Abstract Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most common type of sustained cardiac arrhythmia in humans and confers a significantly increased risk for thromboembolic stroke, congestive heart failure and premature death. Aggregating evidence emphasizes the predominant genetic defects underpinning AF and an increasing number of deleterious variations in more than 50 genes have been involved in the pathogenesis of AF. Nevertheless, the genetic basis underlying AF remains incompletely understood. In the current research, by whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing analysis in a family with autosomal-dominant AF and congenital patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a novel heterozygous variation in the PRRX1 gene encoding a homeobox transcription factor critical for cardiovascular development, NM_022716.4:c.373G>T;p.(Glu125*), was identified to be in co-segregation with AF and PDA in the whole family. The truncating variation was not detected in 306 unrelated healthy individuals employed as controls. Quantitative biological measurements with a reporter gene analysis system revealed that the Glu125*-mutant PRRX1 protein failed to transactivate its downstream target genes SHOX2 and ISL1, two genes that have been causally linked to AF. Conclusively, the present study firstly links PRRX1 loss-of-function variation to AF and PDA, suggesting that AF and PDA share a common abnormal developmental basis in a proportion of cases.

Osteosarcoma is a highly malignant tumor that occurs in the bone. Previous studies have shown that multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the development of osteosarcoma. This study aimed to explore the role of miR-629-5p and its target gene, caveolin 1 (CAV1), in osteosarcoma development. To analyze the expression of miR-629-5p and CAV1 mRNA in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines, qRT-PCR analysis was performed. Dual-luciferase reporter experiments were subsequently performed to validate the relationship between CAV1 and miR-629-5p. CCK8 assay was used to measure osteosarcoma cell proliferation, and wound-healing assay was performed to study their migratory phenotype. Our findings revealed that miR-629-5p was overexpressed in osteosarcoma tissues and cells, and thereby enhanced cell proliferation and migration. Further, we validated that miR-629-5p targets CAV1 mRNA directly. CAV1 expression, which was negatively correlated with miR-629-5p expression, was found to be downregulated in osteosarcoma tissue samples. Moreover, our data showed that an increase in CAV1 level led to a decline in osteosarcoma cell proliferation and migration, which could be rescued by miR-629-5p upregulation. Overall, our study confirmed that miR-629-5p promoted osteosarcoma proliferation and migration by directly inhibiting CAV1.

Vineyard row orientation plays a critical role in determining cluster microclimate. This study aimed to figure out how cluster positions determined by vineyard row orientation affect grape flavonoids and aroma profiles of Cabernet Sauvignon and Italian Riesling grapes. Three cluster positions (two canopy sides and the inner canopy) of NS and EW oriented row Cabernet Sauvignon and NS oriented row Italian Riesling were selected for the experiment. Microclimate data was monitored around clusters from both canopy sides of different row orientations. The south canopy side had higher daytime temperatures and PAR than the north canopy side in EW row orientation. Flavonoids of grape skins and seeds were separated and determined by LC-MS, and aroma compounds of grape must were determined by GC-MS. Results showed that flavanols were affected by orientations, and EW orientation had higher berries skin flavanol concentration than NS orientation. EW-IN berries had fewer glucuronide form flavonols and 3'-hydroxylated flavonols than the other two positions in EW orientation. Inner canopy berries had lower flavonol concentration than other positions in EW orientation of CS and NS orientation of IR. To aromas, C6/C9 were the main compounds significantly affected by row orientations. EW orientation berries had higher C6 alcohols concentration such as (E)-3-Hexen-1-ol, (E)-2-Hexen-1-ol and (Z)-3-Hexen-1-ol than NS orientation, while NS orientation berries had higher C6 aldehyde concentrations such as Hexanal and (E)-2-hexenal than EW orientation. EW-IN berries had more abundant C6/C9 compounds than the other two positions. The study provided preliminary scientific evidence for vineyard viticulture practice and harvest strategy.

