On the Casimir effect for parallel plates in the spacetime with one extra compactified dimension

In this paper, the Casimir effect for parallel plates in the presence of one compactified universal extra dimension is reexamined in detail. Having regularized the expressions of Casimir force, we show that the nature of Casimir force is repulsive if the distance between the plates is large enough, which is disagree with the experimental phenomena.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Effects of different rhizosphere ventilation treatment on water and nutrients absorption of maize

The objective of this study was to explore the effects of different rhizosphere ventilation treatment on water and nutrients absorption of maize. The pot experiment was conducted using three methods: no ventilation, two day ventilation and four day ventilation, under conditions of the different levels of irrigation methods. As such, the influence of rhizosphere ventilation treatment on the physiological, water and nutrient absorption of maize was studied. Results showed that, with the increase inventilation frequency, plant height, leaf area and the content of chlorophyll in maize increased to a certain degree. Root activity of once in every four days ventilation was the biggest (8.237 mg/ (g·h)), followed by that of once in every two days ventilation (6.171 mg/ (g·h)), and that of no ventilation was the least (4.940 mg/ (g·h)). Consequently, it increased by 66.7 and 29.9%, respectively. The chlorophyll content experimental results showed that, rhizosphere ventilation treatment does not affect transpiration of potted maize and has no significant difference on the irrigation water utilization rate.Key words: Potted maize, rhizosphere ventilation, water, nutrients absorption, agricultural water-saving

Site-specific identification and quantitation of endogenous SUMO modifications under native conditions.

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification regulates numerous cellular processes. Unlike ubiquitin, detection of endogenous SUMOylated proteins is limited by the lack of naturally occurring protease sites in the C-terminal tail of SUMO proteins. Proteome-wide detection of SUMOylation sites on target proteins typically requires ectopic expression of mutant SUMOs with introduced tryptic sites. Here, we report a method for proteome-wide, site-level detection of endogenous SUMOylation that uses α-lytic protease, WaLP. WaLP digestion of SUMOylated proteins generates peptides containing SUMO-remnant diglycyl-lysine (KGG) at the site of SUMO modification. Using previously developed immuno-affinity isolation of KGG-containing peptides followed by mass spectrometry, we identified 1209 unique endogenous SUMO modification sites. We also demonstrate the impact of proteasome inhibition on ubiquitin and SUMO-modified proteomes using parallel quantitation of ubiquitylated and SUMOylated peptides. This methodological advancement enables determination of endogenous SUMOylated proteins under completely native conditions

Multiplexed Sensor Array for Accurate Time-of-Wetness (TOW) Measurement

In this work, we use electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to observe the response of a single, photo-lithographically created, interdigital transducer (IDT) sensor, dimensions 6mm X 6 mm, with capacitive elements 70μm X 500 nm. The IDT was exposed to different wetting conditions, droplets of DI water, 0.1 M NaCl, and 0.6 M NaCl, in volumes of 0.1, 0.3, 1, and 5 μL. Deliquescence of solid NaCl salt particles in a dynamic-humidity (%RH Increasing, 33% to 85%) atmosphere is examined. Equivalent circuit fitting of impedance spectra suggests linear trends for the capacitive equivalent circuit element parameters and a decaying logarithmic trend for the resistive element, with respect to electrolyte concentration vs. area of wetting. The sensor development process includes a 1 by 5 proof-of-concept linear array, and the eventual goal of a 5 by 5 matrix array. The array sensor aims to (1) determine the overall fraction of wet surface area, and (2) distinguish between electrolytes of varying conductivity, in a 2-dimensional gradient across a surface

Metabolic signaling directs the reciprocal lineage decisions of αβ and γδ T cells

Wiring metabolic signaling circuits in thymocytes Cell differentiation is often accompanied by metabolic changes. Yang et al. report that generation of double-positive (DP) thymocytes from double-negative (DN) cells coincides with dynamic regulation of glycolytic and oxidative metabolism. Given the central role of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in regulating metabolic changes, they examined the role of mTORC1 pathway in thymocyte development by conditionally deleting RAPTOR, the key component of the mTORC1 complex, in thymocytes. Loss of RAPTOR impaired the DN-to-DP transition, but unexpectedly also perturbed the balance between αβ and γδ T cells and promoted the generation of γδ T cells. Their studies highlight an unappreciated role for mTORC1-dependent metabolic changes in controlling thymocyte fates. The interaction between extrinsic factors and intrinsic signal strength governs thymocyte development, but the mechanisms linking them remain elusive. We report that mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) couples microenvironmental cues with metabolic programs to orchestrate the reciprocal development of two fundamentally distinct T cell lineages, the αβ and γδ T cells. Developing thymocytes dynamically engage metabolic programs including glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, as well as mTORC1 signaling. Loss of RAPTOR-mediated mTORC1 activity impairs the development of αβ T cells but promotes γδ T cell generation, associated with disrupted metabolic remodeling of oxidative and glycolytic metabolism. Mechanistically, we identify mTORC1-dependent control of reactive oxygen species production as a key metabolic signal in mediating αβ and γδ T cell development, and perturbation of redox homeostasis impinges upon thymocyte fate decisions and mTORC1-associated phenotypes. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing and genetic dissection reveal that mTORC1 links developmental signals from T cell receptors and NOTCH to coordinate metabolic activity and signal strength. Our results establish mTORC1-driven metabolic signaling as a decisive factor for reciprocal αβ and γδ T cell development and provide insight into metabolic control of cell signaling and fate decisions. Development of αβ and γδ T cells requires coupling of environmental signals with metabolic and redox regulation by mTORC1. Development of αβ and γδ T cells requires coupling of environmental signals with metabolic and redox regulation by mTORC1

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 evolution of cosmic string loops in Kerr-de Sitter spacetimes

The equation of cosmic string loops in Kerr-de Sitter spacetimes is derived. Having solved the equation numerically, we find that the loops can expand and exist except for too small ones.Comment: 8 page

Theory of shear-induced migration in dilute polymer solutions near solid boundaries

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