Effects of negative emotion and its correlated neural activity on secretory immunoglobulin A

In this study, we investigated how the negative emotional arousal induced by watching a number of unpleasant images altered the concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A （SlgA） in saliva. Although our results found discrepancies among participants＇ SIgA concentration （i.e. some participants＇ SlgA decreased after watching unpleasant pictures, whereas others increased）, further analysis revealed correlations among participants＇ changes in SIgA concentration, their general coping styles and their actual strategies for emotion regulation when perceiving unpleasant pictures, and the event-related potentials （ERPs） associated with viewing unpleasant pictures. The participants whose SIgA increased after watching unpleasant pictures （the ＂Increasers＂） had higher positive coping scores in the Trait Coping Styles Questionnaire （TCSQ） than those whose SIgA decreased （the ＂Decreasers＂）. Also, relative to the ＂Decreasers＂, the ＂Increasers＂ tended to use more emotion regulation strategies, particularly with extremely negative pictures. The amplitude of their late positive potentials （LPPs） exhibited a reverse dissociation pattern for extremely negative pictures versus least negative ones and was related to the cognitive evaluation of the stimuli＇s meaning. In sum, this research revealed the psychological mechanisms by which negative emotional states influence the immune system and the related ERP changes.     

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.     

Foraging strategies in the greater horseshoe bat （Rhinolophus f errumequinum ）on Lepidoptera in summer

Abstract The diet of the bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum was studied at the Zhi＇an Village of Ji＇an City in China, from June to August 2004. The bats were trained in a laboratory （volume： 9×4×4 m^3）. Foraging strategies of the bat were observed at night and prey remains were collected and identified. The results showed that the diet consisted mainly of Lepidoptera in summer, including 11 families, more than 30 species of moths, such as Noctuidae （36.6% by number）,Sphingidae （24.1%）, Geometridae （13.4%） and Limacodidae （9.5%）. The length of culled wings ranged from 10--40 mm （97.7%）. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the bat R.ferrumequinum foraged their prey selectively, but not opportunistically. From field studies, two ways were observed in which the bats retrieved their prey including aerial hawking during peak active period of the insects and flycatching during the insects＇ non-peak activity period. The bats never gleaned prey from the ground, though they appeared to be well able to detect fluttering moths on the ground.     

Anti-CD44 mAb remodels biological behaviors of spheroid cells with stemness from human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3

There is accumulating evidence that cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in tumor progression. Novel strategies targeting CSCs have been widely researched. In the present study, we explored whether such CSCs existed in human ovarian cancer (OVCA) cell line and whether anti-CD44 antibody had effects on such subpopulation. We isolated and identified spheroid cells from SKOV-3. Then we used A3D8, an anti-CD44 mAb to treat spheroid cells with so-called "stemness". Effects of A3D8 on spheroid cells’ biological behaviors were examined. Our findings showed that there was a small subpopulation that had so-called "stemness" in SKOV-3 cell line. Against spheroid cells, A3D8 can (1) inhibit cell proliferation; (2) change cell cycle distribution and expression of p21, CDK2 and cyclinA; (3) enhance cisplatin (DDP)-induced apoptosis; (4) promote cell differentiation; (5) inhibit clone formation efficiency; (6) reduce invasive efficacy; (7) inhibit tumorigenicity. Thus, to sum up points which we have just showed, spheroid cells isolated from SKOV-3 can be used as an appropriate in vitro model for relevant study of human ovarian CSCs. And our results reasoned that anti-CD44 therapy may become a potential promising strategy for OVCA treatment.     

