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Aim: We aimed to identify potent CpG signatures predicting temozolomide (TMZ) response in glioblastomas (GBMs) that do not have the glioma-CpG island methylator phenotype (G-CIMP) but have a methylated promoter of MGMT (me MGMT). Materials & methods: Different datasets of non-G-CIMP me MGMT GBMs with molecular and clinical data were analyzed. Results: A panel of 77 TMZ efficacy-related CpGs and a seven-CpG risk signature were identified and validated for distinguishing differential outcomes to radiotherapy plus TMZ versus radiotherapy alone in non-G-CIMP me MGMT GBMs. An integrated classification scheme was also proposed for refining a MGMT-based TMZ-guiding approach in all G-CIMP-GBMs. Conclusion: The CpG signatures may serve as promising predictive biomarker candidates for guiding optimal TMZ usage in non-G-CIMP me MGMT GBMs.

Three new species of the genus Hexarhopalus Fairmaire, 1891, all of the nominate subgenus, are described and figured from China: Hexarhopalus (Hexarhopalus) ferreri sp. nov. from Yunnan, H. (H.) tianbaoyanensis sp. nov. from Fujian, and H. (H.) yeziyangi sp. nov. from Jiangxi.

We re-evaluate the Raman spectroscopic quantification of the molar ratio and pressure for CH4–CO2 mixtures. Firstly, the Raman quantification factors of CH4 and CO2 increase with rising pressure at room temperature, indicating that Raman quantification of CH4/CO2 molar ratio can be applied to those fluid inclusions (FIs) with high internal pressure (i.e., > 15 MPa). Secondly, the v1(CH4) peak position shifts to lower wavenumber with increasing pressure at constant temperature, confirming that the v1(CH4) peak position can be used to calculate the fluid pressure. However, this method should be carefully calibrated before applying to FI analyses because large discrepancies exist among the reported v1(CH4)-P curves, especially in the high-pressure range. These calibrations are applied to CH4-rich FIs in quartz veins of the Silurian Longmaxi black shales in southern Sichuan Basin. The vapor phases of these FIs are mainly composed of CH4 and minor CO2, with CO2 molar fractions from 4.4% to 7.4%. The pressure of single-phase gas FI ranges from 103.65 to 128.35 MPa at room temperature, which is higher than previously reported. Thermodynamic calculations supported the presence of extremely high-pressure CH4-saturated fluid (218.03–256.82 MPa at 200 °C), which may be responsible for the expulsion of CH4 to adjacent reservoirs.

Osteoporosis is a severe bone disease commonly occurring in older males and postmenopausal females. Previous studies have shown that long non‑coding (lnc)RNA growth arrest‑specific 5 (GAS5) serves an important role in osteoporosis. However, its role is unclear and requires further exploration. The relative expression levels of GAS5 and miR‑10a‑3p in the serum samples of patients with osteoporosis, as well as the relative expression levels of GAS5, microRNA (miR)‑10a‑3p and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) mRNA in osteoblasts, were detected by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR. ELISA and western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of VEGFA. A Matrigel angiogenesis test was used to assess the effects on angiogenesis. RNA binding interactions between GAS5/miR‑10a‑3p and miR‑10a‑3p/VEGFA were evaluated using dual‑luciferase reporter assays. Furthermore, the effects of the GAS5/miR‑10a‑3p/VEGFA axis were investigated via ELISA, western blotting and Matrigel angiogenesis. GAS5 was significantly downregulated and miR‑10a‑3p was upregulated in patients with osteoporosis. Overexpression of GAS5 promoted angiogenesis. GAS5 acted as a sponge of miR‑10a‑3p; VEGFA was a target gene of miR‑10a‑3p. GAS5 induced angiogenesis by inhibiting miR‑10a‑3p and enhancing VEGFA expression. These results indicated that GAS5 overexpression increased angiogenesis by inhibiting miR‑10a‑3p, promoting the expression of VEGFA. The present study revealed a novel mechanism and provided novel targets for the clinical treatment of osteoporosis.

