Discovery AP2/ERF family genes in silico in Medicago truncatula

Medicago truncatula is a legume model plant due to its small genome and it has been used to study the molecular events of legume biology. As a crucial plant-specific gene family, AP2/EREBP transcription factors (TFs) are important for plant development and biotic and abiotic stress responses. The purpose of the work was to determine AP2/ERF family genes in silico of M. truncatula, and also sheds light on molecular mechanism of stress responses of AP2/EREBPs. We investigated AP2/ERF family genes of M. truncatula using BLAST search. Thirty-seven (37) AP2/ERF family genes were identified and sorted into the corresponding subfamily or subgroup, with sequences alignment and phylogenetic analysis of the AP2-like TFs proteins between in Arabidopsis and in M. truncatula, and expression patterns of putative 35 AP2/ERF family genes in M. truncatula were revealed. Identification of AP2/ERF family genes would make them easier to clone and position those functional genes, and which also would open new opportunities for the study of molecular regulatory network of stress resistance in M. truncatula.Keywords: Medicago truncatula, transcription factor, AP2/ERFAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(23), pp. 3636-364

Islanding Detection for Microgrid Based on Frequency Tracking Using Extended Kalman Filter Algorithm

Islanding detection is essential for secure and reliable operation of microgrids. Considering the relationship between the power generation and the load in microgrids, frequency may vary with time when islanding occurs. As a common approach, frequency measurement is widely used to detect islanding condition. In this paper, a novel frequency calculation algorithm based on extended Kalman filter was proposed to track dynamic frequency of the microgrid. Taylor series expansion was introduced to solve nonlinear state equations. In addition, a typical microgrid model was built using MATLAB/SIMULINK. Simulation results demonstrated that the proposed algorithm achieved great stability and strong robustness in of tracking dynamic frequency

CEMIP Promotes Osteosarcoma Progression and Metastasis Through Activating Notch Signaling Pathway

Cell migration inducing protein (CEMIP) has been linked to carcinogenesis in several types of cancers. However, the role and mechanism of CEMIP in osteosarcoma remain unclear. This study investigated the role of CEMIP in the progression and metastasis of osteosarcoma, CEMIP was found to be overexpressed in osteosarcoma tissues when compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues, and its expression was positively associated with a poor prognosis in osteosarcoma patients. Silencing CEMIP decreased osteosarcoma cells proliferation, migration, and invasion, but enhanced apoptosis in vitro, and suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, CEMIP promoted osteosarcoma cells growth and metastasis through activating Notch signaling pathway, silencing CEMIP would reduce the protein expression and activation of Notch/Jagged1/Hes1 signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo, activation of Notch signaling pathway could partially reversed cell proliferation and migration in shCEMIP osteosarcoma cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that CEMIP plays a substantial role in the progression of osteosarcoma via Notch signaling pathway, providing a promising therapeutic target in osteosarcoma

Biomimetic Z-scheme photocatalyst with a tandem solid-state electron flow catalyzing H_2 evolution

Similar to natural photosynthetic systems, artificial photosynthetic systems require synergistic cooperation between light harvesting, charge separation and redox catalysis. Herein, a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical photocatalyst is designed with a novel Z-scheme two-photon excitation, defined by the complementary absorption of higher energy and lower energy photons by cadmium sulfide nanowires (CdS NWs) and cobalt–benzimidazole (Co-bIm) coordination polymers (CBPs), respectively. Without any noble-metal co-catalyst, the microscopically integrated CdS–CBP photocatalysts demonstrated dramatically enhanced photocatalytic activities of H_2 evolution, which were up to 10.6 folds higher than those of pristine CdS NWs. Structurally, the intimate interfacial contact between the 3D CdS NW scaffold and the discrete CBP microstructures benefits their strong electronic interaction and efficient charge separation. Upon simultaneous light excitation, a tandem solid-state electron flow from CdS to CBP and then from metal (Co) to ligand (bIm) precisely catalyzes the reduction of pre-activated H atoms on the bIm ligands for efficient H_2 evolution

Biomimetic Z-scheme photocatalyst with a tandem solid-state electron flow catalyzing H_2 evolution

Similar to natural photosynthetic systems, artificial photosynthetic systems require synergistic cooperation between light harvesting, charge separation and redox catalysis. Herein, a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical photocatalyst is designed with a novel Z-scheme two-photon excitation, defined by the complementary absorption of higher energy and lower energy photons by cadmium sulfide nanowires (CdS NWs) and cobalt–benzimidazole (Co-bIm) coordination polymers (CBPs), respectively. Without any noble-metal co-catalyst, the microscopically integrated CdS–CBP photocatalysts demonstrated dramatically enhanced photocatalytic activities of H_2 evolution, which were up to 10.6 folds higher than those of pristine CdS NWs. Structurally, the intimate interfacial contact between the 3D CdS NW scaffold and the discrete CBP microstructures benefits their strong electronic interaction and efficient charge separation. Upon simultaneous light excitation, a tandem solid-state electron flow from CdS to CBP and then from metal (Co) to ligand (bIm) precisely catalyzes the reduction of pre-activated H atoms on the bIm ligands for efficient H_2 evolution

