The essence of sub-critical transition of oscillatory boundary-layer flows is the non-modal growth of finite-amplitude disturbances. The current understanding of the mechanisms of the orderly and bypass transitions of oscillatory boundary-layer flows is limited. The present study adopts optimisation approaches to predict the maximum energy amplification of two- and three-dimensional perturbations in response to the optimal initial disturbance with or without external forcing. A series of direct numerical simulations are also performed to compare with the results obtained from the stability analyses. In particular, the optimal initial perturbation similar to a Tollmien–Schlichting (T–S) wave yields the largest transient growth under the combined effects of the Orr mechanism and inflectional point instability. With a considerable level of two-dimensional disturbance, the vortex tube nonlinearly develops from the T–S-like wave, and then either deforms into a $\varLambda$-vortex in the near-wall region or rolls up to the free shear region. The further burst of turbulence can follow the first pathway as K-type transition or the second one as vortex tube breakdown due to the elliptical instability. Additionally, non-modal growth can initiate the inception of streaky structures by favourable three-dimensional initial perturbations and/or forcing. The secondary instabilities responsible for the streak breakdown are classified as the varicose (symmetric) and sinuous (anti-symmetric) modes. Under a sufficiently high level of three-dimensional disturbance, the bypass transition is predominantly characterised by the formation of the sinuous mode and turbulent spots, which leads to the suppression of inflection point instability.

Due to the lack of research between the inner layers in the structure of colonic mucous and the metabolism of fatty acid in the constipation model, we aim to determine the changes in the mucous phenotype of the colonic glycocalyx and the microbial community structure following treatment with Rhubarb extract in our research. The constipation and treatment models are generated using adult male C57BL/6N mice. We perform light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to detect a Muc2-rich inner mucus layer attached to mice colon under different conditions. In addition, 16S rDNA sequencing is performed to examine the intestinal flora. According to TEM images, we demonstrate that Rhubarb can promote mucin secretion and find direct evidence of dendritic structure-linked mucus structures with its assembly into a lamellar network in a pore size distribution in the isolated colon section. Moreover, the diversity of intestinal flora has noticeable changes in constipated mice. The present study characterizes a dendritic structure and persistent cross-links have significant changes accompanied by the alteration of intestinal flora in feces in models of constipation and pretreatment with Rhubarb extract.

For individual cultures, findings on regulating embryo density by changing the microdrop volume are contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between embryo density and the developmental outcome of day 3 embryos after adjusting covariates. In total, 1196 embryos from 206 couples who had undergone in vitro fertilization treatment were analyzed retrospectively. Three embryo densities were used routinely, i.e. one embryo in a drop (30 μl/embryo), two embryos in a drop (15 μl/embryo) and three embryos in a drop (10 μl/embryo). Embryo quality on day 3 was evaluated, both the cell number of day 3 embryos and the proportion of successful implantations served as endpoints. Maternal age, paternal age, antral follicles and level of anti-Müllerian hormone, type of infertility, controlled ovarian stimulation protocol, length of stimulation, number of retrieved oocytes, number of zygotes (two pronuclei) and insemination type were covariates and adjusted. After adjusting fully for all covariates, the cell number of day 3 embryos was significantly increased by 0.40 (95% CI 0.00, 0.79; P = 0.048) and 0.78 (95% CI 0.02, 1.54; P = 0.044) in the 15 μl/embryo and 10 μl/embryo group separately, compared with the 30 μl/embryo group. The proportions of implanted embryos were 42.1%, 48.7% and 0.0% in the 30 μl/embryo, 15 μl/embryo and 10 μl/embryo groups respectively. There was no statistical significance (P = 0.22) between the 30 μl/embryo group and the 15 μl/embryo group. After adjusting for confounders that were significant in univariate analysis, embryo density was still not associated with day 3 embryo implantation potential (P > 0.05). In a 30-μl microdrop, culturing embryos with an embryo density of both 15 and 10 μl/embryo increased the cell number of day 3 embryos, which did not benefit embryo implanting potential, compared with individual culture of 30 μl/embryo.