Experimental validation of inter-subspecific genetic diversity in rice represented by the differences between the DNA sequences of ＇Nipponbare＇ and ＇93-11＇

The pedigrees of three sequenced rice cultivars were analyzed to show that a majority of the genetic composition of ＇Nipponbare＇ originates from japonica cultivars while the minority originates from indica cultivars. In contrast, ＇93-11＇ is derived mainly from indica cultivars with a smaller contribution from japonica cultivars. All ancestors of ＇Guang lu ai 4＇ appeared to be indica lines. A set of molecular markers （46 InDels and 53 SSRs） polymorphic between ＇Nipponbare＇ and ＇93-11＇ were examined in 46 typical indica and 47 typical japonica cultivars selected from 443 accessions according to Cheng＇s index. All cultivars were divided into indica and japonica groups without overlapping when clustered by Cheng＇s index, InDels and SSRs. Much higher InDel and SSR diversity between groups than within groups implies that the marker polymorphisms between ＇Nipponbare＇ and ＇93-11＇ represent a large proportion of inter-subspecific diversity. About 85% of indica cultivars and more than 90% of japonica cultivars were confirmed to have the same PCR banding patterns as ＇93-11＇ and ＇Nipponbare＇, respectively. Some polymorphic loci between ＇Nipponbare＇ and ＇93-11＇ cannot be validated in other indica and japonica cultivars, either as subspecies-specific but not predominant alleles, or alleles not specific between the two groups. It was concluded that molecular markers developed from sequence polymorphism between ＇Nipponbare＇ and ＇93-11＇ often represent inter-subspecific diversity, although some exceptions were sensitive to either particular marker loci or particular cultivars.     

A trustworthiness-based distribution model for data leakage prevention

Under the global circumstances where data leakage gets more and more severe, we present a trustworthiness-based distribution model that aims at data leakage prevention (DLP). In our model, first, the distributor calculates the user’s trustworthiness based on his historical behaviors; second, according to the user’s trustworthiness and his obtained file set overlapping leaked file set, the distributor accesses the probability of the user’s intentional leak behavior as the subjective risk assessment; third, the distributor evaluates the user’s platform vulnerability as an objective element; last, the distributor makes decisions whether to distribute the file based on the integrated risk assessment. The experiments indicate that the model can distinguish users of different types and make the probability of malicious users’ requirements being denied much higher than that of honest users’ requirements being denied, so that the model is capable of preventing data leakage validly.     

Specific immune responses induced by a multi-epitope antigen of hepatitis C virus in mice and rabbits

Five highly conserved and immunogenic epitopes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been chosen to form a multi-epitope antigen gene and fused with β-galactosidase gene to express a hybrid GZ-PCX antigen, which could be specifically recognized by human HCV sera. High level of anti-GZ-PCX IgG has been induced when mice or rabbits were immunized with GZ-PCX antigen emulsificated with complete Freund’s adjuvant or mixed with killed attenuatedSalmonella typhimurium SL3261. The specific anti-GZ-PCX IgG reached a high titer of 10^-6, which remained for several months. Specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) effects, delayed type hypersensitivity reaction (DTH) and proliferation of peripheral lymphocytes have been induced by GZ-PCX antigen or synthetic peptides. High level of anti-GZ-PCX slgG has been detected in mice’s intestinal washing fluids, which indicates that the antigen induced mucosal immunity as well as systematic immunity. The studies show that the HCV multi-epitope antigen induces high level of specific immune responses without obvious toxicity, which might be able to provide protectivity to any HCV genotypes and isolates.     

t-bit semiclassical quantum Fourier transform

Because of the difficulty of building a high-dimensional quantum register,this paper presents an implementation of the high-dimensional quantum Fourier transform(QFT)based on a low-dimensional quantum register.First,we define the t-bit semi- classical quantum Fourier transform.In terms of probability amplitude,we prove that the transform can realize quantum Fourier transformation,illustrate that the requirement for the two-qubit gate reduces obviously,and further design a quantum circuit of the transform.Combining the classical fixed-window method and the implementation of Shor’s quantum factorization algorithm,we then redesign a circuit for Shor’s algorithm,whose required computation resource is approximately equal to that of Parker’s.The requirement for elementary quantum gates for Parker’s algorithm is 3 O (logN),and the quantum register for our circuit re- quires t-1 more dimensions than Parker’s.However,our circuit is t2 times as fast as Parker’s,where t is the width of the window.     

