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Dust emissions can lead to a series of environmental hazards, such as soil degradation, dust storms, and air pollution, and are thus a global concern. As one of the most ecologically fragile and climate-sensitive regions in the world, the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) has great dust emission potential. However, the dust yield and its affecting factors are not fully understood. To reduce these uncertainties on the QTP, the Hoh Xil Plateau (HXP), a typical dust source on the QTP, was selected as the study area to analyze the dust emission processes and the associated influencing factors using a robust model. The results showed that dust emissions on the HXP occurred mainly in spring and winter. The land use on the HXP is the main reason for the high dust emissions, as the grasslands and bare lands that are extensively distributed in this region contain abundant erosive materials. The recession regions of the expansive lakes resulted in an increase in sandy lakeshores, which induced a potential increase in the dust emissions under strong-wind conditions. In addition, the effects of human activities on dust emissions were evident. The positive and negative effects on dust emission changes coexisted on the HXP and depended on the development of the county-level economy and the implementation of ecological engineering measures. We believe this study will clarify the dust yield of the QTP and provide valuable information for understanding the driving factors that cause variations in aeolian processes on the QTP.

The interactions of multiple flames are often encountered in real-world fire and industrial burners. The distance between two jets has a strong influence on the instability mode, oscillation frequency, and mean height of flickering diffusion flames, which is experimentally studied and analyzed in this paper. Five different types of instability modes are identified as the separation distance between two nozzles is increased. When the nozzle separation distance is smaller, the flame mode is similar to that of a single-nozzle flame. In this case, the flame can switch between the merged sinuous mode and the merged varicose mode due to external disturbances on the flame. As the nozzle separation distance increases, the probability of mode switching from merged varicose to merged sinuous decreases. As the nozzle separation distance increases further, the flame mode translates into symmetric sinuous mode, alternated sinuous or independent mode. In addition, the flame height and oscillation frequency of a dual-nozzle flame have their own characteristics, which are different from that of the single-nozzle flame. The increase of the nozzle separation distance, leads to a decrease and then an increase of the flame mean height. It is interesting that the flame mean height of the alternated sinuous flame is the lowest, even lower than that of the single-nozzle flame. The oscillation frequency of the symmetrical sinuous flame is lower than that of the single-nozzle flame, and the frequency of alternated sinuous flame is higher than that of the single-nozzle flame.

4-(2,2-Difluoroethylamino)-3-(heteroarylmethyl)-5,5-disubstituted furan-2(5H)-ones were regioselectively synthesized via C-3 alkylation of 4-(2,2-difluoroethylamino)-5,5-disubstituted furan-2(5H)-ones with heteroarylmethyl chlorides using Cs2CO3 as a base in 62–85% yields. Their structures were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, HRMS (ESI), and X-ray diffraction. This C-alkylation selectivity was rationalized by bulky hindrance and electron-withdrawing effects.

