媒介技术“类生物化”演进下的交往困境

作为人的本质力量的对象化,媒介及其技术构成往往被当作衡量社会发展状态和社会关系生成的重要尺度。自计算机出现以来的现代媒介技术,在总体人性化趋势的基础上,呈现出强烈的“类生物化”技术方向,具体表现为不断推进的联结化、数字化和智能化或称为人化。以如此技术逻辑为工具理性的现代社交实践被置于前所未有的新境遇中;同时,由此技术的“逻辑”或技术的“机器精神”所导致的社会交往中主体性的解构、持续个体化的精神压力、数字化交往必然支付的隐私代价,以及交往自由与交往受控的悖论性后果,都是当下作为交往主体的人所面临的日常困境。因此,对包括主体与技术在内的、构成社会交往的核心要素提出有现实意义的、有人本立场的伦理诉求,是时代与个体的共同命题。

BIO-INSPIRED SELF-ADAPTIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM CONTROL ARCHITECTURE

Future manufacturing systems need to cope with frequent changes and disturbances, therefore their control architectures require constant adaptability, agility, stability, self-organization, intelligence, and robustness. Bio-inspired manufacturing system can well satisfy these requirements. For this purpose, by referencing the biological organization structure and the mechanism, a bio-inspired manufacturing cell is presented from a novel view, and then a bio-inspired self-adaptive manufacturing model is established based on the ultra-short feedback mechanism of the neuro-endocrine system. A hio-inspired self-adaptive manufacturing system coordinated model is also established based on the neuro-endocrine-immunity system （NEIS）. Finally, an example based on pheromone communication mechanism indicates that the robustness of the whole manufacturing system is improved by bio-inspired technologies.

New Macroalgal Fossils from Middle Cambrian Kaili Biota in Guizhou Province, China

Abundant and well-preserved remains of noncalcareous algae and soft-bodied metazoans were collected from Middle Cambrian Kaili biota in Taijiang county, Guizhou Province, China. These remains provide further evidence for the wide geographic distribution of many Burgess Shale taxa. Among the algae, 5 genera (including two new genera) and 5 species are described. They are Marpolia spissa Walcott, Acinocricus stichus Conway Morris and Robison, Udotealga erecta Yang, Eosargassum sawata Yang, and Rhizophyton zhaoyuanlongii Yang. Contrasting the macroalgal fossil assemblage in the Kaili biota with one in the Burgess Shale biota, it is clear that similarity of the Kaili biota and the Burgess Shale biota is reflected by the same content of not only the soft-bodied metazoans, but also the noncalcareous algae.

Bioinformatics Analysis of IPIs in Five Northern Medicinal Plants

This study analyzed and predicted following aspects of isopentenyl py- rophosphate isomerases （IPIs） of five north medicinal plants using bioinformatics methods and tools： physical and chemical properties, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, trans-membrane domain, secondary structure, subcellular localization and so on. The results showed that： there was no notable difference among the physical and chem- ical properties of IPIs of the five north medicinal plants; the IPIs were mainly hy- drophilic; the IPIs were mainly located in chloroplasts by subcellular localization; serine phosphorylation sites were the most; the secondary structures mainly consist- ed of c^-helixes and random coils; no signal peptide existed, indicating that the pro- tein IPI was non-secreted protein; no trans-membrane domain existed; and one functional domain was shown, Le., Nudix Hydrolase Superfamily. This study is of great significance to research on IPI gene functions, deep research on north medic- inal plants, improvement of efficacy of north medicinal plants and rational develop- ment and utilization of medicinal plant resources.

The Occurrence of Longfengshania in the Early Cambrian from Haikou, Yunnan, China

Well preserved Early Cambrian small individual megascopic carbonaceous algal fossils have been found from the Chengjiang Biota. This paper deals with the new megascopic algal fossils in the Early Cambrian also from Chengjiang Biota at Ercai Village, Haikou, Kunming, Yunnan, southwest China. Two new taxa, Longfengshania cordata sp. nov. and Plantulaformis sinensis gen. et sp. nov. are described here in detail. These new findings show that the Chengjiang Biota is high in species diversity of fossil algae and might offer new evidence for a better understanding of the Cambrian explosive biological evolution. Moreover, the fossils described here might belong to the megaalgal fossils according to detailed morphological study on the relationships of Longfengshania. Additionally, the occurrence of Longfengshania in the early Cambrian and the Neoproterozoic probably indicates a wide ecological tolerance and flexibility and apparently reflects its evolutionary conservation and a high degree of inherent genetic stability.