The interdecadal variation of Indonesian Throughflow and its mechanism

The interdecadal variation of the volume and heat transport of Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) and its mechanism are preliminarily studied on the basis of the updated SODA data. It is found that the interdecadal variation of ITF‘s volume transport is mainly concentrated in upper 714 m and that of ITF‘s heat transport is mainly confined to upper 450 m. There is fairly consistent interdecadal variation in the depth-integrated seawater pressure above different depths in the region south of Davao, north of New Guinea and southwest of Australia. The depth-integrated pressure difference between northwest of Australia and south of Java has best correspondence with ITF‘s volume transport on interdecadal time scales. The relation between the wind stress on the Pacific and ITF‘s volume transport on interdecadal time scales is studied based on Island Rule. It is shown that both the wind stress along the zonal lines just south of Australia and the Equator act as the dominant contributors to ITF‘s volume transport, with the latter dominating the phase of ITF‘s interdecadal variation. These results indicate that the atmospheric forcing and oceanic adjustment in the tropical region both contribute significantly to the ITF‘s interdecadal variation.     

Speeding up implementation for Shor’s factorization quantum algorithm

In this paper, based on the implementation of semiclassical quantum Fourier transform, we first propose the concept of generation vector of ternary binary representation, construct the generation function’s truth table, prove that the generation vector of ternary binary representation is one kind of k ’s NAF representation and further find that its number of nonzero is not more than [(⌈log k⌉ + 1)/2]. Then we redesign a quantum circuit for Shor’s algorithm, whose computation resource is approximately equal to that of Parker (Their requirements of elementary quantum gate are both O(⌈logN⌉³), and our circuit requires 2 qubits more than Parker’s). However, our circuit is twice as fast as Parker’s.     

Research on Bayesian Network Based User＇s Interest Model

It has very realistic significance for improving the quality of users＇ accessing information to filter and selectively retrieve the large number of information on the Internet. On the basis of analyzing the existing users＇ interest models and some basic questions of users＇ interest （representation, derivation and identification of users＇ interest）, a Bayesian network based users＇ interest model is given. In this model, the users＇ interest reduction algorithm based on Markov Blanket model is used to reduce the interest noise, and then users＇ interested and not interested documents are used to train the Bayesian network. Compared to the simple model, this model has the following advantages like small space requirements, simple reasoning method and high recognition rate. The experiment result shows this model can more appropriately reflect the user＇s interest, and has higher performance and good usability.     

Determination of specific surfaces of silica xerogets by SAXS

Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) with synchrotron radiation as X-ray source has been used to study the structure of silica xerogets prepared by sol-get process. Both the agreement of SAXS profiles with and the deviation from Porod’s law and Debye’s theory have been found, showing that there are differences between the structures of these xerogets. The specific surfaces of the samples whose SAXS profiles agreed with Porod’s law and Debye’s theory have been determined by analyzing SAXS data according to the methods of Porod and Debye, respectivety, and the results of both methods used were found to be similar. We have proposed the corresponding Porod and Debye analysis methods to determine the specific surfaces of samples whose SAXS profiles do not agree with Porod’s law and Debye’s theory, i.e. the negative or positive deviation. The results of both methods used here were also found to be close to each other. The specific surfaces fell between approximatety 80–150 m²/cm³ for the samples prepared under various conditions.     

Synthetic seismograms of ground motion near earthquake fault using simulated Green’s function method

Seismograms near source fault were synthesized using the hybrid empirical Green＇s function method where the discretely simulated seismic waveforms are used for Green＇s functions instead of the observed waveforms of small earthquakes. The Green＇s function seismic waveforms for small earthquake were calculated by solving wave equation using the pseudo-spectral method with the staggered grid real FFT strategy under a detailed 2-D velocity structure in Kobe region. Magnitude and seismic moment of simulated Green＇s function waveforms were firstly determined by using the relationship between fault length and corner frequency of source spectrum. The simulated Green＇s function waveforms were employed to synthesize seismograms of strong ground motion near the earthquake fault. The synthetic seismograms of the target earthquake were performed based on the model with multiple source rupture processes. The results suggest that synthesized seismograms coincide well with observed seismic waveforms of the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake. The simulated Green＇s function method is very useful for prediction of the strong ground motion in region without observed seismic waveforms. The present technique spreads application field of the empirical Green＇s function method.     

