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Neuromorphic object recognition with spiking neural networks (SNNs) is the cornerstone of low-power neuromorphic computing. However, existing SNNs suffer from significant latency, utilizing 10 to 40 timesteps or more, to recognize neuromorphic objects. At low latencies, the performance of existing SNNs is drastically degraded. In this work, we propose the Shrinking SNN (SSNN) to achieve low-latency neuromorphic object recognition without reducing performance. Concretely, we alleviate the temporal redundancy in SNNs by dividing SNNs into multiple stages with progressively shrinking timesteps, which significantly reduces the inference latency. During timestep shrinkage, the temporal transformer smoothly transforms the temporal scale and preserves the information maximally. Moreover, we add multiple early classifiers to the SNN during training to mitigate the mismatch between the surrogate gradient and the true gradient, as well as the gradient vanishing/exploding, thus eliminating the performance degradation at low latency. Extensive experiments on neuromorphic datasets, CIFAR10-DVS, N-Caltech101, and DVS-Gesture have revealed that SSNN is able to improve the baseline accuracy by 6.55% ~ 21.41%. With only 5 average timesteps and without any data augmentation, SSNN is able to achieve an accuracy of 73.63% on CIFAR10-DVS. This work presents a heterogeneous temporal scale SNN and provides valuable insights into the development of high-performance, low-latency SNNs., Comment: Accepted by AAAI 2024

An asymmetric synthesis of chiral metallacarboranes using a traceless chiral N-tertbutylsulfinamide auxiliary is reported. Investigations of the stereoselectivity and mechanism of the unprecedented formation of the metallacarboranes with a planar chiral nido-C2B92− ligand and an exo-polyhedral metal-substituted carbon stereocenter reveal a stereospecific SN2-type reaction with a transition-metal nucleophile and an N-based leaving group. The findings may open a way for the preparation of chiral metallacarboranes and related compounds. © 2023 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Wensu Yang,1,2 Zhaoxin Xia,1,2 Yi Zhu,1,2 Hao Tang,1,2 Huaming Xu,1,2 Xinyi Hu,1,2 Chunhui Lin,1,2 Tong Jiang,1,2 Pei He,1,2 Jilu Shen1,2 1The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 23001, People’s Republic of China; 2Anhui Public Health Clinical Center Hefei, Anhui, 230012, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jilu Shen, Tel +86-15155152963, Email shenjilu@ahmu.edu.cnBackground: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a new therapy targeting gastrointestinal microbiota for the treatment of a growing number of diseases in recent years. Previous studies have suggested that FMT may be a potential therapy for type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of FMT in T2D and its underlying mechanisms.Methods: To induce T2D, mice were fed a high-fat diet and injected with low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) for four weeks. The mice were then randomly divided into four groups: control group (n = 7), T2D group (n = 7), metformin (MET)-treated group (n = 7), and FMT group (n = 7). The MET group was orally administered 0.2 g/kg MET, the FMT group was orally administered 0.3 mL of bacterial solution, and the other two groups were orally administered the same volume of saline for four weeks. Serum and fecal samples were collected for non-targeted metabolomics, biochemical indicators, and 16S rRNA sequencing, respectively.Results: Our results demonstrated that FMT had a curative effect on T2D by ameliorating hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. Using 16S rRNA sequencing and serum untargeted metabolomic analysis, we found that FMT could restore the disorders of gastrointestinal microbiota in T2D mice. Moreover, corticosterone, progesterone, L-urobilin, and other molecules were identified as biomarkers after FMT treatment. Our bioinformatics analysis suggested that steroid hormone biosynthesis, arginine, proline metabolism, and unsaturated fatty acid

