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Shape memory alloy (SMA), a type of smart material, is widely used in the design of reinforcement and repair, isolation, and shock absorption of building structures because of its outstanding characteristics, such as the shape memory effect (SME), superelasticity (SE), and high damping. It not only improves the bearing capacity, ductility, and mechanical properties of the structural components of buildings but can also effectively slow down the strong response of engineering structures under the effect of an earthquake. It plays a key role in energy dissipation and shock absorption as well as sustainable development. To promote the application of SMA in building structures, this paper summarizes the research on the use of SMA as a reinforcing material in building structures, including work related to SMA material characteristics and types, SMA-reinforced structural components, and SMA isolation devices. In addition, the shortcomings of SMA applications in building structures are analyzed, and valuable suggestions for future research methods are put forward. SMA has been applied to engineering practice in the form of embedded and external reinforcement, which shows that it has broad application prospects in future buildings.

Abstract Background MSM are at high risk of HIV infection. Previous studies have shown that the cell cycle regulation plays an important role in HIV-1 infection, especially at the G2/M checkpoint. ATR, Chk1, Cdc25C and CDK1 are key genes of G2/M checkpoint. However, the association between SNPs of these genes and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and AIDS progression remains unknown. Methods In this study, 42 tSNPs from the above four G2/M checkpoint genes were genotyped in 529 MSM and 529 control subjects from northern China to analyze this association. Results The results showed that rs34660854 A and rs75368165 A in ATR gene and rs3756766 A in Cdc25C gene could increase the risk of HIV-1 infection (P = 0.049, OR = 1.234, 95% CI 1.001–1.521; P = 0.020, OR = 1.296, 95% CI 1.042–1.611; P = 0.011, OR = 1.392, 95% CI 1.080–1.794, respectively), while Chk1 rs10893405 (P = 0.029, OR = 1.629, 95% CI 1.051–2.523) were significantly associated with AIDS progression. Besides, rs34660854 (P = 0.019, OR = 1.364, 95% CI 1.052–1.769; P = 0.022, OR = 1.337, 95% CI 1.042–1.716, under Codominant model and Dominant model, respectively) and rs75368165 (P = 0.006, OR = 1.445, 95% CI = 1.114–1.899; P = 0.007, OR = 1.418, 95% CI 1.099–1.831, under Codominant model and Dominant model, respectively) in ATR gene, rs12576279 (P = 0.013, OR = 0.343, 95% CI 0.147-0.800; P = 0.048, OR = 0.437, 95% CI 0.192–0.991, under Codominant model and Dominant model, respectively) and rs540436 (P = 0.012, OR = 1.407, 95% CI 1.077–1.836; P = 0.021, OR = 1.359, 95% CI 1.048–1.762, under Codominant model and Dominant model, respectively) in Chk1 gene, rs3756766 (P = 0.013, OR = 1.455, 95% CI 1.083–1.954; P = 0.009, OR = 1.460, 95% CI 1.098–1.940, under Codominant model and Dominant model, respectively) in Cdc25C gene and rs139245206 (P = 0.022, OR = 5.011, 95% CI 1.267–19.816; P = 0.020, OR = 5.067, 95% CI 1.286–19.970, under Codominant model and Recessive model, respectively) in CDK1 gene were significantly associated with HIV-1 infection under different models. Conclusions We found that genetic variants of G2/M checkpoint genes had a molecular influence on the occurrence of HIV-1 infection and AIDS progression in a northern Chinese MSM population.

Abstract Background Most susceptible loci of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are located in non-coding regions, and the mechanism of action remains unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that affect competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) regulation mechanism with the risk and prognosis of HCC. Methods Based on a set of bioinformatics strategies, eight lncRNA genes that affect HCC through the mechanism of lncRNA-mediated ceRNA were systematically screened, and 15 SNPs that affect microRNA (miRNA) binding in these lncRNA genes were annotated. Genotyping was performed in 800 HCC cases and 801 healthy controls to examine associations of these SNPs with HCC in a northeastern Chinese Han population. Results The GG, GC and GG + GC genotypes of HOTAIR rs7958904 were associated with a 0.65, 0.59 and 0.63-fold decreased HCC risk, respectively. In addition, HCC patients with PVT1 rs3931282 AA + GA genotypes were less prone to develop late-stage cancers in a stratified analysis of clinical characteristics. When stratified by clinical biochemical indexes, rs1134492 and rs10589312 in PVT1 and rs84557 in EGFR-AS1 showed significant associations with aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or AST/ALT ratio in HCC patients. Furthermore, we constructed potential ceRNA regulatory axes that might be affected by five positive SNPs to explain the causes of these genetic associations. Conclusions HOTAIR rs7958904, PVT1 rs3931282, rs1134492 and rs10589312, and EGFR-AS1 rs84557 might be predictors for HCC risk or prognosis. Our results provide new insights into how SNPs on lncRNA-mediated ceRNAs confer interindividual differences to occurrence and progression of HCC.

