direct energy method under a monotonicity condition on the tangential velocity field instead of using the Crocco transformation. Precisely, we firstly investigate the linearized Prandtl equation in ...some weighted Sobolev spaces when the tangential velocity of the background state is monotonic in the normal variable. Then to cope with the loss of regularity of the perturbation with respect to the background state due to the degeneracy of the equation, we apply the Nash-Moser-H>ö
An in situ polycondensation approach was applied to functionalize multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), resulting in various linear or hyperbranched polycondensed polymers e.g., polyureas, ...polyurethanes, and poly(urea-urethane)-bonded carbon nanotubes. The quantity of the grafted polymer can be easily controlled by the feed ratio of monomers. As a typical example, the polyurea-functionalized MWNTs were measured and characterized in detail. The oxidized MWNTs (MWNT-COOH) were converted into acyl chloride-functionalized MWNTs (MWNT-COCl) by reaction with neat thionyl chloride (SOCl2). MWNT-COCl was reacted with excess 1,6-diaminohexane, affording amino-functionalized MWNTs (MWNT-NH2). In the presence of MWNT-NH2, the polyurea was covalently coated onto the surfaces of the nanotube by in situ polycondensation of diisocyanate e.g., 4,4‘-methylenebis(phenylisocyanate) and 1,6-diaminohexane, followed by the removal of free polymer via repeated filtering and solvent washing. The coated polyurea content can be controlled to some extent by adjusting the feed ratio of the isocyanato and amino groups. The structure and morphology of the resulting nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR, NMR, Raman, confocal Raman, TEM, EDS, and SEM measurements. The polyurea-coated MWNTs showed interesting self-assembled flat- or flowerlike morphologies in the solid state. The signals corresponding to that of the D and G bands of the carbon nanotubes were strongly attenuated after polyurea was chemically tethered to the MWNT surfaces. Comparative experiments showed that the grafted polymer species and structures have a strong effect on the Raman signals of polymer-functionalized MWNTs.
In a densely populated and hazard-prone megalopolis like Metro Manila, the ability to execute a rapid evacuation protocol is crucial in saving lives and minimizing the damage during disastrous ...events. However, there is no centralized database on the location of evacuation centers (ECs) in Metro Manila and the available lists are not up-to-date. This study geotagged the current list of ECs in Metro Manila obtained from different government agencies to evaluate the spatial distribution using Geographical Information System (GIS). This is important since the immediate evacuation of residents depends on the proximity and safe location of the ECs. A total of 870 ECs were geo-tagged and validated using the street view of Google EarthTM. EC-to-population ratios were calculated for each of the 16 cities and one municipality of Metro Manila. Values range from ~3,000 to 81,000 persons per EC. Distance analysis using Thiessen Polygon shows that the ECs are not evenly distributed with proximity areas ranging from 0.0009 to 9.5 km2. Out of the total number of mapped ECs, 392 (45%) are situated in flood-prone areas while 108 (12%) are within the 1-km buffer hazard zone of an active faultline. Re-evaluation of the locations and the number of ECs per city or municipality is highly recommended to facilitate prompt evacuation when disasters strike.
Psoriasis is a complex, chronic autoimmune disorder predominantly affecting the skin. Accumulating evidence underscores the critical role of localized cellular inflammation in the development and ...persistence of psoriatic skin lesions, involving cell types such as keratinocytes, mesenchymal cells, and Schwann cells. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), known to regulate gene expression across various cellular processes, have been particularly implicated in immune regulation. We utilized our neural-network learning pipeline to integrate 106,675 cells from healthy human skin and 79,887 cells from psoriatic human skin. This formed the most extensive cell transcriptomic atlas of human psoriatic skin to date. The robustness of our reclassified cell-types, representing full-layer zonation in human skin, was affirmed through neural-network learning-based cross-validation. We then developed a publicly available website to present this integrated dataset. We carried out analysis for differentially expressed lncRNAs, co-regulated gene patterns, and GO-bioprocess enrichment, enabling us to pinpoint lncRNAs that modulate localized cellular inflammation in psoriasis at the single-cell level. Subsequent experimental validation with skin cell lines and primary cells from psoriatic skin confirmed these lncRNAs’ functional role in localized cellular inflammation. Our study provides a comprehensive cell transcriptomic atlas of full-layer human skin in both healthy and psoriatic conditions, unveiling a new regulatory mechanism that governs localized cellular inflammation in psoriasis and highlights the therapeutic potential of lncRNAs in this disease’s management.
Nonlinear internal waves (NLIWs) have been studied as unusual phenomena in the ocean for several decades. As the quality, quantity and variety of satellite images have increased, NLIWs have been ...found as a ubiquitous phenomenon over the continental shelf. In the northern South China Sea (SCS), satellite images from both optical and microwave sensors show that there are trains of NLIW packets near Dongsha Atoll (20.7° N, 116.8° E). Each packet contains several NLIW fronts. These NLIW packets are nearly parallel to each other and they are refracted, reflected or diffracted by changes in ocean-bottom topography. NLIW propagation speed depends on the stratification of water density and the water depth, and less on the wave amplitude. As NLIWs propagate westwards from the northern SCS at about 3000 m depth, up onto the shelf near Dongsha Atoll, their propagation speed falls with water depth from 2.9 m s
−1
to 1 m s
−1
or less. This causes difficulty in relating the NLIW packets in various satellite images. Based on archived hydrographical data, the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) theory of weakly propagating NLIWs and the assumption that the bright/dark lines in the satellite images are centres of convergence/divergence of NLIW fronts, the path and the propagation speed of NLIWs can be predicted with −1% in bias and 4.4% in standard deviation. With this accuracy, we can (1) sort the NLIW packets in the same satellite image into different groups of NLIWs (in each group, NLIWs were generated at the same place but at successive tidal cycles); (2) relate NLIW packets in consecutive satellite images obtained 1 day apart; and (3) confirm or search for faint signals of NLIW fronts in a satellite image.
