circPVT1 promotes silica-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition by modulating the miR-497-5p/TCF3 axis

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)is a vital pathological feature of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis.However,whether circRNA is involved in the process remains unclear.The present study aimed to investigate the role of circPVT1 in the silica-induced EMT and the underlying mechanisms.We found that an elevated expression of circPVT1 promoted EMT and enhanced the migratory capacity of silica-treated epithelial cells.The isolation of cytoplasmic and nuclear separation assay showed that circPVT1 was predominantly expressed in the cytoplasm.RNA immunoprecipitation assay and RNA pull-down experiment indicated that cytoplasmic-localized circPVT1 was capable of binding to miR-497-5p.Furthermore,we found that miR-497-5p attenuated the silica-induced EMT process by targeting transcription factor 3(TCF3),an E-cadherin transcriptional repressor,in the silica-treated epithelial cells.Collectively,these results reveal a novel role of the circPVT1/miR-497-5p/TCF3 axis in the silica-induced EMT process in lung epithelial cells.Once validated,this finding may provide a potential theoretical basis for the development of interventions and treatments for pulmonary fibrosis.

EFFECT OF LOADING RATE AND TEMPERATURE ON DUCTILE-BRITTLE TRANSITION OF A CARBON STEEL

The dynamic fracture toughness of a mild steel has been studied at different loading rates and temperatures.The material exhibits a transition from tough to brittle fracture with the chang- ing loading rate alone.Analysis of the fracture process by the theory of thermal activation suggests that the fracture activation energy approximates to the bond energy of the{100}of a unit cell.The toughness can be resolved into two parts,J-(fd)=J_a+J_l,where J_a is the athermal part,being independent on temperature and loading rate,while J_l=(K/K_o)^(1/n)exp(Q_f/nkT),which controls the fracture process is temperature and load- ing rate dependent.The transition of fracture mechanism caused by both temperature and loading rate is associated with the thermal movement of atoms.

Defect engineering of high-loading single-atom catalysts for electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction

Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR)provides an attractive approach to carbon capture and utilization for the production high-value-added products.However,CO_(2)RR still suffers from poor selectivity and low current density due to its sluggish kinetics and multitudinous reaction pathways.Single-atom catalysts(SACs)demonstrate outstanding activity,excellent selectivity,and remarkable atom utilization efficiency,which give impetus to the search for electrocatalytic processes aiming at high selectivity.There appears significant activity in the development of efficient SACs for CO_(2)RR,while the density of the atomic sites remains a considerable barrier to be overcome.To construct high-metal-loading SACs,aggregation must be prevented,and thus novel strategies are required.The key to creating high-density atomically dispersed sites is designing enough anchoring sites,normally defects,to stabilize the highly mobile separated metal atoms.In this review,we summarized the advances in developing high-loading SACs through defect engineering,with a focus on the synthesis strategies to achieve high atomic site loading.Finally,the future opportunities and challenges for CO_(2)RR in the area of high-loading single-atom electrocatalysts are also discussed.

基于扰动理论修正的桩-土接触面荷载传递模型及其应用

利用硬化模型、双曲线模型、指数模型以及软化模型模拟的桩-土接触关系存在参数取值困难、误差大的问题。为深入研究土-结构接触面的强度与变形机理,基于扰动理论,假定完整状态接触单元的抗剪强度服从线弹性模型,而扰动部位则服从塑性模型,建立修正的桩-土接触面荷载传递模型。该模型参数分析表明,参数k、η对模型τ-s曲线形态影响大,而参数τf、ζ对模型τ-s曲线形态影响很小;并通过大型桩-土接触面室内直剪试验,量化接触面上剪切应力与剪切位移的关联性,进一步确定修正桩-土接触模型内部计算参数。结果表明模型τ-s曲线与试验曲线吻合较好,验证了模型的合理性。扰动桩-土接触模型既能描述桩侧应变软化也能描述硬化特性,有助于理解复杂应力条件下桩-土接触面的强度计算与变形机理。

Sodium-treated sepiolite-supported transition metal(Cu,Fe,Ni,Mn,or Co)catalysts for HCHO oxidation

Sodium-treated sepiolite(Na Sep)-supported transition metal catalysts(TM/Na Sep;TM = Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, and Co) were synthesized via a rotary evaporation method. Physicochemical properties of the as-synthesized samples were characterized by means of various techniques, and their catalytic activities for HCHO(0.2%) oxidation were evaluated. Among the samples, Cu/Na Sep exhibited superior performance, and complete HCHO conversion was achieved at 100 ℃(GHSV = 240000 m L/(g·h)). Additionally, the sample retained good catalytic activity during a 42 h stability test. A number of factors, including elevated acidity, the abundance of oxygen species, and favorable low-temperature reducibility, were responsible for the excellent catalytic activity of Cu/Na Sep. According to the results of the in-situ DRIFTS characterization, the HCHO oxidation mechanism was as follows:(i) HCHO was rapidly decomposed into dioxymethylene(DOM) species on the Cu/Na Sep surface;(ii) DOM was then immediately converted to formate species;(iii) the resultant formate species were further oxidized to carbonates;(iv) the carbonate species were eventually converted to CO2 and H2O.

