Detection of aberrant DNA methylation patterns in sperm of male recurrent spontaneous abortion patients.

Aberrant DNA methylation patterns in sperm are a cause of embryonic failure and infertility, and could be a critical factor contributing to male recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). The purpose of this study was to reveal the potential effects of sperm DNA methylation levels in patients with male RSA. We compared sperm samples collected from fertile men and oligoasthenospermia patients. Differentially methylated sequences were identified by reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) methods. The DNA methylation levels of the two groups were compared and qRT-PCR was used to validate the expression of genes showing differential methylation. The results indicated that no difference in base distribution was observed between the normal group and the patient group. However, the chromosome methylation in these two groups was markedly different. One site was located on chromosome 8 and measured 150 bp, while the other sites were on chromosomes 9, 10, and X and measured 135 bp, 68 bp, and 136 bp, respectively. In particular, two genes were found to be hypermethylated in these patients, one gene was DYDC2 (placed in the differential methylation region of chromosome 10), and the other gene was NXF3 (located on chromosome X). Expression levels of DYDC2 and NXF3 in the RSA group were significantly lower than those in the normal group (P < 0.05). Collectively, these results demonstrated that changes in DNA methylation might be related to male RSA. Our findings provide important information regarding the potential role of sperm DNA methylation in human development.

[Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Floating Algal Blooms in Lake Chaohu in 2016 and Their Environmental Drivers].

Lake Chaohu has drawn increasing attention due to the occurrence of massive algal blooms. This study applied daily monitoring results from moderate-resolution imaging spectrum-radiometer (MODIS) satellite to extract algal blooms with a floating algal index algorithm and characterize surface floating algal bloom dynamics in 2016 with an algae pixel-growing algorithm. Combining water quality and meteorological data, environmental driving forces of algal blooms in 2016 were explored. The results showed that cyanobacterial blooms occurred throughout the lake from May to November, which is the same as in previous years. Compared with previous years, the initial bloom date was postponed to May, the duration was reduced to 204 days, and the average floating algal bloom area was reduced to 85.53 km2. By investigating the environmental driving forces affecting the algal bloom, it was found that a larger wind speed (△W=0.1 m·s-1), more precipitation (△P=0.8 mm), and a lower sunshine duration (△S=-1.3 h) in spring were the main reasons. When the temperature was suitable, precipitation was the main driving force affecting the monthly variation in algal blooms. The daily average wind speed was also negatively correlated with the algal bloom area (P<0.05). High wind speed can affect the area of algal blooms as well. These results will aid understanding of the situation of cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Chaohu and provide a theoretical basis for dealing with algal blooming and climate change.

[Vertical distribution of water quality and its influence on underwater light field in Lake Chaohu].

There are few reports on the vertical distribution of water quality and its influence on underwater light field. In our study, we analyzed the vertical distribution of water quality based on the in situ data in Lake Chaohu, and studied their influence on diffuse attenuation coefficients of downwelling irradiance Kd via Hydrolight simulation. It was indicated that the suspended matter and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) were relatively vertical-uniform in Lake Chaohu; excluding algae scums at the surface, the vertical profiles of chlorophyll-a conformed to Gaussian distribution; the complex Kd in vertical was affected by chlorophyll-a and inorganic suspended matter. The analysis on vertical distributions of water quality and its influence on Kd could be the basis for further studying the influence of algae vertical heterogeneity on underwater light field in Case II waters.

[Aerosol optical thickness of the atmospheric aerosol over Taihu Lake and its features: results of in-site measurements].

Based on the data measured in situ by an automatic sun tracking photometer (CE-318), the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and the corresponding Angström coefficient alpha of the atmospheric aerosol over Taihu Lake from November 2005 to October 2010 were collected. The results showed that high values of AOT over Taihu Lake were measured in summer (June to July) whereas low values were detected in autumn and winter (October to January). However, the low and high values of a appeared in spring (March to April) and in autumn (September to November), respectively. The variations of AOT and a over Taihu Lake may be related to weather patterns in this region. Based on the frequency distribution, AOT (500 nm) had only one peak value, with a maximum frequency of 0.4-0.6 and a yearly average value of 0.80, accounting for 26% of the total sample. Calculated from the mean AOT (500 nm), the solar radiation reduction was reduced by at least 50% by the atmospheric aerosol, resulting in more turbid atmosphere in this region and consequently heavy fog and haze. There were two peak values of the Angström coefficient alpha, with the maximum frequency ranging from 1.1-1.3 and 1.3-1.5 and a yearly average value of 1.17, accounting for 30% of the total sample. Significant variations were also observed in the daily average values of AOT (500 nm) and a, indicating the coexistence of different types of aerosols over Taihu Lake. The mean value of AOT (500 nm) declined when a increased. To sum up, values of AOT (500 nm) over Taihu Lake changed greatly with time, and the aerosol should be classified as an urban-industrial aerosol.

