DYNAMIC LINKAGES BETWEEN PRICES AND IMPORTS FOR JAPANESE FROZEN TUNA

VAR models have been used to describe the dynamic relationships among market price, Japanese harvest, import-from-Taiwan, and import-from-Korea for frozen Big-Eye tuna and Yellow-Fin tuna markets in Japan. It is found that tuna imports from South Korea exert more significant effects on Japan market prices than import-from-Taiwan.Demand and Price Analysis, International Relations/Trade,

Low magnetic field reversal of electric polarization in a Y-type hexaferrite

Magnetoelectric multiferroics in which ferroelectricity and magnetism coexist have attracted extensive attention because they provide great opportunities for the mutual control of electric polarization by magnetic fields and magnetization by electric fields. From a practical point view, the main challenge in this field is to find proper multiferroic materials with a high operating temperature and great magnetoelectric sensitivity. Here we report on the magnetically tunable ferroelectricity and the giant magnetoelectric sensitivity up to 250 K in a Y-type hexaferrite, BaSrCoZnFe11AlO22. Not only the magnitude but also the sign of electric polarization can be effectively controlled by applying low magnetic fields (a few hundreds of Oe) that modifies the spiral magnetic structures. The magnetically induced ferroelectricity is stabilized even in zero magnetic field. Decayless reproducible flipping of electric polarization by oscillating low magnetic fields is shown. The maximum linear magnetoelectric coefficient reaches a high value of ~ 3.0\times10^3 ps/m at 200 K.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, a couple of errors are correcte

Electrical Control of Magnetization in Charge-ordered Multiferroic LuFe2O4

LuFe2O4 exhibits multiferroicity due to charge order on a frustrated triangular lattice. We find that the magnetization of LuFe2O4 in the multiferroic state can be electrically controlled by applying voltage pulses. Depending on with or without magnetic fields, the magnetization can be electrically switched up or down. We have excluded thermal heating effect and attributed this electrical control of magnetization to an intrinsic magnetoelectric coupling in response to the electrical breakdown of charge ordering. Our findings open up a new route toward electrical control of magnetization.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure

catena-Poly[[diazido­manganese(II)]bis­[μ-1-(4-pyridylmeth­yl)-1H-benzimidazole]]

In the title polymeric compound, [Mn(N3)2(C13H11N3)2]n, each MnII centre is six-coordinated in an octahedral geometry by six N atoms from four 1-(4-pyridylmeth­yl)-1H-benzimidazole (L) ligands and two azide anions (N3 −). Each of the MnII ions lies on an inversion centre. The L ligands and N3 − anions bridge adjacent MnII centres, generating a polymeric chain running along the [110] direction. Adjacent polymeric chains are arranged in a two-dimensional network parallel to the (001) plane, linked by C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds

Molecular mechanism of ethylene stimulation of latex yield in rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) revealed by de novo sequencing and transcriptome analysis

Differential expression of unigenes involved in hormone signaling in E8 and E24 compared to C samples of Hevea brasiliensis. Ethylene signalling pathway: ETR1: ETHYLENE RESPONSE 1; CTR1: CONSTITUTIVE TRIPLE RESPONSE 1; EIN2: ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE 2; EIN3: ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE 3; ERF1/2: ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR 1/2; EBF1/2: EIN3 binding F-Box protein 1/2; BR signaling pathway: BRI1: Brassinosteroid-Insensitive 1; BAK1: BRI1-associated kinase 1; BKI1: BRI1 KINASE INHIBITOR 1; BSK: BR SIGNALING KINASE; BSU1: bri1 SUPPRESSOR 1; BIN2: BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE 2; BZR1/2: BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1/2; TCH: TOUCH genes; CYCD3: CYCLIN D3; GA signaling pathway: GID1: GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE DWARF 1; GID2: GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE DWARF 2; DELLAs: DELLA growth inhibitors; TF: transcriptional factor; Auxin signaling pathway: AUX1: AUXIN1; TIR1: TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE 1; IAA: INDOLE ACETIC ACID; ARF: AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR; SAUR: Small Auxin-Up RNA; G10H: geraniol 10-hydroxylase gene; Cytokinin signaling pathway: CRE1: CYTOKININ RESPONSE 1; AHP: histidine phosphotransfer protein; B-ARR: type-B response regulator (ARR); A-ARR: type-A response regulator (ARR); SA signalling pathway: NPR1: Non-expressor of pathogenesis-related genes 1; TGA: the bZIP transcription factors; PR1: pathogenesis related protein 1; JA signaling pathway: JAR1: JASMONATES RESISTANT 1; JA-Ile: jasmonoyl isoleucine; JAZ: Jasmonate ZIM-domain-containing protein; MYC2: a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor; ORCA3: Octadecanoid-derivative Responsive Catharanthus AP2-domain gene; ABA signalling pathway: PYR1/PYLs: Pyrabactin Resistance Protein1/PYR-Like proteins; PP2Cs: protein phosphatases which fall under the category of type 2C; SnRK2: SNF1 (Sucrose-Nonfermenting Kinase1)-related protein kinase 2: ABF: ABA responsive element (ABRE) binding factors. Cells with gray border lines in the upper rows represent differentially expressed unigenes in E8 compared to C and cells with green border lines in the lower rows represent differentially expressed unigenes in E24 compared to C. Relative levels of expression are showed by a color gradient from low (blue) to high (red). (JPG 249 kb

