Functional Coupling of Slack Channels and P2X3 Receptors Contributes to Neuropathic Pain Processing

The sodium-activated potassium channel Slack (K_Na1.1, Slo2.2, or Kcnt1) is highly expressed in populations of sensory neurons, where it mediates the sodium-activated potassium current (I_KNa) and modulates neuronal activity. Previous studies suggest that Slack is involved in the processing of neuropathic pain. However, mechanisms underlying the regulation of Slack activity in this context are poorly understood. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings we found that Slack-mediated I_KNa in sensory neurons of mice is reduced after peripheral nerve injury, thereby contributing to neuropathic pain hypersensitivity. Interestingly, Slack is closely associated with ATP-sensitive P2X3 receptors in a population of sensory neurons. In vitro experiments revealed that Slack-mediated I_KNa may be bidirectionally modulated in response to P2X3 activation. Moreover, mice lacking Slack show altered nocifensive responses to P2X3 stimulation. Our study identifies P2X3/Slack signaling as a mechanism contributing to hypersensitivity after peripheral nerve injury and proposes a potential novel strategy for treatment of neuropathic pain.     

Revisiting CO2 emissions convergence in G18 countries

This study revisits whether CO₂ emissions converge in G18 countries over the period of 1950–2013. To work on this empirical analysis, we employ a more powerful quantile unit root test with per capita CO₂ emissions. While conventional unit root tests fail to reject convergence in CO₂ emissions in these G18 countries, quantile unit root test results demonstrate CO₂ emissions converged in 5 of these G18 countries (i.e., Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, and India). Our empirical results have important policy implications for the governments of G18 countries to direct efficient and effective energy policies to reduce the CO₂ emissions.     

滚齿工艺对齿根粗糙度的影响

针对国内外风电和工业齿轮箱轻量化的设计趋势,较低的安全系数对齿轮齿根弯曲强度提出了更为严格的要求。研究表明,在材料技术和齿形设计难以再优化的情况下,滚齿加工的粗糙度,尤其是齿根部位的粗糙度对齿轮弯曲强度的影响尤为敏感。针对滚齿工艺过程,从滚齿加工参数、刀具前刀面粗糙度和刀具刃口圆角三方面进行分析,验证其对齿根粗糙度的影响。     

复配粗提物对氧化应激型视力损伤的保护

目的探讨4种复配粗提物对眼睛的保护作用。方法对小鼠连续干预8周后强光造模,进行小鼠视网膜电图(electroretinogram,ERG)和视网膜光学相干断层扫描(optical coherence tomography,OCT)检测,并采集视网膜进行基因表达测定。结果 ERG结果显示,与模型组比较,粗提物干预组a波振幅和明场b波振幅均升高(P0.05)。OCT结果显示,与模型组比较,小鼠视网膜外核层(outer nuclear layer, ONL)萎缩现象均得到了不同程度的改善。肿瘤坏死因子(tumor necrosis factor-α, TNF-α)和白介素-1β(interleukin-1β, IL-1β)基因的表达结果显示,复配粗提物均可抑制视网膜TNF-α和IL-1β基因的表达。结论复配粗提物可能对炎症相关的视疲劳具有缓解作用。     

棘孢木霉T-6对烟草促生及对黑胫病和根黑腐病的抗病作用

利用生防菌防治土传病害是植物病害防治中的重要措施，在温室盆栽条件下研究了棘孢木霉T-6对烟草促生和抗病效果。结果表明，棘孢木霉T-6对烟草黑胫病菌、烟草根黑腐病菌的菌丝生长抑制率分别达49.62%、59.23%；温室盆栽条件下，棘孢木霉T-6对黑胫病和根黑腐病的防治效果分别达到74.45%和75.14%。棘孢木霉T-6处理后提高了烟草叶片叶绿素含量、类胡萝卜素含量和超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶、过氧化氢酶的活性，棘孢木霉T-6处理的烟株生长状况明显好于对照。棘孢木霉T-6能够促进烟株生长和提高烟草对黑胫病和根黑腐病的抗性，具有良好的应用潜力。     

Bootstrap procedures for detecting multiple persistence shifts in heteroskedastic time series

This article proposes new bootstrap procedures for detecting multiple persistence shifts in a time series driven by non-stationary volatility. The assumed volatility process can accommodate discrete breaks, smooth transition variation as well as trending volatility. We develop wild bootstrap sup-Wald tests of the null hypothesis that the process is either stationary [I(0)] or has a unit root [I(1)] throughout the sample. We also propose a sequential procedure to estimate the number of persistence breaks based on ordering the regime-specific bootstrap p-values. The asymptotic validity of the advocated procedures is established both under the null of stability and a variety of persistence change alternatives. A comparison with existing tests that assume homoskedasticity illustrates the finite sample improvements offered by our methods. An application to OECD inflation rates highlights the empirical relevance of the proposed approach and weakens the case for persistence change relative to existing procedures.