A CPW-Fed Dual-Band-Notched Antenna with Sharp Skirt Selectivity for UWB Applications

A coplanar waveguide- (CPW-) fed dual-band-notched antenna with sharp skirt selectivity for ultrawideband (UWB) applications is presented. The proposed antenna is composed of a radiant patch with a C-shaped slot and a C-shaped stub on the back surface of the substrate. By using the C-shaped slot and the C-shaped stub, dual-band-notched characteristics can be generated. In this way, a more practical and effective approach to design an UWB antenna with sharp notched-band-edge selectivity is developed. The measurement results show dual notched bands of 4.96–5.42 GHz and 5.71–5.91 GHz, which can reject the interference between IEEE 802.11a bands (5.15–5.35 GHz and 5.725–5.825 GHz) and UWB systems. The fabricated antenna shows good omnidirectional radiation patterns with acceptable gain and group delay

The Effect of Wenxin Keli on the mRNA Expression Profile of Rabbits with Myocardial Infarction

Aims. The molecular mechanisms of Chinese traditional medicine Wenxin Keli (WXKL) were unknown. This study was aimed at exploring the effects of WXKL on the gene expression profile and pathological alteration of rabbits with myocardial infarction. Methods. Twenty male adult rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham, model, WXKL, and captopril groups. Model, WXKL, and captopril groups underwent the ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery while sham group went through an identical procedure without ligation. WXKL (817 mg/kg/d), captopril (8 mg/kg/d), and distilled water (to model and sham groups) were administered orally to each group. After 4 weeks, the rabbits were examined with echocardiography and the hearts were taken for expression chip and pathological staining (H&E, Masson, and Tunel) studies. Results. The data revealed that WXKL downregulated genes associated with inflammation (CX3CR1, MRC1, and FPR1), apoptosis (CTSC and TTC5), and neurohumoral system (ACE and EDN1) and upregulated angiogenesis promoting genes such as RSPO3. Moreover, the results also showed that WXKL improved cardiac function and prevented histopathological injury and apoptosis. Conclusion. The present study demonstrated that WXKL might play an important role in inhibiting inflammation, renin-angiotensin system, and apoptosis. It might be a promising Chinese medicine in the treatment of patients with myocardial infarction

Sustainability of the Adjustment Schemes in China’s Grain Price Support Policy—An Empirical Analysis Based on the Partial Equilibrium Model of Wheat

The minimum purchase price policy for wheat and rice implemented by the Chinese government has achieved the fundamental goals of stabilizing grain prices, promoting production, and ensuring food security. This policy has also had negative impacts such as domestic and foreign price spreads and continuous increases in stocks and imports, which are not conducive to China’s grain security development and thus unsustainable. Therefore, this paper builds a partial equilibrium model of China’s grain market by simulating the effects of canceling or reducing the minimum purchase price on the market price, production, consumption, stock, and net import of wheat and then evaluates the sustainability of various adjustment programs. The research results show that first, lowering the minimum purchase price of wheat can reduce the domestic and foreign price spread, stock, and imports to a certain extent; however, it cannot fundamentally solve the negative impact of this policy. Second, cancellation of the minimum wheat purchase price policy can significantly reduce domestic and foreign price spread, stock, and imports; however, it will also significantly reduce wheat production and threaten China’s grain security. Third, cancellation of the minimum wheat purchase price and the increase in agricultural production subsidies can solve the negative impact of the minimum purchase price policy and reduce the impact of the cancellation of the minimum purchase price policy on grain supply security. This policy adjustment is more sustainable than China’s current policy. Finally, this paper asserts that China’s grain price policy reform will influence and have implications for stakeholders in the global grain industry

A CPW-Fed Dual-Band-Notched Antenna with Sharp Skirt Selectivity for UWB Applications

A coplanar waveguide- (CPW-) fed dual-band-notched antenna with sharp skirt selectivity for ultrawideband (UWB) applications is presented. The proposed antenna is composed of a radiant patch with a C-shaped slot and a C-shaped stub on the back surface of the substrate. By using the C-shaped slot and the C-shaped stub, dual-band-notched characteristics can be generated. In this way, a more practical and effective approach to design an UWB antenna with sharp notched-band-edge selectivity is developed. The measurement results show dual notched bands of 4.96–5.42 GHz and 5.71–5.91 GHz, which can reject the interference between IEEE 802.11a bands (5.15–5.35 GHz and 5.725–5.825 GHz) and UWB systems. The fabricated antenna shows good omnidirectional radiation patterns with acceptable gain and group delay

Efficient Isolation and In Situ Identification of Viable Circulating Tumor Cells Using Dual‐Responsive Fluorescent‐Magnetic Nanoparticles

Detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the peripheral blood of cancer patients is a promising approach for diagnosing early‐stage cancers, monitoring disease progression, and prescribing personalized anticancer therapy. However, it is still challenging to achieve effective and cell‐friendly isolation of CTCs due to their scarcity, heterogeneity, and vulnerability. Herein, a novel multifunctional platform based on fluorescent‐magnetic Fe3O4/Rhm B@ZIF‐8‐pTA nanoparticles (FR@Z‐pTA NPs) is developed for efficient CTCs isolation. FR@Z‐pTA NPs not only capture more than 88% of rare cancer cells for both EpCAM‐positive cells (MCF‐7, HepG2) and EpCAM‐negative cells (MDA‐MB‐231, HeLa) but also effectively release the captured cells with high efficiency (>80%) and viabilities (>90%) under cell‐friendly pH/ATP stimuli. More importantly, FR@Z‐pTA NPs exhibit excellent resistance to nonspecific adhesion of white blood cells (WBCs) and high detection sensitivity toward cancer cells in the patients’ blood. The present multifunctional CTCs detection platform integrating high sensitivity, broad‐spectrum capture, in situ fluorescent identification and cell‐friendly release offers a good solution to address current challenges of CTCs isolation from clinical blood samples

Common Variants in TRDN and CALM1 Are Associated with Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death in Chronic Heart Failure Patients in Chinese Han Population

<div><p>Background</p><p>Recent studies suggest that variants in two calcium handling genes (RyR2 and CASQ2) associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) and non-sudden cardiac death (NSCD) in subjects with heart failure and coronary artery disease, respectively. The purpose of this study was to identify other calcium handling genes associated with SCD in the long-term of chronic heart failure (CHF) in Chinese Han population.</p><p>Methods and Results</p><p>We investigated 20 SNPs representing 10 genes that regulated calcium handling in 1429 patients with CHF, and the genetic association with SCD and all-cause death was analysed. During a median follow-up period of 63 months, 538 patients (37.65%) died from CHF, of whom 185 (34.38%) had SCD and the others were NSCD. SNPs that pass a P value cut-off of 0.0025 were considered as significant. We found that patients carrying the CC genotype of rs3814843 on CALM1 gene had greater risks of SCD (HR 5.542, 95% CI 2.054–14.948, P = .001) and all cause death (HR 3.484, 95% CI 1.651–7.350, P = .001). After adjusting for other risk factors, significant associations remained. Moreover, patients carrying G allele of rs361508 on TRDN gene also had increased risk of SCD.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Common variants in TRDN and CALM1 are associated with increased risk of SCD in patients with CHF. These findings provide further evidence for association of variants in calcium handling regulating proteins and SCD in chronic heart failure.</p></div

Foliar Fertilizer Application Alters the Effect of Girdling on the Nutrient Contents and Yield of <i>Camellia oleifera</i>

Improving the economic benefits of Camellia oleifera is a major problem for C. oleifera growers, and girdling and foliar fertilizer have significant effects on improving the economic benefits of plants. This study explains the effects of girdling, girdling + foliar fertilizer on nutrient distribution, and the economic benefits of C. oleifera at different times. It also explains the N, P, and K contents of roots, leaves, fruits, and flower buds (sampled in March, May, August, and October 2021) and their economic benefits. The results showed girdling promoted the accumulation of N and K in leaves in March 2021 (before spring shoot emergence) but inhibited the accumulation of P, which led to the accumulation of P in roots and that of N in fruits in August 2021 (fruit expansion period). Foliar fertilizer application after girdling replenished the P content of leaves in March 2021, and P continued to accumulate in large quantities at the subsequent sampling time points. The N and P contents of the root system decreased in March. In October (fruit ripening stage), girdled shrubs showed higher contents of N and K in fruits and flower buds, and consequently lower relative contents of N and K in roots and leaves but higher content of P in leaves. Foliar fertilizer application slowed down the effects of girdling on nutrient accumulation in fruits and flower buds. Spraying foliar fertilizer decreased the N:P ratio in the flower buds and fruits of girdled plants. Thus, foliar fertilizer spray weakened the effects of girdling on the nutrient content and economic benefits of C. oleifera. In conclusion, girdling changed the nutrient accumulation pattern in various organs of C. oleifera at different stages, increased leaf N:K ratio before shoot emergence, reduced root K content at the fruit expansion stage and the N:K ratio of mature fruit, and promoted economic benefits

SNPs Significantly Associated with SCD and All Cause Death.

<p>SNP, single nucleotide polymorphism; DOM, dominant genetic model; REC, recessive genetic model; ADDITIVE, additive genetic model; SCD, sudden cardiac death; NSCD, non- sudden cardiac death; ACD, all cause death. Model 1: unadjusted model. Model 2: model 1+age, LVEF, and other factors, including New York Heart Association Functional class, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, etc.</p><p><b>†</b>P<0.05, possibly significant associated.</p><p><b>‡</b>P<0.0025, significant associated. Since we have 20 SNPs, we choose the significant cut-off point at 0.05/20 = 0.0025 level.</p><p>SNPs Significantly Associated with SCD and All Cause Death.</p