Suppressing CMB Quadrupole with a Bounce from Contracting Phase to Inflation

Recent released WMAP data show a low value of quadrupole in the CMB temperature fluctuations, which confirms the early observations by COBE. In this paper, a scenario, in which a contracting phase is followed by an inflationary phase, is constructed. We calculate the perturbation spectrum and show that this scenario can provide a reasonable explanation for lower CMB anisotropies on large angular scales.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Association of LEP G2548A and LEPR Q223R Polymorphisms with Cancer Susceptibility: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis

__Background:__ Numerous epidemiological studies have examined associations of genetic variations in LEP (G2548A, -2548 nucleotide upstream of the ATG start site) and LEPR (Q223R, nonsynonymous SNP in exon 6) with cancer susceptibility; however, the findings are inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate such associations. __Methods:__ We searched published literature from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and CBM for eligible publications. We also assessed genotype-based mRNA expression data from HapMap for rs7799039 (G2548A) and rs1137101 (Q223R) in normal cell lines derived from 270 subjects with different ethnicities. __Results:__ The final analysis included 16 published studies of 6569 cases and 8405 controls for the LEP G2548A and 19 studies of 7504 cases and 9581 controls for the LEPR Q223R. Overall, LEP G2548A was statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of overall cancer (AA vs. GG: OR=1.27, 95% CI=1.05-1.54; recessive model: OR=1.19, 9

Multi-ancestry study of blood lipid levels identifies four loci interacting with physical activity.

Many genetic loci affect circulating lipid levels, but it remains unknown whether lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, modify these genetic effects. To identify lipid loci interacting with physical activity, we performed genome-wide analyses of circulating HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in up to 120,979 individuals of European, African, Asian, Hispanic, and Brazilian ancestry, with follow-up of suggestive associations in an additional 131,012 individuals. We find four loci, in/near CLASP1, LHX1, SNTA1, and CNTNAP2, that are associated with circulating lipid levels through interaction with physical activity; higher levels of physical activity enhance the HDL cholesterol-increasing effects of the CLASP1, LHX1, and SNTA1 loci and attenuate the LDL cholesterol-increasing effect of the CNTNAP2 locus. The CLASP1, LHX1, and SNTA1 regions harbor genes linked to muscle function and lipid metabolism. Our results elucidate the role of physical activity interactions in the genetic contribution to blood lipid levels

The generalized Hamiltonian model for the shafting transient analysis of the hydro turbine generating sets.

yesTraditional rotor dynamics mainly focuses on the steady- state behavior of the rotor and shafting. However, for systems such as hydro turbine generating sets (HTGS) where the control and regulation is frequently applied, the shafting safety and stabilization in transient state is then a key factor. The shafting transient state inevitably involves multiparameter domain, multifield coupling, and coupling dynamics. In this paper, the relative value form of the Lagrange function and its equations have been established by defining the base value system of the shafting. Takingthe rotation angle and the angular speed of the shafting as a link, the shafting lateral vibration and generator equations are integrated into the framework of generalized Hamiltonian system. The generalized Hamiltonian control model is thus established. To make the model more general, additional forces of the shafting are taken as the input excitation in proposed model. The control system of the HTGS can be easily connected with the shafting model to form the whole simulation system of the HTGS. It is expected that this study will build a foundation for the coupling dynamics theory using the generalized Hamiltonian theory to investigate coupling dynamic mechanism among the shafting vibration, transient of hydro turbine generating sets, and additional forces of the shafting.National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 51179079 and 5083900

A study on the extraction and purification technology of tea sapogenin

In order to extract and purify tea sapogenin, first the extraction liquid is obtained using mechanically pressed tea-seeds as raw material, which will be decreased by organic solvent. When the conditions like the methanol volume fraction is 75v/v, solid-liquid is 1:4 and the ultrasonic frequency is 25.8 Hz, extract them for 30 min. After this, collect the extraction liquid and slowly add in Hz-841 macroporous resin column, then elute it with 0.3% NaOH. The third step is to elute with ethanol of different concentrations after the coloring pigment is got rid of, and then detect it with thin layer chromatography (TLC). It is discovered that there is only tea sapogenin in the 35 – 95v/v ethanol elution liquid. The last step is to collect the 95% ethanol elution liquid and vacuum condense it; and then tea-Tea sapogenin with a purity of 96% can be obtained

Foxp2 controls synaptic wiring of corticostriatal circuits and vocal communication by opposing Mef2c

Cortico-basal ganglia circuits are critical for speech and language and are implicated in autism spectrum disorder, in which language function can be severely affected. We demonstrate that in the mouse striatum, the gene Foxp2 negatively interacts with the synapse suppressor gene Mef2c. We present causal evidence that Mef2c inhibition by Foxp2 in neonatal mouse striatum controls synaptogenesis of corticostriatal inputs and vocalization in neonates. Mef2c suppresses corticostriatal synapse formation and striatal spinogenesis, but can itself be repressed by Foxp2 through direct DNA binding. Foxp2 deletion de-represses Mef2c, and both intrastriatal and global decrease of Mef2c rescue vocalization and striatal spinogenesis defects of Foxp2-deletion mutants. These findings suggest that Foxp2-Mef2C signaling is critical to corticostriatal circuit formation. If found in humans, such signaling defects could contribute to a range of neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R37 HD028341)Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (U.S.) (Award R37 HD028341

Satisfaction with the Overseas Education in China: A Survey on 44 Institutions of Higher Learning in Jiangsu Province

