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With the increasing demand for power in society, there is much live equipment in substations, and the safety and standardization of live working of workers are facing challenges. Aiming at these problems of scene complexity and object diversity in the real-time detection of the live working safety of substation workers, an adaptive multihead structure and lightweight feature pyramid-based network (AHLNet) is proposed in this study, which is based on YOLOV3. First, we take AH-Darknet53 as the backbone network of YOLOV3, which can introduce an adaptive multihead (AMH) structure, reduce the number of network parameters, and improve the feature extraction ability of the backbone network. Second, to reduce the number of convolution layers of the deeper feature map, a lightweight feature pyramid network (LFPN) is proposed, which can perform feature fusion in advance to alleviate the problem of feature imbalance and gradient disappearance. Finally, the proposed AHLNet is evaluated on the datasets of 16 categories of substation safety operation scenarios, and the average prediction accuracy MAP50reaches 82.10%. Compared with YOLOV3, MAP50is increased by 2.43%, and the number of parameters is 90 M, which is only 38% of the number of parameters of YOLOV3. In addition, the detection speed is basically the same as that of YOLOV3, which can meet the real-time and accurate detection requirements for the safe operation of substation staff.

We previously developed a powered hip prosthetic mechanism with kinematic functions of hip flexion–extension and abduction–adduction, and its theoretical and simulation-based kinematics were verified. Because internal–external hip rotation has a positive effect on the movements of human lower limbs according to medical research, we developed a novel hip prosthetic mechanism based on a previous hip prosthesis that possesses motion characteristics similar to those of a human bionic hip, and the motion characteristics of multiple Degrees-of-Freedom (DoFs) were analyzed after kinematic modeling. Then, a walking model of the human‒machine model was established, and the walking stability of an amputee, which reflects the rehabilitation effect, was explored while the hip prosthetic mechanism considered the internal–external rotation of the hip. Finally, a prototype and its verification platform were built, and kinematic validation of the hip prosthetic mechanism was carried out. The results showed that the designed Parallel Mechanism (PM) possesses human-like motion characteristics similar to those of a human bionic hip and can be used as a hip prosthesis. Moreover, the existing motion characteristic of internal–external hip rotation can enhance the walking stability of an amputee via this hip prosthetic mechanism.

To realize the online observation of the flux linkage of interior permanent magnet (PM) synchronous machine for electric vehicles after uniform demagnetization under multiple operating conditions, an improved model reference adaptive system (MRAS) flux linkage observer is proposed based on a novel double closed-loop control approach in this article. First, a double closed-loop control strategy of interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) is established employing maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) and sliding mode controller (SMC). The MTPA significantly improves the current utilization and system efficiency, and the SMC is applied to replace the traditional PI velocity loop controller to increase the anti-interference capability of the whole system. Then, the MRAS and single neuron adaptive proportional integral (SNPI) algorithm are adopted to develop an SNPI-MRAS flux linkage observer, which can modify the adaptive law of the MRAS online and overcome the shortage of low observation accuracy of traditional PI-MRAS flux observer when the machine parameters change. Next, a feedback gain matrix term is inserted in the SNPI-MRAS, which can guarantee that the linear forward channel of the SNPI-MRAS is a strictly positive real matrix. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified. The outcomes demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively improve the dynamic response of the observer and increase its accuracy and convergence speed.

AbstractIntroductionUrinary microRNAs (miRNAs) may serve as promising biomarkers for non-invasive early detection of prostate cancer (PCa). We aimed to identify multi-miRNA urinary biomarker panel for early detection of PCa.MethodsUrine samples from 83 PCa patients and 88 healthy control subjects in a Chinese population were collected for miRNA profiling. The absolute expression of 360 unique miRNAs were measured in each sample using a highly sensitive and robust RT-qPCR workflow. Candidate urinary miRNA biomarkers were identified based on differential expression between PCa patients and healthy controls. Multi-miRNA biomarker panels were optimised for detection of PCa using three regression algorithms (Lasso, Stepwise, Exhaustive) to identify an optimal biomarker panel with best detection performance and least number of miRNAs.ResultsA total of 312 miRNAs were detected in urine samples, 10 candidate urinary miRNA biomarkers differentially expressed between PCa and healthy samples were identified. A panel comprising these 10 miRNAs detected PCa with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.738. Optimization of multi-miRNA panels resulted in a 6-miRNA biomarker panel (hsa-miR-375, hsa-miR-520d-5p, hsa-miR-199b-5p, hsa-miR-518e-5p, hsa-miR-31-3p and hsa-miR-4306) that had an AUC of 0.750.ConclusionWe identified a urinary miRNA biomarker panel for early detection of PCa in a Chinese population.

