Centaurs potentially in retrograde co-orbit resonance with Saturn

Aims. 2015 BZ509 is the first asteroid confirmed to be in retrograde co-orbit resonance (or 1/-1 resonance) with the giant planets in the solar system. While Saturn is the only giant planet whose Trojans are not discovered until now, we identify some small bodies among Centaurs and Damocloids that are potentially in 1/-1 resonance with Saturn in the present study. Methods. We integrate numerically the motion of the 1000 clones (include the nominal orbit) of each Centaur whose orbit has a semi-major axis between 9.3 au and 9.8 au and an inclination i > 90 deg. To confirm and evaluate the 1/-1 resonant configurations mentioned above, we introduce a useful one-degree integrable approximation for planar 1/-1 resonance. Results. We identify four candidates potentially in 1/-1 resonance with Saturn. The capture in this particular resonant state during the 40000 yr integration timespan is very common for 2006 RJ2 (906/1000 clones), 2006 BZ8 (878/1000 clones), and 2017 SV13 (998/1000 clones), and it is less likely for 2012 YE8 (426/1000 clones). According to our statistical results, 2006 RJ2 is the best candidate to be currently in a 1/-1 mean motion resonance with Saturn, and 2017 SV13 is another important potential candidate. Moreover, 2012 YE8 and 2006 BZ8 are also Centaurs of interest but their current and long-term 1/-1 resonant state with Saturn is less likely. The proportions of the clones captured in the relative long-term stable co-orbit resonance (over 10000 yr) are also given. Conclusions. Small bodies in retrograde co-orbit resonance with giant planets may be more common than previously expected. Identification of these potential mysterious minor bodies encourages the search for such objects on a larger scale in our solar system. The findings of this paper are also useful for understanding the origin and dynamical evolution of the Centaurs and Damocloids on retrograde orbits.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in A&

A Supporting System for Knowledge Creation Process

A knowledge management system, Knowledge Management System for Scientific Research Group (KMSSRG) is designed to facilitate knowledge creation within a scientific research group. Implementation issues of such a system are analyzed and discussed in this paper. The main feature of the KMSSRG is the support of Internal Knowledge Evolution Network (IKEN). We developed the IKEN by (1) using Ikujiro Nonaka’s SECI model to identify core sub-processes and related knowledge that are keys to knowledge creation, and (2) analyzing carefully the knowledge creation process for both individuals and teams. As a result, IKEN is a directed network that maps knowledge (both implicit and explicit knowledge) fragments created by different team members in various research activities. Context reference relationships among these knowledge fragments can also be represented

Mesoporous titanium niobium nitrides supported Pt nanoparticles for highly selective and sensitive formaldehyde sensing

A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) gas sensor is a promising and novel gas sensing device. However, the poor sensitivity and strong cross sensitivity of commercial carbon-supported-platinum (Pt/C) remain obstacles to its utilization. Here, we demonstrate that the issue can be addressed using mesoporous titanium niobium nitrides (Ti0.75Nb0.25N) synthesized using a solid-solid phase separation process. Pt nanoparticles supported on ternary transition metal nitrides enable the strong metal support interaction (SMSI), which changes the surface electronic structure and catalytic activity of the electrode material. Compared with the Pt/C-sensor, the selectivity of the Pt/Ti0.75Nb0.25N-based sensor to formaldehyde (HCHO) is significantly higher, while the response to other gases is effectively inhibited. In mixed gas tests, HCHO sensing of the Pt/Ti0.75Nb0.25N-sensor is still not affected (within 3.5% of the standard deviation limit). Furthermore, the Pt/Ti0.75Nb0.25N-sensor exhibits a much higher sensitivity (0.208 mu A per ppm) toward HCHO when compared to the Pt/C-sensor (0.058 mu A per ppm). The Pt/Ti0.75Nb0.25N-sensor also exhibits extraordinary long-term stability due to its electrochemical stability and SMSI of the electrode material. This work hence points to the design and development of a new sensing electrode system, which offers a combination of high selectivity and sensitivity when used in fuel-cell gas sensors

Targeted disruption of MCPIP1/Zc3h12a results in fatal inflammatory disease

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141347/1/imcb201311.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141347/2/imcb201311-sup-0001.pd

NMP4 regulates the innate immune response to influenza A virus infection

Severe influenza A virus infection typically triggers excessive and detrimental lung inflammation with massive cell infiltration and hyper-production of cytokines and chemokines. We identified a novel function for nuclear matrix protein 4 (NMP4), a zinc-finger-containing transcription factor playing roles in bone formation and spermatogenesis, in regulating antiviral immune response and immunopathology. Nmp4-deficient mice are protected from H1N1 influenza infection, losing only 5% body weight compared to a 20% weight loss in wild type mice. While having no effects on viral clearance or CD8/CD4 T cell or humoral responses, deficiency of Nmp4 in either lung structural cells or hematopoietic cells significantly reduces the recruitment of monocytes and neutrophils to the lungs. Consistent with fewer innate cells in the airways, influenza-infected Nmp4-deficient mice have significantly decreased expression of chemokine genes Ccl2, Ccl7 and Cxcl1 as well as pro-inflammatory cytokine genes Il1b and Il6. Furthermore, NMP4 binds to the promoters and/or conserved non-coding sequences of the chemokine genes and regulates their expression in mouse lung epithelial cells and macrophages. Our data suggest that NMP4 functions to promote monocyte- and neutrophil-attracting chemokine expression upon influenza A infection, resulting in exaggerated innate inflammation and lung tissue damage

Genome of Crucihimalaya himalaica, a close relative of Arabidopsis, shows ecological adaptation to high altitude

Crucihimalaya himalaica is a close relative of Arabidopsis with typical Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) distribution. Here, by combining short- and long-read sequencing technologies, we provide a de novo genome sequence of C. himalaica. Our results suggest that the quick uplifting of the QTP coincided with the expansion of repeat elements. Gene families showing dramatic contractions and expansions, as well as genes showing clear signs of natural selection, were likely responsible for C. himalaica’s specific adaptation to the harsh environment of the QTP. We also show that the transition to self-pollination of C. himalaica might have enabled its occupation of the QTP. This study provides insights into how plants might adapt to extreme environmental conditions