Implementing a new energy-saving electrochemical synthesis system with high commercial value is a strategy of the sustainable development for upgrading the bulk chemicals preparation technology in the future.Here,we r...Implementing a new energy-saving electrochemical synthesis system with high commercial value is a strategy of the sustainable development for upgrading the bulk chemicals preparation technology in the future.Here,we report a multiple redox-mediated linear paired electrolysis system,combining the hydrogen peroxide mediated cathode process with the I2 mediated anode process,and realize the conversion of furfural to furoic acid in both side of the dividedflow cell simultaneously.By reasonably controlling the cathode potential,the undesired water splitting reaction and furfural reduction side reactions are avoided.Under the galvanostatic electrolysis,the two-mediated electrode processes have good compatibility,which reduce the energy consumption by about 22%while improving the electronic efficiency by about 125%.This system provides a green electrochemical synthesis route with commercial prospects.展开更多
In this editorial,we commented on the article by Akers et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Clinical Cases.We focused specifically on the role of the transcription factor paired box protein 8(PA...In this editorial,we commented on the article by Akers et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Clinical Cases.We focused specifically on the role of the transcription factor paired box protein 8(PAX8)belonging to the family PAX in the carcinogenesis of a gynecologic tumor,endocervical adenocarcinoma,arising from the tissue of mesonephric origin,and the potential diagnostic value for the same type of neoplasms.The global vaccination program of human papillomavirus(HPV)has dramatically reduced the incidence of cervical cancer,including cases of adenocarcinoma.The type of adenoid epithelial origin has a lower frequency of HPV detection but tends to be more aggressive and fatal.Cases of endocervical adenocarcinoma occurring in females of menopause age have been described in the 2023 volume of the World Journal of Clinical Cases and in our study recently published in Oncol Lett.The histopathological findings and immunohistochemical assays showed that the lesions had glandular morphology,and the specimens in these two reports were immunohistochemically positive for the transcription factor PAX8,albeit that they had opposing expression profiles of tumor suppressor p16 and estrogen receptor and the presence of the HPV genome.The presence of a mucin protein,MUC 5AC,as revealed in both studies suggested target molecules for the diagnosis of mucinous adenoid type of uterine tumor and other histological origins.The clinical outcome was unfavorable due to metastasis and recurrence.This prompted the improvement of the antitumor modality,with the introduction of precise targeting therapy.Mucin has now been reported to be the therapeutic target for adenocarcinomas.展开更多
This study highlights the changing priorities of China’s paired assistance throughout the past decades,as well as its theoretical implications and economic growth effects for recipient regions.Using panel data from 3...This study highlights the changing priorities of China’s paired assistance throughout the past decades,as well as its theoretical implications and economic growth effects for recipient regions.Using panel data from 32 prefecture-level cities from 1990 to 2020,this study uses the multiperiod difference-in-differences approach to examine how paired assistance has contributed to economic growth in Xizang Autonomous Region and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.The findings indicate that,first,the implementation of the paired assistance policy has boosted economic growth in Xizang and Xinjiang.Second,paired assistance has stimulated economic growth in recipient communities by improving infrastructure.Third,paired assistance has contributed to economic growth in recipient communities by providing improved public services such as education and healthcare.Improvements to public services have a relatively smaller indirect effect in short term than infrastructure development on economic growth.Yet both education and healthcare are crucial to people’s quality of life in recipient communities.This paper has refined and broadened research on the effects of paired assistance,providing preference for future policymaking.展开更多
The existence of shadow leads to the degradation of the image qualities and the defect of ground object information.Shadow removal is therefore an essential research topic in image processing filed.The biggest challen...The existence of shadow leads to the degradation of the image qualities and the defect of ground object information.Shadow removal is therefore an essential research topic in image processing filed.The biggest challenge of shadow removal is how to restore the content of shadow areas correctly while removing the shadow in the image.Paired regions for shadow removal approach based on multi-features is proposed, in which shadow removal is only performed on related sunlit areas.Feature distance between regions is calculated to find the optimal paired regions with considering of multi-features(texture, gradient feature, etc.) comprehensively.Images in different scenes with peak signal-to-noise ratio(PSNR) and structural similarity(SSIM) evaluation indexes are chosen for experiments.The results are shown with six existing comparison methods by visual and quantitative assessments, which verified that the proposed method shows excellent shadow removal effect, the brightness, color of the removed shadow area, and the surrounding non-shadow area can be naturally fused.展开更多
A paired basin study in the upper Santa Fe River watershed following forest thinning and prescribed burns successfully measured water budget components in a treated and an untreated (control) basin. The paired basin s...A paired basin study in the upper Santa Fe River watershed following forest thinning and prescribed burns successfully measured water budget components in a treated and an untreated (control) basin. The paired basin study was established to investigate questions that have arisen regarding changes in water yield from forest treatments. Precipitation, stream flow, soil moisture, and chloride concentrations in precipitation and stream flow were measured to quantify the water budget components. The results from eleven years of data collection and analysis have a high degree of confidence with respect to measuring the water budget components based on the mass balance of water and chloride. The differences in the geologic structure and topography between the two paired basins appeared to impact the water budgets more than the forest treatments, except during periods when winter precipitation and snowmelt represented a significant component of inflow. Although this paired basin study was not able to portray a simple relationship between forest thinning and water yield, the chloride concentration methodology used to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) was successful. These detailed observations of chloride deposition and transport characteristics may be relevant for other researchers working in forested basins with substantial ET. ET rates were estimated by examining the cycle of chloride entering and exiting each basin over six integration periods. ET was estimated to be about 90% to 94% of precipitation in the treated basin and 77% to 86% in the control basin. The higher ET in the treated basin both before and after forest treatments may be due to the much greater area of west-facing hillslopes in the treated basin, which receive warm afternoon sun, and the greater area of rock cover in the control basin. Variation in the chloride concentration of collected precipitation samples from different sites indicates that horizontal precipitation of chloride in the tree canopy is an important consideration when using the chloride mass balance approach to calculate water budget components.展开更多
