Mobility of Major and Trace Elements during the Bauxitization Processes in Ngaoundal Area (Adamawa Cameroon): Implication on Mining Perspectives

This study was focused to assess major and trace elements in bauxitic duricrusts from Ngaoundal and its surroundings in order to establish their mining interest. To this end, fieldworks, mineralogical and geochemical analyses were carried out. Four facies of duricrust were identified and characterized from the summit to the top of the slope of the Ngaoundal mountain: scoriaceous, pisolitic, nodular and massive. Mineralogical and geochemical analyses performed on 16 samples, revealed a significant concentration of Al2O3 mainly in the scoriaceous facies (over 45% in grade), moderate in Fe2O3 (averaging 23.69%) and SiO2 (averaging 21.7%). Trace elements were generally low, excluding Cr (421 ppm on average), Zr (327 ppm on average and V (213 ppm on average). In addition, the limited quantities of alkalis (Na2O, K2O) and alkaline earths metals (MgO, CaO) coupled with the very high values of Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) and Mineralogical Index of Alteration (MIA), (more than 99%) attest to the intense weathering of the studied materials. Allitization and monosiallitization constituted the crystallochemical phenomena that have led to the development of bauxitic minerals. More than 90% of gibbsite in scoriaceous facies, 52.21% - 76.01% of kaolinite in pisolitic facies and more than 40% of hematite in nodular facies were quantified. The relationships between the constitutive components indicated their interdependency during the bauxitization phenomenon. The mineralogical and geochemical properties highlighted the mining interest of the studied duricrusts to be valorized.

Pig H3K4me3,H3K27ac,and gene expression profiles reveal reproductive tissue-specific activity of transposable elements

Regulatory sequences and transposable elements(TEs)account for a large proportion of the genomic sequences of species;however,their roles in gene transcription,especially tissue-specific expression,remain largely unknown.Pigs serve as an excellent animal model for studying genomic sequence biology due to the extensive diversity among their wild and domesticated populations.Here,we conducted an integrated analysis using H3K27ac ChIP-seq,H3K4me3 ChIP-seq,and RNA-seq data from 10 different tissues of seven fetuses and eight closely related adult pigs.We aimed to annotate the regulatory elements and TEs to elucidate their associations with histone modifications and mRNA expression across different tissues and developmental stages.Based on correlation analysis between mRNA expression and H3K27ac and H3K4me3 peak activity,results indicated that H3K27ac exhibited stronger associations with gene expression than H3K4me3.Furthermore,1.45%of TEs overlapped with either the H3K27ac or H3K4me3 peaks,with the majority displaying tissue-specific activity.Notably,a TE subfamily(LTR4C_SS),containing binding motifs for SIX1 and SIX4,showed specific enrichment in the H3K27ac peaks of the adult and fetal ovaries.RNA-seq analysis also revealed widespread expression of TEs in the exons or promoters of genes,including 4688 TE-containing transcripts with distinct development stage-specific and tissue-specific expression.Of note,1967 TE-containing transcripts were enriched in the testes.We identified a long terminal repeat(LTR),MLT1F1,acting as a testis-specific alternative promoter in SRPK2(a cell cycle-related protein kinase)in our pig dataset.This element was also conserved in humans and mice,suggesting either an ancient integration of TEs in genes specifically expressed in the testes or parallel evolutionary patterns.Collectively,our findings demonstrate that TEs are deeply embedded in the genome and exhibit important tissue-specific biological functions,particularly in the reproductive organs.

Effective Elimination of Hazardous Chromium (VI) Using Periodic Elements and Contemporary Adsorption Methods by Using Magnesium Ferrite Nanoparticle: A Review

