Molecular authentication of the traditional Tibetan medicinal plant Swertia mussotii

Swertia mussotii is an important species in Tibetan folk medicine. However, it is quite expensive and frequently adulterated, so reliable methods for authentication of putative specimens and preparations of the species are needed to protect consumers and to support conservation measures. We show here that the chloroplast (cp) DNA rpl16 intron has limited utility for differentiating S. mussotii from closely related species, since the cpDNA rpl16 sequences are identical in S. mussotii and two other species of Swertia. However, the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences differ significantly between S. mussotii and all of 13 tested potential adulterants. Thus, the ITS region provides a robust molecular marker for differentiating the medicinal S. mussotii from related adulterants. Therefore, a pair of allele-specific diagnostic primers based on the divergent ITS region was designed to distinguish S. mussotii from the other species. Authentication by allele-specific diagnostic PCR using these primers is convenient, effective and both simpler and less time-consuming than sequencing the ITS region.

超参数控制下的波阻抗约束反演

The seismic survey is the most effective geophysical method during exploration and development of oil/gas. As a main means in processing and interpreting seismic data, impedance inversion takes up a special position in seismic survey. This is because the impedance parameter is a ligament which connects seismic data with well-logging and geological information, while it is also essential in predicting reservoir properties and sand-body. In fact, the result of traditional impedance inversion is not ideal. This is because the mathematical inverse problem of impedance is poor-pose so that the inverse result has instability and multi-result, so it is necessary to introduce regularization. Most simple regularizations are presented in existent literature, there is a premise that the image(or model) is globally smooth. In fact, as an actual geological model, it not only has made of smooth region but also be separated by the obvious edge, the edge is very important attribute of geological model. It's difficult to preserve these characteristics of the model and to avoid an edge too smooth to clear. Thereby, in this paper, we propose a impedance inverse method controlled by hyperparameters with edge-preserving regularization, the inverse convergence speed and result would be improved. In order to preserve the edge, the potential function of regularization should satisfy nine conditions such as basic assumptions edge preservation and convergence assumptions etc. Eventually, a model with clear background and edge-abnormity can be acquired. The several potential functions and the corresponding weight functions are presented in this paper. The potential functionφLφHL andφGM can meet the need of inverse precision by calculating the models. For the local constant planar and quadric models, we respectively present the neighborhood system of Markov random field corresponding to the regularization term. We linearity nonlinear regularization by using half-quadratic regularization, it not only preserve the edge, and but also simplify the inversion, and can use some linear methods. We introduced two regularization parameters (or hyperparameters) λ2 and δ in the regularization term. λ2 is used to balance the influence between the data term and the transcendental term; δ is a calibrating parameter used to adjust the gradient value at the discontinuous position(or formation interface). Meanwhile, in the inverse procedure, it is important to select the initial value of hyperparameters and to change hyperparameters, these will then have influence on convergence speed and inverse effect. In this paper, we roughly give the initial value of hyperparameters by using a trend- curve of φ-(λ2, δ) and by a method of calculating the upper limit value of hyperparameters. At one time, we change hyperparameters by using a certain coefficient or Maximum Likelihood method, this can be simultaneously fulfilled with the inverse procedure. Actually, we used the Fast Simulated Annealing algorithm in the inverse procedure. This method overcame restrictions from the local extremum without depending on the initial value, and got a global optimal result. Meanwhile, we expound in detail the convergence condition of FSA, the metropolis receiving probability form Metropolis-Hasting, the thermal procession based on the Gibbs sample and other methods integrated with FSA. These content can help us to understand and improve FSA. Through calculating in the theoretic model and applying it to the field data, it is proved that the impedance inverse method in this paper has the advantage of high precision practicability and obvious effect.

