We propose second-chance survival probability (Psur2) as a new observable to constrain the nuclear dissipation strength (β). Using the Langevin model, we calculate Psur2 as a function of β for 232Cf, ...230Cm, and 216U at different bombarding energies Elab, which are respectively populated in 28S + 204Pb, 26Si + 204Pb, and 36Ar + 180W reactions. It is shown that Psur2 is quite sensitive to β. Moreover, we find that the dependence of Psur2 on β is far larger than on Elab, indicating the robustness of using Psur2 to pinpoint β. Our findings suggest that in experiments, a measurement of the second-chance survival probability of neutron-deficient heavy systems at a high energy not only puts a stronger constraint on presaddle friction, but also it provides a good way to probe the temperature dependence of nuclear dissipation.
Cinnamaldehyde (CA), the primary chemical component of the Chinese traditional herb Cinnamomum cassia, is an effective cytotoxic agent against various human cancers. Our previous study indicated that ...CA could trigger apoptosis in three kinds of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. However, CA mechanism of action in NSCLC has not been unveiled completely. Herein, we showed that a novel circular RNA hsa_circ_0043256 was upregulated in NSCLC cells in response to CA treatment, as detected by microarray and real-time PCR. Hsa_circ_0043256 could inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis, while hsa_circ_0043256 knock-down could promote cell proliferation and restrain apoptosis induced by CA. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that hsa_circ_0043256 could work as a miR-1252 sponge, which could in turn directly target a vital negative regulator of Canonical Wnt signaling, Itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (ITCH), as validated by dual-luciferase assay. Western blot results further confirmed that hsa_circ_0043256 could upregulate ITCH expression, whereas miR-1252 could partially abolish this effect. Interestingly, hsa_circ_0043256 knock-down could weaken Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibition induced by CA. Finally, we discovered that CA induced apoptosis and meanwhile upregulated hsa_circ_0043256 expression in vivo. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that ITCH expression was positively association with hsa_circ_0043256 levels. Above all, we characterized a new mechanism mediated by hsa_circ_0043256/miR-1252/ITCH axis in CA function against NSCLC, providing a novel insight into lung cancer therapy.
•We firstly explored circular RNA function involved in mechanism of cinnamaldehyde against non-small cell lung cancer.•Circular RNA has_circ_0043256 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in NCI-H460 and A549 cells.•Has_circ_0043256 was for the first time reported as a cinnamaldehyde-responsive circRNA in vitro and in vivo.•Has_circ_0043256 acted as endogenous sponge of miR-1252, relieving its target ITCH, and regulated Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have been explored in the field of neuroengineering to investigate how the brain can use these systems to control external devices. We review the principles and ...approaches we have taken to develop a sensorimotor rhythm electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI). The methods include developing BCI systems incorporating the control of physical devices to increase user engagement, improving BCI systems by inversely mapping scalp-recorded EEG signals to the cortical source domain, integrating BCI with noninvasive neuromodulation strategies to improve learning, and incorporating mind-body awareness training to enhance BCI learning and performance. The challenges and merits of these strategies are discussed, together with recent findings. Our work indicates that the sensorimotor-rhythm-based noninvasive BCI has the potential to provide communication and control capabilities as an alternative to physiological motor pathways.
Using a newly developed apparatus, swelling pressure tests and saturated hydraulic conductivity tests on the compacted Gao-Miao-Zi (GMZ01) bentonite with an initial dry density of 1.7 Mg/m³ were ...conducted at various temperatures. Based on the test results, the mechanisms of influence of temperature on the swelling pressure and saturated hydraulic conductivity were analyzed. Results indicate that swelling pressure increases with the increase in temperature. The swelling pressures measured at 20 and 40 °C are 3.02 and 3.41 MPa, respectively. For a given temperature, the swelling pressure increases rapidly at the beginning of the infiltration process and then reaches a first peak value followed by an intermediate period characterized by a decrease of swelling pressure, well before the clay reaches its full saturation. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of the GMZ01 bentonite also shows an increase with temperature rise. The temperature changing paths (heating or cooling) have no effect on the saturated hydraulic conductivity. Based on the test results, models for prediction of saturated hydraulic conductivity of the compacted GMZ01 bentonite have been developed and verified. It was observed that the model that only considers the temperature effect on water viscosity gives predictions with large deviation from the measured values, moreover, the deviation increases with temperature rise. When considering both the temperature influence on water viscosity and the effective flow cross-sectional area of porous channels, the model can satisfactorily account for the temperature effects.
