Novel protein detection method based on proximity-dependent polymerase reaction and aptamers

In recent years, specific detection of proteins is one of the hot issues about aptamers in proteomics. Here we reported a simple, sensitive and specific proximity-dependent protein assay with dual DNA aptamers. Thrombin was used as the model protein, and two aptamer probes with complementary sequence at 3′-end were designed for the two distinct epitopes of the protein. Association of the two aptamers with thrombin resulted in stable hybrids due to the proximity of 3′-end, then polymerase reaction was induced. The amount of obtained dsDNA was indicated using the fluorescence dye Sybr Green I. The results showed that the initial velocity of polymerase reaction had a positive correlation with concentration of thrombin. The advantages of this dual-aptamer-based approach included simple and flexible design of aptamer probes, high selectivity and high sensitivity. The detection limit was 6.9 pmol/L.     

Optical nonlinearity and ultrafast dynamics of ion exchanged silver nanoparticles embedded in soda-lime silicate glass

Ag nanoparticles embedded in soda-lime silicate glass were fabricated by ion-exchange and subse-quently annealing method. Z-scan technique, femtosecond time-resolved optical Kerr effect （OKE） technique and femtosecond pump-probe experiment were used to investigate the effects of laser wavelength and laser pulse duration as well as annealing temperature on the third-order optical nonlinearity and ultrafast dynamics of the composites. It was found that the third-order susceptibility of Ag nanoparticles composite glass measured by 400 nm pulse source is larger than that measured by 800 nm pulse source due to an enhancement effect of local field near surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles in silicate glass. The third-order optical nonlinearity measured by ns laser source is about two orders of magnitude larger than that measured from fs pulse. The annealing temperature has an important effect on the third-order optical nonlinearity and ultrafast dynamics of the composites. Third-order nonlinear susceptibility up to 10^-l0 esu and fast relaxation process up to 0.2 ps have been obtained in Ag nanoparticles doped glass.     

Grenvillian orogeny in the Southern Cathaysia Block: Constraints from U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopes in zircon from metamorphic basement

Metamorphic basement rocks in the Cathaysia Block are composed mainly of meta-sediments with different ages. New zircon U-Pb geochronological results from the meta-sedimentary rocks exposed in the Zengcheng and Hezi areas, southern Cathaysia Block, show that they consist dominantly of early Neoproterozoic （1.0-0.9 Ga） materials with minor Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic and late Neoproterozoic （0.8-0.6 Ga） components, suggesting that the detritus mostly come from a Grenvillian orogen. The youngest detrital zircon ages place a constraint on the deposition time of these sediments in Late Neoproterozoic. Zircon Hf isotopic compositions indicate that the Grenvillian zircons were derived from the reworking of Mesoproterozoic arc magmatic rocks and Paleoproterozoic continental crust, implying an arc-continent collisional setting. Single-peak age spectra and the presence of abundant euhedral Grenvillian zircons suggest that the sedimentary provenance is not far away from the sample location. Thus, the Grenvillian orogen probably preexisted along the southern margin of the Cathaysia Block, or very close to the south. Similarity in the ages of Grenvillian orogeny and the influence of the assembly of Gondwana in South China with India and East Antarctic are discussed, with suggestion that South China was more likely linked with the India-East Antarctica continents in Early Neoproterozoic rather than between western Laurentia and eastern Australia.     

A general pairwise key predistribution scheme for wireless sensor networks

This paper develops a general hypercube-based key predistribution scheme for establishing pairwise keys between sensor nodes using polynomials, which is parameterized by the dimension of hypercube and the Hamming distance threshold variables. The scheme addresses the weaknesses of existing key predistribution schemes, which have either worse security or lower efficiency. It exhibits a nice property--when the Hamming distance between any two neighboring sensor nodes is less than the pre-defined threshold, the pairwise key can be established directly. Extensive performance and security analysis shows that by increasing Hamming distance threshold value, we can trade off the resilience against node capture attack for higher probability of direct pairwise key establishment, so as to save the energy consumption which is the most important issue for sensor networks.     

