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The vehicular position information plays an important role in the vehicle communication. In open environments without signal blockage, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) has achieved on-road level accuracy and good reliability, However, the vehicle dynamic tracking is difficult in GNSS degraded environments. Usually, vehicle dynamic tracking consists of three portions: static positioning system, manoeuvring model and fusion algorithm. A radiobased positioning system aided by roadside units (RSUs) is employed as static positioning system, while the adaptive Kalman filter algorithm is used as fusion algorithm. In this paper, a new manoeuvring model is studied. Firstly, the problem of 'current' model is analysed. Secondly, a 'current-ellipse' manoeuvring model is proposed to adapt the strong and weak manoeuvring simultaneously. The experiments show that it can improve the tracking accuracy. Finally, a vehicle tracking case is discussed, its results show that root mean square error (RMSE) is smaller than 2 m, and the positioning accuracy can meet the position-based vehicular communication.

As for most location-aware applications need the precise location information, the wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are applied to positioning. But in some situation, Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) positioning algorithm for WSNs may result in fuzzy positioning. This paper proposes a method to optimize fuzzy positioning of TODA through maximum likelihood estimation based on the identification of causes of fuzzy positioning resulted from TODA; the simu- lation experiment shows that TDOA positioning algorithm optimized by maximum likelihood estimation features high po- sitioning accuracy and excellent environmental adaptability, thus constituting a practicable solution

This study chooses tourist attractions as the research object, and explores the response of female tourists to spokesmen of different tourist attractions. Inter-group experimental design was used to combine online network survey with off-line field survey. In data analysis, MATLAB software was used to analyze the variance of the experimental results, and to test the significance of the experimental results. In the aspect of result drawing, Origin software was used to render the result pictures. During the experiment, the subjects were randomly assigned to different experimental conditions to balance or reduce the errors caused by the differences between the subjects, so as to analyze the different responses of the subjects to stimuli. The results show that female tourists differ in their involvement of spokespersons for tourism products with different involvement degrees. On this basis, the brand strategy of tourist attractions is discussed and some suggestions are put forward.

The Spt–Ada–Gcn5–acetyltransferase (SAGA) chromatin-modifying complex is a highly conserved 2-MDa protein complex comprised of ∼20 subunits (Helmlinger et al. 2004; Lee and Workman 2007; Weake and Workman 2012). The complex is arranged in a modular fashion and contains two enzymatic activities: an acetyltransferase activity associated with the GCN5/Pcaf subunit and a deubiquitinase activity associated with the yUbp8/dNon-stop/hUsp22 subunit (Lee et al. 2011). In yeast, the ataxin-7 homolog is Sgf73, and studies have shown that it anchors the deubiquitinase module (which includes Sgf73, Sgf11, Sus1, and Ubp8) to the SAGA complex (Lee et al. 2009, 2011; Weake and Workman 2012). Crystal structures and biochemical analysis of the yeast deubiquitinase module have shown that the N terminus of Sgf73 extends deep into the deubiquitinase module, intertwining between the components of the module to ensure an active conformation for the deubiquitinase. Without Sgf73, the deubiquitinase is inactive (Kohler et al. 2010; Samara et al. 2010). The carefully orchestrated addition and removal of ubiquitin on H2B are important regulators of transcription. H2B monoubiquitination is a prerequisite for di- and trimethylation of H3K4 and H3K79, modifications associated with transcriptionally active chromatin (Lee et al. 2007). Here, we identify the gene product of CG9866 as the Drosophila homolog of ataxin-7 (Ataxin-7). Biochemical analysis, including affinity purification, multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT) proteomic analysis, and gel filtration chromatography, establish that Ataxin-7 is a stable component of the SAGA chromatin remodeling complex. Analysis of SAGA from Ataxin-7-deficient flies revealed the loss of components from the SAGA complex, consistent with a role for Ataxin-7 in anchoring the deubiquitinase module to the complex. In contrast to the increased H2Bub observed upon loss of ataxin-7 in yeast, we observed a decrease in H2B ubiquitination in Drosophila with no associated changes in histone methylation and a reduction in the levels of H3K9 acetylation but not K3K14 acetylation. This surprising change in H2B ubiquitination was confirmed in human cells in which knockdown of human Ataxin-7 also resulted in decreased H2B ubiquitination. We hypothesize that this decrease reflects the release of an active deubiquitinase module from SAGA and, consequently, loss of SAGA-associated regulation of the deubiquitinase activity. Consistent with this model, we found that the deubiquitinase is enzymatically active when the complex is reconstituted in vitro even in the absence of Ataxin-7. An examination of flies with reduced expression of Ataxin-7 showed that loss of Ataxin-7 results in neural and retinal degeneration, impaired movement, and decreased life span.

In view of people's increasing demand for location-aware service, high-accuracy indoor localization has been considered the top priority of location-based service (LBS), therefore, the compact and cost-effective ZigBee technology with low power dissipation will undoubtedly be taken as one of the options for indoor localization within small area. As the accuracy cannot satisfy the application requirement, traditional localization ZigBee-based algorithm is abandoned gradually. This paper proposes a novel ZigBee-based indoor fingerprint localization algorithm and optimizes it through back propagation neural network (BPNN) interpolation method. Simulation result shows that this algorithm can significantly reduce the number of fingerprints and improve localization accuracy.

In order to overcome some problems, such as its low accuracy and failure in evaluating its performance, this paper use the weighted trilaminar data fusion of LS-RSSI to improve the incipient localization estimate values by analyze and study the lease square (LS) and Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) algorithm. As a result, we obtain a trilaminar data fusion localization algorithm of LS-RSSI, which has a better optimized localization estimate value. This algorithm has the advantages of limited numbers of calculation and is able to reduce the localization errors. As shown in the simulation, we are able to get a much more accuracy and stable localization estimate value with the trilaminar data fusion technology.