ABSTRACT The design of the magnetic field is crucial to the performance of the hall thruster. This paper investigates the effects of magnetic field on the discharge characteristics of the low-power hall thruster in the method of combining simulation and experiment. Based on a 40-mm-diameter hall thruster (LHT-40) operating with hundreds of Watts, a two-dimensional axisymmetric model is established in fluid method to investigate the mechanism, how the magnetic field influences the performance of the thruster, and the experiments are also carried out to investigate the performance effected by magnetic field. Both the numerical and the experimental results indicate that there is an optimal magnetic flux density in which the thruster could achieve a higher efficiency compared with other conditions. And in order to maintain its high efficiency, the line of magnetic-curve inflexion inside the discharge channel should coincide with the center line of the channel to decrease the interaction between the plasma and the wall. The LHT-40 could generate about 12.2 mN of thrust at an optimal efficiency of 27% when the maximum magnetic flux density along the center line of the channel is about 200 Gs.

ABSTRACT Background: The spread of forest fire is a complex natural phenomenon. The cellular automata(CA) is a common model of forest fire spread, which fails to combine the unique combustion properties of forest fire spreading, resulting in inaccurate simulation results. In order to improve the accuracy of forest fire spread simulation, the Rothermel forest fire rate formula is simplified and combined with CA to form a multi-dimensional cellular automata(MD-CA) model of forest fire spread with different combustion properties in each cell. The formulas of the spread rate of forest fire in eight directions are obtained through the training datasets, and the testing datasets are used to compare the simulation results of CA model, MD-CA model and the actual fire spread. Results: It is concluded that the simulated areas and perimeters of the MD-CA are closer to the actual forest fire spread, the area error rate is 9.42% - 15.63%, and the perimeter error is 4.21% - 8.99%, The errors are less than CA model. Conclusion: The MD-CA model based on Rothermel has the strong ability to simulate the spread of fire in the laboratory, however, how to eliminate the errors over time is the task of the next stage.

ABSTRACT Lifetime is a main factor restraining the application of low-power Hall thruster. Magnetic shielding configuration is regarded as a promising method to prolong the lifespan of Hall thruster. Aiming to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of magnetic shielding configuration applying on low-power Hall thruster, a 60-mm diameter Hall thruster in partial magnetic shielding configuration was designated. Both the numerical and experimental methods were used to investigate the discharge characteristics of the Hall thruster and help understand the mechanism behind. The maximum anode efficiency was achieved as high as 29.7% with 1.7 mg•s–1 anode mass flow and 320 V discharge voltage. To evaluate the effectiveness of the magnetic shielding used for low-power Hall thruster, a 2000 h lifetime test has been carried out and the results indicate that the erosion rate has been decreased below 0.2 μm•h–1.

Abstract Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) are the two major subtypes of non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to compare mRNA and circRNA expression patterns between LUSC and LUAD. Cancer tissues from 8 LUSC patients and 12 LUAD patients were collected to obtain mRNA and circRNA expression profiles. The differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and circRNAs (DE-circRNAs) between LUSC and LUAD were screened. Afterwards, miRNA–DEcircRNA pairs and miRNA–DEmRNA pairs were predicted to construct a competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) network, followed by functional enrichment analysis and survival analysis. In total, 635 DEmRNAs and 245 DEcircRNAs were obtained. The ceRNA analysis revealed that genes, such as EPHA2, EPHA7, NTRK2, CDK6, hsa_circ_027570, hsa_circ_006089, and hsa-circ_035997, had distinct expression patterns between LUSC and LUAD. Also, functional enrichment analysis indicated that DEmRNAs were mainly enriched in ERK1 and ERK2 cascade. Survival analyses suggested that STXBP1 and PMEPA1 were associated the prognosis of with both LUAD and LUSC, whereas EPHA2 and CDK6 might serve as prognostic factors for LUSC and LUAD, respectively. In conclusion, genes such as EPHA2, EPHA7, NTRK2, and CDK6 had different patterns in the two major histological subtypes of NSCLC. Notably, EPHA2 and CDK6 might be considered as potential therapeutic targets for LUSC and LUAD, respectively.

