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Chronic stress increases activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. CRH-expressing neuron in the PVN is an essential component of HPA axis and plays a critical role in stress response. ...

Corticosterone-releasing hormone (CRH) neuron in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of hypothalamus is the essential component of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in regulating endocrine responses to stress. M-current, generated through KCNQ2/3 channel, plays a key role in controlling neuronal excitability. In this study, we test a hypothesis that acute stress diminishes M currents to stimulate CRH neurons. The adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector was microinjected into the PVN prior to acute stress, which carries sequence of green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by CRH promoter. GFP-tagged CRH neurons displayed positive immunoreactivity with a specific antibody against CRH. Compared to unstressed rats, acute restraint stress significantly elevated serum corticosterone levels; and the basal firing rate of GFP-tagged CRH neurons was significantly higher in acute restraint rats. Meanwhile blocking KCNQ2/3 with XE991 induced greater depolarization and firing frequency in GFP-tagged CRH neur...

Elevated sympathetic outflow contributes to hypertension in obesity. Orexins importantly regulates autonomic function. Presently we determined the role of orexin in the paraventricular (PVN) nucleus of hypothalamus in controlling sympathetic outflow in obese Zucker rats (OZRs) and lean Zucker rats (LZRs). Orexin A microinjection into PVN significiantly dose-dependently elevated arterial blood pressure (ABP) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) manner in anesthetized OZRs than LZRs, which eliminated by SB-334867, orexin receptor 1 receptor (OX1R) antagonist, but not TCS-OX2-29, OX2R antagonist. Furthermore, SB-334867 reduced basal ABP and RSNA in OZRs but not LZRs. Compared with LZRs, OX1R expression in PVN was significantly higher in OZRs, while no difference for OX2R. OX1R immunoreactivity was positive in retrogradely labeled PVN-spinal neurons. Compared with LZRs, the basal firing rate in the PVN-spinal neurons was higher in OZRs, and orexin A excited firing activity in PVN-spinal neuron...

This study investigated the anti-arrhythmic effects from chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) and the cellular mechanisms in rats with metabolic syndrome. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly distributed among the control, fructose-fed (fed with 10% fructose in the drinking water to induce metabolic syndrome), CIHH (42 days of hypobaric hypoxia treatment simulating an altitude of 5000 m a.s.l.: PB = 404 mm Hg, PO2 = 84 mm Hg, 6 h per day), and the CIHH plus fructose (CIHH-F) groups. In anesthetized rats, the arrhythmia score was determined after 30 min of cardiac ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Action potentials (AP) were recorded from isolated ventricular papillary muscles. The arrhythmia score was much lower in CIHH-F rats than in the fructose-fed rats. Under basic conditions, AP duration (APD) was significantly shortened in fructose-fed rats, but obviously prolonged in CIHH rats compared with that of the control rats. During ischemia, the AP amplitude, the maximal rate of rise of phase 0, APD, and resting potential, were lower in the control, fructose-fed, and CIHH-F groups, but were not changed in the CIHH rats. The lower AP during ischemia did not recover after washout for the fructose-fed rats. In conclusion, CIHH protects the heart against ischemia–reperfusion induced arrhythmia in rats with metabolic syndrome. This effect of CIHH is possibly related to baseline prolongation of the AP and attenuation of AP reduction during ischemia–reperfusion.

Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease leading to joint destruction and disability. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1beta (PGC-1β) is a transcriptional coactivator that plays important roles in regulating multiple aspects of energy metabolism and cytokine signaling pathways. PGC-1β overexpression leads to the attenuation of macrophage-mediated inflammation. In this study, we aimed to determine the expression of PGC-1β in RA synovium and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), and explore the mechanisms of PGC-1β on both the proinflammatory effects and apoptosis in RA-FLS. Methods Synovium was obtained from 31 patients with active RA, as well as 13 osteoarthritis (OA) and 10 orthopedic arthropathies (Orth.A) as “less inflamed” disease controls. FLS were then isolated and cultured. Synovial PGC-1β expression was determined by immunohistochemistry staining, while FLS PGC-1β expression was detected by immunofluorescence staining, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay and western blot. PGC-1β was depleted by lentivirus sh-RNA, and up-regulated by pcDNA3.1- PGC-1β. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand was analyzed by qPCR, cytometric bead array and western blot. The expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) was determined by qPCR and western blot. Besides, cell apoptosis was examined using flow cytometry. The interaction between PGC-1β and NF-κB was performed by dual-luciferase reporter gene assays. Results (A) Synovial PGC-1β was over-expressed in RA patients compared with OA or Orth.A patients. (B) PGC-1β expression significantly increased in RA-FLS compared with OA-FLS. (C) PGC-1β mediated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and apoptosis through extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 and NF-κB in RA-FLS. (D) PGC-1β mediated NF-κB transcription in RA-FLS, but did not affect ERK and p38. Conclusion The results indicate that PGC-1β may play important roles in the proinflammatory effects and apoptosis of RA-FLS.

The black locust plantations located in Weibei area were chosen as research objects and the texture parameters of different window sizes from high resolution imagery were measured. Four different techniques, including simple linear regression model, quadratic regression model, power model and exponential model, were developed to describe the relationship between the texture parameters and field measurements of LAI and to select the most effective texture parameters and window size. The results showed that the texture parameters influenced the accuracy of LAI estimation. Angular second moment and entropy index yielded better adjust r2 than the other parameters. The r2 changed with the window size. Dissimilarity and contrast index gained the largest r2 when the window size was 9x9. The r2 of the other texture parameters reduced as the window size increased and a window size of 3 x 3 was more successful than any of the others. Power equation performed poorest than the other three techniques for estimation of LAI.

Objective. To explore the correlation between matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 3 and histological synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods. Serum MMP-3 of 62 patients with active RA was detected by ELISA. Serial synovial tissue sections from all RA patients, 13 osteoarthritis, and 10 orthopedic arthropathies patients were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemically for MMP-3, CD3, CD20, CD38, CD68, and CD15.Results. The percentage of lining MMP3+ cells was significantly higher in RA patients especially with high grade synovitis and it was significantly correlated with Krenn’s synovitis scorer=0.574, P<0.001and sublining inflammatory cells. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that the association of the percentage of lining MMP3+ cells with activation of synovial stroma, sublining CD68+ macrophages, and CD15+ neutrophils was stronger than other histological indicators. The percentage of lining MMP3+ cells was significantly correlated with serum MMP-3 in RAr=0.656, P<0.001. Serum MMP-3 was higher in RA patients with high grade synovitis than that of low grade synovitis and significantly correlated with synovitis score and activation of synovial stroma subscore (allP<0.05).Conclusion. Serum MMP-3 may be an alternative noninvasive biomarker of histological synovitis and RA diagnosis.

Comparative analysis of variable region ORF14/15 genes of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) genome in Guangxi Penaeus vannamei (P. vannamei) could provide useful information for the evaluation of genetic diversity and genetic evolutionary relationship among WSSV isolates from Guangxi, China and other places. Based on geographical and temporal considerations, 40 WSSV-positive P. vannamei samples were collected during the period between May 2010 and July 2013 from Beihai, Qinzhou, and Fangchenggang, which were the main P. vannamei production areas in Guangxi, and the variable region ORF14/15 genes of the WSSV genome from all infected samples were amplified by PCR and then subjected to cloning and sequence analysis. Pairwise and multiple alignment analysis was then conducted to evaluate the degree of genetic divergence between different strains. The variable region ORF14/15 genes from 25 of 40 WSSV positive samples were successfully cloned and sequenced; among the ORF14/15 genes of 25 WSSV-positive strains, 22 was 619 bp in length and 3 was 620 bp. All the 25 Guangxi strains carried a 5949-bp deletion in the ORF14/15 region relative to TH-96-II, which has the longest nucleotide sequence in this region; the deletion of Guangxi strains occurred in the middle region of ORF14/15 gene, with only 190 bp and 429 bp/ 430 bp at 5' and 3' ends, respectively, which were coincident with WSSV-IN-05-I in deletion length and position. Sixteen of 25 Guangxi strains had completely identical nucleotide sequences in the variable re gion, and the homology between other strains also exceeded 97.9%. There were single nucleotide substi tution, deletion, and insertion in the ORF14/15 region of Guangxi strains compared with other strains in GenBank. In the phylogenetic tree based on WSSV variable region ORF14/15, the Guangxi strains were closely related and formed a separate branch with Indian strain IN-05-I, but far from other strains in GenBank. The ORF14/15 gene of WSSV isolates in cultured P. vannamei in Guangxi has a large deletion in the middle of the variable region, and the Guangxi WSSV strains show no significant spatio-temporal differences; the Guangxi strains are closer in genetics to Indian strain IN-05-I than other strains in GenBank.