Nonvolatile memory (NVM) devices based on two-dimensional (2D) materials have recently attracted widespread attention due to their high-density integration potential and the ability to be applied in computing-in-memory systems in the post-Moore era. Considering the high current on/off ratio, programmable threshold voltage, nonvolatile multilevel memory state, and extended logic functions, plenty of breakthroughs related to ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs), one of the most important NVM devices, have been made in the past decade. Among them, FETs coupled with organic ferroelectric films such as P(VDF-TrFE) displayed properties of remarkable robustness, easy preparation, and low cost. However, the dipoles of the P(VDF-TrFE) film cannot be flipped smoothly at low voltage, impeding the further application of organic FeFET. In this paper, we proposed a high-performance FeFET based on monolayer MoS2coupled with C60doped ferroelectric copolymer P(VDF-TrFE). The inserted C60molecules enhanced the alignment of the dipoles effectively at low voltage, allowing the modified device to demonstrate a large memory window (∼16 V), high current on/off ratio (>106), long retention time (>10 000 s), and remarkable endurance under the reduced operating voltage. In addition, the in situ logic application can be realized by constructing facile device interconnection without building complex complementary semiconductor circuits. Our results are expected to pave the way for future low-consumption computing-in-memory applications based on high-quality 2D FeFETs.

ABSTRACTThere is an ongoing burden of pneumococcal disease in children despite the use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). This phase 3, open-label, single-arm, multisite, descriptive study was designed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a 3 + 1 regimen of V114 (VAXNEUVANCE™), a 15-valent PCV, in South Korean infants and toddlers. Adverse events (AEs) were reported for 14 d following any vaccination, and throughout the study period for serious AEs. Serotype-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) response rates (proportion of participants meeting an IgG threshold value of ≥0.35 μg/mL) and geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) for the 15 serotypes at 30 d postdose 3 (PD3) and at 30 d postdose 4 (PD4) were evaluated as endpoints. Healthy infants enrolled at 42–90 d after birth were vaccinated with V114 (N = 57). The most commonly reported AEs were those solicited in the trial. The majority of reported AEs were transient and of mild or moderate intensity. Few serious AEs were reported; none were vaccine related. No participants died nor discontinued the study vaccine because of an AE. V114 was immunogenic for all 15 serotypes contained in the vaccine, as assessed by IgG response rates at 30 d PD3 and IgG GMCs at 30 d PD3 and at 30 d PD4. V114 was well tolerated and immunogenic when administered as a 3 + 1 regimen in healthy South Korean infants and toddlers.

Human arm exhibits superb maneuverability in performing various tasks by using its ability to actively adjust impedance parameters and interaction forces; therefore, identifying the joint stiffness of the arm during motion and transmitting them to the exoskeleton robots is the key to achieving flexible rehabilitation motion. In this article, we propose a stiffness estimation method for elbow joint, termed stiffness and torque mapping index (STMI), which establishes the relationship between joint torque, joint angle, and joint stiffness based on surface electromyography (sEMG). To improve joint angle identification accuracy, we propose a regression algorithm (RA), termed improved ant colony optimization generalized regression neural network (IACO-GRNN), and propose a time-domain descriptor (TDD) sEMG feature. Feature comparison experiments show that the TDD features (RMSE: 7.9792 ± 0.0721; R2: 0.9257 ± 0.0020) are superior among the popular features, such as mean absolute value (MAV), root mean square (rms), and waveform length (WL). The combination of TDD and IACO-GRNN achieves more impressive regression performance (RMSE: 8.6839 ± 0.0084, R2: 0.9109 ± 0.0002) than RA in joint angle recognition experiments, such as support vector regression (SVR), random forest regression (RFR), particle swarm optimization-GRNN (PSO-GRNN) and genetic algorithm-GRNN (GA-GRNN). The average RMSE of the joint stiffness estimated using STMI was 1.0146 Nm/rad. The proposed method can offer satisfactory dynamic elbow joint stiffness estimation only using sEMG signals, avoiding complex calibration of physiological data and additional sensing devices.

