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Reactive astrogliosis is one of the most frequency neuropathological alterations in the hippocampus of animal models and patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Valproic acid (VPA), a widely used antiepileptic drug (AED), acts by blocking ion channels and enhancing GABAergic activity. This study investigated the effects of VPA on hippocampal astrogliosis in a rat model of TLE. The results demonstrated that chronic administration of VPA at a dose of 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the severity of astrogliosis and ameliorated neuronal loss in the hippocampus at the early and middle stages post-status epilepticus (SE), while also improving cognitive impairments at the middle and late stages in KA-SE rats. Long-term administration of VPA at 400 mg/kg attenuated astrogliosis in the hippocampus at the middle stage post-SE, but lacked neuroprotective effects and exacerbated cognitive impairments at the late stage. These findings suggest that VPA at an appropriate dose could mitigate hippocampal astrogliosis, potentially offering a new antiepileptic mechanism for its long-term use.

[Objective] To improve the accuracy of online measurement of sugar content of grapefruit by near infrared spectroscopy. [Methods] The pomelo online non-destructive testing equipment developed by ourselves was used to collect diffuse transmission spectrum data of pomelo in three light regions. In the wavelength range of 650~950 nm, orthonormal variable transformation （SNV）, multiple scattering correction （MSC）, Normalize, Savitzky-Golay first order derivative, SG-1st preprocessed the original data, used the adaptive weighting algorithm （CARS） to screen the spectral characteristics of the grapefruit sugar content, and established a partial least squares regression （PLSR） model. 30 grapefruit samples that were not involved in the modeling were used for online verification. [Results] The modeling effect of light region C combined with SNV-CARS-PLSR method was the best. The coefficient of determination of the prediction set was 0.95 and the root-mean-square error was 0.30 °Brix. In online verification, the coefficient of determination was 0.90 and the root mean square error was 0.58 °Brix. The model had a strong ability to detect the sugar content of grapefruit on line. [Conclusion] The prediction model based on the spectral data collected under the condition that the light spot diameter is 70 mm and the light region C is 20 mm above the equator of the grapefruit can realize the online prediction of the sugar content of the grapefruit more effectively.

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate the effect of foraminoplasty using large-channel endoscopy during TESSYS on the biomechanics of the lumbar spine. Methods A complete lumbar spine model, M1, was built using 3D finite elements, and models M2 and M3 were constructed to simulate the intraoperative removal of the superior articular process of L5 using a trephine saw with diameters of 5 mm and 8.5 mm, respectively, and applying normal physiological loads on the different models to simulate six working conditions—anterior flexion, posterior extension, left-right lateral bending, and left-right rotation—to investigate the displacement and facet joint stress change of the surgical segment, and the disc stress change of the surgical and adjacent segments. Results Compared with the M1 model, the M2 and M3 models showed decreased stress at the L4-5 left FJ and a significant increase in stress at the right FJ in forward flexion. In the M2 and M3 models, the L4-5 FJ stresses were significantly greater in left lateral bending or left rotation than in right lateral bending or right rotation. The right FJ stress in M3 was greater during left rotation than that in M2, and that in M2 was greater than that in M1. The L4-5disc stress in the M3 model was greater during posterior extension than that in the M1 and M2 models. The L4-5disc stress in the M3 model was greater in the right rotation than in the M2 model, and that in the M2 model was greater than that in the M1 model. Conclusion Foraminoplasty using large-channel endoscopy could increase the stress on the FJ and disc of the surgical segment, which suggested unnecessary and excessive resection should be avoided in PTED to minimize biomechanical disruption.

Abstract Background Post-ERCP pancreatitis is one of the most common adverse events in ERCP-related procedures. The purpose of this study is to construct an online model to predict the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis in non-elderly patients with common bile duct stones through screening of relevant clinical parameters. Methods A total of 919 cases were selected from 7154 cases from a major Chinese tertiary hospital. Multivariable logistic regression model was fitted using the variables selected by the LASSO regression from 28 potential predictor variables. The internal and external validation was assessed by evaluating the receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under curve. Restricted cubic spline modelling was used to explore non-linear associations. The interactive Web application developed for risk prediction was built using the R “shiny” package. Results The incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis was 5.22% (48/919) and significantly higher in non-elderly patients with female, high blood pressure, the history of pancreatitis, difficult intubation, endoscopic sphincterotomy, lower alkaline phosphatase and smaller diameter of common bile duct. The predictive performance in the test and external validation set was 0.915 (95% CI, 0.858–0.972) and 0.838 (95% CI, 0.689–0.986), respectively. The multivariate restricted cubic spline results showed that the incidence of pancreatitis was increased at 33–50 years old, neutrophil percentage > 58.90%, hemoglobin > 131 g/L, platelet 241.40 × 109/L, total bilirubin > 18.39 umol / L, aspartate amino transferase

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies with increasing morbidity. The prognosis for patients diagnosed with early-stage EC remains favorable; however, for patients with recurrent or metastatic EC, the prognosis is poor and treatment options, until recently, are limited. Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) represent innovative strategies in cancer treatment; however, there are less investigations regarding their efficacy in EC. This report describes an EC case with low human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) immunohistochemistry (IHC) expression score (IHC 2+) that experienced recurrent metastasis in the abdominal and peritoneal following post-surgical chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Subsequently, the commencement of HER2-targeted ADC, disitamab vedotin (RC48; 2.5 mg/kg), administered intravenously every two weeks, was initiated. The tumor lesions shrunk markedly after three cycles of treatment and disappeared by the completion of ten cycles of therapy. The patient is still in remission at present. The current findings imply the potential efficacy of HER2-targeted ADCs for patients with HER2-low metastatic EC.

This is an article in the field of ceramics and composites. In order to study the early rheological properties of alkali-activated fly ash-slag cementitious system, the composite pastes with different mass ratios of fly ash (FA) to slag (GGBS) and alkaline activator content were prepared. The fluidity and rheological properties of the pastes were tested by mini-cone slump cone, Brookfield DV3T rheometer,respectively. Finally, the hydration exothermic rate of composite pastes with each ratio was tested by isothermal calorimeter. Results show that when FA/GGBS ratio is 3∶7, the fluidity of paste with 4% NaOH content is the lowest. With the increase of FA mass ratio and NaOH molar mass, the fluidity of alkali-activated FA-GGBS cementitious system increased, and the yield stress and plastic viscosity decreased. The growth of FA content decreases the early hydration rate significantly, while the increase of alkali activator content remarkably increases the peak rate of hydration heat release.

