Defect-Free Plastic Deformation Through Dimensionality Reduction and Self-Annihilation of Topological Defects in Crystalline Solids

As a signature of symmetry-breaking processes, the generation and annihilation of topological defects (domain walls, strings, etc.) are of great interest in condensed matter physics and cosmology. Here we propose a distinctive self-organization process through phase transitions, in which all the generated topological defects are dimensionality reduced and self-annihilated. In crystalline solids, such a unique mechanism allows a perfect single crystal after plastic deformation, which originates from the coupling of different types of broken symmetries

Effect of astragaloside on vitamin d-receptor expression after endothelin-1-induced cardiomyocyte injury

Background: Astragaloside, which is one of the main components of Astragalus membranaceus, has been widely used in the treatment of congestive heart failure in China, and it can protect cardiomyocytes. Its mechanism of action remains unclear. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the influence of astragaloside on rat cardiomyocytes stimulated with endothelin-1 (ET-1), and explored the underlying mechanism.Materials and Methods: ET-1 was used to stimulate primary rat cardiomyocytes and establish a cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model. Different astragaloside doses were administered in combination with ET-1. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and flow cytometry, respectively. The molecular mechanism was explored by analyzing the mRNA of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily B member 1(CYP27B), cytochrome P450 family 24 subfamily A member 1(CYP24A) and renin mRNA levels by quantificational real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).Results: Rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was established successfully. Astragaloside administration significantly affected cell apoptosis and significantly inhibited ET-1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in a dose-dependent manner. Astragaloside treatment affected the expression of signaling molecules in the vitamin D axis.Conclusion: Astragaloside inhibits ET-1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. This effect can be reversed by regulating the levels of the relevant factors in the vitamin D axis.Keywords: cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, Astragaloside, Vitamin D Receptor, reni

Does EVA truly reflect the performance of property companies in China?

This study investigates the economic value added (EVA) of 18 major Chinese property companies from 2006 to 2012. We categorize the companies in two ways: 1) companies concentrating on property vs multi-functional companies and 2) state-owned enterprises (SOEs) vs privately-owned enterprises (POEs). We find that on average, the mainland property companies experienced a negative EVA during the period 2006–2012. This is due to the companies undertaking long-term projects, and the companies do not recognize capital gain from property appreciation as income. Hence the EVA of the companies is, in fact, understated. The results also reveal that POEs outperform SOEs in terms of EVA. This reflects the inefficiency of SOEs. This research has two important implications to investors. Firstly, besides looking at the EVA of the companies, investors should also understand the nature of businesses of the companies thoroughly. Secondly, investors investing in emerging markets like China should have a thorough understanding of their market characteristics. This study can act as a reference for future studies in EVA of property companies in other emerging economies in the world

EFFECT OF ASTRAGALOSIDE ON VITAMIN D-RECEPTOR EXPRESSION AFTER ENDOTHELIN-1-INDUCED CARDIOMYOCYTE INJURY

Background: Astragaloside, which is one of the main components of Astragalus membranaceus, has been widely used in the treatment of congestive heart failure in China, and it can protect cardiomyocytes. Its mechanism of action remains unclear. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the influence of astragaloside on rat cardiomyocytes stimulated with endothelin-1 (ET-1), and explored the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods: ET-1 was used to stimulate primary rat cardiomyocytes and establish a cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model. Different astragaloside doses were administered in combination with ET-1. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and flow cytometry, respectively. The molecular mechanism was explored by analyzing the mRNA of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily B member 1(CYP27B), cytochrome P450 family 24 subfamily A member 1(CYP24A) and renin mRNA levels by quantificational real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR). Results: Rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was established successfully. Astragaloside administration significantly affected cell apoptosis and significantly inhibited ET-1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in a dose-dependent manner. Astragaloside treatment affected the expression of signaling molecules in the vitamin D axis. Conclusion: Astragaloside inhibits ET-1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. This effect can be reversed by regulating the levels of the relevant factors in the vitamin D axis

Electrocatalytic activity and volatile product selectivity for nitrate reduction at tin-modified Pt(100), Pd(100) and Pd–Pt(100) single crystal electrodes in acidic media

We prepared Sn-modified Pt(100), Pd(100) and Pd–Pt(100) single crystal electrodes and investigated the nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) activity and the product selectivity for them using online electrochemical mass spectroscopy (OLEMS), also known as differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy (DEMS). OLEMS measurements allowed us to quantify volatile products of N2, N2O and NO and confirm the production of N2 at Sn/Pd(100) but not at Sn/Pt(100). Pd-doping to Pt(100) with a 3 atomic % increased the product selectivity for the NO3RR to N2. These results indicate that the presence of Pd in the (100) surface is the key to produce N2, which seems to be related to the hydrogen adsorption energy to the metal surface. The suppression of hydrogenation of intermediate species at the electrode surface could lead to the production of N2. This work will guide us to understand N2 production mechanism for the NO3RR and develop highly selective electrocatalysts for denitrification

