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We analyze the cross-correlation function of the soft and hard X-rays of the atoll source 4U 1636-53 with RXTE data. The results show that the cross-correlations evolve along the different branches of the color-color diagram. At the lower left banana states, we have both positive and ambiguous correlations, and positive correlations are dominant for the lower banana and the upper banana states. The anti-correlation is detected at the top of the upper banana states. The cross-correlations of two atoll sources 4U 1735-44 and 4U 1608-52 have been studied in previous work, and the anti-correlations are detected at the lower left banana or the top of the upper banana states. Our results show that, in the 4U 1636-53, the distribution of the cross-correlations in the color-color diagram is similar to those of 4U 1735-44 and 4U 1608-52, and confirm further that the distribution of cross-correlations in color-color diagram could be correlated with the luminosity of the source.

We have investigated the relation between the root mean square (rms) variability and the X-ray flux (rms-flux relation) of the Z source Cyg X-2, and as well the energy dependence based on the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) observations. We currently focus on the horizontal branch (HB), due to the negative correlation in flux of the soft and the hard X-rays. The rms-flux correlation has energy dependence as follows: positive at hard X-rays (above 10 keV) but negative at soft X-rays (below 10 keV). This provides a feature different from the previous one, and may be suggestive of different origins of X-rays below and above 10 keV. Nevertheless, the overall spectrum can be well fitted with a model consisting of a blackbody and Comptonization components, but the fitting results do not reveal any features around 10 keV that could account for such a change in the rms-flux relation.

A wide band, integrated linear printed antenna array with low sidelobe cosecant square-shaped beam pattern is presented. Array synthesis mainly about the wide shaped coverage, low ripple and sidelobe level (SLL) has been done using the modifled least square method by matrix inversion. A printed dipole integrated with wideband balun has been chosen as the array element for wide bandwidth and good integration with the feeding network. Simulated results have shown good agreement with the measured results of the antenna array, which has a VSWR • 1:3 bandwidth 15% and good pattern with cosecant square-shaped region beyond 30 - and SLL • i27dB in L-band.

In the radiation-hydrodynamics model, the time lag and fractional root-mean-squared (rms) amplitude as a function of emitted photon energy should show a minimum on the normal branch oscillations. This has been seen in the Z-sources Cyg X-2 and GX 5-1. Here, using the observations from the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE), we study the energy dependence of normal branch QPOs in the peculiar Z-source Cir X-1. We discuss the results in the context of radiation-hydrodynamics and the Comptonization model.

The high mass X-ray binary 4U 1901+03 was reported to have the pulse profile evolving with the X-ray luminosity and energy during its outburst in February-July 2003: the pulse peak changed from double to single along with the decreasing luminosity. We have carried out a detailed analysis on the contemporary phase-resolved energy spectrum of 4U 1901+03 as observed by Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). We find that, both the continuum and the pulse spectra are phase dependent. The optical depth derived from the pulse spectrum is in general larger than that from the continuum. Fe Ka emission line is only detected in the spectrum of the continuum and is missing in the pulse spectrum. This suggests an origin of Fe emission from the accretion disk but not the surface of the neutron star., 18 pages, 8 figures, accepted by ApJ

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of the antioxidant probucol on myocardial oxidative stress and collagen remodeling by determining type I and III collagen together with relevant collagen mRNA expressions in both the infarcted and noninfarcted myocardium in post-myocardial infarction (MI) rats. Acute myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of the left anterior coronary artery in rats. Rats surviving 24 h after MI were randomly assigned to the group treated with vehicle or probucol. Sham-operated rats served as controls. Cardiac hemodynamics, parameters of oxidative stress in noninfarcted myocardium, collagen content, collagen volume density fraction, collagen type I and III together with the ratio, type I and III collagen mRNA were evaluated after 6 weeks. Probucol decreased oxidative stress as assessed by increased myocardial total antioxidative capacity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and SOD-to-myocardial malondialdehyde (MDA) ratio accompanied by decreased MDA level, decreased left ventricular end diastolic pressure and LV -dP/dtmax, and decreased collagen content and CVF in the noninfarcted area accompanied by decrease of type I and III mRNA expressions. The increase of collagen type I/III ratio in noninfarcted area was suppressed by probucol accompanied by inhibition of the increase in type I/III collagen mRNA ratio. Probucol did not affect collagen type I/III ratio and the corresponding mRNA ratio in the infarcted area. These results suggest that suppression of oxidative stress by probucol may attenuate collagen synthesis by inhibition of collagen mRNA expressions and improve diastolic function.