Abstract Background Previous studies have reported associations between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and several mental disorders. However, further research is required to determine whether these associations are causal. Therefore, we evaluated the bidirectional causality between the genetic liability for OSA and nine mental disorders by using Mendelian randomization (MR). Method We performed two-sample bidirectional MR of genetic variants for OSA and nine mental disorders. Summary statistics on OSA and the nine mental disorders were extracted from the FinnGen study and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. The primary analytical approach for estimating causal effects was the inverse-variance weighted (IVW), with the weighted median and MR Egger as complementary methods. The MR Egger intercept test, Cochran’s Q test, Rucker’s Q test, and the MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) test were used for sensitivity analyses. Result MR analyses showed that genetic liability for major depressive disorder (MDD) was associated with an increased risk of OSA (odds ratio [OR] per unit increase in the risk of MDD, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.11–1.49; P

Abstract Background Since the twenty-first century, the prevalence of diabetes has risen globally year by year. In Gansu Province, an economically underdeveloped province in northwest China, the cost of drugs for diabetes patients accounted for one-third of their total drug costs. To fundamentally reduce national drug expenditures and the burden of medication on the population, the relevant departments of government have continued to reform and improve drug policies. This study aimed to analyse long-term trends in antidiabetic drug use and expenditure in Gansu Province from 2012 to 2021 and to explore the role of pharmaceutical policy. Methods Data were obtained from the provincial centralised bidding and purchasing (CBP) platform. Drug use was quantified using the anatomical therapeutic chemistry/defined daily dose (ATC/DDD) method and standardised by DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID), and drug expenditure was expressed in terms of the total amount and defined daily cost (DDC). Linear regression was used to analyse the trends and magnitude of drug use and expenditure. Results The overall trend in the use and expenditure of antidiabetic drugs was on the rise, with the use increasing from 1.04 in 2012 to 16.02 DID in 2021 and the expenditure increasing from 48.36 in 2012 to 496.42 million yuan in 2021 (from 7.66 to 76.95 million USD). Some new and expensive drugs changed in the use pattern, and their use and expenditure shares (as the percentage of all antidiabetic drugs) increased from 0 to 11.17% and 11.37%, but insulins and analogues and biguanides remained the most used drug class. The DDC of oral drugs all showed a decreasing trend, but essential medicines (EMs) and medical insurance drugs DDC gradually decreased with increasing use. The price reduction of the bid-winning drugs was over 40%, and the top three drugs were glimepiride 2mg/30, acarbose 50mg/30 and acarbose 100mg/30. Conclusions The implementation of pharmaceutical policies has significantly increased drug use and expenditure while reducing drug prices, and the introduction of novel drugs and updated treatment guidelines has led to changes in use patterns.

Abstract Adenine base editors (ABEs) and cytosine base editors (CBEs) enable the single nucleotide editing of targeted DNA sites avoiding generation of double strand breaks, however, the genomic features that influence the outcomes of base editing in vivo still remain to be characterized. High-throughput datasets from lentiviral integrated libraries were used to investigate the sequence features affecting base editing outcomes, but the effects of endogenous factors beyond the DNA sequences are still largely unknown. Here the base editing outcomes of ABE and CBE were evaluated in mammalian cells for 5012 endogenous genomic sites and 11,868 genome-integrated target sequences, with 4654 genomic sites sharing the same target sequences. The comparative analyses revealed that the editing outcomes of ABE and CBE at endogenous sites were substantially different from those obtained using genome-integrated sequences. We found that the base editing efficiency at endogenous target sites of both ABE and CBE was influenced by endogenous factors, including epigenetic modifications and transcriptional activity. A deep-learning algorithm referred as BE_Endo, was developed based on the endogenous factors and sequence information from our genomic datasets, and it yielded unprecedented accuracy in predicting the base editing outcomes. These findings along with the developed computational algorithms may facilitate future application of BEs for scientific research and clinical gene therapy.

Abstract The FokI catalytic domain can be fused to various DNA binding architectures to improve the precision of genome editing tools. However, evaluation of off-target effects is essential for developing these tools. We use Genome-wide Off-target analysis by Two-cell embryo Injection (GOTI) to detect low-frequency off-target editing events in mouse embryos injected with FokI-based architectures. Specifically, we test FokI-heterodimers fused with TALENs, FokI homodimers fused with RYdCas9, or FokI catalytic domains alone resulting in no significant off-target effects. These FokI genome editing systems exhibit undetectable off-target effects in mouse embryos, supporting the further development of these systems for clinical applications.

Objective: To reduce the influence of transverse diameter of Mandarin orange on the prediction of sugar content. Methods: 132 citrus were divided into three groups according to transverse diameter: small （65～70 mm）, medium （70～75 mm） and large （75～80 mm）. After collecting the transverse diameter spectrum of all citrus, the spectrum information and transverse diameter information of citrus were synthesized by spectral transformation algorithm, and the spectrum of different sizes of citrus was converted to the same transverse diameter datum. The pre-correction and post-correction spectra were respectively preprocessed, divided by target symbiotic distance algorithm （SPXY）, screened by competitive adaptive weight sampling （CARS） and selected by partial least squares regression （PLS） to establish the sugar degree model before and after correction. Results: The prediction set determination coefficient （R2P） was increased from 0.790 to 0.821, and the prediction set root mean square error （RMSEP） was decreased from 0.489 to 0.443. The middle fruit spectrum was modified, R2P increased from 0.801 to 0.845, RMSEP decreased from 0.460 to 0.422. R2P increased from 0.820 to 0.863 and RMSEP decreased from 0.431 to 0.393. Conclusion: The spectral correction algorithm can reduce the spectral difference caused by the transverse diameter and improve the prediction accuracy of the model.

The “Dual Carbon” policy is a strategic instrument for the realization of the “Dual Carbon”target. The quantitative analysis of the “Dual Carbon” policy can provide theoretical support and decision-making reference for the institutional design and adjustment of the policy, so as to further improve the “Dual Carbon” 1 + N policy system. By constructing a three-dimensional analysis framework of “instrument-goal-object”, adopting the content analysis method, and combining the coding results of the “Dual Carbon” policy text to conduct multidimensional cross-analysis, we found that the overall design of the “Dual Carbon” policy is reasonable, but at the same time, there are problems such as unbalanced distribution of policy instruments, incomplete coverage of policy goals, insufficient synergy of policy objects, and low degree of matching between policy dimensions. In response to these problems, targeted mitigation measures are proposed.

