High doses of α-galactosylceramide potentiate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by directly enhancing Th17 response

α-Galactosylceramide （u-GC） is widely known to activate invariant natural killer T （iNKT） cells to suppress my- elin antigen-specific Thl responses, protecting susceptible mice against experimental antoimmune encephalomyelitis 0EAE）. Here, we demonstrate an unexpected finding that high doses of α-GC exacerbated, rather than ameliorated, EAE. Similar results were observed when MOG35.ss-specific T cells treated with high-dose α-GC were transferred into naive syngeneic recipient mice. Further study showed that high doses of a-GC directly enhance the Thl7 and Thl re- sponse by activation of CD4＋CD44＋ memory T cells through phosphorylation of STAT3 and activation of NF-kB. Un- like the activation of iNKT cells by low doses of a-GC, high doses of a-GC directly interacted with CDld expressed on T ceils and activated Thl7 and Thl cells. Furthermore, antigen-presenting cells （APCs） predominantly express CDldl, whereas the majority of CD4~ T cells express CDld2. Knockdown of CDldl or CDld2 gene expression by RNAi interfered with the activation of iNKT or Thl7/Thl cells, respectively. Therefore, α-GC treatment could im- prove or worsen EAE by engaging either APCs or Thl7/Thl cells depending on the dose used.

Clipping Alters the Response of Biomass Production to Experimental Warming: A Case Study in an Alpine Meadow on the Tibetan Plateau, China

Predicting how human activity will influence the response of alpine grasslands to future warming has many uncertainties.In this study, a field experiment with controlled warming and clipping was conducted in an alpine meadow at three elevations（4313 m, 4513 m and 4693 m） in Northern Tibet to test the hypothesis that clipping would alter warming effect on biomass production.Open top chambers（OTCs） were used to increase temperature since July,2008 and the OTCs increased air temperature by approximately 0.9o C ~ 1.8o C during the growing in2012.Clipping was conducted three times one year during growing season and the aboveground parts of all live plants were clipped to approximately 0.01 m in height using scissors since 2009.Gross primary production（GPP） was calculated from the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer GPP algorithm and aboveground plant production was estimated using the surface-measured normalized difference vegetation index in 2012.Warming decreased the GPP, aboveground biomass（AGB） and aboveground net primary production（ANPP） at all three elevations when clipping was not applied.In contrast, warming increased AGB at all three elevations, GPP at the two lower elevations and ANPP at the two higher elevations when clipping was applied.These findings show that clipping reduced the negative effect of warming on GPP, AGB and ANPP, suggesting that clipping may reduce the effect of climate warming on GPP, AGB and ANPP in alpine meadows on the Tibetan Plateau, and therefore, may be a viable strategy for mitigating the effects of climate change on grazing and animal husbandry on the Tibetan Plateau.

Experimental study on thermophysical properties of C/C composites at high temperature

The coefficient of thermal expansion, thermal diffusivity and specific heat of C/C composites from room temperature to ultra high temperature were experimentally investigated. Thermal conductivity and thermal stress resistance of the composites were therefore computed based on experimental results. The results show that the composite has a very low thermal expansion coefficient. Thermal diffusivity decreases exponentially with temperature increase. The specific heat increases linearly as the temperature rises, and the variation trend of thermal conductivity is similar to that of thermal diffusivity. The thermal stress coefficient of C/C composite has little change with temperature variation, and thermal stress resistance of the composite at high temperature is stable.

Measuring Thermal Mass of Sustainable Concrete Mixes

Thermal mass is currently evaluated with ＂admittance＂ which is the ability of the element to exchange heat with the environment and is based on specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity and density. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of thermal properties namely, density, specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity on thermal mass. The objective of the study is to carry out laboratory experiments by measuring such thermal properties of concrete mixes with various percentages of GGBS （ground granulated blast furnace slag）, PFA （pulverized fuel ash）, and SF （silica fume） and RCA （recycled coarse aggregates）. The results obtained from these tests would contribute to the evaluation of how such thermal properties influence the thermal admittance and hence the thermal mass performance of sustainable concrete elements in a building system.

