genetic functions; analyzed the functional microorganisms involved in the degradations of tryptophan and tyrosine; and summarized the metabolic pathways. The results indicated efficient degradations of tryptophan and tyrosine were observed during the initial thermophilic phase; functional microorganisms were mainly from the phyla Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria, enriched with genes involved in amino acid transport and metabolism. These findings highlight the potentially important microorganisms and typical pathways that may help improve dewaterability during biodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose and experimentally demonstrate four-level pulse-amplitude-modulation (PAM-4) signal delivery in a radio-over-fiber system for the first time. Over 8-Gbit∕s PAM-4 signals have been transmitted over 20-km single-mode fiber-28 and 1-m wireless distance. The signal after transmission is detected directly by an envelope detector at the receiver side. The maximal bit rate could be increased if the bandpass amplifier and envelope detector have more bandwidth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that spore laccase from the Bacillus genus is heat- and alkali-resistant, it is more suitable for industrial applications than fungal laccase. To determine the optimal culture conditions for spore laccase production, the effects of Cu2+ concentration, oxygen content, and culture time on spore laccase production from Bacillus pumilus W3 were investigated. The optimal production parameters were 0.2 mM of Cu2+, 200 rpm shaking speed, 100 mL liquid loading, and 5 days of cultivation. Spore laccase was efficiently immobilized on amino-functionalized celite. When used in dye decolorization, the immobilized spore laccase removed 84.15% of methyl green and 69.70% of acid red 1 after 48 h of treatment. Moreover, the immobilized spore laccase retained 87.04% of its initial decolorization activity after six cycles in the decolorization of acid red 1. These insights into the culture conditions and immobilization of spore laccases should be useful in the development of spore laccase as a biocatalyst in the treatment of textile wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous detection of cancer biomarkers holds great promise for the early diagnosis of cancer. In the present work, an ultrasensitive and reliable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor has been developed for simultaneous detection of multiple liver cancer related microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers. We first proposed a novel strategy for the synthesis of nanogap-based SERS nanotags by modifying gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with thiolated DNA and nonfluorescent small encoding molecules. We also explored a simple approach to a green synthesis of hollow silver microspheres (Ag-HMSs) with bacteria as templates. On the basis of the sandwich hybridization assay, probe DNA-conjugated SERS nanotags used as SERS nanoprobes and capture DNA-conjugated Ag-HMSs used as capture substrates were developed for the detection of target miRNA with a detection limit of 10 fM. Multiplexing capability for simultaneous detection of the three liver cancer related miRNAs with the high sensitivity and specificity was demonstrated using the proposed SERS sensor. Furthermore, the practicability of the SERS sensor was supported by the successful determination of target miRNA in cancer cells. The experimental results indicated that the proposed strategy holds significant potential for multiplex detection of cancer biomarkers and offers the opportunity for future applications in clinical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite structures of ocean temperature and salinity anomalies caused by tropical cyclones (TCs) or typhoons in the western North Pacific Ocean were obtained from Argo data. These structures were used to analyze ocean responses to typhoons and the dynamic mechanisms inherent in those responses with a particular focus on upwelling. TC-induced cooling is often strongly rightward-biased in the surface layer, and shifts toward the typhoon track at depths exceeding roughly 100 m. In the central water column within approximately 75 km of the typhoon track, subsurface warming predicted by vertical mixing is restrained and replaced by cooling due to upwelling. Upwelling contributes 15% on average to temperature cooling in the near surface layer (10–30 m), 84% in the subsurface layer (30–250 m) and 94% in the deep layer (250–600 m) during the period of 0.5–2.5 days after the typhoon's passage. It is suggested that the sea surface cooling effect of vertical mixing can be enhanced by the upwelling. The effect of upwelling is also prominent in the salinity response to typhoons. The composite results from the Argo data clearly reveal basic ocean responses to typhoons and indicate the important role of upwelling therein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An actinomycete strain (H12-15) isolated from a sea sediment in a mangrove district was identified as Streptomyces antibioticus on the basis of 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis as well as the investigation of its morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics. Two novel benzamido nonacyclic dilactones, namely neoantimycins A (1) and B (2), together with the known antimycins A1ab (3a,b), A2a (4), and A9 (5), were isolated from the culture broth of this strain. