Molecular Lines of 13 Galactic Infrared Bubble Regions

We investigated the physical properties of molecular clouds and star formation processes around infrared bubbles which are essentially expanding HII regions. We performed observations of 13 galactic infrared bubble fields containing 18 bubbles. Five molecular lines, 12CO (J=1-0), 13CO (J=1-0), C18O(J=1-0), HCN (J=1-0), and HCO+ (J=1-0), were observed, and several publicly available surveys, GLIMPSE, MIPSGAL, ATLASGAL, BGPS, VGPS, MAGPIS, and NVSS, were used for comparison. We find that these bubbles are generally connected with molecular clouds, most of which are giant. Several bubble regions display velocity gradients and broad shifted profiles, which could be due to the expansion of bubbles. The masses of molecular clouds within bubbles range from 100 to 19,000 solar mass, and their dynamic ages are about 0.3-3.7 Myr, which takes into account the internal turbulence pressure of surrounding molecular clouds. Clumps are found in the vicinity of all 18 bubbles, and molecular clouds near four of these bubbles with larger angular sizes show shell-like morphologies, indicating that either collect-and-collapse or radiation-driven implosion processes may have occurred. Due to the contamination of adjacent molecular clouds, only six bubble regions are appropriate to search for outflows, and we find that four of them have outflow activities. Three bubbles display ultra-compact HII regions at their borders, and one of them is probably responsible for its outflow. In total, only six bubbles show star formation activities in the vicinity, and we suggest that star formation processes might have been triggered.Comment: 55 Pages, 32 figures. Accepted for publication in A

A spectral line survey of IRC +10216 between 13.3 and 18.5 GHz

A spectral line survey of IRC +10216 between 13.3 and 18.5 GHz is carried out using the Shanghai Tian Ma 65 m Radio Telescope (TMRT-65m) with a sensitivity of < 7 mK. Thirty-five spectral lines of 12 different molecules and radicals are detected in total. Except for SiS, the detected molecules are all carbon-chain molecules, including HC3N, HC5N, HC7N, HC9N, C6H, C6H-, C8H, SiC2, SiC4, c-C3H2 and l-C5H. The presence of rich carbon-bearing molecules is consistent with the identity of IRC +10216 as a carbon-rich AGB star. The excitation temperatures and column densities of the observed species are derived by assuming a local thermodynamic equilibrium and homogeneous conditions.Comment: This is the authors' version of the manuscript; 16 pages, 5 figures, 6 tables; Accepted for publication in A&A 8/17/201

A New Method to Calculate Electromagnetic Impedance Matching Degree in One-Layer Microwave Absorbers

A delta-function method was proposed to quantitatively evaluate the electromagnetic impedance matching degree. Measured electromagnetic parameters of {\alpha}-Fe/Fe3B/Y2O3 nanocomposites are applied to calculate the matching degree by the method. Compared with reflection loss and quarter-wave principle theory, the method accurately reveals the intrinsic mechanism of microwave transmission and reflection properties. A possible honeycomb structure with promising high-performance microwave absorption according to the method is also proposed.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

Neuroprotective effect of thiamine triethylorthoformate conjugate against Parkinson disease in a mouse model

Purpose: To investigate the effect of thiamine triethylorthoformate conjugate (TTO) on Parkinson disease (PD) in vitro and in vivo in a mice model. Methods: The effect of TTO on behavioural changes in PD mouse model was studied using pole, traction and swimming tests. Astrocyte proliferation after TTO treatment was assessed using 3 (4, 5 dimethyl 2 thi¬azolyl) 2, 5 diphenyl 2 H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Apoptosis was determined with flow cytometry using Annexin V Fluorescein isothiocyanate kit. Results: Treatment of PD mice with TTO led to a decrease in climbing time, increase in suspension score and enhancement of swimming score, when compared to the untreated group (p &lt; 0.05). Treatment of astrocytes with TTO prior to MPP incubation significantly increased proliferation (p &lt; 0.05). Apoptosis induction in astrocytes by MPP was attenuated by pre-treatment with TTO. Pre-treatment of astrocytes with 10 µM TTO markedly reduced JNK activation, when compared to astrocytes incubated with MPP alone (p &lt; 0.05). Up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl 2 by MPP in astrocytes were attenuated by pre-treatment with TTO. MPP-induced up-regulation of cleaved caspase 3 was suppressed in astrocytes by TTO pre-treatment (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Treatment with TTO prevents MPP+ -induced neuronal damage in vitro in astrocytes and in vivo in mice. The neuro-protective effect of TTO involves down-regulation of JNK activation, inhibition of caspase-3 level, decrease in Bax and increase in Bcl-2 expression. Thus, TTO has a potential for use in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Plaquette Singlet Transition, Magnetic Barocaloric Effect, and Spin Supersolidity in the Shastry-Sutherland Model