Hypersonic boundary-layer transition on a flared cone

Transition on a flared cone with zero angle of at- tack was studied in our newly established Mach 6 quiet wind tunnel （M6QT） via wall pressure measurement and flow visualization. High-frequency pressure transducers were used to measure the second-mode waves＇ amplitudes and frequencies. Using pulsed schlieren diagnostic and Rayleigh scattering technique, we got a clear evolution of the second-mode disturbances. The second-mode waves exist for a long distance, which means that the second-mode waves grow linearly in a large region. Strong Mach waves are radiated from the edge of the boundary layer. With further development, the second-mode waves reach their maximum magnitude and harmonics of the second-mode instability appear. Then the disturbances grow nonlinearly. The second modes become weak and merge with each other. Finally, the nonlinear interaction of disturbance leads to a relatively quiet zone, which further breaks down, resulting in the transition of the bound- ary layer. Our results show that transition is determined by the second mode. The quiet zone before the final breakdown is observed in flow visualization for the first time. Eventual transition requires the presence of a quiet zone generated by nonlinear interactions.

A kind of noise-induced transition to noisy chaos in stochastically perturbed dynamical system

We investigate a kind of noise-induced transition to noisy chaos in dynamical systems. Due to similar phenomenological structures of stable hyperbolic attractors excited by various physical realizations from a given stationary random process, a specific Poincar6 map is established for stochastically perturbed quasi-Hamiltonian system. Based on this kind of map, various point sets in the Poincar6＇s cross-section and dynamical transitions can be analyzed. Results from the customary Duffing oscillator show that, the point sets in the Poincare＇s global cross-section will be highly compressed in one direction, and extend slowly along the deterministic period-doubling bifurcation trail in another direction when the strength of the harmonic excitation is fixed while the strength of the stochastic excitation is slowly increased. This kind of transition is called the noise-induced point-overspreading route to noisy chaos.

Phase-Transition Energies, New Characterization of Solid Materials and Anisotropy

Non-iterative analysis of indentation results allows for the detection of phase transitions under load and their transition energy. The closed algebraic equations have been deduced on the basis of the physically founded normal force ?depth3/2 relation. The precise transition onset position is obtained by linear regression of the FN = kh3/2 plot, where k is the penetration resistance, which also provides the axis cuts of both polymorphs of first order phase transitions. The phase changes can be endothermic or exothermic. They are normalized per μN or mN normal load. The analyses of indentation loading curves with self-similar diamond indenters are used as validity check of the loading curves, also from calibration standards that exhibit previously undetected phase-transitions and are thus incorrect. The phase-transition energies for fused quartz are determined from the loading curves from instrument provider handbooks. The anisotropic behavior of phase transition energies is studied for the first time. Quartz is a useful test object. The reasons for the packing-dependent differences are discussed on the basis of the local crystal structure under and around the inserting tip.

New finite strain elastoplastic equations for accurately and explicitly simulating pseudoelastic-to-plastic transition effects of shape memory alloys

A new finite strain elatoplastic J2-flow model with coupling effects of both isotropic and anisotropic hardening is proposed with the co-rotational logarithmic rate.In terms of certain single-variable shape functions representing uniaxial loading and unloading curves,explicit multi-axial expressions for the three hardening quantities incorporated in the new model proposed are derived in unified forms for the purpose of automatically and accurately simulating complex pseudoelastic-to-plastic transition effects of shape memory alloys(SMAs)under multiple loading-unloading cycles.Numerical examples show that with only a single parameter of direct physical meaning for each cycle,accurate and explicit simulations may be achieved for extensive data from multiple cycle tests.

Radiation pre-vulcanization effect on properties of the truck tyre's transition layer and the truck tyre

In this paper,the natural rubber is chosen as the main constituents for the transition layer of all-steel load radial tyre,which is pre-vulcanized by 500-keV E-beam irradiation of up to 60 kGy.The results show that the green strength of transitional layer increases with the dose,reaching four times as much as the control(without irradiation) at 60 kGy.The final mechanical properties do not differ significantly from those of the control except that the aging and fatigue performance increased.However,thickness of the natural rubber transitional layer for an average single tyre can be reduced by 1 mm(or 1.5 kg) without obvious adverse effect on tyre performance.

