Overdamped Phonon Diffusion and Nontrivial Electronic Structure Leading to a High Thermoelectric Figure of Merit in KCu5Se3.

Thermoelectric copper selenides are highly attractive owing to not only their constituent nontoxic, abundant elements but also their ultralow liquid-like lattice thermal conductivity (κlat). For the first time, the promising thermoelectric properties of the new KCu5Se3 are reported herein, showing a high power factor (PF = 9.0 µWcm-1 K-2) and an intrinsically ultralow κlat = 0.48 Wm-1 K-1. The doped K1-xBaxCu5Se3 (x = 0.03) realizes a figure-of-merit ZT = 1.3 at 950 K. The crystallographic structure of KCu5Se3 allows complex lattice dynamics that obey a rare dual-phonon transport model well describing a high scattering rate and an extremely short phonon lifetime that are attributed to interband phonon tunneling, confinement of the transverse acoustic branches, and temperature-dependent anharmonic renormalization, all of which generate an unprecedently high contribution of the diffusive phonons (70% at 300 K). The overall weak chemical bonding feature of KCu5Se3 gives K+ cations a quiescence behavior that further blocks the heat flux transfer. In addition, the valence band edge energy dispersion of KCu5Se3 is quasilinear that allows a large Seebeck coefficient even at high hole concentrations. These in-depth understandings of the ultralow lattice thermal conductivity provide new insights into the property-oriented design and synthesis of advanced complex chalcogenide materials.

Distribution patterns and source identification for heavy metals in Mirs Bay of Hong Kong in China.

Sediment quality caused by heavy metals was investigated in the Mirs Bay and Tolo Harbor, Hong Kong, China. Samples were collected in January and July, 2010. One-way analysis of variance showed that sediment quality variables (Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, V, Cu, Cr, Ba, Ni and As) were significantly different (p < 0.05) among the sampling areas, whereas the average concentration of V, Eh and Ba exhibited the significant seasonal variations (p < 0.05) between January and July. The spatial pattern of heavy metals (Pb, Zn and Cu) can probably be attributed to anthropogenic and tidal flushing influence in the harbor. Both geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) were used to identify the metal pollution level and its related source. Pb, Zn, and Cu are considered as "polluted metal" in Tolo Harbor. Cluster analysis (CA) identified three distinct clusters with the Tolo Habor and Shatou Jiao, the inner bay and the south part of the bay. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified the spatial patterns and their affected parameters in the studying area. Results showed metals distribution in Mirs Bay and its adjacent area is principally affected by human activities such as marineculture, dumping, located mostly in Tolo Harbor and Shatou Jiao, where was closely related with anthropogenic influence. While the monitoring stations including MS13-MS16 and MS8 locating in the south part of the studying area might be corresponded to natural influence.

Phytoplankton community, structure and succession delineated by partial least square regression in Daya Bay, South China Sea.

Daya Bay is facing the influence of human activities and nature changes, which result in phytoplankton adjusting to the changing environment. The data about environmental changes and phytoplankton were obtained from four seasonal cruises in 2013 in the bay. It is helpful to explore seasonal succession of phytoplankton driven by the determining environmental factors in this bay. Temperature is a significant indicator of season change. The limiting factor of phytoplankton growth totally changed from P (PO4-P) limiting during the southwest monsoon to Si (SiO3-Si) limiting during northeast monsoon. The order of diatoms and dinoflagellates was the dominant phytoplankton groups in Daya Bay. The dominant species included chain-forming diatoms (Skeletonema, Pseudo-nitzschia, Thalassionema, Chaetoceros and Rhizosolenia) were found all the year round and filamentous cyanobacteria (Trichodesmium) in spring and autumn. Partial least square regression (PLS) found that salinity, temperature and nutrients were important driving force for phytoplankton seasonal succession.

Synergy of Electron Transfer and Charge Transfer in the Control of Photodynamic Behavior of Coordination Polymers.

Photodynamic behavior controlled by the synergy of electron transfer and charge transfer has been characterized in two regioisomeric pyridinium-bearing coordination polymers (Cd-Bip and Cd-Bpy) with the help of a smart charge-distribution-related isoreticular strategy. Because it is relatively weak, the charge-transfer interaction between adjacent 2D networks in Cd-Bip can be easily perturbed by photoinduced electron transfer under irradiation with 365 nm light, and then successfully drives the occurrence of photodynamic behavior. In contrast, lower energy 450 nm light is absorbed to a lesser extent, and can only induce a low degree of electron transfer, which is insufficient to actuate operation of this photodynamic behavior in Cd-Bip.

Comparative genomics reveal shared genomic changes in syngnathid fishes and signatures of genetic convergence with placental mammals.

