A novel long-chain acyl-derivative of epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate prepared and purified from green tea polyphenols

Lipophilic tea polyphenols (LTP) were prepared by catalytic esterifieation of green tea polyphenols (GRIP) with hexadeeanoyl chloride. A novel long-chain aeyl-derivative of epigalloeateehin-3-o-gallate(EGCG) was first isolated from purification of LTP by high-speed eountereurrent ehromatography (HSCCC)using a solvent system composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water ( 1 : 1 : 1 : 1, v/v) . The moleeularstructure of the acyl-derivative, Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate-4‘-O-hexadeeanate , was elucidated by meansof elemental analysis, IR, 1H-NMR and MS spectra.     

Is the PhyloCode better than Linnaean system?—— New development and debate on biologi-cal nomenclatural issues

The Linnaean system provides ultimate means governing biological nomenclature and classification.With series of modification,this system has admirably served biological sciences for some 250 years.The new PhyloCode,however,advocates the phylogenetic nomenclature that radically alternates the current nomenclatureal rules.The new proposals upset many systematic biologists and have provoked hot debate on nomenclatural issues.Binomial nomenclature and hierarchical classification are the key components of the Linnaean system.Proposed abandonment of these in the PhyloCode is widely criticized for it would not help to promote systematics but create chaos.It is not the Linnaean system but the phylogenetic nomenclature that should be abandoned.     

Conditional inactivation of Fgf4 reveals complexity of signalling during limb bud development

Development of the vertebrate limb bud depends on reciprocal interactions between the zone of polarizing activity (ZPA) and the apical ectodermal ridge (AER). Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are key signalling molecules produced in the ZPA and AER, respectively. Experiments in chicks suggested that SHH expression in the ZPA is maintained by FGF4 expression in the AER, and vice versa, providing a molecular mechanism for coordinating the activities of these two signalling centres. This SHH/FGF4 feedback loop model is supported by genetic evidence showing that Fgf4 expression is not maintained in Shh-/- mouse limbs. We report here that Shh expression is maintained and limb formation is normal when Fgf4 is inactivated in mouse limbs, thus contradicting the model. We also found that maintenance of Fgf9 and Fgf17 expression is dependent on Shh, whereas Fgf8 expression is not. We discuss a model in which no individual Fgf expressed in the AER (AER-Fgf) is solely necessary to maintain Shh expression, but, instead, the combined activities of two or more AER-Fgfs function in a positive feedback loop with Shh to control limb development.     

Structural basis for binding of Smac/DIABLO to the XIAP BIR3 domain

The inhibitor-of-apoptosis proteins (IAPs) regulate programmed cell death by inhibiting members of the caspase family of enzymes. Recently, a mammalian protein called Smac (also named DIABLO) was identified that binds to the IAPs and promotes caspase activation. Although undefined in the X-ray structure, the amino-terminal residues of Smac are critical for its function. To understand the structural basis for molecular recognition between Smac and the IAPs, we determined the solution structure of the BIR3 domain of X-linked IAP (XIAP) complexed with a functionally active nine-residue peptide derived from the N terminus of Smac. The peptide binds across the third beta-strand of the BIR3 domain in an extended conformation with only the first four residues contacting the protein. The complex is stabilized by four intermolecular hydrogen bonds, an electrostatic interaction involving the N terminus of the peptide, and several hydrophobic interactions. This structural information, along with the binding data from BIR3 and Smac peptide mutants reported here, should aid in the design of small molecules that may be used for the treatment of cancers that overexpress IAPs.     

Biochemical defects in ABCR protein variants associated with human retinopathies

Mutations in the gene encoding ABCR (ABCA4), a photoreceptor-specific ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, are responsible for autosomal recessive Stargardt disease (STGD), an early onset macular degeneration, and some forms of autosomal recessive cone-rod dystrophy and autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Heterozygosity for ABCA4 mutations may also represent a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), although this idea is controversial. An ongoing challenge in the analysis of ABCA4-based retinopathies arises from the observation that most of the ABCA4 sequence variants identified so far are missense mutations that are rare in both patient and control populations. With the current sample size of most sequence variants, one cannot determine statistically whether a particular sequence variant is pathogenic or neutral. A related challenge is to determine the degree to which each pathogenic variant impairs ABCR function, as genotype-phenotype analyses indicate that age of onset and disease severity correlate with different ABCA4 alleles. To address these questions, we performed a functional analysis of human ABCR and its variants. These experiments reveal a wide spectrum of biochemical defects in these variants and provide insight into the transport mechanism of ABCR.     

倒立摆控制方法的研究

运用牛顿动力学方法对单级倒立摆系统进行了数学建模,并对基于经典控制理论的PID控制法、基于自适应神经网络模糊控制方法进行了仿真对比分析研究。     

变点理论在极值分布阈值选取中的应用

极值理论已经被广泛应用于解决金融、保险等领域的厚尾分布问题，而阚值的选取一直是极值理论实际应用的难点和重点。在已有研究成果基础上。本文尝试引入变点理论进行定量化的阈值选取。分析了变，最理论进行阚值选取的基本原理和方法，利用Burr分布产生的随机样本进行模拟，得到了较好的效果。并在此基础上运用S＆P500和Danish火灾保险数据进行了实证分析。     

几类组合恒等式的概率证法

本文通过建立概率模型,分别运用完备事件组、全概率公式及随机变量的数字特征等方法,举例证明了几类组合恒等式;既是概率论在证明组合恒等式方面的广泛应用,又充分展现了概率证法的独到之处。     

Reverse Programmed SONOS Memory Technique for 0.18 μm Embedded Utilization

A 4 Mb embedded silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory was developed with a 0.18 μm CMOS logic compatible technology. A reverse programming array architecture was proposed to reduce the chip area, enhance the operating window, and increase the read speed. The charge distribution was analyzed to optimize the programming and erase conditions considering both the operating speed and the endurance performance. The final test chip has a good endurance of 105 cycles and a data retention time of at least 10 years.