Plasmonic biosensors and nanoprobes based on gold nanoshells

Gold nanoshells (GNSs), consisting of a dielectric core coated with gold, have gained extensive attention as they show readily tunable optical properties and good biocompatibility. As highly sensitive and label-free optical biosensors with wide applications, GNSs have been investigated in many fields including drug delivery, immunoassay, cancer treatment, biological sensing and imaging. Taking advantage of the adjustability of the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and the sensitivity of the surfaceenhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signal of GNSs, we have developed diverse applications including plasmonic biosensors and nanoprobes based on GNSs. In this review we introduce plasmonic and electromagnetic properties and fabrication methods of GNSs. We describe research progress in recent years, and highlight several applications of GNSs developed by our group. Finally we provide a brief assessment of future development of GNSs as plasmonic materials that can be integrated with complementary analytical techniques.     

Comprehensive optimal control on seismic response of a single-tower self-anchored suspension bridge

Earthquake may cause severe damage to all kinds of bridge such as the falling down of the girder; therefore,effective measures should be employed to control the seismic displacement. In this paper,the method of comprehensive optimal control,com-bined with analytic hierarchy process,is employed to investigate the seismic response control of the Nanjing Jiangxinzhou Bridge,which is a single-tower self-anchored suspension bridge (SSSB). Also,3-dimensional nonlinear seismic response analyses are con-ducted. Three types of practical connection measures for seismic response control of SSSB are investigated,and the optimal pa-rameters of the connection devices are achieved by this method. Results show that both the elastic connection devices and the damp-ers with rational parameters can reduce the seismic displacement of the bridge effectively,but the elastic connection devices will in-crease the seismic force of the tower. When all factors are consid-ered,the optimal measure is by using the elastic connection devices and the dampers together. These results can provide references for seismic response control of SSSBs.     

Hexagonal metric for linear codes over a finite field

This paper consider Hexagonal-metric codes over certain class of finite fields. The Hexagonal metric as defined by Huber is a non-trivial metric over certain classes of finite fields. Hexagonal-metric codes are applied in coded modulation scheme based on hexagonal-like signal constellations. Since the development of tight bounds for error correcting codes using new distance is a research problem, the purpose of this note is to generalize the Plotkin bound for linear codes over finite fields equipped with the Hexagonal metric. By means of a two-step method, the author presents a geometric method to construct finite signal constellations from quotient lattices associated to the rings of Eisenstein-Jacobi (EJ) integers and their prime ideals and thus naturally label the constellation points by elements of a finite field. The Plotkin bound is derived from simple computing on the geometric figure of a finite field.     

Optimal dividend strategies in a double compound poisson risk process

In this paper, we consider a double compound Poisson risk model involving two independent classes ofinsurance risks with a threshold dividend strategy. We derived the integro-differential equations (IDE) with certain boundary conditions for the present value of dividends until ruin. When the claims from both classes are exponentially distributed, we show that the threshold dividend strategy is an optimal dividend strategy.     

Synthesis of a novel multi-SO3H functionalized strong Brønsted acidic ionic liquid and its catalytic activities for acetalization

The novel multi-SO3H functionalized strong Bronsted acidic ionic liquid has been prepared and its catalytic activities were investigated through the acetalization. The results showed that the novel catalyst was very efficient for the reaction with the average yield over 90% under solvent-free condition at room temperature. Operational simplicity, without need of any solvent, a small amount of usage, low cost of the catalyst used, high yields, applicability to large-scale reactions and reusability are the key features of this methodology. The novel catalyst also has great potential for the green process.     

