A Two-Dimensional CA Traffic Model with Dynamic Route Choices Between Residence and Workplace

The Biham, Middleton and Levine (BML) model is extended to describe dynamic route choices between the residence and workplace in cities. The traffic dynamic in the city with a single workplace is studied from the velocity diagram, arrival time probability distribution, destination arrival rate and convergence time. The city with double workplaces is also investigated to compared with a single workplace within the framework of four modes of urban growth. The transitional region is found in the velocity diagrams where the system undergoes a continuous transition from a moving phase to a completely jamming phase. We perform a finite-size scaling analysis of the critical density from a statistical point of view and the order parameter of this jamming transition is estimated. It is also found that statistical properties of urban traffic are greatly influenced by the urban area, workplace area and urban layout.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figure

Cloning, Identification, and Characterization of the rpoS-Like Sigma Factor rpoX from Vibrio alginolyticus

Vibrio alginolyticus ZJ-51 displays phase variation between opaque/rugose colonies (Op) and translucent/smooth colonies (Tr). These colony variants show great differences in biofilm formation and motility. In this study, a gene encoding for an rpoS-like sigma factor, rpoX, has been cloned and characterized. The absence of rpoX did not affect colony switching rate but did decrease biofilm formation in both the Op and the Tr variants. When challenged with hydrogen peroxide, the ΔrpoX in the Op background showed a slightly higher survival rate compared with the wild type, whereas survival was decreased in the Tr background. Deletion of rpoX in the Tr background resulted in a higher ability to resist ethanol challenges and to survive hyperosmolarity challenges, and in the Op background the opposite phenotype was observed. This indicates that the rpoX gene is involved in biofilm formation and stress response but the effects are controlled by colony phase variation in V. alginolyticus

Bis[(diphenyl­phosphanylmeth­yl)diphenyl­phosphane sulfide-κ2 P,S]copper(I) hexa­fluoridophosphate

In the title compound, [Cu(C25H22P2S)2]PF6, the CuI atom, lying on a twofold rotation axis, adopts a distorted tetra­hedral geometry. The (diphenyl­phosphanylmeth­yl)diphenyl­phos­phane sulfide ligand coordinates to the CuI atom through one S and one P atom, forming a stable five-membered chelate ring. The P atom of the PF6 − anion also lies on a twofold rotation axis

Chloridobis(1,2,3,4-tetra­hydro-1,4,6,11-tetra­aza­naphthacene-κN 6)copper(I)

In the title complex, [CuCl(C14H12N4)2], the CuI atom, lying on a twofold rotation axis, is coordinated by two N atoms of two 1,2,3,4-tetra­hydro-1,4,6,11-tetra­aza­naphthacene ligands and one Cl atom, also lying on the twofold rotation axis, in a distorted trigonal-planar geometry. The complex mol­ecules are connected into a one-dimensional structure along [001] via N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds and further into a three-dimensional structure via N—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds. π–π inter­actions between the pyrazine and benzene rings and between the benzene rings [centroid–centroid distances = 3.5635 (15) and 3.9128 (16) Å] are present

Gentiana macrophylla Pall (Gentianaceae) extract exerts protective effects against osteoporosis in mice

Purpose: To evaluate the anti-osteoporotic effect of G. macrophylla extract in a mice model.Methods: Antioxidant activity was determined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) for radical scavenging, nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) reducing, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays using standard biochemical procedures. The expression of some bone-related genes was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qTR-PCR).  Phytochemical analysis was carried out by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS).Results: The extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity as evident from DPPH, NBT and FRAP data, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 275, 262 and 180 μg/ml, respectively. The antioxidant activity was concentration-dependent. The results showed that the extract restored bone characteristics by suppressing bone resorption through induction of expressions of several boneassociated genes. The results from phytochemical analyses showed the presence of loganic acid, swertiamarin, sweroside, gentiopicroside, gentesin and isogentesin.Conclusion: These results indicate that the extract may be beneficial in the treatment of osteoporosis.Keywords: Gentiana macrophylla, Osteoporosis, Bone mass, Loganic acid, Swertiamarin, Sweroside, Gentiopicroside, Gentesi

Nutritional profiles of tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus) plant organs during its growth cycle

This study was carried out to determine major nutrient profiles changes of tiger nut plant during its growth period. The plant leaves, roots, tuber moisture, starch, fat and protein were analyzed by oven drying, enzymatic hydrolysis, glucose assay, soxhlet extraction and kjeldahl methods. The results show the moisture content was decreased during its growth cycle but varied with different plant organ. For leaves, the starch content was increased with reducing oil content. For roots, oil content was highest (8%) at the 100th day, and it was gradually decreased (3%) till harvest time with non-significant changes of starch content. For tuber, reducing sugar and protein content was insignificant where the starch and oil content increased significantly but the changes were irregular in the middle growing. For optimum macronutrient yields, it is recommended to harvest the plant at 142nd day for starch. The delayed harvesting may lead to increase in oil content while reducing its total starch contents. For the starch purpose, the harvest time could be around 142 days. However, harvest time could require staying longer in soil.Keywords: Tiger nut, oil, starch, growth cycle, nutrients enrichmen