Finite-Size Scaling of the High-Dimensional Ising Model in the Loop Representation

Besides its original spin representation, the Ising model is known to have the Fortuin-Kasteleyn (FK) bond and loop representations, of which the former was recently shown to exhibit two upper critical dimensions $(d_c=4,d_p=6)$. Using a lifted worm algorithm, we determine the critical coupling as $K_c = 0.077\,708\,91(4)$ for $d=7$, which significantly improves over the previous results, and then study critical geometric properties of the loop-Ising clusters on tori for spatial dimensions $d=5$ to 7. We show that, as the spin representation, the loop Ising model has only one upper critical dimension at $d_c=4$. However, sophisticated finite-size scaling (FSS) behaviors, like two length scales, two configuration sectors and two scaling windows, still exist as the interplay effect of the Gaussian fixed point and complete-graph asymptotics. Moreover, using the Loop-Cluster algorithm, we provide an intuitive understanding of the emergence of the percolation-like upper critical dimension $d_p=6$ in the FK-Ising model. As a consequence, a unified physical picture is established for the FSS behaviors in all the three representations of the Ising model above $d_c=4$.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figure

Design of a Data Transmission System for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Based on SerialLite II Protocol

In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of magnetic resonance imaging signal acquisition and reduce the interference in signal transmission, the popular technical solution is to place the signal acquisition device in a shielded room, close to the receiving coil. In response to the previous scheme, this paper proposed an optical fiber data transmission scheme based on SerialLite II protocol to solve the problem of parameter configuration of signal acquisition and high-speed transmission of echo data. The circuit takes field programmable gate array (FPGA) device and small form pluggable (SFP) optical fiber module as the core of new instrument and realizes the download of configuration parameters of signal acquisition and the upload of echo data based on SerialLite II protocol. In order to facilitate programming, a NIOS II soft-core processor is constructed in FPGA to complete the sending, receiving and configuration of the parameters of the signal acquisition module. An experimental prototype was developed, and data transmission was tested. The results showed that this scheme can achieve high-speed data transmission. It takes only about 364.2 µs to transmit 64 K bytes of data through a 30-meter optical fiber. The scheme is reliable and has low-delay

Effects of Water Quality Factors on the Main Components and Flavor of Cold Brew Coffee

In this study, six types of commercially available water were selected for preparing cold brew coffee to explore the influence of water quality factors on the main components and sensory flavor of the coffee. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) were used for analysis of the coffee. Physical and chemical indices, volatile and non-volatile components, and sensory evaluation were analyzed and compared, and correlations and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed. It was found that the different types of water had significantly different compositions of major ions. The contents of total phenol, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid, as well as antioxidant activity in the cold brew coffee were not significantly affected by the water ions, but they were significantly affected by the extraction concentration, extraction rate, pH, and titratable acid, caffeine, trigonelline, and furan volatile chemical components. The Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3− ions in the water were positively correlated with the extraction concentration, extraction rate, and caffeine and trigonelline concentrations in the cold brew coffee (P<0.05), and negatively correlated with titratable acid (P<0.05). The ions in the water had significant effects on volatile compounds such as furfuryl alcohol, 5-methylfurfural, 1-furfurylpyrrole, furfuryl methyl sulfide, 2-isobutyl-3-methoxy-pyrazine, and furfuryl acetate. PCA showed that lower ion concentrations in the water promoted fruit and flower flavors in the coffee, and higher concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3− reduced the fruit and flower flavor, as well as sweet and sour taste in different degrees. Higher ion contents (especially Na+ and K+) enhanced caramel flavors and bitterness in the coffee. Na+ and K+ significantly affected the furfuryl alcohol content, while Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3− influenced 1-furfuryl pyrrole, 5-methylfurfural, and furfuryl methyl sulfide. Cold brew coffee brewed in water with moderate ion contents showed better nutty, roasted, and sweet flavors, as well as better overall sensory evaluation. These results could provide a theoretical basis for further understanding the effects of water quality factors on the physicochemical properties and main components of coffee

WIPF1 promotes gastric cancer progression by regulating PI3K/Akt signaling in a myocardin-dependent manner

Summary: Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein-interacting protein family member 1 (WIPF1) is associated with malignant tumor progression. However, molecular links between WIPF1 and gastric cancer (GC) remain elusive. The expression of WIPF1 was detected in GC tissues and cells. WIPF1 was overexpressed in GC tissues and cells and high expression of WIPF1 was an independent risk factor for a poor prognosis in patients with GC. Further experiments indicated that WIPF1 promoted the proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells in vivo and in vitro. WIPF1-regulated genes were closely related to cell proliferation and migration in GC, and silencing WIPF1 significantly repressed PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activation. WIPF1 was activated by myocardin (MYOCD) translation. Rescue experiments confirmed that MYOCD promotes the proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells in a WIPF1-dependent manner and activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. MYOCD may transactivate WIPF1 and facilitate GC cell growth and metastasis by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Conversion between 100-million-year-old duplicated genes contributes to rice subspecies divergence

Abstract Background Duplicated gene pairs produced by ancient polyploidy maintain high sequence similarity over a long period of time and may result from illegitimate recombination between homeologous chromosomes. The genomes of Asian cultivated rice Oryza sativa ssp. indica (XI) and Oryza sativa ssp. japonica (GJ) have recently been updated, providing new opportunities for investigating ongoing gene conversion events and their impact on genome evolution. Results Using comparative genomics and phylogenetic analyses, we evaluated gene conversion rates between duplicated genes produced by polyploidization 100 million years ago (mya) in GJ and XI. At least 5.19–5.77% of genes duplicated across the three rice genomes were affected by whole-gene conversion after the divergence of GJ and XI at ~ 0.4 mya, with more (7.77–9.53%) showing conversion of only portions of genes. Independently converted duplicates surviving in the genomes of different subspecies often use the same donor genes. The ongoing gene conversion frequency was higher near chromosome termini, with a single pair of homoeologous chromosomes, 11 and 12, in each rice genome being most affected. Notably, ongoing gene conversion has maintained similarity between very ancient duplicates, provided opportunities for further gene conversion, and accelerated rice divergence. Chromosome rearrangements after polyploidization are associated with ongoing gene conversion events, and they directly restrict recombination and inhibit duplicated gene conversion between homeologous regions. Furthermore, we found that the converted genes tended to have more similar expression patterns than nonconverted duplicates. Gene conversion affects biological functions associated with multiple genes, such as catalytic activity, implying opportunities for interaction among members of large gene families, such as NBS-LRR disease-resistance genes, contributing to the occurrence of the gene conversion. Conclusion Duplicated genes in rice subspecies generated by grass polyploidization ~ 100 mya remain affected by gene conversion at high frequency, with important implications for the divergence of rice subspecies