Academia Sinica

About: Academia Sinica is a facility organization based out in Taipei, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Gene. The organization has 52086 authors who have published 65998 publications receiving 1728114 citations. The organization is also known as: Central Research Academy.

Antiproton Flux, Antiproton-to-Proton Flux Ratio, and Properties of Elementary Particle Fluxes in Primary Cosmic Rays Measured with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

Abstract: A precision measurement by AMS of the antiproton flux and the antiproton-to-proton flux ratio in primary cosmic rays in the absolute rigidity range from 1 to 450 GV is presented based on 3.49 × 105 antiproton events and 2.42 × 109 proton events. The fluxes and flux ratios of charged elementary particles in cosmic rays are also presented. In the absolute rigidity range ∼60 to ∼500 GV, the antiproton ¯p, proton p, and positron eþ fluxes are found to have nearly identical rigidity dependence and the electron e− flux exhibits a different rigidity dependence. Below 60 GV, the ( ¯ p=p), ( ¯ p=eþ), and (p=eþ) flux ratios each reaches a maximum. From ∼60 to ∼500 GV, the ( ¯ p=p), ( ¯ p=eþ), and (p=eþ) flux ratios show no rigidity dependence. These are new observations of the properties of elementary particles in the cosmos.

Aluminum Plasmonic Multicolor Meta-Hologram

Abstract: We report a phase-modulated multicolor meta-hologram (MCMH) that is polarization-dependent and capable of producing images in three primary colors. The MCMH structure is made of aluminum nanorods that are arranged in a two-dimensional array of pixels with surface plasmon resonances in red, green, and blue. The aluminum nanorod array is patterned on a 30 nm thick SiO2 spacer layer sputtered on top of a 130 nm thick aluminum mirror. With proper design of the structure, we obtain resonances of narrow bandwidths to allow for implementation of the multicolor scheme. Taking into account of the wavelength dependence of the diffraction angle, we can project images to specific locations with predetermined size and order. With tuning of aluminum nanorod size, we demonstrate that the image color can be continuously varied across the visible spectrum.

Small molecules targeting severe acute respiratory syndrome human coronavirus

Abstract: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an infectious disease caused by a novel human coronavirus. Currently, no effective antiviral agents exist against this type of virus. A cell-based assay, with SARS virus and Vero E6 cells, was developed to screen existing drugs, natural products, and synthetic compounds to identify effective anti-SARS agents. Of >10,000 agents tested, ≈50 compounds were found active at 10 μM; among these compounds, two are existing drugs (Reserpine 13 and Aescin 5) and several are in clinical development. These 50 active compounds were tested again, and compounds 2–6, 10, and 13 showed active at 3 μM. The 50% inhibitory concentrations for the inhibition of viral replication (EC50) and host growth (CC50) were then measured and the selectivity index (SI = CC50/EC50) was determined. The EC50, based on ELISA, and SI for Reserpine, Aescim, and Valinomycin are 3.4 μM (SI = 7.3), 6.0 μM (SI = 2.5), and 0.85 μM (SI = 80), respectively. Additional studies were carried out to further understand the mode of action of some active compounds, including ELISA, Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry assays, and inhibition against the 3CL protease and viral entry. Of particular interest are the two anti-HIV agents, one as an entry blocker and the other as a 3CL protease inhibitor (Ki = 0.6 μM).

Demethylation-Induced Developmental Pleiotropy in Arabidopsis

Abstract: The function of DNA methylation in higher plants was investigated by expression of a complementary DNA encoding a cytosine methyltransferase (MET1) from Arabidopsis thaliana as an antisense RNA in transgenic plants. This expression resulted in a 34 to 71 percent reduction in total genomic cytosine methylation. Loss of methylation was observed in both repetitive DNA and single-copy gene sequences. Developmental effects included altered heterochrony, changes in meristem identity and organ number, and female sterility. Cytosine demethylation prolonged both vegetative and reproductive phases of development. These findings implicate DNA methylation in establishing or maintaining epigenetic developmental states in the meristem.