Foam cell formation is the hallmark of the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulatory effects of three polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), namely, tangeretin (TAN), 5,6,7,3 ',4 ',5 '-hexamethoxyflavone (HxMF), and 3,5,6,7,8,3 ',4 '-heptamethoxyflavone (HpMF) on macrophage-derived foam cell formation and to further explore the molecular mechanisms. The RAW264.7 macrophage-derived foam cell model was successfully induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) (80 mu g/ml). It showed that TAN, HxMF, and HpMF alleviated ox-LDL-induced NO release while also inhibiting the expression of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha in RAW264.7 cells. Uptake of excess ox-LDL was inhibited by TAN, HxMF, and HpMF, resulting in the reduction of its foam cell formation. Moreover, TAN, HxMF, and HpMF promoted HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux. Western blot experiment showed that TAN, HxMF, and HpMF inhibited the expression of scavenger receptor class A type I (SRA1) and cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), while upregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma), liver X receptor alpha (LXR alpha), phospholipid ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1), and scavenger receptor class B type I (SRB1) expression. Together, our findings suggested that PMFs inhibited foam cell formation might inhibit lipid uptake via downregulating SRA1/CD36 expression and promote cholesterol efflux from foam cells via upregulating PPAR gamma/LXR alpha/ABCG1/SRB1 expression. This antiatherosclerotic activity is expected to provide new insights into the development of healthcare uses for PMFs.

Hydraulic fracturing is an essential technique to increase reservoir permeability and enhance the production of shale gas. When the dip angle is steep and geological condition is complex, hydraulic fractures may behave complexly, and research on this topic is critical for the shale gas industry. This paper reports a case study of hydraulic fracturing in a shale reservoir with a steep dip angle. We monitored pump data, including the injection rate and fluid pressure. Microseismic monitoring was also used to record the seismic events and monitor the hydraulic fracture propagation. Our results validated that microseismic monitoring is a feasible technique to monitor the hydraulic fracture propagation in shale reservoirs with steep dip angles. Moreover, the variation in depth of shale reservoir induces significant alternation of local in situ stress states, in which cases the fracture propagation pathway is more complex, and where microseismic monitoring is necessary to acquire the hydraulic fracture distribution. Besides, all sound sources, including quarries and rivers, should be eliminated during microseismic station arrangement to improve accuracy of microseismic signals. Moreover, the relationship between the maximum magnitude of seismic event and fluid injection volume was validated further in this study. Finally, unexpected faults and aquifers may affect hydraulic fracture propagation due to the steep dip angle of the target shale reservoir. Thus, a comprehensive geological survey is essential for better hydraulic fracturing design. Our results provide first-hand in situ hydraulic fracturing data and provide important implications for shale gas development, especially for those shale reservoirs with steep dip angles.

Pei He,1,2 Jie Xia,3 Peixin Zhang,3 Wensu Yang,1,2 Zhaoxin Xia,1,2 Ping Liu,4 Yi Zhu,1,2 Yaping Fang,5 Zhenhua Zhang,3 Jilu Shen1,2 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Laboratory Medicine, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Infectious Diseases, People’s Hospital of Jieshou City, Fuyang, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Zhenhua Zhang; Jilu Shen, Email zzh1974cn@163.com; shenjilu@ahmu.edu.cnAim: Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) plays an important role in the prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, especially in immunocompromised individuals and in those infected with HBV.HBsAb levels often fluctuate and decrease.This study aimed to determine the regularity of HBsAb persistence among different populations. Moreover, the risk factors and the optimal cutoff value were determined to predict a decreasing population in HBsAb level.Methods: The study involved 182 participants, including 76 patients with a 25% decrease in HBsAb levels and 106 patients with an HBsAb decrease rate of > 50%. Both hepatitis B core antibody negative and positive patients were included.These patients were followed up for 10 years. The follow-up demographic and laboratory data were recorded and compared among the groups. Fluctuations in HBsAb data and HBsAb persistent immunity were evaluated. The independent factors and the optimal cutoff value were recorded.Results: The first HBsAb median of Group 4 was lower than that of the other groups, and its median was 50.8 mlU/mL. In addition, the persistent immunity of the case groups was shorter than that of the control groups