Alterations of biliary biochemical constituents and cytokines in infantile hepatitis syndrome

AIM: To investigate the biliary biochemical constituents and cytokines in infantile hepatitis syndrome (IHS). METHODS: From 42 IHS subjects and 21 controls, serum and biliary biochemical constituents, including total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), total bile acid (TBA), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) both in bile and serum, were assayed. The subjects with IHS were divided into a cholestasis group (n = 21) and a hepatitis group (n = 21). RESULTS: In the cholestasis group, serum TBIL, DBIL, ALT, γ-GT, TBA, IL-6 and TNF-α levels were higher than those in the control (P < 0.01); and also the biliary TBIL, DBIL, γ-GT and TBA levels were lower than those in the control, whereas biliary IL-6 and TNF-α levels were higher than those in the control (P < 0.01). In the cholestasis group, serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were lower than those in bile (P < 0.01). In the hepatitis group, serum DBIL, ALT, γ-GT, TBA, IL-6 and TNF-α levels were higher than those in the control (P < 0.01 or 140.57 ± 70.32 vs 79.06 ± 35.25, P < 0.05), while biliary TBIL, DBIL, γ-GT and TBA levels were lower than those in the control (P < 0.01), and biliary IL-6 and TNF-α levels were higher than those in the control (P < 0.01). In the hepatitis group, serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were also lower than those in bile (P < 0.01). Serum TBIL, DBIL, γ-GT, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the cholestasis group were higher than those in the hepatitis group, while biliary IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the cholestasis group were higher than those in the hepatitisgroup. Biliary IL-6 and TNF-α were found to be more significantly increased than serum IL-6 and TNF-α in IHS (P < 0.01). The biliary IL-6 and TNF-α levels were positively correlated with serum DBIL, TBA and γ-GT levels in IHS subjects. CONCLUSION: Biliary biochemical constituents alter in coincidence with pathological changes in hepatocellular injury. Cholestasis is more serious in IHS patients of cholestasis subtype. Assay of biliary IL-6 and TNF-α levels can be specific and sensitive to determine the inflammatory status of impaired liver in IHS.

Cultivation of microalgae for biodiesel production:A review on upstream and downstream processing

Fluctuating market price of fossil fuel and overwhelming emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere have resulted in climate change and have been a global concern in this decade. Hence, biodiesel has become an alternative option to fossil diesel as it is renewable and environmentally friendly. Nevertheless, this alternative fuel that is usually derived from terrestrial oil crops will cause shortage in food supply and deforestation if mass production is realized. In recent years, cultivation of aquatic microorganism(particularly microalgae) to produce biodiesel is considered as a practical solution due to their high growth rate and ability to synthesize large quantity of lipid within their cell. However, the development of energy and cost-efficiency of microalgae cultivation system are the main issues in producing renewable microalgae biodiesel. Of late, wastewater or organic compost has been used as the cultivation medium as it can provide sufficient nutrients to sustain microalgae growth.Microalgae cultivation method and system are vitally important as these factors undoubtedly affect the final microalgae biomass and lipid yield. In this review, the cultivation system of microalgae, nutrients demanded for microalgae production, cell harvesting and drying, microalgae oil extraction, and utilization of microalgae biomass for biodiesel production are introduced and discussed. It is anticipated to convey clearer perspectives in upstream and downstream processes in microalgae-derived biodiesel production.

A Minireview of Marine Algal Virus-Coccolithoviruses

Coccolithophorid is unicellular marine microalgae with a global distribution in temperate and sub-temperate oceanic regions and has the ability to produce ＇the coccoliths＇. It is considered to be the second most productive calcifying organism on earth and becoming an important factor in the global carbonate cycle. Emiliania huxleyi is one of the only two bloom-forming coccolithophores and becomes a species crucial to the study of global biogeochemical cycles and climate modeling. Coccolithoviruse is a recently discovered group of viruses infecting the marine coceolithophorid E. huxleyi. They are a major cause of coceolithophore bloom termination, and DMSP concentration is increasing in the process of viral lysis. Phylogenetic evidences support that some genes are functional both in E. huxleyi and its virus （EhV）. Horizontal gene transfer （HGT） of multiple functionally coupled enzymes occurs in E. huxleyi and its DNA virus EhV has been confirmed, which contributes to the diversification and adaptation of plankton in the oceans and also critically regulates virus-host infection by allowing viruses to control host metabolic pathways for their repli- cation. Therefore, it is of particular interest to understand this host-virus interaction. On this issue, we have made a minireview of coeeolithoviruses focusing on the basic characteristics, phylogenesis, horizontal gene transfer and the interaction between the host and its viruses, as well as its important role in global biogeochemical cycling.

