An SDP method for Fractional Semi-infinite Programming Problems with SOS-convex polynomials

In this paper, we study a class of fractional semi-infinite polynomial programming problems involving s.o.s-convex polynomial functions. For such a problem, by a conic reformulation proposed in our previous work and the quadratic modules associated with the index set, a hierarchy of semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxations can be constructed and convergent upper bounds of the optimum can be obtained. In this paper, by introducing Lasserre's measure-based representation of nonnegative polynomials on the index set to the conic reformulation, we present a new SDP relaxation method for the considered problem. This method enables us to compute convergent lower bounds of the optimum and extract approximate minimizers. Moreover, for a set defined by infinitely many s.o.s-convex polynomial inequalities, we obtain a procedure to construct a convergent sequence of outer approximations which have semidefinite representations. The convergence rate of the lower bounds and outer approximations are also discussed

Comparative expression profiles of carboxylesterase orthologous CXE14 in two closely related tea geometrid species, Ectropis obliqua Prout and Ectropis grisescens Warren

Insect carboxylesterases (CXEs) can be expressed in multiple tissues and play crucial roles in detoxifying xenobiotic insecticides and degrading olfactory cues. Therefore, they have been considered as an important target for development of eco-friendly insect pest management strategies. Despite extensive investigation in most insect species, limited information on CXEs in sibling moth species is currently available. The Ectropis obliqua Prout and Ectropis grisescens Warren are two closely related tea geometrid species, which share the same host of tea plant but differ in geographical distribution, sex pheromone composition, and symbiotic bacteria abundance, providing an excellent mode species for studies of functional diversity of orthologous CXEs. In this study, we focused on EoblCXE14 due to its previously reported non-chemosensory organs-biased expression. First, the EoblCXE14 orthologous gene EgriCXE14 was cloned and sequence characteristics analysis showed that they share a conserved motif and phylogenetic relationship. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was then used to compare the expression profiles between two Ectropis spp. The results showed that EoblCXE14 was predominately expressed in E. obliqua larvae, whereas EgriCXE14 was abundant in E. grisescens at multiple developmental stages. Interestingly, both orthologous CXEs were highly expressed in larval midgut, but the expression level of EoblCXE14 in E. obliqua midgut was significantly higher than that of EgriCXE14 in E. grisescens midgut. In addition, the potential effect of symbiotic bacteria Wolbachia on the CXE14 was examined. This study is the first to provide comparative expression profiles of orthologous CXE genes in two sibling geometrid moth species and the results will help further elucidate CXEs functions and identify a potential target for tea geometrid pest control

Dystrophin Is a Tumor Suppressor in Human Cancers with Myogenic Programs

Many common human mesenchymal tumors, including gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), and leiomyosarcoma (LMS), feature myogenic differentiation1–3. Here we report that intragenic deletion of the dystrophin-encoding and muscular dystrophy-associated DMD gene is a frequent mechanism by which myogenic tumors progress to high-grade, lethal sarcomas. Dystrophin is expressed in nonneoplastic and benign counterparts for GIST, RMS and LMS, and the DMD deletions inactivate larger dystrophin isoforms, including 427kDa dystrophin, while preserving expression of an essential 71kDa isoform. Dystrophin inhibits myogenic sarcoma cell migration, invasion, anchorage independence, and invadopodia formation, and dystrophin inactivation was found in 96%, 100%, and 62% of metastatic GIST, embryonal RMS, and LMS, respectively. These findings validate dystrophin as a tumor suppressor and likely anti-metastatic factor, suggesting that therapies in development for muscular dystrophies may also have relevance in treatment of cancer

Analysis of Resistance Characteristics of a 37 Rod Fuel Bundle under Low Reynolds Number

During the working period of decay heat removal system, the flow rate of liquid sodium in wire-wrapped fuel assembly is very low, generally Re<1000. In the present study, both experimental methods and numerical simulation methods are applied. First, water experiment of 37-pin wire-wrapped rod bundle was carried out. Then, the numerical simulation study was carried out, the experimental data and the numerical simulation results were compared and analyzed, and a suitable turbulence model was selected to simulate the liquid sodium medium. Finally, numerical simulations under different boundary conditions were performed. Results indicate that except for the low Reynolds number k-ε turbulence model, other turbulence models have little difference with the experimental results. The results of realizable k-ε turbulence model are the most close to the experimental results. Compared with the friction factor obtained by using water medium and liquid sodium medium, the calculation results of water medium and sodium medium under the same condition are basically consistent, with the deviation within 1%. The reason is that the velocity of water is higher than sodium medium at the same Reynolds number, and the transverse disturbance caused by helical wire is larger