MiRNA-145-5p inhibits gastric cancer progression via the serpin family E member 1-extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 axis

BACKGROUND MicroRNAs(miRNAs)regulate gene expression and play a critical role in cancer physiology.However,there is still a limited understanding of the function and regulatory mechanism of miRNAs in gastric cancer(GC).AIM To investigate the role and molecular mechanism of miRNA-145-5p(miR145-5p)in the progression of GC.METHODS Real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)was used to detect miRNA expression in human GC tissues and cells.The ability of cancer cells to migrate and invade was assessed using wound-healing and transwell assays,respectively.Cell proliferation was measured using cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays,and apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry.Expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-associated protein was determined by Western blot.Targets of miR-145-5p were predicated using bioinformatics analysis and verified using a dual-luciferase reporter system.Serpin family E member 1(SERPINE1)expression in GC tissues and cells was evaluated using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining.The correlation between SERPINE1 expression and overall patient survival was determined using Kaplan-Meier plot analysis.The association between SERPINE1 and GC progression was also tested.A rescue experiment of SERPINE1 overexpression was conducted to verify the relationship between this protein and miR-145-5p.The mechanism by which miR-145-5p influences GC progression was further explored by assessing tumor formation in nude mice.RESULTS GC tissues and cells had reduced miR-145-5p expression and SERPINE1 was identified as a direct target of this miRNA.Overexpression of miR-145-5p was associated with decreased GC cell proliferation,invasion,migration,and EMT,and these effects were reversed by forcing SERPINE1 expression.Kaplan-Meier plot analysis revealed that patients with higher SERPINE1 expression had a shorter survival rate than those with lower SERPINE1 expression.Nude mouse tumorigenesis experiments confirmed that miR-145-5p targets SERPINE1 to regulate extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2(ERK1/2).CONCLUSION This study found that miR-145-5p inhibits tumor progression and is expressed in lower amounts in patients with GC.MiR-145-5p was found to affect GC cell proliferation,migration,and invasion by negatively regulating SERPINE1 levels and controlling the ERK1/2 pathway.

X-ray diffraction study of effect of deposition conditions on α-β phase transition and stress evolution in sputter-deposited W coatings

Pure W and W-Cu-W trilayer coatings were deposited on an Fe substrate by d.c. magnetron sputtering. The α-β phase evolution, intragranular stress evolution in sputter-deposited W layer were investigated by x-ray diffraction. They are directly related to the film microstructure, density and adhesion. Therefore, control of the film stress and phase component transition is essential for its applications. The phase component transition from β-W to α-W and intragranular stress evolution from tensile to compressive strongly depend on the deposition parameters and can be induced by lowering Ar pressure and rising target power. The compressively stressed films with α-W phase have a dense microstructure and high adhesion to Fe substrate.

Doping dependent metal to insulator transition in the(Bi,Pb)-2212 system:The evolution of structural and electronic properties with europium substitution

The present work investigates the effect of europium substitution on the （Bi, Pb）-2212 system in the concentration range 0.5 ≤ x ≤1.0. Phase analysis and lattice parameter calculations on the powder diffraction data and the elemental analysis of EDX show that the Eu atoms are successfully substituted into the （Bi, Pb）-2212 system. Resistivity measurements （64-300 K） reveal that the system exhibits superconductivity at x ≤ 0.5 and semiconductivity at x 〉 0.5. With the complete suppression of superconductivity which is known to be a quasi-two dimensional phenomenon in these materials, a metal to insulator transition takes place at x = 0.6 and the predominant conduction mechanism is found to be variable range hopping between localized states, resulting in macroscopic semiconducting behaviour. The results of electrical and structural properties of the doped （Bi, Pb）-2212 compounds suggest that the decrease of charge carrier concentration and the induced structural disorder are the more effective and dominant mechanisms in the origin of the metal to insulator transition and suppression of superconductivity due to Eu substitution at its Sr site.

