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Heterogeneity is one of the most complex problems in subsurface formations, and it is ubiquitous in many geoscience disciplines. Fluid storage and flow in porous media are governed by a variety of geological and petrophysical variables, including structure, stratigraphy, facies, lithology, porosity, and permeability. These variables all contribute to subsurface heterogeneities and have different scales, often in a hierarchical scheme.

In this paper we present an evolution of our derivation of the shell-model effective Hamiltonian, namely introducing effects of three-body contributions. More precisely, we consider a three-body potential at next-to-next-to-leading order in chiral perturbation theory, and the induced three-body forces that arise from many-body correlations among valence nucleons. The first one is included, in the derivation of the effective Hamiltonian for one- and two-valence nucleon-systems, at first order in the many-body perturbation theory. Namely, we include only the three-body interaction between one or two valence nucleons and those belonging to the core. For nuclei with more than two valence particles, both induced - turned on by the two-body potential - and genuine three-body forces come into play. Since it is difficult to perform shell-model calculations with three-body forces, these contributions are estimated for the ground-state energy only. In order to establish the reliability of our approximations, we focus attention on nuclei belonging to the p shell, aiming to benchmark our calculations against those performed with the ab initio no-core shell-model. The obtained results are satisfactory, and pave the way to the application of our approach to nuclear systems with heavier masses., 10 pages, 15 figures, to be published on Physical Review C

MiR-384 was reported to be downregulated and functioned as a tumor suppressor in several cancers. However, the expression and function of miR-384 in osteosarcoma (OS) have not been investigated. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the effect and mechanism of miR-384 in the progression of OS.Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of miR-384 in OS tissues and cells. MTT assay, colony formation analysis, Transwell assays were performed to analyze the role of miR-384 in human OS cells. Western blotting was applied to analyze the expression of SETD8, and the luciferase reporter assay was used to assess the target gene of miR-384 in OS cells.We found that miR-384 was significantly lowly expressed in OS tissues and OS cell lines compared with the adjacent noncancerous tissues and normal bone cell lines, respectively. Further functional analysis indicated that up-regulation of miR-384 significantly inhibited OS cells proliferation, migration, and invasion, but down-regulation of miR-384 had the opposite effects on OS cells in vitro. Moreover, SETD8 was identified as the potential target of miR-384 using dual luciferase assay, qRT-PCR and Western blot. Finally, we observed that upregulation of SETD8 reversed the effects of overexpressing of miR-384 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OS.Our data provided the first evidence which supported the function of miR-384 as a tumor suppressor in OS by targeting SETD8.

We study nuclear multipole resonances in the framework of the random phase approximation using the chiral potential NNLO$_{\text{sat}}$. This potential includes two- and three-body terms that has been simultaneously optimized to low-energy nucleon-nucleon scattering data and selected nuclear structure data. Our main foci have been the isoscalar monopole, isovector dipole, and isoscalar quadrupole resonances of the closed-shell nuclei, $^4$He, $^{16,22,24}$O, and $^{40,48}$Ca. These resonance modes have been widely observed in experiment. In addition, we use a renormalized chiral potential $V_{\text{low-}k}$, based on the N$^3$LO two-body potential by Entem and Machleidt [Phys. Rev. \textbf{C68}, 041001 (2011)]. This introduces a dependency on the cutoff parameter used in the normalization procedure as reported in previous works by other groups. While NNLO$_{\text{sat}}$ can reasonably reproduce observed multipole resonances, it is not possible to find a single cutoff parameter for the $V_{\text{low-}k}$ potential that simultaneously describe the different types of resonance modes. The sensitivity to the cutoff parameter can be explained by missing induced three-body forces in the calculations. Our results for neutron-rich $^{22,24}$O show a mixing nature of isoscalar and isovector resonances in the dipole channel at low energies. We predict that $^{22}$O and $^{24}$O have low-energy isoscalar quadrupole resonances at energies lower than 5 MeV., Comment: 25 pages, 8 figures

Radix bupleuri (Chaihu), the dried root of the Bupleurum plant, is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we examined the genetic diversity of 11 Bupleurum strains, originating from 7 provinces in China, using amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis. A total of 274 polymorphic bands were obtained using 6 primer combinations, indicating a high level of polymorphism across all strains. An estimation of the relative relationships among strains revealed genetic distances ranging from 0.2183 to 0.7372, with an average of 0.4161. The 2 most closely related varieties were Bupleurum chinense DC. strains collected from Lushi, Henan, and Zhangjiakou, Hebei, with a genetic nearness of 0.2183. Hierarchical clustering divided the strains into 3 main groups, with B. falcatum L. from Hebei and Liaoning Provinces forming a cluster that diverged from that of B. smithii Wolff. and B. chinense DC. B. falcatum L. (Sandao chaihu), collected from Heze, Shandong, clustered independently of the other strains, suggesting that this strain may have been introduced from a different location or that it arose as a result of intraspecific variation. B. smithii Wolff. (Hei chaihu) was closely associated with B. scorzonerifolium Willd. (Nan chaihu) and B. chinense DC. (Bei chaihu), suggesting a common genetic origin.