This paper proposes an eye control system employing eye gaze tracking techniques that might be helpful for those limb disabled people with healthy eyes. Eye gaze tracking technique is attracting more and more research interest in recent years. With an aim to overcome the shortcomings of existing methods (e.g., high hardware complexity and low detection accuracy), we use the pupil-corneal reflection technique to develop an ameliorated Hough transform algorithm, which is the core unit of the proposed system. We also design a typing function as well as an efficiently blink detection function. With these functions, users can input numbers into the computer with their eyes only through a specifically designed head mount eye control device. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed ameliorated Hough transform algorithm provides a satisfactory typing accuracy of 87%, much higher than its counterpart in the literature.

SummaryThe formation of the larval body wall musculature of Drosophila depends on the asymmetric fusion of two myoblast types, founder cells (FCs) and fusion-competent myoblasts (FCMs). Recent studies have established an essential function of Arp2/3-based actin polymerization during myoblast fusion, formation of a dense actin focus at the site of fusion in FCMs, and a thin sheath of actin in FCs and/or growing muscles. The formation of these actin structures depends on recognition and adhesion of myoblasts that is mediated by cell surface receptors of the immunoglobulin superfamily. However, the connection of the cell surface receptors with Arp2/3-based actin polymerization is poorly understood. To date only the SH2-SH3 adaptor protein Crk has been suggested to link cell adhesion with Arp2/3-based actin polymerization in FCMs. Here, we propose that the SH2-SH3 adaptor protein Dock, like Crk, links cell adhesion with actin polymerization. We show that Dock is expressed in FCs and FCMs and colocalizes with the cell adhesion proteins Sns and Duf at cell–cell contact points. Biochemical data in this study indicate that different domains of Dock are involved in binding the cell adhesion molecules Duf, Rst, Sns and Hbs. We emphasize the importance of these interactions by quantifying the enhanced myoblast fusion defects in duf dock, sns dock and hbs dock double mutants. Additionally, we show that Dock interacts biochemically and genetically with Drosophila Scar, Vrp1 and WASp. Based on these data, we propose that Dock links cell adhesion in FCs and FCMs with either Scar– or Vrp1–WASp-dependent Arp2/3 activation.

A-plane gallium nitride (GaN) layers were grown on gamma-LiAlO2 (3 0 2) by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The structural properties of the layers were characterized by high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD). The structural and optical properties of a-plane GaN films are studied. The growth conditions with V/III ratios of 143 and 300 mbar may help produce a-GaN film with high quality and in a more isotropic shape. The polarization ratio of the near band emission of sample A (81.13%) was higher than sample B (54.65%), due to the improved crystallinity.

A-plane GaN films are deposited on (302) \gamma-LiAlO2 substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate that the in-plane orientation relationship between GaN and LAO substrates is [010]LAO//[0001]GaN and [203]LAO//[1100]GaN with 0.03% and 2.85% lattice mismatch, respectively. Raman scattering results indicate that the strain in the films decreases along with the increase in the thickness of the films. In addition to the band edge emission at 3.42 eV, defects-related luminescence at 3.35 eV is observed in the photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra indicate that the 3.35-eV emission is related to the V pits.

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) integrate the virtual cyber world with the real physical world. Nowadays, the theories and applications of CPSs still face enormous challenges. In order to facilitate this emerging domain, a general test platform for CPSs, low-priced intelligent vehicle with Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) navigation, is designed to test and verify the proposed methods and theories. We in brief review the research progresses of CPSs, WSNs and unmanned vehicles. By means of deeply analyzing the test platform architecture and WSN navigation principle, the software and hardware of this platform are developed. The experiment results show that the resolution of wireless sensor navigation is less than 0.67m. On the basis of these, how to conduct studies from different perspectives is illustrated, and the implementation challenges are also outlined. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of ICAE2011.

Single crystalline wurtzite a-plane GaN films were deposited on (3 0 2) LiAlO2 (LAO) substrates by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) results and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns in cross section indicated that the crystallographic orientation between LAO and wurtzite GaN was: [3 0 2]LAO parallel to [ 1 1 2 ¯ 0 ] GaN , [ 2 ¯ 0 3 ] LAO parallel to [ 1 1 ¯ 0 0 ] GaN and [0 1 0]LAO parallel to [0 0 0 1]GaN, the mismatches were −4.43%, −2.86% and −0.31%, respectively. When the incident beam parallel (or perpendicular) to the [0 0 0 1] direction of GaN, the FWHM values of ω-scans reached the minimum (or maximum). The a-GaN film was found to have steps along [ 10 1 ¯ 0 ] direction and strips coalesced parallel to [0 0 0 1] direction. The PL intensity of the emission peak around 364 nm reduced a lot when the polarization changed from E⊥c to E||c.

Enhancement of the efficiency, energy yield (EY) and COx selectivity of volatile organic compound (VOC) removal by negative DC corona discharge through application of a magnetic field was demonstrated. Experimental studies were carried out in a wire-to-cylinder type reactor composed of an aluminum cylinder with 20 mm inner diameter and a nickel-chrome wire with 0.5 mm diameter located at its axis. Toluene was chosen as the VOC agent. During the experiments, the outer aluminum tube was connected to a high DC voltage, while the central wire was grounded. The stationary magnetic field was supplied by cylindrical permanent magnets producing a magnetic field along the axis. Experimental results demonstrated that the magnetic field could efficiently increase the discharge current, the efficiency of toluene removal, EY, COx selectivity and the production of O3 and NOx. In addition, the above quantities were obviously improved with the increase of magnetic induction strength and magnetic field cover length. For example, at a discharge voltage of 10.6 kV, the removal efficiency value was 79.3% at 0 mT but increased to 85.5% and 91.5% when the magnetic induction strength was increased to 54 mT and 145 mT respectively. The analysis of the outlet gas through GC-MS indicated that the organic byproducts primarily consisted of formic acid, acetic acid, maleic anhydride and benzaldehyde. A possible pathway for toluene degradation was proposed based on these byproducts.