Inspired by recent experimental measurements [Guo \textit{et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett.~\textbf{124}, 206602 (2020); Jim\'enez \textit{et al.}, Nature \textbf{592}, 370 (2021)] on frustrated quantum magnet SrCu$_2$(BO$_3$)$_2$ under combined pressure and magnetic fields, we study the related spin-$1/2$ Shastry-Sutherland (SS) model using state-of-the-art tensor network methods. By calculating thermodynamics, correlations and susceptibilities, we find, in zero magnetic field, not only a line of first-order plaquette-singlet (PS) to dimer-singlet phase transition ending with a critical point, but also signatures of the ordered PS transition with its critical endpoint terminating on this first-order line. Moreover, we uncover prominent magnetic barocaloric responses, a novel type of quantum correlation induced cooling effect, in the strongly fluctuating supercritical regime. Under finite fields, we identify a quantum phase transition from the PS phase to the spin supersolid phase that breaks simultaneously lattice translational and spin rotational symmetries. The present findings on the SS model are accessible in current experiments and would shed new light on exotic critical and supercritical phenomena in archetypal frustrated quantum magnets.Comment: Close to the published version. 7 pages, 4 figures (SM 9 pages, 12 figures

Study of the features of coronary artery atheromatous plaque using intravascular ultrasound in patients with impaired glucose tolerance

AbstractObjectiveWe used intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to analyze the features of coronary artery atheromatous plaque in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and mild-to-moderate angiographic coronary stenosis. The aim was to determine the clinical significance of plaque characteristics as well as the relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and coronary artery lesions.MethodsHbA1c levels were evaluated in 85 patients (96 lesions), of whom 46 had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT Group) and 39 had normal blood glucose (NBG Group). IVUS was used to analyze the lesion vessel of both groups qualitatively and quantitatively. The external elastic membrane area (EEMA), minimal lumen area (MLA), plaque area (PA), and plaque burden (PB) were measured for both the target lesion and the reference segments (reference external elastic membrane area (REEMA), reference minimal lumen area (RMLA), reference plaque area (RPA), and reference plaque burden (RPB), respectively).ResultsHbA1c levels were significantly higher in the IGT Group than in the NBG Group (P < 0.05). In the IGT Group there was more soft plaque, eccentric plaque, and positive remodeling, and less calcification, while in the NBG Group there was much harder plaque and calcification, no reconstruction, and negative remodeling (P < 0.05). MLA was smaller in the IGT Group than in the NBG Group, while EEMA, PA, and PB were clearly greater (P < 0.05). In the meantime, RMLA was clearly smaller in the IGT Group than in the NBG Group, while RPA and RPB were greater (P < 0.05). HbA1c levels were positively correlated with PA and PB, and negatively correlated with MLA.ConclusionIVUS is very valuable for the evaluation of mild-to-moderate coronary lesions. The coronary artery lesions in patients with IGT are more serious and widespread than those in patients with NBG. HbA1c levels might be of some value in assessing the severity of coronary artery lesions

Pharmacokinetics of diltiazem hydrochloride delay-onset sustained-release pellet capsules in healthy volunteers