Long non-coding RNA EWSAT1 (EWSAT1) has been identified as a tumor promoter in several tumors, but its prognostic values in osteosarcoma have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between EWSAT1 expression and prognosis of osteosarcoma patients.EWSAT1 levels were examined in 176 osteosarcoma tissues and matched normal bone tissues by qRT-PCR analysis. The associations of EWSAT1 expression with clinicopathologic variables were analyzed. The survival curves were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify independent prognostic factors with independent prognostic for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).We found that EWSAT1 levels were significantly higher in osteosarcoma tissues compared with matched non-cancerous tissues (p0.01). The level of EWSAT1 expression was significantly associated with clinical stage (p=0.001) and distant metastasis (p=0.011). Then, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that high EWSAT1 expression level was associated with poorer OS (p=0.0007) and DFS (p=0.0010). Furthermore, Cox multivariate analyses demonstrated that EWSAT1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for both OS (p0.001) and DFS (p=0.001) in osteosarcoma patients CONCLUSIONS: Increased EWSAT1 expression was associated with poor outcomes in osteosarcoma patients, and EWSAT1 could serve as a potential unfavorable prognostic biomarker.

15th MST Radar WorkshopSession M3: Ionospheric irregularities and IS experimentsMay 27 (Sat), Poster Session

One can adopt two-step $G$-matrix approximations for the Brueckner-Hartree-Fock (BHF) calculations. The first $G$ matrix is to soften the bare force, and the second one is to include the high-order correlations of the interaction in medium. The first $G$-matrix calculation for two-nucleon interaction should be done in the center-of-mass coordinate. As another alternative BHF approach, we have adopted the ${V}_{\text{low-}k}$ technique to soften the interaction and used the $G$ matrix to include high-order correlations. The ${V}_{\text{low-}k}$ renormalization leads to high-momentum and low-momentum components of the interaction decoupled. With the ${V}_{\text{low-}k}$ potential, we have performed the BHF calculations for finite nuclei. The $G$-matrix elements with exact Pauli exclusions are calculated in the self-consistent BHF basis. To see effects from further possible correlations beyond BHF, we have simultaneously performed renormalized BHF (RBHF) calculations with the same potential. In RBHF, the mean field derived from realistic forces is modified by introducing the particle-occupation depletion resulting from many-body correlations. The ground-state energies and radii of the closed-shell nuclei, $^{4}\mathrm{He}$, $^{16}\mathrm{O}$, and $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$, have been investigated. The convergences of the BHF and RBHF calculations have been discussed and compared with other ab initio calculations with the same potential.

In order to study the effective prevention measures to improve the regulation effect of the anti-deflecting measure in Bei 301 operation area and prolong the pump cycle of the oil well. The calculation of the historical data of the eccentric wear well and the analysis of eccentric wear prevention effect show that eccentric wear condition in Bei 301 operation area of hailaer oilfield is relatively serious and the operating wells’ ratio of rod breakage and tube leakage increases year by year due to eccentric wear [1,2]. In 2014, the proportion of rod breakage and tube leakage in the operating wells of the operation area was 19.4% and 45.2% respectively, and the average pump inspection cycle was around 400 days. The reasons for the serious wear of the rod pipe in Bei 301 operation area are the improper production parameters, the submergence depth, high water content and well fluid properties according to the detailed data analysis of the pump operation. Active eccentric wear prevention measures have some effect, and next research direction for preventing eccentric wear is put forward in this paper: the paraffin-removing technology, bi-directional protected box coupling and low friction pump combined with the problems faced by the operating area.

To address the issue of water eutrophication and to use water more effectively, we conducted experiments on rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown in floating culture. From 2009 to 2011, we compared the photosynthesis and root characteristics of the rice, hybrid line Zhuliangyou 02, grown under a conventional tillage and in a floating culture in Huaihua, the home of hybrid rice. Rice in the floating culture showed a higher net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance than that under the conventional tillage. The activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and NADP-malic enzyme were 32 and 28% higher, respectively, in rice in the floating culture than under the conventional tillage. Rice in the floating culture also showed significantly greater number of roots, root activity, and antioxidant enzyme activity than that under the conventional tillage. Compared with rice under the conventional tillage, rice in the floating culture had 18 and 24% higher tiller number and effective panicle number, respectively. These results suggested that the floating culture system can promote rice production through enhancing root absorption, increasing effective panicle number, and improving the photosynthetic rate. In addition, rice cultivated in the floating culture could remove excess nutrients from water, which addresses the problems of a lack of arable land and water pollution.

