Thermodynamical stability for perfect fluid

According to maximum entropy principle, it has been proved that the gravitational field equations could be derived by the extrema of total entropy for perfect fluid, which implies that thermodynamic relations contain information of gravity. In this manuscript, we obtain a criterion for thermodynamical stability of an adiabatic, self-gravitating perfect fluid system by the second variation of total entropy. We show, for Einstein's gravity with spherical symmetry spacetime, that the criterion is consistent with that for dynamical stability derived by Chandrasekhar and Wald. We also find that the criterion could be applied to cases without spherical symmetry, or under general perturbations. The result further establishes the connection between thermodynamics and gravity.Comment: 10 page

Consistency between dynamical and thermodynamical stabilities for perfect fluid in f(R)f(R) theories

We investigate the stability criterions for perfect fluid in $f(R)$ theories which is an important generalization of general relativity. Firstly, using Wald's general variation principle, we recast Seifert's work and obtain the dynamical stability criterion. Then using our generalized thermodynamical criterion, we obtain the concrete expressions of the criterion. We show that the dynamical stability criterion is exactly the same as the thermodynamical stability criterion. This result suggests that there is an inherent connection between the thermodynamics and gravity in $f(R)$ theories. It should be pointed out that using the thermodynamical method to determine the stability for perfect fluid is simpler and more directly than the dynamical method.Comment: 18page

Whole-Exome Sequencing Enables the Diagnosis of Variant-Type Xeroderma Pigmentosum

BackgroundXeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal, recessive, inherited disease. XP patients exhibit high sensitivity to sunlight and increased incidence of skin cancer. The different XP subtypes, which are caused by mutations of eight distinct genes, show some specific clinical manifestations. XP variant (XPV) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding DNA polymerase eta (POLH).Case PresentationWe report a family that included two XP patients whose parents were first cousins. The proband is a 36-year-old male who developed a large number of pigmented freckle-like lesions starting at 4 years of age; later, he displayed typical psoriasis manifestation, abnormal renal function and hyperglycaemia. He was suspected as suffering from dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH), but negative results were obtained in candidate gene analyses. Whole-exome sequencing was performed in four subjects, including the two patients and two controls, and a new pathogenic homozygous nonsense mutation (c.353dupA, p. Y118_V119delinsX) of the POLH gene, which was identified in all nine family members by Sanger sequencing, was detected in the patients.ConclusionA novel XPV pathogenic homozygous nonsense mutation in the POLH gene was identified. Our case proves that next-generation sequencing is an effective method for the rapid diagnosis and determination of XP genetic etiology

A hub gene signature as a therapeutic target and biomarker for sepsis and geriatric sepsis-induced ARDS concomitant with COVID-19 infection

BackgroundCOVID-19 and sepsis represent formidable public health challenges, characterized by incompletely elucidated molecular mechanisms. Elucidating the interplay between COVID-19 and sepsis, particularly in geriatric patients suffering from sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), is of paramount importance for identifying potential therapeutic interventions to mitigate hospitalization and mortality risks.MethodsWe employed bioinformatics and systems biology approaches to identify hub genes, shared pathways, molecular biomarkers, and candidate therapeutics for managing sepsis and sepsis-induced ARDS in the context of COVID-19 infection, as well as co-existing or sequentially occurring infections. We corroborated these hub genes utilizing murine sepsis-ARDS models and blood samples derived from geriatric patients afflicted by sepsis-induced ARDS.ResultsOur investigation revealed 189 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) shared among COVID-19 and sepsis datasets. We constructed a protein-protein interaction network, unearthing pivotal hub genes and modules. Notably, nine hub genes displayed significant alterations and correlations with critical inflammatory mediators of pulmonary injury in murine septic lungs. Simultaneously, 12 displayed significant changes and correlations with a neutrophil-recruiting chemokine in geriatric patients with sepsis-induced ARDS. Of these, six hub genes (CD247, CD2, CD40LG, KLRB1, LCN2, RETN) showed significant alterations across COVID-19, sepsis, and geriatric sepsis-induced ARDS. Our single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of hub genes across diverse immune cell types furnished insights into disease pathogenesis. Functional analysis underscored the interconnection between sepsis/sepsis-ARDS and COVID-19, enabling us to pinpoint potential therapeutic targets, transcription factor-gene interactions, DEG-microRNA co-regulatory networks, and prospective drug and chemical compound interactions involving hub genes.ConclusionOur investigation offers potential therapeutic targets/biomarkers, sheds light on the immune response in geriatric patients with sepsis-induced ARDS, emphasizes the association between sepsis/sepsis-ARDS and COVID-19, and proposes prospective alternative pathways for targeted therapeutic interventions

Re-discovery and taxonomic clarification of Oreocharis leveilleana (Gesneriaceae) in Guizhou, China, over 100 years

