Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been shown to play a significant role in oxidative stress across various tissues and cells; however, its role in sperm function remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of GYY4137, a slow-releasing H2S compound, on sperm damage induced by H2O2. We assessed the effects of GYY4137 on motility, viability, lipid peroxidation and caspase-3 activity in human spermatozoa in vitro following oxidative damage mediated by H2O2. Spermatozoa from 25 healthy men were selected using a density gradient centrifugation method and cultured in the presence or absence of 10 μM H2O2, followed by incubation with varying concentrations of GYY4137 (0.625–2.5 μM). After 24 h of incubation, sperm motility, viability, lipid peroxidation, and caspase-3 activity were evaluated. The results indicated that H2O2 adversely affected sperm parameters, reducing motility and viability, while increasing oxidative stress, as evidenced by elevated lipid peroxidation and caspase-3 activity. GYY4137 provided dose-dependent protection against H2O2-induced oxidative stress (OS). We concluded that supplementation with GYY4137 may offer antioxidant protection during in vitro sperm preparation for assisted reproductive technology.

In this work, we employ well-established relations for compressible turbulent mean flows, including the velocity transformation and algebraic temperature–velocity (TV) relation, to systematically improve the algebraic Baldwin–Lomax (BL) wall model for high-speed zero-pressure-gradient air boundary layers. Any new functions or coefficients fitted by ourselves are avoided. Twelve published direct numerical simulation (DNS) datasets are employed for a priori inspiration and a posteriori examination, with Mach numbers up to 14 under adiabatic, cold and heated walls. The baseline BL model is the widely used one with semilocal scalings. Three targeted modifications are made. First, we employ a total-stress-based transformation (Griffin et al., Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, vol. 118, issue 34, 2021, e2111144118) to the inner-layer eddy viscosity for improved scaling up to the logarithmic region. Second, we utilize the van Driest transformation in the outer layer based on the compressible defect velocity scaling. Third, considering the difficulty in modelling the rapidly varying and singular turbulent Prandtl number near the temperature peak in cold-wall cases, we design a two-layer strategy and use the TV relation to formulate the inner-layer temperature. Numerical results prove that the modifications take effect as designed. The prediction accuracy for mean streamwise velocity is notably improved for diabatic cases, especially in the logarithmic region. Moreover, a significant improvement in mean temperature is realized for both adiabatic and diabatic cases. The mean relative errors of temperature to DNS for all cases are down to 0.4 % in the logarithmic wall-normal coordinate and 3.4 % in the outer coordinate, around one-third of those in the baseline model.

Linear models, based on stochastically forced linearized equations, are deployed for spectral linear stochastic estimation (SLSE) of the velocity and temperature fluctuations in compressible turbulent channel flows with a bulk Mach number of 1.5. Through comparison with the direct numerical simulation (DNS) data, an eddy-viscosity-enhanced model (eLNS) outperforms the one not enhanced (LNS) in computing the coherence and amplitude ratio of streamwise velocity at different wall-normal heights, but they both largely deviate from DNS regarding the temperature prediction. For further investigation, the eigenspectra and pseudospectra of the linear operators are scrutinized. The eddy viscosity is shown to stabilize the eigenmodes and decrease the non-normality of the vortical modes. Consequently, the relative importance of acoustic and entropy modes increases, and they can contribute 20 % to 55 % of the response growth, which is not supported by DNS. Hence, it is an intrinsic defect of the eLNS model introduced by turbulence modelling. After a procedure of cospectrum decomposition, the contributions of acoustic and entropy components are filtered out. The resulting SLSE quantities for velocity, temperature and their coupling are basically agreeable with DNS, demonstrating that the coherent temperature fluctuation is dominated by advection and other vortical motions, instead of the compressibility effects. Moreover, a parameter study of Reynolds and Mach numbers (from 0.3 to 4) is conducted. The semi-local units are shown to well collapse the velocity SLSE quantities to the incompressible case for streamwise-elongated structures of high coherence.

