Observable effects of the quantum adiabatic phase for noncyclic evolution

Journal ArticleIt is pointed out that, contrary to naive expectation, the gauge structure or Berry connection recently found in slowly varying quantum systems gives rise to observable effects even for noncyclic evolutions corresponding to open paths in parameter space. We propose to test such effects in muon spin resonance and in level-crossing resonance in muon-spin-rotation spectroscopy. In our proposals either the probe or the system itself has a lifetime much shorter than the period of one adiabatic cycle

(E)-1-(4-Benzhydrylpiperazin-1-yl)-3-(2-eth­oxy­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one

In the title mol­ecule, C28H30N2O2, the piperazine ring adopts a chair conformation and the C=C bond exhibits an E conformation. The dihedral angle between the terminal phenyl rings is 71.4 (2). In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming [010] chains

Tangible Interaction Design: Preparing Future Designers for The Needs of Industrial Innovation

The last decade has seen a remarkable uptake of interactive systems, products and services. Their design requires a shift from the traditional skills of material product-focused designers. We argue that the creativity in designing these information-enriched products needs to stress both physical properties and interactivity. The challenge is finding an educational approach that can equip industrial design graduates with stronger creativity instead of overstating the awareness of new technologies. This approach should extend rather than replace the knowledge, skills and experience from traditional design education. Using Monash University as the test bed, Tangible Interaction Design Education (TIDE), the cornerstone of this pedagogical model, provides an approach that blurs the boundaries between tangible objects and intangible services

(E)-1-(4-Benzhydrylpiperazin-1-yl)-3-(3,4-dieth­oxy­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one ethanol monosolvate

In the title compound, C30H34N2O3·C2H6O, the piperazine ring adopts a chair conformation and the ethene bond exhibits an E conformation. In the crystal, the two components are linked by an O—H⋯O hydrogen bond

(E)-1-{4-[Bis(4-meth­oxy­phen­yl)meth­yl]piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-methyl­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one

In the title mol­ecule, C29H32N2O3, the piperazine ring has a chair conformation. The amide N atom is almost planar (bond angle sum = 359.5°), whereas the other N atom is clearly pyramidal (bond angle sum = 330.4°). The dihedral angle between the meth­oxy­benzene rings is 81.29 (16)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

Intermittent High Glucose Enhances Apoptosis in INS-1 Cells

To investigate the effect of intermittent high glucose (IHG) and sustained high glucose (SHG) on inducing β-cell apoptosis and the potential involved mechanisms, INS-1 beta cells were incubated for 72 h in the medium containing different glucose concentrations: control (5.5 mmol/L), SHG (33.3 mmol/L), and IHG (5.5 mmol/L and 33.3 mmol/L glucose alternating every 12 h). Cell viability, apoptosis rate, and oxidative-stress markers were determined. The results showed that the apoptosis induced by IHG was more obvious than that by SHG. Simultaneously, the intracellular level of oxidative stress was more significantly increased in INS-1 cells exposed to IHG. These findings suggest that intermittent high glucose could be more deleterious to β-cell than a constant high concentration of glucose, this may be due to the aggravation of oxidative stress triggered by intermittent high glucose

Mesenchymal stem cell-based Smad7 gene therapy for experimental liver cirrhosis

BackgroundBone mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can promote liver regeneration and inhibit inflammation and hepatic fibrosis. MSCs also can serve as a vehicle for gene therapy. Smad7 is an essential negative regulatory gene in the TGF-β1/Smad signalling pathway. Activation of TGF-β1/Smad signalling accelerates liver inflammation and fibrosis; we therefore hypothesized that MSCs overexpressing the Smad7 gene might be a new cell therapy approach for treating liver fibrosis via the inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad signalling.MethodsMSCs were isolated from 6-week-old Wistar rats and transduced with the Smad7 gene using a lentivirus vector. Liver cirrhosis was induced by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 8 weeks. The rats with established liver cirrhosis were treated with Smad7-MSCs by direct injection of cells into the main lobes of the liver. The expression of Smad7, Smad2/3 and fibrosis biomarkers or extracellular matrix proteins and histopathological change were assessed by quantitative PCR, ELISA and Western blotting and staining.ResultsThe mRNA and protein level of Smad7 in the recipient liver and serum were increased after treating with Smad-MSCs for 7 and 21 days (P