A well-known hazardous metal and top contaminant in wastewater is hexavalent chromium. The two forms of most commonly found chromium are chromate ( CrO 4 2− ) and dichromate ( Cr 2 O 7 2− ). Leather tanning, cooling tower blow-down, plating, electroplating, rinse water sources, anodizing baths etc. are the main sources of Cr (VI) contamination. The Cr (VI) is not only non-biodegradable in the environment but also carcinogenic to living population. It is still difficult to treat Cr contaminated waste water effectively, safely, eco-friendly, and economically. As a result, many techniques have been used to treat Cr (VI)-polluted wastewater, including adsorption, chemical precipitation, coagulation, ion-exchange, and filtration. Among these practices, the most practical method is adsorption for the removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions, which has gained widespread acceptance due to the ease of use and affordability of the equipment and adsorbent. It has been revealed that Fe-based adsorbents’ oxides and hydroxides have high adsorptive potential to lower Cr (VI) content below the advised threshold. Fe-based adsorbents were also discovered to be relatively cheap and toxic-free in Cr (VI) treatment. Fe-based adsorbents are commonly utilized in industry. It has been discovered that nanoparticles of Fe-, Ti-, and Cu-based adsorbents have a better capacity to remove Cr (VI). Cr (VI) was effectively removed from contaminated water using mixed element-based adsorbents (Fe-Mn, Fe-Ti, Fe-Cu, Fe-Zr, Fe-Cu-Y, Fe-Mg, etc.). Initial findings suggest that Cr (VI) removal from wastewater may be accomplished by using magnesium ferrite nanomaterials as an efficient adsorbent.

Weathering and accumulation of trace elements in the soils of the Porali Plain, Balochistan: repercussions in agriculture

This study is thefirst attempt to assess the nature of the soil,especially on the western side of the Porali Plain in Balochistan;a new emerging agriculture hub,using weathering and pollution indices supplemented by multi-variate analysis based on geochemical data.The outcomes of this study are expected to help farmers in soil manage-ment and selecting suitable crops for the region.Twenty-five soil samples were collected,mainly from the arable land of the Porali Plain.After drying and coning-quarter-ing,soil samples were analyzed for major and trace ele-ments using the XRF technique;sieving and hydrometric methods were employed for granulometric analysis.Esti-mated data were analyzed using Excel,SPSS,and Surfer software to calculate various indices,correlation matrix,and spatial distribution.The granulometric analysis showed that 76%of the samples belonged to loam types of soil,12%to sand type,and 8%to silt type.Weathering indices:CIA,CIW,PIA,PWI,WIP,CIX,and ICV were calculated to infer the level of alteration.These indices reflect mod-erate to intense weathering;supported by K_(2)O/AI_(2)O_(3),Rb/K_(2)O,Rb/Ti,and Rb/Sr ratios.Assessment of the geo-ac-cumulation and Nemerow Pollution indices pinpoint rela-tively high concentrations of Pb,Ni,and Cr concentration in the soils.The correlation matrix and Principal Compo-nent Analysis show that the soil in this study area is mainly derived from the weathering of igneous rocks of Bela Ophiolite(Cretaceous age)and Jurassic sedimentary rocks of Mor Range having SEDEX/MVT type mineralization.Weathering may result in the undesirable accumulation of certain trace elements which adversely affects crops.

Evaluation of Trace Elements in the Soil of Typical Peach Orchards in Zunyi City

[Objectives]This study was conducted to clarify the enrichment and paucity of trace elements in the soil environment of peach orchards in Zunyi City,and to provide reference for supplementary application of microelement fertilizers and high-quality peach production in peach orchards.[Methods]Taking the soil of three typical peach orchards(Taoli Renjia peach orchard,Pengrui peach orchard and Taohuadao peach orchard)in Shenxi Town,Honghuagang District,Zunyi City as the research object,the contents of trace elements in soil were analyzed through field sampling and indoor determination of trace elements.[Results]The effective contents of trace elements in the soil of peach orchard bases in the study area were at a medium level,and the soil of the peach orchards was rich in available Fe and Se.The contents of available Cu,Mo and Mn were relatively rich.The contents of available B were not high overall.The contents of available Zn were at a moderate to low level overall.The soil of Taoli Renjia peach orchard was relatively rich in trace elements.[Conclusions]The research results can provide a scientific basis for the production of high-quality crispy peaches in peach orchards.