Embora a farmacocinética (PK) do cloridrato de diltiazem nas formas de comprimidos de liberação imediata e cápsulas de liberação modificada em ensaios clínicos já tenha sido relatada, a pesquisa da PK do cloridrato de diltiazem na forma de cápsulas com peletes de liberação retardada e sustentada ainda é muito importante. Neste trabalho, propusemos avaliar a farmacocinética do cloridrato de diltiazem administrado através desta nova forma farmacêutica em voluntários chineses sadios, assim como a influência da ingestão de alimentos neste perfil farmacocinético. Foi realizado um ensaio clínico aberto, randomizado e paralelo em 36 voluntários, que receberam dose oral única de 90 mg, 180 mg ou 270 mg e dose múltiplas (90 mg/d × 6 d) pela mesma via de administração. Para avaliar o efeito da ingestão de alimentos sobre a PK do diltiazem foi realizada a administração de dose única (360 mg) em 24 voluntários chineses sadios. A concentração plasmática do diltiazem foi determinada por Cromatografia Liquida de Alta Eficiência em fase reversa (CLAE-FR) e os principais parâmetros farmacocinéticos foram analisados através do emprego do software PKSolver (Ver 2.0). O ensaio de farmacocinética clínica foi conduzido na clínica Pharmacological Center (No.JDX1999064) do Hospital de Xiangya, Central South University, China. Os parâmetros PK obtidos indicaram que a nova formulação de cápsulas de liberação retardada e sustentada de cloridrato de diltiazem possue marcantes características de liberação retardada e controlada do fármaco.The pharmacokinetics (PK) of ordinary tablets and sustained release capsules of diltiazem hydrochloride in human clinical trials had been studied. The PK of diltiazem hydrochloride delay-onset sustained-release pellet capsules, a new dosage form, has not been reported, although it is very important to clinical use. In this paper, we investigated the PK of diltiazem hydrochloride delay-onset sustained-release pellet capsules and the food influence in Chinese healthy volunteers. The PK parameters indicated that the diltiazem hydrochloride delay-onset sustained-release pellet capsules appeared marked characteristics of delayed and controlled release. An opened-label, randomized and parallel clinical trial was conducted in 36 Chinese healthy volunteers with single oral dose (90 mg, 180 mg or 270 mg) and a multiple oral dose (90 mg d-1×6 d) administration. The effect of food on the PK of one single oral dose (360 mg) was investigated in 24 healthy Chinese volunteers. Plasma diltiazem concentration was determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and the main pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed by PKSolver (Ver 2.0). All clinical studies were conducted in the Clinical Pharmacological Center (No. JDX1999064) of Xiangya Hospital Affiliated Central South University, China. The PK parameters suggested that the new formulation had marked characteristics of delayed and controlled release of diltiazem, and food intake did not alter significantly diltiazem pharmacokinetic parameters

Clinical application of the paraspinal erector approach for spinal canal decompression in upper lumber burst fractures

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation is commonly used for upper lumber burst fractures. The direct decompression remains challenging with this minimally invasive surgery. The objective was to evaluate a novel paraspinal erector approach for effective and direct decompression in patients with canal compromise and neurologic deficit. METHOD: Patients (n = 21) with neurological deficiency and Denis B type upper lumbar burst fracture were enrolled in the study, including 14 cases in the L1 and 7 cases in the L2. The patients underwent removal of bone fragments from the spinal canal through intervertebral foramen followed by short-segment fixation. Evaluations included surgery-related, such as duration of surgery and blood loss, and 12-month follow-up, such as the kyphotic angle, the height ratio of the anterior edge of the vertebra, the ratio of sagittal canal compromise, visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Frankel scores. RESULTS: All patients achieved direct spinal canal decompression using the paraspinal erector approach followed by percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. The mean operation time (SD) was 173 (23) min, and the mean (SD) blood loss was 301 (104) ml. Significant improvement was noted in the kyphotic angle, 26.2 ± 8.7 prior to operation versus 9.1 ± 4.7 at 12 months after operation (p <0.05); the height ratio of the anterior edge of the injured vertebra, 60 ± 16% versus 84 ± 9% (p <0.05); and the ratio of sagittal canal compromise, 46.5 ± 11.4% versus 4.3 ± 3.6% (p <0.05). Significant improvements in VAS (7.3 ± 1.2 vs. 1.9 ± 0.7, p <0.05), ODI (86.7 ± 5.8 vs. 16.7 ± 5.1, p <0.05), and Frankel scores were also noted. CONCLUSIONS: The paraspinal erector approach was effective for direct spinal canal decompression with minimal injury in the paraspinal muscles or spine. Significant improvements in spinal function and prognostics were achieved after the percutaneous pedicle screw fixation