Vertical distributions of non-methane hydrocarbons and halocarbons in the lower troposphere over northeast China

Vertical distributions of air pollutants are crucial for understanding the key processes of atmospheric transport and for evaluating chemical transport models. In this paper, we present measurements of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) and halocarbons obtained from an intensive aircraft study over northeast (NE) China in summer 2007. Most compounds exhibited a typical negative profile of decreasing mixing ratios with increasing altitude, although the gradients differed with different species. Three regional plumes with enhanced VOC mixing ratios were discerned and characterized. An aged plume transported from the northern part of the densely populated North China Plain (NCP; i.e. Beijing-Tianjin area) showed relatively higher levels of HCFC-22, 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) and toluene. In comparison, the plume originating from Korea had higher abundances of CFC-12, tetrachloroethene (C2Cl4) and methyl chloride (CH3Cl), while regional air masses from NE China contained more abundant light alkanes. By comparing these results with the earlier PEM-West B (1994) and TRACE-P (2001) aircraft measurements, continuing declining trends were derived for methyl chloroform (CH3CCl3), tetrachloromethane (CCl4) and C2Cl4 over the greater China-northwestern Pacific region, indicating the accomplishment of China in reducing these compounds under the Montreal protocol. However, the study also provided evidence for the continuing emissions of several halocarbons in China in 2007, such as CFCs (mainly from materials in stock) and HCFCs. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd

SHAPE RECONSTRUCTION OF HERITAGE ASSETS BY POLARIZATION INFORMATION

Three-dimensional modeling of heritage assets poses a challenge when high reflectance and featureless surfaces are involved. Because of the complex reflection characteristics, traditional methods, either passive or active, tend to generate noisy and incomplete reconstruction results. To address this, we introduce in this paper a shape-from-polarization system and modeling strategy for the 3-D reconstruction of heritage assets. As demonstrated, by analyzing polarization properties of reflected light, we can generate by a single image pixel-level-resolution normal and depth maps. We consider two system prototypes involving a point light source but different in the polarizing camera configurations. They provide solutions for different reconstruction requirements and acquisition conditions. Our reconstruction model is common however to both involving a closed set of simple computation steps. Our evaluations demonstrate how the proposed method significantly improves the 3-D surface model completeness and level of detail, showing its suitability and value to reach the goal of a high-resolution survey of heritage assets, where traditional approaches tend to fail

Dynamics of quantum dissipation systems interacting with Fermion and Boson grand canonical bath ensembles: Hierarchical equations of motion approach

A hierarchical equations of motion formalism for a quantum dissipation system in a grand canonical bath ensemble surrounding is constructed, on the basis of the calculus-on-path-integral algorithm, together with the parametrization of arbitrary non-Markovin bath that satisfies fluctuation-dissipation theorem. The influence functionals for both the Fermion or Boson bath interaction are found to be of the same path-integral expression as the canonical bath, assuming they all satisfy the Gaussian statistics. However, the equation of motion formalism are different, due to the fluctuation-dissipation theories that are distinct and used explicitly. The implications of the present work to quantum transport through molecular wires and electron transfer in complex molecular systems are discussed.Comment: 12page

Carbon monoxide inhibits Fas activating antibody-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The extrinsic apoptotic pathway initiates when a death ligand, such as the Fas ligand, interacts with its cell surface receptor (<it>ie</it>., Fas/CD95), forming a death-inducing signaling complex (DISC). The Fas-dependent apoptotic pathway has been implicated in several models of lung or vascular injury. Carbon monoxide, an enzymatic product of heme oxygenase-1, exerts antiapoptotic effects at low concentration <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using mouse lung endothelial cells (MLEC), we examined the antiapoptotic potential of carbon monoxide against apoptosis induced by the Fas/CD95-activating antibody (Jo2). Carbon monoxide was applied to cell cultures <it>in vitro</it>. The expression and/or activation of apoptosis-related proteins and signaling intermediates were determined using Western Immunoblot and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Cell death was monitored by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. Statistical significance was determined by student T-test and a value of <it>P </it>< 0.05 was considered significant.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Treatment of MLEC with Fas-activating antibody (Jo2) induced cell death associated with the formation of the DISC, and activation of caspases (-8, -9, and -3), as well as the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Bax. Exposure of MLEC to carbon monoxide inhibited Jo2-induced cell death, which correlated with the inhibition of DISC formation, cleavage of caspases-8, -9, and -3, and Bax activation. Carbon monoxide inhibited the phosphorylation of the Fas-associated death domain-containing protein, as well as its association with the DISC. Furthermore, carbon monoxide induced the expression of the antiapoptotic protein FLIP and increased its association with the DISC.</p> <p>CO-dependent cytoprotection against Fas mediated apoptosis in MLEC depended in part on activation of ERK1/2-dependent signaling.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Carbon monoxide has been proposed as a potential therapy for lung and other diseases based in part on its antiapoptotic effects in endothelial cells. In vitro, carbon monoxide may inhibit both Fas/caspase-8 and Bax-dependent apoptotic signaling pathways induced by Fas-activating antibody in endothelial cells. Strategies to block Fas-dependent apoptotic pathways may be useful in development of therapies for lung or vascular disorders.</p