ABSTRACTDouble minutes (DMs), extrachromosomal gene fragments found within certain tumors, have been noted to carry onco- and drug resistance genes contributing to tumor pathogenesis and progression. After screening for SUMO-related molecule expression within various tumor sample and cell line databases, we found that SUMO-conjugating enzyme UBC9 has been associated with genome instability and tumor cell DM counts, which was confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. Karyotyping determined DM counts post-UBC9 knockdown or SUMOylation inhibitor 2-D08, while RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to measure DM-carried gene expression in vitro. In vivo, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) identified micronucleus (MN) expulsion. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were then used to determine DNA damage extent, and a reporter plasmid system was constructed to detect changes in homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathways. Our research has shown that UBC9 inhibition is able to attenuate DM formation and lower DM-carried gene expression, in turn reducing tumor growth and malignant phenotype, via MN efflux of DMs and lowering NHEJ activity to increase DNA damage. These findings thus reveal a relationship between heightened UBC9 activity, increased DM counts, and tumor progression, providing a potential approach for targeted therapies, via UBC9 inhibition.

In order to trace the research history of diseases and pests in rubber tree and explore the potential for their natural control, a bibliometric analysis was conducted based on relevant documents retrieved from the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science (WoS) core collection SCI-E database. VOSviewer software was utilized to analyze the research distribution, scientific collaboration, knowledge structure, and research frontiers. The results show that annual publications on the diseases and pests of rubber tree have increased rapidly after 2005 after a long period of emergence and fluctuation. A total of 624 relevant publications from 51 countries/regions were identified. China was the most productive country with 152 documents, most of which were related to Colletotrichum leaf disease, powdery mildew, and other emerging diseases of rubber tree. France and Brazil produced rich research to tackle South American leaf blight, and have established a close collaborative relationship. Based on the analysis of themes and trend topics, pathogenicity mechanisms of fungal pathogens and plant defense mechanisms are currently hot topics. By further looking into the research, the defense-related genes of rubber tree and antagonistic mechanisms behind candidate biocontrol agents reveal great potential in developing natural control strategies. This study provides a useful reference about the progress and evolution of research into diseases and pests in rubber tree.

Abstract Background DAL-1 gene was reported to inhibit proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of gastric cancer (GC) cells in our previous study. The association between the genomic variants in DAL-1 gene with risk of GC is still unclear. Methods In this study, 505 GC cases and 544 healthy controls (HCs) were collected to evaluate the association between six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs7240736, rs73937194, rs3817466, rs8082898, rs73381527, rs9953490) of DAL-1 gene and GC risk in the Han population in Northeast China. Results The TA + AA genotypes of rs9953490 were significantly associated with an increased risk in N3 compared with N0 subgroup (adjusted OR = 4.56, 95% CI = 1.49–13.98, P = 0.008), and also showed evident association with an increased risk in TNM stage III compared with stage I-II (adjusted OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.16–4.67, P = 0.017). Conclusion The rs9953490 of DAL-1 gene may play an important role in the occurrence and development of GC in the Han population in Northeast China.

Abstract Background Polydactyly is a common congenital malformation characterized by the presence of supernumerary fingers or toes. In this case study, we sought to identify the causative pathogenic factor in a family from a northern region of China affected by non‐syndromic postaxial polydactyly (PAP). Methods After recruiting a three‐generation family with PAP, whole‐exome sequencing was performed to identify the causative variant. In silico analysis and Sanger sequencing were used to validate the variant. Results We identified a novel heterozygous frameshift variant (NM_000168.6:c.4540delG, p.Asp1514Thrfs*5) in the transcriptional activator (TA1) domain of the GLI3 gene. Conclusion The novel frameshift variant identified in this study further confirms the relationship between non‐syndromic PAP and GLI3 and extends the previously established mutational and phenotypic spectra of GLI3.

