Quantum Phase Liquids-Fermionic Superfluid without Phase Coherence

We investigate the two dimensional generalized attractive Hubbard model in a bipartite lattice, and and a "quantum phase liquid" phase, in which the fermions are paired but don't have phase coherence at zero temperature, in analogy to quantum spin liquid phase. Then, two types of topological quantum phase liquids with a small external magnetic field-Z2 quantum phase liquids and chiral quantum phase liquids-are discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure

Overwintering physiology of the rice stem borer larvae, Chilo suppressalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Roles of glycerol, amino acids, low-molecular weight carbohydrates and antioxidant enzymes

The rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker), is a major rice pest around the world. A strong ability of the rice stem borer to adapt/resist cold temperature (cold hardiness) contributes to its survival through winter. However, the physiological mechanism of its cold hardiness is poorly understood. In this study, we determined the supercooling points (SCPs), the contents of amino acids and low-molecular weight carbohydrates of overwintering rice stem borer larvae. We also assessed the levels of their superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) antioxidative enzymes in the overwintering larvae. Our results revealed an intimate relationship of larval SCP with environmental temperature; SCP change reflected proportionally to change of environmental temperature. Analysis of low molecular weight carbohydrates established that the concentrations of glycerol and trehalose change in a manner that is inversely proportional to that of the environmental temperatures. Changes or significant changes of some amino acids and antioxidative enzymes were also observed in overwintering larvae. Our data suggest that decrease of the SCP in overwintering larvae is due primarily to the increase of cryoprotective glycerol and trehalose and also to the increase of several amino acids to an extent. The decreased SCP in-turn enabled rice stem borer larvae to withstand low temperature. Our study therefore provides an overall picture regarding seasonal changes of the cryoprotective substances in relation to the ability of the rice stem borer to survive cold environmental conditions.Keywords: Chilo suppressalis (Walker), cold hardiness, supercooling points (SCPs), amino acids, low-molecular weight carbohydrates, antioxidant enzyme

Methological quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on acupuncture for stroke: a review of review

Objective: To assess the methodological quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding acupuncture intervention for stroke and the primary studies within them. Methods: Two researchers searched PubMed, Cumulative index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, ISI Web of Knowledge, Cochrane, Allied and Complementary Medicine, Ovid Medline, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and Traditional Chinese Medical Database to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses about acupuncture for stroke published from the inception to December 2016. Review characteristics and the criteria for assessing the primary studies within reviews were extracted. The methodological quality of the reviews was assessed using adapted Oxman and Guyatt Scale. The methodological quality of primary studies was also assessed. Results: Thirty-two eligible reviews were identified, 15 in English and 17 in Chinese. The English reviews were scored higher than the Chinese reviews (P=0.025), especially in criteria for avoiding bias and the scope of search. All reviews used the quality criteria to evaluate the methodological quality of primary studies, but some criteria were not comprehensive. The primary studies, in particular the Chinese reviews, had problems with randomization, allocation concealment, blinding, dropouts and withdrawals, intent-to-treat analysis and adverse events. Conclusions: Important methodological flaws were found in Chinese systematic reviews and primary studies. It was necessary to improve the methodological quality and reporting quality of both the systematic reviews published in China and primary studies on acupuncture for stroke