As the Beidou System (BDS) and Galilei Positioning system gradually improve, people intend to make use of more satellites to offer location service for vehicle and other mobile terminal. A kind of multi-mode vehicular positioning system is proposed, the whole framework can be divided into three parts as XN647-8 positioning module, signal processing module and the antenna. XN647-8 is a high-performance, low-cost single-chip GNSS receiver module. Its signal processing module includes a high gain, low noise amplifier chip XN114 and surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter circuit. Through a oscilloscope and analyzer, BDS/GPS antenna is measured and calibrated. So multimode receiver can actually receive satellite signal strength indication close to the theoretical value. The experimental results show that the receiver have a so good performance that it can achieve real-time location tracking well.

Base on the LTCC technology, the high integrated circuit, the excellent performance high frequency characteristic and good reliability can be achieved. This paper depicted theoretical analysis of Balun, and simulated a integrated and small Balun by using HFSS, its center frequency is 900 MHz, band width is 120 MHz, unbalance and balance impedance are 50 Ω, the degree of phase balance is 180 ± 6°. The real Balun is manufactured by using microwave ceramics material which its dielectric constant is 8 and loss tangent is 0.0005, By comparing the results of HFSS simulation analysis with the results of experiment, it shows clearly that experimental data is consistent with simulated data. It is discussed that some should be keep watch out in the experiment and simulation, and some technique is presented to control error between experimental data with simulated data.

Pushed by “Internet +” and Industry 4.0, the production mode of traditional industry will be changed by technological innovation. Since the core is intelligent manufacturing, the manufacturing industry will be intelligentized and internetized. Nowadays, however, most of the manufacturing facility cannot meet the requirement for intelligent manufacturing. Therefore, it’s necessary to design a remote industrial control system, having STM32F407 be the master CPU since its operating frequency can reach 168 MHz and STM32F103 be the node CPU since its cost performance is quite impressive. The master connects to the node with RS485. The master can also be the gateway, responsible for data exchange between intranet and server, while the node can detect sensors and control actuators. This system helps to realize intelligentization and internetization, meanwhile, administrators can monitor and control the system through computer and mobile terminals APP.

The advances in wireless communication techniques, mobile cloud computing, automotive and intelligent terminal technology are driving the evolution of vehicle ad hoc networks into the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) paradigm. This leads to a change in the vehicle routing problem from a calculation based on static data towards real-time traffic prediction. In this paper, we first address the taxonomy of cloud-assisted IoV from the viewpoint of the service relationship between cloud computing and IoV. Then, we review the traditional traffic prediction approached used by both Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) and Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) communications. On this basis, we propose a mobile crowd sensing technology to support the creation of dynamic route choices for drivers wishing to avoid congestion. Experiments were carried out to verify the proposed approaches. Finally, we discuss the outlook of reliable traffic prediction.

Pheochromocytomas are rare sympathoadrenal tumors that are highly vascular. Their malignancy is extremely difficult to estimate on the basis of histopathological features. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important angiogenic factors involved in both tumor growth and metastasis. In our search for new prognostic markers, we investigated the expression of VEGF in normal adrenal gland, in 105 primary pheochromocytomas, and in 6 metastases by using immunohistochemistry and Northern blot analysis. We also calculated the microvessel density of these tumors by staining the endothelial cells with monoclonal CD34 antibody. VEGF messenger ribonucleic acid was found in all pheochromocytomas studied. Immunohistochemically, VEGF was not found in normal adrenal medullary cells. Interestingly, all malignant pheochromocytomas (n=8), regardless of their primary location, had strong or moderate VEGF immunoreactivity, while most benign adrenal pheochromocytomas (26 of 37, 70.3%) were either negative or only weakly positive. The staining was heterogenous in extraadrenal pheochromocytomas as well as in a group of tumors that had histologically suspicious features but had not metastasized, here called borderline tumors (n=29). The microvessel density varied greatly in all of the tumor groups, and no statistical difference was found between these groups. Here we report moderate to strong VEGF expression in malignant pheochromocytomas, and negative or weak expression in benign adrenal pheochromocytomas. Normal medullary cells are immunohistochemically negative. Thus, low VEGF expression in pheochromocytomas favors a benign diagnosis.

Activin and its binding protein follistatin may act as local regulators of cell growth and steroidogenesis in the human ovary. The recently identified follistatin-related gene (FLRG) is expressed abundantly in the human ovary, has high affinity for activin, and is able to inhibit activin-induced transcriptional responses. However, little is known about the regulation of FLRG expression in specific cell types in the ovary, while it is known that gonadotrophins induce follistatin gene expression in human granulosa-luteal cells. In this study, we investigated the expression of FLRG mRNA in granulosa-luteal cells of preovulatory follicles obtained from women undergoing IVF. FLRG mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in fresh and cultured granulosa-luteal cells, as well as in normal ovarian stroma, theca and granulosa cells. Northern blot analysis revealed a 2.5 kb transcript of the FLRG in cultured granulosa-luteal cells. The protein kinase C activator, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA, 160 nmol/l), and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2), 1 micromol/l) increased FLRG mRNA accumulation up to 3-8 fold over the control level after 24 h of treatment, and these stimulatory effects were dose-dependent. Co-treatment with the protein kinase C inhibitor, Ro-31-8220 (3 micromol/l), blocked the stimulatory effect of TPA. Although short term treatment with the protein kinase A activator, (Bu)(2)cAMP (1 mmol/l), slightly reduced FLRG mRNA expression in most experiments, long term treatment with FSH (100 IU/l), LH (100 IU/l), or (Bu)(2)cAMP had no significant effect on the FLRG mRNA levels. As expected, gonadotrophins, protein kinase A and C activators and PGE(2) increased granulosa-luteal cell progesterone secretion into the culture media. Taken together, previous and our present data suggest that protein kinase C and A signal transduction pathways differently regulate the expression of FLRG and follistatin genes in human ovarian granulosa-luteal cells.

