Preparation and Characterization of the Modified Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Hollow Fibre Microfiltration Membrane

A novel thermally induced graft polymerization technique was used to modify a polyvinylidene fluoride （PVDF） hollow fibre microfiltration membrane. An artificial neural network （ANN） was applied to optimize the prepared condition of the membrane. The optimized dosing of acrylic acid （AA）, acrylamide （AM）, N, N＇- methylenebisacrylamide （NMBA） and potassium persulphate （KSP） designed by ANN was that AA was 40.63 ml/L; AM acted as 6.25 g/L; NMBA was 1.72 g/L and KSP was 1.5 g/L, respectively. The thermal stability of the PVDF modified hollow fibre membrane （PVDF-PAA） was investigated by thermogravimetric （TG） and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） analysis. The polycrystallinity of the PVDF-PAA membrane was evaluated by X-ray diffraction （XRD） analysis. The complex formation of the modified membrane was ascertained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）. The morphology of the PVDF-PAA membrane was studied by environmental scanning electron microscopy （ESEM）. The surface compositions of the membrane were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）. The adsorption capacity of Cu^2＋ ion on the PVDF-PAA hollow fibre membrane was also investigated.

Nerve regeneration following implantation of axotomized nerves pretreated with gamma radiation

BACKGROUND： It has been shown that irradiation to the neurolemma can reduce immuuogenicity. However, it is still poorly understood whether the degenerated nerve can affect peripheral nerve regeneration OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of radiation-damaged nerve transplantation on functional recovery of the peripheral nerve. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Self-control animal trial was performed at the Experimental Center of Orthopedics, Tangdu Hospital of Fourth Military Medical University from January to October 2005. MATERIALS： Fifty-four healthy, Chinese rabbits, irrespective of gender, were randomly divided into experimental （n = 36） and control （n = 18） groups. A 60 Co Y -radiation machine and NDI-200 nerve electromyograph were provided by the Experimental Center of Orthopedics, Tangdu Hospital of Fourth Military Medical University. METHODS： A median incision was made in the posterior right thigh of rabbits after abdominal anesthesia. A 30-mm segment of sciatic nerve was excised from the inferior margin of the piriform muscle to the tibiofibular intersection. The sciatic nerve in the experimental group was sterilely radiated with 350 Gy for 9.5 minutes. The damaged nerve segment was then re-transplanted. In the control group, the sciatic nerve was re-transplanted directly following excision. Nerve conduction velocity was determined at 4, 6, and 8 months post-surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Functional assessments, such as gait, nutritional status of skin on dorsum of foot, toe spreading reflex, and foot holding, were made between 1 and 180 days post-surgery. The common peroneal nerve and tibial nerve reflexes under clamping were observed at 4, 6, and 8 months post-surgery to evaluate functional restoration of the peripheral nerve. Electromyogram was performed to observe nerve conduction velocity. RESULTS： From postoperative days 1 to 26, the limbs that were transplanted with irradiated nerve exhibited dragged walking, foot drop, sole ulcers, depilation, self-induced injury to the toes, and other denervation behaviors. From 95 to 120 days after re-transplantation, the ulcers recovered, in addition to recovered toe-spreading reflex. When subjected to the clamping text, nerve reflex occurred. Compared with animals transplanted with normal nerve, nerve conduction velocity in the experimental group was slower at 4 and 6 months post-surgery （P 〈 0.05 and P 〈 0.01）. At 8 months after surgery, nerve conduction velocity recovered in the experimental group, but was still slower than the control group （P 〈 0.05）. Recovered conduction velocity in the experimental group was significantly faster than the control group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Reinnervation was achieved by pre-treating a 30-mm segment of sciatic nerve with 350-Gy radiation. Although radiation improved nerve conduction velocity recovery following re-transplantation, the velocity was not completely recovered to normal levels.

SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC GENERALIZATION OF TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS

With the construction of spatial data infi＇astructure, automated topographic map generalization becomes an indispensable component in the community of cartography and geographic information science. This paper describes a topographic map generalization system recently developed by the authors. The system has the following characteristics： 1） taking advantage of three levels of automation, i.e. fully automated generalization, batch generalization, and interactive generalization, to undertake two types of processes, i.e. intelligent inference process and repetitive operation process in generalization; 2） making use of two kinds of sources for generalizing rule library, i.e. written specifications and cartographers＇ experiences, to define a six-element structure to describe the rules; 3） employing a hierarchical structure for map databases, logically and physically; 4） employing a grid indexing technique and undo/redo operation to improve database retrieval and object generalization efficiency. Two examples of topographic map generalization are given to demonstrate the system. It reveals that the system works well. In fact, this system has been used for a number of projects and it has been found that a great improvement in efficiency compared with traditional map general- ization process can be achieved.

Content Authoring and Cloud System Implementation for Smart Learning

In this paper, we implement a content authoring and cloud system for cloud-based smart cloud learning. With the advent of the smartphone and mobile devices such as tablets, the educational paradigm is also changing. Was using the computer to aid in the learning e-learning started in ICT education are evolving Over the variety, in recent years, combines smart learning and social learning, cloud-based smart devices in e-learning the concept of Smart Cloud Smart Education Services Learning was gives rise to the term. Smart Cloud and free running is always the knowledge content uploaded by anyone, anywhere, can also be shared with other users. A terminal and location, without limitations on time, are continuously available to the environment of a high- quality knowledge content was coming through a variety of smart media, open educational content platform is built over the level of the possible conditions than e-learning. In this paper, we develop applications and Web sites that can provide authored content for smart cloud learning. In addition, we have built the cloud for content management and the website that can share content with other users. In the future, should wish to study a way that can provide customized services over the learner analysis based on big data technology.