We report the detections of the anti-correlated soft and hard X-rays, and the time lags of $\sim$ hecto-second from the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary Cyg X-2, a well-known Z-type luminous source. Both the anti-correlation and the positive correlation were detected during the low-intensity states, while only the latter showed up during high-intensity states. Comparing with the lower part of normal branch and flaring branch, more observations located on the horizontal and the upper normal branches are accompanied with the anti-correlation, implying the occurrence of the anti-correlation under circumstance of a low mass accretion rate. So far the anti-correlated hard lag of thousand-second timescale are only reported from the Galactic black hole candidates in their hard states. Here we provide the first evidence that a similar feature can also establish in a neutron-star system like Cyg X-2. Finally, the possible origins of the observed time lags are discussed under the current LMXB models., Comment: 23 pages 106 figures accepted for publication in ApJ

MPI-based parallel modified conformal finite difference time domain (P-MC-FDTD) method based on effective parameters for solving the scattering of electrically large coated targets is presented in this paper. The thin coating and free-space in a curved cell are replaced by an equivalent medium. The effective permittivity and electric conductivity for electric field samples on the cells are calculated by weighted-length of the medium and the free space. The modified conformal technique is used for magnetic field samples by dealing with stable conformal grids and unstable-prone conformal grids respectively. Combined with the parallel FDTD algorithm, the radar cross section (RCS) of 3-D electrically large coated targets can be calculated accurately.

We present X-ray spectral analyses of the low-mass X-ray binary Cir X-1 during X-ray dips, using the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) data. Each dip was divided into several segments, and the spectrum of each segment was fitted with a three-component blackbody model, in which the first two components are affected by partial covering and the third one is unaffected. A Gaussian emission line is also included in the spectral model to represent the Fe K alpha line at similar to 6.4keV. The fitted temperatures of the two partially covered components are about 2 keV and I keV, while the uncovered component has a temperature of similar to 0.5-0.6keV. The equivalent blackbody emission radius of the hottest component is the smallest and that of the coolest component is the largest. During the dips the fluxes of the two hot components are linearly correlated, while that of the third component does not show any significant variation. The Fe line flux remains constant, within the errors, during the short dips. However, during the long dips the line flux varies significantly and is positively correlated with the fluxes of the two hot components. These results suggest: (1) that the temperature of the X-ray emitting region decreases with radius, (2) that the Fe Ka line emitting region is close to the hot continuum emitting region, and (3) that the size of the Fe line emitting region is larger than that of the obscuring matter causing the short dips but smaller than the region of that causing the long dips.

AP2/EREBP transcription factors (TFs) play very important roles in plant development, hormonal regulation and stress response. Upon genome-wide cDNA cloning, phylogenetic and expression pattern analyses of this plant specific TF family, we found that three of the members including At1g71450, At1g50680 and At5g13910, were likely involved in responses to ABA, cold and salt. Complementary DNAs containing putative full-length ORFs of these three TFs were obtained and fused individually to the GAL4 DNA-binding domains. All the 3 genes functioned effectively as trans-activators using yeast one-hybrid assays. RT-PCR experiments showed that the At1g71450 gene was induced by ABA and low temperature; the At1g50680 gene was responsive to quite a few stress conditions, but especially to freezing temperature; and the At5g13910 gene was induced by high salt treatment, drought and ethylene. By searching the ABRC T-DNA insertion mutant stocks, we obtained knockout lines for these TFs. Homozygous ko1 (At1g71450) plants showed a hypersensitive response to ABA during seed germination and also in stomata movement. Homozygous ko2 (At1g50680) plants showed a significant reduction in plant freezing tolerance compared to the wild type after chilling treatment. Homozygous ko3 (At5g13910) were less tolerant to high salinity than wild type plants. Our data suggest that At1g71450 is a negative regulator in ABA signaling, while At1g50680 and At5g13910 are positive regulators in cold and salt stress responses, respectively.