Activins and inhibins are glycoprotein hormones produced mainly in gonads but also in other organs. They are believed to be important para/autocrine regulators of various cell functions. We investigated activin/inhibin receptor and binding protein gene expression and the regulation of activin/inhibin secretion in human adrenal cells. RT-PCR revealed inhibin/activin α-, βA/B-subunit, follistatin, activin type I/II receptor, and inhibin receptor (betaglycan and inhibin-binding protein) mRNA expression in fetal and adult adrenals and cultured adrenocortical cells. Cultured cells secreted activin A and inhibin A/B as determined by specific ELISAs. ACTH stimulated inhibin A/B secretion in fetal (1.8- and 1.8-fold of control, respectively) and in adult cells (3.4- and 1.7-fold of control, respectively) without significant effect on activin A. 8-bromoadenosine cAMP (protein kinase A activator) increased activin A and inhibin A/B secretion in the human adrenocortical NCI-H295R cell line (32-, 17-, and 3-fold of control, respectively). 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (protein kinase C activator) stimulated both activin A and inhibin A secretion (764- and 32-fold of control, respectively), and activin treatment increased inhibin B secretion in these cells (25-fold of control). In conclusion, human adrenocortical cells produce dimeric activins and inhibins. ACTH stimulates inhibin secretion and decreases activin/inhibin secretion ratio, probably via the protein kinase A signal transduction pathway. This, together with the adrenocortical activin/ inhibin receptor and binding protein expression, suggests a physiological role for activins and inhibins in the human adrenal gland.

Earlier work implicates transcription factors GATA-4 and GATA-6 in murine adrenal function. We have now studied their expression during mouse and human adrenal development in detail. GATA-4 and GATA-6 mRNAs and protein are readily detectable from embryonic d 14 and gestational wk 19 onwards in the mouse and human adrenal cortex, respectively. In the postnatal adrenal, GATA-4 expression is downregulated, whereas GATA-6 mRNA and protein continue to be expressed. To clarify the significance of GATA-4 for early adrenocortical development, Gata4/ ES cells were injected into eight-cell-stage embryos derived from ROSA26 mice, a transgenic line expressing -galactosidase in all cell types, including the adrenocortical cells. The resultant chimeric embryos were stained with X-gal to discriminate ES cell- and host-derived tissue. Gata4/ cells contributed to adrenocortical cells in these chimeras, and these cells also expressed GATA-6. Taken together, our findings suggest that GATA-6 expression is needed throughout adrenal development from fetal to adult age. GATA-4, on the other hand, may serve a role in the fetal adrenal gene regulation, although it is not essential for early adrenocortical differentiation. (Endocrinology 143: 3136 –3143, 2002)

Pituitary gonadotropins mediate part of their effects on ovarian function via local hormones and growth factors produced by granulosa cells. Activins and inhibins are among these factors, and they have often opposite effects on various components of the reproductive system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the regulation of ovarian activin A secretion using cultured human ovarian granulosa-luteal cells as a model. The granulosa-luteal cells, obtained from women taking part in an in vitro fertilization program, were cultured and treated with FSH, LH, 8-bromo cAMP (8-BrcAMP, a protein kinase A activator) and 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA, a protein kinase C activator). Conditioned cell culture media were analyzed for activin A, inhibin A and progesterone concentrations with specific enzyme immunoassays. FSH and LH (1-100 IU/l) increased activin A secretion with 24 h of treatment (to 132% and 253% of control respectively; P

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the differential proteins that interact with protein kinase C‑δ (PKC‑δ) in hyperthermia‑induced apoptosis as well as thermotolerance in Tca8113 cells, and furthermore, to investigate the mechanisms of these processes in tumor cells. Activation of PKC‑δ was previously indicated to be involved in the heat sensitivity and thermal resistance of tongue squamous carcinoma cells. Tca8113 cell apoptosis was induced by incubation at 43˚C for 80 min and the thermotolerant Tca8113 cells (TT‑Tca8113) were generated through a gradient temperature‑elevating method. The apoptotic rate of the cells was determined by flow cytometry, while cleavage and activation of PKC‑δ were analyzed by western blot analysis. The proteins that interacted with PKC‑δ in the Tca8113 and TT‑Tca8113 cells were identified by co‑immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry. Co‑immunoprecipitation analysis followed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analysis were utilized to identify the pro‑ and anti‑apoptotic proteins that interacted with PKC‑δ. Significant cell apoptosis was observed in Tca8113 cells following hyperthermia, and the apoptotic rate was significantly higher than that in the control group (P

Malignancy of pheochromocytomas is difficult to estimate on the basis of histopathological features. Good prognostic markers are not available. In our search for new markers to differentiate malignant pheochromocytomas from benign ones we tested the value of inhibin/activin subunit expression. Inhibins are heterodimeric glycoproteins consisting of an alpha-subunit and either a betaA- or a betaB-subunit. Activins are composed of beta-subunits only. Immunohistochemically inhibin/activin betaB-subunit was strongly positive in the normal adrenal medulla, but the cortex was negative. A striking difference was found in inhibin/activin betaB expression between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas. The majority of benign adrenal tumors (27 of 30) showed strong or moderate immunoreactivity, whereas all seven malignant tumors were negative or only weakly positive for inhibin/activin betaB-subunit. The percentage of positively staining cells varied greatly in extraadrenal pheochromocytomas and in those benign tumors that showed over 5 mitoses/10 high power fields, necrosis, or capsular or vascular invasion, here called borderline tumors. Inhibin/activin betaB messenger ribonucleic acid was also found in pheochromocytomas. However, no significant differences in messenger ribonucleic acid levels were found in various types of tumors. Weak immunohistochemical positivity for inhibin/activin betaA-subunit was detected in the adrenal cortex, but the medulla and most of the pheochromocytomas were negative. Our data show that inhibin/activin betaB-subunit is expressed in normal adrenal medullary cells. Strong staining is found in most benign adrenal pheochromocytomas, whereas malignant tumors are almost negative. This suggests that loss of inhibin/activin betaB-subunit expression in pheochromocytomas may be used as an indicator of malignant potential.

