Generalized multiparticle Mie modeling of light scattering by cells

The development of nanobiology requires a fundamental understanding of the interaction features between light and cells as well as cells containing nanoparticles. In this study, the generalized multiparticle Mie (GMM) theory was employed to calculate the scattering properties of cells under refractive index matching conditions. The angular distribution of scattered light is statistically averaged to obtain a good fit for the experimental results. Based on a simplified cell model, the variabilities between the scattered light pattern of normal cells and that of cancerous cells were examined. The results indicate that the small angle scattering is sensitive to the organelle distribution, which could be applied in the diagnostics of cancerous cells. Finally, the effects of cellular uptake of nanoparticles on the scattering pattern was also investigated.     

First-principles study of the interactions of hydrogen with low-index surfaces of PdCu ordered alloy

PdCu catalysts play a key role in several hydrogen-involved processes. Among these reactions, the interaction of hydrogen with PdCu essentially determines the catalytic performance. However, the response of PdCu to surrounding hydrogen has been poorly investigated, especially for specific facets of PdCu at different environment. In this work, taking temperature and hydrogen pressure into account, we studied the hydrogen-surface interactions for four low-index surfaces of PdCu through first-principles calculations. It was found that H-PdCu adsorption strong relies on the facets, hydrogen coverage, and reaction environment (temperature and H-pressure). Our work highlights the importance of the environment on the nature of catalyst surfaces and reactions and offers a plausible way to investigate the interactions between gas and the surfaces of nanocatalysts in real reactions.     

New algorithms for evaluating parametric surface

Through generalization of mathematical model of surface lofting program in the CONSURF system, the definitions for two generalized Ball surfaces and their recursive algorithms are given. Furthermore, the conversion al gorithms from Bézier surface to these two generalized Ball surfaces are presented. On the basis of these algorithms, two more efficient algorithms for evaluating parametric surfaces are also derived. One uses generalized Ball forms directly for evaluating surface, and the other converts the given Bézier surface to a generalized Ball surface firstly, and then evalu ates the surface. Both theoretical analysis and example computations show that the two new algorithms are more efficient than the de Casteljau algorithm. Especially when Wang-Ball surface is used, the time complexity is reduced from cubic to quadratic of the degree of the surface. If these algorithms are applied to displaying, interactive rendering, designing, intersection-finding, offsetting and approximating for surfaces, considerable economic results can be achieved.     

Coral Sr thermometer simplified from Sr/Ca thermometer

Cubic sub-samples obtained from a Porites coral slice collected from Xisha Islands, South China Sea, were weighed with precise micro-balance. The Sr and Ca concentrations were analyzed with isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Our results demonstrate that Ca concentrations in all samples are very uniform ( mean = 9.52mmol/g, la = 0.02mmol/g) ; Sr concentrations and Sr/Ca ratios are well correlated (correlation coefficient r = 0.9968) . It implies that the Sr thermometer can replace Sr/Ca thermometer and the determination of Ca can be omitted. This can save up to 50% time and cost, and more importantly, paleoclimate study using coral proxy can now be carried out in routine Sr isotope laboratories.     

Finding finer functions for partially characterized proteins by protein-protein interaction networks

Based on high-throughput data, numerous algorithms have been designed to find functions of novel proteins. However, the effectiveness of such algorithms is currently limited by some fundamental factors, including (1) the low a-priori probability of novel proteins participating in a detailed function; (2) the huge false data present in high-throughput datasets; (3) the incomplete data coverage of functional classes; (4) the abundant but heterogeneous negative samples for training the algorithms; and (5) the lack of detailed functional knowledge for training algorithms. Here, for partially characterized proteins, we suggest an approach to finding their finer functions based on protein interaction sub-networks or gene expression patterns, defined in function-specific subspaces. The proposed approach can lessen the above-mentioned problems by properly defining the prediction range and functionally filtering the noisy data, and thus can efficiently find proteins’ novel functions. For thousands of yeast and human proteins partially characterized, it is able to reliably find their finer functions (e.g., the translational functions) with more than 90% precision. The predicted finer functions are highly valuable both for guiding the follow-up wet-lab validation and for providing the necessary data for training algorithms to learn other proteins.     

The Reasons and Solutions of Polarizing Phenomenon in English Education in Middle School

Polarizing phenomenon in English in middle school is a difficult problem. In order to solve it, teachers need to get the essence of some instructional designs and methodologies such as “Task-Based Learning”; “Communicative Approach” and “Learning by Finding Approach”. It also requires teachers to understand the educational psychology theories on which they based. First of all, however, it is better to analyze the causes. This research focuses on the students who need help, because after all, the aim is to keep the students who fall behind up with the ones who study well.     

Phylogenetic relationship and morphological evolution in the subfamily Limenitidinae （Lepidoptera： Nymphalidae）

The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I （CO1） gene and the nuclear elongation factor 1 α（EF-1α） gene were sequenced from 29 species of Nymphalidae （Nymphalidae, Lepidoptera）. Phylogenetic trees were constructed based on the sequences determined from the 29 species and sequences of other 36 species deposited in GenBank using the neighbor-joining （NJ）, maximum likelihood （ML） and Bayesian methods with Libythea celtis （Libytheinae） as the outgroup. Our phylogenetic trees indicated four major clades. Clade A includes three subfamilies： Apaturinae, Nymphalinae, and Limenitidinae, excluding the tribe Limenitidini; Clade B includes the subfamilies Heliconiinae and the tribe Limenitidini; Clade C includes Satyrinae, Calinaginae, Charaxinae and Morphinae; and Clade D includes subfamily Danainae. Our study suggested that the tribes Pseudergolini, Biblidini, Limenitidini and Cyrestidini should be considered as subfamilies and confirmed the interspecific relationships within the subfamily Pseudergolinae, namely Amnosia ＋（Pseudergolis ＋ （Stibochiona ＋ Dichorragia））. We then mapped three morphological characters （spot of anal angle, eyespots, and process from outer margin of hind wing） onto the phylogenetic tree constructed by ML analysis using the combined sequence data. Based on this the evolutionary patterns of these morphological characters were identified, they indicated that the three characters evolved repeatedly in the family Nymphalidae.     

Uniformity evaluation and optimization of fluid flow characteristics in a seven-strand tundish

The effect of flow control devices (FCDs) on the uniformity of flow characteristics in a seven-strand symmetrical trapezoidal tundish was studied using both an experimental 1:2.5 hydraulic model and a numerical simulation of a 1:1 geometric model. The variation coefficient (CV) was defined to evaluate the flow uniformity of the seven-strand tundish. An optimized FCD configuration was proposed on the basis of the evaluation of experimental results. It is concluded that a turbulence inhibitor (TI) and U-type dam are essential to improve the uniformity of fluid flow in the seven-strand tundish. In addition, the configuration of inclination T-type dams with a height of 200 mm between the second and third strands and with a height of 300 mm between the third and fourth strands can minimize the proportion of dead zone. After optimizing the configuration of FCDs, the variation coefficient reduces below 20% of the mean value, and the average proportion of dead zone is just 14.6%; in addition, the temperature fluctuation between the strands could be controlled within 0.6 K. In summary, the uniformity of flow and temperature in the seven-strand tundish is greatly improved.