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Propaganda campaigns have long been used to influence public opinion via disseminating biased and/or misleading information. Despite the increasing prevalence of propaganda content on the Internet, few attempts have been made by AI researchers to analyze such content. We introduce the task of multimodal propaganda processing, where the goal is to automatically analyze propaganda content. We believe that this task presents a long-term challenge to AI researchers and that successful processing of propaganda could bring machine understanding one important step closer to human understanding. We discuss the technical challenges associated with this task and outline the steps that need to be taken to address it., Comment: Accepted in AAAI 2023

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are common chronic liver diseases with limited treatment options.Methods: Ob/ob mice (6 weeks old) were fed with the Control diet or amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet for 24 weeks to establish the NASH, the AMLN diet-fed mice were treated with obeticholic acid (OCA), ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) or their combination for 7 weeks. Finally, various clinical profiles were assessed.Results: Our results indicate that Fer-1 exerts better effects on improving body weight, blood glucose levels, transaminase levels and insulin resistance than OCA. OCA has a profound effect on ameliorating lipid accumulation. OCA and Fer-1 differentially inhibit the activation of hepatic Kupffer cells and HSCs. The combination of OCA and Fer-1 significantly reduces inflammation and protects mice against liver oxidative stress. OCA and Fer-1 differentially reshape the intestinal microbiota and affect the hepatic lipidome.Discussion: Our study compares the effects of OCA, Fer-1 and their combination on various clinical profiles in NASH. These data demonstrate that different drug combinations results in different improvements, and these discoveries provide a reference for the use of the OCA, Fer-1 and their combination in the clinical treatment of NAFLD/NASH.

In pursuit of intelligent hydrogel-based devices, it is imperative to concurrently enhance the shape programmability and customization of hydrogels in order to realize sophisticated actuation and implantation. Until now, multiple temporary shapeshifting of hydrogels has required either multiple external stimuli or distinct thermal-transition phases. In addition, reprocessing the permanent shape of hydrogel mostly relies on the change in their components. These complex prerequisites present challenges to programmability and customization of application-related shapes for hydrogels. This paper reports a type of thermally programmable and malleable multiple-shape hydrogel. The network of this hydrogel is solely composed of a type of polyvinyl alcohol derivative, which is synthesized by substituting hydroxyl groups of polyvinyl alcohol with single-component octyl chains. Through water-vapor exchange and heating in water, these single-component octyl side chains form dispersed clusters with a large strength gradient. Such broadly dispersed clusters serve as switchable segments and dynamic net-points to orthotopically offer multiple (e.g., quintuple) temporary shapes and editable permanent shapes, respectively, thereby realizing sophisticated and designed shape changes. This hydrogel system can act as a smart device for on-demand bidirectional twining around a 1D substrate. Such a capability potentially enables the self-mounting and self-detaching behavior of soft devices on tissues with minimal invasion.

DdrO is an XRE family transcription repressor that, in coordination with the metalloprotease PprI, is critical in the DNA damage response of Deinococcus species. Here, we report the crystal structure of Deinococcus geothermalis DdrO. Biochemical and structural studies revealed the conserved recognizing α-helix and extended dimeric interaction of the DdrO protein, which are essential for promoter DNA binding. Two conserved oppositely charged residues in the HTH motif of XRE family proteins form salt bridge interactions that are essential for promoter DNA binding. Notably, the C-terminal domain is stabilized by hydrophobic interactions of leucine/isoleucine-rich helices, which is critical for DdrO dimerization. Our findings suggest that DdrO is a novel XRE family transcriptional regulator that forms a distinctive dimer. The structure also provides insight into the mechanism of DdrO-PprI-mediated DNA damage response in Deinococcus.

