Proteins induced by telomere dysfunction are associated with human IgA nephropathy

Aging is one of the contributing risk factors for kidney diseases. Accumulating evidence prompts the view that telomere length in kidney tissue cells is an indicator for organismal aging. Previously identified aging markers (cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP), stathmin, elongation factor-1α (EF-1α), and chitinase) were associated not only with telomere driven aging in mice but also with human aging and chronic diseases. This study focuses on the relationship between these biomarkers and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) progression in the Chinese population. For 260 individuals, the four markers are determined in blind datasets using direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence staining. The expression levels of CRAMP and chitinase increased in blood plasma, urine, and kidney tissues during human IgAN progression. And for the other nephropathy, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), diabetic nephropathy (DN), and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), there is no protein upregulation with telomere shortening. Moreover, a combination of CRAMP and chitinase can distinguish patients with IgAN from healthy individuals with 88.2%/92.5% (plasma) and 74.3%/84.2% (urine) sensitivity/specificity. These data provide the experimental evidence that telomere shortening and related inflammatory proteins are associated with human IgAN, and it could be a new direction for the disease progression study.     

Graphene Based Electrochemical Sensor for the Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds

Many household consumables contain volatile organic compounds(VOCs)as the active ingredient.Long term exposure to VOCs could cause various health problems,especially to the respiratory system.Graphene has attracted a lot of attention recently for its potential to be used as sensing material for VOCs.In this project we have constructed graphene/PVA composite based gas sensors for VOC detection.It was perceived that the polymer could introduce better selectivity to the sensor.Results suggest that the proposed sensor is highly sensitive to low molecular weight VOCs and that the manner in which the sensor respond to the vapour depends on the polarity or hydrophobicity of the vapour.     

Combining fiber dissection,plastination, and tractography for neuroanatomical education: Revealing the cerebellar nuclei and their white matter connections

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in white matter anatomy of the human brain. With advances in brain imaging techniques, the significance of white matter integrity for brain function has been demonstrated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders. As the demand for interpretation of clinical and imaging data on white matter increases, the needs for white matter anatomy education are changing. Because cross‐sectional images and formalin‐fixed brain specimens are often insufficient in visualizing the complexity of three‐dimensional (3D) white matter anatomy, obtaining a comprehensible conception of fiber tract morphology can be difficult. Fiber dissection is a technique that allows isolation of whole fiber pathways, revealing 3D structural and functional relationships of white matter in the human brain. In this study, we describe the use of fiber dissection in combination with plastination to obtain durable and easy to use 3D white matter specimens that do not require special care or conditions. The specimens can be used as a tool in teaching white matter anatomy and structural connectivity. We included four human brains and show a series of white matter specimens of both cerebrum and cerebellum focusing on the cerebellar nuclei and associated white matter tracts, as these are especially difficult to visualize in two‐dimensional specimens and demonstrate preservation of detailed human anatomy. Finally, we describe how the integration of white matter specimens with radiological information of new brain imaging techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging tractography can be used in teaching modern neuroanatomy with emphasis on structural connectivity. Anat Sci Educ. 7: 47–55. © 2013 American Association of Anatomists.     

“飞”义的“非”声符字解析

"非"是个独体字,是截取"飛下翅,取其相背"而来的,从"非"的字,有一些仍有"飞"意,或多含有"相背"之义。因此,原字"飞"仍按照其固有的语义系统发展,而"非"一方面含有其截取"飛下翅"时的最初意图所要表达的意义,另一方面仍保留了"飞"的某些遗传基因,所以有时还可以起一点"部分表全体"的作用。"基于此,我们解析了《说文解字》中收录的"俳、蜚、霏"等"飞"义的"非"声符字,并解析了《汉语大字典》中收录的《说文》以外的"飞"义的"非"声符字。     

释“食”

（食）字由“（亼）”和“ （皀）”两部分构成。当我们结合“（食）”→“（即）”→“（饗）”→“（既）”这一系相连贯的古人用食动作,或者“”→“（飤）”→“”这一过程分析时,就会明确食字所从的“（亼）”象盖形,本义为盖子。食字所从的“皀”字甲骨文作：,其象：食器中堆满饭（小米饭）的形状（上部的数点表示饭散发的热气或香气）。食字由这两部分构成,但又不是如《说文》及《注》所认为的：食是会意字,意思由“亼”与“皀”两字所会。实际上（食）为象形字,象：食器中堆满饭并盖上盖子之形;它与（皀）字的意思相同都指：食器中堆满饭,二者仅有的不同在于（食）有盖子（皀）没有盖子。这是食字的本义,由这个意思可引出仅指食器中的饭食之食物,食物是供人吃的,由此又可指食用之食,如甲文（食麦）。在吃食的过程中食器中堆积如小山般的饭食会逐渐缺少,这就有了缺损义,由此又可指日月食,如（月有食）。吃食在一个时间段进行,由此又可指时间,如（大食）（小食）。     

光子晶体线缺陷波导中的光孤子通信研究

采用平面波展开法分析光子晶体线缺陷波导结构的色散效应,用理论结合数值模拟的方法研究了光孤子的产生机理,给出了波导的色散曲线和入射脉冲的透射谱。结果表明群速度色散(GVD)和自相位调制(SPM)同时起作用时能够实现光孤子传输。     

网络传输的方向是群对群传输研究

网络传输可以分为四种形态：“一对一”,“多对一”,“一对多”和“多对多”。“一对一”是问题分解的终极,而“多对多”则是效率所追求的终极。由四种形态之间转变展开讨论,为了提高效率,网络传输应该转向“多对多”。群对群是“多对多”的另一种传输方式,或者说,是强调分群的“多对多”传输。     

社会化搜索研究进展综述

首先,引入互联网群体协作的思想,对社会化搜索的概念进行初步界定;随后,在宏观与微观两个层面上,重点从动因（why）、用户（who）、目标（what）、形式（how）4个维度对社会化搜索的概念进行深入解析,并分别从行为、技术、应用、资源4个视角对当前社会化搜索的主要研究内容和主题进行归纳,试图从理论上明晰社会化搜索今后的研究思路与方向;最后阐述当前社会化搜索的研究不足和发展趋势。     

Managing the Electronic Resources Lifecycle: Creating a Comprehensive Checklist Using Techniques for Electronic Resource Management (TERMS)

One of the core functions of the electronic resources librarian (ERL) consists of managing various stages of the electronic resource lifecycle. In order to do this effectively, it is extremely helpful to have a detailed guide on hand. An e-resources acquisition checklist can assist the librarian in covering all aspects of evaluation, acquisition, renewal, and cancellation of e-resources such as databases, e-books, e-journals, and more. Such a tool can be indispensable, especially for new ERLs attempting to get a grasp on the logistics of electronic resources management. Using the newly created Techniques for Electronic Resource Management, the author details the process by which librarians navigate the e-resources lifecycle.