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The Farm animal Genotype-Tissue Expression (FarmGTEx, https://www.farmgtex.org/) project has been established to develop a comprehensive public resource of genetic regulatory variants in domestic animal species, which is essential for linking genetic polymorphisms to variation in phenotypes, helping fundamental biology discovery and exploitation in animal breeding and human biomedicine. Here we present results from the pilot phase of PigGTEx (http://piggtex.farmgtex.org/), where we processed 9,530 RNA-sequencing and 1,602 whole-genome sequencing samples from pigs. We build a pig genotype imputation panel, characterize the transcriptional landscape across over 100 tissues, and associate millions of genetic variants with five types of transcriptomic phenotypes in 34 tissues. We study interactions between genotype and breed/cell type, evaluate tissue specificity of regulatory effects, and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of their action using multi-omics data. Leveraging this resource, we decipher regulatory mechanisms underlying about 80% of the genetic associations for 207 pig complex phenotypes, and demonstrate the similarity of pigs to humans in gene expression and the genetic regulation behind complex phenotypes, corroborating the importance of pigs as a human biomedical model.

Henan Province is located in central China and rich in domestic pig populations; Huainan (HN) pigs are one of three Henan indigenous breeds with great performance, including early maturation, strong disease resistance and high meat quality. Yunan (YN) black pigs are a typical, newly cultivated breed, synthesized between HN pigs and American Duroc, and are subjected to selection for important traits, such as fast growth and excellent meat quality. However, the genomic differences, selection signatures and loci associated with important economic traits in YN black pigs and HN pigs are still not well understood. In this study, based on high-density SNP chip analysis of 159 samples covering commercial DLY (Duroc × Landrace × Large White) pigs, HN pigs and YN black pigs, we performed a comprehensive analysis of phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity among the three breeds. Furthermore, we used composite likelihood ratio tests (CLR) and F-statistics (Fst) to identify specific signatures of selection associated with important economic traits and potential candidate genes. We found 147 selected regions (top 1%) harboring 90 genes based on genetic differentiation (Fst) in the YN-DLY group. In the HN-DLY group, 169 selected regions harbored 58 genes. In the YN-HN group, 179 selected regions harbored 77 genes. In addition, the QTLs database with the most overlapping regions was associated with triglyceride level, number of mummified pigs, hemoglobin and loin muscle depth for YN black pigs, litter size and intramuscular fat content for HN pigs, and humerus length, linolenic acid content and feed conversion ratio mainly in DLY pigs. Of note, overlapping 14 tissue-specific promoters’ annotation with the top Fst 1% selective regions systematically demonstrated the muscle-specific and hypothalamus-specific regulatory elements in YN black pigs. Taken together, these results contribute to an accurate knowledge of crossbreeding, thus benefitting the evaluation of production performance and improving the genome-assisted breeding of other important indigenous pig in the future.

Xylitol was first applied to enhance nitrogen removal from saline wastewater through "Candidatus Brocadia sinica"-dominated anammox process under low temperature. The reactor was maintained at 15°C, and the salinity of wastewater was 35 g/L. Ammonium removal rate (ARR) and nitrite removal rate (NRR) were stable at around 0.27 kg/(m3 d) without xylitol addition. As an osmotic pressure regulator and cryoprotective agent, optimal ARR and NRR were 0.51 kg/(m3 d) and 0.63 kg/(m3 d) at 0.3 mM xylitol. At the addition of 1 mM high-dosage xylitol, there existed dissimilatory reduction in nitrate to ammonium nitrogen and heterotrophic denitrification in the reactor. Remodified logistic model was suitable to simulate NH4+-N removal process with xylitol addition. As a result, xylitol dose should be controlled within 0.3 mM, which greatly promoted the nitrogen removal from saline wastewater under low temperature. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Xylitol could be used as osmotic pressure regulator and cryoprotective agent to enhance nitrogen removal. The optimal dose was achieved at 0.3 mM xylitol for "Candidatus Brocadia sinica" in low-temperature saline wastewater. High-dosage xylitol could interfere with nitrogen removal efficiency due to the presence of DNAR and HB. Remodified logistic model was suitable for the analysis and prediction of nitrogen removal process with xylitol addition.