The study of minus paired domination of a graph G=(V,E) is initiated. Let SV be any paired dominating set of G , a minus paired dominating function is a function of the form f∶V→{-1,0,1} such that ...The study of minus paired domination of a graph G=(V,E) is initiated. Let SV be any paired dominating set of G , a minus paired dominating function is a function of the form f∶V→{-1,0,1} such that f(v)= 1 for v∈S, f(v)≤0 for v∈V-S , and f(N)≥1 for all v∈V . The weight of a minus paired dominating function f is w(f)=∑f(v) , over all vertices v∈V . The minus paired domination number of a graph G is γ - p( G )=min{ w(f)|f is a minus paired dominating function of G }. On the basis of the minus paired domination number of a graph G defined, some of its properties are discussed.展开更多
Paired associative stimulation has been used in stroke patients as an innovative recovery treatment.However,the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effectiveness of paired associative stimulation on neurological fun...Paired associative stimulation has been used in stroke patients as an innovative recovery treatment.However,the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effectiveness of paired associative stimulation on neurological function remain unclear.In this study,rats were randomly divided into middle cerebral occlusion model(MCAO)and paired associated magnetic stimulation(PAMS)groups.The MCAO rat model was produced by middle cerebral artery embolization.The PAMS group received PAMS on days 3 to 20 post MCAO.The MCAO group received sham stimulation,three times every week.Within 18 days after ischemia,rats were subjected to behavioral experiments—the foot-fault test,the balance beam walking test,and the ladder walking test.Balance ability was improved on days 15 and 17,and the footfault rate was less in their affected limb on day 15 in the PAMS group compared with the MCAO group.Western blot assay showed that the expression levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor,glutamate receptor 2/3,postsynaptic density protein 95 and synapsin-1 were significantly increased in the PAMS group compared with the MCAO group in the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex on day 21.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed that regional brain activities in the sensorimotor cortex were increased in the ipsilateral hemisphere,but decreased in the contralateral hemisphere on day 20.By finite element simulation,the electric field distribution showed a higher intensity,of approximately 0.4 A/m^2,in the ischemic cortex compared with the contralateral cortex in the template.Together,our findings show that PAMS upregulates neuroplasticity-related proteins,increases regional brain activity,and promotes functional recovery in the affected sensorimotor cortex in the rat MCAO model.The experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Fudan University,China(approval No.201802173 S)on March 3,2018.展开更多
Paired associative stimulation is a relatively new non-invasive brain stimulation technique that combines transcranial magnetic stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation. The effects of paired associative stimulati...Paired associative stimulation is a relatively new non-invasive brain stimulation technique that combines transcranial magnetic stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation. The effects of paired associative stimulation on the excitability of the cerebral cortex can vary according to the time interval between the transcranial magnetic stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation. We established a model of cerebral ischemia in rats via transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. We administered paired associative stimulation with a frequency of 0.05 Hz 90 times over 4 weeks. We then evaluated spatial learning and memory using the Morris water maze. Changes in the cerebral ultra-structure and synaptic plasticity were assessed via transmission electron microscopy and a 64-channel multi-electrode array. We measured mRNA and protein expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 in the hippocampus using a real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay. Paired associative stimulation treatment significantly improved learning and memory in rats subjected to cerebral ischemia. The ultra-structures of synapses in the CA1 area of the hippocampus in rats subjected to cerebral ischemia were restored by paired associative stimulation. Long-term potentiation at synapses in the CA3 and CA1 regions of the hippocampus was enhanced as well. The protein and mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 increased after paired associative stimulation treatment. These data indicate that paired associative stimulation can protect cog-nition after cerebral ischemia. The observed effect may be mediated by increases in the mRNA and protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1, and by enhanced synaptic plasticity in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. The animal experiments were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, China(approval No. TJ-A20151102) on July 11, 2015.展开更多
Paired associative stimulation (PAS),combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with electrical peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) in pairs with an optimal interstimulus interval (ISI)in between,has been shown ...Paired associative stimulation (PAS),combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with electrical peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) in pairs with an optimal interstimulus interval (ISI)in between,has been shown to influence the excitability of the motor cortex (MC)in humans.However,the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.This study was designed to explore an optimal protocol of PAS,which can modulate the excitability of MC in rats,and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. The resting motor thresholds (RMTs) of TMS-elicited motor evoked potentials (MEPs) recorded from the gastrocnemius muscle and the latency of P1 component of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) induced by electrical tibial nerve stimulation were determined in male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=10).Sixty rats were then randomly divided into 3 groups:a PAS group (further divided into 10 subgroups at various ISIs calculated by using the latency of P1,n=5,respectively),a TMS (only)group (n=5)and a PNS (only)group (n=5).Ninety repetitions of PAS,TMS and PNS were administered to the rats in the 3 groups,respectively,at the frequency of 0.05 Hz and the intensity of TMS at 120% RMT and that of PNS at 6 mA.RMTs and motor evoked potentials'amplitude (MEPamp)were recorded before and immediately after the interventions.It was found that the MEPamp significantly decreased after PAS at ISI of 5 ms (P<0.05),while the MEPamp significantly increased after PAS at ISI of 15ms,as compared with those before the intervention (P<0.05).However,the RMT did not change significantly after PAS at ISI of 5 ms or 15 ms (P>0.05).PAS at other ISis as well as the sole use of TMS and PNS induced no remarkable changes in MEPamp and RMT.In conclusion,PAS can influence motor cortex excitability in rats.Neither TMS alone nor PNS alone shows significant effect.展开更多
First, we present semisimple properties of twisted products by means of constructing an algebra isomorphism between twisted products and crossed products, and point out that there exist some relations among braided bi...First, we present semisimple properties of twisted products by means of constructing an algebra isomorphism between twisted products and crossed products, and point out that there exist some relations among braided bialgebras, paired bialgebras and Yang-Baxter coalgebras. Furthermore, we give an example to illustrate these relations by using Sweedler's 4-dimensional Hopf algebra. Finally, from starting off with Yang-Baxter coalgebras, we can construct some quadratic bialgebras such that they are braided bialgebras.展开更多
AIM: To identify the potentially pathogenic gene variants that contributes to the etiology of strabismus. METHODS: A Chinese pedigree with strabismus was collected and the exomes of two affected individuals were se...AIM: To identify the potentially pathogenic gene variants that contributes to the etiology of strabismus. METHODS: A Chinese pedigree with strabismus was collected and the exomes of two affected individuals were sequenced using the next-generation sequencing technology. The resulting variants from exome sequencing were filtered by subsequent bioinformatics methods and the candidate mutation was verified as heterozygous in the affected proposita and her mother by sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Whole exome sequencing and filtering identified a nonsynonymous mutation Co434G-T transition in paired box 3 (PAX3) in the two affected individuals, which were predicted to be deleterious by more than 4 bioinformatics programs. This altered amino acid residue was located in the conserved PAX domain of PAX3. This gene encodes a member of the PAX family of transcription factors, which play critical roles during fetal development. Mutations in PAX3 were associated with Waardenburg syndrome with strabismus. CONCLUSION: Our results report that the c.434G-T mutation (p.R145L) in PAX3 may contribute to strabismus, expanding our understanding of the causally relevant genes for this disorder.展开更多
