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Background: In young patients with Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), the number of retrieved oocytes limits the success of assisted reproductive technology, but which factors influence the clinical outcome of young DOR patients who already have retrieved few eggs is still unclear. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical date of 349 young DOR patients (< 38 years old and FSH >10IU/L) with low oocyte retrieval (≤ 5 oocytes). Results: Total of 18 candidate variables were tested. Seven factors were identified as being significantly different (P < 0.05) between the clinical pregnancy group and the non-clinical pregnancy group. six factors were significantly different between the live-birth group and the non-live birth group. In multivariate analysis, lower antral follicle count (AFC) and estradiol (E2) level on hCG day were independent negative risk factors associated with the outcome of clinical pregnancy, as well as live birth. Lower progesterone (P) on hCG day was associated with a higher rate of clinical pregnancy and live birth. Conclusions: Our study indicated that AFC, E2 on hCG day, and P on hCG day are prognostic factors for clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in young DOR patients with low oocyte retrieval.

How to effectively extract features with high representation ability has always been a research topic and a challenge for classification tasks. Most of the existing methods mainly solve the problem by using deep convolutional neural networks as feature extractors. Although a series of excellent network structures have been successful in the field of Chinese ink-wash painting classification, but most of them adopted the methods of only simple augmentation of the network structures and direct fusion of different scale features, which limit the network to further extract semantically rich and scale-invariant feature information, thus hindering the improvement of classification performance. In this paper, a novel model based on multi-level attention and multi-scale feature fusion is proposed. The model extracts three types of feature maps from the low-level, middle-level and high-level layers of the pretrained deep neural network firstly. Then, the low-level and middle-level feature maps are processed by the spatial attention module, nevertheless the high-level feature maps are processed by the scale invariance module to increase the scale-invariance properties. Moreover, the conditional random field module is adopted to fuse the optimized three-scale feature maps, and the channel attention module is followed to refine the features. Finally, the multi-level deep supervision strategy is utilized to optimize the model for better performance. To verify the effectiveness of the model, extensive experimental results on the Chinese ink-wash painting dataset created in this work show that the classification performance of the model is better than other mainstream research methods.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the factors influencing consumer behavioral intention (BI) to use cryptocurrency as a medium of transaction. Constructs from the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model and an added variable, perceived risk (PR), are examined to predict BI. Age and gender as moderators are retained in this model. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was used to gather the respondents’ responses on a five-point Likert scale. G * Power was used to calculate the required minimum sample size. A non-probability sampling technique was used to gather data from the 290 respondents based in Malaysia. The final data set was analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences and SmartPLS software using structural equation modeling. Findings The results show that three of the five proposed factors (performance expectancy, effort expectancy and facilitating condition) are significant predictors of BI to adopt cryptocurrency as a medium of transaction. Interestingly, PR is not a significant predictor even though prior research studies showed otherwise. Likewise, the relationship between BI and social influence became significant only when age is added as a moderator. Practical implications Malaysians are still wary of cryptocurrency, even though global tech firms such as Amazon and Microsoft are already accepting Bitcoin as a payment method. This study aims to provide relevant authorities and businesses (i.e. central bank, retail merchants and cryptocurrency exchangers) insights toward understanding the factors consumers focus on if they were to use cryptocurrency as a medium of transaction. Originality/value Most cryptocurrency research are done in developed countries (i.e. USA, UK and EU) perspective. This research addresses the lack of quantitative literature on significant factors influencing BI to use cryptocurrency in developing country context while taking a PR, age and gender into consideration.

Purpose: To predict molecular targets and the mechanism of action of hyaluronic acid against various disease conditions. Methods: The present study was designed and conducted based on the principle of network pharmacology, protein-protein interaction (PPI) database, and biological process analysis. At a high confidence score, a protein network comprising seventeen human protein targets was achieved from STITCH (Search Tool for Interaction of Chemicals). Results: Cytoscape-based protein-protein interaction network (PPIN) with 342 nodes was developed and analyzed to ascertain the molecular basis of hyaluronic acid actions. It revealed that hyaluronic acid was mainly involved in various physiological processes including extracellular matrix (ECM) disassembly, collagen catabolic process, mucopolysaccharide metabolic process, and circadian regulation of gene expression. Conclusion: The retrieved pathways are known to be involved in causing several pathologies such as leukemia, psoriasis, tick-borne encephalitis, etc. These pathways are influenced by hyaluronic acid. However, further explanations are required to elucidate whether these targets of hyaluronic acid have a therapeutic or toxicological role.

The loss of detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is considered a functional cure in chronic hepatitis B. Naturally, HBsAg can be incorporated into the virion envelope or assembled into subviral particles (SVPs) with lipid from host cells. Until now, there has been no detailed structure of HBsAg, and the published SVP structures are controversial. Here, we report the first subnanometer-resolution structures of spherical SVP from hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the related woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) determined by cryo–electron microscopy in combination with AlphaFold2 prediction. Both structures showed unique rhombicuboctahedral symmetry with 24 protruding spikes comprising dimer of small HBsAg with four helical domains. The lipid moiety in the SVP is organized in a noncanonical lipid patch instead of a lipid bilayer, which can accommodate the exposed hydrophobic surface and modulate particle stability. Together, these findings advance our knowledge of viral membrane organization and the structures of HBV and WHV spherical SVPs.

Carbon sequestration in vegetation can offset a large proportion of carbon emissions, and plays an important role in mitigation climate change. Based on satellite data and ground observation data, we examined carbon sequestration rate and its long-term change in the Three-North Shelter Forest Program (TNSFP) region, where a series of large-scale ecological projects have been implemented. The results indicated that carbon sequestration rate in vegetation was 458.3 ± 45 g C m− 2yr− 1 in the TNSFP region during the period 2000–2021. Obvious increase trend of carbon sequestration rate was observed covering approximately 90% of the TNSFP region, with an average increase rate of 5.06 ± 4.3 g C m− 2yr− 1. There was a larger increase rate of 7.78 ± 2.07 g C m− 2yr− 1 in forest than that of 3.27 ± 0.55 g C m− 2yr− 1in grassland. Total carbon sequestration into vegetation was 26.1054 P g C (1 P g = 1015 g) in the TNSFP region, with annual carbon sequestration of 1186.6 ± 122.6 T g C (1 T g = 1012 g) during the period 2000–2021. Our results revealed that both human activities and climate change have positive effect on carbon sequestration rate. Human activities contribute to carbon sequestration increment of 1.7905 Pg C approximately under assumptions that the existing forest transformed from original natural grass land due to afforestation and reforestation. Climate change has promoted carbon sequestration rate due to increase in annual precipitation, but the increase in annual air temperature is harmful in enhancing carbon sequestration rate.