By using La(NO3)3•6H2O, Ca(NO3)2•4H2O, and Mn(CH3COO)2•4H2O as starting raw materials together with methanol, three kinds of La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (LCMO) solutions, denoted as LCMO–BzAc, LCMO–AcAc, and LCMO–BPY, respectively, were obtained. The samples were fabricated via the photosensitive solution method with benzoylacetone (BzAc), acetylacetone (AcAc), and 2, 2′-bipyridine (BPY) as chelating reagents. The chelation mechanism of the metal ions was investigated via ultraviolet spectroscopy. The photosensitive compounds were decomposed after UV exposure and their products reduced the solubility of the LCMO gel films in organic solvents. The patterned LCMO thin films were then fabricated by using the self-photosensitive properties of their gel films. Through the mask micromachining process, the LCMO micropatterns prepared by using the LCMO–BzAc solution exhibited the highest quality. Moreover, they also presented good performance when the mask-free method was employed. The magnetic properties of the micropatterned LCMO films were investigated in detail and the results revealed that the micropatterning did not influence their saturation magnetization.

To further enhance the corrosion resistance of the porous micro-arc oxidation (MAO) ceramic layers on AZ31 magnesium alloy, superhydrophobic Mg−Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) coating was fabricated on MAO-coated AZ31 alloy by using in-situ growth method followed by surface modification with stearic acid. The characteristics of different coatings were investigated by XRD, SEM and EDS. The effect of the hydrothermal treatment time on the formation of the LDH coatings was studied. The results demonstrated that the micro-pores and cracks of MAO coating were gradually sealed via in-situ growing LDH with prolonging hydrothermal treating time. Electrochemical measurement displayed that the lowest corrosion current density, the most positive corrosion potential and the highest impedance modulus were observed for superhydrophobic LDH/MAO coating compared with those of MAO coating and LDH/MAO coating. Immersion experiment proved that the superhydrophobic LDH/MAO coating with the active anti-corrosion capability significantly enhanced the long-term corrosion protection for MAO coated alloy.

The functional annotation of livestock genomes is crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms that underpin complex traits of economic importance, adaptive evolution and comparative genomics. Here, we provide the most comprehensive catalogue to date of regulatory elements in the pig (Sus scrofa) by integrating 223 epigenomic and transcriptomic data sets, representing 14 biologically important tissues. We systematically describe the dynamic epigenetic landscape across tissues by functionally annotating 15 different chromatin states and defining their tissue-specific regulatory activities. We demonstrate that genomic variants associated with complex traits and adaptive evolution in pig are significantly enriched in active promoters and enhancers. Furthermore, we reveal distinct tissue-specific regulatory selection between Asian and European pig domestication processes. Compared with human and mouse epigenomes, we show that porcine regulatory elements are more conserved in DNA sequence, under both rapid and slow evolution, than those under neutral evolution across pig, mouse, and human. Finally, we provide novel biological insights on tissue-specific regulatory conservation and demonstrate that, depending on the traits, mouse or pig might be more appropriate biomedical models for different complex traits and diseases in humans through integrating comparative epigenomes with 47 human genome-wide association studies.

During RNA viruses's replication, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is normally produced and induce host innate immune response. Most of gene activation due cytokine mediated but which are due to methylation mediated is still unknown. In the study, DNA methylome was integrated with our previous transcriptome data to investigate the differentially methylated regions and genes using MeDIP-chip technology. We found that the transcriptional expressions of 15, 37 and 18 genes were negatively related with their promoter DNA methylation levels in the cells treated by PolyI:C, Aza-CdR, as well as PolyI:C plus Aza-CdR, respectively, compared with the untreated cells. GO analysis revealed hypo-methylated genes (BNIP3L and CDK9) and a hyper-methylated gene (ZC3HAV1) involved in the host response to viral replication. Our results suggest that these novel genes targeted by DNA methylation can be potential markers relevant to virus replication and host innate immune response to set up a medical model of infectious diseases.

