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The foliar surface forms one of the largest aboveground habitats on Earth and maintains plant-fungus relationships that greatly affect ecosystem functioning. Despite many studies with particular plant species, the foliar epiphytic mycobiome has not been studied across a large number of plant species from different taxa. Using high-throughput sequencing, we assessed epiphytic mycobiomes on leaf surfaces of 592 plant species in a botanical garden. Plants of angiosperms, gymnosperms, and pteridophytes were involved. Plant taxonomy, leaf side, growing environment, and evolutionary relationships were considered. We found that pteridophytes showed the higher fungal species diversity, stronger mutualistic fungal interactions, and a greater percentage of putative pathogens than gymnosperms and angiosperms. Plant taxonomic group, leaf side, and growing environment were significantly associated with the foliar epiphytic mycobiome, but the similarity of the mycobiomes among plants was not directly related to the distance of the host evolutionary tree. Our results provide a general understanding of the foliar fungal mycobiomes from pteridophytes to angiosperms. These findings will facilitate our understanding of foliar fungal epiphytes and their roles in plant communities and ecosystems.

During the submarine diving and rising, the coating may be damaged under the effect of alternating pressure of seawater, which may lead to the inflow of water into the cavity, while the liquid level of the cavity is not horizontal due to the cylindrical body of the submarine. For the influence of the liquid surface inclination on the sound absorption performance of the coating under the condition of water inflow, this paper firstly establishes a simplified analysis model, solves the sound reflection of the uniform layered medium based on the transfer function method, and then combines the finite element method to analyze the sound pressure field point. Finally, calculations and data processing are carried out to obtain the sound absorption coefficients. The results show that the inclination of the liquid surface causes the movement of the singularity of the absorption coefficient, and the frequency of the singularity moves to lower frequencies as the inclination angle of the liquid increases.

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are important economic insects and play important roles in pollination and maintenance of ecological balance. However, the use of pesticides has posed a substantial threat to bees in recent years, with the more widely used deltamethrin being the most harmful. In this study, we found that deltamethrin exposure significantly reduced bee survival in a dose-dependent manner (p = 0.025). In addition, metagenomic sequencing further revealed that DM exposure significantly reduced the diversity of the bee gut microbiota (Chao1, p 0.0001; Shannon, p 0.0001; Simpson, p 0.0001) and decreased the relative abundance of core species of the gut microbiota. Importantly, in studies of GF-bees, we found that the colonization of important gut bacteria such as Gilliamella apicola and Lactobacillus kunkeei significantly increased bee resistance to DM (survival rate increased from 16.7 to 66.7%). Interestingly, we found that the immunity-genes Defensin-2 and Toll were significantly upregulated in bees after the colonization of gut bacteria. These results suggest that gut bacteria may protect against DM stress by improving host immunity. Our findings provide an important rationale for protecting honeybees from pollutants from the perspective of gut microbes.

Lindera megaphylla (Lauraceae) is an ecologically important and dominant evergreen broad-leaf tree species in the warm-temperate and subtropical zone of China. In this study, we sequenced and assembled two complete genomes of L. megaphylla (LM01 and LM02) based on the next-generation sequencing data. The two complete chloroplasts of L. megaphylla are 152,741 bp in length, including two same length inverted repeats of 20,067 and 20,068 bp, a small single copy of 18,882 and 18,914 bp and a large single copy of 93,726 and 93,691 bp for LM01 and LM02 respectively. They all contain 84 protein-coding, 36 tRNA and eight rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis based on chloroplast genomes indicates that L. megaphylla is closely related to another Lindera and Litsea species.

Although the medicinal properties of Coelogyne spp. have been previously studied, there is little genomic information providing a valuable tool for the plant taxonomy, conservation, and utilization of this genus. This study used the next-generation MiSeq sequencing platform to characterize the chloroplast (cp) genomes of Coelogyne fimbriata and Coelogyne ovalis. The Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian (BI) methods were employed to confirm the phylogenetic position of two Coelogyne species based on the whole chloroplast genome sequences. Additionally, we developed eight new primers based on the two cp genomes’ medium variable regions and evaluated the transferability to another 16 Coelogyne species. We constructed phylogenetic trees including 18 Coelogyne species and four outgroup species using the chloroplast fragments with the ML method. Our results showed that the cp genomes of C. fimbriata and C. ovalis contained a small single-copy region (18,839 and 18,851 bp, respectively) and a large single-copy region (87,606 and 87,759 bp, respectively), separated by two same-length inverted-repeat regions (26,675 bp in C. fimbriata and 26,715 bp C. ovalis, respectively). They all contained 86 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes, revealing strong structure and gene content similarities. The phylogenetic analysis indicated a close relationship between the genera Coelogyne and Pleione. The newly developed primers revealed good transferability among the Coelogyne taxa and provided enough variable sites to distinguish C. fimbriata and C. ovalis. The two complete cp genomes and the eight new primers of Coelogyne provide new genomic data for further studies on phylogenomics, population genetics, and evolutionary history of Coelogyne taxa.