As one of the most promising shale gas reservoirs in China, the Lower Silurian Longmaxi formation in the Sichuan Basin has produced a large amount of shale gas during the last few years. However, two significant concerns have been raised during the contemporary shale gas development in this area: dramatic increases in well depths and potential induced seismicity. The extreme depths have resulted in higher in-situ stress and reservoir breakdown pressures. The other concern is whether recent earthquakes are related to hydraulic fracturing operations since they are close in space and time. An advanced fluid injection protocol-cyclic fluid injection has been proposed and used to lower the breakdown pressure of reservoirs and mitigate the potential seismic risks caused by hydraulic stimulations. In this study, we combine a series of laboratory experiments and a numerical simulation model to investigate the breakdown mechanism, seismic risks, permeability enhancement performance of cyclic fluid injection. The results indicate that the cyclic injection method decreases the shale breakdown pressure by similar to 25% compared with the conventional monotonic rate injection, which is the result of fatigue failure near the fluid injection borehole induced by pore pressure fluctuations lagging behind the periodical injection pressure changes. Even though more acoustic emission events are observed during and post-the cyclic injection, the maximum acoustic emission amplitude decreases by 26%, which is equivalent to transforming AE events with large amplitudes to more AE events with small amplitudes. Moreover, fracture morphology and permeability measurement results indicate that cyclic injection creates hydraulic fractures with higher fracture tortuosity but smaller aperture and lower permeability, which contributes to the fatigue mechanism of rock breakdown. Our experimental results and theoretical analysis initially validate the potential of using cyclic injection methods to per

BackgroundLong QT syndrome 3 (LQT3) is caused by SCN5A mutations. Late sodium current (late I Na) inhibitors are current-specific to treat patients with LQT3, but the mechanisms underlying mexiletine (MEX) -sensitive (N1325S and R1623Q) and -insensitive (M1652R) mutations remains to be elucidated.MethodsLQT3 patients with causative mutations were treated with oral MEX following i.v. lidocaine. Whole-cell patch-clamp techniques and molecular remodeling were used to determine the mechanisms underlying the sensitivity to MEX.ResultsIntravenous administration of lidocaine followed by MEX orally in LQT patients with N1325S and R1623Q sodium channel mutation shortened QTc interval, abolished arrhythmias, and completely normalized the ECG. In HEK293 cells, the steady-state inactivation curves of the M1652R channels were rightward shifted by 5.6 mV relative to the WT channel. In contrast, the R1623Q mutation caused a leftward shift of the steady-state inactivation curve by 15.2 mV compared with WT channel, and N1325S mutation did not affect steady-state inactivation (n = 5-13, P < 0.05). The extent of the window current was expanded in all three mutant channels compared with WT. All three mutations increased late I Na with the greatest amplitude in the M1652R channel (n = 9-15, P < 0.05). MEX caused a hyperpolarizing shift of the steady-state inactivation and delayed the recovery of all three mutant channels. Furthermore, it suppressed late I Na in N1325S and R1623Q to a greater extent compared to that of M1652R mutant channel. Mutations altered the sensitivity of Nav1.5 to MEX through allosteric mechanisms by changing the conformation of Nav1.5 to become more or less favorable for MEX binding. Late I Na inhibitors suppressed late I Na in N1325S and R1623Q to a greater extent than that in the M1652R mutation (n = 4-7, P < 0.05).ConclusionThe N1325S, R1623Q, and M1652R mutations are associated with a variable augmentation of late I Na, which was reversed by MEX. M16

Interaction of a strong laser pulse with matter transfers not only energy but also linear momentum of the photons. Recent experimental advances have made it possible to detect the small amount of linear momentum delivered to the photoelectrons in strong-field ionization of atoms. We present numerical simulations as well as an analytical description of the subcycle phase (or time) resolved momentum transfer to an atom accessible by an attoclock protocol. We show that the light-field-induced momentum transfer is remarkably sensitive to properties of the ultrashort laser pulse such as its carrier-envelope phase and ellipticity. Moreover, we show that the subcycle-resolved linear momentum transfer can provide novel insights into the interplay between nonadiabatic and nondipole effects in strong-field ionization. This work paves the way towards the investigation of the so-far unexplored time-resolved nondipole nonadiabatic tunneling dynamics. © 2020 authors.