Agricultural non-point source pollution is a major ecological environment issue that seriously affects water safety. A new perspective based on the coupling effects of agricultural spatial-pattern and landscape elements to enhance the ecological function of the agricultural ecosystem and reduce non-point pollution risk was discussed in this study. Firstly, landscape connectivity and landscape heterogeneity should be emphasized to optimize the spatial pattern. Measures such as the building of wetlands, ecological islands, and collecting basins should be fully considered not only to improve animal diversity, strengthen ecological system stability, and reduce chemical pesticide input but also to adsorb and resist the migration of agricultural non-point pollution such as nitrogen and phosphorus, thereby realizing the multi-level utilization of nutrients and extending the space migration way of non-point source pollution. Secondly, enhancing the ecological function of landscape elements was suggested to control non-point pollution. Increasing the proportion of seminatural habitat areas, as well as building ecological ditches and pre-storages, was suggested for varying conditions. To fully consider the coupling function of spatial-pattern and landscape elements in reducing chemical fertilizer and pesticide inputs, agricultural measures such as rational fertilization, compost, rotation and intercropping, and biological control were also suggested. Finally, we took the organic farm in the Songhua dam area as an example to expound the coupling effects of these measures. The animal species were significantly increased and the agriculture service function was elevated; moreover, nitrogen, phosphorus, and pesticide loss were reduced by 820~1 093 kg·hm-2, 273~364 kg·hm-2, and 2.2~2.5 kg·hm-2, respectively.

A novel zero-voltage and zero-current switching (ZVZCS) full-bridge (FB) three-level (TL) dc–dc converter is proposed, which can satisfy most requirements of wide operation range high-input dc–dc industrial applications. OFF-voltage on the primary switches can be maintained to $V_{\mathrm {in}}$ /2 by the input capacitors, and no extra primary clamping device is needed. The primary switches can obtain zero-voltage switching (ZVS) or zero-current switching (ZCS) easily. Furthermore, the operation mode can be altered under different output and input conditions, which ensures high efficiency over a wide operation range. The extra MOSFETs have low ON-state resistance and cause less switching loss; thus, the power loss caused by these MOSFETs can be omitted. Furthermore, these components are not inserted into the circuit loop of the input capacitors and primary switches, which may reduce the voltage spike on the primary switches at turn-off instants. The VA rating of the primary switches and input capacitors is identical to that of conventional FB TL dc–dc converters, and the utilization of the dc-link voltage is close to 100%. To evaluate the proposed converter, an industrial application example and some experimental results are also provided.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) contains a partially double-stranded, relaxed circular (RC) DNA genome synthesized within a nucleocapsid (NC) in the host cell cytoplasm. The release of RC DNA from the NC, in an ill-defined process called uncoating, to the nucleus is required for its conversion to the covalently closed circular (CCC) DNA, the viral episome serving as the transcriptional template for all viral RNAs necessary for replication and, thus, essential for establishing and sustaining viral infection. In efforts to better understand uncoating, we analyzed HBV core (HBc) mutants that show various levels of nuclear CCC DNA but little to no cytoplasmic RC DNA. We found that RC DNA could be synthesized by these mutants outside the cell, but in contrast to the wild type (wt), the mutant NCs were unable to protect RC DNA from digestion by the endogenous nuclease(s) in cellular lysates or exogenous DNase. Subcellular fractionation suggested that the major RC DNA-degrading activity was membrane associated. Digestion with sequence-specific and nonspecific DNases revealed the exposure of specific regions of RC DNA from the mutant NC. Similarly, treatment of wt NCs with a core inhibitor known to increase CCC DNA by affecting uncoating also led to region-specific exposure of RC DNA. Furthermore, a subpopulation of untreated wild type (wt) mature NCs showed site-specific exposure of RC DNA as well. Competition between RC DNA degradation and its conversion to CCC DNA during NC uncoating thus likely plays an important role in the establishment and persistence of HBV infection and has implications for the development of capsid-targeted antivirals. IMPORTANCE Disassembly of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) nucleocapsid (NC) to release its genomic DNA, in an ill-understood process called uncoating, is required to form the viral nuclear episome in the host cell nucleus, a viral DNA essential for establishing and sustaining HBV infection. The elimination of the HBV nuclear episome remains the holy grail for the development of an HBV cure. We report here that the HBV genomic DNA is exposed in a region-specific manner during uncoating, which is enhanced by mutations of the capsid protein and a capsid-targeted antiviral compound. The exposure of the viral genome can result in its rapid degradation or, alternatively, can enhance the formation of the nuclear episome, thus having a major impact on HBV infection and persistence. These results are thus important for understanding fundamental mechanisms of HBV replication and persistence and for the ongoing pursuit of an HBV cure.

A practical method for identification of defects that occur occasionally during the production of biaxial oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films is developed. The size and morphology of the defects in the BOPP film were observed with optical microscopy, and micro Fourier transform infrared (Micro-FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies were employed to identify the chemical composition of the defects. Significant amounts of ethylene and propylene units were found in the defects, and characteristic vibrational bands for crystalline PP were observed by both IR and Raman. However, one defect exhibited IR characteristics for ordered PE whereas the other showed amorphous PE structure. These results indicate that the defects are composed of either ethylene-propylene block copolymers with long sequences of both propylene and ethylene that can form ordered structures, or ethylene-propylene segmented copolymers with long propylene sequences that can crystallize and shorter ethylene sequences that are amorphous. Possible sources of these foreign materials and corresponding mitigation measures were discussed.

