Population Genetic Structure of Monimopetalum chinense (Celastraceae), an Endangered Endemic Species of Eastern China

• Background and Aims Monimopetalum chinense (Celastraceae) standing for the monotypic genus is endemic to eastern China. Its conservation status is vulnerable as most populations are small and isolated. Monimopetalum chinense is capable of reproducing both sexually and asexually. The aim of this study was to understand the genetic structure of M. chinense and to suggest conservation strategies. • Methods One hundred and ninety individuals from ten populations sampled from the entire distribution area of M. chinense were investigated by using inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR). • Key Results A total of 110 different ISSR bands were generated using ten primers. Low levels of genetic variation were revealed both at the species level (Isp = 0·183) and at the population level (Ipop = 0·083). High clonal diversity (D = 0·997) was found, and strong genetic differentiation among populations was detected (49·06 %). • Conclusions Small population size, possible inbreeding, limited gene flow due to short distances of seed dispersal, fragmentation of the once continuous range and subsequent genetic drift, may have contributed to shaping the population genetic structure of the specie

Synthesis and Sensing Properties of ZnO/ZnS Nanocages

Large-scale uniform ZnO dumbbells and ZnO/ZnS hollow nanocages were successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route combined with subsequent etching treatment. The nanocages were formed through preferential dissolution of the twinned (0001) plane of ZnO dumbbells. Due to their special morphology, the hollow nanocages show better sensing properties to ethanol than ZnO dumbbells. The gain in sensitivity is attributed to both the interface between ZnO and ZnS heterostructure and their hollow architecture that promotes analyte diffusion and increases the available active surface area

Surface Adjustment Strategy for a Large Radio Telescope with Adjustable Dual Reflectors

With the development of large-aperture and high-frequency radio telescopes, a surface adjustment procedure for the compensation of surface deformations has become of great importance. In this study, an innovative surface adjustment strategy is proposed to achieve an automated adjustment for the large radio telescope with adjustable dual reflectors. In the proposed strategy, a high-precision and long-distance measurement instrument is adopted and installed on the back of the sub-reflector to measure the distances and elevation angles of the target points on the main reflector. Here, two surface adjustment purposes are discussed. The first purpose is to ensure that the main reflector and sub-reflector are always positioned at their ideal locations during operation. The second purpose is to adjust the main reflector to the location of the best fitting reflector, and the sub-reflector to the focus of the best fitting reflector. Next, the calculation procedures for the adjustments of the main reflector and the sub-reflector are discussed in detail, and corresponding simulations are carried out to verify the proposed method. The results show that the proposed strategy is effective. This study can provide helpful guidance for the design of automated surface adjustments for large telescopes

Prognostic implications of plasma fibrinogen and serum Creactive protein levels in non-small cell lung cancer resection and survival

Purpose: To investigate the prognostic implications of plasma fibrinogen and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in tumour resection and survival following successful tumour resection in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods: One hundred and fifty-three NSCLC patients who underwent surgical resection at a tertiary care hospital from January 2006 through December 2010 were enrolled. Pre-operative serum CRP and plasma fibrinogen levels were  measured. The levels of these biomarkers correlated with tumour size and pathologic TNM stage. The possibility of complete resection and associated findings are reported.Results: Plasma fibrinogen (r = 0.381, p = 0.002) and serum CRP (r = 0.471, p < 0.001) levels were positively associated with tumour diameter. Increased levels of these biomarkers were significantly associated with sex, smoking status, histological type, tumour stage, and clinical stage. Partial tumour resection occurred in 28 % (27/95) of patients with an increased plasma fibrinogen level compared to 10 % (6/58) with a normal fibrinogen level (p = 0.008), and in 30 % (29/97) of patients with an increased serum CRP level compared to 11 % (6/56) with a normal CRP level (p = 0.006). Patients with elevated CRP and fibrinogen concentrations demonstrated higher susceptibility to disease advancement andsurvival compared to patients with normal fibrinogen and CRP levels.Conclusion: Pre-operative functional concentrations of serum CRP and plasma fibrinogen could serve as indicators of tumour resectability wherein a high tumour resection rate is possible in patients with favourable pre-operative levels of these biomarkers. Increased concentrations of serum CRP and plasma fibrinogen are associated with poor overall survival and progression-free survival.Key words: Plasma fibrinogen, serum C-reactive protein, biomarker, non-small cell lung cance

