Serum proteins differentially expressed in gestational diabetes mellitus assessed using isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation proteomics

BACKGROUND As a well-known fact to the public,gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)could bring serious risks for both pregnant women and infants.During this important investigation into the linkage between GDM patients and their altered expression in the serum,proteomics techniques were deployed to detect the differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)of in the serum of GDM patients to further explore its pathogenesis,and find out possible biomarkers to forecast GDM occurrence.METHODS Subjects were divided into GDM and normal control groups according to the IADPSG diagnostic criteria.Serum samples were randomly selected from four cases in each group at 24-28 wk of gestation,and the blood samples were identified by applying iTRAQ technology combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.Key proteins and signaling pathways associated with GDM were identified by bioinformatics analysis,and the expression of key proteins in serum from 12 wk to 16 wk of gestation was further verified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS Forty-seven proteins were significantly differentially expressed by analyzing the serum samples between the GDMgravidas as well as the healthy ones. Among them, 31 proteins were found to be upregulated notably and the rest16 proteins were downregulated remarkably. Bioinformatic data report revealed abnormal expression of proteinsassociated with lipid metabolism, coagulation cascade activation, complement system and inflammatory responsein the GDM group. ELISA results showed that the contents of RBP4, as well as ANGPTL8, increased in the serumof GDM gravidas compared with the healthy ones, and this change was found to initiate from 12 wk to 16 wk ofgestation.CONCLUSION GDM symptoms may involve abnormalities in lipid metabolism, coagulation cascade activation, complementsystem and inflammatory response. RBP4 and ANGPTL8 are expected to be early predictors of GDM.

The chemical characteristics of different sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetate sources and their relative bioavailabilities for broilers fed with a conventional corn‑soybean meal diet

Background Our previous studies demonstrated that divalent organic iron(Fe)proteinate sources with higher complexation or chelation strengths as expressed by the greater quotient of formation(Qf)values displayed higher Fe bioavailabilities for broilers.Sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetate(NaFeEDTA)is a trivalent organic Fe source with the strongest chelating ligand EDTA.However,the bioavailability of Fe when administered as NaFeEDTA in broilers and other agricultural animals remains untested.Herein,the chemical characteristics of 12 NaFeEDTA products were determined.Of these,one feed grade NaFeEDTA(Qf=2.07×10^(8)),one food grade NaFeEDTA(Qf=3.31×10^(8)),and one Fe proteinate with an extremely strong chelation strength(Fe-Prot ES,Qf value=8,590)were selected.Their bioavailabilities relative to Fe sulfate(FeSO_(4)·7H_(2)O)for broilers fed with a conventional corn-soybean meal diet were evaluated during d 1 to 21 by investigating the effects of the above Fe sources and added Fe levels on the growth performance,hematological indices,Fe contents,activities and gene expressions of Fe-containing enzymes in various tissues of broilers.Results NaFeEDTA sources varied greatly in their chemical characteristics.Plasma Fe concentration(PI),transferrin saturation(TS),liver Fe content,succinate dehydrogenase(SDH)activities in liver,heart,and kidney,catalase(CAT)activity in liver,and SDH mRNA expressions in liver and kidney increased linearly(P<0.05)with increasing levels of Fe supplementation.However,differences among Fe sources were detected(P<0.05)only for PI,liver Fe content,CAT activity in liver,SDH activities in heart and kidney,and SDH mRNA expressions in liver and kidney.Based on slope ratios from multiple linear regressions of the above indices on daily dietary analyzed Fe intake,the average bioavailabilities of Fe-Prot ES,feed grade NaFeEDTA,and food grade NaFeEDTA relative to the inorganic FeSO_(4)·7H_(2)O(100%)for broilers were 139%,155%,and 166%,respectively.Conclusions The bioavailabilities of organic Fe sources relative to FeSO_(4)·7H_(2)O were closely related to their Qf values,and NaFeEDTA sources with higher Qf values showed higher Fe bioavailabilities for broilers fed with a conventional corn-soybean meal diet.

