Refined system parameters and TTV study of transiting exoplanetary system HAT-P-20

This work is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China through grants No. U1531121, No. 10873031 and No. 11473066.We report new photometric observations of the transiting exoplanetary system HAT-P-20, obtained using CCD cameras at Yunnan Observatories and Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre, China, from 2010 to 2013, and Observatori Ca l'Ou, Sant Marti Sesgueioles, Spain, from 2013 to 2015. The observed data are corrected for systematic errors according to the coarse de-correlation and SYSREM algorithms, so as to enhance the signal of the transit events. In order to consistently model the star spots and transits of this exoplanetary system, we develop a highly efficient tool STMT based on the analytic models of Mandel & Agol and Montalto et al. The physical parameters of HAT-P-20 are refined by homogeneously analyzing our new data, the radial velocity data, and the earlier photometric data in the literature with the Markov chain Monte Carlo technique. New radii and masses of both host star and planet are larger than those in the discovery paper due to the discrepancy of the radius among K-dwarfs between predicted values by standard stellar models and empirical calibration from observations. Through the analysis of all available mid-transit times calculated with the normal model and spotted model, we conclude that the periodic transit timing variations in these transit events revealed by employing the normal model are probably induced by spot crossing events. From the analysis of the distribution of occulted spots by HAT-P-20b, we constrain the misaligned architecture between the planetary orbit and the spin of the host star.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

cAMP/CREB-regulated LINC00473 marks LKB1-inactivated lung cancer and mediates tumor growth

The LKB1 tumor suppressor gene is frequently mutated and inactivated in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Loss of LKB1 promotes cancer progression and influences therapeutic responses in preclinical studies; however, specific targeted therapies for lung cancer with LKB1 inactivation are currently unavailable. Here, we have identified a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) signature that is associated with the loss of LKB1 function. We discovered that LINC00473 is consistently the most highly induced gene in LKB1-inactivated human primary NSCLC samples and derived cell lines. Elevated LINC00473 expression correlated with poor prognosis, and sustained LINC00473 expression was required for the growth and survival of LKB1-inactivated NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, LINC00473 was induced by LKB1 inactivation and subsequent cyclic AMP–responsive element–binding protein (CREB)/CREB-regulated transcription coactivator (CRTC) activation. We determined that LINC00473 is a nuclear lncRNA and interacts with NONO, a component of the cAMP signaling pathway, thereby facilitating CRTC/CREB-mediated transcription. Collectively, our study demonstrates that LINC00473 expression potentially serves as a robust biomarker for tumor LKB1 functional status that can be integrated into clinical trials for patient selection and treatment evaluation, and implicates LINC00473 as a therapeutic target for LKB1-inactivated NSCLC

Systematic analysis of the necroptosis index in pan-cancer and classification in discriminating the prognosis and immunotherapy responses of 1716 glioma patients

Necroptosis is a programmed form of necrotic cell death that serves as a host gatekeeper for defense against invasion by certain pathogens. Previous studies have uncovered the essential role of necroptosis in tumor progression and implied the potential for novel therapies targeting necroptosis. However, no comprehensive analysis of multi-omics data has been conducted to better understand the relationship between necroptosis and tumor. We developed the necroptosis index (NI) to uncover the effect of necroptosis in most cancers. NI not only correlated with clinical characteristics of multiple tumors, but also could influence drug sensitivity in glioma. Based on necroptosis-related differentially expressed genes, the consensus clustering was used to classify glioma patients into two NI subgroups. Then, we revealed NI subgroup I were more sensitive to immunotherapy, particularly anti-PD1 therapy. This new NI-based classification may have prospective predictive factors for prognosis and guide physicians in prioritizing immunotherapy for potential responders

Embracing the Market: Entry into Self-Employment in Transitional China, 1978-1996

This paper introduces labor market transition as an intervening process by which the macro institutional transition to a market economy alters social stratification outcome. Rather than directly addressing income distribution, it examines the pattern of workers’ entry into self-employment in reform-era China (1978-1996), focusing on rural-urban differences and the temporal trend. Analyses of data from a national representative survey in China show that education, party membership and cadre status all deter urban workers’ entry into self-employment, while education promotes rural workers’ entry into self-employment. As marketization proceeds, the rate of entry into self-employment increases in both rural and urban China, but urban workers are increasingly more likely to take advantages of the new market opportunities. In urban China, college graduates and cadres are still less likely to be involved in self-employment, but they are becoming more likely to do so in the later phase of reform. The diversity of transition scenarios is attributed to rural-urban differences in labor market structures.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/39897/3/wp512.pd

Red Asymmetry of H α Line Profiles during the Flares on the Active RS CVn-type Star II Pegasi