参地糖脉宁汤对实验性2型糖尿病大鼠肝细胞脂肪变的效应*

Objective: To evaluate effects of Shendi Tang Maining Decoction on steatosis of hepatocyte in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Type 2 diabetes was induced, in female Wistar rats, by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (25 mg/kg BW), fed with high sucrose and high lipid food. Animals were divided into 2 groups, type 2 diabetes control group (T2DMC group; n=12), type 2 diabetes invention group (T2DMI group; n=12). The age and sex matched Wistar rats served as normal control group (NC group, n=12). The rats of T2DMI group were fed with Shendi Tang Maining Decoction [active pharmaceutical ingredient 5mg/(kg BW•d)]. The rat of NC group and T2DMC were fed with cool boiled water. Results: Steatosis of hepatocyte was significant more in every group of type 2 diabetes than NC group (P<0.01). Steatosis of hepatocyte was significant less in T2DNI group than T2DMC group （P<0.01）. Hepatic PAS stain was significant lighter in every group of type 2 diabetes than NC group (P<0.01). Hepatic PAS stain was significant darker in T2DNI group than T2DMC group（P<0.01）. Conclusion: Shendi Tang Maining Decoction can ameliorate steatosis and glycogen quantity of hepatocyte in type 2 diabetes mellitus.目的  评价参地糖脉宁汤对2型糖尿病时肝细胞脂肪变的效应。方法  用小剂量STZ (25 mg/kg BW) 雌性Wistar大鼠腹腔内注射加含高糖和高脂饲料喂养造成实验性2型糖尿病模型，分为二组，2型糖尿病对照组（T2DMC组,n＝12），2型糖尿病干预组（T2DMI组,n＝12）。相同鼠龄的雌性Wistar大鼠作为正常对照组（NC组，n＝12）。T2DMI组用参地糖脉宁汤[原药5g/（kg WD·d）]灌胃；NC组、T2DMC组用凉开水灌胃。观察参地糖脉宁汤对2型糖尿病时肝细胞脂肪变的效应。结果  T2DM各组大鼠肝细胞脂肪变显著多于NC组（P＜0.01），而T2DMI组肝细胞脂肪变显著少于T2DMC组。T2DM各组大鼠肝PAS染色密度显著低于NC组（P＜0.01），而T2DMI组肝细胞PAS染色深度显著高于T2DMC组。结论  参地糖脉宁汤能改善2型糖尿病时的肝细胞脂肪变和糖原含量

Multiphysics vibration FE model of piezoelectric macro fibre composite on carbon fibre composite structures

This paper presents a finite element (FE) model developed using commercial FE software COMSOL to simulate the multiphysical process of pieozoelectric vibration energy harvesting (PVEH), involving the dynamic mechanical and electrical behaviours of piezoelectric macro fibre composite (MFC) on carbon fibre composite structures. The integration of MFC enables energy harvesting, sensing and actuation capabilities, with applications found in aerospace, automotive and renewable energy. There is an existing gap in the literature on modelling the dynamic response of PVEH in relation to real-world vibration data. Most simulations were either semi-analytical MATLAB models that are geometry unspecific, or basic FE simulations limited to sinusoidal analysis. However, the use of representative environment vibration data is crucial to predict practical behaviour for industrial development. Piezoelectric device physics involving solid mechanics and electrostatics were combined with electrical circuit defined in this FE model. The structure was dynamically excited by interpolated vibration data files, while orthotropic material properties for MFC and carbon fibre composite were individually defined for accuracy. The simulation results were validated by experiments with <10﹪ deviation, providing confidence for the proposed multiphysical FE model to design and optimise PVEH smart composite structures