Understanding the Evolution and Applications of Intelligent Systems via a Tri-X Intelligence (TI) Model

The evolution and application of intelligence have been discussed from perspectives of life, control theory and artificial intelligence. However, there has been no consensus on understanding the evolution of intelligence. In this study, we propose a Tri-X Intelligence (TI) model, aimed at providing a comprehensive perspective to understand complex intelligence and the implementation of intelligent systems. In this work, the essence and evolution of intelligent systems (or system intelligentization) are analyzed and discussed from multiple perspectives and at different stages (Type I, Type II and Type III), based on a Tri-X Intelligence model. Elemental intelligence based on scientific effects (e.g., conscious humans, cyber entities and physical objects) is at the primitive level of intelligence (Type I). Integrated intelligence formed by two-element integration (e.g., human-cyber systems and cyber-physical systems) is at the normal level of intelligence (Type II). Complex intelligence formed by ternary-interaction (e.g., a human-cyber-physical system) is at the dynamic level of intelligence (Type III). Representative cases are analyzed to deepen the understanding of intelligent systems and their future implementation, such as in intelligent manufacturing. This work provides a systematic scheme, and technical supports, to understand and develop intelligent systems.

Thermodynamic Modeling and Validation of the Temperature Influence in Ternary Phase Polymer Systems

The effect of the temperature, as a process variable in the fabrication of polymeric membranes by the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) technique, has been scarcely studied. In the present work, we studied the influence of temperature, working at 293, 313 and 333 K, on the experimental binodal curves of four ternary systems composed of PVDF and PES as the polymers, DMAc and NMP as the solvents and water as the non-solvent. The increase of the temperature caused an increase on the solubility gap of the ternary system, as expected. The shift of the binodal curve with the temperature was more evident in PVDF systems than in PES systems indicating the influence of the rubbery or glassy state of the polymer on the thermodynamics of phase separation. As a novelty, the present work has introduced the temperature influence on the Flory–Huggins model to fit the experimental cloud points. Binary interaction parameters were calculated as a function of the temperature: (i) non-solvent/solvent (g12) expressions with UNIFAC-Dortmund methodology and (ii) non-solvent/polymer (χ13) and solvent/polymer (χ23) using Hansen solubility parameters. Additionally, the effect of the ternary interaction term was not negligible in the model. Estimated ternary interaction parameters (χ123) presented a linear relation with temperature and negative values, indicating that the solubility of the polymers in mixtures of solvent/non-solvent was higher than expected for single binary interaction. Finally, PES ternary systems exhibited higher influence of the ternary interaction parameter than PVDF systems.

The enthalpies of mixing of ternary liquid Ag-Ca-Ge alloys

Partial and integral enthalpies of mixing of the ternary Ag–Ca–Ge melts were determined for the first time by the high-temperature isoperibolic calorimetry at 1300–1550 K. The experiments were performed for six sections with a constant ratio of two components up to the molar fraction of the third component equal to 0.3. The enthalpies of mixing in this ternary system are exothermic values which increase in absolute value from the Ag corner of the concentration triangle towards the constituent binary Ca–Ge system. The minimum value of the integral enthalpy of mixing was obtained for Ca0.6Ge0.4 composition of the Ca–Ge binary system (about –58.00 kJ mol–1). The enthalpies of mixing of the ternary Ag–Ca–Ge melts are calculated for the whole concentration triangle by the Redlich-Kister-Muggianu method, taking into account the term of specific ternary interaction defined from our experimental data. The topology of the isoenthalpies of mixing is determined.

Thermodynamic Database Development for the ZrO2-MgO-MnOx System

Thermodynamic description of the ZrO2-MgO-MnOx was derived for the first time using available experimental data on phase relations in air and protective gas atmosphere. Solid solution phases were modelled using compound energy formalism. The liquid phase was described by the modified two-sublattice model for ionic liquid. Solubility of ZrO2 was modelled in cubic spinel and MgO-MnO solid solution (halite structure) and therefore the Gibbs energies of Zr-containing endmembers were introduced. Ternary interaction parameters were introduced for halite, cubic spinel and cubic ZrO2 to reproduce the stabilization of cubic ZrO2 at temperatures below its stability in bounding systems and stabilization of cubic spinel at temperatures above its stability limit in the bounding systems. The obtained thermodynamic database was used to interpret results of differential thermal analysis.