Uric acid (UA) is a major antioxidant molecule in the human blood, and it has been linked with cell longevity. However, it is unclear whether serum UA levels are associated with red blood cell (RBC) indexes. This cross-sectional study included 10,759 Chinese subjects, recruited from the Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital from January 2014 to December 2017. The participants were categorized into gender groups and then further divided into three different subgroups according to their UA reference range as follows: low (male (UA<0.202 mmol/l), female (UA<0.143 mmol/l)), normal (male (0.417 mmol/l>UA≥0.202 mmol/l), female (0.339 mmol/l>UA≥0.143 mmol/l)), and high (male (UA≥0.417 mmol/l), female (UA≥0.339 mmol/l)). The associations of UA levels with RBC parameters were analyzed using 1-way ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and multivariate linear regression. The levels of mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, RBCs, and hemoglobin were lowest in the low UA group, followed by the normal UA group and high UA group (p<0.001). Pearson analysis showed that there was a statistically significant correlation between UA levels with mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations, mean corpuscular volumes, RBC counts, and hemoglobin (p<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis suggested that there were statistically significant positive correlations between UA levels and RBC counts (B=0.245, p<0.001, 95% CI=0.003 to 0.092), as well as UA levels and hemoglobin concentrations (B=0.138, p<0.001, 95% CI=0.002 to 0.082). Furthermore, similar results were observed in both the male and female subgroups. The serum UA levels may be independently associated with RBC parameters, regardless of sex, and UA may protect RBCs owing to its antioxidant effect.

Purpose. Increased evidence reveals that uric acid (UA) may have an important neuroprotective effect through its antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between pretreatment serum UA levels and the progression of newly diagnosed primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). Methods. This prospective observational cohort study included 64 patients with newly diagnosed PACG who were followed up for a mean period of 12.77 months (range: 3–28 months). All subjects underwent a complete ophthalmological examination during the baseline and final follow-up visits, together with the acquisition of blood samples for UA measurements. During the follow-up period, the progression of PACG was defined as a clinical diagnosis of medically uncontrolled intraocular pressure and a loss of visual field with a mean deviation of >1 dB/year. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were used to investigate the association between baseline serum UA levels and the progression of PACG. The cumulative probability of progression of glaucoma was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results. During follow-up, 32 subjects were defined as progressive PACG, among whom baseline UA values were significantly higher in nonprogressing subjects than in progressing subjects (0.314±0.069 mmol/l versus [vs.] 0.258±0.069 mmol/l, respectively; P=0.002). Similar results were also observed in male and female subgroups (P<0.05). In a multivariable model, a decreased baseline serum UA level was associated with an increased risk for progressing PACG: both in male (hazard ratio [HR] 6.088 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.163–31.8638]; P=0.032) and female subjects (HR 3.565 [95% CI 1.131–11.236]; P=0.030). Subjects with high UA levels demonstrated higher cumulative probabilities of nonprogressing PACG than those with low UA levels (male [16.67% vs. 80.00%; P=0.0084] and female [29.41% vs. 68.00%; P=0.0182]). Conclusion. An association between high baseline serum UA levels and a decreased risk for progressing PACG was found. This primary finding suggests that high serum UA levels may have a protective role against PACG and could slow disease progression.

DNA methylation serves as a vital component of restriction-modification (R-M) systems in bacteria, where it plays a crucial role in defense against foreign DNA. Recent studies revealed that DNA methylation has a global impact on gene expression. Deinococcus radiodurans, an ideal model organism for studying DNA repair and genomic stability, possesses unparalleled resistance to DNA-damaging agents such as irradiation and strong oxidation. However, details on the methylomes of this bacterium remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that N4-cytosine is the major methylated form (4mC) in D. radiodurans. A novel methylated motif, ‘C4mCGCGG’ was identified that was fully attributed to M.DraR1 methyltransferase. M.DraR1 can specifically bind and methylate the second cytosine at N4 atom of ‘CCGCGG’ motif, preventing its digestion by a cognate restriction endonuclease. Importantly, cells deficient in 4mC modifications displayed higher spontaneous mutation frequency and enhanced DNA recombination and transformation efficiency. Moreover, genes involved in the maintenance of genomic stability were differentially expressed in conjunction with the loss of M.DraR1. This study provides evidence that N4-cytosine DNA methylation contributes to genomic stability of D. radiodurans and lays the foundation for further research on the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation by R-M systems in bacteria.