The game-based learning already is an important research area of the learning technology. The learning outcomes is a critical factor to evaluate the effectiveness of the learning game. Recent studies suggested giving students more immersive experiences can improve learning. In this paper, a new framework of designing the learning games for giving students more game immersive experience is proposed. The new framework is designed based on the considerations of players' habits and complexity of the learning materials. We can use this framework to create a blended playing environments with the arcade game and the serious learning game. Based on the pilot test and using for teaching, the new approach can give students more and better immersive experiences in playing the game and get a better learning result.

In this review, we explore our current understanding of the fern and lycophyte diversity occurring in the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot (EABH). The review explores the species diversity of this region in the context of the Afromadagascan pteridophyte diversity based on an exhaustive species list assembled in the synopsis of Afromadagascan pteridophytes published by Roux in 2009. The list was updated by incorporating recent progress in our understanding of the taxonomy and phylogeny of these plants. Evidence for a distinct pteridophyte flora occurring in the East African mountain region was discovered using ordination and clustering analyses. This EABH floras shares links to other Afromadagascan pteridophyte floras such as the one in the tropical lowland forests of central and western Africa. These floras share the dominance of species that preferably occur in humid climates whereas other African pteridophyte floras tend to contain a higher proportion of xeric adapted ferns. The phylogenetic composition of the EABH pteridophyte flora was assessed by comparing global versus local proportion of orders, families, and genera. This analysis revealed distinct patterns that are partly caused by the radiation of Blotiella and Triplophyllum besides selective colonization of species pre-adapted to Afromadagascan climates. In situ speciation in the East African tropical mountains may have contributed to the global diversity of widespread genera such as Asplenium and Pteris. In summary, this is the first comprehensive attempt to assess the pteridophyte diversity of the East African mountains providing the framework for future studies on their conservation, ecology, and evolution.

This paper shows a multifunctional and real-time control system of environment and building. It includes wireless data acquisition terminal, wireless ad-hot network module, inspection device, data acquisition gateway, software of energy consumption analysis, system of infrared thermal imaging analysis.

Vespicochory, seed dispersal by hornets, is a rare seed dispersal mechanism in angiosperms and, to date, there are few records of this phenomenon. Through field investigations and behavioral assays conducted in four populations of Stemona tuberosa from 2011-2016, we demonstrate that hornets are the primary seed dispersers of S. tuberosa and play an important role in "long-distance" seed dispersal in this species. Furthermore, some ant species act as secondary dispersers and may transport the seeds to safe sites. Hornets and ants provide complementary seed dispersal at different spatial scales. This unique example of insect-plant mutualism may be an underestimated but important strategy to ensure "long-distance" seed dispersal in other myrmecochorous plants.

The pre-processing method of blind source separation based on multifactor analysis is proposed to solve the blind source with noise. Firstly, the shortcomings of existing methods of blind source separation are point out after analyzing their principles. The multifactor analysis is introduced in blind source separation and the maximum likelihood estimate based on expectation maximum is used to estimate the common factor and random error. Finally the FastICA algorithm is used to separate BSS result. The validity and the advantage of this method are illustrated by an example.

This paper analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of existing heat flux sensor calibration methods, proposed a calibration method of thermal heat flux sensor based on wireless sensor networks. Experimental results showed that the detection error was reduced from 6% to 2% after calibration. The proposed method has many advantages, such as short calibration time, accurate results, easy installation as well as batching calibration. In a word, this method is available to calibrate heat flux sensors and will have an important significance for accurate measurement of heat flux.

With the development of information technology, especially the rapid development of network transmission technology, remote monitoring is becoming more and more popular, remote monitoring system (RMS) for CNC machines will be a trend in the control field. This paper introduces research and application status of RMS for CNC machines interiorly and abroad, summarizes its main features,discusses specific technical routes. Finally,problems and suggestions in the development are presented.

