Molecular mechanism of abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein

The abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) is thought to be closely associated with Parkinson's disease, but the pathogenesis is still unclear. In this review, we survey the latest development in the molecular mechanism of abnormal α-Syn aggregation, especially in the aspects of the core sequences, aggregation inhibitors, structural transformation and filament morphologies. By exploring the mecha-nism of α-Syn aggregation, we will have a better understanding of the disease pathogenesis, and de-velop strategies for preventing and treating this severe disease.     

Three-dimensional recon- struction and analysis of structure characteristics on senile plaques of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer‘s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of senile plaques primarily composed of amyloid β in brain. Abnor-mal secretion and aggregation of amyloid β are the key events in pathogenesis of Alzheimer‘s disease. Reduction of amyloid β production and inhibition of amyloid β aggregation to form senile plaques are hopeful strategies for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer‘s disease. In the present study, the silver and immunohistochemical staining methods were applied to discover senile plaques in the hippocampus of Alzheimer‘s disease patients, and then images were processed and three-dimensionally reconstructed by Matlab and AVS software. The structure characteristics of senile plaques were measured through correlation function calculation and fractal dimension by a computer-aided method. Diffuse plaque had no amyloid center, but classic plaque presented compact central core structure; two types of plaques were both of porous structure, but the sizes of their pores were significantly different. Furthermore, there was difference in fractal dimension value between the diffuse plaque and classic plaque in the two staining methods. The comparison of structure characteristics between two types of plaques indicated that they developed independently. Establishment of the methods for reconstructing the three-dimensional structure of senile plaque and analyzing their structure characteristics is helpful for further study on the aggregation mechanism of senile plaque.     

Effect of Ab_(1-40) on membrane permeability and intracellular free Ca~(2+) of nerve cells

Alzheimers disease (AD) is a kind of progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by intracellularfibrillar tangles and extracellular senile plaques, the main component of the plaques are b-amyloid (Ab), composed of 3943 amino acids[1]. Glenner and Wong first isolated Ab peptide and determined the sequence in 1984, after-wards, a series of researches were done on its production, structure determination, aggregation, hydrophobicity, re-ceptor and cell toxicity. Ab is the abnormal fiss…     

Development in the research of molecular mechanism of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a kind of central nervous system disease. The cause of AD is unclear. It is found that the remarkable histopathological characters of AD are senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. β-amyloid plays an important role in the formation of senile plaques and the abnormal phosphorylation of Tau protein is the main reason of neurofibrillary tangles. Apolipoprotein E is correlated to AD' s access, and the third pathological character-AMY plaque perhaps represents a new cause of AD. Presenlin and proteinaceous infectious particles are also related with AD. A summary of molecular mechanism for AD and the development of research is presented.     

Some Properties of α-Subsets

In this paper, the concept of α - subsets is introduced in a lattice implication algebra and some properties are discussed. Then we prove that an α- subset is a lattice ideal of L. In the end, we discuss the properties of annihilator.     

Cu（Ⅱ） effect on the conformation of regenerated silk fibroin in dilute aqueous solution

Much attention has been paid to the natural mechanism of silkworm spinning due to the impressive mechanical properties of the natural fibers. In this work, we studied the effect of Cu（Ⅱ） ions on the secondary structure of Bombyx mori regenerated silk fibroin （SF） in dilute solution by circular dichroism （CD）. The results indicate that a given amount of Cu（Ⅱ） induces the SF conformational transition from random coil to β-sheet, however, further addition of Cu（Ⅱ） is unfavorable for this conversion. Meanwhile, the conformational changes induced by Cu（Ⅱ） follow a nucleation-dependent aggregation mechanism, which is similar to that found in Prion protein （PrP） denaturation and Aβ-peptide aggregations, leading to the neurodegenerative disease. This work would help one understand further the natural spinning process of silkworm. Additionally, it would be significant for the study of the nervous system diseases, because silk fibroin, extracted in large amounts from Bombyx mori silkworm gland, could be a proper model to study PrP denaturation and Aβ-peptide aggregations.     

A solution for concurrency control and long transaction management in SDBMS

The problem of long transactions is a significant problem in spatial database. The checkout mechanism and multi-version mechanism are two kind methods of solving the problem of long transactions. In this paper,we present a Shallow Version Management mechanism to realize multi-version mechanism in spatial database. And we introduced a increment storage and dynamic version views building method to improve efficiency of storing and consulting. We also illuminate how to resolve the problem of long transaction concurrency contrrl in spatial database by using multi-version mechanism. At the end of this paper,we introduce some required means like converge,compress and delete.     

Research on Cam-linkage Mechanism of Automatic Piecing Device

The principle of an automatic piecing device is presented, and the mathematic model of a specific combined mechanism of the automatic piecing device is analysed. The kinematics and dynamics equation of the combined mechanism is established on the basis of the mathematic model. By the virtual prototype technology, the motion of this mechanism is simulated, whose result is post-processed by ADAMS. To improve the output motion, according to the simulation output and automatic piecing device＇s practical working condition, the optimisation of the cam mechanism is carried out by finite difference method. The simulation result of this combined mechanism turns out in accordance with its theoretical analysis of virtual prototype in this research, which, therefore, lays a principle basis for the further study of automatic piecing device.     

