Abstract A common issue with traditional warheads is the presence of a central blind zone when vertically striking targets. In this study, we proposed an axially reinforced warhead with different filler materials at the front end. Through experimental testing and simulations of single-point detonation at the bottom of the axially reinforced warhead, the fragmentation characteristics of the shell at the front end were analyzed, along with the fragment velocity and fragment distribution. The results showed that compared to traditional cylindrical warheads, the axially reinforced warhead filled with explosives or inert filler demonstrated significant improvements in fragmentation characteristics, the quality of the fragments, and the distribution of the fragments. Moreover, the fragment velocities showed greater similarity, and as the density of the inert filler increased, the improvement became more significant. In conclusion, the axially reinforced warhead with inert fillers at the front end produced evenly distributed fragments in the central damage area, which effectively improved the energy utilization of the warhead. targets study singlepoint single point analyzed Moreover similarity increased conclusion area

ABSTRACT The original two-order separating sieve has a good potato-soil separating ability, but it causes significant damage to potatoes while ensuring a high potato detection rate, which in turn affects the working effectiveness of the potato digger. Thus, it is necessary to improve the design of the original swing separation sieve with a two-order sieve surface to one with a three-order sieve surface to solve the contradiction between the potato detection and potato damage. On this basis, the movement characteristics of potatoes and the separation performance of the new sieve were experimentally investigated. The experiment was conducted in a test field in Wuchuan County using a completely randomized design in a single-factor scheme with three factors and five levels, with five crank speeds (140, 150, 180, 210 and 225 rpm), five machine forward speeds (1.41, 1.51, 1.70, 1.89 and 2.21 km h-1) and five boom-connecting rod length combinations (250-350-1,030, 250-370-1,040, 270-370-1,050, 290-370-1,060 and 310-370-1,070 mm). Each experiment was repeated three times at each level, and the average value was taken as the final result. The experimental results demonstrate that the new three-order separation sieve can ensure a high potato detection rate while maintaining a low potato skin breakage rate. twoorder two order potatosoil soil ability digger Thus threeorder basis investigated singlefactor single factor levels 140, 140 (140 150 180 21 22 rpm, rpm , rpm) 1.41, 141 1 41 (1.41 151 51 1.51 170 70 1.70 189 89 1.8 221 2 2.2 h1 h h-1 boomconnecting boom connecting 2503501,030, 2503501030 250 350 1,030, 030 (250-350-1,030 2503701,040, 2503701040 370 1,040, 040 250-370-1,040 2703701,050, 2703701050 270 1,050, 050 270-370-1,050 2903701,060 2903701060 290 1,060 060 290-370-1,06 3103701,070 3103701070 310 1,070 070 310-370-1,07 mm. mm . mm) level result 14 (14 15 18 1.41 4 (1.4 5 1.5 17 7 1.7 8 1. 2. h- 2503501 2503501,030 250350103 25 35 1030 1,030 03 (250-350-1,03 2503701 2503701,040 250370104 37 1040 1,040 04 250-370-1,04 2703701 2703701,050 270370105 27 1050 1,050 05 270-370-1,05 2903701 2903701,06 290370106 29 1060 1,06 06 290-370-1,0 3103701 3103701,07 310370107 31 1070 1,07 07 310-370-1,0 (1 1.4 (1. 250350 2503501,03 25035010 3 103 1,03 0 (250-350-1,0 250370 2503701,04 25037010 104 1,04 250-370-1,0 270370 2703701,05 27037010 105 1,05 270-370-1,0 290370 2903701,0 29037010 106 1,0 290-370-1, 310370 3103701,0 31037010 107 310-370-1, ( 25035 2503501,0 10 (250-350-1, 25037 2503701,0 250-370-1, 27037 2703701,0 270-370-1, 29037 2903701, 1, 290-370-1 31037 3103701, 310-370-1 2503 2503501, (250-350-1 2503701, 250-370-1 2703 2703701, 270-370-1 2903 290-370- 3103 310-370- (250-350- 250-370- 270-370- 290-370 310-370 (250-350 250-370 270-370 290-37 310-37 (250-35 250-37 270-37 290-3 310-3 (250-3 250-3 270-3 290- 310- (250- 250- 270- (250 (25 (2

