Top-Quark Decay at Next-to-Next-to-Next-to-Leading Order in QCD

We present the first complete high-precision QCD corrections to the inclusive decay width $\mathrm{\Gamma}_t$, the $W$-helicity fractions $f_{\mathrm{L,R,0}}$ and semi-inclusive distributions for the top-quark decay process $t \rightarrow b + W^+ + X_{\mathrm{\tiny QCD}}$ at NNNLO in the strong coupling constant $\alpha_s$. In particular, the pure NNNLO QCD correction decreases the $\mathrm{\Gamma}_t$ by about $0.8\%$ of the previous NNLO result at the top-quark pole mass scale, exceeding the error estimated by the usual scale-variation prescription. After taking into account all sources of errors, we get $\mathrm{\Gamma}_t = 1.3148^{+0.003}_{-0.005} + 0.027\,(m_t - 172.69)\,\text{GeV}$, the error of which meets the request by future colliders. On the other hand, the NNNLO QCD effects on $f_{\mathrm{L,R,0}}$ are found to be much smaller, at the level of one per-mille for the dominating $f_{0}$, predestining them to act as precision observables for the top-quark decay process.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Strengthening climate prevention through economic globalization, clean energy, and financial development in N11 countries: evidence from advance panel estimations

This study evaluates the relevancy of economic globalization, financial development, and clean energy, in strengthening the environmental sustainability of the next 11 economies over a time period pertaining to 1995–2018. In order to achieve the objective of this study, the advanced panel estimation techniques of unit root testing, and the cointegration analysis have been applied due to the presence of the cross-sectional-dependence and heterogeneity of the slope parameters in the panel data. The long-run output coefficients have been estimated through the Cross-Sectional Autoregressive Distributive Lag Model (CS-ARDL). Moreover, the causality test for a heterogeneous panel has also been employed in order to determine the causal relationships among the variables that are under study. Our empirical findings of these tests indicate that financial development and economic globalization tend to contribute to the deterioration of environmental quality, but clean energy is productive for its improvement. The bi-directional causal relationship is recognized to exist between CO2 emission and all the variables. Based on these findings, the study recommends adopting economic growth policies that are aligned with the defined environmental regulations, thus promoting the use of more clean energy resources. These include resources such as renewable energy and incorporating the environmental welfare goals into financial development plans in N11 economies

Nutrient and feed value analysis in leaves of cassava wild species and cultivars

Objective: In order to provide reference for developing cassava leaves as feed resources nutritional components in leaves of cassava wild species and cultivars were studied. Method: Nutritional components including crude lipid, crude protein, soluble sugar, starch, carotenoid and HCN contents in functional leaves of eight cassava germplasms (three cassava wild species and five cultivars) were determined. The expression levels of proteases (UGPase, AGPase, GBSSI and Linamarase) were determined using Western blotting method. Result: Among eight cassava germplasms，wild species Manihot cecropiaefolia Phhl contained the highest starch content in functional leaves, which was 2.5 g/100 gDW, the highest soluble sugar content which was 30.0 g/100 gDW and the highest carotenoid content which wsa 91.9 mg/100 gFW, but protein and hydrocyanic acid contents were at moderate level. Cultivar SC9 contained moderate protein and soluble sugar contents in functional leaves，and the lowest HCN content which was 167 mg/kgFW. According to Western blotting analysis，expression levels of key enzymes, UGPase, AGPase and GBSSI, for sugar and starch metabolic pathway were the highest in M. cecropiaefolia Phhl; while key enzyme Linamarase for SC9 HCN metabolic pathway was the lowest. Expression levels of all proteins were in accordance with related physiological indexes variation trend. Principal component analysis revealed that, the cassava germplasms with high starch and soluble sugar content in leaf were tend to contain low crude lipid content; and the ones with high soluble sugar, crude protein and carotenoid contents would contain low HCN content. Conclusion: Comprehensive nutritional value of functional leaves in cassava wild species M. cecropiaefolia Phhl is high, which may be developed as feed resources for livestock and silkworm. HCN content in cultivar SC9 fresh leaf is low, thus it can be used as feed for silkworm

Study on the cultivating Model Innovation of internationalized talents from the perspective of “integration of production and education”