Abstract Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths and imposes an enormous economic burden on patients. It is important to develop an accurate risk assessment model to determine the appropriate treatment for patients after an initial lung cancer diagnosis. The Cox proportional hazards model is mainly employed in survival analysis. However, real-world medical data are usually incomplete, posing a great challenge to the application of this model. Commonly used imputation methods cannot achieve sufficient accuracy when data are missing, so we investigated novel methods for the development of clinical prediction models. In this article, we present a novel model for survival prediction in missing scenarios. We collected data from 5,240 patients diagnosed with lung cancer at the Weihai Municipal Hospital, China. Then, we applied a joint model that combined a BN and a Cox model to predict mortality risk in individual patients with lung cancer. The established prognostic model achieved good predictive performance in discrimination and calibration. We showed that combining the BN with the Cox proportional hazards model is highly beneficial and provides a more efficient tool for risk prediction.

Necrolytic migratory erythema (NME) is usually associated with paraneoplastic syndrome caused by functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET). Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of NET-related NME is challenging due to its rarity and lack of typical clinical symptoms and specific pathological manifestations. Here we report a rare case of PNET with NME as the initial manifestation. 68Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/MR was used to detect the primary pancreatic and metastatic liver tumors. Finally, the patient was diagnosed as PNET via liver biopsy. After four cycles of standard capecitabine plus temozolomide chemotherapy combined with long-acting octreotide, the patient’s skin lesions on both lower extremities improved only slightly, while tumors remained stable and unchanged in size. Then the patient was treated with surufatinib. Two months later, the skin lesions healed completely, and tumors responded significantly. This rare case suggests that surufatinib may be a promising therapy for patients with PNET-associated NME.

Hanging tunnels are a unique type of highway constructed on hard cliffs and towering mountains, renowned for their steep and distinctive characteristics. Compared to traditional full tunnels or open excavations, hanging tunnels offer significant advantages in terms of cost and construction time. However, the engineering design and construction cases of such tunnels are rarely reported, and concerns about construction safety and surrounding rock stability have become focal points. Taking the Shibanhe hanging tunnel as a case study, this paper focuses on the stability of the surrounding rock during the excavation of limestone hanging tunnels using physical analog model (PAM) experiments and numerical calculation. Firstly, based on the similarity principle and orthogonal experiments, river sand, bentonite, gypsum and P.O42.5 ordinary Portland cement were selected as the raw materials to configure similar materials from limestone. Secondly, according to the characteristics of hanging tunnels, geological models were designed, and excavation experiments with three different sidewall excavation widths and rock wall slopes were carried out. The effects of these variables on the stress and displacement behavior of the surrounding rock were analyzed, and the laws of their influence on the stability of the surrounding rock were explored. Finally, numerical simulations were employed to simulate the tunnel excavation, and the results of the numerical simulations and PAM experiments were compared and analyzed to verify the reliability of the PAM experiment. The results showed that the vertical stress on the rock pillars was significantly affected by the sidewall excavation widths, with a maximum increase rate of 53.8%. The displacement of the sidewall opening top was greatly influenced by the sidewall excavation widths, while the displacement of the sidewalls was more influenced by the rock wall slope. The experimental results of the PAM are consistent with the displacement and stress trends observed in the numerical simulation results, verifying their reliability. These findings can provide valuable guidance and reference for the design and construction of hanging tunnels.

Background Increasing evidence supports the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in major depressive disorder (MDD), but the pathophysiological mechanism remains elusive.Aims To explore the mechanism of microRNA-451a (miR-451a) in the pathology and behaviours of depression.Methods Abnormal miRNAs such as miR-451a reported previously in the serum of patients with MDD were screened and then confirmed in a mouse model of depression induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS). Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice had miR-451a overexpression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) via adeno-associated virus serotype 9 vectors encoding a pri-mmu-miR-451a-GFP fusion protein followed by behavioural and pathological analyses. Finally, molecular biological experiments were conducted to investigate the potential mechanism of miR-451a against depression.Results The serum levels of miRNA-451a were significantly lower in patients with MDD, with a negative correlation with the Hamilton Depression Scale scores. Additionally, a negative association between serum miR-451a and behavioural despair or anhedonia was observed in CRS mice. Notably, miR-451a expression was significantly downregulated in the mPFC of CRS-susceptible mice. Overexpressing miR-451a in the mPFC reversed the loss of dendritic spines and the depression-like phenotype of CRS mice. Mechanistically, miR-451a could inhibit CRS-induced corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 expression via targeting transcription factor 2, subsequently protecting dendritic spine plasticity.Conclusions Together, these results highlighted miR-451a as a candidate biomarker and therapeutic target for MDD.

[Objective] The spatial and temporal distribution pattern and evolution characteristics of ecosystem carbon storage, its response to land use change, and the vulnerability of ecosystem carbon storage service in each county of Guizhou Province were analyzed in order to provide a scientific basis and reference for regional land use management decision-making and to realize the “dual carbon” goal. [Methods] The InVEST model and the potential impact (PI) index were used to analyze the characteristics of carbon stock changes and the vulnerability of ecosystem carbon storage services in Guizhou Province from 2000 to 2020. [Results] ① Land use type in Guizhou Province changed significantly during the last 20 years. 14.10% and 17.29% of the land changed type in the first 10 years and the last 10 years, respectively. Cultivated land was the main source of construction land expansion. ② Ecosystem carbon storage in Guizhou Province decreased by 0.24 billion tons in the past 20 years. Forest land reductions and construction land expansion were the main reasons for carbon storage reduction. ③ All Moran’s I indices of ecosystem carbon stocks in Guizhou Province exceeded 0, indicating significant positive spatial correlation and agglomeration. The hot spot/cold-spot analysis showed that the distribution of carbon stock hot spots was relatively decentralized while the distribution of cold spots was centralized and stable. ④ The PI indices for Guizhou Province in the first and second 10-year periods were -1.27 and -0.15, respectively, indicating an improvement in vulnerability. There were spatial differences in vulnerability among counties, with significant negative effects in the peripheral counties. The vulnerability of 81.82% of the counties decreased in 20 years. [Conclusion] The transfer of forest land and the expansion of construction land in Guizhou Province had a significant impact on carbon stocks and the vulnerability of carbon stock services. In the future, land use structure should be optimized, and planning and management should be strengthened.

As an important part of urban public resources, water resources profoundly affect the rationality of urban public resource allocation. In this paper, a multi-objective urban water resource allocation model is proposed by constructing three objective functions of society, economy, and ecology, and setting relevant constraints. Based on the advantages of the simulated annealing algorithm, it is selected as the optimization-solving method. The solving experiments of the algorithm show that the simulated annealing algorithm can jump out of the local optimal many times under the condition of an appropriate temperature drop rate and has good solving performance. Among the four allocation schemes in Jining City, for example, it is found that after the allocation by scheme 4, the average water shortage rate of the city is only 2.63%, and it has taken into account the social, economic and environmental benefits, and it obtains an expert satisfaction score of up to 3.99 points. It shows that the method proposed in this paper can propose an appropriate water allocation scheme with practical application.

