A redshift distortion free correlation function at third order in the nonlinear regime

The zeroth-order component of the cosine expansion of the projected three-point correlation function is proposed for clustering analysis of cosmic large scale structure. These functions are third order statistics but can be measured similarly to the projected two-point correlations. Numerical experiments with N-body simulations indicate that the advocated statistics are redshift distortion free within 10% in the non-linear regime on scales ~0.2-10Mpc/h. Halo model prediction of the zeroth-order component of the projected three-point correlation function agrees with simulations within ~10%. This lays the ground work for using these functions to perform joint analyses with the projected two-point correlation functions, exploring galaxy clustering properties in the framework of the halo model and relevant extensions.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figs; MNRAS accepte

Alcoholism and Alternative Splicing of Candidate Genes

Gene expression studies have shown that expression patterns of several genes have changed during the development of alcoholism. Gene expression is regulated not only at the level of transcription but also through alternative splicing of pre-mRNA. In this review, we discuss some of the evidence suggesting that alternative splicing of candidate genes such as DRD2 (encoding dopamine D2 receptor) may form the basis of the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of alcoholism. These reports suggest that aberrant expression of splice variants affects alcohol sensitivities, and alcohol consumption also regulates alternative splicing. Thus, investigations of alternative splicing are essential for understanding the molecular events underlying the development of alcoholism

A novel Xp11.22–22.33 deletion suggesting a possible mechanism of congenital cervical spinal muscular atrophy

Abstract Background Congenital cervical spinal muscular atrophy (CCSMA) is a rare, nonprogressive, neurogenic disorder characterized by symmetric arthrogryposis and motor deficits mainly confined to upper extremities. Since its first proposal by Darwish et al. 39 years ago, only few cases have ever been reported. Vascular insult to the anterior horn of cervical spinal cord during fetal development was speculated to be the cause, however, the exact pathogenesis is still not well understood. Methods In this study, whole‐exome sequencing (WES) and copy number variation (CNV) analysis were conducted on a definitive CCSMA patient, confirmed by the clinical manifestations and other supplementary examinations. Results On physical examination, the patient was mainly characterized by symmetric, congenital, nonprogressive contractures, hypotonia, and muscle weakness mainly confined to the upper limbs, which were further supported by MRI and electromyography. Neuromuscular biopsy of the deltoid muscle demonstrated the type 1 myofiber predominance without any infiltration of inflammatory cells. The WES and CNV analysis unveiled a de novo Xp11.22–22.33 deletion. On further examination of the genes contained within this segment, we recognize UBA1 gene as the most likely pathogenic gene. Ubiquitin‐like modifier activating enzyme 1 is encoded by UBA1 gene (MIM 314370) located in Xp11.3 and is a critical protein that plays a vital role in ubiquitin‐proteasome system and autophagy. It is well documented that UBA1 gene mutation causes X‐linked infantile spinal muscular atrophy (XL‐SMA), which manifests phenotypes of arthrogryposis, hypotonia, and myopathic face. Type 2 XL‐SMA, which follows a nonprogressive and nonlethal course is very similar to the presentations of CCSMA. Conclusion The phenotypic similarities between this CCSMA case and XL‐SMA prompt us to hypothesize a possible connection between UBA1 gene deficit and the pathogenesis of CCSMA. Our study is the first to demonstrate that CCSMA might have a genetic etiology, thus, expanding our insights into the underlying cause of CCSMA

Genesis of granular calcite in lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks and its indication to volcanic-hydrothermal events: A case study of Permian Lucaogou Formation in Jimusar Sag, Junggar Basin, NW China

