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Backgroundrs13405728 was identified as one of the most prevalent susceptibility loci for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Han Chinese and Caucasian women. However, the target genes and potential mechanisms of the rs13405728 locus remain to be determined.MethodsThree-dimensional (3D) genome interactions from the ovary tissue were characterized via high-through chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) and Capture Hi-C technologies to identify putative targets at the rs13405728 locus. Combined analyses of eQTL, RNA-Seq, DNase-Seq, ChIP-Seq, and sing-cell sequencing were performed to explore the molecular roles of these target genes in PCOS. PCOS-like mice were applied to verify the expression patterns.ResultsGenerally, STON1 and FSHR were identified as potential targets of the rs13405728 locus in 3D genomic interactions with epigenomic regulatory peaks, with STON1 (P=0.0423) and FSHR (P=0.0013) being highly expressed in PCOS patients. STON1 co-expressed genes were associated with metabolic processes (P=0.0008) in adipocytes (P=0.0001), which was validated in the fat tissue (PP=0.0035) from fat-diet mice. The immune system process (GO:0002376) was enriched in FSHR co-expressed genes (P=0.0002) and PCOS patients (P=0.0002), with CD4 high expression in PCOS patients (P=0.0316) and PCOS-like models (P=0.0079). Meanwhile, FSHR expression was positively correlated with CD4 expression in PCOS patients (P=0.0252) and PCOS-like models (P=0.0178). Furthermore, androgen receptor (AR) was identified as the common transcription factor for STON1 and FSHR and positively correlated with the expression of STON1 (P=0.039) and FSHR (P=4e-06) in ovary tissues and PCOS-like mice.ConclusionOverall, we identified STON1 and FSHR as potential targets for the rs13405728 locus and their roles in the processes of adipocyte metabolism and CD4 immune expression in PCOS, which provides 3D genomic insight into the pathogenesis of PCOS.

The passive direction finding cross localization has got great achievement and has been widely used in military and civilian fields. Currently, the researches on passive localization have focused on AOA, TDOA and FDOA. In our system, the passive direction finding cross localization is more effective and useful. We use two UAVs to locate a single source. We apply the geometric method to analysis positioning accuracy. In order to study the performance of a passive direction finding cross localization, MATLAB is used to simulate the result. Finally, the simulation results and performance analysis provide operational technical principle for such a system.

This paper studies dynamics of a three-column centrifuge and tries to design a ball balancer to suppress its vibration and increase its operating speed. At first, two vibration models with and without the balancer are introduced. Then modal analysis of the centrifuge itself is carried out with two isolated natural frequency groups identified. Centrifugal forces acting on the system at the steady state are analyzed and a tip-over phenomenon is discovered and validated through simulations. A ball balancer is adopted in the centrifuge and several potential tip-over phenomena related to the balancer are studied. At last, a comparison between dynamics of the centrifuge before and after the balancer is installed is made with benefits and side effects of the balancer presented.

Soil erosion is a serious problem in the Loess Plateau of China, and assessment of soil erosion at large watershed scale is urgently need. This study used RUSLE and GIS to assess soil loss in the Yanhe watershed. All factors used in the RUSLE were calculated for the watershed using local data. RUSLE-factor maps were made. The mean values of the R-factor, K-factor, LS-factor, C-factor and P-factor were 970 209 MJ km(-2) h(-1) a(-1), 0.0195 Mg h MJ(-1) mm(-1), 10.27, 0.33359 and 0.2135 respectively. The mean value of the annual average soil loss was found to be 14 458 Mg km(-2) per year, and the soil loss rate in most areas was between 5000 and 20 000 Mg km(-2) per year. There is more erosion in the centre and southeast than in the northwest of Yanhe watershed. Because of the limitations of the RUSLE and spatial heterogeneity, more work should be done on the RUSLE-factor accuracy, scale effects, etc. Furthermore, it is necessary to apply some physical models in the future, to identify the transport and deposition processes of sediment at a large scale. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley S Sons, Ltd.

Poor vegetation cover as a result of irrational land use is generally considered to be the major factor of soil erosion in the Loess Plateau in China. However, there is lack of knowledge concerning the dynamics of land use and the complex role of socio-economic policy factors in inducing changes in land use, especially at detailed scale levels such as in individual small catchments. This study analyzes the process of human-induced landscape change in a small catchment in the northern part of the Chinese Loess Plateau from 1958 to 1999. During this period, a significant reduction of the area of farmland on steeper slopes and an increase in woodland took place. Household questionnaires among the local farmers, a review of the historic events and literature allowed the assessment of socio-economic and policy forces that caused these changes. The research showed that the changes of agricultural landscape pattern are mainly the result of the dissolution of People’s Communes in 1979 (established in 1956), the introduction of a Household Responsibility System (in 1978), the implementation of the Family Planning policy (in 1978), and the adoption of a market-directed economic system (in 1992), as well as the execution of an integrated soil erosion control project (begun in 1981). The changes of the agricultural landscape show the benefits in both ecological and economic respects.

The study aims to find a new biomarker in hypertension. Our study is the first time to demonstrate that the CD62P small microparticle (diameter is

OBJECTIVES: Several recent lines of evidence indicate that endothelial microparticles are a new biomarker that can be used to monitor endothelial dysfunction in coronary artery disease (CAD). However, data concerning the detection of small microparticles (diameter

Objective: To examine the phenotypes of endothelial microparticles and platelet microparticles in order to identify a sensitive endothelial microparticle biomarker for monitoring endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease, and to examine the mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction. Methods: Thirty-three coronary artery disease patients and 53 healthy subjects were recruited. The absolute numbers of endothelial microparticles and platelet microparticles were measured by flow cytometry, and the clinical characteristics of patients and healthy subjects were recorded. Spearman’s correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to analyse the correlation between endothelial microparticles and platelet microparticles, and between microparticles and clinical data. Results: There was a significant difference in the number of CD31+/CD42b- endothelial microparticles and CD62E+ endotheial microparticles between patients with coronary artery diease and healthy subjects (p