Optimal investment based on relative performance and weighted utility

This paper studies the optimal portfolio allocation of a fund manager when he bases decisions on both the absolute level of terminal relative performance and the change value of terminal relative performance comparison to a predefined reference point. We find the optimal investment strategy by maximizing a weighted average utility of a concave utility and an Sshaped utility via a concavification technique and the martingale method. Numerical results are carried out to show the impact of the extent to which the manager pays attention to the change of relative performance related to the reference point on the optimal terminal relative performance.

Impacts of high temperature,relative air humidity,and vapor pressure deficit on the seed set of contrasting maize genotypes during flowering

Heat stress is a major constraint to current and future maize production at the global scale.Male and female reproductive organs both play major roles in increasing seed set under heat stress at flowering,but their relative contributions to seed set are unclear.In this study,a 2-year field experiment including three sowing dates in each year and 20 inbred lines was conducted.Seed set,kernel number per ear,and grain yield were all reduced by more than 80%in the third sowing dates compared to the first sowing dates.Pollen viability,silk emergence ratio,and anthesis-silking interval were the key determinants of seed set under heat stress;and their correlation coefficients were 0.89^(***),0.65^(***),and-0.72^(***),respectively.Vapor pressure deficit(VPD)and relative air humidity(RH)both had significant correlations with pollen viability and the silk emergence ratio.High RH can alleviate the impacts of heat on maize seed set by maintaining high pollen viability and a high silk emergence ratio.Under a warming climate from 2020 to 2050,VPD will decrease due to the increased RH.Based on their pollen viability and silk emergence ratios,the 20 genotypes fell into four different groups.The group with high pollen viability and a high silk emergence ratio performed better under heat stress,and their performance can be further improved by combining the improved flowering pattern traits.

The GNSS PWV retrieval using non-observation meteorological parameters based on ERA5 and its relation with precipitation

The pressure and temperature significantly influence precipitable water vapor(PWV) retrieval. Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS) PWV retrieval is limited because the GNSS stations lack meteorological sensors. First, this article evaluated the accuracy of pressure and temperature in 68 radiosonde stations in China based on ERA5 Reanalysis data from 2015 to 2019 and compared them with GPT3model. Then, the accuracy of pressure and temperature calculated by ERA5 were estimated in 5 representative IGS stations in China. And the PWV calculated by these meteorological parameters from ERA5(ERA5-PWV) were analyzed. Finally, the relation between ERA5-PWV and precipitation was deeply explored using wavelet coherence analysis in IGS stations. These results indicate that the accuracy of pressure and temperature of ERA5 is better than the GPT3 model. In radiosonde stations, the mean BIAS and MAE of pressure and temperature in ERA5 are-0.41/1.15 hpa and-0.97/2.12 K. And the mean RMSEs are 1.35 hpa and 2.87 K, which improve 74.77% and 40.58% compared with GPT3 model. The errors of pressure and temperature of ERA5 are smaller than the GPT3 model in bjfs, hksl and wuh2, and the accuracy of ERA5-PWV is improved by 18.77% compared with the GPT3 model. In addition, there is a significant positive correlation between ERA5-PWV and precipitation. And precipitation is always associated with the sharp rise of ERA5-PWV, which provides important references for rainfall prediction.

Relative orbit determination algorithm of space targets with passive observation

Angles-only relative orbit determination for space non-cooperative targets based on passive sensor is subject to weakly observable problem of the relative state between two spacecraft. Previously, the evidence for angles-only observability was found by using cylindrical dynamics, however, the solution of orbit determination is still not provided. This study develops a relative orbit determination algorithm with the cylindrical dynamics based on differential evolution. Firstly, the relative motion dynamics and line-of-sight measurement model for nearcircular orbit are established in cylindrical coordinate system.Secondly, the observability is qualitatively analyzed by using the dynamics and measurement model where the unobservable geometry is found. Then, the angles-only relative orbit determination problem is modeled into an optimal searching frame and an improved differential evolution algorithm is introduced to solve the problem. Finally, the proposed algorithm is verified and tested by a set of numerical simulations in the context of highEarth and low-Earth cases. The results show that initial relative orbit determination(IROD) solution with an appropriate accuracy in a relative short span is achieved, which can be used to initialize the navigation filter.

