Quantum critical behavior in heavy electron materials.

Quantum critical behavior in heavy electron materials is typically brought about by changes in pressure or magnetic field. In this paper, we develop a simple unified model for the combined influence of pressure and magnetic field on the effectiveness of the hybridization that plays a central role in the two-fluid description of heavy electron emergence. We show that it leads to quantum critical and delocalization lines that accord well with those measured for CeCoIn5, yields a quantitative explanation of the field and pressure-induced changes in antiferromagnetic ordering and quantum critical behavior measured for YbRh2Si2, and provides a valuable framework for describing the role of magnetic fields in bringing about quantum critical behavior in other heavy electron materials.

Improvement of ventilation-induced lung injury in a rodent model by inhibition of inhibitory κB kinase.

Background: Inhibition of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation is a well-know strategy to ameliorate ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI). Inhibitory κB kinase (IKK) plays a key role in the regulation of NF-κB activation. In this study, we determined whether inhibition of IKK by an IKK inhibitor exerts lung protection in a rat model of VILI.

Rare de novo copy number variants in patients with congenital pulmonary atresia.

Background: Ongoing studies using genomic microarrays and next-generation sequencing have demonstrated that the genetic contributions to cardiovascular diseases have been significantly ignored in the past. The aim of this study was to identify rare copy number variants in individuals with congenital pulmonary atresia (PA).

Methods And Results: Based on the hypothesis that rare structural variants encompassing key genes play an important role in heart development in PA patients, we performed high-resolution genome-wide microarrays for copy number variations (CNVs) in 82 PA patient-parent trios and 189 controls with an Illumina SNP array platform.

Transformational leadership in the consumer service workgroup: competing models of job satisfaction, change commitment, and cooperative conflict resolution.

This paper discusses the effects of transformational leadership on cooperative conflict resolution (management) by evaluating several alternative models related to the mediating role of job satisfaction and change commitment. Samples of data from customer service personnel in Taiwan were analyzed. Based on the bootstrap sample technique, an empirical study was carried out to yield the best fitting model.

Crystal growth, structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of mixed-valent compounds YbOs2Al10 and LuOs2Al10.

Single crystals of YbOs2Al10 and LuOs2Al10 were grown for the first time using an aluminum self-flux method. The compounds crystallized into a cagelike structure in space group Cmcm, similar to the prototype compound YbFe2Al10. YbOs2Al10 exhibited a mixed-valent nature, as determined by magnetic susceptibility measurements over a wide temperature range from 2 to 900 K, in which the inter-configuration-fluctuation model revealed a broad peak around 400 K.

Rare copy number variations containing genes involved in RASopathies: deletion of SHOC2 and duplication of PTPN11.

Background: RASopathies are a group of disorders related to Noonan syndrome that with dysregulated RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Noonan syndrome (NS, OMIM# 163950) is a both phenotypically and genotypically variable disorder. We and other researchers have demonstrated that copy number variations underlie a small percentage of patients with RASopathies.

Studies of transformational leadership in consumer service: market orientation behavior and alternative roles for the mediators and moderators of change commitment.

The present paper evaluates the relation between transformational leadership and market orientation along with the mediating and moderating effects of change commitment for employees in customer centers in Taiwan. 327 questionnaires were returned by personnel at several customer centers in four different insurance companies. Inter-rater agreement was acceptable based on the multiple raters (i.

A novel approach: trans-ascending aorta balloon aortic valvuloplasty via sternotomy for treating severe valvular aortic stenosis in a low-weight infant.

Background: Severe congenital aortic stenosis in infants is a life-threatening congenital heart anomaly that is typically treated using percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty.

Methods: The usual route is the femoral artery under radiographic guidance. However, this procedure may be limited by the small size of the femoral artery in low-weight infants.

Results of two different approaches to closure of subaortic ventricular septal defects in children.

Objectives: Percardiac device closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) is considered as an alternative to surgical repair in certain patients; however, the safety and validity of this technique in subaortic VSD are unproven.

Methods: A total of 463 patients with subaortic VSD underwent two different operative procedures. The clinical data were collected and a retrospective analysis was performed.

Regulation of Mcl-1 by constitutive activation of NF-κB contributes to cell viability in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies with a 5-year survival rate less than 15%. Understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of ESCC becomes critical to develop more effective treatments.

Methods: Mcl-1 expression was measured by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and Western blotting.

Freezing of Molecular Motions Probed by Cryogenic Magic Angle Spinning NMR.

Cryogenic magic angle spinning makes it possible to obtain the NMR spectra of solids at temperatures low enough to freeze out most molecular motions. We have applied cryogenic magic angle spinning NMR to a crystalline small-molecule solid (ibuprofen sodium salt), which displays a variety of molecular dynamics. Magic angle (13)C NMR spectra are shown for a wide range of temperatures, including in the cryogenic regime down to 20 K.

Dammann-grating-based passive phase locking by an all-optical feedback loop.

A Dammann grating is used as a spatial filter for a passive coherent beam combination (CBC) of three Yb-doped fiber amplifiers with an all-optical feedback loop. Using this diffractive-optics-based spatial filtering technique, we demonstrate CBC with 20 W output power, and the visibility of the far-field interference pattern is up to 88.7%.

A minimally invasive technique for occluding large muscular ventricular septal defects in infants.

Objective: This study investigated the feasibility, timing and indications for closure of large muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in infants without use of a cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods: A total of 9 infants with large muscular VSDs ranging in size from 7 to 15 mm were treated by minimally invasive closure without cardiopulmonary bypass between April 2010 and February 2013.