Constant-force mechanisms can be used for gravity counterbalance and force regulation. While many constant-force mechanisms have been designed, most of them have a limited range of force adjustment, which brings very limited capability to maintain an equilibrium state when load changes. In this paper, a novel design of reconfigurable constant-force mechanism is proposed. The new design is inspired by a variable stiffness mechanism, which can work in a similar way as the hinged lever, but take a compact space. Moreover, the design allows to adjust the configuration parameters achieving a large range of the equilibrium state adjustment. Mathematical models are developed to simulate the equilibrium performance changed with configuration parameters. A prototype is constructed and validates the working principle of the design. A design case is included to show the application of the mechanism in a passive assistive upper-body exoskeleton.

Inspired by the kinesiology of human bionic joints, a transfemoral prosthetic mechanism based on a functional structure of parallel mechanism is developed for the transfemoral amputees. The walking interactive simulation is implemented based on human-prosthesis modeling to verify the kinematics of the designed prosthetic mechanism, as well as to explore compatibility between the amputees and prosthesis. Then, simulation-based prosthetic optimization is performed to pursue an optimized human-prosthesis model with economic metabolic consumption while eliminating compatibility errors including the joints' misalignment error between the affected limb and healthy limb, and the assembly error between human and prosthesis, so that the potential physical health problems can be avoided efficiently. This method is valuable for the optimal design of interactive rehabilitation robots. Finally, a developed proportional-integral-derivative-based (PID-based) finite-state machine (FSM) strategy is used, and the kinematic validation is carried out. The results show that the designed prosthesis possesses ankle varus–valgus characteristic, and it has a high human-like motion accuracy due to the FSM control can track prosthetic motion in each gait event. What's more, the prosthetic optimization can be an efficient method to enhance the biomechanical performance of human-prosthetic model so that the amputees have a more natural and symmetry gait.

Recently, nanozymes have become a topic of particular interest due to their high activity level, stability and biocompatibility. In this study, a visual, sensitive and selective point-of-care immunosensor was established to test the pathogen Escherichia coliO157:H7 (E. coliO157:H7). Hemin and magainin I (MI) hybrid nanocomposites (Hemin@MI) with peroxidase-mimicking activities were synthesized viaa “one-pot” method, involving the simple mixing of an antimicrobial peptide (MI) against E. coliO157:H7 and hemin in a copper sulfate sodium phosphate saline buffer. Hemin@MI nanocomposites integrating target recognition and signal amplification were developed as signal probes for the point-of-care colorimetric detection of pathogenic E. coliO157:H7. Hemin@MI nanocomposites exhibit excellent peroxidase activity for the chromogenic reaction of ABTS, which allows for the visual point-of-care testing of E. coliO157:H7 in the range of 102to 108CFU/mL, with a limit of detection of 85 CFU/mL. These data suggest this immunosensor provides accessible and portable assessments of pathogenic E. coliO157:H7 in real samples.

Human milk (HM) is the primary source of nutrients and bioactive components that supports the growth and development of infants. However, the proteins present in human milk may change depending on the period of lactation. In this light, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of lactation period on HM utilizing a data-independent acquisition (DIA) approach to identify the differences in HM whey protein proteomes. As part of the study, whey proteins of January, February, and June in human milk were studied. The results identified a total of 1563 proteins in HM whey proteins of which 114 groups were subunits of differentially expressed proteins as revealed by cluster analysis. Protein expression was observed to be affected by the period of lactation with expression levels of plasminogen, thrombospondin-1, and tenascin higher during January, keratin, type I cytoskeletal 9 highest in February, and transcobalamin-1 highest in June. The results of this study contribute to expand our understanding of the human whey proteome but also provide strong evidence for the nutritional difference of HM during different lactation periods.

