Functional variants regulating LGALS1 (Galectin 1) expression affect human susceptibility to influenza A(H7N9)

The fatality of avian influenza A(H7N9) infection in humans was over 30%. To identify human genetic susceptibility to A(H7N9) infection, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 102 A(H7N9) patients and 106 heavily-exposed healthy poultry workers, a sample size critically restricted by the small number of human A(H7N9) cases. To tackle the stringent significance cutoff of GWAS, we utilized an artificial imputation program SnipSnip to improve the association signals. In single-SNP analysis, one of the top SNPs was rs13057866 of LGALS1. The artificial imputation (AI) identified three non-genotyped causal variants, which can be represented by three anchor/partner SNP pairs rs13057866/rs9622682 (AI P = 1.81 × 10-7), rs4820294/rs2899292 (2.13 × 10-7) and rs62236673/rs2899292 (4.25 × 10-7) respectively. Haplotype analysis of rs4820294 and rs2899292 could simulate the signal of a causal variant. The rs4820294/rs2899292 haplotype GG, in association with protection from A(H7N9) infection (OR = 0.26, P = 5.92 × 10-7) correlated to significantly higher levels of LGALS1 mRNA (P = 0.050) and protein expression (P = 0.025) in lymphoblast cell lines. Additionally, rs4820294 was mapped as an eQTL in human primary monocytes and lung tissues. In conclusion, functional variants of LGALS1 causing the expression variations are contributable to the differential susceptibility to influenza A(H7N9).link_to_OA_fulltex

Apparent Deterioration Law and Shear Failure Mode of Rock–Mortar Interface Based on Topography-Sensing Technology

As an advanced spatial technology, topography-sensing technology is comprehensive, macroscopic, and intuitive. It shows unique advantages for rock structure interpretation and has important guiding significance for the research of the shear performances of rock–mortar interface under cyclic load in rock mass engineering. In this paper, cyclic shearing tests combined with the shear surface topography-sensing technology are employed to investigate the evolution characteristics of the interface morphology and the strength deterioration of the rock–mortar interface. Primarily, mortar and three types of rocks are used to prepare different rock–mortar interfaces, which are then applied to cyclic shear loading under two constant normal stresses. Subsequently, the shear strength degradation and dilatancy characteristics of rock–mortar interfaces with varying shear times are discussed. In addition, on the basis of the non-contact three-dimensional topography-sensing technology, the apparent three-dimensional point–cloud coordinate information of rock–mortar interface before and after each shear loading is obtained, and the apparent three-dimensional topography parameters of rock–mortar interface are calculated, according to which the influences of normal stress and lithology on the topography of interface subjected to cyclic shearing loading are analyzed

The toxic leaching behavior of MSWI fly ash made green and non-sintered lightweight aggregates

With the rapid development of urbanization and the economy, the amount of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI fly ash) dramatically increases and stacks up. Declining the leaching concentration of hazardous heavy metals in municipal solid waste incineration fly ash and enlarging the application range in wastewater and biosorption of non-sintered LWAs have always got more attention from more and more researchers. Green and non-sintered LWAs were prepared by using the waste solids (MSWI fly ash and coal fly ash) as raw materials through autoclave technology. In the meantime, the effect of severe leaching environment (pH = 1, 3, 5 and 7) on the stabilization of heavy metals in the LWAs with MSWI fly ash and extra heavy metals were systematically investigated by means of Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectra and Scanning electron microscope. The results revealed that the heavy metals are well immobilized in the LWA matrix through physical encapsulation and adsorption by hydration products (C-S-H). The leaching rate (LR) and cumulative leaching rate (CLR) of heavy metals, phase compositions and chemical structures in LWAs with heavy metals at pH of 1 are significantly changed, but the cumulative leaching rate of Pb2+ is lower than that of Zn2+ and Cu2+. The structure of hydration products in the matrix will be broken and reformed to gypsum under an acid environment (pH = 1). The leaching rate and cumulative leaching rate of heavy metals in LWAs with heavy metals under various leaching environments are much lower when the pH is above 1, which could meet the leaching requirement. This research could provide theoretical support for the application of non-sintered and municipal solid waste incineration fly ash based LWAs in concrete