From the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane: mechanisms of CFTR folding and trafficking

CFTR biogenesis starts with its co-translational insertion into the membrane of endoplasmic reticulum and folding of the cytosolic domains, towards the acquisition of a fully folded compact native structure. Efficiency of this process is assessed by the ER quality control system that allows the exit of folded proteins but targets unfolded/misfolded CFTR to degradation. If allowed to leave the ER, CFTR is modified at the Golgi and reaches the post-Golgi compartments to be delivered to the plasma membrane where it functions as a cAMP- and phosphorylation-regulated chloride/bicarbonate channel. CFTR residence at the membrane is a balance of membrane delivery, endocytosis, and recycling. Several adaptors, motor, and scaffold proteins contribute to the regulation of CFTR stability and are involved in continuously assessing its structure through peripheral quality control systems. Regulation of CFTR biogenesis and traffic (and its dysregulation by mutations, such as the most common F508del) determine its overall activity and thus contribute to the fine modulation of chloride secretion and hydration of epithelial surfaces. This review covers old and recent knowledge on CFTR folding and trafficking from its synthesis to the regulation of its stability at the plasma membrane and highlights how several of these steps can be modulated to promote the rescue of mutant CFTR.     

Endothelial cell apoptosis in angiogenesis and vessel regression

Blood vessel regression is an essential process for ensuring blood vessel networks function at optimal efficiency and for matching blood supply to the metabolic needs of tissues as they change over time. Angiogenesis is the major mechanism by which new blood vessels are produced, but the vessel growth associated with angiogenesis must be complemented by remodeling and maturation events including the removal of redundant vessel segments and cells to fashion the newly forming vasculature into an efficient, hierarchical network. This review will summarize recent findings on the role that endothelial cell apoptosis plays in vascular remodeling during angiogenesis and in vessel regression more generally.     

DPSIR model-based evaluation index system for geographic national conditions

Establishing a reasonable evaluation index system is the basis and premise for the scientific evaluation of geographic national conditions. By analyzing the DPSIR model and its correlation and relation with the evaluation index system, the indexes for geographic national conditions were selected from the aspects of resources, ecology, environment, economy, society, etc to build an evaluation index system for geographic national conditions that consists of three hierarchies: index, criterion, and target levels. Furthermore, the index system was analyzed in terms of index integrity, low overlapping of elements, non-existence of isolated indexes, hierarchy of index system, etc., for the purpose of demonstrating that the DPSIR model-based evaluation index system for geographic national conditions meets the principles of index system establishment.     

Medical entity and attributes extraction system based on relation annotation

The abundant entities and entity-attribute relations in medical websites are important data resources for medical research. However, the medical websites are usually characterized of storing entity and attribute values in different pages. To extract those data records efficiently, we propose an automatic extraction system which is related to entity and attribute relations (attributes and values) of separate storage. Our system includes following modules: (1) rich-information interactive annotation page rendering; (2) separate storage attribute relations annotating; (3) annotated relations for pattern generating and data records extracting. This paper presents the relations about the attributes which are stored in many pages by effective annotation, then generates rules for data records extraction. The experiments show that the system can not only complete attribute relations of separate storage extraction, but also be compatible with regular relation extraction, while maintaining high accuracy.     

Syntheses,structure and photoluminescent properties of lanthanide oxalatosulfocarboxylate coordination polymers

Hydrothermal reactions of oxalic acid(H2ox) and 2-sulfobenzoic acid(H2L) with lanthanide oxide or hydroxide yielded five lanthanide oxalatosulfocarboxylates.They have a general formula [Ln2L2(ox)(H2O)6]n[Ln = La(1),Nd(2),Eu(3),Gd(4),Tb(5)].Their structures were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction,powder X-ray diffraction(PXRD),infrared(IR) spectroscopy,elemental analysis(EA),and thermogravimetric analysis(TGA).1-5 are isostructural coordination polymers and feature one-dimensional(1D) chains,which are extended into 3D supramolecular frameworks through inter-chain hydrogen bonds between coordinated H2O donors and oxygen acceptors from carboxylate,sulfonate and oxalate groups.In addition,the solid-state photoluminescence properties of the Nd(2),Eu(3) and Tb(5) derivatives have been measured at room temperature.The Eu and Tb-containing coordination polymers(CPs) exhibit intense red and green luminescence emissions,respectively,with lifetimes in the order of millisecond.