Two-grid methods of finite element approximation for parabolic integro-differential optimal control problems

In this paper, we present a two-grid scheme of fully discrete finite element approximation for optimal control problems governed by parabolic integro-differential equations. The state and co-state variables are approximated by a piecewise linear function and the control variable is discretized by a piecewise constant function. First, we derive the optimal a priori error estimates for all variables. Second, we prove the global superconvergence by using the recovery techniques. Third, we construct a two-grid algorithm and discuss its convergence. In the proposed two-grid scheme, the solution of the parabolic optimal control problem on a fine grid is reduced to the solution of the parabolic optimal control problem on a much coarser grid; additionally, the solution of a linear algebraic system on the fine grid and the resulting solution maintain an asymptotically optimal accuracy. Finally, we present a numerical example to verify the theoretical results

Development of multifunctional unmanned aerial vehicles versus ground seeding and outplanting: What is more effective for improving the growth and quality of rice culture?

The agronomic processes are complex in rice production. The mechanization efficiency is low in seeding, fertilization, and pesticide application, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Currently, many kinds of research focus on the single operation of UAVs on rice, but there is a paucity of comprehensive applications for the whole process of seeding, fertilization, and pesticide application. Based on the previous research synthetically, a multifunctional unmanned aerial vehicle (mUAV) was designed for rice planting management based on the intelligent operation platform, which realized three functions of seeding, fertilizer spreading, and pesticide application on the same flight platform. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were used for machine design. Field trials were used to measure operating parameters. Finally, a comparative experimental analysis of the whole process was conducted by comparing the cultivation patterns of mUAV seeding (T1) with mechanical rice direct seeder (T2), and mechanical rice transplanter (T3). The comprehensive benefit of different rice management processes was evaluated. The results showed that the downwash wind field of the mUAV fluctuated widely from 0 to 1.5 m, with the spreading height of 2.5 m, and the pesticide application height of 3 m, which meet the operational requirements. There was no significant difference in yield between T1, T2, and T3 test areas, while the differences in operational efficiency and input labor costs were large. In the sowing stage, T1 had obvious advantages since the working efficiency was 2.2 times higher than T2, and the labor cost was reduced by 68.5%. The advantages were more obvious compared to T3, the working efficiency was 4 times higher than in T3, and the labor cost was reduced by 82.5%. During the pesticide application, T1 still had an advantage, but it was not a significant increase in advantage relative to the seeding stage, in which operating efficiency increased by 1.3 times and labor costs were reduced by 25%. However, the fertilization of T1 was not advantageous due to load and other limitations. Compared to T2 and T3, operational efficiency was reduced by 80% and labor costs increased by 14.3%. It is hoped that this research will provide new equipment for rice cultivation patterns in different environments, while improving rice mechanization, reducing labor inputs, and lowering costs

CRISPR-Cas13a-Based Detection for Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) is the main pathogen of bovine viral diarrhea disease (BVD), which leads to enormous economic losses in the cattle industry. A sensitive and specific detection for BVDV is advantageous to the control of BVDV. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas systems have been used for detecting virus RNA. In this study, the expression and purification of LwCas13a protein was optimized and the RNase activity of LwCas13a in vitro was verified. CRISPR-LwCas13a system could detect BVDV virus and BVDV RNA with high specificity and simplicity. The detection limit of the LwCas13a system was 103 pM, and there were no cross-reactions with HEK293T and MDBK. In summary, a sensitive, specific, and simple nucleic acid detection method based on CRISPR-Cas13a was developed for BVDV. This method provides a new detection strategy for early diagnosis of BVDV

A novel fluorescent sensor for ultra-sensitive detection of Al3+ and its bioimaging application in living cells

After the late 20th century, with the continuous development of industrialization worldwide, environmental pollution issues put a huge burden on society and living organisms. Many excessive metal ions have been found in humans and animals, as well as in the environment. It caused huge damage to functional organisms. For example, transitional metal ions Al3+, Cu2+, and other metal ions were considered a contributor to cancer. Thus, it is necessary to develop an efficient and convenient sensor for the rapid detection of metal ions. In this work, a novel fluorochrome based on thiophene Schiff base has been synthesized and investigated for ultrasensitive detection of Al3+ and its bioimaging application in living cells. with high selectivity and anti-interference over other metal ions, the TS displayed a very fast fluorescence-enhanced response towards Al3+ and with low detection limits TS (3.7 nM for Al3+ ) and wide pH response range TS (4.0–12.0) high stability TS (binding constant 1.16×104M-1). The sensing mechanism between Al3+ and TS was investigated, and the result shows that the chemical binding stoichiometric ratio of TS-Al3+ is 1:1. Importantly, experiments of TS-Al3+ have carried out in various environmental solutions and coated paper strips, and it worked well. More importantly, it can be used in living cells detection of Al3+, which granted its potential application in bioimaging

Nonisothermal melt crystallization and subsequent melting behavior of biodegradable poly(hydroxybutyrate)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites

ABSTRACT: In this work, nonisothermal melt crystallization and subsequent melting behavior of poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and its nanocomposites at different multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) loadings were investigated. Increasing the MWCNTs loadings has enhanced the nonisothermal melt crystallization of PHB significantly in the nanocomposites when compared with that of the neat PHB; furthermore, increasing the cooling rates shift the crystallization exotherms to low temperature range for both neat PHB and its nanocomposites. Double melting behavior is found for both neat PHB and its nanocomposites crystallized nonisothermally from the melt, which is explained by the melting, recrystallization, and remelting model. Effects of the MWCNTs loadings, cooling rates, and heating rates on the subsequent melting behavior of PHB were studied in detail. It is found that increasing the MWCNTs loadings, decreasing the cooling rates, and increasing the heating rates would restrict the occurrence of the recrystallization of PHB in the nanocomposites

Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysis Combined with Wet-Lab Experiments to Find Target Proteins of Chinese Medicine Monomer

How to use bioinformatics methods to quickly and accurately locate the effective targets of traditional Chinese medicine monomer (TCM) is still an urgent problem needing to be solved. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing to identify the genes that were up-regulated after cells were treated with TCM monomers and used bioinformatics methods to analyze which transcription factors activated these genes. Then, the binding proteins of these transcription factors were analyzed and cross-analyzed with the docking proteins predicted by small molecule reverse docking software to quickly and accurately determine the monomer’s targets. Followeding this method, we predicted that the TCM monomer Daphnoretin (DT) directly binds to JAK2 with a binding energy of −5.43 kcal/mol, and activates the JAK2/STAT3 signaling transduction pathway. Subsequent Western blotting and in vitro binding and kinase experiments further validated our bioinformatics predictions. Our method provides a new approach for quickly and accurately locating the effective targets of TCM monomers, and we also have discovered for the first time that TCM monomer DT is an agonist of JAK2