Granular calcite is an authigenic mineral in fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Core observation, thin section observation, cathodoluminescence analysis, fluid inclusion analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and isotopic composition analysis were combined to clarify the genesis of granular calcite in the lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks of the Permian Lucaogou Formation in the Jimusar Sag, Junggar Basin. It is found that the granular calcite is distributed with laminated characteristics in fine-grained sedimentary rocks in tuffite zones (or the transitional zone between tuffite and micritic dolomite). Granular calcite has obvious cathodoluminesence band, and it can be divided into three stages. Stage-I calcite, with non-luminesence, high content of Sr element, inclusions containing COS, and homogenization temperature higher than 170 °C, was directly formed from the volcanic-hydrothermal deposition. Stage-II calcite, with bright yellow luminescence, high contents of Fe, Mn and Mg, enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREEs), and high homogenization temperature, was formed by recrystallization of calcareous edges from exhalative hydrothermal deposition. Stage-III calcite, with dark orange luminescence band, high contents of Mg, P, V and other elements, no obvious fractionation among LREEs, and low homogenization temperature, was originated from diagenetic transformation during burial. The granular calcite appears regularly in the vertical direction and its formation temperature decreases from the center to the margin of particles, providing direct evidences for volcanic-hydrothermal events during the deposition of the Lucaogou Formation. The volcanic-hydrothermal event was conducive to the enrichment of organic matters in fine-grained sedimentary rocks of the Lucaogrou Formation, and positive to the development of high-quality source rocks. The volcanic-hydrothermal sediments might generate intergranular pores/fractures during the evolution, creating conditions for the self-generation and self-storage of shale oil

Highly Solar-Reflective Litchis-Like Core-Shell HGM/TiO2 Microspheres Synthesized by Controllable Heterogeneous Precipitation Method

Hollow glass microsphere (HGM)TiO2 core-shell structural composites have promising applications in the field of energy efficient solar-reflective paints. In this work, after pretreated with saturated Ca(OH)(2) solutions, litchis-like TiO2 shells have been successfully synthesized on HGMs via a controllably heterogeneous precipitation method with Titanium (IV) sulfate (Ti(SO4)(2)) and urea as reaction precursors. It is emphasized that the use of urea as the precipitating agent is essential for the heterogeneous nucleation and growth of Ti(OH)(4) on HGMs, while the Ca(OH)(2) pretreatment provides the heterogeneous nucleation sites on HGMs which promotes the nucleation and growth of Ti(OH)(4), and gives rise to large secondary Ti(OH)(4) particles, leading to the formation of litchis-like TiO2 shells. The resulted core-shell structural HGM/TiO2 microspheres exhibited highest solar reflectance of similar to 83%

Low-temperature solution-processed MoOx as hole injection layer for efficient quantum dot light-emitting diodes

In this work, quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) based on a low-temperature solution-processed MoOx hole injection layer were fabricated. As a result of the excellent wettability of the MoOx precursor, a smooth sMoO(x) HIL film with a roughness of less than 1 nm was obtained. In comparison with a device based on PEDOT:PSS, the best sMoO(x)-based QD-LED displayed comparable device performance in terms of a maximum luminance of 10 225 cd m(-2), a peak current efficiency of 4.04 cd A(-1), a maximum external quantum efficiency of 1.61% and, more importantly, an approximately threefold increase in operational lifetime. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between the thermal treatment of the sMoO(x) film and the device performance. UPS measurements revealed that the work function of the sMoOx film underwent an upshift from 5.51 to 4.90 eV when the annealing temperature was increased from 50 to 250 C-circle, which indicated that low-temperature treatment of the sMoO(x) HIL is beneficial for hole injection and EL performance. This demonstration of a bright, efficient and stable sMoO(x)-based QD-LED provides another feasible application of solution-processable transition metal oxide materials as the HIL within QD-LEDs and promotes the development of low-cost, all-solution-processed optoelectronic devices

High luminance of CuInS2-based yellow quantum dot light emitting diodes fabricated by all-solution processing

