Deciphering the BAR code of membrane modulators

The BAR domain is the eponymous domain of the “BAR-domain protein superfamily”, a large and diverse set of mostly multi-domain proteins that play eminent roles at the membrane cytoskeleton interface. BAR domain homodimers are the functional units that peripherally associate with lipid membranes and are involved in membrane sculpting activities. Differences in their intrinsic curvatures and lipid-binding properties account for a large variety in membrane modulating properties. Membrane activities of BAR domains are further modified and regulated by intramolecular or inter-subunit domains, by intermolecular protein interactions, and by posttranslational modifications. Rather than providing detailed cell biological information on single members of this superfamily, this review focuses on biochemical, biophysical, and structural aspects and on recent findings that paradigmatically promote our understanding of processes driven and modulated by BAR domains.     

构建《矿物岩石学》的“核特色”课程教学新体系

当前,我国地质学专业的人才培养与核工业发展紧密相连,该文针对南华大学资源勘查工程专业《矿物岩石学》课程教学改革进行了探索.提出立足本校核特色,加强实践环节,创建核特色《矿物岩石学》野外教学实习基地,完善考试制度等措施,从而达到构建《矿物岩石学》的“核特色”课程教学新体系设想.     

Development of liquid-nitrogen-cooling friction stir spot welding for AZ31 magnesium alloy joints

A liquid-nitrogen-cooling friction stir spot welding (C-FSSW) technology was developed for welding AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets. The liquid-nitrogen cooling degraded the deformability of the welded materials such that the width of interfacial cracks increased with increasing cooling time. The grain size of the stirred zone (SZ) and the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the C-FSSW-welded joints decreased, whereas that of the thermomechanically affected zone (TMAZ) increased with increasing cooling time. The maximum tensile shear load of the C-FSSW-welded joints welded with a cooling time of 5 or 7 s was larger than that of the friction stir spot welding (FSSW)-welded joint, and the tensile shear load decreased with increasing cooling time. The microhardness of the C-FSSW-welded joints was greater than that of the FSSW-welded joint. Moreover, the microhardness of the SZ and the HAZ of the C-FSSW-welded joints increased, whereas that of the TMAZ decreased, with increasing cooling time.     

A high-level synthesis based dual-module redundancy with multi-residue detection （DMR-MRD） fault-tolerant method for on-board processing satellite communication systems

On board processing （OBP） satellite systems have obtained more and more attentions in recent years because of their high efficiency and performance.However,the OBP transponders are very sensitive to the high energy particles in the space radiation environments.Single event upset （SEU） is one of the major radiation effects,which influences the satellite reliability greatly.Triple modular redundancy （TMR） is a classic and efficient method to mask SEUs.However,TMR uses three identical modules and a comparison logic,the circuit size becomes unacceptable,especially in the resource limited environments such as OBP systems.Considering that,a new SEU-tolerant method based on residue code and high-level synthesis （HLS） is proposed,and the new method is applied to FIR filters,which are typical structures in the OBP systems.The simulation results show that,for an applicable HLS scheduling scheme,area reduction can be reduced by 48.26％ compared to TMR,while fault missing rate is 0.15％.     

SwiftArray: Accelerating Queries on Multidimensional Arrays

Scientific instruments and simulation programs are generating large amounts of multidimensional array data.Queries with value and dimension subsetting conditions are commonly used by scientists to find useful information from big array data,and data storage and indexing methods play an important role in supporting queries on multidimensional array data efficiently.In this paper,we propose SwiftArray,a new storage layout with indexing techniques to accelerate queries with value and dimension subsetting conditions.In SwiftArray,the multidimensional array is divided into blocks and each block stores sorted values.Blocks are placed in the order of a Hilbert space-filling curve to improve data locality for dimension subsetting queries.We propose a 2-D-Bin method to build an index for the blocks’value ranges,which is an efficient way to avoid accessing unnecessary blocks for value subsetting queries.Our evaluations show that SwiftArray surpasses the NetCDF-4 format and FastBit indexing technique for queries on multidimensional arrays.     

