Step-adaptive accelerated demodulation algorithm for LFM-pulse-based distributed acoustic sensing.

We propose a novel, to our knowledge, step-adaptive cross-correlation algorithm tailored for distributed acoustic sensing systems based on linear frequency modulation pulses, aiming for rapid demodulation. This algorithm adjusts its step length through an adaptive "successive refinement" search strategy, which greatly improves computational efficiency by reducing the number of cross-correlation computations. Experimental results have shown that the demodulation time can be reduced by approximately 15 times compared to the conventional method, while maintaining the same demodulation result.

Endometrial TGF-ß, IL-10, IL-17 and autophagy are dysregulated in women with recurrent implantation failure with chronic endometritis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic endometritis (CE) is a condition which results in reduced receptivity of embryos by dysregulated lymphocyte subsets, abnormal expression of cytokines, chemokines and other regulatory molecules in the endometrium (EM). Macroautophagy (autophagy), the highly conserved cellular homeostasis pathway, plays an essential role in the development and function of T lymphocytes, and supports T cell lineage stability and survival fitness. The possible relationships between autophagy and local cytokine milieus in repeated implantation failure (RIF) with CE have not been elucidated yet. METHODS: This case-control study was performed at a large reproductive medicine center between February 2015 and July 2016. Seventy-five recurrent implantation falliure women with CE who had "strawberry aspect" and 75 women with male factor infertility were included. In this study, endometrial expressions of IL-17, IL-10, TGF-ß and autophagy related molecules, including LC3-II and mTORC1 were investigated by qRT-PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays. RESULTS: The expression of IL-17 was significantly higher in patients with CE compared to women with male factor infertility, while the expressions of IL-10 and TGF-ß were significantly lower. Moreover, the expression of autophagy (LC3-II) is increased, while the expression of mTORC1 was impaired. CONCLUSIONS: CE is associated with shifted cytokine milieu towards Th17 over Treg immunity in endometrium through impaired autophagy by decreased mTORC1.

Glass forming phase diagram and local structure of Kob-Andersen binary Lennard-Jones nanoparticles.

Molecular dynamics simulation is used to study glass formation in Kob-Andersen binary Lennard-Jones nanoparticles and determine the glass forming phase diagram for the system as a function of composition. The radial distribution function, a Steinhardt bond-orientational order parameter, and favored local structure analysis are used to distinguish between glassy and ordered systems. We find that surface enrichment of the large atoms alters the nanoparticle core composition, leading to an overall shift of the glass forming region to lower small atom mole fractions, relative to the bulk system. At small atom mole fraction, xB = 0.1, the nanoparticles form a solid with an amorphous core, enriched with the small atoms, surrounded by a partially ordered surface region, enriched with the large atom component. The most disordered glass nanoparticles occur at xB ≈ 0.3, but the surface-core enrichment leads to the crystallization of the nanoparticle to the CsCl crystal above xB ≈ 0.35, which is lower than observed in the bulk. The glass transition temperatures of the nanoparticles are also significantly reduced. This allows the liquid to remain dynamic to low temperatures and sample the low energy inherent structure minima on the potential energy surface containing a high abundance of favoured local structures.

Sesquiterpenoids and lignans from the roots of Valeriana officinalis L.

Two new guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids, valerol A (1) and kessyl 3-acetate (2), together with nine known compounds, valeracetate (3), anismol A (4), orientalol C (5), spatulenol (6), 4α,10α-epoxyaromadendrane (7), (+)-8-hydroxypinoresinol (8), pinorespiol (9), pinoresinol 4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (10), and 8-hydroxypinoresinol 4'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (11) were isolated from the roots of Valeriana officinalis. The structures and relative configurations of 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods (1D- and 2D-NMR, MS, UV, and IR). These compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and enhancing activity on nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.

Iridoids and sesquiterpenoids from the roots of Valeriana officinalis.

Two new iridoids, volvaltrates A and B (1 and 2), and three new sesquiterpenoids, E-(-)-3beta,4beta-epoxyvalerenal (3), E-(-)-3beta,4beta-epoxyvalerenyl acetate (4), and mononorvalerenone (5), together with five known iridoids and two known sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the roots of Valeriana officinalis. The structures and relative configurations of 1-5 were elucidated by spectroscopic evidence. Compound 1 was an unusual iridoid with an oxygen bridge connecting C-3 and C-10, forming a cage-like structure, and compound 5 was a mononorsesquiterpenoid.

[Analysis of picric acid and picramic acid in water samples by ultra performance hydrophilic interaction chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

An ultra performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/ MS) method was developed for the determination of picric acid and its reductive transformation product picramic acid in aqueous samples. A hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) column (Acquity UPLC BEH HILIC; 100 mm x 2.1 mm, 1.7 microm) was used for the separation. Surface water samples could be injected into the UPLC system just after being filtered through a 0.2 microm membrane. The satisfactory recoveries of picric acid and picramic acid were in the range of 89% - 107%. Waste water samples were purified by solid phase extraction (SPE), and then were analyzed. The recoveries of picric acid and picramic acid in waste water were 72%-101%. The reproducibility of the method was good with the RSDs of 4.9% - 14.7%. The limits of detection (LODs) of picric acid and picramic acid were 0.1 microg/L and 0.3 microg/L, respectively. This proposed method is rapid, highly specific and suitable for the confirmation and quantitative determination of picric acid and picramic acid in surface water and waste water.