Ning Han, Ling Zuo, Han Chen, Chunxia Zhang, Pei He, Hongtao YanDepartment of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, People’s Republic of ChinaBackground: Long non-coding RNA homeobox A11 antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS) has been reported to be involved in initiation and development of multiple cancers. However, the detailed biological roles and underlying molecular mechanism of HOXA11-AS remain unclear in retinoblastoma (RB). Herein, the goals of this study were to explore the biological function and the potential mechanism of HOXA11-AS in RB.Materials and methods: The expression of HOXA11-AS in RB tissues and cell lines was detected using real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation, cycle arrest and apoptosis were measured using a cell counting kit 8 and flow cytometry. The target miRNAs of HOXA11-AS was predicted by Starbase2.0 software and was confirmed using a dual-luciferase reporter assay.Result: We found that HOXA11-AS expression was markedly elevated in RB tissues and cell lines compared to normal retina tissues and human retinal epithelial cells, respectively. Functional analysis showed that knockdown of HOXA11-AS in RB cells significantly suppressed cell proliferation, and induced cell cycle arrest at G1/G0 phase and promoted cell apoptosis. We also found that HOXA11-AS could serve as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that inhibited miR-506-3p expression, which regulated its downstream target NIMA-related kinase 6 (NEK6) in RB. In addition, miR-506-3p inhibitors partially reversed the effect of HOXA11-AS depletion on proliferation, cycle arrest and apoptosis in RB cells.Conclusion: Taken together, these findings demonstrated that HOXA11-AS could promote RB progression by sponging miR-506-3p, suggesting that HOXA-11-AS might be a potential therapeutic target for RB.Keywords: retinoblastoma, LncRNA, miR-506-3p, proliferation, apoptosis

Background: Schistosomiasis in the People's Republic of China (PRC) can be traced back to antiquity. In the past 60 years, the Chinese government has made great efforts to control this persistent disease with elimination slated by 2020 through the implementation of a comprehensive control strategy. This strategy aims to reduce the role of bovines and humans as sources of infection as a pre-requisite for elimination through transmission interruption. The goal of elimination will be achievable only by the implementation of a sustainable surveillance and control system, with sensitive diagnosis a key feature so that the true disease burden is not underestimated. Currently used diagnostics lack the necessary sensitivity to accurately determine the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infection in areas with low infection intensities. It is of critical importance to find and treat people and to identify animals with low-level infections if the National Control Programme for China is to achieve schistosomiasis elimination. Methods: We evaluated a real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay using 633 human stool samples collected from five villages in Hunan, Anhui, Hubei, and Jiangxi provinces, and 182 bovine (70 cattle and 112 buffalo) stool samples obtained from four villages in Hunan, Anhui, and Jiangxi provinces in the PRC. All stool samples were subjected to the miracidium hatching test (MHT, a diagnostic procedure used in the National Schistosomiasis Control Programme) and the qPCR assay. Samples positive by MHT were subjected to either the Kato-Katz technique for humans, or the formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation-digestion (FEA-SD) procedure for bovines, to determine infection intensities. Results: The qPCR assay exhibited a high level of sensitivity in the detection of S. japonicum infections. With both the human and bovine samples, a significantly higher prevalence was determined using the qPCR assay (11.06% humans, 24.73% bovines) than with the MHT (0.93% hu

BackgroundAtezolizumab is a humanised antiprogrammed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibody that inhibits PD-L1 and programmed death-1 (PD-1) and PD-L1 and B7-1 interactions, reinvigorating anticancer immunity. We assessed its efficacy and safety versus docetaxel in previously treated patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.MethodsWe did a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial (OAK) in 194 academic or community oncology centres in 31 countries. We enrolled patients who had squamous or non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer, were 18 years or older, had measurable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1. Patients had received one to two previous cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens (one or more platinum based combination therapies) for stage IIIB or IV non-small-cell lung cancer. Patients with a history of autoimmune disease and those who had received previous treatments with docetaxel, CD137 agonists, anti-CTLA4, or therapies targeting the PD-L1 and PD-1 pathway were excluded. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to intravenously receive either atezolizumab 1200 mg or docetaxel 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks by permuted block randomisation (block size of eight) via an interactive voice or web response system. Coprimary endpoints were overall survival in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and PD-L1-expression population TC1/2/3 or IC1/2/3 (≥1% PD-L1 on tumour cells or tumour-infiltrating immune cells). The primary efficacy analysis was done in the first 850 of 1225 enrolled patients. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02008227.FindingsBetween March 11, 2014, and April 29, 2015, 1225 patients were recruited. In the primary population, 425 patients were randomly assigned to receive atezolizumab and 425 patients were assigned to receive docetaxel. Overall survival was significantly longer with atezolizumab in the ITT and PD-L1-expression populations. In the ITT popul

