B meson rare decays in the TNMSSM

We investigate the two loop electroweak corrections to B meson rare decays $\bar B\rightarrow X_s\gamma$ and $B_s^0\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-$ in the minimal supersymmetry standard model (MSSM) extension with two triplets and one singlet (TNMSSM). The new particle contents and interactions in the TNMSSM can affect the theoretical predictions of the branching ratios ${\rm Br}(\bar B\rightarrow X_s\gamma)$ and ${\rm Br}(B_s^0\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-)$, and the corrections from two loop diagrams to the process $\bar B\rightarrow X_s\gamma$ can reach around $4\%$. Considering the latest experimental measurements, the numerical results of ${\rm Br}(\bar B\rightarrow X_s\gamma)$ and ${\rm Br}(B_s^0\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-)$ in the TNMSSM are presented and analyzed. It is found that the results in the TNMSSM can fit the updated experimental data well and the new parameters $T_{\lambda},\;\kappa,\;\lambda$ affect the theoretical predictions of ${\rm Br}(\bar B\rightarrow X_s\gamma)$ and ${\rm Br}(B_s^0\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-)$ obviously

Ancient mitochondrial genomes reveal extensive genetic influence of the steppe pastoralists in Western Xinjiang

The population prehistory of Xinjiang has been a hot topic among geneticists, linguists, and archaeologists. Current ancient DNA studies in Xinjiang exclusively suggest an admixture model for the populations in Xinjiang since the early Bronze Age. However, almost all of these studies focused on the northern and eastern parts of Xinjiang; the prehistoric demographic processes that occurred in western Xinjiang have been seldomly reported. By analyzing complete mitochondrial sequences from the Xiabandi (XBD) cemetery (3,500–3,300 BP), the up-to-date earliest cemetery excavated in western Xinjiang, we show that all the XBD mitochondrial sequences fall within two different West Eurasian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) pools, indicating that the migrants into western Xinjiang from west Eurasians were a consequence of the early expansion of the middle and late Bronze Age steppe pastoralists (Steppe_MLBA), admixed with the indigenous populations from Central Asia. Our study provides genetic links for an early existence of the Indo-Iranian language in southwestern Xinjiang and suggests that the existence of Andronovo culture in western Xinjiang involved not only the dispersal of ideas but also population movement.Introduction Materials and methods - Archaeological Background, Sampling, and Sequencing - Sequence Mapping and Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroup Determination - Analysis of Xiabandi Mitochondrial DNA Genomes Results - Mitochondrial DNA Authentication and Contamination Assessment - Major Bronze Age Steppe Pastoralist Origin of the Xiabandi Mitochondrial Haplogroups - Expansion of the Bronze Age Steppe Pastoralists as a Dynamic Process to Form the Genetic Landscape of Xiabandi Individuals Discussion Conclusion

Intermediate-mass black holes: finding of episodic, large-scale, and powerful jet activity in a dwarf galaxy

Dwarf galaxies are characterized by a very low luminosity and low mass. Because of significant accretion and ejection activity of massive black holes, some dwarf galaxies also host lo w-luminosity acti ve galactic nuclei (AGNs). In a few dwarf AGNs, very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations have found faint non-thermal radio emission. SDSS J090613.77 + 561015.2 is a dwarf AGN owning an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) with a mass of M-BH = 3 . 6 (+5.9) (-2.3 )x 10 (5) M(? )and showing a rarely seen two-component radio structure in its radio nucleus. To further probe their nature, i.e. the IMBH jet activity, we performed additional deep observations with the European VLBI Network (EVN) at 1.66 and 4.99 GHz. We find the more diffuse emission regions and structure details. These new EVN imaging results allow us to reveal a two-sided jet morphology with a size up to about 150 mas (projected length similar to 140 pc) and a radio luminosity of about 3 x 10( 38) erg s( -1). The peak feature has an optically thin radio spectrum and thus more likely represents a relatively young ejecta instead of a jet base. The EVN study on SDSS J090613.77 + 561015.2 demonstrates the existence of episodic, relatively large-scale, and powerful IMBH jet activity in dwarf AGNs. Moreo v er, we collected a small sample of VLBI-detected dwarf AGNs and investigated their connections with normal AGNs. We notice that these radio sources in the dwarf AGNs tend to have steep spectra and small linear sizes, and possibly represent ejecta from scaled-down episodic jet activity

A Biomimetic 3D-Self-Forming Approach for Microvascular Scaffolds

The development of science and technology often drew lessons from natural phenomena. Herein, inspired by drying-driven curling of apple peels, hydrogel-based micro-scaled hollow tubules (MHTs) are proposed for biomimicking microvessels, which promote microcirculation and improve the survival of random skin flaps. MHTs with various pipeline structures are fabricated using hydrogel in corresponding shapes, such as Y-branches, anastomosis rings, and triangle loops. Adjustable diameters can be achieved by altering the concentration and cross-linking time of the hydrogel. Based on this rationale, biomimetic microvessels with diameters of 50-500 mu m are cultivated in vitro by coculture of MHTs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In vivo studies show their excellent performance to promote microcirculation and improve the survival of random skin flaps. In conclusion, the present work proposes and validifies a biomimetic 3D self-forming method for the fabrication of biomimetic vessels and microvascular scaffolds with high biocompatibility and stability based on hydrogel materials, such as gelatin and hyaluronic acid.Peer reviewe