A review of magnesium aluminum chloride complex electrolytes for Mg batteries

Developing suitable electrolytes with high oxidation decomposition potential, low cost, and good compatibility with electrode materials has been a critical challenge in realizing practical magnesium batteries. The emerging magnesium aluminum chloride complex (MACC) electrolytes based on inorganic chloride salts exhibit high Coulombic efficiencies for magnesium batteries. This review summarizes recent studies of MACC electrolytes, focusing on the synthesis, characterization, and chemical environment of Mg species, electrolytic conditioning of electrolytes, and their application in typical magnesium batteries. The electrolyte evolution and influencing factor of electrolytic conditioning are discussed, and several kinds of conditioning-free MACC electrolytes are further introduced. Finally, future trends and perspectives in this field are discussed

Effects of yeast extract supplemented in diet on growth performance, digestibility, intestinal histology, and the antioxidant capacity of the juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted on the juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) to evaluate the influence of yeast extract (YE) supplementation in the diet on growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, nutrient digestibility, intestinal histology, and antioxidant capacity. Four experimental diets were formulated with graded levels of yeast extract 0 (YE0), 1% (YE1), 3% (YE3), and 5% (YE5) and fed to turbots (initial body weight: 4.2 ± 0.1 g) with three replicates per diet and 200 fish in each replicate, respectively. The results showed that turbots fed with diets YE1 and YE3 displayed a significantly higher specific growth rate and protein efficiency rate than those fed with diets YE0 and YE5, while the feed conversion ratios in YE1 and YE3 groups were lower than those in YE0 and YE5. Fish fed with diets YE3 and YE5 showed higher body crude protein contents than those in groups YE0 and YE1. The highest apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter and crude protein, digestive enzyme activities (trypsin, lipase, and amylase), and the height of the intestinal fold were observed in the YE3 group. YE3 treatment displayed a significantly higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity than the YE0 group, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in YE1 was significantly lower than those in YE0 and YE5. No significant difference was observed in serum physiological and biochemical parameters among all treatments. Overall, appropriate dietary supplementation of the yeast extract could improve the growth performance, digestibility, and antioxidant capacity of the juvenile turbot, and the recommended yeast extract level in the feed is 2.47%

SLC11A1 (NRAMP1) Polymorphisms and Tuberculosis Susceptibility: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Natural resistance associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1), encoded by the SLC11A1 gene, has been described to regulate macrophage activation and be associated with infectious and autoimmune diseases. The relation between SLC11A1 polymorphisms and tuberculosis susceptibility has been studied in different populations. Methods: We systematically reviewed published studies on SLC11A1 polymorphisms and tuberculosis susceptibility until September 15, 2010 and quantitatively summarized associations of the most widely studied polymorphisms using metaanalysis. Results: In total, 36 eligible articles were included in this review. In Meta-analysis, significant associations were observed between tuberculosis risk and widely studied SLC11A1 polymorphisms with summarized odds ratio of 1.35 (95%CI, 1.17– 1.54), 1.25 (95 % CI, 1.04–1.50), 1.23 (95 % CI, 1.04–1.44), 1.31 (95%CI, 1.08–1.59) for 39 UTR, D543N, INT4, and 59 (GT)n, respectively. Heterogeneity between studies was not pronounced, and the associations did not remarkably vary in the stratified analysis with respect to study population and study base. Conclusions: The association between SLC11A1 polymorphisms and tuberculosis susceptibility observed in our analyses supports the hypothesis that NRAMP1 might play an important role in the host defense to the development of tuberculosis

Deformation pathway and defect generation in crystals: a combined group theory and graph theory description

The generation and motion of crystalline defects during plastic deformation are critical processes that determine the mechanical properties of a crystal. The types of defect generated are not only related to the symmetry of a crystal but also associated with the symmetry-breaking process during deformation. Proposed here is a new mathematical framework to capture the intrinsic coupling between crystal symmetry and deformation-induced symmetry breaking. Using a combination of group theory and graph theory, a general approach is demonstrated for the systematic determination of the types of crystalline defect induced by plastic deformation, through the construction of a crystal deformation group and a deformation pathway graph. The types of defect generated in the deformation of a face-centered cubic crystal are analyzed through the deformation pathway graph and compared with experimental observations

Free Vibration of Functionally Graded One-Dimensional Hexagonal Piezoelectric Quasicrystal Sandwich Plates

A one-dimensional (1D) quasicrystal (QC) [1] refers to a three-dimensional structure with atomic arrangement quasi-periodically in one direction and periodically in the plane perpendicular to that direction [2] , [3]. Functionally graded martial (FGM) [4] - [10] composite piezoelectric QCs and other materials expand the application of QCs [11] - [13].The work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11972365, 51704015, 11472299) and China Agricultural University Education Foundation (No. 1101-24000