Constraining interacting dark energy models with the halo concentration - mass relation

The interacting dark energy (IDE) model is a promising alternative cosmological model which has the potential to solve the fine-tuning and coincidence problems by considering the interaction between dark matter and dark energy. Previous studies have shown that the energy exchange between the dark sectors in this model can significantly affect the dark matter halo properties. In this study, utilising a large set of cosmological $N$-body simulations, we analyse the redshift evolution of the halo concentration - mass ($c$ - $M$) relation in the IDE model, and show that the $c$ - $M$ relation is a sensitive proxy of the interaction strength parameter $\xi_2$, especially at lower redshifts. Furthermore, we construct parametrized formulae to quantify the dependence of the $c$ - $M$ relation on $\xi_2$ at redshifts ranging from $z=0$ to $0.6$. Our parametrized formulae provide a useful tool in constraining $\xi_2$ with the observational $c$ - $M$ relation. As a first attempt, we use the data from X-ray, gravitational lensing, and galaxy rotational curve observations and obtain a tight constraint on $\xi_2$, i.e. $\xi_2 = 0.071 \pm 0.034$. Our work demonstrates that the halo $c$ - $M$ relation, which reflects the halo assembly history, is a powerful probe to constrain the IDE model.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, 5 table

Void Lensing in Cubic Galileon Gravity

Weak lensing studies via cosmic voids are a promising probe of Modified Gravity (MG). Excess surface mass density (ESD) is widely used as a lensing statistic in weak lensing research. In this paper, we use the ray-tracing method to study the ESD around voids in simulations based on Cubic Galileon (CG) gravity. With the compilation of N-body simulation and ray-tracing method, changes in structure formation and deflection angle resulting from MG can both be considered, making the extraction of lensing signals more realistic. We find good agreements between the measurement and theoretical prediction of ESD for CG gravity. Meanwhile, the lensing signals are much less affected by the change of the deflection angle than the change of the structure formation, indicating a good approximation of regarding ESD (statistics) as the projection of 3D dark matter density field. Finally, we demonstrate that it is impossible to distinguish CG and General Relativity in our simulation, however, in the next-generation survey, thanks to the large survey area and the increased galaxy number density, detecting the differences between these two models is possible. The methodology employed in this paper that combines N-body simulation and ray-tracing method can be a robust way to measure the lensing signals from simulations based on the MGs, and especially on that which significantly modifies the deflection angle.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figure

S-antigen specific T helper type 1 response is present in Behcet’s disease

PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency and phenotypic and functional characteristics of S-antigen (S-Ag) specific T cells in patients with Behcet's disease (BD). METHODS: Blood was taken from 23 active BD patients, 12 inactive BD patients, and 14 healthy controls. The clinical features of the patients were summarized. T cell response against 40 mixed S-Ag peptides was identified by interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT). CD69 and CD45RO were used to characterize the phenotype of S-Ag specific T cells. The functional property of S-Ag specific T cells was investigated by measuring the production of cytokines. RESULTS: Response to the mixed S-Ag peptides was found in 56.5% and 25% of active and inactive BD patients, respectively. The responsiveness to S-Ag peptides was unrelated to the clinical features of the patients. About 65.8% of IFN-gamma(+) CD4(+) T cells in active BD patients expressed CD69 and CD45RO concomitantly. S-Ag peptides significantly induced a production of IFN-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha but not interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-17 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in active BD patients with a response to S-Ag. CONCLUSIONS: S-Ag specific T cells are present in certain active BD patients, and most of them are activated memory CD4(+) T cells. These T cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of BD via producing Th1-dominant cytokine

Death-associated protein 3 in cancer-discrepant roles of DAP3 in tumours and molecular mechanisms