Placental trophoblastic cells play important roles in placental development and fetal health. However, the mechanism of trophoblastic cell fusion is still not entirely clear. The level of Tspan5 in the embryo culture medium was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fusion of BeWo cells was observed by immunofluorescence. Cell fusion-related factors and EMT-related factors were identified by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Notch protein repressor DAPT was used to verify the role of Tspan5 in BeWo cells. The expression of Tspan5 was significantly increased in embryo culture medium. The fusion of BeWo cells was observed after treatment with forskolin (FSK). Cell fusion-related factors (i.e. β-hCG and syncytin 1/2) and Tspan5 were significantly increased after FSK treatment. In addition, FSK treatment promoted EMT-related protein expression in BeWo cells. Knockdown of Tspan5 inhibited cell fusion and EMT-related protein levels. Notch-1 and Jagged-1 protein levels were significantly upregulated, and the EMT process was activated by overexpression of Tspan5 in FSK-treated BeWo cells. Interestingly, blocking the Notch pathway by the repressor DAPT had the opposite results. These results indicated that Tspan5 could promote the EMT process by activating the Notch pathway, thereby causing cell fusion. These findings contribute to a better understanding of trophoblast cell syncytialization and embryonic development. Tspan5 may be used as a therapeutic target for normal placental development.

In this work, the linear responses of turbulent mean flow to both harmonic and stochastic forcing are investigated for supersonic channel flow. Well-established universal relations are utilized to obtain efficiently the mean profiles with a large parameter space, with the bulk Mach number up to 5 and the friction Reynolds number up to $10^4$, so a systematic parameter study is feasible. The most amplified structure takes the form of streamwise velocity and temperature streaks forced optimally by the streamwise vortices. The outer peak of the pre-multiplied energy amplification corresponds to the large-scale motion, whose spanwise wavelength ($\lambda _z^+$) is very insensitive to compressibility effects. In contrast, the classic inner peak representing small-scale near-wall motions disappears for the stochastic response with increasing Mach number. Meanwhile, the small-scale motions become much less coherent. A decomposition of the forcing identifies different effects of the incompressible counterpart and the thermodynamic components. Wall-cooling effects, arising with high Mach number, increase the spacing of the most amplified near-wall streaks; the spacing becomes nearly invariant with Mach number if expressed in semi-local units. Meanwhile, the coherence of stochastic response with $\lambda _z^+>90$ is enhanced, but on the other hand, with $\lambda _z^+<90$ it is decreased. The geometrical self-similarity of the response in the mid-$\lambda _z$ range is still roughly satisfied, insensitive to Mach number. Finally, theoretical analyses of the perturbation equations are presented to help with understanding the scaling of energy amplification.

Coastal eutrophication and hypoxia remain a persistent environmental crisis despite the great efforts to reduce nutrient loading and mitigate associated environmental damages. Symptoms of this crisis have appeared to spread rapidly, reaching developing countries in Asia with emergences in Southern America and Africa. The pace of changes and the underlying drivers remain not so clear. To address the gap, we review the up-to-date status and mechanisms of eutrophication and hypoxia in global coastal oceans, upon which we examine the trajectories of changes over the 40 years or longer in six model coastal systems with varying socio-economic development statuses and different levels and histories of eutrophication. Although these coastal systems share common features of eutrophication, site-specific characteristics are also substantial, depending on the regional environmental setting and level of social-economic development along with policy implementation and management. Nevertheless, ecosystem recovery generally needs greater reduction in pressures compared to that initiated degradation and becomes less feasible to achieve past norms with a longer time anthropogenic pressures on the ecosystems. While the qualitative causality between drivers and consequences is well established, quantitative attribution of these drivers to eutrophication and hypoxia remains difficult especially when we consider the social economic drivers because the changes in coastal ecosystems are subject to multiple influences and the cause–effect relationship is often non-linear. Such relationships are further complicated by climate changes that have been accelerating over the past few decades. The knowledge gaps that limit our quantitative and mechanistic understanding of the human-coastal ocean nexus are identified, which is essential for science-based policy making. Recognizing lessons from past management practices, we advocate for a better, more efficient indexing system of coastal eutrophication and an advanced regional earth system modeling framework with optimal modules of human dimensions to facilitate the development and evaluation of effective policy and restoration actions.

