A hand-held near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy device is much more convenient than a traditional desktop NIR instrument. Thus, it is more suitable for the practical application. An automatic and rapid tool for grading tobacco leaves on the spot using a hand-held digital light processing (DLP)-based NIR spectroscopy device is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the spectral data of the samples is scanned with a hand-held NIR device directly from the tobacco leaves without any samples preparation procedures. Then, the training model of different classes is built and the class of each test sample is predicted by using sparse representation classification (SRC) algorithm. Comparing with the traditional linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms, the classification accuracy of SRC method is the highest and has the least computation time. The results show that hand-held NIR spectroscopy technology could be a novel classification tool for grading tobacco leaves in the purchasing on the spot.

A cigarette brand automatic classification method using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and sparse representation classification (SRC) algorithm is put forward by the paper. Comparing with the traditional methods, it is more robust to redundancy because it uses non-negative least squares (NNLS) sparse coding instead of principal component analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction of the spectral data. The effectiveness of SRC algorithm is compared with PCA-linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and PCA-particle swarm optimization-support vector machine (PSO-SVM) algorithms. The results show that the classification accuracy of the proposed method is higher and is much more efficient.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, autoimmune disorder that affects nearly all organs and tissues. As knowledge about the mechanism of SLE has increased, some immunosuppressive agents have become routinely used in clinical care, and infections have become one of the direct causes of mortality in SLE patients. To identify the risk factors indicative of infection in SLE patients, a case control study of our hospital's medical records between 2011 and 2013 was performed. We reviewed the records of 117 SLE patients with infection and 61 SLE patients without infection. Changes in the levels of T cell subsets, immunoglobulin G (IgG), complement C3, complement C4, globulin, and anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-ds-DNA) were detected. CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ T cell levels were significantly lower and CD8+ T cell levels were significantly greater in SLE patients with infection than in SLE patients without infection. Additionally, the concentrations of IgG in SLE patients with infection were significantly lower than those in SLE patients without infection. However, complement C3, complement C4, globulin, and anti-ds-DNA levels were not significantly different in SLE patients with and without infection. Therefore, clinical testing for T cell subsets and IgG is potentially useful for identifying the presence of infection in SLE patients and for distinguishing a lupus flare from an acute infection.

RESUMEN La estimación de la energía eólica está relacionada con la predicción en la variación de los vientos en pequeños intervalos de tiempo. Se seleccionaron cuatro torres eólicas ubicadas al interior de Mongolia para estudiar los recursos eólicos en la complejidad de un altiplano. Se utilizó la investigación climática a mesoscala y la combinación del esquema de la Universidad Yonsei con el Modelo de Superficie Terrestre Noah (WRF/YSU/Noah), con resolución de 1km horizontal y 10 minutos, como el modelo numérico de predicción meteorológica (NWP, del inglés Numerical Weather Prediction). Se utilizaron tres técnicas estadísticas, persistencia, propagación hacia atrás en redes neuronales artificiales y máquina de vectores de soporte-mínimos cuadrados (LS-SVM, del inglés Least Square Support Vector Machine), para mejorar la predicción de la velocidad del viento en una turbina con la altura del eje a 70 metros y se complementó con los resultados del WRF/YSU/Noah. Las técnicas de predicción físico-estadísticas actuales tienen un buen desempeo en tres escalas de tiempo: (1) corto plazo, un día en adelante; (2) mediano plazo, de seis días en adelante; (3) cercano, una hora en adelante. Este método de predicción, que combina los resultados WRF/YSU/Noah con los métodos de persistencia y LS-SVM incrementa la precisión de predicción entre 26,3 y 49,4 por ciento, comparado con los resultados directos del modelo numérico WRF/YSU/Noah. Además, este método diferencia la variabilidad de las estaciones y el ciclo diurno en la velocidad y la dirección del viento.

