The generalized dice similarity measures for multiple attribute decision making with hesitant fuzzy linguistic information

In this paper, we shall present some novel Dice similarity measures of hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets and the generalized Dice similarity measures of hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets and indicate that the Dice similarity measures and asymmetric measures (projection measures) are the special cases of the generalized Dice similarity measures in some parameter values. Then, we propose the generalized Dice similarity measures-based multiple attribute decision making models with hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets. Finally, a practical example concerning the evaluation of the quality of movies is given to illustrate the applicability and advantage of the proposed generalized Dice similarity measure

Impacts of Six Bt Rice Lines on Nontarget Rice Feeding Thrips Under Laboratory and Field Conditions

Nontarget impacts of six transgenic Bt rice lines (expressing the Cry1Ab or Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac protein) on the thrips, Stenchaetothrips biformis (Bagnall), attacking the rice seedling and tillering stages, were evaluated under laboratory and field conditions. Laboratory results showed relatively longer larval, pupal development and preoviposition durations of S. biformis. Although it had a shorter oviposition period, female adult longevity and less total laid eggs were found when fed on some tested Bt rice in comparison to non-Bt controls. S. biformis population dynamics in Bt and non-Bt plots were monitored using the plastic bag and beat plate methods. In the field, the temporal patterns of S. biformis population changes were similar between tested Bt rice lines and their respective control; however, the total number of S. biformis individuals collected from the Bt plots were significantly less or the same, varying from variety to variety, compared with those from the non-Bt plots. ELISA results showed that the Bt insecticidal protein could be transferred from Bt rice to the thrips, and the concentrations of the protein in rice leaves and thrips were not significantly correlated with some important biological parameters of the thrip. In addition, the potential effects of Bt rice on the abundance of S. biformis candidate predators are also discussed. In conclusion, our results show that the six Bt rice lines assessed may be less preferable host plants to S. biformis at the individual and population levels in comparison to the non-Bt rice plant

Laboratory and Field Assessments of Prey-Mediated Effects of Transgenic Bt Rice on Ummeliata insecticeps (Araneida: Linyphiidae)

One major concern regarding the release of Bt rice is its potential impact through tritrophic interactions on nontarget arthropods, especially natural enemies. We studied the effects of two Bt transgenic rice varieties, TT9- 3 and KMD1, expressing Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac and Cry1Ab, respectively, on a predatory ground spider [Ummeliata insecticeps (Bösenberg et Strand)] supplied with Bt rice-fed brown planthopper [Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)] nymphs. Although immunoassays confirmed that U. insecticeps ingested Bt insecticidal protein when supplied with Bt rice-fed N. lugens, no negative effects were found on its survival and development. Furthermore, the fecundity of U. insecticeps fed prey reared on Bt rice was not significantly different from that of those fed prey reared on non-Bt rice. A 3-yr field trial indicated that Bt rice did not significantly affect the population density of U. insecticeps in comparison with non-Bt rice. In conclusion, the Bt rice lines tested in this study had no adverse effects on the survival, developmental time, or fecundity of U. insecticeps in the laboratory or on population dynamics in the fiel

Evidence of local superconductivity in granular Bi nanowires fabricated by electrodeposition

An unusual enhancement of resistance (i.e., superresistivity) below a certain characteristic temperature Tsr was observed in granular Bi nanowires. This superresistive state was found to be dependent on the applied magnetic field (H) as well as the excitation current (I). The suppression of Tsr by magnetic field resembles that of a superconductor. The observed superresistivity appears to be related to the nucleation of local superconductivity inside the granular nanowire without long-range phase coherence. The phenomenon is reminiscent of the Bose-insulator observed previously in ultra thin two-dimensional (2D) superconducting films and 3D percolative superconducting films.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures. submitted to PR

Targeted Delivery of Sildenafil for Inhibiting Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a fatal lung disease caused by the progressive remodeling of small pulmonary arteries (PAs). Sildenafil can prevent the remodeling of PAs, but conventional sildenafil formulations have shown limited treatment efficacy for their poor accumulation in PAs. Here, glucuronic acid (GlcA)-modified liposomes (GlcA-Lips) were developed to improve the delivery of sildenafil to aberrant over-proliferative PA smooth muscle cells via targeting the GLUT-1 (glucose transport-1), and, therefore, inhibiting the remodeling of PAs in a monocrotaline-induced PA hypertension model. GlcA-Lips encapsulating sildenafil (GlcA-sildenafil-Lips) had a size of 90 nm and a pH-sensitive drug release pattern. Immunostaining assay indicated the overexpression of GLUT-1 in PA smooth muscle cells. Cellular uptake studies showed a 1-fold increase of GlcA-Lips uptake by PA smooth muscle cells and pharmacokinetics and biodistribution experiments indicated longer blood circulation time of GlcA-Lips and increased ability to target PAs by 1-fold after 8 hours administration. Two-week treatment indicated GlcA-sildenafil-Lips significantly inhibited the remodeling of PAs, with a 32% reduction in the PA pressure, a 41% decrease in the medial thickening, and a 44% reduction of the right ventricle cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and improved survival rate. Immunohistochemical analysis showed enhanced expression of caspase-3, after administration of GlcA-sildenafil-Lips, and reduced expression of P-ERK1/2 (phosphorylated ERK1/2) and HK-2 (hexokinase-2), and increased level of eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) and cyclic GMP (cGMP). In conclusion, targeted delivery of sildenafil to PA smooth muscle cells with GlcA-Lips could effectively inhibit the remodeling of PAs in the monocrotaline-induced PA hypertension

Anomalous Hall Effect in Ferromagnetic Metals: Role of Phonons at Finite Temperature

The anomalous Hall effect in a multiband tight-binding model is numerically studied taking into account both elastic scattering by disorder and inelastic scattering by the electron-phonon interaction. The Hall conductivity is obtained as a function of temperature $T$, inelastic scattering rate $\gamma$, chemical potential $\mu$, and impurity concentration $x_{\rm imp}$. We find that the new scaling law holds over a wide range of these parameters; $-\sigma_{xy}= (\alpha \sigma_{xx0}^{-1} + \beta \sigma_{xx0}^{-2}) \sigma_{xx}^2 + b$, with $\sigma_{\mu \nu}$ ($\sigma_{\mu \nu 0}$) being the conductivity tensor (with only elastic scattering), which corresponds to the recent experimental observation [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 103} (2009) 087206]. The condition of this scaling is examined. Also, it is found that the intrinsic mechanism depends on temperature under a resonance condition.Comment: 5 figure