Intelligent prediction on performance of high-temperature heat pump systems using different refrigerants

Two new binary near-azeotropic mixtures named M1 and M2 were developed as the refrigerants of the high-temperature heat pump(HTHP).The experimental research was used to analyze and compare the performance of M1 and M2-based in the HTHP in different running conditions.The results demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of M1 and M2 as new high-temperature refrigerants.Additionally,the exploration and analyses of the support vector machine(SVM)and back propagation(BP)neural network models were made to find a practical way to predict the performance of HTHP system.The results showed that SVM-Linear,SVM-RBF and BP models shared the similar ability to predict the heat capacity and power input with high accuracy.SVM-RBF demonstrated better stability for coefficient of performance prediction.Finally,the proposed SVM model was used to assess the potential of the M1 and M2.The results indicated that the HTHP system using M1 could produce heat at the temperature of 130°C with good performance.

Experimental study on dispersive soil in western Jilin

In order to research engineering geological properties of the soil in Zhenlai of western Jilin, especially the dispersivity of soil, the authors carried out the basic physicocbemical test and dispersivity identification test. The results show that the dispersivity of the soil increases with the increase of depth within 0-30 cm （surface soil） ; it decreases as the depth increases within in 30-100 cm. Furthermore, the statistical analysis of the dispersivity indexes and physicochemical propertity indexes show that the DP is positively linear correlated with total soluble salt content, sodium ion content, ESP, pH and organic matter content. Meanwhile, it is negatively linear correlated with clay content, and the linear relationship is better. Through the study of the dispersion mechanism of soil samples, it can be concluded that sodium montmorillonite, higher percentage of exchangeable sodium and high pH are the main reasons for the dispersion of soils in western Jilin.

Experimental investigation on performance of intumescent coating for steel plate at elevated temperature

Twenty tests were conducted to investigate the efficiency of the intumescent coating designed to protect steel plate at the elevated temperature, by means of electrical furnace. And the factors of the initial thickness of coating and temperature of electrical furnace were considered. The high temperature response behavior of the intumescent coating was observed. And the expansion form of ultrathin intumescent coating and the temperature of the steel plate(TS) were obtained. Besides, the heat flux from expansion layer to steel plate versus time was analyzed in order to evaluate the heat transfer effect of intumescent coating on steel plate. The experimental results show that the response behaviors of the coating subjected to fire could be divided into four phases: stabilization phase, foaming expansion phase, carbonization-consumption phase and inorganic layer phase. And the net heat flux to the steel plate decreased observably in the foaming expansion phase, while the surplus white inorganic substance, which is the residue of the intumesced char layer in the inorganic layer phase under the condition of the temperature of the electrical furnace(TEF) beyond 700 °C over 1 h, has little effect on fire protection for the steel plate.

