The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of betaine on growth performance, serum parameters, intestinal health, and immune performance of goslings in response to ...lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. A total of 168 healthy male 15-day-old Jiangnan White Goslings were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 6 replicates per treatment and seven goslings per replicate. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement included 2 factors, that is, LPS challenge (injection of LPS or physiological saline) and betaine (added 0 or 0.06% betaine in diet). The results indicated that LPS challenge significantly reduced the average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and body weight (BW) at 21 D of the goslings, while dietary betaine supplementation tended to increase the ADFI during the LPS stress period (P = 0.08) and BW at 21 D of the goslings (P = 0.09). The LPS-challenged goslings showed higher pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1 IL-1β, interleukin-6 IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and Interferon-gamma IFN-γ) and lower anti-inflammatory cytokine (Interleukin-10 IL-10) (P < 0.05) at 21 D of age. Dietary betaine supplementation alleviated LPS-induced increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. The LPS challenge significantly decreased duodenal and jejunal villus height (VH) and villus height and crypt depth ratio (VCR), while the addition of betaine significantly increased duodenal VH and VCR (P < 0.05). On the other hand, addition of betaine significantly alleviated decline of enzyme activity on lipase, amylase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin in the intestinal of goslings. The LPS challenge significantly increased the content of serum D-lactic acid (D-LA) and the activity of diamine oxidase (DAO) at 21 D of the goslings. The LPS challenge and betaine addition significantly increased the mRNA expression of Occcludin (OCLN) in jejunal mucosa at 28 D of the goslings (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our research demonstrated that betaine can alleviate the decline of growth performance and immune performance in goslings caused by LPS. The results also indicate betaine possesses anti-inflammation properties and improves intestinal barrier functions. We recommend that 0.06% betaine be added into the diet to improve the intestinal health and immune performance of goslings.
Recovering a sparse signal from an undersampled set of random linear measurements is the main problem of interest in compressed sensing. In this paper, we consider the case where both the signal and ...the measurements are complex-valued. We study the popular recovery method of l 1 -regularized least squares or LASSO. While several studies have shown that LASSO provides desirable solutions under certain conditions, the precise asymptotic performance of this algorithm in the complex setting is not yet known. In this paper, we extend the approximate message passing (AMP) algorithm to solve the complex-valued LASSO problem and obtain the complex approximate message passing algorithm (CAMP). We then generalize the state evolution framework recently introduced for the analysis of AMP to the complex setting. Using the state evolution, we derive accurate formulas for the phase transition and noise sensitivity of both LASSO and CAMP. Our theoretical results are concerned with the case of i.i.d. Gaussian sensing matrices. Simulations confirm that our results hold for a larger class of random matrices.
A unified hypoplastic model is formulated by incorporating the anisotropic critical state theory to describe the fabric effect in sand under both monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. An evolving ...deviatoric fabric tensor that characterizes the internal microstructure of sand is introduced into the hypoplastic model in conjunction with the intergranular strain concept. A scalar-valued fabric anisotropic variable indicating the interplay between the fabric and the loading direction is employed to account for the impact of fabric anisotropy on both the dilatancy and shear strength of sand. The model is demonstrated to be capable of simulating the anisotropic behavior of sand, using a single set of parameters under both monotonic and cyclic loading conditions, as evidenced by the satisfactory match with experimental results from various sources. In particular, by considering the influence of fabric evolution on the dilatancy of sand, the model adequately accounts for the fabric change effect and accurately captures the deviatoric strain accumulation, cyclic mobility, and the flow liquefaction phenomenon under cyclic loading condition.
Bainite isothermal transformation kinetics for Fe-(1.5% and 3%)Si-0.4%C alloys (mass%) was investigated at 400–500 °C and incomplete transformation phenomenon (ICT) of bainite transformation was ...observed at 450 °C for the 3Si alloy and at 400 °C for the two alloys. Unlike to the ordinary ICT reported in other alloy systems, cementite precipitation with Si partitioning took place from the beginning of ICT. Carbon enrichment in austenite during ICT was measured by three-dimensional atom probe and was found to be higher than T0 or T0′ prediction while significantly deviates from NPLE limits and PE predictions to lower carbon content. Theories for bainite transformation, such as T0 limit, solute drag and WBs limit, were examined based on the experimentally measured carbon content in austenite during ICT. T0′ limit theory is difficult to rationalize the much larger measured carbon content than T0′ prediction. In addition to solute drag effect and spike development in the NPLE mode, solute drag theory should incorporate dissipations caused by other sources in order to account for the estimated 1250–1700 J/mol deviation from PE predictions. In addition, WBs limit theory gives good descriptions on the carbon enrichment in austenite during ICT stage.
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The branch-site test is a likelihood ratio test to detect positive selection along prespecified lineages on a phylogeny that affects only a subset of codons in a protein-coding gene, with positive ...selection indicated by accelerated nonsynonymous substitutions (with ω = d(N)/d(S) > 1). This test may have more power than earlier methods, which average nucleotide substitution rates over sites in the protein and/or over branches on the tree. However, a few recent studies questioned the statistical basis of the test and claimed that the test generated too many false positives. In this paper, we examine the null distribution of the test and conduct a computer simulation to examine the false-positive rate and the power of the test. The results suggest that the asymptotic theory is reliable for typical data sets, and indeed in our simulations, the large-sample null distribution was reliable with as few as 20-50 codons in the alignment. We examined the impact of sequence length, the strength of positive selection, and the proportion of sites under positive selection on the power of the branch-site test. We found that the test was far more powerful in detecting episodic positive selection than branch-based tests, which average substitution rates over all codons in the gene and thus miss the signal when most codons are under strong selective constraint. Recent claims of statistical problems with the branch-site test are due to misinterpretations of simulation results. Our results, as well as previous simulation studies that have demonstrated the robustness of the test, suggest that the branch-site test may be a useful tool for detecting episodic positive selection and for generating biological hypotheses for mutation studies and functional analyses. The test is sensitive to sequence and alignment errors and caution should be exercised concerning its use when data quality is in doubt.
