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This study surveyed 114 Taiwanese and 57 Thai workers in a tape manufacturing factory in Taiwan and evaluated their symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) and associated risk factors by using the revised Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Task-appropriate biomechanical and body load assessment tools were also employed to examine biomechanical and body load during four specified daily tasks. The results indicated that the prevalence of discomfort symptoms in any body part within one year was 81.6% for the Taiwanese workers and 72.3% for the Thai workers. The body part in which the Taiwanese workers most frequently experienced discomfort was the shoulders (57.0%), followed by the lower back (47.4%), the neck (43.9%), and the knees (36.8%); where the Thai workers most frequently experienced discomfort was the hands or wrists (42.1%), followed by the shoulders (36.8%) and the buttocks or thighs (31.6%). These locations of discomfort were associated with task characteristics. Heavy-material handling (>20 kg) more than 20 times per day was the most significant risk factor for WMSDs for both groups, and this task must thus be urgently improved. We also suggest that providing wrist braces for Thai workers may assist in alleviating their hand and wrist discomfort. The biomechanical assessment results indicated that the compression forces acting on the workers’ lower backs exceeded the Action Limit standard; administrative controls must thus be instituted for two heavy-material handling tasks. In the factory, some tasks and workers’ movements when completing these tasks must be assessed and improved immediately by using appropriate tools. Although the Thai workers were engaged in more physically demanding tasks, their WMSDs were milder than those of the Taiwanese workers. The results of the study can serve as references for the prevention and reduction of WMSDs in local and foreign workers in similar industries.

The mitochondrial DNA G-quadruplex (mtDNA G4) is a potential regulatory element for the regulation of mitochondrial functions; however, its relevance and specific roles in diseases remain largely unknown. Here, we engineered a set of chemical probes, including

The specific sensing of an exact G-quadruplex structure by small molecules has never been reported. A fluorescent sensor based on the photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) mechanism provides possibilities for such specific, one-to-one recognition, indicated by fluorescence. We have rationally developed a PeT fluorescent sensor IZFL-2 by linking triarylimidazole and fluorescein moieties. IZFL-2 is a distinctive, smart sensor whose fluorescence is tunable by its molecular conformations. We then applied IZFL-2 to sensing G-quadruplexes and found that it could exactly distinguish the wild-type c-MYC G-quadruplex from other types of G-quadruplexes, as shown by the activation of its fluorescence. To understand this behavior, we performed various experiments, including fluorescence assays, absorption assays, and multiscale molecular dynamics simulations, to thoroughly investigate the optimal binding mode of IZFL-2 in the c-MYC G-quadruplex. Then, the corresponding HOMO-LUMO of IZFL-2 was analyzed, and the results demonstrated that the PeT process of IZFL-2 is suppressed only in the wild-type c-MYC G-quadruplex via specific loop interactions, which restores its fluorescence. To our knowledge, this smart molecule provides the first example of and new insights into the development of sensors specific for a particular G-quadruplex structure by utilizing intramolecular PeT-controlled fluorescence switching.

The arginine/glycine-rich region termed the RGG domain is usually found in G-quadruplex (G4)-binding proteins and is important in G4-protein interactions. Studies on the binding mechanism of RGG domains found that small segments (RGG motif) inside the domain contribute greatly to the G4 binding affinity. However, unlike the entire RGG domains that have been broadly explored, the role of the RGG motif remains obscure, with very limited study. Herein, to clarify the role of the RGG motif in G4-protein interactions, we systematically investigated the binding affinity and mode between RGG-motif peptides and G4s. The internal arrangement of RGG repeats and gap amino acids played a more crucial role in the G4-binding mechanism than a critical number of RGG repeats. Arginines and phenylalanines at the exact position of the RGG motif might enable additional hydrogen bonding and π-stacking interaction with nucleobases and strengthen the binding of G4. Impressively, proceeding from a G4-binding RGG peptide, 12, discovered above, we identified the cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRBP) as a new G4 DNA-binding protein both in vitro and in cells. In addition, we found that the key amino acids for G4 binding in peptide 12 and CIRBP were highly similar, and peptide 12 clearly played a key role in the G4 binding of CIRBP. This report is the first in which a G4-binding protein was identified from exploration of the G4-binding RGG motif. Our findings suggest a novel strategy for discovering new G4-binding proteins by exploring key peptide segments.

