DNA sequences classification and computation scheme based on the symmetry principle

The DNA sequences containing multifarious novel symmetrical structure frequently play crucial role in how genomes work. Here we present a new scheme for understanding the structural features and potential mathematical rules of symmetrical DNA sequences using a method containing stepwise classification and recursive computation. By defining the symmetry of DNA sequences, we classify all sequences and conclude a series of recursive equations for computing the quantity of all classes of sequences existing theoretically; moreover, the symmetries of the typical sequences at different levels are analyzed. The classification and quantitative relation demonstrate that DNA sequences have recursive and nested properties. The scheme may help us better discuss the formation and the growth mechanism of DNA sequences because it has a capability of educing the information about structure and quantity of longer sequences according to that of shorter sequences by some recursive rules. Our scheme may provide a new stepping stone to the theoretical characterization, as well as structural analysis, of DNA sequences

Mechanical Properties of Cement Mortar after Dry–Wet Cycles and High Temperature

The dry–wet cycle and high temperature exposure are important factors affecting the normal use and durability of concrete structures. The objective of this work is to investigate the mechanical properties of cement mortar specimens after combinations of dry–wet cycles and high temperature exposures, uniaxial compressive tests on cement mortar specimens were carried out under the following two sets of conditions: (1) high temperature treatment followed by a dry–wet cycle and (2) a dry–wet cycle followed by high temperature treatment. The results show that the compressive strength of specimens increases with the number of dry–wet cycles. After a dry–wet cycle and then a high temperature treatment procedure, the compressive strength of a specimen will first decrease and then increase with the number of dry–wet cycles. The strain at the peak stress of cement mortar decreases as the number of dry–wet cycles increases. At present, there are few research results about the mechanical properties of concrete first after combinations of dry–wet cycles and high temperature exposures. The work in this paper can enrich the results in this area

The single charmed pentaquark molecular states via the QCD sum rules

In this work, we systematically investigate the singly charmed pentaquark molecular states $D^{(*)}N$, $D^{(*)}\Xi^{(*)}$ and $D_s^{(*)}\Xi^{(*)}$ with the QCD sum rules by carrying out the operator product expansion up to the vacuum condensates of dimension 13 and taking fully account of the light-flavor $SU(3)$ breaking effects. The numerical results favor assigning the $\Omega_c(3185)$ as the $D\Xi$ molecular state with the $J^P=\frac{1}{2}^-$ and $| I,I_3 \rangle=| 0,0 \rangle$, assigning the $\Omega_c(3327)$ as the $D^*\Xi$ molecular state with the $J^P=\frac{3}{2}^-$ and $|I,I_3 \rangle=| 0,0 \rangle$, assigning the $\Sigma_c(2800)$ as the $DN$ molecular state with the $J^P=\frac{1}{2}^-$ and $| I,I_3 \rangle=| 1,0 \rangle$, and assigning the $\Lambda_c(2940)/\Lambda_c(2910)$ as the $D^*N$ molecular state with the $J^P=\frac{3}{2}^-$ and $| I,I_3 \rangle=| 0,0 \rangle$. Other potential molecule candidates are also predicted, which may be observed in future experiments. For example, we can search for the $D\Xi$ and $D^*\Xi$ molecular states with the isospin $| I,I_3 \rangle=| 1,\pm1 \,\rangle$ in the $\Xi_c^+\bar{K}^0$ and $\Xi_c^0\bar{K}^-$ mass spectrum respectively in the future, which could shed light on the nature of the $\Omega_c(3185/3327)$.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figure

On Nonuniform Polynomial Trichotomy of Linear Discrete-Time Systems in Banach Spaces

We study two nonuniform polynomial trichotomy concepts for linear discrete-time systems in Banach spaces. Our main objective is to give summation property for nonuniform polynomial trichotomies. As for applications we obtain characterization of these concepts in terms of Lyapunov functions

Inhibition of Caspase-3, -6, -8 and -9 Expression in Rats with Acute Spinal Cord Injury by Cantharidin Treatment

