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We proposed the flexible arrayed lactate biosensor based on immobilizing L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) on nickel oxide (NiO) film, and which the average sensitivity could be enhanced by using graphene oxide (GO) and magnetic beads (MBs). By using GO and MBs, it exhibits excellent sensitivity (45.397 mV/mM) with a linearity of 0.992 in a range of 0.2 mM to 3 mM. According to the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the electron transfer resistance of LDH-NAD+-MBs/GPTS/GO/NiO film was smaller than those of LDH-NAD+/GPTS/GO/NiO film and LDH-NAD+/GPTS/NiO film, and it presented the outstanding electron transfer ability. After that, the limit of detection, anti-interference effect and bending test were also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical-field distribution along the insulator surface strongly depends upon the contour design, besides the effect of pollution. The insulator contour should be designed to reach a desired uniform and minimal tangential field to increase the onset voltage of surface flashover. In this paper, with the charge simulation method (CSM) integrated, the dynamically adjustable genetic algorithm (DAGA) approach is proposed for contour optimization of a suspension insulator. The aim of the contour optimization is to minimize and make the tangential electric field uniform and to minimize the size of the insulator, subject to design constraints. In the proposed approach, the cubic spline function based on control (or contour) points on the insulator surface is optimized to derive the desired contour. The results show that a rather uniform and minimal tangential field distribution with a smaller suspension insulator can be obtained through the proposed approach in comparison with the commercial insulator practically deployed in transmission systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicle-based sensors can be used for traffic monitoring. These sensors are usually set with long sampling intervals to save communication costs and to avoid network congestion. In this paper, we are interested in understanding the traffic-monitoring performance that we can expect from such vehicle-based mobile sensor networks, despite the incomplete information provided. This is a fundamental problem to be addressed. A performance evaluation has been carried out in Shanghai, China, by utilizing the vehicle-based sensors installed in about 4000 taxies. Two types of traffic status-estimation algorithms, i.e., the link-based and the vehicle-based, are introduced and analyzed. The results show that estimations of the traffic status based on these imperfect data are reasonably accurate. Therefore, the feasibility of such an application is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a combined approach of optimized charge simulation method (CSM) and hashing integrated adaptive genetic algorithm (HAGA) to the contour design of support insulators. In the combined approach, the HAGA determines the optimal displacement ratio and number of fictitious charges used in CSM, and then obtains the optimal contour design to minimize and uniform the tangential electric field along the dielectric boundary based on the optimized CSM. The proposed HAGA method considerably improves the execution efficiency by accessing the fitness values of the searched solutions saved a priori in a hashing table during the optimization process. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, three cases of different contours of support insulators have been studied. Results show that rather uniform and minimal tangential field distributions along the insulator surfaces can be effectively derived by the proposed approaches to achieve promising performance and higher probability free from flashover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aldosterone secretion is subjected to dopaminergic regulation. Our previous study showed that both human D2 and D4 dopamine receptors (D2R and D4R) modulate aldosterone secretion, but in opposing directions. The inhibitory effect of D2R is mediated by attenuating protein kinase C-μ (PKC-μ) and calcium-dependent signaling. The mechanism of D4R effect on angiotensin II (AII)-stimulated aldosterone secretion is explored in this study. Experiments were done with primary human adrenal cortical cells and human adrenocarcinoma (NCI-H295R) cells. Activation of different PKC isoforms was detected by specific phospho-PKC antibodies and PKC translocation. The role of calcium-dependent signaling was examined by measuring the cytoplasmic inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) and calcium ([Ca2+]i). The D4R agonist PD-168,077 enhanced All-stimulated aldosterone synthesis and secretion as early as 30 mm following exposure independently of the modulation of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) transcription. CYP11B2 mRNA level elevated by All was augmented by D4R in the later period. These effects were reversed by the D4R antagonist L-745,870. All activated PKC-α/βII, -ε and -μ. but not PKC-δ, -θ, or -ζ/λ of H295R cells. The D4R agonist selectively enhanced All-stimulated PKC-ε phosphorylation and its translocation to the cell membrane. Furthermore, the D4R agonist enhanced the All-stimulated elevation of intracellular IP3 and [Ca2+]i. Inhibition of PKC-ε translocation by the PKC-ε-specific inhibitory peptide attenuated All-stimulated aldosterone secretion, CYP11B2 mRNA expression, and elevation of intracellular IP3 and [Ca2+]i. We conclude that D4R augmented aldosterone synthesis/secretion induced by AII. The mechanisms responsible for this augmentation are mediated through enhancing PKC-ε phosphorylation and [Ca2+]i elevation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present the characteristics of a vehicular ad hoc network (VANET), which is the Shanghai urban vehicular network (SUVnet). We construct a mobility model using the GPS data collected from more than 4000 taxis in Shanghai. The model is both realistic and large scale. Based on this model, network topology and connectivity of SUVnet are studied. Because of the sparse distribution and dynamic topology of SUVnet, simply utilizing the conventional mobile ad hoc network routing protocols in SUVnet may not achieve a satisfactory performance. Therefore, we apply the delay-tolerant network model to SUVnet and evaluate the epidemic routing protocols. We propose a new protocol, which is the distance aware epidemic routing (DAER), to improve the bundle delivery ratio. Results show that DAER performs well for a VANET. This paper provides a basis in studying a realistic urban VANET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH) is a rare autosomal dominant cutaneous disorder characterized by a mixture of hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules of various sizes on the extremities. Pathogenic mutations in the DSRAD gene have been identified. In this report, we identified a Chinese family with a three-generation pedigree of DSH, in which a novel heterozygous nucleotide G→A transition was found. It is at position 3,125 in exon 12 of the DSRAD gene which induces a R1042H change in the putative deaminase domain of DSRAD. Our study expands the database on the DSRAD gene mutations in DSH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]