Substrate concentration effect on gene expression in genetic circuits with additional positive feedback

In gene regulatory networks, gene regulation loops often occur with multiple positive feedback, multiple negative feedback and coupled positive and negative feedback forms. In above gene regulation loops, auto-activation loops are ubiquitous regulatory motifs. This paper aims to investigate a two-component dual-positive feedback genetic circuit, which consists of a double negative feedback circuit and an additional positive feedback loop(APFL). We study effect of substrate concentration on gene expression in the single and the networked systems with APFLs, respectively. We find that substrate concentration can tune stochastic switch behavior in the signal system and then we explore relationship of substrate concentration with positive feedback strength in aspect of stochastic switch behavior. Furthermore, we also discuss gene expression and stochastic switch behavior in the networked systems with APFLs. Based on analysis in the networked systems, we discover that genes express in some specific cells and do not express in the other cells when the expression achieves its steady state. These results can be used to well explain the character of regionalization in the expression of genes and the phenomenon of gene differentiation.

Deviation correction strategy for the earth pressure balance shield based on shield–soil interactions

The control system presently used in shield posture rectification is based on driver experience,which is marginally reliable.The study of the related theory is flawed.Therefore,a decision-making approach for the deviation correction trajectory and posture rectification load for an earth pressure balance(EPB)shield is proposed.A calculation model of posture rectification load of an EPB shield is developed by considering the interactions among the cutter head,shield shell,and ground.The additional position change during the shield attitude correction is highlighted.The posture rectification loads and shield behaviors results can be solved by the proposed method.The influences of the stratum distribution(i.e.,bedrock height in the upper-soft and lower-hard strata)on shield behaviors and posture rectification loads are analyzed.Results indicated that the increase of pitch angle in the upper-soft and lower-hard strata causes a sharp rise in vertical displacement.The bedrock height increases the magnitudes of the required posture rectification moments when hr/D>0.5.For a tunnel with hr/D≤0.5,the variation of hr/D has little effect on the posture rectification moments.Finally,the posture rectifying curves based on the theoretical model are compared with the target ones based on the double circular arc interpolation method.The required results can be obtained regardless of the soil–rock compound stratum distribution.The maximum rectification moment in the rock layer is almost 12.6 times that in the soil layer.Overall,this study provides a valuable reference for moment determination and the trajectory prediction of posture rectification in compound strata.