Measurement and Analysis of a Take-down Mechanism of Eccentric Links

In this paper the rule of take-down speed variationthrough a mechanism of eccentric links is analysed.Us-ing telemetric technique,the authors dynamicly mea-sured take-down speed and tension of this mechanism.The curve diagram of the take-down speed is experi-mentally obtained.Results of theoretical analysis and ex-perimental measurement show that take-down tensionof this kind of mechanism is more even than that of theoblique rings in model Z214 interlock machine and it isdeeply affected by many factors which include the instal-lation of the conic gear,horizontality of the take-downroller,gaps between hinge joint points of the wholemechanism and so on.     

Process View of Reflection Mechanism for Reuse Software Architecture

Reflection mechanism for reuse software architecture （RMRSA） divides a software architecture into base-level architecture and meta-level architecture logically. Base-level architecture is the ordinary architecture; meta-level represents and manipulates the reusable meta-information of base-level architecture explicitly. Through reflection, the modification of meta-level architecture will result in the modification of the architecture in base-level. Then we can gain a new base-level architecture design. In this paper, we use π-calculus to define the constituents and their interaction processes of RMRSA, by these definition, we specify the business function in base-level at runtime, and illustrate the reflection mechanism between the base-level architecture and meta-level architecture.     

Three-dimensional recon-struction and analysis of structure characteristics on senile plaques of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative dis-order characterized by progressive dementia. The classic neuropathological lesions of Alzheimer’s disease are se-nile plaque (SP) associated with fibrillar and amorphous nonfibrillar amyloid β (Aβ), neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and loss of neurons[1,2]. Many studies show that Aβ plays akey role in the pathogenesis of AD, and fibrillar Aβ has relatively high neurotoxic effects[3―5]. Therefore, studying the mechanism of Aβ aggre…     

Cloning and functional analysis of chloroplast division gene NtFtsZ2-l in Nicotiana tabacum

FtsZ protein plays an important role in the division of chloroplasts. With the finding and functional analysis of higher plant FtsZ proteins, people have deepened the understanding in the molecular mechanism of chloroplast division. Multiple ftsZ genes are diversified into two families in higher plants, ftsZ1 and ftsZ2 . On the basis of the research on ftsZl family, we analyzed the function of NtFtsZ2-l gene in Nicotiana tabacum . Microscopic analysis of the sense and antisense NtFtsZ2-l transgenic tobacco plants revealed that the chloroplasts were abnormal in size and also in number when compared with wild-type tobacco chloroplasts. Our investigations confirmed that the NtFtsZ2-l gene is involved in plant chloroplast division.     

Two different gene loci related to the spatial patterning of brain ventricle in vertebrate

Observations on living embryonic brains and the microstructure of brain ventricle of goldfish revealed that there are two brain ventricle phenotypes in gynogenetic haploid embryos. One phenotype is as normal as that of the control inbreeding diploid embryos, which has normal differentiated forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. Another phenotype is obviously abnormal, the brain patterning is irregular, and no distinct brain ventricle can be observed. The ratio of haploid embryos with normal brain pattern to that with abnormal brain pattern is 1∶3. This ratio indicates that there are two gene loci involved in the spatial patterning of the brain ventricle. Since the possibility that deleterious recessive mutant alleles exist on both of the two gene loci had been excluded in this experiment, the phenotype represented the expressional state rather than the genotype of these two genes. Therefore, the ratio of 1∶3 suggests that the expressing probability for each copy of the two genes is 50%, and the regulatory mechanism of the expression is based on two sets of chromosomes, controlled by the rule of the diploid-dependent regulatory mechanism.     

Two different gene loci related to the spatial patterning of brain ventricle in vertebrate

Observations on living embryonic brains and the microstructure of brain ventricle of goldfish revealed that there are two brain ventricle phenotypes in gynogenetic haploid embryos. One phenotype is as normal as that of the control inbreeding diploid embryos, which has normal differentiated forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. Another phenotype is obviously abnormal, the brain patterning is irregular, and no distinct brain ventricle can be observed. The ratio of haploid embryos with normal brain pattern to that with abnormal brain pattern is 1:3. This ratio indicates that there are two gene loci involved in the spatial patterning of the brain ventricle. Since the possibility that deleterious recessive mutant alleles exist on both of the two gene loci had been excluded in this experiment, the phenotype represented the expressional state rather than the genotype of these two genes. Therefore, the ratio of 1:3 suggests that the expressing probability for each copy of the two genes is 50%, and the regulatory mechanism of the expression is based on two sets of chromosomes, controlled by the rule of the diploid-dependent regulatory mechanism.     