We performed U–Pb dating of detrital zircons and conducted petrological and whole-rock geochemical analyses to assess the provenance of the Upper Triassic – Lower Jurassic clastic rocks in the southeastern margin of the South China Block. Detrital zircon U–Pb ages are mainly classified into age groups of 2000–1700, 900–700, 490–390 and 280–210 Ma, consistent with derivation from the Jiangnan orogenic belt, Nanling Belt, as well as Wuyi and Yunkai domains. Lower Jurassic samples yield a special main age population of 200–190 Ma, and these detrital zircon grains have low Th/U and Nb/Hf ratios and high Th/Nb and Hf/Th ratios, showing they are derived from a continental magmatic arc. However, the cross-correlation and likeness coefficients of kernel density estimates of Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic sandstones are 0.8608 and 0.8403, indicating that their populations are highly similar. Since the tectonic setting is the key factor in controlling the relationship between source and sink, the stable supply of identical provenance suggests that the tectonic setting did not significantly change during Late Triassic – Early Jurassic time. Sandstone petrography, regional facies distribution and the detrital zircon age patterns all reflect a consistent tectonic setting for the South China Block during Late Triassic – Early Jurassic time. The Palaeo-Pacific subduction therefore did not control the tectonic evolution of the South China Block until after the Early Jurassic Epoch.

Nutritional Risk Screening index is a standard tool to assess nutritional risk, but epidemiological data are scarce on controlling nutritional status (CONUT) as a prognostic marker in acute haemorrhagic stroke (AHS). We aimed to explore whether the CONUT may predict a 3-month functional outcome in AHS. In total, 349 Chinese patients with incident AHS were consecutively recruited, and their malnutrition risks were determined using a high CONUT score of ≥ 2. The cohort patients were divided into high-CONUT (≥ 2) and low-CONUT (< 2) groups, and primary outcomes were a poor functional prognosis defined as the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of ≥ 3 at post-discharge for 3 months. Odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for the poor functional prognosis at post-discharge were estimated by using a logistic analysis with additional adjustments for unbalanced variables between the high-CONUT and low-CONUT groups. A total of 328 patients (60·38 ± 12·83 years; 66·77 % male) completed the mRS assessment at post-discharge for 3 months, with 172 patients at malnutrition risk at admission and 104 patients with a poor prognosis. The levels of total cholesterol and total lymphocyte counts were significantly lower in high-CONUT patients than low-CONUT patients (P = 0·012 and < 0·001, respectively). At 3-month post discharge, there was a greater risk for the poor outcome in the high-CONUT compared with the low-CONUT patients at admission (OR: 2·32, 95 % CI: 1·28, 4·17). High-CONUT scores independently predict a 3-month poor prognosis in AHS, which helps to identify those who need additional nutritional managements.

There has been considerable interest in stratospheric airships as a cost-effective alternative to earth orbit satellites for sightseeing, aerial photography, communication and carrying weapons, etc. Many countries have plans to develop the airship owing to its greatly expected usage. The suspended curtain plays a vital role in force transmission in stratospheric airships but lacks attention. In this paper, the relationship between the optimal shape of suspended curtain and load conditions was studied through CAE Abaqus and Isight. Firstly, by using secondary development function of Abaqus, parametric FEA models of suspended curtains and envelopes have been established, several parameters were used to describe the shape of suspended curtains. Secondly, parameters of the suspended curtain shape were optimized under different loading conditions by means of the genetic algorithm. Lastly, through the analysis of the results, some conclusions are summarized: The relationship between n1(n2) and nb was found to be linear when the suspended curtain is subjected to vertical load. The stress transfer law of suspended curtain and inflatable membrane structure under the inclined load were also obtained, which are valuable for the structural engineering design of stratospheric airships..