RESUMO A peneira de separação de duas ordens original tem uma boa capacidade de separação batata-solo, mas causa danos significativos às batatas ao mesmo tempo em que garante uma alta taxa de evidência de batatas, o que, por sua vez, afeta a eficácia do trabalho da escavadeira de batatas. Assim, o estudo teve como objetivo aprimorar a peneira de separação de balanço original com uma superfície de peneira de duas ordens para uma nova peneira de separação com uma superfície de peneira de três ordens para resolver a contradição entre a taxa obvia de batatas e os danos às batatas na operação da peneira original. Com base nisso, as características de movimentação das batatas e o desempenho de separação da nova peneira foram investigados experimentalmente no campo. O experimento foi conduzido em um campo de teste no Condado de Wuchuan, utilizando um delineamento completamente aleatório em um esquema de fator único com três fatores e cinco níveis, com cinco velocidades de manivela (140, 150, 180, 210 e 225 rpm), cinco velocidades de avanço da máquina (1,41, 1,51, 1,70, 1,89 e 2,21 km h-1) e cinco combinações de comprimento da haste de ligação do braço (250-350-1.030, 250-370-1.040, 270-370-1.050, 290-370-1.060 e 310-370-1.070 mm). Cada experimento foi repetido três vezes em cada nível, e o valor médio foi considerado como o resultado final. Os resultados experimentais demonstram que a nova peneira de separação de três ordens pode garantir uma alta taxa de detecção de batatas enquanto mantém uma baixa taxa de danos à casca das batatas. batatasolo, batatasolo batata solo, solo batata-solo vez Assim nisso Wuchuan níveis 140, 140 (140 150 180 21 22 rpm, rpm , rpm) 1,41, 141 1 41 (1,41 151 51 1,51 170 70 1,70 189 89 1,8 221 2 2,2 h1 h h-1 2503501.030, 2503501030 250 350 1.030, 030 (250-350-1.030 2503701.040, 2503701040 370 1.040, 040 250-370-1.040 2703701.050, 2703701050 270 1.050, 050 270-370-1.050 2903701.060 2903701060 290 1.060 060 290-370-1.06 3103701.070 3103701070 310 1.070 070 310-370-1.07 mm. mm . mm) nível final 14 (14 15 18 1,41 4 (1,4 5 1,5 17 7 1,7 8 1, 2, h- 2503501 2503501.030 250350103 25 35 1030 1.030 03 (250-350-1.03 2503701 2503701.040 250370104 37 1040 1.040 04 250-370-1.04 2703701 2703701.050 270370105 27 1050 1.050 05 270-370-1.05 2903701 2903701.06 290370106 29 1060 1.06 06 290-370-1.0 3103701 3103701.07 310370107 31 1070 1.07 07 310-370-1.0 (1 1,4 (1, 250350 2503501.03 25035010 3 103 1.03 0 (250-350-1.0 250370 2503701.04 25037010 104 1.04 250-370-1.0 270370 2703701.05 27037010 105 1.05 270-370-1.0 290370 2903701.0 29037010 106 1.0 290-370-1. 310370 3103701.0 31037010 107 310-370-1. ( 25035 2503501.0 10 (250-350-1. 25037 2503701.0 250-370-1. 27037 2703701.0 270-370-1. 29037 2903701. 1. 290-370-1 31037 3103701. 310-370-1 2503 2503501. (250-350-1 2503701. 250-370-1 2703 2703701. 270-370-1 2903 290-370- 3103 310-370- (250-350- 250-370- 270-370- 290-370 310-370 (250-350 250-370 270-370 290-37 310-37 (250-35 250-37 270-37 290-3 310-3 (250-3 250-3 270-3 290- 310- (250- 250- 270- (250 (25 (2

