New insights into developmental biology of Eimeria tenella revealed by comparative analysis of mRNA N6-methyladenosine modification between unsporulated oocysts and sporulated oocysts

Evidence showed that N6-methyladenosine(m^(6)A)modification plays a pivotal role in influencing RNA fate and is strongly associated with cell growth and developmental processes in many species.However,no information regarding m^(6)A modification in Eimeria tenella is currently available.In the present study,we surveyed the transcriptome-wide prevalence of m^(6)A in sporulated oocysts and unsporulated oocysts of E.tenella.Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing(MeRIP-seq)analysis showed that m^(6)A modification was most abundant in the coding sequences,followed by stop codon.There were 3,903 hypermethylated and 3,178 hypomethylated mRNAs in sporulated oocysts compared with unsporulated oocysts.Further joint analysis suggested that m^(6)A modification of the majority of genes was positively correlated with mRNA expression.The mRNA relative expression and m^(6)A level of the selected genes were confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR)and MeRIP-qPCR.GO and KEGG analysis indicated that differentially m^(6)A methylated genes(DMMGs)with significant differences in mRNA expression were closely related to processes such as regulation of gene expression,epigenetic,microtubule,autophagy-other and TOR signaling.Moreover,a total of 96 DMMGs without significant differences in mRNA expression showed significant differences at protein level.GO and pathway enrichment analysis of the 96 genes showed that RNA methylation may be involved in cell biosynthesis and metabolism of E.tenella.We firstly present a map of RNA m^(6)A modification in E.tenella,which provides significant insights into developmental biology of E.tenella.

Endangered Wildlife Conservation Enhances Regional Economic Development: A Case Study of Tibetan Macaque (<i>Macaca thibetana</i>) and Fuxi Village in Mount Huangshan, China

The economic development of key biodiversity conservation areas and their conservation measures are underpinned by a mutually complementary and synergistic development model. Regional economic development depends on conservation awareness in biodiversity conservation areas. Moreover, the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation can be indicated by endangered wildlife conservation. This study investigated the current conservation of Huangshan Tibetan macaque (Macaca thibetana)—an endemic endangered species in the Mount Huangshan Scenic Area located in a biodiversity conservation hotspot in China, the conservation awareness of residents and visitors, and changes in local economic income through field survey. It provides inspiration and a characteristic demonstration to build a synergistic model of endangered wildlife conservation, biodiversity maintenance, and sustainable regional economic development.

Dietary seaweed-derived polysaccharides improve growth performance of weaned pigs through maintaining intestinal barrier function and modulating gut microbial populations

Background:Seaweed-derived polysaccharides(SDP)represent an attractive source of prebiotic nutraceuticals for the food and animal husbandry industry.However,the mechanism by which SDP from Enteromorpha mediates pig growth are not fully understood.This study aimed to investigate how SDP supplementation influences the growth performance and intestinal health in weaned pigs.Results:In Exp.1,240 weaned pigs were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments and fed with a basal diet or a basal diet containing 200,400 or 800 mg/kg SDP,respectively,in a 21-day trial.Pigs on the 400 or 800 mg/kg SDP-supplemented group had greater ADG and lower F/G ratio than those on the control group(P<0.05).In Exp.2,20 male weaned pigs were randomly assigned to two treatments and fed with a basal diet(CON group)or a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg SDP(the optimum does from Exp.1),in a 21-day trial.Pigs fed the SDP diet had greater ADG,the concentrations of serum IL-6 and TNF-αand the activities of glutathione peroxidase,superoxide dismutase and catalase(P<0.05),and lower F/G,diarrhea rate,as well as serum D-lactate concentrations and diamine oxidase activity(P<0.05).Moreover,dietary SDP supplementation enhanced secretory immunoglobulin A content,villus height and villous height:crypt depth ratio in small intestine,as well as the lactase and maltase activities in jejunum mucosa(P<0.05).SDP supplementation elevated the mRNA levels of inflammatory responserelated genes(IL-6,TNF-α,TLR4,TLR6 and MyD88),and the mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1,claudin-1 and occludin in jejunum mucosa(P<0.05).Importantly,SDP not only increased the Lactobacillus population but also reduced the Escherichia coli population in cecum(P<0.05).Furthermore,SDP increased acetic acid and butyric acid concentrations in cecum(P<0.05).Conclusions:These results not only suggest a beneficial effect of SDP on growth performance and intestinal barrier functions,but also offer potential mechanisms behind SDP-facilitated intestinal health in weaned pigs.