Thinopyrum intermedium is a useful source of resistance genes for Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), one of the most damaging wheat diseases. In this study, wheat/Th. intermedium translocation lines with a BYDV resistance gene were developed using the Th. intermedium 7Ai-1 chromosome. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), using a Th. intermedium total genomic DNA probe, enabled detection of 7Ai-1-derived small chromatins containing a BYDV resistance gene, which were translocated onto the end of wheat chromosomes in the lines Y95011 and Y960843. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses using 120 random 10-mer primers were conducted to compare the BYDVresistant translocation lines with susceptible lines. Two primers amplified the DNA fragments specific to the resistant line that would be useful as molecular markers to identify 7Ai-1-derived BYDV resistance chromatin in the wheat genome. Additionally, the isolated Th. intermedium-specific retrotransposon-like sequence pTi28 can be used to identify Th. intermedium chromatin transferred to the wheat genome. Thinopyrum intermedium является полезным источником генов устойчивости к вирусу желтой карликовости ячменя (BYDV), одного из наиболее серьезных заболеваний пшеницы. В настоящей работе транслокационные линии пшеница/Th. intermedium с геном устойчивости BYDV получены с использованием 7Ai-1 хромосомы Th. intermedium. Геномная гибридизация in situ (GISH) с использованием тотальной ДНК Th. intermedium в качестве зонда дала возможность показать наличие небольшого фрагмента хромосомы, происходящего от хромосомы 7Ai-1 и содержащего ген устойчивости BYDV, который транслоцировался в терминальний участок одной из пшеничных хромосом в каждой из линий Y95011 и Y960843. RAPD-анализ был проведен с использованием 120 случайных 10-нуклеотидных праймеров для сравнения BYDV-устойчивых транслокационных линий с восприимчивыми линиями. Два праймера амплифицировали фрагменты ДНК, специфичные для устойчивой линии, и они могут быть использованы как молекулярные маркеры для идентификации в геноме пшеницы хроматина, транслоцированного от 7Ai-1. Кроме того, выделенная Th. intermedium-специфичная ретротранспозон-подобная последовательность pTi28 может быть использована для идентификации хроматина Th. intermedium, перенесенного в геном пшеницы.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the exons of the myogenic factor 5 (MYF5) and Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) genes were identified and analysed by using DNA sequencing methods in 60 female domestic pigeons (Columba livia). Five SNPs (T5067A, C5084T, C5101T, T5127A and C5154G) were detected in exon 3 of MYF5 and 6 SNPs (C1398T, C1464T, G1542A, C1929T, G1965A and A2355G) were found in exon 2 of KLF15, respectively. The analysis revealed three genotypes, in which the AA genotype was dominant and the A allele showed a dominant advantage. For the MYF5 gene, the C5084T and T5127A SNP genotypes were significantly associated with carcass traits of pigeons. Within those two SNPs, the BB genotype showed relatively higher trait association values than those of AA or AB genotypes. No significant association was observed between the KLF15 SNP genotypes and carcass traits. These results indicated that the MYF5 gene is a potential major gene affecting carcass traits in domestic pigeons. The BB genotype of the C5084T and T5127A SNPs could be a potential candidate genetic marker for marker-assisted selection in pigeon.

So far, the nature of three-nucleon forces (3NFs) derived by the chiral effective field theory has been intensively investigated by various theoretical approaches. In this work, to address the chiral 3NF within the shell-model framework, three-body matrix elements are formulated in terms of the harmonic oscillator basis functions, by adopting the nonlocal regulator. We perform a benchmark test for p-shell nuclei inorder to confirm our framework. Then we show that the contribution of the 3NF to the monopole component of the effective shell model Hamiltonian plays an essential role to account for the shell evolution of f p-shell nuclei.

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a powerful tool for characterization of functional genes in tomato. In this study, we improved the syringe infiltration method on detached tomato fruits. With PDS (phytoene desaturase gene) used as a reporter gene, harvested mature green tomato fruits were syringe-infiltrated with agrobacterium strain GV3101 containing pTRV1 and pTRV2-LePDS, which resulted in color changing on the fruit surface. The changes in pigments and transcript abundance of PDS were compared between silencing sectors and control. In addition, factors of environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, were optimized for gene silencing, and other factors, including volume of agrobacterial culture, were also analyzed. Furthermore, this silencing method was confirmed by silencing LeRIN and LeACS2, which influenced fruit ripening process as positively regulating genes, and LeCTR1, which took part in ethylene signal transduction as a negatively regulating gene. Transcripts of LeRIN, LeCTR1, and LeACS2 were measured in the following analysis of gene silencing. All results indicated that an infiltration-based method is efficient for gene characterization during development and ripening of tomato fruits.

A comparison between results of a recently published quasi-exact solution of the temperature integral used for the Avrami model of isochronal phase transformations and an analytical phase-transformation model in relation to exact solutions from numerical integration has been performed. The results for the transformed fraction from the quasi-exact solution are more precise than the corresponding results of the analytical model, whereas the results for the transformation rate from both models are sufficiently precise for the nucleation mode of site saturation or continuous nucleation. It has been further shown that an analytical solution of the transformation rate cannot be obtained using a quasi-exact solution of the temperature integral in case of mixed nucleation, and that the results of the corresponding solution with the analytical model substantially alleviate the influence of the approximated temperature integral. By this method, an analytical approach of modeling, which can substantially alleviate the deviation (of model prediction) arising from approximations to the temperature integral, has been developed. The proposed approach has been successfully applied to experimental data of the crystallization of bulk amorphous Pd-Ni-P-Cu alloys.