Results: All surgeries were successful without resulting in uncontrolled systemic infection, a pulmonary hypertensive crisis or a severely low cardiac output, and with an apparently shorter operation time and postoperative tracheal cannula.

Asymptomatic intracardiac migration of a Kirschner wire from the right rib.

We report the case of a 50-year old man diagnosed with intracardiac migration of a Kirschner wire (K-wire). The patient had undergone surgical fixation of rib fracture 32 months previously. Chest roentgenograms, chest computed tomographic scans and echocardiography revealed that one of the K-wires had migrated to the right ventricle.

A derivative of chrysin suppresses two-stage skin carcinogenesis by inhibiting mitogen- and stress-activated kinase 1.

Mitogen- and stress-activated kinase 1 (MSK1) is a nuclear serine/threonine protein kinase that acts downstream of both extracellular signal-regulated kinases and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in response to stress or mitogenic extracellular stimuli. Increasing evidence has shown that MSK1 is closely associated with malignant transformation and cancer development. MSK1 should be an effective target for cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy.

Identification of aberrant microRNA expression pattern in pediatric gliomas by microarray.

Background: Brain tumor remains the leading cause of disease-related death in children. Many studies have focused on the complex biological process involved in pediatric brain tumors but little is know about the possible role of microRNAs in the genesis of these tumors.

Methods: In this study, we used a microRNA microarray assay to study the expression pattern of microRNAs in pediatric gliomas and matched normal tissues.

[Research progress of postoperative atrial fibrillation].

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common complication after cardiac surgery, which leads to hemodynamics disorder, prolongs hospitalization and increases mortality. The underlying mechanisms behind POAF are associated with cardiomyocyte injury, sympathetic activation and inflammation. The prediction of POAF is based on correlated index from pre-, intra- and post-surgery.

576 kb deletion in 1p36.33-p36.32 containing SKI is associated with limb malformation, congenital heart disease and epilepsy.

1p36 deletion (monosomy 1p36) is one of the most common terminal deletions observed in humans, characterized by special facial features, mental retardation, heart defects, development delay and epilepsy. Previously, we reported molecular findings in patients with limb, congenital heart disease (CHD) and other malformations with SNP-array. In a syndromic patient of the same cohort, we detected a small deletion of 1p36.

A chrysin derivative suppresses skin cancer growth by inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinases.

Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone), a natural flavonoid widely distributed in plants, reportedly has chemopreventive properties against various cancers. However, the anticancer activity of chrysin observed in in vivo studies has been disappointing. Here, we report that a chrysin derivative, referred to as compound 69407, more strongly inhibited EGF-induced neoplastic transformation of JB6 P(+) cells compared with chrysin.

[Echocardiography in mini-invasive surgical device closure of secundum atrial septal defects].

Objective: To discuss the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative application of echocardiography in mini-invasive surgical device closure of secundum atrial septal defects, including those special and difficulty-occluded defects.

Methods: We performed mini-invasive surgical device closure of secundum atrial septal defects on 287 patients. Before the surgery, transthoracic echocardiography was applied for screening; during the surgery we reassessed the sizes of the defects and their remaining margins, designated the suitable occluders, and guided the placement of the occluders by multiplane transesophageal echocardiography.

The application of pulmonary valve biorifice for reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract in tetralogy of Fallot.

Background: To introduce a new technique to create a pulmonary valve biorifice for the reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), and to summarize the initial clinical experiment.

Methods: The new technique of reconstructing the right ventricular outflow tract with pulmonary valve biorifice was used in 53 cases of TOF (the observation group). While the conventional technique for reconstructing the right ventricular outflow tract was used in other 50 cases of TOF (the control group).

[Asymmetric occluder in minimal-invasive surgical device closure of ventricular septal defects].

Objective: To discuss the suitable types of ventricular septal defects for asymmetric occluders, and elucidate the critical role of echocardiography in choosing occluders, guiding successful occlusion and avoiding injury during operation.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 179 patients with ventricular septal defects who received minimal-invasive surgical device closure with asymmetric occluder. We analyzed the types, size and morphology of ventricular septal defects suitable for asymmetric occluders.

A 1.1Mb deletion in distal 13q deletion syndrome region with congenital heart defect and postaxial polydactyly: additional support for a CHD locus at distal 13q34 region.

13q deletion syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, especially for group 3 deletion (13q33-q34 deletion). Previously we described a patient with congenital heart defect and mental retardation and proposed that a distal 6Mb region might contain the causative gene of congenital heart defect. Here we present a new patient with congenital heart defects (CHD), hand and foot anomalies and mild mental retardation.

Passive coherent beam combining of four Yb-doped fiber amplifier chains with injection-locked seed source.

An injection-locked fiber laser is introduced to the passive fiber laser coherent beam combination with all-optical feedback loop. A coherent beam combining system with two-dimensional four Yb-doped fiber amplifier chains is established, and the injection-locked fiber laser works as a switchable seed source. The 1064 nm output laser of the injection-locked fiber laser is extinguished automatically as the feedback injection power is high enough, and the injection-locked fiber laser acts as an amplifier for the feedback laser with 7.

[Efficacy comparison between micro invasive occlusion procedure and extracorporeal circulation procedure for treating patients with simple ventricular septal defect].

Objective: To compare the efficacy between micro invasive occlusion procedure and extracorporeal circulation procedure for treating patients with simple ventricular septal defect.

Methods: Two hundred and twenty patients with simple ventricular septal defect (except subarterial ventricular septal defect) were randomly divided into micro invasive group (n = 116) and traditional cardiopulmonary bypass surgery group (n = 104). Clinical data were collected and compared at baseline and at 3, 30 and 180 days after surgery.