A Comment on "The Exchanged Hypercube'

We address and analyze the problems existing on the exchanged hypercube proposed by Loh et al., an interconnection network obtained by systematically removing links from a hypercube. By taking the wrong number of links, the exchanged hypercube suffers from two problems. Necessary modifications on the exchanged hypercube, including the incremental expandability and the ratio of the number of links in EH(s, t) to that of an (s+t+1)-dimensional hypercube, are made     

Genome-Wide Analysis Identified a Set of Conserved lncRNAs Associated with Domestication-Related Traits in Rice

Crop domestication, which gives rise to a number of desirable agronomic traits, represents a typical model system of plant evolution. Numerous genomic evidence has proven that noncoding RNAs such as microRNAs and phasiRNAs, as well as protein-coding genes, are selected during crop domestication. However, limited data shows plant long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are also involved in this biological process. In this study, we performed strand-specific RNA sequencing of cultivated rice Oryza sativa ssp. japonica and O. sativa ssp. indica, and their wild progenitor O. rufipogon. We identified a total of 8528 lncRNAs, including 4072 lncRNAs in O. rufipogon, 2091 lncRNAs in japonica rice, and 2365 lncRNAs in indica rice. The lncRNAs expressed in wild rice were revealed to be shorter in length and had fewer exon numbers when compared with lncRNAs from cultivated rice. We also identified a number of conserved lncRNAs in the wild and cultivated rice. The functional study demonstrated that several of these conserved lncRNAs are associated with domestication-related traits in rice. Our findings revealed the feature and conservation of lncRNAs during rice domestication and will further promote functional studies of lncRNAs in rice.     

Brittle precision cropping of metal materials

In this paper, different methods to implement brittle precision cropping of metal materials are discussed in an all-around way. On this basis, a new kind of brittle precision cropping method, called low impact stress cropping method (LISC), is developed. Taking advantage of the effects of notch and speed, this method, in the sensitive stress state established by an appropriate way of loading, can make the material separate quickly and regularly. It has the advantages of being high in efficiency and accuracy, low in energy consumption and easy to use in production. It can be used directly in precision billet production for cold-extrusion, etc. This method, from a general point of view, opens a new technical branch for engineering application of fracture mechanics. The basic theory, technical key points, as well as the equipment for practical realization of this method are discussed in detail in this paper.     

燃煤电厂风冷干式排渣技术及其工程应用

介绍了风冷干式排渣系统的主要技术特点、主要设备、工艺流程以及在电厂中的应用情况,着重介绍了这项技术在电厂中节水、节能和环保方面的意义和作用,为电厂真正实现工业废水的“零排放”目标提供了新的途径。文中还列举了应用示例,并进行了技术经济分析。示例表明,该项技术的应用是成功的。     

Exploring scientific articles contributed by industries in Taiwan

The scientific knowledge contributed by industries remains ambiguous because prior studies have evaluated only specific industries, large companies, or industries collaborating with universities. We conducted a bibliometric analysis of data in the Web of Science database to explore the research partners of industries and determine which industries generate scientific articles, observing industrial trends in Taiwan from 1982 to 2011. The results showed that articles were published related to 26 industries, and the electronic components industry generated the highest percentage of articles (42.4 %), followed by the computer, electronics, and optical product industry (12.3 %). High-tech industries dominated, generating 84.5 % of the articles and demonstrating an annual increase in publications. In addition, industry researchers tended to cooperate with researchers affiliated with domestic institutions, particularly universities. Those in high-tech industries produced a higher percentage of articles coauthored with universities compared with those in low-tech industries.     