Quantitative Evaluation of Ecological Cumulative Effects and Zoning Regulations for Prefectural Mining Units in China

Although the development of energy and mineral resources strongly supports China’s rapid industrialization and urbanization,it has led to a series of ecological and environmental problems.Strengthening the spatial regulation considering the ecological and environmental protection on energy and mineral resource development areas is an important aspect of realizing China’s sustainable development.In this study,we mapped,categorized,and analyzed the ecological cumulative effects of the Chinese 134 prefectural mining units based on the pressure-state-response model,which is demonstrated as impact of mining activities on ecological environment,ecological environmental fragility,and ecological function.This investigation developed a stress zoning typology of the mining units based on scores of three dimensions of the ecological cumulative effects and classified 134 prefectural mining units into eight types of stress zones.A series of regulation and policy suggestions have been proposed to different types of zones from three aspects:space control,intensity control,and development mode control.The application of this evaluation and spatial zoning system will contribute to the refined spatial management of China’s mining areas.

A history of low back pain affects pelvis and trunk coordination during a sustained manual materials handling task

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to compare the coordination between the trunk and the pelvis during a sustained asymmetric repetitive lifting task between a group with a history of low back pain(LBP;HBP) and a group with no history of LBP(NBP).Methods:Volunteers lifted a 11-kg box from ankle height in front to a shelf 45° off-center at waist height,and lowered it to the start position at12 cycles/min for 10 min.Lifting side was alternated during the trial.Continuous relative phase was used to calculate coordination between the pelvis and trunk rotation at the beginning(Min 1),middle(Min 5),and end of the bout(Min 9).Results:While there were no main effects for group,a significant interaction between time and group indicated that,in the frontal plane,the NBP group coordination was more anti-phase toward the end of the bout,with no such differences for the HBP group.Analysis of sagittal-axial(bend and twist) coordination revealed the HBP group coordination was more in-phase at the end of the bout over the entire cycle and for the lifting phase alone,with no such differences for the NBP group.Conclusion:Differences between groups demonstrate residual consequences of LBP in an occupational scenario,even though the HBP group was pain-free for >6 months prior to data collection.More in-phase coordination in the HBP group may represent a coordination pattern analogous to'guarded gait' which has been observed in other studies,and may lend insight as to why these individuals are at increased risk for re-injury.

Pine wilt disease in Yunnan, China： Evidence of non-local pine sawyer Monochamus alternatus （Coleoptera： Cerambycidae） populations revealed by mitochondrial DNA

Monochamus alternatus （Hope） specimens were collected from nine geographical populations in China, where the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus （Steiner et Buhrer） was present. There were seven populations in southwestern China in Yunnan Province （Ruili, Wanding, Lianghe, Pu＇er, Huaning, Stone Forest and Yongsheng）, one in central China in Hubei Province （Wuhan）, and one in eastern China in Zhejiang Province （Hangzhou）. Twenty-two polymorphic sites were recognized and 18 haplotypes were established by analyzing a 565 bp gene fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II （CO II）. Kimura two-parameter distances demonstrated that M. alternatus populations in Ruili, Wanding and Lianghe （in southwestern Yunnan） differed from the other four Yunnan populations but were similar to the Zhejiang population. No close relationship was found between the M. alternatus populations in Yunnan and Hubei. Phylogenetic reconstruction established a neighbor-joining （N J） tree, which divided haplotypes of southwestern Yunnan and the rest of Yunnan into different clades with considerable bootstrapping values. Analysis of molecular variance and spatial analysis of molecular variance also suggested significant genetic differentiation between M. alternatus populations in southwestern Yunnan and the rest of Yunnan. Our research suggests that non-local populations of M. alternates, possibly from eastern China, have become established in southwestern Yunnan. Key words mitochondrial DNA, non-local vector, pine wilt disease

Stable oligonucleotide-functionalized gold nanosensors for environmental biocontaminant monitoring

The global propagation of environmental biocontaminants such as antibiotic resistant pathogens and their antibiotic resistance genes（ARGs） is a public health concern that highlights the need for improved monitoring strategies. Here, we demonstrate the environmental stability and applicability of an oligonucleotide-functionalized gold nanosensor. The mec A ARG was targeted as model biocontaminant due to its presence in clinically-relevant pathogens and to its emergence as an environmental contaminant.mec A-specific nanosensors were tested for antibiotic resistance gene（ARG） detection in ARG-spiked effluent from four wastewater treatment plants（WWTPs）. The mec A-specific nanosensors showed stability in environmental conditions and in high ionic strength（[MgCl_2] 〈 50 m M）, and high selectivity against mismatched targets. Spectrophotometric detection was reproducible with an LOD of 70 pM（≈ 4 × 10~7 genes/μL）, even in the presence of interferences associated with non-target genomic DNA and complex WWTP effluent. This contribution supports the environmental applicability of a new line of cost-effective, field-deployable tools needed for wide-scale biocontaminant monitoring.