Reduced-Order Projective Synchronization of Hyper-Chaotic L\"{U} System and Chen System

By selecting non-zero constant as a scaling factor, we design a reduced-order projective synchronization scheme for synchronizing the fourth-order hyper-chaotic L\"{u} system and the third-order chaotic Chen system. To this end, a nonlinear synchronization controller is constructed. Finally, some numerical simulations are given to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed synchronization scheme in this paper

Wetting layer evolution and its temperature dependence during self assembly of InAs/GaAs quantum dots

For InAs/GaAs(001) quantum dot (QD) system, the wetting layer (WL) evolution and its temperature dependence were studied using reflectance difference spectroscopy (RDS) and analyzed with a rate equation model. The WL thicknesses showed a monotonic increase at relatively low growth temperatures but a first increase and then decrease at higher temperatures, which were unexpected from the thermodynamic understanding. By adopting a rate equation model, the temperature dependence of QD growth was assigned as the origin of different WL evolutions. A brief discussion on the indium desorption was also given. Those results gave hints of the kinetic aspects of QD self-assembly.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

Angiogenic deficiency and adipose tissue dysfunction are associated with macrophage malfunction in SIRT1 \u3csup\u3e-/-\u3c/sup\u3e mice

The histone deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) inhibits adipocyte differentiation and suppresses inflammation by targeting the transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and nuclear factor κB. Although this suggests that adiposity and inflammation should be enhanced when SIRT1 activity is inactivated in the body, this hypothesis has not been tested in SIRT1 null (SIRT1 -/-) mice. In this study, we addressed this issue by investigating the adipose tissue in SIRT1 -/-mice. Compared with their wild-type littermates, SIRT1 null mice exhibited a significant reduction in body weight. In adipose tissue, the average size of adipocytes was smaller, the content of extracellular matrix was lower, adiponectin and leptin were expressed at 60% of normal level, and adipocyte differentiation was reduced. All of these changes were observed with a 50% reduction in capillary density that was determined using a three-dimensional imaging technique. Except for vascular endothelial growth factor, the expression of several angiogenic factors (Pdgf, Hgf, endothelin, apelin, and Tgf-β)was reduced by about 50%. Macrophage infiltration and inflammatory cytokine expression were 70% less in the adipose tissue of null mice and macrophage differentiation was significantly inhibited in SIRT1 -/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts in vitro. In wild-type mice, macrophage deletion led to a reduction in vascular density. These data suggest that SIRT1 controls adipose tissue function through regulation of angiogenesis, whose deficiency is associated with macrophage malfunction in SIRT1 -/- mice. The study supports the concept that inflammation regulates angiogenesis in the adipose tissue. Copyright © 2012 by The Endocrine Society

An Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Gangue Concrete as a Roadside Support Body Material for Backfilling Gob-Side Entry Retaining

Development of a safe and economical roadside support body (RSB) material is the key to successful backfilling gob-side entry retaining (GER). By means of laboratory tests, this paper studied the effects of the water-cement ratio, aggregate content, and age on the contractibility and resistance increasing speed, compressive strength, and postpeak carrying capacity of the concrete with gangues as an aggregate. It also discussed the rationality and adaptability of gangue concrete as a RSB material for backfilling GER. The experimental results show that the compressive strength of gangue concrete increases with age, and that the strength of gangue concrete demonstrates a nonlinear decreasing trend with the increase of the cementing material’s water-cement ratio. The water-cement ratio in the range of 0.46–0.60 has the most significant regulation effect on the strength of gangue concrete. Mixing with a certain amount of coal gangue enhances the postpeak carrying capacity of concrete, preventing the sample from impact failure. The field experimental results report that as a RSB material, gangue concrete can meet the design and application requirements of GER with gangue backfilling mining. A RSB material featuring high safety, high waste utilization rate, fast construction speed, and low costs is provided

Valence band offset of InN/BaTiO3 heterojunction measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to measure the valence band offset of the InN/BaTiO(3 )heterojunction. It is found that a type-I band alignment forms at the interface. The valence band offset (VBO) and conduction band offset (CBO) are determined to be 2.25 ± 0.09 and 0.15 ± 0.09 eV, respectively. The experimental VBO data is well consistent with the value that comes from transitivity rule. The accurate determination of VBO and CBO is important for use of semiconductor/ferrroelectric heterojunction multifunctional devices

Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy: C-arm CT with 3D virtual navigation in non-dilated renal collecting systems

PURPOSE:We aimed to evaluate the clinical superiority of using C-arm computed tomography (CT) to establish percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) access for patients with non-dilated renal collecting systems.METHODS:From May 2014 to May 2015, 33 patients underwent C-arm CT-guided puncture to establish PCNL access after failed attempts of ultrasonography-guided nephrostomy. Technical success, procedure details, radiation exposure, complications, and stone-free rate were recorded.RESULTS:The technical success rate was 97% (32/33) with a mean puncture score of 4.5/5. Mean puncture, dilation, and fragmentation times were 17.9±6.0, 12.6±3.9, and 33.1±8.8 minutes, respectively. Mean radiation exposure was 4.8±2.1 mSv without serious complications. Stone-free rate was 93.8%.CONCLUSION:C-arm CT is a useful tool to establish PCNL access, particularly in cases of upper pole access or complicated anatomy