Relative peripheral refraction in school children with different refractive errors using a novel multispectral refraction topographer

AIM:To compare relative peripheral refraction(RPR)in Chinese school children with different refractive errors using multispectral refraction topography(MRT).METHODS:A total of 713 eyes of primary school children[172 emmetropia(E),429 low myopia(LM),80 moderate myopia(MM),and 32 low hypermetropia(LH)]aged 10 to 13y were analyzed.RPRs were measured using MRT without mydriasis.MRT results showed RPR at 0-15°(RPR 0-15),15°-30°(RPR 15-30),and 30°-45°(RPR 30-45)annular in the inferior(RPR-I),superior(RPR-S),nasal(RPR-N),and temporal(RPR-T)quadrants.Spherical equivalent(SE)was detected and calculated using an autorefractor.RESULTS:There were significant differences of RPR 15-30 between groups MM[0.02(-0.12;0.18)]and LH[-0.13(-0.36;0.12)](P<0.05),MM and E[-0.06(-0.20;0.10)](P<0.05),and LM[-0.02(-0.15;0.15)]and E(P<0.05).There were also significant differences of RPR 30-45 between groups MM[0.45(0.18;0.74)]and E[0.29(-0.09;0.67)](P<0.05),and LM[0.44(0.14;0.76)]and E(P<0.001).RPR values increased from the hyperopic to medium myopic group in each annular.There were significant differences of RPR-S between groups MM[-0.02(-0.60;0.30)]and E[-0.44(-0.89;-0.04)](P<0.001),and LM[-0.28(-0.71;0.12)]and E(P<0.05).There were also significant differences of RPR-T between groups MM[0.37(0.21;0.78)]and LH[0.14(-0.52;0.50)](P<0.05),LM[0.41(0.06;0.84)]and LH(P<0.05),and LM and E[0.29(-0.10;0.68),P<0.05].A Spearman’s correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between RPR and SE in the 15°-30°(P=0.005),30°-45°(P<0.05)annular(P=0.002),superior(P<0.001),and temporal(P=0.001)quadrants.CONCLUSION:Without pupil dilation,values for RPR 15-30,30-45,RPR-S,and T shows significant differences between myopic eyes and emmetropia,and the differences are negatively correlated with SE.

Relative peripheral refractive errors in Chinese children with myopic anisometropia

AIM:To compare relative peripheral refractive errors(RPREs)in Chinese children with and without myopic anisometropia(MAI)and to explore the relationship between RPRE and myopia.METHODS:This observational cross-sectional study included 160 children divided into two groups according to the interocular spherical equivalent refraction(SER)difference≥1.0 D in the MAI group(n=80)and<1.0 D in the non-MAI group(n=80).The MAI group was further divided into two subgroups:ΔSER<2.0 D group and ΔSER≥2.0 D group.Basic ocular biometric parameters of axial length(AL),average keratometry(Ave K),cylinder(CYL),surface regularity index(SRI),and surface asymmetry index(SAI)were recorded.In addition,multispectral refraction topography was performed to measure RPRE,and the parameters were recorded as total refraction difference value(TRDV),refraction difference value(RDV)0-10,RDV10-20,RDV20-30,RDV30-40,RDV40-53,RDV-superior(RDV-S),RDV-inferior(RDV-I),RDV-temporal(RDV-T)and RDV-nasal(RDV-N).RESULTS:In the non-MAI group,the interocular differences of all parameters of RPRE were not significant.In the MAI group,the interocular differences of TRDV,RDV10-53,RDV-S,RDV-I,RDV-T,and RDV-N were significant.In subgroup analysis,the interocular differences of TRDV,RDV30-53,RDV-I,and RDV-T were significant in ΔSER<2.0 D group and ΔSER≥2.0 D group,but the interocular differences of RDV10-30,RDV-S and RDV-N were only significant in the ΔSER≥2.0 D group.In correlation analysis,ΔTRDV,ΔRDV 10-53,ΔRDV-S,and ΔRDV-N were negatively correlated with ΔSER but positively correlated with ΔAL.CONCLUSION:The more myopic eyes have larger hyperopic RPRE in Chinese children with MAI in certain retinal range,and partialΔRPRE is closely associated with ΔSER and ΔAL.

