SPP-extractor:Automatic phenotype extraction for densely grown soybean plants

Automatic collecting of phenotypic information from plants has become a trend in breeding and smart agriculture.Targeting mature soybean plants at the harvesting stage,which are dense and overlapping,we have proposed the SPP-extractor(soybean plant phenotype extractor)algorithm to acquire phenotypic traits.First,to address the mutual occultation of pods,we augmented the standard YOLOv5s model for target detection with an additional attention mechanism.The resulting model could accurately identify pods and stems and could count the entire pod set of a plant in a single scan.Second,considering that mature branches are usually bent and covered with pods,we designed a branch recognition and measurement module combining image processing,target detection,semantic segmentation,and heuristic search.Experimental results on real plants showed that SPP-extractor achieved respective R^(2) scores of 0.93–0.99 for four phenotypic traits,based on regression on manual measurements.

Animal models of hepatitis E infection: Advances and challenges

Hepatitis E virus(HEV)is one of the leading causes of acute viral hepatitis worldwide.Although most of HEV infections are asymptomatic,some patients will develop the symptoms,especially pregnant women,the elderly,and patients with preexisting liver diseases,who often experience anorexia,nausea,vom-iting,malaise,abdominal pain,and jaundice.HEV infection may become chronic in immunosuppressed individuals.In addition,HEV infection can also cause several extrahepatic manifestations.HEV exists in a wide range of hosts in nature and can be transmitted across species.Hence,animals susceptible to HEV can be used as models.The establishment of animal models is of great significance for studying HEV transmission,clinical symptoms,extrahepatic manifestations,and therapeutic strategies,which will help us understand the pathogenesis,prevention,and treatment of hepatitis E.This review summarized the animal models of HEV,including pigs,monkeys,rabbits,mice,rats,and other animals.For each animal species,we provided a concise summary of the HEV genotypes that they can be infected with,the cross-species transmission pathways,as well as their role in studying extrahepatic manifestations,prevention,and treatment of HEV infection.The advantages and disadvantages of these animal models were also emphasized.This review offers new perspectives to enhance the current understanding of the research landscape surrounding HEV animal models.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the genetic basis of crest cushion formation in duck

The Chinese crested duck is a unique duck breed having a bulbous feather shape on its duck head.However,the mechanisms involved in its formation and development are unclear.In the present study,RNA sequencing analysis was performed on the crested tissues of 6 Chinese crested ducks and the scalp tissues of 6 cherry valley ducks(CVs)from 2 developmental stages.This study identified 261 differentially expressed genes(DEGs),122 upregulated and 139 downregulated,in the E28 stage and 361 DEGs,154 upregulated and 207 downregulated in the D42 stage between CC and CV ducks.The subsequent results of weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA)revealed that the turquoise and cyan modules were associated with the crest trait in the D42 stage,meanwhile,the green,brown,and pink modules were associated with the crest trait in the E28 stage.Venn analysis of the DEGs and WGCNA showed that 145 and 45 genes are associated between the D42 and E28 stages,respectively.The expression of WNT16,BMP2,SLC35F2,SLC6A15,APOBEC2,ABHD6,TNNC2,MYL1,and TNNI2 were verified by real-time quantitative PCR.This study provides an approach to reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying the crested trait development.

Numerical Simulation of the Mechanical Stirring Process in a Tannin-Based Foaming Precursor Resin