Research on Behavioral Decision at an Unsignalized Roundabout for Automatic Driving Based on Proximal Policy Optimization Algorithm

Unsignalized roundabouts have a significant impact on traffic flow and vehicle safety. To address the challenge of autonomous vehicles passing through roundabouts with low penetration, improve their efficiency, and ensure safety and stability, we propose the proximal policy optimization (PPO) algorithm to enhance decision-making behavior. We develop an optimization-based behavioral choice model for autonomous vehicles that incorporates gap acceptance theory and deep reinforcement learning using the PPO algorithm. Additionally, we employ the CoordConv network to establish an aerial view for spatial perception information gathering. Furthermore, a dynamic multi-objective reward mechanism is introduced to maximize the PPO algorithm’s reward pool function while quantifying environmental factors. Through simulation experiments, we demonstrate that our optimized PPO algorithm significantly improves training efficiency by enhancing the reward value function by 2.85%, 7.17%, and 19.58% in scenarios with 20, 100, and 200 social vehicles, respectively, compared to the PPO+CCMR algorithm. The effectiveness of simulation training also increases by 11.1%, 13.8%, and 7.4%. Moreover, there is a reduction in crossing time by 2.37%, 2.62%, and 13.96%. Our optimized PPO algorithm enhances path selection during autonomous vehicle simulation training as they tend to drive in the inner ring over time; however, the influence of social vehicles on path selection diminishes as their quantity increases. The safety of autonomous vehicles remains largely unaffected by our optimized PPO algorithm

Mold and Stain Resistance of Bamboo Treated with Pyraclostrobin Fungicide

Bamboo is rich in starch and sugars and can be infected by mold and stain fungi, degrading its performance, shortening its service life, and reducing its utilization value. It is crucial to investigate how to protect bamboo against mold and stain fungi. The zone of inhibition test was used to evaluate the antifungal activity of azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl, pyraclostrobin and 3-iodo-2-propynyl-butylcarbamate (IPBC) against stain fungi (Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium moniliforme, and Alternaria alternate) and mold fungi (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum, and Trichoderma viride) to develop new chemicals to protect bamboo against stain fungi and molds. The inhibitory activity of the composite pyraclostrobin and IPBC with different ratios was evaluated. Water-based formulations of the fungi were used to treat the bamboo, and the mold and stain resistance of the bamboo was investigated at different chemical retention rates. The results showed that the antifungal activity of pyraclostrobin was significantly higher than that of azoxystrobin and kresoxim-methyl. Different degrees of inhibitory activities against the stain and mold fungi were observed, and the inhibitory activity was higher against stain fungi than against molds. The three stain fungi were completely inhibited at a 7:3 ratio of pyraclostrobin to IPBC and 0.1% concentration. As the ratio increased, the inhibitory effect against mixed mold strains improved. The control efficacy of the pyraclostrobin formulations Str-1 and Str-2 at 0.1% concentration was 100% against Alternaria alternate and 70.8% against Fusarium moniliforme. The control efficacy of the composite formulations SI-1 and SI-2 at 0.1% concentration was 100% against all three stain fungi and greater than 91.8% against the mixed mold strains. This study provides new insights into the utilization of pyraclostrobin and its composite formulations as new bamboo antifungal agents

Thermal Degradation and Product Analysis of 3-iodo-2-propyl-butylcarbamate as a Wood Preservative

The thermal degradation kinetics and degradation products of IPBC during the heating process are investigated herein. Experiments were conducted at isothermal conditions from 60 °C to 150 °C. The remaining IPBC content was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at specific time intervals for each test, and the kinetic model of IPBC thermal degradation was established. The thermal degradation products of IPBC were studied by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC−MS/MS). The results showed that thermal degradation of IPBC occurred at 70 °C, and the degradation rate increased significantly from 70 °C to 150 °C. The thermal degradation kinetics of IPBC conformed to the first-order reaction and k=3.47×1012e−111125/RT from 60 °C to 150 °C. Seven degradation products such as prop-2-yn-1-yl ethylcarbamate and methyl N-butylcarbamate were identified and the degradation reaction pathway and the mechanism of IPBC were proposed, which involved deiodination, demethylation, deethynylation, deethylation, and hydroxylation processes

Three-Dimensional Morphology and Size Measurement of High-Temperature Metal Components Based on Machine Vision Technology: A Review

The three-dimensional (3D) size and morphology of high-temperature metal components need to be measured in real time during manufacturing processes, such as forging and rolling. Since the surface temperature of a metal component is very high during the forming and manufacturing process, manually measuring the size of a metal component at a close distance is difficult; hence, a non-contact measurement technology is required to complete the measurement. Recently, machine vision technology has been developed, which is a non-contact measurement technology that only needs to capture multiple images of a measured object to obtain the 3D size and morphology information, and this technology can be used in some extreme conditions. Machine vision technology has been widely used in industrial, agricultural, military and other fields, especially fields involving various high-temperature metal components. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the application of machine vision technology in measuring the 3D size and morphology of high-temperature metal components. Furthermore, according to the principle and method of measuring equipment structures, this review highlights two aspects in detail: laser scanning measurement and multi-view stereo vision technology. Special attention is paid to each method through comparisons and analyses to provide essential technical references for subsequent researchers