Oreocharis leveilleana Fedde was collected in Ta-pin in 1910 and published in 1911. The collected location was verified within western Luodian County, Guizhou Province, China. However, there have been no records of the species’ collection for more than 100 years since then. After extensive investigations by our research team on the type locality and its surrounding areas, we found that it is widely distributed in western Luodian County and eastern Wangmo County, Guizhou Province, China. During further research on the original literature, type specimens and type locality of O. leveilleana, the taxonomic position of O. leveilleana, which was once treated as a synonym of O. auricula (S.Moore) C.B.Clarke, was found to have a taxonomic problem. Through morphological research combined with geographical distribution analysis, it has been determined that it should belong to the genus Petrocodon Hance and it is the same species as P. coccineus (C.Y.Wu ex H.W.Li) Yin Z.Wang. According to the regulations and suggestions of the 2018 "International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (Shenzhen Code)", we propose and confirm a new combination – Petrocodon leveilleanus (Fedde) X.X.Bai & F.Wen and treat P. coccineus as a synonym of the new combination. Due to its unique bright red flowers within Petrocodon, its original Chinese name has been retained

Re-discovery and taxonomic clarification of Oreocharis leveilleana (Gesneriaceae) in Guizhou, China, over 100 years

Oreocharis leveilleana Fedde was collected in Ta-pin in 1910 and published in 1911. The collected location was verified within western Luodian County, Guizhou Province, China. However, there have been no records of the species’ collection for more than 100 years since then. After extensive investigations by our research team on the type locality and its surrounding areas, we found that it is widely distributed in western Luodian County and eastern Wangmo County, Guizhou Province, China. During further research on the original literature, type specimens and type locality of O. leveilleana, the taxonomic position of O. leveilleana, which was once treated as a synonym of O. auricula (S.Moore) C.B.Clarke, was found to have a taxonomic problem. Through morphological research combined with geographical distribution analysis, it has been determined that it should belong to the genus Petrocodon Hance and it is the same species as P. coccineus (C.Y.Wu ex H.W.Li) Yin Z.Wang. According to the regulations and suggestions of the 2018 "International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (Shenzhen Code)", we propose and confirm a new combination – Petrocodon leveilleanus (Fedde) X.X.Bai & F.Wen and treat P. coccineus as a synonym of the new combination. Due to its unique bright red flowers within Petrocodon, its original Chinese name has been retained

Bridge Responses Induced by Adjacent Subway Station Construction Using Shallow Tunneling Method

This paper presents a case of subway station construction under an existing prestressed concrete bridge with a three-span continuous beam located at the intersection of the 3rd Ring Road, Beijing. The Huayuan Subway Station of line 6, constructed crossing between #7 and the #8 piers of the bridge by the shallow tunneling method, is approximately perpendicular to the existing Huayuan Bridge. The minimum horizontal distance between the pile foundation and the subway station is only 0.08 m. The “Pile-Beam-Arc” construction sequence was used to ensure the safety of both the subway station and the bridge. Moreover, a series of reinforcement measures were adopted to safeguard the project, including deep grouting reinforcement surrounding the pile foundation from ground surface, temporary inverted arch in the middle of No. 5 drift, and the lateral steel support. Even though some cracks were observed on the bridge deck surface by the on-site deformation monitoring, the results were still within the proposed control standard. To prevent the further development of the cracks, jacking protection measure and bonded steel constructed under the box girder were performed. The related measures proposed in this research can provide useful references for future similar projects

Effets de températures sub-létales sur l'appareil photosynthétique du chêne vert (Quercus ilex L)

La résistance à la chaleur du système photosynthétique des feuilles d'un arbre sclérophylle de la région méditerranéenne (Quercus ilex) a été analysée par la méthode d'induction de la fluorescence. Le rapport de décroissance a été mesuré, chaque mois durant une année, sur les cinétiques obtenues. Selon les dates de récoltes, les feuilles ont été classées en 2 catégories : âgées de plus de 3 mois et de moins de 3 mois. Elles ont été exposées à des températures de 50, 55 et 60 °C pendant des durées allant de 0 à 30 min. Après l'établissement de la sclérification, aux alentours d'un mois d'âge, les feuilles résistent, avec des dommages limités, à une température de 50 °C. Il y a, au contraire, destruction complète du système photosynthétique après 30 min d'exposition à 60 °C. Les feuilles prélevées en juillet présentent une certaine adaptation vis-à-vis des températures élevées. Les conséquences sur le fonctionnement du chêne vert en présence de températures élevées sont évoquées.Effects of sub-lethal temperatures on the photosynthetic apparatus of Quercus ilex L. Resistance to high temperatures by the photosynthetic system of leaves of a sclerophyllous tree growing in the Mediterranean basin (Quercus ilex) has been studied using the fluorescence induction technique. Registration of the kinetics with determination of fluorescence decrease ratio was carried out every month for 1 year. According to the dates of sampling, leaves were sorted into 2 categories: > 3 months and < 3 months. They were heated at temperatures of 50, 55 and 60 °C for periods ranging from 0 to 30 min. After sclerification was established (≈ 1 month old) leaves withstood heat with only limited damage at 50 °C. In contrast, the photosynthetic system was totally destroyed when exposed to 60 °C for 30 min. Leaves collected in July displayed some adaptation to high temperatures. The consequences on the functioning of Q ilex in an environment with high temperatures have been examined