Global exponential stability for coupled systems of neutral delay differential equations

In this paper, a novel class of neutral delay differential equations (NDDEs) is presented. By using the Razumikhin method and Kirchhoff's matrix tree theorem in graph theory, the global exponential stability for such NDDEs is investigated. By constructing an appropriate Lyapunov function, two different kinds of sufficient criteria which ensure the global exponential stability of NDDEs are derived in the form of Lyapunov functions and coefficients of NDDEs, respectively. A numerical example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results

Proteomics Study of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) in Autistic Children

Autism is one of the most common neurological developmental disorder associated with social isolation and restricted interests in children. The etiology of this disorder is still unknown. There is neither any confirmed laboratory test nor any effective therapeutic strategy to diagnose or cure it. To search for biomarkers for early detection and exploration of the disease mechanisms, here, we investigated the protein expression signatures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in autistic children compared with healthy controls by using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) proteomics approach. The results showed a total of 41 proteins as differentially expressed in autistic group as compared to control. These proteins are found associated with metabolic pathways, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and protein folding, endocytosis, immune and inflammatory response, plasma lipoprotein particle organization, and cell adhesion. Among these, 17 proteins (13 up-regulated and four down-regulated) are found to be linked with mitochondria. Eight proteins including three already reported proteins in our previous studies were selected to be verified. Five already reported autism associated pro-inflammatory cytokines [interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] were detected in plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis. The results were consistent with proteomic results and reports from previous literature. These results proposed that PBMCs from autistic children might be activated, and ER stress, unfolded protein response (UPR), acute-phase response (APR), inflammatory response, and endocytosis may be involved in autism occurrence. These reported proteins may serve as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of autism. More specifically, simultaneous detection of three proteins [complement C3 (C3), calreticulin (CALR), and SERPINA1] in the plasma and PBMCs could increase the authenticity of detection

Fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of diesel vehicles in worldwide harmonized light vehicles test cycles and their sensitivities to eco-driving factors

Large amounts of fossil fuels are 14 consumed by motor vehicles annually, and hazardous exhaust emissions from the motor vehicles have caused serious problems to environment and human health. Eco-driving can effectively improve the fuel economy and decrease the exhaust emissions, which makes it vital to analyze the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions at given driving cycle, and investigate their sensitivities to eco-driving factors. In this paper, the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of a Euro-6 compliant light-duty diesel vehicle were tested in Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycles on a chassis dynamometer; further, the sensitivities of the eco-driving factors that influence the fuel economy and exhaust emissions were analyzed using validated vehicle model. For the vehicle model simulation, the effect of the coolant temperature on fuel consumption and exhaust emission only considered its effect on lubricating oil viscosity. The results showed that vehicle acceleration and velocity dominates the fuel consumption rates in Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycles, where more than 50% of the exhaust emissions was emitted in the first 300 seconds; also, fuel economy and exhaust emission factors showed a significant dependency on the road grade, coolant temperature, vehicle velocity and mass. For the driver-controllable factors, high vehicle velocity and low road grade (via route-choice) were recommended to achieve low fuel consumption and exhaust emissions

A novel PCR-based method for high throughput prokaryotic expression of antimicrobial peptide genes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To facilitate the screening of large quantities of new antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), we describe a cost-effective method for high throughput prokaryotic expression of AMPs. EDDIE, an autoproteolytic mutant of the N-terminal autoprotease, Npro, from classical swine fever virus, was selected as a fusion protein partner. The expression system was used for high-level expression of six antimicrobial peptides with different sizes: Bombinin-like peptide 7, Temporin G, hexapeptide, Combi-1, human Histatin 9, and human Histatin 6. These expressed AMPs were purified and evaluated for antimicrobial activity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two or four primers were used to synthesize each AMP gene in a single step PCR. Each synthetic gene was then cloned into the pET30a/His-EDDIE-GFP vector via an <it>in vivo </it>recombination strategy. Each AMP was then expressed as an Npro fusion protein in <it>Escherichia coli</it>. The expressed fusion proteins existed as inclusion bodies in the cytoplasm and the expression levels of the six AMPs reached up to 40% of the total cell protein content. On <it>in vitro </it>refolding, the fusion AMPs was released from the C-terminal end of the autoprotease by self-cleavage, leaving AMPs with an authentic N terminus. The released fusion partner was easily purified by Ni-NTA chromatography. All recombinant AMPs displayed expected antimicrobial activity against <it>E. coli</it>, <it>Micrococcus </it>luteus and <it>S. cerevisia</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The method described in this report allows the fast synthesis of genes that are optimized for over-expression in <it>E. coli </it>and for the production of sufficiently large amounts of peptides for functional and structural characterization. The Npro partner system, without the need for chemical or enzymatic removal of the fusion tag, is a low-cost, efficient way of producing AMPs for characterization. The cloning method, combined with bioinformatic analyses from genome and EST sequence data, will also be useful for screening new AMPs. Plasmid pET30a/His-EDDIE-GFP also provides green/white colony selection for high-throughput recombinant AMP cloning.</p