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants and the clinical application value of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. METHODS: A total of 80 premature infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks or a birth weight of <1,500 g who were treated in our hospital from January to August 2021 were randomly divided into a bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (n=12) and a non-bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (n=62). The clinical data, lung ultrasound, and X-ray image characteristics of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Among the 74 preterm infants, 12 preterm infants were diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and 62 preterm infants were determined not to have bronchopulmonary dysplasia. There were significant differences in sex, severe asphyxia, invasive mechanical ventilation, premature membrane ruptures, and intrauterine infection between the two groups (p<0.05). Lung ultrasound showed abnormal pleural lines and alveolar-interstitial syndrome in all 12 patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and vesicle inflatable signs in 3 patients. Before clinical diagnosis, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were 98.65, 100, 98.39, 92.31, and 100%, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of X-rays in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were 85.14, 75.00, 87.10, 52.94, and 94.74%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic efficiency of lung ultrasound for premature bronchopulmonary dysplasia is better than that of X-rays. The application of lung ultrasound can screen patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia early for timely intervention. OBJECTIVE METHODS 8 32 <3 1500 1 500 <1,50 202 n=12 n12 n (n=12 nonbronchopulmonary non n=62. n62 n=62 . (n=62) data Xray X ray compared RESULTS 7 6 sex asphyxia ventilation ruptures p<0.05. p005 p p<0.05 0 05 (p<0.05) alveolarinterstitial alveolar interstitial accuracy sensitivity specificity 9865 98 65 98.65 100 9839 39 98.39 9231 92 31 92.31 100% respectively Xrays rays 8514 85 14 85.14 7500 75 00 75.00 8710 87 10 87.10 5294 52 94 52.94 9474 94.74% CONCLUSION Xrays. rays. intervention < 150 50 <1,5 20 n=1 n1 (n=1 n6 n=6 (n=62 p00 p<0.0 (p<0.05 986 9 98.6 983 98.3 923 92.3 851 85.1 750 75.0 871 87.1 529 5 52.9 947 94.74 15 <1, 2 n= (n= (n=6 p0 p<0. (p<0.0 98. 92. 85. 75. 87. 52. 94.7 <1 (n p<0 (p<0. 94. p< (p<0 (p< (p

Abstract Palmitoleic acid (C16:1n7, POA), a 16-carbon ω-7 monounsaturated functional fatty acid, has been demonstrated a variety of beneficial properties to human health and a wide range of applications in nutrition, medical and chemical industries. Lipozyme® RM IM (Rhizomucor Miehei lipase), a Sn-1,3 specific lipase, was used to catalyze the hydrolysis of seabuckthorn fruit oil and produce monoglycates rich in palmitoleic acid. The fruit oil of seabuckthorn was used as the research object, the dosage of enzyme taking 10% wt.% oil, the influence of water/oil ratio, pH value and reaction temperature to hydrolysis rate were investigated, and then the response surface methodology was applied for optimizing the process conditions. Further, the relationship between the hydrolysis rate and the content of monoacylglycerol was studied under the optimal hydrolysis conditions. The result indicated that the optimal combined condition is as follows: the reaction temperature is 55°C, the pH is 7, the water-oil quality ratio is 1:1. The hydrolysis rate achieved 79.59% within 12 h in the condition above. Under the optimal conditions, the hydrolysis rate was positively correlated with the content of monoester, and the correlation coefficient was 0.999 within the first 10 h of the reaction. The hydrolysis rate was 66.76% at 10 h, and the content of monoglyceride reached the highest of 61.11%. Hereafter, the hydrolysis of monoglyceride began if the reaction continued. The content of palmitoleic acid increased from 27.11% to 40.84%, and that of linoleic acid increased from 4.51% to 33.34%, so the total amount of the two functional fatty acids reached 74.18%. Enzymatic hydrolysis can be an effective way to improve the function of seabuckthorn fruit oil. C161n7, C161n7 Cn C16 1n7, 1n7 C n (C16:1n7 POA, POA , POA) 16carbon carbon 16 ω7 ω 7 ω- nutrition industries Lipozyme Rhizomucor lipase lipase) Sn1,3 Sn13 Sn 1,3 1 3 Sn-1, object wt wt. wateroil water investigated conditions Further follows 55C 55 55°C 11. 11 1. 1:1 7959 79 59 79.59 above monoester 0999 0 999 0.99 6676 66 76 66.76 6111 61 61.11% Hereafter continued 2711 27 27.11 4084 40 84 40.84% 451 4 51 4.51 3334 33 34 33.34% 7418 74 18 74.18% C161n C1 1n (C16:1n Sn1 Sn1, 13 1, Sn-1 5 1: 795 79.5 099 99 0.9 667 6 66.7 611 61.11 271 2 27.1 408 8 40.84 45 4.5 333 33.34 741 74.18 Sn- 79. 09 9 0. 66. 61.1 27. 40.8 4. 33.3 74.1 61. 40. 33. 74.