The effects of nano-SiO2 and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) on the physical and mechanical properties of magnesium phosphate cement (MPC)-based mortar under salt corrosion environment were studied. The variation of strength under salt corrosion environment was compared and studied. The chloride ion permeability of modified MPC mortar was evaluated by electric flux method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to observe the composition and morphology of the samples under salt corrosion environment. Results showed that appropriate amount of nano-SiO2 can significantly improve the compressive strength, flexural strength, and chloride ion penetration resistance of MPC-based mortar under 3% NaCl solution corrosion. There existed an optimal dosage. The incorporation of HPMC would significantly reduce the compressive and flexural strength and the resistance to chloride ion penetration of MPC-based mortar. Appropriate amount of nano-silica and HPMC could improve the bonding performance of modified MPC-based mortar under salt corrosion environment.

[Objective] At present, most research in engineering field regarding foundation pit is based on the experience of excavations in soft soil and rocky strata. Given that the geological conditions in Chongqing involve deep backfill soil sand-mudstone composite stratum, it is essential to conduct a study on the deformation law of foundation pit. [Method] Taking the foundation pit project of Lanhuahu Parking Lot on Chongqing Rail Transit Line 10 as background, field-monitored data is utilized to summarize the horizontal displacement of retaining structures and the change law of land subsidence behind retaining piles. Additionally, the correlation between retaining structure horizontal displacement and land subsidence behind piles is explored. [Result & Conclusion] The maximum lateral displacement δh of the retaining piles ranges from 0.048% to 0.103% of the excavation depth H, which is significantly smaller than the statistical results observed in soft soil regions. The maximum land subsidence δv ranges between 0.033% and 0.22% of H, lower than that observed in gravel and soft soil excavations, and closer to the results observed in Qingdao soil-rock composite foundation pit. The influence range of foundation pit excavation extends from 1 to 1.5 times the excavation depth H. The relationship between the foundation pit maximum land subsidence δv and the retaining structure maximum lateral displacement δh can be expressed as δv = 0.45δh~2.35δh, with a mean value of 1.31δh. The ratio of the enveloped area of land subsidence to the enveloped area of retaining structure lateral displacement (Sw/Sp) is approximately 1.67.

Adding steel fibers into concrete was considered as one of the most effective ways to restrain the crack development and improve the stiffness for reinforced concrete (RC) structures. To explore the reinforcement mechanism of steel fibers on the fatigue behavior of high-strength RC beam, eight high-strength steel fiber reinforced concrete (HSSFRC) beams subjected to fatigue loading were tested in this study. The main design parameters considered in this work were stress level and steel fiber content. The failure mode, crack patterns, fatigue life, crack width, and stiffness degradation of HSSFRC beams under fatigue loading were discussed. The results showed that steel fibers could significantly increase the fatigue life, restrain crack development, and improve crack patterns of HSSFRC beams under fatigue loading compared to ordinary RC beams. Both the crack width and stiffness degradation rate of beams decrease with increasing steel fiber content. Besides, the empirical formulas for calculating the maximum crack width and midspan deflection of HSSFRC beam under fatigue loading were proposed and validated using experimental results.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), an important form of neuromodulation therapy, provides a new treatment option for drug⁃resistant epilepsy (DRE) patients through precisely selections the stimulation target. By implanting electrodes at specific targets and releasing electrical stimulation, DBS can regulate the excitability of the relevant nuclei and neural circuits in the process of seizure, so as to exert the effect of controlling seizure. At present, some clinical and laboratory evidence has been accumulated on the regulatory mechanism of DBS in the treatment of DRE, the individualized selection of stimulation targets for different types of seizures, the curative effect and adverse events. This article will elaborate the above three aspects, in an effort to promote the application of DBS in DRE.

The potential off-target effects of long-term expression of base editors in vivo are unclear. Here the authors report SAFETI, Systematic evaluation Approach For gene Editing tools by Transgenic mIce, to examine off-target effects of base editors over time in mice, and see abnormal side effects.

Abstract Background Over the past 20 years, excessive antibiotic use has led to serious antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide, and the phenomenon is particularly serious in China. To this end, the Chinese health sector took a series of measures to promote rational antibiotic use. In this study, to reveal the impact of policies on antibiotic use, we explored the long-term trend and patterns of antibiotic use at public health care institutions from 2012 to 2020 in northwest China, taking Gansu Province as an example. Methods Antibiotic procurement data were obtained from the provincial centralized bidding procurement (CBP) platform between 2012 and 2020. Antibiotic use was quantified using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC)/defined daily doses (DDD) methodology and standardized using the DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID). Twelve relevant quality indicators were calculated for comparison with the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (ESAC) project monitoring results. Results Total antibiotic use increased from 18.75 DID to 57.07 DID and then decreased to 19.11 DID, a turning point in 2014. The top three antibiotics used were J01C (beta-lactam antibacterials, penicillins), J01F (macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramins), and J01D (other beta-lactam antibacterials, cephalosporins), accounting for 45.15%, 31.40%, and 11.99% respectively. The oral antibiotics used were approximately 2.5 times the parenteral antibiotics, accounting for 71.81% and 28.19%, respectively. Different use preferences were shown in public hospitals and primary health care centres (PHCs), and the latter accounted for more than half of total use. The absolute use of all classes of antibiotics in Gansu is almost higher than any of the 31 European countries included in the ESAC, but the relative use of some focused antibiotics is lower than theirs. Conclusions The intervention policies of the health department reduced antibiotic use in Gansu Province, but the proportion of broad-spectrum and parenteral antibiotics was still high. It is necessary to further improve the quality of antibiotic prescriptions and pay more attention to the rationality of antibiotic use in PHCs.

Research has shown that long-chain noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of a variety of biological processes, including peripheral nerve regeneration, in part by acting as competing endogenous RNAs. c-Jun plays a key role in the repair of peripheral nerve injury. However, the precise underlying mechanism of c-Jun remains unclear. In this study, we performed microarray and bioinformatics analysis of mouse crush-injured sciatic nerves and found that the lncRNA Pvt1 was overexpressed in Schwann cells after peripheral nerve injury. Mechanistic studies revealed that Pvt1 increased c-Jun expression through sponging miRNA-214. We overexpressed Pvt1 in Schwann cells cultured in vitro and found that the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells were enhanced, and overexpression of miRNA-214 counteracted the effects of Pvt1 overexpression on Schwann cell proliferation and migration. We conducted in vivo analyses and injected Schwann cells overexpressing Pvt1 into injured sciatic nerves of mice. Schwann cells overexpressing Pvt1 enhanced the regeneration of injured sciatic nerves following peripheral nerve injury and the locomotor function of mice was improved. Our findings reveal the role of lncRNAs in the repair of peripheral nerve injury and highlight lncRNA Pvt1 as a novel potential treatment target for peripheral nerve injury.