The Effects of Velvet Antler of Deer on Cardiac Functions of Rats with Heart Failure following Myocardial Infarction

Velvet antler of deer (VAD) is a commonly-used kidney-Yang supplementing traditional Chinese medication. According to the heart-kidney-related theory, heart Yang originates in kidney Yang and heart failure due to heart Yang deficiency can be treated by tonifying kidney Yang. In this study, we investigated therapeutic effects of VAD on cardiac functions in rats with heart failure following myocardial infarction. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were subjected either to left coronary artery ligation (N = 36) or to sham operation (N = 12). One week after the surgery, rats with heart failure received daily treatment of double-distilled water, captopril or VAD by gavage for consecutively four weeks, while sham-operated animals were given double-distilled water. Ultrasonic echocardiography was adopted to examine cardiac structural and functional parameters and serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration was measured using radioimmunoassay. We found that VAD partially reversed changes in cardiac functional parameters and serum BNP levels in rats with heart failure. These results provide further evidence for the heart-kidney-related theory and suggest that VAD might be a potentially alternative and complementary medicine for the treatment of heart failure

ZIF-8-Based Quasi-Solid-State Electrolyte for Lithium Batteries.

The quasi-solid-state electrolytes (QSSEs) with an inorganic skeleton, a solid-liquid composite material combining their respective merits, exhibit high ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. However, most quasi-solid electrolytes prepared by immobilizing ionic liquid (IL) or organic liquid electrolyte in inorganic scaffold generally have poor interface compatibility and low lithium ion migration number, which limits its application. Herein, we design and prepare a ZIF-8-based QSSE (ZIF-8 QSSE) in which the ZIF-8 has a special cage structure and interaction with the guest electrolyte to form a composite electrolyte with good ionic conductivity about 1.05 × 10-4 S cm-1 and a higher lithium-ion transference number of about 0.52. With the ZIF-8 QSSE, a protype lithium battery coupled with LiCoO2 cathode shows good electrochemical performances with an initial discharge capacity of 135 mAh g-1 at 50 mA g-1 and a remaining capacity of 119 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles, only 0.119% capacity degradation per cycle. It is worth noting that the ZIF-8-based QSSEs have good thermal stability up to 350 °C that does not show thermal runaway, which is significantly higher than that of a conventional organic liquid battery system

The LAMOST Survey of Background Quasars in the Vicinity of the Andromeda and Triangulum Galaxies -- II. Results from the Commissioning Observations and the Pilot Surveys

We present new quasars discovered in the vicinity of the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies with the LAMOST during the 2010 and 2011 observational seasons. Quasar candidates are selected based on the available SDSS, KPNO 4 m telescope, XSTPS optical, and WISE near infrared photometric data. We present 509 new quasars discovered in a stripe of ~135 sq. deg from M31 to M33 along the Giant Stellar Stream in the 2011 pilot survey datasets, and also 17 new quasars discovered in an area of ~100 sq. deg that covers the central region and the southeastern halo of M31 in the 2010 commissioning datasets. These 526 new quasars have i magnitudes ranging from 15.5 to 20.0, redshifts from 0.1 to 3.2. They represent a significant increase of the number of identified quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33. There are now 26, 62 and 139 known quasars in this region of the sky with i magnitudes brighter than 17.0, 17.5 and 18.0 respectively, of which 5, 20 and 75 are newly-discovered. These bright quasars provide an invaluable collection with which to probe the kinematics and chemistry of the ISM/IGM in the Local Group of galaxies. A total of 93 quasars are now known with locations within 2.5 deg of M31, of which 73 are newly discovered. Tens of quasars are now known to be located behind the Giant Stellar Stream, and hundreds behind the extended halo and its associated substructures of M31. The much enlarged sample of known quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33 can potentially be utilized to construct a perfect astrometric reference frame to measure the minute PMs of M31 and M33, along with the PMs of substructures associated with the Local Group of galaxies. Those PMs are some of the most fundamental properties of the Local Group.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figures, AJ accepte

A Biomimetic 3D-Self-Forming Approach for Microvascular Scaffolds

The development of science and technology often drew lessons from natural phenomena. Herein, inspired by drying-driven curling of apple peels, hydrogel-based micro-scaled hollow tubules (MHTs) are proposed for biomimicking microvessels, which promote microcirculation and improve the survival of random skin flaps. MHTs with various pipeline structures are fabricated using hydrogel in corresponding shapes, such as Y-branches, anastomosis rings, and triangle loops. Adjustable diameters can be achieved by altering the concentration and cross-linking time of the hydrogel. Based on this rationale, biomimetic microvessels with diameters of 50-500 mu m are cultivated in vitro by coculture of MHTs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In vivo studies show their excellent performance to promote microcirculation and improve the survival of random skin flaps. In conclusion, the present work proposes and validifies a biomimetic 3D self-forming method for the fabrication of biomimetic vessels and microvascular scaffolds with high biocompatibility and stability based on hydrogel materials, such as gelatin and hyaluronic acid