Purpose Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), a common complication of diabetes mellitus and is characterized by myocardial hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a natural nutrient, exerts strong protection against various myocardial diseases. Pyroptosis, a type of inflammation-related programmed cell death, is vital to the development of DCM. However, the protective effects of PQQ against DCM and the associated mechanisms are not clear. This study aimed to investigate whether PQQ protected against DCM and to determine the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods Diabetes was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, after which the mice were administered PQQ orally (10, 20, or 40 mg/kg body weight/day) for 12 weeks. AC16 human myocardial cells were divided into the following groups and treated accordingly: control (5.5 mmol/L glucose), high glucose (35 mmol/L glucose), and HG + PQQ groups (1 and 10 nmol/L PQQ). Cells were treated for 24 h. Results PQQ reduced myocardial hypertrophy and the area of myocardial fibrosis, which was accompanied by an increase in antioxidant function and a decrease in inflammatory cytokine levels. Moreover, myocardial hypertrophy—(ANP and BNP), myocardial fibrosis—(collagen I and TGF-β1), and pyroptosis-related protein levels decreased in the PQQ treatment groups. Furthermore, PQQ abolished mitochondrial dysfunction and the activation of NF-κB/IκB, and decreased NLRP3 inflammation-mediated pyroptosis in AC16 cells under high-glucose conditions. Conclusion PQQ improved DCM in diabetic mice by inhibiting NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cell pyroptosis. Long-term dietary supplementation with PQQ may be greatly beneficial for the treatment of DCM. Graphical abstract Diagram of the underlying mechanism of the effects of PQQ on DCM. PQQ inhibits ROS generation and NF-κB activation, which stimulates activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and regulates the expression of caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18. The up-regulated inflammatory cytokines trigger myocardial hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis and promote the pathological process of DCM.

BNC1 is a transcription factor that is crucial for spermatogenesis and male fertility, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To study BNC1's specific role in spermatogenesis, we characterized a previously developed mouse model carrying a truncating mutation in Bnc1 (termed Bnc1

A taxonomic review of the genus Hechinoschema is presented. A new genus, Propedicellus gen. nov., is described, and two new species Propedicellus guoliangi sp. nov. and Propedicellus qiului sp. nov. are described from China. A new combination Propedicellus vitalisi (Pic, 1925) comb. nov. is proposed. A key to species of Propedicellus is presented.

Dephosphorylation of biomolecules under the catalysis of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a critical physiological process. Abnormal levels of ALP activity have been associated with a number of diseases; thus, a simple and sensitive assay of ALP activity is highly demanded. Herein, to simulate biological conditions, we labeled a hydrosoluble phosphorylated heptapeptide Gly-Pro-Gly-Asn-p-Tyr-Gly-Ala (pGA) with aminated heptamethine cyanine dye (Cy) to give a low fluorescent labeled peptide Cy-pGA. The synthesized Cy-pGA and Eu3+-doped oxide Y0.6Eu0.4VO4 nanoparticles (NPs) were employed respectively as acceptor and donor to in situ form a non-fluorescent Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) Cy-pGA-NP system, with the help of the strong interaction between Eu3+ ions in the NPs and phosphate group in Cy-pGA. The breaking of the FRET system of Cy-pGA-NP was triggered by the removal of phosphate group in Cy-pGA catalyzed by ALP and resulting in the release of fluorescent Y0.6Eu0.4VO4 NPs. Thus, the formed Cy-pGA-NP as a sensitive sensor can very well respond to the activity of ALP by measuring the time-resolved fluorescent intensity at near-infrared 617 nm (λ ex = 320 nm, delay time 400 μs). This sensor can not only accurately measure the activity of ALP (1–5 mU/mL) in the designed solutions, but it can also be applied to detect the activity of ALP in biological samples, such as cell lysate and human serum, without the interference of autofluorescent background of biosamples and screen ALP inhibitor by a simple mix-and-measure manner.