Improved Stiffness Modeling for An Exechon‑Like Parallel Kinematic Machine(PKM)and Its Application

Hole drilling or contour milling for the large and complex workpieces such as automobile panels and aircraft fuselages makes a high combined demand on machining accuracy,stiffness and workspace of machining equipment.Therefore,a 5-DOF(degrees of freedom)parallel kinematic machine(PKM)with redundant constraints is proposed.Based on the kinematics analysis of the parallel mechanism using intermediate variables,the kinematics problems of the PKM are solved through equivalent kinematics model.The structural stiffness matrix method is adopted to model the stiffness of the parallel mechanism of the PKM,where the stiffness of each joint and branch component is obtained by stiffness formula and finite element analysis.And the stiffness model of the parallel mechanism is improved by correction coefficient matrix,each element of which is constructed as a polynomial function of three independent end variables of the parallel mechanism.The terminal stiffness matrices obtained by simulation result are used to determine the coefficients of polynomial function by least square fitting to describe the correction coefficient over the workspace of the parallel mechanism quantitatively.The experiment results prove that the modification method can greatly improve the stiffness model of the parallel mechanism.To enhance the machining accuracy of the PKM,the proposed kinematics model and the improved stiffness model are utilized to optimize the working stiffness of parallel machine by searching the best relative position of parallel machine and workpiece.A plate workpiece taken as example is examined in the case study section,which demonstrates the effectiveness of optimization method.

Body Bias Dependence of Bias Temperature Instability(BTI)in Bulk FinFET Technology

In this article,the body bias dependence of the bias temperature instability(BTI)in bulk FinFETs is experimentally studied,under different test conditions for the first time.In contrast to the traditional understanding that changing body bias has little impact on BTI degradation in FinFETs due to its weak body effect,it is observed that it actually has non-negligible impacts.And a forward body bias(FBB)can reduce the BTI degradation in FinFETs,which is opposite with the trend in planar devices.The underlying physics is found due to the trade-off between two competing factors.The results are helpful for understanding and modeling reliability in FinFETs.

Escherichia coli Protoplast Fusion and Screening of High L-Lysine-Producing Strain

[Objectives]Protoplast fusion of two parental strains with weak L-lysine production ability was carried out to obtain new fusion strains with strong L-lysine production ability.[Methods]The effects of bacterial age,lysozyme concentration,enzymolysis temperature and time on the protoplast formation rate and regeneration rate were investigated by single factor experiments.On this basis,with the protoplast formation rate as an index,the protoplast preparation process was optimized by an orthogonal experiment.[Results]Bacterial age and enzymolysis time had a greater impact on the protoplast formation rate,followed by enzymolysis temperature and lysozyme concentration.The optimal process for the preparation of L-lysine-producing Escherichia coli protoplasts was to prepare parental protoplasts from bacterial cells cultured for 15 h in the late logarithmic growth phase by enzymolysis with 0.8 mg/ml lysozyme at 37℃for 180 min and promote fusion with PEG6000.In order to facilitate the screening of fusion protoplasts,the empty plasmids p ET-28a and p ET-Duet were transformed into L-lysine-producing E.coli,respectively,and strains p ET-28a-lys01 and p ET-Duet-lys01 were obtained.Fusion strains were then obtained through protoplast fusion.Double-resistance KA1-10were screened on plates containing kanamycin and ampicillin,and a high-yielding fusion strain KA8,which produced L-lysine,was screened by fermentation experiments finally.[Conclusions]The results of this study provide a reference method for further improving the yield of L-lysine and other amino acid strains.