North slope transition zone of Songnan-Baodao sag in Qiongdongnan Basin and its control on medium and large gas fields,South China Sea

Based on analysis of newly collected 3D seismic and drilled well data,the geological structure and fault system of Baodao sag have been systematically examined to figure out characteristics of the transition fault terrace belt and its control on the formation of natural gas reservoirs.The research results show that the Baodao sag has the northern fault terrace belt,central depression belt and southern slope belt developed,among them,the northern fault terrace belt consists of multiple transition fault terrace belts such as Baodao B,A and C from west to east which control the source rocks,traps,reservoirs,oil and gas migration and hydrocarbon enrichment in the Baodao sag.The activity of the main fault of the transition belt in the sedimentary period of Yacheng Formation in the Early Oligocene controlled the hydrocarbon generation kitchen and hydrocarbon generation potential.From west to east,getting closer to the provenance,the transition belt increased in activity strength,thickness of source rock and scale of delta,and had multiple hydrocarbon generation depressions developed.The main fault had local compression under the background of tension and torsion,giving rise to composite traps under the background of large nose structure,and the Baodao A and Baodao C traps to the east are larger than Baodao B trap.Multiple fault terraces controlled the material source input from the uplift area to form large delta sand bodies,and the synthetic transition belt of the west and middle sections and the gentle slope of the east section of the F12 fault in the Baodao A transition belt controlled the input of two major material sources,giving rise to a number of delta lobes in the west and east branches.The large structural ridge formed under the control of the main fault close to the hydrocarbon generation center allows efficient migration and accumulation of oil and gas.The combination mode and active time of the main faults matched well with the natural gas charging period,resulting in the hydrocarbon gas enrichment.Baodao A transition belt is adjacent to Baodao 27,25 and 21 lows,where large braided river delta deposits supplied by Shenhu uplift provenance develop,and it is characterized by large structural ridges allowing high efficient hydrocarbon accumulation,parallel combination of main faults and early cessation of faulting activity,so it is a favorable area for hydrocarbon gas accumulation.Thick high-quality gas reservoirs have been revealed through drilling,leading to the discovery of the first large-scale gas field in Baodo 21-1 of Baodao sag.This discovery also confirms that the north transition zone of Songnan-Baodao sag has good reservoir forming conditions,and the transition fault terrace belt has great exploration potential eastward.

Correlation of SphK1, FAK, Musashi 1 and CA199 expression with angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in surgically removed colon cancer lesions

Objective: To investigate the correlation of SphK1, FAK, Musashi 1 and CA199 expression with angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in surgically removed colon cancer lesions. Methods: A total of 60 patients with colon cancer who underwent radical operation in our hospital between August 2015 and August 2017 were selected, intraoperative colon cancer tissue samples were collected as colon cancer group, and normal tissue specimens adjacent to carcinoma were collected as adjacent tissue group. Fluorescence quantitative PCR was adopted to determine the expression levels of SphK1, FAK, Musashi 1, CA199 as well as the genes related to angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colon tissues with different properties. Results: SphK1, FAK, Musashi 1 and CA199 mRNA expression in colon cancer group were higher than those in adjacent tissue group;angiogenesis-related genes ANGPTL4, Apelin-13, DLL1, VEGF and HIF-α mRNA expression were higher than those in adjacent tissue group whereas TSP-1 mRNA expression was lower than that in adjacent tissue group;epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related gene E-cadherin mRNA expression was lower than that in adjacent tissue group whereas Vimentin, N-cadherin, Twist and Snail mRNA expression were higher than those in adjacent tissue group. Correlation analysis showed that the SphK1, FAK, Musashi 1 and CA199 expression in colon cancer tissues were directly correlated with the angiogenesis genes and epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes. Conclusion: SphK1, FAK, Musashi 1 and CA199 genes are abnormally expressed in colon cancer tissues and their expression levels are directly correlated with tumor angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process.

早老素-1基因启动子区-48C/T位点多态性与LOAD的遗传相关性

目的 研究早老素 - 1基因启动子区 - 4 8C/T位点的多态性与迟发性AD(LOAD)的相关性。方法 用常规方法从人外周血白细胞中抽提基因组DNA ,PCR扩增出包含 - 4 8C/T多态性位点的基因片段 ,利用PCR -RFLP技术对 -4 8C/T多态性位点进行基因分型 ,χ2 检验分析 - 4 8C/T多态性位点基因型分布和等位基因频率。结果 以 33例AD病例和32例对照样品的外周血白细胞基因组DNA为模板 ,PCR扩增出了长度为 344bp的包含 - 4 8C/T多态性位点的基因片段。基因分型结果表明 ,33例散发型AD的C和T等位基因频率分别为 4 7%和 5 3% ,C/T和T/T基因型频率分别为 94 %和 6 %。而 32例正常对照的C和T等位基因频率分别为 4 8%和 5 2 % ,C/T和T/T基因型频率分别为 97%和 3%。χ2 检验结果显示 ,病例 -对照样品间C和T等位基因频率及C/C、C/T和T/T基因型的分布均无显著性差异 (χ2 值分别为 0 4 4 3和 0 318,P>0 .0 5 )。结论 在我们研究的群体中 ,早老素 - 1基因启动子区 - 4 8C/T位点的多态性与LOAD无显著的遗传相关性。