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of miR 29a 3p inhibitor on the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cell lines (CRC) and the underlying molecular mechanisms. miR 29a 3p was detected using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT qPCR) in the CRC cell lines HCT11, CaCo2, HT29, SW480 and SW620. An invasive subpopulation designated SW480 7 was derived from the parental cell line, detected by Transwell and Transwell Matrigel assays. Cytoskeleton Regulators RT2 profiler PCR array and western blot analysis were utilized to identify the alterations in expression of downstream mRNAs. siRNA against CDC42BPA was transfected into SW480 7 and effects on cell migration and invasion were investigated. Data obtained showed that miR 29a 3p was detected in these five CRC cell lines. miR 29a 3p inhibitor had no effect on viability but stimulated cell migration and invasion of SW480 7 cells. In contrast, miR 29a 3p mimic suppressed cell migration and invasion. TargetScan miRBD and DIANA were employed to identify the potential direct target genes of miR 29a 3p in the Cytoskeleton Regulators RT2-Profiler PCR array. Cytoskeleton Regulators RT2-Profiler PCR array data showed that 3 out of the 5 predicted targets genes, CDC42BPA (2.33-fold), BAIAP2 (1.79-fold) and TIAM1 (1.77-fold), in the array were upregulated by miR 29a 3p. A significant increase in expression IQGAP2, PHLDB2, SSH1 mRNAs and downregulation of PAK1 mRNA was also detected with miR 29a 3p inhibition. Increase in CDC42BPA, SSH1 and IQGAP2 mRNA expression correlated with increased protein level in miR 29a 3p transfected SW-480-7 cells. Silencing of CDC42BPA (an enhancer of cell motility) partially abolished miR 29a 3p inhibitor-induced stimulation of cell migration and invasion. miR 29a 3p expression in stage II and III CRC is relatively lower than that of stage I CRC. However, the data need to be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size. In conclusion, inhib

In recent years, the so-called pension crisis in the UK has drawn large attention in both business and academic world (Booth et al. 2004; Billings et al. 2006; O'Brien and Woods, 2006). In addition, it has become an important public issue since pension plays a central part in social welfare (Ombudsman, 2006). One important element that characterises this crisis is the large scale of the deficits reported by major listed companies in respect of their defined benefit pension schemes. Such deficits are partly due to the falling equity market and partly because of the overall increasing longevity of pensioners. More importantly, the strategic pension asset allocation has been seen as critical determinant of pension fund investment performance (Myners, 2001). However, the pension asset allocation is an under-resourced activity and struck by lack of clear objective and guidance (Myners, 2001). Therefore, the empirical analysis of how do pension fund trustees make their asset allocation decision in practice is of value to the pension fund profession, pension accountants and legislation regulators and the public at large. This paper contribute to the literature on pension fund investment strategy by providing the first multivariable analysis for UK defined benefits pension scheme asset allocation in the form of both cross section and panel data, using the data collected from the annual reports of a total 85 UK companies in the FTSE-100 at 1st May 2008 (FTSE, 2008). Our findings indicate that there are statistically significant relationships between pension asset allocation as independent variable and scheme maturity, scheme solvency, level of employer contribution and turnover volatility as independent variables. The findings support the view that: 1. Pension fund trustees tend to take more equity risk if they have a longer investment horizon; 2. Trustees became cautious about equity risk and tended to chose more conservative investment strategy (i.e. bonds) if they have ex

