Two new species of the genus Microplitis F\uf6rster, 1862 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from China

Volume: 859Start Page: 49End Page: 6

A Multi-GNSS/IMU Data Fusion Algorithm Based on the Mixed Norms for Land Vehicle Applications

As a typical application of geodesy, the GNSS/INS (Global Navigation Satellite System and Inertial Navigation System) integrated navigation technique was developed and has been applied for decades. For the integrated systems with multiple sensors, data fusion is one of the key problems. As a well-known data fusion algorithm, the Kalman filter can provide optimal estimates with known parameters of the models and noises. In the literature, however, the data fusion algorithm of the GNSS/INS integrated navigation and positioning systems is performed under a certain norm, and performance of the conventional filtering algorithms are improved only under this fixed and limited frame. The mixed norm-based data fusion algorithm is rarely discussed. In this paper, a mixed norm-based data fusion algorithm is proposed, and the hypothesis test statistics are constructed and adopted based on the chi-square distribution. Using the land vehicle data collected through the multi-GNSS and the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), the proposed algorithm is tested and compared with the conventional filtering algorithms. Results show that the influences of the outlying measurements and the uncertain noises are weakened with the proposed data fusion algorithm, and the precision of the estimates is further improved. Meanwhile, the proposed algorithm provides an open issue for geodetic applications with mixed norms

FIGURES 1–6 in Revision of Microplitis species from China with description of a new species

FIGURES 1–6. Microplitis fujianica, sp.nov. (female). 1, head in frontal view; 2, head in dorsal view; 3, mesoscutum and scutellum; 4, propodeum; 5, basal tergites of metasoma; 6, apex of metasoma (showing ovipositor)

A High-Performance Adaptive Incremental Conductance MPPT Algorithm for Photovoltaic Systems

The output characteristics of photovoltaic (PV) arrays vary with the change of environment, and maximum power point (MPP) tracking (MPPT) techniques are thus employed to extract the peak power from PV arrays. Based on the analysis of existing MPPT methods, a novel incremental conductance (INC) MPPT algorithm is proposed with an adaptive variable step size. The proposed algorithm automatically regulates the step size to track the MPP through a step size adjustment coefficient, and a user predefined constant is unnecessary for the convergence of the MPPT method, thus simplifying the design of the PV system. A tuning method of initial step sizes is also presented, which is derived from the approximate linear relationship between the open-circuit voltage and MPP voltage. Compared with the conventional INC method, the proposed method can achieve faster dynamic response and better steady state performance simultaneously under the conditions of extreme irradiance changes. A Matlab/Simulink model and a 5 kW PV system prototype controlled by a digital signal controller (TMS320F28035) were established. Simulations and experimental results further validate the effectiveness of the proposed method

Regulation of Caveolin-1 Expression and Phosphorylation by VEGF in Ovine Amnion Cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been implicated in the regulation of vesicular transport of amniotic fluid via caveolae across the amnion. This study tested the hypothesis that VEGF regulates caveolar function by stimulating caveolin-1 expression and phosphorylation in ovine amniotic epithelial cells (oAECs). Using primary cultures of oAECs, caveolin-1 was identified by immunofluorescent staining. Caveolin-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance was determined by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and protein by Western blotting. The effects of VEGF( 165) on caveolin-1 expression and phosphorylation were determined. Caveolin-1 immunoreactivity was detected in oAECs. In response to 10 ng/mL VEGF( 165), caveolin-1 mRNA levels increased whereas the protein levels were unaffected. Furthermore, VEGF stimulated caveolin-1 phosphorylation, an effect abrogated by the inhibition of c-Src protein kinase. These data suggest that VEGF upregulates caveolin-1 activity through c-Src signaling pathways. Our observations support the hypothesis that VEGF regulates amniotic fluid transport across the amnion by stimulating caveolin-1 activity to mediate caveolar function in amnion cells

A Non-Invasive Determination of LOXL1 and Fibulin-5 Levels in the Vaginal Secretions of Women with and Without Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

The aim of this study was to determine if lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) and Fibulin-5 (Fib-5), two crucial proteins in the elastin metabolism pathway, are detectable in the vaginal secretions of women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We then sought to quantify levels of these proteins in relation to prolapse. Vaginal secretions were obtained from 48 subjects (13 (27.1%) without and 35 (72.9%) with POP-Q Stage 2-4 prolapse). Eleven (22.9%) subjects were premenopausal and 37 (77.1%) were postmenopausal. Presence of LOXL-1 and Fibulin-5 within specimens were first identified via western blotting. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays specific for LOXL1 and Fibulin-5 were conducted to quantify total protein secretion. LOXL1 was detected in 45/48 (93.8%) and Fibulin-5 was seen in 24/48 (50%) of subjects. LOXL1 values were lower in women without prolapse (13.3 ng/100 mg median, 24.4 IQR) vs. those with prolapse (26.4 ng/100 mg, 102.2 IQR). On multivariate analysis controlling for age, women with prolapse had a 544% (p=0.0042 higher LOXL1 protein level compared to those without. There was no significant differences in LOXL1 or Fibulin-5 protein detection with relation to menopausal status in bivariate analysis. This is the first published report of non-invasively measuring urogenital LOXL1 and Fibulin-5. In vaginal secretions, LOXL1 protein is higher in subjects with POP than those without