The generalized second law of thermodynamics in generalized gravity theories

We investigate the generalized second law of thermodynamics (GSL) in generalized theories of gravity. We examine the total entropy evolution with time including the horizon entropy, the non-equilibrium entropy production, and the entropy of all matter, field and energy components. We derive a universal condition to protect the generalized second law and study its validity in different gravity theories. In Einstein gravity (even in the phantom-dominated universe with a Schwarzschild black hole), Lovelock gravity and braneworld gravity, we show that the condition to keep the GSL can always be satisfied. In f ( R) gravity and scalar-tensor gravity, the condition to protect the GSL can also hold because the temperature should be positive, gravity is always attractive and the effective Newton constant should be an approximate constant satisfying the experimental bounds.

A 3 Tesla Superconducting Magnet for Hall Sensor Calibration

A 3 T superconducting magnet with a 70 mm diameter warm bore and energy storage of 47 kJ has been successfully fabricated and tested, which can be used to calibrate Hall sensors in high magnetic field as well as conduct superconducting experiments. The magnet consists of three solenoid coils and an iron yoke. The homogeneity of the magnetic field in the region of interest (ROI) is +/- 6.0 x 10(-5). The coils of the magnet were fabricated with NbTi-Cu superconducting wire and the stray magnetic field is shielded by an iron yoke. The coils and yoke are fully immersed in a helium vessel. The optimized structural design, stress and quench simulation, fabrication and test results are presented in this paper.

Biphasic regulation of H2O2 on angiogenesis implicated NADPH oxidase

ROS (reactive oxygen species) take an important signalling role in angiogenesis. Although there are several ways to produce ROS in cells, multicomponent non-phagocytic NADPH oxidase is an important source of ROS that contribute to angiogenesis. In the present work, we examined the effects of H2O2 on angiogenesis including proliferation and migration in HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells), new vessel formation in chicken embryo CAM (chorioallantoic membrane) and endothelial cell apoptosis, which is closely related to anti-angiogenesis. Our results showed that H2O2 dose-dependently increased the generation of O-2(-) (superoxide anion) in HUVECs, which was suppressed by DPI (diphenylene iodonium) and APO (apocynin), two inhibitors of NADPH oxidase. H2O2 at low concentrations (10 mu M) stimulated cell proliferation and migration, but at higher concentrations, inhibited both. Similarly, H2O2 at 4 nmol/cm(2) strongly induced new vessel formation in CAM, while it suppressed at high concentrations (higher than 4 nmol/cm(2)). Also, H2O2 (200 similar to 500 mu M) could stimulate apoptosis in HUVECs. All the effects of H2O2 on angiogenesis could be suppressed by NADPH oxidase inhibitors, which suggests that NADPH oxidase acts downstream of H2O2 to produce O-2(-) and then to regulate angiogenesis. In summary, our results suggest that H2O2 as well as O-2(-) mediated by NADPH oxidase have biphasic effects on angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

incremental learning of triadic plsa for collaborative filtering

Beijing University of Technology (BJUT); Beijing Municipal Lab of Brain Informatics; Chinese Society of Radiology; National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC); State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs

Spontaneous formation of two-dimensional gold networks at the air-water interface and their application in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)

Two-dimensional (2-D) gold networks were spontaneously formed at the air-water interface after HAuCl4 reacted with fructose at 90 degrees C in a sealed vessel, in a reaction in which fructose acted as both a reducing and a protecting agent. Through fine-tuning of the molar ratio of HAuCl4 to fructose, the thus-formed 2-D gold networks can be changed from a coalesced pattern to an interconnected pattern. In the coalesced pattern, some well-defined single-crystalline gold plates at the micrometer-scale could be seen, while in the interconnected pattern, many sub-micrometer particles and some irregular gold plates instead of well-defined gold plates appeared. It is also found that the 2-D gold networks in the form of an interconnected pattern can be used as substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) because of the strong localized electromagnetic field produced by the gaps between the neighboring particles in the 2-D gold networks.