Uptake of Organic Phosphorus by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Red Clover

The capacities of two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomusmosseae and Glomus versiforme, to mineralize added organic P werestudied in a sterilized clacareous soil. Mycorrhizal (inoculated witheither of the AM fungi) and non-mycorrhizal red clover (Trifoliumpratense L.) plants were grown for eight weeks in pots with upperroot, central hyphal and lower soil compartments. The hyphal and soilcompartments received either organic P (as Na-phytte) or inorganic P(as KH_2PO_4) at the rate of 50 mg P kg^-1. No P was added to theroot compartments.

Study on Algae Removal by Immobilized Biosystem on Sponge

In this study, sponges were used to immobilize domesticated sludge microbes in a limited space, forming an immobilized biosystem capable of algae and microcystins removal. The removal effects on algae, microcystins and UV 260 of this biosystem and the mechanism of algae removal were studied. The results showed that active sludge from sewage treatment plants was able to remove algae from a eutrophic lake’s water after 7 d of domestication. The removal efficiency for algae, organic matter and microcystins increased when the domesticated sludge was immobilized on sponges. When the hydraulic retention time (HRT) was 5 h, the removal rates of algae, microcystins and UV 260 were 90%, 94.17% and 84%, respectively.The immobilized biosystem consisted mostly of bacteria, the Ciliata and Sarcodina protozoans and the Rotifer metazoans. Algal decomposition by zoogloea bacteria and preying by microcreatures were the two main modes of algal removal, which occurred in two steps: first, absorption by the zoogloea; second, decomposition by the zoogloea bacteria and the predacity of the microcreatures.

Chlorophenols in marine organisms from the southern coast of Hangzhou Bay,China,and an assessment of risks posed to human health

The composition of chlorophenols in marine organisms from the southern coast of Hangzhou Bay, China, was analyzed and the health risks posed to humans assessed. A total of 19 chlorophenols from 16 types of marine organism were analyzed across nine survey sections in Hangzhou Bay. The chlorophenols were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using a DB-5MS quartz capillary column. The concentrations of monochlorophenol, dichlorophenol, trichlorophenol, tetrachlorophenol, and pentachlorophenol ranged from below the detection limit(ND) to 132 μg/kg, ND–51.0 μg/kg, ND–42.5 μg/kg, ND–69.0 μg/kg, and ND–9.06 μg/kg, respectively. Additionally, concentration differences between each type of chlorophenol were not significant( P >0.05). However, significant differences were found between monochlorophenol( F =8.13, P <0.01) and total chlorophenol(F =5.19, P <0.01) concentrations. As the noncarcinogenic risk indices were <0.1(10-5 –10-2) for all of the organisms, no high risk was posed by 2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, and pentachlorophenol to humans consuming marine organisms from the study area. Furthermore, the carcinogenic risks posed by 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol were lower than limits set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection and the US Environmental Protection Agency. However, the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks posed by chlorophenols in marine organisms from four of the survey sections(Sizaopu, Niluoshan, Longshan Town and Xinhong zha) were higher than the other survey sections.

An Assessment of Changes in Bioclimatic Types in Sichuan Province, 1961-2010

Assessing the impact of climate change is important for ecosystem conservation and plant recovery, especially in climate sensitive regions. Various studies suggested that the KSppen classification is an effective method to depict climate change. However, these studies were restricted to large scales or of limited accuracy due to uncertainties in climate model projections. In addition, the impact of elevation on the shift of climate zones, as compared with other factors, is less emphasized. To address these issues we compiled the KSppen Climate Classification （period 1961-2olo） for the study area, Sichuan Province, China. The spatial resolution was selected as x km x x km. Sichuan Province may be characterized by 3 main climate classes and 1o subtypes. The east-west gradient of the climatic regimes in Siehuan is represented by the main climate classes, warm temperate climates （C）, snow climates （D） and polar climates （E）, at which the most abundant class is C. The most abundant subtype is snow climate with dry winter and cool summer （Dwe）. Shifts in K/Sppen climate classes reflect the observed trend of increasing temperature. Finally, the elevation showed an obvious impact on the distribution and the change of climate classes in Siehuan Province. The shift of areas covered by KSppen climate classes increases with elevation.