A wide-band Yagi-Uda antenna with an x-shape driven dipole for the Meteor Burst Communication (MBC) at the VHF is presented in this paper. The parameter design and multi-objective optimization process of the proposed antenna are given. And effects of the angle that the x-shape driven dipole spread on the performance of the antenna are also studied in detail. The measured and simulated impedance bandwidth of VSWR

To study the status of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Ningxia, and therefore to provide scientific data for tuberculosis control in this area.Drug sensitivity tests were carried out by sputum culture and the proportional method in all patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis from April 2014 to April 2013 in Ningxia. Statistical analysis was performed with χ²-test.This survey included 2 369 cases (1 177 males, 1 192 females), aged 12 to 80 years (mean 51 ± 21). There were 1 176 patients of Han nationality, 844 Hui nationality , and 349 other nationalities. Cases with initial treatment were 2 255, and those with retreatment were 114. A total of 665 isolates were obtained. The total drug resistance rate was 26.6% (177 cases); the initial drug resistant rate was 20.2% (119/590 cases), while the acquired resistant rate was 77.3% (58/75 cases). The rate of single drug resistance was 11.7%(78/665 cases), MDR was 7.8%(52/665 cases), and multiple drug resistance was 7.1%(47/665 cases). In different areas, ethnic minority, drug-resistant bacterial classification, the rate of initial and retreatment resistance were statistically different.Drug resistant tuberculosis prevention and control in Ningxia should be focused on newly diagnosed single drug-resistant cases, retreatment multiple-drug resistant cases, and drug resistant cases in minority areas.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves heart function and reduces all-cause mortality in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, there are still about one third patients, who fulfilled the indications of guidelines, unrespond to CRT. The inflammatory injury is the major reason

To establish the two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE)maps of callus induced from ginseng root,and to provide scientific method and data support for the study of secondary metabolites biosynthesis pathways of ginseng.Total protein was extracted from ginseng callus by three different methods. The best protein extraction method of ginseng callus tissue was determined by the protein yield, purity and SDS-PAGE protein bands. By using 2-DE technology, the 2-DE maps of ginseng callus was established. The mass spectrometry and function on part of the protein were analyzed using MALDI-TOF-TOF and Swiss-Prot software.Modified phenol extraction method (the third method)was the best protein extraction method of ginseng callus tissue, and it could obtain a high resolution 2-DE map. The second method was lesser. The protein quality of the first method could not be used for the analysis of 2-DE. 12 protein spots of the second and third methods were successfully identified by mass spectrometry.This study established extraction methods suitable for ginseng callus protein and 2-DE patterns.

An omnidirectional printed dipole array antenna (OPDAA) suitable for the vehicle loaded mobile communication in the UHF is presented in this paper. This OPDAA consists of 1 × 4 printed dipoles of identical dimensions, which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central feed twin-lines. The parameter design, feeding method and optimization process of the proposed OPDAA are presented. Effects of the spacing among the four double-sided dipoles on the performance of the antenna are also studied in detail. The experimental results show that good omnidirectional radiation with gain variations less than 0.7 dBi in the azimuth plane and the shaped radiation pattern in the elevation plane fit for the practical application of communication have been obtained. The impedance bandwidth of VSWR

