The Antithrombotic Agent Pterostilbene Interferes with Integrin αIIbβ3-Mediated Inside-Out and Outside-In Signals in Human Platelets

Platelets play a crucial role in the physiology of primary hemostasis and pathological processes such as arterial thrombosis; thus, developing a therapeutic target that prevents platelet activation can reduce arterial thrombosis. Pterostilbene (PTE) has remarkable pharmacological activities, including anticancer and neuroprotection. Few studies have reported the effects of pterostilbene on platelet activation. Thus, we examined the inhibitory mechanisms of pterostilbene in human platelets and its role in vascular thrombosis prevention in mice. At low concentrations (2–8 μM), pterostilbene strongly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Furthermore, pterostilbene markedly diminished Lyn, Fyn, and Syk phosphorylation and hydroxyl radical formation stimulated by collagen. Moreover, PTE directly hindered integrin α_IIbβ₃ activation through interfering with PAC-1 binding stimulated by collagen. In addition, pterostilbene affected integrin α_IIbβ₃-mediated outside-in signaling, such as integrin β₃, Src, and FAK phosphorylation, and reduced the number of adherent platelets and the single platelet spreading area on immobilized fibrinogen as well as thrombin-stimulated fibrin clot retraction. Furthermore, pterostilbene substantially prolonged the occlusion time of thrombotic platelet plug formation in mice. This study demonstrated that pterostilbene exhibits a strong activity against platelet activation through the inhibition of integrin α_IIbβ₃-mediated inside-out and outside-in signaling, suggesting that pterostilbene can serve as a therapeutic agent for thromboembolic disorders.     

Phase Relationships in the ZrO2-Sc2O3 and ZrO2-In2O3 Systems

Zirconia-rich subsolidus phase relationships in the ZrO₂–Sc₂O₃ and ZrO₂–In₂O₃ systems were investigated. Phase inconsistencies in the ZrO₂–Sc₂O₃ system resulted from a diffusionless cubic-to-tetragonal ( t' ) phase transformation not being recognized in the past. Through three different measuring techniques, along with microstructural observations, the solubility limits of the tetragonal and cubic phases were determined.     

一种新的语义对象行为语言

针对人类用自然语言与机器交互所面临的巨大鸿沟,提出了一种基于类自然语言的语义对象行为语言。SOBL是一种宣称式的陈述语言,用于开发数据库驱动的应用,支持复杂的用户交互,主要由一个Semantic Objects^TM的对象关系开发框架所支持。该语言扩展结构化自然语言,携带语义信息,能够面向非程序员使用,降低了软件的开发难度。最后通过一个具体的实例验证了该语言的有效性。     

Scalable continuous object detection and tracking in sensor networks

With the advancement of MEMS technologies, sensor networks have opened up broad application prospects. An important issue in wireless sensor networks is object detection and tracking, which typically involves two basic components, collaborative data processing and object location reporting. The former aims to have sensors collaborating in determining a concise digest of object location information, while the latter aims to transport a concise digest to sink in a timely manner. This issue has been intensively studied in individual objects, such as intruders. However, the characteristic of continuous objects has posed new challenges to this issue. Continuous objects can diffuse, increase in size, or split into multiple continuous objects, such as a noxious gas. In this paper, a scalable, topology-control-based approach for continuous object detection and tracking is proposed. Extensive simulations are conducted, which show a significant improvement over existing solutions.     

一种互联网海量情报规则优化方法

现在很多部门都需要通过规则处理海量情报数据,规则的数量一旦达到海量级规模,对规则的处理技术的要求将会变得越来越高,海量规则的优化将是一个十分重要的问题.文中展示了一种海量规则的优化方法.若两个规则网最后的计算结果是一样的,则可以认为这两个规则网是等价的.基于该等价规则模块的变换可以将代价小的规则模块替换掉代价大的规则模块,从而以后可以选择一种代价最小的规则模块.本文提出规则网模块等价替换的5种优化方法,并对其做了相应的证明.通过优化,可以使得海量规则网处于计算代价尽量最小状态,以此减少处理机的计算工作量.分析表明,通过等价规则替换,可以大大提高规则处理效率.     