Starch biosynthesis in cereal crops is a complex pathway regulated by multiple starch synthetic enzymes. Starch synthase IIa (SSIIa) is well-known to be one of the major starch synthases and is very important in amylopectin biosynthesis. It has significant effects on grain composition and kernel traits. However, there are few reports on the association of natural variation of SSIIain barley and grain composition and characteristics. In this work, two SSIIa isoforms were first identified as SSIIaHand SSIIaLby one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and Western blotting. Sequence analysis of the SSIIagene demonstrated that a 33 bp insertion coding a peptide of APPSSVVPAKK caused different SSIIa, e.g., SSIIaHand SSIIaL. Based on this molecular difference, a polymerase chain reaction marker was developed, which could be used to screen different SSIIagenotypes easily. Kernel hardness of SSIIaLgenotypes was significantly higher than that of SSIIaHChinese barley cultivars. The proportion of SSIIaLgenotypes was extremely low in Australian barley cultivars (5/24) and much higher in Tibetan hull-less barley cultivars (46/74), consistent with the end-use requirements of barley grain. This study provided new information in barley endosperm starch synthesis and indicated that it is valuable for choosing the preferred SSIIagenotype according to the end-use requirements.

Here, we describe a simple, sensitive, and enzyme-free method for visual point-of-care detection of 16S rRNA of Escherichia coliO157:H7 based on an isothermal strand displacement-hybrid chain reaction (ISD-HCR) and lateral flow strip (LFS). In this study, the secondary structure of 16S rRNA of E. coliO157:H7 was unwound by two helper oligonucleotides to expose the single-strand-specific nucleic acid sequence. The free specific sequence promoted the toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction to output a large number of FITC-labeled single-stranded DNA probes (capture probe [CP]). The 3′-end sequence of the reporter probe propagated a chain reaction of hybridization events between the two hairpin probes modified with biotin to form long nicked DNA polymers with multiple biotins (RP-HCR complexes); the free CP and RP-HCR complexes then form CP/RP-HCR complexes. The biotin-labeled double-stranded DNA CP/RP-HCR polymers then introduced numerous streptavidin (SA)-labeled gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the LFS. The accumulation of AuNPs produced a characteristic red band, which enabled visual detection of changes in the signal of 16S rRNA of E. coliO157:H7. The current approach could detect E. coliO157:H7 at concentrations as low as 102CFU mL−1without instrumentation. This approach thus provides a simple, sensitive, and low-cost tool for point-of-care detection of pathogenic bacteria, especially in resource-limited countries.

The upper limb rehabilitation exoskeleton with cable-driven parallel structure has the advantages of light weight and large payload, etc. However, due to the non-rigid nature of the actuating cables and the different body shape of the wearer, the geometric parameters of the exoskeleton have a large error. The parameter identification of cable-driven exoskeleton is of great significance. An asynchronous self-identification method for the upper limb 7-DOF (Degree of freedom) cable-driven exoskeleton was proposed and used in a wearable multi-redundant exoskeleton. Asynchronous iteration eliminates the accumulation of joint errors. High identification reliability is achieved by selecting proper identification parameters and optimizing error model.With the method, the geometric parameters of the exoskeleton can be identified by using exoskeleton joint Angle and cable length data. The experiment verifies that the success rate of parameter identification for different wearers is in line with expectations, and the control precision and stability of the prototype are greatly improved after parameter identification.

(S, S)-Me-BI-DIME/Pd(0)-catalyzed ennantioselective C–H functionalization of N-ferrocenyl o-bromobenzanilides has been realized, affording isoquinolinone-fused ferrocenes with up to 97% ee. The products can be transformed into planar chiral ferrocenyl monophosphines.

Distribution of chemical forms of manganese(II) (Mn(II)) on plant roots may affect Mn(II) absorption by plants and toxicity of Mn(II) to plants at its high level. The chemical forms of Mn(II) on soybean roots were investigated to determine the main factors that affect their distribution and relationship with Mn(II) plant toxicity. Fresh soybean roots were reacted with Mn(II) in solutions, and Mn(II) adsorbed on the roots was differentiated into exchangeable, complexed, and precipitated forms through sequential extraction with KNO3, EDTA, and HCl. The exchangeable Mn(II) content on the roots was the highest, followed by the complexed and precipitated Mn(II) contents. Mn(II) toxicity to the roots was greater at pH 5.5 than at pH 4.2 due to the larger amount of exchangeable Mn(II) at higher pH. The cations Al3+, La3+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and NH4+competed with Mn(II) for cation exchange sites on the root surfaces and thus reduced exchangeable Mn(II) on the roots, in the order Al3+, La3+> Ca2+, Mg2+>NH4+. Al3+and La3+at 100 μmol L−1decreased exchangeable Mn(II) by 80% and 79%, respectively, and Ca2+and Mg2+at 1 mmol L−1decreased exchangeable Mn(II) by 51% and 73%, respectively. Organic anions oxalate, citrate, and malate reduced free Mn(II) concentration in solution through formation of complexes with Mn(II), efficiently decreasing exchangeable Mn(II) on the roots; the decreases in exchangeable Mn(II) on the roots were 30.9%, 19.7%, and 10.9%, respectively, which was consistent with the complexing ability of these organic anions with Mn(II). Thus, exchangeable Mn(II) was the dominant form of Mn(II) on the roots and responsible for Mn(II) toxicity to plants. The coexisting cations and organic anions reduced the exchangeable Mn(II) content, and thus they could alleviate Mn(II) toxicity to plants on acid soils.