The common wheat line, YW243, developed in our research group, was tested for the resistances of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), powdery mildew (Pm) and stripe rust in field, and was analyzed by molecular markers for convenient trace of the resistant genes in breeding. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) analysis and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) assay further demonstrated that YW243 was a homozygous multiple translocation line of Triticum aestivum, Thinopyrum intermedium and Secale cereale (T7DS·7DL-7XL & 1BL·1RS). The disease resistance test and marker analysis showed that YW243 carried seven resistance genes to the three diseases, including Bdv2 to BYDV on 7DL-7XL, Pm4 to powdery mildew on 2AL, Yr2, Yr9, Sr 31 and Lr26 and a new Yr to stripe rust on 7B, 1BL, 1RS and 2BL. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers Xpsr687 and Xwg380, sequence tagged site (STS) marker STS1700, simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers Xgwmc364 and Xgwm582, SSR markers Xgwm388 and Xgwm501 can be used as diagnostic tools to track Bdv2, Pm4, Yr2, Yr9 and Yr in YW243, respectively; and two amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers M54E63-700 and M54E64-699 can also be used to select Yr in YW243.

The Burgan Sands constitute the major reservoir in the giant Greater Burgan field. The Upper Burgan Sands contain significant volumes of oil, several billions of barrels, and have generally poorer and more variable reservoir quality and poorer continuity than the bulk of the Burgan sequence. Secondary water flooding is currently under consideration. This paper describes the challenges in developing part field models that are appropriate for waterflood simulation studies and that are, as far as is practicable, conditioned to the available dynamic data. The general approach to choosing "type areas" to represent typical portions of the field will be described. The process of developing geo-cellular models and conditioning them to dynamic data will then be illustrated. The existing geological and simulation models are considered too coarse to provide a proper basis for modelling the Upper Burgan. The extent to which this resolution has allowed geological models to be conditioned to dynamic data has been limited. A rock typing exercise integrated available core, log, and production data. Speed zones and flow barriers were identified. Calculated flow capacities and productivity indices generally matched field data well. Pressure breaks in the RFT profiles correlated well with vertical flow barriers. In addition, Permeability anisotropy ratios (Kv/Kh) were developed from detailed RCA and probe permeameter data acquired in key wells. Subsequently, MicroModels at whole core scale were developed and simulated to generate representative Kv/Kh ratios by Facies. Based on sedimentology studies and rock typing work, and the existing structural model, detailed geo-cellular models were produced. Dynamic models were then developed and conditioned to selected dynamic data. The approach used to condition these models to pressure transient data, local water movement as indicated by a detailed water encroachment survey, and to the pressure breaks seen on RFTs is described. This process both confirmed the plausibility of the geo-model and reduced uncertainty in permeability anisotropy. The field was segmented into equi-uniform polygons, on which waterflood patterns were evaluated, number of wells and throughputs determined, and the volumes of water to be handled estimated. A series of numerical simulation models were developed, through variations on the reservoir quality, reservoir connectivity, oil type, and development options. Generated water-cut vs. recovery factor profiles were utilized in a hybrid approach combining analytic and numerical evaluations to determine production profiles and potential waterflood recovery factors over time for each of the polygons, and the whole field. The work demonstrates a methodology by which relatively quick but comprehensive and robust evaluation of the potential value of a waterflood development could be made. It allows for sensitivity assessments and a degree of optimization.

HI intensity mapping is an emerging tool to probe dark energy. Observations of the redshifted HI signal will be contaminated by instrumental noise, atmospheric and Galactic foregrounds. The latter is expected to be four orders of magnitude brighter than the HI emission we wish to detect. We present a simulation of single-dish observations including an instrumental noise model with 1/f and white noise, and sky emission with a diffuse Galactic foreground and HI emission. We consider two foreground cleaning methods: spectral parametric fitting and principal component analysis. For a smooth frequency spectrum of the foreground and instrumental effects, we find that the parametric fitting method provides residuals that are still contaminated by foreground and 1/f noise, but the principal component analysis can remove this contamination down to the thermal noise level. This method is robust for a range of different models of foreground and noise, and so constitutes a promising way to recover the HI signal from the data. However, it induces a leakage of the cosmological signal into the subtracted foreground of around 5%. The efficiency of the component separation methods depends heavily on the smoothness of the frequency spectrum of the foreground and the 1/f noise. We find that as, long as the spectral variations over the band are slow compared to the channel width, the foreground cleaning method still works., 14 pages, 12 figures. Submitted to MNRAS

We have studied the high-pressure and high-temperature behaviour of α-PbO2-type TiO2–SnO2 (5 mol%) nanocomposite up to 62.3 GPa and 1700 K in a laser-heated diamond-anvil cell by means of synchrotron energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction. We found that it transforms to the baddeleyite phase at 19.4 GPa at room temperature. This phase was stable up to about 40 GPa. At 62.3 GPa and 1700 K, the diffraction pattern showed that there exists another nonquenchable phase. We discussed the mechanisms for these high-pressure transformations in α-PbO2-type TiO2–SnO2 (5 mol%) nanocomposite.