The article has a word count of 4657 as well as contains an image and a table Abstract: Cancer, ranks as the secondary cause of death, is a group of diseases that are characterized by uncontrolled tumor growth and distant metastasis, leading to increased mortality year-on-year. To date, targeted therapy to intercept the aberrant proliferation and invasion is crucial for clinical anticancer treatment, however, mutant expression of target genes often leads to drug resistance. Therefore, it is essential to identify more molecules that can be targeted to facilitate combined therapy. Previous studies showed that death associated protein 3 (DAP3) exerts a pivotal role in regulating apoptosis signaling of tumors, meanwhile, aberrant DAP3 expression is associated with the tumorigenesis and disease progression of various cancers. This review provides an overview of the molecule structure of DAP3 and the discrepant roles played by DAP3 in various types of tumors.Considering the molecular mechanism of DAP3-regulated cancer development, new potential treatment strategies might be developed in the future

Analysis of Mechanical Parameters of Asymmetrical Rolling Dealing with Three Region Percentages in Deformation Zones

A series of mathematical models were proposed to calculate the roll force, torque and power for cold strip asymmetrical rolling by means of the slab method, taking the percentages of the forward-slip, backward-slip and cross-shear zones into account. The friction power, plastic work and total energy consumption can be obtained by the models. The effects of variable rolling parameters—such as the speed ratio, entry thickness, friction coefficient and front and back tension—on the process of asymmetrical rolling are analyzed. In all cases, an increase in speed ratio leads to an increase in friction work and its proportions. The increase in entry thickness and deformation resistance causes both friction work and plastic deformation work to increase. The proportion of friction work decreases with increasing deformation resistance, entry thickness, front tension and back tension. In the circumstances of a thin strip being rolled with a large speed ratio, the proportion of friction work could exceed that of plastic deformation work. The concept of a threshold point of friction work was proposed to explain this phenomenon. As an example, threshold points T1, T2, T3 with the effect of the entry thickness and S1, S2, S3 with the effect of the friction coefficient have been obtained by computation. Finally, the experiment of the strip asymmetrical rolling was conducted, and a maximum error of 9.7% and an RMS error of 5.9% were found in the comparison of roll forces between experimental measurement values and calculated ones

Attribution of the Langshan Tectonic Belt: Evidence from zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope compositions

This study describes a previously unidentified Neoproterozoic mafic dyke emplaced in the northern flank of the Langshan Tectonic Belt. This dyke intruded into the micaquartz schist of the Zhaertaishan Group, and yielded an age of 908 ± 8 Ma. The youngest U–Pb ages of micaquartz schist from the Zhaertaishan Group in the Langshan area were 1118 ± 33 Ma, 1187 ± 3 Ma and 1189 ± 39 Ma, suggesting that the depositional age of the protolith of the schist was between 908 ± 8 Ma and 1118 ± 33 Ma. In addition, 436 U–Pb age data and 155 Lu–Hf isotopic data from six samples in the Langshan Tectonic Belt and one Permian greywacke from the Wuhai area show distinct differences between the northern and southern flanks of the Main Langshan area. The U–Pb ages of the northern flank are primarily Meso-Neoproterozoic; similar ages have not been identified in the southern flank to date. Moreover, two-stage Hf model ages of the northern flank feature three age peaks at ∼900 Ma, ∼1700 Ma and ∼2600 Ma; this differs from Hf model ages of the southern flank, which feature one strong age peak at ∼2700 Ma. These results suggest that the northern and southern flanks of the Main Langshan area have different geochronologic characteristics and should be divided further. Based on the U–Pb ages and Hf model ages, the northern and southern flanks of the Main Langshan area are named the North and South Langshan Tectonic Belts. Comparison of the U–Pb age and two-stage Hf model age distributions from the North Langshan Tectonic Belt, South Langshan Tectonic Belt, Alxa Block and the North China Craton (NCC) reveal that the North Langshan Tectonic Belt is similar to the Alxa Block and that the South Langshan Tectonic Belt is similar to the NCC. In addition, the zircon U–Pb age of 860 ± 7 Ma commonly observed in the Alxa Block was detected in the Permian greywacke from the Wuhai area of the NCC, which suggests that the amalgamation of the North and South Langshan Tectonic belts (i.e., the amalgamation of the Alxa Block and the NCC), occurred between Devonian and late Permian. Keywords: Langshan Tectonic Belt, Attribution, Alxa Block, North China Craton, U–Pb, Hf isotopic compositio