This paper presents a novel approach for the efficient solution of large-scale periodic microstrip antenna arrays using the newly introduced characteristic basis functions (CBFs) in conjunction with the method of moments (MoM) based on the conventional RWG basis functions. The CBFs are special types of high-level basis functions by incorporating the physics of the problem, defined over domains that encompass a relatively large number of conventional subdomain basis functions. The advantages of applying the CBF method (CBFM) are illustrated by several representative examples, and the computation time as well as the memory requirements are compared to those of conventional direct computation. It is demonstrated that the use of CBFs can result in significant savings in computation time and memory requirements, with little or no compromise in the accuracy of the solution.

The Large sky Area Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) General Survey is a spectroscopic survey that will eventually cover approximately half of the celestial sphere and collect 10 million spectra of stars, galaxies and QSOs. Objects both in the pilot survey and the first year general survey are included in the LAMOST First Data Release (DR1). The pilot survey started in October 2011 and ended in June 2012, and the data have been released to the public as the LAMOST Pilot Data Release in August 2012. The general survey started in September 2012, and completed its first year of operation in June 2013. The LAMOST DR1 includes a total of 1202 plates containing 2,955,336 spectra, of which 1,790,879 spectra have observed signal-to-noise S/N >10. All data with S/N>2 are formally released as LAMOST DR1 under the LAMOST data policy. This data release contains a total of 2,204,696 spectra, of which 1,944,329 are stellar spectra, 12,082 are galaxy spectra and 5,017 are quasars. The DR1 includes not only spectra, but also three stellar catalogues with measured parameters: AFGK-type stars with high quality spectra (1,061,918 entries), A-type stars (100,073 entries), and M stars (121,522 entries). This paper introduces the survey design, the observational and instrumental limitations, data reduction and analysis, and some caveats. Description of the FITS structure of spectral files and parameter catalogues is also provided., 39 pages, 13 figures

We present candidate members of the Pal 5, GD-1, Cetus Polar, and Orphan tidal stellar streams found in LAMOST DR3, SDSS DR9 and APOGEE catalogs. In LAMOST DR3, we find 20, 4, 24 high confidence candidates of tidal streams GD-1, Cetus Polar and Orphan respectively. We also list from the SDSS DR9 spectroscopic catalog 59, 118, 10 high confidence candidates of tidal streams Cetus Polar, Orphan and Pal 5, respectively. Furthermore, we find 7 high confidence candidates of the Pal 5 tidal stream in APOGEE data. Compared with SDSS, the new candidates from LAMOST DR3 are brighter, so that together, more of the color-magnitude diagram, including the giant branch can be explored. Analysis of SDSS data shows that there are 3 metallicity peaks of the Orphan stream and also shows some spatial separation. LAMOST data confirms multiple metallicities in this stream. The metallicity, given by the higher resolution APOGEE instrument, of the Pal 5 tidal stream is [Fe/H] $\sim -1.2$, higher than that given earlier by SDSS spectra. Many previously unidentified stream members are tabulated here for the first time, along with existing members, allowing future researchers to further constrain the orbits of these objects as they move within the Galaxy's dark matter potential., 17pages, 19 figures, 3 tables

Acutely decompensated heart failure (HF), one of the most common reasons for hospitalization, places an intense economic pressure on the health care system and adversely affects outcome of HF patients. Due to lack of reliable clinical tools to assess and monitor hemodynamics, accurate judgment on cardiac preload remains a challenge and complicates current inpatient HF management. In this review, we discuss the emerging role of real-time quantitative Doppler echocardiography (DE) in identifying inappropriate cardiac preload, monitoring volume status during the management, and improving quality of care in patients with acute HF. We illustrate the utilization of DE in common clinical scenarios, propose stepwise algorithms to effectively utilize serial quantitative DE in the bedside care, and discuss obstacles and prospects of quantitative DE utilization in HF management. These efforts will further prompt the development of multi-center prospective studies to define and validate the specific roles of quantitative DE in reducing hospitalization time and improving outcome of HF patients.