[Estimation of DOC concentrations using CDOM absorption coefficients: a case study in Taihu Lake].

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is the largest organic carbon stock in water ecosystems, which plays an important role in the carbon cycle in water. Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), an important water color variation, is the colored fraction of DOC and its absorption controls the instruction of light under water. The available linkage between DOC concentration and CDOM absorptions enables the determination of DOC accumulations using remote sensing reflectance or radiance in lake waters. The present study explored the multi-liner relationship between CDOM absorptions [a(g) (250) and a(g) (365)] and DOC concentrations in Taihu Lake, based on the available data in 4 cruises (201005, 201101, 201103, 201105) (totally 183 sampling sites). Meanwhile, the results were validated with the data of the experiment carried out from August 29 to September 2, 2011 in Taihu Lake (n = 27). Furthermore, a universal pattern of modeling from remote sensing was built for lake waters. The results demonstrated that this method provided more satisfying estimation of DOC concentrations in Taihu Lake. Except the data obtained in January 2011, the fitted results of which were not conductive to the winter dataset (201101) in Taihu Lake, due to the diverse sources and sinks of DOC and CDOM, the multi-liner relationship was robust for the data collected in the other three cruises (R2 = 0.64, RMSE = 14.31%, n = 164), which was validated using the 201108 sampling dataset (R2 = 0.67, RMSE = 10.58%, n = 27). In addition, the form of the statistic model is universal, to some extent, for other water areas, however, there is difference in the modeling coefficients. Further research should be focused on the parameterization using local data from different lakes, which provides effective methodology for the estimation of DOC concentrations in lakes and other water regions.

Analysis of Panax notoginseng metabolites in rat bile by liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry with microdialysis sampling.

A dynamic microdialysis sampling method with liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS) was developed for rapid and sensitive analysis of the metabolite profile of Panax notoginseng extract (PNE) in rat bile. In vivo studies in male Sprague-Dawley rats were performed with microdialysis probes implanted into the bile duct before bile samples were collected from 0 to 12h. Metabolites of PNE were identified using dynamic adjustment of the fragmentor voltage to produce structure-relevant fragment ions. The mass accuracy of precursor and fragment ions was typically within 5 ppm of the theoretical values. We identified 7 compounds: 4 parent compounds (notoginsenoside R1, ginsenosides Rg1, Rb1, and Rd) and 3 metabolites (ginsenosides Rg2, Rh2, and compound K). Data from this study suggest that this microdialysis technique could be used in notoginseng saponin metabolic animal studies.

BIPV-powered smart windows utilizing photovoltaic and electrochromic devices.

A BIPV-powered smart window comprising a building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panel and an all-solid-state electrochromic (EC) stack is proposed. In the proposed device, the output voltage of the BIPV panel varies in accordance with the intensity of the incident light and is modulated in such a way as to generate the EC stack voltage required to maintain the indoor illuminance within a specified range. Two different EC stacks are fabricated and characterized, namely one stack comprising ITO/WO(3)/Ta(2)O(5)/ITO and one stack comprising ITO/WO(3)/lithium-polymer electrolyte/ITO. It is shown that of the two stacks, the ITO/WO(3)/lithium-polymer electrolyte/ITO stack has a larger absorptance (i.e., approximately 99% at a driving voltage of 3.5 V). The experimental results show that the smart window incorporating an ITO/WO(3)/lithium-polymer electrolyte/ITO stack with an electrolyte thickness of 1.0 µm provides an indoor illuminance range of 750-1,500 Lux under typical summertime conditions in Taiwan.