Homeostatic scaling is driven by a translation-dependent degradation axis that recruits miRISC remodelling

Homeostatic scaling in neurons has been majorly attributed to the individual contribution of either translation or degradation; however there remains limited insight towards understanding how the interplay between the two processes effectuates synaptic homeostasis. Here, we report that a co-dependence between the translation and degradation mechanisms drives synaptic homeostasis whereas abrogation of either prevents it. Coordination between the two processes is achieved through the formation of a tripartite complex between translation regulators, the 26S proteasome and the miRNA-induced-silencing-complex (miRISC) components such as MOV10 and Trim32 on actively translating transcripts or polysomes. Disruption of polysomes abolishes this ternary interaction, suggesting that translating RNAs facilitate the combinatorial action of the proteasome and the translational apparatus. We identify that synaptic downscaling involves miRISC remodelling which entails the mTOR-dependent translation of Trim32, an E3 ligase and the subsequent degradation of its target, MOV10. MOV10 degradation is sufficient to invoke downscaling by enhancing Arc expression and causing the subsequent removal of post-synaptic AMPA receptors. We propose a mechanism that exploits a translation-driven degradation paradigm to invoke miRISC remodelling and induce homeostatic scaling during chronic network activity.

Molecular Basis of the Ternary Interaction between NS1 of the 1918 Influenza A Virus, PI3K, and CRK

The 1918 influenza A virus (IAV) caused the worst flu pandemic in human history. Non-structural protein 1 (NS1) is an important virulence factor of the 1918 IAV and antagonizes host antiviral immune responses. NS1 increases virulence by activating phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) via binding to the p85β subunit of PI3K. Intriguingly, unlike the NS1 of other human IAV strains, 1918 NS1 hijacks another host protein, CRK, to form a ternary complex with p85β, resulting in hyperactivation of PI3K. However, the molecular basis of the ternary interaction between 1918 NS1, CRK, and PI3K remains elusive. Here, we report the structural and thermodynamic bases of the ternary interaction. We find that the C-terminal tail (CTT) of 1918 NS1 remains highly flexible in the complex with p85β. Thus, the CTT of 1918 NS1 in the complex with PI3K can efficiently hijack CRK. Notably, our study indicates that 1918 NS1 enhances its affinity to p85β in the presence of CRK, which might result in enhanced activation of PI3K. Our results provide structural insight into how 1918 NS1 hijacks two host proteins simultaneously.

Development of New Algorithm for Aniline Point Estimation of Petroleum Fraction

The aniline point (AP) is an important physical property of a petroleum fraction. The AP gives an indication of the aromatic hydrocarbon content in a hydrocarbon mixture and can also be an indicator of the ignition point of a diesel fraction. In this study, common estimation methods were introduced and evaluated, and their limitations were analyzed. Multiple linear regression was used in constructing a quantitative function to solve for the AP using the average boiling point and specific gravity. The iterative modification algorithm of the ternary interaction algorithm was used to obtain the predicted value of the petroleum fraction AP, and the proposed algorithm was tested using 127 actual petroleum fractions. The average estimation deviation of the proposed method was 3.55%; hence, compared to the commonly used estimation methods, the prediction accuracy was significantly improved. This method offers important practical value in the calculation of the petroleum fraction AP and other petroleum fraction properties, thereby providing reference significance.

γ-Tubulin interacts with E2FA, E2FB and E2FC transcription factors, regulates proliferation and endocycle in Arabidopsis

γ-Tubulin is associated with microtubule nucleation, but evidence is accumulating in eukaryotes that it functions also in nuclear processes and in cell division control that are independent of its canonical role. We found that in Arabidopsis thaliana γ-tubulin interacts specifically with E2FA, E2FB, and E2FC transcription factors both in vitro and in vivo. The interaction of γ-tubulin with the E2Fs is not reduced in the presence of the dimerization partners (DPs) and, in agreement, we found that γ-tubulin interaction with E2Fs does not require the dimerization domain. γ-Tubulin associates with the promoters of E2F-regulated cell cycle genes in an E2F dependent manner, likely in complex with the E2F/DP heterodimer. The upregulation of E2F targets; PCNA, ORC2, CDKB1;1 and CCS52A under γtubulin silencing suggests a repressive function for γ-tubulin at G1/S, G2/M and endocycle, which is consistent with an excess of cell division in some cells and enhanced endoreduplication in others in the shoot and young leaves of γ-tubulin RNAi plants. Altogether, our data show ternary interaction of γ-tubulin with E2F/DP heterodimer and suggest a repressive role for γ-tubulin with E2Fs in controlling mitotic activity and endoreduplication during plant development.

Thermodynamic re-assessment of the Al-Sn-Zn ternary system

In this paper, a thermodynamic re-assessment of the Al-Sn-Zn ternary system was performed by means of the CALculation of PHAse Diagram (CALPHAD) approach. The thermodynamic descriptions of the binary Al-Sn, Al-Zn, and Sn-Zn systems from the literature were directly adopted, and the newly reported experimental phase equilibria, enthalpies of mixing, and activities of Al in the ternary liquid phase were taken into account. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters for the ternary Al-Sn-Zn system were finally obtained. A comprehensive comparison between the presently calculated phase equilibria/thermodynamic properties and the experimental data indicates that the present thermodynamic descriptions of the ternary Al-Sn-Zn system show very good agreement with most of the experimental data. The further direct comparison with the calculated results due to the previous assessment demonstrates that a significant improvement was achieved by the present assessment though fewer ternary interaction parameters were utilized.