LAMOST has released more than two million spectra, which provide the opportunity to search for double-peaked narrow emission line (NEL) galaxies and AGNs. The double-peaked narrow-line profiles can be well modeled by two velocity components, respectively blueshifted and redshifted with respect to the systemic recession velocity. This paper presents 20 double-peaked NEL galaxies and AGNs found from LAMOST DR1 using a search method based on multi-gaussian fit of the narrow emission lines. Among them, 10 have already been published by other authors, either listed as genuine double-peaked NEL objects or as asymmetric NEL objects, the remaining 10 being first discoveries. We discuss some possible origins for double-peaked narrow-line features, as interaction between jet and narrow line regions, interaction with companion galaxies and black hole binaries. Spatially resolved optical imaging and/or follow-up observations in other spectral bands are needed to further discuss the physical mechanisms at work., Comment: 17 pages, 5figures, 4 tables, accepted by RAA

In this article a miniaturized balanced antipodal Vivaldi antenna with a corrugation edge (BAVA-CE) which improves the cross polarization and the gain of the antenna is presented. Besides the ultra-wideband, high gain and low cross polarization are the main features of the antenna. The performance of BAVA is compared with the antipodal Vivaldi antenna (AVA) under the condition of the same compact size. The return loss of BAVA-CE is less than -10 dB in the bandwidth of 2.1-10 GHz.

Temperature has significant effects on physiological activities and geographical distribution of ectotherms. The Asian house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus has become one of the most widely distributed reptiles in the world and is an invasive species in Australia. Since being introduced into northern Australia, Asian house geckos have spread rapidly and expanded into south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales. Despite their rapid spread, there have been few studies that address thermal adaptability of this species. In order to understand how temperature might limit the distribution and feeding behavior of H. frenatus we observed gecko foraging activities in the wild over the winter period, measured the temperature at which voluntary feeding ceases, and assessed the effect of temperature (30, 25, 20, and 18 °C) on post-feeding metabolic rate. Resting metabolic rate and post-feeding peak in metabolic rate decreased with low temperature, while the duration of elevated metabolic rate after feeding increased at lower temperature. The SDA coefficient (a ratio of the energy expended due to the post-feeding rise in metabolic rate to the energy contained within the meal) did not change systematically with ambient temperature. Field observations and voluntary feeding experiments showed that H. frenatus stop feeding when ambient temperature drops below 17 °C, so that persistent night time temperatures below 17 °C may be limiting the distribution of this species.

Using all the observations from Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer for the accreting neutron star XTE J1701-462, we carry out a systematic study of the cross-correlation function between its soft and hard light curves. Over the entire outburst, XTE J1701-462 evolves from super-Eddington luminosities to quiescence and shows both Z and atoll behaviours. Following previous work, we divide the outburst into five intervals: one Cyg-like interval, three Sco-like intervals and one atoll interval, according to their different behaviours in the corresponding colour-colour diagrams (CCDs). With cross-correlation analyses, anti-correlation, positive and ambiguous correlations are found in the different intervals in this source. Both anti-correlated soft and hard time lags are detected, where hard lags mean that the hard photons lag behind the soft ones and soft lags mean the reverse. In the Cyg-like interval, anti-correlations are presented in the hard vertex and upper normal branch (NB) and positive correlations dominate the horizontal branch (HB) and lower NB. In the first two Sco-like intervals, anti-correlations are detected first and most of them are found in the HB and/or upper NB, while positive correlations are mostly detected in the lower NB and flaring branch (FB). In the following interval, i.e. the third Sco-like interval, anti-correlations occur on the upper FB and positive correlations are mainly distributed in the lower FB. The different intervals correspond to various luminosities; therefore, the position of anti-correlations in the CCD might depend on the luminosity. It is noted that, in the Cyg-like interval, positive correlations dominate the HB, which is not consistent with the behaviour of the Cyg-like Z sources GX 5-1 and Cyg X-2, the HBs of which host ambiguous correlations and anti-correlations. Hence, for comparison with GX 5-1, we analyse the spectra of the HB and the hard vertex of the Cyg-like interval. The fitting results show that, in contrast to GX 5-1, the ratio of hard emission to soft emission basically remains unvaried from the HB to the hard vertex, which might result in positive correlation. Additionally, we compare the spectra of the third Sco-like interval with atoll source 4U 1735-44 and find that their spectral evolution along the tracks in the CCD is similar, indicating that in this interval XTE J1701-462 could approach an atoll source. The truncated disc model might be responsible for the detected time lags in XTE J1701-462; the possible origins of anti-correlated hard and soft time lags are also discussed.