New material of microfossils from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in the Zhangcunping area, Yichang, Hubei Province and its zircon SHRIMP U-Pb age

The Zhangcunping area is located at the north limb of the Huangling anticline in Yichang, Hubei Province. Here, the sedimentary succession of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation is similar with that in the Weng’an area, Guizhou Province. A large number of new microfossils (mainly acanthoacritarchs) from the Doushantuo Formation in this area are reported in this paper. The fossil assemblage shows similarity as the phosphatized biota of the Doushantuo Formation at Weng’an, Guizhou Province and the silicified biota of the Doushantuo Formation at the Yangtze Gorges, which suggests that the Zhangcunping area is a key for correlation of the Doushantuo Formation between the Weng’an area, Guizhou Province and the Yangtze Gorges. Besides, a new zircon SHRIMP U-Pb age (614.0±7.6 Ma) is first obtained from a horizon underneath the exposed surface in the middle of the Doushantuo Formation in the Zhangcunping area. This age not only provides a new datum for subdivision of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation, but also indicates that the age of the exposed surface in the middle of the Doushantuo Formation in the Yangtze Platform should be posterior to 614.0±7.6 Ma. Due to the horizon of the Weng’an biota situated above the exposed surface, the age of the Weng’an biota should be posterior to 614.0±7.6 Ma as well. Supported jointly by the Basic Foundation of scientific research work from Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China (Grant No. J0716), Science and Technology of China for fundamental work (Grant No. 2006FY120300-2), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40772013 and 40672022) and China Geological Survey (1212010611801-3)     

Exsolution microstructures in ultrahigh-pressure rocks: Progress, controversies and challenges

Exsolution microstructures in minerals of rocks from orogenic belts played an important role in recognition of ultrahigh-pressure （UHP） metamorphism in their host rocks by defining the subduction depth and improving our understanding of the dynamics during the subduction and exhumation of UHP rocks. However, it is a challenging scientific topic to distinguish the ＇exsolution microstructures＇ from the ＇non-exsolution microstructures＇ and decipher their geological implications. This paper describes the subtle differences between the ＇exsolution microstructures＇ and the ＇non-exsolution microstructures＇ and summarizes the progress in studies of exolution microstructures from UHP rocks and mantle rocks of ultra-deep origin. We emphasize distinguishing the ＇exsolution microstructures＇ from the ＇non-exsolution microstructures＇ based on their geometric topotaxy and chemistry. In order to decipher correctly the exsolution microstructures, it is crucial to understand the changes of chemistry and habits of host minerals with pressure and temperature, Therefore, it is important to combine observations of exsolution microstructure in natural rocks with experimental results at high pressure and temperature and results of micro-scale analyses. Such studies will improve our understanding of the UHP metamorphism and cast new lights on solid geoscience issues such as deep subduction of continental crusts and crust-mantle interactions.     

Molecular docking and spectroscopic methods to probe the interaction of acetylgliotoxin and HSA

The interaction between acetylgliotoxin and human serum albumin (HSA) has been studied by spectroscopic method. Acetylgliotoxin quenches the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA in a static quenching procedure. The binding of acetylgliotoxin to HSA causes a slight conformational change of HSA. The binding constants at different temperatures as well as enthalpy change and entropy change, are calculated according to relevant fluorescent data and Van’t Hoff equation. The hydrogen bond is a predominant intermolecular force for stabilizing the complex, which is in conformity with the results of molecular modeling study.     

Molecular mechanism of abnormal aggresation 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 mechanism of α-Syn aggregation, we will have a better understanding of the disease pathogenesis, and develop strategies for preventing and treating this severe disease.     

