Recent morphodynamic evolution of the largest uninhibited island in the Yangtze (Changjiang) estuary during 1998-2014: Influence of the anthropogenic interference

Estuarine geomorphology worldwide has greatly changed in the Anthropocene due to intensive human inferences in river basin and within estuary, which has received increasing global concerns. Here, recent morphodynamic evolution of Jiuduan Shoal (JDS), the largest uninhabited island in the Yangtze (Changjiang) Estuary, and associated controlling factors were analyzed based on unique high-resolution seasonal-surveyed bathymetric data during 1998–2014. It can be indicated that JDS presents novel 12 and 48 months fluctuations though significant accretion was detected on high flats above −2 m. Meanwhile, morphodynamic evolution of JDS during 1998–2014 was divided into three stages: significant siltation on land-ward half of north JDS and expanding of Jiangya Shoal (JYS, part of JDS) tail, but less accretion at high flats from 1998 to 2002; continuous variations of JYS and reshape of seaward JDS with erosion band and heave appearance from 2002 to 2006; retentive alteration of JYS but recovery of erosion band and heave, together with redistribution of sand between high and low flats on seaward JDS after 2007. Moreover, river discharge could be likely the key factor controlling periodic characteristics of recent JDS evolution. Deep waterway project (DWP) dominates area increase of JDS by inducing accretion in north edge and south edge of Lower Shoal between 1998 and 2014

Poly[μ2-benzene-1,3-dicarboxyl­ato-κ2 O:O′-μ2-1,3-di-4-pyridylpropane-κ2 N:N′-zinc(II)]

The title compound, [Zn(C8H4O4)(C13H14N2)]n, was obtained by the hydro­thermal reaction of Zn(OAc)2·H2O with 1,3-di-4-pyridylpropane (bpp) and isophthalic acid (H2ip). The ZnII ion is coordinated by two bpp and two ip ligands in a distorted tetra­hedral environment. Each ligand coordinates in a bridging mode to connect ZnII ions into a three-dimensional diamondoid-type structure

Detection of Linkage Between Solar and Lunar Cycles and Runoff of the World\u27s Large Rivers

It is an ongoing concern that global hydrological cycle can be likely intensified under context of climate change and anthropogenic actions. Here, our results show that the solar and lunar periodic motions (SLPMs) have substantial impact on the runoff of the world\u27s large rivers. We estimate that SLPMs can produce a change of the world\u27s large rivers runoff by as much as 6.7%. Although climate models suggest that the increased frequency of extreme events is attributed to anthropogenic activities, it is out of our expectation that as much as 73% and 85% of the extreme flood and drought events (based on runoff discharged to the ocean) appear in resonance with SLPMs, respectively. A reevaluation of impacts of SLPMs on changes in the world\u27s river runoff is urgently needed, especially when extreme drought and flood events are on the rise

Grade-control outdoor turning flight of robo-pigeon with quantitative stimulus parameters

IntroductionThe robo-pigeon using homing pigeons as a motion carrier has great potential in search and rescue operations due to its superior weight-bearing capacity and sustained flight capabilities. However, before deploying such robo-pigeons, it is necessary to establish a safe, stable, and long-term effective neuro-electrical stimulation interface and quantify the motion responses to various stimuli.MethodsIn this study, we investigated the effects of stimulation variables such as stimulation frequency (SF), stimulation duration (SD), and inter-stimulus interval (ISI) on the turning flight control of robo-pigeons outdoors, and evaluated the efficiency and accuracy of turning flight behavior accordingly.ResultsThe results showed that the turning angle can be significantly controlled by appropriately increasing SF and SD. Increasing ISI can significantly control the turning radius of robotic pigeons. The success rate of turning flight control decreases significantly when the stimulation parameters exceed SF > 100 Hz or SD > 5 s. Thus, the robo-pigeon's turning angle from 15 to 55° and turning radius from 25 to 135 m could be controlled in a graded manner by selecting varying stimulus variables.DiscussionThese findings can be used to optimize the stimulation strategy of robo-pigeons to achieve precise control of their turning flight behavior outdoors. The results also suggest that robo-pigeons have potential for use in search and rescue operations where precise control of flight behavior is required

Ground Vibration Isolation of Multiple Scattering by Using Rows of Tubular Piles as Barriers

A new formal solution for the multiple scattering of plane harmonic waves by a group of arbitrary configuration tubular piles in an elastic total space is derived. Each order of scattering satisfies prescribed boundary conditions at the interface of tubular piles, which is delivered as the sum of incident and scattering waves. The first order performs the scattering wave by each scattered pile and the subsequent orders resulted from the excitation of each pile of first order of scattering from the remaining tubular piles. Advanced scattering orders can be regarded as the same manners. Several series of scattering coefficients are figured out with the aids of addition theorem so that the exact steady-state solution for the scattered displacement and stress is obtained. Particularly, when internal diameter of tubular piles tends to be infinitely small, it degenerates to a solid pile problem. By imposing the normalized displacement amplitudes and transmissibility indices, the influences of specific parameters such as scattering orders, internal and external diameter ratio of piles, pile material rigidity, position and distances between tubular pile and pile rows, and pile numbers are discussed. Certain recommended conclusions have been drawn as the guidelines of practical engineering design for discontinuous barrier of tubular piles

Fast route to obtain Al2O3-based nanocomposites employing graphene oxide: Synthesis and Sintering

