Equivalence of Effective Medium and Random Resistor Network models for disorder-induced unsaturating linear magnetoresistance

A linear unsaturating magnetoresistance at high perpendicular magnetic fields, together with a quadratic positive magnetoresistance at low fields, has been seen in many different experimental materials, ranging from silver chalcogenides and thin films of InSb to topological materials like graphene and Dirac semimetals. In the literature, two very different theoretical approaches have been used to explain this classical magnetoresistance as a consequence of sample disorder. The phenomenological Random Resistor Network model constructs a grid of four-terminal resistors, each with a varying random resistance. The Effective Medium Theory model imagines a smoothly varying disorder potential that causes a continuous variation of the local conductivity. Here, we demonstrate numerically that both models belong to the same universality class and that a restricted class of the Random Resistor Network is actually equivalent to the Effective Medium Theory. Both models are also in good agreement with experiments on a diverse range of materials. Moreover, we show that in both cases, a single parameter, i.e. the ratio of the fluctuations in the carrier density to the average carrier density, completely determines the magnetoresistance profile.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Application of ultrasonic inspection in monitoring dynamic healing of mandibular fracture in rabbit model

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of ultrasonic diagnosis for monitoring fracture healing.MethodsThirty rabbit models with fraction of mandible body were established by surgically removing partial lower jawbone. At the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 12th week after the operation, they were examined by X-ray and ultrasound, respectively. All detection results were scored according to a generally accepted standard. Spearman rank correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between the results of the two inspection methods.ResultsIn each healing stage, the results of the ultrasonic inspection were basically consistent with those of the X-ray examination, as supported by a Spearman rank correlation coefficient of 0.892 (P<0.001).ConclusionsNon-invasive ultrasonic inspection can be used instead of X-ray examination to monitor and diagnose fracture healing

Production, safety, health effects and applications of diacylglycerol functional oil in food systems: a review

Diacylglycerol (DAG) is a world leading anti-obesity functional cooking oil synthesized via structural modification of conventional fats and oils. DAG exits in three stereoisomers namely sn-1,2-DAG, sn-1,3-DAG, and sn-2,3-DAG. DAG particularly sn-1,3-DAG demonstrated to have the potential in suppressing body fat accumulation and lowering postprandial serum triacylglycerol, cholesterol and glucose level. DAG also showed to improve bone health. This is attributed to DAG structure itself that caused it to absorb and digest via different metabolic pathway than conventional fats and oils. With its purported health benefits, many studies attempt to enzymatically or chemically synthesis DAG through various routes. DAG has also received wide attention as low calorie fat substitute and has been incorporated into various food matrixes. Despite being claimed as healthy cooking oil the safety of DAG still remained uncertain. DAG was banned from sale as it was found to contain probable carcinogen glycidol fatty acid esters. The article aims to provide a comprehensive and latest review of DAG emphasizing on its structure and properties, safety and regulation, process developments, metabolism and beneficial health attributes as well as its applications in the food industry

Language Use as Carrier of Social Identity

In the present study, we examined the relationship of social identity (Hongkonger or Chinese) and rite attitudes toward bilingual code switching in a conversation between a Hong Kong person and a Chinese Mainlander. Students from a local university in Hong Kong (N = 159) listened to a four-turn conversation between a Hong Kong person and a Mainlander in a wedding party. As expected, when the speaker converged to rite Putonghua (the Mainland official language), those who claimed a Hongkonger identity judged the Hong Kong speaker less favourably; than did those who claimed a Chinese identity. In addition, participants who claimed a Chinese identity judged the Hong Kong speaker more favourably when he converged to Putonghua than when he maintained Cantonese (a Chinese dialect most commonly used in Hong Kong). Finally, social identity was unrelated to language attitudes when the Mainland speaker converged to Cantonese first. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Rheological properties, textural properties, and storage stability of palm kernel-based diacylglycerol-enriched mayonnaise