Background: Some studies have shown that the base excision repair (BER) pathway has an effect on HIV-1 replication. APEX1 and XRCC1 as key BER genes may affect DNA repair capacity. However, the roles of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in APEX1 and XRCC1 and their impact on HIV-1 infection and AIDS progression remain unclear.Methods: A custom-designed 48-Plex SNPscan Kit was used for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms. 601 HIV-1-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) and 624 age-matched healthy individuals were recruited in northern China. Four SNPs (rs1130409, rs1760944, rs2307486 and rs3136817) in APEX1 gene and three SNPs (rs1001581, rs25487 and rs25489) in XRCC1 gene were genotyped. The generalized multifactor dimension reduction (GMDR) method was used to identify the SNP-SNP interactions.Results: In this study, rs1130409 G allele, rs1001581 C allele and rs25487 C allele were associated with a higher risk of HIV-1 infection susceptibility (p = 0.020, p = 0.007 and p = 0.032, respectively). The frequencies of APEX1 haplotype TT and XRCC1 haplotype CT showed significant differences between cases and controls (p = 0.0372 and p = 0.0189, respectively). Interestingly, stratified analysis showed that the frequency of rs1001581 C allele was significantly higher in AIDS patients with the CD4+ T-lymphocyte count 200 cells/μl (p = 0.022). Moreover, significant gene-gene interactions among rs1130409, rs1001581 and rs25487 were identified by GMDR (p = 0.0107). Specially, individuals with five to six risk alleles have a higher susceptibility to HIV-1 infection than those with zero to two risk alleles (p < 0.001).Conclusion:APEX1 and XRCC1 gene polymorphisms were associated with the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and AIDS progression in MSM populations in northern China.

The objective of this study was to construct a BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS)/ global positioning system (GPS)-integrated positioning algorithm that meets the accuracy requirement of forest surveys and to analyze its accuracy to provide theoretical and technical support for accurate positioning and navigation in forests. The Quercus variabilis broad-leaved forest in Jiufeng National Forest Park and the Sabina Coniferous forest in Dongsheng Bajia forest farm were selected as the study area. A Sanding T-23 multi-frequency three-constellation receiver and a u-blox NEO-M8T multi-constellation receiving module were used for continuous observation under the forest canopy. Compared with T-23, the u-blox NEO-M8T is much lighter and more flexible in the forest. The BDS/GPS-integrated positioning algorithm for forests was constructed by temporally and spatially unifying the satellite systems and using a reasonable observed value weighting method. Additionally, the algorithm is also written into the RTKLIB software to calculate the three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of the forest observation point in the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS-84) coordinate system. Finally, the results were compared with the positioning results obtained using GPS alone. The experimental results indicated that, compared with GPS positioning, there were 13–27 visible satellites available for the BDS/GPS-integrated positioning algorithm for forests, far more than the satellites available for the GPS positioning algorithm alone. The Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) values for the BDS/GPS-integrated positioning ranged from 0.5 to 1.9, lower than those for GPS positioning. The signal noise ratio (SNR) of the BDS/GPS-integrated satellite signals and GPS satellite signals were both in the range of 10–50 dB-Hz. However, because there were more visible satellites for the BDS/GPS-integrated positioning, the signals from the BDS/GPS-integrated satellites were stronger and had a more stable SNR than those from the GPS satellites alone. The results obtained using the BDS/GPS-integrated positioning algorithm for forests had significantly higher theoretical and actual accuracies in the X, Y and Z directions than those obtained using the GPS positioning algorithm. This suggests that the BDS/GPS-integrated positioning algorithm can obtain more accurate positioning results for complex forest environments.

In this paper, experiments and finite element analysis methods were adopted to study the flexural performance of shape memory alloy hybrid composites (SMAHC). The effect of embedding content and position of shape memory alloy (SMA) wire on the flexural properties of composite laminates was analyzed, and the optimal content and position of SMA wire were obtained. The optimal number of SMA wires for SMAHC laminates (B-2) is four. Compared with GFRP laminates, the flexural modulus of B-2-4 laminates increases by 5.19%, while the strength decreases by 5.76% on average. The finite element model of the SMAHC laminate was established by using ABAQUS finite element analysis software, and the validity of the model was verified by the comparison between the simulation results and the experimental results. The microscopic morphology results show that the weak interface between the matrix and SMA has a certain influence on the flexural performance of SMAHC specimens.