During its transition to a market economy, structural inequalities became increasingly apparent across China’s workforce, threatening social harmony. China’s 2008 Employment Contract Law, legislated amid policy debate, was intended to remedy these phenomena. We examine a crucial element of its remit: has its promotion of continuing contracts as against fixed-term employment contracts been effective? This is crucial for improving workers’ rights through secure employment. How have employers responded to this challenge to their prerogatives in terms of hiring and firing? We analysed data from 2007 and 2012 drawn from All-China Federation of Trade Unions surveys, which cover approximately 80,000 individuals. Using institutional theory, we discuss a variety of employer responses. We find that the Employment Contract Law has increased the likelihood of signing continuing contracts among migrant workers, employees in privately owned enterprises, and those with lower professional titles and who are short-term employees – all disadvantaged labour market categories previously. It has also significantly narrowed gaps regarding access to continuing contracts between these categories and matched advantaged ones. There is also evidence that some employers seek to avoid or sidestep compliance through cost-minimising worker engagement strategies.

Chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathy (CTIN) is one of the most common kidney diseases. However, treatment for CTIN has multiple limits. Adjuvant therapy through nutritional regulation has become a hot research topic at present. Icariin (ICA), an extraction of Chinese herbal medicine epimedium, has many pharmacological functions including anti-inflammation and tonifying kidney. Selenomethionine (SeMet) possesses the effects of antioxidant and lightening nephrotoxicity. However, little is known about the combined nephroprotection of them. This study was investigated to evaluate the joint effects of ICA and SeMet on CTIN and explore the mechanism. Based on a novel CTIN model developed in our previous study, mice were randomly divided into five groups (a: control; b: model; c: model + ICA; d: model + SeMet; e: model + ICA + SeMet). Renal tubule epithelial cells were treated with cyclosporine A and ochratoxin A without/with ICA or/and SeMet. The results showed that ICA or/and SeMet ameliorated CTIN by inhibiting the uptrends of blood urine nitrogen, serum creatinine, urine protein, urine gravity, histopathological damage degree and collagen I deposition. ICA or/and SeMet also increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis and the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and α-smooth muscle actin. Emphatically, ICA and SeMet joint had better nephroprotection than alone in most indexes including fibrosis. Furthermore, ICA and SeMet joint decreased the activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NFκB pathway induced by CTIN. TLR4 overexpression counteracted the joint protection of ICA and SeMet. Therefore, ICA and SeMet in combination could protect against CTIN through blocking TLR4/NFκB pathway. The study will provide novel insights to explore an adjuvant therapeutic orientation.

The extent of intertidal flats in the Yellow Sea region has declined significantly in the past few decades, resulting in severe population declines in several waterbird species. The Yellow Sea region holds the primary stopover sites for many shorebirds during their migration to and from northern breeding grounds. However, the functional roles of these sites in shorebirds’ stopover ecology remain poorly understood. Through field surveys between July and November 2015, we investigated the stopover and moult schedules of migratory shorebirds along the southern Jiangsu coast, eastern China during their southbound migration, with a focus on the ‘Critically Endangered’ Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea and ‘Endangered’ Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa guttifer. Long-term count data indicate that both species regularly occur in globally important number in southern Jiangsu coast, constituting 16.67–49.34% and 64.0–80.67% of their global population estimates respectively, and it is highly likely that most adults undergo their primary moult during this southbound migration stopover. Our results show that Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Nordmann’s Greenshank staged for an extended period of time (66 and 84 days, respectively) to complete their primary moult. On average, Spoon-billed Sandpipers and Nordmann’s Greenshanks started moulting primary feathers on 8 August ± 4.52 and 27 July ± 1.56 days respectively, and their moult durations were 72.58 ± 9.08 and 65.09 ± 2.40 days. In addition, some individuals of several other shorebird species including the ‘Endangered’ Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris, ‘Near Threatened’ Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, ‘Near Threatened’ Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata and Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii also underwent primary moult. Our work highlights the importance of the southern Jiangsu region as the primary moulting ground for these species, reinforcing that conservation of shorebird habitat including both intertidal flats and supratidal roosting sites in this region is critical to safeguard the future of some highly threatened shorebird species.