ABSTRACT The forecast of wind energy is closely linked to the prediction of the variation of winds over very short time intervals. Four wind towers located in the Inner Mongolia were selected to understand wind power resources in the compound plateau region. The mesoscale weather research and forecasting combining Yonsei University scheme and Noah land surface model (WRF/YSU/Noah) with 1-km horizontal resolution and 10-min time resolution were used to be as the wind numerical weather prediction (NWP) model. Three statistical techniques, persistence, back-propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN), and least square support vector machine (LS-SVM) were used to improve the wind speed forecasts at a typical wind turbine hub height (70 m) along with the WRF/YSU/Noah output. The current physical-statistical forecasting techniques exhibit good skill in three different time scales: (1) short-term (day-ahead); (2) immediate-short-term (6-h ahead); and (3) nowcasting (1-h ahead). The forecast method, which combined WRF/YSU/Noah outputs, persistence, and LS-SVM methods, increases the forecast skill by 26.3-49.4% compared to the direct outputs of numerical WRF/YSU/Noah model. Also, this approach captures well the diurnal cycle and seasonal variability of wind speeds, as well as wind direction.

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively evaluate the quality of Chishao. Methods: In the experiment of this paper, the fingerprint spectrums of Chishao in all locations are established by RP-HPLC and the model of principle component analysis with the RP-HPLC peak areas is established. Results: The quality of Chishao in the northern part of China or that made of Paeonia lactiflora is better than that of these in others or that made of other species. The quality of Chishao comes from P. veitchii is in the middle class and is better than those that comes from P. obovata, P. mairei and P. anomala. The results are consistent with traditional views of the quality of this plant. These results indicates that principal component analysis (PCA) can be used as an effective and economic method to evaluate the quality of Chishao, and may be extended to other Chinese medicinal plants. Conclusions: Due to the complex basis of the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the method such as PCA of several chemical components appears to be a more appropriate method for the quality evaluation of TCM in contrast to the determination of a single or few chemicals.

Objetivo: El propósito de este artículo es la evaluación cualitativa extensa de Chishao. Métodos: En el experimento de este trabajo, se establecen los espectros de identificación de Chishao en todas las localizaciones mediante RP-HPLC y el método del análisis de componentes principales con las áreas pico de RP-HPLC. Resultados: La calidad de Chishao en el norte de China o del procedente de Paeonia lactiflora es mejor que la de otras localizaciones o procedente de P. obovata, P. mairei y P. anomala. Los resultados son congruentes con la impresión tradicional de la calidad de esta planta. Estos resultados indican que el análisis de los componentes principales (ACP) puede utilizarse como método eficaz y económico para evaluar la calidad de Chishao y podría aplicarse a otras plantas medicinales chinas. Conclusiones: Dada la complicada base de la eficacia de la Medicina tradicional china (MTC), un método como el ACP para diversos componentes químicos parece ser más adecuado para la evaluación de la calidad de la MTC en comparación con la determinación de un único o unos pocos agentes químicos.

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a strong inducer of apoptosis in malignant hematological cells. Inducible phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt activation promotes resistance to ATO. In the present study, we evaluated whether E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b, a negative regulator of PI3K activation, is involved in the action of ATO. The effect of ATO on cell viability was measured by the Trypan blue exclusion assay or by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and protein expression was assayed by Western blotting. ATO decreased the viability of HL60 cells and induced cellular apoptosis, which was accompanied by transient activation of Akt. The PI3K/Akt inhibitor, LY294002, significantly increased ATO-induced apoptosis (P < 0.05). In addition, ATO up-regulated the expression of Cbl-b proteins. Furthermore, ATO inhibited cell viability with an IC50 of 18.54 μM at 24 h in rat basophilic leukemia-2H3 cells. ATO induced cellular apoptosis with transient activation of Akt and Cbl-b was also up-regulated. Rat basophilic leukemia-2H3 cells transfected with a dominant negative (DN) Cbl-b mutation showed overexpression of Cbl-b (DN) and enhanced Akt activation. Compared with cells transfected with vector, ATO-induced apoptosis was decreased and G2/M phase cells were increased at the same concentration (P < 0.05). The PI3K/Akt inhibitor, LY294002, re-sensitized Cbl-b (DN) overexpressing cells to ATO and reversed G2/M arrest (P < 0.05). Taken together, these results suggest that Cbl-b potentiates the apoptotic action of ATO by inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