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first natural modified ATNs with an unusual benzamide unit. The structures of these new compounds, including their absolute configuration, were established on the basis of HRMS, NMR spectroscopic data, and quantum chemical ECD calculations. Their cytotoxicities against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7, the human glioblastoma cell line SF-268, and the human lung cancer cell line NCI-H460 were also tested. All compounds exhibited mild cytotoxic activity. However, Compounds 1 and 2 showed no activity against C. albicans at the test concentration of 1 mg/mL via paper disc diffusion, while the known antimycins showed obvious antifungal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen atom abstraction from allylic C-H bonds by molecular oxygen plays a very important role in determining the reactivity of fuel molecules having allylic hydrogen atoms. Rate constants for hydrogen atom abstraction by molecular oxygen from molecules with allylic sites have been calculated. A series of molecules with primary, secondary, tertiary, and super secondary allylic hydrogen atoms of alkene, furan, and alkylbenzene families are taken into consideration. Those molecules include propene, 2-butene, isobutene, 2-methylfuran, and toluene containing the primary allylic hydrogen atom; 1-butene, 1-pentene, 2-ethylfuran, ethylbenzene, and n-propylbenzene containing the secondary allylic hydrogen atom; 3-methyl-1-butene, 2-isopropylfuran, and isopropylbenzene containing tertiary allylic hydrogen atom; and 1-4-pentadiene containing super allylic secondary hydrogen atoms. The M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory was used to optimize the geometries of all of the reactants, transition states, products and also the hinder rotation treatments for lower frequency modes. The G4 level of theory was used to calculate the electronic single point energies for those species to determine the 0 K barriers to reaction. Conventional transition state theory with Eckart tunnelling corrections was used to calculate the rate constants. The comparison between our calculated rate constants with the available experimental results from the literature shows good agreement for the reactions of propene and isobutene with molecular oxygen. The rate constant for toluene with O2 is about an order magnitude slower than that experimentally derived from a comprehensive model proposed by Oehlschlaeger and coauthors. The results clearly indicate the need for a more detailed investigation of the combustion kinetics of toluene oxidation and its key pyrolysis and oxidation intermediates. Despite this, our computed barriers and rate constants retain an important internal consistency. Rate constants calculated in this work have also been used in predicting the reactivity of the target fuels of 1-butene, 2-butene, isobutene, 2-methylfuran, 2,5-dimethylfuran, and toluene, and the results show that the ignition delay times for those fuels have been increased by a factor of 1.5-3. This work provides a first systematic study of one of the key initiation reaction for compounds containing allylic hydrogen atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of highly sensitive, selective, nondestructive, and multiplexed imaging modalities is essential for latent fingerprint (LFP) identification and fingerprint residues detection. Herein, we present a versatile strategy to identify LFPs and to probe the multiple trace residues in a single LFP simultaneously. With the purpose of achieving high sensitivity, we for the first time introduced a polydopamine (PDA)-triggered Au growth method to prepare superbright and multiplex surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tags, which were endowed with high selectivity by conjugating with specific antibodies. In combination with a rapid Raman mapping technique, the sensitivity of the SERS probes was down to picogram scale and all the three levels of LFP features can be clearly seen. More significantly, the multiplexed imaging of diverse residues in a single LFP provides more accurate information than that using monochromatic imaging of individuals alone. The high analytical figures of merit enable this approach great promise for use in the fields ranging from chemical detection to molecular imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main olfactory bulb (MOB) receives a rich noradrenergic innervation from the nucleus locus coeruleus. Despite the well-documented role of norepinephrine and β-adrenergic receptors in neonatal odor preference learning, identified cellular physiological actions of β-receptors in the MOB have remained elusive. β-Receptors are expressed at relatively high levels in the MOB glomeruli, the location of external tufted (ET) cells that exert an excitatory drive on mitral and other cell types. The present study investigated the effects of β-receptor activation on the excitability of ET cells with patchclamp electrophysiology in mature mouse MOB slices. Isoproterenol and selective β2-, but not β1-, receptor agonists were found to enhance two key intrinsic