中原经济区中心城市城区新型城镇化水平综合评价研究

结合中原经济区中心城市发展实际,总结出中原经济区中心城市城区新型城镇化综合评价的指标体系,包括二级指标6类,即城市人口与地域指标、城市经济指标、城市生活方式指标、城市发展潜力指标、城市基础设施指标、城市生态环境指标,三级指标21类.对指标体系进行主成分分析和Q聚类分析,对中原经济区中心城市城区新型城镇化水平做出对比,将中原经济区中心城市城区新型城镇化发展水平划分为4类,在此基础上对4类城市新型城镇化发展的特点进行归纳总结.     

超长双层网壳结构自振特性

对超长网壳结构同一面层的杆件进行不同数量的替换，通过结果的对比总结了替换数目对结构的影响，分析表明替换杆件的数量的增多能够提高地震控制的效果，但不是越多越好，要经过计算分析控制在一定的数量。     

Abnormal kynurenine pathway of tryptophan catabolism in cardiovascular diseases

Kynurenine pathway (KP) is the primary path of tryptophan (Trp) catabolism in most mammalian cells. The KP generates several bioactive catabolites, such as kynurenine (Kyn), kynurenic acid (KA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), xanthurenic acid (XA), and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA). Increased catabolite concentrations in serum are associated with several cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart disease, atherosclerosis, and endothelial dysfunction, as well as their risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and aging. The first catabolic step in KP is primarily controlled by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). Following this first step, the KP has two major branches, one branch is mediated by kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) and kynureninase (KYNU) and is responsible for the formation of 3-HK, 3-HAA, and quinolinic acid (QA); and another branch is controlled by kynurenine amino-transferase (KAT), which generates KA. Uncontrolled Trp catabolism has been demonstrated in distinct CVD, thus, understanding the underlying mechanisms by which regulates KP enzyme expression and activity is paramount. This review highlights the recent advances on the effect of KP enzyme expression and activity in different tissues on the pathological mechanisms of specific CVD, KP is an inflammatory sensor and modulator in the cardiovascular system, and KP catabolites act as the potential biomarkers for CVD initiation and progression. Moreover, the biochemical features of critical KP enzymes and principles of enzyme inhibitor development are briefly summarized, as well as the therapeutic potential of KP enzyme inhibitors against CVD is briefly discussed.     

Regulation of the H<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATP synthase by IF1: a role in mitohormesis

The mitochondrial H⁺-ATP synthase is a primary hub of cellular homeostasis by providing the energy required to sustain cellular activity and regulating the production of signaling molecules that reprogram nuclear activity needed for adaption to changing cues. Herein, we summarize findings regarding the regulation of the activity of the H⁺-ATP synthase by its physiological inhibitor, the ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) and their functional role in cellular homeostasis. First, we outline the structure and the main molecular mechanisms that regulate the activity of the enzyme. Next, we describe the molecular biology of IF1 and summarize the regulation of IF1 expression and activity as an inhibitor of the H⁺-ATP synthase emphasizing the role of IF1 as a main driver of energy rewiring and cellular signaling in cancer. Findings in transgenic mice in vivo indicate that the overexpression of IF1 is sufficient to reprogram energy metabolism to an enhanced glycolysis and activate reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent signaling pathways that promote cell survival. These findings are placed in the context of mitohormesis, a program in which a mild mitochondrial stress triggers adaptive cytoprotective mechanisms that improve lifespan. In this regard, we emphasize the role played by the H⁺-ATP synthase in modulating signaling pathways that activate the mitohormetic response, namely ATP, ROS and target of rapamycin (TOR). Overall, we aim to highlight the relevant role of the H⁺-ATP synthase and of IF1 in cellular physiology and the need of additional studies to decipher their contributions to aging and age-related diseases.     

Aptamer and its applications in neurodegenerative diseases

Aptamers are small single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotide fragments or small peptides, which can bind to targets by high affinity and specificity. Because aptamers are specific, non-immunogenic and non-toxic, they are ideal materials for clinical applications. Neurodegenerative disorders are ravaging the lives of patients. Even though the mechanism of these diseases is still elusive, they are mainly characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the central nervous system. So it is essential to develop potential measures to slow down or prevent the onset of these diseases. With the advancements of the technologies, aptamers have opened up new areas in this research field. Aptamers could bind with these related target proteins to interrupt their accumulation, subsequently blocking or preventing the process of neurodegenerative diseases. This review presents recent advances in the aptamer generation and its merits and limitations, with emphasis on its applications in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, Huntington’s disease and multiple sclerosis.     

Risk reduction in a project portfolio

The positive impacts of managing projects as a portfolio are quantified by comparing the value of the integrated risk of a project portfolio and the aggregation of single project risks implemented separately. Firstly, the integrated risk is defined by proposing risky events based on set theory. Secondly, as projects interact with each other in a project portfolio, the integrated risk is evaluated by using a Bayesian network structure learning algorithm to construct an interdependent network of risks. Finally, the integrated risk of a practical case is assessed using this method, and the results show that the proposed method is an effective tool for calculating the extent of risk reduction of implementing a project portfolio and identifying the most risky project, so as to assist companies in making comprehensive decisions in the phase of portfolio selection and portfolio controlling.     

Optimal bundling and pricing decisions for complementary products in a two-layer supply chain

This article explores bundling and pricing decisions for two complementary products in a two-layer supply chain consisting of a multi-product manufacturer and a retailer. We establish four different pricing models under cases of decentralized decision, while considering different portfolio-bundling strategies of the manufacturer and the retailer. A game-theoretical method is used to characterize the corresponding equilibrium outcomes in each scenario. By further analyzing and comparing the maximum profits of all four possible scenarios, optimal bundling and pricing decisions for the manufacturer and the retailer are obtained, respectively. Model extensions and numerical examples are enriched to highlight the factors affecting optimal decision-making. Finally, valuable and interesting managerial insights are summarized. Results show that the upstream manufacturer always profits more when he sells complementary products separately. However, the optimal bundling decision of the downstream retailer is jointly determined by product complementarity (as a major factor) and the difference of product profitability (as a secondary factor). Market power cannot exert an influence on both optimal bundling decisions, but it can partly affect pricing decisions.     

Which is the use of systems theory in literature analysis?: The discovery of the place in La Mancha in Don Quixote

The use of systems theory to attempt to determine which ''place in La Mancha'' was the one whose name Cervantes could not quite recall in his universal novel, appears to be ordained to change certain attitudes towards science held in Cervantine literature. The reason: after four centuries of literary analysis, systemic methodology has proven able to identify the famous ''place'' with acceptable accuracy. Nonetheless, certain reasonable doubts persist around the suitability of a strictly scientific analysis of literature. In light of those doubts, the present article aims primarily to facilitate critique both of the systemic approach adopted and its outcome.