The R- and AR-indices： Complementing the h-index

Based on the foundation laid by the h-index we introduce and study the R- and AR-indices. These new indices eliminate some of the disadvantages of the h-index, especially when they are used in combina-tion with the h-index. The R-index measures the h-core’s citation intensity, while AR goes one step further and takes the age of publications into account. This allows for an index that can actually in-crease and decrease over time. We propose the pair (h, AR) as a meaningful indicator for research evaluation. We further prove a relation characterizing the h-index in the power law model.     

Asymmetric epoxidation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-unsaturated ketones using <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-diarylprolinols as catalysts

Asymmetric epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones has been extensively studied and several important procedures have been developed in the last decade. This review addresses the most significant advances in asymmetric epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones using proline-derived α,α-diarylprolinols as catalysts. Special attention has been paid to the enantioselective epoxidation of chalcones, α,β-unsaturated trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl ketones and β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters based on the reseach of our group.     

Transpositional behaviour of the Ds element in the Ac/Ds system in rice

Insertional mutagenesis based on maize Activator/Dissociator (Ac/Ds) transposons is becoming a ma- jor approach used to produce a saturated mutant collection in rice. In this research, Ds-T-DNA trans- formed homozygotes were crossed with Ac-T-DNA transformed homozygotes in order to establish an Ac/Ds transposon system in rice. The successive investigation of Ds transposition from F1 to F5 gen- erations indicated that the frequencies of germinal transposition increased over successive genera- tions and reached 54.2% in F3 generation. The Ds transposition pattern revealed that a Ds transposition induced an approximately 170-bp deletion of T-DNA sequence and another Ds transposition carried a 272-bp T-DNA sequence. Using thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR (TAIL-PCR), some flanking se- quences of the Ds element were amplified. Analyses of 17 Ds-flanking sequences showed that five Ds were inserted into gene regions. The Ds could transpose not only to the linked sites but also to the unlinked sites. The frequency of inter-chromosomal transposition of Ds was 33.3%.     

The permeability effect of microcystin-RR on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis>

Microcystins are a kind of cyclic hepatoxins produced by many species of cyanobacteria. Most previous work have been done on the toxic effects of microcystins on animals and plants. However, the reports about the effect of microcystins on microbial cells are very limited. In this work, the permeability of MC-RR on the cell outer membrane of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) was discussed. The permeability effect of MC-RR on the cell outer membrane of E. coli and B. subtilis under different concentrations was demonstrated by a rapid and sustained reduction in the A₆₇₅ values of lysozyme-treated cells. The decrease of the absorbance values showed a time- and dose-effect. The extravasations of protein and carbonhydrate increased with the increment of the treated-concentration of MC-RR. The results showed that MC-RR could increase the permeability of cell outer membranes of E. coli and B. subtilis. The synergistic effects of MC-RR and lysozyme on bacteria indicated that MC-RR might play an ecological role in bacteria in combination with other substances in some aquatic environments.     

Functional analysis of the sbcD （dr1921 ） gene of the extremely radioresistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans

In eukaryotes, the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) complex, which resides at the crossroads of DNA repair and checkpoint signaling, rapidly forms prominent foci at damage sites following double-strand break (DSB) induction. This complex carries out the initial processing of the DSB ends. Mutations in the genes that encode components of this complex result in DNA-damage hypersensitivity, genomic in- stability, telomere shortening, and aberrant meiosis. Therefore, the MR proteins are highly conserved during evolution. The bacterial orthologs of Mre11 and Rad50 are the SbcD and SbcC proteins, respec- tively. Deinococcus radiodurans, an extremely radioresistant bacterium, is able to mend hundreds of radiation-induced DSBs. The SbcD and SbcC proteins were identified as the products of the Dr1921 and Dr1922 genes. Disruption of the sbcD gene, by direct reverse-orientation insertional mutagenesis tech- nology, remarkably increases the cells’ sensitivity to various types of DNA damaging agents, such as ionizing radiation, ultraviolet irradiation, hydrogen peroxide, and mitomycin C. We also provide evidence that the drSbcD protein plays an important role in both growth and DNA repair in this organ- ism, especially in repair of DSBs generated after cellular exposure to 6000 Gy of IR. These results demonstrate that the drSbcD protein plays an important role in DSBs repair in D. radiodurans.     

Identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fallopia</Emphasis> species based on the chloroplast <Emphasis Type="Italic">mat</Emphasis>K gene sequences

In order to develop an efficient identification method for Fallopia plants and drugs, molecular analysis of the partial matK gene sequences was performed on 6 Fallopia species. Based on the matK sequences, a phylogenetic tree was constructed, which showed that different populations of inter- and intra-species could be specified and distinguished. The matK gene sequences of the 6 Fallopia species were all found to be of 1 271 bp in length, with some nucleotide variations throughout the entire sequences. The nucleotide difference at position 1 041 could distinguish F. denticulata from others, while specific nucleotide at position 1 154 became identification markers for F. aubertii. Moreover, four specific marker sites for F. multiflora var. ciliinerve at positions 216, 224, 1 060 and 1 179, seven for F. convolvulus at 318, 765, 772, 874, 936, 952 and 1 036, and seven for F. dentate alata at 111, 192, 366, 450, 457, 1 032 and 1 074 were also observed. By detecting the marker nucleotides and analyzing the phylogenetic relationship, the botanical origins of five inspected drugs were determined, suggesting that matK sequences can be used for authenticating Fallopia plants and drugs.     

Osmotically stress-regulated the expression of glutathione peroxidase 3 in Arabidopsis

Gene expression of glutathione peroxidase 3 (ATGPX3) in response to osmotic stress was analyzed in Arabidopsis using ATGPX3 promoter-glucuronidase (GUS) transgenic plants. High levels of GUS ex- pression were detected under osmotic stress in ATGPX3 promoter-GUS transgenic plants. Compared with the wild type, the growth and development of ATGPX3 mutants (atgpx3-1) were more sensitive to mannitol. In addition, the expression of RD29A, ABI1, ABI2 and RbohD in atgpx3-1 was induced by ABA stress. These results suggest that ATGPX3 might be involved in the signal transduction of osmotic stress.     

B-Valued Dyadic Derivative

The principles of the new maximal operator H＊ we defined are discussed. We prove that it is bounded from martingale Hardy-Lorentz L^Xp.q[0,1） to the Lorentz L^Xp.q[0,1） for 1/2〈 p〈∞, 0〈~ q ≤ ∞, where X is any Banach space. When the Banach space X has the RN property, the sequence dnHnf converges to f a.e. Meanwhile the convergence in L^Xp norm for 1≤p〈∞ is a consequence of that the family functions K （n∈N） is an approximate identity.     

Separation and Anti-Hantaan Virus Activity of Extracts from Alternanthera philoxcroides in vitro and in vivo

A water-soluble substance was extracted from the Chinese herb, Alternantheraphiloxcroides with hot water and alcohol. Aliquots of this initial extract were further fractionated by treatment with ether, ethyl acetate and alcohol respectively. The four extracts were assayed for anti-viral activity against three serum, Hantaan virus 114 （HV114）, HV435 and A9 strains. Results show that the four extracts are capable of inhibiting Hantaan virus propagation, of which extract No. 1 has the best efficiency. The three dosage of extract No. 1, which are used upon three Hantaan virus serum IC50, are 153, 157, 154 μg/mL. New-born mice were made to be infected with HV114 and then fed in vivo with extract No.l on the 3rd, 10th and 14th days after being infected by the virus. The treatment continued for 8 days with a dosage of 2.5 g/kg. Result shows that survival rates of mice were 75%, 50% and 0, respectively. The median time to death （MTDs） of the three groups were 37, 30, 23 days.     

Structure and second-order NLO property of the molecules bridged through n-vertex bis-substituted carborane （n=5, 6, 7）

Density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP at 6-31G* level is employed to optimize the structures of the molecules bridged through n-vertex bis-substituted carborane (n=5, 6, 7) and combined with finite field (FF) formalism to calculate the second-order NLO properties. The results indicate that the structures of n-vertex bis-substituted carborane (n=5, 6, 7) are changed due to bridged donor and acceptor moieties. The distances between two C atoms are becoming longer. And the stability and dipole moment are in- fluenced by changing substituted positions of C atoms. The isomers with the substituents connecting with C atoms of lower coordination number have better stability and larger values of polarizability. One-dimensional structure of the molecules bridged through n-vertex bis-substituted carborane (n=5, 6, 7) is in favor of intramolecular charge-transfer. Meanwhile, the isomer with a larger change of dipole moment has larger value of second-order NLO properties during the charge-transfer process.     

Synthesis,characterization and photoluminescence of aluminum <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-aryloxo functionalized <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-ketoiminate complexes

The synthesis, characterization and luminescent properties of aluminum complexes containing a dianionic N-aryloxo functionalized β-ketoiminate ligand are presented. 4-(2-Hydroxy-5-R-phenyl)imino-2-pentanone (R = Me, L¹H₂; R = tert-butyl, L²H₂) ligands reacted with AlEt₃ in tetrahydrofuran to give the aluminum complexes (L¹AlEt)₂ (1) and (L²AlEt)₂ (2) in reasonable isolated yields. X-ray diffraction revealed that complexes 1 and 2 have solvent-free centrosymmetric dimeric structures, and each aluminum center has distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. At room temperature, complexes 1 and 2 exhibit blue photoluminescence in acetonitrile with maximum emission wavelengths of 419 and 413 nm, respectively.     