An Experimental Study on the Effect of a Nanofluid on Oil-Water Relative Permeability

The low porosity and low permeability of tight oil reservoirs call for improvements in the current technologies for oil recovery.Traditional chemical solutions with large molecular size cannot effectively flow through the nanopores of the reservoir.In this study,the feasibility of Nanofluids has been investigated using a high pressure high temperature core-holder and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR).The results of the experiments indicate that the specified Nanofluids can enhance the tight oil recovery significantly.The water and oil relative permeability curve shifts to the high water saturation side after Nanofluid flooding,thereby demonstrating an increase in the water wettability of the core.In the Nanofluid flooding process the oil recovery was enhanced by 15.1%,compared to waterflooding stage.The T2 spectra using the NMR show that after Nanofluid flooding,a 7.18%increment in oil recovery factor was gained in the small pores,a 4.9%increase in the middle pores,and a 0.29%increase in the large pores.These results confirm that the Nanofluids can improve the flow state in micro-sized pores inside the core and increase the ultimate oil recovery factor.

Relative Efficiencies of Optimal Designs in Four Dimensions Constructed Using Balanced Incomplete Block Designs

Experimentally, the best design gives estimates of the desired effects and contrasts with maximum precision. Efficiency as a discriminating factor enables comparison of designs. The goal of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is the determination of the best settings of the in-put variables for a maximum (or a minimum) response within a region of interest, R. This calls for fitting a model that adequately represents the mean response since such a model, is then used to locate the optimum. D-, A-, E- and T-Optimal designs of a rotatable design of degree two in four dimensions constructed using balanced incomplete block designs (BIBD) when the number of replications is less than three times the number of pairs of treatments occur together in the design and their relative efficiencies to general designs are presented. D-optimal design had 88 runs after replicating the factorial part twice and the axial part thrice with an optimal variance of 0.6965612 giving an efficiency of 97.7% while for A- and T-optimal designs they are formed with 112 runs each obtained by replicating the factorial part two times and axial part six times. Their optimal variances are 0.05798174 and 1.29828 respectively, with efficiency of 71.8% for A-optimal and 87.5% for T-optimal design. E-optimal design was found to be the most efficient design with an only 32 runs comprising only of the factorial part and with an optimal variance of 0.4182000, attaining an efficiency of approximately 1%. This study proposes the adoption of the E-optimal design in estimating the parameters of a rotatable second-order degree model constructed using BIBD for less costs and time saving.

Prediction of Low Heating Value of Sugar Cane Bagasse as a Fuel for Industrial Boilers in the High Relative Humidity Region: Case of Cameroon

Many attempts have been made to estimate calorific value of bagasse using mathematical equations, which were created based on data from proximate, ultimate, physical and chemical analysis. Questions have been raised on the applicability of these equations in different parts of the globe. This study was initiated to tackle these problems and also check the most suited mathematical models for the Law Heating Value of Cameroonian bagasse. Data and bagasse samples were collected at the Cameroonian sugarcane factory. The effects of cane variety, age of harvesting, source, moisture content, and sucrose on the LHV of Cameroon bagasse have been tested. It was shown that humidity does not change within a variety, but changes from the dry season to the rainy season;the sugar in the rainy season is significantly different from that collected in the dry season. Samples of the same variety have identical LHV. LHV in the dry season is significantly different from LHV in the rainy season. According to the fact that this study was done for cane with different ages of harvesting, the maturity of Cameroonian sugarcane does not affect LHV of bagasse. Tree selected models are much superior tool for the prediction of the LHV for bagasse in Cameroon compared to others. The standard deviation of these validated models is around 200 kJ/kg compared to the experimental. Thus, the models determined in foreign countries, are not necessarily applicable in predicting the LHV of bagasse in other countries with the same accuracy as that in their native country. There was linear relationship between humidity, ash and sugar content in the bagasse. It is possible to build models based on data from physical composition of bagasse using regression analysis.