The mathematical model was established for the flight process of the molten blast furnace slag after the centrifugal graining, and the model was discretely solved by the Runge-Kutta method. The results show that, the flight distance of the slag droplets along the x direction is proportional to the diameter and the initial velocity of droplets. Due to the air flow resistance and gravity, the velocity of droplets decreases with time, and then increases slightly. Critical impact velocity of the droplets was proposed by analyzing the excess rebound energy of the slag droplets after collision with wall. The results indicate that, the critical impact velocity is an interval, and the larger the droplets, the lower the bounds. The experiments were performed with the initial droplet velocities of 10, 12, and 14 m·s‒1. The results indicate that, the actual falling distance of the slag droplets is greater than the theoretical values, because the initial velocity of the slag droplets is less than the linear velocity of the granulation plate. Meanwhile, the impact velocity of the slag droplets is between the upper and lower bound, thus no adhesion occurs.

The 2022 Beijing Winter (Paralympic) Olympics ［abbreviated as the Winter (Paralympic) Olympics］ had been held. Our hospital was the designated oral medical institution during the Winter (Paralympic) Olympics, and nosocomial infection control was a formidable challenge for medical staff. In this paper, referring to the infection prevention and control standards of the emergency department of the dental specialist hospital, combined with the situation of the COVID-19, a dedicated isolation channel and independent consultation room for Olympic-related patients and medical staff were set up; Medical staff (the training pass rate was 100%)strictly took personal protection before and after treatment and during treatment, and the diagnosis and treatment areas (surfaces of items, reused medical equipment, and so on) were strictly disinfected, and a total of 38 patients were admitted. For Olympic-related patients, the patient satisfaction rate was 100%; 304 environmental points were collected, all were negative, and no nosocomial infection occurred. This article elaborates the specific measures of closed-loop management of hospital infection prevention and control in detail. (2022年北京冬季奥林匹克运动会(简称冬奥会)和冬季残疾人奥林匹克运动会(简称冬残奥会)举办期间, 本院为冬(残)奥期间指定口腔医疗机构, 在冬(残)奥期间接诊涉奥患者, 医院感染控制是一项艰巨的挑战。医院参考口腔专科医院急诊科感染防控标准, 结合新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情防控情况, 设置涉奥患者和医护人员专用隔离通道和独立诊室; 共有6名医护人员(分3组, 每组医生护士各1名)进入闭环, 分批值岗, 培训合格率100. 00%; 医护人员在治疗前后、治疗时均严格做好个人防护, 诊疗区域(物品表面、复用医疗器械等)严格消毒, 共接诊38名涉奥患者, 患者满意率100. 00%; 采集304个环境点位, 均为阴性, 无院内感染发生。本文就院感防控闭环管理的具体措施进行详细阐述。)

Abstract Background To date, the influence of Roussouly type on development of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after lumber fusion is still not fully explored, and the current study is aimed to evaluate the effect of Roussouly type on development of radiological ASD after single-level lumber fusion, and to compare the Roussouly types and spinopelvic parameters among those with different degenerative patterns of ASDs on sagittal plane. Methods A retrospective review of 288 patients underwent L4/5 or L5/S1 single-level posterior interbody fusions between January 2016 and December 2018 with a minimum 2-year follow up was performed. Radiological ASDs were identified and divided into 3 groups according to different degenerative patterns of the cephalad adjacent level on sagittal plane, including the types of retrolisthesis (Group A), anterolisthesis (Group B), and axial disc space narrowing (Group C). Roussouly types and radiological measurements were compared among three groups and potential risk factors for ASD were evaluated. Results Radiological ASD was found in 59 (20.5%) cases, in which patients with Roussouly type-2 was the most common. While, on subgroup analysis among three ASD groups, Roussouly type-1 occupied the highest proportion in Group A, differ in Group B and Group C, both with Type-2 as the most common. Moreover, Group A had significantly lower pelvic tilt (PT), larger sacral slope (SS), and larger segmental angle (SA) than Group B and Group C, which showed a more anteverted pelvic in Group A. Multivariate regression analysis noted Roussouly type, preoperative PT, and ∆PI-LL as the independent risk factors for radiological ASD. Conclusion Roussouly type was significantly associated with the development of radiological ASD; however, the Roussouly types and spinal pelvic parameters were varied among different sagittal degenerative patterns of ASD, which was important in restoring optimal lumbar sagittal alignments in initial surgery.

Abstract To overcome the drawbacks caused by the intrinsic brittleness of cementitious materials, various types of fibres were incorporated as reinforcements. Extensive research on Ordinary Portland cement indicated that compared with the use of a single type of fibres, the mixed-use of multiple fibres can significantly improve both strength and toughness of the cementitious composites, which is referred to as the hybrid effect. However, such hybrid effect in multiple fibre-reinforced magnesium phosphate cement-based composite (HFRMC) still lack quantitative understanding. Therefore, this study conducted a series of experiments, including slump flow tests, compression tests, four-point bending tests and microstructure analysis, to investigate the hybrid effect of micro-steel fibres (MSF) and polypropylene (PP) fibres in HFRMC. Two types of mixed designs of HFRMC were conducted: 1. total fibres fraction (including both PP fibres and MSF) was fixed to be 1.6%; 2. PP fibres fraction was fixed to be 1.6% with different addition of MSF. Our results indicated that the slump flow of magnesium phosphate cement mortar varied around 7.6–8.8% with the hybrid use of MSF and PP fibres, while the flexural strength and toughness increased around 13.7–23.1% and 1.6–45.9%, respectively.

Aiming at the problems of limited communication distance and low transmission rate of underwater radio frequency communication system, Visible Light Communication (VLC) system provides a solution for underwater medium and long distance high-speed wireless communication. In this paper, the underwater short-range channel model is estimated by using the sample water quality test. A test method of attenuation coefficient of short-range optical medium is proposed, and an underwater VLC system is developed. The direct-current bias circuit is designed according to the volt ampere characteristics of Light Emitting Diode (LED), and its spectrum response is analyzed. The underwater full duplex audio experiment with blue 465 nm and white light source is carried out in a water tank. The experimental results show that when the rated optical power is 1 W, the receiving end adopts S6968 silicon Positive Intrinsic Negative (PIN) photodetector, and the system can carry out full duplex communication in the sample water (denoted attenuation coefficient c=0.2067 m-1). The communication distance between the two light sources is more than 5m. The speech communication performance of the experimental system is verified through the analysis of the power spectrum estimation of the receiving signal, the signal-to-noise ratio test and the visual demonstration of the loudspeaker. The experimental results provide a guidance for the development of underwater VLC multi-service transmission system.