Although higher dietary intake of MUFA has been shown to improve glycaemic control and lipid profiles, whether MUFA consumption from different sources is linked to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unclear. We aimed to prospectively assess the associations of plant-derived MUFA (P-MUFA) and animal-derived MUFA (A-MUFA) intakes with T2D risk in a nationwide oriental cohort. Overall, 15 022 Chinese adults, aged ≥20 years, from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS 1997–2011) were prospectively followed up for a median of 14 years. Consumption of MUFA from plant and animal sources was assessed using 3-d 24-h recalls in each survey, and the cumulative average of intake was calculated. Multivariable-adjusted Cox models were constructed to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) of T2D according to quartiles of MUFA intake. P-MUFA were mainly consumed from cooked vegetable oils, fried bread sticks and rice, while A-MUFA were mainly consumed from pork, lard and eggs. Intake of P-MUFA was associated with a higher risk of T2D (HRQ4 v. Q1 1·50 (95 % CI 1·18, 1·90); Ptrend = 0·0013), whereas A-MUFA showed no significant association (HRQ4 v. Q1 0·84 (95 % CI 0·59, 1·20); Ptrend = 0·30). When further considering the cooking method of food sources, consumption of P-MUFA from fried foods was positively associated with T2D risk (HRQ4 v. Q1 1·60 (95 % CI 1·26, 2·02); Ptrend = 0·0006), whereas non-fried P-MUFA were not associated. Intake of MUFA from fried plant-based foods may elevate T2D risk among the Chinese population.

Let $\{M_{n}\}_{n=1}^{\infty }$ be a sequence of expanding matrices with $M_{n}=\operatorname{diag}(p_{n},q_{n})$, and let $\{{\mathcal{D}}_{n}\}_{n=1}^{\infty }$ be a sequence of digit sets with ${\mathcal{D}}_{n}=\{(0,0)^{t},(a_{n},0)^{t},(0,b_{n})^{t},\pm (a_{n},b_{n})^{t}\}$, where $p_{n}$, $q_{n}$, $a_{n}$ and $b_{n}$ are positive integers for all $n\geqslant 1$. If $\sup _{n\geqslant 1}\{\frac{a_{n}}{p_{n}},\frac{b_{n}}{q_{n}}\}<\infty$, then the infinite convolution $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{\{M_{n}\},\{{\mathcal{D}}_{n}\}}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{M_{1}^{-1}{\mathcal{D}}_{1}}\ast \unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{(M_{1}M_{2})^{-1}{\mathcal{D}}_{2}}\ast \cdots \,$ is a Borel probability measure (Cantor–Dust–Moran measure). In this paper, we investigate whenever there exists a discrete set $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ such that $\{e^{2\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}i\langle \unicode[STIX]{x1D706},x\rangle }:\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}\in \unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\}$ is an orthonormal basis for $L^{2}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{\{M_{n}\},\{{\mathcal{D}}_{n}\}})$.

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: The primary goal of this project is to verify findings from a murine prostatitis model in the human setting. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Methods include primary cell isolation and culture, FACS, adoptive transfer, 3D cell culture, histology, immunofluorescence, xenograft, and tissue recombination. The study population includes patients undergoing HoLEP or radical prostatectomy due to hyperplasia or adjacent bladder or prostate cancer. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Having verified similar sensitivities to androgen receptor (AR) inhibitors between naive murine and human basal prostate stem cells, we anticipate that autoimmune inflammation in humans affects the response of basal prostate stem cells in a manner similar to the murine setting as well. This includes increased proliferation, increased differentiation, and decreased response to AR inhibitors. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The identification of survival mechanisms used by basal prostate stem cells in an androgen deprived environment may give insight to the process by which prostate cancer becomes androgen independent. The effect of inflammation on proliferation, survival, and AR signaling in these cells may also provide information relevant to cancer initiation and progression.

