Simplified Aeroelastic Model for Fluid Structure Interaction between Microcantilever Sensors and Fluid Surroundings

Fluid-structural coupling occurs when microcantilever sensors vibrate in a fluid. Due to the complexity of the mechanical characteristics of microcantilevers and lack of high-precision microscopic mechanical testing instruments, effective methods for studying the fluid-structural coupling of microcantilevers are lacking, especially for non-rectangular microcantilevers. Here, we report fluid-structure interactions (FSI) of the cable-membrane structure via a macroscopic study. The simplified aeroelastic model was introduced into the microscopic field to establish a fluid-structure coupling vibration model for microcantilever sensors. We used the finite element method to solve the coupled FSI system. Based on the simplified aeroelastic model, simulation analysis of the effects of the air environment on the vibration of the commonly used rectangular microcantilever was also performed. The obtained results are consistent with the literature. The proposed model can also be applied to the auxiliary design of rectangular and non-rectangular sensors used in fluid environments.     

Enhancing Fusarium crown rot resistance by pyramiding large-effect QTL in common wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

Fusarium crown rot (FCR) has become one of the most damaging cereal diseases in semi-arid regions worldwide. Targeting three large-effect QTL (located on the chromosome arm 3BL, 5DS and 2DL, respectively), we investigated the feasibility of enhancing FCR resistance by gene pyramiding. Significant effects were detected for each of the three QTL in both populations assessed. Lines with any combination of two resistant alleles gave significantly better resistance than those with a single resistant allele only and those without any allele, and lines possessing all three resistant alleles showed the best resistance. These results demonstrated that gene pyramiding can be an effective approach in improving FCR resistance. Those lines with resistant alleles from all three QTL could be valuable genetic stocks for breeding programs.     

MiR‐122 modification enhances the therapeutic efficacy of adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells against liver fibrosis

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation alone may be insufficient for treatment of liver fibrosis because of complicated histopathological changes in the liver. Given that miR‐122 plays an essential role in liver fibrosis by negatively regulating the proliferation and transactivation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), this study investigated whether miR‐122 modification can improve the therapeutic efficacy of adipose tissue‐derived MSCs in treating liver fibrosis. MiR‐122‐modified AMSCs (AMSC‐122) were constructed through lentivirus‐mediated transfer of pre‐miR‐122. MiR‐122‐modified AMSCs expressed high level of miR‐122, while they retained their phenotype and differentiation potential as naïve AMSCs. AMSC‐122 more effectively suppressed the proliferation of and collagen maturation in HSCs than scramble miRNA‐modified AMSCs. In addition, AMSC‐derived exosomes mediated the miR‐122 communication between AMSCs and HSCs, further affecting the expression levels of miR‐122 target genes, such as insulin‐like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF1R), Cyclin G(1) (CCNG1) and prolyl‐4‐hydroxylase α1 (P4HA1), which are involved in proliferation of and collagen maturation in HSCs. Moreover, miR‐122 modification enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of AMSCs in the treatment of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)‐induced liver fibrosis by suppressing the activation of HSCs and alleviating collagen deposition. Results demonstrate that miR‐122 modification improves the therapeutic efficacy of AMSCs through exosome‐mediated miR‐122 communication; thus, miR‐122 modification is a new potential strategy for treatment of liver fibrosis.     

Encapsulating Trogtalite CoSe2 Nanobuds into BCN Nanotubes as High Storage Capacity Sodium Ion Battery Anodes

Trogtalite CoSe₂ nanobuds encapsulated into boron and nitrogen codoped graphene (BCN) nanotubes (CoSe₂@BCN‐750) are synthesized via a concurrent thermal decomposition and selenization processes. The CoSe₂@BCN‐750 nanotubes deliver an excellent storage capacity of 580 mA h g^?1 at current density of 100 mA g^?1 at 100th cycle, as the anode of a sodium ion battery. The CoSe₂@BCN‐750 nanotubes exhibit a significant rate capability (100–2000 mA g^?1 current density) and high stability (almost 98% storage retention after 4000 cycles at large current density of 8000 mA g^?1). The reasons for these excellent storage properties are illuminated by theoretical calculations of the relevant models, and various possible Na⁺ ion storage sites are identified through first‐principles calculations. These results demonstrate that the insertion of heteroatoms, B–C, N–C as well as CoSe₂, into BCN tubes, enables the observed excellent adsorption energy of Na⁺ ions in high energy storage devices, which supports the experimental results.     

The highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza A virus down‐regulated several cellular MicroRNAs which target viral genome

Higher and prolonged viral replication is critical for the increased pathogenesis of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype of H5N1 influenza A virus (IAV) over the lowly pathogenic H1N1 IAV strain. Recent studies highlighted the considerable roles of cellular miRNAs in host defence against viral infection. In this report, using a 3′UTR reporter system, we identified several putative miRNA target sites buried in the H5N1 virus genome. We found two miRNAs, miR‐584‐5p and miR‐1249, that matched with the PB2 binding sequence. Moreover, we showed that these miRNAs dramatically down‐regulated PB2 expression, and inhibited replication of H5N1 and H1N1 IAVs in A549 cells. Intriguingly, these miRNAs expression was differently regulated in A549 cells infected with the H5N1 and H1N1 viruses. Furthermore, transfection of miR‐1249 inhibitor enhanced the PB2 expression and promoted the replication of H5N1 and H1N1 IAVs. These results suggest that H5N1 virus may have evolved a mechanism to escape host‐mediated inhibition of viral replication through down‐regulation of cellular miRNAs, which target its viral genome.     

土地利用变化对海南土壤水源涵养功能的影响

热带地区已有大量原始林转变为其他土地利用类型,影响了陆地生态系统的水源涵养功能.为了明确热带原始林转变为其他土地类型对土壤水源涵养功能的影响,在海南中部山区选择4种典型土地利用类型,包括林龄大于100年的原始林(VF)、10年生次生林(SF)、12年生槟榔林(AF)和35年生橡胶林(RF),评估土地利用变化对土壤持水性能和水源涵养功能指数(SWI)的影响.结果表明: 与原始林相比,表层土壤(0～10 cm)中,其他土地类型土壤持水性能指标均降低,12年槟榔林各土层指标均最低.土壤含水量和最大持水量与植被郁闭度、土壤有机质和土壤容重显著相关,表明郁闭度、土壤有机质和紧实度的改变是土壤持水性能变化的重要原因.与原始林相比,次生林、槟榔林和橡胶林土壤水源涵养功能分别减少27.7%、54.3%和11.5%,不同土层的差异各异,橡胶林仅表层土壤水源涵养功能显著降低.植被郁闭度、土壤有机质和土壤容重可解释土壤水源涵养功能变量的83.3%.土地利用转变显著改变了土壤持水性能和土壤水源涵养功能,相比12年槟榔林,35年橡胶林能更好地保持土壤水分,土地管理中增加土壤有机质和减少土壤紧实度可改善土壤持水性能及水源涵养功能.     

水文变异下长江荆南三口河道内生态需水量变化及贡献因素

基于1951—2015年长江荆南三口5站实测原型年径流量序列,采用Mann-Kendall等方法检测其径流序列的突变年份.在此基础上,运用GEV概率密度最大流量法计算荆南三口河道内生态需水量,并从多时空尺度视角分析河道内生态需水量的时空差异及其贡献因素.结果表明: 研究期间,新江口、沙道观、康家岗、管家铺和弥陀寺水文站的第一次径流突变年份分别为1990、1959、1959、1972和1972年,并将第一次突变以前的月均流量序列作为水文变异前的水文序列.在水文变异条件下,长江荆南三口1—12月的各月生态需水量分别为69.63、26.15、55.65、452.65、2166.44、4660.83、10875.66、9966.49、7868.38、4773.60、1655.01和338.49 m³·s^-1.新江口、沙道观、康家岗、管家铺和弥陀寺5个水文站的年均生态需水量分别为901.57、507.00、221.30、1438.03和581.62 m³·s^-1.水文变异后,荆南三口满足河道内生态需水的频率大幅下降,由变异前的55%以上下降至变异后的20%以下,生态需水缺乏现象严重.影响荆南三口河道内生态需水时空变化的因素主要为不同时期水利工程、各行业用水量等人类活动.     

Negative regulation of AMPK signaling by high glucose via E3 ubiquitin ligase MG53

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Mitochondrial DNA Evidence for a Diversified Origin of Workers Building Mausoleum for First Emperor of China

Variant studies on ancient DNA have attempted to reveal individual origin. Here, based on cloning sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms, we analyzed polymorphisms in the first hypervariable region and coding regions of mitochondrial DNA of 19 human bone remains which were excavated from a tomb near the Terra Cotta Warriors and dated some 2,200 years before present. With the aim of shedding light on origins of these samples who were supposed to be workers building the mausoleum for the First Emperor of China, we compared them with 2,164 mtDNA profiles from 32 contemporary Chinese populations at both population and individual levels. Our results showed that mausoleum-building workers may be derived from very diverse sources of origin.     

海南捕鸟蛛毒素及体液的抗菌活性研究

采用杯碟法研究了海南虎纹捕鸟蛛粗毒和体液对革兰氏阴性菌、阳性菌、霉菌和酵母的抑菌效果。结果表明，粗毒和体液均能抑制革兰氏阳性菌、阴性菌和霉菌的生长，但对酵母无抑制效果，并且粗毒和体液有一定的协同抗菌作用。