Screening and bioinformatics analysis of a potential ceRNA network in melatonin-induced cashmere growth in Liaoning cashmere goats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin (MT) on the expression patterns of lncRNA, mRNA and miRNA in Liaoning cashmere goat (LCG) skin fibroblasts. A quantity of 200 ng L−1 MT (MT group) stimulated LCG skin fibroblasts for 48 h, and RNA sequencing was conducted with the control group (Con group) (n=3). The ceRNA network was constructed by bioinformatics analysis of the sequencing data and transmission electron microscopy observation of coated pits and endocytic vesicles. In this study, the results indicated that MT treatment significantly facilitated the proliferation of LCG skin fibroblasts and increased the number of coated pits and vesicles. A total of 775 mRNAs, 57 lncRNAs and 10 miRNAs had differential expression, as indicated by RNA sequencing of skin fibroblasts administrated on the MT group and Con group. The regulatory network of ceRNA was studied, and the results suggested that inositol phosphate metabolism, the cGMP–PKG signaling pathway, endocytosis and other pathways played a certain role in the growth and development of the LCG cashmere. Moreover, the key genes (e.g., CREB1, PIK3C3, AGAP3, MEF2A, ASAP2, IRAG1, PNISR, PIP5K1A, SRSF11, ZRANB2, RBM39 and CBL) were regulated by chi-miR-34c-5p, chi-miR-34c-3p and chi-miR-195-5p. The above mRNAs were competitively bound by 15 lncRNAs (e.g., MSTRG.28630.12, MSTRG.28660.14, MSTRG.28099.7). And through dual luciferase and other experiments, it was further confirmed that PIP5K1A is the target gene of miR-34c-5p. This finding provides new insights into the molecular mechanism by which melatonin promotes villi growth in cashmere.</p

Differential gene expression profile in pig adipose tissue treated with/without clenbuterol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Clenbuterol, a beta-agonist, can dramatically reduce pig adipose accumulation at high dosages. However, it has been banned in pig production because people who eat pig products treated with clenbuterol can be poisoned by the clenbuterol residues. To understand the molecular mechanism for this fat reduction, cDNA microarray, real-time PCR, two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectra were used to study the differential gene expression profiles of pig adipose tissues treated with/without clenbuterol. The objective of this research is to identify novel genes and physiological pathways that potentially facilitate clenbuterol induced reduction of adipose accumulation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Clenbuterol was found to improve the lean meat percentage about 10 percent (P < 0.05). The adipose cells became smaller and the muscle fibers became thicker with the administration of clenbuterol. The mRNA abundance levels of 82 genes (ESTs) were found to be statistically differentially expressed based on the Student t-test (P < 0.05) in the microarray analyses which contained 3358 genes (ESTs). These 82 genes (ESTs) were divided into four groups according to their Gene Ontology Biological Process descriptions. 16 genes were cellular metabolism related genes (including five related to lipid metabolism such as apolipoprotein D and apolipoprotein R), 10 were signal transduction related genes, 45 were expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and 11 others were of various categories. Eleven of the 82 genes (ESTs) were chosen for real-time PCR analysis, with eight genes showing similar induction magnitude as that seen in the microarray data. Apolipoprotein R was also found to be up-regulated by the proteomic analysis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Pig fat accumulation was reduced dramatically with clenbuterol treatment. Histological sections and global evaluation of gene expression after administration of clenbuterol in pigs identified profound changes in adipose cells. With clenbuterol stimulation, adipose cell volumes decreased and their gene expression profile changed, which indicate some metabolism processes have been also altered. Although the biological functions of the differentially expressed genes are not completely known, higher expressions of these molecules in adipose tissue might contribute to the reduction of fat accumulation. Among these genes, five lipid metabolism related genes were of special interest for further study, including apoD and apoR. The apoR expression was increased at both the RNA and protein levels. The apoR may be one of the critical molecules through which clenbuterol reduces fat accumulation.</p

Yield determination of maize hybrids under limited irrigation

Hybrid adoption, irrigation, and planting density are important factors for maize (Zea mays L.) production in semiarid regions. For this study, a 2-yr field experiment was conducted in the Texas High Plains to investigate maize yield determination, seasonal evapotranspiration (ETc), and water-use efficiency (WUE) under limited irrigation. Two hybrids (N74R, a conventional hybrid, and N75H, a drought-tolerant (DT) hybrid) were planted at three water regimes (I100, I75, and I50, referring to 100%, 75%, and 50% of the evapotranspiration requirement) and three planting densities (PD 6, PD 8, and PD 10, referring to 6, 8, and 10 seeds m−2). At I50, drought stress reduced grain yield by 4.78 t/ha for the conventional hybrid but only 4.22 t/ha for the DT hybrid, when compared to I100. Although ETc decreased at I75 and I50, the highest WUE was found at I75. The DT hybrid did not yield more than the conventional hybrid but had greater yield stability at lower water regimes and extracted less soil water. Drought decreased biomass, harvest index, and kernel weight but did not affect kernel number. Higher planting densities increased biomass and kernel number but decreased kernel weight. Kernel number and kernel weight of the conventional hybrid were more sensitive to planting density than the DT hybrid. These data demonstrated that limited irrigation at I75 is an effective way to save water and maintain the maize yield in semiarid areas, and that DT hybrid shows a greater yield stability to plant density under water stress