Increase in neuroexcitability of unmyelinated C-type vagal ganglion neurons during initial postnatal development of visceral afferent reflex functions

BACKGROUND: Baroreflex gain increase up closely to adult level during initial postnatal weeks, and any interruption within this period will increase the risk of cardiovascular problems in later of life span. We hypothesize that this short period after birth might be critical for postnatal development of vagal ganglion neurons (VGNs). METHODS: To evaluate neuroexcitability evidenced by discharge profiles and coordinate changes, ion currents were collected from identified A- and C-type VGNs at different developmental stages using whole-cell patch clamping. RESULTS: C-type VGNs underwent significant age-dependent transition from single action potential (AP) to repetitive discharge. The coordinate changes between TTX-S and TTX-R Na(+) currents were also confirmed and well simulated by computer modeling. Although 4-AP or iberiotoxin age dependently increased firing frequency, AP duration was prolonged in an opposite fashion, which paralleled well with postnatal changes in 4-AP- and iberiotoxin-sensitive K(+) current activity, whereas less developmental changes were verified in A-types. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate for the first time that the neuroexcitability of C-type VGNs increases significantly compared with A-types within initial postnatal weeks evidenced by AP discharge profiles and coordinate ion channel changes, which explain, at least in part, that initial postnatal weeks may be crucial for ontogenesis in visceral afferent reflex function

Cellulose Acetate Reverse Osmosis Membranes for Desalination: A Short Review

Freshwater scarcity is a critical challenge that human society has to face in the 21st century. Desalination of seawater by reverse osmosis (RO) membranes was regarded as the most promising technology to overcome the challenge given that plenty of potential fresh water resources in oceans. However, the requirements for high desalination efficiency in terms of permeation flux and rejection rate become the bottle-neck which needs to be broken down by developing novel RO membranes with new structure and composition. Cellulose acetate RO membranes exhibited long durability, chlorine resistance, and outstanding desalination efficiency that are worthy of being recalled to address the current shortcomings brought by polyamide RO membranes. In terms of performance enhancement, it is also important to use new ideas and to develop new strategies to modify cellulose acetate RO membranes in response to those complex challenges. Therefore, we focused on the state of the art cellulose acetate RO membranes and discussed the strategies on membrane structural manipulation adjusted by either phase separation or additives, which offered anti-fouling, anti-bacterial, anti-chlorine, durability, and thermo-mechanical properties to the modified membranes associated with the desalination performance, i.e., permeation flux and rejection rate. The relationship between membrane structure and desalination efficiency was investigated and established to guide the development of cellulose acetate RO membranes for desalination. 

