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In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology and statistical analysis were employed to explore the effects of adding green tea at proportions of 10%, 20%, and 30% on physicochemical characteristics, bacterial community diversity and succession of Daqu during fermentation compared with pure wheat Daqu (control). The results showed that the addition of green tea significantly increased the bacterial community diversity of Daqu and improved its saccharification capacity, moisture content and acidity. However, the increase in tea addition did not exhibit a proportional relationship with the community diversity. The unique evolutionary structure of the bacterial communities in different types of Daqu was found to be the major factor affecting the physicochemical characteristics of Daqu. During the fermentation process, all four Daqu exhibited differentiation in bacterial community succession starting from the thermophilic stage, thereby leading to the formation of their unique community structure at the end of the fermentation process. The phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteria showed varying influences on the community succession of the four Daqu samples, thus making each of them have different physicochemical characteristics. Specifically, Pseudomonas was an important bacterial genus contributing to the physicochemical characteristics of the control and 10% tea Daqu, while Weissella and Pediococcus, were important contributors to the physicochemical characteristics of the 20% tea Daqu. Bacillus was found to be a significant bacterial genus contributing to the physicochemical characteristics of the 30% tea Daqu. This study provides a theoretical basis for process optimization in the production of tea-added Daqu and for the development of multi-raw material fermentation starters. It also has implications for improving the preparation process of Daqu and the application of tea in Daqu making.

This study focuses on applying artificial intelligence techniques to virtually simulate the vibration characteristics of the resonance box of a college symphony orchestra to improve the understanding and optimization of the acoustic performance of the instrument. The study uses the finite element method and digital waveguide technology to simulate and analyze the vibration characteristics of the stringed resonating musical instrument, which is realized by the vibration equation of an ideal string and the principle of digital waveguide algorithm. The experimental results show that the applied simulation technique can effectively simulate the vibration characteristics of the resonance box of the musical instrument, such as the ideal string vibration and the cavity coupling effect. In addition, the study involves the mathematical expressions of forced vibration and resonance and the effects of various materials on the modal frequencies of the resonance box. The application of artificial intelligence technology in studying acoustic characteristics of musical instruments significantly improves the accuracy and efficiency of simulation. It provides essential theoretical support for the design and production of musical instruments.

High myopia is a common ocular genetic disease in the world. The study sought to investigate the effect of the Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) genes polymorphisms on high myopia in a Han population of China. This study recruited 216 unrelated Han Chinese subjects, including 103 cases with high myopia and 113 controls. Four tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IGF-1 and MMP-9 genes were genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY method. The chi-square test showed that the family history was significantly correlated with myopia. The SNP genotypes were all in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). Among the four SNPs, there were statistically significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of rs2236416 between the groups (P = 0.024). The significant associations of rs2236416 between cases and controls also appeared after Bonferroni multiple correction (P = 0.024). Then, there were significant differences in the genotypes dominant model and codominant model of rs2236416 between groups (P = 0.007 and P = 0.004, respectively). rs5742632 showed a significant difference between the cases and the controls in the recessive model (P = 0.037). Our findings indicated that rs2236416 of MMP-9 was associated with myopia in the population. The result suggested MMP-9 gene locus may play a role in myopia.

Creatures in nature make extensive use of structural color adaptive camouflage to survive. Cholesteric liquid crystals, with nanostructures similar to those of natural organisms, can be combined with actuators to produce bright structural colors in response to a wide range of stimuli. Structural colors modulated by nano-helical structures can continuously and selectively reflect specific wavelengths of light, breaking the limit of colors recognizable by the human eye. In this review, the current state of research on cholesteric liquid crystal photonic actuators and their technological applications is presented. First, the basic concepts of cholesteric liquid crystals and their nanostructural modulation are outlined. Then, the cholesteric liquid crystal photonic actuators responding to different stimuli (mechanical, thermal, electrical, light, humidity, magnetic, pneumatic) are presented. This review describes the practical applications of cholesteric liquid crystal photonic actuators and summarizes the prospects for the development of these advanced structures as well as the challenges and their promising applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transcriptional factor MED12 is part of the essential mediator transcriptional complex that acts as a transcriptional coactivator in all eukaryotes. Missense gain-of-function mutations in human MED12 are associated with uterine leiomyomas, yet the role of MED12 deficiency in tumorigenesis and reproductive biology has not been fully explored. We generated a Med12 reproductive conditional knockout mouse model to evaluate its role in uterine mesenchyme, granulosa cells, and oocytes. Mice heterozygous for Med12 deficiency in granulosa cells and uterus (Med12fl/+ Amhr2-Cre) were subfertile, while mice homozygous for Med12 deficiency in granulosa cells and uterus (Med12fl/fl Amhr2-Cre) were infertile. Morphological and histological analysis of the Med12fl/fl Amhr2-Cre reproductive tract revealed atrophic uteri and hyperchromatic granulosa cells with disrupted expression of Lhcgr, Esr1, and Esr2. Med12fl/fl Amhr2-Cre mice estrous cycle was disrupted, and serum analysis showed blunted rise in estradiol in response to pregnant mare serum gonadotropin. Uterine atrophy was partially rescued by exogenous steroid supplementation with dysregulation of Notch1 and Smo expression in steroid supplemented Med12fl/fl Amhr2-Cre uteri, indicating intrinsic uterine defects. Oocyte-specific ablation of Med12 caused infertility without disrupting normal folliculogenesis and ovulation, consistent with maternal effects of Med12 in early embryo development. These results show the critical importance of Med12 in reproductive tract development and that Med12 loss of function does not cause tumorigenesis in reproductive tissues.