Screening and analysis of biologically active compounds in Angelica sinensis by molecular biochromatography

A novel strategy for the screening and analysis of biologically active compounds in traditional Chinese medicine by molecular biochromatography is proposed. Molecular biochromatography with human serum albumin (HSA) immobilized on silica as stationary phase was used to screen and analyse the bioactive compounds in the typical Chinese medicine of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. Ten peaks showed retention on this column, which is based on their affinity for HSA. Ferulic acid and liguistilide were identified as the principal active components, which agrees very well with the results in the literature. A quality control method was also developed based on the simultaneous determination the concentrations of ferulic acid and liguistilide in solutions of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels extracted with water and methanol. It was observed that the concentrations of ferulic acid and liguistilide in solution extracted with methanol were 2 and 53 times higher, respectively, than those with water. It was shown that molecular biochromatography is an effective way of analysing and screening biologically active compounds in traditional Chinese medicine.

不确定性类型对概率表达和概率判断的影响

The present research firstly reviewed the experimental literature on probability expression and probability judgment, hypothesizing that individuals’ preference of probability expressions (verbal probability vs. numerical probability) and tendency for overextremity in probability judgment might differ with respect to different types of uncertainty. Five studies were conducted to test this hypothesis. In Study 1, questionnaires were used to explore the communication preference among Chinese-speaking people. Study 2 adapted the View of Uncertainty Questionnaire to explore the difference of verbal answers to three kinds of uncertainty. Study 3 and Study 4 used methods of the paper-and-pencil questionnaire and the laboratory experiment, respectively, to test the effects of uncertainty types on the preference of probability expressions and on the tendency for over-extreme probability judgment. Finally, Study 5 focused on individuals’ preference of probability expressions under various kinds of scenarios. The results were as follows: 1. The Communication Model Preference paradox phenomenon appears to be even more pronounced in the Chinese culture than in American English cultural settings. 2. The Chinese prefer more verbal probability expressions when communicating uncertainty in a weather-forecasting context than in a general context. 3. Sample groups with lower level of westernization tend to give more extreme answers and less probabilistic answers. 4. Types of uncertainty did have effects on individuals’ tendency for over-extreme probability judgment: under a traditional probability judgment task, people tend to be more over-extreme on internal uncertainty events than on external uncertainty events; however, this result is reversed under a gambling task. 5. Individuals’ preference for verbal probability expressions is more salient on internal uncertain events than on external uncertain events.

Screening and analysis of bioactive compounds with biofingerprinting chromatogram analysis of traditional Chinese medicines targeting DNA by microdialysis/HPLC

Biofingerprinting chromatogram, analysis, which is defined as the comparison of fingerprinting chromatograms of the extract of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) before and after the interaction with biological systems (DNA, protein. cell. etc.), was proposed for screening and analysis of the multiple bioactive compounds in TCMs. A method of microdialysis sampling combined with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to the study of DNA-binding property for the extracts of TCMs. Seven compounds were found to bind to calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) from the TCMs of Coptis chinensis Franch (Coptis), but only three ones from Phellodendron amurense Rupr. (Phellodendron) and none from Sophoraflavescens Ait. (Sophora) to bind to ct-DNA. respectively. Three of them were identified as berberine, palmatine and jatrorrhizine and their association constants (K) to ct-DNA were determined by microdialysis/HPLC. Competitive binding behaviors of them to ct-DNA were also investigated. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Improved performance of comprehensive two-dimensional HPLC separation of traditional Chinese medicines by using a silica monolithic column and normalization of peak heights

Performance of comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography system is greatly improved than we reported previously by using a silica monolithic column as for the second dimensional separation. Due to the increase of the elution speed on the second dimensional monolithic column, the first dimensional column efficiency and analysis rate can be greatly improved as comparing with conventionally second dimensional column. The developed system was applied to analysis of methanol extraction of two umbelliferae herbs Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels by using CN column as for the first dimensional separation and a silica monolithic ODS column for the second dimensional separation, and the obtained three-dimensional chromatograms were treated by normalization of peak heights with the value of the highest peak or setting a certain value using a software written in-house. It was observed that much more peaks for low-abundant components in TCM extract can clearly be detected here than we reported before, due to the large difference for the amount of components in TCMs' extract. With the above improvements in separation performance and data treatment, totally about 120 components in methanol extraction of Rhizoma chuanxiong and 100 in A. sinensis were separated with UV detection within 130 min. This result meant that both the number of peaks detected increase twice but the analysis time decease twice if comparing with the previously reported result. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Separation of compounds interacting with liposome membrane in combined prescription of traditional Chinese medicines with immobilized liposome chromatography