Stellar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have recently attracted much attention for their impacts on stellar evolution and surrounding exoplanets. RS CVn-type stars could produce large flares, and therefore may have frequent CMEs. Here we report the capture of a possible CME or chromospheric condensation on the RS CVn-type star II Pegasi (II Peg) using high-resolution spectroscopic observation. Two flares were detected during the observation, and the low limits of the flare energies are of the order of 10 ^33 erg and 10 ^34 erg, respectively. Using mean spectrum subtraction, the H _α residual shows red asymmetry during the flares, and the redshifted broad emission components are probably caused by chromospheric condensation or coronal rain. Moreover, a far redshifted extra emission component with a high bulk velocity of 429 km s ^−1 was observed during the second flare and is probably due to a prominence eruption. The velocity greatly exceeds the star’s escape velocity, which means that this eruption can develop into a CME. The CME mass is estimated to be 0.83–1.48 × 10 ^20 g, which is slightly larger than the value expected from solar flare-CME extrapolation. The kinetic energy of CME, derived to be 0.76–1.15 × 10 ^35 erg, is less than the kinetic energy extrapolated from solar events. Additionally, we could not completely rule out the possibility of chromospheric condensation resulting in the far redshifted extra emission. Finally, there is a blueshifted broad component in the subtracted H _α profile derived using synthesized spectral subtraction when no flare happened, and its behavior is associated with the H _α activity features

Poly(pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid)-alumina composite membrane for affinity adsorption of bilirubin

Poly(pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid)-alumina composite membrane was prepared by polymerizing pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid onto the alumina membrane through vapor deposition polymerization method. The obtained composite membrane exhibited excellent uniformities, high density of reactive groups, and low nonspecific adsorption. Lysine as ligand was immobilized onto the poly(pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid)-alumina composite membrane by activating with N-hydroxysuccinimide and 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbodiimide. The content of lysine of lysine-immobilized affinity membranes was similar to 8.9 mg/g membrane. Bilirubin adsorption was investigated in static and dynamic experiments. The adsorption capacity was related to the bilirubin concentration, temperature, ionic strength, and albumin concentration. The result of dynamic adsorption experiment showed lysine-immobilized affinity membranes can well remove the bilirubin from the bilirubin-albumin solution. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.National Nature Science Foundation of China [30870648, 30870617, 30500127]; Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province [C0510005

Chemically Modified PPyCOOH Microtubes as an Affinity Matrix for Protein Purification

Novel affinity microtubes, with high ligand content and adsorption capacity of proteins, were fabricated by functionalization of the carboxyl group on the inner and outer surfaces of conductive polymer, poly(1(2-carboxyethyl)pyrrole) (PPyCOOH) microtubes with iminodiacetic acid (IDA), which affords the active site to form metal-IDA chelates used for immobilized-metal affinity chromatography. After immobilization with copper ions, the microtubes were used to recover a model protein, bovine hemoglobin, from red cell lysate in a batch manner. The protein adsorption indicates that the affinity microtubes exhibit a high adsorption capacity and good selectivity, and the adsorption isotherm fitted the Freundlich model well. Elution of the protein showed that the desorption ratio was up to 99.5% in 3 h, using 0.2 M. CH3COOH-CH3COONa buffer solution (pH = 3.6) as the desorption agent. The adsorption-desorption cycle was repeated 10 times using the same microtubes without significant loss in the hemoglobin adsorption capacity.National Nature Science Foundation of China [30870648, 30870617, 30500127]; Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province [C0510005

Functionalized anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes for affinity protein separation

National Nature Science Foundation of China [30500127]; Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province [C0510005]An ideal affinity membrane should own well uniformities. However, most existing microporous membranes used as affinity matrices generally have wide pore size distribution and some thickness variation. In this paper, chitosan (CS)-anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) composite membrane with excellent uniformities, such as narrow pore size and porosity distribution, as well as uniform membrane thickness, was fabricated. for the first time. Cu(2+)-attached affinity membrane was obtained by immobilizing Cu(2+) on the CS-AAO membrane. The contents of CS and Cu(2+) of affinity membranes were similar to 49.7 and 27.15 mg/g membrane. respectively. The Cu(2+)-attached affinity membranes were used to recover a model protein, hemoglobin, from hemoglobin-phosphate solution (batch manner) and from the hemolysate (dynamic manner). The protein adsorption indicated that the adsorption capacity of hemoglobin was similar to 17.5 mg/g membrane, and the adsorption isotherm fitted the Freundlich model well. Elution of protein showed desorption ratio was up to 91.2% using 0.5 M imidazole aqueous solution as the desorption agent. The adsorption capacities of all the tested affinity membranes did not significantly change during the repeated adsorption-desorption operations. The result of dynamic experiment showed Cu(2+)-attached affinity membranes can well purify the hemoglobin from the red cell lysate. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Prominence activation, optical flare, and post-flare loops on the RS Canum Venaticorum star SZ Piscium

We present the results of time-resolved high-resolution spectroscopic observations of the very active RS Canum Venaticorum (RS CVn) star SZ Piscium (SZ Psc), obtained during two consecutive observing nights on 2011 October 24 and 25. Several optical chromospheric activity indicators are analysed using the spectral subtraction technique, which show the remarkably different behaviour between two nights. Gradually blue-shifted and strengthened excess absorption features presented in the series of the subtracted spectra (especially for the H alpha, He I D-3, and H beta lines), as a result of active stellar prominence that is rising its height along the line of our sight, was detected in the observations on October 24. This prominence activation event was probably associated with the subsequently occurred optical flare, and part of that flare decay phase was hunted in the observations on October 25. The flare was characterized by the prominent He I D-3 line emission, as well as stronger chromospheric emission in the H alpha, H beta, and other active lines. The gradual decay of flare was accompanied by an obviously developmental absorption feature in the blue wing of the H alpha and other active lines, which could be explained as cool post-flare loops which projected against the bright flare background. Therefore, a series of possibly associated magnetic activity phenomena, including flare-related prominence activation, optical flare, and post-flare loops, were detected during our observations