The aim of genetic breeding is to breed new varieties. This chapter introduces the selection breeding of new varieties of Youlu No.1 largemouth bass. It starts by presenting the largemouth bass population selection and evaluation of effect of selective breeding. And then introduces the main characteristics of the new variety “Youlu No.1 largemouth bass” and genetic structure changes during the selection. Nutritional components, quality evaluation of muscle, and pyramiding of growth-related genotypes in the Youlu No.1 largemouth bass are also presented. At the end of this chapter, an example of culturing Youlu No.1 largemouth bass with high yield and high efficiency is introduced.

Titanium alloys are widely used in aerospace, chemical engineering and medicine because of their excellent tensile, fatigue strength and corrosion resistance. For aerospace titanium alloys, fatigue performance is an important parameter, especially as a structural material. Welding is an indispensable method. After welding, there is a large unevenness in the structure and mechanical properties of the welded joint. Fatigue performance also has a profound effect. This article has done a deep research on the fatigue performance of titanium alloy welded streets, using ANSYS software to calculate and analyze the stress concentration of welded joints, observe and analyze the welding defects on fatigue fractures, and discuss the effect of welding defects on fatigue behavior The equivalent residual stress after spot welding at the center of the joint weld obtained by conventional laser welding near the welding end position is 547 MPa, of which the longitudinal residual stress along the weld direction is tensile stress, the magnitude is 482 MPa, and the transverse direction perpendicular to the weld direction The residual stress is a compressive stress of 114.0 MPa, and the equivalent residual stress of the weld is reduced after the use of SGCW technology. The equivalent residual stress at this point is reduced to 489 MPa, which is a reduction of nearly 12%.

In the present study, the biocontrol efficacy of Metschnikowia pulcherrima E1 against grey spot rot (Pestalotiopsis vismiae) on loquat fruits was assessed and along with potential mechanisms of action. Results indicated that decay incidence and lesion diameter were both significantly reduced by treatment of fruits with the yeast, M. pulcherrima E1. M. pulcherrima E1 quickly colonized wounds in loquat fruit stored at either 20 °C or 4 °C. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the yeast formed a biofilm on the wound surface in loquat fruit which inhibited the invasion of pathogenic fungi. M. pulcherrima E1 also competed with the pathogen for nutrients (iron) and space. Results of dual-culture petri dish assay indicated that M. pulcherrima E1 produces volatile antifungal compounds that inhibit the growth of P. vismiae. SPME-GC–MS analysis revealed that 3-methyl-1-butanol, phenylethyl alcohol and 1-Hexanol are the main volatile organic compounds produced by M. pulcherrima E1 and that had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of fungal mycelia. M. pulcherrima E1 induced a higher level of defense-related enzyme activity in loquat fruit, including polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Collectively, the results of the present study indicate that M. pulcherrima E1 has good potential to be used as a biocontrol agent against postharvest grey spot rot on loquats. The different mechanisms of action exhibited by M. pulcherrima E1 enhances its ability to control P. vismiae.

A novel piezohydraulic vibration isolator consisting of a hydraulic cylinder and piezodiscs was presented for low-frequency and wide-bandwidth vibration energy harvesting. The analytical model for performance evaluation was established first based on the theory of vibration analysis and simulated to obtain the influence of backpressure and proof mass on equivalent bulk modulus and stiffness of fluid, and optimal frequency and generated voltage of the piezohydraulic vibration isolator. And then, a prototype was fabricated and tested. The research results show that, under other parameters given, the energy generation performance of a piezohydraulic vibration isolator can be tuned with changing backpressure and proof mass. And there are a series of optimal parameter combinations of backpressure and proof mass for a piezohydraulic vibration isolator to achieve the same optimal frequency and almost the same voltage. The minimal optimal tested frequency of 13 Hz and the relative voltage of 81.6 V were obtained at 0.2 MPa and 10 kg. For parameter combinations (0.4 MPa/10 kg, 0.4 MPa/5 kg and 0.8 MPa/5 kg), the optimal frequency and generated voltage are 19 Hz/98 V, 27 Hz/96.8 V and 39 Hz/94.8 V, respectively. Correspondingly, the bandwidths to generate voltage of 40 V are 28/35/30 Hz, respectively.