Loss of local, effective pollinators may potentially limit plant reproductive success but the plant–pollinator interactions could be rescued if the plant does not reject other pollen vectors. Firmiana kwangsiensis H.H. Hsue (Malvaceae) is an endangered tree endemic to limestone areas in South China. Although its preservation status is listed as “critically endangered”, its reproductive ecology is little known. We compared floral visitors in three wild populations and one transplanted population. Such a comparison allows us to see whether the pollinator assemblage varies geographically and to examine the plasticity of plant–pollinator interactions, informing sustainable ex situ conservation. Our pollination experiments indicated that fruit/seed set in F. kwangsiensis largely depended on pollinator visits, and was greatly reduced under hand self‐pollination or exclusion of bird visits. Floral visitors included sunbirds, butterflies, and bees (honeybee and wasp) but their visitation frequency varied in the four populations. The sunbird Nectarinia jugularis was the major pollinator in the three wild populations, but was replaced by the other sunbird Aethopyga christinae in the ex situ population. This tree is showy, with orange‐red flowers blooming before the leaves emerge. The calyx tube accumulates a large volume of dilute nectar (sugar concentration was 9.5%) in the morning, rewarding sunbird pollinators. Our investigations indicated that sunbirds rather than insects served as a functional group of pollinators for this endangered species. Successful ex situ conservation of this type of plant needs to consider the availability of potential pollinators.

A new species of Gesneriaceae, Primulina gigantea F. Wen, B. Pan & W.H. Luo from Guanyang County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, is described and illustrated. It is known from fewer than one hundred mature individuals so it appears to be endangered. Primulina gigantea is compared with the morphologically close P. lungzhouensis and P. roseoalba.

The visualization of RNA G-quadruplexes in cells is critical to studying and understanding their biological functions. However, while various fluorescent probes have been developed for RNA imaging, very few RNA G-quadruplex-specific fluorescent probes have been found. To address this challenge, we reasoned that turning an RNA fluorescent probe into an RNA G-quadruplex-specific fluorescent probe by rational structural modification to improve the specificity would be an efficient new strategy. Therefore, the benzothiazole-indole-based RNA fluorescent probe BEDO-0 was selected to test this approach. Based on its sensing mechanism, we designed several candidate probes with the aim of improving their G-quadruplex binding selectivity while maintaining the specific fluorescence response. Among them, BEDO-3, which possesses an extended aromatic ring and amino side chain targeting the G-quartet and phosphate backbone, is the best candidate with the strongest G-quadruplex binding affinity and specificity. The relationships between the candidate structure and imaging performance were examined in detail. Furthermore, the practicability of using BEDO-3 as an RNA G-quadruplex-specific fluorescent probe was determined. These findings fully validate the feasibility of our proposed efficient and rational strategy, which will illuminate the development of brand-new fluorescent probes for RNA G-quadruplexes and even for other RNAs.

Kai-Yi Tao,1 Xian-Xing Li,2 Wei-Zhen Xu,3 Yin Wang,4 Shuang-Mei Zhu,5 Hua-Xia Xie,3 Wen-Hua Luo,6 Yan-Jun Xu,7 Xiao-Ling Xu3,7 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, 2Department of Radiology, 3Key Laboratory on Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital (Zhejiang Cancer Research Institute), 4Physical Examination Center, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, 5Department of Radio-Chemotherapy Oncology, Lishui People’s Hospital, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 6Department of Radio-Chemotherapy Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 7Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China Background: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in apoptosis-related genes have been shown to play a role in the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy and may influence clinical outcomes. Our study aimed to evaluate the correlations of four functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms – FAS −670 A>G, FAS ligand −844 T>C, survivin −31 G>C, and survivin 9386 C>T – with drug response and clinical outcomes in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients who received platinum-based chemotherapy. Materials and methods: Polymorphisms were evaluated using the polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment-length polymorphism technique.Results: Patients with the CC genotype of FAS −670 A>G had worse overall survival (OS) than those with the CT or TT genotype (P=0.044), with median OS values of 20.1 months, 22.8 months, and 26.0 months, respectively. Furthermore, progression-free survival was associated with the FAS −670 A>G polymorphism (P=0.032). In addition, patients with the TC and CC genotypes of survivin 9386 C>T experienced improved survival compared with patients with the TT genotype (median OS 31.4 months and 22.8 months, respectively).Conclusion: The functional FAS −670 A>G and survivin 9386 C>T polymorphisms are potential independent prognostic factors in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Keywords: lung cancer, FAS −670 A>G, survivin 9386 C>T, polymorphism, chemotherapy response

Non-ecological phenomenon of tourism industry makes it improve eco-efficiency and sustainable development. Eco-efficiency and emergy methods are the useful instrument for eco-system, and indicate an empirical relation between environment cost and environment impact. The paper puts forward 4 steps of the tourism industry ecological evaluation by eco-efficiency and emergy analysis. They are: draw tourism industry emergy system diagram; decision research area and set up an emergy evaluation table; set up eco-efficiency index system of tourism industry; collect data and calculate the eco-efficiency of tourism industry. Finally, some questions are discussed: how does the eco-efficiency of tourism industry compare to other sectors of the national and global economy; how to improve eco-efficiency of tourism industry; can eco-efficiency assess the sustainability of tourism industry?

