The free energy in the Derrida--Retaux recursive model

We are interested in a simple max-type recursive model studied by Derrida and Retaux (2014) in the context of a physics problem, and find a wide range for the exponent in the free energy in the nearly supercritical regime

Tellurium quantum dots: Preparation and optical properties

Herein, we report an effective and simple method for producing Tellurium Quantum dots (TeQDs), zero-dimensional nanomaterials with great prospects for biomedical applications. Their preparation is based on the ultrasonic exfoliation of Te powder dispersed in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. Sonication causes the van der Waals forces between the structural hexagons of Te to break so that the relatively coarse powder breaks down into nanoscale particles. The TeQDs have an average size of about 4 nm. UV-Vis absorption spectra of the TeQDs showed an absorption peak at 288 nm. Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) and photoluminescence (PL) are used to study the optical properties of TeQDs. Both the PLE and PL peaks revealed a linear relationship against the emission and excitation energies, respectively. TeQDs have important potential applications in biological imaging and catalysis as well as optoelectronics

Rotor profile design and numerical analysis of 2–3 type multiphase twin-screw pumps

Increasing demands for high-performance handling of fluids in oil and gas as well as other applications require improvements of efficiency and reliability of screw pumps. Rotor profile plays the key role in the performance of such machines. This paper analyses difference in performance of 2–3 lobe combination of twin-screw pumps with different rotor profiles. A-type profile formed of involute–cycloid curves and D-type formed of cycloid curves are typical representatives for 2–3 type screw pumps. The investigation is performed by use of a full 3-D computational fluid dynamics analysis based on a single-domain structured moving mesh obtained by novel grid generation procedure. The real-time mass flow rate, rotor torque, pressure distribution and velocity field were obtained from 3D computational fluid dynamics calculations. The performance curves were produced for variable rotation speeds and variable discharge pressures. The computational fluid dynamics model was validated by comparing the simulation results of the A-type pump with the experimental data. In order to get the performance characteristics of D-type profile, two rotors with D-type profile were designed. The first has the same displacement volume as A-type while the second has the same lead and rotor length as A-type but different displacement volume. The comparison of results obtained with two rotor profiles gave an insight on the advantages and disadvantages of each of them

Zika virus impairs the development of blood vessels in a mouse model of congenital infection

Zika virus (ZIKV) is associated with brain development abnormalities such as primary microcephaly, a severe reduction in brain growth. Here we demonstrated in vivo the impact of congenital ZIKV infection in blood vessel development, a crucial step in organogenesis. ZIKV was injected intravenously in the pregnant type 2 interferon (IFN)-deficient mouse at embryonic day (E) 12.5. The embryos were collected at E15.5 and postnatal day (P)2. Immunohistochemistry for cortical progenitors and neuronal markers at E15.5 showed the reduction of both populations as a result of ZIKV infection. Using confocal 3D imaging, we found that ZIKV infected brain sections displayed a reduction in the vasculature density and vessel branching compared to mocks at E15.5; altogether, cortical vessels presented a comparatively immature pattern in the infected tissue. These impaired vascular patterns were also apparent in the placenta and retina. Moreover, proteomic analysis has shown that angiogenesis proteins are deregulated in the infected brains compared to controls. At P2, the cortical size and brain weight were reduced in comparison to mock-infected animals. In sum, our results indicate that ZIKV impairs angiogenesis in addition to neurogenesis during development. The vasculature defects represent a limitation for general brain growth but also could regulate neurogenesis directly

An Extension of the Fractional Parentage Expansion to Nonrelativistic and Relativistic SU(3)fSU(3)_{f} Dibaryon Calculations

The fractional parentage expansion method is extended from $SU(2)_{f}$ nonrelativistic to $SU(3)_{f}$ and relativistic dibaryon calculations. A transformation table between physical bases and symmetry bases for the $SU(3)_{f}$ dibaryon is provided. A program package has been written for dibaryon calculation based on the fractional parentage expansion method.Comment: 15 pages text plus 18 pages tables, latex, no figure

Ischemic Stroke Caused by Paradoxical Embolism After an Unsuccessful Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closure Procedure: A Word of Caution

Transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) has become a well-accepted alternative to surgical repair. Serious complications of transcatheter ASD closure are rare, but when they occur, devastating consequences may result. Herein, we present the case of a 4-year-old girl who had an ischemic stroke caused by a presumptive paradoxical embolism after an unsuccessful transcatheter ASD procedure and in whom subsequent venous color Doppler showed deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the right lower extremity. The risk factors that predisposed to paradoxical cerebral embolism and DVT in this patient are discussed, and the literature is reviewed

Gray matter correlates of cognitive ability tests used for vocational guidance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Individual differences in cognitive abilities provide information that is valuable for vocational guidance, but there is an ongoing debate about the role of ability factors, including general intelligence (<it>g</it>), compared to individual tests. Neuroimaging can help identify brain parameters that may account for individual differences in both factors and tests. Here we investigate how eight tests used in vocational guidance correlate to regional gray matter. We compare brain networks identified by using scores for ability factors (general and specific) to those identified by using individual tests to determine whether these relatively broad and narrow approaches yield similar results.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Using MRI and voxel-based morphometry (VBM), we correlated gray matter with independent ability factors (general intelligence, speed of reasoning, numerical, spatial, memory) and individual test scores from a battery of cognitive tests completed by 40 individuals seeking vocational guidance. Patterns of gray matter correlations differed between group ability factors and individual tests. Moreover, tests within the same factor showed qualitatively different brain correlates to some degree.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The psychometric factor structure of cognitive tests can help identify brain networks related to cognitive abilities beyond a general intelligence factor (<it>g</it>). Correlates of individual ability tests with gray matter, however, appear to have some differences from the correlates for group factors.</p

Simvastatin inhibits TLR8 signaling in primary human monocytes and spontaneous TNF production from rheumatoid synovial membrane cultures

Simvastatin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects that are independent of its serum cholesterol lowering action, but the mechanisms by which these anti-inflammatory effects are mediated have not been elucidated. To explore the mechanism involved, the effect of simvastatin on Toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling in primary human monocytes was investigated. A short pre-treatment with simvastatin dose-dependently inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) in response to TLR8 (but not TLRs 2, 4, or 5) activation. Statins are known inhibitors of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, but intriguingly TLR8 inhibition could not be reversed by addition of mevalonate or geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate; downstream products of cholesterol biosynthesis. TLR8 signalling was examined in HEK 293 cells stably expressing TLR8, where simvastatin inhibited IKKα/β phosphorylation and subsequent NF-κB activation without affecting the pathway to AP-1. Since simvastatin has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects in RA patients and TLR8 signalling contributes to TNF production in human RA synovial tissue in culture, simvastatin was tested in these cultures. Simvastatin significantly inhibited the spontaneous release of TNF in this model which was not reversed by mevalonate. Together, these results demonstrate a hitherto unrecognized mechanism of simvastatin inhibition of TLR8 signalling that may in part explain its beneficial anti-inflammatory effects

Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Control in China: Progress and Challenge

Background: China has the second highest caseload of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the world. In 2009, the Chinese government agreed to draw up a plan for MDR-TB prevention and control in the context of a comprehensive health system reform launched in the same year. Discussion: China is facing high prevalence rates of drug-resistant TB and MDR-TB. MDR-TB disproportionally affects the poor rural population and the highest rates are in less developed regions largely due to interrupted and/or inappropriate TB treatment. Most households with an affected member suffer a heavy financial burden because of a combination of treatment and other related costs. The influential Global Fund programme for MDR-TB control in China provides technical and financial support for MDR-TB diagnosis and treatment. However, this programme has a fixed timeline and cannot provide a long term solution. In 2009, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in cooperation with the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, started to develop innovative approaches to TB/MDR-TB management and case-based payment mechanisms for treatment, alongside increased health insurance benefits for patients, in order to contain medical costs and reduce financial barriers to treatment. Although these efforts appear to be in the right direction, they may not be sufficient unless (a) domestic sources are mobilized to raise funding for TB/MDR-TB prevention and control and (b) appropriate incentives are given to both health facilities and their care providers. Summary: Along with the on-going Chinese health system reform, sustained government financing and social health protection schemes will be critical to ensure universal access to appropriate TB treatment in order to reduce risk of developing MDR-TB and systematic MDR-TB treatment and management