HIV-1 did not contribute to the 2019-nCoV genome

When a new pathogen that causes a global epidemic in humans, one key question is where it comes from. This is especially important for a zoonotic infectious disease that jumps from animals to humans. Knowing the origin of such a pathogen is critical to develop means to block further transmission and to develop vaccines. Discovery of the origin of a newly human pathogen is a sophisticated process that requires extensive and vigorous scientific validations and generally takes many years, such as the cases for HIV-1, SARS and MERS. Unfortunately, before the natural sources of new pathogens are clearly defined, conspiracy theories that the new pathogens are man-made often surface as the source. However, in all cases, such theories have been debunked in history

Decomposition and Decoupling Analysis of Carbon Emissions in Xinjiang Energy Base, China

China faces a difficult choice of maintaining socioeconomic development and carbon emissions mitigation. Analyzing the decoupling relationship between economic development and carbon emissions and its driving factors from a regional perspective is the key for the Chinese government to achieve the 2030 emission reduction target. This study adopted the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method and Tapio index, decomposed the driving forces of the decoupling, and measured the sector’s decoupling states from carbon emissions in Xinjiang province, China. The results found that: (1) Xinjiang’s carbon emissions increased from 93.34 Mt in 2000 to 468.12 Mt in 2017. Energy-intensive industries were the key body of carbon emissions in Xinjiang. (2) The economic activity effect played the decisive factor to carbon emissions increase, which account for 93.58%, 81.51%, and 58.62% in Xinjiang during 2000–2005, 2005–2010, and 2010–2017, respectively. The energy intensity effect proved the dominant influence for carbon emissions mitigation, which accounted for −22.39% of carbon emissions increase during 2000–2010. (3) Weak decoupling (WD), expansive coupling (EC), expansive negative decoupling (END) and strong negative decoupling (SND) were identified in Xinjiang during 2001 to 2017. Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita elasticity has a major inhibitory effect on the carbon emissions decoupling. Energy intensity elasticity played a major driver to the decoupling in Xinjiang. Most industries have not reached the decoupling state in Xinjiang. Fuel processing, power generation, chemicals, non-ferrous, iron and steel industries mainly shown states of END and EC. On this basis, it is suggested that local governments should adjust the industrial structure, optimize energy consumption structure, and promote energy conservation and emission reduction to tap the potential of carbon emissions mitigation in key sectors

An unprecedented synergy of high-temperature tensile strength and ductility in a NiCoCrAlTi high-entropy alloy

The present work reported a novel L12-strengthening NiCoCrAlTi high entropy alloy (HEA) with an outstanding synergy of tensile strength and ductility at both ambient and high temperatures. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization revealed a high density of rod-like and spheroidal L12 precipitates distributing in the micro/nanograins and non-recrystallized regions in the annealed specimens. The tremendously high yield stress, ultimate tensile stress (UTS), and ductility of the HEA at 600 C were ~1060 MPa, 1271 MPa, and 25%, respectively, which were significantly superior to most reported HEAs and Co- and Ni-based superalloys to date. Systematic TEM analysis unveiled that the cooperation among L12 precipitation, extensive stacking faults (SFs), deformation twins (DTs), immobile Lomer-Cottrell (L-C) locks formed from interactions between SFs and SFs/DTs, hierarchical SFs/DTs networks, as well as hetero-deformation-induced strengthening dominated the plastic deformation at 600 C. Such a unique deformation mechanism enabled extremely high tensile strength and sustained ductility of the HEA at a high temperature

Tailoring magnetic behavior of CoFeMnNiX (X = Al, Cr, Ga, and Sn) high entropy alloys by metal doping

Magnetic materials with excellent performances are desired for functional applications. Based on the high-entropy effect, a system of CoFeMnNiX (X = Al, Cr, Ga, and Sn) magnetic alloys are designed and investigated. The dramatic change in phase structures from face-centered-cubic (FCC) to ordered body-centered-cubic (BCC) phases, caused by adding Al, Ga, and Sn in CoFeMnNiX alloys, originates from the potent short-range chemical order in the liquid state predicted by ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. This phase transition leads to the significant enhancement of the saturation magnetization (Ms), e.g., the CoFeMnNiAl alloy has Ms of 147.86 Am2/kg. First-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the electronic and magnetic structures reveal that the anti-ferromagnetism of Mn atoms in CoFeMnNi is suppressed especially in the CoFeMnNiAl HEA because Al changes the Fermi level and itinerant electron-spin coupling that lead to ferromagnetism

MHC class I-presented tumor antigen appraisable for T-cell responses against ovarian cancer

The purpose of this study is to assess whether MHC class I-presented tumor antigen is appraisable for T-cell responses against ovarian cancer. In ovarian cancer cell, human leukocyte antigen A2 (HLA-A2) associated with peptides was used to promote the activation of naive T cells so as to activate antigen-specific T cells. 7 or 4 patients were observed grade 1 or 2 injection site reactions, respectively. 5, 2 or 1 patients were observed grade 1, 2 or 3 pain reactions, respectively. 4 or 1 patients were observed grade 1 or 2 induration reactions. Total number mean value of patients experiencing response to the particular peptide was 7.73, and total number mean value of peptides to which the patients responded was 7.45. MHC class I-presented tumor antigen is appraisable for T-cell responses against ovarian cancer in China

Challenges and pathways of low-carbon oriented energy transition and power system planning strategy: a review