Interactions between the N-terminal (assembly) domain (NTD) and the linker region of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid protein and the large (L) envelope protein are required for virion formation, which occurs via budding of cytoplasmic mature nucleocapsids (NCs) containing the relaxed circular (RC) DNA genome into an intracellular membrane compartment containing viral envelope proteins. L-capsid interactions also negatively regulates covalently closed circular (CCC) DNA formation, which occurs after RC DNA release from mature NCs and nuclear import. We have now found that L could increase RC DNA in cytoplasmic mature NCs that are destabilized due to mutations in the NTD or the linker, even in those that apparently fail to support secretion of complete virions extracellularly. Other mutations in the capsid linker could block the effects of L on both cytoplasmic NC DNA and nuclear CCC DNA. Furthermore, the maturity of RC DNA in cytoplasmic NCs that was enhanced by L or found in secreted virions was modulated by the capsid linker sequence. The level and maturity of the cytoplasmic RC DNA was further influenced by the efficiency of extracellular virion secretion dependent on viral genotype-specific envelope proteins. These results suggest that interactions between the capsid and envelope proteins regulate one or more steps during virion secretion beyond initial capsid envelopment, and highlights the critical role of the capsid linker in regulating capsid-envelope interaction, including the timing of envelopment during NC maturation. Importance Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major human pathogen causing serious liver diseases including cancer. The interactions between the HBV capsid and the large (L) envelope protein is required for formation of infectious viral particles and also negatively regulate formation of an HBV DNA episome in the host cell nucleus, which serves as the sole transcriptional template capable of supporting all viral gene expression to sustain HBV replication and therefore, is the molecular basis of HBV persistence. Here, we report evidence indicating that L-capsid interactions modulate the timing of formation of infectious HBV particles during replication and facilitate extracellular release following their formation. Furthermore, a short linker sequence in the capsid protein plays a critical role in these processes as well as controls the amplification of the nuclear episome. These findings inform fundamental mechanisms of HBV replication as well as antiviral development targeting the HBV capsid and DNA episome.

A novel PWM full bridge (FB) dc–dc converter for large power industrial applications is proposed in this paper. The soft switching mode of the primary switches can be varied under different input and output conditions to achieve optimum system efficiency. In the zero-voltage and zero-current switching (ZVZCS) mode, the turn- on and turn- off switching loss can be optimized because the soft switching conditions of the turn- on and turn- off instants are well decoupled. In the zero-voltage switching (ZVS) mode, the turn- off switching loss can also be optimized because there is no requirement for light load operation in this mode. Four mosfet s with ultra-low on-state resistance are used, thus, the added conduction loss is small. The auxiliary mosfet s with high switching frequency are turned on with zero-current and off with zero-voltage, hence, the added switching loss can also be neglected. Furthermore, some drawbacks of the conventional ZVS and ZVZCS converters, e.g., narrow ZVS load range, high primary circulating current, incomplete reset of the primary current, and unreasonable VA rating of the added components, have been well solved. The operation principles and soft switching characteristics are discussed. Experimental results from an 18-kW prototype are provided to verify the proposed converter.

Zero-field single-beam atomic magnetometers with transverse parametric modulation for ultra-weak magnetic field detection have attracted widespread attention recently. In this study, we present a comprehensive response model and propose a modification method of conventional first harmonic response by introducing the second harmonic correction. The proposed modification method gives improvement in dynamic range and reduction of linearity error. Additionally, our modification method shows suppression of response instability caused by optical intensity and frequency fluctuations. An atomic magnetometer with single-beam configuration is built to compare the performance between our proposed method and the conventional method. The results indicate that our method’s magnetic field response signal achieves a 5-fold expansion of dynamic range from 2 nT to 10 nT, with the linearity error decreased from 5% to 1%. Under the fluctuations of 5% for optical intensity and ±15 GHz detuning of frequency, the proposed modification method maintains intensity-related instability less than 1% and frequency-related instability less than 8% while the conventional method suffers 15% and 38%, respectively. Our method is promising for future high-sensitive and long-term stable optically pumped atomic sensors.

STUDY QUESTION Is a dual ovulation trigger with a combination of GnRH agonist (GnRHa) and hCG superior to single hCG and/or single GnRHa trigger in improving treatment outcomes in advanced-age women (aged ≥ 35 years) undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment? SUMMARY ANSWER Co-administration of GnRHa and hCG as a dual trigger increases the number of good-quality embryos but it is not associated with a higher number of oocytes retrieved, compared with single hCG or GnRHa trigger. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Many studies have demonstrated that a dual trigger has positive impact on oocyte maturation, retrieval rate and pregnancy rate without increasing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in some groups of IVF patients, when compared with single hCG trigger. Few studies have however been conducted to compare a dual trigger with a single GnRHa trigger, and insufficient evidence exists to support which trigger can achieve the best outcomes in IVF patients aged ≥35 years. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was an open-label randomized controlled trial of 510 participants conducted at single reproductive medical center from January 2019 to December 2021. After a sample size calculation performed by retrospectively analyzing our previous clinical data, we planned to recruit 170 patients in each group and 510 patients in total for the study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Women aged ≥35 years undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment, receiving a non-pituitary down-regulation protocol, and with low risk of OHSS, were enrolled in this trial. On the trigger day, patients were randomized into three groups: hCG alone (who received 6000 IU of hCG), GnRHa alone (who received 0.2 mg of triptorelin) and dual trigger (who received 0.2 mg of triptorelin plus 2000 IU of hCG) groups. The primary outcome parameter was the number of retrieved oocytes. The secondary outcome parameters included, among others, the number and rates of mature oocytes, two pronuclei (2PN) embryos and good-quality embryos, as the rates of OHSS, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and live birth. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE There were no significant differences in the baseline demographic characteristics among the three groups. The dual trigger was associated with a higher retrieval rate (87.9% vs 84.1% in the hCG group, P = 0.031; 87.9% vs 83.6% in the GnRHa group, P = 0.014). However, the number of retrieved oocytes in the dual trigger group was comparable with those in the hCG group (4.08 ± 2.79 vs 3.60 ± 2.71, P = 0.080) and the GnRHa group (4.08 ± 2.79 vs 3.81 ± 3.38, P = 0.101); comparable data between the groups were also found when analyzing the number of 2PN embryos and the 2PN rate. In the dual trigger group, the numbers of good-quality embryos and viable embryos were both significantly higher than in the hCG group (1.74 ± 1.90 vs 1.19 ± 1.45, P = 0.016 and 2.19 ± 2.11 vs 1.56 ± 1.66, P = 0.008, respectively) and the GnRHa group (1.74 ± 1.90 vs 1.20 ± 1.67, P = 0.003 and 2.19 ± 2.11 vs 1.45 ± 1.75, P = 0.001, respectively). Pregnancy outcomes after fresh embryo transfer (ET) were comparable between the groups. The live birth rate and ongoing pregnancy rate after frozen ET in the dual trigger group were significantly higher than those in the GnRHa group (32.6% vs 14.1%, P = 0.007 and 34.8% vs 17.6%, P = 0.013, respectively), but not superior to those in the hCG group (32.6% vs 27.9%, P = 0.537 and 34.8% vs 27.9%, P = 0.358, respectively). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Women of advanced age are quite a heterogeneous population and overlap with poor ovarian responders or patients with diminished ovarian reserve. We therefore could not entirely exclude selection biases or confounding factors. This study was also not a double-blinded trial; the patients in the GnRHa and dual trigger groups could have been affected by the placebo effect. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The results of this study suggest that in advanced-age women with low risk of OHSS, a dual trigger or even a single hCG trigger may be a better choice than a single GnRHa trigger. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission of Science and Research Fund (20184Y0289). The authors declare no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-1800016285). TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE 24 May 2018 DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLMENT 2 January 2019

