[en] Activated inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB kinase β (IKKβ) is necessary and sufficient for denervated skeletal muscle atrophy. Although several studies have shown that Mg"2"+/Mn"2"+-dependent protein phosphatase 1B (PPM1B) inactivated IKKβ, few studies have investigated the role of PPM1B in denervated skeletal muscle. In this study, we aim to explore the expression and significance of PPM1B and phosphorylated IKKβ (P-IKKβ) during atrophy of the denervated gastrocnemius. Thirty young adult female Wistar rats were subjected to right sciatic nerve transection and were sacrificed at 0 (control), 2, 7, 14, and 28 days after denervation surgery. The gastrocnemius was removed from both the denervated and the contralateral limb. The muscle wet weight ratio was calculated as the ratio of the wet weight of the denervated gastrocnemius to that of the contralateral gastrocnemius. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that mRNA and protein levels of PPM1B were significantly lower than those of the control group at different times after the initiation of denervation, while P-IKKβ showed the opposite trends. PPM1B protein expression persistently decreased while P-IKKβ expression persistently increased for 28 days after denervation. PPM1B expression correlated negatively with P-IKKβ expression by the Spearman test, whereas decreasing PPM1B expression correlated positively with the muscle wet weight ratio. The expression levels of PPM1B and P-IKKβ were closely associated with atrophy in skeletal denervated muscle. These results suggest that PPM1B and P-IKKβ could be markers in skeletal muscle atrophy

[en] Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation of hepatic region close (0.5 cm) to the gallbladder. Methods: Three New Zealand white rabbits were used for this study. The IRE probes, which were placed in the hepatic tissue, were 0.5 cm apart from the gallbladder, and IRE ablation was performed. Seven days after the treatment the pathological changes of the hepatic ablated zones and gallbladders were examined. Results: Successful IRE ablation was accomplished in all 3 rabbits. Seven days after the treatment the experimental rabbits were sacrificed, and their livers and gallbladders were collected and sent for pathological examination. Macroscopically, the hepatic surface of the ablated area showed a yellow necrotic lesion, which was (3.00 ± 0.50) cm in size. At the diaphragmatic surface of the liver a round yellow lesion was seen with a size about (1.67 ± 1.15) cm. Slight superficial adhesion could be seen at the ablated areas and abdominal wall (n = 2), hepatic lobe (n = 1) and diaphragm (n = 1). Serious adhesion of mesentery with the ablated gallbladder was seen in two rabbits. Microscopically, massive necrosis or disappearance of the hepatic tissue together with a little residual hepatic coagulation necrosis and speckled calcifications at the peripheral region could be detected. Inflammatory granulation and prominent proliferation of the tiny biliary ducts were also observed. The damage of the vascular smooth muscle in the portal vein was not obvious. Small area of fibrinoid degeneration was seen in the muscular layer. Mucosal epithelial necrosis of the gallbladder and connective tissue edema outside the gallbladder could also be observed. Conclusion: Complete necrosis of the hepatic tissue at the ablated area can be achieved by IRE ablation. The ablated zone has a clear demarcation with the surrounding tissue. No gallbladder leakage occurs although the gallbladder is damaged. Therefore, for the hepatic tumors, which are located close to the gallbladder, irreversible electroporation ablation may be regarded as a relatively safe and effective treatment. (authors)

[en] The crystal structure and magnetic properties of Er₂Fe_17-xSi_x and Er₂Fe_17-xSi_xC compounds were investigated. The results of the powder X-ray diffraction indicate that the Er₂Fe_17-xSi_x compounds crystallize in the hexagonal Th₂Ni₁₇-type structure and the Er₂Fe_17-xSi_xC compounds exhibit two phases of the hexagonal Th₂Ni₁₇-type structure and the rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure. The addition of Si results in a decrease in the lattice constants and the unit-cell volumes. The Curie temperature T_C of the Er₂Fe_17-xSi_x, compounds is found to increase from 327 K for x=0 to 485 K for x=2.5 and then to decrease slightly with increasing x, whereas the T_C of their carbides Er₂Fe_17-xSi_xC undergoes a small enhancement with increasing Si concentration. An approximately linear decrease in the saturation magnetization with increasing x is observed when the non-magnetic Si atom is substituted for Fe. Spin reorientation transitions are observed in Er₂Fe_17-xSi_x, and Er₂Fe_17-xSi_xC. Substitution of Si for Fe in Er₂Fe₁₇ leads to an increase in the uniaxial anisotropy of the Er sublattice; therefore, the spin reorientation temperature T_sr, increases with increasing Si concentration. The introduction of carbon has a marked effect on shifting the T_sr, towards higher temperatures. (author)

[en] The structure and magnetic properties of R₂Fe_17-xAl_x compounds with R=Sm and with R=Tb were studied. The compounds have a rhombohedral Th_sZn₁₇-type structure. The Curie temperature T_C is found first to increase and then to decrease with increasing x. The substitution of Al has a significant effect on the magnetic anisotropy of R₂Fe_17-xAl_x compounds. A small amount of Al substitution in Sm₂Fe₁₇ induces uniaxial anisotropy and a further substitution results in a change in the easy-magnetization direction from c axis to basal plane, whereas an opposite change in the magnetocrystalline anisotropy has been observed in the alloys of Tb₂Fe_17-xAl_x. The samples of Tb₂Fe_17-xAl_x with x≥6 exhibit an easy c axis anisotropy. (author)

