Identification and Functional Analysis of the Caffeic Acid O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Gene Family in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) is one of the core enzymes involved in lignin synthesis. However, there is no systematic study on the rice COMT gene family. We identified 33 COMT genes containing the methyltransferase-2 domain in the rice genome using bioinformatic methods and divided them into Group I (a and b) and Group II. Motifs, conserved domains, gene structure and SNPs density are related to the classification of OsCOMTs. The tandem phenomenon plays a key role in the expansion of OsCOMTs. The expression levels of fourteen and thirteen OsCOMTs increased or decreased under salt stress and drought stress, respectively. OsCOMTs showed higher expression levels in the stem. The lignin content of rice was measured in five stages; combined with the expression analysis of OsCOMTs and multiple sequence alignment, we found that OsCOMT8, OsCOMT9 and OsCOMT15 play a key role in the synthesis of lignin. Targeted miRNAs and gene ontology annotation revealed that OsCOMTs were involved in abiotic stress responses. Our study contributes to the analysis of the biological function of OsCOMTs, which may provide information for future rice breeding and editing of the rice genome.     

灰色偏相关评价法在认知型学生模型中的应用

针对认知能力评价这类因素较多,且难以进行定量描述的问题,建立认知能力因素评价体系,利用灰色偏相关评价法建立认知型学生模型。首先分析各认知能力因素的相互影响关系,计算偏相关系数得到各认知能力因素的权重值。然后确定评价灰类,建立白化权函数,得到各认知能力因素关于各评价灰类的灰色评价权值,从而建立认知型学生综合评价模型。最后通过实例对方法模型进行验证。实例表明,该方法模型能够对学生知识水平作出评价并引导学生进行学习,其结果具有一定的可靠性。     

基于软件接收机的GPS信号快速捕获算法

针对GPS信号C/A码的捕获,利用多项式拟合估计多普勒频率偏移值,减少了频率搜索范围;将直接求相关值和利用FFT/IFFT变换的算法相结合,用于确定C/A码相位。且在信号处理上利用抽取避免重复采样。仿真结果表明,该算法在同等的定位精度要求下,降低了计算复杂度,提高了C/A码的捕获速度。     

Ex-post efficient resource allocation for Self-organizing Cloud

Self-organizing Cloud is a scalable model to provide powerful computability with distributed computers. The resource allocation on it is very challenging since it not only involves various types of divisible resources but needs to cope with social competitions. We propose a novel resource allocation scheme with three features on ex-post efficiency. (1) Ex-post win–win effect: each participant (consumers and suppliers) should always feel satisfied with their ex-post payoffs. (2) Incentive compatibility: we can prove each rational participant gets its optimal payoff iff their resource demands and expected prices are truthfully declared. (3) Ex-post maximized efficiency: more powerful resources should be consumed with higher likelihood, such that the whole system runs quite efficiently with maximized resource utilization. Our simulation shows the approach significantly improves resource suppliers’ incomes by 20% compared to their expectations. Meanwhile, we can guarantee consumers’ payments below their budgets, with no any degradation of task execution performance.     

基于自动区域模型的含分布式电源配电网可靠性评估

提出了一种基于含分布式电源的配电块的简化网络可靠性FMEA算法。根据不同开关的功能,以自动开关装置为边界形成自动区域,将含分布式电源的配电网络简化为只含开关、配电块、负荷以及分布式电源的等效网络,每个自动区域仅含一个自动开关和若干个手动开关,由自动区域特性可知:与主区域直接相连的所有支路的负荷点有相同的故障率,且该类负荷点的故障停运时间由系统元件故障位置来确定;与支路区域相连的负荷点的故障率不受主区域的影响,且该类负荷点的故障停运时间由分布式电源所在支路区域的相对位置来确定。基于配电块的故障模式后果分析法,提出了形式化的含分布式电源的配电网络可靠性评估算法。该算法在很大程度上减少了重复枚举的数量,通过RBTS算例分析,证明了该方法的有效性。     

The working mechanism of organic photovoltaic cell by using copper phthalocyanine as exciton blocking layer

We demonstrate the working mechanism of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell with copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) as exciton blocking layer (EBL). The new EBL material CuPc, commonly has been used as electron donor in the organic solar cells due to its electron-donating and hole-transporting properties. But here we proves that the α-polymorph CuPc layer can transfer electrons to Al cathode through the half-filled b_1g level, this mechanism is different from that of general EBL material with larger band gap and electron-transporting property, which is based on damage states induced by the heat of evaporating Al.     