currents involved in ET burst initiation: persistent sodium (INaP) and hyperpolarization-activated inward (Ih) currents. Together, the positive modulation of these currents increased the frequency and strength of ET cell rhythmic bursting. Rodent sniff frequency and locus coeruleus neuronal firing increase in response to novel stimuli or environments. The increase in ET excitability by β-receptor activation may better enable ET cell rhythmic bursting, and hence glomerular network activity, to pace faster sniff rates during heightened norepinephrine release associated with arousal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical aspects of the development of a chemical kinetic model for the pyrolysis and combustion of a cyclic ketone, cyclopentanone, are considered. Calculated thermodynamic and kinetic data are presented for the first time for the principal species including 2- and 3-oxo-cyclopentyl radicals, which are in reasonable agreement with the literature. These radicals can be formed via H atom abstraction reactions by Ḣ and Ö atoms and ȮH, HȮ2, and ĊH3 radicals, the rate constants of which have been calculated. Abstraction from the β-hydrogen atom is the dominant process when ȮH is involved, but the reverse holds true for HȮ2 radicals. The subsequent β-scission of the radicals formed is also determined, and it is shown that recent tunable VUV photoionization mass spectrometry experiments can be interpreted in this light. The bulk of the calculations used the composite model chemistry G4, which was benchmarked in the simplest case with a coupled cluster treatment, CCSD(T), in the complete basis set limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was set to assess the possible benefits of novel cavity disinfectants with 5% dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMADDM); and compare the effectiveness of saliva microbial-aging method with water-aging in measuring the changing of resin-dentin bond strength. Three cavity disinfectants were tested: 0.2% Chlorhexidine (CHX); 5% DMADDM; and 5% DMADDM + 0.2% CHX. Microtensile bond strength (μTBS) test was performed after microbial-aging with saliva microbial or water aging for one month. Hydroxyproline (HYP), the production of collagen degradation, was measured spectrophotometrically. Additionally, the antibacterial effects of each reagent were evaluated. The 5% DMADDM exerted the least percentage of resin-dentin bond strength loss after one month microbial-aging (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences of bond strength decrease after one month water aging among the tested groups (p > 0.05). Microbial-aging method yield more drop of bond strength than water aging in all groups except 5% DMADDM (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, 5% DMADDM had the same matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) inhibitory effects as the other two agents (p > 0.05), but much stronger antibacterial capability than 0.2% CHX (p < 0.05). This indicated that a cavity disinfectant with 5% DMADDM is promising for improving the stability of resin-dentin bonds in appearance of saliva biofilm; and the saliva microbial-aging method is more promising for studying the durability of resin-dentin bonds than water aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-resolution numerical model based on the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) was used to simulate the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM) and revealed an extreme warm event of the YSCWM in the summer of 2007. This event was also captured by in situ observations. In August 2007, the average temperature of the YSCWM was above 1 °C higher than its climatological mean. The unusually-high temperature anomaly of the YSCWM could trace back to the winter 2006–07. Heat budget of the Yellow Sea deep water (YSDW) below 50 m depth, indicated that vertical mixing, rather than advection, in the winter 2006–07 played a crucial role in the generation of the warm event. With the seasonal thermocline disappearing in the winter 2006–07, a weak vertical mixing effect due to weak wind speeds and high heat content in the Yellow Sea upper water (YSUW) above the YSDW, together with strong advection effect, caused the YSDW to become quite warmer than its climatological mean. After that, the seasonal thermocline above the YSDW formed again and the warm YSDW persisted until the summer of 2007, resulting in the extreme warm event of the YSCWM. • An extreme warm event of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM) happened in the summer of 2007. • Vertical mixing, rather than advection, in the winter of 2006 played a crucial role in the generation of the warm event. • Weak vertical mixing effect, together with strong advection effect, made the YSCWM quite warmer than its climate state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu90Zr10-xAlx (x=1, 3, 5, 7, 9; at.%) alloy rods were synthesized based on rapid solidification method. The structure, distribution of elements, mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the Cu-based alloy samples were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electro-probe micro-analyzer (EPMA), uniaxial compression test and four-probe technique. The as-cast Cu90Zr10-xAlx (x=1, 3, 5; at.