The Wigner Solution and QCD Phase Transitions in a Modified PNJL Model

By employing some modification to the widely used two-flavor Polyakov-loop extended Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (PNJL) model, we discuss the Wigner solution of the quark gap equation at finite temperature and zero quark chemical potential beyond the chiral limit, and then try to explore its influences on the chiral and deconfinement phase transitions of QCD at finite temperature and zero chemical potential. The discovery of the coexistence of the Nambu and the Wigner solutions of the quark gap equation with nonzero current quark mass at zero temperature and zero chemical potential, as well as their evolutions with temperature is very interesting for the studies of the phase transitions of QCD. According to our results, the chiral phase transition might be of first order (while the deconfinement phase transition is still a crossover, as in the normal PNJL model), and the corresponding phase transition temperature is lower than that of the deconfinement phase transition, instead of coinciding with each other, which are not the same as the conclusions obtained from the normal PNJL model. In addition, we also discuss the sensibility of our final results on the choice of model parameters

A unified theory for bubble dynamics

In this work, we established a novel theory for the dynamics of oscillating bubbles such as cavitation bubbles, underwater explosion bubbles, and air bubbles. For the first time, we proposed bubble dynamics equations that can simultaneously take into consideration the effects of boundaries, bubble interaction, ambient flow field, gravity, bubble migration, fluid compressibility, viscosity, and surface tension while maintaining a unified and elegant mathematical form. The present theory unifies different classical bubble equations such as the Rayleigh-Plesset equation, the Gilmore equation, and the Keller-Miksis equation. Furthermore, we validated the theory with experimental data of bubbles with a variety in scales, sources, boundaries, and ambient conditions and showed the advantages of our theory over the classical theoretical models, followed by a discussion on the applicability of the present theory based on a comparison to simulation results with different numerical methods. Finally, as a demonstration of the potential of our theory, we modeled the complex multi-cycle bubble interaction with wide ranges of energy and phase differences and gained new physical insights into inter-bubble energy transfer and coupling of bubble-induced pressure waves

Traditional Chinese Herb Combined with Surgery versus Surgery for Varicocele Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to assess the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese herb combined with surgery for male varicocele infertility compared to surgery. Methods. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) data of traditional Chinese herbs combined with surgery for male varicocele fertility versus surgery were collected by searching the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Chinese databases. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Handbook. Study outcomes were presented as risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous data. Results. Seventeen of 72 potentially relevant trials met the inclusion criteria. The methodological qualities of the RCTs were low. Compared with the surgery group, the traditional Chinese herb combined with surgery group had superiority in pregnancy rate at 3-month (RR=1.76, and P=0.008), 6-month (RR=1.58, and P=0.0005), and 2-year (RR=1.58, and P=0.0005) follow-ups. No RCT was found to describe the side effects. Conclusion. On considering the low methodological quality of RCTs, there was no enough evidence on traditional Chinese herb with surgery for male varicocele infertility, and more high-quality RCTs of large sample sizes are required

CCR2 and CXCR4 regulate peripheral blood monocyte pharmacodynamics and link to efficacy in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>CCR2 plays a key role in regulating monocyte trafficking to sites of inflammation and therefore has been the focus of much interest as a target for inflammatory disease.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Here we examined the effects of CCR2 blockade with a potent small molecule antagonist to determine the pharmacodynamic consequences on the peripheral blood monocyte compartment in the context of acute and chronic inflammatory processes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We demonstrate that CCR2 antagonism <it>in vivo </it>led to a rapid decrease in the number of circulating Ly6C^himonocytes and that this decrease was largely due to the CXCR4-dependent sequestration of these cells in the bone marrow, providing pharmacological evidence for a mechanism by which monocyte dynamics are regulated <it>in vivo</it>. CCR2 antagonism led to an accumulation of circulating CCL2 and CCL7 levels in the blood, indicating a role for CCR2 in regulating the levels of its ligands under homeostatic conditions. Finally, we show that the pharmacodynamic changes due to CCR2 antagonism were apparent after chronic dosing in mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a model in which CCR2 blockade demonstrated a dramatic reduction in disease severity, manifest in a reduced accumulation of monocytes and other cells in the CNS.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>CCR2 antagonism <it>in vivo </it>has tractable pharmacodynamic effects that can be used to align target engagement with biologic effects on disease activity.</p

Protective immunity against Trichinella spiralis infection induced by TsNd vaccine in mice

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported that Trichinella spiralis Nudix hydrolase (TsNd) bound to intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), and vaccination of mice with recombinant TsNd protein (rTsNd) produced a partial protective immunity. The aim of this study was to investigate the immune protection induced by TsNd DNA vaccine. METHODS: The full-length cDNA sequence of TsNd gene was cloned into pcDNA3.1 and used to immunize BALB/c mice by intramuscular injection. Transcription and expression of TsNd were detected by RT-PCR and IFT. The levels of specific IgA, IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a, and cytokines were assayed by ELISA at weeks 0, 6 and 8 post-immunization. The immune protection of TsNd DNA vaccine against challenge infection was investigated. RESULTS: Immunization of mice with TsNd DNA elicited a systemic Th1/Th2 immune response and a local mucosal IgA response. The in vitro transcription and expression of TsNd gene was observed at all developmental stages of T. spiralis (ML, IIL, AW and NBL). Anti-rTsNd IgG levels were increased after immunization and levels of IgG1 were obviously higher than that of IgG2a. Intestinal specific IgA levels of immunized mice were significantly higher than those of vector and PBS control mice. Cytokine profiling also showed a significant increase in Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-2) and Th2 (IL-4, 10) responses in splenocytes of immunized mice on stimulation with rTsNd. Vaccination of mice with pcDNA3.1-TsNd displayed a 40.44% reduction in adult worms and a 53.9% reduction in larval burden. CONCLUSIONS: TsNd DNA induced a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response and partial protection against T. spiralis infection in mice

