Anticontrol of Hopf Bifurcation and Control of Chaos for a Finance System through Washout Filters with Time Delay

A controlled model for a financial system through washout-filter-aided dynamical feedback control laws is developed, the problem of anticontrol of Hopf bifurcation from the steady state is studied, and the existence, stability, and direction of bifurcated periodic solutions are discussed in detail. The obtained results show that the delay on price index has great influences on the financial system, which can be applied to suppress or avoid the chaos phenomenon appearing in the financial system

Analysis of Common and Specific Mechanisms of Liver Function Affected by Nitrotoluene Compounds

BACKGROUND: Nitrotoluenes are widely used chemical manufacturing and munitions applications. This group of chemicals has been shown to cause a range of effects from anemia and hypercholesterolemia to testicular atrophy. We have examined the molecular and functional effects of five different, but structurally related, nitrotoluenes on using an integrative systems biology approach to gain insight into common and disparate mechanisms underlying effects caused by these chemicals. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Sprague-Dawley female rats were exposed via gavage to one of five concentrations of one of five nitrotoluenes [2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2ADNT) 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoulene (4ADNT), 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4DNT) and 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6DNT)] with necropsy and tissue collection at 24 or 48 h. Gene expression profile results correlated well with clinical data and liver histopathology that lead to the concept that hematotoxicity was followed by hepatotoxicity. Overall, 2,4DNT, 2,6DNT and TNT had stronger effects than 2ADNT and 4ADNT. Common functional terms, gene expression patterns, pathways and networks were regulated across all nitrotoluenes. These pathways included NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response, aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling, LPS/IL-1 mediated inhibition of RXR function, xenobiotic metabolism signaling and metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450. One biological process common to all compounds, lipid metabolism, was found to be impacted both at the transcriptional and lipid production level. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: A systems biology strategy was used to identify biochemical pathways affected by five nitroaromatic compounds and to integrate data that tie biochemical alterations to pathological changes. An integrative graphical network model was constructed by combining genomic, gene pathway, lipidomic, and physiological endpoint results to better understand mechanisms of liver toxicity and physiological endpoints affected by these compounds

Shape-controlled synthesis of Ni particles via polyol reduction

Metallic Ni powders with different morphologies including icosahedra, microspheres, and flowerlike clusters composed of nanoflakes were successfully fabricated via polyol process. Alkalinity played the key role in the formation of these novel structures. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), field scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). A layer-by-layer growing process was demonstrated based on the experimental results. Magnetism investigation revealed that icosahedra and clusters exhibited much enhanced coercivity. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Effect of Biochar-Containing Compost on Cucumber Quality and Antibiotic Resistance Genes Abundance in Soil–Cucumber System

The distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) derived from compost in soil–plant systems is a serious issue. One possible remedy is the application of biochar-containing compost. In this study, cucumber quality and the abundance of ARGs in soil–cucumber systems under different compost treatments, namely, traditional pig manure and corn straw compost (PC); pig manure, corn straw, and large particle size biochar (5–10 mm) compost (PCLB); and pig manure, corn straw, and small particle size biochar (intI2 was reduced in the soil. The amount of available potassium in the soil contributed the most to changes in cucumber yield and quality. The total absolute abundance of ARGs in the soil was highest in PC, followed by PCLB, PCSB, and CK (control treatment without fertilization) treatments. Compared to CK treatments, PCLB and PCSB applications to the soil decreased the abundance of sul1 and tetG by 42–57% and 38–80%, respectively, in the cucumbers. In summary, the PCSB application was more beneficial in increasing soil nutrient content; improving cucumber yield, vitamin C, and soluble protein content; and reducing the risk of input and transport of ARGs in the soil–cucumber system