An ontology reasoning architecture for data mining knowledge management

In order to realize the intelligent management of data mining （DM） domain knowledge, this paper presents an architecture for DM knowledge management based on ontology. Using ontology database, this architecture can realize intelligent knowledge retrieval and automatic accomplishment of DM tasks by means of ontology services. Its key features include：①Describing DM ontology and meta-data using ontology based on Web ontology language （OWL）.② Ontology reasoning function. Based on the existing concepts and relations, the hidden knowledge in ontology can be obtained using the reasoning engine. This paper mainly focuses on the construction of DM ontology and the reasoning of DM ontology based on OWL DL（s）.     

Analysis of the design methods of word oriented linear feedback shift registers

Based on analysis of the structure characteristics and implementation methods of some representative word oriented linear feedback shift registers （LFSRs） in several modem software oriented stream ciphers, this paper firstly classifies the word oriented LFSRs into two classes： the machine instruction type and the arithmetic type. The similarities and differences between each type are illustrated by concrete examples. Then we give a detailed analysis about the word oriented LFSRs in each category from design structure, cryptographic properties and implementation issue aspects. Finally, some basic design criteria for modem word oriented LFSRs and suitable for software implementation are summarized.     

Instantiate random oracles in OAEP with pseudorandom functions

This paper focuses on the instantiation of random oracles in public key encryption schemes. A misunderstanding in the former instantiations is pointed out and analyzed. A method of using this primitive as a substitution of random oracles is also proposed. The partial and full instantiations of random oracles in optimal asymmetric encryption padding （OAEP） implemented by pseudorandom functions are described and the resulted schemes are proven to be indistinguishable secure against adaptive chosen ciphertext attack （IND-CCA2） secure. Using this method, one can transform a practical public key encryption scheme secure in the random oracle model into a standard-model secure scheme. The security of the scheme is based on computational assumptions, which is weaker than decisional assumptions used in Cramer- Shoup like schemes.     

Novel Schmitt trigger with wide temperature range

A novel Schmitt trigger circuit, implemented by a reset-set (RS) trigger and two simple distinct inverters, is proposed. Its trigger levels are determined by two Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) inverters. Contrast with traditional six transistors Schmitt trigger, its temperature and supply voltage characteristics have been analyzed. These two triggers are applied into relaxation oscillator and the result shows that the proposed one in this paper has better performance over wide temperature range, whose temperature coefficient from 0 to 85 °C is 1/5 of the traditional one. Biography: ZOU Zhige (1975–), male, Ph.D. candidate, research direction: analog and mix-signal IC design.     

On <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>-error linear complexity of some explicit nonlinear pseudorandom sequences

Combining with the research on the linear complexity of explicit nonlinear generators of pseudorandom sequences, we study the stability on linear complexity of two classes of explicit inversive generators and two classes of explicit nonlinear generators. We present some lower bounds in theory on the k-error linear complexity of these explicit generatol＇s, which further improve the cryptographic properties of the corresponding number generators and provide very useful information when they are applied to cryptography.     

Relations between the underground biomass and soil organic carbon and nitrogen of the alpine meadow at the Eastern Margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

This article, by combining field investigation with laboratorial analysis, studies diverse alpine meadow at the Eastern Margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for the underground biomass dynamics, vertical distribution of the content of soil carbon and nitrogen, the connection between the biomass and the content of carbon and nitrogen. The studies show that underground biomass in the herb layer of upland meadow is more than that in the terrace meadow, while underground biomass in the upland shrubland is the most. The vertical distribution of underground biomass of each type is obvious as in shape of＂T＂. As to the distribution of the content of soil organic carbon in the three sample grounds, it showed that the deeper the soil the less the content of soil organic carbon. In May, unlike at terrace meadow, the underground biomass and the content of soil organic carbon in positive proportion, such revelation at upland meadow and upland shrubland is not apparent. In July, at upland meadow and terrace meadow the underground biomass and the content of soil total nitrogen in positive proportion, such revelation at upland shrubland is not apparent either.