RESUMO: A aplicação de herbicidas é um método eficaz de controle de ervas daninhas para mitigar a perda de produtividade das culturas. No entanto, o uso excessivo de herbicidas pode causar toxicidade em plantas não alvo. O presente estudo avaliou os efeitos da dose recomendada para aplicação agrícola (0.45 kg ha-1) e dose excessiva (0.90 kg ha-1) de glufosinato no desempenho fotossintético e assimilação de nitrogênio das variedades de colza D148 e Zhongshuang 11 (ZS11). Ambas as concentrações de glutamato diminuíram significativamente o teor de clorofila e compostos azotados, exceto a prolina livre, e a atividade de síntese da glutamina e de síntese de glutamato, e aumentaram a atividade de desidrogenase do ácido glutâmico em ambas as variedades. Quando a concentração de glifosato foi 0.45 kg ha-1, a assimilação de azoto das duas variedades diminuiu, o que indicou que a dosagem recomendada de glifosato inibiu a assimilação de azoto das duas variedades de colza. Entretanto, a taxa fotosintética líquida do D148 aumentou enquanto o do ZS11 diminuiu, o que significa que o D148 é mais tolerante a dose recomendada de glifosato do que o ZS11. A dose de 0.90 kg ha-1 de glifosato foi prejudicial para as mudas de duas variedades de colza. Em geral, os nossos resultados indicam que o uso excessivo de glufosinato inibe a taxa fotossintética e a assimilação de nitrogênio em mudas de colza, sendo essencial aplicar uma dose adequada deste herbicida com base na variedade cultivada para minimizar os efeitos adversos nas culturas e no meio ambiente.

ABSTRACT: Herbicide application is an effective weed control method for mitigating crop yield loss; however, herbicide overuse can cause toxicity in non-target plants. The present study evaluated the effects of glufosinate at recommended dose for agricultural application (0.45 kg ha-1) and at overuse dose (0.90 kg ha-1) glufosinate application on photosynthetic performance and nitrogen assimilation of the rapeseed varieties D148 and Zhongshuang 11 (ZS11). Both glufosinate concentrations significantly decreased the content of chlorophyll and nitrogenous compounds, except free proline, and the activity of glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase, and increased the activity of glutamic acid dehydrogenase in both varieties. When the concentration of glyphosate was 0.45kg ha-1, the nitrogen assimilation of the two varieties decreased, which indicated that the recommended dosage inhibited the nitrogen assimilation of the two varieties; however, the increase of net photosynthetic rate of D148 and the decrease of that of ZS11 mean that D148 is more tolerant to the recommended dose of glyphosate than ZS11. The 0.90 kg ha-1 dosage was toxic to both rapeseed varieties. Overall, our results indicated that herbicide overuse inhibited the photosynthetic rate and nitrogen assimilation in rapeseed seedlings, and it is essential to apply a suitable glufosinate dose based on the variety grown to minimize adverse effects on crops and environment.

Valency is a major source of lexical errors in foreign language learning. Accordingly, the research question is how the syntactic and semantic properties of a word can be retrieved from the corpora and represented in a Chinese valency dictionary to facilitate foreign learners' vocabulary acquisition. Within the three aspects of the valency framework - logical-semantic, syntactic and semantic-pragmatic valency - this study examines 60 cases of Chinese lexical misuse extracted from the HSK (Chinese Language Proficiency Test) Dynamic Compositions Corpus. The results suggest that the majority of cases of misuse occur in the dimension of semantic-pragmatic valency and that this semantic-pragmatic misuse can be ascribed to various factors such as semantic collocations, emotive variables, text styles, registers, and other contextual factors. The results are then utilized as syntactic, semantic and pragmatic information to be presented in a Chinese valency dictionary. Specifically, the results obtained from a case study of a misused word by referring to a large-scale native Chinese speaker corpus help retrieve a relatively full list of complementation patterns, based on which the study designs a Chinese valency entry that embodies three basic elements - quantitative valency, qualitative valency and valency patterns.