Toward understanding the role of genomic repeat elements in neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases cause great medical and economic burdens for both patients and society;however, the complex molecular mechanisms thereof are not yet well understood. With the development of high-coverage sequencing technology, researchers have started to notice that genomic repeat regions, previously neglected in search of disease culprits, are active contributors to multiple neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we describe the association between repeat element variants and multiple degenerative diseases through genome-wide association studies and targeted sequencing. We discuss the identification of disease-relevant repeat element variants, further powered by the advancement of long-read sequencing technologies and their related tools, and summarize recent findings in the molecular mechanisms of repeat element variants in brain degeneration, such as those causing transcriptional silencing or RNA-mediated gain of toxic function. Furthermore, we describe how in silico predictions using innovative computational models, such as deep learning language models, could enhance and accelerate our understanding of the functional impact of repeat element variants. Finally, we discuss future directions to advance current findings for a better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and the clinical applications of genomic repeat elements.

Preliminary Study of Chemical Elements Distribution in Petroleum Source Rocks Donga and Yogou Formations of the Termit Sedimentary Basin (Est-Niger)

XRF and EDX analyses were carried out on 18 batches of representative raw samples to determine the distribution of major chemical elements in the petroleum source rocks of Donga and Yogou formations of Termit sedimentary basin. The chemical composition of these formations is dominated by silicon (Si), aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe). This is consistent with the oxide composition, which is also dominated by silicon oxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and iron monoxide (FeO). No less important chemical elements are calcium (Ca), potassium (K), sulfur (S), titanium (Ti), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and barium (Ba), as well as some of their oxides. All these major chemical elements are carried by silicate detrital minerals associated with pyrite and goethite and/or clay minerals such as kaolinite and interstratified illite, smectite and chlorite. This trend is illustrated by the values of the Si/Al and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios.

Teaching Research and Effect Observation on the Integration of Clinical Medicine Integrated Course and Ideological and Political Elements from the Perspective of“Sanquan Education”

Purpose:To analyze the application path of the integration of clinical medicine integrated courses with the elements of ideology and politics under the theory of“Sanquan Education,”and to provide references for the promotion of educational reform in medical schools.Methods:60 clinical medicine undergraduates at Jiamusi University in 2018 and 2019 were randomly selected as research subjects.On the basis of the analysis of students’characteristics and pre-study content,the students were divided into the integration group and the traditional group,each with 30 students.Students in the integration group carried out clinical medicine integrated class with the integration of ideological and political elements.Students in the traditional group carried out the traditional clinical medicine integrated class.Classroom evaluation scales,anonymous questionnaires,and interviews were used to conduct research,collect data,and compare and observe the application effects.Results:After carrying out different modes of clinical medicine integrated courses,the undergraduates of the Excellent Physician Class in the integration group were higher than those in the traditional group in terms of teaching satisfaction,comprehensive quality,basic knowledge test,and case analysis scores through questionnaire analysis(P<0.05).In the evaluation of the effect of ideological education,the undergraduates of the Excellent Physician Class of the integration group were higher than the traditional group in terms of the acceptance of doctor-patient communication,the correct rate of mastering the history of the discipline,and the correct rate of mastering the frontiers and policies(P<0.05).Conclusion:Through the integration of clinical medicine integrated course and ideological and political elements,we can help students establish correct values while teaching them professional knowledge,improve the implementation of moral education in medical schools,cultivate excellent medical workers with high morality and firm beliefs for the society,and realize the fundamental educational task of establishing morality and educating people in medical schools in the context of“Sanquan Education.”

PE纤维与细橡胶颗粒对泡沫混凝土弯曲韧性的影响

研究了聚乙烯(PE)纤维及其与细橡胶颗粒复掺对泡沫混凝土弯曲破坏模式、峰值强度、能量吸收特性和弯曲韧性的影响,并结合孔结构分析和微观形貌观察探究了其作用机理.结果表明:PE纤维使泡沫混凝土出现多缝开裂模式,显著提升了其峰值强度、能量吸收能力和弯曲韧性;复掺细橡胶颗粒可以进一步提升泡沫混凝土试件的比能量吸收和弯曲韧性;掺入PE纤维可以降低泡沫混凝土的平均孔径;复掺细橡胶颗粒导致泡沫混凝土试件的平均孔径增大,联通孔增多,对其峰值强度有不利影响;PE纤维及细橡胶颗粒提升泡沫混凝土弯曲韧性的主要原因在于其削弱了裂纹尖端的应力集中,同时增强了能量耗散作用.