Superhydrophobic surfaces of conventional Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) titanium alloys facilitate drag reduction and anti-wear. However, the economical fabrication of a wear-resistant superhydrophobic Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al (TB6) titanium alloy for application in modern aerospace equipment remains to be achieved. Here, an efficient wear-resistant superhydrophobic TB6 titanium alloy surface using commercially available materials and processing equipment was fabricated through nanosecond laser texturing and facile chemical modification. The wettability of textured surfaces, including line and grid patterns, ablated at different laser scanning intervals were investigated and analyzed in terms of surface morphology and chemical composition. Moreover, the mechanisms of coefficient of friction changes on different surfaces under dry and water sliding conditions were studied based on surface morphology and wettability. Under dry sliding and water lubrication conditions, the average coefficient of friction of the prepared superhydrophobic surface can be reduced by 29% and 74%, respectively, compared with that of the original hydrophilic surface. Ti6Al4V TiAlV Ti 6Al 4V Al V TC4 TC (TC4 antiwear. antiwear anti wear. wear anti-wear However wearresistant resistant Ti10V2Fe3Al TiVFeAl 10V 2Fe 3Al Fe TB (TB6 achieved Here modification patterns composition Moreover 29 74 74% respectively (TC (TB 2 7

Astragaloside IV is a biologically active substance derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Astragalus mambranaceus Bunge, and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of astragaloside IV on Klebsiella pneumonia rats and the underlying mechanisms. Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) rats were treated with different dosages of astragaloside IV (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) by intragastric administration. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. Pathological changes of lung tissue were inspected by HE staining. The expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in lung tissue was determined with immunohistochemistry, and the expression levels of TGF-β1, p-Smad2/Smad2, p-Smad3/Smad3, IκBα/p-IκBα, and p65/p-p65 in lung tissue were determined by western blot. The mechanism was further investigated with TGF-β1 inhibitor SB-431542. Astragaloside IV reduced the elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines caused by K. pneumoniae and improved lung tissue damage in a dose-dependent manner. Astragaloside IV also decreased the expression of TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins and decreased the protein levels of inflammation-related p-IκBα and p65 in lung tissues induced by K. pneumoniae. Additionally, it was found that the effects of 20 mg/kg astragaloside IV were similar to SB-431542, which could improve pulmonary fibrosis induced by K. pneumoniae, decrease the levels of TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins in lung, and reduce inflammation at the same time. Astragaloside IV could alleviate the inflammation of rat pneumonia induced by K. pneumoniae through suppressing the TGF-β1/Smad pathway. Bunge antioxidant antiinflammatory, antiinflammatory anti inflammatory, inflammatory anti-inflammatory antiapoptotic apoptotic properties study mechanisms K (K 5, 5 (5 10 2 mgkg mg kg administration proinflammatory pro IL6, IL6 IL 6, 6 (IL)-6 IL1β, IL1β ILβ 1β, 1β β IL-1β TNFα TNF α BALF (BALF staining TGFβ1 TGFβ TGF β1 (TGF)-β immunohistochemistry TGFβ1, β1, pSmad2/Smad2, pSmad2Smad2 pSmadSmad p Smad2/Smad2, Smad2 Smad p-Smad2/Smad2 pSmad3/Smad3, pSmad3Smad3 Smad3/Smad3, Smad3 p-Smad3/Smad3 IκBα/pIκBα, IκBαpIκBα IκBα/p IκBα, IκBα IκBα/p-IκBα p65/pp65 p65pp65 ppp p65/p p65/p-p6 blot TGF-β SB431542. SB431542 SB 431542. 431542 SB-431542 dosedependent dose dependent manner TGFβ1/Smad TGFβ1Smad TGFβSmad β1/Smad pathwayrelated pathway related inflammationrelated pIκBα p6 Additionally SB431542, 431542, time ( 1 (IL)- pSmad2 pSmad pSmad2/Smad2 pSmad2Smad Smad2Smad2 SmadSmad Smad2/Smad2 p-Smad2/Smad pSmad3 pSmad3/Smad3 pSmad3Smad Smad3Smad3 Smad3/Smad3 p-Smad3/Smad IκBα/pIκBα IκBαp pp65 pp p65/pp6 p65pp6 p65p p65/p-p SB43154 43154 SB-43154 β1Smad βSmad (IL) pSmad2/Smad Smad2Smad Smad2/Smad pSmad3/Smad Smad3Smad Smad3/Smad pp6 p65/pp p65pp SB4315 4315 SB-4315 (IL SB431 431 SB-431 SB43 43 SB-43 SB4 4 SB-4 SB-