Underground Nuclear Astrophysics in China (JUNA) will take the advantage of the ultra-low background in Jinping underground lab. High current accelerator with an ECR source and detectors were commissioned. JUNA plans to study directly a number of nuclear reactions important to hydrostatic stellar evolution at their relevant stellar energies. At the first period, JUNA aims at the direct measurements of 25Mg(p,γ)26 Al, 19F(p,α) 16 O, 13C(α, n) 16O and 12C(α,γ) 16O near the Gamow window. The current progress of JUNA will be given.

The topological insulator/superconductor heterostructure is one of the most promising platforms to create and manipulate Majorana bound states. Here, we used molecular beam epitaxy to grow high-quality (Bi0.5Sb0.5)2Te3 films on Nb surfaces. To promote proper (Bi0.5Sb0.5)2Te3 film nucleation in the early growth stage, we developed a two-step growth method. Bi, Sb, and Te clusters were first evaporated at a low temperature of 180 °C, which is below the typical growth temperature and then annealed to form a crystalized passivation layer. Second, a standard (Bi0.5Sb0.5)2Te3 film was grown under the normal deposition temperature of 280 °C. We used reflection high-energy electron diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction to further characterize the (Bi0.5Sb0.5)2Te3 film and passivation layer quality. Finally, the top Nb film was laid down by magnetron sputtering at room temperature. The hetero-Nb/epitaxial (Bi0.5Sb0.5)2Te3/Nb stacks were further fabricated into micro-Josephson junctions and showed clear Josephson currents demonstrating an excellent material quality.

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: (1) Evaluate safety of a novel influenza vaccination strategy in patients with plasma cell disorders. (2) Measure laboratory-confirmed influenza infection rates following a novel influenza vaccination strategy in patients with plasma cell disorders. (3) Evaluate clinical correlates of response following a novel influenza vaccination strategy in patients with plasma cell disorders. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We conducted a double-blind, randomized study over the 2015–16 flu season, comparing 2 doses of Fluzone® High-Dose influenza vaccination (separated by 30 d) to the current standard of care influenza vaccination. Patients were allocated to the experimental arm in 2:1 ratio compared with standard of care arm. Standard of care influenza vaccination was considered single age-based vaccination (standard dose for those <65 y and high dosefor those ≥65 y) and patients in this arm received a saline placebo injection at 30 days to assist in blinding. Eligibility criteria allowed any patient with a PCD and no contraindication to trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine. The primary endpoint was laboratory-confirmed flu infection rate. Protocol-driven surveillance screened patients for flu-like illnesses and performed laboratory testing for influenza until the end of the flu season in May 2016. Secondary endpoints include HAI titer serologic response rates, clinical correlates of protection from influenza infection, and exploratory studies of cell-mediated immunity through characterization of T cell subpopulations, cytokine profiles, and flu-specific T-cell responsiveness. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: In total, 122 plasma cell disorder patients were enrolled (97 with disease requiring therapy and 25 with asymptomatic gammopathy). Of those 48 patients received a single standard of care influenza vaccination and 74 patients received 2 doses of Fluzone® high-dose vaccine. Median age was 67 years (range 42–90). This 2-dose vaccination strategy was safely tolerated in all patients with no grade 2 adverse events attributed to vaccine. With close clinical follow-up, only 4% of patients receiving 2 vaccine doses developed laboratory confirmed influenza Versus 8.3% of those receiving single vaccine. When compared to the expected CDC influenza infection rate of 10%–15%, 1 sample, 2-tailed binomial testing revealed patients receiving 2 vaccines experienced a significantly lower rate of infection than the expected rate (p<0.05) whereas those receiving single vaccine showed no significant difference (p=0.38). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This randomized study demonstrates that the 2 dose strategy of Fluzone® high-dose influenza vaccine is safely tolerated in patients with plasma cell disorders and associated with significantly less than expected laboratory-confirmed influenza infections. The results suggest that this novel vaccination strategy may have a clinical benefit in reducing influenza infections in plasma cell disorder patients and thus may have practice changing implications. Final analyses of serologic responses, clinical correlates of response, and cell-mediated immune correlates may provide valuable insights into in vivo “immune-competence” in patients with plasma cell disorders.

