Frustrated phase separation in two-dimensional charged systems

We study phase separation frustrated by the long-range Coulomb interaction in two dimensional electronic systems with emphasys in the case of a metallic and an insulating phase. We find that two-dimensional systems are more prone to mesoscopic frustrated phase separation than the three dimensional ones.Comment: 15 pages, 11 figure

Isolation of a nitrate-reducing bacteria strain from oil field brine and the inhibition of sulfate-reducing bacteria

A nitrate-reducing bacteria (NRB) strain with vigorous growth, strong nitrate reduction ability, strain B9 2-1, was isolated from Suizhong36-1 oilfield, its routine identification and analysis of 16S rRNA and also the competitive inhibition experiments with the enrichment of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were carried out. The results showed that only the dosing of nitrate, nitrite as electron acceptors, the activation of nitrate-reducing bacteria, as well as the inhibition of sulfide production resulted from a limited capacity, while addition of NRB isolated from the produced fluid, growth and sulfide production activity of sulfate reducing bacteria produced a significant inhibition and antibacterial effects of nitrite, which was better than nitrate. At the same time, the small amount of molybdate dosing showed better results, which will be of significance when applied to shipping and state-defending industries.Key words: Nitrate-reducing bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, restriction fragment length polymorphism, nitrates, nitrite, oil field, competitive inhibition

Experimental Research on Mechanical Properties of Apple Peels

Knowledge of the mechanical properties of apple peel, as the outermost tissue of the fruit, is crucial for the designing of apple harvesting machines. In this study, longitudinal and transverse tensile tests were conducted on peels from the shadow side and sunlit side of two apple cultivars (Starkrimson and Fuji) using an electronic universal testing machine, and tear tests and puncture tests were carried out on peels of both sides as well. The stress-strain curves and tear and puncture force-deformation curves of the peels were acquired and the tensile strength, elastic modulus, failure strain tear strength, puncture strength of the peels were measured. Also, scanning electron microscope images were made. The results showed that the maximum values of tensile strength, elastic modulus, fracture strain, tear strength, and puncture strength were 2.56 MPa, 24.00 MPa, 19.92%, 0.391 kN·m-1, and 0.289 N·mm-2, respectively. The tensile strength, elastic modulus, and puncture strength values for the Starkrimson peels were higher than those for the Fuji peels from the same side. Apple peel is an anisotropic heterogeneous material. The bearing capacity of the peel depends on the number and distribution of microcracks on the surface, and the size and shape of the epidermal cells. The organization and connections between the cells determine the strength of the connections between cells

Transgenic mice expressing mutant forms VCP/p97 recapitulate the full spectrum of IBMPFD including degeneration in muscle, brain and bone

Inclusion body myopathy associated with Paget's disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia (IBMPFD) is a dominantly inherited degenerative disorder caused by mutations in the valosin-containing protein (VCP) gene. VCP (p97 in mouse, TER94 in Drosophila melanogaster and CDC48 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a highly conserved AAA+-ATPase that regulates a wide array of cellular processes. The mechanism of IBMPFD pathogenesis is unknown. Towards elucidating the pathogenic mechanism we have developed and characterized transgenic mice with ubiquitous expression of wild-type and disease-causing versions of human VCP/p97. Here, we report that mice expressing VCP/p97 harboring the mutations R155H or A232E develop pathology that is limited to muscle, brain and bone, recapitulating the spectrum of disease in humans with IBMPFD. The mice exhibit progressive muscle weakness and pathological examination of muscle shows classic characteristics of inclusion body myopathy including rimmed vacuoles and TDP-43 pathology. The mice exhibit abnormalities in behavioral testing and pathological examination of the brain shows widespread TDP-43 pathology. Furthermore, radiological examination of the skeleton reveals that mutant mice develop severe osteopenia accompanied by focal lytic and sclerotic lesions in vertebrae and femur. In vitro studies indicate that mutant VCP causes inappropriate activation of the NF-κB signaling cascade, which could contribute to the mechanism of pathogenesis in multiple tissues including muscle, bone and brai

The effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptors of human colon cancer LoVo cell line

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was found to inhibit cell growth, induce differentiation and enhance apoptosis in a variety of malignant solid tumors. Retinoic acid is effective in inhibiting the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in some cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of ATRA on the expression of VEGF and its receptors in LoVo cells, and its possible mechanisms. LoVo cells were treated with ATRA at different concentrations for different time, and with exogenous recombinant human VEGF165 or VEGF165 + ATRA. Cell viability was measured by microtitration (MTT) assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of VEGF in LoVo cells were detected by ELISA technique and Western blot, and its receptors by flow cytometry. ATRA greatly inhibited the proliferation of LoVo cells in dose- and time-dependent manners; inhibition rate of the cells decreased significantly after treatment with ATRA. ATRA could dose-dependently block the VEGF165-induced cell growth. FCM results show that ATRA induced apoptosis of LoVo cells with concomitant decrease of expressed VEGF and its receptors. The mechanism involved in down regulation of VEGF and its receptors may be related to apoptosis. ATRA could also disturb the stimulating effect of VEGF165 on the growth of LoVo cells. These results suggest that ATRA can delay growth of LoVo cells by inhibiting the paracrine and autocrine pathways.Key words: All-trans retinoic acid, LoVo cells, vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors

The impact of hyperhidrosis on patients' daily life and quality of life : A qualitative investigation

Background: An understanding of the daily life impacts of hyperhidrosis and how patients deal with them, based on qualitative research, is lacking. This study investigated the impact of hyperhidrosis on the daily life of patients using a mix of qualitative research methods. Methods: Participants were recruited through hyperhidrosis patient support groups such as the Hyperhidrosis Support Group UK. Data were collected using focus groups, interviews and online surveys. A grounded theory approach was used in the analysis of data transcripts. Data were collected from 71 participants, out of an initial 100 individuals recruited. Results: Seventeen major themes capturing the impacts of hyperhidrosis were identified; these covered all areas of life including daily life, psychological well-being, social life, professional /school life, dealing with hyperhidrosis, unmet health care needs and physical impact. Conclusions: Psychosocial impacts are central to the overall impacts of hyperhidrosis, cutting across and underlying the limitations experienced in other areas of life.Peer reviewe

Development of a radio detection array for the observation of showers induced by UHE Tau neutrinos

International audienceDevelopment of a radio detection array for the observation of showers induced by UHE Tau neutrino