In vivo microdialysis with LC-MS for analysis of spinosin and its interaction with cyclosporin A in rat brain, blood and bile.

Spinosin, a major bioactive herbal ingredient isolated from Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, plays an important role in sedation and hypnosis. However, the pharmacokinetic behavior of spinosin in special sites has not been reported. Microdialysis (MD) technique, as a continuous, realtime monitoring sampling technique, is very suitable for the evaluation of the disposition of diverse drugs. To obtain more useful information on spinosin, an in vivo microdialysis sampling technique with High Performance Liquid Chromatography-mass spectrograph (HPLC-MS) method was developed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of spinosin and its interaction with cyclosporin A (CsA) in the brain, blood and bile of rats. The method was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity and sensitivity, and showed advantages in monitoring the pharmacokinetic behavior of drugs. The results revealed that CsA has obvious effects on the pharmacokinetic process of spinosin. When co-administered, the area under the curve (AUC) of spinosin in blood, bile and brain increased from 205.70 to 673.51 mg min/L, 7.77 × 10(4) to 1.25 × 10(5) mg min/L, and 2.09 to 5.58 mg min/L, respectively. The t(1/2) values of spinosin in blood, bile and brain also changed from 48.07 to 95.04 min, from 97.20 to 152.21 and from 42.18 to 73.83 min, respectively. These results demonstrated that the CsA decreased the efflux of spinosin through the inhibition of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter and it might be used as a group of P-gp substrate. Other transporters or pathways may also be involved in the metabolism of spinosin.

Wireless remote weather monitoring system based on MEMS technologies.

This study proposes a wireless remote weather monitoring system based on Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and wireless sensor network (WSN) technologies comprising sensors for the measurement of temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed and direction, integrated on a single chip. The sensing signals are transmitted between the Octopus II-A sensor nodes using WSN technology, following amplification and analog/digital conversion (ADC). Experimental results show that the resistance of the micro temperature sensor increases linearly with input temperature, with an average TCR (temperature coefficient of resistance) value of 8.2 × 10(-4) (°C(-1)). The resistance of the pressure sensor also increases linearly with air pressure, with an average sensitivity value of 3.5 × 10(-2) (Ω/kPa). The sensitivity to humidity increases with ambient temperature due to the effect of temperature on the dielectric constant, which was determined to be 16.9, 21.4, 27.0, and 38.2 (pF/%RH) at 27 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C, respectively. The velocity of airflow is obtained by summing the variations in resistor response as airflow passed over the sensors providing sensitivity of 4.2 × 10(-2), 9.2 × 10(-2), 9.7 × 10(-2) (Ω/ms(-1)) with power consumption by the heating resistor of 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 W, respectively. The passage of air across the surface of the flow sensors prompts variations in temperature among each of the sensing resistors. Evaluating these variations in resistance caused by the temperature change enables the measurement of wind direction.

[Fluorescence peak shift corresponding to high chlorophyll concentrations in inland water].

Hyperspectral remote sensing offers the potential to detect water quality variables such as Chl-a by using narrow spectral channels of less than 10 nm, which could otherwise be masked by broadband satellites such as Landsat TM. Fluorescence peak of the red region is very important for the remote sensing of inland and coastal waters, which is unique to phytoplankton Chl-a that takes place in this region. Based on in situ water sampling and field spectral measurement from 2004 to 2006 in Nanhu Lake, the features of the spectral reflectance were analyzed in detail with peak position shift. The results showed: An exponential fitting model, peak position = a(Chl-a)b, was developed between chlorophyll-a concentration and fluorescence peak shift, where a varies between 686.11 and 686.29, while b between 0.0062 and 0.0065. It was found that the better the spectral resolution, the higher the precision of the model. Except that, the average of peak shift showed a high correlation with the average of different Chl-a grades, and the determination coefficient (R2) was higher than 0.81. It contributed significantly to the increase in the accuracy of the derivation of chlorophyll values from remote sensing data in Nanhu Lake. There is satisfactory correspondence between hyperspectral models and chl-a concentration, therefore, it is possible to monitor the water quality of Nanhu lake throngh the hyperspetral remote sensing data.

A MEMS-Based Flow Rate and Flow Direction Sensing Platform with Integrated Temperature Compensation Scheme.

