Multi-microjoule GaSe-based mid-infrared optical parametric amplifier with an ultra-broad idler spectrum covering 4.2-16 {\mu}m

We report a multi-microjoule, ultra-broadband mid-infrared optical parametric amplifier based on a GaSe nonlinear crystal pumped at ~2 {\mu}m. The generated idler pulse has a flat spectrum spanning from 4.5 to 13.3 {\mu}m at -3 dB and 4.2 to 16 {\mu}m in the full spectral range, with a central wavelength of 8.8 {\mu}m. The proposed scheme supports a sub-cycle Fourier-transform-limited pulse width. A (2+1)-dimensional numerical simulation is employed to reproduce the obtained idler spectrum. To our best knowledge, this is the broadest -3 dB spectrum ever obtained by optical parametric amplifiers in this spectral region. The idler pulse energy is ~3.4 {\mu}J with a conversion efficiency of ~2% from the ~2 {\mu}m pump to the idler pulse.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

ROBUST OPTIMIZATION OF STOCHASTIC HYBRID JOB-SHOP SCHEDULING WITH MULTIPROCESSOR TASK

Due to the large number of uncertainties in the production workshop, the actual performance of the scheduling scheme deviated significantly from the theoretical value. In order to enhance its anti-jamming capability, this paper developed the robust optimization of stochastic hybrid job-shop scheduling with multiprocessors tasks. Firstly, predictable uncertainties were abstracted into processing time variations and described by scenario analysis in the modeling process. Secondly, based on the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of traditional robust optimization models, a new Expected Cmax and the Worst scenario Model (ECWM) was proposed. The model improved the single-index robust optimization model and avoided the disadvantage that the Max Regret Model is computationally intensive. Finally, the effectiveness of ECWM is verified by simulation experiments. The results show that the scheduling obtained by ECWM has good average performance and anti-risk ability, which indicates that the model achieves a good balance in scheduling performance enthusiasm and risk resistance

Intelligent biology and medicine in 2015: advancing interdisciplinary education, collaboration, and data science

We summarize the 2015 International Conference on Intelligent Biology and Medicine (ICIBM 2015) and the editorial report of the supplement to BMC Genomics. The supplement includes 20 research articles selected from the manuscripts submitted to ICIBM 2015. The conference was held on November 13-15, 2015 at Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It included eight scientific sessions, three tutorials, four keynote presentations, three highlight talks, and a poster session that covered current research in bioinformatics, systems biology, computational biology, biotechnologies, and computational medicine

Triggered Star Formation by Massive Stars

We present our diagnosis of the role that massive stars play in the formation of low- and intermediate-mass stars in OB associations (the Lambda Ori region, Ori OB1, and Lac OB1 associations). We find that the classical T Tauri stars and Herbig Ae/Be stars tend to line up between luminous O stars and bright-rimmed or comet-shaped clouds; the closer to a cloud the progressively younger they are. Our positional and chronological study lends support to the validity of the radiation-driven implosion mechanism, where the Lyman continuum photons from a luminous O star create expanding ionization fronts to evaporate and compress nearby clouds into bright-rimmed or comet-shaped clouds. Implosive pressure then causes dense clumps to collapse, prompting the formation of low-mass stars on the cloud surface (i.e., the bright rim) and intermediate-mass stars somewhat deeper in the cloud. These stars are a signpost of current star formation; no young stars are seen leading the ionization fronts further into the cloud. Young stars in bright-rimmed or comet-shaped clouds are likely to have been formed by triggering, which would result in an age spread of several megayears between the member stars or star groups formed in the sequence.Comment: 2007, ApJ, 657, 88

Neurochemical characterization of pERK-expressing spinal neurons in histamine-induced itch

Date of Acceptance: 08/07/2015 Acknowledgements This work was supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2012CB966904, 2011CB51005), National Natural Science Foundation of China (31271182, 81200692, 91232724, 81200933, 81101026), Shanghai Natural Science Foundation (12ZR1434300), Key Specialty Construction Project of Pudong Health Bureau of Shanghai (PWZz2013-17), Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development (ZDSY20120617112838879), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (1500219072) and Sino-UK Higher Education Research Partnership for PhD Studies.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Lock-in spin structures and ferrimagnetism in polar Ni2−xCoxScSbO6 oxides

International audienceThe new phase Co2ScSbO6 and Ni2-xCoxScSbO6 solid solutions adopt the polar Ni3TeO6-type structure and order magnetically below 60 K. A series of long-period lock-in [0 0 1/3n] spin structures with n = 5, 6, 8 and 10 is discovered, coexisting with a ferrimagnetic [0 0 0] phase at high Co-contents. The presence of electrical polarisation and spontaneous magnetisations offers possibilities for multiferroic properties

Follow-up on the Supermassive Black Hole Binary Candidate J1048+7143: Successful Prediction of the Next Gamma-ray Flare and Refined Binary Parameters in the Framework of Jet Precession Model

Analyzing single-dish and VLBI radio, as well as \textit{Fermi}-LAT $\gamma$-ray observations, we explained the three major flares in the $\gamma$-ray light curve of FSRQ J1048+7143 with the spin--orbit precession of the dominant mass black hole in a supermassive black hole binary system. Here, we report on the detection of a fourth $\gamma$-ray flare from J1048+7143, appearing in the time interval which was predicted in our previous work. Including this new flare, we constrained the mass ratio into a narrow range of $0.062<q<0.088$, and consequently we were able to further constrain the parameters of the hypothetical supermassive binary black hole at the heart of J1048+7143. We predict the occurrence of the fifth major $\gamma$-ray flare that would appear only if the jet will still lay close to our line sight. The fourth major $\gamma$-ray flare also shows the two-subflare structure, further strengthening our scenario in which the occurrence of the subflares is the signature of the precession of a spine--sheath jet structure that quasi-periodically interacts with a proton target, e.g. clouds in the broad-line region.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables. Accepted to ApJ

Phosphorylation of plant virus proteins: Analysis methods and biological functions

Phosphorylation is one of the most extensively investigated post-translational modifications that orchestrate a variety of cellular signal transduction processes. The phosphorylation of virus-encoded proteins plays an important regulatory role in the infection cycle of such viruses in plants. In recent years, molecular mechanisms underlying the phosphorylation of plant viral proteins have been widely studied. Based on recent publications, our study summarizes the phosphorylation analyses of plant viral proteins and categorizes their effects on biological functions according to the viral life cycle. This review provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of viral infection. Furthermore, it deepens our understanding of the biological functions of phosphorylation in the interactions between plants and viruses