Numerical analysis and comparison of flow fields in normal larynx and larynx with unilateral vocal fold paralysis

In this study, laryngeal flow fields are investigated and compared in normal larynx and models of larynx with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). In paralytic models, three fixed initial glottal gaps are considered to understand the positive or probable negative impacts of surgical operation on unilaterally paralytic larynx, by which the paralyzed vocal fold is brought closer to the mid-plane. Various features of the flow fields have been discussed in detail including glottal gap width, glottal flow rate, glottal exit pressure pattern and glottal jet evolution. The numerical solution of fluid-structure interaction is carried out using ANSYS, and the results confirm some of the favorable effects of surgery on the patient’s larynx. It is also shown that by tightening the glottal gap, some of the problems caused by the presence of a motionless vocal fold, such as leakage through glottal gap in the closure phase resulting in breathy voice can be moderated, although some of the symptoms of this disorder remain relatively unchanged.     

Chromatographic retention time prediction for posttranslationally modified peptides

Retention time prediction of peptides in liquid chromatography has proven to be a valuable tool for mass spectrometry-based proteomics, especially in designing more efficient procedures for state-of-the-art targeted workflows. Additionally, accurate retention time predictions can also be used to increase confidence in identifications in shotgun experiments. Despite these obvious benefits, the use of such methods has so far not been extended to (posttranslationally) modified peptides due to the absence of efficient predictors for such peptides. We here therefore describe a new retention time predictor for modified peptides, built on the foundations of our existing Elude algorithm. We evaluated our software by applying it on five types of commonly encountered modifications. Our results show that Elude now yields equally good prediction performances for modified and unmodified peptides, with correlation coefficients between predicted and observed retention times ranging from 0.93 to 0.98 for all the investigated datasets. Furthermore, we show that our predictor handles peptides carrying multiple modifications as well. This latest version of Elude is fully portable to new chromatographic conditions and can readily be applied to other types of posttranslational modifications. Elude is available under the permissive Apache2 open source License at http://per-colator.com or can be run via a web-interface at http://elude.sbc.su.se.     

The AutoDock suite at 30

The AutoDock suite provides a comprehensive toolset for computational ligand docking and drug design and development. The suite builds on 30 years of methods development, including empirical free energy force fields, docking engines, methods for site prediction, and interactive tools for visualization and analysis. Specialized tools are available for challenging systems, including covalent inhibitors, peptides, compounds with macrocycles, systems where ordered hydration plays a key role, and systems with substantial receptor flexibility. All methods in the AutoDock suite are freely available for use and reuse, which has engendered the continued growth of a diverse community of primary users and third‐party developers.     

Validation of discrete time-to-event prediction models in the presence of competing risks

Clinical prediction models play a key role in risk stratification, therapy assignment and many other fields of medical decision making. Before they can enter clinical practice, their usefulness has to be demonstrated using systematic validation. Methods to assess their predictive performance have been proposed for continuous, binary, and time-to-event outcomes, but the literature on validation methods for discrete time-to-event models with competing risks is sparse. The present paper tries to fill this gap and proposes new methodology to quantify discrimination, calibration, and prediction error (PE) for discrete time-to-event outcomes in the presence of competing risks. In our case study, the goal was to predict the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) attributed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in intensive care units (ICUs). Competing events are extubation, death, and VAP due to other bacteria. The aim of this application is to validate complex prediction models developed in previous work on more recently available validation data.     

百合品种间的数量分类研究

根据 4 8个形态学性状 ,应用聚类分析将 9个不同来源的百合品种分为 3个类群 :亚洲系、东方系和麝香系。并显示了东方系和麝香系亲缘关系较近 ,符合北美百合协会对百合品种的分类与百合的育种历史、演化关系。文中将 4 8个形态学性状数据集划分为营养器官性状与生殖器官性状两个数据子集。单独采用营养器官性状子集进行聚类分析时 ,出现较大的差异 ,而对生殖器官性状子集的分析结果较为合理     

南亚热带常绿阔叶林林下层植物的生物量及其测定方法的探讨

应用全收割法测定广东省鼎湖山南亚热带常绿阔叶林林下层植物生物量 ,林下植物总生物量为 12 9 58g/m2 ,其中茎、枝、叶、根的生物量占总生物量的比例约为 4 0 % ,9 0 % ,2 2 % ,2 9% .由部分实测数据建立林下植物个体生物量估算模型为W =0 0 0 4 2 ·H1 932 3.应用该模型得到的估算值 ,与收获实测值的相对误差仅为 1 8% ,具有良好的精度 .此外 ,还通过改变取样面积对该模型的适用性进行了探讨 .     

内蒙古图牧吉冬季大鸨调查初报

大鸨(Otis tarda)属大型草原鸟类,过去曾广泛分布于黑龙江省西部及内蒙古的东部,目前已经处于濒危状态。图牧吉自然保护区是大鸨的主要栖息地,繁殖数量约200多只。1998年开始记录到越冬大鸨个体,2003年冬季,本区越冬数量达到165只(其中保护区内记录到85只)。本文对图牧吉自然保护区大鸨的越冬数量分布进行了调查,并对大鸨越冬行为及食性进行了初步的观察和分析,对大鸨越冬地管理及越冬鸟类的保护提出了建议。     

中国人均生态足迹与生物承载力变化的EMD分析及情景预测

利用经验模态分解(EMD)方法分解并提取1961～2001年中国人均生态足迹与生物承载力变化的波动周期,建立具有周期性波动的非线性动力学预测模型,提出未来50a中国人均生态足迹和生物承载力变化的3种预测情景。结果表明:(1)40a来,中国人均生态足迹在波动中不断增加,具有明显的3.5a和8a两个波动周期;中国人均生物承载力在波动中不断减少,具有明显的2.7a和28a两个周期。(2)若一切照旧,即未来50a中国人均生态足迹与生物承载力保持过去40a的年均变化率不变,则人均生态足迹会持续上升,2050年达到3.391g.hm2;人均生物承载力持续下降,2050年降为0.490g.hm2;而人均生态赤字急剧拉大,2050年为3.024g.hm2,可持续发展形势非常严峻。(3)若缓慢变化,即未来20a中国人均生态足迹保持年均增长率1.195%、人均生物承载力年均减少率0.614%不变,则2025年人均生态足迹为1.849g.hm2、人均生物承载力为0.860g.hm2、人均赤字0.989g.hm2。(4)若人均生态足迹快速减少,即2025～2050年中国人均生态足迹年均减少率为0.996%、人均生物承载力年均减少率为0.614%不变,则2050年人均生态足迹为1.381g.hm2、人均生物承载力0.739g.hm2、人均生态赤字0.641g.hm2,但这需要中国经济发展和技术水平的极大提高、能源消费结构的多元化、居民消费意识和消费模式的快速转变、人民生活质量的极大改善。这样,中国的生态发展才有助于实现全球水平的生态可持续发展,在促进世界可持续发展的道路上起到积极的推动作用。