The Yellow Sea region is of high global importance for waterbird populations, but recent systematic bird count data enabling identification of the most important sites are relatively sparse for some areas. Surveys of waterbirds at three sites on the coast of southern Jiangsu Province, China, in 2014 and 2015 produced peak counts of international importance for 24 species, including seven globally threatened and six Near Threatened species. The area is of particular global importance for the ‘Critically Endangered’ Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea (peak count across all three study sites: 62 in spring [2015] and 225 in autumn [2014] and ‘Endangered’ Spotted Greenshank Tringa guttifer (peak count across all three study sites: 210 in spring [2014] and 1,110 in autumn [2015]). The southern Jiangsu coast is therefore currently the most important migratory stopover area in the world, in both spring and autumn, for both species. Several serious and acute threats to waterbirds were recorded at these study sites. Paramount is the threat of large-scale land claim which would completely destroy intertidal mudflats of critical importance to waterbirds. Degradation of intertidal mudflat habitats through the spread of invasive Spartina, and mortality of waterbirds by entrapment in nets or deliberate poisoning are also real and present serious threats here. Collisions with, and displacement by, wind turbines and other structures, and industrial chemical pollution may represent additional potential threats. We recommend the rapid establishment of effective protected areas for waterbirds in the study area, maintaining large areas of open intertidal mudflat, and the urgent removal of all serious threats currently faced by waterbirds here.

This study reviews the results of the surgical management of 154 cases of ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva. Of the patients0 73% were male, with an average age of 28 years. An associated ventricular septal defect was found in 40% and 23% had aortic valvar regurgitation. The aneurysms originated from the right coronary sinus in 79% and from the non-coronary sinus in the remainders. The aneurysms ruptured into the right ventricle in 73%, into the right atrium in 27% and into the left ventricle in less than 1%. Operative mortality was 4.5%. Long-term follow-up was achieved in 80% of patients, with a mean duration of 5.7 years and a range from two months to 29 years. Preoperative aortic regurgitation and preoperative functional class (NYHA III or IV) were both predictive of a worse long-term outcome. The optimal surgical approach was closure of the distal end of the fistula by direct suture together with reinforcement of the aortic sinus with a Dacron patch.

Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) is a technique of material processing and surface modification, using controllable negative high voltage pulsed bias to attract the ion generated from the plasma. The method using PIII treatment quickly improves the performance of solar cell made of crystalline silicon, including monocrystalline, multicrystalline and polycrystalline silicon. Hydrogen ions are attracted and quickly implanted into solar cell under a predetermined negative pulse voltage, thus, the passivation of the crystal defects of the solar cell can be realized in a short period. Meanwhile, the properties of the antireflection layer can not be damaged as the proper operating conditions are used. Consequently, the series resistance can be significantly reduced and the filling factor increases as a result. Both the short-circuit and the open-circuit voltage can be increased. The efficiency can be enhanced.