Association of cystatin C level and cardiovascular prognosis for patients with preexisting coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis

The association of circulating levels of cystatin C (CysC) and risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with preexisting coronary heart disease are uncertain. To qualitatively and quantitatively address this issue, we performed a random meta-analysis of results from prospective studies on the topic. We searched electronic and printed sources (up to 16 October 2011) using keywords and retrieved articles for seven prospective studies according to the selection criteria. Data were abstracted and meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model (RevMan 5.0.23 software). The cohorts involved 4,576 patients with preexisting coronary heart disease (CHD) and normal or mild chronic kidney disease, and follow-up ranged from 5.6 to 40.6 months. Highest versus lowest baseline CysC level was significantly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events (OR 2.30, 95 % CI 1.80–2.94), all-cause mortality (OR 5.69, 95 % CI 3.70–8.74), but not with recurrent MI (OR 1.75, 95 % CI 0.77–4.00). In heterogeneity testing for studies reporting cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, no significant heterogeneity was found, and exclusion of any single study did not alter the overall finding. For risk of recurrent MI, significant heterogeneity was found among the five trials (χ ² = 13.16, P = 0.01, I ² = 70 %) and exclusion of the Taglieri et al. [12] study from the analysis resulted in a rise in relative risk (OR 2.36, 95 % CI 1.09–5.15). In conclusion, for patients with established CHD, high baseline level of CysC is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause death during long-term follow-up.     

Using quantile regression to analyze the stressor–response relationships between nutrient levels and algal biomass in three shallow lakes of the Lake Taihu Basin,China

Understanding the stressor–response relationship between nutrient levels and algal biomass is a prerequisite for the management of eutrophication in lakes. In this study, a quantile regression(QR) approach was used to interpret the stressor–response relationships between nutrient(e.g., phosphorus, nitrogen) concentrations and algal biomass as measured by chlorophyll-a(Chl-a) levels. QR results indicated that Lake Dianshan and Lake Changdang,which are both heavily eutrophicated, were P-limited only.In contrast, Lake Kuilei, which has significantly lower nutrient levels and algal biomass than the other two lakes,was P- and N-limited. Moreover, in Lake Kuilei, N and P levels had significant interaction effects on the algal biomass at the upper quantiles(s [ 0.68). The degree to which the lakes were P-limited increased with rises in the mean total P concentration in the lakes. QR has many advantages over ordinary least squares regression for discriminating limiting factors and, in particular, allows us to estimate changes near the upper extremes of distributions associated with limiting factors. QR is adapted to more specialized risk management problems, such as early warnings of the risk of algal blooms.The probable value-at-risk of harmful algal blooms for Lake Kuilei, Lake Dianshan and Lake Changdang is s = 0.76(Chl-a = 9 mg/m3), s = 0.87(Chl-a = 24 mg/m3) and s = 0.72(Chl-a = 35 mg/m3), respectively. Given the results of the stressor–response relationship analysis, we conclude that reductions in P input represent the most feasible and least costly approach for managing eutrophication in the shallow lakes of the Lake Taihu Basin. To control the magnitude and duration of algal blooms in shallow lakes,reductions in P and N inputs are required. The 95 % CI bounds of slopes indicated that the interactions of nonnutrient factors with nutrients had strong impacts on the algal biomass in lightly eutrophicated Lake Kuilei. It is suggested that, in addition to reductions in nutrient loads,several ecological measures, such as an increase in the biomass of submerged macrophytes and the reduction of hydraulic retention time by flushing, could represent important components of an integrated approach to eutrophication management in the Lake Taihu Basin.     

Distribution,ecology, and oxygen and carbon isotope characteristics of modern planktonic foraminifers in the Makarov Basin of the Arctic Ocean