Protection efficacy of national wetland reserves in China

Wetlands have the most abundant biodiversity,the highest carbon sequestration capacity,and the highest values for ecological services per unit area,of all the world’s ecosystems.Practice has shown that establishing reserves is the most effective way of protecting typical ecosystems and their biodiversity,and saving rare or endangered wildlife.The Chinese government’s policy is to protect wetland systems by establishing reserves that encompass a massive network of wetlands,including wetland nature re-serves,internationally important wetlands,and wetland parks.Many are already established.The effect of protecting wetland nature reserves at the national level has not yet been reported.We used the latest database evaluating the protection value of wet-land reserves,and remotely sensed wetland maps(1978-2008) ,developed by the same mapping specialists and based on the same classification system,and related environmental data,to evaluate the effects of protecting China’s national wetland reserves over the last 30 years.We conclude that(i) the total area of wetland in the national wetland reserves has decreased over the last 30 years to 8152.47 km2,and just 8% of China’s net decrease in wetlands;(ii) about 79% of the 91 national wetland reserves are in a poor condition.These are generally located around the Yangtze River,Eastern Coast,the Three Rivers Source,and Southwest China.Protection measures should be undertaken urgently in these areas.Only 15% of national wetland reserves are under sound protection,and these are generally located in the upper reaches of the Songhua River;(iii) although 88% of national wetland re-serves are primitive(relatively natural) ,implying that the site selection has been scientific,a high percentage of national wetland reserves show early warning signs of decline and require urgent attention;(iv) based on our evaluation of protection effects and pressures on ecology,we have made a priority list of national wetland reserves,and propose several protection strategies.     

Regularities of formation of binary intermetallic compounds between transition and non-transition elements

A four-parameter model based on the extended Miedema’s cellular model of alloy phases and pattern recognition methods has been used to study the regularities of the formation of binary intermetallic compounds between transition element and non-transition element. The formation criterion can be expressed as some inequities of electronegativity ∮, the valence electron density in Wagner-Seitz cell n_ws^1/3, Pauling’s metallic radius R and the number of valence electrons in atom Z or their functions. According to these empirical criterions, the “unknown” binary alloy system can be predicted, the predicted result is better than that of Miedema’s two-parameter model.     

Delayed resistance to Cucumber mosaic virus mediated by 3’UTR-derived hairpin RNA

RNA silencing has been shown to function in the plant antivirus defense response, leading to viral RNA degradation induced by vsiRNA-containing RISC cleavage activity. Cucumber mosaic virus （CMV） 3′UTR sequences share a high conservation of nucleotide sequence and secondary structures that are important for CMV replication. Here, in an attempt to simultaneously target the multiple genomic and subgenomic RNAs of CMV for degradation, CMV 3′UTR were used to design hairpin RNA （hpRNA） to transform tobacco （Xanthi. nc） so as to constitutively produce viral siRNAs. Most of the transgenic plants expressing CMV Q strain （Q-CMV, subgroup Ⅱ strain） RNA3 3′UTR-derived hpRNA showed delayed resistance to Q-CMV infection and exhibited recovery phenotypes. Compared with Q-CMV-inoculated leaves, the upper leaves showed weak or no disease symptoms and a reduced accumulation level of viral RNAs. Together with transient assays, our results indicate that the 3′UTR-derived siRNAs were biologically active in targeting viral RNA for degradation. Recovery resistance in transgenic plants was also observed against subgroup IB strain SD-CMV infection, indicating a broad-spectrum anti-CMV effect of the 3′UTR-based antiviral silencing. Northern blot assays indicated that there was no strong correlation between the degree of resistance and the accumulation level of 3′UTR-derived siRNAs, suggesting that to target a highly structured RNA, such as the CMV 3′UTR, the quantity of siRNAs may not be the only determinant of silencing efficiency. Target RNA secondary structures may also affect target accessibility, siRNA-containing RISC-target recognition and the consequent antiviral effect.