The industrialization of assembled buildings with steel-structure is a major strategic demand in China nowadays in terms of the development of life cycle green buildings, the transformation and upgrading of housing industrialization, and the solution to steel industry overcapacity. Steel residential buildings have several advantages over traditional constructions: lightweight, good seismic performance, wind resistance, a high degree of prefabrication, rapid construction speed, and convenient construction; these are the factors promoting its rapid development in recent years. Based on the concept of house types modularization and parts standardization, the authors propose a series of standardized house types for assembled buildings with steel-structure, establish numerical evaluation method and optimization method of standardization rate based on Building Information Modelling(BIM). In this regard, we develop and rank performance criteria for assembled buildings by calculating the rate of prefabrication. Also, this study develops a complete set of technologies for the building envelope system, facility and pipeline system, and interior decoration system that matches with the structure system. Meanwhile, we apply the research results to engineering projects in practice and examine their applications. This research has proved useful for architects by providing a set of equations to evaluate the number of standardized parts.

It is crucial to develop a rapid technique for identifying sexuality in the seedling stage of persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.), and the elimination of male progeny has been regarded as an important strategy for enhancing breeding efficiency. In this study, phenotype characterization and genotyping of the male-linked OGI marker were carried out using 205 accessions, including persimmon cultivars, F1 progeny and nine related Diospyros species. All persimmon cultivars displayed consistent results regarding OGI amplification and sex phenotype. A total of 143 F1 progeny were derived from 11 crosses, among which 95 individuals had flowered. In the flowering full-sib families, the amplification of the OGI marker in agreement with the sex phenotype was obtained in 85 plants (89.5%). The segregation of OGI in ‘Huashi 1’ × ‘Luotian Tianshi’ and ‘Huashi 1’ × Male 3 F1 populations fit a 1 : 1 ratio. Furthermore, high OGI transferability was observed in nine related species. Overall, the results indicated that the OGI locus could be used to distinguish male from female persimmon plants at an early stage.

Agro-drought risk analysis is helpful for improving the ability of regional disaster management and reducing potential drought risk under climate change. In this paper, we use daily meteorological observations from 60 stations and maize yield data in Southwest China during the period from 1961 to 2012. Based on natural disaster risk theory, maize drought risk assessment model is established from four factors: hazard, exposure, vulnerability, drought prevention and mitigation, and maize drought risk is zoned and analyzed in Southwest China under climate change. The results show that under climate warming, the high and sub high risk zones are decreased in Yunnan Province and emerged in central and northwest Sichuan Province, the low and sub low risk zones are largely reduced in Sichuan Province, Guizhou Province and Chongqing City, and the other increasing zones are mainly moderate risk zones. In summary, maize drought risk mainly depends on the maize drought hazard; the maize drought risk increases in the north and decreases in most of south under climate warming in Southwest China. Enhancing maize drought risk management helps to reduce the potential risk to agricultural production in southwest China under climate change.

The lithium (Li) metal battery reveals appealing merits in energy density but suffers from problems of dendrite growth and low coulombic efficiency before its applications. The ether electrolytes entitle Li metal batteries with more smooth Li stripping/deposition but narrow electrochemical stability in contrast to carbonate electrolyte. circumventing this contradictory, a lithium fluoride-nitride mixed ionic conducting interphase was embedded on lithium surface via formulated fluorine-rich carbonate and cyclophosphonitrile, which renders a dendrite-free plating/stripping over 2200 h and extend the electrochuemcial window of ether electrolyte to 4.5 V with the assistance of experiments and calculating simulations, ensuring LiCoO2 to operate efficiently over 200 cycles with nearly no capacity decay.

To investigate the differences of metabolic pathways of leucocyte-deplated RBCs prepared by using lipid whole blood and nomal blood during routine storage so as to provide some reference for clinical blood use.Twenty U whole blood from 20 donors, including 10 U lipid blood and 10 U normal whole blood, were selected for preparing leukodepleted red blood cells, red blood cells were taken from storage bags on day 0, 14 and 35, respectively. Metabolites in the red blood cells were analyzed, red blood cell metabolic extracts were detected by UPLC-MS/MS. The metabolite data of RBC from 2 groups were analyzed by SIMCA-P 13.0 software using OPLS-DA and by SPSS 19.0 using Mann-Whitney U test. Difference of metabolic pathways was described according to different metabolites.The glucose, adenine, pyruvic acid, GSH, GSSG and niacinamide levels on day 0 in lipid RBCs were higher than those in the control group(P0.05). The glucose, pyruvic acid and GSH levels on day 14 in lipid RBCs were lower than those in the control group (P0.05), and the levels of adenine, GSSG and niacinamide were higher than that in the control group (P0.05). The glucose level on day 0 was lower than that in the control group (P0.05), and the levels of adenine and niacinamide were higher than those in the control group (P0.05). but the pyruvic acid, GSH and GSSG levels were not significantly different between 2 groups (P0.05).Compared with the normal red blood cells, the energy metabolism pathway decreases in lipid red blood cells within the storage period and pentose phosphate pathway increases.