%) alloy rods with a diameter of 2 mm exhibit good mechanical properties and electrical conductivity, i.e., high compressive yield strength of 812-1513 MPa, Young's modulus of 52-85 GPa, Vickers hardness of 250-420 and electrical conductivity of 11.1%-12.6% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard). The composite microstructure composed of high density fibrous duplex structure (Cu5Zr and a-Cu phases) is thought to be the origin of the high strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A synergetic tert-butyl hydroperoxide/K3PO4-promoted oxidative cyclization has been developed for the facile synthesis of various functionalized quinazolin-4(3H)-ones from commercially available isatins and amidine hydrochlorides at room temperature. The synthetic utility of this strategy was illustrated by the convenient synthesis of tryptanthrin derivatives via a self-dimerization of isatins under the same conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we report an atom- and step-economic aromatic cyanoalkylation reaction that employs nitriles as building blocks and proceeds through Csp²--H and Csp³--H bond activation steps mediated by NiIII. In addition to cyanomethylation with MeCN, regioselective α-cyanoalkylation was observed with various nitrile substrates to generate secondary and tertiary nitriles. Importantly, to the best of our knowledge these are the first examples of C--H bond activation reactions occurring at a NiIII center, which may exhibit different reactivity and selectivity profiles than those corresponding to analogous NiII centers. These studies provide guiding principles to design catalytic C--H activation and functionalization reactions involving high-valent Ni species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly. Although the mechanisms underlying AD neurodegeneration are not fully understood, it is well recognized that inflammation plays a crucial role in the initiation and/or deterioration of AD neurodegeneration. Increasing evidence suggests that different cytokines, including interleukins, TNF-α, TGF-β and IFN-γ, are actively participated in AD pathogenesis and may serve as diagnostic or therapeutic targets for AD neurodegeneration. Here, we review the progress in understanding the important role that these cytokines or neuroinflammation has played in AD etiology and pathogenesis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurodegenerative diseases are frequently associated with the loss of synapses and neurons. Senegenin, extracted from the Chinese herb Polygala tenuifolia Willd, was previously found to promote neurite outgrowth and neuronal survival in primary cultured rat cortical neurons. The aim of the present study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of senegenin-induced neurotrophic effects on rat cortical neurons. Primary cortical rat neurons were treated with various pharmacological antagonists and with or without senegenin, and subjected to MTT and western blot analysis to explore the effects of senegenin on cell survival as well as the activation of signaling pathways. Neurite outgrowth and neuronal survival induced by senegenin were significantly inhibited by A2A receptor antagonist ZM241385 and specific phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, but not by tropomyosin receptor kinase A receptor inhibitor K252a, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059 or protein kinase C inhibitor GÖ6976. Furthermore, senegenin enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt, which was blocked by LY294002. The present study revealed that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may be involved in the neurotrophic effects of senegenin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary cancer of the liver. MicroRNA-497 (miR-497) is known to be downregulated in several types of human cancer; however, the expression, function and underlying mechanisms of miR-497 in HCC remain unclear. Therefore, the present study investigated miR-497 expression in HCC samples and HCC-derived cell lines using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression of one of the predicted common targets of miR-497, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), was assessed using western blot analyses and immunohistochemistry. The role of miR-497 in regulating the proliferation of HCC-derived cells was also investigated in vitro and in vivo. Of 60 paired specimens from HCC patients, miR-497 was downregulated in 42 cancer specimens compared with adjacent non-cancer tissues. Western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that IGF-1R expression was significantly increased in HCC compared to control tissues. In addition, overexpression of miR-497 was observed to inhibit colony formation and tumor growth in MHCC-97H human HCC cells. Conversely, SMMC-7721 human HCC cells transfected with a miR-497 inhibitor exhibited enhanced colony formation and tumor growth. Finally, IGF-1R protein, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway-associated proteins and cyclin pathway-associated proteins were differentially expressed between miR-497-overexpressing cells and miR-497-silenced cells. These results indicate that miR-497 may be a potentially effective gene therapy target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]