Biology and Culture

Human beings do not live in nature, they live in culture. Contrary to biological evolution, which is based on genetic inheritance, cultural change is transmitted by instruction. Simple beginnings of culture have been observed in various animals. However, the much advanced human culture became possible by its transmission by language, and by its being cumulative. The concept of cultural change as a progressive process, popular by 18th and 19th centuries thinkers, is nowadays rejected, and the uniqueness of each culture stressed. Although, there are some similarities between biological evolution and cultural change, important differences between these processes are emphasized. The rapid rate of cultural change （especially its technological aspect）, as compared to the rate of biological evolution, is noted. In addition, some cultural changes led to new phenomena, which in a time of crisis can be annulled. The possible consequences of the different rate of these two processes for humans as individuals, and for their societies are discussed.

Removal of eutrophication factors and heavy metal from a closed cultivation system using the macroalgae,Gracilaria sp.(Rhodophyta)

In this study, the ability of macroalgae Gracilaria sp. of removing eutrophication factors and toxic heavy metals A1, Cr, and Zn in a closed cultivation system is reported. The results show that the concentration of the three heavy metals decreased significantly during the experimental period in an algal biomass dependent manner. The biofiltration capacity of the alga for A1, Cr, and Zn is 10.1%-72.6%, 52.5%-83.4% and 36.5%,91.7%, respectively. Using more materials resulted in stronger heavy metal removal. Additionally, the concentration of chl-a, TN, TP and DIN of water samples fxom aquariums involving large, medium, and small algal biomass cultivation increased first and then decreased during the experiment. COD value of all three groups decreased with time and displayed algal biomass dependency： more algae resulting in a greater COD value than those of less biomass. Furthermore, changes in COD reflect an obvious organic particles deprivation process of algae. This is the first report on heavy metal removal effect by Gracilaria species. The results suggest that macroalgae can be used as a biofilter for the treatment of nutrient-enriched or heavy-metal polluted water, to which an appropriate time range should be carefully determined.

Flavonoids in Georgian Bee Bread and Bee Pollen

The proposed work aims to study phenol components （flavonoids） of bee bread and pollen obtained in Georgia using the HPLC （high-performance liquid chromatography） method, and to determine the content of biologically active compounds in them. The samples were taken in lmereti region （west Georgia）. After extraction of samples, there were carried out spectral and HPLC analysis of compounds for the sake of qualitative and quantitative research of them. There are studied the flavonoid compounds of bee bread and pollen by using the HPLC methods, and naringin, rutin and quercetin are identified. Their amount counts about 20% of full content of flavonoids. The content of flavonols in bee bread and pollen has been established. It also has been determined that the amount of flavonoids during the storage period of products reduces to 6.17-5.03 g.kg-1.

Dehydrolutein:a metabolically derived carotenoid never observed in raptors

Carotenoids are fat-soluble pigments synthesised by photosynthetic organisms(Brush,1990).Conversely,animals are incapable of synthesizing carotenoids de novo,and they must obtain them through their diet.However,some animal species are able to make some alterations to the basic chemical structure,converting ingested carotenoids into more oxidized and differently coloured forms(Schiedt,1998).

Temporal and spatial variations in the distribution of macroalgal communities along the Yantai coast, China

To explore the impact of environmental variables on macroalgal communities, their temporal and spatial distributions were examined along the Yantai coast, China between April 2010 and March 2011. Macroalgae sampling was conducted monthly at four sites along the coast: Jiahe River estuary, Zhifu Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and Yangma Island. The species composition and abundance, and their relationship with environmental variables were assessed. Along the Yantai coast, 35 macroalgae species were identifi ed, including 24 Rhodophyta spp., 7 Chlorophyta, and 4 Phaeophyta spp. Highest species numbers were recorded in the summer at all sampling sites, except in the Jiahe River estuary. Macroalgae biomass was the greatest in the summer. Year-round, the highest species number and dry biomass recorded at Fisherman's Wharf and Yangma Island was attributed to the substrate type. In summer, Ulva pertusa Kjellman was the dominant species identifi ed along the Yantai coast, which indicates a risk of macroalgae blooms. Our results show that seawater temperature and nutrients appear to signifi cantly affect the temporal and spatial patterns of macroalgal abundance along the Yantai coast. The effects of environmental variables on the macroalgae on the Yantai coast need further study.