This paper provides an overview of the challenges and pathways involved in achieving a low-carbon-oriented energy transition roadmap and power system planning strategy. The transition towards low-carbon energy sources is crucial in mitigating the global climate change crisis. However, this transition presents several technical, economic, and political challenges. The paper emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach to power system planning that considers the entire energy system (including both physical and information systems and market mechanisms) and not just individual technologies. To achieve this goal, the paper discusses various pathways toward low-carbon energy transition, including the integration of renewable energy sources into current energy systems, energy efficiency measures, and market-based and regulatory strategies encompassing the implementation of regulations, standards, and policies. Furthermore, the paper underscores the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to energy planning, taking into account the socio-economic and political dimensions of the transition process. In addition, the paper reviews the methodologies used in modeling low-carbon-oriented power system planning, including both model-based methods and advanced machine learning-assisted solutions. Overall, the paper concludes that achieving a low-carbon-oriented energy transition roadmap and power system planning strategy requires a multi-dimensional approach that considers technical, economic, political, and social factors

Gastrodin Rescues Autistic-Like Phenotypes in Valproic Acid-Induced Animal Model

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an immensely challenging developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, restricted/repetitive behavior, and anxiety. GABAergic dysfunction has been postulated to underlie these autistic symptoms. Gastrodin is widely used clinically in the treatment of neurological disorders and showed to modulate GABAergic signaling in the animal brain. The present study aimed to determine whether treatment with gastrodin can rescue valproic acid (VPA) induced autistic-like phenotypes, and to determine its possible mechanism of action. Our results showed that administration of gastrodin effectively alleviated the autistic-associated behavioral abnormalities as reflected by an increase in social interaction and decrement in repetitive/stereotyped behavior and anxiety in mice as compared to those in untreated animals. Remarkably, the amelioration in autistic-like phenotypes was accompanied by the restoration of inhibitory synaptic transmission, α5 GABAA receptor, and type 1 GABA transporter (GAT1) expression in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) of VPA-treated mice. These findings indicate that gastrodin may alleviate the autistic symptoms caused by VPA through regulating GABAergic synaptic transmission, suggesting that gastrodin may be a potential therapeutic target in autism

Atrazine-induced apoptosis of splenocytes in BALB/C mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethytlamino-6-isopropylamine-1,3,5-triazine; ATR), is the most commonly applied broad-spectrum herbicide in the world. Unintentional overspray of ATR poses an immune function health hazard. The biomolecular mechanisms responsible for ATR-induced immunotoxicity, however, are little understood. This study presents on our investigation into the apoptosis of splenocytes in mice exposed to ATR as we explore possible immunotoxic mechanisms.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Oral doses of ATR were administered to BALB/C mice for 21 days. The histopathology, lymphocyte apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins from the Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) apoptotic pathway were examined from spleen samples.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mice administered ATR exhibited a significant decrease in spleen and thymus weight. Electron microscope histology of ultrathin sections of spleen revealed degenerative micromorphology indicative of apoptosis of splenocytes. Flow cytometry revealed that the percentage of apoptotic lymphocytes increased in a dose-dependent manner after ATR treatment. Western blots identified increased expression of Fas, FasL and active caspase-3 proteins in the treatment groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>ATR is capable of inducing splenocytic apoptosis mediated by the Fas/FasL pathway in mice, which could be the potential mechanism underlying the immunotoxicity of ATR.</p

The Analysis on Co-integration Testing of Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth in Liaoning Province

Abstract-Based on the theory of co-integration test, this paper analyzes the quantitative relation between Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) and economic growth in Liaoning province. The result shows that there exists long-term steady equilibrium relation between FDI and economic growth in Liaoning province. FDI in Liaoning province contributes to economic growth. In the future, Liaoning province should strengthen absorbing more FDI, and advance the level of opening

Research on Green Total Factor Productivity Enhancement Path from the Configurational Perspective&mdash;Based on the TOE Theoretical Framework

Increasing Green Total Factor Productivity (GTFP) is the strategy to overcome resource and environmental limitations and achieve green and sustainable regional economic development. This study introduces the Technology&ndash;Organization&ndash;Environment (TOE) theoretical framework and the Fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method into the study of GTFP. We use the fsQCA method to empirically explore the linkage matching patterns of multiple conditions such as technology, organization, and environment in the TOE framework for influencing GTFP from a configurational perspective using 30 Chinese provinces and cities as case studies. This study provides new concepts and methodologies for GTFP-related research. The study&rsquo;s findings indicate that: (1) There are two paths to generating high GTFP: the type of organizational management and the type of technical support. The two paths produce non-high GTFP, namely, a type of organizational management deficit and environmental support deficiency and a type of organizational management imbalance and technological support deficiency, respectively. This research verifies the existence of causal asymmetry in the GTFP phenomena. (2) In addition, there are substitutes between combinations of organizational conditions and technical conditions and between technical conditions and environmental conditions under specific circumstances. This discovery broadens the scope of how the TOE framework can be used to explain &ldquo;causal complexity&rdquo; and, in some ways, resolves the theoretical conundrum it now faces. (3) According to the sub-regional study, GTFP improvement tactics have substantial spatial distribution characteristics, with China&rsquo;s eastern and central regions achieving them through organizational management and technical support strategies. Only the organizational management type is prevalent in the western region. This study is useful for the local planning of GTFP enhancement paths in each Chinese province to achieve a win&ndash;win situation between economic development and environmental conservation, as well as to provide empirical evidence for nations in a similar situation to China