An extrasolar planetary system with three Neptune-mass planets

Over the past two years, the search for low-mass extrasolar planets has led to the detection of seven so-called 'hot Neptunes' or 'super-Earths' around Sun-like stars. These planets have masses 5-20 times larger than the Earth and are mainly found on close-in orbits with periods of 2-15 days. Here we report a system of three Neptune-mass planets with periods of 8.67, 31.6 and 197 days, orbiting the nearby star HD 69830. This star was already known to show an infrared excess possibly caused by an asteroid belt within 1 au (the Sun-Earth distance). Simulations show that the system is in a dynamically stable configuration. Theoretical calculations favour a mainly rocky composition for both inner planets, while the outer planet probably has a significant gaseous envelope surrounding its rocky/icy core; the outer planet orbits within the habitable zone of this star.     

Subsolidus phase relations in the system MgO-ZnO-SiO2 at high pressure

The subsolidus phase relations were determined experimentally in the system MgO-ZnO-SiO2 at 1.0 GPa and 1 200℃, by use of the high-pressure apparatus "piston-cylinder". The results showed characteristics of the phases assemblage different from that in similar ternary systems. It is impossible to form complete Mg2SiO4-Zn2SiO4 olivine and Mg2Si2O6-Zn2Si2O6 pyroxene solid solution. This is controlled by the properties of Zn2+ with an outer layer of electron (Ar)3d10, different from others transition metal ions, like Fe2+ , Ni2+ , Co2+ .     

Mrf4 determines skeletal muscle identity in Myf5:Myod double-mutant mice

In vertebrates, skeletal muscle is a model for the acquisition of cell fate from stem cells. Two determination factors of the basic helix-loop-helix myogenic regulatory factor (MRF) family, Myf5 and Myod, are thought to direct this transition because double-mutant mice totally lack skeletal muscle fibres and myoblasts. In the absence of these factors, progenitor cells remain multipotent and can change their fate. Gene targeting studies have revealed hierarchical relationships between these and the other MRF genes, Mrf4 and myogenin, where the latter are regarded as differentiation genes. Here we show, using an allelic series of three Myf5 mutants that differentially affect the expression of the genetically linked Mrf4 gene, that skeletal muscle is present in the new Myf5:Myod double-null mice only when Mrf4 expression is not compromised. This finding contradicts the widely held view that myogenic identity is conferred solely by Myf5 and Myod, and identifies Mrf4 as a determination gene. We revise the epistatic relationship of the MRFs, in which both Myf5 and Mrf4 act upstream of Myod to direct embryonic multipotent cells into the myogenic lineage.     

Deficiency in short-chain fatty acid beta-oxidation affects theta oscillations during sleep

In rodents, the electroencephalogram (EEG) during paradoxical sleep and exploratory behavior is characterized by theta oscillations. Here we show that a deficiency in short-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (encoded by Acads) in mice causes a marked slowing in theta frequency during paradoxical sleep only. We found Acads expression in brain regions involved in theta generation, notably the hippocampus. Microarray analysis of gene expression in mice with mutations in Acads indicates overexpression of Glo1 (encoding glyoxylase 1), a gene involved in the detoxification of metabolic by-products. Administration of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) to mutant mice significantly recovers slow theta and Glo1 overexpression. Thus, an underappreciated metabolic pathway involving fatty acid beta-oxidation also regulates theta oscillations during sleep.     

Sintering study of Ti6Al4V powders with different particle sizes and their mechanical properties

Ti6Al4V powders with three different particle size distributions (0-20, 20-45, and 45-75 μm) were used to evaluate the effect of the particle size distribution on the solid-state sintering and their mechanical properties. The sintering kinetics was determined by dilatometry at temperatures from 900 to 1260℃. The mechanical properties of the sintered samples were evaluated by microhardness and compression tests. The sintering kinetics indicated that the predominant mechanism depends on the relative density irrespective of the particle size used. The mechanical properties of the sintered samples are adversely affected by increasing pore volume fraction. The elastic Young's modulus and yield stress follow a power law function of the relative density. The fracture behavior after compression is linked to the neck size developed during sintering, exhibiting two different mechanisms of failure:interparticle neck breaking and intergranular cracking in samples with relative densities below and above of 90%, respectively. The main conclusion is that relative density is responsible for the kinetics, mechanical properties, and failure behavior of Ti6Al4V powders.     

Mutations in RNF135, a gene within the NF1 microdeletion region, cause phenotypic abnormalities including overgrowth

17q11 microdeletions that encompass NF1 cause 5%-10% of cases of neurofibromatosis type 1, and individuals with microdeletions are typically taller than individuals with intragenic NF1 mutations, suggesting that deletion of a neighboring gene might promote human growth. We identified mutations in RNF135, which is within the NF1 microdeletion region, in six families characterized by overgrowth, learning disability, dysmorphic features and variable additional features. These data identify RNF135 as causative of a new overgrowth syndrome and demonstrate that RNF135 haploinsufficiency contributes to the phenotype of NF1 microdeletion cases.     

Effect of the synthesis route on the structural and dielectric properties of SrBi<Subscript>1.8</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> ceramics

This work is devoted to the synthesis and characterization of yttrium-doped SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ ceramics prepared by three methods: solid state reaction, co-precipitation, and hydrothermal. Multiple characterizations, specifically scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), were used to validate the structural feature. The crystallite size was estimated by Scherrer’s formula and the Williamson–Hall plot. The effect of the process on the band intensities of the FTIR spectra was investigated. The crystallite size and microstructure of ceramics prepared from different synthesis processes were strongly influenced by the sinterability. SEM images revealed nanograin ceramics for materials prepared by co-precipitation and hydrothermal methods and micrograin ceramics prepared by the solid state method. The synthesized compounds underwent phase transitions at 480–465°C. The dielectric and electrical properties of these Y-doped SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ ceramics appear to be dependent on the grain size.     

Mutations in LRP2, which encodes the multiligand receptor megalin, cause Donnai-Barrow and facio-oculo-acoustico-renal syndromes

Donnai-Barrow syndrome is associated with agenesis of the corpus callosum, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, facial dysmorphology, ocular anomalies, sensorineural hearing loss and developmental delay. By studying multiplex families, we mapped this disorder to chromosome 2q23.3-31.1 and identified LRP2 mutations in six families with Donnai-Barrow syndrome and one family with facio-oculo-acoustico-renal syndrome. LRP2 encodes megalin, a multiligand uptake receptor that regulates levels of diverse circulating compounds. This work implicates a pathway with potential pharmacological therapeutic targets.