Search

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of DNA methylation of the abnormally high expression of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) in psoriasis vulgaris lesions. Methods The skin lesions of 20 patients with psoriasis vulgaris were taken as experimental group and those from 13 healthy individuals as control group. Bisulfite sequencing (BSP) was used to detect the DNA methylation of KLF4 promoter in the skin samples and in HaCat cells with ten-eleven translocation 3 (TET3) overexpression and interference, respectively. Real time PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the expression levels of KLF4, TET1, TET2 and TET3 in skin samples and transfected HaCat cells. Results The DNA methylation level of KLF4 promoter was significantly lower (P < 0.01), and the KLF4 mRNA level was obviously higher in the experimental group than the control group (P < 0.01). A negative correlation was observed between DNA methylation level of KLF4 promoter and KLF4 mRNA level in the experimental group (r=-0.649, P=0.002). The experimental group had notably higher expression level of TET3 (P < 0.01), but had no differences in the levels of TET1 and TET2 when compared with the control group. The expression level of TET3 was negatively correlated with the DNA methylation level of KLF4 promoter in the experimental group (r=-0.688, P=0.001). After overexpression of TET3 in HaCat cells, the DNA methylation level of KLF4 promoter was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and KLF4 expression level was obviously increased (P < 0.01). After interfering with TET3 expression in HaCat cells, the DNA methylation level of KLF4 promoter was notably up-regulated (P < 0.01), and the KLF4 expression level was remarkably decreased (P < 0.01). Conclusion Overexpression of TET3 mediates the overexpression of KLF4 in psoriatic lesions by down-regulating the DNA methylation level of KLF4 promoter.

The aim of this study is designed an improved ResNet 50 network to achieve automatic classification model for pain expressions by elderly patients with hip fractures. This study built a dataset by combining the advantages of deep learning in image recognition, using a hybrid of the Multi-Task Cascaded Convolutional Neural Networks (MTCNN). Based on ResNet50 network framework utilized transfer learning to implement model function. This study performed the hyperparameters by Bayesian optimization in the learning process. This study calculated intraclass correlation between visual analog scale scores provided by clinicians independently and those provided by pain expression evaluation assistant(PEEA). The automatic pain expression recognition model in elderly patients with hip fractures, which constructed using the algorithm. The accuracy achieved 99.6% on the training set, 98.7% on the validation set, and 98.2% on the test set. The substantial kappa coefficient of 0.683 confirmed the efficacy of PEEA in clinic. This study demonstrates that the improved ResNet50 network can be used to construct an automatic pain expression recognition model for elderly patients with hip fractures, which has higher accuracy.

With the continuous development of industry, it is urgent to treat oily sewage to achieve resource recovery and utilization. For oily sewage, superwetting materials have become one of the most promising materials for treating oily sewage, owing to their high separation efficiency and low energy consumption. Among various treatment methods, the membrane separation method becomes one of the most popular treatment methods in the future because of its low energy consumption and environmental protection. In this work, the basic theory of membrane surface wettability and the preparation method of superhydrophobic surfaces was reviewed, and the research status of the use of superwetting membrane materials for the treatment of various types of oily sewage was further elaborated. At last, the prospects for those future development trends were forecasted.