According to the directory of hazardous waste, Waste methanol belongs to the hazardous waste. Production of methanol will produce ethers, ketones and other impurities. During the distillation for waste methanol, high concentrations of distillation waste will be produced. In this paper, waste methanol recovery process in a southern chemical plant was adopted as the research object. Methanol and distillation waste were sampled and analyzed, combined with domestic research findings about waste methanol and other organic pollutants, the emission and pollution characteristics of waste methanol were discussed. The results show that Ethers and ketones are the main contaminants of methanol; it has potential hazards for products with such methanol as raw materials. The distillation waste has high COD concentration, containes methanol, mixed alcohol and other toxic substances, which has the risks for environmental pollution and human health.

Dephosphorylation of biomolecules under the catalysis of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a critical physiological process. Abnormal levels of ALP activity have been associated with a number of diseases; thus, a simple and sensitive assay of ALP activity is highly demanded. Herein, to simulate biological conditions, we labeled a hydrosoluble phosphorylated heptapeptide Gly-Pro-Gly-Asn-p-Tyr-Gly-Ala (pGA) with aminated heptamethine cyanine dye (Cy) to give a low fluorescent labeled peptide Cy-pGA. The synthesized Cy-pGA and Eu

Due to excellent mechanical properties and high working efficiency, FRP sheet has attracted significant attention from the field of strengthening in civil engineering. This paper summarizes the current achievements in the FRP strengthened reinforced concrete beams under fatigue loading. The review and discussion focuses on the development of fatigue design, the fatigue failure mechanism, reinforcement methods,and environmental effects. Finally, it puts forward the main research directions in this field in the future.

Mechanisms underlying female gonadal dysgenesis remain unclarified and relatively unstudied. Whether X-chromosome inactivation (XCI)-escaping genes and microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to this condition is currently unknown. We compared 45,X Turner Syndrome women with 46,XX normal women, and investigated differentially expressed miRNAs in Turner Syndrome through plasma miRNA sequencing. We found that miR-320a was consistently upregulated not only in 45,X plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), but also in 45,X fetal gonadal tissues. The levels of miR-320a in PBMCs from 45,X, 46,XX, 46,XY, and 47,XXY human subjects were inversely related to the expression levels of XCI-escaping gene KDM5C in PBMCs. In vitro models indicated that KDM5C suppressed miR-320a transcription by directly binding to the promoter of miR-320a to prevent histone methylation. In addition, we demonstrated that KITLG, an essential gene for ovarian development and primordial germ cell survival, was a direct target of miR-320a and that it was downregulated in 45,X fetal gonadal tissues. In conclusion, we demonstrated that downregulation of miR-320a by the XCI-escaping gene KDM5C contributed to ovarian development by targeting KITLG.

Nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films were synthesized by hot-filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) method at different temperatures (600 °C, 620°C, 640°C and 660°C). The AFM and Raman analyses demonstrated that deposition temperature has a great effect on the surface roughness and quality of NCD films and 620°C is the temperature to grow NCD films with smooth surfaces.

Poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] (PHPMA) and its drug conjugates are some of the most intensively investigated drug-delivery systems. Metaxalone (Met) was covalently linked to PHPMA via a spacer, and the procedure of the chemical modification for PHPMA was conducted by a two-step protocol: (1) synthesis of PHPMA with different molecular weights and (2) synthesis of PHPMA–Met. The Met content in the conjugate could reach 18%. The controlled drug-release studies were performed in buffer solutions with pH values equal to 1.1, 7.4, and 10.0. The results demonstrate that the rate of hydrolysis for PHPMA–Met was the slowest at pH 1.1, and a greater amount of Met was detected releasing from prodrug matrices in the presence of enzyme in a buffer solution at pH 8.0. It was also found that the novel prodrug effectively improved Met's pharmacokinetics and, furthermore, markedly increased its half-life period. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Chromium-containing slag is one of the most hazardous solid waste because of the high content of dissolvable Cr (VI). Bacterial strains which can remove Cr (VI) efficiently were isolated from chromium-containing slag. The effect of processing parameters, such as quantity of chromium-containing slag, initial pH, temperature and agitation speed on the detoxification of chromium-containing slag were detected in the experiment. The results shows that the detoxification effect is reduced along with the quantity of chromium-containing slag is increased, and the optimized parameters for removing Cr (VI) from chromium-containing slag using the mixed strains are as follows: temperature = 30°C, pH = 7.0, agitation speed = 150 rpm. The detoxification experiments of the mixed strains indicated that the detoxification of chromium-containing slag is related to the growth law of the microorganisms, and the removal of Cr (VI) occurred primarily in the first 24h which is the exponential growth period of the mixed strains. At the same time, the bacterial strains can efficiently accelerate Cr (VI) leaching rate and remove it.

Dopamine (DA) was covalently linked via succinic anhydride spacers to poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) with average molecular weights of 4000 (PEG4000), 6000 (PEG6000), and 10,000 (PEG10000). The chemical modification of the PEGs was conducted by a two-step protocol: (1) the preparation of PEG having carboxylic end groups and (2) the synthesis of PEG4000–DA, PEG6000–DA, and PEG10000–DA. The controlled drug-release studies were performed in pH 1.1, 7.4, and 9.0 buffer solutions, The results demonstrate that under the same conditions, the rate of hydrolysis for PEG10000–DA was the slowest among three prodrugs, and a greater amount of DA could be detected being released from the prodrug matrices in the presence of α-chymotrypsin in a buffer solution with pH 8.0. Also, these novel prodrugs could slowly release the active drug molecules and improve the pharmacokinetics of DA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

Based on the stacking velocity spectrum data of 14 near-vertical deep reflection profiles in the deep waters of Zhujiangkou–Qiongdongnan basins along the northern continental margin of South China Sea, we use the Dix formula to transform the stacking velocities into corresponding crust interval velocities (in TWT domain) and construct the crustal velocity structure in depth domain by time-depth transformation. Integrating all the velocity profiles we analyze the spatial variation of P wave velocity at different depths and the stratified geometry of crust in the Zhujiangkou and Qiongdongnan basins in the continental margin of northern South China Sea. The result indicates that the crust of Qiongdongnan basin can be divided into a 4~8 km thick sediment layer (Vp is 1.7~4.7 km/s), a 4~10 km thick upper crust layer (Vp is 5.2~6.3 km/s), a lower-crust layer about 5 km thick (Vp is 6.4~7.0 km/s), and a high-velocity lower-crust bottom layer about 2~6 km thick (Vp > 7.0 km/s). The existence of the high-velocity lower crust layer can be considered as the seismological signature of underplating at the lower crust bottom induced by lithosphere extension in South China and its continental margin, or the residual mafic layer of the original Cathaysia lower crust. Synthesizing the available geophysical sounding results we construct the images of Moho and the lithosphere bottom across the continent of South China and the continental slope of South China Sea, which reveals the lithosphere thinning in continental South China and the northern continental margin of South China Sea.

The Bronsted acid–base composite membrane was prepared by entrapping benzimidazole in sulfonated poly(phenylene oxide) by tuning the doping ratios. Their thermal stability, dynamic mechanical properties and proton conductivity were investigated under the conditions for intermediate temperature proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell operation. In addition, investigation of activation energies of the SPPO–xBnIm at different relative humidity was also performed. TG–DTA curves reveal these SPPO–xBnIm composite materials had the high thermal stability. The proton conductivity of SPPO–xBnIm composite material increased with the temperature, and the highest proton conductivity of SPPO–xBnIm composite materials was found to be 8.93 × 10−4 S/cm at 200 °C under 35% relative humidity (RH) with a “doping rate” where x = 2. The SPPO–2BnIm composite membrane show higher storage moduli and loss moduli than SPPO. Tests in a hydrogen–air laboratory cell demonstrate the applicability of SPPO–2BnIm in PEMFCs at intermediate temperature under non-humidified conditions.

