High-performance precursor powders are crucial for the transport current of Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O x (Bi-2212) round wires. However, the impact of the powder calcination process on the wire performance ...is not fully understood. Here, Bi-2212 precursor powders were prepared using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique and then calcined under different atmospheres. The influences of calcination atmosphere on the microstructures, melting behavior and critical current density ( J c ) of Bi-2212 multi-filamentary wires were systematically discussed by tuning the oxygen partial pressure from 0.001 bar to 1.0 bar. As the oxygen partial pressure was increased, a more uniform melting behavior was observed in the Bi-2212 wires, and the large merging bridges was reduced in the filaments. High J c of 2715 A/mm 2 at 4.2 K, 12 T were achieved in the sample with 1.0 bar O 2 . Therefore, controlling calcination atmosphere of precursor powder was significant for achieving superior transport current of Bi-2212 wires.
To evaluate the potential effect of interaction between breastfeeding and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure on respiratory health, we studied 31 049 children (aged 2–14 years) from 25 ...districts of seven cities in northeast China. Parents of the children completed standardized questionnaires that characterized the children's histories of respiratory symptoms and illness, feeding methods, ETS exposure, and other associated risk factors. Breastfeeding was defined as having been mainly breastfed for 3 months or more. The results showed that the association of ETS exposure with childhood respiratory conditions/diseases was modified by breastfeeding, and the association for nonbreastfed children was stronger than that for breastfed children. In particular, for nonbreastfed children, the odds ratios (ORs) for the effect of current ETS exposure asthma was 1.71 (95% CI: 1.43–2.05); however, the OR for breastfed children was 1.33 (95% CI: 1.20–1.48), indicating that the interactions between breastfeeding and current ETS exposure on asthma were statistically significant (P = 0.019). When stratified by school (kindergarten vs. elementary school), breastfeeding was more protective for asthma‐related symptoms among children from kindergarten. In conclusion, this study shows that breastfeeding is associated with smaller associations between ETS exposure and respiratory conditions in children, suggesting that breastfeeding reduces susceptibility to the respiratory effects of ETS.
Woody hemiepiphytic species (Hs) are important components of tropical rain forests, and they have been hypothesized to differ from non-hemiepiphytic tree species (NHs) in adaptations relating to ...water relations and carbon economy; but few studies have been conducted comparing ecophysiological traits between the two growth forms especially in an evolutionary context. Using common-garden plants of the genus
Ficus
, functional traits related to plant hydraulics and carbon economy were compared for seven NHs and seven Hs in their adult terrestrial "tree-like" growth phase. We used phylogenetically independent contrasts to test the hypothesis that differences in water availability selected for contrasting suites of traits in Hs and NHs, driving evolutionary correlations among functional traits including hydraulic conductivity and photosynthetic traits. Species of the two growth forms differed in functional traits; Hs had substantially lower xylem hydraulic conductivity and stomatal conductance, and higher instantaneous photosynthetic water use efficiency. Leaf morphological and structural traits also differed strikingly between the two growth forms. The Hs had significantly smaller leaves, higher leaf mass per area (LMA), and smaller xylem vessel lumen diameters. Across all the species, hydraulic conductivity was positively correlated with leaf gas exchange indicating high degrees of hydraulic-photosynthetic coordination. More importantly, these correlations were supported by correlations implemented on phylogenetic independent contrasts, suggesting that most trait correlations arose through repeated convergent evolution rather than as a result of chance events in the deep nodes of the lineage. Variation in xylem hydraulic conductivity was also centrally associated with a suite of other functional traits related to carbon economy and growth, such as LMA, water use efficiency, leaf nutrient concentration, and photosynthetic nutrient use efficiency, indicating important physiological constraints or trade-offs among functional traits. Shifts in this trait cluster apparently related to the adaptation to drought-prone canopy growth during the early life cycle of Hs and clearly affected ecophysiology of the later terrestrial stage of these species. Evolutionary flexibility in hydraulics and associated traits might be one basis for the hyper-diversification of
Ficus
species in tropical rain forests.
Mutations of the polycystic kidney and hepatic disease 1 (PKHD1) gene have been shown to cause autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), but the cellular functions of the gene product ...(PKHD1) remain uncharacterized. To illuminate its properties, the spatial and temporal expression patterns of PKHD1 were determined in mouse, rat, and human tissues by using polyclonal Abs and mAbs recognizing various specific regions of the gene product. During embryogenesis, PKHD1 is widely expressed in epithelial derivatives, including neural tubules, gut, pulmonary bronchi, and hepatic cells. In the kidneys of the pck rats, the rat model of which is genetically homologous to human ARPKD, the level of PKHD1 was significantly reduced but not completely absent. In cultured renal cells, the PKHD1 gene product colocalized with polycystin-2, the gene product of autosomal dominant polycystic disease type 2, at the basal bodies of primary cilia. Immunoreactive PKHD1 localized predominantly at the apical domain of polarized epithelial cells, suggesting it may be involved in the tubulogenesis and/or maintenance of duct-lumen architecture. Reduced PKHD1 levels in pck rat kidneys and its colocalization with polycystins may underlie the pathogenic basis for cystogenesis in polycystic kidney diseases.
