Multiple latent variables but functionally dependent output mappings underlying the recognition of own- and other-race faces for Chinese individuals: Evidence from state-trace analysis

To explore the number of latent variables underlying recognition of own- and other-race faces for Chinese observers, we conducted a study-recognition task where orientation, stimuli type, and duration were manipulated in the study phase and applied state trace analysis as a statistic method. Results showed that each state trace plot on each pair of stimuli types matched a single monotonic curve when stimuli type was set to state factor, but separate curves between face and non-face showed up when the state factor was orientation. The results implied that at least two latent variables affected recognition performance in the inversion paradigm. Besides, the unidimensional structure between own- and other-race faces regardless of the state factor suggested that Chinese participants used the same recognition mechanism for unfamiliar own- and other-race faces in the inversion paradigm

Recognition of dipole-induced electric field in 2D materials for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

The application of two-dimensional (2D) materials, including metallic graphene, semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides, and insulating hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) for surface-enhancement Raman spectroscopy has attracted extensive research interest. This article provides a critical overview of the recent developments in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using 2D materials. By re-examining the relationship between the lattice structure and Raman enhancement characteristics, including vibration selectivity and thickness dependence, we highlight the important role of dipoles in the chemical enhancement of 2D materials

A Multiphase Strategy for Realizing Green Cathodoluminescence in 12CaO·7Al2O3–CaCeAl3O7:Ce3+,Tb3+ Conductive Phosphor

A multiphase strategy is proposed and successfully applied to make the insulating green phosphor CaCeAl3O7:Tb3+ conductive in the form of 12CaO·7Al2O3–CaCeAl3O7:Ce3+,Tb3+. The phosphor shows bright green-light emission with a short lifetime (2.51 ms) under low-voltage electron beam excitation (3 kV). The green photo- and cathodoluminescence from 5D4–7FJ (J = 6, 5, 4, 3) transitions of Tb3+ are significantly enhanced in comparison with pure C12A7:Tb3+. It was confirmed that this enhancement is the consequence of the joint effects of energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+ and broadening of the absorption spectrum of Ce3+ due to the existence of multiple phases. In particular, under 800 V electron beam excitation, cathodoluminescence is improved by the modified electrical conductivity of the phosphor. When compared to the commercial Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ with a long luminescence lifetime of 11.9 ms, this conductive green phosphor has greater advantage for fast displays

Higher-order moment nexus between the US dollar, crude oil, gold, and Bitcoin

This paper explores the relationships between the US dollar, crude oil, gold, and bitcoin by taking into account the higher-moment linkages. Specifically, we construct robust estimators for the realized volatility, realized skewness, realized kurtosis, and jump, and study the causalities between the estimators through the Granger causality test. A generalized impulse response analysis identified by our quad-variate VAR specification is further implemented to uncover the lead-lag spillover effect across the variables of interest. We utilize high-frequency data for the chosen assets from January 3, 2016, to June 23, 2022, and observe various patterns of cross-market interconnection related to higher-order moments. These findings suggest that systematic risk factors must be considered while jointly modeling market linkages. Practical implications for investors and market regulators are also discussed

Loss of FKBP5 Affects Neuron Synaptic Plasticity: An Electrophysiology Insight

FKBP5 (FKBP51) is a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binding protein, which acts as a co-chaperone of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and negatively regulates GR. Its association with mental disorders has been identified, but its function in disease development is largely unknown. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a functional measurement of neuronal connection and communication, and is considered one of the major cellular mechanisms that underlies learning and memory, and is disrupted in many mental diseases. In this study, a reduction in LTP in Fkbp5 knockout (KO) mice was observed when compared to WT mice, which correlated with changes to the glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling pathways. The frequency of mEPSCs was decreased in KO hippocampus, indicating a decrease in excitatory synaptic activity. While no differences were found in levels of glutamate between KO and WT, a reduction was observed in the expression of excitatory glutamate receptors (NMDAR1, NMDAR2B and AMPAR), which initiate and maintain LTP. The expression of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA was found to be enhanced in Fkbp5 KO hippocampus. Further investigation suggested that increased expression of GAD65, but not GAD67, accounted for this increase. Additionally, a functional GABAergic alteration was observed in the form of increased mIPSC frequency in the KO hippocampus, indicating an increase in presynaptic GABA release. Our findings uncover a novel role for Fkbp5 in neuronal synaptic plasticity and highlight the value of Fkbp5 KO as a model for studying its role in neurological function and disease development