This research evaluated permeability and hydraulic conductivity of Open Graded Friction Course (OGFC) in multiple directions. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Ansys Fluent was utilized to simulate the laminar flow model for twelve cubic specimens of OGFC with different geometry and various porosities. Reynolds number (Re), permeability (K), and hydraulic conductivity (k) were computed for each simulation horizontally and vertically. According to the study, the horizontal permeability measurements were greater than the vertical measurements. Moreover, the permeability of OGFC is governed by the percentage of the air voids, aggregate particle size, and the thickness of the specimens. As the diameter and percentage of air voids increased, the permeability increased. Specimens with large size of aggregates and larger thicknesses have the highest values of permeability, while specimens with the small size of aggregates have the lowest values of permeability. In addition, the velocity of the flow inside the voids decreased as the diameter and percentage of air voids increased, while the pressure increased, according to the study.

To investigate the characteristics of elements in selenium and cadmium rich soil and the ecological risk of local agricultural products in the typical heavy metal high background area of Chongqing,Taking the Se and Cd enriched soil in study area as a research object, The effects of Cd and Se on agricultural products were studied by collecting and analyzing the element contents and available contents of soil and agricultural products samples, The results showed that The pH value of soil in the study area is 6.89 ~ 8.22, which is alkaline and rich in organic matter; The study area belongs to the typical high background area of heavy metals. The content of Cd in the soil is 0.52 ~ 1.84 mg·kg-1, the average value is 1.26 mg·kg-1, the content of se is 0.41 ~ 0.77 mg·kg-1, the average value is 0.64 mg·kg-1, and its element characteristics are rich in selenium and cadmium; The activation rates of Cd and Se were 6.63 ~ 28.26% and 0.17 ~ 1.58% respectively; The concentration of Cd and Se in the soil of the study area may be mainly from the parent material of soil, and it is closely related to the content of organic matter in the soil. The local agricultural products are less affected by the high background value of heavy metals in the soil, and there is no excessive Cd in the agricultural products, among which potatoes and sweet potatoes have reached the standard of selenium enrichment. The research suggests that the soil rich in selenium and cadmium in the study area may come from the soil parent material, which is caused by the natural geological background and closely related to the content of organic matter in the soil. The activation rate of Cd and Se in the soil is low, which has little impact on the ecological risk of local agricultural products. This paper has important guiding significance for the development and utilization of selenium-rich soil resources in typical heavy metal high background areas.

Carbon sequestration refers to the technology of capturing carbon and storing it safely instead of directly discharging CO2 into the atmosphere. Rock salt is a promising CO2 reservoir, and the underground rock salt structure formed by salt cavern reservoirs in geological history has a natural sealing function. Storing carbon dioxide in salt caves can ensure that carbon dioxide is stably stored underground for a long time. However, at present, there are few studies on carbon sequestration in abandoned salt caves. This study analyses the characteristics of carbonate-evaporite strata in the high fold zone of eastern Sichuan and qualitatively evaluates Triassic carbonate-evaporite layers formed in the depth range of 800-3000 m in various sedimentary basins in Chongqing. A large set of carbonates-evaporites are developed in Chongqing, and the carbonate rocks near evaporites have low porosity and permeability, which can be used as CO2 storage caprock in salt cavities. Thick evaporated strata can also provide a good cover for CO2 storage in abandoned salt caves, which has great potential space resources.

To explore the feasibility of using blended mineral admixtures to improve the performance of magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) composites, fly ash (FA) + ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and fly ash (FA) + silica fume (SF) were used to partially replace the MPC, respectively, in this study. Their effects on the setting time and flowability of MPC paste and the compressive strength of MPC mortar (MPCM) were investigated through setting test, flowability test, and compressive test. The test results showed that the blended FA and GGBS adversely affected the setting time of MPC paste but slightly improved the flowability of MPC paste and the compressive strength of MPCM if an appropriate content was used. And the blended FA and SF adversely affected both the setting time and flowability of MPC paste. However, compared to the MPCM without any mineral admixture or with SF (FA) alone, the 25 % FA+ 5 % SF, 32.5 % FA+ 7.5 % SF, and 35 % FA+ 5 % SF could further enhance the compressive strength of MPCM. In addition, the XRD and SEM tests showed that the blended FA and GGBS mostly resulted in loose microstructure of MPCM. However, an appropriate content of blended FA and SF could lead to the formation of a dense microstructure, and a new magnesia-silica gel substance (MgSiO3) was generated, which improved the compactness and compressive strength of MPCM.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: In order to overcome the scarcity and high price of natural cordyceps, the invention replaces the natural cordyceps of Guben Xiaoliu capsule with the cheap and easily obtainable cordyceps mycelium under the condition of keeping the same curative effect. The aim is to provide a kind of Chinese medicine preparation with low price, easy to take, easy to accept for the majority of patients, and at the same time, it is beneficial to ecological protection. Aim of study: The drug components were replaced in Guben Xiaoliu capsule (GBXLC), which has been clinically used for many years in the treatment of lung cancer,and the curative effect was compared. Method: lung cancer mouse models were prepared, which randomly divided into four groups: The normal control group, the model control group, the original GBXLC + cyclophosphamide (CTX) group and the new GBXLC+CTX group, 20 in each group, and began to feed the drug the next day. The two drug groups were added with cyclophosphamide(6 mg/100 g body weight), given by intraperitoneal injection within 48 h after inoculation. The inhibition rate of lung metastasis, tumor Volume and Weight, VEGF and MMP2 expression,tumor microvessel density and the dynamic change of the percentage of Th17/Treg in each group were detected, and The appearance, pathological shape, volume and weight of lung metastases of mice in each group were observed. Results: The appearance, pathological shape, volume and weight of lung metastases of mice in each drug group were better than those in the pathological control group, and there were no significant differences between the drug groups. The VEGF, MMP2, MVD and LVD expressions of both the new GBXLC group and the original GBXLC group were less than those of the model control group (P0.05).The ratio of Thl7/Treg approached normalization in the original GBXLC group and the New Xiaoliu Group,Which means the ratio of Thl7/Treg in the two groups showed no significant difference from that of the normal group. Conclusion: Both the new GBXLC group and the original GBXLC group have good therapeutic effects on lung cancer, and the curative effect is equivalent. Therefore, it is feasible to replace natural Cordyceps sinensis with mycelium of Cordyceps sinensis.