In this work, Platymonas helgolandica was used as an experimental material to study the effect of chromium on it. Under the experimental ecological condition, the concentrations of Cr (VI) were set as 0, 0.05, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/L. Every concentration designed with three parallel groups. The ecotoxicology method was used to investigate the impact of Cr (VI) on P. helgolandica, and (EC50) was calculated by the method of linear interpolation. The results showed the growth of P. helgolandica had a more obvious “Hormesis” when chromium was 0.05 mg/L. However, with Cr (VI) increased, the inhibition on P. helgolandica was increasing, and the cell density of P. helgolandica decreased. The EC50 achieved at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h revealed that the relative growth rate had a downward trend over time. The remodified Logistic model, the modified Gompertz model, and the Logistic model were suitable to describe cell density in an operating cycle and were beneficial to explore the growth of P. helgolandica.

NbN/MoN nano-multilayer coatings with MoN layer thickness ranging from 1.0 to 4.3 nm were deposited using a closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering system by varying Mo target current. The structure of the coatings was investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The mechanical and tribological properties of the coatings were evaluated by nano-indentation and ball-on-disc wear tests. It was found that all of the as-deposited NbN/MoN multilayer coatings exhibit fcc B1-NaCl structure and the preferred orientation of the coatings changed from (111) to (200) as MoN layer thickness exceeds 2.1 nm. The NbN/MoN multilayer coatings with MoN layer thickness 1.0 nm exhibit a superhardness with value of 40.0 GPa. Further increase of MoN layer thickness results in a decrease in coating hardness. The NbN/MoN multilayer coatings exhibit lower coefficient of friction and better wear resistance compared to NbN single layer coatings. A low COF of 0.53 and wear rate of 0.7 × 10 −6 mm 3 /Nm can be achieved in the NbN/MoN multilayer coatings with a MoN layer thickness of 4.3 nm.

A sequencing batch reactor was used to study long-term nitrogen removal performance of anaerobic ammonia oxidation bacteria (AnAOB) with trehalose addition treating nitrogen-rich saline wastewater. The operating temperature was controlled at 35 ± 0.5°C with influent pH of 7.5 ± 0.1. Trehalose played a significant role in enhancing long-term nitrogen removal performance. When trehalose was 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mM, ammonia removal efficiency (ARE) increased by 4.9%, 16.2%, and 32.4%, and nitrite removal efficiency (NRE) improved by 7.5%, 27.9%, and 42.2%, respectively. Optimal ARE and NRE were 92.4% and 97.4% achieved at 0.35 mM trehalose. Moreover, NO 2 - - N was removed completely within 2 hr at high trehalose content due to the synergistic effect resulting from AnAOB and heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria. Δ NO 2 - - N / Δ NH 4 + - N increased with trehalose addition, while Δ NO 3 - - N / Δ NH 4 + - N decreased. Compared to Δ NO 3 - - N / Δ NH 4 + - N , Δ NO 2 - - N / Δ NH 4 + - N fluctuated greatly. The remodified Logistic model and modified Gompertz model were suitable for describing nitrogen removal in an operating cycle with trehalose addition. Fitted AREmax values were consistent with experimental values. Appropriate trehalose addition could shorten the response time of AnAOB coping with hazardous environment stress. Lag time was within 1 hr and the minimal fitted λ value got close to 0 achieved at 0.15 mM trehalose. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Trehalose enhanced nitrogen removal of AnAOB in saline wastewater treatment. Optimal ARE and NRE were 92.4% and 97.4% achieved at 0.35 mM trehalose. Remodified Logistic and Gompertz models can analyze nitrogen removal with trehalose. Appropriate trehalose can shorten response time of AnAOB coping with salt stress.