Syngnathids (seahorses, pipefishes and seadragons) exhibit an array of morphological innovations including loss of pelvic fins, a toothless tubular mouth and male pregnancy. They comprise two subfamilies: Syngnathinae and Nerophinae. Genomes of three Syngnathinae members have been analyzed previously. In this study, we have sequenced the genome of a Nerophinae member, the Manado pipefish (Microphis manadensis), which has a semi-enclosed brood pouch. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the molecular evolutionary rate of the four syngnathids is higher than that of other teleosts. The loss of all but one P/Q-rich SCPP gene in the syngnathids suggests a role for the lost genes in dentin and enameloid formation in teleosts. Genome-wide comparison identified a set of 118 genes with parallel identical amino acid substitutions in syngnathids and placental mammals. Association of some of these genes with placental and embryonic development in mammals suggests a role for them in syngnathid pregnancy.

[Effects of piperazine ferulate on connective tissue growth factor and extracellular matrix in TGF-beta1 induced mesangial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of piperazine ferulate (PF) on synthesis of extracellular matrix and expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-beta1) induced rat glomerular mesangial cells (GMC), and to investigate its mechanism on the prevention of glomerulosclerosis. METHODS: Rat HBZY-1 GMCs were cultured in vitro and divided into 5 groups: Normal control group, TGF-beta1-stimulated group, TGF-beta1 plus 50, 100, 200 ng/mL PF group. The level of CTGF protein expression induced by TGF-beta1 was measured by immunocytochemistry, The mRNA expression of CTGF was evaluated by quantitative real time fluroscent polymerase chain reaction. The expressions of fibronectin and collagen I were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: With the stimulation of TGF-beta1, the expression of of CTGF protein and mRNA, as well as fibronectin and collagen I were markly increased (P < 0.05), which then were decreased by the treatment of PF. (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PF can partly inhibit synthesis of the extracellular matrix and CTGF. PF may take part in the prevention of glomerulosclerosis through the inhibition of CTGF expression.

[Effect of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation on Recurrent Refractory B Cell NHL and Its Factors Influencing Prognosis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of patients with recurrent refractory B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and the related factors affecting the prognosis. METHODS: The clinical data of 47 cases of recurrent refractory B cell NHL treated in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Survival curves were drawn by Kaplan-Meier, and survival analyses were performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze the prognostic factors. RESULTS: The complete remission rate was 51.06% before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but it increased to 65.96% after transplantation. The median survival time was 21 months, the 3 years progression-free survival rate was 40.43%, and the 3 years overall survival rate was 48.94%. The results of unvariate analysis showed that no using the rituximab in the first treatment and incomplete remission shown by PET/CT before transplantation all were the risk factors (P<0.05) affecting the prognosis. By multifactor analysis, it was found that the incomplete remission shown by PET/CT before transplantation was a risk factor for the prognosis(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with relapsed and refractory B cell NHL can improve the clinical efficacy, and the incomplete remission shown by PET/CT before transplantation is more adverse to the patients' prognosis.

Evolution of the sink and source of dissolved inorganic nitrogen with salinity as a tracer during summer in the Pearl River Estuary.

In this study, we evaluated the sink and source of the surface water along the PRE using a mixing model method with salinity as tracer. The observational data showed that the decreasing of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) did not closely follow the physical mixing lines of freshwater and modified seawater. In the western part, DIN consumption by phytoplankton and bacteria uptake (ΔDIN)varied from 15.81 µmol L-1 to 88.53 µmol L-1. On the contrary, in the eastern part, ΔDIN varied from -63.66 µmol L-1 to -10.45 µmol L-1. DIN source in the eastern part may be mainly caused by organic matter decomposition, while DIN remove is strongly associated with phytoplankton growth and bacteria consumption. These differential behaviors of the estuary with respect to DIN are largely due to varying degrees of hydrodynamics due to different topography in the two areas. Sensitivity analysis indicated reduction strategies of DIN inputs to coastal waters may improve environment quality in the PRE, due to DIN changes in the freshwater end-member having a determined influence on biological activities (R). Our results indicate that the model may be a valuable way to address the sources and sink of DIN in the river-dominated estuaries.

Identification of coastal water quality by statistical analysis methods in Daya Bay, South China Sea.

