Probe on Rupture Theory of Soft-Matter Quasicrystals

In this chapter, a probe on an important aspect, rupture theory of soft matter, is discussed, in which the soft matter and soft-matter quasicrystals are introduced at first. Then, we discuss the behaviour of the matter. For the soft-matter quasicrystals, there are basic equations describing their dynamics; due to the work of the second author of this chapter, this provides a fundamental for studying the rupture feature quantitatively. For general soft matter, there are no such equations so far, whose rupture theory quantitatively is not available at moment. The discussion on the soft-matter quasicrystals may provide a reference for other branches of soft matter

Cucurbitacin E inhibits the Yes‑associated protein signaling pathway and suppresses brain metastasis of human non‑small cell lung cancer in a murine model.

Human non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with an extremely poor prognosis especially for the 40% of patients who develop brain metastasis, and few treatment strategies exist. Cucurbitacin E (CuE), an oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenoid isolated from plants particularly of the family Cucurbitaceae, has shown anti‑tumorigenic properties in several types of cancer, yet the mechanism remains unclear. Yes‑associated protein (YAP), a main mediator of the Hippo signaling pathway, promotes tumorigenesis, drug resistance and metastasis in human NSCLC. The present study was designed to ascertain whether CuE inhibits YAP and its downstream gene expression in the human NSCLC cell lines H2030‑BrM3 (K‑rasG12C mutation) and PC9‑BrM3 (EGFRΔexon19 mutation), which have high potential for brain metastasis. The efficacy of CuE in suppressing brain metastasis of H2030‑BrM3 cells in a murine model was also investigated. It was found that after CuE treatment in H2030‑BrM3 and PC9‑BrM3 cells, YAP protein expression was decreased, and YAP signaling GTIIC reporter activity and expression of the downstream genes CTGF and CYR61 were significantly (P<0.01) decreased. CuE treatment also reduced the migration and invasion abilities of the H2030‑BrM3 and PC9‑BrM3 cells. Finally, our in vivo study showed that CuE treatment (0.2 mg/kg) suppressed H2030‑BrM3 cell brain metastasis and that mice treated with CuE survived longer than the control mice treated with 10% DMSO (P=0.02). The present study is the first to demonstrate that CuE treatment inhibits YAP and the signaling downstream gene expression in human NSCLC in vitro, and suppresses brain metastasis of NSCLC in a murine model. More studies to verify the promising efficacy of CuE in inhibiting brain metastasis of NSCLC and various other cancers may be warranted

Special Libraries, November 1922

Volume 13, Issue 9https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_sl_1922/1008/thumbnail.jp

Time-reversal symmetry breaking driven topological phase transition in EuB6_6

The interplay between time-reversal symmetry (TRS) and band topology plays a crucial role in topological states of quantum matter. In time-reversal-invariant (TRI) systems, the inversion of spin-degenerate bands with opposite parity leads to nontrivial topological states, such as topological insulators and Dirac semimetals. When the TRS is broken, the exchange field induces spin splitting of the bands. The inversion of a pair of spin-splitting subbands can generate more exotic topological states, such as quantum anomalous Hall insulators and magnetic Weyl semimetals. So far, such topological phase transitions driven by the TRS breaking have not been visualized. In this work, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we have demonstrated that the TRS breaking induces a band inversion of a pair of spin-splitting subbands at the TRI points of Brillouin zone in EuB$_6$, when a long-range ferromagnetic order is developed. The dramatic changes in the electronic structure result in a topological phase transition from a TRI ordinary insulator state to a TRS-broken topological semimetal (TSM) state. Remarkably, the magnetic TSM state has an ideal electronic structure, in which the band crossings are located at the Fermi level without any interference from other bands. Our findings not only reveal the topological phase transition driven by the TRS breaking, but also provide an excellent platform to explore novel physical behavior in the magnetic topological states of quantum matter.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figures, accepted by Phys. Rev.

Progress in targeted observation for meso-scale convective system and some thoughts on its applications to convection nowcasting in large cities

Improving the forecasting skills of the meso-scale convective system (MCS) is one of the key scientific problems in the field of numerical weather prediction. The occurrence and development of severe convective weather are affected by multiple factors such as atmospheric thermodynamic and kinetic conditions, topography, and air pollution conditions. Due largely to the uncertainty in models and the inevitable errors of initial values, large uncertainties still exist for the accurate prediction of severe weather produced by the MCS. Therefore, to effectively improve the accuracy of severe convective weather forecasts in China, conducting targeted observation experiments in key areas of interest, which typically helps to reduce the uncertainty level of the model's initial meteorological field, may be one of the effective ways forward. It follows that the initiation and formation mechanisms of MCS can be revealed, and the forecast skills of severe convection will be improved. In this paper, we first propose the technology roadmap of targeted observation as follows. Based on the modern meteorological observational network over the Jing-Jin-Ji area, the typical MCS forecast sensitive regions are identified by using the Ensemble Transform Kalman filter, combined with the atmospheric sounding systems mounted on the mobile vehicle, where targeted observation experiments will be conducted. As such, convective initiation mechanisms are elucidated, and the novel methods expected to improve the forecast skill for MCS are explored. Secondly, in response to the challenge of "finding needles in a haystack" in the vertical observation of the lower atmosphere for short-term forecasting and warning of severe convective weather in large cities, the potential application value of a dynamic triangular observation mesonet in the study of triggering and development mechanisms of severe convective weather was explored through the construction of a Pyramid-shaped LOwer Tropospheric Observational System (PLOTOS) that consists of five stations with simultaneous vertical observation capabilities. Finally, it is suggested that the initiation and formation mechanisms of severe convective weather be unraveled using PLOTOS, and the mesoscale targeted observation technology be developed, which is crucial to the improvement of weather observational networks in large cities and provide new ideas and methods for improving the forecast of severe convective weather processes

WW Domain-Containing Proteins YAP and TAZ in the Hippo Pathway as Key Regulators in Stemness Maintenance, Tissue Homeostasis, and Tumorigenesis

The Hippo pathway is a conserved signaling pathway originally defined in Drosophila melanogaster two decades ago. Deregulation of the Hippo pathway leads to significant overgrowth in phenotypes and ultimately initiation of tumorigenesis in various tissues. The major WW domain proteins in the Hippo pathway are YAP and TAZ, which regulate embryonic development, organ growth, tissue regeneration, stem cell pluripotency, and tumorigenesis. Recent reports reveal the novel roles of YAP/TAZ in establishing the precise balance of stem cell niches, promoting the production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and provoking signals for regeneration and cancer initiation. Activation of YAP/TAZ, for example, results in the expansion of progenitor cells, which promotes regeneration after tissue damage. YAP is highly expressed in self-renewing pluripotent stem cells. Overexpression of YAP halts stem cell differentiation and yet maintains the inherent stem cell properties. A success in reprograming iPSCs by the transfection of cells with Oct3/4, Sox2, and Yap expression constructs has recently been shown. In this review, we update the current knowledge and the latest progress in the WW domain proteins of the Hippo pathway in relevance to stem cell biology, and provide a thorough understanding in the tissue homeostasis and identification of potential targets to block tumor development. We also provide the regulatory role of tumor suppressor WWOX in the upstream of TGF-β, Hyal-2, and Wnt signaling that cross talks with the Hippo pathway