[Purpose/Significance] Different collaborators play different roles and assume corresponding responsibilities in scientific research collaboration. Distinguishing the different roles in research collaborators is important for the evaluation of research talent and human resources allocation. Previous studies have defined the roles of collaborators from multiple perspectives, both qualitative and quantitative, but lack a simple and efficient way to identify core collaborators. In this paper, we use the number of collaborations to identify core collaborators in scientists' collaborative relationships based on the H-index measure, which is a very easy to calculate and intuitively understandable method. [Method/Process] Using the OpenAlex database as a data source, an empirical analysis of approximately 5.05 million journal papers in the field of computing in China and G7 countries over 20 years (2000-2021) was conducted. First, the core collaborators of highly productive scientists were studied and their collaboration characteristics were analyzed from the perspective of size and share. Second, based on the H-index fitting formula proposed by previous authors, a formula for estimating the number of core collaborators based on the number of publications and the average number of collaborators per article was proposed. Finally, the formula was used to compare the differences between the theoretical and actual values of the number of core collaborators across countries. [Results/Conclusions] The study found that in terms of size and proportion of core collaborators, China had the highest average total number of collaborators among highly productive scientists, followed by the USA, Germany and the UK, while Italy had the lowest. The number of core collaborators was generally 3-7 across countries, with China and Italy having a higher rate of cooperation and the UK, France and Canada having a lower rate of cooperation. In terms of the number of core collaborators as a percentage, no country has more than 10%, with Italy having the highest percentage of core collaborators at 7.42%, followed by Japan, France and Canada, while the US has the lowest percentage of core collaborators. In terms of the total number of collaborators, there is no significant difference between China, the US and Germany, while there is a significant difference among all five other countries. In terms of the number of core collaborators, China is not significantly different from Italy and is significantly different from all other six countries. The number of core collaborators can be estimated by using the formula of the product of the number of publications and the power of the average number of collaborators per article, which has a good fit of 0.8 or more. Among China and the G7, the US, Germany and the UK have a lower proportion of core collaborators, with more frequent mobility and exchange of talent, while Italy, Japan and China have a higher proportion of core collaborators, indicating a lack of talent mobility and a relative consolidation of research collaboration.

CHN Shendong Coal Group Co.,Ltd (hereinafter referred to as “Shendong Company”) is the backbone coal production enterprise of the China Energy Group. It has made remarkable achievements in safe and efficient coal mining, domestic high-end equipment manufacturing, intelligent mine construction, safety management mode innovation and green ecological low-carbon, leading the scientific and technological innovation of the China coal enterprises, it has created many world firsts in the aspects of fully mechanized mining height, per capita work efficiency of the mine, long-term safety management of the mine and the construction of a hundred million ton mining area management and control center. This paper systematically introduces the progress of Shendong Company in science and technology management, innovation platform, collaborative innovation, talent team, intellectual property rights, standard system and scientific and technological achievements, and summarizes the innovation driving system of Shendong Company and the scientific and technological innovation channel of spiral acceleration. In terms of mining technology innovation and practice, this paper combs the technical breakthrough of Shendong Company in gradually increasing the mining height of full height fully mechanized mining from 6.3 m to 8.8 m, the mining technology of fully mechanized mining in the upper layer of shallow hard and extra thick coal seams and upper layer fully mechanized mining lower layer fully mechanized caving was introduced, the technical problems, key equipment and technologies faced by equal-height mining were sorted out, and the technical adaptability of short wall mechanized full caving method and the technical practice of non pillar mining method were analyzed; this paper introduces the complete set of fast intelligent tunneling system and the key technology of tunneling anchor integration, which improves the tunneling efficiency and solves the contradiction of “Imbalance in mining and excavation”. In terms of research, development and application of domestic high-end equipment, this paper introduces the breakthrough achievements made by Shendong Company in the equipment matching of the world's first 8.8 m super large fully-mechanized mining face, and analyzes the technical difficulties and innovation approaches faced by the first set of water hydraulic support in China, this paper analyzes the breakthroughs of 6 000 m retractable single point drive belt conveyor in the research of resistance reduction technology for the whole machine, tension control and intelligent frequency conversion drive technology, summarized the experience of developing the world's first double hundred ton heavy haul carrier to break through technical barriers, and enumerates the technical innovation achieved by applying new energy mining electric vehicles to the underground. In the aspect of intelligent mine construction, in view of the problems faced by intelligent coal cutting and machine following rack in the face of intelligent coal mining face, the technical innovation realized by Shendong Company in the process of intelligent coal mining face is summarized; sorted out the pioneering journey of intelligent coal preparation plant from scratch; for the first domestic coal mine operating system in China: Mine Harmory operating system, the key technology core and the value of popularization and application are analyzed; this paper analyzes the integrated technology used in the construction of the first 100 million ton mining area digital centralized management and control platform in China, and introduces the innovation and practice of 13 kinds of underground intelligent robots. In terms of safety management technology and practice, this paper has established the “135” work method safety risk management and control management system, which has realized the ultra long safety production cycle of ten million tons of coal mines; the mine pressure control system of Shendong Company and the intelligent cloud platform for dynamic and efficient early warning of mine pressure have been established, forming the unique mine pressure control technology system of Shendong Mining Area; and introduces the technical system of water, fire and gas disaster prevention, which ensures the construction of safety management system of Shendong Company.In the aspect of green ecological construction, this paper introduces the achievements of Shendong Company in the green development and technological innovation of coal, expounds the technical practice in the development of ecological mines, green mines and clean coal, and introduces the Shendong Pioneer Demonstration Area in the implementation of the major national strategy of ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. By summarizing the scientific and technological innovation system and innovation achievements of Shendong Company, this paper probes into the thinking of the future scientific and technological development of coal mines, and clarifies the development direction of its scientific and technological innovation system and major scientific and technological breakthrough.