Metaxalone (Met), a drug for treatment of pain and stiffness due to muscle injuries, was covalently linked to dextran via a chloroacetyl chloride spacer. The average molecular weights of dextran are 20,000 (D20000) and 40,000 (D40000), respectively, and the procedure of chemical modification for dextrans was conducted by a two-step protocol: (1) synthesis of N-chloroacetyl-metaxalone; (2) synthesis of D20000-Met and D40000-Met. The controlled drug release studies were performed in buffer solutions with pH values of 1.1, 7.4, and 10.0. The results demonstrate that, under the same condition, the rate of release for D20000-Met is slower than that of D40000-Met, and more amount of Met can be detected releasing from polymer-drug conjugate at the presence of α-chymotrypsin in a buffer solution with pH = 8.0. It was also found that these novel polymer-drug conjugates can effectively improve the Met's pharmacokinetics, and can increase its half-life period. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008

To investigate the factors related to clinical pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in women with secondary infertility.The clinical, laboratory and follow-up data of 1129 cycles in 1099 patients with secondary infertility undergoing IVF-ET in Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine between July 2012 to July 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The factors related to pregnancy outcomes were analyzed by univariate and logistic regression methods. The clinical pregnancy rates in women with different age and different number of embryos transferred were compared. The clinical outcomes of stimulation with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist long protocol, GnRH agonist short protocol and GnH antagonist protocol were evaluated in secondary infertile patients aged ≥ 40 years.Among 1129 cycles, 376 cases (33.30%) had clinical pregnancy and 753 cases (66.70%) had no clinical pregnancy. There were significant differences in age, body mass index, basal follicle-stimulating hormone level, antral follicle number,paternal age and number of embryos transferred between pregnancy and no pregnancy groups (P0.05); while only maternal age (OR=0.900, 95% CI: 0.873~0.928, P0.001) and the number of embryos transferred (OR=2.248, 95% CI: 1.906~2.652, P0.001) were the independent factors affecting the clinical pregnancy outcome of IVF-ET. There was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy rate between women aged 30~40 years with two embryos transferred and those aged30 years with two or three embryos transferred(P0.05). There were no significances in clinical pregnancy rate among women aged ≥ 40 years using GnRH agonist long protocol,GnRH agonist short protocol and GnRH antagonist protocol for stimulation (P0.05).Maternal age and number of embryos transferred have independent effect on IVF-ET clinical pregnancy outcome of secondary infertile women. We suggest that no more than two embryos should be transferred for women in their thirties to minimize the risk of multiple pregnancy while still having an acceptable pregnancy rate. The pregnancy rate of patients over 40 years decreases significantly, and there is no difference in pregnancy rate by using GnRH agonist long protocol, GnRH agonist short protocol or GnRH antagonist protocol.

With the limitation of both shot and receiver numbers, seismic data are sometimes not sufficient for practical wide-angle seismic experiments. In order to enhance the lateral continuity of seismic reflection events from the sparse wide-angle seismic data, we present a new technique to reconstruct the resemblance section of the crust/mantle reflection structure based on the geometrical diffraction theory. The travel-time conditions for reconstructing the semblance section are calculated using the reciprocity principle, and the travel-time field from shots and receivers are computed using Eikonal solver, which have the advantage of high efficiency and accuracy. Compared with CDP mapping, the processing results of real wide-angle seismic data in southeastern China demonstrates that this method can improve the lateral consistency of the imaging section.