Cultivated soybeans may lose some useful genetic loci during domestication. Introgression of genes from wild soybeans could broaden the genetic background and improve soybean agronomic traits. In this study, through whole-genome sequencing of a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between a wild soybean ZYD7 and a cultivated soybean HN44, and mapping of quantitative trait loci for seed weight, we discovered that a phosphatase 2C-1 (PP2C-1) allele from wild soybean ZYD7 contributes to the increase in seed weight/size. PP2C-1 may achieve this function by enhancing cell size of integument and activating a subset of seed trait-related genes. We found that PP2C-1 is associated with GmBZR1, a soybean ortholog of Arabidopsis BZR1, one of key transcription factors in brassinosteroid (BR) signaling, and facilitate accumulation of dephosphorylated GmBZR1. In contrast, the PP2C-2 allele with variations of a few amino acids at the N-terminus did not exhibit this function. Moreover, we showed that GmBZR1 could promote seed weight/size in transgenic plants. Through analysis of cultivated soybean accessions, we found that 40% of the examined accessions do not have the PP2C-1 allele, suggesting that these accessions can be improved by introduction of this allele. Taken together, our study identifies an elite allele PP2C-1, which can enhance seed weight and/or size in soybean, and pinpoints that manipulation of this allele by molecular-assisted breeding may increase production in soybean and other legumes/crops.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of microRNA-15a (miR-15a) in the development of sepsis and septic shock. Methods: Sepsis and septic shock rat models were constructed by intraperitoneal injection of E.coli endotoxin (LPS). The real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA), ematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining, TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL), as well as Western blot analysis were performed to reveal the expression of microRNA-15a and changes in sepsis/septic shock myocardial cells or tissue. The rat sepsis model (sepsis group and septic shock group) was successfully established. Results: The results of HE and Mason staining showed that myocardial tissue damage gradually deepened with the progression of sepsis. Moreover, the serum levels of creatinine kinase-mb (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in model groups were significantly increased than those in control group. In addition, the RT-PCR analysis showed that miR-15a was up-regulated in model groups. Furthermore, luciferase reporter gene assay showed that 3'-UTR was the binding site of BCL-2 to miR-15a. Finally, the TUNEL and Western blot showed the cardiomyocyte apoptosis in model group. Conclusions: The overexpression of miR-15a might take part in the progression of LPS-induced sepsis and septic shock via suppressing Bcl-2 expression. Furthermore, myocardial markers such as CK-MB and cTnI might be biomarkers for sepsis progression.

Buoyancy causes a horizontal jet flame to bend upward when it loses sufficient initial momentum. Therefore, the variation in flame trajectory must be considered to accurately predict the thermal radiant flux of a horizontal jet flame governed by buoyancy and momentum. We introduce the flame trajectory equation into the linear source equation of radiation to establish a new model. The flame length ratio is calculated by flame trajectory length, horizontal projected flame length, and vertical projected flame height in the new model. This paper also presents a formula for flame lift-off distance and flame radiant fraction. We further list the geometric parameters of the horizontal-kite shape, tile-kite shape, and flame trajectory models. Comparing the experimental data and model predictions shows that the flame trajectory model is more accurate than the horizontal-kite and tile-kite models, especially when the Froude number is low. We also study the effects of flame lift-off distance and flame length ratio on predictive accuracy. The flame trajectory model computes quickly, and a normal laptop computer needs only 1.08 s to get a picture with 24,000 data points.

Cultivated soybean has undergone many transformations during domestication. In this paper we report a comprehensive assessment of the evolution of gene co-expression networks based on the analysis of 40 transcriptomes from developing soybean seeds in cultivated and wild soybean accessions. We identified 2680 genes that are differentially expressed during seed maturation and established two cultivar-specific gene co-expression networks. Through analysis of the two networks and integration with quantitative trait locus data we identified two potential key drivers for seed trait formation, GA20OX and NFYA. GA20OX encodes an enzyme in a rate-limiting step of gibberellin biosynthesis, and NFYA encodes a transcription factor. Overexpression of GA20OX and NFYA enhanced seed size/weight and oil content, respectively, in seeds of transgenic plants. The two genes showed significantly higher expression in cultivated than in wild soybean, and the increases in expression were associated with genetic variations in the promoter region of each gene. Moreover, the expression of GA20OX and NFYA in seeds of soybean accessions correlated with seed weight and oil content, respectively. Our study reveals transcriptional adaptation during soybean domestication and may identify a mechanism of selection by expression for seed trait formation, providing strategies for future breeding practice.