A cross-cultural study of domestic luminous environment in the United Kingdom and Japan

Abstract not available

Taxonomic note and description of new species of Fissocantharis Pic from China (Coleoptera, Cantharidae)

Two new species of Fissocantharis Pic are described, F. bifoveatus sp. n. (CHINA: Yunnan) and F. acuticollis sp. n. (CHINA: Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Hunan). F. pieli (Pic, 1937) is redescribed and F. kontumensis Wittmer, 1989 is provided with a supplementary description. F. shanensis (Wittmer, 1997) is synonymized with F. kontumensis. For the above four species, illustrations of male genitalia are provided, for the latter three also photos of female genitalia and abdominal sternites VIII, and for the new species photos of male habitus and antennae are presented. Additionally, the specific name of F. wittmeri (Y. Yang et X. Yang, 2009), preoccupied by F. wittmeri (Kazantsev, 2007), is replaced by F. walteri Y. Yang et X. Yang, nom. n. And F. wittmeri (Kazantsev, 2007) is found to be a junior objective synonym of F. denominata (Wittmer, 1997)

Description of six new species of Lycocerus Gorham (Coleoptera, Cantharidae), with taxonomic note and new distribution data of some other species

Six new species of Lycocerus Gorham are described, L. gracilicornis sp. n. (China: Sichuan), L. longihirtus sp. n. (China: Yunnan), L. sichuanus sp. n. (China: Sichuan), L. hubeiensis sp. n. (China: Hubei), L. napolovi sp. n. (Vietnam: Sa Pa) and L. quadrilineatus sp. n. (Vietnam: Sa Pa), and provided with illustrations of habitus, antennae and aedeagi of male or and antennae, abdominal sternites VIII and genitalia of female. L. rubroniger Švihla, 2011 is synonymized with L. obscurus Pic, 1916. L. hickeri Pic, 1934 and L. obscurus are provided with illustrations of abdominal sternites VIII of female. Nine species are recorded from China for the first time, L. bicoloripennis (Pic, 1924), L. caliginostus Gorham, 1889, L. jendeki Švihla, 2005, L. malaisei (Wittmer, 1995), L. obscurus, L. olivaceus (Wittmer, 1995), L. purpureus Kazantsev, 2007, L. ruficornis (Wittmer, 1995) and L. semiextensus (Wittmer, 1995), and L. ruficornis is also recorded for Myanmar for the first time

Description of six new species of Lycocerus Gorham (Coleoptera, Cantharidae), with taxonomic note and new distribution data of some other species

Six new species of Lycocerus Gorham are described, L. gracilicornis sp. n. (China: Sichuan), L. longihirtus sp. n. (China: Yunnan), L. sichuanus sp. n. (China: Sichuan), L. hubeiensis sp. n. (China: Hubei), L. napolovi sp. n. (Vietnam: Sa Pa) and L. quadrilineatus sp. n. (Vietnam: Sa Pa), and provided with illustrations of habitus, antennae and aedeagi of male or and antennae, abdominal sternites VIII and genitalia of female. L. rubroniger Švihla, 2011 is synonymized with L. obscurus Pic, 1916. L. hickeri Pic, 1934 and L. obscurus are provided with illustrations of abdominal sternites VIII of female. Nine species are recorded from China for the first time, L. bicoloripennis (Pic, 1924), L. caliginostus Gorham, 1889, L. jendeki Švihla, 2005, L. malaisei (Wittmer, 1995), L. obscurus, L. olivaceus (Wittmer, 1995), L. purpureus Kazantsev, 2007, L. ruficornis (Wittmer, 1995) and L. semiextensus (Wittmer, 1995), and L. ruficornis is also recorded for Myanmar for the first time