Based the Alfven wave oscillation model (AWOM) and relativistic precession model (RPM) for twin kHz QPOs, we estimate the emission positions of most detected kHz QPOs to be at r=18+-3 km (R/15km) except Cir X-1 at r = 30\+-5 km (R/15km). For the proposed Keplerian frequency as an upper limit to kHz QPO, the spin effects in Kerr Spacetime are discussed, which have about a 5% (2%) modification for that of the Schwarzchild case for the spin frequency of 1000 (400) Hz.The application to the four typical QPO sources, Cir X-1, Sco X-1, SAX J1808.4-3658 and XTE 1807-294, is mentioned., Comment: Science China, Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, 2010, 53, NO.1

The high level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is thought to slow down the healing of diabetic foot ulcers. Whether it can influence the biological behaviors of skin fibroblasts and affect wound healing is still unclear. The present study aimed to observe changes in the biological behaviors of rat dermal fibroblasts induced by high expression of MMP9 and to clarify the possible mechanisms of wound healing for diabetic foot.A cell model of skin fibroblast with high expression of MMP9 was established by co-culture of high glucose (22.0 mmol/L) and homocysteine (100 μmol/L). A control group was incubated with normal glucose (5.5 mmol/L). Realtime PCR, ELISA and gelatin zymography were used to detect the MMP9 mRNA, protein expression and activity of MMP9. Flow cytometry, CCK-8, ELISA assay, scratch test and transwell were used to detect cell proliferation, viability, collagen (hydroxyproline) secretion, horizontal migration and vertical migration of cells. The data were expressed as mean±SD. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.The expression of MMP9 mRNA, protein levels and the activity of MMP9 were much higher in the high MMP9 group than in the control group (7.05±1.02 vs. 1.00±0.00, 206.9±33.6 pg/mL vs. 40.4±5.9 pg/mL, and 1.47±0.13 vs. 0.57±0.12, respectively, P0.01). The proportion of S-phase cells, proliferation index, cell viability, collagen (hydroxyproline) secretion, horizontal migration rate and the number of vertical migration cells were lower in the high MMP9 group than in the control group (P0.01).Fibroblasts with a high expression of MMP9 decreased proliferation, activity, secretion and migration of collagens, suggesting that MMP9 may inhibit the biological behaviors of fibroblasts.

With {\it RXTE} data, we analyzed the cross-correlation function between the soft and hard X-rays of the transient atoll source 4U 1608-52. We found anti-correlations in three outbursts occurred in 1998, 2002 and 2010, and significant time lags of several hundreds of seconds in the latter two outbursts. Our results show no correlation between the soft and hard X-rays in the island state, and a dominated positive correlation in the lower banana state. Anti-correlations are presented at the upper banana state for the outburst of 2010 and at the lower left banana states for the other two outbursts. So far for atoll sources the cross-correlation has been studied statistically only for 4U 1735-44, where anti-correlations showed up in the upper banana state. Here our investigation upon 4U 1608-52 provides a similar result in its 2010 outburst. In addition, we notice that the luminosities in the upper banana of 1998 and 2002 outbursts are about 1.5 times that of 2010 outburst whose luminosity in the upper banana is close to that of 4U 1735-44. The results suggest that the states in color-color diagram of a source could be correlated with the luminosity of the source. A further spectral analysis shows that, during the 2010 outburst, although an anti-correlation presents at the highest fluxes, the contemporary spectrum is not the softest one along the outburst evolution. This suggests that the observed anti-correlation may be relevant to the transition between the hard and soft states, which is consistent with the previous results on 4U 1735-44 and several black hole X-ray binaries that anti-correlations are observed during the transition states., 22 pages, 4 figures