In order to fully grasp the service level, management quality and effectiveness of the overseas education in China, a satisfaction survey was carried out on 44 institutions of higher learning in Jiangsu province from 5 dimensions of school learning, school life, school administration, surrounding environment, and urban civility and environment. Findings include 1. Students’ nationality: students from Asia and Africa are the most while students from Oceania are the least; 2. Student category: more than 1/3 of overseas students are Chinese language students, but overseas students in Jiangsu province have a higher level of matriculate quality and educational pursuit, for those pursuing a higher education degree at the bachelor’s, the master’s and the doctoral level have reached an accumulative 60% of all; 3. The overall student satisfaction is above average, with a significant difference between different colleges and universities within Jiangsu province. Satisfaction with surrounding environment gets the highest score, but dissatisfaction of a certain degree occurs with library, website construction, hostel accommodation, other school facilities and services, and urban civility and environment. As is revealed by the investigation, 70.45% of students respond that their college or university does not have a canteen exclusive for overseas students; 4. There is a significant difference in overall satisfaction and satisfaction with each of the 5 assessment dimensions between different categories of students; 5. A multiple linear regression model shows that the overall accountability is 98.8% on the 11 assessment parameters in the dimensions of school learning and school life (curriculum, teacher, school system, teaching facilities, library, website construction, hostel accommodation, canteen catering, entertainment & sports activities, student affairs and services, and other school facilities and services). Suggestions are as follows: 1. “Foreign language prompts and guidance” are the topmost demand of overseas students in China; 2. The basic living conditions for overseas students should be improved; 3. The international service level of educational administrative employees should be raised; 4. The construction of school library and a portal website should be made to better meet the practical needs of overseas students; 5. The disparity in the overseas education between different colleges and universities in Jiangsu province should be narrowed and a standardized management highlighted. Keywords: Overseas education in China; overall satisfaction; multiple linear regression model; international service level

Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz extract inhibits adipogenesis and lipase activity in vitro

Background: Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz (O. indicum) is found in Thailand. It has been used for the treatment of obesity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an O. indicum extract (OIE) on the adipogenic and biomolecular change in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: Initial studies examined the chemical components of OIE. The cell line 3T3-L1 was used to establish potential toxic effects of OIE during the differentiation of pre-adipocytes to adipocytes. The inhibitory effect of OIE on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells was investigated. Moreover, the impact of OIE on pancreatic lipase activity was determined. In further experiments, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) was used to monitor and discriminate biomolecular changes caused by the potential anti-adipogenic effect of OIE on 3T3-L1 cells. Results: Chemical screening methods indicated that OIE was composed of flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, and tannins. The percentage viability of 3T3-L1 cells was not significantly decreased after exposure to either 200 or 150 μg/mL of OIE for 2 and 10 days, respectively compared to control cells. The OIE exhibited a dose-dependent reduction of lipid accumulation compared to the control (p < 0.05). The extract also demonstrated a dosedependent inhibitory effect upon lipase activity compared to the control. The inhibitory effect of the OIE on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells was also confirmed using FTIR microspectroscopy. The signal intensity and the integrated areas relating to lipids, lipid esters, nucleic acids, glycogen and carbohydrates of the OIE-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were significantly lower than the non-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated four distinct clusters for the FTIR spectra of 3T3-L1 adipocytes based on biomolecular changes (lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates). This observation was confirmed using Unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis (UHCA). Conclusions: These novel findings provide evidence that the OIE derived from the fruit pods of the plant is capable of inhibiting lipid and carbohydrate accumulation in adipocytes and also has the potential to inhibit an enzyme associated with fat absorption. The initial observations indicate that OIE may have important properties which in the future may be exploited for the management of the overweight or obese

Enhancing interferometry using weak value amplification with real weak values

We introduce an ultra-sensitive interferometric protocol that combines weak value amplification (WVA) with traditional interferometry. This WVA+interferometry protocol uses weak value amplification of the relative delay between two paths to enhance the interferometric sensitivity, approaching the quantum limit for classical light. As an example, we demonstrate a proof-of-principle experiment that achieves few-attosecond timing resolution (few-nanometer path length resolution) with a double-slit interferometer using only common optical components. Since our example uses only the spatial shift of double-slit interference fringes, its precision is not limited by the timing resolution of the detectors, but is instead limited solely by the fundamental shot noise associated with classical light. We experimentally demonstrate that the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved by one to three orders of magnitude and approaches the shot-noise limit in the large amplification regime. Previously, quantum-limited WVA delay measurements were thought to require imaginary weak values, which necessitate light with a broad spectral bandwidth and high-resolution spectrometers. In contrast, our protocol highlights the feasibility of using real weak values and narrowband light. Thus, our protocol is a compelling and cost-effective approach to enhance interferometry.Comment: 3 figure

Research Artifacts in Software Engineering Publications: Status and Trends

The Software Engineering (SE) community has been embracing the open science policy and encouraging researchers to disclose artifacts in their publications. However, the status and trends of artifact practice and quality remain unclear, lacking insights on further improvement. In this paper, we present an empirical study to characterize the research artifacts in SE publications. Specifically, we manually collect 1,487 artifacts from all 2,196 papers published in top-tier SE conferences (ASE, FSE, ICSE, and ISSTA) from 2017 to 2022. We investigate the common practices (e.g., URL location and format, storage websites), maintenance activities (e.g., last update time and URL validity), popularity (e.g., the number of stars on GitHub and characteristics), and quality (e.g., documentation and code smell) of these artifacts. Based on our analysis, we reveal a rise in publications providing artifacts. The usage of Zenodo for sharing artifacts has significantly increased. However, artifacts stored in GitHub tend to receive few stars, indicating a limited influence on real-world SE applications. We summarize the results and provide suggestions to different stakeholders in conjunction with current guidelines.Comment: Accepted by Journal of Systems and Software (JSS 2024). Please include JSS in any citation