Valensie is 'n groot bron van leksikale foute in die aanleer van 'n vreemde taal. Gevolglik ontstaan die vraag hoe sintaktiese en semantiese eienskappe van 'n woord uit die korpus verkry en in 'n Chinese valensiewoordeboek weergegee kan word om woordeskat-verwerwing vir vreemdetaalleerders te vergemaklik. Met inagneming van die drie aspekte van 'n valensieraamwerk - logies-semantiese, sintaktiese en semanties-pragmatiese valensie - word 60 gevalle van Chinese leksikale foute wat uit die HSK (Chinese Taalvaardigheidstoets) Dinamies Saamgestelde Korpus onttrek is, bestudeer. Die resultate dui daarop dat die meeste van die foute plaasvind in die semanties-pragmatiese valensie-dimensie en dat hierdie semanties-pragmatiese foute toegeskryf kan word aan verskeie faktore soos semantiese kollokasies, emotiewe verander-likes, teksstyle, registers, en ander kontekstuele faktore. Die resultate word dan benut as sintak-tiese, semantiese en pragmatiese inligting wat in 'n Chinese valensiewoordeboek weergegee moet word. Meer spesifiek, die resultate wat verkry word uit 'n gevallestudie van 'n verkeerd gebruikte woord wat onttrek is uit 'n grootskaalse Chinese moedertaalssprekerskorpus, help om 'n relatief volledige lys aanvullingspatrone, wat gebaseer is op die studieontwerpe van 'n Chinese valensie-inskrywing wat drie basiese elemente insluit - kwantitatiewe valensie, kwalitatiewe valensie en valensiepatrone - te verkry.

Abstract In this work, the vapor-liquid equilibrium experimental data for the systems of isopropyl chloroacetate + isopropanol, isopropyl chloroacetate + cyclohexane and isopropyl chloroacetate + benzene were measured by a modified Rose-type recirculating still under the pressure of 101.3 kPa. The thermodynamic consistency of the measured data was verified by the Herington and van Ness methods, respectively. The experimental data were correlated by the NRTL, Wilson, and UNIQUAC activity coefficient models, and the corresponding interaction parameters of the three models were obtained. The root-mean-square deviations between the experimental data and calculated results for the temperature and the mole fraction of the vapor phase were less than 0.58 K and 0.0066, respectively. In addition, the excess Gibbs energy was calculated for the three systems.

Abstract Background: Reports regarding the causative drugs of drug-induced cutaneous adverse reactions in China are indistinct, such that different regions have reported the spectrum of drugs differs substantially in different clinical conditions. Objective: To explore the causative drugs that led to cutaneous reactions. Methods: Adverse drug reaction reports from central China were collected and divided into cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions groups. Cases were reviewed retrospectively for causative drugs. Results: The male:female ratio was equal in both cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions. In cutaneous adverse reactions (n = 482), the highest incidence happened between 51 and 60 years of age and the top three causative drugs were antibiotics (48%), Chinese medicine (16%), and allopurinol (9%). In severe cutaneous adverse reactions (n = 126), the highest incidence happened between 41 and 50 years of age and the top three causative drugs were sedative-hypnotics and antiepileptics (39%), antibiotics (22%), and allopurinol (15%). Carbamazepine was the most frequently used single-drug (16/18) in sedative-hypnotics and antiepileptics. β-lactams were the most frequently used antibiotics that induced both cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions. Study limitations: The small sample size, retrospective design, collection of cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions at different time frames and locations, and exclusion of patients taking more than five medications are limitations of the study. Conclusions: Gender does not affect cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions. The top three drugs to induce cutaneous adverse reactions are antibiotics, Chinese medicine, and allopurinol, while those that triggered severe cutaneous adverse reactions are sedative-hypnotics and antiepileptics, antibiotics, and allopurinol. Carbamazepine is the most frequent single drug that induces severe cutaneous adverse reactions. β-lactams are the most frequently used antibiotics that induce both cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions.

Abstract Three-dimensional numerical simulations and experiments were performed to examine the formation and spatial dispersion patterns of integral multiple explosively formed penetrators (MEFP) warhead with seven hemispherical liners. Numerical results had successfully described the formation process and distribution pattern of MEFP. A group of penetrators consisting of a central penetrator surrounded by 6 penetrators is formed during the formation process of MEFP and moves in the direction of aiming position. The maximum divergence angle of the surrounding penetrator group was 7.8°, and the damage area could reach 0.16 m2 at 1.2 m. The laws of perforation dispersion patterns of MEFP were also obtained through a nonlinear fitting of the perforation information on the target at different standoffs. The terminal effects of the MEFP warhead were performed on three #45 steel targets with a dimension of 160cm ( 160cm ( 1.5cm at various standoffs (60, 80, and 120 cm). The simulation results were validated through penetration experiments at different standoffs. It has shown excellent agreement between simulation and experiment results.

