Hybrid Function Projective Synchronization of Chaotic Systems with Fully Unknown Parameters

To compensate for projective synchronization (PS) and function projective synchronization (FPS), we propose a hybrid function projective synchronization (HFPS), which applies the different time-varying functions as the synchronization scaling factors. Based on the adaptive control method, we design a simple controller and a set of update laws of unknown parameters to carry out HFPS in identical and different chaotic systems with fully unknown parameters. According to the Lyapunov stability theorem and the Barbalat lemma, we prove the asymptotical stability of the error dynamical system at the origin. Then two numerical examples are given to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the developed procedure in this paper. Key Words: Hybrid function projective synchronization; Lyapunov stability theorem; Adaptive control; Unknown parameter

Mucosal administration of α-fodrin inhibits experimental Sjögren's syndrome autoimmunity

Introduction alpha-Fodrin is an autoantigen in Sjogren's syndrome. We hypothesized that mucosal administration of alpha-fodrin might prevent the disease. Methods Four-week-old NOD mice were immunized (intranasal) with a 1 mu g or 10 mu g dose of alpha-fodrin every other day. PBS 10 mu l/dose and Glutathione transferase (GST 10 mu g/dose (control mice) were intranasally administrated by the same procedure. The salivary flow was maintained in immunized animals. The animals were analyzed for the presence of anti-Sjogren's syndrome A, anti-Sjogren's syndrome B, rheumatoid factor and antinuclear, anti-alpha-fodrin, and anti-type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor polypeptide (anti-M3RP) by immunofluorescence or ELISA. The cytokines IFN gamma and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Salivary glands were examined by H& E staining and immunohistochemical analysis. The water-volume intake was calculated for each group. The induction of regulatory T cells was assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis for the frequency of Foxp3(+) cells among peripheral CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells. Results The appearance of anti-alpha-fodrin and anti-M3RP antibodies was delayed in mice immunized with alpha-fodrin. The titers of anti-alpha-fodrin and anti-M3RP antibodies were lower in immunized mice (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the low-dose or high-dose immunization groups. Five out of eight mice in the GST group, five of eight mice in the PBS group, two of eight mice in the alpha-fodrin 1 mu g/dose group, and three out of eight mice in the alpha-fodrin 10 mu g/dose were positive for antinuclear antibodies. The levels of serum IFN gamma in mice immunized with 1 mu g/dose or 10 mu g/dose alpha-fodrin,with PBS, and with GST were 41.9 +/- 16.2 pg/ml, 37.1 +/- 15.4 pg/ml, 86.8 +/- 17.8 pg/ml and 71.6 +/- 11.1 pg/ml, respectively, while we found no difference in the levels of serum IL-10 among the groups. The number of Foxp3(+) CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells was higher in the alpha-fodrin groups compared with the PBS and GST control groups (P < 0.05). Lymphocytic infiltration and expression of alpha-fodrin in the salivary glands was decreased in alpha-fodrin-treated groups. The fluid intake of mice in the 1 mu g/dose alpha-fodrin, 10 mu g/dose mu-fodrin, PBS, and GST groups was 39.2 +/- 2.1 ml, 40.4 +/- 2.5 ml, 49.3 +/- 3.1 ml and 51.6 +/- 2.8 ml, respectively. Conclusion Mucosal administration of alpha-fodrin effectively inhibited the progression of experimental Sjogren's syndrome autoimmunity.RheumatologySCI(E)PubMed4ARTICLE2R441

Reduced-Order Projective Synchronization of Hyper-Chaotic L\"{U} System and Chen System

By selecting non-zero constant as a scaling factor, we design a reduced-order projective synchronization scheme for synchronizing the fourth-order hyper-chaotic L\"{u} system and the third-order chaotic Chen system. To this end, a nonlinear synchronization controller is constructed. Finally, some numerical simulations are given to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed synchronization scheme in this paper

Role of salivary anti-SSA/B antibodies for diagnosing primary Sjögren’s syndrome

The diagnosis of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is complex, and the saliva test is a potential method to improve the existing diagnostic criteria. Objective: To estimate the diagnostic accuracy of salivary anti-SSA/B antibodies in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), and to analyze their correlations with clinical and laboratory profiles. Study Design: This study enrolled 100 pSS patients and 140 non-pSS controls, including 40 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, 40 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and 60 healthy controls. Unstimulated whole saliva and stimulated parotid saliva samples were collected from the subjects. Salivary anti-SSA/B antibodies were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Clinical and laboratory data were retrieved from the medical records. Results: In the pSS group, the sensitivity of anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies in whole saliva was 49% and 29%, respectively, and the specificity was 87.5% and 95%. The sensitivity of anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies in parotid saliva was 32% and 8%, respectively, and the specificity was 95.52% and 97.86%, respectively. In the pSS group, the diagnostic accuracy of anti-SSA/B antibodies in whole saliva was significantly higher than in parotid saliva ( p <0.05), but was significantly lower than in serum ( p <0.05). The salivary flow rate in the pSS group posi - tive for whole salivary anti-SSA was significantly lower than in the negative group ( p <0.05). The prevalence of rheumatoid factor and antinuclear factor were significantly higher in salivary SSB-positive pSS patients than in SSB-negative patients ( p <0.05). Conclusions: Compared to parotid saliva, whole saliva is a more suitable diagnostic fluid. Using salivary anti- SSA/B antibodies as a single test item is insufficient given the relatively low sensitivity. Further studies should investigate the possibility of combining tests for different salivary autoantibodies as a method for diagnosing pSS