Background Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a prevalent chronic glomerular disease contribution to end-stage renal failure (ESRD). The tonsillar microbiota is closely associated with IgAN diseases based on the mucosal immune response. However, the composition and function of in tonsillar microbiota in participant patients with IgAN remains unknown. In this study, we detected the tonsillar microbiota changes of IgAN patients in Heilongjiang province located in northeast China. Material and methods We collected from 21 patients with IgAN and 16 patients with chronic tonsillitis (CT) who had undergone tonsillectomy previously. Histological review of all samples from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue were performed. Extracted DNA from FFPE tissue blocks, after that V4 regions of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing and comparative analyses of tonsillar flora between two groups were performed. The statistical analysis used the SPSS version of 21. Results Visualization of microorganisms by Gram and Warthin-Starry (WS) silver stains, preliminarily observed the morphological characteristics of microbiome in FFPE tissue cases, such as bacteria or fungi. Tonsillar FFPE samples from the IgAN patients and CT controls showed significant differences in tonsillar microbial certain compositions and functions. We found that there were eight dominant genera that can be available to distinguish IgAN patients from CT controls. Compared with CT controls, at genus level, the relative abundances of Methylocaldum and unclassified_f_Prevotellaceae were significantly higher, while the abundances of Anaerosphaera, Halomonas, Trichococcus, Peptostreptococcus, norank_f_Synergistaceae and unclassified_k_norank_d_Bacteria were significantly lower in IgAN patients. Principal co-ordinates analysis (PCOA) distinguished IgAN patients from CT controls, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis confirmed that the diagnosis of disease has certain diagnostic significance. In addition, Functional analysis revealed that partly Enzymes and KOs were increased in the IgAN patients. Conclusions Histological screening results were very helpful for further gene sequencing, not only to supplement the observation of bacterial morphology and structure, but also to prepare for subsequent gene sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. We elucidated subtle relevance between changes in tonsillar microbiota and IgAN patients, which can be utilized to predict the incidence of IgAN disease. In addition, we predicted that some enzymes, and KOs were closely related to IgAN.

Nanoaprticles(Nps)-Ag/TiO 2 multilayer films with different working pressures of Ag and inserted SiO 2 shell layers between Ag and TiO 2 were prepared by alternate magnetron sputtering. The formation of Ag nanoparticles embedded in TiO 2 matrix was confirmed by the XRD and TEM results. The optical absorption peaks assigned to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag nanoparticles were observed in the wavelength range of 550–750 nm. With increasing working pressure of Ag, the SPR peaks show blue-shift due to the decreasing Ag Nps size and increasing spacing between them. Compared with the pure TiO 2 film, the Nps-Ag/TiO 2 and Nps-Ag/SiO 2 /TiO 2 film show significantly enhanced Raman scattering due to the strong local field induced by the SPR of Ag nanoparticles, and the enhanced photocatalytic activity of Nps-Ag/TiO 2 film is related with the improved charge separation by the embedded Ag nanoparticles.

This work presents a joint modeling method. By adding a material of different set element, the complex elements consisting of joint are regarded equivalent to he element set without joint. Considering the influence of the different characteristics of joint surface, the parameters of virtual material can be derived by using the principle that the basic characteristic parameters of the joints equal the material strain energy. Then, when the virtual material parameters are imported into the finite element analysis software, an analytical model including joints can be obtained. The results show that the virtual material model can provide a theoretical basis for the accurate joint modeling.

Nps-Cu/TiO2 composite films with different sputtering time and layer numbers of Cu were prepared by alternate magnetron sputtering. The XRD and TEM results confirm the formation of approximately spherical Cu nanoparticles embedded in TiO2 matrix. The optical absorption peaks assigned to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Cu nanoparticles were observed in the wavelength range of 600–900 nm. The SPR peaks show enhanced intensity and red-shift due to increasing Cu Nps size and decreasing space between them with increased sputtering time of Cu. The Nps-Cu/TiO2 composite film with one bottom layer of Cu nanoparticles and one embedded within the TiO2 film has proven to achieve the highest enhanced photocatalytic efficiency compared with the pure TiO2 film, which is elucidated with the photogenerated carriers separation mechanism related with the embedded Cu nanoparticles.