The effect of replacement of soybean oil (SBO) with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% palm kernel based-diacylglycerol (PKDG) which were referred to as SD1000, SD9505, SD9010, SD8515, and SD8020 formulations, respectively, on the rheological properties, textural properties, and storage stability of mayonnaise were evaluated in this study. Emulsion stability results demonstrated no significant differences (P > 0.05) among all formulations except SD8020 which exhibited diminished emulsion stability. In terms of textural properties, both SD9010 and SD8020 showed closer textural characteristics compared with control. Microstructure evaluation of all mayonnaise formulations revealed significant increases in oil droplet diameter in tandem with increasing PKDG concentration. For rheological properties, all mayonnaise formulated displayed similar gel-like behavior with greater storage modulus (G') than loss modulus (G”) and loss tangent (tan δ) less than 0.3. Results indicated that up to 10% PKDG was suitable to be incorporated in healthy mayonnaise formulation. Both SD9505 and SD9010 were subsequently evaluated for their stability throughout a 2-month storage period. All mayonnaise displayed satisfying stability during storage with gradual increment in peroxide value, free fatty acid level, and G'G” crossover value except control. Additionally, an insignificant change in viscoelastic properties (P > 0.05) was observed after storage for all formulations examined. Practical applications: This present work has three main practical applications: (i) enable the incorporation of PKDG as a functional ingredient into a mayonnaise system; (ii) provide knowledge and understanding of the physicochemical, rheological, and textural properties of PKDG-enriched mayonnaise; and (iii) give insight into the storage stability of PKDG-incorporated mayonnaise throughout the 2-month storage period

RSC96 Schwann Cell Proliferation and Survival Induced by Dilong through PI3K/Akt Signaling Mediated by IGF-I

Schwann cell proliferation is critical for the regeneration of injured nerves. Dilongs are widely used in Chinese herbal medicine to remove stasis and stimulate wound-healing functions. Exactly how this Chinese herbal medicine promotes tissue survival remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which Dilong promote neuron regeneration. Our results show that treatment with extract of Dilong induces the phosphorylation of the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I)-mediated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/serine-threonine kinase (PI3K/Akt) pathway, and activates protein expression of cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in a time-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis showed that G1 transits into the S phase in 12–16 h, and S transits into the G2 phase 20 h after exposure to earthworm extract. Strong expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E and cyclin A occurs in a time-dependent manner. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of PI3K significantly reduced PI3K protein expression levels, resulting in Bcl2 survival factor reduction and a marked blockage of G1 to S transition in proliferating cells. These results demonstrate that Dilong promotes the proliferation and survival of RSC96 cells via IGF-I signaling. The mechanism is mainly dependent on the PI3K protein

Long-distance transport of sucrose in source leaves promotes sink root growth by the EIN3-SUC2 module

In most plants, sucrose, a major storage sugar, is transported into sink organs to support their growth. This key physiological process is dependent on the function of sucrose transporters. Sucrose export from source tissues is predominantly controlled through the activity of SUCROSE TRANSPORTER 2 (SUC2), required for the loading of sucrose into the phloem of Arabidopsis plants. However, how SUC2 activity is controlled to support root growth remains unclear. Glucose is perceived via the function of HEXOKINASE 1 (HXK1), the only known nuclear glucose sensor. HXK1 negatively regulates the stability of ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3 (EIN3), a key ethylene/glucose interaction component. Here we show that HXK1 functions upstream of EIN3 in the regulation of root sink growth mediated by glucose signaling. Furthermore, the transcription factor EIN3 directly inhibits SUC2 activity by binding to the SUC2 promoter, regulating glucose signaling linked to root sink growth. We demonstrate that these molecular components form a HXK1-EIN3-SUC2 module integral to the control of root sink growth. Also, we demonstrate that with increasing age, the HXK1-EIN3-SUC2 module promotes sucrose phloem loading in source tissues thereby elevating sucrose levels in sink roots. As a result, glucose signaling mediated-sink root growth is facilitated. Our findings thus establish a direct molecular link between the HXK1-EIN3-SUC2 module, the source-to sink transport of sucrose and root growth