We present a hybrid cladding photonic crystal fiber for shaping high nonlinear and flattened dispersion in a wide range of wavelengths. The new structure adopts hybrid cladding with different pitches, air-holes diameters and air-holes arrayed fashions. The full-vector finite element method with perfectly matched layer is used to investigate the characteristics of the hybrid cladding photonic crystal fiber such as nonlinearity and dispersion properties. The influence of the cladding structure parameters on the nonlinear coefficient and geometric dispersion is analyzed. High nonlinear coefficient and the dispersion properties of fibers are tailored by adjusting the cladding structure parameters. A novel hybrid cladding photonic crystal fiber with high nonlinear coefficient and dispersion flattened which is suited for supercontinuum generation is designed.

Objetivo: El efecto del estímulo del tronco nervioso cervico-vagal sobre la conducción entre la vena pulmonar superior izquierda (LSPV, siglas en inglés), la aurícula izquierda (LA, siglas en inglés) y la fibrilación auricular (AF, siglas en inglés), no se ha estudiado sistemáticamente. Se intentó investigar la conducción eléctrica entre la LA y la LSPV, con el estímulo del tronco nervioso cervico-vagal y evaluar los posibles substratos subyacentes para la reentrada local, la iniciación y el mantenimiento de la AF. Métodos: En 12 perros sin raza (18-25 kg), se estimuló el tronco cervico-vagal con alta frecuencia (60 ms, 1-4V) para producir detenimiento sinusal con duración >2 s, completo bloqueo atrio-ventricular (AV) o un descenso superior a 50% en el ritmo sinusal. Se hizo una toracotomía lateral izquierda y se expuso el corazón en la malla pericárdica. Los HRA, LAA, PV-LAJ, LSPVm y LSPVd se estimularon localmente (100 ms, 2-8V). El de HRA, LAA, PV-LAJ y dentro de la LSPV, la heterogeneidad dentro de la LSPV y la conducción entre la vena pulmonar superior izquierda, la aurícula izquierda y la fibrilación auricular que induce un ritmo con respuesta vagal, también se analizaron. Resultados: 1. Durante el estímulo vago-cervical, el ritmo cardíaco se redujo significativamente desde la línea basal 156±34 bpm a 75±34bpm (p<0.05, n=12); los sitios ERP de HRA, LAA, PV-LAJ, LSPVm y LSPVd se acortaron localmente en todos los animales. La heterogeneidad (COV-ERP) aumentó desde la línea basal 3±3% A 30±13% (en promedio, p<0.05, n012) y la capacidad de ser inducida la AF aumentó desde la línea base 49.8% a 70.9% con un estímulo S1S1 (100 ms, 2-8V) y desde la línea basal 3.7% a 43.5% con S1S25 ms reducido paso a paso S1S2 300/200ms, 2-8V, n=12. 2. Los potenciales de la LA y la PV en LA, PV-LAJ, LSPVm y LSPVd, se sobrepusieron durante el ritmo sinusal y se separaron notablemente por el estímulo en la porción distal de LSPV (n=9). 3. La conducción uni-direccional y bi-direccional (=9), la conducción disminuida (n=6), la conducción retardada de LSPVp a LSPVD (n=12) y la conducción lenta desde la señal estímulo hasta el potencial tejido local (n=9), antes del comienzo de la AF se registraron paso a paso tanto desde la LSPV como desde la LA. Conclusión: Este estudio sugirió con mucho vigor que los latidos ectópicos, la activación anormal del vago, así como la conducción remodelante entre la vena pulmonar superior izquierda y la aurícula izquierda son substratos comunes subyacentes para el reingreso local, la iniciación y el mantenimiento de la fibrilación auricular.