This study analyzed the process of vegetation restoration in the eastern margin ecotone of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (EMEQTP) from 2001 to 2019 under different restoration modes based on the vegetation net primary productivity (NPP) which was estimated by the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford approach (CASA) model. Then the potential NPP was calculated and the durations of NPP restoration were predicted based on the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model. Finally, the relative importance of main parameters in the CASA model as well as global sensitivity and uncertainty were discussed. The results showed that the NPP under a natural restoration mode had the highest increase with 20.1%, and its spatial change showed an overall trend of restoration. The NPP under the comprehensive restoration mode achieved an increase of 11.5%, with the southwestern area experiencing an insignificant trend of degradation, whereas the northeastern area experiencing a significant restoration trend. As for the NPP under the artificial restoration mode, it experienced the lowest increase with 10.5%, and the northern part experiencing a significant restoration trend, whereas the southeastern part experiencing an insignificant degradation trend. In addition, the highest potential NPP of vegetation restoration would be appeared in the area under a comprehensive restoration mode. The area under an artificial restoration mode would have the lowest potential NPP of vegetation restoration, but the duration of restoration would be longest under this mode, reaching up to 64 years. Although the natural restoration mode achieved the best effect of vegetation restoration, considering the limited scope of the promotion of this mode, further attention should be placed on restoration measures and the effects of the artificial and comprehensive restoration modes. Finally, APAR, GST and PET were relatively important for the CASA model, and the parameters including Topt, GST, and PET were sensitive. Those results can offer scientific references for the management of ecological environment in the EMEQTP.

Abstract Background Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited disease that is life‐threatening. Multiple cysts are present in the bilateral kidneys of PKD patients. The progressively enlarged cysts cause structural damage and loss of kidney function. Methods This study examined and analyzed 12 families with polycystic kidney disease. Whole exome sequencing (WES) or whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the probands was performed to detect the pathogenic genes. The candidate gene segments for lineal consanguinity in the family were amplified by the nest PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. The variants were assessed by pathogenic and conservational property prediction analysis and interpreted according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Results Nine of the 12 pedigrees were identified the disease causing variants. Among them, four novel variants in PKD1, c.6930delG:p.C2311Vfs*3, c.1216T>C:p.C406R, c.8548T>C:p.S2850P, and c.3865G>A:p.V1289M (NM_001009944.2) were detected. After assessment, the four novel variants were considered to be pathogenic variants and cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in family. The detected variants were interpreted. Conclusion The four novel variants in PKD1, c.6930delG:p.C2311Vfs*3, c.1216T>C:p.C406R, c.8548T>C:p.S2850P, and c.3865G>A:p.V1289M (NM_001009944.2) are pathogenic variants and cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in family.

The aim of this study was to identify the potential key candidate genes of multiple sclerosis (MS) and uncover mechanisms in MS. We combined data from the microarray expression profile of three MS stages and performed bioinformatics analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified among the distinct stages of MS and healthy controls, and a total of 349 shared DEGs were identified. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses showed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in the biological processes (BPs) of purine-related metabolic processes and signaling, especially the common DEGs, which were enriched in some immunological processes. Most of the DEGs were enriched in signaling pathways associated with the immune system, some immune diseases and infectious disease pathways. Through a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and a gene expression regulatory network constructed with MS-related miRNAs, we confirmed FOS, TP53, VEGFA, JUN, HIF1A, RB1, PTGS2, CXCL8, OAS2, NFKBIA and OAS1 as candidate genes of MS. Furthermore , we explored the potential SNPs associated with MS by database mining. In conclusion, this study provides the identified genes, SNPs, biological processes, and cellular pathways associated with MS. The uncovered candidate genes may be potential biomarkers involved in the diagnosis and therapy of MS.

Abstract Background Heilongjiang Province located in northeast China is a multi-ethnic region with people who have lived in cold conditions for several generations. Fatty acids are important to people with cold resistance. CPT1A encodes a protein that imports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for fatty-acid oxidation. FADS is an essential enzyme for the synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Results In the present study, we investigated the distributions of three cold resistance-related SNPs (rs80356779 G > A in CPT1A, rs7115739 T > G in FADS3 and rs174570 C > T in FADS2) from six populations that included 1093 individuals who have lived in Heilongjiang Province for at least three generations. The frequencies of rs174570 and rs7115739 were different in our six north minorities compared to the Chinese Dai in Xishuangbanna (CDX) in southern China. All the SNPs in Hezhen were significantly different from other five studied populations. In addition, the genetic distribution of rs174570 in Daur was significantly different from Manchu and Korea, and the frequency of rs7115739 in Ewenki was significantly different from the other populations. The results also showed that the frequencies of the three SNPs in the six minorities were different from those of Greenlandic Inuit and Siberian population. Conclusions Our results showed the distributions of the three cold resistance-related SNPs from six populations that included 1093 individuals in northern China. Distributions of the allele frequencies for the cold resistance-related SNPs in northern China were statistically different from those in southern China. These data help to establish the DNA genome database for the six populations and fully preserve existing minority genetic information.