BackgroundNuclear isomers are crucial in cosmic element synthesis and have potential applications in controlling nuclear energy release. Specifically, Europium (Eu) is significant in fundamental studies. For instance, 152Eu is used as a reference source for radioactive experiments, and its isomeric state 152m1Eu has a probability of 73% to produce cosmological p-nuclei 152Gd with β- decay. Therefore, 152m1Eu is a crucial nuclide in the nuclearsynthesis of p-nuclei 152Gd.PurposeThis study aims to realize the efficient excitation of 152m1Eu with a bremsstrahlung source generated by laser plasma.MethodsFirstly, the laser-plasma bremsstrahlung source was utilized to achieve the efficient excitation of 152m1Eu (45.6 keV, T1/2=9.31 h) in the experiment with yields of 8×104 particles/shot by this isotope. Then, numerical simulations of the yield of 152m1, m2Eu were performed using the Geant4-GENBOD program to get generation time, and peak excitation efficiency evolution with electron temperature.ResultsThe results demonstrate that when the electron temperature reaches 15 MeV, the yield of 152m1, m2Eu approaches saturation. When the incident electron charge is 17.6 nC, the yield of 152m1Eu is approximately 8×106 particles/shot, and that of 152m2Eu is approximately 2×105 particles/shot. The generation time of 152m1, m2Eu in the target is approximately 32 ps. When the electron temperature reaches 15 MeV, the peak excitation efficiency of 152m1Eu is expected to be ~1017 particles/s, and that of 152m2Eu is expected to be ~1016 particles/s.ConclusionsThe ultrashort ultrahigh intensity laser technology can significantly enhance the excitation efficiency of isotopes of the same nucleus, and this will provide an important research avenue for the study of cosmic element synthesis and nuclear energy release control applications.

This research confirmed the indicator and its weight for constructing the network of the food safety grass-roots responsibility, established the evaluation indicator system and performed empirical analysis. By combining with the “three sets” scheme of food safety grass-roots responsibility network and local standards, and using the balanced scorecard theory, we determined the evaluation index system by AHP, and carried out the evaluation in 11 regions of Zhejiang Province. The evaluation system consisted of 4 first-level indicators, 11 second-level indicators and 27 third-level indicators. The weights of first-level indicators from high to low were performance evaluation (0.512 7), internal management (0.260 5), related stakeholders (0.150 4), and learning and growth (0.076 4). The top three third-level indicators were high public satisfaction (0.244 9), resource security (0.138 3) and no food safety incidents (0.099 3). The evaluation results of the order of 11 regions were consistent with the evaluation results of Zhejiang. The evaluation index system was feasible, effective, scientific and reasonable, thus could provide direction for the construction of food safety grass-roots responsibility network in various places, and provide scientific decision-making and objective basis for the evaluation of the performance of the responsibility network.