Progressive Formation of Retrogressive Landslide and the Lateral Length of Instability

Retrogressive landslide is caused by the lower rock mass sliding, so that the upper part loses support, is deformed, and starts to slide. In the process of highway construction, the incised slope often leads to retrogressive landslide, and the determination of the damage range of retrogressive landslide is of great significance for the control of the slope. Taking a highway retrogressive landslide in Hunan Province as the research object, the particle flow discrete element is used to numerically simulate the entire failure process of the slope. According to the complex geological conditions of the slope, the rock mass of each part of the slope model is divided, the displacement of key parts of the landslide is monitored, the whole failure process of the retrogressive landslide is simulated, and the lateral length of traction instability is calculated through the stability theory of the sliding pull-crack failure slope. The research shows that the incised slope is the root cause of the retrogressive landslide, and the rainfall is the direct cause. When the retrogressive landslide is treated in engineering practice, the lateral length of traction instability can be obtained according to the stability theory of the sliding pull-crack failure slope, to realize the accurate judgment of the traction failure range of the sliding body

Resourceful utilization of quarry tailings in the preparation of non-sintered high-strength lightweight aggregates

Quarry tailings are usually stockpiled due to stable crystalline structures below 100 \ub0C and abundant sources, which lead to a serious environmental impacts and high ecological risks. This paper presents a study of transforming the fly ash and quarry tailings as the main raw materials into lightweight aggregates (LWAs) for using in civil engineering. A novel curing regime (autoclave technology) has been proposed to obtain higher compressive strength of LWAs. The effects of curing parameters (including temperature and steam pressure) on the properties (compressive strength, water absorption, loose bulk density, phase composition, pore structure and microstructure) of LWAs were systematically evaluated. On the other hand, this research also studies the effect of cement content on the basic properties of LWAs, which was decreased from 30 to 10 wt% for declining the CO2 emission. Results show that the strength sharply increases from 2.48 to 11.95 MPa and the water absorption decreases from 11.2 to 2.09% with increasing the elevated curing temperature from 25 to 190 \ub0C. The LWA prepared with 70 wt% solid wastes (fly ash and quarry tailings) at 190 \ub0C achieved the highest strength (11.95 MPa) and the lower loose bulk density (1160 kg/m3), which could meet the requirement of Chinese LWAs standard (GB/T 17431.1-2010). The water absorption of LWAs is below 5% except sample T25. The total porosity of LWAs decreases from 39.65% to 26.32% at 150 \ub0C and from 42.54% to 27.24% at 190 \ub0C while the cement content increases form 10 wt% to 30 wt%. At the same time, the percentage of pores (>50 nm) also gradually decreases. While the curing temperature, pressure and cement usage are above 150 \ub0C, 1.00 MPa and 10 wt% respectively, will promote the formation of new phase composition (analcime). That also further increases the strength and percentage of harmless pores and few harmful pores. Therefore, this research offers a new curing method for producing LWAs from 70 to 90 wt% solid waste and is a rapid and sustainable solution for the large-scale recycling of quarry tailings

Co-utilization of quarry tailings and fly ash for non-sintered ultra-lightweight aggregates (ULWAs) by autoclave technology

Quarry tailings as solid waste with large output bring a heavy environmental and economic burden. The main objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of co-utilizing quarry tailings and fly ash (FA) as the main sources in preparing the lightweight aggregates (LWAs). The expand perlite powder (characterized with low density and high surface area) and two chemical foaming agents (ammonium carbonate and Al powder) was added to reduce the density of LWAs furtherly and fabricate a type of ultra-lightweight aggregates (ULWAs) through autoclave curing. In spite of the basic properties (compressive strength, 1 h of water absorption, loose bulk density and apparent particle density), the evolution of pore structures in relation to the type of foaming agents were also determined by combining scanning electron microscope (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The results show that increasing the expand perlite content could increases the compressive strength and water absorption, decreases the loose bulk density, apparent density and the total porosity. The pores wall gradually reduces with the increase of chemical foaming agents. Isolated pores will transform into connected pores, which also increase the most probable pore diameter and total porosity. The loose bulk density of specimens with 3 wt% (NH4)2CO3 and Al powder are 873 kg/m3 and 798 kg/m3 compared to blank (1132 kg/m3). This work lays a solid foundation for the design and preparation of ULWAs from solid wastes

LGR4 Is a Direct Target of MicroRNA-34a and Modulates the Proliferation and Migration of Retinal Pigment Epithelial ARPE-19 Cells.