This paper develops a framework for regional scale flood modeling that integrates NEXRAD Level III rainfall, GIS, and a hydrological model (HEC-HMS/RAS). The San Antonio River Basin (about 4000 ...square miles, 10,000
km
2) in Central Texas, USA, is the domain of the study because it is a region subject to frequent occurrences of severe flash flooding. A major flood in the summer of 2002 is chosen as a case to examine the modeling framework. The model consists of a rainfall–runoff model (HEC-HMS) that converts precipitation excess to overland flow and channel runoff, as well as a hydraulic model (HEC-RAS) that models unsteady state flow through the river channel network based on the HEC-HMS-derived hydrographs. HEC-HMS is run on a 4×4
km grid in the domain, a resolution consistent with the resolution of NEXRAD rainfall taken from the local river authority. Watershed parameters are calibrated manually to produce a good simulation of discharge at 12 subbasins. With the calibrated discharge, HEC-RAS is capable of producing floodplain polygons that are comparable to the satellite imagery. The modeling framework presented in this study incorporates a portion of the recently developed GIS tool named Map to Map that has been created on a local scale and extends it to a regional scale. The results of this research will benefit future modeling efforts by providing a tool for hydrological forecasts of flooding on a regional scale. While designed for the San Antonio River Basin, this regional scale model may be used as a prototype for model applications in other areas of the country.
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•Precise design of Pd-decorated vertically aligned ZnO nanorod architectures.•Pd@ZnO sensors exhibit excellent selectivity towards C2H5OH @260 °C.•C2H5OH performance of ZnO sensor ...increased by the order of 4 after Pd-decoration.•Excellent C2H5OH response reproducibility of Pd@ZnO sensors @260 °C.•Plausible gas sensing mechanism of Pd@ZnO sensors is proposed.
The development of defined hierarchical transition metal oxide nanostructures has attracted remarkable attention due to their superior chemiresistive gas sensing performances. In the present study, vertically aligned zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO-NRs) were grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and precise decoration with palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) on their surfaces, at different deposition times, was done through unique RF magnetic sputtering followed by annealing. The effect of different Pd-NPs loadings on structure, surface morphology, elemental composition, and chemiresistive C2H5OH gas sensing properties of CVD-mediated pristine ZnO-NRs was elucidated thoroughly and accounted. As-fabricated pristine and Pd-loaded ZnO-NRs sensors are sensitive towards ethanol (C2H5OH) at 260 °C. Moreover, gas sensing investigations revealed that the C2H5OH response of pristine ZnO NRs was enhanced strongly due to Pd-decoration. Such a response enhancement is mainly attributed to the catalytic activity of Pd-NPs. It is confirmed that the influence of Pd-NPs on ZnO-NRs sensor is normally to strengthen the amount of chemisorbed oxygen on ZnO-NRs surface and enhance the C2H5OH response. Present work can motivate research advancement on precise designing of innovative one dimensional and related nanostructures for the application of selective chemiresistive gas sensors.
Purpose
This review aimed to discuss the conflicting findings from resistin research in rodents and humans as well as recent advances in our understanding of resistin’s role in obesity and insulin ...resistance.
Methods
A comprehensive review and synthesis of resistin’s role in obesity and insulin resistance as well as conflicting findings from resistin research in rodents and humans.
Results
In rodents, resistin is increased in high-fat/high-carbohydrate-fed, obese states characterized by impaired glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity. Resistin plays a causative role in the development of insulin resistance in rodents via 5′ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent and AMPK-independent suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3) signaling. In contrast to rodents, human resistin is primarily secreted by peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as opposed to white adipocytes. Circulating resistin levels have been positively associated with central/visceral obesity (but not BMI) as well as insulin resistance, while other studies show no such association. Human resistin has a role in pro-inflammatory processes that have been conclusively associated with obesity and insulin resistance. PBMCs, as well as vascular cells, have been identified as the primary targets of resistin’s pro-inflammatory activity via nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB, p50/p65) and other signaling pathways.
Conclusion
Mounting evidence reveals a continuing disconnect between resistin’s role in rodents and humans due to significant differences between these two species with respect to resistin’s gene and protein structure, differential gene regulation, tissue-specific distribution, and insulin resistance induction as well as a paucity of evidence regarding the resistin receptor and downstream signaling mechanisms of action.
Cancer, as one of the most life-threatening diseases, shows a high fatality rate around the world. When improving the therapeutic efficacy of conventional cancer treatments, researchers also conduct ...extensive studies into alternative therapeutic approaches, which are safe, valid, and economical. Phototherapies, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), are tumor-ablative and function-reserving oncologic interventions, showing strong potential in clinical cancer treatment. During phototherapies, the non-toxic phototherapeutic agents can be activated upon light irradiation to induce cell death without causing much damage to normal tissues. Besides, with the rapid development of nanotechnology in the past decades, phototheranostic nanomedicine also has attracted tremendous interests aiming to continuously refine their performance. Herein, we reviewed the recent progress of phototheranostic nanomedicine for improved cancer therapy. After a brief introduction of the therapeutic principles and related phototherapeutic agents for PDT and PTT, the existing works on developing of phototheranostic nanomedicine by mainly focusing on their categories and applications, particularly on phototherapy-synergized cancer immunotherapy, are comprehensively reviewed. More importantly, a brief conclusion and future challenges of phototheranostic nanomedicine from our point of view are delivered in the last part of this article.
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