POTENTIATION OF DOCETAXEL ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY BY BATIMASTAT AGAINST MOUSE FORESTOMACH CARCINOMA

Objective . To improve the treatment of tumors, we studied the combined effects of docetaxel and batimastat (BB 94) on mouse forestomach carcinoma (MFC), and compared them with doxorubicin. Methods and results. In vitro, growth curve analysis, MTT assay and clonogenic assay used to determine the cytotoxic effect of docetaxel or/and BB 94 on MFC cell showed that docetaxel but not BB 94 had a significant cytotoxicity, and the effect of docetaxel wasn’t enhanced by BB 94. In early stage MFC tumor model, obvious antitumor effect of docetaxel or doxorubicin given i.v. at maximum tolerated dose (MTD, docetaxel: 20mg/kg; doxorubicin: 6mg/kg) every 4 days for 3 injections (q4d×3), even that of BB 94 (30mg/kg i.p. qd×20) was observed. Tumor growth inhibition was greater for docetaxel batimastat (96.0%) than for doxorubicin-batimastat (88.0%), docetaxel (89.0%), doxorubicin (68.0%) and BB 94 (33.0%), and the effect of docetaxel could be potentiated by BB 94. Docetaxel also showed activity against advanced stage MFC tumor in dose-dependent manner, and was more effective at MTD than doxorubicin with 4/5 regressions, 46.5 days tumor growth delay and 2.8log10 tumor cell kill. Conclusion. Our results suggest that in the MFC model with dose and schedule used, docetaxel is an effective cytotoxic new drug against MFC tumor and BB 94 enchances the antitumor activity of docetaxel.

An edge-adaptive demosaicking method based on image correlation

To reduce the cost, size and complexity, a consumer digital camera usually uses a single sensor overlaid with a color filter array(CFA) to sample one of the red-green-blue primary color values, and uses demosaicking algorithm to estimate the missing color values at each pixel. A novel image correlation and support vector machine(SVM) based edge-adaptive algorithm was proposed, which can reduce edge artifacts and false color artifacts, effectively. Firstly, image pixels were separated into edge region and smooth region with an edge detection algorithm. Then, a hybrid approach switching between a simple demosaicking algorithm on the smooth region and SVM based demosaicking algorithm on the edge region was performed. Image spatial and spectral correlations were employed to create middle planes for the interpolation. Experimental result shows that the proposed approach produced visually pleasing full-color result images and obtained higher CPSNR and smaller S-CIELAB*ab?E than other conventional demosaicking algorithms.

A Fast Algorithm for Automated Image Mosaicing

This paper presents a fast image mosaic algorithm based on the characteristic of the edge grads. Unlike some previous algorithms, which require pure horizontal camera panning, this algorithm doesn＇t require constraints on how the image is taken. The algorithm can determine the matching regions of the two adjacent images by finding out the feature points and can piece up images bath horizontally and vertically. Experimental results show that this algorithm is effective.

The Study of the Psychic Remnants in Juno and the Paycock

This article involves the study of the psychic remnants commonly known as Archetypes in Sean O＇Casey＇s play Juno and the Paycock. Archetypes are the images or patterns recurring again and again in literature through the ages. It also focuses on the minute difference between archetype and archetypal image as discussed by Jung with special reference to the characters and other images in the play beating relevance with the universal archetypes. This article also highlights the play as a connective link in the series of the different pieces of literature via the unique use of the psychic remnants. It emphasises on the different use of those remnants interwoven in the mosaic of the characters and plot of the play.

Efficacy of the Pepper Extracts to Control Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus

The Zucchini yellow mosaic virus （ZYMV） （Potyvirus） on “zucchini” presents great economic importance for Malagasy farmers. Numerous aphid species （Hemiptera： Aphididae） spread viral particles, which are easily transmitted mechanically, too. Farmers ignored this disease, therefore, its control became extremely difficult with insecticides. This study aimed to evaluate efficacy of chili pepper extracts. Treatments vary as a function of its initiations and were repeated at weekly intervals until harvest. It was conducted in market gardens around the town of Antananarivo. The study compared four treatments and repeated three times： firstly, plots received a protection as soon as installation of culture （preventive protection）; secondly, plots received treatment with low infestation （about a quarter plants infested） （late protection）; thirdly, plots received treatment with high infestation （about half of plants infested） （latest protection）; lastly, plots without treatment （the control）. As a result, pepper extracts can provide a significant level to control against aphids attack, and permit to delay virus installation on plots, which received treatment as soon as implementation of culture. However, it cannot eradicate and cannot limit extend of virus disease on plots already infested. Economic analysis shows that preventive treatment of pepper extracts to fight virus attack provides an even greater return on its investment than all other terms. Thus, use of pepper extracts can reduce chemical treatment and pollution.