用于虚拟化环境的进程隔离方法研究与实现

针对虚拟化环境中用户进程运行安全问题,提出一种适用于虚拟化环境的进程隔离方法.该方法引入安全域作为进程隔离保护的基本单元,安全域是进程以及进程运行过程中依赖的环境构成的整体,通过建立安全域之间的依赖关系和安全域之间信息的交换规则,确保进程初始安全和运行过程中的隔离性.给出了安全域的相关概念和形式化描述,以及安全域之间信息流交换和依赖关系的建立方法和相关证明.以Xen虚拟化系统为基础,给出了该保护方法的具体实现以及实验结果,实验结果分析表明:该方法在虚拟化环境中能够抵御多种攻击手段,额外执行开销不超过10%.     

Studies on induction hardening of powder-metallurgy-processed Fe-Cr/Mo alloys

Induction hardening of dense Fe-Cr/Mo alloys processed via the powder-metallurgy route was studied. The Fe-3Cr-0.5Mo, Fe-1.5Cr-0.2Mo, and Fe-0.85Mo pre-alloyed powders were mixed with 0.4wt%, 0.6wt%, and 0.8wt% C and compacted at 500, 600, and 700 MPa, respectively. The compacts were sintered at 1473 K for 1 h and then cooled at 6 K/min. Ferrite with pearlite was mostly observed in the sintered alloys with 0.4wt% C, whereas a carbide network was also present in the alloys with 0.8wt% C. Graphite at prior particle boundaries led to deterioration of the mechanical properties of alloys with 0.8wt% C, whereas no significant induction hardening was achieved in alloys with 0.4wt% C. Among the investigated samples, alloys with 0.6wt% C exhibited the highest strength and ductility and were found to be suitable for induction hardening. The hardening was carried out at a frequency of 2.0 kHz for 2-3 s. A case depth of 2.5 mm was achieved while maintaining the bulk (interior) hardness of approximately HV 230. A martensitic structure was observed on the outer periphery of the samples. The hardness varied from HV 600 to HV 375 from the sample surface to the interior of the case hardened region. The best combination of properties and hardening depth was achieved in case of the Fe-1.5Cr-0.2Mo alloy with 0.6wt% C.     

Using the ‘Engagement’ Model of Problem Solving to Assist Students in Capstone Learning

The engagement model for problem solving was developed as a response to soft systems methodology being difficult to implement in certain circumstances. In the years since the original paper was published, the model has developed into an iterative problem solving approach for the assessment, creation and implementation of new ideas in difficult problem situations. This case study paper exemplifies the kind of work undertaken through the use of the model and provides a practical scenario for how one might apply it. The case study takes place in a higher education environment and relates to the development of a capstone course for management majors. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research.     

Control of DNA integrity in skeletal muscle under physiological and pathological conditions

Skeletal muscle is a highly oxygen-consuming tissue that ensures body support and movement, as well as nutrient and temperature regulation. DNA damage induced by reactive oxygen species is present in muscles and tends to accumulate with age. Here, we present a summary of data obtained on DNA damage and its implication in muscle homeostasis, myogenic differentiation and neuromuscular disorders. Controlled and transient DNA damage appears to be essential for muscular homeostasis and differentiation while uncontrolled and chronic DNA damage negatively affects muscle health.     

Opposing effects on the cell cycle of T lymphocytes by Fbxo7 via Cdk6 and p27

G₁ phase cell cycle proteins, such as cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (Cdk6) and its activating partners, the D-type cyclins, are important regulators of T-cell development and function. An F-box protein, called F-box only protein 7 (Fbxo7), acts as a cell cycle regulator by enhancing cyclin D-Cdk6 complex formation and stabilising levels of p27, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. We generated a murine model of reduced Fbxo7 expression to test its physiological role in multiple tissues and found that these mice displayed a pronounced thymic hypoplasia. Further analysis revealed that Fbxo7 differentially affected proliferation and apoptosis of thymocytes at various stages of differentiation in the thymus and also mature T-cell function and proliferation in the periphery. Paradoxically, Fbxo7-deficient immature thymocytes failed to undergo expansion in the thymus due to a lack of Cdk6 activity, while mature T cells showed enhanced proliferative capacity upon T-cell receptor engagement due to reduced p27 levels. Our studies reveal differential cell cycle regulation by Fbxo7 at different stages in T-cell development.