This study develops a MEMS-based low-cost sensing platform for sensing gas flow rate and flow direction comprising four silicon nitride cantilever beams arranged in a cross-form configuration, a circular hot-wire flow meter suspended on a silicon nitride membrane, and an integrated resistive temperature detector (RTD). In the proposed device, the flow rate is inversely derived from the change in the resistance signal of the flow meter when exposed to the sensed air stream. To compensate for the effects of the ambient temperature on the accuracy of the flow rate measurements, the output signal from the flow meter is compensated using the resistance signal generated by the RTD. As air travels over the surface of the cross-form cantilever structure, the upstream cantilevers are deflected in the downward direction, while the downstream cantilevers are deflected in the upward direction. The deflection of the cantilever beams causes a corresponding change in the resistive signals of the piezoresistors patterned on their upper surfaces. The amount by which each beam deflects depends on both the flow rate and the orientation of the beam relative to the direction of the gas flow. Thus, following an appropriate compensation by the temperature-corrected flow rate, the gas flow direction can be determined through a suitable manipulation of the output signals of the four piezoresistors. The experimental results have confirmed that the resulting variation in the output signals of the integrated sensors can be used to determine not only the ambient temperature and the velocity of the air flow, but also its direction relative to the sensor with an accuracy of ± 7.5° error.

[Chromophoric dissolved organic matter absorption characteristics with relation to fluorescence in typical macrophyte, algae lake zones of Lake Taihu].

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) represents one of the primary light-absorbing species in natural waters and plays a critical in determining the aquatic light field. CDOM shows a featureless absorption spectrum that increases exponentially with decreasing wavelength, which limits the penetration of biologically damaging UV-B radiation (wavelength from 280 to 320 nm) in the water column, thus shielding aquatic organisms. CDOM absorption measurements and their relationship with dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and fluorescence are presented in typical macrophyte and algae lake zone of Lake Taihu based on a field investigation in April in 2004 and lab analysis. Absorption spectral of CDOM was measured from 240 to 800 nm using a Shimadzu UV-2401PC UV-Vis recording spectrophotometer. Fluorescence with an excitation wavelength of 355 nm, an emission wavelength of 450 nm is measured using a Shimadzu 5301 spectrofluorometer. Concentrations of DOC ranged from 6.3 to 17.2 mg/L with an average of 9.08 +/- 2.66 mg/L. CDOM absorption coefficients at 280 nm and 355 nm were in the range of 11.2 - 32.6 m(-1) (average 17.46m(-1) +/- 5.75 m(-1) and 2.4 - 8.3 m(-1) (average 4.17m(-1) +/- 1.47 m(-l)), respectively. The values of the DOC-specific absorption coefficient at 355 nm ranged from 0.31 to 0.64 L x (mg x m)-1. Fluorescence emission at 450 nm, excited at 355 nm, had a mean value of 1.32nm(-1) +/- 0.84 nm(-1). A significant lake zone difference is found in DOC concentration, CDOM absorption coefficient and fluorescence, but not in DOC-specific absorption coefficient and spectral slope coefficient. This regional distribution pattern is in agreement with the location of sources of yellow substance: highest concentrations close to river mouth under the influence of river inflow, lower values in East Lake Taihu. The values of algae lake zone are obvious larger than those of macrophyte lake zone. In Meiliang Bay, CDOM absorption, DOC concentration and fluorescence tend to decreasing from inside to mouth of the Bay. The results show a good correlation between CDOM absorption and DOC coefficients during 280 - 500 nm short wavelength intervals. The R-square coefficient between CDOM absorption and DOC concentration decreases with the increase of wavelength from 280 to 500 nm. The significant linear regression correlations between fluorescence, DOC concentration and absorption coefficients were found at 355 nm. The exponential slope coefficients ranged from 13.0 to 16.4 microm(-1) with a mean value 14.37microm(-1) +/- 0.73microm(-1), 17.3microm(-1) - 20.3microm(-1) with a mean value 19.17microm(-1) +/- 0.84microm(-1) and 12.0microm(-1) - 15.8microm(-1) with a mean value 13.38microm(-1) +/- 0.82microm(-1) over the 280 - 500 nm, 280 - 360 nm and 360 - 440 nm intervals.