It has been suggested that the counterregulatory hormone (CRH) response to acute hypoglycemia is triggered via glucose sensors situated in either the hypothalamus or the portohepatic area. If the latter were critical during hypoglycemia, one would anticipate that ingestion of glucose, by raising glucose levels in the portal circulation, should attenuate CRH responses previously described in animal studies. To evaluate the effect of raising portal, but not peripheral, glucose levels during insulin-induced hypoglycemia, we performed hypoglycemic clamp studies in five healthy adult males on two occasions. On one occasion, subjects received oral glucose (OG) (25 g) during hypoglycemia; and on one occasion, noncarbohydrate-containing drink of equal volume, while maintaining plasma glucose at 55 ± 2 mg/dL (3.08 mmol/L). As a result, there were no significant differences in systemic plasma glucose levels between the two hypoglycemic clamp studies, and basal CRH concentrations were also similar. As expected, there was a brisk rise in all CRH during the control (hypoglycemia+noncarbohydrate drink) study. In the experimental study, administration of OG (hypoglycemia+OG), to raise intraportal glucose levels during systemic hypoglycemia, did not attenuate CRH responses. Indeed, OG enhanced the rise in epinephrine, glucagon, and GH. Increases in cortisol and norepinephrine did not differ between the two studies. Therefore, our data suggest that increasing the level of glucose in the portal vein above that in the systemic circulation, during hypoglycemia, enhances (rather than suppresses) CRH responses. Thus, ingestion of glucose may reverse hypoglycemia directly by provision of substrate, as well as indirectly by stimulating counteregulatory mechanisms.

Background. There has been no conclusive explanation regarding the function of pICln (a 26- to 27-kDa acidic protein) on an osmo-sensitive chloride channel responsible for an outwardly rectifying anion current. We observed the effects of the hypotonic treatment of LLC-PK1 cells on the intra-cellular dynamic state of pICln. Methods. LLC-PK1 cells were cultured, and pICln in cells was observed immunohistochemically. The cells were fractionated into nuclei, mitochondrial, microsomal, and soluble fractions biochemically, and pICln was detected by an immunoblotting method after sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results. pICln in cells was observed on nuclei and their surroundings, but not on cell membranes. pICln was present in soluble and insoluble forms. The molecular masses of the oligomeric forms in the soluble fractions were different from those previously reported with Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, indicating the differences in the pICln-oligomer depending on cell type. On analysis with SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the exposure of cells to hypotonic media elevated the ratio of soluble to insoluble forms within 5 min. This result also conflicted with those previously reported with MDCK cells. This finding suggests that the function of pICln and the signaling mechanism differ depending on the cell species. Both extracellular ATP and NaN3 inhibited this elevation of the soluble/insoluble ratio, coinciding with previous reports that extracellular nucleotides and depletion of intracellular ATP inhibited the volume-sensitive chloride channel. Dihydrocytochalasin B, an F-actin-disrupting drug, inhibited the elevation of the soluble/insoluble ratio. Conclusions. The soluble form of pICln was increased within 5 min by exposure of LLC-PK1 cells to hypotonic media. This translocation was inhibited by extracellular ATP, NaN3, and dihydrocytochalasin.

Genetic improvement of major crops for improving grain production, and the achievements and current status of crop breeding and biotechnology in China are reviewed. Chinese rice breeding focused on the use of semidwarf varieties in 1960s and wide-spread sowing of hybrid rice after 1976. Genetic improvement in wheat has raised yield potential from 1.5 t/ha to 9.0 t/ha, dwarfed plant stature from 110 cm to 80-90 cm, increased thousand kernel weight from 30 g to 40 g, and improved disease resistance for stripe rust and stem rust to match up the change of physiological races of rusts. Maize breeding in China could be divided into three stages, i.e., landraces and varietal hybrids in 1950s, double cross hybrid in 1960s, and single cross hybrid after mid 1970s. Adoption of hybrids, particularly single cross hybrids contributed greatly to the improvement of maize production. Anther culture has become a supplemental method in breeding programs and developing new varieties of rice and wheat. Transgenic wh...

Abstract A detailed Geological and Petrophysical characterization was achieved in a stepwise approach as part of full field 3D Reservoir Modeling and Simulation study for Minagish reservoir in the Greater Burgan field in Kuwait. Foundation of Reservoir Rock Types (RRT) was developed in first step based on Mercury Injection Capillary Pressure (MICP) dataset. A combination of Discriminant Analysis and Indexed Self Organizing Map (SOM) was used for rock type classification using hyperbolic tangent method. To improve classification of bimodal Pc curves, additional pressure values at different non-wetting phase saturations were used in conjunction with above mentioned parameters. In second step, the available Routine Core Analysis (RCA) porosity, permeability data was grouped together based on common patterns to generate rock types in RCA domain. Blind tests in two of the cored wells revealed a conformance of 81% between MICP and RCA Petrophysical Groups (PG). In the final step of the process, petrophysical groups were propagated in log domain using available log measurements common in all the wells of the field. It was challenging to establish a high level of accuracy for PG's in log domain mainly due to fine scale heterogeneity and inability of log data to capture rock fabric variation. This porosity estimate, coupled with rock type classification, helped to derive a continuous permeability log with a correlation coefficient of 0.89 validated in key cored wells. The porosity and permeability data in all the wells was incorporated in the 3D geocellular model after up-scaling honoring the unique, per rock type, Phi-K relationship. Modeled capillary pressure curves generated for each rock type in the core domain using MICP data set in 3 wells were used in saturation height modeling. The modeled equation was captured in the 3D geocellular model after populating rock types in the 3D grid to map water saturation for volumetric estimation. Introduction A 3-D static model of the Minagish Reservoir, Greater Burgan Field was constructed that integrated the available geological, geophysical, petrophysical and engineering data. This model was populated with facies, petrophysical properties (porosity, permeability and water saturation) and reservoir rock types. The paper demonstrates the significance of rock type classification within an integrated reservoir characterization study giving a narrow range of uncertainty and how it can impact prediction of reservoir flow performance.