Human cytomegalovirus is a ubiquitous pathogen that infects the majority of the world's population. After long period of time co-evolving with human being, this pathogen has developed several strategies to evade host immune surveillance. One of the major trick is encoding homologous to those of the host organism or stealing host cellular genes that have significant functions in immune system. To date, we have found several viral immune analogous which include G protein coupled receptor, class I major histocompatibility complex and chemokine. Chemokine is a small group of molecules which is defined by the presence of four cysteines in highly conserved region. The four kinds of chemokines (C, CC, CXC, and CX3C) are classified based on the arrangement of 1 or 2 N-terminal cysteine residues. UL128 protein is one of the analogous that encoded by human cytomegalovirus that has similar amino acid sequences to the human CC chemokine. It has been proved to be one of the essential particles that involved in human cytomegalovirus entry into epithelial/endothelial cells as well as macrophages. It is also the target of potent neutralizing antibodies in human cytomegalovirus-seropositive individuals. We had demonstrated the chemotactic trait of UL128 protein in our previous study. Recombinant UL128 in vitrohas the ability to attract monocytes to the infection region and enhances peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation by activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. However, the way that this viral encoded chemokine interacting with peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the detailed mechanism that involving the virus entry into host cells keeps unknown. Here we performed in vitroinvestigation into the effects of UL128 protein on peripheral blood mononuclear cell's activation and receptor binding, which may help us further understand the immunomodulatory function of UL128 protein as well as human cytomegalovirus diffusion mechanism.

The relationship between endogenous ethylene production and natural defoliation rate was examined in sugarcane cultivars with different natural defoliation traits. Ethylene production was examined at different positions on leaf sheaths and leaf scars at various sugarcane maturation stages using gas chromatography as an external standard method. During the sugarcane maturation process, ethylene production was greatest in the 2nd leaf sheath scar, followed by the 5th and 10th, in that order. It was also greatest during the early maturation stage, followed by the mid-maturation and harvest stages. Ethylene production of the leaf sheaths and leaf scars differed significantly among the sugarcane cultivars. Cultivars that defoliate easily produced significantly more ethylene than those that do not defoliate easily. The natural defoliation rates was greatest in the harvest stage, followed by mid-maturation and early maturation stage. Correlation analysis indicated that ethylene production was positively correlated with natural defoliation rates, particularly during early- and mid-maturation stages.

Muitos estudos de expressão proteica após lesão cerebral traumática (LCT) identificam biomarcadores para determinação diagnóstica ou prognóstica do LCT. No presente estudo, foram investigados marcadores proteicos adicionais de LCT, através de um aparelho de impacto no fluxo e perfusão em ratos S-D. Eletroforese bidimensional em gel e espectrometria de massa foram utilizadas para identificar diferentes proteínas expressas. Após a análise proteômica, detectamos marcas de proteínas 405 e 371, com pH variando entre 3-10 no córtex de ratos sham e naqueles com contusão cerebral, respectivamente. Oitenta marcas proteicas foram expressas nos dois grupos e 20 destas proteínas foram identificadas. Este estudo validou o estabelecimento de biomarcadores de LCT e identificou potencial biomarcadores que poderão ser estudados em estudos futuros.

Many studies of protein expression after traumatic brain injury (TBI) have identified biomarkers for diagnosing or determining the prognosis of TBI. In this study, we searched for additional protein markers of TBI using a fluid perfusion impact device to model TBI in S-D rats. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were used to identify differentially expressed proteins. After proteomic analysis, we detected 405 and 371 protein spots within a pH range of 3-10 from sham-treated and contused brain cortex, respectively. Eighty protein spots were differentially expressed in the two groups and 20 of these proteins were identified. This study validated the established biomarkers of TBI and identified potential biomarkers that could be examined in future work.