Immobilized liposome chromatography (ILC), the stationary phase of which has been regarded as a mimic biomembranes system was used to separate and analyze compounds interacting with liposome membrane in Danggui Buxue decoction, a combined prescription of traditional Chinese medicines (CPTCMs), and its compositions Radix Astragli and Radix Angelica Sinensis. More than 10 main peaks in the extract of Danggui Buxue decoction were resolved on the ILC column, suggesting that more than 10 components in the prescription have significant retention on ILC column. Ligustilide, astragaloside, TV and formononetin, three main bioactive ingredients in Danggui Buxue decoction, were found to have relatively significant, while ferulic acid, another bioactive ingredient in the prescription, relatively weak retention on ILC column. Effects of the eluent pH and amount of immobilized phosphatidylcholine (PC) on separation of interactional compounds in the extract of Danggui Buxue decoction were also investigated. It was found that these two factors strongly affected the retention of some interactional compounds. In addition, the fractions partitioned with different solvents from water extract of this combined prescription were evaluated with this ILC column system. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effectiveness and safety of cryotherapy after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A systematic review of the literature

Cryotherapy is widely used in rehabilitation; however, its effectiveness after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains uncertain. To investigate the effectiveness and safety of cryotherapy following ACL reconstruction through a systematic review, randomized and quasi-randomized clinical trials were searched in the databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL PEDro, SportDiscus, CINAHL, LILACS (June 2013). the primary outcomes measures were pain, edema and adverse events; the secondary outcomes were knee function, analgesic medication use, range of motion, blood loss, hospital stay, quality of life and patient satisfaction. the methodological quality of studies was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool. Ten trials (a total of 573 patients) were included. Results of meta-analysis showed that the use of cold compression devices produced a significant reduction in pain scores 48 h after surgery (p < 0.00001), compared to no cryotherapy. the risk for adverse events did not differ between patients receiving cryotherapy versus no treatment (p = 1.00). the limited evidence currently available is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions on the effectiveness of cryotherapy for other outcomes. There is a need for well designed, good quality randomized trials to answer other questions related to this intervention and increase the precision of future systematic reviews. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Understanding bystanders’ willingness to Intervene in traditional and cyberbullying scenarios.

Bullying incidents in traditional and online settings are a cause for concern to many parties. The goal of the current study was to explore the extent to which a bystander would intervene in a bullying incident and the degree to which this behavior is influenced by group size (the number of other witnesses), the setting (traditional or cyberbullying), and gender of the victim. Using an online survey method, participants were presented with eight bullying scenarios, each of which involved verbal bullying of a victim. Participants (N = 82) were asked to report how likely they would be to intervene in each of these scenarios. Results showed that female victims were more likely to be helped than male victims. Furthermore, female participants were more willing to intervene than the male participants in the cyberbullying scenarios. Altruism was a positive predictor of participants’ willingness to intervene. The present findings suggest that certain gender differences in helping behavior may depend on the context in which bullying is observed (traditional or cyberbullying).

Evolving Controllers for Real Robots: A Survey of the Literature

Walker,J. and Garrett,S. and Wilson,M.S., 'Evolving Controllers for Real Robots: A Survey of the Literature', Adaptive Behavior, 2003, volume 11, number 3, pp 179--203, Sage

Tolerance-based and Fuzzy-Rough Feature Selection.

R. Jensen and Q. Shen, 'Tolerance-based and Fuzzy-Rough Feature Selection,' Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Fuzzy Systems (FUZZ-IEEE'07), pp. 877-882, 2007.