Three lines conferring resistance to powdery mildew, Pm97033, Pm97034 and Pm97035, were developed from the cross of Triticum durum-Haynaldia villosa amphidiploid TH3 and wheat cv. 'Wan7107' via backcrosses, immature embryo and anther culture. Genomic in situ hybridization analysis showed that these lines were disomic translocation lines. Cytogenetic analysis indicated that the F 1 plants of crosses between the three translocation lines and 'Wan7107' and crosses between the three translocation lines and substitution line 6V(6D) formed 21 bivalents at meiotic metaphase I. Aneuploid analysis with 'Chinese Spring' double ditelocentric stocks indicated that the translocated chromosomes were related to chromosome 6D. Biochemical and restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses showed that the translocation lines lacked a specific band of 6VL of H. villosa compared with the substitution and addition lines but possessed specific markers on the short arm of the 6V chromosome of H. villosa. The three translocation lines lacked specific biochemical loci and RFLP markers located on chromosome 6DS. The results confirmed that Pm97033, Pm97034 and Pm97035 were T6DL.6VS translocation lines.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to be involved in many neurodegenerative diseases. This study assessed the effect of Claulansine F, a new carbazole isolated from Clausena lansium, on sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-treated rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. First, it was found that Claulansine F showed more potential on inhibiting the programmed death of PC12 cells than edaravone by cell viability, morphologic observation, and flow cytometric analysis. Further results also showed that Claulansine F attenuated the production of total intracellular ROS formation and lipid peroxidation in PC12 cells, inhibited the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss, and prevented the programmed cell death event via the P53/Bcl-2 family pathway. Its protective effect was likely medicated by the hydroxyl radical (·OH) scavenging ability, as it appeared to be not involved in the natural antioxidant system. These results suggested a promising potential for Claulansine F as a ROS scavenger in pathologies, where an oxidative stress is involved.

Thinopyrum intermedium is a useful source of resistance genes for Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), one of the most damaging wheat diseases. In this study, wheat/Th. intermedium translocation lines with a BYDV resistance gene were developed using the Th. intermedium 7Ai- 1 chromosome. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), using a Th. intermedium total genomic DNA probe, enabled detection of 7Ai-1-derived small chromatins containing a BYDV resistance gene, which were translocated onto the end of wheat chromosomes in the lines Y95011 and Y960843. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses using 120 random 10-mer primers were conducted to compare the BYDV-resistant translocation lines with susceptible lines. Two primers amplified the DNA fragments specific to the resistant line that would be useful as molecular markers to identify 7Ai-1-derived BYDV resistance chromatin in the wheat genome. Additionally, the isolated Th. intermedium-specific retrotransposon-like sequence pTi28 can be used to identify Th. intermedium chromatin transferred to the wheat genome.

Properties of the excited states in reaction center core (RCC) complexes of the green sulfur bacterium Prosthecochloris aestuarii were studied by means of femtosecond time-resolved isotropic and anisotropic absorption difference spectroscopy at 275 K. Selective excitation of the different transitions of the complex resulted in the rapid establishment of a thermal equilibrium. At about 1 ps after excitation, the energy was located at the lowest energy transition, BChl a 835. Time constants varying between 0.26 and 0.46 ps were observed for the energy transfer steps leading to this equilibrium. These transfer steps were also reflected in changes in polarization. Our measurements indicate that downhill energy transfer towards excited BChl a 835 occurs via the energetically higher spectral forms BChl a 809 and BChl a 820. Low values of the anisotropy of about 0.07 were found in the 'two-color' measurements at 820 and 835 nm upon excitation at 800 nm, whereas the 'one-color' kinetics showed much higher anisotropies. Charge separation occurred with a time constant varying between 20 and 30 ps.

OBJECTIVE:In order to investigate the clinical value of lower leg lateral skin flap for the reconstructin of soft tissue defects at oral-maxillofacial regions. METHODS: 9 cases of different soft tissue defects of oral and maxillofacial regions were under went surgery with leg lateral skin flap transplantion in out patients department. RESULTS: All the 9 flaps were got success of one stage repair. This paper describes in detail the anatomy of the flap,technique of make up the flap, clinical application,advantages and disadvantages. CONCLUSION: The lower leg lateral skin flap is versatile flap,but is not the one for first choice.

Chicken W chromosome-specific DNA fragments were obtained after transformation, extraction, purification and digestion with EcoR I of pUGD1201. The W chromosome-specific DNA probe was a 1.2 kb insert, which was labelled by the random-technique using a Digoxigenin Labeling Kit. Chicken PGCs from a line of White Leghorns were microinjected into Maya duck blastoderms at stage X. The embryos at 6,8,9,12,16,18 days of incubation were used to study the development of chicken PGCs in the chimeric embryos. Used chicken W chromosome-specific DNA probes by in situ hybridization, development of donor cells in chicken-duck chimeric embryos were studied. In 54 chimeric embryos, there were different degrees of chimerism in the organs. The chimeric rate of the livers was the highest, which of the gonads was the lowest. It is demonstrated that somatic and germline chimeras can be yielded successfully by transferring stage X chicken blastodermal cells.

