Roles for heterodimerization of APJ and B2R in promoting cell proliferation via ERK1/2-eNOS signaling pathway

Apelin receptor (APJ) and bradykinin B2 receptor (B2R) play an important role in many physiological processes and share multiple similar characteristics in distribution and functions in the cardiovascular system. We first identified the endogenous expression of APJ and B2R in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and their co-localization on human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells membrane. A suite of bioluminescence and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (BRET and FRET), proximity ligation assay (PLA), and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was exploited to demonstrate formation of functional APJ and B2R heterodimer in HUVECs and transfected cells. Stimulation with apelin-13 and bradykinin (BK) increased the phosphorylation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in HUVECs, which could be inhibited by the silencing of APJ or B2R, indicating the APJ-B2R dimer is critical for eNOS phosphorylation in HUVECs. Furthermore, the increase of NOS and extracellular signal regulated kinases1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation mediated by APJ/B2R dimer can be inhibited by U0126 and U73122, respectively, suggesting that the heterodimer might activate the PLC/ERK1/2/eNOS signaling pathway, and finally leading to a significant increase in cell proliferation. Thus, we uncovered for the first time the existence of APJ-B2R heterodimer and provided a promising new target in cardiovascular therapeutics

Tectonic evolution and its control on oil–gas accumulation in southern East China Sea since the Jurassic

Based on the results from the previous research on Mesozoic igneous rocks, as well as tectonic environments in the northern South China Sea and southern East China Sea (NSCS-SECS), geophysical parameters, strata, and characteristics of seismic facies in NSCS-SECS were investigated. These findings were combined with results from the analysis of the balanced profile evolution to re-evaluate the tectonic evolution of SECS since the Jurassic. Furthermore, burial history and simulation of wells in the SECS were analyzed using well, seismic and source rock data. Furthermore, favorable models of oil–gas accumulation in the Lower–Middle Jurassic were proposed in combination with studies on elements and conditions of the petroleum system. The results demonstrated that the NSCS-SECS had consistent tectonic settings and comparable strata from the Jurassic to the Cretaceous time. There was a large unified basin in this period. The basin experienced two evolutionary stages, respectively, the fore-arc depression basin in the Early–Middle Jurassic (J1-2) and the back-arc faulted basin in the Late Jurassic–Cretaceous (J3-K). There was considerable deposition of dark mudstones in the SECS during the Lower–Middle Jurassic. The Keelung Sag was the depositional center accumulating the thickest section of the Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks which entered a high-maturity stage. Hence, it was the hydrocarbon generation center in the SECS. The process of generating hydrocarbons from Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks was of high complexity from northwest to southeast. The Lower–Middle Jurassic source rock at the northwest edges of the basin experienced two hydrocarbon generation stages, while the Keelung Sag toward the southeast experienced three hydrocarbon generation stages. The models and types of oil–gas accumulation in various evolutionary phases were different due to the control by tectonic evolution. Oil and gas that were generated by Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks in the Keelung Sag migrated and accumulated in the western high-tectonic units. Research findings provide insights into Mesozoic oil and gas exploration in the NSCS-SECS

Optical Design of the Goaly3 Multi-Mirror Telescope System with a Wide Field of View

A Golay3 multi-mirror telescope (MMT) system is designed in this paper. The fill factor of the Golay3 MMT is derived from the angular resolution of the telescope. An initial configuration is established according to the paraxial optical theory. A three-element aspheric corrector group is designed and placed in the converging light cone to enlarge the field of view (FOV) of the Golay3 MMT. The tolerance analysis for each surface of the Golay3 MMT is conducted using the Monte Carlo method. The design results show the FOV of the Golay3 MMT system can be increased to 1.5° with the insertion of a three-element aspheric corrector group. The results of the tolerance analysis indicate that most tolerances are loose, while some decenter tolerances relating with the aspheric surfaces are relatively tight, but still within an acceptable range

Optical Design of the Goaly3 Multi-Mirror Telescope System with a Wide Field of View

