The global circulation of seasonal influenza A (H3N2) viruses

Antigenic and genetic analysis of the hemagglutinin of approximately 13,000 human influenza A (H3N2) viruses from six continents during 2002-2007 revealed that there was continuous circulation in east and Southeast Asia (E-SE Asia) via a region-wide network of temporally overlapping epidemics and that epidemics in the temperate regions were seeded from this network each year. Seed strains generally first reached Oceania, North America, and Europe, and later South America. This evidence suggests that once A (H3N2) viruses leave E-SE Asia, they are unlikely to contribute to long-term viral evolution. If the trends observed during this period are an accurate representation of overall patterns of spread, then the antigenic characteristics of A (H3N2) viruses outside E-SE Asia may be forecast each year based on surveillance within E-SE Asia, with consequent improvements to vaccine strain selection.     

Mutations in U4atac snRNA, a component of the minor spliceosome, in the developmental disorder MOPD I

Small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) are essential factors in messenger RNA splicing. By means of homozygosity mapping and deep sequencing, we show that a gene encoding U4atac snRNA, a component of the minor U12-dependent spliceosome, is mutated in individuals with microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type I (MOPD I), a severe developmental disorder characterized by extreme intrauterine growth retardation and multiple organ abnormalities. Functional assays showed that mutations (30G>A, 51G>A, 55G>A, and 111G>A) associated with MOPD I cause defective U12-dependent splicing. Endogenous U12-dependent but not U2-dependent introns were found to be poorly spliced in MOPD I patient fibroblast cells. The introduction of wild-type U4atac snRNA into MOPD I cells enhanced U12-dependent splicing. These results illustrate the critical role of minor intron splicing in human development.     

Massive-star supernovae as major dust factories

We present late-time optical and mid-infrared observations of the Type II supernova 2003gd in the galaxy NGC 628. Mid-infrared excesses consistent with cooling dust in the ejecta are observed 499 to 678 days after outburst and are accompanied by increasing optical extinction and growing asymmetries in the emission-line profiles. Radiative-transfer models show that up to 0.02 solar masses of dust has formed within the ejecta, beginning as early as 250 days after outburst. These observations show that dust formation in supernova ejecta can be efficient and that massive-star supernovae could have been major dust producers throughout the history of the universe.     

Sexual selection can resolve sex-linked sexual antagonism

Sexual selection is a potent evolutionary force. However, very few models have considered the evolution of female preferences for traits expressed in both sexes. Here we explore how female preferences coevolve with sexually antagonistic traits, which involve alleles that are beneficial to one sex but harmful to the other. We show that with a sexually antagonistic trait on the X chromosome (males XY, females XX), females evolve to prefer mates carrying alleles beneficial to daughters. In contrast, with a Z-linked trait (males ZZ, females ZW), females more often evolve mating preferences for mates carrying alleles beneficial to sons (that is, flashy displays).     

A quantitative approach to the Pruitt and Doorenbos version of the Penman equation

Summary The Pruitt and Doorenbos version of the Penman equation developed from information given in Appendix II of FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 24 is calculated mainly from tables and is based on measurements made over a grass surface. Procedures are presented here to quantify these relationships, such as the calculation of net radiation, and to extend this approach to measurements made over alfalfa (Medicago sativa, L.). The latter was achieved by using a wind function that takes into account the height of the alfalfa and the use of mean rather than maximum relative humidity to calculate the correction factor used to take into account day and night weather conditions on calculated reference crop evapotranspiration. Using the above procedures, calculated values of evapotranspiration overestimated measured values from alfalfa by 13%. From data collected with an automated weather station near Broadwater, Nebraska, a much better agreement was obtained between these general procedures and a Penman equation with a locally derived- wind function. With greater utilization of low cost, automated weather stations for agricultural use, the procedures given for calculating reference crop evapotranspiration can easily be implemented in irrigation scheduling programs.Published as paper no. 6865, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station     

Performance characteristics of methods of analysis used for regulatory purposes. I. Drug dosage forms. C. Automated methods

For analysis of drug dosage forms, precision measures of AOAC approved automated methods, usually containing a spectrophotometric or fluorometric measurement step, were recalculated on a consistent statistical basis, using a computer program "FDACHEMIST." Ten collaborative studies of 14 compounds in 38 materials, consisting of various dosage forms, usually in 10 replications by an average of 7 laboratories, with a total of 2461 determinations, were reviewed. The average relative standard deviations within-laboratory (RSDo) and among-laboratories (RSDx) were 1.1 and 1.9%, respectively, and the ratio of RSDo/RSDx was 0.57, with an average outlier rate of 0.57% of the reported values. The line of best fit for RSDx plotted against - log concentration increases slightly with decreasing concentration, extending from an RSDx of about 1.6% at 100% concentration to an RSDx of 2.2% at 0.1% concentration, a change in RSDx of about 0.2% for a 10-fold decrease in concentration, independent of analyte and matrix.     

Mapping the antigenic and genetic evolution of influenza virus

The antigenic evolution of influenza A (H3N2) virus was quantified and visualized from its introduction into humans in 1968 to 2003. Although there was remarkable correspondence between antigenic and genetic evolution, significant differences were observed: Antigenic evolution was more punctuated than genetic evolution, and genetic change sometimes had a disproportionately large antigenic effect. The method readily allows monitoring of antigenic differences among vaccine and circulating strains and thus estimation of the effects of vaccination. Further, this approach offers a route to predicting the relative success of emerging strains, which could be achieved by quantifying the combined effects of population level immune escape and viral fitness on strain evolution.     

Closed-shell molecules that ionize more readily than cesium

We report a class of molecules with extremely low ionization enthalpies, one member of which has been determined to have a gas-phase ionization energy (onset, 3.51 electron volts) lower than that of the cesium atom (which has the lowest gas-phase ionization energy of the elements) or of any other known closed-shell molecule or neutral transient species reported. The molecules are dimetal complexes with the general formula M2(hpp)4 (where M is Cr, Mo, or W, and hpp is the anion of 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine), structurally characterized in the solid state, spectroscopically characterized in the gas phase, and modeled with theoretical computations. The low-energy ionization of each molecule corresponds to the removal of an electron from the delta bonding orbital of the quadruple metal-metal bond, and a strong interaction of this orbital with a filled orbital on the hpp ligands largely accounts for the low ionization energies.     

舒适性空调节能系统的设计与试验研究

人体热舒适度和PMV指标有很大关系,即人体热舒适度不仅仅只与空气温度有关,还和其他一些环境因素有很大关系,因此只调整室内空气温度,达不到人体热舒适度的要求,必须还要相应得调整其他环境因素。在CFD模拟仿真的基础上,研究出一种新型的"风扇-灯"来改善室内环境。试验证明,利用此装置可以在升高室内温度的同时保证人体的热舒适度,达到了节能和热舒适度两方面的要求。