Electrochemiluminescent microoptoprobe with mini-grid working electrode and self-contained sample container

A new electrochemiluminescence (ECL) microoptoprobe with simple structure. small sampling volume and high efficiency was developed. It was constructed by fixing the transparent gold mini-grid on the end surface of the optical fiber, and by surrounding the fiber with the counter- and reference electrodes to form a self-contained three-electrode system. The use of mini-grid electrode increased the surface area and collection efficiency. which resulted in higher ECL signal and better sensitivity. The counter electrode together with one end of the fiber formed a mini-vessel, which eliminated the need of additional container and allowed to perform ECL detection in a very small volume (about 10 mul). The microoptoprobe obtained was characterized with the Ru(bpy)(3)(2-)-tripropylamine system and was applied for the determination of oxalate and chlorpromazine (CPZ). Detection limits (S/N = 3) were 5 x 10(-7) and 1 x 10(-6) mol l(-1) for oxalate and CPZ. respectively. The linear range for oxalate and CPZ extended from 1 x 10(-6) to 1 x 10(-3) mol l(-1), and from 5 x 10(-6) to 5 x 10(-4) mol l(-1). respectively.

Preparation of stable mesoporous silica FSM-16 from water glass in the presence of cetylpyridium bromide

The synthesis and characterization of the mesoporous materials FSM-16 (folded sheets mesoporous materials) with highly ordered structure in open-vessel by using cetylpyridium bromide (CPBr) and the single-layered polysilica Kanemite as new template and silicon source, respectively, has been investigated systematically. The hexagonal arrangements of uniformly size pores were characterized by FTIR. XRD. nitrogen adsorption. TG-DTA. SEM and TEM. Especially, the porous products with higher surface areas show remarkable thermal stability up to 1000 C. The potential application as carrier of catalysts or host-guest materials is anticipated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

High efficient extraction of M@C-2n (M = La, Ce) by a high pressure and high temperature method

A high pressure and high temperature method was used to efficiently extract on a large scale metallofullerenes M@C-2n (M=La,Ce) in a closed vessel under argon gas protection. With pyridine as the HPHT solvent, about 60-80% M@C-2n and 30-55% M@C-82 can be enriched, M@C-82 is dissolved selectively; With toluene as the HPHT solvent, M@C-2n can also be efficiently extracted, especially M@C-74, which is a new member of M@C-2n soluble species. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, extraction and electronic structure of Ce@C-2n

In view of the growing interest in endohedral lanthanide fullerenes, Ce, as a typical +4 oxidation state lanthanide element, has been systematically studied. The synthesis, extraction and electronic structure of Ce@C-2n are investigated. Soot containing Ce@C-2n was synthesized in high yield by carbonizing CeO2-containing graphite rods and are back-burning the CeC2-enriched cathode deposit in a DC are plasma apparatus. Ce@C-2n, dominated by Ce@C-82, can be efficiently extracted from the insoluble part of the soot after toluene Soxhlet extraction by pyridine at high temperature and high pressure in a closed vessel. About 60% Ce@C-2n (2n = 82,80,78,76) and 35% Ce@C-82 can be enriched in the pyridine extract. This fact is identified by desorption electron impact mass spectrometry (DEI MS). The electronic structure of Ce@C-2n is analyzed by using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) of pyridine-free film. It is suggested that the encapsulated Ce atom is in a charge state close to +3 and was effectively protected from reaction with water and oxygen by the enclosing fullerene cage. Unlike theoretical expectation, the electronic state of Ce@C-82 is formally described as Ce+3@C-82(3-). (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

High yield synthesis and extraction of La@C-2n

A higher yield synthesis for lanthanofullerenes has been studied by activating the La2O3 containing graphite rod in situ and back-burning the graphite-rich cathode deposit. La@C-2n are efficiently extracted by high temperature toluene (180 degrees C) in a closed vessel, in which a new species La@C-74 is added to the members of the soluble lanthanofullerenes. The toluene extraction is first characterized by desorption electron impact mass spectrometry. The influence of anode components on synthesis is also analyzed by the XRD technique. Furthermore, the EPR spectra change with temperature are also studied. The assignment of octet II peaks in EPR is also discussed.