Tannin foam is a new functional material.It can be widely applied to the automobile industry,construction industry,and packaging industry due to its wide range of raw materials,renewable,easily degraded,low cost and almost no pollution.Preparing tannin foam is a very complex process that includes high temperature,two phases,mechanical agitation,and phase change.To investigate the influence of the stirring velocity and paddle shape,simulation was calculated by making use of the volume of fluid(VOF)method and multiple reference frame(MRF)method in a three-dimensional flow field of tannin-based foaming precursor resin.The gas holdup and velocity magnitude were analysed with various conditions of mechanical velocities and paddle shape in the stirring flow field.The result shows the higher the velocity,the greater the disturbance and paddle shape between the eggbeater and the Rushton turbine,obviously the paddle shape of the eggbeater with a wider range of agitation,which can entrap more air into the tannin-based foaming precursor resin in a short time.Especially when the speed is 1500 rpm,the flow field of the Rushton turbine comes out of a ditch,which decreases the efficiency of mass transfer;there is less air to mix into the tannin-based foaming precursor resin,which causes unevenness.At the same time,the eggbeater shows the marvelous capability of hybrid as it has two vortexes and multiple cycles that make a difference from the Rushton turbine,which has only one vortex and two upper and lower loops;the structure makes the flow field more stable allowed evenness of flow field tannin-based foaming precursor resin.The results reveal that it is beneficial for tannin-based foaming precursor resin to use an eggbeater with a speed of 1500 rpm to reduce the consumption of resources while obtaining a uniform flow field.

Exploring the effect and mechanisms of Epimedium on diabetic testicular injury using network pharmacology,molecular docking,and cell experiments

Background:Studying the potential targets and mechanisms of Epimedium for anti-diabetic testicular injury using network pharmacology,molecular docking,and cell experiments.Methods:Acquisition of major components and targets of Epimedium was based on TCMSP,TCMID,and Symmap databases and retrieval of diabetic testicular injury targets by OMIM,GeneCards,Pharmgkb,and Drugbank databases.Intersecting targets were obtained from the Venny 2.1.0 database and input SRTING data to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,and key targets were screened in Cytoscape 3.8.0 software.Then the Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses of intersecting targets were conducted through the DAVID database.Further,AutoDock software was used to verify docking between the main components and the core target proteins.In addition,a Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)assay was used to determine the survival effect of quercetin,the main component of Epimedium,on TM4 sertoli-like cells exposed to palmitic acid(PA).Results:Quercetin,kaempferol and luteolin in epimedium were identified as the main components in the treatment of diabetic testicular injury.It has core target proteins including MMP9,AKT1,and TNF.The biological process mainly involves the regulation of the apoptotic signaling pathway.The key pathways of KEGG are the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications,PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathway.Molecular docking results showed that quercetin had the strongest binding ability to MMP9.Also,PA-challenged cells had a lower survival rate,which was alleviated by the administration of quercetin.Conclusion:Our findings suggest that Epimedium attenuates diabetes mellitus(DM)-induced testicular injury through AGE-RAGE,PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathway.These insights offer a potential therapeutic strategy for managing DM-induced testicular injury,will be the basis for future clinical research.

Effect of Zhuang Medicine Feilongzhangxue on the Expression of HMGB1-TLR4 / RANKL-NF-κB Signaling Pathway Related Factors in Osteoclasts

Objective:To study the regulatory effect of feilongzhangxue on the levels of HMGB1-TLR4/RANKL-NF-κB signaling pathway related factors HMGB1,RANKL,rank,TRAF-6 and NF-κBp65 in osteoclasts,so as to explore the mechanism of feilongzhangxue intervention in RA;Methods:The osteoclasts with good activity were randomly divided into blank group,methotrexate control group and Zhuang medicine feilongzhang blood containing serum treatment group,which were divided into OC+blank group,OC+methotrexate control group,OC+Zhuang medicine feilongzhang blood containing serum group;The expression of HMGB1,RANKL,rank,TRAF-6 and NF-κBp65 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR;The protein expressions of HMGB1,RANKL,RANK,TRAF-6 and NF-κBp65 were detected by immunofluorescence.Results:PCR results showed that:Compared with the blank group,feilongzhangxue could effectively inhibit the expression levels of HMGB1,RANKL,rank,TRAF-6 and NF-κB p65 mRNA in OC cells,and the inhibitory effect was stronger than methotrexate.Immunofluorescence test results showed that:Compared with the blank group and methotrexate group,feilongzhangxue could effectively inhibit the protein expression of HMGB1,RANKL,rank,TRAF-6 and NF-κB p65 in OC cells.Conclusion:The effect of Zhuang medicine feilongzhangxue on hmgbl-tlr4/rankl-nf-κB signaling pathway of osteoclasts is through the regulation of related factors HMGB1,RANKL,rank,TRAF-6 and NF-κB p65,which may be the key mechanism of Zhuang medicine feilongzhangxue on rheumatoid arthritis.

