28 research outputs found
Studentification in China: changing geographies of Haidian district, Beijing
Processes of studentification encompass socio-economic, cultural and physical changes which are tied to seasonal population movements of university students. To date, most empirical investigations of studentification have tended to take place in Anglophone contexts. This thesis extends the lens of study to China, and shows the salience of the concept for understanding urban transformations which have unfolded since the introduction of a new state policy in 1999 for the expansion of higher education. Using the case study of Haidian District (Beijing), and focussing on Peking University students, the thesis makes original contributions to academic knowledge. First, it argued that the concept of studentification can be transposed to the Chinese context, and that social, cultural, economic and physical signifiers of studentification are evident in Beijing. Second, four main geographies of studentification are revealed, which concur with Smith and Hubbard s (2014) discussion of the co-existence of diverse geographies of studentification in the UK. These include: on-campus, university-managed dormitories (Yanyuan and Shaoyuan by Peking University); off-campus, university-managed dormitories (Wanliu, Changchunyuan/Changchunxinyuan, and Global Village); off-campus, Housing in Multiple Occupation (Haidianlu), and; off-campus, Purpose-built student accommodation (Wudaokou). By contrast to the UK, it is shown that all geographies of studentification are gated . Yet, differential residential and socio-cultural experiences are highlighted, in part, influenced by state regulations for Chinese students to reside within university-managed dormitories, or acquire permission to live off-campus; contrary to less-regulated accommodation patterns of International students. This division marks a conceptual difference between studentification in China and UK, with international students more aligned to stereotypical cultural/lifestyle traits of UK students (e.g. noise, partying), as opposed to Chinese counterparts residing in regulated (study-oriented) spaces on-campus. The thesis presents a redefined conceptualisation of studentification for pining down the diverse geographies of student housing in Beijing, to meet the differential demands of Chinese and international students in an expanded system of higher education
Marx for his times. Book Review of: 'Karl Marx : greatness and illusion' by Gareth Stedman Jones
Potential downstream targets for CD274. RNA-sequencing was performed with WT and CD274-null LICs, and the candidate genes related to proliferation and cell cycle was analyzed. (PDF 116 kb
‘Living off the campus’: urban geographies of change and studentification in Beijing, China
Studies of the connections between urban geographies and studentification have an international signature across continents. Yet, the transformative effects of student populations in China are under-stated within theorizations of urban change, despite unprecedented demands for student housing. In this paper, we explore neighborhood change in Haidianlu within Beijing. With an original focus on off- and on-campus student accommodation, we show that studentification processes are fueled by predilections to live off–campus and the production of student-oriented housing. The significance of our discussion is to assert that less-regulated student lifestyles are reinforcing urban geographies of socio-spatial segregation and are illustrative of the effects of the privatization of housing and land markets in China. The concept of studentification is pivotal to theorize how cross-cutting relations between the expansion of higher education and marketization of housing markets are reshaping Chinese cities to become more exclusionary, and comparative to other geographies of global studentification
Downregulation of cancer-associated fibroblast exosome-derived miR-29b-1-5p restrains vasculogenic mimicry and apoptosis while accelerating migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells via immunoglobulin domain-containing 1/zonula occluden-1 axis
Background: Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) exosomal miRNAs have gradually a hot spot in cancer therapy. This study mainly explores the effect of CAF-derived exosomal miR-29b-1-5p on gastric cancer (GC) cells. Methods: CAFs and exosomes were identified by Western blot and transmission electron microscopy. CAF-derived exosomes-GC cells co-culture systems were constructed. Effects of CAF-derived exosomal miR-29b-1-5p on GC cells were determined by cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry, wound healing, Transwell assays and Western blot. The relationship between miR-29b-1-5p and immunoglobulin domain-containing 1 (VSIG1) was assessed by TargetScan, dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) experiments. The interaction between VSIG1 and zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) was detected by co-immunoprecipitation. Expressions of miR-29b-1-5p, VSIG1 and ZO-1 were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Vascular mimicry (VM) was detected using immunohistochemistry and tube formation assays. Rescue experiments and xenograft tumor assays were used to further determine the effect of CAF-derived exosomal miR-29b-1-5p/VSIG1 on GC. Results: VM structure, upregulation of miR-29b-1-5p, and downregulation of VSIG1 and ZO-1 were shown in GC tissues. MiR-29b-1-5p targeted VSIG1, which interacted with ZO-1. CAF-derived exosomal miR-29b-1-5p inhibitor suppressed the viability, migration, invasion and VM formation, but promoted the apoptosis of GC cells. MiR-29b-1-5p inhibitor increased levels of VSIG1, ZO-1 and E-cadherin, whilst decreasing levels of VE-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin in vitro and in vivo, which however was partially reversed by shVSIG1. Downregulation of CAF-derived exosomal miR-29b-1-5p impeded GC tumorigenesis and VM structure in vivo by upregulating VSIG1/ZO-1 expression. Conclusion: Downregulation of CAF-derived exosomal miR-29b-1-5p inhibits GC progression via VSIG1/ZO-1 axis.</p
Colloid Thermodynamic Effect as the Universal Driving Force for Fabricating Various Functional Composite Particles
The design and fabrication of functional nanocomposites
is an active
area of research because composite particles have significantly improved
physical and chemical properties over those of their single-component
counterparts. Traditionally, chemical pretreatments of the components
were used to enhance their physicochemical or chemical interactions.