顾及BDS-3星钟约束的GNSS超快速轨道钟差解算方法

BDS-3高稳定星载原子钟作为北斗星座的显著技术优势,在GNSS数据处理中尚未得到充分利用。针对严格时效性限制下GNSS超快速轨道钟差参数精度受限问题,本文提出顾及BDS-3星钟约束的GNSS超快速轨道钟差解算方法。首先,以GNSS轨道钟差参数间相关性为基础,构建顾及BDS-3星钟参数特性的GNSS定轨模型;然后,基于GNSS精密钟差产品,分析星钟约束对GNSS轨道钟差参数精度的影响规律;最后,为克服预报钟差精度与约束筛选对定轨影响,建立BDS-3星钟建模与GNSS超快速轨道钟差估计的同步处理方法。试验结果表明,在BDS-3星钟参数最优约束下,BDS-3与GPS轨道钟差精度可分别提升27.5%、5.1%和20.2%、5.2%;且较传统BDS-3星钟单历元处理策略,基于BDS-3星钟建模与GNSS超快速定轨同步处理方法,GNSS超快速轨道钟差精度可分别提升至4.8%与34.2%,轨道精度实现了毫米级改善。因此,顾及BDS-3星钟约束的GNSS超快速轨道钟差解算方法可有效对BDS-3高稳星钟信息模型化,并实现GNSS超快速轨道钟差精度的优化处理。

一种大尺度区域GNSS坐标时间序列自适应时空滤波方法

提出一种GNSS坐标时间序列自适应时空滤波方法,在规定阈值下将滤波区域自适应分为若干个子区域,进行共模误差的提取和去除。对陆态网184个GNSS站点垂向坐标序列进行时空滤波,3组随机实验中,自适应PCA时空滤波后的站点序列平均RMS值减少约39.7%、38.4%和39.7%,且优于整体PCA滤波。进一步分析滤波前后站点噪声特性变化,结果显示,相比于整体PCA滤波,自适应滤波方法中站点残差序列幂律噪声减少约17.8%。

基于高度角随机模型的GNSS外辐射源雷达定位算法

针对GNSS外辐射源雷达定位时不同卫星对定位的误差贡献不同的问题,提出基于高度角随机模型的定位算法,理论分析目标位置估计量的克拉美罗界和统计特性,并计算卫星位置误差和地面站位置误差对定位误差的影响。仿真结果表明:所提出算法对不同GNSS卫星的直射、反射路径的伪距差测量值误差进行了合理分配,定位性能达到了克拉美罗界,且不会因为选星方案的改变而大幅恶化。对地面站位置误差和卫星位置误差的分析表明:地面站位置的标准差小于10 cm、卫星位置的标准差小于1 km时对定位总误差的贡献可以忽略不计。

GNSS约束的2022年泸定M6.8地震滑动分布及同震应力变化

2022年9月5日四川泸定县发生M6.8级强震,震中位于鲜水河断裂东南末端,野外地质调查初步结果显示本次地震并未发现明显的地表破裂迹象.本文基于震后科考GNSS流动观测和震中周边连续站观测资料,解算并提取震中90 km范围内31个测站的静态水平向同震位移.结果显示:GNSS同震形变场空间分布呈现明显的左旋走滑特征,观测到的最大水平向同震位移达23 cm,震中距50 km范围内同震位移量普遍大于1 cm.基于GNSS观测资料反演得到的同震滑动分布显示泸定地震地表破裂主要集中在磨西至田湾之间,主破裂深度2~8 km,最大滑动量~1.96 m,地震矩9.25×10^(18)N·m,对应矩震级M_W6.6.静态库仑应力结果显示本次地震增强了震源破裂区周边活动断层的库仑应力,并触发了大量余震,余震主要发生在库仑应力增强区域.结合震间闭锁分布、历史地震及库仑应力变化,我们认为未来需要密切关注与磨西断裂交接的安宁河、大凉山断裂以及康定—磨西段的地震危险性.

