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In this work, Co3S4/NiCo2S4 nano-arrays electrode with Co3S4 nanocones and NiCo2S4 nanosheets interlaced arrangement are prepared by the promising hydrothermal method. Compared with single Co3S4/NF or NiCo2S4/NF electrode, the prepared Co3S4/NiCo2S4/NF electrode exhibits excellent specific capacitance. At a current density of 2 mA cm−2, the surface capacitance is as high as 9036 mF cm−2, and it still maintains a surface capacitance of 5664 mF cm−2 at a current density of 8 mA cm−2. Co3S4/NiCo2S4/NF||ASC has a high electrochemical performance with a maximum energy density of 0.62 Wh cm−3 and a power density of 15.94 W cm−3. At a current density of 5 mA cm−2, the capacity retention rate is 83.75% after 3000 cycles.

Ternary mixed metal sulfide is a potential pseudocapacitive material. In this work, ZnS nanowire and NiCo2S4 nanosheet were grown on nickel foam through hydrothermal method. As compared with NiCo2S4/NF and ZnS/NF, ZnS/NiCo2S4/NF has a significant supercapacitance. The surface capacitance is as high as 2604 mF cm−2 at 1 mA cm−2, and still keep 1020 mF cm−2 with electric current density of 10 mA cm−2. The ZnS/NiCo2S4/NF nanostructures have large capacitance retention rate of 90% after 6000 laps in condition of 8 mA cm−2. The prepared ZnS/NiCo2S4/NF//ASC device displayed both high power density and energy density (725 W kg−1 at 39.88 Wh kg−1).

DNA methylation was one of the earliest discovered epigenetic modifications in vertebrates, and is an important epigenetic mechanism involved in the expression of genes in many biological processes, including muscle growth and development. Its effects on economically important traits are evidenced in reported differences in meat quality traits between Chinese indigenous pig breeds (Wannanhua pig) and Western commercial pig breeds (Yorkshire pig), and this presents a unique model for analyzing the effects of DNA methylation on these traits. In the present study, a whole genome DNA methylation analysis was performed on the two breeds using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation. GO functional enrichment and pathway enrichment analyses identified differentially methylated genes primarily associated with fatty acid metabolism, biological processes of muscle development and signaling pathways related to muscle development and pork quality. Differentially methylated genes were verified by sodium pyrosequencing, and the results were consistent with the sequencing results. The results of the integrative analysis between DNA methylation and gene expression revealed that the DNA methylation levels showed a significantly negative correlation with gene expression levels around the transcription start site of genes. In total, 41 genes were both differentially expressed and methylated; these genes were related to fat metabolism, lipid metabolism and skeletal muscle development. This study could help further explore the molecular mechanisms and phenotypic differences in pig growth and development among different breeds.

Chinese and imported pig breeds differ in fat production potential, which is associated with the polymorphisms in the 5' proximal regulating region (5'PRR) of thyroid hormone responsive gene (THRSP). In three Chinese breeds (Dingyuan, CDY; Wannanhua, CWH; and Jixi, CJX) and one introduced breed (Yorkshire, YKS), three variant sites were located at T/C-400, A/G-376, and G/A-98 in the 5'PRR. Chinese pig breeds had higher C-400 allele frequencies than YKS. The frequencies of A-376 in CDY and G-376 in CWH were about 0.8. G-98 allele frequencies in CWH and YKS were 0.8617 and 0.8149, respectively. TGG was the dominant haplotype in YKS, CGG in CWH and CJX, and CAA in CDY. According to haplotype frequency, four breeds were clustered into three types, which was consistent with the geographical distribution of the breeds. In CDY, the average backfat thickness (BFT) was the highest with the CC-400 genotype, followed by CT-400 and TT-400 genotypes. In YKS, the pigs with CC-400 or CT-400 genotypes had higher BFT and average daily weight gain, whereas those with CC-400 or TT-400 genotypes had larger lion-eye area. No significant difference was observed in carcass traits among different genotypes at the A/G-376 and G/A-98 loci. The mRNA abundance of THRSP expression for the CCAGAG genotype was significantly higher than that for CTAGAG or TTAGAG genotype. These results indicated that the polymorphisms and genotype distribution of THRSP were closely related to the potential for fat production in pig breeds, which were the result of adaptation to artificial selection and natural selection.

The ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is caused by a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with its origin in the city of Wuhan in China. From there it has been rapidly spreading to many cities inside and outside China. Nowadays more than 33 millions with deaths surpassing 1 million have been recorded worldwide thus representing a major health issue. Rapid development of a protective vaccine against COVID-19 is therefore of paramount importance. Here we demonstrated that recombinantly expressed receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein homologous to SARS binds to ACE2, the viral receptor. Higly repetitive display of RBD on immunologically optimized virus-like particles derived from cucumber mosaic virus (CuMVTT) resulted in a vaccine candidate that induced high levels of specific antibodies in mice which were able to block binding of spike protein to ACE2 and potently neutralized COVID-19 virus in vitro.

Activity of transcription factors affect synthesis of G-protein coupled receptor 54 (GPR54), an important factor in regulation of initiation of puberty. Expression of the GPR54 gene in cattle is associated with polymorphisms in the proximal regulatory region (PRR) of the GPR54 gene. Transcription resulting in production of GPR54 mRNA transcript occurs as a result of transcription factor (TF) interactions in the PRR. Polymorphisms in the PRR may be associated with extent of activity of these TFs. Folliculogenesis-specific BHLH TF (FIGLA), neurogenin 2 (NEUROG2), and early growth response 1 (EGR1) are important in modulation of ovarian follicle development and neurons synthesizing GnRH, thus, regulating biosynthesis of luteinizing hormone. The aim of this study, therefore, was to assess the transcription-activating potential of binding sites for FIGLA, NEUROG2, and EGR1 TFs in the GPR54 promoter of cattle. Two luciferase-based promoters, ATC and CCT, which contain three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), A/C-794, T/C-663, and C/T-601, in the GPR54 PRR, were analyzed to evaluate gene expression and activation of different promoters by FIGLA, NEUROG2, and EGR1. The FIGLA induced GPR54 transcription through the CCT, whereas NEUROG2 and EGR1 induced GPR54 transcription through the ATC promoter-binding site. The CCT-activating effects of FIGLA were greater (2.56-fold) than the ATC-activating effects (P

Ketogulonicigenium vulgare and Bacillus play an important role in the two-step fermentation of vitamin C. Resolving the interaction between the two strains, not only can reduce the production cost and improve the productivity gains of vitamin C, but also can give significant clues for the study of complex microbial consortia. We analyzed some physiological properties, antioxidant-related enzyme activities and gene expression patterns of Bacillus endophyticus ST-1 and Ketogulonicigenium vulgare 25B-1 in vitamin C mono- and co-culture fermentation systems before and after B. endophyticus ST-1 sporulation. B. endophyticus ST-1 accelerated the growth and caused excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species in K. vulgare 25B-1, resulting in oxidative stress. Oxidative stress signals could be transmitted to B. endophyticus ST-1, resulting in the upregulation of sodA, katE and gp genes, which are related to oxidation resistance and regulation of the oxidation–reduction state. The release of spores and the lysis of B. endophyticus ST-1 cells provided a favourable oxidation–reduction state for K. vulgare 25B-1 growth. The expression of sodB, grxC, gor and zwf genes in K. vulgare 25B-1 was gradually upregulated, leading to increased antioxidant capacity. B. endophyticus ST-1 regulates the oxidation–reduction state in the vitamin C fermentation system, thereby enhancing the antioxidant capacities of K. vulgare 25B-1.

The ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by a new coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2)) first reported in Wuhan City, China. From there, it has been rapidly spreading to many cities inside and outside China. Nowadays, more than 110 million cases with deaths surpassing 2 million have been recorded worldwide, thus representing a major health and economic issues. Rapid development of a protective vaccine against COVID-19 is therefore of paramount importance. Here, we demonstrated that the recombinantly expressed receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein can be coupled to immunologically optimized virus-like particles derived from cucumber mosaic virus (CuMVTT). The RBD displayed CuMVTT bound to ACE2, the viral receptor, demonstrating proper folding of RBD. Furthermore, a highly repetitive display of the RBD on CuMVTT resulted in a vaccine candidate that induced high levels of specific antibodies in mice, which were able to block binding of the spike protein to ACE2 and potently neutralize SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro.

Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a major cause of death associated with nonmelanoma skin cancer. The involvement of homeobox B7 ( HOXB7) in cancers has been reported. Thus, the current study intends to explore the effect of HOXB7 on CSCC and its relationship with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Initially, microarray-based gene expression profiling of CSCC was performed, and HOXB7 was identified as an upregulated gene based on the microarray data of GSE66359 . Following this, the experimental results indicated that HOXB7 and β-catenin formed a composite, demonstrating that endogenous HOXB7 binds to β-catenin. Subsequently, CSCC cells were treated with siRNA against HOXB7 or an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to analyze any underlying regulatory mechanism of HOXB7 on the CSCC cells. Tumor growth involving xenografts in nude mice was also observed so as to explore whether or not HOXB7 could regulate subcutaneous tumor growth through in vivo culturing. To investigate the potential effects of HOXB7 on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, we determined the expression of HOXB7 and downstream genes of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Notably, siRNA-mediated knockdown of HOXB7 inhibited the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby impeding the progression of cell viability, migration, and invasion as well as of the tumor growth, although contrarily facilitating cell apoptosis. Taken together, silencing of the HOXB7 has the mechanism of inactivating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby accelerating cell apoptosis and suppressing cell migration and invasion in CSCC, which could provide a candidate target for the CSCC treatment.

Objective Skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common, morbid, and frequently lethal malignancy and ranks as the sixth most deadly cancer worldwide. Hence, this study aims to explore the effect of microRNA-154 (miR-154) targeting WHSC1 on proliferation and apoptosis of SCC cells via the P53 signaling pathway. Methods The targeting relationship between WHSC1 and miR-154 was validated using dual-luciferase reporter assay. Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) were included, and SCC A431 and SCC-15 cell lines were cultured and transfected with miR-154 mimic, miR-154 inhibitor or siRNA-WHSC1. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis were used for the miR-154 expression and levels of WHSC1, P53 signaling pathway- and apoptosis-related genes. MTT assay and flow cytometry were applied to determine the cell viability and apoptosis. Results WHSC1 is a target gene of miR-154. MiR-154 negatively regulated WHSC1 expression and inhibited the activation of P53 signaling pathway. In response to miR-154 mimic or siRNA-WHSC1, SCC A431 and SCC-15 cell lines exhibited increased expression of P73, P16 and Bax, decreased expression of WHSC1, P53, c-myc and Bcl-2, as well as attenuated cell viability and enhanced cell apoptosis. The treatment of miR-154 inhibitor reversed the tendency. Conclusion These results demonstrate that up-regulation of miR-154 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of human skin SCC cells by down-regulating WHSC1 and blocking the P53 signaling pathway.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of blocking nuclear factor (NF)-κB and/or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways on proliferation and apoptosis of melanoma cells in vitro. A375 Human melanoma cells were treated with U0126 (ERK signaling pathway inhibitor) and BMS-345541 (NF-κB inhibitor), alone or in combination. At 12, 24 and 48 h after treatment, cell viability was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, cell cycle progression and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry, and Bcl-2 protein content was determined by western blot analysis. BMS-345541 and U0126 significantly inhibited A375 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P

1Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Genetic Resources and Germplasm Innovation of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, People’s Republic of China 2College of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, People’s Republic of China 3College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People’s Republic of China 4College of Animal Science and Technology, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding 071000, People’s Republic of China 5State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology (China Agricultural University), Beijing 100193, People’s Republic of China

Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a secreted cytokine that is expressed in various cancer cell lines and human tumor such as colon cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer and melanoma. It plays significant roles in angiogenesis, metastasis, differentiation and cell growth. The expression of PTN in the adult is limited to the hippocampus in an activity-dependent manner, making it a very attractive target for cancer therapy. RNA interference (RNAi) offers great potential as a new powerful therapeutic strategy based on its highly specific and efficient silencing of a target gene. However, efficient delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) in vivo remains a significant hurdle for its successful therapeutic application. In this study, we first identified, on a cell-based experiment, applying a 1:1 mixture of two PTN specific siRNA engenders a higher silencing efficiency on both mRNA and protein level than using any of them discretely at the same dose. As a consequence, slower melanoma cells growth was also observed for using two specific siRNA combinatorially. To establish a robust way for siRNA delivery in vivo and further investigate how silence of PTN affects tumor growth, we tested three different methods to deliver siRNA in vivo: first non-targeted in-vivo delivery of siRNA via jetPEI; second lung targeted delivery of siRNA via microbubble coated jetPEI; third tumor cell targeted delivery of siRNA via transferrin-polyethylenimine (Tf-PEI). As a result, we found that all three in-vivo siRNAs delivery methods led to an evident inhibition of melanoma growth in non-immune deficiency C57BL/6 mice without a measureable change of ALT and AST activities. Both targeted delivery methods showed more significant curative effect than jetPEI. The lung targeted delivery by microbubble coated jetPEI revealed a comparable therapeutic effect with Tf-PEI, indicating its potential application for target delivery of siRNA in vivo.

To investigate the genetic diversity of seven Chinese indigenous meat goat breeds (Tibet goat, Guizhou white goat, Shannan white goat, Yichang white goat, Matou goat, Changjiangsanjiaozhou white goat and Anhui white goat), explain their genetic relationship and assess their integrity and degree of admixture, 302 individuals from these breeds and 42 Boer goats introduced from Africa as reference samples were genotyped for 11 microsatellite markers. Results indicated that the genetic diversity of Chinese indigenous meat goats was rich. The mean heterozygosity and the mean allelic richness (AR) for the 8 goat breeds varied from 0.697 to 0.738 and 6.21 to 7.35, respectively. Structure analysis showed that Tibet goat breed was genetically distinct and was the first to separate and the other Chinese goats were then divided into two sub-clusters: Shannan white goat and Yichang white goat in one cluster; and Guizhou white goat, Matou goat, Changjiangsanjiaozhou white goat and Anhui white goat in the other cluster. This grouping pattern was further supported by clustering analysis and Principal component analysis. These results may provide a scientific basis for the characteristization, conservation and utilization of Chinese meat goats.

The bone morphogenetic protein receptor IB (BMPR-IB) was studied as a candidate gene for the prolificacy of sheep. Nine pairs of primers (P1-P9) were designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of exons 1-4 and 6-10 of the BMPR-IB gene in both high (Small Tail Han and Hu sheep) and low prolificacy breeds (Texel and Chinese Merino sheep) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Only the products amplified by primers P2, P5, P6, P7, P8 and P9 displayed polymorphisms. The present study identified 22 SNPs in partial coding regions of ovine BMPR-IB, in which 20 SNPs were reported for the first time. In total of the 22 mutations, 18 DNA variations were originated from the Hu breed, three were found in the Small Tail Han breed (two of them were found in other sheep breeds), three in the Chinese Merino breed, and none in the Texel breed. These results preliminarily demonstrated that BMPR-IB is a major gene affecting the hyperprolificacy in Small Tail Han and Hu sheep, and could be used as a molecular genetic marker for early auxiliary selection for hyperprolificacy in sheep.