To fit the requirements of high input dc–dc power conversion, a novel zero-voltage and zero-current switching (ZVZCS) three-level dc–dc converter is proposed. Some advantages of the proposed converter are concluded as follows. The off voltages on the primary switches are clamped around V in/2 by the input capacitors and the blocking capacitor. A total of two mosfet s with low VA rating are added to provide ZVZCS for the main switches in a wide load range. The switching loss of the main switches can be optimized because the soft-switching conditions of the turn- on and turn- off instants are well decoupled. The primary components can achieve reduced current stress and even current distribution because the primary current is zero during the free-wheeling stages. As the current of the auxiliary mosfet s is zero during most operation stages, the added conduction loss can be neglected. Furthermore, the added switching loss can also be neglected because these mosfet s can achieve zero-voltage turn- off and zero-current turn- on . The circuit, operation principles, and some technical analyses are discussed in this letter, and experimental results are also provided to evaluate the proposed converter.

We have isolated 4 naturally-occurring strains of CPV in mainland China and have identified them as CPV-2, 2a, 2b and 2c genotypes according to their VP2 sequences which also revealed substitutions within their right terminal regions. To determine if these substitutions affected the growth characteristics of the 4 strains, we constructed plasmids based on their genomic sequences minus their right terminal sequences, with the latter replaced by a single right terminal region. Analysis of rescued recombinants showed that the substitutions within their natural right termini had no significant effect on their growth characteristics.

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) infects cats and can be fatal to kittens. There is evidence that canine parvovirus originated from FPV, which makes FPV important in studies of the family Parvoviridae. In the present study, the entire genome of FPV strain HH-1/86 was converted into a full-length infectious clone (pFPV). The FPV strain HH-1/86 has a 5123-nt single stranded DNA genome with a Y-shaped inverted 3' terminal repeat (ITR) and a U-shaped inverted 5' ITR. Feline kidney cells (F81) were transfected with the pFPV clone which contained a genetic marker, and a rescued virus was obtained (rFPV). The rFPV was identified by its cytopathic effects, indirect immunofluorescence, growth curve analysis, western blot assay and hemagglutination, and was indistinguishable from the parent virus. The FPV infectious clone will facilitate the study of pathogenicity and viral replication of FPV and the inter-species transmission of parvoviruses.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid or core protein (HBc) consists of an N-terminal domain (NTD) and a C-terminal domain (CTD) connected by a short linker peptide. Dynamic phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of HBc regulate its multiple functions in capsid assembly and viral replication. The cellular cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) plays a major role in HBc phosphorylation and, furthermore, is incorporated into the viral capsid, accounting for most of the “endogenous kinase” activity associated with the capsid. The packaged CDK2 is thought to play a role in phosphorylating HBc to trigger nucleocapsid disassembly (uncoating), an essential step during viral infection. However, little is currently known on how CDK2 is recruited and packaged into the capsid. We have now identified three RXL motifs in the HBc NTD known as cyclin docking motifs (CDMs), which mediate the interactions of various CDK substrates/regulators with CDK/cyclin complexes. Mutations of the CDMs in the HBc NTD reduced CTD phosphorylation and diminished CDK2 packaging into the capsid. Also, the CDM mutations showed little effects on capsid assembly and pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) packaging but impaired the integrity of mature nucleocapsids. Furthermore, the CDM mutations blocked covalently closed circular DNA (CCC DNA) formation during infection while having no effect on or enhancing CCC DNA formation via intracellular amplification. These results indicate that the HBc NTD CDMs play a role in CDK2 recruitment and packaging, which, in turn, is important for productive infection. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important global human pathogen and persistently infects hundreds of millions of people, who are at high risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. HBV capsid packages a host cell protein kinase, the cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), which is thought to be required to trigger disassembly of the viral nucleocapsid during infection by phosphorylating the capsid protein, a prerequisite for successful infection. We have identified docking sites on the capsid protein for recruiting CDK2, in complex with its cyclin partner, to facilitate capsid protein phosphorylation and CDK2 packaging. Mutations of these docking sites reduced capsid protein phosphorylation, impaired CDK2 packaging into HBV capsids, and blocked HBV infection. These results provide novel insights regarding CDK2 packaging into HBV capsids and the role of CDK2 in HBV infection and should facilitate the development of antiviral drugs that target the HBV capsid protein.

We measured stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes and calculated trophic level and trophic niche of基于2008—2009年和2018年对北部湾日本带鱼的采样,通过测定碳氮稳定同位素,计算其营养级、营养生态位等指标,对比分析10年前后日本带鱼营养生态位的差异,探究其生态适应能力的变动。结果表明: 2个时期北部湾日本带鱼碳稳定同位素(δ

Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) often have a history of infertility and poor pregnancy outcome. The character of the lower genital tract (LGT) microbiome of these patients is still unknown. We collected both vaginal and cervical canal swabs from 47 PCOS patients (diagnosed by the Rotterdam Criteria) and 50 healthy reproductive-aged controls in this study. Variable regions 3–4 (V3–4) were sequenced and analyzed. Operational taxonomic unit (OTU) abundance was noted for all samples. Taxa that discriminated between PCOS and healthy women was calculated by linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEFSe). Results from 97 paired vaginal and cervical canal samples collected from 97 women [mean age 30 (±4 years)] were available for analysis. Using the Rotterdam Criteria, 47 women were diagnosed with PCOS (PCOS, n = 47; control, n = 50). There was no significant difference between cervical canal microbiome and vaginal microbiome from the same individual, however, Lactobacillus spp. was less abundant in both vaginal and cervical canal microbiome of PCOS patients. Several non-Lactobacillus taxa including Gardnerella_vaginalis_00703mash, Prevotella_9_other, and Mycoplasma hominis, were more abundant in the LGT microbiota of PCOS patients. There is a difference between the microorganism in the LGT of patients with PCOS and healthy reproductive-aged women.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid or core protein (HBc) contains an N-terminal domain (NTD) and a C-terminal domain (CTD) connected by a short linker peptide. HBc plays a critical role in virtually every step of viral replication, which is further modulated by dynamic phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of its CTD. While several cellular kinases have been identified that mediate HBc CTD phosphorylation, there is little information on the cellular phosphatases that mediate CTD dephosphorylation. Herein, a consensus binding motif for the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulatory subunit B56 was recognized within the HBc linker peptide. Mutations within this motif designed to block or enhance B56 binding showed pleiotropic effects on CTD phosphorylation state as well as on viral RNA packaging, reverse transcription, and virion secretion. Furthermore, linker mutations affected the HBV nuclear episome (the covalently closed circular or CCC DNA) differentially during intracellular amplification vs. infection. The effects of linker mutations on CTD phosphorylation state varied with different phosphorylation sites and were only partially consistent with the linker motif serving to recruit PP2A-B56, specifically, to dephosphorylate CTD, suggesting that multiple phosphatases and/or kinases may be recruited to modulate CTD (de)phosphorylation. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of PP2A could decrease HBc CTD dephosphorylation and increase the nuclear HBV episome. These results thus strongly implicate the HBc linker in recruiting PP2A and other host factors to regulate multiple stages of HBV replication., Author summary Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes acute and chronic viral hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and cancer. The dynamic phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the viral capsid protein (HBc), which are controlled by host cell protein kinases and phosphatases, play a critical role in regulating multiple stages of HBV replication. While a number of cellular kinases have been identified that mediate HBc phosphorylation, there is little information on cellular phosphatases that mediate its dephosphorylation. Herein we have identified a consensus binding motif in HBc for one of the major cellular phosphatases, the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Genetic analysis of this motif revealed that it played multiple roles in regulating CTD phosphorylation state, as well as viral RNA packaging, reverse transcription, virion secretion, and formation of the nuclear HBV episome responsible for viral persistence. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of PP2A decreased HBc dephosphorylation and increased the nuclear episome, further supporting a role of PP2A in HBc dephosphorylation and HBV persistence. These results thus suggest that HBc recruits PP2A, among other host factors, to regulate HBc phosphorylation and dephosphorylation dynamics and HBV replication and persistence.

The radiological toxicity of uranium in nuclear industrial wastewater poses a long-term threat to environment, thus the effective separation of radionuclide from wastewater is very important for environmental safety. Herein, the macroporous ion-imprinted chitosan foams (ICFs) were synthesized by the combination of the facile freezing-drying and ion-imprinting techniques. Compared with non-imprinted chitosan foam, the ICFs showed much higher adsorption capacities (qm = 248.9–253.6 mg/g) and better adsorption selectivity for U(VI) owing to their smart recognition of the target ions for matching the cavities formed during U(VI)-imprinting process. The adsorption kinetics could be fitted by pseudo-second-order model; whereas the adsorption isotherms could be described by Langmuir model, indicating chemisorption or complexation mechanism. The FT-IR and XPS analysis further confirms that the coordination between U(VI) and the active sites (amine and hydroxyl groups) is the main adsorption mechanism. The thermodynamic parameters suggest that the adsorption of U(VI) is endothermic and spontaneous. This work provides new insights for the design of novel macroporous biosorbents with both high adsorption capacity and excellent adsorption selectivity for U(VI) biosorption from wastewater.

Background The high prevalence of alternative splicing among genes implies the importance of genomic complexity in regulating normal physiological processes and diseases such as gastric cancer (GC). The standard form of stem cell marker CD44 (CD44S) and its alternatives with additional exons are reported to play important roles in multiple types of tumors, but the regulation mechanism of CD44 alternative splicing is not fully understood. Methods Here the expression of hnRNPK was analyzed among the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort of GC. The function of hnRNPK in GC cells was analyzed and its downstream targeted gene was identified by chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase report assay. Finally, effect of hnRNPK and its downstream splicing regulator on CD44 alternative splicing was investigated. Results The expression of hnRNPK was significantly increased in GC and its upregulation was associated with tumor stage and metastasis. Loss-of-function studies found that hnRNPK could promote GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The upregulation of hnRNPK activates the expression of the splicing regulator SRSF1 by binding to the first motif upstream the start codon (− 65 to − 77 site), thereby increasing splicing activity and expression of an oncogenic CD44 isoform, CD44E (has additional variant exons 8 to 10, CD44v8-v10). Conclusion These findings revealed the importance of the hnRNPK-SRSF1-CD44E axis in promoting gastric tumorigenesis.

To investigate the effect of basal hormone levels including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) and age on the pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), we designed a retrospective cohort analysis and collected information of patients undergoing IVF between January 2014 and April 2017. We found that young women had much better pregnancy outcomes than older women regardless of the hormone levels. The pregnancy outcomes declined in young women with high basal E2, even though they had normal FSH. Older women with higher FSH had a worse outcome of pregnancy, especially with increased E2 level. The results suggest that a combination of FSH, E2 and age could effectively predict the pregnancy outcome for women undergoing IVF-ET, and we should encourage infertile women with diminished ovarian reserve, especially young infertile women, to try the assisted reproduction as early as possible. After 40-yearold, the cost-benefit ratio should be considered according to the ovarian function.