During the human menstrual cycle, serum inhibin concentrations fluctuate in a cyclic fashion. To examine the regulation of inhibin/activin beta(B) subunit gene expression in ovarian granulosa-luteal cells, the levels of beta(B) subunit mRNA were determined in primary cultures of human granulosa-luteal cells treated with gonadotrophins and protein kinase modulators. Granulosa cells were obtained from women undergoing an IVF programme. The cells were enzymatically dispersed, separated from red blood cells, and maintained in culture for 5--10 days before addition of different agents. Northern blot analysis with specific oligonucleotide probes was performed to study inhibin/activin beta(B) subunit mRNA levels. Both LH and FSH reduced the accumulation of beta(B) subunit mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. The protein kinase A activator, (Bu)(2)cAMP, and the protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine also inhibited beta(B) subunit mRNA expression dose-dependently. Activin A increased dose-dependently beta(B) subunit mRNA expression. Our study suggests that activin-induced and gonadotrophin-inhibited beta(B) subunit expression in granulosa cells might be key factors in the transition from inhibin B to inhibin A dominance during the menstrual cycle.

Considering China’s public resources trading platform does not implement in the true sense of integration, information sharing still exist in isolation, security is not strong, large resources, poor timeliness, and efficiency is low, so we put forward a public resources trading platform based on cloud services. This system not only realize the public resources trading center insider, wealth, and the unity of the business process management, meanwhile to achieve resource virtualization, services can be quantified, and one-stop service online.

Human CLA-1 is homologous to the mouse SR-BI gene, which was recently identified as a high density lipoprotein receptor involved in selective cholesterol uptake in rodent adrenal cells. We screened 42 normal and pathological adrenal samples by Northern blotting and found abundant expression of CLA-1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in normal adult and fetal adrenals, adrenocortical adenomas, and hyperplasias. Adrenocortical carcinomas and the adrenals adjacent to Cushing's adenomas contained less CLA-1 mRNA than normal adrenals. CLA-1 mRNA was also highly expressed in a Leydig cell tumor, but much less in liver, kidney, and pheochromocytomas. The accumulation of CLA-1 mRNA in primary cultures of normal adrenocortical cells was up-regulated by ACTH in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Both dibutyryl cAMP and staurosporine increased the basal expression of CLA-1 mRNA. Although there was no additive effect of ACTH and dibutyryl cAMP, staurosporine slightly enhanced the stimulatory effect of ACTH on the expression of CLA-1 mRNA. The abundant expression of CLA-1 mRNA and its regulation by the physiological hormone ACTH in human adrenal cells suggest that CLA-1 has a role in adrenal steroidogenesis, probably as a lipoprotein receptor mediating the selective cholesterol uptake in these cells.

The recently cloned cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor gene p57KIP2 is genomically imprinted and located on human chromosome 11p15.5. This region contains two other imprinted genes, insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) and H19, both of which seem to be implicated in adrenal neoplasms. We analyzed the expression of the putative tumor suppressor p57KIP2 gene by Northern blotting in normal and hyperplastic adrenals, adrenocortical tumors, and pheochromocytomas. The expression of p57KIP2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) correlated positively with H19 and negatively with IGF-II RNA in adrenocortical tissues. p57KIP2 mRNA (and H19 RNA) was abundantly expressed in normal human adrenals, adrenocortical adenomas from patients with Cushing’s or Conn’s syndrome or without clinical evidence of hormone overproduction, hyperplastic adrenals, and tumor-adjacent adrenal tissues, in which IGF-II mRNA expression was low. In most adrenocortical carcinomas and virilizing adrenal adenomas, very low levels of both p57KIP2 and H19 RNAs were observed, whereas IGF-II was highly expressed. In pheochromocytomas, p57KIP2 and H19 RNA expression was highly variable, but on the average it was about 45% and 27%, respectively, of that in normal and tumor-adjacent adrenals. In cultured adrenocortical cells, ACTH and dibutyryl cAMP treatment slightly reduced the predominant 1.7-kilobase (kb) transcript of p57KIP2 gene, but induced a 2.5-kb transcript with a simultaneous increase in H19 RNA expression. The stimulatory effect of ACTH on the 2.5-kb p57KIP2 and H19 transcript accumulation was enhanced by exogenous IGF-II and IGF-I. Our data show that p57KIP2 and H19 RNAs are expressed usually in parallel in normal and pathological adrenocortical tissues. The decreased expression of both p57KIP2 and H19 RNAs in conjunction with elevated IGF-II mRNA expression in hormonally active adrenocortical carcinomas suggests that the loss of expression of the putative tumor suppressor genes p57KIP2 and H19 may be involved in the pathogenesis of these neoplasms.

In the past decade, internet of things (IoT) has been a focus of research. Security and privacy are the key issues for IoT applications, and still face some enormous challenges. In order to facilitate this emerging domain, we in brief review the research progress of IoT, and pay attention to the security. By means of deeply analyzing the security architecture and features, the security requirements are given. On the basis of these, we discuss the research status of key technologies including encryption mechanism, communication security, protecting sensor data and cryptographic algorithms, and briefly outline the challenges.

