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A new method for the absolute determination of electrolytic conductivity based on direct current and Potentiometric measurements is described. The unique design of the cell uses a removable center section whose length and cross-sectional area are accurately known. Two pairs of matched Ag, AgCl electrodes are used in a four terminal mode of resistance measurement. Measurements of the electrolytic conductivity of primary standard potassium chloride solution using [his novel dc conductance cell are compared with the currently adopted IUPAC and OIML recommendations. In addition, measurements have heen made of the electrolytic conductivity of a solution of potassium chloride having a molality of 1 mol/kg (mole KCl per kilogram H 2 O). The values so obtained over the temperature range of 0 °C to 50 °C are recommended as the new primary standards for electrolytic conductivity.

A two-dimensional model is developed to study the flutter instability of a flag immersed in an inviscid flow. Two dimensionless parameters governing the system are the structure-to-fluid mass ratio M * and the dimensionless incoming flow velocity U * . A transition from a static steady state to a chaotic state is investigated at a fixed M * =1 with increasing U * . Five single-frequency periodic flapping states are identified along the route, including four symmetrical oscillation states and one asymmetrical oscillation state. For the symmetrical states, the oscillation frequency increases with the increase of U * , and the drag force on the flag changes linearly with the Strouhal number. Chaotic states are observed when U * is relatively large. Three chaotic windows are observed along the route. In addition, the system transitions from one periodic state to another through either period-doubling bifurcations or quasi-periodic bifurcations, and it transitions from a periodic state to a chaotic state through quasi-periodic bifurcations.

Netrin-1 is typically known as a neuronal guidance factor. Studies have reported the proangiogenic, antiapoptotic, and antiinflammatory properties of Netrin-1. A critical role for Netrin-1 in ischemic organ damage, myocardial infarction (MI) in particular, has also been demonstrated, making Netrin-1 a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promising therapeutic efficacy in preclinical studies. However, limited clinical success was observed, mainly due to poor MSC survival. Given the reported beneficial impact of Netrin-1 in tissue repair and cell survival, we examined the effects of Netrin-1 in MSC therapy against MI-induced ischemic cardiac injury in rats and type 2 diabetic (T2D) mice. MSCs were isolated and Netrin-1-expressing MSCs were obtained by transduction with a Netrin-1-encoding retroviral vector. The Netrin-1-MSCs were then delivered intramyocardially to the infarct sites of rats and T2D mice with MI. Thirty days after MSC implantation, changes at the infarct area, level of collagen deposition, and cardiac hypertrophy were assessed. Molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of Netrin-1 were also investigated. Attenuated MI-induced myocardial dysfunction was observed after Netrin-1-MSC treatment. Protective effects of the Netrin-1-MSCs were attributable primarily to better MSC survival and migration, which is mediated by Netrin-1-induced phosphorylation of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Netrin-1-stimulated nitric oxide production was also responsible, which could promote neovessel formation and progenitor cell mobilization in vivo. We report a protective role for Netrin-1 against MI-induced ischemic injuries, reinstating its promising potential as a therapeutic target for CVDs and, more importantly, for patients with CVD with coexisting diabetes.

Endosperm filling in maize (Zea mays), which involves nutrient uptake and biosynthesis of storage reserves, largely determines grain yield and quality. However, much remains unclear about the synchronization of these processes. Here, we comprehensively investigated the functions of duplicate NAC-type transcription factors, namely ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130, in endosperm filling. The gene-edited double mutant zmnac128 zmnac130 exhibits a poorly filled kernel phenotype such that the kernels have an inner cavity. RNA sequencing and protein abundance analysis revealed that the expression of many genes involved in the biosynthesis of zein and starch is reduced in the filling endosperm of zmnac128 zmnac130. Further DNA affinity purification and sequencing combined with chromatin-immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR and promoter transactivation assays demonstrated that ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 are direct regulators of three (16-, 27-, and 50-kD) γ-zein genes and six important starch metabolism genes (Brittle2 [Bt2], pullulanase-type starch debranching enzyme [Zpu1], granule-bound starch synthase 1 [GBSS1], starch synthase 1 [SS1], starch synthase IIa [SSIIa], and sucrose synthase 1 [Sus1]). ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 recognize an additional cis-element in the Opaque2 (O2) promoter to regulate its expression. The triple mutant zmnac128 zmnac130 o2 exhibits extremely poor endosperm filling, which results in more than 70% of kernel weight loss. ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 regulate the expression of the transporter genes sugars will eventually be exported transporter 4c (ZmSWEET4C), sucrose and glucose carrier 1 (ZmSUGCAR1), and yellow stripe-like2 (ZmYSL2) and in turn facilitate nutrient uptake, while O2 plays a supporting role. In conclusion, ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 cooperate with O2 to facilitate endosperm filling, which involves nutrient uptake in the basal endosperm transfer layer (BETL) and the synthesis of zeins and starch in starchy endosperm (SE).