By using OECD Guideline 106 batch equilibrium method, this paper studied the characteristics of As (V) adsorption and desorption in brown soil as affected by the biochars produced from dairy manure, pine needle, and corn straw. When the addition amount of the biochars was 0.5%, the maximum adsorption amount of As (V) was decreased in the order of dairy manure biocharpine needle biocharcorn straw biochar, which was related to the basic characteristics of the biochars. The adsorption isotherm of As (V) could be well fitted by Langmuir model (R2 = 0.997). In comparing with CK, both the adsorption capacity (lgKf = 1.99-2.10) and the adsorption intensity (1/N = 0.413-0.449) of As (V) were low, and the main adsorption mechanism was physical adsorption. The desorption rate of As (V) (14.5%-18.7%) was decreased in the order of dairy manure biocharpine needle biocharcorn straw biochar. The addition of the biochars decreased the adsorption of As (V) by brown soil, which could induce the increase of the bioavailability of As, and strengthen the toxicity of As in soil.

To explore the activation of hypomethylated DNA on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from whole blood of SLE patients and healthy controls. The methylation level of DNA and the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) mRNA were detected. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of CD32 on pDC and the serum concentration of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The DNA methylation level from SLE patients (1.4 ± 0.6) % was lower than that of controls (1.8 ± 0.7) % (P0.01). The expression of DNMT1 mRNA significantly decreased in SLE patients (0.06 ± 0.03) versus the controls (0.09 ± 0.02) (P0.01). The CD32 expression on pDC from SLE patients (29 ± 19)% was higher than that from controls (18.02 ± 7.80)% (P0.01). The serum level of IFN-α in SLE patients (4.5 ± 6.7) ng/L was significantly higher than that of controls (2.1 ± 2.0) ng/L (P0.01). The methylation level of DNA in SLE patients was positively correlated with the expression of DNMT1 mRNA (r = 0.257, P0.05) and negatively with the expression of CD32 (r = -0.358, P0.01) and IFN-α (r = -0.280, P0.05).The methylation level of genomic DNA decreases in SLE patients due to the down-regulated expression of DNMT1 gene. Hypomethylated DNA may be translocated intracellularly via endocytic receptor (CD32) on pDC. And the activation of pDC is induced to produce IFN-α so as to participate in the onset of SLE.

Mild brief hypoxia can protect against neuronal damage induced by epileptic seizures, at least in part by inhibiting apoptosis. Further elucidation of the antiepileptic mechanisms and optimization of the conditioning protocols are required before this strategy can be considered for clinical intervention. In this study, we compared the effects of different hypoxic preconditioning protocols on spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS), intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ]i), and apoptosis rate following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE). Male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to either chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) or chronic intermittent normobaric hypoxia (CINH) (both for 6 h/day×28 consecutive days) prior to pilocarpine-induced SE. The possible anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of CIHH and CINH were compared by video monitoring of behavioral seizure activity (frequency, delay), Nissl staining and Fluoro-Jade B (FJB) staining to examine changes in the morphology of hippocampal pyramidal neurons, and flow cytometry to detect the quantification of [Ca 2+ ]i and cell apoptosis. Both hypoxic preconditioning protocols reduced the frequency and severity of SRS, suppressed post-ictal [Ca 2+ ]i elevations, and inhibited neuronal apoptosis in the rat hippocampus compared to pilocarpine alone, but CIHH was more effective than CINH. Thus, mild hypoxic pretreatment, particularly when delivered as CIHH, may be a novel strategy for the clinical prevention and treatment of epilepsy.