RESUMO: A melhoria do TFP agrícola é fundamental para promover o desenvolvimento de alta qualidade da agricultura. Este artigo descreve e identifica as características de diferenciação espaço-temporal e a correlação espacial do TFP agrícola chinês em 283 cidades de nível de prefeitura, de 2001 a 2018, usando os índices Metafroniter-Malmquist e Moran. Os resultados mostram que: (1) De 2001 a 2018, o TFP agrícola da China foi de 6,64%, e seu crescimento foi impulsionado principalmente pelo progresso tecnológico agrícola. A contribuição da eficiência tecnológica agrícola foi pequena. A lei de crescimento mostrou uma tendência de crescimento “em forma de U invertido” de primeiro aumento e depois queda. (2) O TFP agrícola chinês apresenta características significativas de crescimento desequilibrado regional. (3) A taxa de crescimento do TFP agrícola na maioria das cidades de nível de prefeitura é média e lenta, e a maioria das cidades de nível de prefeitura depende do progresso tecnológico agrícola para promover o crescimento. (4) O TFP agrícola de várias cidades apresentou um fenômeno de correlação espacial significativo de “alto-alto” ou “baixo-baixo”. Este estudo tem valor teórico e prático significativo para manter o crescimento estável do TFP agrícola da China e promover o desenvolvimento de alta qualidade da agricultura da China.

ABSTRACT: The improvement of agricultural TFP is critical to promoting the high-quality development of agriculture. This paper described and identified the spatiotemporal differentiation characteristics and spatial correlation of China’s agricultural TFP in 283 prefecture-level cities from 2001 to 2018 using the Metafroniter-Malmquist and Moran index. The results showed that: (1) From 2001 to 2018, China’s agricultural TFP was 6.64%, and its growth was mainly driven by agricultural technological progress. The contribution of agricultural technological efficiency was small. The growth law showed an “inverted U-shaped” growth trend of first rising and then falling. (2) China’s agricultural TFP has significant characteristics of regional unbalanced growth. (3) The growth rate of agricultural TFP in most prefecture-level cities is medium and slow, and most prefecture-level cities relied on agricultural technological progress to promote growth. (4) The agricultural TFP of various cities showed a significant spatial correlation phenomenon of “high-high” or “low-low.” This study has significant theoretical and practical value for maintaining the stable growth of China’s agricultural TFP and promoting the high-quality development of China’s agriculture.

Abstract To compare the active tactile sensibility (AST) between natural teeth and implant dentures, and explore the risk factors. To establish a database of normal tactile thresholds of natural teeth, and integrate the results from experiments. 50 patients underwent posterior dental implant restoration. A healthy group was also enrolled as control. Patients were firstly placed in semi-supine position with soothed tension and wore ear pads and goggles. Next, T-scan II digital occlusal analysis system (Tekscan,USA). The test was performed in double-blind way and recorded by the third. Results were analyzed using SPSS software and P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Active tactile sensibility showed no statistically significant difference between natural teeth and dental implants among males and females (P > 0.05). However, there was difference between the natural tooth and implant tooth (P < 0.01), and there was also statistically significant difference between the front tooth and the back of the natural tooth and implant tooth (P < 0.01). There is no significant difference in the determination of the active tactile sensitive threshold difference between the implanted tooth and the natural tooth, which could serve as a comprehensive guiding for clinical strategies of tooth implantation.

Abstract Clinically, methane is an anti-inflammatory gas used to treat organ damage. There is no extensive research on methane's repair of traumatic brain injury (TBI), so this study aims to investigate the role of methane and its potential mechanism. A rat TBI model was established by mechanical impact. SD rats were divided into four groups, including sham group, TBI group, 2 or 20 mL/kg methane-rich saline (MS) group. Morris water maze test revealed that MS improved cognitive function in TBI rats. HE and Nissl staining showed that MS reduced the blurring of brain tissues boundary, the number of necrotic plaques and neurons in TBI rats. In addition, ELISA revealed that MS restored the oxidative stress of TBI rats and reversed the inflammatory effect of TBI on brain cells, and TUNEL staining detected that MS inhibited cell apoptosis. Western blotting showed that MS downregulated Caspase-3 and Bax protein levels and upregulated Bcl-2 level. And MS inhibited phosphorylated expressions of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of the transcription (STAT1) and NF-κb-p65. In conclusion, MS improved cognitive function, reduced inflammatory response and oxidative stress and inhibited cell apoptosis to relieve rat TBI by blocking the activation of the JAK1/STAT1/NF-κb-p65 pathway.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To explore the values of automated breast volume scanning (ABVS) combined with shear wave elastography (SWE) in the differential diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive breast cancers (HER2+BC). METHODS In this study, 28 patients with TNBC and 32 patients with HER2+BC were enrolled. The characteristics of ABVS and virtual touch quantification (VTQ) in SWE of all patients were reviewed. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out and the receiver operating characteristic curves of ABVS and ABVS+VTQ were drawn. RESULTS In ABVS imaging, the microcalcification, posterior echo, internal echo, shape, and edge had significant difference between TNBC and HER2+BC groups (p<0.05). The regular shape was the independent factor for TNBC (p=0.04, odds ratio [OR]=4.479), and the microcalcification in mass was the independent factor for HER2+BC (p=0.01, OR=2.997). In VTQ imaging, the shear wave velocity (SWV)max, SWVmin, and SWVmean in TNBC group were significantly lower than those in HER2+BC group (p<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ABVS+VTQ in diagnosing TNBC were higher than those of ABVS alone. CONCLUSIONS ABVS combined with SWE has certain advantages in differentiating TNBC from HER2+BC, which is helpful for the treatment planning and prognosis judgment.

