VcbV_{cb} from the semileptonic decay B→DℓνˉℓB\to D \ell \bar{\nu}_{\ell} and the properties of the DD meson distribution amplitude

The improved QCD light-cone sum rule (LCSR) provides an effective way to deal with the heavy-to-light transition form factors (TFFs). Firstly, we adopt the improved LCSR approach to deal with the $B\to D$ TFF $f^{+}(q^2)$ up to twist-4 accuracy. Due to the elimination of the most uncertain twist-3 contribution and the large suppression of the twist-4 contribution, the obtained LCSR shall provide us a good platform for testing the $D$-meson leading-twist DA. For the purpose, we suggest a new model for the $D$-meson leading-twist DA ($\phi_{3D}$), whose longitudinal behavior is dominantly determined by a parameter $B$. Moreover, we find its second Gegenbauer moment $a^D_2\sim B$. Varying $B$ within certain region, one can conveniently mimic the $D$-meson DA behavior suggested in the literature. Inversely, by comparing the estimations with the experimental data on the $D$-meson involved processes, one can get a possible range for the parameter $B$ and a determined behavior for the $D$-meson DA. Secondly, we discuss the $B\to D$ TFF at the maximum recoil region and present a detailed comparison of it with the pQCD estimation and the experimental measurements. Thirdly, by applying the LCSR on $f^{+}(q^2)$, we study the CKM matrix element \Vcb together with its uncertainties by adopting two types of processes, i.e. the $B^0/\bar{B}^0$-type and the $B^{\pm}$-type. It is noted that a smaller $B \precsim 0.20$ shows a better agreement with the experimental value on \Vcb. For example, for the case of $B=0.00$, we obtain $|V_{cb}|(B^0/\bar{B}^0-{\rm type})=(41.28 {^{+5.68}_{-4.82}} {^{+1.13}_{-1.16}}) \times 10^{-3}$ and $|V_{cb}|(B^{\pm}-{\rm type})=(40.44 {^{+5.56}_{-4.72}} {^{+0.98}_{-1.00}}) \times 10^{-3}$, whose first (second) uncertainty comes from the squared average of the mentioned theoretical (experimental) uncertainties.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures. Reference updated and discussion improved. To be published in Nucl.Phys.

Controlled biomineralization of electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) fibers for enhancing their mechanical properties

Electrospun polymeric fibers have been investigated as scaffolding materials for bone tissue engineering. However, their mechanical properties, and in particular stiffness and ultimate tensile strength, cannot match those of natural bones. The objective of the study was to develop novel composite nanofiber scaffolds by attaching minerals to polymeric fibers using an adhesive material-the mussel-inspired protein polydopamine-as a superglue . Herein, we report for the first time the use of dopamine to regulate mineralization of electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers to enhance their mechanical properties. We examined the mineralization of the PCL fibers by adjusting the concentration of HCO3 - and dopamine in the mineralized solution, the reaction time and the surface composition of the fibers. We also examined mineralization on the surface of polydopamine-coated PCL fibers. We demonstrated the control of morphology, grain size and thickness of minerals deposited on the surface of electrospun fibers. The obtained mineral coatings render electrospun fibers with much higher stiffness, ultimate tensile strength and toughness, which could be closer to the mechanical properties of natural bone. Such great enhancement of mechanical properties for electrospun fibers through mussel protein-mediated mineralization has not been seen previously. This study could also be extended to the fabrication of other composite materials to better bridge the interfaces between organic and inorganic phases

The ADH1B Arg47His polymorphism in East Asian populations and expansion of rice domestication in history

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The emergence of agriculture about 10,000 years ago marks a dramatic change in human evolutionary history. The diet shift in agriculture societies might have a great impact on the genetic makeup of Neolithic human populations. The regionally restricted enrichment of the class I alcohol dehydrogenase sequence polymorphism (ADH1BArg47His) in southern China and the adjacent areas suggests Darwinian positive selection on this genetic locus during Neolithic time though the driving force is yet to be disclosed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We studied a total of 38 populations (2,275 individuals) including Han Chinese, Tibetan and other ethnic populations across China. The geographic distribution of the ADH1B*47His allele in these populations indicates a clear east-to-west cline, and it is dominant in south-eastern populations but rare in Tibetan populations. The molecular dating suggests that the emergence of the ADH1B*47His allele occurred about 10,000~7,000 years ago.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We present genetic evidence of selection on the ADH1BArg47His polymorphism caused by the emergence and expansion of rice domestication in East Asia. The geographic distribution of the ADH1B*47His allele in East Asia is consistent with the unearthed culture relic sites of rice domestication in China. The estimated origin time of ADH1B*47His allele in those populations coincides with the time of origin and expansion of Neolithic agriculture in southern China.</p

Relationship and prognostic significance of SPARC and VEGF protein expression in colon cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine) is closely related with the progress, invasion and metastasis of malignant tumor and angiogenesis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using human colon adenocarcinoma tissues (hereinafter referred to as colon cancer) and their corresponding non-diseased colon from 114 patients' biopsies, the expression of SPARC and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were investigated by immunohistochemistry staining to assessment the relationship between SPARC and VEGF, as well as their prognostic significance in patients. Evaluation of VEGF expression level with the same tissues was used to establish the antigenic profiles, and the marker of CD34 staining was used as an indicator of microvessel density (MVD).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SPARC expression was mainly in the stromal cells surrounding the colon cancer, and was significant difference in those tissues with the lymph node metastasis and differentiation degree of tumor. Expression of SPARC was significantly correlated with the expression of VEGF and MVD in colon cancer tissues. Patients with low or absence expressing SPARC had significantly worse overall survival and disease-free survival in a Single Factor Analysis; Cox Regression Analysis, SPARC emerged as an overall survival and disease-free survival independent prognostic factor for colon cancer.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The low expression or absence of stromal SPARC was an independent prognostic factor for poor prognosis of colon cancer. SPARC maybe involved in the regulation of anti-angiogenesis by which it may serve as a novel target for colon cancer treatment as well as a novel distinctive marker.</p

Optimised phase disposition pulse-width modulation strategy for hybrid-clamped multilevel inverters using switching state sequences

This study describes an optimised modulation strategy based on switching state sequences for the hybrid-clamped multilevel converter. Two key control variables defined as 'phase shift angle' and 'switching state change' for a five-level hybrid-clamped inverter are proposed to improve all switches' operation, and by changing their values, different control methods can be obtained for modulation optimisation purposes. Two example methods can solve the voltage imbalance problem of the dc-link capacitors and furthermore avoid two switches' simultaneous switching transitions and improve the inverter's performance as compared with the traditional phase disposition pulse-width modulation strategy. A 6 kW prototype inverter is developed and a range of simulation and experiments are carried out for validation. It is found that simulation and experimental results are in a good agreement and the proposed modulation strategy is verified in terms of low-order harmonic reduction