To review the current literature on ketamine-associated upper urinary tract (UUT) dysfunction and provide an overview of its pathogenesis and treatment principles.

Three thermally activated delayed fluorescence cationic cuprous complexes [Cu(POP) (ECAF)]PF6(1, POP = bis(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)ether, ECAF = 9,9-bis(9-ethylcarbazol-3-yl)-4,5-diazafluorene), [Cu(POP) (EHCAF)]PF6(2, EHCAF = 9,9-bis(9-ethylhexylcarbazol-3-yl)-4,5-diazafluorene), and [Cu(POP) (PCAF)]PF6(3, PCAF = 9,9-bis(9-phenylcarbazaol-3-yl)-4,5-diazafluorene) with bipolar 4,5-diazafluorene ligand substituted by bis-carbazole have been successfully prepared, and their UV absorption, photoluminescent properties, and electrochemical behaviors were investigated. At room temperature, complexes 1, 2, and 3exhibit efficient yellowish-green emission with peak maxima of 550, 549, and 556 nm, respectively, and lifetimes of 5.7 μs. In powder states, the quantum yields (ϕPL) of 22.4% for 1, 18.5% for 2, and 20.0% for 3, respectively, are found. These metal phosphors can be vacuum-evaporated and applied in the organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) of indium tin oxide/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (40 nm)/4,4′,4″-tri(9-carbazoyl)triphenylamine (15 nm)/cuprous complexes (10 wt %): 1,3-bis(9-carbazolyl)benzene (30 nm)/1,3,5-tri[(3-pyridyl)-phen-3-yl]benzene (50 nm)/LiF (0.5 nm)/Al (100 nm). Complex 1-based device D1 achieved a maximum luminance of 11 010 cd m–2, a current efficiency of 47.03 cd A–1, and an external quantum efficiency of 14.81%. The high electroluminescence efficiencies of these complexes are assumed to be due to their good thermal stabilities and capture of both singlet and triplet excitons. The research presented here provides a powerful tool toward highly efficient and cheap OLED devices.

Previous studies have demonstrated that Shadoo (Sho), a GPI-linked glycoprotein encoded by the Sprngene with a membrane localization similar to PrPC, is reduced in the brains of rodents with terminal prion disease. To determine the functional significance of Sho in prion disease pathogenesis, Sho-deficient mice were generated by gene targeting. Sho knockout and control wild-type (WT) mice were infected with themouse-adapted scrapie strains 22L or RML. No significant differences in survival, the incubation period of prion disease or other disease features were observed between Sho mutant and WT mice. In this model of prion disease, Sho removal had no effect on disease pathogenesis.

This article addresses the path synthesis of RCCC (revolute-cylindrical-cylindrical-cylindrical) linkages, a problem that has not received due attention in the literature. Compared with planar and spherical four-bar linkages, a RCCC linkage has many more design parameters, which lead to a complex formulation of the path synthesis problem and, consequently, to a quite challenging system of algebraic equations. In this article, the problem is solved with a novel formulation of path synthesis for visiting a number of prescribed positions. This is achieved by means of an alternative coordinate system, which allows point coordinates to be expressed with the aid of two vectors fixed to the same body. By this means, the rotation matrix used to represent the coupler link attitude is obviated. The synthesis equations are then formulated in a simple form. Our formulation confirms that path synthesis admits exact solutions for up to nine prescribed positions, which proves a landmark claim submitted by Burmester. Examples are included to demonstrate the path synthesis procedure with the method thus developed.

