Ab-initio Investigation on Ion-associated Species and Association Process in NaNO_3 Solution

Some ion-associated species existed possibly in NaNO3 solution were investigated via the ab-initio method. The hydrated ion parings, triple and multiple ion clusters in NaNO3 solution are all analogous to those in Mg（NO3）2 system except that the bi-dentate structures can not be formed. Only one solvent-shared ion paring has larger v1-NO3^- frequency than the hydrated NO3^- ion. And all triple clusters with two hydrated Na^＋ ions and one NO3^- have larger v1-NO3^- frequency than the hydrated NO3^- ion. The ion association process in NaNO3 solution is predicted as free ions→solvent-separated ion pairings→solvent-shared ion pairings→solvent-shared triple ion clusters→contact triple ion clusters→contact multiple ion clusters→amorphous NaNO3, which is not analogous to that in MgSO4 but those in Mg（NO3）2 and Mg（ClO4）2 systems.

Equation oriented method for Rectisol wash modeling and analysis

Rectisol process is more efficient in comparison with other physical or chemical absorption methods for gas purification. To implement a real time simulation of Rectisol process, thermodynamic model and simulation strategy are needed. In this paper, a method of modified statistical associated fluid theory with perturbation theory is used to predict thermodynamic behavior of process. As Rectisol process is a highly heat-integrated process with many loops, a method of equation oriented strategy, sequential quadratic programming, is used as the solver and the process converges perfectly. Then analyses are conducted with this simulator.

Chinese EFL Learners' Actual Word Processing and Lexical Learning in Performing a Collaborative Output Task

The word processing depth hypothesis implies a positive association between learners＇ word processing and their lexical learning. In research, learners＇ task-inherent involvement load （i.e., word processing） has not been found to be consistently associated with their lexical learning. Meanwhile, existing studies have not obtained consensus results, either, from directly associating learners＇ actual word processing and their lexical learning. Against this backdrop, this paper reports a study investigating the association between Chinese EFL learners＇ actual word processing and their lexical learning in performing a collaborative oral output task. Interactional and statistical analyses revealed that the participants engaged in four types of word processing; their overall word processing was significantly correlated with both their productive and receptive word acquisition and retention; their different types of word processing were significantly correlated with their productive word learning, but showed variances in correlations with their receptive word learning. The findings were discussed from the perspectives of word processing in collaborative output, word processing and lexical learning, and word processing and different modes of lexical learning.

Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms associated with processing speed and executive functions in healthy Han Chinese

Dear Editor,A few studies have focused on exploring APOE gene- related effects on cognitive functions and brain activities in healthy populations. Bondi et aL found that ε4 carriers perform significantly worse on the California Verbal Learning Test than non-carriers in non-demented old subjects （mean age, 72 years）ε11. But the results are not entirely consistent. For example, Scarmeas et aL found no effect of the E4 allele on neuropsychological performance[2] in young adults, and Jochemsen et al. found that the ε4 allele is associated with age-related cognitive decline[3]. Furthermore, protective and negative effects of the E2 allele on cognition are inconsistent[4＇ s]. APOE E2 is thought to be a protective allele for AD in the elderly population due to its role in the superior cognitive performance of ε2 carriers compared to E3 or E4 carriers[5]. However, the ε2 allele has also been found to have a negative effect on AD pathology[4].

High-throughput transcriptomic profiling of mRNAs and lncRNAs in the dermatomyositis muscle by RNA sequencing

Background:Dermatomyositis(DM)is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy(IIM).In this study,we investigated the mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs)in muscle biopsy specimens that are differentially expressed among patients with DM,patients with other IIM,and healthy controls(HCs).Methods:In total,three patients with DM,10 patients with other IIM,and three HCs were included.Muscle biopsy specimens were collected for RNA-sequencing.Gene ontology and pathway analyses were employed to characterize the biological processes and signaling pathways.Results:Compared with HCs,372 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified within the DM group,including 275 upregulated and 97 downregulated ones.Moreover,692 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified in the DM group compared with HCs,of which 407 were upregulated and 285 were downregulated.Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the type-Ⅰ interferon signaling pathway and biological processes of innate immunity were significantly influenced by the differentially expressed mRNAs.Notably,11 of the top 20 upregulated mRNAs were involved in the type-Ⅰ interferon signaling pathway.Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis verified the RNA-sequencing data.Target gene prediction analysis suggested that the lncRNA NONHSAG043573.2 potentially targeting transporter associated with antigen processing 1,a key regulator of interferon signaling genes,might play an important role in the pathogenesis of DM.Conclusions:Our study assessed the transcriptomic profiles of differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs in the DM muscle tissue and revealed that the upregulated mRNAs are significantly involved in the innate immune response and the type-Ⅰ interferon signaling pathway,which might play important roles in the pathogenesis of DM.