Radiomics in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a common malignant tumor.At present,early diagnosis of HCC is dif-ficult and therapeutic methods are limited.Radiomics can achieve accurate quantitative evaluation of the lesions without invasion,and has important value in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.Radiomics fea-tures can predict the development of cancer in patients,serve as the basis for risk stratification of HCC patients,and help clinicians distinguish similar diseases,thus improving the diagnostic accuracy.Further-more,the prediction of the treatment outcomes helps determine the treatment plan.Radiomics is also helpful in predicting the HCC recurrence,disease-free survival and overall survival.This review summa-rized the role of radiomics in the diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of HCC.

新工科背景下环境化学实验教学的改革与实践

新工科背景下,实验教学改革旨在培养学生解决复杂工程问题及实践创新的能力。以环境化学实验为例,通过构建课题制的实验项目,并对其实施教学过程进行了改革与探索。实践表明,课题制实验可提升学生的自主参与学习和实践创新能力,促进学生理论知识、综合能力及综合素养的有机融合,是新工科理念在实验教学中的积极探索。

摩天大厦型作物工厂——保障城市食物快速增长需求的作物高效生产系统

Vertical farming systems,such as sky farms,are a potential type of agricultural system for stable and effective food production.Here,we highlight the potential of the sky farm,denoted as the“skyscraper crop factory”(SCF),for cereal crop production and discuss some nascent technologies that would be applied in this production system.SCFs are ideal crop-production systems for increasing the effective arable area for crops and ensuring food security in times of crises that cause a shock in global trade.They can also provide food in urban areas to meet producers’and consumers’demands for the increased nutrition,taste,and safe production of cereal crops.Moreover,as their use can reduce greenhouse gas emissions,SCFs could be a sustainable addition to conventional agricultural crop production.

Quantifying Solid Solution Strengthening in Nickel-Based Superalloys via High-Throughput Experiment and Machine Learning

Solid solution strengthening(SSS)is one of the main contributions to the desired tensile properties of nickel-based superalloys for turbine blades and disks.The value of SSS can be calculated by using Fleischer’s and Labusch’s theories,while the model parameters are incorporated without fitting to experimental data of complex alloys.In thiswork,four diffusionmultiples consisting of multicomponent alloys and pure Niare prepared and characterized.The composition and microhardness of singleγphase regions in samples are used to quantify the SSS.Then,Fleischer’s and Labusch’s theories are examined based on high-throughput experiments,respectively.The fitted solid solution coefficients are obtained based on Labusch’s theory and experimental data,indicating higher accuracy.Furthermore,six machine learning algorithms are established,providing a more accurate prediction compared with traditional physical models and fitted physical models.The results show that the coupling of highthroughput experiments and machine learning has great potential in the field of performance prediction and alloy design.

A Time-Varying Parameter Estimation Method for Physiological Models Based on Physical Information Neural Networks