4-Acetylantroquinonol B Suppresses Prostate Cancer Growth and Angiogenesis via a VEGF/PI3K/ERK/mTOR-Dependent Signaling Pathway in Subcutaneous Xenograft and In Vivo Angiogenesis Models

Prostate cancer is a major cause of cancer-related mortality in men in developed countries. The compound, 4-acetylantroquinonol B (4AAQB), is isolated from Antrodia cinnamomea (commonly known as Niu-Chang-Chih), which has been shown to inhibit cancer growth. However, the anticancer activity of 4AAQB has not previously been examined in prostate cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 4AAQB on cancer and angiogenesis, as well as to explore its mechanism of action. Human prostate cancer cells (PC3) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were used in cell viability, cell migration, and cell cycle functional assays to evaluate the anticancer and antiangiogenic efficacy of 4AAQB in vitro. The effects of 4AAQB in vivo were determined using xenograft and angiogenesis models. The signaling events downstream of 4AAQB were also examined. The 4AAQB compound inhibited PC3 cell growth and migration, and reduced in vivo cancer growth, as shown in a subcutaneous xenograft model. Furthermore, 4AAQB inhibited HUVEC migration, tube formation, and aortic ring sprouting; it also reduced neovascularization in a Matrigel implant angiogenesis assay in vivo. The 4AAQB compound also decreased metastasis in the PC3 prostate cancer model in vivo. Serum or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Ak strain transforming (Akt), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase ½ (ERK ½) phosphorylation were attenuated by 4AAQB in both PC3 and HUVEC. In conclusion, 4AAQB is a potential candidate for prostate cancer therapy.     

Spectrum sharing in multi-channel cooperative cognitive radio networks: a coalitional game approach

In this paper, we study a coalitional game approach to resource allocation in a multi-channel cooperative cognitive radio network with multiple primary users (PUs) and secondary users (SUs). We propose to form the grand coalition by grouping all PUs and SUs in a set, where each PU can lease its spectrum to all SUs in a time-division manner while the SUs in return assist PUs’ data transmission as relays. We use the solution concept of the core to analyze the stability of the grand coalition, and the solution concept of the Shapley value to fairly divide the payoffs among the users. Due to the convexity of the proposed game, the Shapley value is shown to be in the core. We derive the optimal strategy for the SU, i.e., transmitting its own data or serving as a relay, that maximizes the sum rate of all PUs and SUs. The payoff allocations according to the core and the Shapley value are illustrated by an example, which demonstrates the benefits of forming the grand coalition as compared with non-coalition and other coalition schemes.     

An energy-efficient cloud system with novel dynamic resource allocation methods

The Journal of Supercomputing - In the last decade, cloud computing has brought enormous changes to people’s lives. Cloud computing gives a client-driven computational model. In this case,...     

Line-based sunken relief generation from a 3D mesh

Sunken relief is an art form made by cutting the relief sculpture itself into a flat surface with a shallow overall depth. This paper focuses on the problem of direct generation of line-based sunken relief from a 3D mesh. We show how to extract, post-process and organize the messy feature lines in regular forms, applicable for lines engraving on the sculpture surfaces. We further describe how to construct a smooth height field from the input object, and derive a continuous pitting corrosion method to generate the cutting paths. The whole framework is conducted in object-space, making it flexible for stroke stylization and depth control of the engraving lines. We demonstrate the results with several impressive renderings and photographs used to illustrate the paper itself.     

Diffusion Behavior of Zn During Reflow of Sn-9Zn Solder on Ni/Cu Substrate

Reflow behavior of Sn-Zn solder on Ni/Cu substrate was investigated in an infrared (IR) reflow furnace using different heating rates from 180 °C/min to 36 °C/min. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) studies of the reflowed samples showed increased diffusion of Zn from the solder to the intermetallic compound (IMC) layer with a decrease in heating rate. Higher interfacial activity and affinity of the Zn in the formation of the IMC with the lowering of the heating rate were further demonstrated by electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) results. The Zn diffusion behavior was related to its higher reactivity and smaller size in comparison with Sn, phase separation during heating, and affinity of Zn to form Ni-Sn-Zn and Ni-Zn intermetallic compounds.