The late Archean(~3.0-2.5 Ga)was a key period of continental growth globally,which is widely considered to reflect the onset of vigorous plate tectonic activity,although related continental growth modes remain content...The late Archean(~3.0-2.5 Ga)was a key period of continental growth globally,which is widely considered to reflect the onset of vigorous plate tectonic activity,although related continental growth modes remain contentious.Here we investigate a suite of late Neoarchean metavolcanic rocks from the southwest Qixia area of the Jiaobei terrane in the North China Craton.The rocks in this suite include amphibolites,clinopyroxene amphibolites,and hornblende plagioclase gneisses.We present zircon U-Pb isotopic data which indicate that the protoliths of these rocks formed during~2549-2511 Ma.The(clinopyroxene)amphibolites correspond to meta-basaltic rocks,with some containing high modal content of titanite.These rocks show moderate to high FeO_(T)(8.96-13.62 wt.%)and TiO_(2)(0.59-1.59 wt.%),flat to less fractionated REE patterns,and mildly negative Th,Nb,and Ta anomalies,resembling those of Fe-tholeiites.In addition,they display positive zirconε_(Hf)(t)values(+2.6 to+8.7),and are devoid of crustal contamination or fractional crystallization.Combined with the low Nb/Yb(mostly<1.60)and(Hf/Sm)_N(mostly<0.95),low to moderate Th/Yb(0.08-0.54),and low V/Sc(5.53-9.19)ratios,these basaltic rocks are interpreted to have been derived from a relatively reduced and depleted mantle source that was mildly metasomatized by hydrous fluids.The hornblende plagioclase gneisses are meta-andesitic rocks,and occur interlayered with the basaltic rocks.They are transitional between tholeiitic and calc-alkaline rock series,and show fractionated REE patterns with evidently negative Th,Nb,and Ta anomalies.The depleted zirconε_(Hf)(t)values(+2.4 to+8.4)and quantitative chemical modeling suggest that the andesitic rocks were most likely generated by injection and mixing of juvenile felsic magmas with the tholeiitic basaltic magmas.In general,the chemical features and genesis of late Neoarchean meta-basaltic rocks in our study area resemble those of Mariana back-arc basin basalts.Combined with regional geological data,it is proposed that the Jiaobei terrane witnessed late Neoarchean crustal growth under a paired continental arc-back arc setting.On a regional context,we propose two distinct geodynamic mode of late Neoarchean continental growth across North China Craton(particularly the Eastern Block),i.e.,(1)arc-continent accretion along northwestern part of the Eastern Block;and(2)paired continental arc-back arc system surrounding the~3.8-2.7 Ga continental nuclei to the southeast.展开更多
For the conventional single-ended eFuse cell, sensing failures can occur due to a variation of a post-program eFuse resistance during the data retention time and a relatively high program resistance of several kilo oh...For the conventional single-ended eFuse cell, sensing failures can occur due to a variation of a post-program eFuse resistance during the data retention time and a relatively high program resistance of several kilo ohms. A differential paired eFuse cell is designed which is about half the size smaller in sensing resistance of a programmed eFuse link than the conventional single-ended eFuse cell. Also, a sensing circuit of sense amplifier is proposed, based on D flip-flop structure to implement a simple sensing circuit. Furthermore, a sensing margin test circuit is proposed with variable pull-up loads out of consideration for resistance variation of a programmed eFuse. When an 8 bit eFuse OTP IP is designed with 0.18 ~tm standard CMOS logic of TSMC, the layout dimensions are 229.04 μm ×100.15μm. All the chips function successfully when 20 test chips are tested with a program voltage of 4.2 V.展开更多
Regenerative capacity is weak after central nervous system injury because of the absence of an enhancing microenvironment and presence of an inhibitory microenvironment for neuronal and axonal repair. In addition to t...Regenerative capacity is weak after central nervous system injury because of the absence of an enhancing microenvironment and presence of an inhibitory microenvironment for neuronal and axonal repair. In addition to the Nogo receptor(Ng R), the paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B(Pir B) is a recently discovered coreceptor of Nogo, myelin-associated glycoprotein, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Concurrent blocking of Ng R and Pir B almost completely eliminates the inhibitory effect of myelin-associated inhibitory molecules on axonal regeneration. Pir B participates in a key pathological process of the nervous system, specifically axonal regeneration inhibition. Pir B is an inhibitory receptor similar to Ng R, but their effects are not identical. This study summarizes the structure, distribution, relationship with common nervous system diseases, and known mechanisms of Pir B, and concludes that Pir B is also distributed in cells of the immune and hematopoietic systems. Further investigations are needed to determine if immunomodulation and blood cell migration involve inhibition of axonal regeneration.展开更多
Paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B(Pir B) is a functional receptor of myelin-associated inhibitors for axonal regeneration and synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system, and thus suppresses nerve regenera...Paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B(Pir B) is a functional receptor of myelin-associated inhibitors for axonal regeneration and synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system, and thus suppresses nerve regeneration. The regulatory effect of Pir B on injured nerves has received a lot of attention. To better understand nerve regeneration inability after spinal cord injury, this study aimed to investigate the distribution of Pir B(via immunofluorescence) in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system 10 days after injury. Immunoreactivity for Pir B increased in the dorsal root ganglia, sciatic nerves, and spinal cord segments. In the dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerves, Pir B was mainly distributed along neuronal and axonal membranes. Pir B was found to exhibit a diffuse, intricate distribution in the dorsal and ventral regions. Immunoreactivity for Pir B was enhanced in some cortical neurons located in the bilateral precentral gyri. Overall, the findings suggest a pattern of Pir B immunoreactivity in the nervous system after unilateral spinal transection injury, and also indicate that Pir B may suppress repair after injury.展开更多
In this study, we investigate the possible record of a Late Mesoproterozoic paired metamorphic belt in the Aravalli-Delhi Mobile Belt(ADMB), NW India using a suite of supracrustal and metaigneous granulites from the P...In this study, we investigate the possible record of a Late Mesoproterozoic paired metamorphic belt in the Aravalli-Delhi Mobile Belt(ADMB), NW India using a suite of supracrustal and metaigneous granulites from the Pilwa-Chinwali granulite terrain at the north-western margin of the ADMB. Using metamorphic reaction textures, mineral chemistry, metamorphic reaction history, geothermobarometric computations and electron microprobe dating of monazite in 5 samples of pelitic granulite, leptynite gneiss, enderbite and charnockite, we have deduced a medium-pressure granulite facies metamorphism(P between 4.9 and 6.8 kbar, T> 760-815℃) along a heating-cooling, counterclockwise P-T path between 1.09 and 1.01 Ga. When collated with published metamorphic and chronological constraints and geological settings of the adjoining crustal domains of the ADMB, these findings provide new insights into the developments of two tectonic domains of contrasting thermal gradients at ca. 1.0 Ga, consistent with metamorphic transformations in tectonically thickened middle-lower crustal sections during continental collision to continental subduction and in the root zones of spatially adjacent island arc, as part of the Rodinia supercontinent assembly event.展开更多