In the establishment of differential equations,the determination of time-varying parameters is a difficult problem,especially for equations related to life activities.Thus,we propose a new framework named BioE-PINN based on a physical information neural network that successfully obtains the time-varying parameters of differential equations.In the proposed framework,the learnable factors and scale parameters are used to implement adaptive activation functions,and hard constraints and loss function weights are skillfully added to the neural network output to speed up the training convergence and improve the accuracy of physical information neural networks.In this paper,taking the electrophysiological differential equation as an example,the characteristic parameters of ion channel and pump kinetics are determined using BioE-PINN.The results demonstrate that the numerical solution of the differential equation is calculated by the parameters predicted by BioE-PINN,the RootMean Square Error(RMSE)is between 0.01 and 0.3,and the Pearson coefficient is above 0.87,which verifies the effectiveness and accuracy of BioE-PINN.Moreover,realmeasuredmembrane potential data in animals and plants are employed to determine the parameters of the electrophysiological equations,with RMSE 0.02-0.2 and Pearson coefficient above 0.85.In conclusion,this framework can be applied not only for differential equation parameter determination of physiological processes but also the prediction of time-varying parameters of equations in other fields.

Roles of cancer stem cells in gastrointestinal cancers

Cancer stem cells(CSCs)are the main cause of tumor growth,invasion,metastasis and recurrence.Recently,CSCs have been extensively studied to identify CSCspecific surface markers as well as signaling pathways that play key roles in CSCs self-renewal.The involvement of CSCs in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal(GI)cancers also highlights these cells as a priority target for therapy.The diagnosis,prognosis and treatment of GI cancer have always been a focus of attention.Therefore,the potential application of CSCs in GI cancers is receiving increasing attention.This review summarizes the role of CSCs in GI cancers,focusing on esophageal cancer,gastric cancer,liver cancer,colorectal cancer,and pancreatic cancer.In addition,we propose CSCs as potential targets and therapeutic strategies for the effective treatment of GI cancers,which may provide better guidance for clinical treatment of GI cancers.

The emerging role of fasting-mimicking diets in cancer treatment

Cancer is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.The high demand for specific nutrients and the sensitivity to nutritional deficiencies are newly recognized features of cancer cells.Dietary interventions can suppress tumor demand for particular nutrients and alter certain nutrients to target a tumor's metabolic vulnerability.Cyclic fasting or fasting-mimicking diets(FMDs)are popular approaches that can reduce nutrient intake over a specific period.Accumulating evidence suggests that FMDs attenuate tumor growth by altering the energy metabolism of cancer cells.Furthermore,FMDs potentiate the sensitivity of tumors to conventional cancer treatments and limit adverse events.Recent findings also highlight the potential value of FMDs in boosting antitumor immune surveillance.However,clinical trials regarding the impact of FMDs on cancer patients remain limited and controversial.Here,we provide the latest information on the effects of FMDs on cancer progression and treatment,focusing on future clinical applications.

糖尿病患者血清microRNA-152表达水平与血脂代谢、胰岛素抵抗的相关性

目的探讨糖尿病患者血清microRNA-152(miR-152)表达水平与血脂代谢、胰岛素抵抗的相关性。方法选取2018年1月—2018年11月在攀枝花市中西医结合医院就诊的血糖异常患者109例,分为2型糖尿病(T2DM)前期组(Pre-T2DM组)45例和T2DM组64例;另取同期该院门诊部健康体检者70例为对照组。检测血清空腹胰岛素(FINS)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、空腹血糖(FBG)水平,评估稳态胰岛素评价指数(HOMA-IR)与胰岛β细胞功能指数(HOMA-β);并分析miR-152与血脂水平及FBG、FINS、HOMA-IR、HOMA-β的相关性。结果与对照组相比,Pre-T2DM组、T2DM组患者血清miR-152、FBG、FINS、TG、TC、LDL-C、HOMA-IR较高(P <0.05),HDL-C、HOMA-β较低(P <0.05);与Pre-T2DM组相比,T2DM组患者血清miR-152、FBG、FINS、TG、TC、LDL-C、HOMA-IR较高(P <0.05),HDL-C、HOMA-β较低(P <0.05)。T2DM患者miR-152与TG、TC、LDL-C、FBG、FINS、HOMA-IR呈正相关(r=0.844、0.755、0.833、0.528、0.576和0.635,均P <0.05),与HDL-C、HOMA-β呈负相关(r=-0.655和-0.603,均P <0.05)。多因素一般Logistic回归分析结果显示,血清FBG[O^R=2.305(95%CI:1.369,3.882)]和miR-152[O^R=2.831(95%CI:1.736,4.618)]升高是影响胰岛素抵抗的危险因素。结论 T2DM患者血清miR-152上调,其可能通过调节血脂代谢影响T2DM病情发展。