The radioactive pollution owing to the discharge of effluents containing radionuclides brings serious toxicological effects on the ecological environment. In this work, the chitosan (CS) and biomass-resourced porous activated carbons (BC) composite membranes (CS/BC) were used as the electrodes for the electrosorption of U(VI) from aqueous solutions. The capacitive characteristic and electrosorption performance of the composite electrodes was systematically investigated. The CV curves of the CS/BC membrane showed normal dependency of scan-rate and U(VI) concentration, reflecting good removal capacity and kinetic rate for U(VI) electrosorption. The CS: BC mass ratios had significant effects on U(VI) electrosorption performance, and the CS/BC-2 is the best among various CS/BC electrodes owing to its good match of functional groups and mesoporous structure. The CS/BC-2 presented high removal capability of for U(VI) electrosorption (207.6 mg/g at the voltage of 0.9 V and pH 4.0, based on Langmuir model). The electrosorption involves in electrical double-layer formation, ion-exchange, complexation and physisorption. The cyclic electrosorption-desorption results and the XPS characterization further clarified this mechanism. The CS/BC-2 could also selectively adsorbed U(VI) from other co-existed metal ions in electrosorption. The results revealed the potential application of electrosorption process by using CS/BC electrodes in U(VI) solution for the cleanup of environmental pollution.

Pathogenic strains of Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) such as Utah-1 do not replicate in cell culture (e.g., Crandell Rees feline kidney cells) while the in vitro-adapted AMDV strain ADV-Gorham (ADV-G) is not pathogenic. Here, we constructed a full-length infectious clone (pADV-G). Alignment of the VP2 gene of ADV-G with that of other AMDV strains revealed many amino acid (a.a.) residues conserved among pathogenic isolates that differed in ADV-G. Four virulence-associated, conserved residues of pADV-G VP2 were studied by site-directed mutagenesis (H92A, Q94S, Y115F, and I116L). Mutation of residue 92 or 94 decreased viral-transcription and viral-infectivity levels, whereas mutation of residue 115 or 116 did not affect viral-infectivity in CRFK cells. These results indicated that VP2 residues 92 and 94, both located on the surface of the viral capsid, are critical for AMDV infectivity in vitro.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2) gene polymorphisms, AdipoR2 protein expression levels and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). From April 2012 to May 2015, 281 CRC patients (case group) admitted to the China-Japan Friendship Hospital and 325 healthy control subjects (control group) were recruited for the study. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected and the DNA was extracted. Genotyping was performed using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography in the condition of partial degeneration. Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype were analyzed using SHEsis analysis software. AdipoR2 protein expression levels were detected by immunohistochemistry and logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors of CRC. The distribution of the TT genotype of AdipoR2 rs10773989 and the CC genotype of AdipoR2 rs1044471 was higher in the case group than in the control group (P

Mink enteritis virus (MEV) is one of the most important viral pathogens causing serious disease in mink. Type I interferon (IFN) plays a critical role in antiviral innate immunity and, for successful infection, many viruses have evolved evasive strategies against it. Here, we show that MEV infection does not evoke IFN or interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) responses in feline kidney (CRFK) cells, and that MEV suppresses IFN production in both poly I:C-stimulated and untreated cells. In CRFK cells pre-exposure to IFN, show that infection with, and replication of, MEV remain unaffected. This inhibition appears to be mediated by the MEV nonstructural protein (NS1) with its ORI-binding domain playing a major role.

To better understand the chemical characteristics and the potential source regions of PM2.5 measured from 18 January until 22 January 2016 in Shijiazhuang, China, PM2.5 was measured continuously and integrated daily sampling using mid-volume samplers was conducted at the three sites. The mean concentration of PM2.5 at the three sites reached 113, 131 and 119 µg m–3 during the sampling period, the higher concentrations occurred at early morning and noon, similar variation trends were found in the three sites. The concentrations of OC were higher than EC at three sampling sites and the OC/EC ratios ranged from 9.09 to 12.4 with a daily mean value of 10.8 during a haze pollution episode (HPE), which suggested that carbonaceous compositions might be from same source. The total concentration of water soluble inorganic ions (WSII) at the sites ranged from 72.2 to 100.0 µg m–3 with a mean of 84.3 µg m–3. The dominant species were NO3–, SO42–, NH4+, Cl–, accounting for 88.4% of the mean PM2.5 WSII mass. The most abundant measured element was Na with average mass concentrations of 41.5, 37.0, and 38.1 µg m–3 during the HPE. Relative humidity during HPE was higher than during clean days with average values of 70.1% and 60.2%, suggesting that high relative humidity and low wind speed favored formation of secondary inorganic ions and accelerated hygroscopic growth. The Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) and a potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis were used to assess the data. Back-trajectories for the three sites identified similar transport pathways. PSCF analysis showed a significant regional impact on PM2.5 at Shijiazhuang during the polluted period. The potential source areas for PM2.5 in Shijiazhuang were the Beijing-Tianjin region and Shandong Province. The results of the present study show the need for the development of PM2.5 control measurements on a regional scale.

BackgroundCareful assessment of the reasons for discontinuation of active surveillance (AS) is required for men with prostate cancer (PCa).ObjectiveUsing Movember's Global Action Plan Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance initiative (GAP3) database, we report on reasons for AS discontinuation.Design, setting, and participantsWe compared data from 10296 men on AS from 21 centres across 12 countries.Outcome measurements and statistical analysisCumulative incidence methods were used to estimate the cumulative incidence rates of AS discontinuation.Results and limitationsDuring 5-yr follow-up, 27.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.4-28.6%) men showed signs of disease progression, 12.8% (95% CI: 12.0-13.6%) converted to active treatment without evidence of progression, 1.7% (95% CI: 1.5-2.0%) continued to watchful waiting, and 1.7% (95% CI: 1.4-2.1%) died from other causes. Of the 7049 men who remained on AS, 2339 had follow-up for >5yr, 4561 had follow-up for

Additional file 1: Table S1. Primers used for qRT-PCR. Table S2. Primers used for ChIP-qPCR.

The genome of a highly pathogenic strain of Aleutian disease mink virus (AMDV-BJ) isolated from a domestic farm in North China has been determined and compared with other strains. Alignment analysis of the major structural protein VP2 revealed that AMDV-BJ is unique among 17 other AMDV strains. Compared with the nonpathogenic strain ADV-G, the 3' end Y-shaped hairpin was highly conserved, while a 4-base deletion in the 5' U-shaped terminal palindrome resulted in a different unpaired "bubble" group near the NS1-binding region of the 5' end hairpin which may affect replication efficiency in vivo. We also performed a protein analysis of the NS1, NS2, and new-confirmed NS3 of AMDV-BJ with some related AMDV DNA sequence published, providing information on evolution of AMDV genes. This study shows a useful method to obtain the full-length genome of AMDV and some other parvoviruses.