The Arctic region, with magnificent ice cover on the surface of the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas, is not only extremely sensitive to but also has strong amplification effects on climate change. Observations during the past decades have documented substantial retreat and thinning of the Arctic sea-ice cover, a process that is accelerating. Its feedback and impact on the global climate has become an important subject of current climate change research. Calcite tests of planktonic foraminifers are major constituents in pelagic sediments, and they provide valuable materials for the reconstruction of past oceanographic conditions. However, research is still sparse in the Arctic sea area because of limited availability of the materials for investigation. Here, we present a study of modern foraminifers from the plankton tow samples taken in the Makarov Basin of the Arctic Ocean during the fourth Arctic expedition of China. We have analyzed ecological information stored in the modern planktonic foraminifers and in their stable isotope signals, and established a relationship between the distribution of the main taxa and the environment. Our main observations are as follows:(1) in the Makarov Basin, the polar species Neogloboquadrina pachyderma(sinistral coiling) dominates the [150 lm planktonic foraminiferal assemblages.(2) The planktonic foraminifers live mainly in the upper halocline at a water depth of 50–100 m and less in the depth interval of 100–200 m.(3) Temperature change in the halocline can affect the absolute abundance of planktonic foraminifers and their distribution in the water column. The warmer halocline is more favorable to the development of planktonic foraminifers.(4) A lighter d18O value(2.11 %) of N. pachyderma(sin.) is recorded in the depth interval of 100–200 m, which is likely related to the isotopically light brines separated out during sea ice freezing. The relatively heavy d18O value(1.68 %–2.68 %, average 2.27 %) in the depth interval of 50–100 m may be influenced by the low salinity water with the relatively heavy d18O value formed during the sea-ice melting in the surface layer.     

A quantum algorithm for the dihedral hidden subgroup problem based on lattice basis reduction algorithm

To optimize the algorithms for the dihedral hidden subgroup problem, we present a new algorithm based on lattice basis reduction algorithm. For n 〈 120, we reduce the dihedral hidden subgroup problem to shortest vector problem. A subroutine is given to get a transition quantum state by constructing a phase filter function, and then the measurement basis are derived based on the lattice basis reduction algorithm for solving low density subset sum problem. Finally, the parity of slope s is revealed by the measurement. This algorithm needs preparing mn quantum states, m qubits to store and O（n2） classical space, which is superior to existing algorithms.     

Newly discovered Palaeolithic artefacts from loess deposits and their ages in Lantian,central China

Eight new Palaeolithic open-air sites were identified and 770 stone artefacts were collected from 2009 to 2011 in the Lantian area of the Bahe River valley, central China. Because the famous Homo erectus fossils were unearthed at the Gongwangling and Chenjiawo localities, and more than 30 Palaeolithic open-air sites were investigated in the 1960s in this region, the catchment of Bahe River is regarded as one of the most important hominin sites from the late early Pleistocene to the middle Pleistocene. These eight newly discovered open-air sites are located at the second(n = 6), third(n = 1) or higher terraces(n = 1) of the Bahe River. The Diaozhai section on the second terrace was sampled in detail. Two samples were collected for optically stimulated luminescence dating(OSL). The OSL results suggest that a buried lithic artefact layer at the Diaozhai site spans approximately 70–30 ka. The lithic assemblage analysis suggests that the stone artefacts were made of local pebbles/cobbles such as greywacke, quartz, sandstone and igneous rocks. The main percussion techniques that were used were direct hard hammer percussion and bi-polar techniques. The lithic artefacts comprise hammer stones, cores, flakes, retouched tools and flaking debris. Acheulian-type large cutting tools(LCTs) such as hand-axes, picks and cleavers were indentified in the Lantian region as well. This is the first time Acheulian-type LCTs from the late Pleistocene have been identified in this region. This study distinguishes age gaps between Western world and East Asian Acheulian-type tools.     

In situ airborne virus inactivation by microwave irradiation

Infectious diseases cause tremendous costs of both human and economy annually. Previously, we have studied the bacterial, fungal, and allergen aerosol inacti- vation by direct microwave irradiation. Here, we further investigated its effects on airborne viruses. MS2 coliphage used as a human model virus was aerosolized and exposed to the direct microwave irradiation for ,-~ 2 min at three different power levels （700, 385, and 119 W）. In addition to the survival rate, the viral genes before and after the microwave treatments were also examined using PCR and gel electrophoresis. Direct exposure of airborne MS2 viruses to the microwave irradiation at 700 W for less than 2 min was shown to result in more than 90 % inactivation efficiency, about 65 % at medium power level （385 W）, and 50 % at the lowest level （119 W）. The aerosol inac- tivation rate followed a linear relationship with the microwave exposure time （R2 ---- 0.9889）. Scanning elec- tron images revealed visible damages to the viral surface after the exposure. Damages were also observed to the viral RNA genes coding for coat proteins, among which the A protein gene was completely destroyed. This study dem- onstrated that even without the filtration the direct micro- wave irradiation could also achieve rapid inactivation of viral aerosols. The information obtained can provide useful guidance on the development of microwave-based viral threat mitigation solutions in a closed or semi-closed space.     