横向滑坡载荷作用下埋地PE管道的损伤数值模拟

埋地燃气输送管道服役环境复杂,其中滑坡地质灾害严重威胁管道的服役安全。以埋地聚乙烯(polyethylene,PE)管道为研究对象,利用ABAQUS有限元软件模拟了横向滑坡载荷作用下的管道损伤行为,探讨了滑坡参数(滑坡体位移量)、管道埋深以及内压对PE管力学性能的影响。研究结果表明:滑坡作用下埋地PE管最大偏移、最大Mises应力和最大主应变均位于管轴向横截对称面上。管道最大Mises应力随滑坡位移的增大而增大,管底为管道最终屈服点,屈服主要原因为管横截面被压扁变形。管道未屈服时,最大Mises应力随内压的增大呈现先减小后增大的现象,最大主应变随内压的增大而增大。最大Mises应力和最大主应变均随埋深的增大而增大。

PE管道的爆破振动响应规律及灰色关联度分析

为了降低隧道爆破施工对既有埋地PE管道造成的振动危害,有必要在施工前了解影响管道振动效应的各种因素。根据现场实测数据,采用MIDAS GTS NX软件建立岩土体-隧道-PE管道三维数值模型,并将现场监测结果和数值模拟结果进行对比分析,验证数值模型的可靠性。分析得出:爆破振动作用下土体弹性模量、泊松比和管径的增加会使管道的最大振速增大;因为地表自由面叠加作用的原因,管道埋深的增加使管道最大振速先减小后增大。运用灰色关联度理论,确定了4种不同因素对管道振动效应的影响程度,主次关系为:土体弹性模量>管道埋深>土体泊松比>管道直径。准确地了解各因素对管道振动的影响程度能够更好的对隧道爆破施工时PE管道的安全性进行评估,为工程实际施工提供参考。

CFRP-PE-不锈钢筋混凝土短柱的设计方法研究

进行了17个CFRP-PE-不锈钢筋混凝土短柱和8个对比试件的轴压试验,探究不锈钢种类、箍筋间距、CFRP厚度、PE厚度对该类组合柱的破坏模态、荷载-应变曲线、极限应变、极限承载力、延性的影响规律.试验结果表明:在CFRP和混凝土间设置PE垫层能提高该类组合短柱的延性和变形能力,并降低其承载力;增大CFRP厚度可提高其承载力和极限应变,但试件表现出增大的脆性;减小箍筋间距或增大钢筋强度可显著提高其承载力、峰值应变和延性.建立了有限元模型,有限元分析表明:增大PE厚径比会显著提高该类组合短柱的变形能力和延性,并降低CFRP对其承载力的影响;增大配箍率、不锈钢强度、CFRP抗拉强度、CFRP厚度可提升该类组合短柱的极限应变与承载力;提高混凝土强度会提高该类组合短柱的峰值承载力,但降低其极限应变.最终建议了该类组合短柱的延性设计方法、承载力模型和极限应变模型.

生物油/预处理废旧PE复合改性沥青研究

为了解决废旧塑料改性沥青储存稳定性和低温抗裂性差等问题,采用双螺杆挤出机对废旧聚乙烯(PE)进行预处理,并将其与生物油复合制得生物油/预处理废旧PE复合改性沥青.采用离析试验、流变性能试验、荧光显微镜试验和傅里叶变换红外光谱试验分析了改性沥青的储存稳定性、低温抗裂性和高温稳定性.结果表明:经预处理后的PE密度与沥青密度相近,极性基团和C=C结构更多,化学活性增强,大大提高了废旧PE改性沥青的储存稳定性;生物油/预处理废旧PE复合改性沥青形成了连续的网状结构,进一步提高了废旧PE改性沥青的储存稳定性,并显著提升了其低温抗裂性,但降低了其高温稳定性.

