Detection of toxic metabolites in the hemolymph ofBeauveria bassiana infectedSpodoptera exigua larvae

Highly active metabolites have been detected in the hemolymph of the lepidopteranSpodoptera exigua infected with the mycopathogen,Beauveria bassiana. A combination of phenyl sepharose and CM ion exchange chromatography was utilized to extract the active metabolites from infected hemolymph samples. The active in vivo metabolites, having a molecular mass greater than 10 KDa, were thermolabile and were inactivated by proteinase K. These metabolites were characterized by their ability to disrupt metamorphosis, killing treated larvae at the wandering or pupal stage. Additionally, injection ofS. exigua larvae with active samples caused a reduction in the number of filopodial-producing hemocytes. The biological activities and biochemical properties suggest that novel compounds are produced duringB. bassiana mycosis.     

多元插值

多元插值问题，始终是数值分析中的一个重要问题。本文利用Ｗ２＾１（Ｄ）空间的再生核Ｒ（Ｍ，Ｍ‘）得到了一个二元插值公式，此公式具有：１．对任意无限加密的节点系，插值过程一致收敛，２．每增加一个节点，插值误差在Ｓｏｂｏｌｅｖ范数意义下单调下降。３．并且，插值公式只需在原有的基础上增加一项。     

空调节能多工况分区控制及专家系统的实现

论述了集中式空调机组节能多工况分区控制及其专家控制系统的实现，节能多工况分区是将全年运行的集中式空调运行情况季节分为不同的工况区，以便通过控制手段达到空气调节舒适和节能的目的，对节能多工况分区专家控制系统进行了数字仿真和现场试验，效果是令人满意的。     

Testing for the usefulness of forecasts

Ashley (Journal of Forecasting 1983; 2 (3): 211–223) proposes a criterion (known as Ashley's index) to judge whether the external macroeconomic variables are well forecast to serve as explanatory variables in forecasting models, which is crucial for policy makers. In this article, we try to extend Ashley's work by providing three testing procedures, including a ratio‐based test, a difference‐based test, and the Bayesian approach. The Bayesian approach has the advantage of allowing the flexibility of adapting all possible information content within a decision‐making environment such as the change of variable's definition due to the evolving system of national accounts. We demonstrate the proposed methods by applying six macroeconomic forecasts in the Survey of Professional Forecasters. Researchers or practitioners can thus formally test whether the external information is helpful. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Domains specifying thrombin-receptor interaction.

Platelet activation by the coagulation protease thrombin is central to arterial thrombosis, a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We recently isolated a complementary DNA encoding the platelet thrombin receptor. The extracellular amino-terminal extension of this seven transmembrane domain receptor contains the putative thrombin cleavage site LDPR/S which is critical for receptor activation. By replacing this cleavage site with the cleavage site for enterokinase, we have created a functional enterokinase receptor. This result demonstrates that all information necessary for receptor activation is provided by receptor proteolysis. Nanomolar enterokinase concentrations are required to activate this new receptor, in contrast to the picomolar thrombin concentrations that activate wild-type thrombin receptor. We identified a receptor domain critical for thrombin's remarkable potency at its receptor. This domain resembles the carboxyl tail of the leech anticoagulant hirudin and functions by binding to thrombin's anion-binding exosite. Our studies thus define a model for thrombin-receptor interaction. The utility of this model was demonstrated by the design of novel thrombin inhibitors based on receptor peptides.     

Mutation of the beta-amyloid precursor protein in familial Alzheimer's disease increases beta-protein production.

Progressive cerebral deposition of the 39-43-amino-acid amyloid beta-protein (A beta) is an invariant feature of Alzheimer's disease which precedes symptoms of dementia by years or decades. The only specific molecular defects that cause Alzheimer's disease which have been identified so far are missense mutations in the gene encoding the beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP) in certain families with an autosomal dominant form of the disease (familial Alzheimer's disease, or FAD). These mutations are located within or immediately flanking the A beta region of beta-APP, but the mechanism by which they cause the pathological phenotype of early and accelerated A beta deposition is unknown. Here we report that cultured cells which express a beta-APP complementary DNA bearing a double mutation (Lys to Asn at residue 595 plus Met to Leu at position 596) found in a Swedish FAD family produce approximately 6-8-fold more A beta than cells expressing normal beta-APP. The Met 596 to Leu mutation is principally responsible for the increase. These data establish a direct link between a FAD genotype and the clinicopathological phenotype. Further, they confirm the relevance of the continuous A beta production by cultured cells for elucidating the fundamental mechanism of Alzheimer's disease.     

Genome-wide association study of leaf architecture in the maize nested association mapping population

US maize yield has increased eight-fold in the past 80 years, with half of the gain attributed to selection by breeders. During this time, changes in maize leaf angle and size have altered plant architecture, allowing more efficient light capture as planting density has increased. Through a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of the maize nested association mapping panel, we determined the genetic basis of important leaf architecture traits and identified some of the key genes. Overall, we demonstrate that the genetic architecture of the leaf traits is dominated by small effects, with little epistasis, environmental interaction or pleiotropy. In particular, GWAS results show that variations at the liguleless genes have contributed to more upright leaves. These results demonstrate that the use of GWAS with specially designed mapping populations is effective in uncovering the basis of key agronomic traits.     

Investigation on Bending and Creasing of Woven Fabrics under Low Curvature

Under the assumption of semi - circular form for a fabric bend, creasing of fabric strips and compression of fabric loops are analyzed by neglecting the structural complexity of the fabric. The relationship between the creasing force and deformation are deduced using an energy method and solutions are given for a linearly elastic material with constant internal frictional constraint. The agreements between the theoretical predictions and experimental results are very satisfactory.