POTENT HYPOTENSIVE EFFECTS OF ORPHANIN FQ IN CONSCIOUS STROKE-PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

Orphanin FQ（OFQ） or nociceptin is a novel neuropeptide consisting of 17 amino acids. This peptide has a primary structure reminiscent of that of opioid peptide but exhibits an opposite effect to make animals hyperreactive. The effect of this new peptide on cardiovascular function are not completely known. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of intravenous bolus injection of orphanin FQ on mean arterial blood presure （MABP） in conscious stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRsp). Adult male SHRsp and Wistar normotensive rats （250～300 g body weight, 2. 5～3 months old） were used in this study. The MABP was measured in the conscious state by a tail-cuff method. In SHRsp model, intravenous bolus injection of orphanin FQ or Tyr1-orphanin FQ （0. 5 mg/kg） induced a prolonged and marked reduc- tion in MABP. The maximum changes in MABP were -30. 2±4. 2 mmHg by orphanin FQ and -28. 2± 4. 7 mmHg by Tyr1-orphanin FQ at 10 min after administration,and this effect lasted over 30 min. The Phe1→Tyr substitution in orphanin FQ was found to retain almost fully hypotensive activity. Pretreatment of SHRsp with naloxone-HCI（60 μg/kg）, 5 min before the injection of orphanin FQ, did not block the hy- potensive effect of orphanin FQ. Therefore, opioid receptors could not account for the hypotensive effect of orphanin FQ in SHRsp. In Wistar rats, intravenous bolus injection of the same dose of orphanin FQ did not cause a change in MABP. These observations suggest that orphanin FQ is a novel hypotensive peptide and may have some role in the regulation of blood pressure in SHRsp, rather than in normotensive rats. The ex-act underlying mechanisms are waiting to be clarified.

Numerical simulation and experiment analysis of improving permeability by deep-hole presplitting explosion in high gassy and low permeability coal seam

Created a new damage model for explosive for LS-DYNA3D,taking advantageof the Taylor method aimed at the high gassy and low permeability coal seam,and numericallysimulated and analyzed the deep-hole presplitting explosion.The entire processof explosion was represented,including cracks caused by dynamic pressure,transmissionand vibration superposition of stress waves,as well as cracks growth driven by gas generatedby explosion.The influence of the cracks generated in the process of explosion andthe performance of improving permeability caused by the difference of interval between.explosive holes were analyzed.A reasonable interval between explosive holes of deepholepresplitting explosions in high gassy and low permeability coal seams was proposed,and the resolution of gas drainage in high gassy and low permeability coal seam was putforward.

Experimental study on creep of high-performance concretes

In order to investigate the compression creep of two kinds of high-performance concrete mixtures used for prestressed members in a bridge,an experimental test under laboratory conditions was carried out.Based on the experimental results,a power exponent function was used to model the creep degree of these high-performance concretes(HPCs) for structural numerical analysis,and two series parameters of this function for the HPCs were given with the optimum method of evolution program.The experimental data were compared with CEB-FIP 90 and ACI 92 models.Results show that the two code models both overestimate the creep degree of two HPCs,so it is recommended that the power exponent function should be used for the creep analysis of bridge structure.

Action of induced hypertension and apoptosis: an experimental study in rat

Objective To study the retinal tissue degeneration of intraocular hypertension experimentally induced in acute and chronic way. Methods In the acute model, pressure elevation was quickly induced by a needle in the anterior chamber and the retinal reaction was studied at 1,2,4,5,7,10 days after treatment. The tissue damage with chronic hypertension,induced by the cauterization of two episcleral veins,was studied at 1 and 2 month after the treatment. The TUNEL method and Caspade 3a immunochemical study evidenced the apoptosis mechanism. The NADPH-diaphorase reaction identified the Nitric Oxide, ( NO) producing cells. Results In the acute model,the immunohistochemical study evidenced that the apoptosis was an early death mechanism for ganglionar cells. The activity of Nitric Oxide Synthase ( NOS) didn' t show a significant activation toward the retinal tissue of control. The chronic hypertension model indicated an increase in the NOS signal, meaning an activation of this enzyme in particular bear the vascular vessels, showing the neuroprotective and not only cytotoxic effect of the NO. The TUNEL and Caspase 3a studies indicated that the apoptosic mechanism started in different times, the immunohistochemical reaction showed its immediately beginning or its later activation caused by the chronic damage. Conclusions The opportunity to have a clear vision of the beginning and causing factors of cell degeneration in hypertension damage could permit the study on different substances that act on apoptosis , on NOS mechanism and on synaptic transmission inhibiting or deviating the retinal tissue degeneration and particularly the ganglionar cells death in glaucoma.