The surface morphology evolution of the bulk ceramic Y
2
Mo
3
O
12
during the release of crystal water is followed
in situ
for the first time using atomic force microscopy. It is found that both the ...shape and size of individual grains and the integration morphology of the sample exhibit dynamic changes with increasing temperature. We believe that the surface morphology evolution of the sample with increasing temperature is closely correlated with the forces induced by the contraction and expansion of the lattice during crystal water release in two different stages.
The surface morphology evolution of the bulk ceramic Y
2
Mo
3
O
12
during the release of crystal water is followed
in situ
for the first time using atomic force microscopy.
Summary
The aim of the present study was to perform a preliminary analysis of the characterization and diversity of Y‐chromosome haplotypes/haplogroups in yak of Qinghai Province, China. A total of ...322 male yaks from nine populations belonging to three officially recognized breeds (Gaoyuan, Huanhu and Datong) were sampled. Animals were genotyped using six previously reported Y‐SNPs present in the SRY, USP9Y, UTY, AMELY and OFD1Y genes and four new Y‐SNPs in the OFD1Y gene (g.569A>C, g.578A>C, g.608G>T and g.653G>C) identified in this study. Seven Y‐chromosome haplotypes (H1–H7) were identified according to the combination of the 10 Y‐SNPs. H1, H2 and H6 were the most common and shared haplotypes across all yak populations/breeds. Private haplotypes H3 and H7 were detected in the Datong breed; H4 in Guoleimude, Qumalai, Qilian, Tianjun and Ganglong populations; and H5 in Qumalai of Gaoyuan breed. Haplotype clustering and network analyses inferred two haplogroups, Y1 and Y2, indicating two divergent lineages of paternal origins of Qinghai yak. The analysis of molecular variance showed a significant difference among individuals (P < 0.0001) with more than 93% of the total genetic variation present within populations, suggesting a weak genetic structure among Qinghai yak populations. The overall Y‐haplotype diversity was 0.538 ± 0.028, showing a relatively high diversity in Qinghai yak. The Gaoyuan and Datong breeds had similar haplotype diversities (0.547 ± 0.030 and 0.553 ± 0.083, respectively), which were higher than that of the Huanhu breed (0.441 ± 0.098). Our results support the conservation and sustainable use of unique yak genetic resources in Qinghai.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a syndrome of non-progressive motor dysfunction caused by early brain development injury. Recent evidence has shown that immunological abnormalities are associated with an ...increased risk of CP.
We recruited 782 children with CP as the case group and 770 healthy children as the control group. The association between
single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; namely, rs10889657, rs6682925, rs1884444, rs17375018, rs1004819, rs11805303, and rs10889677) and CP was studied by using a case-control method and SHEsis online software. Subgroup analysis based on complications and clinical subtypes was also carried out.
There were differences in the allele and genotype frequencies between CP cases and controls at the rs11805303 and rs10889677 SNPs (
allele = 0.014 and 0.048, respectively;
genotype = 0.023 and 0.008, respectively), and the difference in genotype frequency of rs10889677 remained significant after Bonferroni correction (
genotype = 0.048). Subgroup analysis revealed a more significant association of rs10889677 with CP accompanied by global developmental delay (
genotype = 0.024 after correction) and neonatal encephalopathy (
genotype = 0.024 after correction).
The present results showed a significant association between
and CP, suggesting that
may play a potential role in CP pathogenesis.
Background: Oxidation of low density lipoproteins is an initial step of atherogenesis that generates pro‐inflammatory phospholipids, including platelet‐activating factor (PAF). PAF is degraded by ...PAF‐acetylhydrolase (PAF‐AH), which has been postulated to be a risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI). The role of PAF‐AH for the onset of premature MI is unclear. Methods: Polymorphisms located in putatively functional regions were investigated in a cohort of patients having premature MI onset prior to 46 years of age (n = 200) and a sex‐age‐matched control group (n = 200). The activity of PAF‐AH and coronary angiograms were evaluated for the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Results: The V allele of A379V (exon 11) polymorphism on PAF‐AH gene was more frequent in patients with premature MI (P = 0.001). This V allele polymorphism was also associated with a lower activity of plasma PAF‐AH and a more complex coronary atherosclerosis (p Trends <0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that this polymorphism was an independent risk factor (Odds Ratio OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.14.1 to 5.80, P = 0.008) as well as smoking (OR 3.72, 95% CI 1.77 to 9.28, P = 0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.40 to 5.32, P = 0.007) and hypertension (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.25 to 5.36, P = 0.003) for the onset of premature MI. Conclusion: We conclude that a functional and significant association between the A379V polymorphism on exon 11 of PAF‐AH gene and premature MI exists in this Taiwanese population. This polymorphism is significantly associated with the PAF‐AH activity and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.
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