The role of starch branching enzyme-I (SBE-I) in determining starch structure in the endosperm has been investigated. Null mutations of SBE-I at the A, B and D genomes of wheat were identified in Australian wheat varieties by immunoblotting. By combining individual null mutations at the B and D genomes through hybridisation, a double-null mutant wheat, which lacks the B and D isoforms of SBE-I, was developed. Wheat mutants lacking all the three isoforms of SBE-I were generated from a doubled haploid progeny of a cross between the BD double-null mutant line and a Chinese Spring (CS) deletion line lacking the A genome isoform. Comparison of starch from this mutant wheat to that from wild type revealed no substantial alteration in any of the structural or functional properties analysed. Further analysis of this triple-null mutant line revealed the presence of another residual peak of SBE-I activity, referred to as SBE-Ir, in wheat endosperm representing < 3% of the activity of SBE-I in wild type endosperm.

Dietary and lifestyle change is a recognised strategy for the management and prevention of socio-economically important non-infectious diseases. Dietary fibre is composed largely of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), and greater consumption of NSP-rich foods relieves simple constipation very effectively. Starch (as resistant starch, RS) is also receiving attention for its potential role in promoting colonic function. Resistant starch is that fraction of starch which escapes human small intestinal digestion and enters the large bowel where (together with a variable fraction of NSP) it is fermented by the resident microflora. The resulting short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are taken up by the large bowel and metabolised. SCFA mediate many of the health benefits ascribed to NSP and RS. Starch consumption is low in affluent westernised countries, despite recommendations by health agencies. In Australia, foods enriched in RS as a high amylose maize starch have gained consumer acceptance. However, scope remains for additional products and ingredients and a company, Ascentia Pty Ltd, has been established to develop a novel barley cultivar (Hordeum vulgare var. himalaya 292) for this purpose. This cultivar has a specific gene alteration leading to a loss of starch synthetase lla activity resulting in a grain which is low in starch but disproportionately higher in amylose and also NSP. Animal and human studies have shown that Himalaya 292 is high in RS relative to existing products and has a low glycaemic index and the cultivar offers promise as a vehicle to deliver health benefits to consumers.

Abstract.: Wheat and barley contain at least four classes of starch synthases in the endosperm, granule bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) and starch synthases I, II and III (SSI, SSII, SSIII). In this work, SSII in barley is shown to be associated with the starch granule by using antibodies. A cDNA from barley encoding SSII and the genes for SSII from barley and Aegilops tauschii (A. tauschii, the D genome donor to wheat) are characterised. Fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) and PCR were used to localise the wheat SSII gene to the short arm of chromosome 7, showing synteny with the location of the rice SSII gene to the short arm of chromosome 6. Comparison of the genes encoding SSII of A. tauschii, barley and Arabidopsis showed a conserved exon-intron structure although the size of the introns varied considerably. Extending such comparison between the genes encoding starch synthases (GBSSI, SSI, SSII and SSIII) from A. tauschii and Arabidopsis showed that the exon-intron structures are essentially conserved. Separate and distinct genes for the individual starch synthases therefore existed before the separation of monocotyledons and dicotyledons.

Abstract.: Analysis of DNA from Aegilops tauschii revealed that sequences hybridisable to the starch branching enzyme I (SBE I) gene were contained within a 53-kb fragment. There were at least four genes or gene fragments but of these only one appeared to encode the SBE I observed in the endosperm. Two large-insert DNA clones that encode SBE I from A. tauschii were isolated. Hybridisation analysis confirmed the presence of multiple SBE I gene type sequences within this DNA fragment of approximately 100 kb. Fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) on extended DNA fibres provided further evidence of the close proximity of three of these genes. Sequence analysis was undertaken and this demonstrated that wSBE I-D3, wSBE I-D2 and wSBE I-D4 genes were clustered within 27 kb of DNA; of these only wSBE I-D4 encodes the SBE I purified from the endosperm. Multiple but distinct cDNAs containing SBE I-related sequences have been reported and these could arise from the SBE I locus by different transcription/splicing regimes.