A fast approach based on microwave technology was employed for the sintering of novel composites of alumina and using graphene oxide (GO) as susceptor. The thermal stability and structure of GO materials produced by chemical oxidation of graphite were characterized. The morphology, structure and mechanical properties of the composites sintered by microwave approach were reported to the counterparts sintered by conventional method. The results indicated the formation of an interconnecting graphene network promoted the electrical conductivity in the composite having only 2 wt.% GO. Hardness and elastic modulus decreased significantly in samples sintered by conventional method due to lower values of density while microwave technology allowed to achieve a positive effect on the densification and showed a smaller grain size when compared to the one achieved by conventional heating. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Financial support from European Commission (project no. NMP3-SL-2010-246073), Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (project SP20120677) and Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad - MINECO (project TEC2012-37532-C02-01, co-funded by ERDF (European Regional Development Funds) is gratefully acknowledged. A.B. acknowledges the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (contract JCI-2011-10498). A.P. acknowledges support from Romanian Authority for Scientific Research - UEFISCDI (project no. PN-II-RU-PD-2012-3-0124).Benavente Martínez, R.; Pruna, AI.; Borrell Tomás, MA.; Salvador Moya, MD.; Pullini, D.; Penaranda-Foix, FL.; Busquets Mataix, DJ. (2015). Fast route to obtain Al2O3-based nanocomposites employing graphene oxide: Synthesis and Sintering. Materials Research Bulletin. 64:245-251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2014.12.075S2452516

The interaction of HAb18G/CD147 with integrin α6β1 and its implications for the invasion potential of human hepatoma cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>HAb18G/CD147 plays pivotal roles in invasion by hepatoma cells, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Our previous study demonstrated that overexpression of HAb18G/CD147 promotes invasion by interacting with integrin α3β1. However, it has never been investigated whether α3β1 is solely responsible for this process or if other integrin family members also interact with HAb18G/CD147 in human hepatoma cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Human SMMC-7721 and FHCC98 cells were cultured and transfected with siRNA fragments against HAb18G/CD147. The expression levels of HAb18G/CD147 and integrin α6β1 were determined by immunofluorescent double-staining and confocal imaging analysis. Co-immunoprecipitation and Western blot analyses were performed to examine the native conformations of HAb18G/CD147 and integrin α6β1. Invasion potential was evaluated with an invasion assay and gelatin zymography.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that integrin α6β1 co-localizes and interacts with HAb18G/CD147 in human hepatoma cells. The enhancing effects of HAb18G/CD147 on invasion capacity and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were partially blocked by integrin α6β1 antibodies (<it>P </it>< 0.01). Wortmannin, a specific phosphatidylinositol kinase (PI3K) inhibitor that reverses the effect of HAb18G/CD147 on the regulation of intracellular Ca²⁺mobilization, significantly reduced cell invasion potential and secretion of MMPs in human hepatoma cells (<it>P </it>< 0.05). Importantly, no additive effect between Wortmannin and α6β1 antibodies was observed, indicating that α6β1 and PI3K transmit the signal in an upstream-downstream relationship.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest that α6β1 interacts with HAb18G/CD147 to mediate tumor invasion and metastatic processes through the PI3K pathway.</p

Disparities and risks of sexually transmissible infections among men who have sex with men in China: a meta-analysis and data synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including Hepatitis B and C virus, are emerging public health risks in China, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). This study aims to assess the magnitude and risks of STIs among Chinese MSM. METHODS: Chinese and English peer-reviewed articles were searched in five electronic databases from January 2000 to February 2013. Pooled prevalence estimates for each STI infection were calculated using meta-analysis. Infection risks of STIs in MSM, HIV-positive MSM and male sex workers (MSW) were obtained. This review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. RESULTS: Eighty-eight articles (11 in English and 77 in Chinese) investigating 35,203 MSM in 28 provinces were included in this review. The prevalence levels of STIs among MSM were 6.3% (95% CI: 3.5-11.0%) for chlamydia, 1.5% (0.7-2.9%) for genital wart, 1.9% (1.3-2.7%) for gonorrhoea, 8.9% (7.8-10.2%) for hepatitis B (HBV), 1.2% (1.0-1.6%) for hepatitis C (HCV), 66.3% (57.4-74.1%) for human papillomavirus (HPV), 10.6% (6.2-17.6%) for herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) and 4.3% (3.2-5.8%) for Ureaplasma urealyticum. HIV-positive MSM have consistently higher odds of all these infections than the broader MSM population. As a subgroup of MSM, MSW were 2.5 (1.4-4.7), 5.7 (2.7-12.3), and 2.2 (1.4-3.7) times more likely to be infected with chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HCV than the broader MSM population, respectively. CONCLUSION: Prevalence levels of STIs among MSW were significantly higher than the broader MSM population. Co-infection of HIV and STIs were prevalent among Chinese MSM. Integration of HIV and STIs healthcare and surveillance systems is essential in providing effective HIV/STIs preventive measures and treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO NO: CRD42013003721

Optimization for the Production of Surfactin with a New Synergistic Antifungal Activity

-surfactin and the optimization of its production by the response surface method.O. A production of 134.2 mg/L, which were in agreement with the prediction, was observed in a verification experiment. In comparison to the production of original level (88.6 mg/L), a 1.52-fold increase had been obtained.-surfactin