Algebraic Cayley Graphs over Finite Fields

A new algebraic Cayley graph is constructed using finite fields. Its connectedness and diameter bound are studied via Weil's estimate for character sums. These graphs provide a new source of expander graphs, extending classical results of Chung

Trees with the most subtrees -- an algorithmic approach

When considering the number of subtrees of trees, the extremal structures which maximize this number among binary trees and trees with a given maximum degree lead to some interesting facts that correlate to other graphical indices in applications. The number of subtrees in the extremal cases constitute sequences which are of interest to number theorists. The structures which maximize or minimize the number of subtrees among general trees, binary trees and trees with a given maximum degree have been identified previously. Most recently, results of this nature are generalized to trees with a given degree sequence. In this note, we characterize the trees which maximize the number of subtrees among trees of a given order and degree sequence. Instead of using theoretical arguments, we take an algorithmic approach that explicitly describes the process of achieving an extremal tree from any random tree. The result also leads to some interesting questions and provides insight on finding the trees close to extremal and their numbers of subtrees.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures; Journal of combinatorics, 201

Full-length enriched multistage cDNA library construction covering floral bud development in Populus tomentosa

Flowering involves expression of a suite of genes associated with floral development. The genome of the Chinese white poplar (Populus trichocarpa) was sequenced because of its importance as a model tree for genetic studies as well as being an economically important woody plant. However, information on expressed genes involved in poplar floral bud development is insufficient to allow annotation of genes and use of the genomic information. To isolate and characterize genes involved in flowering of Populus tomentosa, floral bud samples were collected at different developmental stages from floral bud initiation to flower maturity, and full-length enriched cDNA libraries from both male and female floral buds were constructed. The results of titer analysis showed that the titer of the female and male primary libraries were 8.00 × 105 and 7.20 × 105 pfu/ml, respectively, and the titer of the amplified libraries were 2.60 × 108 and 2.56 × 108 pfu/ml, respectively. The combination ratio reached 90% and the insert size was 400 to 2000 bp. The results indicated that cDNA libraries were successfully constructed.Keywords: cDNA library, floral bud, flowering, Populus tomentosaAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 11(29), pp. 7373-7377, 10 April, 201

Preparation and evaluation of peptide-dendrimer-paclitaxel conjugates for treatment of heterogeneous stage 1 nonsmall cell lung cancer in 293T and L132 cell lines

Purpose: To develop peptide-dendrimer-paclitaxel conjugates for the treatment of heterogeneous stage 1 non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 293T and L132cell line.Method: Dendrimer-paclitaxel conjugates (PAMAM-PTX) were prepared by NHS method and the conjugates were used for the synthesis of peptide-dendrimer-paclitaxel conjugates (GE-PAMAM-PTX). The particle sizes of PAMAM-PTX and GE-PAMAM-PTX were measured. Entrapment efficiency of PTX in PAMAM-PTX was measured while GE-PAMAM-PTX. PTX release from PAMAM-PTX and GEPAMAM- PTX was determined using a dialysis bag in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer. The cytotoxicity of PAMAM-PTX, GE-PAMAM-PTX, PAMAM and PTX was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using 293T cell lines. In vitro cellular uptake assay of PAMAM-PTX and GE-PAMAM-PTX and PTX at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.5μM for 8 h was carried out in NSCLC cell lines 293T and L132.Results: More than 95 % entrapment efficiency of GE-PAMAM-PTX was observed with loading efficiency of 25 %. GE-PAMAM-PTX conjugates showed sustained release of PTX (~85 %) towards the end of 50 h. GE-PAMAM-PTX conjugates were more cytotoxic than pure PTX and PAMAM-PTX conjugates. The remarkable uptake of GE-PAMAM-PTX appear to be due to receptor-mediated endocytosis in the cell lines. The presence of ligand (GE) on PAMAM-PTX surface enabled the complex to bind to the over-expressed receptors on the cell lines.Conclusion: GE-PAMAM-PTX can facilitate targeting of paclitaxel to lung cancer cell lines and tumors and facilitate release of the drugs in a sustained manner to improve the therapeutic efficacy of PTX.Keywords: Paclitaxel, Lung cancer, Non-small cell lung cancer, Dendrimer, Peptide, PAMA

Investigation on dynamic characteristics of mechanical assembly

Mechanical assembly is important process affecting product dynamic quality. To completely inspect assembly quality, dynamic characteristic analysis is necessary. Based on substructuring dynamic analysis, this paper theoretically analyzes the changes of dynamic characteristics due to assembling process. Assembly coupling dynamic stiffness computed by inverse substructuring analysis is considered as a critical measure on the changes. The results obtained have been well validated by a lumped-parameter model for two-level of substructures

Identification of Seawater Quality by Multivariate Statistical Analysis in Xisha Islands, South China Sea

Xisha waters are considered to be in pristine condition, while facing the fast increasing stress under anthropogenic activities. Water quality around Yongxing Island (YX) has been measured in May, 2012. The results show that the water quality is of the first class standards as compared to the water quality of China, with insignificant difference among the monitoring stations. Robust principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the spatial pattern of water quality. YX is characterized by high DO, salinity, and Chl-a with low nutrients, indicating phytoplankton photosynthesis is stronger in YX island waters than the rest of the study areas. Beidao (BD) is characterized by high NH4-N and COD, and low pH, implying that these areas may have higher organic matter decomposition than rest of the areas. The water quality monitoring stations should cover spatially and temporally around Xisha waters for protecting the marine environment