Bloqueio contínuo do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom e estimulador de nervo para analgesia após artroplastia total de joelho: estudo multicêntrico, randomizado e controlado

ResumoJustificativa e objetivosAnalgesia pós‐operatória é fundamental para o exercício funcional precoce logo após a artroplastia total de joelho. O objetivo foi investigar a eficácia clínica do bloqueio contínuo do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom e estimulador de nervo em analgesia após artroplastia total do joelho.MétodosReceberam analgesia pós‐operatória, de outubro de 2012 a janeiro de 2013, 46 pacientes, estado físico ASA I‐III, submetidos à artroplastia total de joelho. Em 22 pacientes, o bloqueio femoral contínuo foi guiado por ultrassom e estimulador de nervo para analgesia (grupo BFC); em 24 pacientes, analgesia foi administrada por via epidural (grupo ACP). Os efeitos analgésicos, efeitos colaterais, a recuperação articular e as complicações foram comparados entre os dois grupos.ResultadosÀs seis e 12 horas após a cirurgia, os escores de dor no joelho (escore EVA) durante os testes funcionais após exercício ativo e passivo foram significativamente menores no grupo BFC do que no grupo ACP. A quantidade usada de parecoxib nos pacientes do grupo BFC foi significativamente menor em comparação com o grupo ACP. Quarenta e oito horas após a cirurgia, o grau de força muscular no grupo BFC foi significativamente maior e o tempo de atividade ambulatória foi menor do que no grupo ACP. A incidência de náusea e vômito em pacientes do grupo BFC foi significativamente menor em comparação com o grupo ACP.ConclusãoO bloqueio femoral contínuo guiado por ultrassom e estimulador do nervo proporcionou melhor analgesia às seis e 12 horas, demonstrada por EVA‐R e EVA‐P. A quantidade de parecoxib também foi menor, a incidência de náusea e vômito diminuiu, a influência sobre a força muscular é comprometida e os pacientes podem fazer atividade ambulatorial sob essa condição.AbstractBackground and objectivesPostoperative analgesia is crucial for early functional excise after total knee arthroplasty. To investigate the clinical efficacy of ultrasound and nerve stimulator guided continuous femoral nerve block analgesia after total knee arthroplasty.Methods46 patients with ASA grade I–III who underwent total knee arthroplasty received postoperative analgesia from October 2012 to January 2013. In 22 patients, ultrasound and nerve stimulator guided continuous femoral nerve block were performed for analgesia (CFNB group); in 24 patients, epidural analgesia was done (PCEA group). The analgesic effects, side effects, articular recovery and complications were compared between two groups.ResultsAt 6h and 12h after surgery, the knee pain score (VAS score) during functional tests after active exercise and after passive excise in CFNB were significantly reduced when compared with PCEA group. The amount of parecoxib used in CFNB patients was significantly reduced when compared with PCEA group. At 48h after surgery, the muscle strength grade in CFNB group was significantly higher, and the time to ambulatory activity was shorter than those in PCEA group. The incidence of nausea and vomiting in CFNB patients was significantly reduced when compared with PCEA group.ConclusionUltrasound and nerve stimulator guided continuous femoral nerve block provide better analgesia at 6h and 12h, demonstrated by RVAS and PVAS. The amount of parecoxib also reduces, the incidence of nausea and vomiting decreased, the influence on muscle strength is compromised and patients can perform ambulatory activity under this condition

Hydrogen sulfide inhibits the renal fibrosis of obstructive nephropathy

Hydrogen sulfide has recently been found decreased in chronic kidney disease. Here we determined the effect and underlying mechanisms of hydrogen sulfide on a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction. Compared with normal rats, obstructive injury decreased the plasma hydrogen sulfide level. Cystathionine-β-synthase, a hydrogen sulfide-producing enzyme, was dramatically reduced in the ureteral obstructed kidney, but another enzyme cystathionine-γ-lyase was increased. A hydrogen sulfide donor (sodium hydrogen sulfide) inhibited renal fibrosis by attenuating the production of collagen, extracellular matrix, and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin. Meanwhile, the infiltration of macrophages and the expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the kidney were also decreased. In cultured kidney fibroblasts, a hydrogen sulfide donor inhibited the cell proliferation by reducing DNA synthesis and downregulating the expressions of proliferation-related proteins including proliferating cell nuclear antigen and c-Myc. Further, the hydrogen sulfide donor blocked the differentiation of quiescent renal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts by inhibiting the transforming growth factor-β1-Smad and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Thus, low doses of hydrogen sulfide or its releasing compounds may have therapeutic potentials in treating chronic kidney disease