In recent years, the so-called pension crisis in the UK has drawn large attention in both business and academic world (Booth et al. 2004; Billings et al. 2006; O'Brien and Woods, 2006). In addition, it has become an important public issue since pension plays a central part in social welfare (Ombudsman, 2006). One important element that characterises this crisis is the large scale of the deficits reported by major listed companies in respect of their defined benefit pension schemes. Such deficits are partly due to the falling equity market and partly because of the overall increasing longevity of pensioners. More importantly, the strategic pension asset allocation has been seen as critical determinant of pension fund investment performance (Myners, 2001). However, the pension asset allocation is an under-resourced activity and struck by lack of clear objective and guidance (Myners, 2001). Therefore, the empirical analysis of how do pension fund trustees make their asset allocation decision in practice is of value to the pension fund profession, pension accountants and legislation regulators and the public at large. This paper contribute to the literature on pension fund investment strategy by providing the first multivariable analysis for UK defined benefits pension scheme asset allocation in the form of both cross section and panel data, using the data collected from the annual reports of a total 85 UK companies in the FTSE-100 at 1st May 2008 (FTSE, 2008). Our findings indicate that there are statistically significant relationships between pension asset allocation as independent variable and scheme maturity, scheme solvency, level of employer contribution and turnover volatility as independent variables. The findings support the view that: 1. Pension fund trustees tend to take more equity risk if they have a longer investment horizon; 2. Trustees became cautious about equity risk and tended to chose more conservative investment strategy (i.e. bonds) if they have ex

In recent years, the so-called pension crisis in the UK has drawn large attention in both business and academic world (Booth et al. 2004; Billings et al. 2006; O'Brien and Woods, 2006). In addition, it has become an important public issue since pension plays a central part in social welfare (Ombudsman, 2006). One important element that characterises this crisis is the large scale of the deficits reported by major listed companies in respect of their defined benefit pension schemes. Such deficits are partly due to the falling equity market and partly because of the overall increasing longevity of pensioners. More importantly, the strategic pension asset allocation has been seen as critical determinant of pension fund investment performance (Myners, 2001). However, the pension asset allocation is an under-resourced activity and struck by lack of clear objective and guidance (Myners, 2001). Therefore, the empirical analysis of how do pension fund trustees make their asset allocation decision in practice is of value to the pension fund profession, pension accountants and legislation regulators and the public at large. This paper contribute to the literature on pension fund investment strategy by providing the first multivariable analysis for UK defined benefits pension scheme asset allocation in the form of both cross section and panel data, using the data collected from the annual reports of a total 85 UK companies in the FTSE-100 at 1st May 2008 (FTSE, 2008). Our findings indicate that there are statistically significant relationships between pension asset allocation as independent variable and scheme maturity, scheme solvency, level of employer contribution and turnover volatility as independent variables. The findings support the view that: 1. Pension fund trustees tend to take more equity risk if they have a longer investment horizon; 2. Trustees became cautious about equity risk and tended to chose more conservative investment strategy (i.e. bonds) if they have ex

In recent years, the so-called pension crisis in the UK has drawn large attention in both business and academic world (Booth et al. 2004; Billings et al. 2006; O'Brien and Woods, 2006). In addition, it has become an important public issue since pension plays a central part in social welfare (Ombudsman, 2006). One important element that characterises this crisis is the large scale of the deficits reported by major listed companies in respect of their defined benefit pension schemes. Such deficits are partly due to the falling equity market and partly because of the overall increasing longevity of pensioners. More importantly, the strategic pension asset allocation has been seen as critical determinant of pension fund investment performance (Myners, 2001). However, the pension asset allocation is an under-resourced activity and struck by lack of clear objective and guidance (Myners, 2001). Therefore, the empirical analysis of how do pension fund trustees make their asset allocation decision in practice is of value to the pension fund profession, pension accountants and legislation regulators and the public at large. This paper contribute to the literature on pension fund investment strategy by providing the first multivariable analysis for UK defined benefits pension scheme asset allocation in the form of both cross section and panel data, using the data collected from the annual reports of a total 85 UK companies in the FTSE-100 at 1st May 2008 (FTSE, 2008). Our findings indicate that there are statistically significant relationships between pension asset allocation as independent variable and scheme maturity, scheme solvency, level of employer contribution and turnover volatility as independent variables. The findings support the view that: 1. Pension fund trustees tend to take more equity risk if they have a longer investment horizon; 2. Trustees became cautious about equity risk and tended to chose more conservative investment strategy (i.e. bonds) if they have ex