A Golay3 multi-mirror telescope (MMT) system is designed in this paper. The fill factor of the Golay3 MMT is derived from the angular resolution of the telescope. An initial configuration is established according to the paraxial optical theory. A three-element aspheric corrector group is designed and placed in the converging light cone to enlarge the field of view (FOV) of the Golay3 MMT. The tolerance analysis for each surface of the Golay3 MMT is conducted using the Monte Carlo method. The design results show the FOV of the Golay3 MMT system can be increased to 1.5° with the insertion of a three-element aspheric corrector group. The results of the tolerance analysis indicate that most tolerances are loose, while some decenter tolerances relating with the aspheric surfaces are relatively tight, but still within an acceptable range

Nanogratings and nanoholes fabricated by direct femtosecond laser writing in chalcogenide glasses

We report on the fabrication of sub-wavelength nanostructures on the surface of As2S3 chalcogenide glasses by appropriately controlling the irradiation condition of single-beam direct femtosecond laser writing. Nanogratings with a period of 180 nm were realized by multipulse irradiation. More importantly controllable nanoholes as small as 200 nm in diameter (one quarter of the illumination wavelength) were, for the first time, achieved in As2S3 using direct laser writing by single-pulse irradiation

Effect of Cobalt on Microstructure and Wear Resistance of Ni-Based Alloy Coating Fabricated by Laser Cladding

Ni-based alloy powders with different contents of cobalt (Co) have been deposited on a 42CrMo steel substrate surface using a fiber laser. The effects of Co content on the microstructure, composition, hardness, and wear properties of the claddings were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), a hardness tester, and a wear tester. The results show that the phases in the cladding layers are mainly γ, M7(C, B)3, M23(C, B)6, and M2B. With the increase in Co content, the amounts of M7(C, B)3, M23(C, B)6, and M2B gradually decrease, and the width of the eutectic structure in the cladding layer also gradually decreases. The microhardness decreases but the wear resistance of the cladding layer gradually improves with the increase of Co content. The wear resistance of the NiCo30 cladding layer is 3.6 times that of the NiCo00 cladding layer. With the increase of Co content, the wear mechanism of the cladding layer is changed from abrasive wear to adhesive wear

A Bridge Deflection Monitoring System Based on CCD

For long-term monitoring of the midspan deflection of Songjiazhuang cloverleaf junction on 309 national roads in Zibo city, this paper proposes Zhang’s calibration-based DIC deflection monitoring method. CCD cameras are used to track the change of targets’ position, Zhang’s calibration algorithm is introduced to acquire the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of CCD cameras, and the DIC method is combined with Zhang’s calibration algorithm to measure bridge deflection. The comparative test between Zhang’s calibration and scale calibration is conducted in lab, and experimental results indicate that the proposed method has higher precision. According to the deflection monitoring scheme, the deflection monitoring software for Songjiazhuang cloverleaf junction is developed by MATLAB, and a 4-channel CCD deflection monitoring system for Songjiazhuang cloverleaf junction is integrated in this paper. This deflection monitoring system includes functions such as image preview, simultaneous collection, camera calibration, deflection display, and data storage. In situ deflection curves show a consistent trend; this suggests that the proposed method is reliable and is suitable for the long-term monitoring of bridge deflection

On-deck vs. laboratory analyses of the sound velocity of sediments from the Huanghai and Bohai seas

One popular method of obtaining the acoustic parameters of seabed sediments is by measuring the sound velocity of sediment samples in a laboratory. However, the effects of environmental variation and physical perturbation on acoustic properties are typically neglected in the application of such measured acoustic parameters. In this study, sediment samples were collected from the Huanghai and Bohai seas to measure sound velocity both on the deck and in the laboratory using a digital sonic measuring system. Additionally, sediment compositions, physical and mechanical properties and microstructures were determined. Sound velocity comparisons between on-deck and laboratory measurements indicate that laboratory-measured velocities are generally higher than those measured on the deck, with differences ranging from 1.45 m/s to 130.05 m/s, due to the water loss and densification of sedimentary particles in laboratory settings. The discrepancy of sound velocities measured in the laboratory and on the deck also differ based on the types of sediments sampled. Overall, the discrepancy increases with measurement frequency, increasing average grain diameter and sand content, as well as with decreasing clay content