Pollen tube reception involves a pollen tube-synergid interaction that controls the discharge of sperm cells into the embryo sac during plant fertilization. Despite its importance in the sexual reproduction of plants, little is known about the role of gene regulation in this process. We report here that the pollen-expressed transcription factors MYB97, MYB101 and MYB120 probably control genes whose encoded proteins play important roles in Arabidopsis thaliana pollen tube reception. They share a high amino acid sequence identity and are expressed mainly in mature pollen grains and pollen tubes. None of the single or double mutants of these three genes exhibited any visible defective phenotype. Although the myb97 myb101 myb120 triple mutant was not defective in pollen development, pollen germination, pollen tube growth or tube guidance, the pollen tubes of the triple mutants exhibited uncontrolled growth and failed to discharge their sperm cells after entering the embryo sac. In addition, the myb97 myb101 myb120 triple mutation significantly affected the expression of a group of pollen-expressed genes in mature pollen grains. All these results indicate that MYB97, MYB101 and MYB120 participate in pollen tube reception, possibly by controlling the expression of downstream genes., Author Summary Pollen tube reception is an important step of fertilization and is controlled by interactions between the pollen tube and synergid. Components of both the pollen tube and synergid are believed to be involved in the process. Several proteins associated with this process have been identified in synergid cells. However, very little is known about the components contributed by the pollen tube. This work identified a group of Arabidopsis pollen-expressed MYB transcription factors, among which at least three members are involved in pollen tube reception. The myb97 myb101 myb120 triple mutation caused overgrowth of the pollen tube into the embryo sac and disrupted sperm cell discharge, leading to failed fertilization. This study provides novel evidence demonstrating that male factors are involved in pollen tube reception.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of polydatin on transient outward potassium channel current (Ito), steady-state outward potassium channel current (Iss) and inward rectifier potassium channel current (IK1) in ventricular myocytes of rat using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. The results showed: (1) Polydatin (above 10 µmol/L) increased IK1 of ventricular myocytes in a non-concentration dependent manner. (2) Polydatin neither had any effect on Ito peak current of ventricular myocytes, nor changed activation, inactivation and recovery kinetics of Ito. (3) Polydatin had no effect on Iss of ventricular myocytes. These results suggest that polydatin enhances IK1 channel activity, but has no effect on Ito and Iss channels in rat ventricular myocytes, which might be one of the ionic mechanisms for antiarrhythmic effect of polydatin.

Background: Cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor agonists can protect myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we report the antiapoptotic effect of CB2 receptor agonist, JWH133, during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and potential underlying mechanisms. Methods: Ischemia was performed by blocking left coronary artery of rat for 30 min. After ischemia for 30 min, the rat heart was reperfused for 120 min by loosing the ligation of blocking left coronary artery. JWH133 (20 mg/kg), a CB2 receptor selective agonist, or vehicles were injected intravenously 5 minutes before ischemia. Infarct size of myocardium was assessed by histological stain, myocardial apoptosis index (AI) was determined by TUNEL, and mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm) was measured by flow cytometry. Western blots were performed to measure the cytochrome c release, cleaved caspase 3, cleaved caspase 9 and PI3K/Akt kinase phosphorylation. Results: JWH133 significantly reduced the infarct size and AI of myocardium suffering I/R compared to vehicle-treated group. Further mechanistic study revealed that activation of CB2 receptor by JWH133 inhibited the loss of ΔΨm, reduction of the cleaved caspases-3 and -9, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c to the cytosol, and increase of phosphorylated Akt. These JWH133-mediated effects could be totally abrogated by PI3K inhibitor wortmanin or CB2 receptor antagonist AM630. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that activation of CB2 receptor by JWH133 prevent apoptosis during ischemia/reperfusion through inhibition of the intrinsic mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway and involvement of the PI3K/Akt signal pathway.

Endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) has protective effect on the heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury and arrhythmia, but the electrophysiological mechanism is unclear yet. In this study, the sinoatrial node (SAN) samples from New Zealand rabbits were prepared, and intracellular recording technique was used to elucidate the effect of AEA on the action potential (AP) of SAN pacemaker cells of rabbits and the mechanism. Different concentrations of AEA (1, 10, 100, 200, 500 nmol/L) were applied cumulatively. For some SAN samples, cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor antagonist AM251, cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor antagonist AM630, potassium channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA) and nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor L-nitro-arginine methylester (L-NAME) were used before AEA treatment, respectively. We found that: (1) AEA (100, 200 and 500 nmol/L) not only shortened AP duration (APD), but also decreased AP amplitude (APA) (P0.05). (2) AM251, but not AM630, abolished the effect of AEA on APD shortening. (3) TEA and L-NAME had no influence on the AEA effect. These findings suggest that anandamide can decrease APA and shorten APD in SAN pacemaker cells of rabbits, which may be mediated by activation of CB1 receptors, and is related to blockade of calcium channels but not potassium channels and NO.

Calcium phosphate ceramics such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and biphasic calcium phosphates are used clinically to repair bone defects. These calcium phosphate ceramics can differ by composition, structure, and rate of degradation. This study compared 3 calcium phosphate ceramics, 2 of which have similar structure but different composition: 100% HA (algae derived) and HA/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) 20/80 (algae derived), and 2 with different structure but similar composition: HA/β-TCP 20/80 (algae derived) and HA/β-TCP 15/85 (synthetic). Calcium phosphate ceramics can be difficult to handle and contour during the surgeries. To improve handling, Poloxamer 407 (P407) was added to the 3 ceramics, and its effect on bone healing was also assessed. Bilateral calvarial defects created in the parietal bones of New Zealand white rabbits were left unfilled or were filled with autograft or one of the ceramics, with and without P407. Six weeks after operation, healing was evaluated qualitatively by histology and quantitatively by micro-computed tomography analysis and histomorphometry. All 3 calcium phosphate ceramics demonstrated osteoconductivity and performed similarly in supporting new bone formation, suggesting that the differences in their composition, structure, or degradation did not significantly affect their ability to promote bone healing in this application. Incorporating P407 did not impede osteoconductivity as HA and biphasic calcium phosphate combined with P407 performed similarly as when used alone for craniofacial defect repair.

The study examined the rate of remission in individuals experiencing a first episode of schizophrenia (FES) in China and explored predictors of remission in the acute phase of the illness.Fifty-five FES patients were randomly treated with risperidone, olanzapine, or aripiprazole at therapeutic doses for 8 weeks, and their clinical profiles and cognition were assessed using standardized assessment instruments at entry and the end of the study.Of the 55 patients, 30 (54.5%) remitted by the end of the 8-week study. In univariate analyses, shorter duration of untreated psychosis, higher scores on both the time-based prospective memory (TBPM) and event-based prospective memory tasks and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-revised, and less severe negative symptoms were significantly associated with remission. In stepwise multiple logistic regression analyses, only higher scores on the TBPM significantly predicted remission. Individuals having higher scores reflecting better TBPM at baseline were more likely to achieve remission after 8 weeks of optimized antipsychotic treatment.TPBM may be useful in helping clinicians identify those FES patients most likely to achieve a favorable treatment response.

The fault modes of the components of the power transformer is complex and highly correlated, and the implementation of reliability tests is difficult because of the high value of the equipment, so it is hard to make importance evaluation by using traditional method. Aiming at those problems, a new evaluation method on importance based on trapezoidal fuzzy number is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the evaluation index system of importance is established which using the Delphi method to formulate the score rating criteria and applying the coordination degree to amend the scores. Secondly, the trapezoidal fuzzy numbers is applied to determine the weight indicator. Last, the importance of each failure mode of transformer is determined on the basis of the indicator combining with the weight through the linear weighting method. It is shown by the instance that this method is convenient and effective, which can be used in making the reliability evaluation and maintenance decision of the power transformer.