vbICA方法用于GNSS坐标序列共模误差提取研究

全球导航卫星系统(global navigation satellite system,GNSS)坐标序列精度主要受共模误差(common mode error,CME)影响。为提高GNSS坐标序列精度,采用变分贝叶斯独立分量分析方法(variational Bayesian independent component analysis,vbICA)提取实验区20个GNSS测站坐标序列的CME,并对比分析vbICA与主成分分析(principal component analysis,PCA)和独立分量分析(independent component analysis,ICA)的滤波性能。结果表明,vbICA滤波效果优于PCA和ICA;经vbICA滤波后,E、N、U方向坐标残差序列均方根(RMS)平均降低36.57%、31.63%、10.97%,距离相关系数平均降低60.53%、56.84%、25.80%;扣除CME后,GNSS速度场估计更加可靠和精确,可有效提高GNSS坐标序列精度,为地球动力学研究提供可靠的数据支撑。

GNSS拟合高程代替水准测量的可行性分析:以黄河上游水电基地区域为例

GNSS拟合高程代替水准测量有重要的现实意义,有必要对其进行可行性分析。黄河上游水电基地是中国在黄河上游地区开发的重要水利工程群,其安全监测具有至关重要的作用。因此,本文基于黄河上游水电基地GNSS自动监测网开展实验,从GNSS高程拟合方法、GNSS数据处理策略和GNSS高程方向定位结果等方面详细论证。结果表明,GNSS拟合高程具有替代三等水准的可行性。

GNSS系统时间偏差参数分析

分析各GNSS在系统时差参数设计上的特点和变化,并以国际权度局(BIPM)和时间频率公报发布的数据为参考对GNSS播发的系统时差进行评估分析。结果表明,BDS播发的3种系统时差均存在十几ns的偏差,通过BDS间接获得的GLONASS与GPS、Galileo与GPS的系统时差准确度优于GLONASS和Galileo系统电文发播的同种时差参数。

新疆乌什7.1级地震前GNSS变形特征分析

2024年1月23日新疆乌什发生7.1级地震。为了研究震前GNSS变形特征,通过对比分析GNSS基线时间序列结果和区域应变结果,发现迈丹断裂带东西两段的地壳运动有所差异,东段的运动较强,乌什地震即发生在断裂带东段;利用4期速度场结果,计算得到动态应变场变化,从NS向应变场结果可以看出该区域的应变量值持续增加,应变持续在积累状态,从长期背景场可以看出7.1级地震发生在应变高值区的边缘;发震断层东西两侧的挤压滑动速率存在明显差异,西侧为(1.0±0.35)mm/a,东侧为(4.1±0.51)mm/a,且东侧的闭锁程度较高。研究认为迈丹断裂带两侧运动差异明显,乌什7.1级地震发生在滑动速率较高的东段,且该区域处于应变高值区的边缘。

GNSS辅助风云三号卫星MERSI近红外通道的大气可降水量反演方法

大气水汽是对流层中的重要参数之一,已被广泛应用于短临天气预警和长期气候监测等领域。我国风云三号(FY-3)系列卫星搭载的中分辨率光谱成像仪可用于大气水汽监测,但反演大气可降水量(PWV)时存在大气透过率参数低估、水汽与大气透过率回归系数经验选取的缺陷,无法满足在短临降雨监测、数值同化等高精度PWV应用方面的需求。针对该问题,本文提出一种GNSS辅助FY-3卫星的高精度PWV反演方法。本文方法引入高精度实测GNSS PWV作为大气透过率计算模型的回归拟合参数,辅助FY-3 L1级数据精确估计PWV和大气透过率的模型回归系数;同时,该方法顾及季节和高程因素对FY-3-L1 PWV反演的影响,分季节反演PWV并引入数字高程模型修正由于部分大气透过率参数低估导致的FY-3 L1 PWV相对不准确的现象。选取中国区域2013—2014年FY-3A卫星的L1数据和中国地壳运动观测网络的260个GNSS测站数据进行试验。结果表明,本文提出的GNSS辅助FY-3系列卫星PWV反演方法优于传统方法(FY-3A-L2 PWV),其整体精度改善率为74.5%,可得到更加可靠、稳健性更强的PWV格网产品,对于其在短临降雨监测和数值同化等方面具有重要意义。