Variation of the Fine-Structure Constant from the de Sitter Invariant Special Relativity

There are obvious discrepancies among various experimental constraints on the variation of the fine-structure constant, $\alpha$. We attempt to discuss the issue in the framework of de Sitter invariant Special Relativity (${\cal SR}_{c,R}$) and to present a possible solution to the disagreement. In addition, on the basis of the observational data and the discussions presented in this Letter, we derive a rough theoretical estimate of the radius of the Universe.Comment: 8 pages, no figure

New Oxazoline- and Thiazoline-Containing Heteroleptic Iridium(III) Complexes for Highly-Efficient Phosphorescent Organic Light-Emitting Devices (PhOLEDs): Colour Tuning by Varying the Electroluminescence Bandwidth

Two new homologous phosphorescent iridium complexes, bis-(2-phenylpyridine)(2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxazoline)iridium(III) [(ppy)2Ir(oz)] (1) and bis-(2-phenylpyridine)(2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-2-thiazoline)iridium(III) [(ppy)2Ir(thoz)] (2), have been obtained in good yields and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, photoluminescence and electroluminescence studies, and by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. Using the two complexes, which differ only by the heteroatom (O or S) substitution at the same site in the ancillary ligand, as the emitter, doped in a 4,4′-bis(N-carbazolyl)biphenyl (CBP) host, gave phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs) with very efficient green and yellow emission, respectively. The turn-on voltages for both devices are low (3.5–3.7 V). The green-emitting (ppy)2Ir(oz) – based device has a maximum brightness of 61560 cd m−2 (at 16 V); maximum luminance efficiency of 66.2 cd A−1, 17.1% external quantum efficiency, 54 lm W−1 power efficiency and CIE coordinates of (0.35, 0.61) at a brightness of 10000 cd m−2. For the yellow-emitting (ppy)2Ir(thoz)-based device with a wide full spectral width at half maximum (FWHM) of 110 nm, the corresponding values are 21350 cd m−2 (at 14.5 V); 27.0 cd A−1, 8.5%, 18.0 lm W−1 and CIE coordinates of (0.46, 0.50). Colour tuning is primarily a consequence of the significantly wider emission bandwidth of complex 2 compared to complex 1

The in vivo study on the radiobiologic effect of prolonged delivery time to tumor control in C57BL mice implanted with Lewis lung cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High-precision radiation therapy techniques such as IMRT or sterotactic radiosurgery, delivers more complex treatment fields than conventional techniques. The increased complexity causes longer dose delivery times for each fraction. The purpose of this work is to explore the radiobiologic effect of prolonged fraction delivery time on tumor response and survival in vivo.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>1-cm-diameter Lewis lung cancer tumors growing in the legs of C57BL mice were used. To evaluate effect of dose delivery prolongation, 18 Gy was divided into different subfractions. 48 mice were randomized into 6 groups: the normal control group, the single fraction with 18 Gy group, the two subfractions with 30 min interval group, the seven subfractions with 5 min interval group, the two subfractions with 60 min interval group and the seven subfractions with 10 min interval group. The tumor growth tendency, the tumor growth delay and the mice survival time were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The tumor growth delay of groups with prolonged delivery time was shorter than the group with single fraction of 18 Gy (P < 0.05). The tumor grow delay of groups with prolonged delivery time 30 min was longer than that of groups with prolonged delivery time 60 min P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups with same delivery time (P > 0.05). Compared to the group with single fraction of 18 Gy, the groups with prolonged delivery time shorten the mice survival time while there was no significant difference between the groups with prolonged delivery time 30 min and the groups with prolonged delivery time 60 min.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The prolonged delivery time with same radiation dose shorten the tumor growth delay and survival time in the mice implanted with Lewis lung cancer. The anti-tumor effect decreased with elongation of the total interfractional time.</p

Activity of the Mianzishan-Qingshuiying fault in the southeast margin of the Yinchuan basin

Studying the tectonic activity characteristics of the Yinchuan basin is of great significance for understanding the interaction among the three major blocks of Qinghai Tibet, Ordos and Alxa. The terrain elevation difference in the Mianzishan-Zhutouling area on the southeastern margin of the Yinchuan basin is significant, and the linear trace on satellite image is obvious, indicating the development of an unknown active fault. This article conducted field geological surveys, trench excavation and stratigraphic dating along the Mianzishan-Qingshuiying line. The results showed that the linear trace along the Mianzishan-Qingshuiying line had been dominated by fault, which was developed on the southeastern margin of the Yinchuan basin with a total length of 50 km. It is divided into two segments, the Mianzishan fault and the Qingshuiying fault. The Mianzishan fault is mainly characterized by high angle normal faults, the scratches on the fault surface show a sinistral strike slip motion, heading northeast, several gullies across the fault layer display left-handed twisting characteristics. The Qingshuiying fault, on the other hand，exhibits a reverse fault trending NEE, developing steep slope landforms. The fault has displaced sedimentary strata deposited at (23.65 ± 1.17) ka BP and (33.16 ± 1.82) ka BP, indicating its latest activity was postdated by Late Pleistocene. The discovery of this fault indicates that the boundary of the northwestern Ordos block is a complex zone associated with a wide structural deformation zone. This zone is not strictly controlled by the boundary faults of Yinchuan basin, but expanded to interior of the Ordos block, which may be related to the continuous northeast pushing and expansion of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau

Pressure-flow studies in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a study comparing suprapubic and transurethral methods

Abstract Aim: To compare the use of the suprapubic puncture method versus the transurethral method in pressure-flow studies in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Methods: Twenty-three men with benign prostatic hyperplasia underwent both suprapubic and transurethral pressure-flow studies during a single session. Standard pressure-flow variables were recorded in all patients with both methods, enabling calculation of obstruction using commonly used grading systems, such as the urethral resistance algorithm, the Abrams-Griffith (AG) number and the Schäfer linear nomogram. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the methods in the mean values of maximum flow rate (P &lt; 0.05), detrusor pressure at the maximum flow (P &lt; 0.01), urethral resistance algorithm (P &lt; 0.01), AG number (P &lt; 0.01) and maximum cystic capacity (P &lt; 0.01). Of the men in the study, 10 (43.5%) remained in the same Schäfer class with both methods and 18 (78.3%) in the same AG number area. Using the transurethral method, 12 (52.2%) men increased their Schäfer class by one and 1 (4.3%) by two. There were also differences between the suprapubic and transurethral methods using the AG number: 4 (17.4%) men moved from a classification of equivocal to obstructed and 1 (4.3%) from unobstructed to equivocal. Conclusion: The differences between the techniques for measuring intravesical pressure alter the grading of obstruction determined by several of the commonly used classifications. An 8 F transurethral catheter significantly increases the likelihood of a diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction when compared with the suprapubic method. (Asian J Androl 2006 Nov; 8: 731-735

A 64-week, multicenter, open-label study of aripiprazole effectiveness in the management of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in a general psychiatric outpatient setting

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To evaluate the overall long-term effectiveness of aripiprazole in patients with schizophrenia in a general psychiatric practice setting in Taiwan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a prospective, open-label, multicenter, post-market surveillance study in Taiwanese patients with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder requiring a switch in antipsychotic medication because current medication was not well tolerated and/or clinical symptoms were not well controlled. Eligible patients were titrated to aripiprazole (5-30 mg/day) over a 12-week switching phase, during which their previous medication was discontinued. Patients could then enter a 52-week, long-term treatment phase. Aripiprazole was flexibly dosed (5-30 mg/day) at the discretion of the treating physicians. Efficacy was assessed using the Clinical Global Impression scale Improvement (CGI-I) score, the Clinical Global Impression scale Severity (CGI-S) score, The Brief Psychiatry Rating Scale (BPRS), and the Quality of Life (QOL) scale, as well as Preference of Medicine (POM) ratings by patients and caregivers. Safety and tolerability were also assessed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 245 patients were enrolled and switched from their prior antipsychotic medications, and 153 patients entered the 52-week extension phase. In all, 79 patients (32.2%) completed the study. At week 64, the mean CGI-I score was 3.10 and 64.6% of patients who showed response. Compared to baseline, scores of CGI-S, QOL, and BPRS after 64 weeks of treatment also showed significant improvements. At week 12, 65.4% of subjects and 58.9% of caregivers rated aripiprazole as better than the prestudy medication on the POM. The most frequently reported adverse events (AEs) were headache, auditory hallucinations and insomnia. A total of 13 patients (5.3%) discontinued treatment due to AEs. No statistically significant changes were noted with respect to fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, body weight, and body mass index after long-term treatment with aripiprazole.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although the discontinuation rate was high, aripiprazole was found to be effective, safe and well tolerated in the long-term treatment of Taiwanese patients with schizophrenia who continued to receive treatment for 64 weeks.</p

Catalytically efficient Ni-NiOₓ-Y₂O₃ interface for medium temperature water-gas shift reaction

The metal-support interfaces between metals and oxide supports have long been studied in catalytic applications, thanks to their significance in structural stability and efficient catalytic activity. The metal-rare earth oxide interface is particularly interesting because these early transition cations have high electrophilicity, and therefore good binding strength with Lewis basic molecules, such as H2O. Based on this feature, here we design a highly efficient composite Ni-Y2O3 catalyst, which forms abundant active Ni-NiOx-Y2O3 interfaces under the water-gas shift (WGS) reaction condition, achieving 140.6 μmolCO gcat-1 s-1 rate at 300 °C, which is the highest activity for Ni-based catalysts. A combination of theory and ex/in situ experimental study suggests that Y2O3 helps H2O dissociation at the Ni-NiOx-Y2O3 interfaces, promoting this rate limiting step in the WGS reaction. Construction of such new interfacial structure for molecules activation holds great promise in many catalytic systems