The pathology of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy is linked to proliferation, migration, and adhesion of the retinal pigment epithelium. MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) expression modulates changes in proliferation and migration of retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19. In this study, we determined that miR-34a interacts with LGR4, identified by bioinformatics using TargetScan Human 5.0, to affect these changes. Double luciferase gene reporter assay confirmed miR-34a involvement in mediating control. miR-34a mimic transfection decreased LGR4 expression. Western blot analysis documented corresponding protein expression inhibition. MTS, Ki67 immunostaining, scratch and transwell testing, along with attachment assay showed that miR-34a upregulation inhibited ARPE-19 cell proliferation, migration and attachment partly through downregulation of LGR4 protein expression. Western blot analysis revealed that both miR-34a upregulation and LGR4 downregulation induced declines in E2F1, p-CDC2, CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6 protein expression. Taken together, miR-34a gene expression upregulation inhibits ARPE-19 cell proliferation, migration and adhesion partly by suppressing LGR4 expression. These results substantiate earlier indications that both miR-34a and LGR4 are potential drug targets to prevent fibrosis in a clinical setting

Model Predictive Control for the Reduction of DC-link Current Ripple in Two-level Three-phase Voltage Source Inverters

In the applications of three-phase two-level voltage source inverters (VSIs) relatively large energy storage capacitors are used to absorb the high DC-link current ripples mainly caused by the circulating reactive power, the switched AC phase current flowing to the DC-link, and other dynamic and/or asymmetric operating conditions. Especially for electrolytic capacitor technology the typically high current stress and consequent losses is known to limit the power electronics lifetime, thus the design and selection of this component is critical for the whole system. To alleviate this problem, a new model predictive control (MPC) cost function which enables DC-link capacitor current ripple reduction is proposed in this paper. Based on the DC-link current mathematical model and the available VSI switching states, the future DC current ripple can be predicted, and then the optimized space vectors that best tracks the sinusoidal output current and minimizes the DC-link current ripple are chosen. Compared with conventional DC-link capacitor current reduction methods, the proposed approach has the advantage to incorporate an outstanding fast current control dynamics as well as being of relatively simple implementation because there is no need to adjust the switching signals or space vectors in the modulation as function of operational conditions of the system. Simulation and experimental results are presented verifying the effectiveness of the proposed MPC method.Accepted author manuscriptDC systems, Energy conversion & Storag

Carrier-Based Modulated Model Predictive Control for Vienna Rectifiers

The implementation of traditional finite-control-set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) with variable switching frequency in voltage source rectifiers (VSRs) can make the system suffer from poor current harmonics performance. In fact, the resulting wide-spread voltage harmonic generated at the AC terminals makes the design of the typical multi-order AC filtering bulky and prone to control instabilities. This paper proposed a fixed frequency carrier-based modulated model predictive control (CB-MMPC) which is able to overcome these issues. This control strategy aims to improve the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the AC current waveform without introducing any additional weight factor in the cost function of the optimization routine, while maintaining the typical performance of fast current dynamic response of the FCS-MPC. Herein, the detailed implementation of the proposed CB-MMPC is given, while considering its application to the current feedback control loop of a three-phase three-level Vienna rectifier. Finally, PLECS based simulation results are used to verify the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy and to benchmark its performance to the classical FCS-MPC strategy and the conventional application of a current closed loop implementing a proportional-integral(PI)-controller.Accepted author manuscriptDC systems, Energy conversion & Storag