The Influence of γ

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of sterilization process using γ-ray radiation on the melting behavior, crystallization behavior, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide66 (nHA/PA66) scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The results show that the melting temperature, degree of crystallization, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the composite scaffolds increased with the enhancement of radiation doses from 25 kGy to 50 kGy, especially the irradiation dose of 50 kGy which imposed a remarkable effect on these properties. However, a reverse trend was found when the 100 kGy irradiation dose was applied. In general, a conclusion can be drawn that sterilization using γ-ray radiation with proper dose has no adverse effect on the properties of nHA/PA66 composite scaffolds

Multiobjective Location Model Design Based on Government Subsidy in the Recycling of CDW

With the generation of a large amount of construction and demolition waste (CDW), many scholars have recently paid more attention to the recycling of CDW. In this paper, we design a classification recycling method based on the degree of CDW availability in the recycling of CDW. Considering the important role of the government in reverse logistics, a model of reverse logistics network based on the trade-off between cost and recycling rate is put forward, which is subject to government subsidy. The model includes the location of classification processing center and ensures the best route of transportation. Then, the improved particle swarm optimization algorithm is applied to solve the model to get Pareto frontier by transforming it into a multiobjective integer-programming problem. As a case study, the results of the statistical modeling used in this study indicate the feasibility of the model. Finally, according to the sensitivity analysis of government’s subsidy, we evaluate the effectiveness of this program and its applicability

N-Benzyl-2-(2,4-dichloro­phen­oxy)acetamide

In the title compound, C15H13Cl2NO2, the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 27.17 (11)°. In the crystal the molecules are linked by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

Hydrothermal combustion synthesis and characterization of Sr2CeO4 phosphor powders

In this paper, the blue-light-emitting Sr2CeO4 phosphor powders were prepared by hydrothermal combustion reactions and a subsequent sintering process. During the process, the mixed urea and glycine were both used as leavening agent and fuel. The particle crystallization, surface morphology as well as the luminescence intensities of the Sr2CeO4 phosphor powders were effectively improved by adjusting the amount of glycine and post-sintering temperatures. The Sr2CeO4 phosphor exhibited strong crystallization and well-distributed spherical particle after optimization. Moreover, the intense blue-light emission band with the maximum at 468 nm in the range of 400–600 nm was observed as excited with ultraviolet light 277 nm. In particular, after the precursors were heat-treated at 1100 °C, the samples could be well-excited around 350 nm. The excitation bands were ascribed to the charge transfer from O to Ce, and the enlarged excitation range may facilitate its uses in optoelectronic fields.publishe

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans regulate the growth, differentiation and migration of multipotent neural precursor cells through the integrin signaling pathway

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neural precursor cells (NPCs) are defined by their ability to proliferate, self-renew, and retain the potential to differentiate into neurons and glia. Deciphering the factors that regulate their behaviors will greatly aid in their use as potential therapeutic agents or targets. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are prominent components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the central nervous system (CNS) and are assumed to play important roles in controlling neuronal differentiation and development.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the present study, we demonstrated that CSPGs were constitutively expressed on the NPCs isolated from the E16 rat embryonic brain. When chondroitinase ABC was used to abolish the function of endogenous CSPGs on NPCs, it induced a series of biological responses including the proliferation, differentiation and migration of NPCs, indicating that CSPGs may play a critical role in NPC development and differentiation. Finally, we provided evidence suggesting that integrin signaling pathway may be involved in the effects of CSPGs on NPCs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study investigating the influence and mechanisms of CSPGs on the differentiation and migration of NPCs should help us to understand the basic biology of NPCs during CNS development and provide new insights into developing new strategies for the treatment of the neurological disorders in the CNS.</p

Nevirapine Plasma Concentrations Are Associated with Virologic Response and Hepatotoxicity in Chinese Patients with HIV Infection

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available on the relationship between nevirapine plasma concentrations and virologic response or liver toxicity in Chinese patients with HIV infection. The objective of this prospective study was to test this relationship and to determine the minimal therapeutic trough concentration of nevirapine for Chinese patients. METHODS: A total of 227 HIV-infected, treatment naïve patients were enrolled into this study. Blood samples were taken at C(trough) (12 hr postdose) and C(2) (2 hr postdose) for measurement of nevirapine concentrations 6 months after treatment initiation. Therapeutic outcomes, viral load and CD4 cell count, were assessed at 3 and 6 months after starting therapy, while the evaluation of hepatotoxicity was undertaken 12 months after nevirapine treatment. RESULTS: A significant correlation between nevirapine trough concentrations and viral load was noticed after 6 months of treatment, particularly in patients with partial response and viral failure (p<0.01). The therapeutic C(trough) of nevirapine for Chinese patients was determined to be 3.9 µg/ml using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Virologic failure was observed in 21% (6/29) of patients with low nevirapine concentrations (<3.9 µg/ml) versus 5% (4/87) in patients with concentrations higher than 3.9 µg/ml (p = 0.015). Hepatotoxicity was significantly associated with the median nevirapine trough concentrations among male patients (8.20 vs. 5.48 µg/ml, p = 0.015) and hepatitis C virus co-infection (p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Among Chinese patients with HIV infection, the therapeutic C(trough) of nevirapine was 3.9 µg/ml, higher than the recommended 3.0 µg/ml. The correlation between nevirapine concentrations, efficacy and hepatotoxicity suggests the benefit of dosage adjustment based on therapeutic drug monitoring among Chinese HIV-infected patients to optimize nevirapine containing antiretroviral therapy

Unconstraining the Unhiggs

We investigate whether or not perturbative unitarity is preserved in the Unhiggs model for the scattering process of heavy quarks and longitudinal gauge bosons $\bar q q \to V_L^+ V_L^-$. With the Yukawa coupling given in the original formulation of the Unhiggs model, the model preserves unitarity for Unhiggs scaling dimensions $d\leq 1.5$. We examine the LHC phenomenology that is implied by the Unhiggs model in this parameter range in detail and discuss to what extent the LHC can test $d$ if an excess is measured in the phenomenologically clean $ZZ$ channel in the future or if the LHC measurement remains consistent with the background. We then make use of the AdS/CFT correspondence to derive a new Yukawa coupling that is conformally invariant at high energies, and show that with this Yukawa coupling the theory is unitary for $1 \leq d < 2$.Comment: 19 pages, 10 figures; typos corrected, version published by PR