CEPC Technical Design Report

The Circular Electron Positron Collider(CEPC)is a large scientific project initiated and hosted by China,fostered through extensive collaboration with international partners.The complex comprises four accelerators:a 30 GeV Linac,a 1.1 GeV Damping Ring,a Booster capable of achieving energies up to 180 GeV,and a Collider operating at varying energy modes(Z,W,H,and tt).The Linac and Damping Ring are situated on the surface,while the subterranean Booster and Collider are housed in a 100 km circumference underground tunnel,strategically accommodating future expansion with provisions for a potential Super Proton Proton Collider(SPPC).The CEPC primarily serves as a Higgs factory.In its baseline design with synchrotron radiation(SR)power of 30 MW per beam,it can achieve a luminosity of 5×10^(34)cm^(-2)s^(-1)per interaction point(IP),resulting in an integrated luminosity of 13 ab^(-1)for two IPs over a decade,producing 2.6 million Higgs bosons.Increasing the SR power to 50 MW per beam expands the CEPC's capability to generate 4.3 million Higgs bosons,facilitating precise measurements of Higgs coupling at sub-percent levels,exceeding the precision expected from the HL-LHC by an order of magnitude.This Technical Design Report(TDR)follows the Preliminary Conceptual Design Report(Pre-CDR,2015)and the Conceptual Design Report(CDR,2018),comprehensively detailing the machine's layout,performance metrics,physical design and analysis,technical systems design,R&D and prototyping efforts,and associated civil engineering aspects.Additionally,it includes a cost estimate and a preliminary construction timeline,establishing a framework for forthcoming engineering design phase and site selection procedures.Construction is anticipated to begin around 2027-2028,pending government approval,with an estimated duration of 8 years.The commencement of experiments and data collection could potentially be initiated in the mid-2030s.

Research progress on cottonseed meal as a protein source in pig nutrition:An updated review

At a global level,the supply of protein sources is insufficient to support the current magnitude of pig production.Moreover,given the exorbitant expense of conventional protein feed options like soybean meal and fish meal,it becomes imperative to promptly explore alternative sources of protein feed for the sustainable advancement of the pig industry.Cottonseed meal,a by-product from the extraction of cottonseed oil,exhibits significant potential as a protein source for pig feed owing to its high protein content,high yield,low cost,well-balanced amino acid composition,and sufficient accessibility.However,cottonseed meal possesses several anti-nutritional factors,especially gossypol,which adversely affect growth and reproductive performance,resulting in the limited utilization of cottonseed meal in pig feed.To maximize the benefits of cottonseed meal and promote its application in pig production,it is imperative to acquire comprehensive knowledge regarding its nutritional value and current utilization.In this review,we initially presented a summary of the nutritional values of cottonseed meal,primary anti-nutritional factors,and effective approaches for improving its utilization as a protein source feed.Subsequently,we comprehensively summarized the latest research progress of cottonseed meal application in pig nutrition over the past decade.The outcome of this review serves as a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the research and application of cottonseed meal in pig nutrition and promotes the reduction of soybean meal utilization in the pig industry.

Effects of different protein and lipid levels on the growth performance and intestinal microflora of loach(Paramisgurnus dabryanus)

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on the growth per-formance and homeostasis of the intestinal flora in Paramisgurnus dabryanus.An 8-week 3×3 two-factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the interaction between dietary crude protein(CP:30%,35%,40%)and ether extract(EE:6%,10%,14%)on the growth rate and the intestinal microflora of P.dabryanus.A total of 2,160 fish(5.19±0.01 g)were randomly allotted to 36 aquariums each with 60 fish.Fish were fed the experimental diet twice daily.Results revealed that weight gain rate(WGR),specific growth rate(SGR),protein efficiency ratio and net protein utilization significantly increased when increasing protein levels from 30%to 40%(P<0.05).Both WGR and SGR enhanced first but reduced thereafter with maximum value at 10%lipid level as dietary lipid increased from 6%to 14%(P<0.05).Significant interactions between protein and lipid were found with feed conversion rate,lipid efficiency ratio and net lipid utilization(P<0.05).At the phylum level,Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the dominant bacteria;at the genus level,Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia was the dominant bacteria.Fish fed the diet containing 10%lipid had a higher abundance of Proteobacteria and unclassi-fied_f_Eenterobacteriaceae than those fed the 14%lipid diet,and a higher abundance of Rhodobacter than those fed the 6%lipid diet(P<0.05).Analysis of the predicted functions showed that metabolism in the intestine of fish in the CP40EE10 group was more active than that in CP30EE14 group.Polynomial regression analysis found that a diet containing 40.87%protein and 9.88%lipid can be considered optimal for P.dabryanus.