Does landscape structure contribute to the long-term maintenance of generalized parasitism in cowbirds?

Unlike most brood parasites, several species of cowbird (Molothrus) are generalists that parasitize multiple host species across their range and within the same communities; likewise, there is little evidence that individuals within a population specialize on host species. This situation has variously been attributed to the recency of cowbird evolution (the 'evolutionary lag' hypothesis) or to hidden costs of rejection by hosts (the 'equilibrium' hypothesis). Both hypotheses have some support as cowbirds are indeed a relatively young clade compared with more specialized cuckoos and cowbirds are capable of sophisticated behaviors such as retaliation against rejection ('mafia' behaviors) that would select for acceptance of cowbird eggs. Nevertheless, many species in the Americas have evolved specialized defenses against cowbird parasitism, almost all of which live in more open habitats (e. g., grasslands, shrublands, riparian strips), which indicates that coevolutionary processes can operate in ways that select for host defenses in spite of cowbird counterdefenses. We propose that the structure of landscapes in North America may explain why forest-nesting birds lack defenses against parasitism and reinforce the long-term maintenance of generalized brood parasitism in cowbirds. Because cowbirds require open habitats in which to feed, they are rare or absent in large forest tracts, which dominate much of the forest cover of the Americas. These tracts act as 'source habitats' that produce surplus young that recolonize populations in smaller, fragmented forest patches in which rates of both cowbird parasitism and nest predation are very high ('sink' habitats). Evolution of antiparasite adaptations would be very slow in this situation because most hosts are produced in areas where there is little or no cowbird parasitism. In addition, the interplay of host breeding dispersal, source-sink metapopulation dynamics, and fragmented forest habitat could further deter the evolution of host defenses against parasitism. Therefore, as long as large forest tracts remain widespread in North America, most forest birds will likely continue to lack defenses against cowbird parasitism, guaranteeing a steady supply of na ve hosts in forest habitats, even in fragmented landscapes. This situation will, in turn, favor host generalist cowbirds that actively avoid more open habitats in favor of parasitizing forest bird communities. These forest communities may also act as source populations for cowbirds, which might pump surplus generalist cowbirds into more open habitats further slowing the coevolutionary process. As long as large forest tracts are a common part of the landscape, generalist parasitism may persist indefinitely.

Edge Pattern Based Demosaicking Algorithm of Color Filter Array

An efficient adaptive approximation demosaicking algorithm based on the sampled edge pattern was presented for mosaic images from Bayer color filter array. The proposed algorithm determined edge patterns by four nearest green values surrounding the green interpolation location. Then according to the edge patterns, different adaptive interpolation steps were applied. Simulations on 12 Kodak photos and 15 IMAX high-quality images showed that the proposed method outperformed the other four demosaicking methods (bilinear, effective color interpolation, Lu's method and Chen's method) for average color peak signal to noise ratios and maintained a relatively low complexity owing to constant color-difference interpolation step and a reasonable terminating condition of iteration.

Current Resource-using Situation and Countermeasure Research of the Coliseum in the Conservation-oriented Society.

Constructing a conservation-oriented society is a very urgent mission for China at present, and how the large-scale athletic events carry through economical principle and policy is the topic that each physical worker needs research. Based on literature cite and expert＇ s interviewing etc. this text makes analysis to the present resource-using condition of the coliseum in the economy-oriented society, and puts forward related countermeasures of the coliseum＇ s development as reference to decision makers.

The influence of physiobiomechanical parameters,technical aspects of shooting,and psychophysiological factors on biathlon performance:A review

The biathlon, an Olympic sporting discipline that combines cross-country skiing with rifle marksmanship, entails considerable physiological demands, as well as fine motor control while shooting after intense exercise and under mental pressure. Although much of our knowledge about cross-country skiing is probably also applicable to the biathlon, carrying the rifle and shooting under stress make this discipline somewhat unique. The present review summarizes and examines the scientific literature related to biathlon performance, with a focus on physiological and biomechanical factors and shooting technique, as well as psychophysiological aspects of shooting performance. We conclude with suggestions for future research designed to extend our knowledge about the biathlon, which is presently quite limited.2018 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Shanghai University of Sport. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license. （http：//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/）.