Liu J, Heikkilä P, Voutilainen R, Karonen S-L, Kahri AI, Pheochromocytoma expressing adrenocorticotropin and corticotropin-releasing hormone; regulation by glucocorticoids and nerve growth factor. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;131:221–8. ISSN 0804–4643 A pheochromocytoma from a 59-year-old woman was found to be immunoreactive to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), chromogranin, neurofilament-200, neuron-specific enolase and S-100 protein. Northern blot analysis showed that both proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) genes were expressed in the pheochromocytoma but not in the surrounding adrenal cortex. In primary culture, the POMC and CRH mRNAs were increased by dexamethasone (500 μg/l for 3 days) up to 10- and 15-fold of the control, respectively. The secretion of ACTH also was stimulated eightfold with the same treatment. The stimulatory effect of dexamethasone on POMC gene expression was inhibited 70% by nerve growth factor (NGF, 200 μg/l), 30% by 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA, 160 nmol/l) (a protein kinase-C activator) and 30% by (Bu)2cAMP (1 mmol/ 1). On the other hand, NGF alone increased the CRH mRNA accumulation up to 10-fold, and further enhanced the stimulatory effect of dexamethasone on the CRH mRNA twofold, and TPA inhibited (30%) the dexamethasone-induced CRH mRNA accumulation. Furthermore, the conditioned medium of the pheochromocytoma cells increased secretion of corticosterone fourfold in the primary culture of rat fetal adrenal cells. Our results indicate abnormal expression and regulation of POMC and CRH genes in this pheochromocytoma. Arvi I Kahri, Department of Pathology, PO Box 21 (Haartmaninkatu 3), FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland

Liu J, Kahri AI, Teppo A-M, Voutilainen R. Regulation of parathyroid hormone gene expression and peptide secretion in human parathyroid cells. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:394–401. ISSN 0804–4643 In cell cultures prepared from human parathyroid adenomas, parathyroid hormone (PTH) mRNA expression decreased slowly. During short-term incubations (less than 24), a low calcium concentration (0.5 mmol/l) and protein kinase C activator TPA (12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate) (160 nmol/l) increased PTH secretion (60%; p Raimo Voutilainen, Department of Pathology, PO Box 21 (Haartmaninkatu 3), SF-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland

Cloud computing applied more and more widely, but cloud computing terminal equipment is missing on the market. According to the current characteristics of cloud computing and users' needs, raised a total solution for cloud computing terminal equipment and discussed the key technologies in-depth. From selection of hardware and software designation to system testing, this paper does a complete introduction. Through analyzing the characteristics of the Remote Desktop Protocol, found shortcoming of RDP protocol and improved its performance by reduced the transmission data. Good display of this solution increasing customer satisfaction, which lay a good foundation to open foreign markets.

The aim of the present study was to characterise the expression pattern of the multifunctional vasoactive peptide adrenomedullin (ADM) in human ovarian tumors, and to find hormonal regulators of ADM expression in human ovaries. The expression of ADM messenger RNA (mRNA) was higher in granulosa cell tumors than in fibrothecomas and normal ovaries, as analysed by Northern blots. In normal ovaries, ADM immunoreactivity was localised in both granulosa and thecal cells. Eight of the 90 granulosa cell tumors (9%) showed moderate and 53 (59%) weak ADM immunoreactivity, whereas 27% (11/41) of the fibrothecomas displayed weak ADM staining. FSH, protein kinase A activator (Bu)(2)cAMP, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), activin A and the broad protein kinase regulator staurosporine decreased ADM mRNA accumulation in cultured granulosa-luteal cells time- and dose-dependently. FSH, (Bu)(2)cAMP and PGE(2) increased progesterone secretion and the accumulation of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein mRNA in these cells. In conclusion, ADM is expressed in normal human ovaries and sex cord-stromal tumors, particularly in those of granulosa cell origin. FSH, PGE(2,) (Bu)(2)cAMP and activin A suppress ADM gene expression in granulosa-luteal cells. Expression of ADM in human ovaries and its hormonal regulation in granulosa cells suggests a paracrine role for ADM in ovarian function.

This paper discussed advantage and disadvantage of solution scheme of embedded ship navigation system platform, established a ship navigation embedded terminal platform base on S3C2440 which has high price performance ratio. Introduced bootloader designation, Linux kernel porting and graphic library QTE porting, as well as ship navigation application framework and implemented result based on this platform. With combination of global satellite, position technology, wireless communication technology and embedded system technology, realized embedded platform and confirmed the practicability of platform by navigation application.

Activin affects adrenocortical steroidogenesis and increases apoptosis, while follistatin (FS) acts as an activin antagonist by binding to activin, preventing attachment to its receptors. The regulation of FS expression in the adrenal cortex is poorly understood. Adrenocortical tumors often display aberrant methylation. In the present study, we investigated the effect of DNA methylation on FS mRNA expression and peptide secretion in adrenocortical cells. We treated human NCI-H295R adrenocortical cells with the methylation inhibitor 5-Aza-2′deoxycytidine (Azad; 0.1–100 μM for 1, 4 or 7 days) and measured FS mRNA expression by Northern blot and quantitative real time RT-PCR analyses as well as FS secretion by specific ELISA. Methylation-specific PCR showed decreased methylation in the FS promoter region after Azad treatment. A significant (P < 0.05) time- and dose-dependent increase in FS mRNA expression (up to 4.6-fold) and peptide secretion (up to 17.1-fold) was detected after Azad treatment. We conclude that FS gene expression and peptide secretion in NCI-H295R adrenocortical cells are regulated by DNA methylation. Thus, variable methylation in different adrenocortical tumors may influence activin bioactivity and its consequences in steroidogenesis and cell proliferation/apoptosis.