The lignocellulosic biomass wastes cause some burden on the environment; meanwhile, the concrete industry is faced with large amounts of carbon dioxide emissions and raw mineral materials consumption. The use of lignocellulosic biomass wastes in cementitious materials not only provides an alternative to deal with the wastes but also favors the sustainable development of concrete industry. This review first introduces the characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass and then examines its effect on the mechanical properties, shrinkage, cracking, and some other properties of cement composites. Results show that lignocellulosic biomass can be directly used for three purposes: reinforcements, aggregates, and cement replacements. Although the lignocellulosic biomass cannot always enhance the mechanical properties of cementitious materials, it can improve toughness, shrinkage, cracking, heat insulation, etc. Additionally, some concerns with the use of lignocellulosic biomass are summarized, for which some physical and chemical modification methods (heating treatment, boiling treatment, torrefaction treatment, etc.) are identified to change the structure or remove amorphous components of lignocellulose biomass or prevent it from directly contacting cementitious materials. This review can provide some guidance for designing sustainable cementitious materials with lignocellulosic biomass.

In this study, a new cement-based composite is developed by the combined action of fiber and nano-Fe2O3 (NF) in magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MKPC) mortar. The performances of MKPC composite with fiber and NF are evaluated, including the workability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural toughness and flexural ductility. The microscopic mechanism of MKPC with NF is revealed by using the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The main variables of this study include fiber type, curing time, micro-steel fiber (MSF) volume rate and NF substitution rate, and the micro-steel fiber (MSF), cut hook (CH), milling hook (MH) and macro-polypropylene fiber (MPF) are selected as the reinforcing material. In comparison to other fibers, the MSF has the most significant positive effect on the mechanical properties of FNRMC. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural toughness and flexural ductility of FNRMC evidently increase with increasing MSF volume rate, while the workability of FNRMC gradually decreases. The compressive and splitting tensile strengths of FNRMC have a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with increasing NF substitution rate from 0% to 4%.

Under the action of ocean current, some submarine pipeline is suspended as the result of seabed scouring, especially in the place near the caisson platform, and it seriously affects the safe operation of in-service submarine pipelines. In similar special environment, it is crucial to select appropriate expansion bend materials for the long-term safe operation of the entire submarine pipeline. Taking the flexible expansion bend installation works in one oilfield in Liaodong as the example, the structural form and basic parameters of the selected flexible expansion bend were introduced, the advantages of the flexible expansion bend over s teel expansion bend were analyzed, and the installation method was studied. The following measures were proposed to solve the three technical difficulties in installing the flexible expansion bend, including using cement sandbags for the scour position and riser suspension treatment to facilitate the support of the flexible expansion bend, setting reasonable bending limit to ensure the consistency of installation route and flexible expansion bend design, and hoisting the flexible expansion bend into the water with horizontal stays, with two temporary lifting points installed on the platform foundation structure so that the expansion bend flange position can be adjusted by chain block to complete the riser flange connection. The above measures have been verified to be effective in engineering practice and are expected to provide references for similar installation projects in the future.

Tea is an important beverage crop with a large and heterozygous genome. Here, the authors assemble the genome of the cultivar Longjing 43 and conduct a population genetics study to reveal divergent selection for disease resistance and flavor between the two variety groups.

Traditional noise data processing methods have certain requirements for input data, and have a long running time. However, there are some problems of manual adjustment noise data of coal mine gas sensor such as less quantity, poor quality, inconsistent time and easy to be affected by environment, it is difficult to filter the noise data by traditional noise processing methods. For the above problems, a manual adjustment noise data processing method for coal mine gas sensor is proposed. The data average value is used to fill the missing value of concentration data of coal mine gas sensor; the feature set and sample set of concentration data of coal mine gas sensor are constructed by using multi time granularity; five curve fitting functions, namely Gaussian function, mixed Gaussian function, binomial function, trinomial function and piecewise binomial function, are used to fit manual adjustment noise data, and parameters of the fitting function are determined based on the least square method, and the optimal fitting function is obtained according to fitting effect; through analysis of manual adjustment noise data, it is concluded that the noise data is related to the slope, peak and difference of gas concentration before and after adjustment, according to these basic characteristics, the manual adjustment noise data is identified and deleted. The experimental results verify effectiveness of the method.

The quaternary alloys La0.8-xCexMg0.2Ni3.8 (x=0, 0.1,0.3,0.5) were prepared by induction melting, and the effects of partial substitution of Ce for La on the phase structure and electrochemical performances of super lattice La4MgNi19 negative materials were investigated. Results show that La4MgNi19 alloys contain LaNi5 phase, (La,Mg)2Ni7(3R-Ce2Ni7 and 2H-Gd2Co7) phase, (La,Mg)5Ni19 (3R-Ce5Co19) phase. The 2H-Pr5Co19 type phase appears while (La,Mg)2Ni7 phase disappears, after partial substitution of Ce for La. The increase of Ce element substitution has led to an obvious increase of the abundance of A5B19 phase and decrease of AB5 phase accordingly. Ce contributes to the formation of A5B19 phase, especially 2H-Pr5Co19 type phase. With the increase of Ce content from 0 to 0.5, the maximum discharge capacity of alloy electroded increases firstly and then decreased. The x=0.1 alloy exhibits a maximum discharge capacity of 380.36 mAh/g. It is also found that this substitution has caused a significant increase in the activation number, the cyclic stability, high-rate discharge ability. The well performance demonstrates that it is the hydrogen diffusion in the alloy that controls the high rate discharge.

Objective To explore the characteristics of positive and negative affect in young male military personnel and the effect of trait anxiety (TA), rumination and educational level on positive and negative affect. Methods We surveyed the military personnel serving in an army unit of PLA using cluster sampling in October 19 to 20, 2018. We arranged 4 survey sessions, in which a total of 4 004 participants aged 18~38 years were asked to complete Trait Anxiety Subscale, Ruminative Responses Scale (RSS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and a demographic information questionnaire with on-site guidance by professional psychologists. Results ① The scores of positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) were 2.51~3.97 and 1.86~2.70 among the surveyed participants, respectively. ②NA was positively correlated with TA and RSS (r=0.322-0.365, P < 0.01), while PA was negatively correlated with TA (r=-0.463, P < 0.01). ③The participants with a bachelor degree or above had significantly higher scores for PA and NA than those with a junior college or a senior high school education (P < 0.001 or 0.05). ④The mediating effect of rumination on the relationship between TA and PA was presented as a suppressive effect, and the absolute ratio of its mediating effect to direct effect was |0.024/-0.383|. Rumination could partially mediate the relationship between TA and NA, and its mediating effect accounted for 13.86% of the total effect. ⑤With PA as the criterion variable, the value of Δχ2(Δdf) was differed significantly between the structured weight model and the structural residual model (P < 0.001). Pairwise parameter comparisons showed significant differences in rumination-PA path coefficients between the participants with different education levels (-3.666 vs -2.323, P < 0.05). Conclusion Young male military personnel presents with a high positive affect and a low negative affect with a good affect balance. Rumination has a suppressive effect on the relationship between trait anxiety and PA, and rumination-PA path is moderated by the education level; rumination is also a partial mediator of the relationship between TA and NA.