Region- or state-related differences in expression and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) in naïve and pain-experiencing rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), one member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, has been suggested to regulate a diverse array of cellular functions, including cell growth, differentiation, survival, as well as neuronal plasticity. Recent evidence indicates a role for ERKs in nociceptive processing in both dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord. However, little literature has been reported to examine the differential distribution and activation of ERK isoforms, ERK1 and ERK2, at different levels of pain-related pathways under both normal and pain states. In the present study, quantitative blot immunolabeling technique was used to determine the spatial and temporal expression of ERK1 and ERK2, as well as their activated forms, in the spinal cord, primary somatosensory cortex (SI area of cortex), and hippocampus under normal, transient pain and persistent pain states.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In naïve rats, we detected regional differences in total expression of ERK1 and ERK2 across different areas. In the spinal cord, ERK1 was expressed more abundantly than ERK2, while in the SI area of cortex and hippocampus, there was a larger amount of ERK2 than ERK1. Moreover, phosphorylated ERK2 (pERK2), not phosphorylated ERK1 (pERK1), was normally expressed with a high level in the SI area and hippocampus, but both pERK1 and pERK2 were barely detectable in normal spinal cord. Intraplantar saline or bee venom injection, mimicking transient or persistent pain respectively, can equally initiate an intense and long-lasting activation of ERKs in all three areas examined. However, isoform-dependent differences existed among these areas, that is, pERK2 exhibited stronger response than pERK1 in the spinal cord, whereas ERK1 was more remarkably activated than ERK2 in the S1 area and hippocampus.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Taken these results together, we conclude that: (1) under normal state, while ERK immunoreactivity is broadly distributed in the rat central nervous system in general, the relative abundance of ERK1 and ERK2 differs greatly among specific regions; (2) under pain state, either ERK1 or ERK2 can be effectively phosphorylated with a long-term duration by both transient and persistent pain, but their response patterns differ from each other across distinct regions; (3) The long-lasting ERKs activation induced by bee venom injection is highly correlated with our previous behavioral, electrophysiological, morphological and pharmacological observations, lending further support to the functional importance of ERKs-mediated signaling pathways in the processing of negative consequences of pain associated with sensory, emotional and cognitive dimensions.</p

Exploring the potential of blended learning to promote retention and achievement in higher education professional study programs

In this paper, we present a blended learning model designed for a university professional study program attended by full-time professional workers, i.e. in-service teachers studying in the field of School Administration. The model integrates four main instructional strategies at the program level: mentoring; participation in an online community of professional learning and practice; collaborative concept-mapping with an object-typed knowledge modeling software, and face-to-face seminars in a work setting. Based on interview and observation data collected during two successive small-scale experimentations of the model, we explored potential factors that could have had an impact on students’ academic retention and achievement. Four types of factors were identified: personal, professional, institutional and pedagogical. We found that pedagogical and professional factors, which are insufficiently considered in theoretical models of student retention, are of primary concern for students who work full-time as professionals. A blended learning model designed at the program level and strongly “situated” in the professional practice of the students is a promising avenue to adjust to their career constraints and aspirations and, thus, promoting their academic retention and achievement

Model Seleksi Premi Asuransi Jiwa Dwiguna untuk Kasus Multiple Decrement

This article discusses a select survival model for the case of multiple decrements in evaluating endowment life insurance premium for person currently aged ( + ) years, who is selected at age with ℎ years selection period. The case of multiple decrements in this case is limited to two cases. The calculation of the annual premium is done by prior evaluating of the single premium, and the present value of annuity depends on theconstant force assumption

Biological Bone Micro Grinding Temperature Field under Nanoparticle Jet Mist Cooling

Clinical neurosurgeons used micro grinding to remove bone tissues, and drip irrigation-type normal saline (NS) is used with low cooling efficiency. Osteonecrosis and irreversible thermal neural injury caused by excessively high grinding temperature are bottleneck problems in neurosurgery and have severely restricted the application of micro grinding in surgical procedures. Therefore, a nanoparticle jet mist cooling (NJMC) bio-bone micro grinding process is put forward in this chapter. The nanofluid convective heat transfer mechanism in the micro grinding zone is investigated, and heat transfer enhancement mechanism of solid nanoparticles and heat distribution mechanism in the micro grinding zone are revealed. On this basis, a temperature field model of NJMC bio-bone micro grinding is established. An experimental platform of NJMC bio-bone micro grinding is constructed, and bone micro grinding force and temperatures at different measuring points on the bone surface are measured. The results indicated that the model error of temperature field is 6.7%, theoretical analysis basically accorded with experimental results, thus certifying the correctness of the dynamic temperature field in NJMC bio-bone micro grinding