Background:Organic carbon stored in forest soils(SOC)represents an important element of the global C cycle.It is thought that the C storage capacity of the stable pool can be enhanced by increasing forest productivity...Background:Organic carbon stored in forest soils(SOC)represents an important element of the global C cycle.It is thought that the C storage capacity of the stable pool can be enhanced by increasing forest productivity,but empirical evidence in support of this assumption from forests differing in tree species and productivity,while stocking on similar substrate,is scarce.Methods:We determined the stocks of SOC and macro-nutrients(nitrogen,phosphorus,calcium,potassium and magnesium)in nine paired European beech/Scots pine stands on similar Pleistocene sandy substrates across a precipitation gradient(560–820mm∙yr−1)in northern Germany and explored the influence of tree species,forest history,climate,and soil pH on SOC and nutrient pools.Results:While the organic layer stored on average about 80%more C under pine than beech,the pools of SOC and total N in the total profile(organic layer plus mineral soil measured to 60 cm and extrapolated to 100 cm)were greater under pine by about 40%and 20%,respectively.This contrasts with a higher annual production of foliar litter and a much higher fine root biomass in beech stands,indicating that soil C sequestration is unrelated to the production of leaf litter and fine roots in these stands on Pleistocene sandy soils.The pools of available P and basic cations tended to be higher under beech.Neither precipitation nor temperature influenced the SOC pool,whereas tree species was a key driver.An extended data set(which included additional pine stands established more recently on former agricultural soil)revealed that,besides tree species identity,forest continuity is an important factor determining the SOC and nutrient pools of these stands.Conclusion:We conclude that tree species identity can exert a considerable influence on the stocks of SOC and macronutrients,which may be unrelated to productivity but closely linked to species-specific forest management histories,thus masking weaker climate and soil chemistry effects on pool sizes.展开更多
As the major division of the basal ganglia, neostriatum forms mutual connections with multiple brain areas and is critically involved in motor control and learning/memory. Long-term synaptic plasticity has been widely...As the major division of the basal ganglia, neostriatum forms mutual connections with multiple brain areas and is critically involved in motor control and learning/memory. Long-term synaptic plasticity has been widely studied in different species recently. However, there are rare reports about the short-term synaptic plasticity in neostratium. In the present study, using field excitatory postsynaptic potentials recording, we reported one form of short-term synaptic plasticity that is paired pulse depression in juvenile rat dorsal striatum slices induced by stimuli of the white matter. The field excitatory postsynaptic potentials could be abolished by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylizoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, but not by gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor antagonist bicuculline or dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SKF-81297. The paired pulse depression in the corticostratial pathway was different from paired pulse facilitation in the hippocampal CA1 synapse. In addition, the paired pulse depression was not affected by bath application of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor antagonist or dopamine D1 receptor antagonist. However, low calcium and high magnesium could attenuate the paired pulse depression. These findings suggest a more complicated plasticity form in the dorsal striatum of juvenile rats that is different from that in the hippocampus, which is related with extracellular calcium.展开更多
This paper discusses cross-border cooperation at the level of urban socio-economic systems. Worldwide, cross-border urban cooperation has in several cases produced socio-economic and political coherence supported by v...This paper discusses cross-border cooperation at the level of urban socio-economic systems. Worldwide, cross-border urban cooperation has in several cases produced socio-economic and political coherence supported by various joint programs and efforts. However, the degree of coherence varies and seldom cre-ates socio-economically and politically tightly integrated "Twin-Cities" where the state border becomes highly transparent or ob-scure. Focusing on Finlan d and China, our aim is to identify whether the selected border towns represent coherent TwinCities or a more loose type of "paired border towns". The study uses an empirical examination of three Finnish towns (Helsinki, Tornio, Imatra) and their neighboring towns in Estonia, Sweden, and Rus-sia as a benchmark. Then, a comparative study is made regarding three Chinese cross-border cities facing Russia, Vietnam and Ka-zakhstan. We highlight the differences in cross-border integration from the viewpoint of shared public sector programs, cross-border enterprise relocation and networking, and integrated social sector in terms of labor market, education and shopping area.展开更多
The expression of paired immunoglobin-like receptors A (PIR-A) and B (PIR-B) and their relationship with tolerogenic dendritic cells (T-DC) in mice were investigated. The mouse DCs line, DC2.4 cells were cultured with...The expression of paired immunoglobin-like receptors A (PIR-A) and B (PIR-B) and their relationship with tolerogenic dendritic cells (T-DC) in mice were investigated. The mouse DCs line, DC2.4 cells were cultured with the recombinant murine interleukin-10 (IL-10) and recombinant human transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) respectively to develop the T-DC and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 48 h to induce the mature dendritic cells (LPS-DC). Special small interfering RNAs (siRNA) molecule for PIR-B was chemically synthesized and transfected into DC2.4 cells (Si-DC) by lip2000. The expression of PIRs on DC2.4 cells were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), flow cytometry (FCM) and Western blot. Realtime reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (Realtime-PCR) was ap- plied for measurement of PIR-A and CD80, CD86, MHC-Ⅱ mRNA expression. The allogeneic stimulating capacity of DCs was measured by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) using 3H-thymidine incorporation test. The concentration of IFN-γ in supernatants of MLR from distinct groups was ana- lyzed by ELISA. The results showed that PIR positive rate was (28.65±8.12)% examined by FCM on DC2.4 cells. PIR positive rate was increased dramatically to (54.21±6.34)%, (58.78±4.70)%, (48.24±6.75)% respectively for IL-10, TGF-β1 and LPS induction (P<0.01), but there was no sig- nificantly different among the three groups (P>0.01). The semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot revealed that IL-10 and TGF-β1 induced the higher PIR-B level and lower PIR-A level. On the contrary, the LPS down-regulated the PIR-B expression and up-regulated the PIR-A expression. Realtime PCR examination demonstrated that PIR-A and co-stimulating molecules such as CD80, CD86 and MHC-Ⅱ were increased significantly after stimulation with LPS. Compared with the DC2.4 cells and the LPS-DC, the T-DCs inhibited alloactived T cell proliferation and down-regulated the IFN-γ secretion in MLR supernatant. Si-DC promoted the T cell proliferation (P<0.01) and en- hanced the IFN-γ secretion (P<0.01). It was concluded that up-regulating the PIR-B and down-regulating the PIR-A expression were the general feature of phenotype and constructed the new targets for dendritic cells to acquire immune tolerance in mice. Overexpression of PIR-B can inhibit the up-regulation of the PIR-A, CD80, CD86 and MHC-Ⅱ expression, which might be the molecular mechanism for the T-DC.展开更多
基金This study is supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFB0307500).