变-定速抽水蓄能机组混合式布置对甩负荷过渡过程的影响

目前尚缺少较复杂的多洞多机输水系统下变-定速机组混合式布置对甩负荷过渡过程影响的研究。基于一维管道瞬变流理论,采用特征线法建立了“引水两洞四机、尾水四机一洞”的变-定速抽水蓄能机组水力过渡过程数学模型,并结合实际工程算例探讨了甩负荷工况下变-定速机组混合式布置对调节保证参数的影响。结果表明,相比于变速机组分布于不同引水主洞的布置方案,两台变速机组布置于同一引水主洞方案下甩负荷过渡过程中的调节保证参数在发电效率较高区内更为安全。

Ionic liquids inhibit the dynamic transition fromα-helices toβ-sheets in peptides

Abnormalities in the transition betweenα-helices andβ-sheets(α-βtransition)may lead to devastating neurodegenerative diseases,such as Parkinson's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease.Ionic liquids(ILs)are potential drugs for targeted therapies against these diseases because of their excellent bioactivity and designability of ILs.However,the mechanism through which ILs regulate the aα-βtransition remains unclear.Herein,a combination of GPU-accelerated microsecond molecular dynamics simulations,correlation analysis,and machine learning was used to probe the dynamicalα-βtransition process induced by ILs of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride([C_(n)mim]cl)and its molecular mechanism.Interestingly,the cation of [C_(n)mim]+in ILs can spontaneously insert into the peptides as free ions(n≤10)and clusters(n≥11).Such insertion can significantly inhibit theα-β,transition and the inhibiting ability for the clusters is more significant than that of free ions,where[Ciomim]+and[C_(12)mim]+can reduce the maximumβ-sheet content of the peptide by 18.5% and 44.9%,respectively.Furthermore,the correlation analysis and machine learning method were used to develop a predictive model accounting for the influencing factors on theα-βtransition,which could accurately predict the effect of ILs on theα-βtransition.Overall,these quantitative results may not only deepen the understanding of the role of ILs in theα-βtransition but also guide the development of the IL-based treatments for related diseases.

Analysis of the Load-Stress Response Characteristics of the Bogie Frame in Intercity Electric Multiple Unit

Load spectra research for bogie frame requires establishing the load?stress relationship on working condition, which has been omitted by the researchers. With the load?stress of the bogie frame of an intercity Electric Multiple Unit(Hereinafter referred to as EMU) as the research object, an optimization model of the load?stress transfer relationship is established. The load?stress coe cient for EMU bogie frame was calibrated in the laboratory bench and online test was arranged on Dazhou?Chengdu line. Comparison of nonlinear and linear neural networks proves that the linear transitive relation between the load and stress of the bogie frame in the operating process is highly suitable. An optimization model of the load?stress transfer coe cient is obtained. The data calculated with the modified coe cient are closer to the dynamic stress results in the actual operating process than the data calculated with the calibration coe cient. The coe cient of the modified transitive relation is una ected by operating area, empty load, heavy load, or other conditions in the operating process of the intercity EMU. The real loads in actual situations are obtained. The model of online load?stress relationship that is highly suitable for line stress calculation is finally established. The research is helpful for further damage calculation and inferring the time history signal of the load in load spectra research.

U(1)Lμ-Lτ breaking phase transition, muon g–2, dark matter, collider, and gravitational wave

Combining the dark matter and muon g-2 anomaly,we study the U(1)Lμ-Lτbreaking phase transition,gravitational wave spectra,and direct detection at the LHC in an extra U(1)Lμ-Lτgauge symmetry extension of the standard model.The new fields include vector-like leptons(E1,E2,N),the U(1)Lμ-Lτbreaking scalar S,and the gauge boson Z’,as well as the dark matter candidate XI and its heavy partner XR.A joint explanation of the dark matter relic density and muon g-2 anomaly excludes the region where both min(mE1,mE2,mN,mXR)and min(mZ’,mS)are much larger than mXI.In the parameter space accommodating the DM relic density and muon g-2 anomaly,the model can achieve a first-order U(1)Lμ-Lτbreaking phase transition,whose strength is sensitive to the parameters of the Higgs potential.The corresponding gravitational wave spectra can reach the sensitivity of UDECIGO.In addition,the direct searches at the LHC impose stringent bounds on the mass spectra of the vector-like leptons and dark matter.