Handwritten Chinese Character Recognition Based on Primitive and Fuzzy Features via the SEART Neural Net Model

A handwritten Chinese character recognition method based on primitive and compound fuzzy features using the SEART neural network model is proposed. The primitive features are extracted in local and global view. Since handwritten Chinese characters vary a great deal, the fuzzy concept is used to extract the compound features in structural view. We combine the two categories of features and use a fast classifier, called the Supervised Extended ART (SEART) neural network model, to recognize handwritten Chinese characters. The SEART classifier has excellent performance, is fast, and has good generalization and exception handling abilities in complex problems. Using the fuzzy set theory in feature extraction and the neural network model as a classifier is helpful for reducing distortions, noise and variations. In spite of the poor thinning, a 90.24% recognition rate on average for the 605 test character categories was obtained. The database used is CCL/HCCR3 (provided by CCL, ITRI, Taiwan). The experiment not only confirms the feasibility of the proposed system, but also suggests that applying the fuzzy set theory and neural networks to recognition of handwritten Chinese characters is an efficient and promising approach.     

基于RDF4S的一种轻量语义Web服务组合

首先简要介绍语义Web服务资源描述框架(RDF4S),在此基础上提出语义Web服务包装机制,语义Web服务经包装后,分别通过组合接口和调用接口为组合语义Web服务的设计与调用提供支持.然后分别详细介绍组合语义Web服务的设计存储和调用执行:通过图形化的设计工具按照语义Web服务的3种基本逻辑关系设计组合结构图,然后将该图映射到组合结构信息表存储,组合语义Web服务执行时根据结构信息表生成语义Web服务代理对象和相应的语义消息,再根据语义消息传递机制调用Web服务实体.最后用一个实例展示组合语义Web服务执行时的消息传递,试验表明该方法有效.     

Composition analysis and immuno-modulatory effect of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) extract

The aim of this study was to analyse the composition of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) extract and investigate the effect of A. esculentus L. polysaccharides (AE-PS) on the maturation and function of dendritic cells (DCs) derived from rat bone marrow hematopoietic cells (BMHCs) in vitro. BMHC-derived immature DCs (BMHC-imDCs) were extracted from rats and treated with AE-PS. The hydrolysed okra extract contained 0.6% β-1, 3-d-glucan. AE-PS induced the presence of polymorphic nuclei and elongated protrusion in the BHMC-imDCs, indicating DC activation. Treatment with100 μg/mL of AE-PS increased the MHC class II and CD80/86 expression levels by 41% and 42%, respectively. Treated cells had reduced endocytosis activity. The secretion of IL-12 and IFN-γ increased significantly by 120% and 75%, respectively, when treated with 100 μg/mL of AE-PS. Moreover, IL-10 production was reduced by 66%. In conclusion, AE-PS exhibits stimulatory effects on rat dendritic cells and promotes the secretion of T_H1 cytokines.     

Intensify the application of ZnO-based nanodevices in humid environment: O2/H2 plasma suppressed the spontaneous reaction of amorphous ZnO nanowires

In this work, we have demonstrated that amorphous ZnO nanobranches (a-ZnO NBs) could spontaneously react from the crystalline ZnO NWs (c-ZnO NWs) at specific humid environment. The spontaneous reaction mechanism and result can be analyzed by humidity controlling and optical microscope (OM)/scanning electron microscope (SEM)/Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM)/transmission electron microscopy (TEM) system. We can make the c-ZnO NWs spontaneous reaction happen at different humid environments and suppress the a-ZnO NBs spontaneous reaction by oxygen/hydrogen plasma surface passivation. The hydrogen plasma surface treatment also can improve the UV sensing sensitivity more than twofold. This work provides the mechanism and methods of the a-ZnO NBs spontaneous growth and offers the passivation treatment for strengthening and enhancing ZnO-based nanodevice application in humid environment and UV light detection, respectively.