The Promulgation of the policy of "integration between industry and education ", local colleges and universities has changed the talent training mode. This requires universities to carry out reform and innovation in the cultivation of talents (especially Internationalized talents). This paper analyzes the demand types of local Internationalized talents, Combined with the problems existing in the management of innovative talents and Internationalized talents training in colleges and universities, Put forward the new train of thought of extrovert talent training, so as to promote the organic integration of industrial development and college education, which has certain reference value and practical significance to Actively promote "combination of industry and Education, combination of work and Study". Based on the analysis of the needs of Chinese internationalized people, this paper puts forward the demand types of Internationalized talents, and the training elements, objectives, modes and countermeasures of Internationalized talents. This paper gives a basic definition of extraverted talents and summarizes several types of extraverted talents. At the same time, on the basis of analyzing the needs of Chinese internationalized people, this paper puts forward the demand types of Internationalized talents, and puts forward the training elements, objectives, models and countermeasures of Internationalized talents

MiR-181d-5p Targets KLF6 to Improve Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced AKI Through Effects on Renal Function, Apoptosis, and Inflammation

Renal tubular epithelial cell (RTEC) death and renal interstitial inflammation are the most crucial pathophysiological changes in acute kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). The microRNA (miR)-181d family plays diverse roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation, but its renal target and potential role in IRI are unknown. Here, we showed that the expression of miR-181d-5p decreased and Krueppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) increased in a renal cell (HK-2) model of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury and a mouse model of renal IRI. They were mainly distributed in the renal tubules. After renal IRI, miR-181d-5p overexpression significantly inhibited inflammatory mediators, reduced apoptosis and further improved renal function. KLF6 exacerbated RTEC damage and acted as a NF-κB co-activator to aggravate the renal IRI inflammatory response. Mechanistically, KLF6 was predicted as a new potential target gene of miR-181d-5p through bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay verification. After overexpressing miR-181d-5p and inhibiting KLF6, the role of miR-181d-5p was weakened on the renal damage improvement. In conclusion, miR-181d-5p upregulation produced protective antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects against IRI in kidneys in vivo and H/R injury in HK-2 cells in vitro, and these effects were achieved by targeted inhibition of KLF6. Thus, our results provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms associated with IRI and a potential novel therapeutic target

Scutellarin Ameliorates Renal Injury via Increasing CCN1 Expression and Suppressing NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Hyperuricemic Mice

Considerable evidences have indicated that elevated uric acid (UA) was involved in renal tubular injury leading to hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN). Scutellarin is a biologically active flavonoid derived from the Chinese traditional herb Erigeron breviscapus Hand-Mazz, which has been widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of scutellarin on HN, by using C57BL/6 mice and human renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 which was subjected to adenine/potassium oxonate and UA to mimic a HN injury. The HN mice showed a significant decrease in renal function with the increased SCr and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (p < 0.05). Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed a histological injury in HN mice kidney tissues with severe tubular damage. Scutellarin dose dependently alleviated the renal injury of the HN model (p < 0.05), and a dose of 20 mg/kg/day remarkably reduced the Scr level (26.10 +/- 3.23 mu mol/ml vs. 48.39 +/- 7.51 mu mol/ml, p < 0.05) and BUN (151.12 +/- 30.24 mmol/L vs. 210.43 +/- 45.67 mmol/L, p < 0.05) compared with the HN model group. Similarly, scutellarin decreased NGAL, Kim-1, cystatin C, and IL-18 protein expression levels in HN mouse (p < 0.05). Overexpressed CCN1 could not induce NLRP3 inflammasome activation, with no change of mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, and pro-caspase-1 compared with the control HK-2. However, HK-2 showed a significant NLRP3 inflammasome activation and apoptosis. Importantly, knockdown of CCN1 not only aggravated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and apoptosis but also abrogated the protective effect of scutellarin in UA-induced HK-2 injury. Thus, scutellarin might alleviate HN progression via a mechanism involved in CCN1 regulation on NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Aurora-A down-regulates IkappaBα via Akt activation and interacts with insulin-like growth factor-1 induced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway for cancer cell survival