A virus isolated from mink showing clinical signs of enteritis was identified as a high virulent mink enteritis parvovirus (MEV) based on its biological characteristics in vivo and in vitro. Mink, challenged with this strain named MEV-LHV, exhibited severe pathological lesions as compared to those challenged with attenuated strain MEV-L. MEV-LHV also showed higher infection and replication efficiencies in vitro than MEV-L. Sequence of the complete genome of MEV-LHV was determined and analyzed in comparison with those in GenBank, which revealed that MEV-LHV shared high homology with virulent strain MEV SD12/01, whereas MEV-L was closely related to Abashiri and vaccine strain MEVB, and belonged to a different branch of the phylogenetic tree. The genomes of the two strains differed by insertions and deletions in their palindromic termini and specific unique mutations (especially VP2 300) in coding sequences which may be involved in viral replication and pathogenicity. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the biological and genomic characteristics of MEV and identify certain regions and sites that may be involved in viral replication and pathogenicity.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) delivers a partially double-stranded, relaxed circular (RC) DNA genome in complete virions to the host cell nucleus for conversion to the covalently closed circular (CCC) DNA, which establishes and sustains viral infection. An overlength pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) is then transcribed from CCC DNA and packaged into immature nucleocapsids (NCs) by the viral core (HBc) protein. pgRNA is reverse transcribed to produce RC DNA in mature NCs, which are then enveloped and secreted as complete virions, or delivered to the nucleus to replenish the nuclear CCC DNA pool. RC DNA, whether originating from extracellular virions or intracellular mature NCs, must be released upon NC disassembly (uncoating) for CCC DNA formation. HBc is known to undergo dynamic phosphorylation and dephosphorylation at its C-terminal domain (CTD) to facilitate pgRNA packaging and reverse transcription. Here, two putative phosphorylation sites in the HBc N-terminal domain (NTD), S44 and S49, were targeted for genetic and biochemical analysis to assess their potential roles in viral replication. The NTD mutant that mimics the non-phosphorylated state (N2A) was competent in all steps of viral replication tested from capsid assembly, pgRNA packaging, reverse transcription, to virion secretion, except for a decrease in CCC DNA formation. On the other hand, the phosphor-mimetic mutant N2E showed a defect in the early step of pgRNA packaging but enhanced the late step of mature NC uncoating and consequently, increased CCC DNA formation. N2E also enhanced phosphorylation in CTD and possibly elsewhere in HBc. Furthermore, inhibition of the cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), which is packaged into viral capsids, could block CCC DNA formation. These results prompted us to propose a model whereby rephosphorylation of HBc at both NTD and CTD by the packaged CDK2, following CTD dephosphorylation during NC maturation, facilitates uncoating and CCC DNA formation by destabilizing mature NCs., Author summary Hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistently infects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, causing viral hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The basis of HBV persistence is the viral covalently closed circular (CCC) DNA, a nuclear episome, that drives all viral gene expression to sustain viral replication. CCC DNA is derived from the relaxed circular (RC) DNA, which is formed inside a proteinaceous shell, the viral capsid, but has to be released from the capsid in order to be converted to CCC DNA by host cell factors. We report here that the phosphorylation state of the capsid protein, regulated by host cell enzymes including one that is packaged inside the viral capsid, plays a critical role in regulating the release of RC DNA and thus controlling CCC DNA formation. Intense ongoing efforts are being directed at developing novel antiviral strategies to eliminate the HBV CCC DNA for curing persistence HBV infection, including those targeting the capsid protein. Our results should inspire novel approaches to targeting the HBV capsid and CCC DNA. Furthermore, uncoating is an essential step in the infection process for virtually all viruses that remains ill-understood. Thus, our results have broad implications for understanding viral infection in general.

Quantitative study on effects of roads on suitable breeding habitats of wildlife is one of topics that need in-depth research in road ecology. Crested ibis (Nipponia nippon), a first class nationally protected bird species, is the species of interest in this research. Using the Maximum Entropy Models (MaxEnt) in the Species Distribution Model (SDM) toolbox of ArcGIS, autocorrelation of environmental variables were analyzed and environmental variables with r0.8 were removed. Ten environmental variables were chosen as impact factors for the breeding habitat of crested ibis, including mean temperature of coldest quarter, landscape type, normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI), slope, aspect, distance to waters, distance to paddy field, distance to high-grade roads (expressway, national way, provincial way), and distance to low-grade roads (country road). By analyzing the contribution rate of each environmental variable, the results showed that the mean temperature of coldest quarter, landscape type, distance to paddy field, and distance to high-grade roads were the main factors determining breeding habitat of crested ibis. The suitable distribution of crested ibis' nesting area was under the following scenarios: variable road present (scenario1), high-grade road absent (scenario2), and low-grade road absent (scenario 3). The results showed that the presence of roads affected suitable nesting areas of crested ibis with high-grade roads showing a larger influence than low-grade roads. The presence of high-grade roads and low-grade roads decreased the suitable nesting areas of crested ibis by 66.23 and 35.69 km道路对野生动物适宜繁殖地影响的定量研究是目前道路生态学领域有待深入的内容之一.本文以国家一级保护动物朱鹮为研究对象,利用物种分布模型(SDM)中MaxEnt模型,通过对影响朱鹮繁殖地的环境变量进行自相关分析,剔除自相关系数大于0.8的环境变量,最终选择了10个环境变量为朱鹮繁殖地的影响因子,分别为最冷季度平均气温、景观类型、归一化植被指数、坡度、坡向、距水体距离、距水田距离、距高等级公路(县级及以上道路)距离、距低等级公路(乡镇和林间道路)距离、距居住地距离.通过对环境变量的贡献率进行分析表明: 最冷季度平均气温、景观类型以及距水田距离、距高等级公路距离是影响朱鹮筑巢的主要因子.分别研究了含道路变量(情景Ⅰ)、不含高等级公路(情景Ⅱ)以及不含低等级公路(情景Ⅲ)3种情景下朱鹮繁殖地适宜区分布.结果表明:道路对朱鹮繁殖地干扰影响显著,高等级公路的影响比低等级公路大,高等级公路和低等级公路的存在分别使朱鹮繁殖地适宜区的面积减小了66.23和35.69 km

AIM To detect abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression in type 1 gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (g-NENs) and find potential target genes. METHODS Tumour tissues from patients with type 1 g-NENs were used as experimental samples, and gastric mucosal tissues from the same patients obtained during gastroscopy review after several months were used as control samples. miRNA expression was examined with Agilent human miRNA chips and validated via RT-PCR. Three types of target gene prediction software (TargetScan, PITA, and microRNAorg) were used to predict potential target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs, and a dual-luciferase reporter assay system was used for verification. RESULTS Six miRNAs were significantly upregulated or downregulated in the tumours compared to the control samples. Among them, miR-202-3p was extraordinarily upregulated. RT-PCR of seven sample sets confirmed that miR-202-3p was upregulated in tumour tissues. In total, 215 target genes were predicted to be associated with miR-202-3p. Among them, dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) was reported to be closely related to tumour occurrence and development. The dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-202-3p directly regulated DUSP1 in 293T cells. CONCLUSION miR-202-3p is upregulated in type 1 g-NEN lesions and might play important roles in the pathogenesis of type 1 g-NENs by targeting DUSP1.

The Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT), potential source contribution function (PSCF) were used to identify the transport pathways and identify potential sources of air pollution in Panjin. Three haze events were occurred in the campaign: period 1 (Nov. 2-3), period 2 (Nov. 6-14) and period 3 (Nov. 29-30) during November, 2015. The back-trajectories and PSCF analysis of three haze episodes show different air transport paths, however, Inner Mongolia and Liaoning province mostly affects the air quality of Panjin. Thus, it is necessary to enlarge degree of pollution prevention and treatment in Inner Mongolia and Gansu province to improve air quality at Panjin.

The traditional hearing aid fitting method, which mainly relies on the audiologist, is timeconsuming and messy. To improve this situation, a self-fitting algorithm based on an improved interactive evolutionary computation (IEC) algorithm and expert system, which enables the patients to fit the hearing aid by themselves, is proposed. The algorithm takes the band gain as the fitting target and uses the patient’s subjective evaluation to iteratively update the algorithm parameters based on the improved IEC algorithm. In addition, a real-time updated expert system is constructed to assist in the optimization of the initial and iterative parameters of the fitting based on the patient’s audiogram and personal information. To verify the performance of the algorithm, a self-fitting software for the hearing aid is designed. Through this software, the test signal is generated for the patient to evaluate the audio quality on a five-level scale. Based on the evaluation results, the algorithm iteratively optimizes the algorithm parameters until the patient is satisfied with the generated audio. Compared with the fitting algorithm based on Gaussian processes algorithm or the interactive evolutionary algorithm, the average subjective speech recognition rate of the proposed algorithm increase at least 11%. The average recognition rate for environmental sound is also improved by at least 2.9%. In addition, the fitting time of the proposed algorithm is shortened by at least 10 min compared to others two algorithms.

We formulate two natural but different extensions of the weak separation condition to infinite iterated function systems of conformal contractions with overlaps, and study the associated topological pressure functions. We obtain a formula for the Hausdorff dimension of the limit sets under these weak separation conditions.

Construction and characterization of a full-length infectious clone (pMEV) of mink enteritis virus are described. Feline kidney cells (F81) were transfected with pMEV containing an engineered BamHI site that served as a genetic marker. The rescued virus was indistinguishable from its parental virus. The availability of a MEV infectious clone will facilitate studies of viral replication and pathogenicity and will permit the elucidation of determinants of the host range of the parvovirus.

In view of the high cost of the existing grouting materials, and at the same time the industrial production of a large number of fly ash, slag and other industrial waste can’t be effectively used. In this paper, the properties of fly ash slag cement with different ratios were studied through laboratory tests. Results show that the cement content in given conditions, with the increase of dosage of fly ash, initial setting and final setting time of cement paste with slow growth, the fluidity is growing, but the stone rate has obvious drop, on the compressive strength, the higher the slag content, is the early compressive strength, the greater the and the higher the dosage of fly ash, the late strength of cement paste were higher. This kind of grouting material has good working performance, can guarantee the project construction needs at the same time save cost, protect the environment.

This paper proposed a new method for surface defect detection of photovoltaic module based on independent component analysis (ICA) reconstruction algorithm. Firstly, a faultless image is used as the training image. The demixing matrix and corresponding ICs are obtained by applying the ICA in the training image. Then we reorder the ICs according to the range values and reform the de-mixing matrix. Then the reformed de-mixing matrix is used to reconstruct the defect image. The resulting image can remove the background structures and enhance the local anomalies. Experimental results have shown that the proposed method can effectively detect the presence of defects in periodically patterned surfaces.

To improve high-frequency speech intelligibility, an improved frequency compression method for high-frequency hearing-impaired patients was evaluated compared to conventional frequency compression scheme and their own hearing aids. The first step in this method was to decompose speech frame for three groups of parameters of the sinusoidal speech model: amplitudes, frequencies, and phases. Frequencies above a pre-calculated cut-off frequency (CF) were compressed and shifted to a lower frequency range to improve high-frequency intelligibility. Different from general methods, the frequency compression ratio was set according to speech intelligibility percentage in different frequency ranges. To avoid spectral distortions in the sounds, the frequency spectrum was split into six bands according to octaves. In addition, phases of compressed frequencies were randomly set to improve the envelope of the compressed signal. In subjective evaluation for Chinese speech identification, six experienced hearing aid users with a severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss were tested. After 6 weeks of training and testing, results showed the mean speech identification was improved at least 7% points in comparison with conventional frequency compression scheme.

Soil erosion is an important ecological and environmental problem in Hunshandake Desert, and the sand-fixing function determines the degree of ecological security in the entire region. In order to clarify the situation of windbreak and sand fixation in Hunshandake area, and to guide the prevention and treatment of desertification on regional scale, based on the meteorological and remote sensing data, this paper quantitatively analyzed the temporal and spatial pattern of windbreak and sand fixation ability between 2000-2010 by the revised wind erosion equation (RWEQ) model, meanwhile, the driving forces for each county ( or banner) in the functional zone were analyzed with the method of principal component analysis. The results showed that there was a fluctuation of the sand fixing capacity in Hunshandake over time, generally rendering a decline trend. The coniferous forest and grassland had strong windbreak and sand fixation capacity in unit area among the various land categories. In terms of spatial distribution, the windbreak and sand fixation function in western and southeastern region was weak and needed to be strengthened with ecological restoration efforts. Through the study of the social driving forces of each administrative region in the function zone, there were 3 main social driving forces of soil erosion in the administrative functions: the intensity of input-output, the level of economic development and the level of agriculture-husbandry development.