Alterations in nutritional status, such as obesity, markedly influence insulin, leptin, GH secretion, and free fatty acid (FFA) levels. We measured every hour for 24 h circulating leptin, insulin, GH, and FFA levels in lean and obese adolescents to determine: 1) the impact of adolescent obesity on the diurnal changes in leptin concentrations; and 2) the temporal relationships between the diurnal patterns of circulating leptin levels and insulin, GH, and FFA levels. During puberty, we found that the 24-h profile of circulating plasma leptin levels follows a bimodal pattern with minimal concentrations occurring early in the afternoon and a nocturnal elevation starting after midnight and culminating early morning. The time course of the diurnal variation in leptin levels in the obese adolescents was not different from that in lean controls. Of note, however, in obese girls leptin 24-h excursion and leptin night to day ratio were lower than those found in lean girls. In obese adolescents, mean GH levels varied significantly less during the day and night than lean controls. During the day, there were distinct preprandial increases and postprandial decreases in FFA levels, whereas after midnight FFA levels rose in both lean and obese adolescents. A significant positive correlation was found between mean plasma insulin levels between 0800 h and 2000 h and peak in leptin in lean and obese girls and boys (r = 0.63, P:0.001). Peak leptin was inversely correlated with the area under the nocturnal GH levels in all groups (r = -0.31, P:0.0003), whereas it was positively correlated with the nocturnal peak in FFA levels (r = 0.45, P:0.004). In summary, we report in obese adolescent girls a blunted relative diurnal excursion in leptin levels. This abnormal rhythmicity may, in part, explain their leptin resistance state. The nocturnal rise in leptin was paralleled by a nocturnal rise in GH and FFA levels. Additional studies are needed to test the potential link between the adipose-derived peptide and GH axis in humans.

The barley chromosome in wheat was identified by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) in which biotin labelled total genomic DNA of barley Betzes was used as probe and the unlabelled total DNA of common wheat Chinese Spring (CS) as blocking DNA. A series of wheat materials were tested as follows: two disomic alien substitution and monosomic alien addition lines, 2n = 43; two monosomic alien substitution lines, 2n = 42; seven disomic alien substitution lines, 2n = 42. RFLP probe psr131 on the short arm of the homologous group 2 was used to analyze the barley chromosome in wheat. The result indicated that there was a same band in barley Betzes and substitution line A5. The chromosome 2A of A5 was substituted by the chromosome 2H of barley. These materials will be useful in transferring the valuable genes in the chromosome 2H to wheat.

A new wheat line YW443 with BYDV resistance and good traits was developed from the combination of PP9-1/Shan7859¿Fengkang 8. The wheat line YW443 was identified by BYDV resistance analysis, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), RFLP and RAPD analysis. The results indicated as follows: (1) YW443 was resistant to GPV and GAV strains of BYDV; (2) YW443 is a homozygous wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium translocation line with a pair of BYDV resistance genes; (3) The 7StL segment of Th. intermedium carring BYDV resistance gene was transferred onto the distal end of the wheat chromosome 7D long arm, the line YW443 was 7DS.7DL-7StL translocation; (4) A RAPD marker OPR19(-900) could detect the DNA of Th. intermedium 7StL in L1 and L1 derivatives including translocation lines YW443, YW642 etc. The markers may be used as a selecting marker for the BYDV resistance breeding program.

We have studied the effect of the absence of carotenoids on the organization of bacteriochlorophylls (BChls) in chlorosomes of Chlorobium (Chl.) phaeobacteroides strain CL1401. Carotenoid-depleted chlorosomes were obtained by means of 2-hydroxybiphenyl-supplemented cultures. In the presence of the inhibitor, isorenieratene (Isr) and beta-Isr biosynthesis were inhibited to more than 95%, leading to an accumulation of the colorless precursor phytoene inside the chlorosomes. In addition, there was a 30-40% decrease in the baseplate BChl a content. The absorption spectrum of the carotenoid-depleted chlorosomes showed a 10 nm blue shift in the BChl e Qy absorption peak. Under reducing conditions, a decrease in the BChl a/BChl e fluorescence emission ratio was observed in carotenoid-depleted chlorosomes relative to that in control chlorosomes, caused mainly by the decrease in the BChl a content. The steady-state fluorescence emission anisotropy in the BChl e region dropped from approximately 0.24 for native chlorosomes to approximately 0.14 for carotenoid-depleted ones, indicating reorganization of BChl e. The circular dichroism (CD) signal of the carotenoid-depleted chlorosomes was increased two times in the BChl e Qy region. A simple model based on the structure proposed was used to explain the observed effects. Carotenoids might affect the angle between the direction of the BChl e Qy transition and the axis of the rod. The orientation of BChl a in the baseplate remains unchanged in carotenoid-depleted chlorosomes, although there is a partial loss of BChl a as a consequence of a decrease in the baseplate size. The carotenoids are most likely rather close to the BChls and appear to be important for the aggregate structure in Chl. phaeobacteroides.