Auction techniques have been becoming the key methods in grid resource allocation. In this paper, we propose the multi-attribute reverse auction models for computational grid resource based on the designed satisfaction degree function. The fairness is also introduced into the models and protocols to match the reality. Two auction-based protocols are presented, i.e., the offline multi-attribute auction-based protocol and the on-line multi-attribute auction-based protocol. The goal is to help the resource user make multi-attribute decisions with complete information or incomplete information. Results from simulation experiments show that these two protocols can achieve market efficiency and fairness in most instances.

This paper describes a framework for the grid flow management system in resource allocation problem based on the autonomous manager grid service (AMGS). We develop a user agent which is able to estimate the scoring rule based on grid resources attributes without human intervention, since agents are autonomous and intelligent in behavior. The reverse auction protocol involving an iterative algorithm for solving the resource allocation problem is also present. We implement the new protocol in a simulated environment and study its economic efficiency and its effect on the grid system performance.

Ze-Zhi Wu,1 Zheng-Wei Wang,1 Li-Guang Zhang,1 Zhi-Xing An,1 Dong-Huo Zhong,1 Qi-Ping Huang,1 Mei-Rong Luo,1 Yan-Jian Liao,1 Liang Jin,1 Chen-Zhong Li,2 William S Kisaalita31Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of the State Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 2Nanobioengineering/Bioelectronics Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 3Cellular Bioengineering Laboratory, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USAIntroduction: In this study, quasi-three-dimensional (3D) microwell patterns were fabricated with poly (l-lactic acid) for the development of cell-based assays, targeting voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs).Methods and materials: SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were interfaced with the microwell patterns and found to grow as two dimensional (2D), 3D, and near two dimensional (N2D), categorized on the basis of the cells’ location in the pattern. The capability of the microwell patterns to support 3D cell growth was evaluated in terms of the percentage of the cells in each growth category. Cell spreading was analyzed in terms of projection areas under light microscopy. SH-SY5Y cells’ VGCC responsiveness was evaluated with confocal microscopy and a calcium fluorescent indicator, Calcium GreenTM-1. The expression of L-type calcium channels was evaluated using immunofluorescence staining with DM-BODIPY.Results: It was found that cells within the microwells, either N2D or 3D, showed more rounded shapes and less projection areas than 2D cells on flat poly (l-lactic acid) substrates. Also, cells in microwells showed a significantly lower VGCC responsiveness than cells on flat substrates, in terms of both response magnitudes and percentages of responsive cells, upon depolarization with 50 mM K+. This lower VGCC responsiveness could not be explained by the difference in L-type calcium channel expression. For the two patterns addressed in this study, N2D cells consistently exhibited an intermediate value of either projection areas or VGCC responsiveness between those for 2D and 3D cells, suggesting a correlative relation between cell morphology and VGCC responsiveness.Conclusion: These results suggest that the pattern structure and therefore the cell growth characteristics were critical factors in determining cell VGCC responsiveness and thus provide an approach for engineering cell functionality in cell-based assay systems and tissue engineering scaffolds.Keywords: replica molding, cell spreading, confocal microscopy, microwell patterns

This paper proposes a game-based model to conduct the issue of road congestion pricing. The ride comfort of travel modes, e.g., cars or buses, is introduced into the travel cost function of the traditional bottleneck model. Furthermore, based on different travel cost functions of various travel modes, the Nash equilibriums are achieved among the government and various travelers. The results can be employed to describe internality and externality of traffic system respectively. Finally, numerical examples are presented. The findings of our work indicate a relationship between the government’s goal and the charge rate and that the emergence of ride comfort obviously is a key determinant of travelers’ behavior.

Using the quasicontinuum (QC) method, multiscale simulation of nanocontact process between a Ni indenter and a Cu substrate is performed to verify the applicability of classical contact theories for nanoscale contact problems. In addition, around the comparison of the multiscale simulation results and the classical contact theories, such as the Hertz theory, the Johnson–Kendall–Roberts (JKR) theory and the Maugis–Dugale (M–D) theory, a further discussion is presented. The contact force and the contact radius of Ni indenter, as well as the contact stress distribution during the nanocontact process are investigated in detail. The multiscale model indicates that the Lomer–Cottrell locks observed during nanocontact process act as obstacles to the dislocation motion in the Cu substrate beneath the Ni indenter, which leads elastic deformation dominantly in the Cu substrate during nanocontact process. The comprehensive analysis shows that, compared with other classical contact models, the M–D model has a wider range of application, which can more precisely describe the relation between the applied force and the contact radius during nanocontact process. The stress distribution curve obtained from the M–D theory agrees well with that obtained from the QC method. Due to the adhesion effect, a small irregular tension zone adjacent to the non-local region underneath the indenter is observed in the QC simulation.