VEGF gene silencing by cytomegalovirus promoter driven ShRNA expression vector results in vascular development defects in zebrafish

Zebrafish has been generally considered as an excellent model in case of drug screening, disease model establishment, and vertebrate embryonic development study. In this work, the ability of human cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter (CMV promoter)-driven short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression vector to induce shRNA against VEGF gene in zebrafish was tested, and its effect on vascular development was assed, too. Using RT-qPCR, blood vessel staining, and in situ hybridization, we confirmed certain transcriptional activity and down regulation of gene expression by the vector. In situ hybridization analysis indicated selective inhibition of NRP1 expression in the VEGF gene loss of function model, which might imply in turn that VEGF could not only activate endothelial cells directly but also could contribute to stimulating angiogenesis in vivo by a mechanism that involved up-regulation of its cognate receptor expression in zebrafish. This contributed to a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular development. The system improved the success rate in making inducible knockdown and widened the possibilities for better therapeutic targets in zebrafish.

Lack of latitudinal trends in wood anatomy of Dodonaea viscosa (Sapindaceae), a species with a worldwide distribution

Latitudinal or altitudinal variation in several anatomical characters of wood is common for woody dicotyledonous genera with a wide distribution, but whether such variation exists at the species level is disputed. Latitudinal and altitudinal trends in wood anatomy of Dodonaea viscosa were studied, using 102 samples collected between 41.2degrees S and 33.3degrees N latitude and 7-2750 in altitude. We studied variation in four quantitative features: vessel element length, fiber length, vessel frequency, and tangential vessel diameter. Ontogenetic trends were minimal with a slight decrease or increase in the innermost stem and were negligible among the studied specimens. Throughout the distributional range of the species, no latitudinal trends were detected in either the Northern or Southern Hemispheres, Altitudinal trends were also nonexistent, except for two features in specimens from China and Japan. Absence of latitudinal or altitudinal trends in this widely distributed species suggests that in some species the species-level variation in wood anatomy is not controlled by ecological gradients.

力觉触觉再现技术及其应用研究

力觉确虫觉再现技术是近年来发展起来的一项新兴技术，在遥操作机器人、虚拟现实、医疗仿真、原形设计、纳米操作等很多领域中获得了相当广泛的应用。力觉／触觉再现接口是一种力反射设备，它可以使用户触摸、感觉、操作、创建和变换虚拟环境中仿真的虚拟3维物体。根据能量来源的方式，力觉确虫觉再现接日分为有源和无源两类。本论文针对有源力觉／触觉再现接口的动力学进行了分析，并以虚拟手术和机器人遥操作为背景，做了一些力觉／触觉再现技术的应用性研究工作。具体说来，本文主要进行了如下四项有创造和有价值的工作：（1)分析了有源力觉／触觉再现接口设计时所要考虑的几个基本问题，推导了力觉确虫觉再现接口的动力学模型。(2)以PHANTOM和GHOST SDK为开发平台，构造了一个虚拟仿真系统，研究实现力觉确虫觉再现接口涉及的几个基本问题。(3)以力觉／触觉再现接口PHANTOM为主端，全方位移动机器人M.BOT为从端建立了遥操作实验系统。提出了两种系统结构：位置给定系统和速度给定系统，并根据速度给定系统给出了具体设计。（4）遥操作实验研究。对于速度给定系统，给出了虚拟平面、虚拟障碍和虚拟墙实验。对位置给定系统与速度给定系统进行了对比分析。实验主要体现力觉／触觉再现技术对遥操作精确定位与避免碰撞的作用。

一种测量深海应答器坐标的方法

提出一种适用于深海应答器坐标测量的方法:垂线相交法。这种方法利用立体几何原理,获得应答器坐标。即测量母船在距应答器适中的位置沿两条相互垂直的航迹航行,分别找到两条航迹上与应答器斜距最小的点,过这两个点在水平面上做两条垂线,交点的经纬度坐标就是应答器的经纬度坐标。分析了影响测量误差的重要因素,并提出测量原则以满足精度要求,使测量系统具有很好的鲁棒性。为提高测距精度,采用射线声学理论中的RRA算法对声线进行修正。仿真实验证明了垂线相交法的有效性。该测量方法对深度没有要求,简化了繁琐的现场操作和水声测量系统,具有很高的工程实用价值。

超短基线定位系统在ROV动力定位中应用的可行性研究

以英国 Sonardyne公司的超短基线 (Ultra- Short Base L ine)为研究对象 ,研究了该系统在各种情况下的重复定位精度 ,以及将该系统应用于水下机器人动力定位的可能性 .实验结果表明 ,即使存在姿态偏差 ,如果通过姿态传感器进行动态补偿 ,该系统仍能获得很好的重复定位精度 ,可以满足水下机器人动力定位的需要