Coherent Doppler lidar wind retrieval for a typhoon based on the genetic simulated annealing algorithm

A method of spectrum estimation based on the genetic simulated annealing(GSA)algorithm is proposed,which is applied to retrieve the three-dimensional wind field of typhoon Nangka observed by our research group.Compared to the genetic algorithm(GA),the GSA algorithm not only extends the detection range and guarantees the accuracy of retrieval results but also demonstrates a faster retrieval speed.Experimental results indicate that both the GA and GSA algorithms can enhance the detection range by 35%more than the least squares method.However,the convergence speed of the GSA algorithm is 17 times faster than that of the GA,which is more beneficial for real-time data processing.

The Direct Method of Lines for Forward and Inverse Linear Elasticity Problems of Composite Materials in Star-shaped Domains

In this paper,we generalize the direct method of lines for linear elasticity problems of composite materials in star-shaped domains and consider its application to inverse elasticity problems.We assume that the boundary of the star-shaped domain can be described by an explicit C 1 parametric curve in the polar coordinate.We introduce the curvilinear coordinate,in which the irregular star-shaped domain is converted to a regular semi-infinite strip.The equations of linear elasticity are discretized with respect to the angular variable and we solve the resulting semidiscrete approximation analytically using a direct method.The eigenvalues of the semi-discrete approximation converge quickly to the true eigenvalues of the elliptic operator,which helps capture the singularities naturally.Moreover,an optimal error estimate of our method is given.For the inverse elasticity problems,we determine the Lam´e coefficients from measurement data by minimizing a regularized energy functional.We apply the direct method of lines as the forward solver in order to cope with the irregularity of the domain and possible singularities in the forward solutions.Several numerical examples are presented to show the effectiveness and accuracy of our method for both forward and inverse elasticity problems of composite materials.

Active dry yeast supplementation improves the growth performance,rumen fermentation, and immune response of weaned beef calves

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the potential benefits of active dry yeast(ADY)on the growth performance,rumen fermentation,nutrient digestibility,and serum parameters of weaned beef calves.Thirty Simmental crossbred male calves(body weight=86.47±4.41 kg and 70±4 d of age)were randomly divided into 2 groups:control(CON)(fed basal ration)and ADY(fed basal ration and 5 g/d ADY per calf).The dietary concentrate-to-roughage ratio was 35:65.All the calves were regularly provided rations 3 times a day at 07:00,13:00,and 19:00 and had free access to wate r.The experiment lasted for 60 d.The average daily gain of ADY group was higher(P=0.007)than that of the CON group,and the ratio of feed intake to average daily gain in the ADY group was reduced(P=0.022)as compared to the CON group.The concentration of ruminal ammonia-N was higher(P=0.023)in the CON group than that in the ADY group,but an opposite trend of microbial protein was found between the 2 groups.Also,the ruminal concentrations of propionate and butyrate were higher(P<0.05)in the ADY group than those in the CON group.Calves fed ADY exhibited higher(P<0.05)crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibility.Supplementation of ADY increased(P<0.05)the contents of glucose,glutathione peroxidase,superoxide dismutase,immunoglobulin A,immunoglobulin M,and interleukin 10 in the serum of calves,but an opposite trend was observed in malondialdehyde,interleukin 1 beta,and tumor necrosis factor alpha contents between the 2 groups.In conclusion,dietary supplementation with ADY could improve the growth performance,rumen fermentation,nutrient digestibility,antioxidant ability,and immune response of weaned beef calves.

The crystal structure of Ac-AChBP in complex with α-conotoxin LvlA reveals the mechanism of its selectivity towards different nAChR subtypes

The a3＊ nAChRs, which are considered to be promising drug targets for problems such as pain, addiction, cardiovascular function, cognitive disorders etc., are found throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. The α-conotoxin （α-CTx） LvlA has been identified as the most selective inhibitor of α3β2 nAChRs known to date, and it can distinguish the α3132 nAChR subtype from the α6/α3β2β3 and α3β4 nAChR subtypes. However, the mechanism of its selectivity towards α3132, α6/α3β2β3, and α3β4 nAChRs remains elusive. Here we report the co-crystal structure of LvlA in complex with Aplysia californica acetylcholine binding protein （Ac-AChBP） at a resolution of 3.4 A. Based on the structure of this complex, together with homology modeling based on other nAChR subtypes and binding affinity assays, we conclude that Asp-11 of LvlA plays an important role in the selectivity of LvlA towards α3132 and α31o6132133 nAChRs by making a salt bridge with Lys-155 of the rat α3 subunit. Asn-9 lies within a hydrophobic pocket that is formed by Met-36, Thr-59, and Phe-119 of the rat β2 subunit in the α3β2 nAChR model, revealing the reason for its more potent selectivity towards the a3β2 nAChR subtype. These results provide molecular insights that can be used to design ligands that selectively target α3β2 nAChRs, with significant implications for the design of new therapeutic a-CTxs.

Expression Analysis of miRNAs and Highly-expressed Small RNAs in Two Rice Subspecies and their Reciprocal Hybrids

Heterosis,or hybrid vigor,is the phenomenon whereby progeny of two inbred lines exhibit superior agronomic performance compared with either parent.We analyzed the expression of miRNAs and highly expressed small RNAs （defined according to Solexa sequencing results） in two rice （Oryza sativa） subspecies （japonica cv.Nipponbare and indica cv.93-11） and their reciprocal hybrids using microarrays.We found that of all the 1141 small RNAs tested,140 （12%,140 of 1141） and 157 （13%,157 of 1141） were identified being significantly differentially expressed in two reciprocal hybrids,respectively.All possible modes of action,including additive,high-and low-parent,above high-and below low-parent modes were exhibited.Both F1 hybrids showed non-additive expression patterns,with downregulation predominating.Interestingly,15 miRNAs displayed stark opposite expression trends relative to midparent in reciprocal hybrids.Computational prediction of targets of differentially expressed miRNAs showed that they participated in multifaceted developmental pathways,and were not distinguishable from the targets of non-differentially expressed miRNAs.Together,our findings reveal that small RNAs play roles in heterosis and add a new layer in the understanding and exploitation of molecular mechanisms of heterosis.

Simulation and verification of pulsed laser beam propagation underwater using Markov chains [Invited]

One fast simulation method using Markov chains was introduced to simulate angular,energy,and temporal characteristics of pulsed laser beam propagation underwater.Angular dispersion of photons with a different number of collisions was calculated based on scattering function and the state transition matrix of Markov chains.Temporal distribution and energy on the receiving plane were obtained,respectively,by use of a novel successive layering model and receiving ratio.The validity of this method was verified by comparing it with the Monte Carlo ray tracing(MCRT)method.The simulation results were close to those obtained by MCRT but were less time consuming and had smoother curves.