Transcription factor GATA-6 is expressed in fetal and adult human adrenal cortex and has been suggested to have a role in adrenal androgen synthesis. In other tissues GATA-6 has been linked to the cell cycle regulation and the dedifferentiation of carcinoma cells. GATA-6 has been shown to be downregulated in mouse adrenocortical tumors, but has not been studied in human adrenocortical tumors in detail. We have now analyzed GATA-6 expression in 20 human adrenocortical adenomas and 16 carcinomas using Northern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. GATA-6 mRNA and protein expression was remarkably diminished in adrenocortical carcinomas as compared to normal adrenal cortex and adenomas (p

Activins and inhibins are often antagonistic in the regulation of ovarian function. TGFbeta type III receptor, betaglycan, has been identified as a coreceptor to enhance the binding of inhibins to activin type II receptor and thus to prevent the binding of activins to their receptor. In this study we characterized the expression and regulation pattern of betaglycan gene in normal ovaries and sex cord-stromal tumors and in cultured human granulosa-luteal cells from women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Expression of betaglycan mRNA was detected by RT-PCR or Northern blotting in normal ovarian granulosa, thecal, and stroma cells as well as in granulosa-luteal cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive staining for betaglycan in antral and preovulatory follicular granulosa and thecal cells and in corpora lutea of normal ovaries. Furthermore, betaglycan expression was detected in the vast majority of granulosa cell tumors, thecomas, and fibromas, with weaker staining in granulosa cell tumors compared with fibrothecomas. In cultured granulosa-luteal cells, FSH and LH treatment increased dose-dependently the accumulation of betaglycan mRNA, as did the protein kinase A activator dibutyryl cAMP and the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine. In contrast, the protein kinase C activator 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate had no significant effect on betaglycan mRNA levels. Treatment with prostaglandin E(2) and with its receptor EP2 subtype agonist butaprost increased betaglycan mRNA accumulation and progesterone secretion dose- and time-dependently. In summary, betaglycan gene is expressed in normal human ovarian steroidogenic cells and sex cord-stromal ovarian tumors. The accumulation of its mRNA in cultured granulosa-luteal cells is up-regulated by gonadotropins and prostaglandin E(2), probably via the protein kinase A pathway. The specific expression and regulation pattern of betaglycan gene may be related to the functional antagonism of inhibins to activin signal transduction in human ovaries.

Activins and inhibins are structurally related glycoprotein hormones modulating pituitary FSH secretion and gonadal steroidogenesis. Activins and inhibins are also produced in the adrenal cortex where their physiological role is poorly known. Hormonally active human adrenocortical tumors express and secrete inhibins, while in mice adrenal inhibins may function as tumor suppressors. To clarify the significance of adrenal activins and inhibins we investigated the localization of activin/inhibin signaling components in the adrenal gland, and the effects of activins and inhibins on adrenocortical steroidogenesis and apoptosis.Activin receptor type II/IIB and IB, activin signal transduction proteins Smad2/3, and inhibin receptor betaglycan were expressed throughout the adrenal cortex, whereas Smad4 expression was seen mainly in the zona reticularis and the innermost zona fasciculata as evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Treatment of cultured adrenocortical carcinoma NCI-H295R cells with activin A inhibited steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase mRNA accumulation as evaluated by the Northern blot technique, and decreased cortisol, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate secretion as determined by specific enzyme immunoassays. Activin A increased apoptosis as measured by a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in situ apoptosis detection method. Inhibins had no effect on steroidogenesis or apoptosis.In summary, activin/inhibin signaling components are coexpressed in the zona reticularis and the innermost zona fasciculata indicating full signaling potential for adrenal activins and inhibins in these layers. Activin inhibits steroidogenic enzyme gene expression and steroid secretion, and increases apoptosis in human adrenocortical cells. Thus, the activin-inhibin system may have a significant role in the regulation of glucocorticoid and androgen production and apoptotic cell death in the human adrenal cortex.

Formal concept analysis FCA is a powerful tool for data mining, ontology research, web semantic retrieval, software engineering, and knowledge discovery. Concept lattice is the core data structure of FCA. Association rules mining methods based on concept lattices are discussed. The algorithms of constructing concept lattices are introduced, and the merits and drawbacks of these algorithms are compared. The research situation about attribute reduction of concept lattice is given. Furthermore, the extended models of concept lattice and the challenges to development of concept lattice are introduced. At last, many problems on FCA and concept lattice needed to study deeply are given.