Field Performance Analysis of Shoes Used in the Takraw Games in Malaysia

Using proper footwear is crucial to avoid pain, deformations and injuries on foot. For athletes, a pair of good shoes is vital for comfort and may add to performance improvement. The main objective of this study is to study the performance of some commonly used shoes in the takraw games by using experimental tests and thermal measurements. The momentum and kinetic energies that were generated by the takraw shoes were also measured. The methods used in this study included free fall test, impact force analysis and surface thermal assessment. From the outcomes of the experiments, it was found that the prototype FA shoe was better in absorption of momentum and impact force than the other shoes and also with lower surface temperature after the trial game. These outcomes suggested that it was more suitable to be worn by the takraw players for better performance. All the information obtained from this study are particularly useful for improvement on the current design oftakraw shoe.

Microarray-based identification of tomato microRNAs and time course analysis of their response to Cucumber mosaic virus infection

A large number of plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are now documented in the miRBase, among which only 30 are for Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). Clearly, there is a far-reaching need to identify and profile the expression of miRNAs in this important crop under various physiological and pathological conditions. In this study, we used an in situ synthesized custom microarray of plant miRNAs to examine the expression and temporal presence of miRNAs in the leaves of tomato plants infected with Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Following computational sequence homology search and hairpin structure prediction, we identified three novel tomato miRNA precursor genes. Our results also show that, in accordance with the phenotype of the developing leaves, the tomato miRNAs are differentially expressed at different stages of plant development and that CMV infection can induce or suppress the expression of miRNAs as well as up-regulate some star miRNAs (miRNA*s) which are normally present at much lower levels. The results indicate that developmental anomalies elicited by virus infection may be caused by more complex biological processes.

DNA methylation polymorphism in flue-cured tobacco and candidate markers for tobacco mosaic virus resistance

DNA methylation plays an important role in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression during plant growth,development,and polyploidization.However,there is still no distinct evidence in tobacco regarding the distribution of the methylation pattern and whether it contributes to qualitative characteristics.We studied the levels and patterns of methylation polymorphism at CCGG sites in 48 accessions of allotetraploid flue-cured tobacco,Nicotiana tabacum,using a methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism(MSAP) technique.The results showed that methylation existed at a high level among tobacco accessions,among which 49.3% sites were methylated and 69.9% allelic sites were polymorphic.A cluster analysis revealed distinct patterns of geography-specific groups.In addition,three polymorphic sites significantly related to tobacco mosaic virus(TMV) resistance were explored.This suggests that tobacco breeders should pay more attention to epigenetic traits.

Predicting wild boar damages to croplands in a mosaic of agricultural and natural areas

Crop damages by wildlife is a frequent form of human-wildlife conflict. Identifying areas where the risk of crop damages is highest is pivotal to set up preventive measures and reduce conflict. Species distribution models are routinely used to predict species distribution in response of environmental changes. The aim of this paper was assessing whether species distribution models can allow to identify the areas most at risk of crop damages, helping to set up management strategies aimed at the mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts. We obtained data on wild boar Sus scrofa damages to crops in the Alta Murgia National Park, Southern Italy, and related them to landscape features, to identify areas where the risk of wild boar damages is highest. We used MaxEnt to build species distribution models. We identified the spatial scale at which landscape mostly affects the distribution damages, and optimized the regularization parameter of models, through an information-theoretic approach based on AIC. Wild boar damages quickly increased in the period 2007-2011; cereals and legtmaes were the crops more affected. Large areas of the park have a high risk of wild boar damages. The risk of damages was related to low cover of urban areas or olive grows, intermediate values of forest cover, and high values of shrubland cover within a 2-km radius. Temporally independent validation data demonstrated that models can successfully predict damages in the future. Species distribution models can accurately identify the areas most at risk of wildlife damages, as models calibrated on data collected during only a subset of years correctly predicted damages in the subsequent year [Current Zoology 60 （2）： 170-179, 2014].