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The mitotic Aurora-A kinase exerts crucial functions in maintaining mitotic fidelity. As a bona fide oncoprotein, Aurora-A aberrant overexpression leads to oncogenic transformation. Yet, the mechanisms by which Aurora-A enhances cancer cell survival remain to be elucidated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we found that Aurora-A overexpression was closely correlated with clinic stage and lymph node metastasis in tongue carcinoma. Aurora-A inhibitory VX-680 suppressed proliferation, induced apoptosis and markedly reduced migration in cancer cells. We further showed that insulin-like growth factor-1, a PI3K physiological activator, reversed VX-680-decreased cell survival and motility. Conversely, wortmannin, a PI3K inhibitor, combined with VX-680 showed a synergistic effect on inducing apoptosis and suppressing migration. In addition, Aurora-A inhibition suppressed Akt activation, and VX-680-induced apoptosis was attenuated by Myr-Akt overexpression, revealing a cross-talk between Aurora-A and PI3K pathway interacting at Akt activation. Significantly, we showed that suppression of Aurora-A decreased phosphorylated Akt and was associated with increased IkappaBα expression. By contrast, Aurora-A overexpression upregulated Akt activity and downregulated IkappaBα, these changes were accompanied by nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB and increased expression of its target gene Bcl-xL. Lastly, Aurora-A overexpression induced IkappaBα reduction was abrogated by suppression of Akt either chemically or genetically.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Taken together, our data established that Aurora-A, via activating Akt, stimulated nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway to promote cancer cell survival, and promised a novel combined chemotherapy targeting both Aurora-A and PI3K in cancer treatment.</p

Recommendation for a contouring method and atlas of organs at risk in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy

Background and purpose To recommend contouring methods and atlas of organs at risk (OARs) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy, in order to help reach a consensus on interpretations of OARs delineation. Methods and materials Two to four contouring methods for the middle ear, inner ear, temporal lobe, parotid gland and spinal cord were identified via systematic literature review; their volumes and dosimetric parameters were compared in 41 patients. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for temporal lobe contouring were compared in 21 patients with unilateral temporal lobe necrosis (TLN). Results Various contouring methods for the temporal lobe, middle ear, inner ear, parotid gland and spinal cord lead to different volumes and dosimetric parameters (P < 0.05). For TLN, D1 of PRV was the most relevant dosimetric parameter and 64 Gy was the critical point. We suggest contouring for the temporal lobe, middle ear, inner ear, parotid gland and spinal cord. A CT-MRI fusion atlas comprising 33 OARs was developed. Conclusions Different dosimetric parameters may hinder the dosimetric research. The present recommendation and atlas, may help reach a consensus on subjective interpretation of OARs delineation to reduce inter-institutional differences in NPC patients. © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.published_or_final_versio

Triglyceride-glucose index and the risk of heart failure: Evidence from two large cohorts and a mendelian randomization analysis.

The relationship between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, an emerging marker of insulin resistance, and the risk of incident heart failure (HF) was unclear. This study thus aimed to investigate this relationship. Subjects without prevalent cardiovascular diseases from the prospective Kailuan cohort (recruited during 2006-2007) and a retrospective cohort of family medicine patients from Hong Kong (recruited during 2000-2003) were followed up until December 31st, 2019 for the outcome of incident HF. Separate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) summarizing the relationship between TyG index and HF risk in the two cohorts were combined using a random-effect meta-analysis. Additionally, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) of published genome-wide association study data was performed to assess the causality of observed associations. In total, 95,996 and 19,345 subjects from the Kailuan and Hong Kong cohorts were analyzed, respectively, with 2,726 cases of incident HF in the former and 1,709 in the latter. Subjects in the highest quartile of TyG index had the highest risk of incident HF in both cohorts (Kailuan: aHR 1.23 (95% confidence interval: 1.09-1.39), P&lt;sub&gt;Trend&lt;/sub&gt; &amp;lt;0.001; Hong Kong: aHR 1.21 (1.04-1.40), P&lt;sub&gt;Trend&lt;/sub&gt; =0.007; both compared with the lowest quartile). Meta-analysis showed similar results (highest versus lowest quartile: HR 1.22 (1.11-1.34), P &amp;lt; 0.001). Findings from MR analysis, which included 47,309 cases and 930,014 controls, supported a causal relationship between higher TyG index and increased risk of HF (odds ratio 1.27 (1.15-1.40), P &amp;lt; 0.001). A higher TyG index is an independent and causal risk factor for incident HF in the general population. URL: https://www.chictr.org.cn ; Unique identifier: ChiCTR-TNRC-11,001,489. [Abstract copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).