文摘Implementing a new energy-saving electrochemical synthesis system with high commercial value is a strategy of the sustainable development for upgrading the bulk chemicals preparation technology in the future.Here,we report a multiple redox-mediated linear paired electrolysis system,combining the hydrogen peroxide mediated cathode process with the I2 mediated anode process,and realize the conversion of furfural to furoic acid in both side of the dividedflow cell simultaneously.By reasonably controlling the cathode potential,the undesired water splitting reaction and furfural reduction side reactions are avoided.Under the galvanostatic electrolysis,the two-mediated electrode processes have good compatibility,which reduce the energy consumption by about 22%while improving the electronic efficiency by about 125%.This system provides a green electrochemical synthesis route with commercial prospects.
文摘In this editorial,we commented on the article by Akers et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Clinical Cases.We focused specifically on the role of the transcription factor paired box protein 8(PAX8)belonging to the family PAX in the carcinogenesis of a gynecologic tumor,endocervical adenocarcinoma,arising from the tissue of mesonephric origin,and the potential diagnostic value for the same type of neoplasms.The global vaccination program of human papillomavirus(HPV)has dramatically reduced the incidence of cervical cancer,including cases of adenocarcinoma.The type of adenoid epithelial origin has a lower frequency of HPV detection but tends to be more aggressive and fatal.Cases of endocervical adenocarcinoma occurring in females of menopause age have been described in the 2023 volume of the World Journal of Clinical Cases and in our study recently published in Oncol Lett.The histopathological findings and immunohistochemical assays showed that the lesions had glandular morphology,and the specimens in these two reports were immunohistochemically positive for the transcription factor PAX8,albeit that they had opposing expression profiles of tumor suppressor p16 and estrogen receptor and the presence of the HPV genome.The presence of a mucin protein,MUC 5AC,as revealed in both studies suggested target molecules for the diagnosis of mucinous adenoid type of uterine tumor and other histological origins.The clinical outcome was unfavorable due to metastasis and recurrence.This prompted the improvement of the antitumor modality,with the introduction of precise targeting therapy.Mucin has now been reported to be the therapeutic target for adenocarcinomas.
基金supported by the Major Project of the National Social Science Fund of China (NSSFC)“Economic Development for Ethnic Minorities under Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and International Comparison”(Grant No. 19ZDA173)the NSSFC Project “Study on the Implementation and Development of Educational Assistance to Xizang and Xinjiang under the Horizon of the Community of the Chinese Nation”(Grant No. CMA220323)the Elite Innovation Team of Pu’er University “Innovation Team for the Prosperity of Border Regions and Common Modernization of Ethnic Minority Regions”(Grant No. 2023PEXYCXTD002)
文摘This study highlights the changing priorities of China’s paired assistance throughout the past decades,as well as its theoretical implications and economic growth effects for recipient regions.Using panel data from 32 prefecture-level cities from 1990 to 2020,this study uses the multiperiod difference-in-differences approach to examine how paired assistance has contributed to economic growth in Xizang Autonomous Region and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.The findings indicate that,first,the implementation of the paired assistance policy has boosted economic growth in Xizang and Xinjiang.Second,paired assistance has stimulated economic growth in recipient communities by improving infrastructure.Third,paired assistance has contributed to economic growth in recipient communities by providing improved public services such as education and healthcare.Improvements to public services have a relatively smaller indirect effect in short term than infrastructure development on economic growth.Yet both education and healthcare are crucial to people’s quality of life in recipient communities.This paper has refined and broadened research on the effects of paired assistance,providing preference for future policymaking.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41971356, 41701446)the Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Urban Land Resources Monitoring and Simulation,Ministry of Natural Resources (No. KF-2022-07-001)。
文摘The existence of shadow leads to the degradation of the image qualities and the defect of ground object information.Shadow removal is therefore an essential research topic in image processing filed.The biggest challenge of shadow removal is how to restore the content of shadow areas correctly while removing the shadow in the image.Paired regions for shadow removal approach based on multi-features is proposed, in which shadow removal is only performed on related sunlit areas.Feature distance between regions is calculated to find the optimal paired regions with considering of multi-features(texture, gradient feature, etc.) comprehensively.Images in different scenes with peak signal-to-noise ratio(PSNR) and structural similarity(SSIM) evaluation indexes are chosen for experiments.The results are shown with six existing comparison methods by visual and quantitative assessments, which verified that the proposed method shows excellent shadow removal effect, the brightness, color of the removed shadow area, and the surrounding non-shadow area can be naturally fused.
文摘A paired basin study in the upper Santa Fe River watershed following forest thinning and prescribed burns successfully measured water budget components in a treated and an untreated (control) basin. The paired basin study was established to investigate questions that have arisen regarding changes in water yield from forest treatments. Precipitation, stream flow, soil moisture, and chloride concentrations in precipitation and stream flow were measured to quantify the water budget components. The results from eleven years of data collection and analysis have a high degree of confidence with respect to measuring the water budget components based on the mass balance of water and chloride. The differences in the geologic structure and topography between the two paired basins appeared to impact the water budgets more than the forest treatments, except during periods when winter precipitation and snowmelt represented a significant component of inflow. Although this paired basin study was not able to portray a simple relationship between forest thinning and water yield, the chloride concentration methodology used to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) was successful. These detailed observations of chloride deposition and transport characteristics may be relevant for other researchers working in forested basins with substantial ET. ET rates were estimated by examining the cycle of chloride entering and exiting each basin over six integration periods. ET was estimated to be about 90% to 94% of precipitation in the treated basin and 77% to 86% in the control basin. The higher ET in the treated basin both before and after forest treatments may be due to the much greater area of west-facing hillslopes in the treated basin, which receive warm afternoon sun, and the greater area of rock cover in the control basin. Variation in the chloride concentration of collected precipitation samples from different sites indicates that horizontal precipitation of chloride in the tree canopy is an important consideration when using the chloride mass balance approach to calculate water budget components.