In the present study,the promoter sequence of largemouth bass POU1F1 was cloned which is 1 629 bp in length,predicted the existence of four octamer transcription factor 1(Oct-1)binding sites,one homeobox transcription factors sites,two cAMP-responsive element binding proteins sites and a TATA box.Using directly sequencing,two nucleotides mutations were identified which were located at the-18 and-183 sites,and only two haplotypes were identified(haplotype A and haplotype B).The different genotype individuals and the mutant alleles in stochastic population(126 individuals)were examined.The frequency of A haplotype and B haplotype was 0.246 and 0.754 respectively.The population correlation analysis showed that the AA and AB genotypes have significantly correlated with BB genotype individuals' weight,body length,full length,body depth and body width(P0.05),but there is no significant correlation between AA genotype individuals and AB genotype individuals.Identified growth traits markers for growth traits could be implemented through marker-assisted selection(MAS),with the aim of producing rapidly growing largemouth bass.

In order to obtain more molecule markers linked to growth-related traits of tilapia and evaluate their accuracy,65 microsatellites loci were amplified in two Nile tilapia populations (Luye and Panyu),and the marker-trait association was analyzed by GLM(general linear model)procedure of SPSS software. The correlation analysis results showed that 8 loci(UNH130,UNH183,UNH911,GM558,UNH211,UNH176,UNH914 and UNH974) had a significant impact on major growth traits (weight,body length and body height) of Luye population(P0.05 or P0.01). In Panyu tilapia population,UNH914 and UNH974 had a significant impact on major growth traits (P0.05 or P0.01),and UNH176 just had a significant impact on body weight (P0.05). The favorable genotypes or allele linked to growth traits including weight,body length and body height were determined by multiple comparison analysis between the phenotypic value and different genotypes of microsatellites markers linked to major growth traits. In this study,the microsatellite loci with a significant effect on growth traits were found,and they were potential valuable genetic markers for marker-assisted selection of tilapia.

Seventeen special loci were selected from 77 microsatellite markers to distinguish three varieties of tilapias, including the six differential loci UNH636, UNH117, UNH172, UNH738, UNH878 and UNH896 in Oreochromis aureus; five differential loci UNH913, UNH907, UNH222, UNH980 and UNH880 in O. niloticus; and six differential loci of UNH876, UNH899, UNH853, UNH932, UNH933 and UNH773 in O. mossambicus. Any one of the 17 loci could amplify particular bands to distinguish one tilapia from the other two. The genetic structure of O. aureus, O. niloticus and O. mossambicus stocks and their phylogenetic relationships were also analysed using these 17 loci. In total 142 alleles were detected, and the average number of alleles per locus was 8.35. Additionally, a clustering analysis was performed based on the result of the Popgen32 software package and phylogenetic trees were constructed by MEGA4 using the unweighted pair group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA). The results showed that the mean value of observed heterozygosity was 0.0941, 0.5490 and 0.2588, the mean value of expected heterozygosity was 0.1089, 0.7230 and 0.1965, and the polymorphism information content was 0.0869, 0.7149 and 0.1643, in O. aureus, O. niloticus and O. mossambicus, respectively. The UPGMA tree demonstrated that O. aureus was more closely related to O. mossambicus than to O. niloticus.

In this paper, a gas flow calibration facility by master meter method is developed. The paper deals with the design methods and working principle. The simulation of the confluence tube is analyzed. The pressure loss of pipe is calculated and the selection of the blower is analyzed. And then the distribution of the facility uncertainty is calculated. The uncertainty is better than 1% in the total flow range, and it is better than 0.5% at the fixed flow points.

In this paper, a design of water-flow calibration facilities was proposed which was based on static mass method, static volume method and master meter method. Taking the water-flow calibration facility of Tianjin University Flow Laboratory for an example, this paper specified the experiment pipeline design, buoyancy and density correction, control system design, and other key issues. At last an uncertainty analysis of the facility was provided, and the experiment data showed the combined standard uncertainty of this facility was 0.0243% used static mass method and 0.0559% used master meter method.