Low H19 and abundant IGF-II expression may have a role in the development of adrenocortical carcinomas. In the mouse, the H19 promoter area has been found to be methylated when transcription of the H19 gene is silent and unmethylated when it is active. We used PCR-based methylation analysis and bisulfite genomic sequencing to study the cytosine methylation status of the H19 promoter region in 16 normal adrenals and 30 pathological adrenocortical samples. PCR-based analysis showed higher methylation status at three HpaII-cutting CpG sites of the H19 promoter in adrenocortical carcinomas and in a virilizing adenoma than in their adjacent normal adrenal tissues. Bisulfite genomic sequencing revealed a significantly higher mean degree of methylation at each of 12 CpG sites of the H19 promoter in adrenocortical carcinomas than in normal adrenals (P0.01 for all sites) or adrenocortical adenomas (P0.01, except P0.05 for site 12 and P0.05 for site 11). The mean methylation degree of the 12 CpG sites was significantly higher in the adrenocortical carcinomas (mean +/- SE, 76 +/- 7%) than in normal adrenals (41 +/- 2%) or adrenocortical adenomas (45 +/- 3%; both P0.005). RNA analysis indicated that the adrenocortical carcinomas expressed less H19 but more IGF-II RNAs than normal adrenal tissues did. The mean methylation degree of the 12 H19 promoter CpG sites correlated negatively with H19 RNA levels (r = -0.550; P0.01), but positively with IGF-II mRNA levels (r = 0.805; P0.001). In the adrenocortical carcinoma cell line NCI-H295R, abundant IGF-II, but minimal H19, RNA expression was detected by Northern blotting. Treatment with a cytosine methylation inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, increased H19 RNA expression, whereas it decreased IGF-II mRNA accumulation dose- and time-dependently (both P0.005) and reduced cell proliferation to 10% in 7 d. Our results suggest that altered DNA methylation of the H19 promoter is involved in the abnormal expression of both H19 and IGF-II genes in human adrenocortical carcinomas.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF) and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) have been shown to be involved in ovarian follicular growth/development and steroidogenesis. Recently, a number of low-affinity IGFBP-related proteins (IGFBP-rP) have been characterized. In this study, we investigated the expression of the gene for IGFBP-rP2 (also known as connective tissue growth factor, CTGF) in human granulosa cells in vitro and in vivo. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that IGFBP-rP2 mRNA is expressed in cultured human granulosa–luteal cells obtained from women undergoing an IVF programme. Accumulation of IGFBP-rP2 mRNA was dose-dependently down-regulated by FSH and LH after 24 h treatment (both P < 0.05) in cultured granulosa–luteal cells. The inhibitory effects of gonadotrophins were mimicked by treatment with the protein kinase A activator, (Bu) 2 cAMP. Protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine reduced, whereas protein kinase C activator TPA (12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate) increased, IGFBP-rP2 mRNA accumulation. These results suggest that the inhibitory effects of gonadotrophins on IGFBP-rP2 gene expression may involve signal transduction via both protein kinase A and C pathways. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive staining for IGFBP-rP2 in the granulosa and theca cells of normal human ovarian follicles. Corpus luteum and ovarian surface epithelial cells were also positively stained. Modulation of IGFBP-rP2 expression by gonadotrophic hormones may have a role in ovarian follicular development and in the ovulatory process.

Angiogenesis is an important component in many biological processes and also in pathologic conditions including neoplastic diseases. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a secreted endothelial cell-specific growth factor, which is induced by tissue hypoxia and is angiogenic in vivo. Adrenal gland is a well-vascularized organ, and the roles of VEGF in normal adrenal and in adrenal tumorigenesis is not well characterized. We therefore investigated VEGF mRNA expression in normal human adrenals and in cultured adrenocortical cells. VEGF mRNA was constantly expressed in normal adrenals as well as in cultured adrenocortical cells. The mRNA levels were increased after 24h stimulation with either ACTH or cAMP. The effect of cAMP was dose-dependent. This suggests that ACTH-induced VEGF mRNA expression is mediated via protein kinase A dependent pathway.

Corticosteroids are synthesized from cholesterol which may arise from de novo synthesis or from the uptake of low or high density lipoproteins (LDL or HDL). In the present study, we compared the expression and regulation patterns of LDL receptor and CLA-1 (CD36 and LIMPII Analogous-1, an HDL receptor) genes in adult human adrenocortical tissues to shed more light on the relative contribution of LDL and HDL in human adrenal steroidogenesis. By screening 64 normal and pathological adrenal samples by Northern blotting, we found a positive correlation between LDL receptor and CLA-1 mRNA expression in the adrenal tissues (r=0.547; spearman rank correlation test P

The expression of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene varies considerably in human pheochromocytomas, but the mechanisms for this variation have not been clarified. To investigate the regulation pattern of the NPY gene in human pheochromocytomas, we screened 16 pheochromocytomas and 9 normal adrenal tissues with Northern blots. The expression level of NPY mRNA in normal adrenal medulla was low and relatively constant, while the pheochromocytomas showed a very wide variation in NPY mRNA levels in both malignant and benign tumors. This indicates that NPY gene expression is not correlated with malignancy in pheochromocytomas. In primary cultures of human pheochromocytoma cells, nerve growth factor treatment (causing neuronal differentiation) increased NPY mRNA accumulation 2- to 5-fold (P < 0.05). NPY mRNA levels were also induced by protein kinase modulators (Bu)(2)cAMP and staurosporine in the cultures (P < 0.05). In contrast, treatment with dexamethasone and IGF-II (causing or linked with chromaffin differentiation) reduced NPY mRNA accumulation (P < 0.05). These data show that the regulation pattern of NPY mRNA expression in cultured human pheochromocytoma cells is different from that previously described in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Regulation of NPY mRNA expression in primary cultures by these differentiating factors suggests that the expression of NPY mRNA in pheochromocytoma tissues may be associated with the neuronal differentiation of the tumor cells affected by multiple factors.

GaN nanopyramid (NP) arrays have been fabricated by a convenient electrodeless photoelectrochemical etching method. Transmission electron microscopy measurement indicates that these NPs are composed of crystalline GaN surrounding a dislocation. High-resolution X-ray diffraction and the micro-Raman spectrum reveal a highly compressive stress relaxation in the NPs compared with compressed GaN subfilm. Additionally, negative piezoelectric current pluses are generated from the GaN NPs when the conductive atomic force microscope scans cross the arrays in the contact mode. The result demonstrates that the GaN NP arrays are a promising candidate for nanogenerators.

Williamson—Hall (W-H) analysis is often used to separate the lateral coherence length (LCL) broadening and dislocation broadening on the ω-scan with a Lorentzian distribution. However, besides the LCL broadening and dislocation broadening, curvature also can broaden the ω-scan peak. Usually, the ω-scan can be described by a Pseudo-Voigt (P-V) function more precisely than a Lorentzian function. Based on the P-V fit peak profile, we modify the W-H plots. Both LCL broadening and curvature broadening can be eliminated from (001) ω-scans plots simultaneously, and a reliable tilt can be obtained. This method is a good complementary for the existing method, but is more convenient. Although we focuse on GaN layers, the results are applicable to a wide range of other materials having mosaic structures.