Abstract Soy sauce wastewater has been produced in soy sauce production and consumption. To reuse this kind of water resource, the chemical oxygen demand (COD), colority should be removed or lowered. Biomimetic dynamic membrane (BDM), GO&Laccase@UF membrane, was prepared by filtering mixture of graphene oxide (GO) and laccase through ultrafiltration (UF) membrane. Compared to UF membrane, the prepared BDM showed great performance in removal of COD and colority, due to the higher laccase activity with existence of GO. The removal rate of colority reached ~80% by one step filtration operation. Moreover, the multiple cycle test evidenced that the value of COD and colority in the permeate after 5 consecutive cycles with the same GO&Laccase@UF membrane still meet the standard for reuse water. This work indicates the promising of BDM for wastewater from food industry.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a serious health problem worldwide; it is characterized by a group of metabolic disorders, including central obesity, insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia with accelerated atherosclerosis, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and elevated uric acid with increased risk of gout. The incidence of MS has increased considerably in recent decades and has attracted considerable attention. A number of clinical and translational laboratory studies have implicated the activation of nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the development of MS, therefore establishing a strong link between chronic inflammation and metabolic diseases. This paper aims to review new developments on NLRP3 inflammasome in MS for better understanding of chronic inflammation in metabolic diseases. We will also provide new insights into using NLRP3 inflammasome as an innovative therapeutic target.

The question as to whether the national innovation system (NIS) plays a significant positive role in influencing economic growth has been intensely debated by academics as well as policy analysts. The main controversy, however, is the fact that the ongoing empirical evidences on the relationship between innovation and economic growth are still mixed. The aim of this paper is to provide further evidence on the relationship between the NIS and economic growth using consistent and reliable data from a sample of emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa [BRICS]). The research has a BRICS focus and constructs NIS using historical panel data set for the main variables, that is, university enrolment rate for science and engineering students, government research and development expenditure, high-tech export and the enclosure of control variables covering the period 2000Q1-2013Q4. The study employed a dynamic panel estimation technique with a view of evaluating the relative impact of the NIS on economic growth in BRICS. The results revealed that the NIS as a whole has a positive effect on economic growth in BRICS economies. An important policy implication emerging from this study is that extra efforts are needed by emerging economies to promote the development of a NIS so as to explore the potential growth-inducing effects of a well-functioning NIS. Consequently, findings from this study have offered some persuading indicators for BRICS economies to explore the development of a NIS as a potential opportunity to speed up their economic growth.

The influence of homogenization treatment on microstructure evolution of Mg-5.8Zn-0.5Zr-1.0Yb (mass fraction, %) alloy was investigated under different annealing temperatures and holding times. Results indicated a severe dendritic segregation in the as-cast ingot. Zn and Yb segregate remarkably at the grain boundary and Zr appears in the form of precipitates. The Mg-Zn binary eutectic phases and a new ternary phase Mg-Zn-Yb are mainly distributed at dendrite boundaries. After homogenization, most of the eutectic phases dissolve into the matrix, except for a small amount of Mg-Zn-Yb phase. The area fractions of residual secondary phase decrease from 5.54% in the as-cast alloy to 0.59% in the well-homogenized sample. Microhardness test indicates that with the increasing temperature and holding time, microhardness value decreased sharply within the first stage of homogenization and then increased steadily to the local maximum value at 380 ºC and 12 h, followed by a slight reduction. Basing on the comprehensive analysis on microstructure and mechanical properties, the homogenization treatment at 380 ºC for 12 h is preferable.