In the treatment of neurological diseases, neuroregeneration is a contentious and challenging issue. Our understanding of the mechanisms related to neuroregeneration in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) is currently restricted and there lack of effective treatment to promote neuroregeneration and repair. To enhance the knowledge of neuroregeneration in NMOSDs, this article will concentrate on the challenge, current research progress, and future research directions. It will provide suggestions for investigating potential treatments for neuroregeneration in this condition.

Soil tends to have nonlinear compression characteristics, and the consolidation laws of soil are different under different compression characteristics. Considering the nonlinear characteristics of soil, variable load and continuous drainage boundary conditions, a one-dimensional consolidation equation is established. Its solutions are obtained by using the unconditionally stable finite difference method and semi-analytical method, and the reliability of the two methods is verified by the degradation of continuous drainage boundary condition and the comparison of the two solutions. Based on the solution of finite difference method, the influences of interface parameter, load parameters and nonlinear parameter on soil consolidation are analyzed in detail. The results show that, the larger the interface parameter of continuous drainage boundary, the greater the dissipation rate of excess pore water and the settlement rate of soil, while the interface parameter has no effect on the final settlement. The excess pore water pressure gradually increases at the loading stage and dissipates at the constant loading stage. With the increase of loading rate, both the peak value of excess pore water pressure and soil consolidation rate increase, indicating that extending the construction period is conducive to reducing the influence of excess pore water pressure. It is difficult to accurately predict the consolidation rate of soil in engineering. The accuracy of soil model, boundary conditions and soil calculation parameters should be ensured when the consolidation theory is used.

ith the rapid development of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology,in a variety of special environments (such as factories,warehouses,prisons,etc.),the demand for optimal deployment of RFID reader antennas has attracted extensive attention.In order to solve the problems in the deployment of RFID reader antenna,such as difficult deployment,many constraints and difficult to find the optimal solution and Pareto front,this paper proposes an optimized deployment method of RFID reader antenna based on the improved multi-objective SALP swarm algorithm (MSSA).The multi-objective optimization deployment model of RFID reader antenna is constructed in advance,and the optimization target is set.The multi-objective tympana algorithm is used to train the optimal deployment model of RFID reader antenna.The separation operator is introduced to optimize the search ability,and the non dominated solutions satisfying the conditions are searched continuously through iteration,and the Pareto solution set satisfying the conditions is constructed,which is the optimization result.The results show that the proposed algorithm has faster convergence rate than the algorithms of BA-OM,PSO and MC-BFO without the prior knowledge,coverage rate increases by 33%,28% and 20% respectively.Compared with the same type of hybrid firefly (HMOFA) algorithm for Pareto solution set,the load balancing is increased by 7.14%,the economic benefit is increased by 59.74%,and the reader interfe-rence is reduced by 34.04%.

Starch-lipid composite nanoparticles were prepared by using dry and wet methods.The properties of nanoparticles,such as the lipid composite index,solubility,microscopic morphology,particle size distribution,three-phase contact angle,crystal structure,and emulsifying property,were studied to create a new starch-based Pickering emulsifier.The results show that the lipid composite index of the nanoparticles prepared by using the dry method is significantly higher than by using the wet method,which is related to the combination form between lipids and starch demonstrated by X-ray.Scanning electron microscopy results show that both particles exhibited the aggregated nanoscale distribution,and the average particle size of the dry method is significantly higher than the wet.The contact angle of the nanoparticles prepared with the dry method is significantly higher than that with the wet method.Emulsification property results show that the Pickering emulsion stabilized by nanoparticles prepared with the dry method has a smaller particle size and a more even distribution.Pickering emulsion gels were formed after 7 days of storage with the addition of 3%～5% emulsifier.