Association of Short Tandem Repeat Polymorphism in the Promoter of Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 Gene with the Risk of Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND: PCA3 (prostate cancer antigen 3) gene is one of the most prostate cancer-specific genes at present. Consequently, the prostate-specific expression and the sharp up-regulation of PCA3 mRNA in prostate cancer suggest a unique transcriptional regulation, which possibly can be attributed to promoter polymorphism. In our study, we evaluated whether there is polymorphism in PCA3 promoter region and also assess the association of the polymorphism with prostate cancer. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We designed a specific primer set to screen the promoter of PCA3 gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based cloning and sequencing with the DNA extracted from peripheral blood samples of prostate cancer (PCa) cases (n = 186) and healthy control cases (n = 135). Genotype-specific risks were estimated as odds ratios (ORs) with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by chi-square test. Possible deviation of the genotype frequencies from controls and PCa cases expected under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was assessed by the chi-square test. Short tandem repeat polymorphism of TAAA was found in the promoter region of PCA3 gene, five polymorphisms and eight genotypes were identified. The eight genotypes were divided into three groups: ≤10TAAA, 11TAAA, ≥12TAAA. The group 11TAAA and ≥12TAAA were associated with higher relative risk for prostate cancer than group ≤10TAAA (OR = 1.76, 95%CI = 1.07-2.89[for group 11TAAA]; OR = 5.28, 95%CI = 1.76-15.89[for group ≥12TAAA]). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The presence of the (TAAA)n short tandem repeat polymorphisms in the PCA3 promoter region may be a risk factor for prostate cancer in the Chinese population

Safety and tolerability of a single dose T0001 in Chinese healthy adult volunteers: a first-in-human ascending dose study

T0001 is the first mutant of etanercept with a higher affinity to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) than etanercept. In order to investigate the safety and tolerability of T0001, a study was carried out in healthy Chinese subjects. A first-in-human, dose escalation study was conducted in healthy Chinese subjects. Fifty-six subjects were divided into six dose cohorts (10 mg, 20 mg, 35 mg, 50 mg, 65 mg and 75 mg) to receive a single subcutaneous injection of T0001. Safety and tolerability assessment were based on the records of vital signs, physical examinations, clinical laboratory tests, 12-lead electrocardiograms and adverse events (AEs). All subjects were in good compliance and none withdraw due to AEs. No serious AEs occurred. A total of twenty-three AEs in sixteen subjects were recorded, and eighteen of these AEs were believed to be related to T0001. The most frequently reported AEs were injection site reactions and white blood cell count increase. All these AEs were of mild to moderate intensity and most of them recovered spontaneously within 14 days. In this study, no dose-limiting toxicity was observed, and the maximum tolerated dose was identified as 75 mg. T0001 was considered safe and generally well tolerated at doses up to 75 mg in healthy Chinese volunteers

Soybean Breeding on Seed Composition Trait

Soybean is a most important crop providing edible oil and plant protein source for human beings, in addition to animal feed because of high protein and oil content. This review summarized the progresses in the QTL mapping, candidate gene cloning and functional analysis and also the regulation of soybean oil and seed storage protein accumulation. Furthermore, as soybean genome has been sequenced and released, prospects of multiple omics and advanced biotechnology should be combined and applied for further refine research and high-quality breeding

Potential benefits of vitamin D for sepsis prophylaxis in critical ill patients

BackgroundVitamin D deficiency is common in critically ill patients with suspected infection and is strongly associated with the predisposition of sepsis and a poor prognosis. The effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation for preventing sepsis remains unclear. This retrospective cohort study investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on sepsis prophylaxis in critically ill patients with suspected infection.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 19,816 adult patients with suspected infection in intensive care units (ICU) from 2008 to 2019 at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, USA. The included patients were divided into the vitamin D cohort or non-vitamin D cohort according to vitamin D administration status. The primary outcomes were the incidence of sepsis in ICU. The secondary outcomes included 28-day all-cause mortality, length of ICU and hospital stay and the requirements of vasopressors or mechanical ventilation. A propensity score matching cohort was used to test the differences in primary and secondary outcomes between groups.ResultsThe results showed that vitamin D supplementation demonstrated a lower risk of sepsis (odd ratio 0.46; 95% CI 0.35–0.60; P < 0.001) and a lower risk of new mechanical ventilation requirement (odd ratio 0.70; 95% CI 0.53-0.92; P = 0.01), but no significant difference in the risk of 28-day mortality was observed (hazard ratio 1.02; 95% CI 0.77–1.35; P = 0.89). In the sensitive analysis, among the patients who suspected infection within 24 h before or after ICU admission, a lower risk of sepsis and a lower percentage of new mechanical ventilation also were detected in the vitamin D cohort.ConclusionVitamin D supplementation may have a positively prophylactic effect on sepsis in critically ill patients with suspected infection