Investigation of the temperature effects on the water retention properties of compacted bentonite is of great importance in the context of geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) ...based on the multi-barrier concept. Gaomiaozi (GMZ) bentonite, collected from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China, has been selected as a potential buffer/backfill material for the construction of Chinese HLW deep geological repository. In this study, soil water retention curves (SWRCs) of both confined and unconfined compacted GMZ01 bentonite specimens with an initial dry density of 1.70 g/cm³were investigated at temperatures 20, 40, 60 and 80 °C. Results indicate that the water content decreases as temperature rises, even though the temperature effects on the water retention capacity of compacted GMZ01 bentonite depend on constraint-conditions. The influence of constraint conditions is more significant at relatively low suctions. Under unconfined conditions, the temperature effect is insignificant. However, under confined conditions, the influence on the water retention capacity is found to be significantly suction dependent. The hysteresis behavior of unconfined compacted bentonite becomes less significant as temperature increases. Based on the corresponding results obtained, a modified model was developed for describing the SWRCs of confined compacted GMZ01 bentonite with consideration of temperature effects. It appears that the calculated SWRCs agree well with the experimental ones, indicating that the modified model can satisfactorily describe the effect of temperature on the water retention properties of confined compacted GMZ01 bentonite.
Summary
Viral hepatitis is a major public health concern in China, but data on national epidemiological characteristics are lacking. We collected reporting incidence data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) ...and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in China from 2004 to 2014. Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) was performed to accurately describe the reporting incidence trends of HBV and HCV. A mathematical model was used to estimate the relative change in incidence across provinces and age groups. Nationwide, a total of 916 426 hepatitis B cases and 39 381 hepatitis C cases were recorded in 2004; the reporting incidences of HBV and HCV were 70.50/100 000 and 3.03/100 000, respectively. The overall relative changes in HBV and HCV reporting incidences in China from 2004 to 2014 were 0.98 (95% CI 0.96‐1.00, P = .082) and 1.16 (95% CI 1.12‐1.20, P < .001), respectively. Thirteen provinces experienced decline in HBV reporting incidence. Most provinces exhibited an increasing trend in HCV reporting incidence. People aged ≤24 displayed a significant descending trend in HBV reporting incidence; people aged ≥55 exhibited a significant increasing trend. For HCV infection, the reporting incidence increased in all age groups except the 10‐14 age group. In China, the majority of provinces have experienced decline or remained stable in HBV infection but show significant increases in HCV infection. Children and adolescents are well protected from HBV infection, while relatively higher increasing rates are found among older people. HCV is much more prevalent among older people, although its emergence has shifted to younger age groups.
Mammals have extremely limited regenerative capabilities; however, axolotls are profoundly regenerative and can replace entire limbs. The mechanisms underlying limb regeneration remain poorly ...understood, partly because the enormous and incompletely sequenced genomes of axolotls have hindered the study of genes facilitating regeneration. We assembled and annotated a de novo transcriptome using RNA-sequencing profiles for a broad spectrum of tissues that is estimated to have near-complete sequence information for 88% of axolotl genes. We devised expression analyses that identified the axolotl orthologs of cirbp and kazald1 as highly expressed and enriched in blastemas. Using morpholino anti-sense oligonucleotides, we find evidence that cirbp plays a cytoprotective role during limb regeneration whereas manipulation of kazald1 expression disrupts regeneration. Our transcriptome and annotation resources greatly complement previous transcriptomic studies and will be a valuable resource for future research in regenerative biology.
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•Creation of a transcriptome with near-complete sequence data for 88% of axolotl genes•Expression analyses identify tissue-enriched transcripts for key tissues•The RNA-binding protein cirbp plays a cytoprotective role in limb regeneration•Knockdown and overexpression of kazald1 in blastema cells impair limb regeneration
Discovery of genes driving axolotl limb regeneration has been challenging, due to limited genomic resources. Bryant et al. have created a transcriptome with near-complete sequence information for most axolotl genes, identified transcriptional profiles that distinguish blastemas from differentiated limb tissues, and uncovered functional roles for cirbp and kazald1 in limb regeneration.
Highlights • Three natural diarylheptanoids possessed neurogenic and neuritogenic activities. • Cpd 1 promoted differentiation of neuroblastoma cells and hippocampal neurons. • Cpd 1 promoted ...differentiation/maturation of adult-born dentate neural progenitors. • Pro-differentiation activity of Cpd 1 was dependent on ERK and PI3K-Akt pathways.
In the last two decades, a significant number of innovative sensing systems based on optical fiber sensors have been exploited in the engineering community due to their inherent distinctive ...advantages such as small size, light weight, immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and corrosion, and embedding capability. A lot of optical fiber sensor-based monitoring systems have been developed for continuous measurement and real-time assessment of diversified engineering structures such as bridges, buildings, tunnels, pipelines, wind turbines, railway infrastructure, and geotechnical structures. The purpose of this review article is devoted to presenting a summary of the basic principles of various optical fiber sensors, innovation in sensing and computational methodologies, development of novel optical fiber sensors, and the practical application status of the optical fiber sensing technology in structural health monitoring (SHM) of civil infrastructure.
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