文摘The study of minus paired domination of a graph G=(V,E) is initiated. Let SV be any paired dominating set of G , a minus paired dominating function is a function of the form f∶V→{-1,0,1} such that f(v)= 1 for v∈S, f(v)≤0 for v∈V-S , and f(N)≥1 for all v∈V . The weight of a minus paired dominating function f is w(f)=∑f(v) , over all vertices v∈V . The minus paired domination number of a graph G is γ - p( G )=min{ w(f)|f is a minus paired dominating function of G }. On the basis of the minus paired domination number of a graph G defined, some of its properties are discussed.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.81974358,81772453(to DSX)。
文摘Paired associative stimulation has been used in stroke patients as an innovative recovery treatment.However,the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effectiveness of paired associative stimulation on neurological function remain unclear.In this study,rats were randomly divided into middle cerebral occlusion model(MCAO)and paired associated magnetic stimulation(PAMS)groups.The MCAO rat model was produced by middle cerebral artery embolization.The PAMS group received PAMS on days 3 to 20 post MCAO.The MCAO group received sham stimulation,three times every week.Within 18 days after ischemia,rats were subjected to behavioral experiments—the foot-fault test,the balance beam walking test,and the ladder walking test.Balance ability was improved on days 15 and 17,and the footfault rate was less in their affected limb on day 15 in the PAMS group compared with the MCAO group.Western blot assay showed that the expression levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor,glutamate receptor 2/3,postsynaptic density protein 95 and synapsin-1 were significantly increased in the PAMS group compared with the MCAO group in the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex on day 21.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed that regional brain activities in the sensorimotor cortex were increased in the ipsilateral hemisphere,but decreased in the contralateral hemisphere on day 20.By finite element simulation,the electric field distribution showed a higher intensity,of approximately 0.4 A/m^2,in the ischemic cortex compared with the contralateral cortex in the template.Together,our findings show that PAMS upregulates neuroplasticity-related proteins,increases regional brain activity,and promotes functional recovery in the affected sensorimotor cortex in the rat MCAO model.The experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Fudan University,China(approval No.201802173 S)on March 3,2018.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81272156(to TCG)
文摘Paired associative stimulation is a relatively new non-invasive brain stimulation technique that combines transcranial magnetic stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation. The effects of paired associative stimulation on the excitability of the cerebral cortex can vary according to the time interval between the transcranial magnetic stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation. We established a model of cerebral ischemia in rats via transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. We administered paired associative stimulation with a frequency of 0.05 Hz 90 times over 4 weeks. We then evaluated spatial learning and memory using the Morris water maze. Changes in the cerebral ultra-structure and synaptic plasticity were assessed via transmission electron microscopy and a 64-channel multi-electrode array. We measured mRNA and protein expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 in the hippocampus using a real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay. Paired associative stimulation treatment significantly improved learning and memory in rats subjected to cerebral ischemia. The ultra-structures of synapses in the CA1 area of the hippocampus in rats subjected to cerebral ischemia were restored by paired associative stimulation. Long-term potentiation at synapses in the CA3 and CA1 regions of the hippocampus was enhanced as well. The protein and mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 increased after paired associative stimulation treatment. These data indicate that paired associative stimulation can protect cog-nition after cerebral ischemia. The observed effect may be mediated by increases in the mRNA and protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1, and by enhanced synaptic plasticity in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. The animal experiments were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, China(approval No. TJ-A20151102) on July 11, 2015.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81272156).
文摘Paired associative stimulation (PAS),combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with electrical peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) in pairs with an optimal interstimulus interval (ISI)in between,has been shown to influence the excitability of the motor cortex (MC)in humans.However,the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.This study was designed to explore an optimal protocol of PAS,which can modulate the excitability of MC in rats,and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. The resting motor thresholds (RMTs) of TMS-elicited motor evoked potentials (MEPs) recorded from the gastrocnemius muscle and the latency of P1 component of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) induced by electrical tibial nerve stimulation were determined in male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=10).Sixty rats were then randomly divided into 3 groups:a PAS group (further divided into 10 subgroups at various ISIs calculated by using the latency of P1,n=5,respectively),a TMS (only)group (n=5)and a PNS (only)group (n=5).Ninety repetitions of PAS,TMS and PNS were administered to the rats in the 3 groups,respectively,at the frequency of 0.05 Hz and the intensity of TMS at 120% RMT and that of PNS at 6 mA.RMTs and motor evoked potentials'amplitude (MEPamp)were recorded before and immediately after the interventions.It was found that the MEPamp significantly decreased after PAS at ISI of 5 ms (P<0.05),while the MEPamp significantly increased after PAS at ISI of 15ms,as compared with those before the intervention (P<0.05).However,the RMT did not change significantly after PAS at ISI of 5 ms or 15 ms (P>0.05).PAS at other ISis as well as the sole use of TMS and PNS induced no remarkable changes in MEPamp and RMT.In conclusion,PAS can influence motor cortex excitability in rats.Neither TMS alone nor PNS alone shows significant effect.
文摘First, we present semisimple properties of twisted products by means of constructing an algebra isomorphism between twisted products and crossed products, and point out that there exist some relations among braided bialgebras, paired bialgebras and Yang-Baxter coalgebras. Furthermore, we give an example to illustrate these relations by using Sweedler's 4-dimensional Hopf algebra. Finally, from starting off with Yang-Baxter coalgebras, we can construct some quadratic bialgebras such that they are braided bialgebras.