Purpose: To demonstrate the anti-apoptotic effects of cantharidin in mice with acute spinal cord injury (ASCI).Methods: In total, 30 male Sprague-Dawley mice were divided into three groups of 10 animals each. ASCI was induced in two of the groups using a modified Allen's method, consisting of treatment with 10 mg/kg body weight cantharidin after injury, and sacrifice on days 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 to extract the spinal cord. The activity levels of caspase-3, -6, -8, and -9 were determined spectrophotometrically at 455 nm with a microplate reader.Results: The results showed that cantharidin treatment caused a significant reduction in the expression levels of all four caspases – caspase-3, -6, -8, and -9 – compared with the untreated groups. Two hours after ASCI, caspase levels in the cantharidin-treated group increased, reaching maximum after day 5, but were significantly lower than in the untreated group. The expression levels of caspases in the cantharidin-treated group were similar to those in the control group on days 20 and 30 following ASCI (p> 0.05).Conclusion: Cantharidin treatment exerts an anti-apoptotic effect against secondary spinal cord injury (SCI) by suppressing caspase activity. Thus, cantharidin may be suitable for the treatment of secondary SCI.Keywords: Cantharidin, Caspase, Anti-apoptotic, Inhibition, Regeneratio

Numerical simulation of dental resurfacing of a feldspar porcelain with coarse diamond burs

Dental bioceramics are more and more attractive to both dentists and patients due to their unique biocompatibility and esthetics; they can be fabricated efficiently using chair-side CAD/CAM dental systems. However, the failure rate of ceramic prostheses is noticeable high. The major clinical failure mode lies in surface and subsurface damage in the ceramic prostheses due to their inherent brittleness. In clinical practice, ceramic prostheses are intraorally adjusted and resurfaced using dental handpieces/burs for marginal and occlusal fit. The clinical adjustments using abrasive burs produce surface and subsurface damage in prostheses. This paper will address this issue via numerical simulation. Finite element analysis was utilised to model the dental resurfacing of a feldspar porcelain with coarse diamond burs and to predict the degrees of subsurface damage of the porcelain prostheses

Complementary relations of entanglement, coherence, steering and Bell nonlocality inequality violation in three-qubit states

We put forward complementary relations of entanglement, coherence, steering inequality violation, and Bell nonlocality for arbitrary three-qubit states. We show that two families of genuinely entangled three-qubit pure states with single parameter exist, and they exhibit maximum coherence and steering inequality violation for a fixed amount of negativity, respectively. It is found that the negativity is exactly equal to the geometric mean of bipartite concurrences for the three-qubit pure states, although the negativity is always less than or equal to the latter for three-qubit mixed states. Moreover, the complementary relation between negativity and first-order coherence for tripartite entanglement states are established. Furthermore, we investigate the close relation between the negativity and the maximum steering inequality violation. In addition, the complementary relation between negativity and the maximum Bell-inequality violation for arbitrary three-qubit states is obtained. The results provide reliable evidence of fundamental connections among entanglement, coherence, steering inequality violation, and Bell nonlocality.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Clinical and Renal Biopsy Findings Predicting Outcome in Renal Thrombotic Microangiopathy: A Large Cohort Study from a Single Institute in China

Objective. The current study aimed to investigate the spectrum of etiologies and associated disorders of renal biopsy-proven thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) patients. Methods. The clinical, laboratory, and renal histopathological data of patients with renal TMA from 2000 to 2012 in our institute were collected and reviewed. Results. One hundred and nine TMA patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 34.0 ± 11.1 years. Seventy patients (64.2%) were male and thirty-nine patients (35.8%) were female. There were eight patients (7.3%) with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Sixty-one patients (56.0%) were secondary to malignant hypertension. Fourteen patients (12.8%) were pregnancy-associated TMA. Other associated disorders included 17 patients with connective tissue disorders, 2 patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, 4 patients with Castleman’s disease, 1 patient with cryoglobulinemia, and 2 patients with glomerulopathy. During followup, 8 patients died due to severe infection, 17 patients had doubling of serum creatinine, and 44 had end-stage renal disease. In multivariate analysis, male, elevated serum creatinine, and decreased hemoglobin were independently associated with poor renal outcomes. Conclusions. Renal TMA changes consisted of different disorders with various etiologies. aHUS, pregnancy-associated TMA, and malignant hypertension accounted for the majority of patients in our cohort