In this paper, cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA) and the fuzzy logic approach were employed to evaluate the trophic status of water quality for 12 monitoring stations in Daya Bay in 2003. CA grouped the four seasons into four groups (winter, spring, summer and autumn) and the sampling sites into two groups (cluster DA: S1, S2, S4-S7, S9 and S12 and cluster DB: S3, S8, S10 and S11). PCA identified the temporal and spatial characteristics of trophic status in Daya Bay. Cluster DB, with higher concentrations of TP and DIN, is located in the western and northern parts of Daya Bay. Cluster DA, with the low Secchi, is located in the southern and eastern parts of Daya Bay. The fuzzy logic approach revealed more information about the temporal and spatial patterns of the trophic status of water quality. Chlorophyll a, TP and Secchi may be major factors for deteriorating water quality.

[Anatomic analysis of Wenchuan earthquake injuries with otorhinolaryngology symptoms].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the injuries after the earthquake with otorhinolaryngology symptoms and the characteristics of with injuries and to provide some information when dealing with similar disasters in the future. METHODS: The basic information of earthquake-related injuries with otorhinolaryngology symptoms was collected in 11 large and medium-sized hospitals (including foreign medical teams) in Mianyang City and the surrounding four hard-hit counties. Their characteristics were analyzed together. RESULTS: There were 289 patients that have otorhinolaryngology symptoms in the 11 included hospitals, among them there were 217 cases have definite records that could be analyzed. The data showed that damage to ear and head and neck injuries as the main symptoms was large proportion of injuries suffer multiple fractures and soft tissue injuries such as skin abrasions . Nose injury and facial fractures were also common. Orbital fracture and eye damage could be combined occurred. Brain injury and skull fractures often occurred while trachea and throat injury was rare happened. CONCLUSIONS: Different disaster cause different damage. After the establishment of disaster-related injuries in professional spectrum more active and effective could be behaved in life rescue and the arrangement of personnel and material when dealing with similar situations.

Comparative structural analysis of the Erbin PDZ domain and the first PDZ domain of ZO-1. Insights into determinants of PDZ domain specificity.

We report a structural comparison of the first PDZ domain of ZO-1 (ZO1-PDZ1) and the PDZ domain of Erbin (Erbin-PDZ). Although the binding profile of Erbin-PDZ is extremely specific ([D/E][T/S]WV(COOH)), that of ZO1-PDZ1 is similar ([R/K/S/T][T/S][W/Y][V/I/L](COOH)) but broadened by increased promiscuity for three of the last four ligand residues. Consequently, the biological function of ZO-1 is also broadened, as it interacts with both tight and adherens junction proteins, whereas Erbin is restricted to adherens junctions. Structural analyses reveal that the differences in specificity can be accounted for by two key differences in primary sequence. A reduction in the size of the hydrophobic residue at the base of the site(0) pocket enables ZO1-PDZ1 to accommodate larger C-terminal residues. A single additional difference alters the specificity of both site(-1) and site(-3). In ZO1-PDZ1, an Asp residue makes favorable interactions with both Tyr(-1) and Lys/Arg(-3). In contrast, Erbin-PDZ contains an Arg at the equivalent position, and this side chain cannot accommodate either Tyr(-1) or Lys/Arg(-3) but, instead, interacts favorably with Glu/Asp(-3). We propose a model for ligand recognition that accounts for interactions extending across the entire binding site but that highlights several key specificity switches within the PDZ domain fold.

Origins of PDZ domain ligand specificity. Structure determination and mutagenesis of the Erbin PDZ domain.

The LAP (leucine-rich repeat and PDZ-containing) family of proteins play a role in maintaining epithelial and neuronal cell size, and mutation of these proteins can have oncogenic consequences. The LAP protein Erbin has been implicated previously in a number of cellular activities by virtue of its PDZ domain-dependent association with the C termini of both ERB-B2 and the p120-catenins. The present work describes the NMR structure of Erbin PDZ in complex with a high affinity peptide ligand and includes a comprehensive energetic analysis of both the ligand and PDZ domain side chains responsible for binding. C-terminal phage display has been used to identify preferred ligands, whereas binding affinity measurements provide precise details of the energetic importance of each ligand side chain to binding. Alanine and homolog scanning mutagenesis (in a combinatorial phage display format) identifies Erbin side chains that make energetically important contacts with the ligand. The structure of a phage-optimized peptide (Ac-TGW(-4)ETW(-1)V; IC(50) = approximately 0.15 microm) in complex with Erbin PDZ provides a structural context to understand the binding energetics. In particular, the very favorable interactions with Trp(-1) are not Erbin side chain-mediated (and therefore may be generally applicable to many PDZ domains), whereas the beta2-beta3 loop provides a binding site for the Trp(-4) side chain (specific to Erbin because it has an unusually long loop). These results contribute to a growing appreciation for the importance of at least five ligand C-terminal side chains in determining PDZ domain binding energy and highlight the mechanisms of ligand discrimination among the several hundred PDZ domains present in the human genome.