As the central air conditioning, design of improved fuzzy adaptive PID controller. It will achieve dynamic data exchange between MATLAB and PLC, using OPC technology to achieve intelligent control.

Prospective memory refers to the ability to remember to do something in the future. To date, little is known about prospective memory deficits in bipolar disorder (BD) in remission (euthymia). This study examined the nature and correlates of prospective memory in these patients.Forty-seven euthymic BD patients and 47 matched healthy controls formed the study sample. Socio-demographic and basic clinical characteristics, prospective memory (Cambridge Prospective Memory Test [CAMPROMPT]), retrospective memory (immediate Logical Memory subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scales-Revised [WMS-R]), IQ (Raven's Progressive Matrices) and executive functioning (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test) were measured in all participants; patients' symptoms were rated with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the 11-item Young Mania Rating Scale.Patients performed significantly worse on time-based prospective memory compared to controls. Multivariate analyses revealed that patients' lower score on Raven's Progressive Matrices significantly contributed to poor performance on time-based prospective memory, whereas lower scores on WMS-R Logical Memory subtest contributed to poor performance on event-based prospective memory; in controls, lower education level and older age significantly contributed to poor performance on time-based and event-based prospective memory, respectively.Prospective memory deficits persist in remitted BD patients suggesting that prospective memory impairment constitutes a trait deficit in BD.

To establish a method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure urinary uromodulin and explore the urinary uromudulin level in IgA nephropathy.The rabbit anti-human uromodulin polyclonal antibodies were coated on plates to capture uromodulin and the mouse anti-human uromodulin monoclonal antibody was used as detecting antibody to set up ELISA procedure. The precision and repeatability of this ELISA method were evaluated, and then this method was compared with the commercialized Tamm-Horsfall Glycoprotein ELISA Kit by examining urinary uromodulin levels in 55 individuals. Finally, the urinary uromodulin level in 166 IgA nephropathy patients were detected as well as 48 normal controls with this established method.The detecting range of uromodulin was 0.78-12.5 μg/L by this method. The coefficient of variation within-run was 7.5%, and between-run of coefficient of variation was 7.9%. Correlation of this method and comercialized kit was good (r=0.615, P0.001). The urinary uromodulin/urinary creatinine ratio in IgA nephropathy was significantly lower than that in normal controls.The established ELISA method is sensitive and repeatable, and can be used in further studies.

A new heterodinuclear complex of an unsymmetrical macrocycle [ZnMnL(CH(3)O)(2)]·H(2)O has been synthesized by the cyclocondensation between N,N'-bis(3-formyl-5-chlorosalicylidene)ethylenediimine and 2-hydroxyl-1,3-propanediamine in the presence of the metal ions, and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra and X-ray determination. The interactions of the complex with DNA have been investigated by UV absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurements and electrochemical studies. Absorption spectroscopic investigation reveals that the complex has good binding propensity to calf thymus DNA by intercalation with a binding constant of 2.52 × 10(5)M(-1). Fluorescence spectroscopy shows that the complex can displace ethidium bromide and bind to DNA, with a quenching constant of 4.37 × 10(3)M(-1). The agarose gel electrophoresis studies show that pBR322 plasmid DNA can be transformed to nicked form and linear form in air by the complex.

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers were hydrolyzed in an alkaline condition, and the hydrolysis process was observed with a self-made visual device. Under the condition of mass ratio of PAN to NaOH to H 2 O being 1:0.6:100, the sample was collected every 1 h and used for observation. It could be seen from the pictures obtained, the entire fiber surface was rough bark-like when they were hydrolyzed for 3 h. After 4 h, it showed a clear and grid structure, 5 h later a ring netting, and 6 h later the ring netting ruptured. Then they were decomposed completely into macro-molecules.