文摘AIM: To identify the potentially pathogenic gene variants that contributes to the etiology of strabismus. METHODS: A Chinese pedigree with strabismus was collected and the exomes of two affected individuals were sequenced using the next-generation sequencing technology. The resulting variants from exome sequencing were filtered by subsequent bioinformatics methods and the candidate mutation was verified as heterozygous in the affected proposita and her mother by sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Whole exome sequencing and filtering identified a nonsynonymous mutation Co434G-T transition in paired box 3 (PAX3) in the two affected individuals, which were predicted to be deleterious by more than 4 bioinformatics programs. This altered amino acid residue was located in the conserved PAX domain of PAX3. This gene encodes a member of the PAX family of transcription factors, which play critical roles during fetal development. Mutations in PAX3 were associated with Waardenburg syndrome with strabismus. CONCLUSION: Our results report that the c.434G-T mutation (p.R145L) in PAX3 may contribute to strabismus, expanding our understanding of the causally relevant genes for this disorder.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.41530207 and 41872196)Central University Basic Scientific Research Business Expenses of China University of Geosciences(Beijing)(Grant Nos.2-9-2019-055 and 2-9-2016-006)support by the undergraduate innovation and entrepreneurship program(X201911415003)。
文摘The late Archean(~3.0-2.5 Ga)was a key period of continental growth globally,which is widely considered to reflect the onset of vigorous plate tectonic activity,although related continental growth modes remain contentious.Here we investigate a suite of late Neoarchean metavolcanic rocks from the southwest Qixia area of the Jiaobei terrane in the North China Craton.The rocks in this suite include amphibolites,clinopyroxene amphibolites,and hornblende plagioclase gneisses.We present zircon U-Pb isotopic data which indicate that the protoliths of these rocks formed during~2549-2511 Ma.The(clinopyroxene)amphibolites correspond to meta-basaltic rocks,with some containing high modal content of titanite.These rocks show moderate to high FeO_(T)(8.96-13.62 wt.%)and TiO_(2)(0.59-1.59 wt.%),flat to less fractionated REE patterns,and mildly negative Th,Nb,and Ta anomalies,resembling those of Fe-tholeiites.In addition,they display positive zirconε_(Hf)(t)values(+2.6 to+8.7),and are devoid of crustal contamination or fractional crystallization.Combined with the low Nb/Yb(mostly<1.60)and(Hf/Sm)_N(mostly<0.95),low to moderate Th/Yb(0.08-0.54),and low V/Sc(5.53-9.19)ratios,these basaltic rocks are interpreted to have been derived from a relatively reduced and depleted mantle source that was mildly metasomatized by hydrous fluids.The hornblende plagioclase gneisses are meta-andesitic rocks,and occur interlayered with the basaltic rocks.They are transitional between tholeiitic and calc-alkaline rock series,and show fractionated REE patterns with evidently negative Th,Nb,and Ta anomalies.The depleted zirconε_(Hf)(t)values(+2.4 to+8.4)and quantitative chemical modeling suggest that the andesitic rocks were most likely generated by injection and mixing of juvenile felsic magmas with the tholeiitic basaltic magmas.In general,the chemical features and genesis of late Neoarchean meta-basaltic rocks in our study area resemble those of Mariana back-arc basin basalts.Combined with regional geological data,it is proposed that the Jiaobei terrane witnessed late Neoarchean crustal growth under a paired continental arc-back arc setting.On a regional context,we propose two distinct geodynamic mode of late Neoarchean continental growth across North China Craton(particularly the Eastern Block),i.e.,(1)arc-continent accretion along northwestern part of the Eastern Block;and(2)paired continental arc-back arc system surrounding the~3.8-2.7 Ga continental nuclei to the southeast.
文摘For the conventional single-ended eFuse cell, sensing failures can occur due to a variation of a post-program eFuse resistance during the data retention time and a relatively high program resistance of several kilo ohms. A differential paired eFuse cell is designed which is about half the size smaller in sensing resistance of a programmed eFuse link than the conventional single-ended eFuse cell. Also, a sensing circuit of sense amplifier is proposed, based on D flip-flop structure to implement a simple sensing circuit. Furthermore, a sensing margin test circuit is proposed with variable pull-up loads out of consideration for resistance variation of a programmed eFuse. When an 8 bit eFuse OTP IP is designed with 0.18 ~tm standard CMOS logic of TSMC, the layout dimensions are 229.04 μm ×100.15μm. All the chips function successfully when 20 test chips are tested with a program voltage of 4.2 V.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81170577
文摘Regenerative capacity is weak after central nervous system injury because of the absence of an enhancing microenvironment and presence of an inhibitory microenvironment for neuronal and axonal repair. In addition to the Nogo receptor(Ng R), the paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B(Pir B) is a recently discovered coreceptor of Nogo, myelin-associated glycoprotein, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Concurrent blocking of Ng R and Pir B almost completely eliminates the inhibitory effect of myelin-associated inhibitory molecules on axonal regeneration. Pir B participates in a key pathological process of the nervous system, specifically axonal regeneration inhibition. Pir B is an inhibitory receptor similar to Ng R, but their effects are not identical. This study summarizes the structure, distribution, relationship with common nervous system diseases, and known mechanisms of Pir B, and concludes that Pir B is also distributed in cells of the immune and hematopoietic systems. Further investigations are needed to determine if immunomodulation and blood cell migration involve inhibition of axonal regeneration.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81171178the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province in China,No.2012011036-3the Research Project of Shanxi Scholarship Council of China,No.2012-047
文摘Paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B(Pir B) is a functional receptor of myelin-associated inhibitors for axonal regeneration and synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system, and thus suppresses nerve regeneration. The regulatory effect of Pir B on injured nerves has received a lot of attention. To better understand nerve regeneration inability after spinal cord injury, this study aimed to investigate the distribution of Pir B(via immunofluorescence) in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system 10 days after injury. Immunoreactivity for Pir B increased in the dorsal root ganglia, sciatic nerves, and spinal cord segments. In the dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerves, Pir B was mainly distributed along neuronal and axonal membranes. Pir B was found to exhibit a diffuse, intricate distribution in the dorsal and ventral regions. Immunoreactivity for Pir B was enhanced in some cortical neurons located in the bilateral precentral gyri. Overall, the findings suggest a pattern of Pir B immunoreactivity in the nervous system after unilateral spinal transection injury, and also indicate that Pir B may suppress repair after injury.
基金financial support from the Indian Institute of Technology(IIT)Kharagpur in the form of a Cumulative Professional Development Allowance
文摘In this study, we investigate the possible record of a Late Mesoproterozoic paired metamorphic belt in the Aravalli-Delhi Mobile Belt(ADMB), NW India using a suite of supracrustal and metaigneous granulites from the Pilwa-Chinwali granulite terrain at the north-western margin of the ADMB. Using metamorphic reaction textures, mineral chemistry, metamorphic reaction history, geothermobarometric computations and electron microprobe dating of monazite in 5 samples of pelitic granulite, leptynite gneiss, enderbite and charnockite, we have deduced a medium-pressure granulite facies metamorphism(P between 4.9 and 6.8 kbar, T> 760-815℃) along a heating-cooling, counterclockwise P-T path between 1.09 and 1.01 Ga. When collated with published metamorphic and chronological constraints and geological settings of the adjoining crustal domains of the ADMB, these findings provide new insights into the developments of two tectonic domains of contrasting thermal gradients at ca. 1.0 Ga, consistent with metamorphic transformations in tectonically thickened middle-lower crustal sections during continental collision to continental subduction and in the root zones of spatially adjacent island arc, as part of the Rodinia supercontinent assembly event.