The long-term denudation rate of granitic regolith in Qinhuangdao,North China determined from the in situ depth profile of the cosmogenic nuclides 26Al and 10Be

This study quantifies the surface denudation rate of granitic regolith via the application of the in situ cosmogenic ^26Al and ^10Be depth profile in China. The concentration ranges of ^26Al and ^10Be in the quartz along the -3-m granitic regolith profile in Qinhuangdao are （4.9-23.1） × 10^5 and （2.3-36.6）×10^4 atoms/g, respectively. With the exception of the surface sample, both ^26Al and ^10Be concentrations decrease exponentially with sample depth. The Chi-square best-fitting results revealed a total denudation rate of -9 m/Ma averaged over a 103-105 a timescale, which is lower than the values observed in global granitic outcrops. Compared with global datasets, the flat terrain due to the lack of tectonic activities is most likely the dominant factor that controls the local denudation process. The surface sample offsets from the theoretical cosmogenic nuclide distribution implies that the denudation rate from river basin sediment could be overestimated because of the bioturbation in the surficial soil layer.     

Kinetics of thiocyanate orientation conversion on Pt surface studied by in situ step-scan time-resolved microscope FTIR spectroscopy

Fast surface dynamic processes of thiocyanate adsorbed on a nanostructured Pt microelectrode were studied by in situ step-scan time-resolved microscope FTIR spectroscopy(in situ SSTR-MFTIRS) at a time resolution of 100 s.It was found that SCN adsorbs preferentially on Pt surface through N atom at low potential,while through S atom at high potential.The potential-induced orientation conversion between N-and S-bounded forms is very reversible,and occurs only within 2 ms after potential alternation.However,the rate constant(4*103s-1) of conversion from N-to S-bounded adsorption is nearly double to that of the reverse process(2*103s-1).The difference in kinetics of two processes may be explained through the hard-soft acid-base principle.     

Dynamics of total culturable bacteria and its relationship with methylmercury in the soils of the water level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir

Field investigations were conducted to study the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of total culturable bacteria(TCB)and its relationship with methylmercury(MeHg)in the soils of the water level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir.Different altitudes(170–180,170–175,165–170 and 160–165 m)in Zhenxi(Site 1),Shibaozhai(Site 2)and Tujing(Site 3),Chongqing,China were chosen as sampling sites.Results indicated that TCB did not have significant difference in the top(0–10 cm)and sub(10–20 cm)soil of the non-inundated area(175–180 m),but showing a significant difference in the water level fluctuation zone(\175 m,suggesting that water level fluctuation had an important effect on TCB.Moreover,TCB in soils of various altitudes of Site 1 and 2had significant difference,while for Site 3,this difference was not significant.And the difference of TCB in Site 2was much greater than that in Site 1.These results suggested that there were significant differences for TCB in soils of mainstream and tributaries.In addition,TCB in soils of 10–20 cm had significant or highly significant positive correlations with MeHg level(r C 0.762,P B 0.048),thus we assumed that there may be some aerobic microorganisms playing dominant roles in mercury methylation.     

Biological correlates of psychological states among young children: a cross-sectional examination of roles of aspartate transaminase/alanine aminotransferase,insulin, and cytokines

Compared to data on adolescents and adults, limited research has been conducted on biological corre- lates among young children with possible psychological difficulties, especially in Asian countries. By focusing on various peripheral biochemical indicators, we investigated potential biological correlates of psychological states in a community sample of Taiwanese school children aged 6-10 years. In total, 307 students （159 obese children and 148 normal-weight children） were selected from first- and fourth-grade school children in eight elementary schools in the Taipei metropolitan area in 2009. These children underwent a comprehensive health examination, including a physical examination, blood sample analysis, and questionnaire administration in a hospital. Differences in anthropometric and serum biochemical readings were compared between children with average and worse levels on each of the five psychological domains. We found that interleukin （IL）-1β [β = 1.29, 95 % confidence interval （CI） 0.50-2.09], IL-10 （β = 1.61, 95 % CI 〈0.01-3.24）, fasting blood glucose （β = 0.08, 95 % CI 0.01-0.15）, homocysteine （β = 0.63, 95 % CI 0.09-1.18）, and aspar- tate transaminase （AST） （β = 0.15, 95 % CI 〈0.01-0.31） were significantly positively associated with anxiety. In addition, IL-113, insulin, AST, and alanine aminotransam- inase （ALT） were significantly positively associated with depression. Anger and disruptive behaviors were also related to specific biological correlates. Specific biological correlates, including AST/ALT, cardiovascular disease- related variables, and specific cytokines, were linked to particular psychological states among young children in this Asian population. These might provide a route for better understanding the biological aspects of children＇s mental health and might contribute to research on diag- nostic or predictive biomarkers for psychiatric diseases in young children.     

