Growth of millimeter-sized high-quality CuFeSe2_2 single crystals by the molten salt method and study of their semiconducting behavior

An eutectic AlCl$_3$/KCl molten salt method in a horizontal configuration was employed to grow millimeter-sized and composition homogeneous CuFeSe$_2$ single crystals due to the continuous growth process in a temperature gradient induced solution convection. The typical as-grown CuFeSe$_2$ single crystals in cubic forms are nearly 1.6$\times$1.2$\times$1.0 mm3 in size. The chemical composition and homogeneity of the crystals was examined by both inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer with Cu:Fe:Se = 0.96:1.00:1.99 consistent with the stoichiometric composition of CuFeSe$_2$. The magnetic measurements suggest a ferrimagnetic or weak ferromagnetic transition below T$_C$ = 146 K and the resistivity reveals a semiconducting behavior and an abrupt increase below T$_C$

Genetic Variation of Promoter Sequence Modulates XBP1 Expression and Genetic Risk for Vitiligo

Our previous genome-wide linkage analysis identified a susceptibility locus for generalized vitiligo on 22q12. To search for susceptibility genes within the locus, we investigated a biological candidate gene, X-box binding protein 1(XBP1). First, we sequenced all the exons, exon-intron boundaries as well as some 5′ and 3′ flanking sequences of XBP1 in 319 cases and 294 controls of Chinese Hans. Of the 8 common variants identified, the significant association was observed at rs2269577 (p_trend = 0.007, OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.09–1.71), a putative regulatory polymorphism within the promoter region of XBP1. We then sequenced the variant in an additional 365 cases and 404 controls and found supporting evidence for the association (p_trend = 0.008, OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.07–1.59). To further validate the association, we genotyped the variant in another independent sample of 1,402 cases and 1,288 controls, including 94 parent-child trios, and confirmed the association by both case-control analysis (p_trend = 0.003, OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.06–1.32) and the family-based transmission disequilibrium test (TDT, p = 0.005, OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.21–3.07). The analysis of the combined 2,086 cases and 1,986 controls provided highly significant evidence for the association (p_trend = 2.94×10−6, OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.13–1.35). Furthermore, we also found suggestive epistatic effect between rs2269577 and HLA-DRB1*07 allele on the development of vitiligo (p = 0.033). Our subsequent functional study showed that the risk-associated C allele of rs2269577 had a stronger promoter activity than the non-risk G allele, and there was an elevated expression of XBP1 in the lesional skins of patients carrying the risk-associated C allele. Therefore, our study has demonstrated that the transcriptional modulation of XBP1 expression by a germ-line regulatory polymorphism has an impact on the development of vitiligo

Upadacitinib for Successful Treatment of Alopecia Universalis in a Child: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract is missing (Short communication

A pediatric case of dupilumab-induced pustular psoriasis

Aim: Dupilumab is a novel treatment agent for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) with few adverse effects. Drug-induced psoriasiform lesions are rare.Methods: We report a 4-year-old boy with AD who developed pustular psoriasis during treatment with dupilumab.Results: Pustular psoriasis appeared within 1 week of treatment and worsened in the second week. After stopping dupilumab administration, topical corticosteroids (desonide and mometasone furoate creams) and oral desloratadine without relief. Pustular psoriasis was confirmed by pathological examination, and thiamphenicol was administered. After 2 weeks of treatment, the lesions nearly resolved without recurrence in 1-year follow-up.Conclusions: Dupilumab-induced pustular psoriasis is rare in children

Engineering Vascularized Bone Grafts by Integrating a Biomimetic Periosteum and β‑TCP Scaffold

Treatment of large bone defects using synthetic scaffolds remain a challenge mainly due to insufficient vascularization. This study is to engineer a vascularized bone graft by integrating a vascularized biomimetic cell-sheet-engineered periosteum (CSEP) and a biodegradable macroporous beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffold. We first cultured human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to form cell sheet and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were then seeded on the undifferentiated hMSCs sheet to form vascularized cell sheet for mimicking the fibrous layer of native periosteum. A mineralized hMSCs sheet was cultured to mimic the cambium layer of native periosteum. This mineralized hMSCs sheet was first wrapped onto a cylindrical β-TCP scaffold followed by wrapping the vascularized HUVEC/hMSC sheet, thus generating a biomimetic CSEP on the β-TCP scaffold. A nonperiosteum structural cell sheets-covered β-TCP and plain β-TCP were used as controls. In vitro studies indicate that the undifferentiated hMSCs sheet facilitated HUVECs to form rich capillary-like networks. In vivo studies indicate that the biomimetic CSEP enhanced angiogenesis and functional anastomosis between the in vitro preformed human capillary networks and the mouse host vasculature. MicroCT analysis and osteocalcin staining show that the biomimetic CSEP/β-TCP graft formed more bone matrix compared to the other groups. These results suggest that the CSEP that mimics the cellular components and spatial configuration of periosteum plays a critical role in vascularization and osteogenesis. Our studies suggest that a biomimetic periosteum-covered β-TCP graft is a promising approach for bone regeneration

Measurement and influencing factors of urban traffic ecological resilience in developing countries: A case study of 31 Chinese cities