Managing Complexity and Speed of Processes in the Organizations—A Philosophical and Practical Approach

The business challenges of today are managing complexity and the speed of changes with processes and systems since there are continuously new requirements from market, consumers, suppliers, employees, government etc. For example, when product and service innovations are launched on the market, the relevant processes, policies, people, systems, and technologies should have been prepared and set up in advance. Depending on the business sector, the implementation of new processes and systems as well as their continuous improvement can be easy to very complex and of course very costly. Responding to those challenges, there are several methodologies and approaches like Continuous Improvement Process, Lean Management and Kaizen etc. On the other hand, the application of these methodologies to other industries like service and technology companies is not always successful since their conditions and requirements are different than those of manufacturing organizations. Because of these reasons, the management needs to find out （new） ways of working and to implement new solutions in order to master those challenges and problems. This is not always easy and successful. There are different types of solution options that can be applied situational in every organization. Philosophy can help essentially by asking and answering critical questions in order to provide with solution options to reduce the complexity and to increase the speed of processes. There are several proven and new governance concepts, frameworks, and tools which follow their philosophies. This paper demonstrates how those challenges can be responded and managed as well as how a philosophical approach can help primarily to provide with appropriate solutions.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Express Low Levels of Cardiomyogenic Genes and Show Limited Plasticity towards Cardiomyogenic Phenotype

Mesenchymal stem cell differentiation towards osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic lineages have been extensively described and reproduced in the literature. In contrast, cardiomyogenic differentiation still remains largely controversial. In this study the authors aim to shed new light into this unclear phenomenon and test whether BMMSC （bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells） and ATMSC （adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells） are able to differentiate into functional cardiomyocytes, investigating two differentiation protocols. AT and BMMSC behaved differently when cultured in differentiation media and presented lower levels of proliferation and alkaline phosphatase production, expression of cardiomyocyte-specific transcription factors such as GATA-4, Nkx2-5 and proteins such as ct and 13 Myosin Heavy Chains. Furthermore, MSC started to express higher levels of Connexin-43 and c~ sarcomeric actinin protein. Unfortunately, though, MSC did not present cardiomyocyte-like electrophysiological properties. In order to analyze a possible explanation for such limited plasticity, the authors decided to address the issue using a quantitative approach. Gene expression was quantified by Real time PCR, and, for the first time, the authors show that a possible explanation for limited plasticity of MSC is that even though differentiated cells presented differential gene expression, the levels of key cardiomyogenic genes did not reach expression levels presented by adult cardiomyocytes, nor were maintained along differentiation, reaching peaks at 4 days of stimulation, and decaying thereafter.

Test method and experimental research on resistance of oil shale under high temperature

Heating the oil shale by current underground to accomplish in-situ transformation process, is a viable direction. The electrical properties of oil shale under different temperatures, especially the resistance, become important. Charging oil shale underground to heat oil shale till kerogen's decomposition temperature, then crude oil and other gases can be generated. The resistance of the oil shale samples was measured by Direct Current (DC) quadripole method to find out the variation rules of resistance value. In the experiments, oil shale presented its semiconductor property. When heated till 350℃-450℃, its resistance changed greatly, optional for heating and cracking. The porosity, oil content, media and composition affected the resistance largely.

An Empirical Study on Regional Differences of Higher Education Financial Aid in China

This paper uses empirical data to examine the issue of fairness of higher education student financial aid in China, noting different levels of regional economic development as the reason to explain the wide differences in available financial resources for student aid. Government efforts aimed at reducing the gap in recent years is discussed.