Nitrogen removal performance and key enzyme activities of “Candidatus Brocadia sinica” with sorbitol addition were investigated in nitrogen-laden saline wastewater treatment. Nitrogen removal through “Candidatus Brocadia sinica” first increased and then decreased with sorbitol addition. Optimal ammonia removal rate and nitrite removal rate were 0.53 and 0.67 kg/(m3·d) at 0.8 mM sorbitol, which increased by 39.5% and 71.8%, respectively. Moreover, appropriate sorbitol content could resist salt stress and decrease extracellular polymeric substances content of “Candidatus Brocadia sinica”. Independent of sorbitol concentration, hydrazine dehydrogenase and nitrite reductase activities were enhanced about 1.37–2.36 folds. Remodified Logistic model was the most appropriate to analyze nitrogen removal process with sorbitol addition. Fitted Rmax (%/h) could be converted into Vmax (kg/(m3·d)) to predict optimal substrate conversion rates of “Candidatus Brocadia sinica” treating nitrogen-laden saline wastewater with various sorbitol contents.

A La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 (LSMO) photosensitive sol was synthesized using La(NO3)3•6H2O, Sr(CH3COO)2•0.5H2O, and Mn(CH3COO)2•4H2O as starting materials and benzoylacetone (BzAc) as a chelating agent, and the corresponding gel films were casted on single crystal LaAlO3 (00l) substrates. The complexation mechanism between metal ions and the chelating agent was investigated via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The results show that the Mn and La ions were chelated with BzAc, and the as-cast gel film shows photosensitivity to ultraviolet-visible light. Grating-patterned films were prepared by irradiating the gel films for 3 min using a two-beam interference process followed by rinsing in a solution of isopropyl alcohol and n-butyl alcohol (2:1 v/v) for 8 s. It was found that the irradiated portion of the gel film remained intact in the solvent, whereas the unirradiated portion was dissolved, producing the gratings. The shape of the gratings is highly periodic without broken wires or defects. After annealing at 750 °C, the patterned LSMO gel film turned into a c-axis orientated inorganic film. The patterned LSMO film exhibited a saturation magnetization value that is similar to that of the unpatterned LSMO film.

Freshwater-derived anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) bacteria (“Candidatus Brocadia sinica”) were investigated to remove nitrogen from high-salinity and low-temperature wastewater with glycine addition. The reactor was operated at 15 ± 0.5 °C with influent pH of 7.5 ± 0.1. When glycine were 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 mM, respectively, nitrite removal rate (NRR) increased by 27.7%, 47.3%, and 70.4% accordingly. Optimal ammonia removal rate (0.32 kg/(m3·d)) and NRR (0.45 kg/(m3·d)) were achieved at 0.8 mM glycine. Effect resulting from glycine on nitrite reductase was higher than hydrazine synthase. Moreover, ΔNO2−-N/ΔNH4+-N increased with glycine addition while ΔNO3−-N/ΔNH4+-N first increased and then decreased. The remodified Logistic model and modified Boltzmann model were appropriate to describe nitrogen removal with glycine addition. Kinetic parameter λ achieved through the remodified Logistic model revealed that “Candidatus Brocadia sinica” had a shorter lag phase than that of marine anammox bacteria.

Oxonitridosilicate phosphors with compositions of Y1−xCexSiO2N (x=0–0.1) were synthesized by a new synthetic route based on a solid state reaction among YSi, CeSi, SiO2 and Y2O3 compounds at high temperature and high pressure. The photoluminescence properties dependent on Ce concentration and temperature were investigated. Concentration quenching occurred when the doped Ce3+ concentration was more than 3 mol.%. The emission spectra showed red shifts from 430 to 447 nm with the increased Ce concentration from 0.5 mol.% to 10 mol.%. The quenching temperature was estimated as ∼380 K. The chromaticity coordinates of the excitation and emission spectra were stable against the temperature. This study showed these YSiO2N:Ce3+ phosphors the potential applications in the three-RGB phosphor-converted white LEDs.