The rheumatoid arthritis shared epitope increases cellular susceptibility to oxidative stress by antagonizing an adenosine-mediated anti-oxidative pathway

We have recently demonstrated that the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) shared epitope (SE) acts as a ligand that triggers nitric oxide (NO) signaling in opposite cells. Given the known pro-oxidative effect of NO and the proposed role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of RA, this study explores whether SE-triggered signaling can increase cellular oxidative stress. cAMP levels, adenylyl cyclase activity, and protein kinase A activity were measured using commercial kits. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was quantified using the fluorochrome dichlorofluorescein diacetate. Oxidative DNA damage was quantified using the single-cell electrophoresis technique. Here, we report that cells exposed to cell surface SE-positive HLA-DR (human leukocyte antigen-DR) molecules, to cell-free recombinant proteins genetically engineered to express the SE motif, or to SE-positive synthetic peptide showed diminished cAMP-dependent signaling, increased ROS levels, and higher vulnerability to oxidative DNA damage. Introduction of single amino acid substitutions into SE-positive peptides revealed a consensus five-amino acid sequence motif of Q/R-K/R-X-X-A that is necessary and sufficient for SE-triggered signaling. The pro-oxidative effect of the SE could be reversed by inhibiting NO production. We conclude that the SE acts as a signaling ligand that activates an NO-mediated pro-oxidative pathway. The potential contribution of this signaling aberration to RA pathogenesis is discussed

Dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR) is associated with anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) antibody - negative rheumatoid arthritis in Chinese Han population

RheumatologySCI(E)CPCI-S(ISTP)0MEETING ABSTRACTnull1

Recovery and treatment of fracturing flowback fluids in the Sulige Gasfield, Ordos Basin

AbstractCentralized and group well deployment and factory-like fracturing techniques are adopted for low-permeability tight sandstone reservoirs in the Sulige Gasfield, Ordos Basin, so as to realize its efficient and economic development. However, environmental protection is faced with grim situations because fluid delivery rises abruptly on site in a short time due to centralized fracturing of the well group. Based on the characteristics of gas testing after fracturing in this gas field, a fracturing flowback fluid recovery and treatment method suitable for the Sulige Gasfield has been developed with the landform features of this area taken into account. Firstly, a high-efficiency well-to-well fracturing flowback fluid recovery and reutilization technique was developed with multi-effect surfactant polymer recoverable fracturing fluid system as the core, and in virtue of this technique, the treatment efficiency of conventional guar gum fracturing fluid system is increased. Secondly, for recovering and treating the end fluids on the well sites, a fine fracturing flowback fluid recovery and treatment technique has been worked out with “coagulation and precipitation, filtration and disinfection, and sludge dewatering” as the main part. Owing to the application of this method, the on-site water resource utilization ratio has been increased and environmental protection pressure concerned with fracturing operation has been relieved. In 2014, field tests were performed in 62 wells of 10 well groups, with 32980 m3 cumulative treated flowback fluid, 17160 m3 reutilization volume and reutilization ratio over 70%. Obviously, remarkable social and economical benefits are thus realized

Applying genotyping (TILLING) and phenotyping analyses to elucidate gene function in a chemically induced sorghum mutant population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sorghum [<it>Sorghum bicolor </it>(L.) Moench] is ranked as the fifth most important grain crop and serves as a major food staple and fodder resource for much of the world, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. The recent surge in sorghum research is driven by its tolerance to drought/heat stresses and its strong potential as a bioenergy feedstock. Completion of the sorghum genome sequence has opened new avenues for sorghum functional genomics. However, the availability of genetic resources, specifically mutant lines, is limited. Chemical mutagenesis of sorghum germplasm, followed by screening for mutants altered in important agronomic traits, represents a rapid and effective means of addressing this limitation. Induced mutations in novel genes of interest can be efficiently assessed using the technique known as Targeting Induced Local Lesion IN Genomes (TILLING).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A sorghum mutant population consisting of 1,600 lines was generated from the inbred line BTx623 by treatment with the chemical agent ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). Numerous phenotypes with altered morphological and agronomic traits were observed from M₂and M₃lines in the field. A subset of 768 mutant lines was analyzed by TILLING using four target genes. A total of five mutations were identified resulting in a calculated mutation density of 1/526 kb. Two of the mutations identified by TILLING and verified by sequencing were detected in the gene encoding caffeic acid <it>O</it>-methyltransferase (<it>COMT</it>) in two independent mutant lines. The two mutant lines segregated for the expected brown midrib (<it>bmr</it>) phenotype, a trait associated with altered lignin content and increased digestibility.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>TILLING as a reverse genetic approach has been successfully applied to sorghum. The diversity of the mutant phenotypes observed in the field, and the density of induced mutations calculated from TILLING indicate that this mutant population represents a useful resource for members of the sorghum research community. Moreover, TILLING has been demonstrated to be applicable for sorghum functional genomics by evaluating a small subset of the EMS-induced mutant lines.</p