We present new quasars discovered in the vicinity of the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies with the LAMOST during the 2010 and 2011 observational seasons. Quasar candidates are selected based on the available SDSS, KPNO 4 m telescope, XSTPS optical, and WISE near infrared photometric data. We present 509 new quasars discovered in a stripe of ~135 sq. deg from M31 to M33 along the Giant Stellar Stream in the 2011 pilot survey datasets, and also 17 new quasars discovered in an area of ~100 sq. deg that covers the central region and the southeastern halo of M31 in the 2010 commissioning datasets. These 526 new quasars have i magnitudes ranging from 15.5 to 20.0, redshifts from 0.1 to 3.2. They represent a significant increase of the number of identified quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33. There are now 26, 62 and 139 known quasars in this region of the sky with i magnitudes brighter than 17.0, 17.5 and 18.0 respectively, of which 5, 20 and 75 are newly-discovered. These bright quasars provide an invaluable collection with which to probe the kinematics and chemistry of the ISM/IGM in the Local Group of galaxies. A total of 93 quasars are now known with locations within 2.5 deg of M31, of which 73 are newly discovered. Tens of quasars are now known to be located behind the Giant Stellar Stream, and hundreds behind the extended halo and its associated substructures of M31. The much enlarged sample of known quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33 can potentially be utilized to construct a perfect astrometric reference frame to measure the minute PMs of M31 and M33, along with the PMs of substructures associated with the Local Group of galaxies. Those PMs are some of the most fundamental properties of the Local Group., 26 pages, 6 figures, AJ accepted

The lace monitor (Varanus varius) is a carnivorous scavenger that inhabits lowland forests and coastlines throughout south-eastern Australia. Here we used global positioning system (GPS) devices to remotely monitor adult lace monitor behaviour across two summer seasons in a coastal habitat adjacent to a sea turtle nesting beach at Wreck Rock, Queensland, Australia. GPS tracking showed that lace monitors spent most of their time in woodland habitat away from the seafront dune areas. Both adult males and females occupied relatively large home ranges (0.005 to 1.467 km2 calculated by the Kernel Brownian Bridge method) and individual home ranges overlapped each other to a large extent. The space use patterns of individual lace monitors could be classified as ‘linear’ or ‘clumped’, indicating plasticity in this species’ movement behaviour. Because lace monitors rarely visited the frontal dune area where sea turtles nest, they do not pose a significant threat to sea turtle nests.

We analyze the cross-correlation function between the soft and hard X-rays of atoll source 4U 1735-44 with RXTE data, and find the anti-correlated soft and hard time lags of about hecto-second. On the island state, the observations do not show any obvious correlations, and most observations of banana branch show positive correlation. However, the anti-correlations are detected on the upper banana branch. These results are different from those of Z sources (Cyg X-2, GX 5-1), where the anti-correlation is detected in the low luminosity states, then the lag timescales of both this atoll and Z sources are found to be similar, at the magnitude of several tens to hundreds of seconds. As a comparison, it is noted that the anti-correlated lags of thousand-second have been reported from the several black hole candidates in their intermediate states. Finally, we compare the correspondent results of atoll source 4U 1735-44 with those observed in black hole candidates and Z sources, and the possible origins of the anti-correlated time lags are discussed., Comment: 17 pages, 3 fihures