Power delivery system noise, current and impedance are the key performance factors for successful chipsets/CPUs design. Power delivery noise is significantly affected by on-die impedance and current, i.e., on-die power grid equivalent resistance (Rdie), capacitance (Cdie), and Icc(t). Rdie and Cdie have been challenging in pre-silicon extraction and post-silicon measurement. This paper focuses on Rdie and Cdie extraction and silicon correlation. We carried out Rdie and Cdie extraction comparison study for Intel products that contain several PHY blocks by using home-brew flow, a commercial tool, and lab measurement, to achieve good correlation. The work boosts our confidence in the accuracies of internal flow and commercial tool and therefore facilitates the adoption of the commercial tool to greatly improve die grid modeling effort.

To study the influence of neutrophils from severe burn patient on the morphology and function of vascular endothelial cells (VEC), and the protective effect of Shenmai concoction on VEC.Neutrophils were isolated from the venous blood of healthy volunteers and burn patients [at 6, 24, 48 post burn hour (PBH)], and they were cocultured with VECs (ECV304) in vitro. The viability of VECs was assessed by MTT. The contents of endothelin (ET) land nitric oxide (NO) in supernatant were determined by radioimmunoassay, the ratio between ET-1 and NO (ET-1/NO) was also calculated. Blood samples from burn patients were collected at 24 PBH to repeat experiment as above, but 100 L microL isotonic saline or 100 microL Shenmai concoction in concentrations of 0.5, 2.0, 8.0 g/L was added to the cultures respectively. The effect of Shenmai concoction on above indices and morphology of ECV3O4 were also observed.Compared with neutrophils from healthy volunteers, the activity of VECs cocultured with neutrophils from burn patients at 6 PBH was obviously decreased, the content of ET-1 obviously increased, especially with neutrophils obtained at 24 PBH (P0.01). The content of NO in supernatant of VEC co-cultured with neutrophils from burn patients at 6 PBH was increased obviously (48.9 +/- 2.6 micromol/L, P0.01). There were no obvious difference in the content of NO under the stimulation of neutrophils between that of healthy volunteers and burn patients blood obtained at 24, 48 PBH (P0.05). With different concentrations of Shenmai, the activity of VECs and the content of NO were obviously increased , while the content of ET-1 was significantly decreased. The morphology of VECs after treatment of neutrophils of 24 PBH and 2.0 g/L Shenmai was similar to normal VECs.The morphology, activity of VEC, and ET/NO can be affected by neutrophils after severe burn, especially that of 24 PBH in vitro. Shenmai concoction can ameliorate above indices, thus might possibly exert protective effects on VECs after severe burn.

On-die capacitance is critical parameter in power delivery analysis and design, which impacts design cost and system performance. To improve modeling accuracy, correlation was studied for on-die capacitance among internal algorithm/tool, on-die PDA, Apachepsilas RedHawk and lab measurement. Internal tool, on-die PDA is a tool to automatically simulate on-die models including Cdie, Rdie and Icc(t). RedHawk is a commercial tool by Apache Design Solution Inc. to simulate silicon power/ground noise, and generate on-die models with chip power model (CPM) feature. Measurement was conducted in frequency domain by VNA. In general, three approaches agree with each other reasonably, however, discrepancies come from the limitations of the methods. In this paper, the procedures of these 3 approaches are described. The pros and cons are analyzed, and recommendations are proposed.

Metaxalone (Met), a drug for treatment of pain and stiffness due to muscular injuries, was covalently linked to poly(ethylene glycols) (PEG) via a chloroacetyl chloride spacer. The average weight molecular weights used for PEG are 4000, 6000 and 10,000, respectively, and the procedure of chemical modification for PEGs was conducted by a two-step protocol: (1) synthesis of N-chloroacetyl-metaxalone; (2) synthesis of PEG(4000)-Met, PEG(6000)-Met and PEG(10000)-Met. The controlled drug release studies were performed in buffer solutions with pH values equal to 1.1, 7.4 and 10.0. The results demonstrate that, in the same condition, the rate of hydrolysis for PEG(10000)-Met is the slowest among three prodrugs, and more amount of metaxalone can be detected releasing from prodrug matrices at the presence of alpha-chymotrypsin in a buffer solution with pH 8.0. It was also found that these novel prodrugs can effectively improve the metaxalone's pharmacokinetics, and furthermore can markedly increase its half-life period.