Here, we propose a novel approach to taking advantage of the beauty
of thermodynamics. A series of functional materials, including graphene
nanosheets, carbon nanotubes, noble metals, magnetic materials, conducting
polymers, attapulgite, and etc. were incorporated with polystyrene
particles by a thermodynamic
driving force. This unique approach is facile and versatile and shows
the considerable significance of developments in both scientific methodology
and particle engineering
Hierarchically Structured MXene Nanosheets on Carbon Sponges with a Synergistic Effect of Electrostatic Adsorption and Capillary Action for Highly Sensitive Pressure Sensors
A highly sensitive pressure sensor with nanoscale features
was
developed based on the gradient concentration of Ti3C2Tx (MXene). The fabrication strategy
involved electrostatic adsorption and capillary action utilizing a
carbonized sponge as the substrate. In this approach, hexadecyl trimethyl
ammonium bromide (CTAB) was added dropwise to the bottom of the carbonized
melamine sponge, facilitating the self-assembly of MXene and achieving
a gradient attachment of conductive fillers onto the substrate. Furthermore,
a layer of polyvinyl alcohol fibers was electrospun between the sensor
bottom and the electrode to enhance sensor sensitivity. The pressure-sensitive
sensor prepared by this method exhibited an exceptionally strong response
within the pressure range of 0–3 kPa. It demonstrated an ultrahigh
sensitivity of 381.91 kPa–1, with a rapid deformation
response of 100 ms and a quick recovery response of 30 ms. Notably,
the sensor also demonstrated outstanding durability, enduring 8000
loading–unloading cycles without performance degradation. Moreover,
it achieved a minimum detection limit as low as 0.1 Pa. Finite element
numerical analysis confirmed that the MXene/CTAB/CMF composite prepared
using this approach exhibited superior sensing performance under similar
deformation conditions. Importantly, this pressure sensor’s
exceptional sensing capabilities extended to detecting various physiological
signals in the human body and daily work scenarios. When integrated
with a microprocessor, it accurately processed complex data sets,
highlighting its great potential for practical applications
Turning Nonemissive CsPb<sub>2</sub>Br<sub>5</sub> Crystals into High-Performance Scintillators through Alkali Metal Doping
X-ray
scintillators have utility in radiation detection, therapy,
and imaging. Various materials, such as halide perovskites, organic
illuminators, and metal clusters, have been developed to replace conventional
scintillators due to their ease of fabrication, improved performance,
and adaptability. However, they suffer from self-absorption, chemical
instability, and weak X-ray stopping power. Addressing these limitations,
we employ alkali metal doping to turn nonemissive CsPb2Br5 into scintillators. Introducing alkali metal dopants
causes lattice distortion and enhances electron–phonon coupling,
which creates transient potential energy wells capable of trapping
photogenerated or X-ray-generated electrons and holes to form self-trapped
excitons. These self-trapped excitons undergo radiative recombination,
resulting in a photoluminescence quantum yield of 55.92%. The CsPb2Br5-based X-ray scintillator offers strong X-ray
stopping power, high resistance to self-absorption, and enhanced stability
when exposed to the atmosphere, chemical solvents, and intense irradiation.
