Transcriptional co-activator protein p100 interacts with snRNP proteins and facilitates the assembly of the spliceosome

Transcription and pre-mRNA splicing are the key nuclear processes in eukaryotic gene expression, and identification of factors common to both processes has suggested that they are functionally coordinated. p100 protein has been shown to function as a transcriptional co-activator for several transcription factors. p100 consists of staphylococcal nuclease (SN)-like and Tudor-SN (TSN) domains of which the SN-like domains have been shown to function in transcription, but the function of TSN domain has remained elusive. Here we identified interaction between p100 and small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNP) that function in pre-mRNA splicing. The TSN domain of p100 specifically interacts with components of the U5 snRNP, but also with the other spliceosomal snRNPs. In vitro splicing assays revealed that the purified p100, and specifically the TSN domain of p100, accelerates the kinetics of the spliceosome assembly, particularly the formation of complex A, and the transition from complex A to B. Consistently, the p100 protein, as well as the separated TSN domain, enhanced the kinetics of the first step of splicing in an in vitro splicing assay in dose-dependent manner. Thus our results suggest that p100 protein is a novel dual function regulator of gene expression that participates via distinct domains in both transcription and splicing

Design and Optimization of an Asymmetric Rotor IPM Motor with High Demagnetization Prevention Capability and Robust Torque Performance

In this paper, an asymmetric rotor interior permanent magnet (ARIPM) motor with high demagnetization prevention capability and robust torque performance is proposed. The key contribution of this paper lies in two aspects. On the one hand, a novel asymmetric rotor with a shifted magnet axis is proposed to improve the demagnetization prevention capability and torque density. In order to obtain a proper asymmetric rotor topology of the ARIPM motor, the multi-physical performances, especially the PM demagnetization characteristics of five types of PM arrangements, are analyzed. Furthermore, an asymmetric rotor with V- and VV-type PM arrangement is preliminarily designed, considering the multi-physical performance balance and the potentially high anti-demagnetization ability. On the other hand, it is found that the asymmetric rotor structure can not only improve the nominal value of motor performance but also can enhance the resistance to the influence of manufacturing uncertainties. Therefore, multi-objective optimization of the ARIPM motor with rotor notch design is carried out to obtain an optimal motor structure with both high nominal value and robustness of motor performances. By comparing the simulation results with those of a benchmark motor, the superiority and validity of the proposed ARIPM motor are confirmed. Experimental tests will be carried out in the future to further verify the effectiveness of the proposed motor

Bone physiological microenvironment and healing mechanism: Basis for future bone-tissue engineering scaffolds

Bone-tissue defects affect millions of people worldwide. Despite being common treatment approaches, autologous and allogeneic bone grafting have not achieved the ideal therapeutic effect. This has prompted researchers to explore novel bone-regeneration methods. In recent decades, the development of bone tissue engineering (BTE) scaffolds has been leading the forefront of this field. As researchers have provided deep insights into bone physiology and the bone-healing mechanism, various biomimicking and bioinspired BTE scaffolds have been reported. Now it is necessary to review the progress of natural bone physiology and bone healing mechanism, which will provide more valuable enlightenments for researchers in this field. This work details the physiological microenvironment of the natural bone tissue, bone-healing process, and various biomolecules involved therein. Next, according to the bone physiological microenvironment and the delivery of bioactive factors based on the bone-healing mechanism, it elaborates the biomimetic design of a scaffold, highlighting the designing of BTE scaffolds according to bone biology and providing the rationale for designing next-generation BTE scaffolds that conform to natural bone healing and regeneration

Peanut Shell Biochar’s Effect on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Salt Concentration in Highly Saline-Sodic Paddy Fields in Northeast China

Soil salinization is a major ecological threat to crop growth and production. Biochar addition can alleviate the negative impacts of saline-sodic stress in crops. Here, a two-year field experiment was conducted in a highly saline-sodic paddy field to evaluate the response of soil physico-chemical properties, ionic concentration, and rice yield to biochar applications. The soil was amended with peanut shell biochar as follows: zero biochar (B0), 33.75 t ha−1 (B1), 67.5 t ha−1 (B2), and 101.25 t ha−1 (B3). Biochar significantly reduced soil bulk density (BD), while it markedly increased total porosity (TP) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks). Furthermore, biochar markedly decreased the Na+ concentration, Na+/K+ ratio, Na+/Ca2+ ratio, HCO3-, and CO32- while it increased the concentrations of K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+. Biochar significantly decreased the electrical conductivity of soil saturation extract (ECe). The exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of B1, B2, and B3 were 53.6%, 62.3%, and 71.0% lower, respectively, than that of B0, and the corresponding decrease in sodium adsorption ratio (SARe) was 51.2%, 58.1%, and 60.5%. Biochar had no effect on the soil pH but significantly increased the soil cation exchange capacity (CEC). The rice biomass yield, grain yield, and harvest index significantly increased after biochar application