The increasing scale of urbanization and human activities has resulted in the fragmentation of natural habitats, leading to the reduction of ecological landscape connectivity and biodiversity. Taking Nanping as the study area, the core areas with good connectivity were extracted as ecological sources using a morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and landscape connectivity index. Then the ecosystem service functions of the ecological sources were evaluated based on the InVEST model. Finally, we extracted the potential ecological corridor based on the land type, elevation and ecosystem service functions. The results showed that the ecological source with higher landscape connectivity is distributed in the north and there are clear landscape connectivity faults in the northern and southern regions. Moreover, the areas with high habitat quality, soil retention and water production are mainly distributed in the northern ecological source areas. The 15 potential ecological corridors extracted were distributed unevenly. Among them, the important ecological corridors formed a triangle network, while the general ecological corridors were concentrated in the northwest. Therefore, it is suggested that the important core patches in the north be protected, and the effective connection between the north and south be improved. These results can provide a scientific basis for ecological construction and hierarchical management of the ecological networks.

A hypersonic flow field over a blunt wedge with or without roughness is simulated by a direct numerical simulation method. The effect of isolated and distributed roughnesses on the steady and unsteady hypersonic flow field and boundary layer is analyzed. The shape of roughness is controlled by cubic polynomial. The evolution of disturbance waves caused by slow acoustic wave in the boundary layer is investigated by fast Fourier spectrum analysis. The results show that there is a great influence of roughness on the evolution of disturbance waves in the hypersonic boundary layer. The disturbance waves are promoted in the upstream-half region of roughness while suppressed in the downstream-half region of roughness. There is always a mode competition among different modes both in the temporal domain and in the frequency domain in the boundary layer, and mode competition is affected by roughness. The location of the dominant mode which is changed to a second-order harmonic mode from the fundamental mode moves upstream. The vortices caused by roughness also impact the evolution of disturbance waves in the boundary layer. The fundamental mode is suppressed in the vortex region while other harmonic modes are promoted.

Shape memory epoxy polymer (SMEP) composite specimens with different graphene oxide (GO) contents were manufactured to study the effects of GO mass fractions on epoxy polymer composites. While ensuring the shape memory effect of SMEP, the addition of GO also remarkably strengthened the mechanical performance of the polymers. Analyses of the epoxy polymer composites’ thermal, mechanical, and shape memory performance were conducted through carrying out dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and static tensile, three-point bending, impact, and shape memory tests. Moreover, the tensile fracture, bending fracture, and impact fracture interfaces of epoxy resin composites were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The final test results indicated that when the GO content was 0.8 wt %, SMEP composites had good shape memory performance and optimum thermal and mechanical performance.

Through studying the effects of the Al⁻5Ti-x(Mg⁻30%Ce) refiner on the microstructure of the Al⁻7Si alloy, we investigated the hardness, tensile, and impact properties of the Al⁻Si alloy before and after refinement. The refinement results show that Mg⁻30%Ce can improve the refinement effect of Al⁻5Ti on Al⁻7Si, and also refine α-Al and eutectic Si in Al⁻7Si. When 2%Mg⁻30%Ce is added, the refining effect of the aluminum⁻silicon alloy is most obvious. After refinement, the hardness and tensile properties of the Al⁻7Si alloy improve. When 2%Mg⁻30%Ce is added to the refiner, the tensile properties of the Al⁻Si alloy are the best. Dynamic mechanical tests were conducted on refined Al⁻7Si alloy. The impact toughness of Al⁻7Si⁻(Al⁻5Ti-2(Mg⁻30%Ce) improved and the impact toughness reached 34.91 J/cm2, which is 78.7% higher than that of Al⁻7Si⁻(Al⁻5Ti) specimens. The separate Hopkinson pressure bar test results show that, under a high strain rate, the strain rate sensitivity of the prepared Al⁻Si alloy is significant. The specimens of Al⁻7Si⁻(Al⁻5Ti-2(Mg⁻30%Ce) demonstrated the best anti-impact performance at the same velocity.

Trans-l,4-polyisoprene (TPI) shape memory polymer composites with different chopped carbon fiber mass fractions were prepared to study the effects of different chopped carbon fiber mass fractions and temperatures on the TPI shape memory polymer composites in this paper. While guaranteeing the shape memory effect of TPI shape memory polymers, the carbon fiber fillers also significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of the polymers. The thermodynamic properties and shape memory properties of TPI shape memory polymers were studied by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) test, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) test, thermal conductivity test, static tensile test, mechanical cycle test, thermodynamic cycling test and shape memory test. Furthermore, the tensile fracture interface of TPI shape memory polymer composites was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results show that when the chopped carbon mass fraction fiber is 8%, TPI shape memory polymers have good shape memory properties and the best mechanical properties.