The Psychosomatic Traits of“People with the Five Elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine”:A Qualitative Study

Objective To identify the representative attributes of the five elements of a person with a qualitative methodology and provide the basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of“people with the five elements in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).”Methods Data collected from the literature review,two sessions of brainstorming of experts with related experience in“people with the five elements in TCM”from October 2020 to December 2020,and six rounds of in-depth interviews with 30 participants who had various attributes of the five elements from March 2021 to October 2021 were analyzed.Triangulation was used in this study,and theming and synthesizing were used to analyze the data.Results A total of 31 experts and 30 interviewees participated in this study.The median age of the experts and interviewees were 48.0 and 38.5 years,respectively;51.66%and 54.8%of experts and interviewees,respectively,were men.The descriptors of facial diagrams of“people with the five elements in TCM”were complexion,shape,distribution state of facial bones,convergence trend of facial muscles,and facial expression.A theoretical model of“people with the five elements in TCM”was shaped based on these findings.Conclusion The study suggests a possibility for bridging the gap between personality and bodily state,identifying an avenue for personality research from the perspective of TCM.

非洲猪瘟病毒pE120R蛋白单克隆抗体的制备

本研究旨在表达非洲猪瘟病毒(ASFV)衣壳蛋白pE120R,并制备单克隆抗体,为其功能研究提供材料。以pCAGGS-Flag-pE120R为模板扩增pE120R基因片段,构建原核表达质粒pGEX-6p1-pE120R。将其转化BL21(DE3)感受态细胞后经IPTG诱导表达为可溶性pE120R蛋白,采用GST Beads纯化pE120R蛋白,免疫BALB/c小鼠,然后取其脾细胞与SP2/0细胞进行细胞融合,采用间接ELISA方法筛选获得了1株能够稳定分泌pE120R单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株。结果表明,成功构建了原核表达质粒pGEX-6p1-pE120R,并获得较高纯度的pE120R蛋白。Western blot和间接免疫荧光(IFA)试验结果显示,pE120R单抗能特异性识别HEK293T细胞转染质粒表达的Flag-pE120R蛋白和肺泡巨噬细胞(PAMs)感染ASFV后表达的pE120R蛋白。该单抗的结合位点在30~60aa区域,并且该单抗亚类鉴定重链为IgG2a。本研究成功表达并纯化了可溶性的pE120R蛋白;制备了抗pE120R的单抗隆抗体,该抗体具有良好的特异性,为深入探讨ASFV pE120R蛋白的生物学功能奠定了基础。

非洲猪瘟病毒pE248R蛋白的原核表达及其多克隆抗体制备

本研究利用PCR方法从非洲猪瘟病毒的灭活样品中扩增出747 bp的E248R基因全长序列,利用同源重组法构建原核表达质粒pCold I-pE248R,经1 mmol/L的IPTG诱导1 h后,利用SDS-PAGE对重组蛋白进行表达鉴定和反应原性分析,表达蛋白的分子量约为32 kDa,利用纯化后得到pE248R重组蛋白作为免疫原经过4次免疫后制备鼠源抗pE248R多克隆抗体。利用该多克隆抗体检测实验室构建并拯救的已证明能够稳定表达ASFV pE248R蛋白的重组病毒rPRRSV-E248R,结果显示制备的抗pE248R的多克隆抗体能够与rPRRSV-E248R发生特异性结合反应,证明利用本试验中原核表达的pE248R蛋白制备的多克隆抗体具有抗pE248R蛋白的特异性,为进一步针对ASFV E248R基因建立快速,特异性的血清学检测方法奠定了基础,也为针对pE248R蛋白的功能性研究提供了研究基础。

沙漠砂PE纤维ECC的拉伸性能与本构模型研究

采用中国新疆本地原材料沙漠砂替代部分天然砂,以聚乙烯(Polyethylene,PE)纤维掺量及水胶比为变量,进行超高韧性水泥基复合材料(Engineered Cementitious Composite,ECC)的单轴拉伸试验,分析不同材料组分对沙漠砂聚乙烯纤维超高韧性水泥基复合材料试件单轴拉伸性能的影响规律.通过对其单轴拉伸应力-应变关系的分析,考虑纤维掺量、水胶比参数变化,采用最小二乘法对其本构进行回归分析,在试件的强化阶段使用非线性曲线表示,建立沙漠砂聚乙烯纤维超高韧性水泥基复合材料的拉伸本构模型.结果表明:所建拉伸本构模型可以较好地预测PE-ECC的拉伸应力-应变关系,与试验结果吻合较好.