dr1127： A novel gene of Deinococcus radiodurans responsible for oxidative stress

The functional analysis of dr1127,a novel gene in Deinococcus radiodurans was performed in this pa-per. The dr1127 gene was found occasionally in our microarray and 2-DE gel experiments. Mutation of the dr1127 gene decreased the γ-radiation and H2O2 resistance of D. radiodurans,and weakened the scavenging abilities of cell extracts for free radicals (superoxide anion,hydrogen peroxide,and hy-droxyl radical). Further oxidative damage assays demonstrated that the purified DR1127 protein of D. radiodurans could bind to double stranded DNA in vitro and protect DNA from oxidative damage in this way. These results suggest that the dr1127 gene is an important gene that can maintain γ-radiation and oxidative resistance in D. radiodurans and may take part in the oxidative stress process.     

Accurate localization and excision of genomic islands in four strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis>

Mobile genomic islands (GIs) can be excised from the chromosome, then form a circular intermediate and be reintegrated into the chromosome by the GI internal integrase. Some mobile GIs can also be transferred into a new receptor cell by transformation, conjugation, or transduction. The action sites of the integrase are usually flanked direct repeats (DRs) of the GIs. Accurate localization of the flanking sequences is a precondition for determining the mobility of the GI. Mobile GIs are generally associated with transfer RNAs (tRNAs). Based on the correlation between flanking sequences and tRNA sequences, the flanking sequences of 11 putative mobile GIs in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, P. aeruginosa PA14, P. fluorescens Pf-5 and P. fluorescens Pf0-1 were identified. Among the 11 GIs, Pf0-1GI-1 is responsible for benzoate degradation. PAO1GI-1, Pf5GI-2, Pf5GI-3, and Pf5GI-4 were confirmed experimentally to be excised from a chromosome to form a circular intermediate. The action sites of the integrases are these GIs direct repeats. Due to distinct DRs, cutting sites for the internal integrase of PAO1GI-1, Pf5GI-2, Pf5GI-3 and Pf5GI-4 were determined outside the T-loop of the tRNA^Gly gene, outside the anticodon loop of the tRNA^Ser gene and tRNA^Lys gene, and at the asymmetric 3′-end of the tRNA^Leu gene, respectively. PAO1GI-1 and other mobile GIs may be transferred into many different strains that belong to different phyla because of the clear flanking sequences. This study describes basic information about the action sites of the integrases, assesses the mobility of GIs, and can help design and transfer mobile GIs to candidate strains.     

Discovery of organic connection of Chiropteris Kurr and Nystroemia Halle from Early Permian of western Henan, China

Nystroemia reniformis (Kawasaki) comb. nov. is proposed based on specimens showing organic connections between Chiropteris reniformis Kawasaki and Nystroemia pectiniformis Halle from the Lower Permian of Dengfeng in Henan. Vegetative leaf has a long petiole, reniformed, cordate at the base, entire or slightly undulate at the margin;veins are fine, bifurcating repeatedly and finally becoming reticulate and forming polygonal or rhomboidal meshes.Fertile shoot arises from bract axils. The form of the bract is identical to that of a vegetative leaf. Ovuliferous organ arises from the axU of leafy organ, or in other ease, both ovulfferous and leafy organs irregularly arise from the axis of the fertile shoot respectively. Numerous bicornute platyspermic seeds are arranged in two rows, obconical, with micropyle pointing upwards. It may represent a new extinct gymnosperms.     

Developmental sequence of Cambrian embryo Markuelia

Based on more exquisitely preserved specimens of Markuelia hunanensis recently recovered from Middle and Upper Cambrian in western Hunan and in the light of Synchrotron radiation X-ray tomo-graphic microscopy, the developmental sequence from cleavage through organogenesis to the pre-hatching of Cambrian embryo Markuelia, especially the developmental sequence during the pre-hatching stage, i.e. from the earliest period when the scalids and tail spines only took shape to the latest period (just about hatching), is established. This developmental sequence provides a pattern of embryonic development during the pre-hatching stage, which has not been established in the living scalidophorans (priapulids, loriciferans and kinorhynchs). Thus, it not only enriches our knowledge on the embryonic development of the extant descendants of Markuelia, but also opens a new window to the evolution and development of the animal.     

Asymmetric intramolecular oxa-Michael addition of activated <Emphasis Type="Italic">α,β</Emphasis>-unsaturated ketones by chiral <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-triflyl phosphoramide

Asymmetric intramolecular oxa-Michael addition of activated α,β-unsaturated ketones by chiral N-triflyl phosphoramide was realized. The flavanone products can be synthesized with excellent yields (50%–95%) and up to 74% ee.