基金funded by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research(BMBF)through a grant to CL(project number:01LC1314B).
文摘Background:Organic carbon stored in forest soils(SOC)represents an important element of the global C cycle.It is thought that the C storage capacity of the stable pool can be enhanced by increasing forest productivity,but empirical evidence in support of this assumption from forests differing in tree species and productivity,while stocking on similar substrate,is scarce.Methods:We determined the stocks of SOC and macro-nutrients(nitrogen,phosphorus,calcium,potassium and magnesium)in nine paired European beech/Scots pine stands on similar Pleistocene sandy substrates across a precipitation gradient(560–820mm∙yr−1)in northern Germany and explored the influence of tree species,forest history,climate,and soil pH on SOC and nutrient pools.Results:While the organic layer stored on average about 80%more C under pine than beech,the pools of SOC and total N in the total profile(organic layer plus mineral soil measured to 60 cm and extrapolated to 100 cm)were greater under pine by about 40%and 20%,respectively.This contrasts with a higher annual production of foliar litter and a much higher fine root biomass in beech stands,indicating that soil C sequestration is unrelated to the production of leaf litter and fine roots in these stands on Pleistocene sandy soils.The pools of available P and basic cations tended to be higher under beech.Neither precipitation nor temperature influenced the SOC pool,whereas tree species was a key driver.An extended data set(which included additional pine stands established more recently on former agricultural soil)revealed that,besides tree species identity,forest continuity is an important factor determining the SOC and nutrient pools of these stands.Conclusion:We conclude that tree species identity can exert a considerable influence on the stocks of SOC and macronutrients,which may be unrelated to productivity but closely linked to species-specific forest management histories,thus masking weaker climate and soil chemistry effects on pool sizes.
基金supported by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, No. 15514 & 44008
文摘As the major division of the basal ganglia, neostriatum forms mutual connections with multiple brain areas and is critically involved in motor control and learning/memory. Long-term synaptic plasticity has been widely studied in different species recently. However, there are rare reports about the short-term synaptic plasticity in neostratium. In the present study, using field excitatory postsynaptic potentials recording, we reported one form of short-term synaptic plasticity that is paired pulse depression in juvenile rat dorsal striatum slices induced by stimuli of the white matter. The field excitatory postsynaptic potentials could be abolished by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylizoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, but not by gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor antagonist bicuculline or dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SKF-81297. The paired pulse depression in the corticostratial pathway was different from paired pulse facilitation in the hippocampal CA1 synapse. In addition, the paired pulse depression was not affected by bath application of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor antagonist or dopamine D1 receptor antagonist. However, low calcium and high magnesium could attenuate the paired pulse depression. These findings suggest a more complicated plasticity form in the dorsal striatum of juvenile rats that is different from that in the hippocampus, which is related with extracellular calcium.
文摘This paper discusses cross-border cooperation at the level of urban socio-economic systems. Worldwide, cross-border urban cooperation has in several cases produced socio-economic and political coherence supported by various joint programs and efforts. However, the degree of coherence varies and seldom cre-ates socio-economically and politically tightly integrated "Twin-Cities" where the state border becomes highly transparent or ob-scure. Focusing on Finlan d and China, our aim is to identify whether the selected border towns represent coherent TwinCities or a more loose type of "paired border towns". The study uses an empirical examination of three Finnish towns (Helsinki, Tornio, Imatra) and their neighboring towns in Estonia, Sweden, and Rus-sia as a benchmark. Then, a comparative study is made regarding three Chinese cross-border cities facing Russia, Vietnam and Ka-zakhstan. We highlight the differences in cross-border integration from the viewpoint of shared public sector programs, cross-border enterprise relocation and networking, and integrated social sector in terms of labor market, education and shopping area.
基金a grant from National Natu-ral Sciences Foundation of China (No. 30571755)
文摘The expression of paired immunoglobin-like receptors A (PIR-A) and B (PIR-B) and their relationship with tolerogenic dendritic cells (T-DC) in mice were investigated. The mouse DCs line, DC2.4 cells were cultured with the recombinant murine interleukin-10 (IL-10) and recombinant human transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) respectively to develop the T-DC and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 48 h to induce the mature dendritic cells (LPS-DC). Special small interfering RNAs (siRNA) molecule for PIR-B was chemically synthesized and transfected into DC2.4 cells (Si-DC) by lip2000. The expression of PIRs on DC2.4 cells were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), flow cytometry (FCM) and Western blot. Realtime reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (Realtime-PCR) was ap- plied for measurement of PIR-A and CD80, CD86, MHC-Ⅱ mRNA expression. The allogeneic stimulating capacity of DCs was measured by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) using 3H-thymidine incorporation test. The concentration of IFN-γ in supernatants of MLR from distinct groups was ana- lyzed by ELISA. The results showed that PIR positive rate was (28.65±8.12)% examined by FCM on DC2.4 cells. PIR positive rate was increased dramatically to (54.21±6.34)%, (58.78±4.70)%, (48.24±6.75)% respectively for IL-10, TGF-β1 and LPS induction (P<0.01), but there was no sig- nificantly different among the three groups (P>0.01). The semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot revealed that IL-10 and TGF-β1 induced the higher PIR-B level and lower PIR-A level. On the contrary, the LPS down-regulated the PIR-B expression and up-regulated the PIR-A expression. Realtime PCR examination demonstrated that PIR-A and co-stimulating molecules such as CD80, CD86 and MHC-Ⅱ were increased significantly after stimulation with LPS. Compared with the DC2.4 cells and the LPS-DC, the T-DCs inhibited alloactived T cell proliferation and down-regulated the IFN-γ secretion in MLR supernatant. Si-DC promoted the T cell proliferation (P<0.01) and en- hanced the IFN-γ secretion (P<0.01). It was concluded that up-regulating the PIR-B and down-regulating the PIR-A expression were the general feature of phenotype and constructed the new targets for dendritic cells to acquire immune tolerance in mice. Overexpression of PIR-B can inhibit the up-regulation of the PIR-A, CD80, CD86 and MHC-Ⅱ expression, which might be the molecular mechanism for the T-DC.