436 research outputs found
Global solutions for a nonlinear wave equation with the p-laplacian operator
We study the existence and asymptotic behavior of the global solutions of the nonlinear equation
where and does not satisfy the sign condition
Prediction of Silicon-Based Layered Structures for Optoelectronic Applications
A method based on the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is
presented to design quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) materials. With this
development, various single-layer and bi-layer materials in C, Si, Ge, Sn, and
Pb were predicted. A new Si bi-layer structure is found to have a much-favored
energy than the previously widely accepted configuration. Both single-layer and
bi-layer Si materials have small band gaps, limiting their usages in
optoelectronic applications. Hydrogenation has therefore been used to tune the
electronic and optical properties of Si layers. We discover two hydrogenated
materials of layered Si8H2 and Si6H2 possessing quasi-direct band gaps of 0.75
eV and 1.59 eV, respectively. Their potential applications for light emitting
diode and photovoltaics are proposed and discussed. Our study opened up the
possibility of hydrogenated Si layered materials as next-generation
optoelectronic devices.Comment: 21 pages,6 figures, 1 tabe
Molecular genetic analysis of FGFR1 signalling reveals distinct roles of MAPK and PLCγ1 activation for self-renewal of adult neural stem cells
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neural stem cells (NSCs) are present in the adult mammalian brain and sustain life-long adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. In culture, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is sufficient to maintain the self-renewal of adult NSCs derived from the adult rat hippocampus. The underlying signalling mechanism is not fully understood.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the established adult rat NSC culture, FGF-2 promotes self-renewal by increasing proliferation and inhibiting spontaneous differentiation of adult NSCs, accompanied with activation of MAPK and PLC pathways. Using a molecular genetic approach, we demonstrate that activation of FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1), largely through two key cytoplasmic amino acid residues that are linked to MAPK and PLC activation, suffices to promote adult NSC self-renewal. The canonical MAPK, Erk1/2 activation, is both required and sufficient for the NSC expansion and anti-differentiation effects of FGF-2. In contrast, PLC activation is integral to the maintenance of adult NSC characteristics, including the full capacity for neuronal and oligodendroglial differentiation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These studies reveal two amino acid residues in FGFR1 with linked downstream intracellular signal transduction pathways that are essential for maintaining adult NSC self-renewal. The findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism regulating adult NSC self-renewal, and pose implications for using these cells in potential therapeutic applications.</p
Atorvastatin Combining with Probucol: A New Way to Reduce Serum Uric Acid Level during Perioperative Period of Interventional Procedure
Uric acid has ever been considered as one of contrast induced acute kidney injury’s risk factors. Atorvastatin and probucol can both improve contrast induced acute kidney injury separately. This prospective study is to assess their effect on reducing serum uric acid level and contrast induced acute kidney injury during perioperative period of interventional procedure. On the basis of different doses of atorvastatin and probucol, 208 cases admitted for coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention were randomly classified into standard combined group (S-C group), intensive combined group (I-C group), and intensive atorvastatin group (I-A group). Patients’ blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and serum uric acid were measured and estimated glomerular filtration rate was evaluated 24 hours before and after the procedure. After procedure, blood urea nitrogen in all the three groups decreased; Scr of S-C group and I-A group increased significantly, while estimated glomerular filtration decreased in the S-C group (P<0.05); serum uric acid in S-C group and I-C group decreased significantly (P<0.05). Combination treatment of atorvastatin and probucol before intervention could reduce perioperative serum uric acid level; meanwhile, the intensive combined treatment can improve the contrast induced acute kidney injury. The result was the same for hypertensive patients
Evolutionary Stages and Disk Properties of Young Stellar Objects in the Perseus Cloud
We investigated the evolutionary stages and disk properties of 211 Young
stellar objects (YSOs) across the Perseus cloud by modeling the broadband
optical to mid-infrared (IR) spectral energy distribution (SED). By exploring
the relationships among the turnoff wave bands lambda_turnoff (longward of
which significant IR excesses above the stellar photosphere are observed), the
excess spectral index alpha_excess at lambda <~ 24 microns, and the disk inner
radius R_in (from SED modeling) for YSOs of different evolutionary stages, we