According to the Culture Code Theory of Design, posters can be divided into strategy aspect, meaning aspect, and technical aspect. This study explored the impact of visual imagery on poster communication and effect focus on the meaning and technical aspects which directly related to the audiences. The visual imagery preference of ten public poster samples is collected from 40 participants by online questionnaire with the semantic differential method. The results show that the audience’s visual imagery at the technical aspect is mainly related to the richness of colors, graphics, and texts. When receiving the information from the meaning aspect of the poster correctly, the visual imagery will be influenced by the type of theme. Most importantly, the same or similar visual imagery at the technical and meaning aspect encourages audiences to explore the deep information of posters. Poster works that keep visual imagery coherent and smooth at the two aspects can achieve a better effect.

With the increasing demand for multidimensional data processing, Geometric algebra (GA) has attracted more and more attention in the field of geographical information systems. GA unifies and generalizes real numbers and complex, quaternion, and vector algebra, and converts complicated relations and operations into intuitive algebra independent of coordinate systems. It also provides a solution for solving multidimensional information processing with a high correlation among the dimensions and avoids the loss of information. Traditional methods of computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) provide robust results in multidimensional processing after being combined with GA and give additional feature analysis facility to remote sensing images. In this paper, we provide a detailed review of GA in different fields of AI and computer vision regarding its applications and the current developments in geospatial research. We also discuss the Clifford-Fourier transform (CFT) and quaternions (sub-algebra of GA) because of their necessity in remote sensing image processing. We focus on how GA helps AI and solves classification problems, as well as improving these methods using geometric algebra processing. Finally, we discuss the issues, challenges, and future perspectives of GA with regards to possible research directions.

Iron-based shape memory alloys have recently attracted widespread attention due to their low cost, excellent workability,machinability and good weldability, and has been identified as a new shape memory material with promising development. Mechanical alloying (MA) and powder metallurgy (PM) are new methods for the preparation of materials, which can be used to prepare shape memory alloy with superior properties. The effect of MA and PM on the phase transformation, microstructure and properties of Fe-Mn-Si-based shape memory alloys, and the application of such alloys in new fields were discussed in details. At last, the problems in the study of MA/PM process for preparing Fe-Mn-Si based SMA, such as process parameters, phase transformation mechanism, recovery stress and low temperature stress relaxation are pointed aod.

Chordoma is a rare bone cancer with variable clinical outcomes. Here, we recruited 184 sporadic chordoma patients from the US and Canada and collected their clinical and treatment data. The average age at diagnosis was 45.5 years (Range 5-78) and the chordoma site distribution was 49.2% clivus, 26.2% spinal, and 24.0% sacral. Most patients (97.5%) received surgery as the primary treatment, among whom 85.3% also received additional treatment. Except for the most prevalent cancers like prostate, lung, breast, and skin cancer, there was no discernible enrichment for any specific cancer type among patients or their family members. Among a subset of patients (N = 70) with tumor materials, we conducted omics analyses and obtained targeted panel sequencing and SNP array genotyping data for 51 and 49 patients, respectively. The most recurrent somatic driver mutations included PIK3CA (12%), followed by chromatin remodeling genes PBRM1 and SETD2. Amplification of the 6q27 region, containing the chordoma susceptibility gene TBXT, was detected in eight patients (16.3%). Clival patients appeared to be less likely to carry driver gene mutations, chromosome arm level deletion events (e.g., 5p, 5p, and 9p), or 6q27 amplification compared to sacral patients. After adjusting for age, sex, tumor site, and additional treatment, patients with somatic deletions of 14q (OR = 13.73, 95% CI 1.96-96.02, P = 0.008) and 18p (OR = 13.68, 95% CI 1.77-105.89, P = 0.012) were more likely to have persistent chordoma. The study highlights genomic heterogeneity in chordoma, potentially linked to location and clinical progression.