In this paper, novel multi‐functional mixed‐oxide catalysts have been rationally designed and developed for the effective abatement of NOx. CaxCo3 – xAl hydrotalcite‐like compounds (where x = 0.0, ...0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0) are first synthesized by co‐precipitation and calcined at 800 °C for 4 h in air to derive the mixed oxides. The resultant mixed oxides are generally of spinel phase, where the CaO phase is segregated when x ≥ 2.5. It has subsequently been found that the derived oxides are catalytically multi‐functional for NOx decomposition, capture, and reduction. For example, the mixed Ca2Co1Al1‐oxide can decompose 55 % NO at 300 °C in 8 % oxygen, completely trap NO for 750 s, and capture 12.88 and 18.06 mg g–1 NO within 30 and 60 min, respectively. The catalytic activities of the Ca2Co1Al1‐oxide catalyst have been further improved by incorporating La to form a quaternary catalyst Ca2Co1La0.1Al0.9‐oxide. This catalyst significantly enhances the NO decomposition to 75 %, extends the complete trapping time to 1100 s, and captures more NO at 300 °C in 8 % O2 (19.02 mg g–1 NO within 60 min). The in‐situ IR spectra of the catalysts with adsorbed NO indicates that the major nitrogen species formed on the catalysts are various kinds of nitrites and nitrates, which can be readily reduced by H2 within 6 min at 350 °C. Therefore, the excellent catalytic activity of layered double hydroxide (LDH)‐based mixed oxides for NO decomposition, storage, and reduction can be achieved by the elegant combination of normal transition metals.
Novel multi‐functional mixed‐oxide catalysts made of normal transition metals from hydrotalcite‐like precursors exhibit excellent performance in NO decomposition, capture, and reduction in the presence of oxygen, with activities comparable or superior to noble metal‐containing catalysts.
Foxp3 is a master transcription factor (TF) for development and function of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells) and is critical for the transcription of target genes. But the ...transcriptional regulation of Foxp3 itself has not been fully understood until now. Here, we aimed to demonstrate the hypothesis that upstream single nucleotide polymorphism(s) (SNPs) of Foxp3 was/were responsible for the defective transcription of Foxp3 in psoriasis and to explore the mechanism behind this hypothesis. In this study, SNP of large sample was investigated for risk analysis. Mature algorithms, electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to identify TF binding site variations. Loss‐of‐function and overexpression assays and cell cycle blocker assay were performed to identify when and what kind of possible roles the candidate factors play. Our results showed that intron‐1 rs3761548 was correlated with a significant susceptibility to psoriasis. The rs3761548 contributed to the decreased resting Foxp3 transcription and impaired acceleration of Foxp3 transcription levels after stimulation in psoriatic patients with genotype AA. We analysed and demonstrated potent new E47/c‐Myb ‐dependent regulation elements in rs3761548, oppositely controlling Foxp3 gene transcription at G1 and G2/M phases of Treg cells in psoriatic patients. For patients with rs3761548 AA, the polymorphism causes loss of bindings to the E47 and c‐Myb factors, leading to defective transcription of Foxp3 gene. Further identification of the networks and molecular mechanisms underlying Foxp3 transcription may provide new insights into Foxp3 transcriptional regulation and alternative therapeutic strategies to improve characteristics of autoimmune disorders.
To develop techniques and establish a workflow using hyperpolarized carbon-13 (
C) MRI and the pyruvate-to-lactate conversion rate (k
) biomarker to guide MR-transrectal ultrasound fusion prostate ...biopsies.
The integrated multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) exam consisted of a 1-min hyperpolarized
C-pyruvate EPI acquisition added to a conventional prostate mpMRI exam. Maps of k
values were calculated, uploaded to a picture archiving and communication system and targeting platform, and displayed as color overlays on T
-weighted anatomic images. Abdominal radiologists identified
C research biopsy targets based on the general recommendation of focal lesions with k
>0.02(s
), and created a targeting report for each study. Urologists conducted transrectal ultrasound-guided MR fusion biopsies, including the standard
H-mpMRI targets as well as 12-14 core systematic biopsies informed by the research
C-k
targets. All biopsy results were included in the final pathology report and calculated toward clinical risk.