With the development of urbanization, the ecological environment of the typical agro-development city-Weinan is disturbed to varying degrees, and it restricts the coordinated development of resources, population and environment in the region. This paper combines social, economic and climate data to propose an index system suitable for the evaluation of ecological vulnerability in Weinan. The analytic hierarchy process was used to quantitatively evaluate the ecological vulnerability of the Weinan region. The results showed that from 2000 to 2011, the urban ecological vulnerability index(EVI) was higher than that of the surrounding counties, which had a great relationship with the impact of urbanization on ecological vulnerability. The extremely fragile areas of ecological vulnerability in Weinan were mainly distributed in the urban areas of Linwei District and Hancheng. The main reason was that these cities had a fast development speed and a strong industrial base, which had a great impact on the ecological vulnerability.

This study aims to provide a scientific basis for unifying the reference value standard of QT dispersion of ECGs in Chinese adults. Three predictive models including regression model, principal component model, and artificial neural network model are combined to establish the optimal weighted combination model. The optimal weighted combination model and single model are verified and compared. Optimal weighted combinatorial model can reduce predicting risk of single model and improve the predicting precision. The reference value of geographical distribution of Chinese adults' QT dispersion was precisely made by using kriging methods. When geographical factors of a particular area are obtained, the reference value of QT dispersion of Chinese adults in this area can be estimated by using optimal weighted combinatorial model and reference value of the QT dispersion of Chinese adults anywhere in China can be obtained by using geographical distribution figure as well.

In order to realize the purpose of automatic driving for unmanned vehicles, a vehicle target recognition system based on fuzzy control is designed. The fuzzy real-time estimation of the acceleration, velocity and position of the front target is realized by fuzzy control theory. To achieve the intelligent target recognition function. Finally, the model vehicle is tested, which proves that the design is suitable for pattern recognition.

Large-scale industrial production consumes considerable amounts of water and discharges a large quantity of industrial sewage,and both of these are primary causes of the global water crisis and problems relating to the water environment.Scientifically and effectively evaluating the impact of industrial production on water resources is the premise and foundation of improving the efficiency of water resources utilization and management in industrial production,which is very important in relieving the stress on water resources and the water environment,especially in China.In order to develop a system and methods for evaluating the impact of industrial production on water resources based on the concept and theory of water footprint,the concept of Industrial Water Footprint(IWF) was proposed and its system boundary and evaluation content analysed.IWF is a multi-dimensional index for the increment of water resources usage caused by the industrial production process.As a part of water footprint sustainability evaluation,IWF focuses on the industrial production process.The function of IWF is to evaluate the synthetic impacts of an industrial production process or an individual product,an industrial enterprise,an industry or even a region on water resources and the water environment.Based on the concept of IWF,this paper also analysed its connotation and categories,and determined the system boundary.Compared with the traditional footprint evaluation of entire Life Cycle Assessment(LCA),IWF has its own system boundary and range of issues to be evaluated,in which items such as water usage and pollutant discharge of natural and agricultural process,plant growth,livestock feeds,agricultural irrigation and daily life of human beings are not taken into account.IWF can be divided into two parts: direct and indirect.As the name implies,the direct IWF comprises the water resources consumed and the pollution of the water environment directly caused by the industrial production process.On the other hand,the indirect IWF comprises the potential water resources consumption and pollution of the water environment caused by raw materials,auxiliary materials and secondary energy resources.Moreover,the framework and basic methods of evaluation in IWF are also constructed.The evaluation framework of IWF is composed of three parts: production water footprint,public water footprint and transport water footprint.'Production water footprint' refers to the sum of processed water footprints of all industrial production processes.'Public water footprint' refers to the sum of water footprints of the assistant production management system,including detection,maintenance and wastewater treatment.'Transport water footprint' refers to the water footprint caused by transportation,which includes transportation production and public transportation in industrial production processes.'Transportation production′ particularly refers to freight transportation of all processes,including the semi-finished product and raw material transportation in the industrial production processes,as well as transporting the semi-finished product and final product in and out of store.'Public transportation' particularly refers to the transportation of the staff of the assistant production management sector.Furthermore,the prospect of application and significance of evaluation of IWF in terms of product,enterprise and region were forecasted and discussed.