found that the median and standard deviation of alpha_excess of YSOs with
optically thick disks tend to increase with lambda_turnoff, especially at
lambda_turnoff >= 5.8 microns, whereas the median fractional dust luminosities
L_dust/L_star tend to decrease with lambda_turnoff. This points to an
inside-out disk clearing of small dust grains. Moreover, a positive correlation
between alpha_excess and R_in was found at alpha_excess > ~0 and R_in > ~10
the dust sublimation radius R_sub, irrespective of lambda_turnoff,
L_dust/L_star and disk flaring. This suggests that the outer disk flaring
either does not evolve synchronously with the inside-out disk clearing or has
little influence on alpha_excess shortward of 24 microns. About 23% of our YSO
disks are classified as transitional disks, which have lambda_turnoff >= 5.8
microns and L_dust/L_star >10^(-3). The transitional disks and full disks
occupy distinctly different regions on the L_dust/L_star vs. alpha_excess
diagram. Taking L_dust/L_star as an approximate discriminator of disks with
(>0.1) and without (<0.1) considerable accretion activity, we found that 65%
and 35% of the transitional disks may be consistent with being dominantly
cleared by photoevaporation and dynamical interaction respectively. [abridged]Comment: 31 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables. To appear in a special issue of RAA
on LAMOST science
Pathologically Activated Neuroprotection via Uncompetitive Blockade of \u3cem\u3eN\u3c/em\u3e-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptors with Fast Off-rate by Novel Multifunctional Dimer Bis(propyl)-cognitin
Uncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists with fast off-rate (UFO) may represent promising drug candidates for various neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we report that bis(propyl)-cognitin, a novel dimeric acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and γ-aminobutyric acid subtype A receptor antagonist, is such an antagonist of NMDA receptors. In cultured rat hippocampal neurons, we demonstrated that bis(propyl)-cognitin voltage-dependently, selectively, and moderately inhibited NMDA-activated currents. The inhibitory effects of bis(propyl)-cognitin increased with the rise in NMDA and glycine concentrations. Kinetics analysis showed that the inhibition was of fast onset and offset with an off-rate time constant of 1.9 s. Molecular docking simulations showed moderate hydrophobic interaction between bis(propyl)-cognitin and the MK-801 binding region in the ion channel pore of the NMDA receptor. Bis(propyl)-cognitin was further found to compete with [3H]MK-801 with a Ki value of 0.27 μm, and the mutation of NR1(N616R) significantly reduced its inhibitory potency. Under glutamate-mediated pathological conditions, bis(propyl)-cognitin, in contrast to bis(heptyl)-cognitin, prevented excitotoxicity with increasing effectiveness against escalating levels of glutamate and much more effectively protected against middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced brain damage than did memantine. More interestingly, under NMDA receptor-mediated physiological conditions, bis(propyl)-cognitin enhanced long-term potentiation in hippocampal slices, whereas MK-801 reduced and memantine did not alter this process. These results suggest that bis(propyl)-cognitin is a UFO antagonist of NMDA receptors with moderate affinity, which may provide a pathologically activated therapy for various neurodegenerative disorders associated with NMDA receptor dysregulation
catena-Poly[[[bisÂ(thioÂcyanato-κN)zinc(II)]-μ-1,2-bisÂ{[2-(2-pyridÂyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]methÂyl}benzene] 0.28-hydrate]
The title one-dimensional coordination polymer, {[Zn(NCS)2(C24H20N6)2]·0.28H2O}n, was obtained by the reaction of Zn(OAc)2·2H2O, KSCN and 1,2-bisÂ{[2-(2-pyridÂyl)-1H-imidÂazol-1-yl]methÂyl}benzene (hereafter L). The ZnII ion shows a distorted octaÂhedral coordination geometry and is coordinÂated by two N atoms from two SCN− anions and four N atoms from two organic ligands. The L ligands act as bridging bis-chelating ligands with cis coordination modes at the ZnII ion. One-dimensional coordination polymers are arranged into layers by π–π stacking interÂactions between the imidazole rings of adjacent chains, with an interÂplanar distance of 3.46 (1) Å and centroid–centroid distances of 3.8775 (16) Å. One of the thioÂcyanate ligands is disordered over two positions with an occupancy factor of 0.564 (3) for the major component. The partially occupied water molÂecule forms an O—H⋯S hydrogen bond with the disordered thioÂcyanate group
An Experimental Study on Cement Sheath Sealing Evaluation
According to the problem of cement sheath sealing evaluation, a laboratory simulation experiment has been conducted. By making such scaled models, simulate the different cementationconditionsof interfaces, and measured by the logging instrument which is established underthe principle of similarity, then proposed the evaluation method of cement sheath, finally realized the quantitativeevaluationofthe cement sheath seal integrity in the lab.Key words: Cement sheath; Seal evaluation; Simulated experiment; Fast fourier transfor
- …