An urban traffic ecosystem is a spatial structure composed of air, population, vehicles, roads, green spaces, and regions. Traffic ecological resilience is a critical issue in high-quality urban development. From the perspective of system optimization, it is important to study the level of urban traffic ecological resilience and analyze its influencing factors. In this study, we evaluated traffic ecological resilience, characterized its spatio-temporal differentiation, and explored its influencing factors by constructing a system of urban traffic ecological resilience and by analyzing the environmental protection and urban construction data in 31 Chinese cities during 2011–2018. By conducting Kernel density analysis, standard deviation ellipse, comprehensive weight determination, panel data regression analysis, and χ2 test, we found that traffic ecological resilience was low on the whole and exhibited the temporal trend of “decreasing first and then increasing” and the spatial characteristic of “high in the east, second in the middle, and low in the west”. The cities with high traffic ecological resilience density values were located in Southeast China and tended to move from northwest to southeast. Governance capability, market activity, technological innovation capability, opening degree, and financial resources had significant effects on urban traffic ecological resilience. Finally, we gave some suggestions for improving the urban traffic ecological resilience in Chinese cities as well as other developing countries in the world

Meteorological Service Indicators of Power Consumption in Yinchuan City Based on Risk Warning

[Introduction] To ensure the safety, reliability and economy of power supply, the paper evaluates the power consumption meteorological risk of Yinchuan City from 2014 to 2022. [Method] A power consumption meteorological risk assessment model was established by risk index, sensitivity index and vulnerability index, and the correlation analysis, percentile method, normalization and other methods based on meteorological data from automatic stations and electricity load data. [Result] The results show that the peak of electricity load appeared in heating period and transition period (January, March, October to December) and Summer (June to July), and the lower values in April and September. The results of correlation analysis show that the higher temperature, the greater the electrical load. High temperature intensity, high temperature frequency, daily electricity consumption, power supply load, population density and community power supply facilities are selected as indicators of power consumption by the correlation analysis and the expert questionnaire survey, and the weights are 0.5, 0.5, 0.98, <0.01, 0.99, <0.01. The results of the power consumption meteorological risk model show that the high and higher risk areas of power consumption meteorology in Yinchuan City are mainly located in Jinfeng District, Xingqing District is mainly located in medium risk areas, and Xixia District is mainly characterized by lower and lower risks.[Conclusion] The research results can provide reasonable power dispatch and supply strategies for regional power supply based on the meteorological risk assessment model for power supply and the actual needs of the power supply department

Influence of refractive index in particle sizing by light extinction spectrum

WOS:000383259700038International audienceLight extinction spectrum (LES) is particularly preferred in particle sizing since it is a fast, nonintrusive, and easy-to-realize in situ measurement. The dispersion of particles is often neglected in LES based on particle sizing (LESPS). In this communication, we investigate the effect of the particle refractive index on the extinction properties of particles. We performed a quantitative analysis for the spectral extinction properties of particles with a known size distribution based on two different refractive indices (i.e., the refractive index at a certain wavelength and the dispersive model of refractive index). Our results show that, for water and glass droplets, the biggest difference of extinction values in the two cases is only 0.003 in the visible region; it has no significant influence in LESPS and can be neglected. For tear gas smoke particles, 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS), the biggest difference is 0.03 in the visible region, and it has great effect on the accuracy of LESPS. Therefore, taking the dispersion of particles into account, the measurement accuracy of particle size distribution and concentration can be improved. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Insight into the Earthquake Risk Information Seeking Behavior of the Victims: Evidence from Songyuan, China

Efficient risk communication is a vital way to reduce the vulnerability of individuals when facing emergency risks, especially regarding earthquakes. Efficient risk communication aims at improving the supply of risk information and fulfilling the need for risk information by individuals. Therefore, an investigation into individual-level information seeking behavior within earthquake risk contexts is very important for improved earthquake risk communication. However, at present there are very few studies that have explored the behavior of individuals seeking earthquake risk information. Under the guidance of the Risk Information Seeking and Processing model as well as relevant practical findings using the structural equation model, this study attempts to explore the main determinants of an individual’s earthquake risk information seeking behavior, and to validate the mediator effect of information need during the seeking process. A questionnaire-based survey of 918 valid respondents in Songyuan, China, who had been hit by a small earthquake swarm, was used to provide practical evidence for this study. Results indicated that information need played a noteworthy role in the earthquake risk information seeking process, and was detected both as an immediate predictor and as a mediator. Informational subjective norms drive the seeking behavior on earthquake risk information through both direct and indirect approaches. Perceived information gathering capacity, negative affective responses and risk perception have an indirect effect on earthquake risk information seeking behavior via information need. The implications for theory and practice regarding risk communication are discussed and concluded

Dynamic Instability Analysis of a Double-Blade Centrifugal Pump

The flow instability of a double-blade centrifugal pump is more serious due to its special design feature with two blades and large flow passages. The dynamic instabilities and pressure pulsations can affect the pump performance and operating lifetime. In the present study, a numerical investigation of unsteady flow and time variation of pressure within a complete double-blade centrifugal pump was carried out. The time domain and frequency domain of pressure pulsations were extracted at 16 monitoring locations covering the important regions to analyze the internal flow instabilities of the pump model. The frequency spectra of pressure pulsations were decomposed into Strouhal number dependent functions. This led to the conclusion that the blade passing frequency (BPF) related vibrations are exclusively flow-induced. Large vortices were observed in the flow passages of the pump at low flow rate. It is noted that high vorticity magnitude occurred in the vicinities of the blade trailing edge and tongue of the volute, due to the rotor-stator interaction between impeller and volute