Effects of Rare-earth and Microalloying Elements on the Microstructure Characteristics of Hypereutectoid Rails

We performed thermal simulation experiments of double-pass deformation of hypereutectoid rails with different microalloying elements at a cooling rate of 1℃/s and deformation of 80%to explore the influence of rare-earth and microalloying elements on the structure of hypereutectoid rails and optimize the composition design of hypereutectoid rails.Scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction,and other characterization techniques were employed to quantitatively analyzed the effects of different microalloying elements,including rare-earth elements,on pearlite lamellar spacing,cementite characteristics,and dislocation density.It was found that the lamellar spacing was reduced by adding various microalloying elements.Cementite lamellar thickness decreased with the refinement of pearlite lamellar spacing while the cementite content per unit volume increased.Local cementite spheroidization,dispersed in the ferrite matrix in granular form and thus playing the role of dispersion strengthening,was observed upon adding cerium(Ce).The contributions of dislocation density to the alloy strength of four steel sheet samples with and without the addition of nickel,Ce,and Ce–copper(Cu)composite were 26,27,32,and 37 MPa,respectively,indicating that the Ce–Cu composite had the highest dislocation strengthening effect.The Ce–Cu composite has played a meaningful role in the cementite characteristics and dislocation strengthening,which provides a theoretical basis for optimizing the composition design of hypereutectoid rails in actual production conditions.

Construction of a transposase accessible chromatin landscape reveals chromatin state of repeat elements and potential causal variant for complex traits in pigs

Background:A comprehensive landscape of chromatin states for multiple mammalian tissues is essential for elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying regulatory variants on complex traits.However,the genome-wide chromatin accessibility has been only reported in limited tissue types in pigs.Results:Here we report a genome-wide landscape of chromatin accessibility of 20 tissues in two female pigs at ages of 6 months using ATAC-seq,and identified 557,273 merged peaks,which greatly expanded the pig regulatory ele-ment repository.We revealed tissue-specific regulatory elements which were associated with tissue-relevant biologi-cal functions.We identified both positive and negative significant correlations between the regulatory elements and gene transcripts,which showed distinct distributions in terms of their strength and distances from corresponding genes.We investigated the presence of transposable elements(TEs)in open chromatin regions across all tissues,these included identifications of porcine endogenous retroviruses(PERVs)exhibiting high accessibility in liver and homology of porcine specific virus sequences to universally accessible transposable elements.Furthermore,we prior-itized a potential causal variant for polyunsaturated fatty acid in the muscle.Conclusions:Our data provides a novel multi-tissues accessible chromatin landscape that serve as an important resource for interpreting regulatory sequences in tissue-specific and conserved biological functions,as well as regula-tory variants of loci associated with complex traits in pigs.

基于VMD-PE-MulitiBiLSTM的超短期风电功率预测

为减少超短期风电功率预测的误差,提出基于变分模态分解(variational mode decomposition,VMD)-排列熵(permutation entropy,PE)和多层双向长短时记忆(multilayer bidirectional long short-term memory,MultiBiLSTM)组合的超短期风电功率预测模型。首先,利用VMD分解算法将历史风电功率序列分解成若干个子模态分量,根据计算的PE值重构分解的子模态风电分量;然后,使用特征注意力(feature attention,FA)机制和深度残差级联网络(deep residual cascade network,DRCnet)构建MulitiBiLSTM预测模型,预测重构后的子序列;最后,重构子序列预测值,得到最终风电功率预测结果。使用贵州某风场的数据集对所提出的方法进行验证,并和其他预测模型进行对比。结果表明,使用VMD-PE-MultiBiLSTM模型能显著降低风电功率预测误差。