This study demonstrated the safety and technical feasibility of integrating hyperpolarized
C metabolic targeting into routine
H-mpMRI and transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsy workflows, evaluated via 5 men (median age 71 years, prostate-specific antigen 8.4 ng/mL, Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment score 2) on active surveillance undergoing integrated scan and subsequent biopsies. No adverse event was reported. Median turnaround time was less than 3 days from scan to
C-k
targeting, and scan-to-biopsy time was 2 weeks. Median number of
C targets was 1 (range: 1-2) per patient, measuring 1.0 cm (range: 0.6-1.9) in diameter, with a median k
of 0.0319 s
(range: 0.0198-0.0410).
This proof-of-concept work demonstrated the safety and feasibility of integrating hyperpolarized
C MR biomarkers to the standard mpMRI workflow to guide MR-transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsies.
Land use and its adjustment may greatly affect soil detachment process by overland flow via altering soil properties, root systems, and tillage operations, but few studies were performed to quantify ...their effects on soil detachment in the Loess Plateau. This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of land use on soil detachment capacity by overland flow (Dc, kgm−2s−1) using natural undisturbed soil samples taken from four different land uses on the red loess soil and six different land uses on the yellow loess soil, and to quantify the relationships between soil detachment capacity and hydraulic parameters, soil properties, and root systems in the Loess Plateau. The collected samples were tested in a 4.0m long, 0.35m wide hydraulic flume under six different shear stresses (5.51–16.59Pa). The result showed that both soil type and land use had significant effects on Dc. For two tested soils, the mean Dc of the yellow loess soil was 1.49 times greater than that of the red loess soil. For the red loess soil, Dc of cropland was the maximum, which was 5.57, 5.85, and 34.08 times greater than those of shrub land, orchard, and grassland, respectively. For the yellow loess soil, cropland was much more erodible than other five land uses. On average, the ratios of the cropland Dc to those of orchard, shrub land, woodland, grassland, and wasteland were 7.14, 12.29, 25.78, 28.45, and 46.43, respectively. The variability of Dc under different land uses was closely related to soil properties, root systems, and tillage operations. Soil detachment capacity was positively related to silt content, and inversely related to sand content, cohesion, water stable aggregate, aggregate median diameter, organic matter, and root density. The measured detachment capacity could be well estimated by measurable parameters of stream power, slope gradient, soil bulk density, median diameter, silt content, cohesion, and root density (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency=0.89).
•Land use had a significant effect on soil detachment process.•Relationships between detachment capacity and its affecting factors were quantified.•Detachment capacity can be well estimated by hydraulic, soil, and plant parameters.•This study is helpful to allocating soil conservation measures in the Loess Plateau.
This study evaluated the quality potential of seven synthetic hexaploid wheats (2n=6x=42, AABBDD) expressing only allelic variation at Glu-D1 of Aegilops tauschii (SHWSD). Major quality parameters ...related to dough strength, gluten proteins (including high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) and low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS), gliadins), and their ratios between SHWSD and the weak gluten wheat control Chuannong 16 (CN16) were measured in at least three environments (except STD7). The zeleny sedimentation value (ZSV), dough development time (DDT), dough stability time (DST), and farinograph quality number (FQN) of SHWSD were considered stable under different environments, with their respective ranges being 8.00–17.67 mL, 0.57–1.50 min, 0.73–1.80 min, and 9.50–27.00. The ZSV, DDT, DST, and FQN of SHWSD were smaller than those of CN16, suggesting that SHWSD had a weaker dough strength than CN16. Although SHWSD had a lower gluten index than CN16, its wet and dry gluten contents were similar to or even higher than those of CN16 in all environments tested. The protein content of grains (12.81–18.21%) and flours (14.20–20.31%) in SHWSD was higher than that in CN16. The amount of HMW-GS in SHWSD sharply decreased under the expression of fewer HMW-GS genes, and the LMW-GS, gliadins, and total glutenins were simultaneously increased in SHWSD in comparison with CN16. Moreover, SHWSD had higher ratios of LMW-GS/glutenin and gliadin/glutenin but a lower ratio of HMW-GS/glutenin than CN16. These results provide necessary information for the utilization of SHWSD in weak-gluten wheat breeding.
A measurement of the CP-even fraction of the decay D0 → π+π-π+π- is performed with a quantum-correlated ψ(3770) → D$\overline{D}$ data sample collected by the BESIII experiment, corresponding to an ...integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb-1. Using a combination of CP eigenstates, D → π+π-π0 and D → $K_{S,L}^{0}$π+π- as tagging modes, the CP-even fraction is measured to be $F_{+}^{4π}$ = 0.735 ± 0.015 ± 0.005, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This is the most precise determination of this quantity to date. It provides valuable model-independent input for the measurement of the angle γ of the CabibboKobayashi-Maskawa matrix with B± → DK± decays, and for time-dependent studies of CP violation and mixing in the D0-D-0 system.
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