[en] A phosphorus-nitrogen flame retardant curing agent diethyl phosphonic p-Phenylenediamine diamide (DEPPPD) was synthesized. The chemical structure of the obtained compound was identified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹HNMR), and mass spectroscopies. A series of t hermosetting systems were prepared by conventional epoxy resins (E-44) and DEPPPD. The effects of DEPPPD on flame retardancy, thermal degradation behavior, mechanical properties and the morphologies of char residues of EP/DEPPPD thermosets were investigated. The results demonstrated that when the phosphorus content of 2.88 wt%, EP-3 successfully passed UL-94 V-0 flammability rating, the LOI value was as high as 31.1%, the impact strength and tensile strength of it was 6.50 KJ m⁻² and 48.21 MPa, the adhesive strength could reach 14.61 MPa, respectively. The TGA results indicated that the introduction of DEPPPD promoted EP matrix decomposed at a lower temperature, the rate of the thermal decomposition also decreased compared with EP-0. The residual char ratio of 800 °C was increased whether in nitrogen or in the air. The morphological structures of char residue were more compact and homogeneous which could prevent the heat transmission and diffusion, limit the production of combustible gases and reduced the heat release rate. (paper)

[en] For the Raman interaction between an atom and a two-mode cavity field prepared in the state |01> or |10>, the atom and the field can be disentangled periodically. Such a property of Raman atom-field interaction allows the full entanglement transfer among many atoms and bimodal cavities. In the calculations, each atom is assumed to interact with its own cavity at a different time and so non-identical atoms can be treated conveniently. Entanglement sudden death is discussed too. Though atom-field interaction greatly changes the values of the concurrence for two atoms, configuration of the concurrence is almost not affected. When there is entanglement sudden death, atoms and cavities can still be entangled with one another. However, full entanglement transfer cannot be achieved for such systems with Raman atom-field interaction. (classical areas of phenomenology)

[en] The effect of the substitution of Co for Fe on the formation, structure and magnetic properties of Sm₂Fe₁₆GaC_y compounds were studied. Compounds with composition Sm₂(Fe_1-xCo_x)₁₆GaC (x=0-0.3) and Sm₂(Fe_0.8Co_0.2)₁₆GaC_y (y=0-2.0) were prepared by arc melting. X-ray diffraction shows that these carbides are almost single phase with the rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure. The unit cell volume (v) decreases monotonically with increasing Co concentration (x). The Curie temperature (T_c) increases with x from 592 K for x=0 to 816 K for x=0.3. The room-temperature saturation magnetization and the anisotropy field are 126.4 emu g^-1 and 117 kOe respectively when the Co concentration x reaches 0.3. Addition of carbon results in the decrease of saturation magnetization and has a small effect on the Curie temperature and anisotropy field. (orig.)

[en] The structure and magnetic properties of arc-melted Dy₂Co_17-xGa_x compounds were studied. These compounds have the hexagonal Th₂Ni₁₇-type structure for 0≤x≤3 and the rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure for 3≤x≤6. The unit cell volume shows an approximately linear increase at a rate of about 7.7 A³ per Ga atom. The Curie temperature was found to decrease with increasing Ga concentration. The saturation magnetization decreases linearly with increasing Ga content from 7.0 μ_B f.u.^-1 for x=0 to -7.9 μ_B f.u.^-1 for x=6. The exchange coupling constants J_DyCo and J_CoCo have been derived by analyzing both the field dependence and the temperature dependence of the magnetization. An approximately constant value of J_DyCo indicates that the substitution of Ga for Co has only a small influence on the exchange coupling between the Dy and Co atoms. The effect of Ga substitution on J_CoCo is strong, leading to a linear decrease of T_C in the Dy₂Co_17-xGa_x compounds. (orig.)

[en] Seeking high activity non-noble-metal electrocatalysts is essential to develop high performance hydrazine fuel cells. In this study, an electrocatalyst of phosphorus doped nickel-cobalt alloy is fabricated for hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR). A series of physical and electrochemistry results show that, among as-prepared four electrocatalysts, the NiCoP/C has the lowest Tafel slope, the highest current density, the longest durability and relative low apparent activation energy for HzOR. Moreover, the influences of KOH and N₂H₄ concentrations, scanning speeds as well as the temperatures as to NiCoP/C electrocatalyst towards HzOR are also investigated. Besides, electrochemical impedance test exhibits as-obtained NiCoP/C owes good charge transfer kinetics. This work would stimulate more study to explore P doped non-noble metal electrocatalyst in the future.

[en] Suspen-dome structures are extensively used due to their superiority over traditional structures. The friction between cable and joints may severely influence the distribution of cable force, especially during the pre-stressing construction period. An accurate and efficient numerical method has not yet been developed that can be used for estimating the influence of friction on cable force distribution. Thus, this study proposes an efficient friction element to simulate friction between cable and joint. A flowchart for estimating the value of friction force is introduced. These novel numerical methods were adopted to estimate the influence of friction on cable force distribution. The accuracy and efficiency of these numerical methods were validated through numerical tests.