Complete mitochondrial genomes of Taenia multiceps, T. hydatigena and T. pisiformis: additional molecular markers for a tapeworm genus of human and animal health significance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mitochondrial genomes provide a rich source of molecular variation of proven and widespread utility in molecular ecology, population genetics and evolutionary biology. The tapeworm genus <it>Taenia </it>includes a diversity of tapeworm parasites of significant human and veterinary importance. Here we add complete sequences of the mt genomes of <it>T. multiceps</it>, <it>T. hydatigena </it>and <it>T. pisiformis</it>, to a data set of 4 published mtDNAs in the same genus. Seven complete mt genomes of <it>Taenia </it>species are used to compare and contrast variation within and between genomes in the genus, to estimate a phylogeny for the genus, and to develop novel molecular markers as part of an extended mitochondrial toolkit.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The complete circular mtDNAs of <it>T. multiceps</it>, <it>T. hydatigena </it>and <it>T. pisiformis </it>were 13,693, 13,492 and 13,387 bp in size respectively, comprising the usual complement of flatworm genes. Start and stop codons of protein coding genes included those found commonly amongst other platyhelminth mt genomes, but the much rarer initiation codon GTT was inferred for the gene <it>atp</it>6 in <it>T. pisiformis</it>. Phylogenetic analysis of mtDNAs offered novel estimates of the interrelationships of <it>Taenia</it>. Sliding window analyses showed <it>nad</it>6, <it>nad</it>5, <it>atp</it>6, <it>nad</it>3 and <it>nad</it>2 are amongst the most variable of genes per unit length, with the highest peaks in nucleotide diversity found in <it>nad</it>5. New primer pairs capable of amplifying fragments of variable DNA in <it>nad</it>1, <it>rrn</it>S and <it>nad</it>5 genes were designed <it>in silico </it>and tested as possible alternatives to existing mitochondrial markers for <it>Taenia</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>With the availability of complete mtDNAs of 7 <it>Taenia </it>species, we have shown that analysis of amino acids provides a robust estimate of phylogeny for the genus that differs markedly from morphological estimates or those using partial genes; with implications for understanding the evolutionary radiation of important <it>Taenia</it>. Full alignment of the nucleotides of <it>Taenia </it>mtDNAs and sliding window analysis suggests numerous alternative gene regions are likely to capture greater nucleotide variation than those currently pursued as molecular markers. New PCR primers developed from a comparative mitogenomic analysis of <it>Taenia </it>species, extend the use of mitochondrial markers for molecular ecology, population genetics and diagnostics.</p

Genetic Variants in KIR/HLA-C Genes Are Associated With the Susceptibility to HCV Infection in a High-Risk Chinese Population

BackgroundKIR/HLA-C signaling pathway influences the innate immune response which is the first defense to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the genetic polymorphisms of KIR/HLA-C genes and the outcomes of HCV infection in a high-risk Chinese population.MethodsIn this case-control study, four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of KIR/HLA-C genes (KIR2DS4/KIR2DS1/KIR2DL1 rs35440472, HLA-C rs2308557, HLA-C rs1130838, and HLA-C rs2524094) were genotyped by TaqMan assay among drug users and hemodialysis (HD) patients including 1,378 uninfected control cases, 307 subjects with spontaneous viral clearance, and 217 patients with persistent HCV infection. Bioinformatics analysis was used to functionally annotate the SNPs.ResultsAfter logistic regression analysis, the rs35440472-A and rs1130838-A alleles were found to be associated with a significantly elevated risk of HCV infection (OR = 1.562, 95% CI: 1.229–1.987, P &lt; 0.001; OR = 2.134, 95% CI: 1.180–3.858, P = 0.012, respectively), which remained significant after Bonferroni correction (0.05/4). The combined effect of their risk alleles and risk genotypes (rs35440472-AA and rs1130838-AA) were linked to the increased risk of HCV infection in a locus-dosage manner (all Ptrend &lt; 0.001). Based on the SNPinfo web server, rs35440472 was predicted to be a transcription factor binding site (TFBS) while rs1130838 was predicted to have a splicing (ESE or ESS) function.ConclusionKIR2DS4/KIR2DS1/KIR2DL1 rs35440472-A and HLA-C rs1130838-A variants are associated with increased susceptibility to HCV infection in a high-risk Chinese population