Sparse and unstructured computations are widely involved in engineering and scientific applications. It means that data arrays could be indexed indirectly through the values of other arrays or non-affine subscripts. Data access pattern would not be known until runtime. So far all the parallel computing strategies for this kind of irregular problem are single network topology oriented, which cannot fully exploit the advantages of modern hierarchical computing architecture, like grid. We proposed a hybrid parallel computing strategy RP, shorted for “Replicated and Partially-shared”, to improve the performance of irregular applications in the COC (Cluster of Clusters) environment.

The traffic matrix is one of the crucial inputs in many traffic engineering and network planning tasks, but it is usually impossible to directly measure traffic matrices. So, it is an important research topic to infer traffic matrix by reasonably modeling, and incorporating the limited empirical information. Of the proposed methods, Kalman Filtering method is a more efficient and accurate method than many others. But Kalman Filter method is the linear estimation area, this limit of the linear nature make it impossible to estimate the self-similar, long range dependence and multi-scale characteristic accurately. Multi-fractal wavelet model can handle the nonlinear nature of the network traffic efficiently. Considering the linear and nonlinear nature, this paper proposed the multi-scale traffic matrix estimation algorithm based on the incorporation of the Kalman Filter and wavelet analysis.

We use the theory of operational research to describe a model to quantify the manufacturing process flexibility’s effect on supply chain risk. From the result we can see flexibility can mitigating risk and a little flexibility can achieve nearly all the benefits of total flexibility. Also by comparing the result we can find that the effects on different enterprises are the same.

This paper proposed an algorithm of feature selection used in fusion of soft computing and based on the chain of data-information-cognition. The algorithm is as follow: Firstly, the weights wij from input layer to hidden layer are obtained when the training accuracy of BP neural network (BPNN) is got. Where i denotes the i th feature and j denotes the j th node in hidden layer of BPNN. Secondly, zetai = Sigmaj=1 h|wij| is worked out, where zetai denotes the significance of i th feature and h is the number nodes of hidden layer which is optimized by genetic algorithm. The higher the magnitude of zetai is, the more the corresponding feature is important. Thirdly, the features are ranked into a new set according to decreasing magnitude of zetai, then selects the highest k ranked features from the new set and retrains the BPNN using these selected features only. At last, the algorithm is used into extracting features based on the data of oilsk81 and oilsk83 in some oilfield of China.

In the title dinuclear complex, [Cu2(C14H20ClN4O)ClO]·3H2O, one CuII cation assumes a distorted square-planar coordination geometry and the other a distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry. Both CuII cations are N,N′,O-chelated by one arm of the 2,6-bis[(2-aminoethyl)iminomethyl]-4-chlorophenolate anion, and one oxide anion bridges the two CuII cations, forming a dinuclear complex. One of the CuII cations is further coordinated by an Cl− anion in the apical direction. In the crystal, lattice water molecules are linked with the complex molecule via O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds while O—H...O hydrogen bonding occurs between lattice water molecules , forming three-dimensional network structure.

Optical remote sensing is the most widely used method for obtaining forest biomass information. This research investigated the potential of using topographical and high-resolution optical data from Quickbird for measurement of black locust plantation aboveground biomass (AGB) grown in the hill-gully region of the Loess Plateau. Three different processing techniques, including spectral vegetation indices (SVIs), texture, and topography were evaluated, both individually and combined. Simple linear regression and stepwise multiple-linear regression models were developed to describe the relationship between image parameters obtained using these approaches and field measurements. SVI and topography-based approaches did not yield reliable AGB estimates, accounting for at best 23 and 19% of the observed variation in AGB. Texture-based methods were better, explaining up to 70% of the observed variation. A combination of SVIs, texture, and topography yielded an even better R 2 value of 0.74 with the lowest root mean square error (17.21 t/ha ) and bias (−1.85 t/ha ). The results suggest that texture information from high-resolution optical data was more effective than SVIs and topography to estimate AGB. The performance of AGB estimation can be improved by adding SVIs and topography results to texture data; the best results can be obtained using a combination of these three data types.