Abstract Background The advent of third-generation sequencing (TGS) technologies opens the door to improve genome assembly. Long reads are promising for enhancing the quality of fragmented draft assemblies constructed from next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. To date, a few algorithms that are capable of improving draft assemblies have released. There are SSPACE-LongRead, OPERA-LG, SMIS, npScarf, DBG2OLC, Unicycler, and LINKS. Hybrid assembly on large genomes remains challenging, however. Results We develop a scalable and computationally efficient scaffolder, Long Reads Scaffolder (LRScaf, https://github.com/shingocat/lrscaf), that is capable of significantly boosting assembly contiguity using long reads. In this study, we summarise a comprehensive performance assessment for state-of-the-art scaffolders and LRScaf on seven organisms, i.e., E. coli, S. cerevisiae, A. thaliana, O. sativa, S. pennellii, Z. mays, and H. sapiens. LRScaf significantly improves the contiguity of draft assemblies, e.g., increasing the NGA50 value of CHM1 from 127.1 kbp to 9.4 Mbp using 20-fold coverage PacBio dataset and the NGA50 value of NA12878 from 115.3 kbp to 12.9 Mbp using 35-fold coverage Nanopore dataset. Besides, LRScaf generates the best contiguous NGA50 on A. thaliana, S. pennellii, Z. mays, and H. sapiens. Moreover, LRScaf has the shortest run time compared with other scaffolders, and the peak RAM of LRScaf remains practical for large genomes (e.g., 20.3 and 62.6 GB on CHM1 and NA12878, respectively). Conclusions The new algorithm, LRScaf, yields the best or, at least, moderate scaffold contiguity and accuracy in the shortest run time compared with other scaffolding algorithms. Furthermore, LRScaf provides a cost-effective way to improve contiguity of draft assemblies on large genomes.

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can convert insoluble rhizosphere phosphorus into forms that are absorbable by plants and thus enhance the growth of plants. Safflower is a cash crop that is a source of vegetable oils, food coloring and flavoring agents. This study sought to isolate PSB in safflower rhizosphere soil and investigate their effects on seedling growth. The isolated PSB were identified as belonging to the genera Pseudomonas, Sinorhizobium, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter and Enterobacter using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Acinetobacter sp RC04. showed the best performance in phosphate solubilization, with the efficiency of the process being influenced by carbon source, nitrogen source, cultivation temperature and initial culture pH. Acinetobacter sp. RC04 and Sinorhizobium sp. RC02 showed the ability to improve safflower seed germination and, when co-inoculated, improved seedling growth. Hence, we suggest that Acinetobacter sp. RC04 and Sinorhizobium sp. RC02 could be developed for field application to promote safflower growth. The results from this study will help drive novel biofertilizer discovery and could be included in integrated nutrient management regimes for safflower and other important economic crops.

Abstract A series of pullout tests were conducted to investigate the interface bond properties of seven types of steel fibres embedded in the magnesium phosphate cementitious matrix. The micromorphology of the interface transition zone between MPC and different types of fibres was examined by scanning electron microscope. Test results showed that smaller diameter steel fibres with brass coating surface achieved higher average bond strength, higher pullout energy per unit volume and a higher ratio of material use. The end hook deformation provided the mechanical bond locally whereas the deformation along the length of fibre provided the mechanical bond distributed along the fibre. The failure mode and group effect of steel fibres were also investigated and reported.

Abstract Background Grapevine is an important fruit crop grown worldwide, and its cultivars are mostly derived from the European species Vitis vinifera, which has genes for high fruit quality and adaptation to a wide variety of climatic conditions. Disease resistance varies substantially across grapevine species; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying such variation remain uncharacterized. Results The anatomical structure and disease symptoms of grapevine leaves were analyzed for two grapevine species, and the critical period of resistance of grapevine to pathogenic bacteria was determined to be 12 h post inoculation (hpi). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from transcriptome analysis of leaf samples obtained at 12 and 36 hpi, and the transcripts in four pathways (cell wall genes, LRR receptor-like genes, WRKY genes, and pathogenesis-related (PR) genes) were classified into four co-expression groups by using weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA). The gene VdWRKY53, showing the highest transcript level, was introduced into Arabidopsis plants by using a vector containing the CaMV35S promoter. These procedures allowed identifying the key genes contributing to differences in disease resistance between a strongly resistant accession of a wild grapevine species Vitis davidii (VID) and a susceptible cultivar of V. vinifera, ‘Manicure Finger’ (VIV). Vitis davidii, but not VIV, showed a typical hypersensitive response after infection with a fungal pathogen (Coniella diplodiella) causing white rot disease. Further, 20 defense-related genes were identified, and their differential expression between the two grapevine species was confirmed using quantitative real-time PCR analysis. VdWRKY53, showing the highest transcript level, was selected for functional analysis and therefore over-expressed in Arabidopsis under the control of the CaMV35S promoter. The transgenic plants showed enhanced resistance to C. diplodiella and to two other pathogens, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and Golovinomyces cichoracearum. Conclusion The consistency of the results in VID and transgenic Arabidopsis indicated that VdWRKY53 might be involved in the activation of defense-related genes that enhance the resistance of these plants to pathogens. Thus, the over-expression of VdWRKY53 in transgenic grapevines might improve their resistance to pathogens.

The quaternary alloys La0.8-xCexMg0.2Ni3.8 (x=0, 0.1,0.3,0.5) were prepared by induction melting, and the effects of partial substitution of Ce for La on the phase structure and electrochemical performances of super lattice La4MgNi19 negative materials were investigated. Results show that La4MgNi19 alloys contain LaNi5 phase, (La,Mg)2Ni7(3R-Ce2Ni7 and 2H-Gd2Co7) phase, (La,Mg)5Ni19 (3R-Ce5Co19) phase. The 2H-Pr5Co19 type phase appears while (La,Mg)2Ni7 phase disappears, after partial substitution of Ce for La. The increase of Ce element substitution has led to an obvious increase of the abundance of A5B19 phase and decrease of AB5 phase accordingly. Ce contributes to the formation of A5B19 phase, especially 2H-Pr5Co19 type phase. With the increase of Ce content from 0 to 0.5, the maximum discharge capacity of alloy electroded increases firstly and then decreased. The x=0.1 alloy exhibits a maximum discharge capacity of 380.36 mAh/g. It is also found that this substitution has caused a significant increase in the activation number, the cyclic stability, high-rate discharge ability. The well performance demonstrates that it is the hydrogen diffusion in the alloy that controls the high rate discharge.