The Research on Development of the Teaching Choral Music in Non-Professional Music Colleges in China

This thesis explores the cultivation of emotional quality in the teaching of choral music in non- professional music colleges in China With the increasing popularity of choral music in China it is important to understand the effectiveness of teaching methods and how students connect emotionally with the genre The research examines the current state of choral music education including the strengths and weaknesses inherent in pedagogical approache

A New Fault Diagnosis Method Based on Fault Tree and Bayesian Networks

AbstractThis paper presents a novel method for diagnosing faults using fault tree analysis and Bayesian networks (BN) to optimize system diagnosis. All minimal cut sets were generated via qualitative analysis of fault tree using an efficient zero-suppressed binary decision diagram (ZBDD), while the diagnostic importance factor (DIF) of components and minimal cut sets were calculated by mapping fault tree into equivalent BN. Also, these analysis results such as minimal cut sets and DIF were updated after receiving the evidence data from sensors and used to develop an efficient diagnostic decision algorithm. Furthermore, a diagnostic decision tree (DDT) was generated to guide the maintenance personnel to repair the system. Finally, a real example is given to demonstrate the efficiency of this method

PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ETHYL ACETATE EXTRACTION FROM GASTRODIA ELATA BLUME ON BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER IN FOCAL CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION

Background: Damage of the blood brain barrier (BBB) during the process of cerebral ischemic injury is a key factor which influences the therapeutic efficacy to the cerebral ischemic injury. The present study was designed to verify the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extraction from Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB) on the BBB by developing a model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Material and methods: MCAO/R model in rats was developed through a thread embolism method. The neurological scales, the moisture and the evans blue (EB) contents of brains were detected. Meanwhile, the release of nitric oxide (NO) and activities of NO synthase (NOS) in brain tissues were measured. Western blotting analyses were also performed to assess the protein expressions of AQP-4, Occludin and Claudin-5 in brain tissue. Result: After rats were pretreated with different concentrations of EtOAc extractions from GEB, the neurologic scores, the EB contents in the brain tissues and the moisture of the brains were significantly decreased. Meanwhile, the release of NO, the activities of nNOS and iNOS were notably inhibited. Furthemore, the protein expression of AQP-4 was markedly decreased, but the protein expressions of Claudin-5 and Occludin were significantly increased. Conclusion: the EtOAc extracts of GEB may decrease the permeability of BBB when focal cerebral ischemia occurs. The inhibition of the NOS pathways, the attenuation of the protein expression of AQP-4 and the enhancement of the expressions of the tight junction proteins may contribute to the protective effects of the EtOAc extracts from GEB on BBB

Decoupling of economic growth and emissions in China’s cities: A case study of the Central Plains urban agglomeration

Recently, the economy has grown rapidly in China’s Central Plains urban agglomeration, with high energy consumption and a huge pressure on reducing CO2 emissions. Thus, low-carbon development is an important measure to solve economic, energy and environmental problems. To analyse low-emission development, this paper clarifies the evolutionary characteristics of CO2 emissions and the decoupling relationship between GDP and CO2 emissions based on the latest available data from 2000 to 2015. The results indicate that CO2 emissions of Pingdingshan and Changzhi are higher in the same year. The ratios from coal consumption accounting for the total CO2 emissions are clearly bigger than from other energy types and industrial processes. Changzhi, Luoyang and Pingdingshan have reached their peaks. Five cities have experienced strong decoupling after 2010, 13 cities present weak decoupling, 4 cities present growth connection, and 7 cities show growth negative decoupling. It can be concluded that a relatively smaller proportion of industry and strict policy implementations of coal reduction are the main factors in inhibiting the decoupling. So the proportion of coal purification should be increased firstly. Then, the energy consumption structure should be changed from the traditional coal consumption structure to coal, oil and gas. Lastly, economic means can be used to control CO2 emissions

Microarray-based analysis of microRNA expression in breast cancer stem cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study aimed to determine the miRNA profile in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) and to explore the functions of characteristic BCSC miRNAs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We isolated ESA⁺CD44⁺CD24^-/lowBCSCs from MCF-7 cells using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). A human breast cancer xenograft assay was performed to validate the stem cell properties of the isolated cells, and microarray analysis was performed to screen for BCSC-related miRNAs. These BCSC-related miRNAs were selected for bioinformatic analysis and target prediction using online software programs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The ESA⁺CD44⁺CD24^-/lowcells had up to 100- to 1000-fold greater tumor-initiating capability than the MCF-7 cells. Tumors initiated from the ESA⁺CD44⁺CD24^-/lowcells were included of luminal epithelial and myoepithelial cells, indicating stem cell properties. We also obtained miRNA profiles of ESA⁺CD44⁺CD24^-/lowBCSCs. Most of the possible targets of potential tumorigenesis-related miRNAs were oncogenes, anti-oncogenes or regulatory genes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We identified a subset of miRNAs that were differentially expressed in BCSCs, providing a starting point to explore the functions of these miRNAs. Evaluating characteristic BCSC miRNAs represents a new method for studying breast cancer-initiating cells and developing therapeutic strategies aimed at eradicating the tumorigenic subpopulation of cells in breast cancer.</p

Intravitreal slow-release dexamethasone alleviates traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy by inhibiting persistent inflammation and Müller cell gliosis in rabbits

AIM: To evaluate the effects of intravitreal slow-release dexamethasone on traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and Müller cell gliosis and preliminarily explored the possible inflammatory mechanism in a rabbit model induced by penetrating ocular trauma. METHODS: Traumatic PVR was induced in the right eyes of pigmented rabbits by performing an 8-mm circumferential scleral incision placed 2.5 mm behind the limbus, followed by treatment with a slow-release dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) or sham injection. Left eyes were used as normal controls. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored using an iCare tonometer. PVR severity was evaluated via anatomical and histopathological examinations every week for 6wk; specific inflammatory cytokine and proliferative marker levels were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, protein chip analysis, or immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: During the observation period, PVR severity gradually increased. Intense Müller cell gliosis was observed in the peripheral retina near the wound and in the whole retina of PVR group. Ozurdex significantly alleviated PVR development and Müller cell gliosis. Post-traumatic inflammation fluctuated and was persistent. The interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA level was significantly upregulated, peaking on day 3 and increasing again on day 21 after injury. The expression of nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) showed a similar trend that began earlier than that of IL-1β expression. Ozurdex suppressed the expression of IL-1β, NLRP3, and phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). The average IOP after treatment was within normal limits. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates chronic and fluctuating inflammation in a traumatic PVR rabbit model over 6wk. Ozurdex treatment significantly inhibites inflammatory cytokines expression and Müller cell gliosis, and thus alleviates PVR severity. This study highlights the important role of IL-1β, and Ozurdex inhibites inflammation presumably via the NF-κB/NLRP3/IL-1β inflammatory axis. In summary, Ozurdex provides a potential therapeutic option for traumatic PVR