Subgrade filling of high-speed railway will cause additional settlement and deformation of existing lines.In this paper,using the finite element analysis platform (Taxis 2D) and considering the settlement of the existing line itself, This paper analyzes the impact of the new and old subgrade lap type and the layer filled this lesson of the new subgrade on the implementation of the existing subgrade. The results illustrate the following points:(1) Compared with different overlapping surface types, different filling those points have a greater impact on the settlement of the existing line; (2) The height of the steps is 0.6m and the width is 1.0m.In the subsequent layered filling construction process, each level The loading capacity of 30cm is more reasonable, which can effectively control the influence of the existing line on the additional settlement of the existing railway. The research results can provide a reference for the optimization of similar roadbed width construction.

BACKGROUND: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Most cases are sporadic, but well characterized germline alterations in APC, ELP1, GPR161, PTCH1, SUFU, and TP53 predispose to medulloblastoma. However, knowledge about pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants that predispose to medulloblastoma vary based on genes evaluated, patient demographics, and pathogenicity definitions. METHODS: Germline exome sequencing was conducted on 160 childhood survivors of medulloblastoma. Analyses focused on rare variants in 239 known cancer susceptibility genes (CSGs). P/LP variants were identified using ClinVar and InterVar. Variants of unknown significance in known medulloblastoma predisposing genes (APC, ELP1, GPR161, PTCH1, SUFU, TP53) were further classified for loss of function variants. We compared the frequency of P/LP variants in cases to that in 1,259 cancer-free adult controls. RESULTS: Twenty cases (12.5%) had a P/LP variant in an autosomal dominant CSG versus 5% in controls (p=1.0 x10-3), and 10 (6.3%) of these were P/LP variants in a known medulloblastoma gene, significantly greater than 0.2% observed in controls (p=1.4x10-8). The CSGs with the most P/LP variants in cases, and significantly higher than controls, were ELP1 (p=3.0x10-4) and SUFU (p=1.4x10-3). CONCLUSION: Approximately one in eight pediatric medulloblastoma survivors had an autosomal dominant P/LP CSG variant. We confirm several known associated genes and identify novel genes that may be important in medulloblastoma.

For the overlapped signal and unknown longitudinal velocity leading to difficulty in measuring the thickness of thin layers, a method based on ultrasonic reflection coefficient amplitude spectrum (URCAS) matching analysis technique was proposed to characterize thickness and ultrasonic longitudinal velocity of thin layered structure simultaneously. An inverse algorithm based on the correlation coefficient method was introduced. The thickness and velocity were then determined by matching the theoretical and experimental URCAS within the effective frequency band of ultrasonic probe and inversing the ultrasonic testing parameters which corresponding to the maximum correlation coefficient. Experimental validation was conducted on the radar absorbing coatings (RAC) on the aluminum alloy substrates. The results show that this method can realize extraction of the ultrasonic parameters from the overlapped signal effectively, the relative errors between ultrasonic and micrometer measurement are in the range of 2.53%-3.72% for the thickness, and 2.51%-3.75% for the longitudinal velocity.

Due to the drill pipe in the Riserless Mud Recovery (RMR) system is exposed to seawater, so the characteristics of the temperature changing are very different from the conventional offshore drilling. Considering temperature is an important factor affecting the annulus pressure, it is necessary to study the variation law of the temperature field of the RMR. In this paper, according to the physical process of the heat transfer in RMR, the mathematical model of the temperature field is established. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software is used to simulate the temperature distribution in the drill pipe and the annulus, so that the law of the temperature changing can be observed more intuitively. In order to be more aware of the influencing factors of the temperature field changing, this paper analyzes the influence mechanism of the different discharge capacity and the different injection temperature on temperature changing. Moreover, this paper also analyzes the influence of the annulus temperature on the annulus pressure, which provides a theoretical basis for the well control of RMR.