Fault-Tolerant Mechanism of the Distributed Cluster Computers

The distributed system with high performance and stability is commonly adopted in large scale scientific and engineering computing. In this paper, we discuss a fault-tolerant mechanism under Linux circumstance to improve the fault-tolerant ability of the system, namely a scheme and frame to form the stable computing platform. In terms of the structure and function of the distributed system, active list and file invocation strategies are employed in the task management. System multilevel fault-tolerance can be achieved by repeated processes in a single node and task migration on multi-nodes. Manager node agent introduced in this paper administrates the nodes using the list, disposes of the tasks according to the nodes' performance, and hence, to be able to make full use of the cluster resources. An evaluation method is proposed to appraise the performance. The analyzed results show the usefulness of the scheme proposed except for some additional overhead of memory consumption.     

Rapid Measurement of Short Fiber Content on Hertel Sample

This paper offers a new method of measuring short fiber content of cotton fibers. The method is composed of two parts： one is Hertel sampling and the other is image testing. With the help of fiber mixer, a thin and even cotton net is obtained on which we can get Hertel sample by using a sliver clamp. The near micro optical mechanism consists of one large area CCD and one lens with long focus. This mechanism is able to measure every cotton fiber of the test beard accurately and makes it possible to measure accumulating fibers＇ amounts. On this base we can calculate short fiber content of cotton, and the experiment results show that this method is efficient.     

Synthesis and Spectrum Characteristic of the Inclusion Complex of β-CD and Pyridine-CuI

The β-Cyclodextrin consists of seven D-glucopyranoside units, which are linked by α-1, 4-glycosidic linkages. The shape of CD can be presented as a truncated cone. Its inner is hydrophobic and exterior is hydrophilic for the aggregation of the hydroxyl groups, which results in cyclodextrin to have the ability of inclusion different compounds.     

Abnormal high pressure in Kuqa foreland thrust belt of Tarim basin: Origin and impacts on hydrocarbon accumulation

Following analyses of the abnormal high pressure distribution characteristics, based on the geological characteristics, tectonic stress field and physical simulation, we investigated the formation mechanisms of abnormal high pressure and its impacts on hydrocarbon accumulation in the Kuqa foreland thrust belt. The abnormal high pressure appears at the bottom of the Paleogene and obviously exists in the Triassic and Jurassic. However, the pressure coefficient in the Triassic and Jurassic is lower than that in the Cretaceous and at the bottom of the Paleogene. Horizontally, the abnormal high pressure distribution is characterized by E-W orientation zoning. The maximum pressure coefficient lies in the Kelasu-Dongqiu-Dina tectonic zones in the center of the Kuqa foreland thrust belt and decreases away from the tectonic zones. The formation of abnormal high pressure was mainly related with the intense tectonic compression in the Early Pleistocene time, and tectonic uplifting, undercompaction and hydrocarbon generation were secondary factors contributing to abnormal high pressure. Under the rapid and intense tectonic compression in the Early Pleistocene, the rock framework firstly undertook 1/4 of the compression stress and the other was borne by the pore fluids. Due to the presence of great seal of gypsum-salt or gypsum-mudstone beds in the Paleogene, the pressure of pore fluids increased rapidly and led to the abnormal high pressure in the Kuqa foreland thrust belt. The abnormal high pressure has important impacts on hydrocarbon accumulation. It is one of the necessary conditions for formation of large oil and gas fields in the Kuqa foreland thrust belt.     

Cloning and functional analysis of chloroplast division gene NtFtsZ2-1 in Nicotiana tabacum

FtsZ protein plays an important role in the division of chloroplasts. With the finding and functional analysis of higher plant FtsZ proteins, people have deepened the understanding in the molecular mechanism of chloroplast division. Multiple ftsZ genes are diversified into two families in higher plants, ftsZ1 and ftsZ2. On the basis of the research on ftsZ1 family, we analyzed the function of NtFtsZ2-1 gene in Nicotiana tabacum. Microscopic analysis of the sense and antisense NtFtsZ2-1 transgenic tobacco plants revealed that the chloroplasts were abnormal in size and also in number when compared with wild-type tobacco chloroplasts. Our investigations confirmed that the NtFtsZ2-1 gene is involved in plant chloroplast division.     

Parameterized Algorithmics for Computational Social Choice：Nine Research Challenges

Computational Social Choice is an interdisciplinary research area involving Economics, Political Science,and Social Science on the one side, and Mathematics and Computer Science（including Artificial Intelligence and Multiagent Systems） on the other side. Typical computational problems studied in this field include the vulnerability of voting procedures against attacks, or preference aggregation in multi-agent systems. Parameterized Algorithmics is a subfield of Theoretical Computer Science seeking to exploit meaningful problem-specific parameters in order to identify tractable special cases of in general computationally hard problems. In this paper, we propose nine of our favorite research challenges concerning the parameterized complexity of problems appearing in this context. This work is dedicated to Jianer Chen, one of the strongest problem solvers in the history of parameterized algorithmics,on the occasion of his 60 th birthday.