Coordination of H2O2 on praseodymia nanorods and its application in sensing cholesterol

The advancement of functional nanomaterials has promoted the development of biomarker sensors underpinning promising analytical tools for a range of bioanalytes such as cholesterol. In this work, we established a light-on fluorescent probe for cholesterol in human serum by coordination of H2O2 on the surface of praseodymia nanorods (Pr6O11 NRs). The distinctive interactions of various nucleotides and H2O2 with praseodymia were examined, whereby good fluorescent quenching and recovery capability were observed. A highly sensitive and selective cholesterol detection was achieved in serum samples with a detection limit of 0.1 mu M and recovery of 97.2-101.3%, respectively, due to the high oxygen mobility of praseodymia. The result suggests strong potential for work towards a key probe for a portable clinical test system for cholesterol as well as other H2O2-deriving biomarkers, potentially addressing the ever-increasing demand for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. (C) 2022 Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Published by Elsevier B.V.This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (Grant ZR2017LB028) , Key R&D Program of Shandong Province (Grant 2018GSF118032) , and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant 18CX02125A) in China. The project with reference number of ENE2017-82451-C3-2-R from Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of Spain is also acknowledged. This work has been co-financed by the 2014-2020 ERDF Operational Programme and by the Department of Economy, Knowledge, Business and University of the Regional Government of Andalusia with reference number of FEDER-UCA18-107316

Activation of BNIP3-mediated mitophagy protects against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome of abrupt loss of renal functions. The underlying pathological mechanisms of AKI remain largely unknown. BCL2-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) has dual functions of regulating cell death and mitophagy, but its pathophysiological role in AKI remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated an increase of BNIP3 expression in cultured renal proximal tubular epithelial cells following oxygen-glucose deprivation-reperfusion (OGD-R) and in renal tubules after renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced injury in mice. Functionally, silencing Bnip3 by specific short hairpin RNAs in cultured renal tubular cells reduced OGD-R-induced mitophagy, and potentiated OGD-R-induced cell death. In vivo, Bnip3 knockout worsened renal IR injury, as manifested by more severe renal dysfunction and tissue injury. We further showed that Bnip3 knockout reduced mitophagy, which resulted in the accumulation of damaged mitochondria, increased production of reactive oxygen species, and enhanced cell death and inflammatory response in kidneys following renal IR. Taken together, these findings suggest that BNIP3-mediated mitophagy has a critical role in mitochondrial quality control and tubular cell survival during AKI

Analysis of the expression and distribution of protein O-linked mannose β1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1 in the normal adult mouse brain

IntroductionProtein O-linked mannose β1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1 (POMGNT1) is crucial for the elongation of O-mannosyl glycans. Mutations in POMGNT1 cause muscle-eye-brain (MEB) disease, one of the main features of which is anatomical aberrations in the brain. A growing number of studies have shown that defects in POMGNT1 affect neuronal migration and distribution, disrupt basement membranes, and misalign Cajal-Retzius cells. Several studies have examined the distribution and expression of POMGNT1 in the fetal or neonatal brain for neurodevelopmental studies in the mouse or human brain. However, little is known about the neuroanatomical distribution and expression of POMGNT1 in the normal adult mouse brain.MethodsWe analyzed the expression of POMGNT1 mRNA and protein in the brains of various neuroanatomical regions and spinal cords by western blotting and RT-qPCR. We also detected the distribution profile of POMGnT1 in normal adult mouse brains by immunohistochemistry and double-immunofluorescence.ResultsIn the present study, we found that POMGNT1-positive cells were widely distributed in various regions of the brain, with high levels of expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. In terms of cell type, POMGNT1 was predominantly expressed in neurons and was mainly enriched in glutamatergic neurons; to a lesser extent, it was expressed in glial cells. At the subcellular level, POMGNT1 was mainly co-localized with the Golgi apparatus, but expression in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria could not be excluded.DiscussionThe present study suggests that POMGNT1, although widely expressed in various brain regions, may has some regional and cellular specificity, and the outcomes of this study provide a new laboratory basis for revealing the possible involvement of POMGNT1 in normal physiological functions of the brain from a morphological perspective