Characterization of hot deformation behavior of AA2014 forging aluminum alloy using processing map

The hot deformation behavior of AA2014forging aluminum alloy was investigated by isothermal compression tests attemperatures of350-480°C and strain rates of0.001-1s-1on a Gleeble-3180simulator.The corresponding microstructures of thealloys under different deformation conditions were studied using optical microscopy(OM),electron back scattered diffraction(EBSD)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The processing maps were constructed with strains of0.1,0.3,0.5and0.7.The results showed that the instability domain was more inclined to occur at strain rates higher than0.1s-1and manifested in theform of local non-uniform deformation.At the strain of0.7,the processing map showed two stability domains:domain I(350-430°C,0.005-0.1s-1)and domain II(450-480°C,0.001-0.05s-1).The predominant softening mechanisms in both of the twodomains were dynamic recovery.Uniform microstructures were obtained in domain I,and an extended recovery occurred in domainII,which would lead to the potential sub-grain boundaries progressively transforming into new high-angle grain boundaries.Theoptimum hot working parameters for the AA2014forging aluminum alloy were determined to be370-420°C and0.008-0.08s-1.

Ag nanoparticles sensitize IR-induced killing of cancer cells

Dear Editor, Nanosized particulate systems combining better cancer diagnosis with therapeutic effect are being designed based on the merging of nanotechnology with cellular and molecular techniques. The surface of these nanoscale carriers is often functionalized with biological molecules for stabilization and targeted delivery. The combinations of nano-core and associated functional molecules can cross the cell membrane [1], and the surface of nanomaterials （including coating and associated functional molecules） plays a critical role in determining the outcome of their interactions with cells [2, 3]. Studying the potential effects of nanomaterials in biological systems often requires the administration of nanoparticles into a cell culture system or into living organisms in vivo. It should be noted, however, that under such conditions nanopaticles are known to adsorb proteins from the biological system,

NEDD9 promotes cancer stemness by recruiting myeloid-derived suppressor cells via CXCL8 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective:Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)has high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide.Cancer stem cells(CSCs)may cause tumor initiation,metastasis,and recurrence and are also responsible for chemotherapy and radiotherapy failures.Myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs),in contrast,are known to be involved in mediating immunosuppression.Here,we aimed to investigate the mechanisms of interaction of CSCs and MDSCs in the tumor microenvironment.Methods:ESCC tissues and cell lines were evaluated.Neural precursor cell expressed,developmentally downregulated 9(NEDD9)was knocked down and overexpressed by lentiviral transfection.Quantitative PCR,Western blot,immunohistochemistry,cell invasion,flow cytometry,cell sorting,multiplex chemokine profiling,and tumor growth analyses were performed.Results:Microarray analysis revealed 10 upregulated genes in esophageal CSCs.Only NEDD9 was upregulated in CSCs using the sphere-forming method.NEDD9 expression was correlated with tumor invasion(P=0.0218),differentiation(P=0.0153),and poor prognosis(P=0.0373).Additionally,NEDD9 was required to maintain the stem-like phenotype.Screening of chemokine expression in ESCC cells with NEDD9 overexpression and knockdown showed that NEDD9 regulated C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8(CXCL8)expression via the ERK pathway.CXCL8 mediated the recruitment of MDSCs induced by NEDD9 in vitro and in vivo.MDSCs promoted the stemness of ESCC cells through NEDD9 via the Notch pathway.Conclusions:As a marker of ESCC,NEDD9 maintained the stemness of ESCC cells and regulated CXCL8 through the ERK pathway to recruit MDSCs into the tumor,suggesting NEDD9 as a therapeutic target and novel prognostic marker for ESCC.

