Fluctuations and Correlations of Conserved Charges in QCD at Finite Temperature with Effective Models

We study fluctuations of conserved charges including baryon number, electric charge, and strangeness as well as the correlations among these conserved charges in the 2+1 flavor Polyakov--Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model at finite temperature. The calculated results are compared with those obtained from recent lattice calculations performed with an improved staggered fermion action at two values of the lattice cutoff with almost physical up and down quark masses and a physical value for the strange quark mass. We find that our calculated results are well consistent with those obtained in lattice calculations except for some quantitative differences for fluctuations related with strange quarks. Our calculations indicate that there is a pronounced cusp in the ratio of the quartic to quadratic fluctuations of baryon number, i.e. $\chi_{4}^{B}/\chi_{2}^{B}$, at the critical temperature during the phase transition, which confirms that $\chi_{4}^{B}/\chi_{2}^{B}$ is a useful probe of the deconfinement and chiral phase transition.Comment: 24 pages, 11 figures; final version published in Phys. Rev.

The Validation of the Multicultural Supervision Scale

The Multicultural Supervision Scale (MSS) is a self-reported instrument aimed at measuring supervisors’ multicultural supervision competencies. A total of 308 individuals completed the present study for the purpose of validating the MSS with the consideration of the influence of social desirability. Results from a confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the three-factor structure of the MSS including Supervisory Skills, Supervisors’ Attitudes and Beliefs, and Stereotypes Toward Diverse Populations. Statistical evidence suggested that the MSS, which consists of 21 self-reported items, demonstrated a moderate level of internal consistency and validity of its construct. Directions for future research and implications to clinical supervision and counselor preparation are discussed

Studies on Rheological Behaviors of Bismaleimide Resin System for Resin Transfer Molding

AbstractThe rheological behavior of bismaleimide resin for resin transfer molding(RTM) was studied with DSC analysis and viscosity experiments. A rheological model based on the dual-Arrhenius equation was established and used to simulate the rheological behavior of the resin. The model predictions determined from the dual-Arrhenius equation were in good agreement with experimental data. The processing window of the resin system can be well determined based on the developed model. The rheological model is important for processing simulation and quality control of RTM processing for high performance composites

Health Benefits of Theanine in Green Tea: A Review

Theanine is an amide exclusively present in tea and some fungi, and is an important bioactive component of tea. The bioactive effects of theanine include antitumour, anti-diabetic, antihypertensive, anti-stress activities, and the ability to improve cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It also has protective effect on nerve cells against damage induced by environmental neurotoxins as well as on liver from injury induced by excessive alcohol intake. The bioactive functions of theanine as well as its pharmacokinetics are presented in this review.Keywords: Theanine, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Bioactive propertie

Protective effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate on ultraviolet b-induced skin damage in hairless mice

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of green tea (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) on ultraviolet B (UV-B)-induced skin damages in hairless mice in order to develop a natural sunscreen compound for use in skin care products and cosmetics.Methods: EGCg was dissolved in acetone at concentrations of 1.0, 10.0 and 50.0 mg/mL, and topically applied to the skin of hairless mice at doses of 0.2 mL/cm2, with acetone as control. The mice were then irradiated by 100 μW/cm2 UV-B for 30 min daily. EGCg treatment and UV-B irradiation were carried out daily for 28 consecutive days. The mice were then sacrificed and their dorsal skin examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on the 28th day.Results: UV-B irradiation induced severe macroscopic skin damage including chapping, cracking and abnormal desquamation in the treated hairless mice. EGCg showed dose-dependent protective effects against UV-B induced damage on the skin. Treatments with 10.0 and 50.0 mg/mL EGCg alleviated UVB- induced skin damage by suppressing both keratinocyte apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, along with inhibiting the production of melanin pigment.Conclusion: Topical application of green tea EGCg shows dose-dependent protective effect against UV-B-induced damage on hairless mouse skin. Thus, the plant compound can potentially be used as an alternative agent for photoprotection against UV-B exposure.Keywords: UV-B, Green tea EGCg, Photoprotection, Stratum corneum,  Mitochondrion, Melanosom

Multi-target siRNA based on DNMT3A/B homologous conserved region influences cell cycle and apoptosis of human prostate cancer cell line TSU-PR1

Abnormal genome hypermethylation participates in the tumorigenesis and development of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer cells highly express DNA methyltransferase 3 (DMNT3) family genes, essential for maintaining genome methylation. In the present study, multi-target siRNA, based on the homologous region of the DNMT3 family, was designed for the in vitro investigation of its effects on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of TSU-PR1 prostate cancer cells. The consequential cell-cycle derangement, through DNMT3A/B or only DNMT3B silencing, was partially efficient, without affecting apoptosis. DNMT3A silencing had absolutely no effect on changing TSU-PR1 cell biological behavior. Hence, DNMT3B alone apparently plays a key role in maintaining the unfavorable behavior of prostate-cancer cells, thereby implying its potential significance as a promising therapeutic target, with DNMT3A simply in the role of helper

Cavernous Transformation of the Portal Vein Might Increase the Risk of Liver Abscess

Cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV) is not quite common in adults, and cases with CTPV and acute liver abscess are lacking. We report a patient with CTPV inducing extrahepatic and intrahepatic obstruction, finally leading to acute liver abscess due to bile duct infection. We aim to find out the possible relationship between CTPV and acute liver abscess. A 45-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital for recurrent upper abdominal pain and distension for one year, aggravated with fever for three years. A diagnosis of CTPV and liver abscess was made by 16-slice computed tomography. Effective antibiotics and drainage were used for this patients, and she was eventually cured. When treating patients with CTPV, extrahepatic and intrahepatic obstruction, one should be aware of the presence of acute liver abscess, and empirical antibiotics might be valuable

Nutrient Sensing, Metabolism, and Cell Growth Control

Cell growth is regulated by coordination of both extracellular nutrients and intracellular metabolite concentrations. AMP activated kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 serve as key molecules that sense cellular energy and nutrients levels, respectively. In addition, the dioxygenase family, including prolylhydroxylase, lysine demethylase, and DNA demethylase, has emerged as possible sensors of intracellular metabolic status. The interplay among nutrients, metabolites, gene expression, and protein modification are involved in the coordination of cell growth with extracellular and intracellular conditions

Bis(triphenyl­stann­yl) thio­phene-2,5-dicarboxyl­ate

Mol­ecules of the title compound, [Sn2(C6H5)6(C6H2O4S)], lie on inversion centres with the central thio­phene ring disordered equally over two orientations. The carboxyl­ate groups are approximately coplanar with the thio­phene ring [dihedral angle = 4.0 (1)°] and the Sn—O bond distance of 2.058 (4) Å is comparable to that in related organotin carboxyl­ates