Based on the special rheological model of foam fluid, the mathematical models of cuttings transport for stable foam drilling in vertical/near vertical sections, the transitional section, and inclined/horizontal sections are established in this paper. The effects of various flow parameters on the cuttings bed thickness in the annulus are analyzed. The results show that inclination, annulus velocity, foam flow rate, and eccentricity are key factors affecting cuttings transport. The thickness of a cuttings bed gradually decreases with the inclination decrease of the highly deviated/horizontal sections. When the inclination is reduced to approximately 60°, the dynamic and static cuttings bed disappears and is substituted by the glide lamella, which consists of cuttings grains. Cuttings grains have various forms of movement on the lower borehole wall. When the inclination is reduced to below 30°, the cuttings are brought out of the well by the stable foam if the returning velocity of the annulus foam is larger than the depositing velocity of the cuttings. The thickness of the cuttings bed gradually decreases with the increase of annulus velocity. The increased foam quality reduces the concentration of annulus cuttings when the annulus velocity is constant and when it reaches a stable status earlier than the foam drilling fluid of lower foam quality. However, the concentration of the annulus cuttings at the final stage is constant. The thickness of the cuttings bed increases with increased eccentricity of the drill stem. When the eccentricity is large, the change of eccentricity has a high effect on the cuttings bed thickness.

Despite the large number of software tools developed to address different areas of microarray data analysis, very few offer an all-in-one solution with little learning curve. For microarray core labs, there are even fewer software packages available to help with their routine but critical tasks, such as data quality control (QC) and inventory management. We have developed a simple-to-use web portal to allow bench biologists to analyze and query complicated microarray data and related biological pathways without prior training. Both experiment-based and gene-based analysis can be easily performed, even for the first-time user, through the intuitive multi-layer design and interactive graphic links. While being friendly to inexperienced users, most parameters in Goober can be easily adjusted via drop-down menus to allow advanced users to tailor their needs and perform more complicated analysis. Moreover, we have integrated graphic pathway analysis into the website to help users examine microarray data within the relevant biological content. Goober also contains features that cover most of the common tasks in microarray core labs, such as real time array QC, data loading, array usage and inventory tracking. Overall, Goober is a complete microarray solution to help biologists instantly discover valuable information from a microarray experiment and enhance the quality and productivity of microarray core labs. The whole package is freely available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/goober. A demo web server is available at http://www.goober-array.org.

PURPOSE: Chordoma is a rare bone tumor with a high recurrence rate and limited treatment options. The aim of this study was to identify molecular subtypes of chordoma that may improve clinical management. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We conducted RNA sequencing in 48 tumors from patients with Chinese skull-base chordoma and identified two major molecular subtypes. We then replicated the classification using a NanoString panel in 48 patients with chordoma from North America. RESULTS: Tumors in one subtype were more likely to have somatic mutations and reduced expression in chromatin remodeling genes, such as PBRM1 and SETD2, whereas the other subtype was characterized by the upregulation of genes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and Sonic Hedgehog pathways. IHC staining of top differentially expressed genes between the two subtypes in 312 patients with Chinese chordoma with long-term follow-up data showed that the expression of some markers such as PTCH1 was significantly associated with survival outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may improve the understanding of subtype-specific tumorigenesis of chordoma and inform clinical prognostication and targeted options.

The astrophysical p-process is an important way of nucleosynthesis to produce the stable and proton-rich nuclei beyond Fe which can not be reached by the s- and r-processes. In the present study, the astrophysical reaction rates of (γ,n), (γ,p), and (γ,α) reactions are computed within the modern reaction code TALYS for about 3000 stable and proton-rich nuclei with 12 < Z < 110. The nuclear structure ingredients involved in the calculation are determined from experimental data whenever available and, if not, from global microscopic nuclear models. In particular, both of the Wood-Saxon potential and the double folding potential with density dependent M3Y (DDM3Y) effective interaction are used for the calculations. It is found that the photonuclear reaction rates are very sensitive to the nuclear potential, and the better determination of nuclear potential would be important to reduce the uncertainties of reaction rates. Meanwhile, the Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) facility is being developed, which will provide the great opportunity to experimentally study the photonuclear reactions in p-process. Simulations of the experimental setup for the measurements of the photonuclear reactions 96Ru(γ,p) and 96Ru(γ,α) are performed. It is shown that the experiments of photonuclear reactions in p-process based on ELI-NP are quite promising.