Two unique two-dimensional (2D) Cd(II)–Dy(III) heterometallic coordination polymers, {[DyCd(HPMA)(PMA)2(H2O)4]·2H2O}n(1) and [DyCd(PAA)(PMA)2(H2O)3]n(2, PAA–= phenylacetate), were prepared successfully based on the phenylmalonic acid (H2PMA). The construction of two polymers is sensitive to the reaction temperature and can be synthesized directionally at room temperature and 90 °C respectively. Complexes 1and 2display 2D layer structures that include dinuclear [Dy2] cluster node and Dy(III)-based 1D zigzag chain motif severally. The Dy(III)-based units in two structures both are spaced well with the adjacent ones by the diamagnetic Cd(II)-based moieties. The magnetic studies reveal that 1and 2both display slow magnetic relaxation with temperature-dependent relaxation peaks producing an effective energy barrier (Δτ) of 74.5 and 32.1 K, separately. Furthermore, the solid-state photophysical properties of 1and 2show strong characteristic luminescent emissions of Dy(III) ion in the visible region.

The effectiveness of different promoters for use in Indica rice transformation was compared. Plasmids encoding the Escherichia coli uidA (gus) gene under the control of CaMV 35S, Emu, Act1 or Ubi1 promoters were delivered into cell suspension cultures by particle bombardment. Transient gene expression, 48 h after delivery, was greatest from plasmids utilising the constitutive promoters, Act1 and Ubi1. Gene expression in stably transformed tissue was examined by bombarding embryogenic Indica rice calli with a pUbi1-gas plasmid and a plasmid containing either the selectable marker gene, hph, which confers hygromycin resistance, or bar, which confers resistance to the herbicide phosphinothricin (BASTA) each under the control of the CaMV 35S, Emu, Act1 or the Ubi1 promoters. The bombarded calli were placed on the appropriate selection media and stained for GUS activity at 1 day, 3 weeks and 5 weeks after shooting. Callus bombarded with the pUbi1-hph or the pEmu-hph constructs gave a dramatic increase in the size of the GUS staining areas with time. No such increase in the size of GUS staining areas was observed in calli co-bombarded with pUbi1-gus and any of the bar containing constructs. Co-bombardment of calli with either the pEmu-hph or pUbi1-hph construct and a virus minor coat protein (cp) gene construct resulted in many fertile transgenic Indica rice plants, containing one to eight copies of both the hph and cp genes. These genes were stably inherited by the T1 generation.

A mechanism with lumped-compliance can be constructed by mounting springs at joints of an inverted slider crank mechanism. Different mounting schemes bring change in the stiffness performance. In this paper, a unified stiffness model is developed for a comprehensive analysis of the stiffness performance for mechanisms constructed with different spring mounting schemes. With the model, stiffness behaviors of spring-loaded inverted slider crank mechanisms are analyzed. Influences of each individual spring on the overall performance are characterized. The unified stiffness model allows designing mechanisms for a desired stiffness performance, such as constant-torque mechanism and variable stiffness mechanism, both being illustrated with a design example and experiments.

Aiming at the concrete compressive strength data measured in the field laboratory, the data samples are standardized and the missing and abnormal values of the data samples are detected and processed. Then, the principal component factors of several influencing factors are extracted with the idea of "dimensionality reduction" by principal component analysis, and a new data sample set is established. Finally, the radial basis function neural network model is constructed to simulate the concrete compressive strength. The strength is predicted and the predicted value is obtained. The results show that three principal component influencing factors are extracted by principal component analysis, and the RBF network structure with 50 neuron nodes in the hidden layer is established. The error of the predicted value of concrete compressive strength is less than 4%, which meets the control requirements of engineering test accuracy. The predicted model can be used to predict the compressive strength of concrete.

Three selectable marker genes were compared for their efficacy in the production of transgenic wheat plants following microprojectile bombardment of cultured immature embryos. While transformed plants were recovered using the bar (phosphinothricin acetyltransferase) gene in combination with bialaphos, and the aphA (neomycin phosphotransferase) gene in combination with geneticin or paromomycin, no transgenic material was obtained with the hpt (hygromycin phosphotransferase) gene and hygromycin B. Southern analysis revealed single copy as well as multiple copy insertions of the bar and aphA transgenes. Inheritance of these selectable marker genes was demonstrated in the T1 generation progenies. Keywords: transformation, wheat, biolistics, selectable markers, antibiotic, herbicide.