By using the two-dimensional quasicontinuum method, the nanocontact between Ni indenter and single crystal Cu substrate with a smooth or rough surface is simulated. The contact force varies in a nonlinear fashion with the increasing indenter displacement, including several force drops. The atomic-scale deformation mechanism in the Cu substrate during nanocontact process is monitored. Shockley partials, Lomer-Cottrel locks as well as twinning faults are observed at the force drops. The Lomer-Cottrel locks play an important role in smooth surface nanocontact process, and they insure that Cu substrate undergoes elastic deformation dominantly during nanocontact process. The contact forces calculated from the Maugis-Dugale (M-D) theory show a good agreement with those obtained by the QC simulation in the smooth surface nanocontact process. It must be noted that the M-D theory is no longer suitable to describe the rough surface nanocontact problem due to the severe plastic deformation in the asperities of the substrate when the characteristic size of roughness is on the order of the indenter depth.

This paper presents a novel triple-mode ring resonator wideband band pass filter with enhanced wideband rejection characteristics. The proposed ring resonator is half replaced by a pair of a#x03BB;g/4 open-ended coupled lines connected in cascade with a#x03BB;g/4 shunt open stub. The stepped impendence resonator can enhance the rejection of higher order modes. It has three resonance frequencies in the pass band and exhibits attenuation poles close to the edges of the pass band. The filter is designed at center frequency of 1090MHz and simulated by the commercial software IE3d. The measurement results are in good agreement with the simulations.

Despite widespread attention, most previous papers have failed to test the real effects of equity-based compensation because of endogeneity. In this study, we collected data from the Chinese companies listed in the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets from 2006 to 2012. After controlling the problem of endogeneity and selection bias, the results show that equity incentives have no significant influence on improving firm performance. Moreover, these companies were more likely to propose an equity incentive plan when the executives expected that it would be easy to satisfy the vesting conditions. Based on these facts, equity incentives have become managerial rent-seeking for the executives in the Chinese stock market. This is certainly not fair for the investors in the stock market. This paper uses one new method to study the real effects of equity incentives and contributes to the research on the Chinese stock markets and their compensation structures.

Nowadays as clean energy gas is being got more widely utilization in the industrial fields, such as the industrial boilers and kilns. How to improve the combustion performance, including the high efficiency and low pollution emission of the gas flame, is becoming the hot topic for the combustion researchers. In this paper, an innovative jet flame with side micro-jets has been proposed and its effects on the flame structure and its performance have also been investigated. Due to the changes of the initial combustion conditions, mixing and aerodynamics which results from the perturbation of the side micro-jets, such a lifted jet flame have different flame structure compared with the common premixed flame. Results show that use of the micro-jets can control, to a certain extent, the flame structure, including the flame length, lift-off distance and blow-off limit. With the same fuel and air flow rate, the flame length with the side micro-jets will decrease about 5%–40% as the air volume ratio a increases from 58%–76%. Compared with the common diffusion flame, such a jet flame demonstrates to be easier to be momentum-dominated flame. The flame length with 2 micro-jets is about 5% less than with 6 micro-jets under the same fuel and air flow rate. With the same α, the fewer number of the controlled jets lead to the flame with relatively shorter length, not easier to be blown off and higher NOx emission. With certain fuel flow rate, the critical air volume ratio is largest for the flame with 3 micro-jets, which is more difficult to be blown off than the cases with 2, 4 or 6 micro-jets.Copyright © 2011 by ASME

Two nanocontact models with different initial contact locations are built to simulate the process of the multiasperity nanocontact for investigating the effect of initial contact location on the nanocontact process by using the quasicontinuum method. The indenter is initially located on the top of the middle wave crest (MWC) of the substrate and the top of the wave trough on the left side (LWT) of the substrate, respectively. The microscopic deformation mechanism, the load–displacement curve and the nanohardness–displacement curve are examined. It is found that the deformation mechanisms in the two multiasperity contact models are different. During the initial contact stage, in the MWC model, the twinning deformation dominates the whole contact process, while in the LMT model many Lomer-Cottrell locks are generated in the copper substrate, which inhibits the occurrence of twinning deformation.