The electronic structure and optical properties of plutonium dioxide were calculated using the generalized gradient approximation with a Hubbard parameter U (GGA + U) for considering the strong coulomb correlation between localized Pu 5f electrons based on the first-principles density functional theory. The calculated results show that PuO2 is a semiconductor material with the band gap of 1.8 eV, which is in good agreement with the corresponding experimental data. Furthermore, the dielectric function, reflectivity, refractive index, and extinction coefficient were calculated and analyzed using the Kramers–Kronig relationship for PuO2. The calculated results were compared with the experimental data from the published literature.

The proportion of Non-structured data in total amount is much more than that of structured data. But the research on the method of processing and analyzing non-structured data is not as deep as that on structured data. This paper illustrates the importance of the research on non-structured data. Then from the angle of digital investigation, it illustrates the key techniques of its processing and analyzing ways. And it combines the self-developed Intelligent Analyzing System of Mass Case Information and the background of handling the online ball gambling in Chinese mainland, it illustrates in detail the specific application of non-structured data processing and analyzing in digital investigation.

As important evidences and clue sources in computer crime investigation, the information of user activity plays an important role in the aspect of revealing detail of offender’s operation. The specific keys of registry in RAM are related to specific user activity. The structures of registry in RAM are different from in disk, especially in the aspect of cell index translation. Based on analysis of data structure for registry in RAM, this paper introduces the technology of cell index translation in detail. Also summarizes the keys closely related to user activity, and illustrates the method of analysis of user activity based on registry in RAM with real case. The method is proved to be accurate and efficient in real work of digital investigation.

Analysis of malwares is essential for computer security professionals and digital forensic analysts and is emerging as an important field of research. Reversing technique is the most important technique and tool of knowing what a software has done. This paper applies this technique to malware analysis. The focus of this paper is to show the general patterns ascertained using reverse analysis applied to the aspects of start function, parameter transfer of function, data structure and control statement.

InAs/GaAs quantum dots structures are grown by meta-organic chemical vapor deposition. The effects of growth temperatures on the structural and optical properties of quantum dots are investigated by the atomic force microscopy and photoluminescence. An areal density of 9.3×109cm2 and a strongly enhanced photoluminescence intensity are obtained at the temperature of 505°C, furthermore, the low and high growth temperature tend to form coalescent islands and decrease the intensity of photoluminescence spectra.

Self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots structures with low temperature and high temperature cap layers are grown by meta-organic chemical vapor deposition. The effects of Indium composition of high temperature InGaAs cap layer on the structural and optical properties of quantum dots are investigated by the atomic force microscopy and photoluminescence. Emission peak wavelengths shift from 1218 nm to 1321 nm when the Indium composition of high temperature InGaAs cap layer increase form 0 to 0.17.

SLC11A1 (also known as Natural Resistance Associated Macrophage Protein1, NRAMP1) plays a crucial role in resistance of inbred mice to infection with several intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium, Leishmania and Salmonella. In this study, PCR amplification and sequencing were performed to obtain the genomic organization and sequence of porcine SLC11A1 gene by comparative genomic analysis. Results showed that porcine SLC11A1 gene consists of 15 exons and 14 introns, which is consistent with that of mice and human. All introns were sequenced and their nucleotide sequences were submitted to GenBank. The exon/intron boundaries were determined by comparing cDNA sequence with amplified genomic DNA sequences. Mutational analysis was performed on exonic and neighboring intronic region by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and sequencing confirmation. Forty polymorphisms were identified; six are located in exons and thirty-four in introns. Two exonic polymorphisms are nonsynonymous changes (D6H and V175I), three are synonymous changes (S23, G33 and I155), and one is in 3' UTR. The availability of the fine genomic organization and identification of the polymorphisms will facilitate the evaluation of porcine SLC11A1 functional role in diseases resistance or susceptibility.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to compare the efficacy and safety of S-1-based and capecitabine-based preoperative chemoradiotherapy regimens in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer through a retrospective matched-pair analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between Jan 2010 and Mar 2014, 24 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received preoperative radiotherapy concurrently with S-1 were individually matched with 24 contemporary patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received preoperative radiotherapy concurrently with capecitabine according to clinical stage (as determined by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography) and age (within five years). All these patients performed mesorectal excision 4-8 weeks after the completion of chemoradiotherapy. RESULTS: The tumor volume reduction rates were 55.9±15.1% in the S-1 group and 53.8±16.0% in the capecitabine group (p = 0.619). The overall downstaging, including both T downstaging and N downstaging, occurred in 83.3% of the S-1 group and 70.8% of the capecitabine group (p = 0.508). The significant tumor regression, including regression grade I and II, occurred in 33.3% of S-1 patients and 25.0% of capecitabine patients (p = 0.754). In the two groups, Grade 4 adverse events were not observed and Grade 3 consisted of only two cases of diarrhea, and no patient suffered hematologic adverse event of Grade 2 or higher. However, the incidence of diarrhea (62.5% vs 33.3%, p = 0.014) and hand-foot syndrome (29.2% vs 0%, p = 0.016) were higher in capecitabine group. Other adverse events did not differ significantly between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The two preoperative chemoradiotherapy regimens were effective and safe for patients of locally advanced rectal cancer, but regimen with S-1 exhibited a lower incidence of adverse events.