A lab-incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different forms of nitrogen application (ammonium, NH4+-N; nitrate, NO3−-N; and amide-N, NH2-N) and different concentrations (40, 200 and 800 mg L−1) on N2O emission from the fluvo-aquic soil subjected to a freezing-thawing cycling. N2O emission sharply decreased at the start of soil freezing, and then showed a smooth line with soil freezing. In subject to soil thawing, N2O emission increased and reached a peak at the initial thawing stage. The average N2O emissions with addition of NH4+-N, NO3−-N and NH2-N are 119.01, 611.61 and 148. 22 μg m−2 h−1, respectively, at the concentration of 40 mg L−1; 205.28, 1 084.40 and 106.13 μg m−2 h−1 at the concentration of 200 mg L−1; and 693.95, 1820.02 and 49.74 μg m−2 h−1 at the concentration of 800 mg L−1. The control is only 100.35 μg m−2 h−1. N2O emissions with addition of NH4+-N and NO3−-N increased with increasing concentration, by ranging from 17.49 to 425.67% for NH4+-N, and from 563.38 to 1 458.6% for NO3−-N compared with control. There was a timelag for N2O emission to reach a steady state with an increase of concentration. In contrast, by adding NH2-N to soil, N2O emission decreased with increasing concentration. In sum, NH4+-N or NO3−-N fertilizer incorporated in soil enhanced the cumulative N2O emission from the fluvo-aquic soil relative to amide-N. This study suggested that ammonium and nitrate concentration in overwintering water should be less than 200 and 40 mg L−1 in order to reduce N2O emissions from soil, regardless of amide-N.

The present paper is emphasized on the effect of thermal stability of the coating for dry drilling. The comparison of CrTiAlN and TiN coated drills as well as bare drill indicates that besides appreciable hardness, thermal stability is a crucial factor. The microstructure and mechanical properties after annealing at different temperatures were investigated. The results show that when the hardness is similar, the high oxidation resistance of the coating with good thermal stability at elevated temperature (in morphology, microstructure or phase) will exhibit good performance for dry cutting. The higher the hardness of the work piece, the more pronounced effect of the thermal stability of the coating layer.

Sustained expression of the GH gene has been shown to have detrimental effects on the health of animals. In the current study, transgenic founder pigs, with controllable pig growth hormone (pGH) expression, were cloned via the handmade cloning method (HMC) and pGH expression levels were examined at the cellular and organismal levels. The serum pGH levels in 3 founder male pigs were found to be significantly higher after induction with intramuscular injection of doxycycline (DOX) compared to baseline. A daily dose of DOX was administered via feed to these animals for a period of 65 to 155 days. The growth rate, feed efficiency and pGH serum concentration increased in the DOX-induced transgenic group compared with the other groups. 8 numbers of animals were euthanized and the dressing percentage, loin muscle and lean meat percentage were significantly higher in the DOX-induced F1 transgenic group compared with the other groups. In this study a large population of transgenic pigs, with integrated controllable expression of a transgene, was obtained. The transgenic pigs were healthy and normal in terms of reproductive capability. At the same time, feed efficiency was improved, production processes were accelerated and meat yield was increased.

The hard carbon solid lubrication coating was deposited onto high-speed steel (HSS) twist drills by closed filed unbalanced magnetron sputter ion plating technique. The drilling tests were performed on Al-Si alloys under dry cutting conditions. By the analysis and comparison of the flank wear, the drilling forces and the drilling precision on coated and uncoated drills, the cutting performance of the hard carbon solid lubrication coated HSS tools was researched. The results show that the hard carbon coating with high hardness and low friction coefficient can significantly improve the cutting performance of HSS twist drills, prolong the tool life, decrease the drilling forces and improve the drilling precision. Due to its good adhesion and match with HSS substrate, and proper thickness, the graphite-like carbon (GLC) solid lubrication coatings has great potential for dry cutting operations, and it would be one of the most perspective tools coating in dry cutting Al-Si alloy.