Inhibitors of Mitochondrial Human Carbonic Anhydrases VA and VB as a Therapeutic Strategy against Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Mice

Neuropathy development is a major dose-limiting side effect of anticancer treatments that significantly reduces patient’s quality of life. The inadequate pharmacological approaches for neuropathic pain management warrant the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Mitochondrial dysfunctions that lead to reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase, cytosolic Ca²⁺ imbalance, and lactate acidosis are implicated in neuropathic pain pathogenesis. It has been observed that in these deregulations, a pivotal role is played by the mitochondrial carbonic anhydrases (CA) VA and VB isoforms. Hence, preclinical studies should be conducted to assess the efficacy of two novel selenides bearing benzenesulfonamide moieties, named 5b and 5d, and able to inhibit CA VA and VB against paclitaxel-induced neurotoxicity in mice. Acute treatment with 5b and 5d (30–100 mg/kg, per os – p.o.) determined a dose-dependent and long-lasting anti-hyperalgesic effect in the Cold plate test. Further, repeated daily treatment for 15 days with 100 mg/kg of both compounds (starting the first day of paclitaxel injection) significantly prevented neuropathic pain development without the onset of tolerance to the anti-hyperalgesic effect. In both experiments, acetazolamide (AAZ, 100 mg/kg, p.o.) used as the reference drug was partially active. Moreover, ex vivo analysis demonstrated the efficacy of 5b and 5d repeated treatments in reducing the maladaptive plasticity that occurs to glia cells in the lumbar portion of the spinal cord and in improving mitochondrial functions in the brain and spinal cord that were strongly impaired by paclitaxel-repeated treatment. In this regard, 5b and 5d ameliorated the metabolic activity, as observed by the increase in citrate synthase activity, and preserved an optimal mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) value, which appeared depolarized in brains from paclitaxel-treated animals. In conclusion, 5b and 5d have therapeutic and protective effects against paclitaxel-induced neuropathy without tolerance development. Moreover, 5b and 5d reduced glial cell activation and mitochondrial dysfunction in the central nervous system, being a promising candidate for the management of neuropathic pain and neurotoxicity evoked by chemotherapeutic drugs.     

Immobilization of Lathyrus cicera Amine Oxidase on Magnetic Microparticles for Biocatalytic Applications

Amine oxidases are enzymes belonging to the class of oxidoreductases that are widespread, from bacteria to humans. The amine oxidase from Lathyrus cicera has recently appeared in the landscape of biocatalysis, showing good potential in the green synthesis of aldehydes. This enzyme catalyzes the oxidative deamination of a wide range of primary amines into the corresponding aldehydes but its use as a biocatalyst is challenging due to the possible inactivation that might occur at high product concentrations. Here, we show that the enzyme’s performance can be greatly improved by immobilization on solid supports. The best results are achieved using amino-functionalized magnetic microparticles: the immobilized enzyme retains its activity, greatly improves its thermostability (4 h at 75 °C), and can be recycled up to 8 times with a set of aromatic ethylamines. After the last reaction cycle, the overall conversion is about 90% for all tested substrates, with an aldehyde production ranging between 100 and 270 mg depending on the substrate used. As a proof concept, one of the aldehydes thus produced was successfully used for the biomimetic synthesis of a non-natural benzylisoquinoline alkaloid.     

Impact of High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic Acid on Gene Expression in Rabbit Achilles Tenocytes In Vitro

(1) Background: Surgical tendon repair often leads to adhesion formation, leading to joint stiffness and a reduced range of motion. Tubular implants set around sutured tendons might help to reduce peritendinous adhesions. The lubricant hyaluronic acid (HA) is a viable option for optimizing such tubes with the goal of further enhancing the anti-adhesive effect. As the implant degrades over time and diffusion is presumed, the impact of HA on tendon cells is important to know. (2) Methods: A culture medium of rabbit Achilles tenocytes was supplemented with high-molecular-weight (HMW) HA and the growth curves of the cells were assessed. Additionally, after 3, 7 and 14 days, the gene expression of several markers was analyzed for matrix assembly, tendon differentiation, fibrosis, proliferation, matrix remodeling, pro-inflammation and resolution. (3) Results: The addition of HA decreased matrix marker genes, downregulated the fibrosis marker α-SMA for a short time and slightly increased the matrix-remodeling gene MMP-2. Of the pro-inflammatory marker genes, only IL-6 was significantly upregulated. IL-6 has to be kept in check, although IL-6 is also needed for a proper initial inflammation and efficient resolution. (4) Conclusions: The observed effects in vitro support the intended anti-adhesion effect and therefore, the use of HMW HA is promising as a biodegradable implant for tendon repair.