The effect of DIO additive on performance improvement of polymer solar cells

A series of polymer solar cells （PSCs） based on poly （diketopyrrolopyrrole-terthiophene） （PDPP3T） and [6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester （PC71BM） as active layer were fabricated to investigate the effect of 1,8- diiodooctane （DIO） on the performance of PSCs. The power conversion efficiency （PCE） of PSCs was increased from 3.77 % to 4.37 % for the cells with DIO additive. The underlying reason may be attributed to that DIO additive could make PC71BM more dispersive in the active layer, forming a better bicontinuous interpenetrating network for excition dissociation and charge carrier transport. There- fore, the short circuit current density （Jsc） and fill factor （FF） was increased from 8.25 to 9.18 mA/cm2 and from 67.2 % to 70.0 % for the PSCs with DIO additive compared with PSCs without DIO additive.     

低频微弱信号高精度检测研究

复杂环境下高精度检测低频微弱信号非常重要,本文针对目前低频微弱信号检测系统精度低、检测方法繁琐、仪器价格昂贵等问题,设计了一种用于500 Hz以下、幅值为0.01 nA或者mV级低频微弱信号高精度检测系统.对实际环境中低频微弱信号测量的噪声源及抗干扰措施进行了理论分析;其根据低频微弱信号特点和抗干扰措施设计了一种低频微弱信号高精度检测系统;最后,通过调试实验和人体脉搏信号测试验证了检测系统的性能.测试结果表明,该检测系统能够实现500 Hz以下、幅值为0.01 nA或者mV级的低频微弱信号检测,检测误差低于0.5%;人体脉搏信号检测输出信噪比为（60±2） dB,均方根误差小于5×10-4,信号细节特征信息完整.由此得出,该检测系统具有精度高、抗干扰性强、稳定性好、实用性强、操作简单、价格低廉等特点.      

相位差测量系统的硬件电路

为精确测量两个同频率信号的相位差,设计一种基于DSP的相位差测量系统。该系统采用DSP2812作为测量的主控芯片,其内部集成有捕获单元和A/D模块;运用信道交换技术和降频技术,消除通道带来的附加相移,并将高频信号转化为低频信号以便于测量。测试结果表明,两路输入信号相同时,输入信号频率过大或是过小,测量频率和相位的精度均会明显降低,幅值精度变化不大;两路输入信号峰值、频率相同,相位可变时,信号频率增加或信号幅值过小,系统的测量精度均会有所下降。该相位差测量系统能够实现对两路同频信号的幅值、频率和相位差的精确测量,且可以进一步扩展以实现对多路信号相位差的测量。     

Evaluating the influences of measurement time and frequency on soil respiration in a semiarid temperate grassland

Soil respiration(Soil R)is one of the largest CO2fluxes from terrestrial ecosystems to the atmosphere.The largely seasonal and daily patterns of Soil R in semiarid grassland ecosystems indicate that measurement time and frequency would have significant influences on the assessment of seasonal soil carbon release.Based on a three-year continuous measurement of Soil R in a semiarid grassland,we found that the Soil R value measured at around 10:00 o’clock local time was the closest to its daily mean,while the value at 14:00 o’clock was found to be the highest daily rate.A measurement frequency higher than every 10 days was necessary for estimating the seasonal Soil R and its temperature sensitivity(Q10)reasonably.Our study would be useful as guidelines for manual Soil R measurements and model data selection in semiarid temperate grasslands.     

Benthic foraminiferal δ~(13)C minimum events in the southeastern Okhotsk Sea over the last 180 ka

A total of six d13C minimum events,i.e.,VI,V,IV,III,II,and I,were observed via a stable carbon and oxygen isotope analysis of infaunal benthic foraminifera Uvigerina spp.in gravity core OS03-1 in the southeastern Okhotsk Sea over the last 180 ka.These events occurred at112–109,102–90,85–76,57–54,44–40,and 17–10 ka BP.The largest negative excursions reached 2.5%in event V and were greater than 1%in the other events.We proposed that all d13C minimum events were caused by the increase in sea surface water productivity,the weakened formation of Okhotsk Sea intermediate water,and the enhancement of the oxygen minimum zone.The negative excursions were unaffected by methane hydrate destabilization and subsequent methane release based on the results obtained by using archaeal lipid markers.     