It exhibits a detection limit of 162.3 nGyair s–1 and an imaging resolution of 21 lp mm–1
Table_1_Rational Design and Evaluation of an Artificial Escherichia coli K1 Protein Vaccine Candidate Based on the Structure of OmpA.DOCX
<p>Escherichia coli (E. coli) K1 causes meningitis and remains an unsolved problem in neonates, despite the application of antibiotics and supportive care. The cross-reactivity of bacterial capsular polysaccharides with human antigens hinders their application as vaccine candidates. Thus, protein antigens could be an alternative strategy for the development of an E. coli K1 vaccine. Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of E. coli K1 is a potential vaccine candidate because of its predominant contribution to bacterial pathogenesis and sub-cellular localization. However, little progress has been made regarding the use of OmpA for this purpose due to difficulties in OmpA production. In the present study, we first investigated the immunogenicity of the four extracellular loops of OmpA. Using the structure of OmpA, we rationally designed and successfully generated the artificial protein OmpAVac, composed of connected loops from OmpA. Recombinant OmpAVac was successfully produced in E. coli BL21 and behaved as a soluble homogenous monomer in the aqueous phase. Vaccination with OmpAVac induced Th1, Th2, and Th17 immune responses and conferred effective protection in mice. In addition, OmpAVac-specific antibodies were able to mediate opsonophagocytosis and inhibit bacterial invasion, thereby conferring prophylactic protection in E. coli K1-challenged adult mice and neonatal mice. These results suggest that OmpAVac could be a good vaccine candidate for the control of E. coli K1 infection and provide an additional example of structure-based vaccine design.</p
Sulfonate Groups and Saccharides as Essential Structural Elements in Heparin-Mimicking Polymers Used as Surface Modifiers: Optimization of Relative Contents for Antithrombogenic Properties
Blood
compatibility is a long sought-after goal in biomaterials research,
but remains an elusive one, and in spite of extensive work in this
area, there is still no definitive information on the relationship
between material properties and blood responses such as coagulation
and thrombus formation. Materials modified with heparin-mimicking
polymers have shown promise and indeed may be seen as comparable to
materials modified with heparin itself. In this work, heparin was
conceptualized as consisting of two major structural elements: saccharide-
and sulfonate-containing units, and polymers based on this concept
were developed. Copolymers of 2-methacrylamido glucopyranose, containing
saccharide groups, and sodium 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate, containing
sulfonate groups, were graft-polymerized on vinyl-functionalized polyurethane
(PU) surfaces by free radical polymerization. This graft polymerization
method is simple, and the saccharide and sulfonate contents are tunable
by regulating the feed ratio of the monomers. Homopolymer-grafted
materials, containing only sulfonate or saccharide groups, showed
different effects on cell–surface interactions including platelet
adhesion, adhesion and proliferation of vascular endothelial cells,
and adhesion and proliferation of smooth muscle cells. The copolymer-grafted
materials showed effects due to both sulfonate and saccharide elements
with respect to blood responses, and the optimum composition was obtained
at a 2:1 ratio of sulfonate to saccharide units (material designated
as PU-PS1M1). In cell adhesion experiments, this material showed the
lowest platelet and human umbilical vein smooth muscle cell density
and the highest human umbilical vein endothelial cell density. Among
the materials investigated, PU-PS1M1 also had the longest plasma clotting
time. This material was thus shown to be multifunctional with a combination
of properties, suggesting thromboresistant behavior in blood contact
Image_1_Rational Design and Evaluation of an Artificial Escherichia coli K1 Protein Vaccine Candidate Based on the Structure of OmpA.TIF
<p>Escherichia coli (E. coli) K1 causes meningitis and remains an unsolved problem in neonates, despite the application of antibiotics and supportive care. The cross-reactivity of bacterial capsular polysaccharides with human antigens hinders their application as vaccine candidates. Thus, protein antigens could be an alternative strategy for the development of an E. coli K1 vaccine. Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of E. coli K1 is a potential vaccine candidate because of its predominant contribution to bacterial pathogenesis and sub-cellular localization. However, little progress has been made regarding the use of OmpA for this purpose due to difficulties in OmpA production. In the present study, we first investigated the immunogenicity of the four extracellular loops of OmpA. Using the structure of OmpA, we rationally designed and successfully generated the artificial protein OmpAVac, composed of connected loops from OmpA. Recombinant OmpAVac was successfully produced in E. coli BL21 and behaved as a soluble homogenous monomer in the aqueous phase. Vaccination with OmpAVac induced Th1, Th2, and Th17 immune responses and conferred effective protection in mice. In addition, OmpAVac-specific antibodies were able to mediate opsonophagocytosis and inhibit bacterial invasion, thereby conferring prophylactic protection in E. coli K1-challenged adult mice and neonatal mice. These results suggest that OmpAVac could be a good vaccine candidate for the control of E. coli K1 infection and provide an additional example of structure-based vaccine design.</p