Primary anorectal (PA) malignant melanoma (MM) is a rare disease associated with a high mortality rate. The most appropriate treatment strategy for PAMM remains controversial. A 55-year-old female patient, who was misdiagnosed with locally advanced rectal carcinoma, was treated with preoperative radiotherapy and concurrent oral capecitabine. During the therapy, grade 1 leukopenia occurred, however, there was no interruption to treatment. Following chemoradiotherapy, a computer tomography scan identified that the tumor had shrunk significantly and the original enlarged lymph nodes had disappeared. Eight weeks after completion of chemoradiotherapy, sphincter-sparing surgery was performed on the patient and based on the postoperative pathological result, MM was diagnosed. At the time of writing, the patient has survived disease-free for 15 months and at the most recent follow-up examination the Karnofsky Performance Scale score was 100. The therapeutic regimen of neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy together with sphincter-sparing surgery is considered to be an optimal choice for patients with PAMM. However, further studies are required to evaluate the efficacy and clinical utility of this therapeutic regimen.

Ultrasonic motors continuous operation can make stator generate heat, the natural frequency of stator operational modal drifts about under the high temperature, and the output performance of the ultrasonic motor is reduced. Because of these reasons, it is an effective means to adopt suitable technology to follow the natural frequency of stator operational modal to guarantee the ultrasonic motor steady operation, and many researchers have carried on research to this. In the paper, it is analyzed that frequency-tracking based on the single-electrode feedback voltage and the impedance characteristic of the stator, the tracking principle, tracking mode and tracking effect are all researched. The results show that the frequency tracking of the single-electrode feedback voltage increases complexity of the ultrasonic motor structure, reduces the flexibility of the ultrasonic motor speed control, and hinders the ultrasonic motor output performance to maximum. Although the frequency tracking of the phase difference between the single-electrode feedback voltage and an input voltage increases complexity of the ultrasonic motors, the ultrasonic motor output performance is brought into play extremely. The frequency-tracking based on admittance of the stator is a high-efficient technology, because it simplifies the ultrasonic motor structure, enhances the flexibility of the ultrasonic motor speed control, and the ultrasonic motor output performance is implemented to the most.

SLC11A1 (also known as Natural Resistance Associated Macrophage Protein1, NRAMP1) plays a crucial role in resistance of inbred mice to infection with several intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium, Leishmania and Salmonella. In this study, PCR amplification and sequencing were performed to obtain the genomic organization and sequence of porcine SLC11A1 gene by comparative genomic analysis. Results showed that porcine SLC11A1 gene consists of 15 exons and 14 introns, which is consistent with that of mice and human. All introns were sequenced and their nucleotide sequences were submitted to GenBank. The exon/intron boundaries were determined by comparing cDNA sequence with amplified genomic DNA sequences. Mutational analysis was performed on exonic and neighboring intronic region by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and sequencing confirmation. Forty polymorphisms were identified; six are located in exons and thirty-four in introns. Two exonic polymorphisms are nonsynonymous changes (D6H and V175I), three are synonymous changes (S23, G33 and I155), and one is in 3' UTR. The availability of the fine genomic organization and identification of the polymorphisms will facilitate the evaluation of porcine SLC11A1 functional role in diseases resistance or susceptibility.

Chirita nandanensis S.X. Huang, Y.G. Wei & W.H. Luo sp. nova (Gesneriaceae) is described and illustrated from Guangxi, China. The new species is similar to C. floribunda in the leaf and flower shape, but differs by its leaves being densely villous on both surfaces and along the margin, and by having villous pedicels and a 2-parted stigma.