The catalytic activity and activity changes during denaturation by guanidine hydrochloride of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase and alpha-chymotrypsin in crystalline state and in solution have been compared. The catalytic activities are lower in crystalline state than in solution. Enzymes in crystalline state are more stable than in solution during denaturation by guanidine hydrochloride. Ammonium sulfate has different effects on catalytic activities of different enzymes and shows protection on all enzymes studied during denaturation by guanidine hydrochloride. The protection is more obvious at high concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride than at low concentrations. It is suggested that the flexibility or mobility of enzyme is required for the catalytic activity and related to the stability of enzymes. Enzymes with less flexibility or mobility are more stable.

ZnSe-ZnTe strained-layer superlattices were grown by atmospheric pressure MOCVD on transparent substrate CaF2(111) for the first time. With x-ray diffraction measurements, multi- order satellites were observed, which confirms the formation of the period structure of superlattices. Photoluminescence measurements were carried out at 77 K with the excitation of the line (337. 1nm) of N2-laser. Optical absorption measurements were performed at room temperature with UV-3000 Double-Wavelength/Dual Beam Recording Spectrosphotometer.

Amplitude versus offset (avo) interpretations involve a large volume of data. In order to carry out lithologic predictions, the avo data is reduced and simplified by various methods: avo gradients, zero offset amplitudes, even common mid point (cmp) stacks. All these displays are simplifications of a data set that may be influenced by several amplitude factors, such as lithology, tuning effects, correlated noise etc.

Does heating roots only in the day improve growth and nutrient status of seedlings grown under a day-to-night difference (DIF) in air temperature? To answer this question, tomato seedlings (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) were grown in early March or April in greenhouses heated to give either a 14 °C DIF or a 5 °C DIF with a 18 °C mean. The roots were in peat-vermiculite medium that was unheated or heated to 21 °C, constantly or only in the day, or only in the night. Growth was faster and there were higher concentrations of elements in leaves under 5 °C compared to 14 °C air DIF. Any root-zone heating increased growth and nutrition compared to no heating. Under both air conditions, the trend in root temperature treatments was constant > day > night. In general, there was no benefit of heating the roots only in the day, compared to constant heating of the root zone, even with a large diurnal variation in temperature of the shoot. The only nutrient to respond differently to root heating under 5 °C compared to 14 °C air DIF was nitrate in leaves. Under a 14 °C air DIF, heating roots in the day resulted in the highest nitrate concentration, whereas constant root heating was optimal under a 5 °C DIF. Research supported in part by grant 93-37100-9101 from NRI Competitive grants program/USDA.

Is intermittent heating of the root zone more beneficial than constant heating for production of greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill), with diurnal variation of air temperature (DIF)? Yields were compared with 14°C day/14°C night or 22°C day/6°C night minimum air temperatures, resulting in 5 and 14°C DIF. The root zone was unheated or was heated to 20°C constantly or for 6 hours in the day, or 6 hours in the night. The greenhouse tomato cultivars Buffalo and Caruso were transplanted in early and late March in 1994 and 1995. Averaged over both years and cultivars, the yield from early March planting with 14°C DIF was greater than with 5°C DIF, 6.6 and 6.1 kg/plant, respectively, due to an increase in weight per fruit and to earlier ripening. Root zone heat increased yield compared to no heat, due to a greater number of fruit. With 5°C DIF, yields with constant and intermittent root zone heat were similar. The yields were 5.4, 6.4, 6.2, and 6.2 kg/plant with none, day, night and constant heat, respectively. With 14°C DIF, there were larger differences in yield, 5.7, 7.0, 6.6, and 7.1 kg/plant with none, day, night and constant root zone heat, respectively. However, interactions between air and root heat regimes were not statistically significant. The yield from late March planting was greater with 14°C than with 5°C DIF, but root zone heat had no effect. Research supported in part by grant 93-37100-9101 from NRI Competitive grants program/USDA.

What is the effect of constant compared to intermittent heating of the shoot and root on growth, nutrient status, and yield of greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)? Seedlings were transplanted on 4 Mar. or 25 Mar. 1994 into troughs heated to 21C by buried tubing, either constantly, or for 12 h during the day or the night, or they were not heated. The greenhouses had either 14/14C or 22/6C day/night minimum air temperatures. After 2 weeks, the 4 Mar. transplants had the greatest leaf weight with constant root heat and least with no heat. Root weight was greater for 14/14 than 22/6 air heat. With 14/14 air heat, only the no root heat reduced leaf weight, whereas with 22/6 air heat, root heat affected leaf weight; the ranking was constant > day > night ≈ no heat. After 2 weeks, the 25 Mar. transplants had least leaf weight with no heat, and other treatments did not differ. Most nutrient concentrations were less in the 25 Mar. compared to the 4 Mar. transplants. The number of fruit, and the number and weight of marketable fruit produced by I July from 4 Mar. transplants was affected by root heat; the ranking was constant heat > day > night > no heat. The 22/6 air heat increased marketable yield, because of fewer small, irregular, and blossom end rot fruit. Root heat had no effect on yield of 25 Mar. transplants. Research supported in part by grant 93-37100-9101 from NRI Competitive grants program/USDA.