Excited-state solvation dynamics of meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin in solid imidazolium-sulfonate-based ionic liquids

The steady-state absorption and fluorescence emission positions of diprotonated meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (H₄TPPS^2?) are dependent on the polarity of the selected two solid ionic liquids (ILs) and are red-shifted with the increase of cation size. The solvation dynamics process of H₄TPPS^2? in these ILs occurs on two well-separated time scales. The short components with 121.2–128.6 ps arise from the local motion of the ion-pairs in close proximity to the porphine core, and the long components with 1056.6–1261.8 ps are due to the collective translation motions of the ion-pairs. The dynamic Stokes shifts and the relaxation times increase with the increasing cation size of the ILs.     

Reverse leakage current in AlGaN-based ultraviolet light-emitting diodes

The reverse leakage characteristics of AlGaNbased ultraviolet light-emitting diodes fabricated on sapphire substrate are studied by temperature-variable current–voltage(I–V)measurement from 300 to 450 K.At low-reverse bias range(0–0.5 V),the reverse leakage current exhibits tunneling characteristics.Meanwhile,under a more negative reverse bias range([0.5 V),the log(I)–log(V)plots exhibit close-to-linear dependency,which is in good agreement with the transport mechanism of space-charge limited current.A phenomenological leakage current model focusing on electron transmission primarily through continuous defect band formed by linear defects like dislocations is suggested to explain the reverse current–voltage characteristics.     

Synthesis and characterization of a three-ring bent-core compound

To investigate the vacuum-deposited films of the banana-shaped mesogens, we prepared a three-ring bent-core （that is, banana-shaped） compound m-bis（4-p-octoxysryrenyl）benzene （m-OSB） and used it as a prototype for studying the related film physics. Herein the synthesis and the structural characterization of m-OSB are reported.^13C and ^1H NMR spectra and ^1R spectrum confirm that m-OSB has a symmetric and all-trans conformation. The results of differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffractometry indicate that no liquid crystalline phase but two crystalline phases are present in this material： phase Ⅰ （T〈66℃） and phase Ⅱ （66~C〈T〈157℃）; an isotropic state is observed at above 157℃. Combining the X-ray diffraction and the electronic diffraction, we assign the room-temperature crystalline phase I to orthorhombie system and P212121 space group with cell parameters of a = 7.43A°. b=6.34A°, c=72.07A°, and α=β=γ=90°. Molecular modeling reveals that the molecules in the unit cell adopt a layered structure with an antiferro-eleetrie alignment. The structure of phase Ⅱ is very similar to that of phase Ⅰ. Nonlinear optical measurement shows that m-OSB is active for the second harmonic generation （SHG）. Such characterization of the bulk material is necessary for the understanding of the growth and microstructures in the films.     

一种基于Matlab的γ-γ数字符合数据处理

设计了一种以价格较低的示波器作为A/D转换装置实现数字符合的数据处理方案。该方案利用Matlab中的S-G滤波器对测量到的信号波形进行平滑去噪,用findpeaks函数获取脉冲幅度、峰值位置和阈值下限,筛选幅度低于触发阈值且最接近触发阈值的采样点作为定时结果,并对脉冲堆积进行了堆积判弃,最后进行符合处理。探究了符合测量实验装置的参数设置并与设计好的数据处理软件组成符合测量系统对~(60)Co源进行了活度测量,测量结果与源活度参考值在误差范围内一致。     

Plant microremains provide direct evidence for the functions of stone knives from the Lajia site,northwestern China

A large number of stone knives have been recovered from Neolithic archaeological sites in East Asia. However, direct evidence regarding the functions of the stone knives has been scarce, and hence, their functions have remained controversial. In this study, we recovered and analysed ancient starch grains and phytoliths from residues adhering to stone knives excavated from the Lajia site, Qinghai Province, northwest China, thus providing direct evidence for the functions of the knives. Our anal- yses were based on the following： （1） an assemblage of 278 identifiable starch grains, representing grains from the stems of foxtail millet （Setaria italica） and broomcorn millet （Panicum miliaceum） （65.1% of the total） and the stems of Hordeum and Triticum species （3.6 % of the total）, and （2） an assemblage of 361 identifiable phytoliths, the majority of which were from the stems and leaves of plants such as Panicoideae and related taxa （96 % of the total）. Our study demonstrates that one of the functions of the stone knives was the harvesting crops. In addition, a few starch grains from food legumes and roots （3.4 % of the total） indicate that the stone knives were also likely used to process, peel and cut some foods.