Effect of cooling rate on microstructure and tensile properties of powder metallurgy Ni-based superalloy

The effects of size distribution,morphology and volume fraction ofγ′phase and grain size on tensile properties of powder processed Ni-based superalloy were investigated by using two different quenching methods.Oil quenching and air cooling were adopted with cooling rate of 183°C/s and 4?15°C/s,respectively.The experimental results show that the average size of the secondaryγ′after oil quenching is 24.5 nm compared with 49.8 nm under air cooling,and corresponding volume fractions ofγ′are 29%and 34%,respectively.Meanwhile,the average grain size remains nearly equivalent from both oil-quenching and air-cooling specimens.The tensile strength at room temperature is higher for the oil-quenched specimen than the equivalent from the air-cooled specimen,but the difference approaches each other as the temperature increases to 650°C.The fractography clearly demonstrates that transgranular fracture governs the failure process at ambient temperature,in contrast to the intergranular fracture at 650°C or even higher temperature.These two mechanical responses indicate the strengthening effects ofγ′precipitates and grain boundary for polycrystalline Ni-based superalloys at different temperatures.

Correlation between blood pressure changes and AMS, sleeping quality and exercise upon high-altitude exposure in young Chinese men

Background: Excessive elevation of arterial blood pressure(BP) at high altitude can be detrimental to our health due to acute mountain sickness(AMS) or some AMS symptoms. This prospective and observational study aimed to elucidate blood pressure changes induced by exposure to high-altitude hypoxia and the relationships of these changes with AMS prevalence, AMS severity, sleep quality and exercise condition in healthy young men.Methods: A prospective observational study was performed in 931 male young adults exposed to high altitude at 3,700 m(Lhasa) from low altitude(LA, 500 m). Blood pressure measurement and AMS symptom questionnaires were performed at LA and on day 1, 3, 5, and 7 of exposure to high altitude. Lake Louise criteria were used to diagnose AMS. Likewise, the Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale(ESS) were filled out at LA and on day 1, 3, and 7 of exposure to high altitude.Results: After acute exposure to 3,700 m, diastolic blood pressure(DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure(MABP) rose gradually and continually(P【0.05). Analysis showed a relationship with AMS for only MABP(P【0.05) but not for SBP and DBP(P】0.05). Poor sleeping quality was generally associated with higher SBP or DBP at high altitude, although inconsistent results were obtained at different time(P【0.05). SBP and Pulse BP increased noticeably after high-altitude exercise(P【0.05).Conclusions: Our data demonstrate notable blood pressure changes under exposure to different high-altitude conditions: 1) BP increased over time. 2) Higher BP generally accompanied poor sleeping quality and higher incidence of AMS. 3) SBP and Pulse BP were higher after high-altitude exercise. Therefore, we should put more effort into monitoring BP after exposure to high altitude in order to guard against excessive increases in BP.

FABRICATION AND AFM/FFM STUDIES OF C_(60)-CONTAINING POLYELECTROLYTE SELF-ASSEMBLED FILMS

An initial investigation on the roughness and frictional properties of the self-assembled thin films from polyelectrolytes is presented. Star-shaped C-60-Poly(styrene-maleic anhydride) was successful prepared. The multilayer thin films have been fabricated on mica with diazoresin as the cationic polyelectrolyte and hydrolyzed star-shaped C-60-poly(styrene-maleic anhydride) as the anionic polyelectrolyte via self-assembly technique. The crosslinking structure of the films is formed from the conversion of ionic bond to covalent bond after UV irradiation. AFM/FFM investigations provide insights into the roughness and frictional properties on a microscale. The roughness depends strongly on the number of film layers in the case of C-60-containing films. The frictional forces of the films exhibited a well behaved non-linear relationship in response to the change of applied load. It supports the prediction of enhanced load-bearing property Of C60-containing thin films.