Preparation of Rapid Hardening Mortars Using Ultrafine Portland Cement

During the hydration process, the Ultra-fine Cements present specific physical and chemical characteristics; they are, very short setting time and high heat release. For special applications, such as rapid hardening and early high strength mortars or concretes, these characteristics can be considered advantageous. Some commercial products used for concrete reinforcement and repairs are the Rapid Hardening Mortars, these mortars must develop a time of setting up to 3 h and an initial compressive strength of about 3.5 MPa once the hardening of the paste is reached. The objective of the present research work is to use Ultra-fine Cement for the preparation of a series of different Rapid Hardening Mortars （with different percentages of Ultra-fine Cement）, these mortars required the addition of a polycarboxylate-base specification F Superplasticizer. It was observed that the optimum water/cement （W/C） ratio for the hydration of the Ultra-fine Cements is W/C = 0.385. The Ultra-fine Cements were obtained by the High Energy Ball-milling technique at laboratory scale, 90% of the Particle Size Distribution is below 11 μm and the Blaine Specific Surface Area is over 9000 cm^2/g.

Give prominence to the ability training, and promote the subversive reform of the curriculum teaching

One of the key aspects of the teaching reform of the higher vocational colleges is to give prominence to the ability training of the students. In this paper, from the teaching practice of the network marketing course, with the applicative competition platform as the breakthrough point, the author carries through a series of teaching reforms, to realize the goal of training, and especially to give prominence to the ability training of the students.

Research and Innovative Analysis on the Timeliness and Effectiveness of the University Thought Political Lesson Education Practice

In this paper, we conduct research on the timeliness and effectiveness of university thought political lesson education practice. What person, how to cultivate people is developing the socialist education enterprise in our country must solve fundamental problem. College students is a national valuable human resources, are the hope of nation, the future of our motherland. To make university students grow up to be the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics qualified builders and reliable successors, we not only need to vigorously improve their scientific and cultural quality, and actively improve their ideological and political quality. College students＇ ideological and the political education content system of the science building is refers to according to the requirements of college students＇ ideological and political education goal, to constitute elements of ideological and political education content should be reasonable configuration, make each other, permeate each other, in order to realize the content of organic integration and collaborative development.

浅谈小学语文教学高效性

小学作为学生受教育的起点,对学生的发展起着至关重要的作用。教师在教学活动中应该通过恰当的方式,使学生能在有限的课堂时间里,取得最大限度的学习效益,实现课堂的高效性。

Experimental studies of melt-peridotite reactions at 1–2 GPa and 1250–1400°C and their implications for transforming the nature of lithospheric mantle and for high-Mg signatures in adakitic rocks

Experiments of the melt-peridotite reaction at pressures of 1 and 2 GPa and temperatures of 1250–1400°C have been carried out to understand the nature of the peridotite xenoliths in the Mesozoic high-Mg diorites and basalts of the North China Craton,and further to elucidate the processes in which the Mesozoic lithospheric mantle in this region was transformed.We used Fuxin alkali basalt,Feixian alkali basalt,and Xu-Huai hornblende-garnet pyroxenite as starting materials for the reacting melts,and lherzolite xenoliths and synthesized harzburgite as starting materials for the lithospheric mantle.The experimental results indicate that:(1)the reactions between basaltic melts and lherzolite and harzburgite at 1–2 GPa and 1300–1400°C tended to dissolve pyroxene and precipitate low-Mg#olivine(Mg#=83.6–89.3),forming sequences of dunite-lherzolite(D-L)and duniteharzburgite(D-H),respectively;(2)reactions between hornblende-garnet pyroxenite and lherzolite at 1 GPa and 1250°C formed a D-H sequence,whereas reactions at 2 GPa and 1350°C formed orthopyroxenite layers and lherzolite;and(3)the reaction between a partial melt of hornblende-garnet pyroxenite and harzburgite resulted in a layer of orthopyroxenite at the boundary of the pyroxenite and harzburgite.The reacted melts have higher MgO abundances than the starting melts,demonstrating that the melt-peridotite reactions are responsible for the high-Mg#signatures of andesites or adakitic rocks.Our experimental results support the proposition that the abundant peridotite and pyroxenite xenoliths in western Shandong and the southern Taihang Mountains might have experienced multiple modifications in reaction to a variety of melts.We suggest that melt-peridotite reactions played important roles in transforming the nature of the Mesozoic lithospheric mantle in the region of the North China Craton.