In this work, all-solution processed, multi-layer yellow quantum dot light emitting diodes (QLEDs), consisting of a hole transport layer of poly(9-vinylcarbazole), emissive layer of CuInS2/ZnS (ZCIS) QDs, and electron transport layer of ZnO nanoparticles, are fabricated. To improve the carrier-balance in QLEDs, a ligand-exchange strategy is employed to replace n-dodecanethiol that caps the surface of CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots with 2-ethylhexanethiol. After this processing, improvement of current efficiency and external quantum efficiency of QLEDs is achieved. The optimized diodes exhibit a maximum luminance of 2354 cd m(-2) and an external quantum efficiency of 0.63%, together with a lower turn-on voltage (decreases from 3.1 V to 2.7 V) using these ligand-exchanged QDs as emitting materials. Furthermore, CuInS2-based QLEDs in our study exhibit color retainability with increasing voltage and prolonged use, and show great promise for practical application

Formation and photoluminescence properties of colloidal ZnCuIn(SexS1-x)(2)/ZnS nanocrystals with gradient composition

Photoluminescent CuIn(SexS1 -x) 2 (CISeS) nanocrystals (NCs) have been synthesized utilizing copper iodide (CuI) and indium acetate (In(Ac) 3) as metal cation precursors, Se powder and n-dodecanethiol (DDT) as selenide and sulfur source, combined with oleylamine and n-dodecanethiol as coordinate ligands at a moderate reaction temperature of 200 h C. The obtained CISeS NCs consisted of a gradient composition that the content of selenide increased from the nuclei to the surface. With the growth of NCs, they exhibited a tunable photoluminescent emission ranging from 722 to 830 nm which was size-and composition-dependent. The photoluminescent quantum yield of the NCs could be further enhanced from 1.2 to 40.7% after ZnS coating due to the formation of ZnCuIn(SexS1 -x) 2/ZnS (ZnCISeS/ZnS) core-shell structures with the alloyed core. The photoluminescence emission mechanisms of CISeS NCs indicated that the gradient composition structure of CISeS led to a gradient energy level of its conduction band (CB)/valence band (VB), resulting in the charge transfer from the nuclei to the surface through the quantized CB/VB. This transfer process has quenched fluorescence emission arising from the quantized CB/VB and defect states located in the nuclei, such as irradiation relaxation between quantized CB and V0 Cu. This mechanism could illuminate why the indium-rich CISeS NCs did not exhibit better photoluminescence properties

Diagenesis and porosity-permeability evolution of low permeability reservoirs: A case study of Jurassic Sangonghe Formation in Block 1, central Junggar Basin, NW China

Based on core observation, thin section examination, cathode luminescence analysis, scanning electron microscopy, fluid inclusions, carbon and oxygen isotope, mercury penetration, porosity-permeability test and other analytical methods, combined with the histories of burial evolution, organic matter thermal evolution and hydrocarbon charge, the diagenesis and porosity-permeability evolution are studied of low-permeability reservoirs of Jurassic Sangonghe Formation in Block 1 of central Junggar Basin. The matching relation between reservoir porosity-permeability evolution and hydrocarbon accumulation history is analyzed. The diagenetic environment evolution of the reservoir in the study area is early alkaline, interim acid and late alkaline, forming the diagenetic sequence of chlorite membrane precipitation, early calcite cementation, feldspar dissolution accompanied by quartz overgrowth and authigenic kaolinite precipitation, anhydrite cementation, late period ferrocalcite and ankerite cementation, a small amount of pyrite cementation. Generally, compaction occurs throughout the whole burial process. According to the matching relation between reservoir porosity-permeability evolution and hydrocarbon accumulation history, the Jurassic Sangonghe Formation has three genetic types of low permeability reservoirs: densification after hydrocarbon accumulation, with the best exploration potential; densification during the hydrocarbon accumulation, with medium exploration potential; densification before the hydrocarbon accumulation, with the poorest exploration potential. Key words: low permeability reservoir, diagenesis, porosity-permeability evolution, hydrocarbon accumulation history, Junggar Basi