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo degradation mechanism and the mechanical properties of poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/beta-tricalcium phosphate (PLGA/β-TCP) composite anchors. Anchors composed of PLGA and β-TCP were implanted in the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of beagle dogs for 6, 12, 16, and 26 weeks. The degradation of the materials was evaluated by measuring the changes in thermal behavior, crystallinity, and mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the surface and longitudinal section of the material. The evaluation of mechanical strength retention and degradation properties suggest that the addition of β-TCP particles efficiently enhances their mechanical properties and thermal characteristics and delays their degradation rate. By analyzing the results of SEM, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry, we can infer that after 12 weeks, the connection between β-TCP and PLGA becomes less compact, which accelerates the decline of mechanical strength.

Using time-resolved laser-scanning confocal microscopy and ultrafast optical pump/THz probe spectroscopy, we measure photoluminescence (PL) and THz-conductivity in perovskite micro-crystals and films. PL quenching and lifetime variations occur from local heterogeneity. Ultrafast THz-spectra measure sharp quantum transitions from excitonic Rydberg states, providing weakly bound excitons with a binding energy of ~13.5 meV at low temperatures. Ab-initio electronic structure calculations give a direct band gap of 1.64 eV, a dielectric constant of ~18, heavy electrons, and light holes, resulting in weakly bound excitons, consistent with the binding energies from the experiment. The complementary spectroscopy and simulations reveal fundamental insights into perovskite light-matter interactions.

Nanosize SiCp (n-SiCp) reinforced Mg–9Al matrix composites (Mg–9Al–xSiC, x = 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 wt%) with nearly full densification are fabricated by the semisolid powder hot pressing technique assisted with ultrasonic. The effect of SiC nanoparticle contents on microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites is systematically investigated. Grain size and density of Mg–9Al–xSiC composites and morphology of bonding interfacial between the n-SiCp and matrix are found to be greatly dependent on the n-SiCp contents, resulting in the strength and ductility of the composites increase first and then decrease as the increase of n-SiCp contents. As the SiCp content increasing to 7.5 wt%, superior mechanical properties with the yield strength of 191 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 248 MPa, and elongation to failure of 5.3% are achieved. The improved mechanical properties could be attributed to grain boundary strengthening, Orowan strengthening, and load transfer strengthening.

The effect of equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at various temperatures (310, 330, and 350 °C) on precipitations and strengthening mechanisms of Mg–9Al–1Si alloys was investigated. The results indicated that the average grain size decreased gradually with decreasing of ECAP temperature. The distribution of the Mg2Si phase changed a little when the ECAP temperature increased. However, the different morphologies of β-Mg17Al12 phase were observed, including continuous and uncontinuous precipitation of particles at 310 and 350 °C. The continuous β-Mg17Al12 phase was hardly found and the refined β-Mg17Al12 phase was distributed dispersedly in the matrix at 330 °C. Thus, the mechanical properties of the Mg–9Al–1Si alloy was optimum: ultimate tensile strength and elongation were ∼350.8 MPa and ∼14.77%, respectively. It can be deduced that both grain refinement strengthening and precipitation strengthening play significant roles in strength increment of the alloy during the ECAP process. However, precipitation strengthening is the predominant mechanism.

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: The primary goal of this project is to verify murine findings in the human setting. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The methods include primary cell isolation and culture, FACS, adoptive transfer, 3D-cell culture, histology, immunofluorescence, xenograft, and tissue recombination. The study population includes patients undergoing radical prostatectomy due to hyperplasia or adjacent bladder or prostate cancer. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Having verified similar sensitivities to androgen receptor (AR) inhibitors between naive murine and human basal prostate stem cells, we anticipate that autoimmune inflammation in humans affects the response of basal prostate stem cells in a manner similar to the murine setting as well. This includes increased proliferation, differentiation, and response to AR inhibitors. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The identification of survival mechanisms used by basal prostate stem cells in an androgen deprived environment may give insight to the process by which prostate cancer becomes androgen independent. The effect of inflammation on proliferation, survival, and AR signaling in these cells may also provide information relevant to cancer initiation and progression.