Dynamic profiles of tar products during Naomaohu coal pyrolysis revealed by large-scale reactive molecular dynamic simulation

Understanding dynamic profiles of tar in coal pyrolysis is vital to high quality chemical production and upgrading process of tar, which is difficult to be accessed experimentally. Using large coal models with reasonable distribution of functional groups, ReaxFF MD method can shed light on comprehensive structures and reaction details of coal tar in pyrolysis, which complements available experimental observations. In this work, a large model with 98,748 atoms of Naomaohu low-rank coal is constructed to explore tar behaviors for the first time computationally by heat-up ReaxFF MD simulations at 500-2500 K. The correspondence between the tar behaviors and the divided four pyrolysis stages observed would be very helpful for modulating the composition and yield of tar and the subsequent upgrading process. The dynamic profiles of bridge bonds, ring intermediates and the detailed structures of hydrocarbons in tar (C-5-C-40 fragments) are revealed, which shows that the five- and seven-membered ring intermediates in tar should be soot precursors during coal pyrolysis process. The increasing trend of -O-(CH2)(n)- is strongly related to low-temperature cross-linking reactions during low-rank coal pyrolysis, while the increasing trend of C-ar-C-ar plays a significant role in recombination reactions at high temperature. Moreover, the simulation also shows that the production of aliphatic hydrocarbons is favored at the primary pyrolysis stage, accompanied with high concentration of oxygenated compounds produced, while aromatic fragments are most likely generated at the secondary pyrolysis stage where the amount of phenolic products tends to decrease

A Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Revision of <i>Discula theae-sinensis</i>, the Causal Agents of Anthracnose on <i>Camellia sinensis</i>

Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) is one of the most important economic plants in China, and has many benefits for human health. Anthracnose is one of the most serious diseases of tea in China, and control of the fungus is important since most Chinese cultivars are susceptible to it. The agent of tea anthracnose was initially described as Gloeosporium theae-sinensis I. Miyake in Japan, which was later transferred to Discula, but this taxonomic position remains problematic. To shed light on these taxonomic and phylogenetic issues, the tea anthracnose pathogens were re-studied. Combining the morphological characteristics and a multigene phylogenetic analysis of nrITS, nrLSU, rpb2, and tef1 sequence data, a new genus Sinodiscula was proposed to accommodate the causal fungi of tea anthracnose, including a new species Sinodiscula camellicola and a new combination Sinodiscula theae-sinensis. Furthermore, the pathogenicity of the pathogens was determined according to Koch’s postulates. This study thoroughly resolves the long-standing taxonomic and phylogenetic problems of the tea anthracnose pathogens

An investigation into the beneficial effects and molecular mechanisms of humic acid on foxtail millet under drought conditions.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of humic acid (HA) on foxtail millet (Setaria italica Beauv.) under drought conditions. The rainless climate of the Shanxi Province (37°42'N, 112°58'E) in China provides a natural simulation of drought conditions. Two foxtail millet cultivars, Jingu21 and Zhangza10, were cultivated in Shanxi for two consecutive years (2017-2018) based on a split-plot design. Plant growth, grain quality, and mineral elements were analyzed in foxtail millet treated with HA (50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg L-1) and those treated with clear water. Transcriptome sequencing followed by bioinformatics analysis was performed on plants in the normal control (CK), drought treatment (D), and drought + HA treatment (DHA) groups. Results were verified using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). HA at a concentration of 100-200 mg L-1 caused a significant increase in the yield of foxtail millet and had a positive effect on dry weight and root-shoot ratio. HA also significantly increased P, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mg content in grains. Moreover, a total of 1098 and 409 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in group D vs. CK and D vs. DHA, respectively. A protein-protein interaction network and two modules were constructed based on DEGs (such as SETIT_016654mg) between groups D and DHA. These DEGs were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathway. In conclusion, HA (100 mg L-1) was found to promote the growth of foxtail millet under drought conditions. Furthermore, SETIT_016654mg may play a role in the effect of HA on foxtail millet via control of the metabolic pathway. This study lays the foundation for research into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the alleviating effects of HA on foxtail millet under drought conditions