Expression of the proteoglycan syndecan-1 (Sdc1) is increased in rats with myocardial infarction (MI). This study investigated the effects of Sdc1 overexpression on ventricular remodeling and cardiac function in MI and explored the possible mechanism through in vivo transfection of rats with recombinant adenovirus-carrying rat Sdc1 cDNA. Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 48) underwent intramyocardial injection in the marginal zone of the infarcted area immediately after ligation of the left anterior descending artery. The rats were divided into four groups according to the solution injected: MI Ad-GFP-Sdc1 transfection group, MI Ad-GFP control group, MI saline group, and sham operation group. Cardiac function and collagen expression of each group were examined, and the roles of inflammation, apoptosis, and p38 MAKP signal transduction pathway were investigated. Compared with the rats in the sham operation group, ventricular weight and collagen content increased in MI rats, and cardiac function declined. Substantial inflammatory cell infiltration was seen in the marginal zone of the infarction area, and a great number of myocardial cells were apoptotic. The p38 MAPK signaling pathway was clearly activated. Rats in the MI Ad-GFP-Sdc1 transfection group showed decreased ventricular weight, reduced collagen synthesis, and significant improvement of ventricular remodeling and cardiac function. Post-MI inflammatory cell infiltration and apoptosis was reduced, and the p38 MAPK signaling pathway was inhibited. Overexpression of Sdc1 can improve post-MI ventricular remodeling, and it is possible that the improvement is achieved through reducing apoptosis and suppressing inflammatory response and through the p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway.

A vertically stacked Yagi-Uda antenna array with X-shape driven dipoles for the long range Meteor Burst Communication(MBC) at the VHF is presented using differential evolution algorithm (DE). In order to illustrate the capabilities of the method, a 3-element Yagi-Uda antenna array is given. The measured and simulated impedance bandwidth of VSWR

A hybrid method of genetic algorithm (GA) with method of moments (MoM) is presented in this paper to realize the wide angle shaped pattern taking the mutual coupling into account. The numerical experiment of a 30-element linear array is presented to validate the method. The results of these two methods agree well in the shaped region. With this method to optimize the excitation, the shaped region of the array pattern reaches nearly 45°, and the targets of the maximum ripple less than 2.0 dBi and the sidelobe level less than −25.0dBi are also obtained.

The design proposed in the paper is dedicated to increasing the realized gain of short backfire antenna (SBA) in the 10% bandwidth. The electrical characteristics of a conventional SBA have been improved by the applications of arc reflector cavity, multilayer cone sub-reflector, a second small reflector and choking coil out of rim. The arc reflector cavity consists of a flat disk, the rim of the cavity and the arc between them. Moreover, the SBA is fed by the wave guide with impedance conversion which can broaden the frequency band appropriately. At last, the simulation results can be provided by HFSS using PML (perfectly matched layer). As a result, these applications can increase the gain from 18.5dB to 20dB, broaden the impedance bandwidth of about 10% for VS WR's below 2 and improve side-lobe in the L-band.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Araliaceae) hairy root and ginseng (P. ginseng C. A. Meyer, Araliaceae) root were steamed at 100°C for 3 h. Thereafter treatment, the content of ginsenosides, Rg1, Re, Ro, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3 and Rd decreased. On the other hand, the content of ginsenosides, Rg3, Rg2 and Rh1 increased. Two previously identified anticancer ginsenosides, Rg3 and Rh2 increased significantly in steamed ginseng hairy roots from 0.017 to 1.14 mg/g and not detected to 0.74 mg/g, respectively. In steamed ginseng root, Rg3 increased from 0.0062 to 0.75 mg/g, and Rh2 was not detected. These results indicated that steaming process may provide an effective method for ginseng hairy roots to conversion polar ginsenosides to non-polar ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2. Key words: Panax ginseng, ginseng hairy roots, steaming, chemical composition, ginsenosides.