Theoretical study on the application of the largest aluminum-pyrazole ring in electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction(NRR)is a mild and sustainable method for ammonia synthesis.Therefore,developing high activity,selectivity,and economic efficiency catalysts with considering the synergistic effects between catalysts and carriers to design novel structural models is very important.Considering the non-noble metal NRR catalyst,Mo3,we tried to find a suitable carrier which is stable and economical.Herein,we used the largest atomically precise aluminum-pyrazole ring(AlOC-69)to date(diameter up to 2.3 nm).The larger ring cavities and the presence of abundant hydroxy groups make AlOC-69 an ideal molecular carrier model and provide a basis for studying its structure-activity relationship.The formation energy(-0.76eV)and stable Mo-0 bonds indicate that Mo_(3)can be stabilized on the Al_(10)O_(10)surface.Additionally,N_(2)has fully activated due to the strong interaction between the p-orbital of N and the d-orbital of Mo.The low limiting potential(-0.28V)emerges that Mo_(3)@Al_(10)O_(10)has ideal catalytic activity and selectivity.This research provides a promising catalyst model and an understanding of its catalytic process at the atomic level,providing a new approach for the co-design of catalyst and carrierin NRR.

进入IVF-ET治疗周期的803对不孕夫妻心理状况调查

目的研究不孕夫妻进入体外受精-胚胎移植(in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer,IVF-ET)治疗周期的心理状况。方法采用横断面研究,便利取样法选取2019年10月至2020年8月期间在北京大学第三医院生殖医学中心首次接受IVF-ET治疗的夫妻为研究对象。采用自设不孕不育基本情况调查表、生育困难相关压力量表、中文版生育生活质量问卷和状态-特质焦虑量表评估夫妻双方进入IVF-ET治疗周期的心理状况。结果纳入夫妻803对,生育压力得分为女性(155.65±22.07)分,男性(153.70±22.25)分,差异无统计学意义(P=0.101);生活质量得分女性[(90.60±18.27)分]高于男性[(84.24±16.47)分],差异具有统计学意义(P<0.001);夫妻双方状态焦虑得分差异无统计学意义(P=0.074);特质焦虑得分男性[(43.38±6.91)分]高于女性[(41.93±6.89)分,P<0.001]。结论在进入IVF-ET治疗周期时,夫妻双方生育压力水平一致,但男性特质焦虑水平高于女性,且生活质量低于女性,医务人员在给予夫妻治疗管理中应加强对男性的心理状态关注和干预。

Bucket Effect to Improve Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Response on Metal-Heteroaromatic Compounds

Carbolong compounds as a metal-heteroaromatic compound with both organometallic properties andπ-conjugated systems exhibit great potential in organic catalysis and optoelectronic devices.In this work,for the first time,the“Bucket Effect”is revealed to promote the third-order nonlinear optical(NLO)performance in metal-heteroaromatic compounds.We have successfully constructed and investigated a series of novel metallapentalenes with higher third-order NLO performance benefited from the“Bucket Effect”.Meanwhile,aromaticity and electron−hole analysis further confirm the internal homogeneity of organometallic rings,reduced bandgap,and enhanced low-energy peak response resulted in the enhanced third-order NLO effects.The success of this work is discovering an emerging material library of high third-order NLO effects,and illustrating the feasibility of engineering the high response metal-heteroaromatic optical devices at the electronic structure level.

Compact modeling of quantum confinements in nanoscale gate-all-around MOSFETs

In this work,a surface-potential based compact model focusing on the quantum confinement effects of ultimately scaled gate-all-around(GAA)MOSFET is presented.Energy quantization with sub-band formation along the radius direction of cylindrical GAAs or thickness direction of nanosheet GAAs leads to significant quantization effects.An analytical model of surface potentials is developed by solving the Poisson equation with incorporating sub-band effects.In combination with the existing transport model framework,charge-voltage and current-voltage formulations are developed based on the surface potential.The model formulations are then extensively validated using TCAD numerical simulations as well as Si data of nanosheet GAA MOSFETs.Simulations of typical circuits verify the model robustness and convergence for its applications in GAA technology.