Effects of topography and vegetation on distribution of rare earth elements in calcareous soils

This study investigated the impact of topography and vegetation on distribution of rare earth elements(REEs)in calcareous soils using methods of single extraction and mass balance calculation. The purposes of the study were to set a basis for further research on the biogeochemical REE cycle and to provide references for soil–water conservation and REE-containing fertilizer amendments. The results show a generally flat Post-Archean Average Australian Shale—normalized REE pattern for the studied calcareous soils. REE enrichment varied widely. The proportion of acidsoluble phases of heavy REEs was higher than that of light REEs. From top to bottom of the studied hills, dominant REE sources transitioned from limestone in-situ weathering to input from REE-containing phases(e.g., clay minerals,amorphous iron, REE-containing fluids). Our results indicate that the REE content of calcareous soils is mainly controlled by slope aspect, while the enrichment degree of REEs is related to geomorphological position and vegetation type.Furthermore, the proportion of acid-soluble phases of REEs is mainly controlled by geomorphological position.

Genetically confirmed familial hypercholesterolemia in outpatients with hypercholesterolemia

Background Familial hypercholesterolemia （FH） is an autosomal dominant disorder of lipoprotein metabolism which can lead to premature coronary heart disease （pCHD）. There are about 3.8 million potential FH patients in China, whereas the clinical and genetic data of FH are limited. Methods Dutch Lipid Clinic Network （DLCN） criteria was used to diagnose FH in outpatients with hypercholesterolemia. Resequencing chip analysis combined with Sanger sequencing validation were used to identify mutations in the definite FH patients according to DLCN criteria. In silico analysis was conducted in mutations with previously unknown pathogenicity. Then, the novel mutant receptors were transfected into human embryo kidney 293 （HEK-293） cells. The binding and the internalization activities of the mu- tant receptors were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results The prevalence of definite FH in outpatients with hypercholesterolemia in this study is 3.2%. Using genetic testing, one homozygous FH （HoFH）, one heterozygous FH （HeFH） and three compound heterozygous FH patients were confirmed. Eight mutations in low-density lipoprotein receptor （LDLR） gene were identified, in which c.357delG was a novel mutation and co-segregated with the FH phenotype. Bioinformatic analysis confirmed that c.357delG was a pathogenic mutation. Furthermore, when compared with the wild-type LDLRs by flow eytometry analysis, the binding and internalization activities of c.357delG mutant LDLRs were reduced by 35% and 49%, respectively. Conclusions This study identified eight LDLR gene mutations in five patients with definite FH, in which c.357delG is a novel pathogenic mutation. These findings increase our understanding of the genetic spectrum of FH in China.

Chemical and Biological Characterization from Condafia microphylla Fruits, a Native Species of Patagonia Argentina

Condalia microphylla Cav. （Rhamnaceae）, popularly known as ＂piquillin＂, is widely distributed in Patagonia. The drupes are consumed as fresh fruits by Argentine communities. The aim of this work was to quantify the nutritional value of C. microphylla fruit and the phenolic compounds present and to determine the functional antioxidant properties in vitro and in vivo. The nutritional value was determined according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists （AOAC） methodology, and phenolic compounds were quantified by diode-array detection （HPLC-DAD）. Antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo was analyzed through the use of the radical species 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl （DPPH） and zebrafish model, respectively. Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside （rutin） was the single principal phenolic compound. The extracts contained in vitro antioxidant activities and total phenolic contents （TPCs） between 1,143 ~ 112 lag and 4,633 ~ 174 lag gallic-acid equivalents （GAEs） per 100 g dry weight （DW）, though no relationship was found between the latter parameter and the antioxidant activity of the extracts. When zebrafish larvae were exposed to oxidative stress （2.4% v/v H2O2）, a concentration as low as 1.44 lag of GAEs/mL of piquillin-derived polyphenols inhibited lipid oxidation by up to 40%. Thus, in view of these advantageous functional food properties and the opportunity to exploit this Patagonian natural resource, piquillin consumption should be promoted worldwide.