Objective: The effect of cervical vagal trunk stimulation on conduction between left superior pulmonary vein and left atria and atria fibrillation have not been systematically studied. We attempted to investigate the electrical conduction between LA and LSPV in dogs with cervical vagal trunk stimulation and evaluate the possible underline substrates for local reentry and initiation and maintenance of AF. Methods: 12 mongrel dogs (18-25 kg) underwent cervical vagal trunk stimulation at high-frequency (60 ms, 1-4V) to produce sinus arrest lasting >2 seconds,complete atrioventricular AV blocking or the sinus rate decreasing more than 50%. Left lateral thoracotomy was performed and the heart was exposed in a pericardial cradle. The HRA, LAA, PV-LAJ, LSPVm and LSPVd was locally stimulated (100 ms, 2-8V). ERP of HRA, LAA, PV-LAJ and within LSPV, ERP heterogeneity within LSPV and conduction between left superior pulmonary vein and left atria and atrial fibrillation inducing rate with vagal response was analyzed. Results: 1. During cervical vagal stimulation, the heart rate was reduced significantly from baseline 156±34 bpm to 75±34 bpm (p<0.05, n=12), ERP of HRA, LAA, PV-LAJ, LSPVm and LSPVd sites was shortened locally in all animals, ERP hetero-geneity (COV-ERP ) was increased from baseline 3±3% to 30±13% (on average, p<0.05; n=12) and inducibility of AF was increased from baseline 49.9% to 70.9% with S1S1stimulation (100 ms, 2-8V) and from baseline 3.7% to 43.5% with S1S2 (5 ms decremented stepwise S1S2 300/200 ms, 2-8V, n=12; 2. LA and PV potentials at LA, PV-LAJ, LSPVm and LSPVd was overlapped during sinus rate and separated remarkably by stimulating at distal part of LSPV (n=9); 3. Unidirectional and bi-directional conduction(n=9), bi-directional decremented conduction (n=6), delayed conduction from LSPVp to LSPVd (n=12) and slow conduction from stimulating signal to local tissue potential (n=9) before onset of AF were recorded by pacing from both LSPV and LA. Conclusion: Our study strongly suggested that fast ectopic beating, abnormal vagal nerve activation as well as remodeling conduction between left superior pulmonary vein and left atria might are the common underline substrates for local reentry and AF initiation and maintenance.

COTTON YIELD IS ONE OF THE INDICATORS for describing agricultural efficiency from different resource management methods in the cotton-growing industry. Selected cotton-growing cost factors were used to design an artificial neural network model to predict cotton yield in Kenya. This neural network model was able to predict cotton yield with a satisfactory performance error of 0.204 kg/ha and a regression correlation coefficient between network output and actual yield of 0.945.

La preservación experimental de los gusanos "aterciopelados" u onicóforos (Phylum Onychophora), un grupo poco común pero evolutivamente importante que ha existido por más de 500 millones de años, mostró que la ausencia de partes bucales, glándulas secretoras de adhesivo, gonoporo, ojos, patas, garras, anulación cuticular y papilas en los fósiles, puede no representar la ausencia de tales órganos en los organismos vivos. No son contables el grueso de las patas y la orientación de las garras (uñas), pues se modifican durante la preservación. Los experimentos indican que no sólo la ausencia, sino también la presencia de ciertas estructuras pueden ser simplemente resultado de la descomposición de los tejidos. Se presentan reconstrucciones fotorrealistas computarizadas de onicóforos fósiles. Para futuras investigaciones, recomendarnos conducir experimentos tafonónúcos previos al análisis del material preservado, especialmente antes de analizar fósiles poco comunes.

Experimental preservation of velvet worms (phylum Onychophora), a very rare but evolutionarily important group that has existed for more than 500 million years, showed that the absence of bucal parts, adhesive-expelling organs, gonopore, eyes, legs, claws, annulation and papillation in fossils may not represent absence in the living animals. In fossils, leg thickness and claw orientation can be unreliable. The experiments indicate that not only absence, but even presence of certain structures can simply be the result of tissue decomposition. Computer-aided photorealistic reconstructions of fossil onychophorans are presented. We recommend future researchers to conduct taphonomy experiments specially before analysing unusual fossils.