Cosmology in massive gravity

We argue that more cosmological solutions in massive gravity can be obtained if the metric tensor and the tensor $\Sigma_{\mu\nu}$ defined by St\"{u}ckelberg fields take the homogeneous and isotropic form. The standard cosmology with matter and radiation dominations in the past can be recovered and $\Lambda$CDM model is easily obtained. The dynamical evolution of the universe is modified at very early times.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure,add more reference

Paeoniflorin Ameliorates Macrophage Infiltration and Activation by Inhibiting the TLR4 Signaling Pathway in Diabetic Nephropathy

Paeoniflorin (PF) is the primary component of total glucosides of paeony (TGP). It exerts multiple effects, including immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Our previous study has found that PF has a remarkable renal-protective effect in diabetic mice, but exact mechanism has not been clarified. This study mainly explores whether PF affects macrophage infiltration and activation in diabetic kidney through TLR4 pathway. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of PF on a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced experimental DN model. The results suggested that the onset and clinical symptoms of DN in mice were remarkably ameliorated after the administration of PF. Moreover, the number of infiltrating macrophages in the mouse kidneys was also markedly decreased. Instead of inhibiting the activation of macrophages directly, PF could influence macrophages by suppressing iNOS expression as well as the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MCP-1 both in vivo and in vitro. These effects might be attributable to the inhibition of the TLR4 signaling pathway. The percentage of M1-phenotype cells as well as the mRNA levels of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and MCP-1 were downregulated when PF-treated polarized macrophages were cultured under conditions of high glucose (HG) levels. In addition, the expression of TLR4, along with that of downstream signaling molecule proteins, was also reduced. Our study has provided new insights into the potential of PF as a promising therapeutic agent for treating DN and has illustrated the underlying mechanism of PF from a new perspective

Noether Symmetry Approach in multiple scalar fields Scenario

In this Letter, we find suitable potentials in the multiple scalar fields scenario by using the Noether symmetry approach. We discussed three models with multiple scalar fields: N-quintessence with positive kinetic terms, N-phantom with negative kinetic terms and N-quintom with both positive and negative kinetic terms. In the N-quintessence case, the exponential potential which could be derived from several theoretic models is obtained from the Noether conditions. In the N-phantom case, the potential $\frac{V_{0}}{2}(1-\cos(\sqrt{\frac{3N}{2}}\frac{\phi}{m_{pl}}))$, which could be derived from the Pseudo Nambu-Goldstone boson model, is chosen as the Noether conditions required. In the N-quintom case, we derive a relation $DV'_{\phi q}=-\tilde{D}V'_{\phi p}$ between the potential forms for the quintessence-like fields and the phantom-like fields by using the Noether symmetry.Comment: 22 pages, 3 figure

Constraints on Dark Energy Models from Weak Gravity Conjecture

We study the constraints on the dark energy model with constant equation of state parameter $w=p/\rho$ and the holographic dark energy model by using the weak gravity conjecture. The combination of weak gravity conjecture and the observational data gives $w<-0.7$ at the $3\sigma$ confidence level. The holographic dark energy model realized by a scalar field is in swampland.Comment: 4 two column pages, 3 figures, accepted by Chin. Phys. Let

Noether Symmetry Approach in "Cosmic Triad" Vector Field Scenario

To realize the accelerations in the early and late periods of our universe, we need to specify potentials for the dominant fields. In this paper, by using the Noether symmetry approach, we try to find suitable potentials in the "cosmic triad" vector field scenario. Because the equation of state parameter of dark energy has been constrained in the range of $-1.21\leq \omega\leq -0.89$ by observations, we derive the Noether conditions for the vector field in quintessence, phantom and quintom models, respectively. In the first two cases, constant potential solutions have been obtained. What is more, a fast decaying point-like solution with power-law potential is also found for the vector field in quintessence model. For the quintom case, we find an interesting constraint $\tilde{C}V_{p}'=-CV_{q}'$ on the field potentials, where $C$ and $\tilde{C}$ are constants related to the Noether symmetry.Comment: 15 pages, no figures, accepted by Classical and Quantum Gravity

A mass vaccination campaign targeting adults and children to prevent typhoid fever in Hechi; Expanding the use of Vi polysaccharide vaccine in Southeast China: A cluster-randomized trial

BACKGROUND: One of the goals of this study was to learn the coverage, safety and logistics of a mass vaccination campaign against typhoid fever in children and adults using locally produced typhoid Vi polysaccharide (PS) and group A meningococcal PS vaccines in southern China. METHODS: The vaccination campaign targeted 118,588 persons in Hechi, Guangxi Province, aged between 5 to 60 years, in 2003. The study area was divided into 107 geographic clusters, which were randomly allocated to receive one of the single-dose parenteral vaccines. All aspects regarding vaccination logistics, feasibility and safety were documented and systematically recorded. Results of the logistics, feasibility and safety are reported. RESULTS: The campaign lasted 5 weeks and the overall vaccination coverage was 78%. On average, the 30 vaccine teams gave immunizations on 23 days. Vaccine rates were higher in those aged ≤ 15 years (90%) than in adolescents and young adults (70%). Planned mop-up activities increased the coverage by 17%. The overall vaccine wastage was 11%. The cold chain was maintained and documented. 66 individuals reported of adverse events out of all vaccinees, where fever (21%), malaise (19%) and local redness (19%) were the major symptoms; no life-threatening event occurred. Three needle-sharp events were reported. CONCLUSION: The mass immunization proved feasible and safe, and vaccine coverage was high. Emphasis should be placed on: injection safety measures, community involvement and incorporation of mop-up strategies into any vaccination campaign. School-based and all-age Vi mass immunizations programs are potentially important public health strategies for prevention of typhoid fever in high-risk populations in southern China

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Preparation and electrochemical properties of EVOH-SO₃Li/poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene)/hydroxyapatite lithium-ion battery separator

EVOH-SO3Li/P(VDF-HFP)/HAP lithium ion battery separator was prepared by high-pressure blending electrospinning using polyethylene-vinyl alcohol sulfonate (EVOH-SO3Li), poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-HFP)) and nano hydroxyapatite (HAP) as raw materials. The performance of the separator was characterized by FTIR, SEM, electrochemical workstation and battery detection system. The results show that the EVOH-SO3Li/P(VDF-HFP) composite separator forms an uniform and dense three-dimensional network structure, and the EVOH-SO3Li/P(VDF-HFP)/HAP composite separator presents a three-dimensional network of dendritic shapes after adding P(VDF-HFP) and HAP, which improves the porosity and liquid absorption rate of the separator. Compared with the pure EVOH-SO3Li separator, the porosity and liquid absorption rate of the EVOH-SO3Li/P(VDF-HFP)/HAP composite separator are increased by 37.5% and 91.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, the excellent electrochemical performance is also exhibited. The electrochemical stability window of the assembled lithium-ion battery is 5.65 V, and the interfacial impedance is decreased to 184.24 Ω, and the ionic conductivity is increased to 2.686&#215;10-3 S&#183;cm-1; Lithium-ion batteries assembled with EVOH-SO3Li/P(VDF-HFP)/HAP composite separator have a capacity retention rate of 96.69% after 100 cycles at 0.5 C discharge current, the properties of EVOH-SO3Li/P(VDF-HFP)/HAP composite separator are improved compared with EVOH-SO3Li