Genetic polymorphisms of microsatellite locus BMS2508, which was closely linked to the ovine fecundity gene FecB, were detected in prolific (Small Tail Han sheep) and non-prolific breeds of sheep (Texel, Dorset and Chinese Merino). The linkage disequilibrium between microsatellite locus BMS2508 and FecB gene of Small Tail Han sheep was also analyzed. There was the same mutation (A746G) of BMPR-IB gene in Small Tail Han sheep as that of FecB in Booroola Merino ewes, but the FecB mutation was absent in Texel, Dorset and Chinese Merino sheep. The genotype frequencies of BB, B+ and ++ were 0.485, 0.398 and 0.117 in Small Tail Han sheep, respectively. There were eight alleles varied from 94 bp to 116 bp and 15 genotypes detected at BMS2508 locus in four sheep breeds totally 438 individual. The preponderant allele was 100 bp, 94 bp, 94 bp, 112 bp, 100 bp, 100 bp, 112 bp, and the frequency was 0.453, 0.544, 0.802, 0.475, 0.483, 0.439, 0.389 in Small Tail Han (n=307), Texel (n=45), Dorset (n=46), Chinese Merino (n=40), and BB group (n=149), B+ group (n=122), ++ group (n=36) from Small Tail Han, respectively. In Small Tail Han sheep, linkage analysis indicated that there was certain linkage disequilibrium between 100 bp allele of microsatellite BMS2508 and B allele of FecB gene (D' =0.408), and certain linkage disequilibrium between 110 bp and 114 bp alleles of microsatellite BMS2508 and + allele of FecB gene (D'=0.513).

The full-length cDNA sequence of prophenoloxidase was obtained through RACE technology. The complete cDNA sequence is 3 721-bp long, containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 1 881 bp, a 154-bp 5′-untranslated region, and a 1 686- bp 3′-untranslated region with three potential functional poly(A) signals (AATAAA). The molecular mass of the deduced amino acid sequence (627 aa) was 72.3 kDa with an estimated p I of 5.88. It contained putative copper-binding sites (copper A: 131, 135, 167 and copper B: 301, 305, 341), and a tentative complement-like motif (GCGWPDHL). Eight potential N-linked glycosylation sites were predicted to be present in P . clarkii prophenoloxidase. Similar to those in other arthropod prophenoloxidases reported so far, no signal peptide was detected in the crayfish prophenoloxidase. The phylogenetic trees confirmed that P . clarkii prophenoloxidase was most closely related to that of freshwater crayfish P . leniusculus and more closely related to other crustacean prophenoloxidases from shrimp, prawn, and lobster than to the insect prophenoloxidases. Besides, two putative introns were found in this sequence of genomic DNA.

Summary A single nucleotide polymorphism of 5¢ flanking region of the prolactin gene was investigated in both high prolificacy breeds (Small Tail Han and Hu sheep) and low prolificacy breeds (Dorset and Suffolk sheep) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). The results indicated that two genotypes (AA and AB) were detected in Small Tail Han sheep (n = 239), only one genotype (AA) was detected in Hu (n = 40), Dorset (n = 50) and Suffolk sheep (n = 39). The mutant homozygous genotype (BB) was not detected in four sheep breeds. In Small Tail Han sheep (n = 239), the frequency of genotypes AA and AB was 0.91 and 0.09, the frequency of the A and B alleles was 0.95 and 0.05, respectively. The fitness tests showed that the Small Tail Han sheep population was in Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium. Sequencing revealed a mutation (G fi T) at the position 63 bp of the 5¢ flanking region of prolactin gene in AB genotype compared with AA genotype in Small Tail Han sheep. The Small Tail Han ewes with AB genotype had 0.83 (p < 0.05) lambs more than those with AA genotype. These results preliminarily showed that the prolactin locus is either a major gene that influences the high prolificacy in Small Tail Han sheep or is in close linkage with such a gene.

Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) have become a high-risk group of HIV infection in China. To date, little is known regarding the psychological characteristics in Chinese MSM, especially the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted on 2,250 MSM recruited from gay bars in 9 large cities in mainland China. Data on the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts as well as the underlying causes in the respondents were analyzed. Results A total of 1530 MSM responded to the question regarding previous suicidal ideation and attempts. Of these respondents, 26.01% had ever considered suicide and 12.55% actually attempted suicide at least once. Romantic gay relationship breakup was the number one cause of suicide behaviors, followed by self-objection to homosexuality, difficulties in finding gay partners or in getting used to heterosexual marriage life, sudden emotional hurts from unexpected events, illegal status of gay marriage in China and disclosure of homosexuality. Conclusions The survey study has led to a better understanding of the factors contributing to suicide behaviors of MSM in China, which may have significant implications in developing preventive strategies against suicide behaviors in this unique group of individuals.

The goal of this paper is to discuss a new evolutionary strategy for the multiple objective design optimization of internal aerodynamic shape operating with transonic flow. The distributed optimization strategy discussed here and inspired from Lions’ new distributed control approach (J.L. Lions, Distributed active control approach for pde systems, Fourth WCCM CD-ROM, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1998) relies on genetic algorithms (GAs). GAs are different from traditional optimization tools and based on digital imitation of biological evolution. Game theory replaces here a global optimization problem by a non-cooperative game based on Nash equilibrium with several players solving local constrained sub-optimization tasks. The transonic flow simulator uses a full potential solver taking advantage of domain decomposition methods and GAs for the matching of non-linear local solutions. The main idea developed here is to combine domain decomposition methods for the flow solver with the geometrical optimization procedure using local shape parameterization. Numerical results are presented for a simple nozzle inverse problem with subsonic and transonic shocked flows. A comparison of the nozzle reconstruction using domain decomposition method (DDM) or not for the simulation of the flow is then presented through evolutionary computations and convergence of the two surface parts of the throat is discussed. The above results illustrate the robustness and primising inherent parallelism of GAs for mastering the complexity of 3D optimizations.

Solving CFD inverse problems dealing with complex aerodynamic configurations like multi-element airfoils remains a difficult and expensive procedure, which requires seamless interfacing between several softwares like computer-aided design (CAD) system, mesh generator, flow analyzer, and an optimizer. It is essential to ensure the mesh quality during the optimization procedure for maintaining an accurate design. A fast meshless method using second and fourth order artificial dissipations and dynamic clouds of points based on the Delaunay graph mapping strategy is introduced to solve inverse computational fluid dynamics problems. The purpose of this paper is to use genetic algorithms and Nash genetic algorithms for position reconstructions of oscillating airfoils. The main feature of this paper is a detailed investigation on inverse problems in aerodynamics using both flexibility and efficiency of the fast meshless method. Comparisons of prescribed and computed aerodynamics parameters are presented for position reconstruction problems in aerodynamic design using both the fast meshless method coupled with artificial dissipation and a finite volume method. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the potential of the fast meshless method coupled with artificial dissipation and evolutionary algorithms, to solve more complex optimization problems of industrial interest occurring in multidisciplinary design.

Characteristics on AIDS high-risk behaviors in gay or bisexual men with suicide ideas were explored and analyzed.A cross-sectional survey was conducted with the snowball sampling method adopted. Subjects with suicide ideas were collected from responses to the valid questionnaires and subjects with no suicide ideas were collected from the age comparable men.The overall rate of gays or bisexuals with suicide ideas was 20.2% in this survey. The attitude for homogeneity and marital status among the unmarried was more than that among the comparable group (P0.05). The rate of AIDS high-risk behaviors as same-sex sexual harassment, bleeding during sexual intercourse in the last year, coitus with unfamiliar same-sex partners in cities, suffering from adult same-sex sexual abuse before the age of 16, having had sexual abuse and abusive behavior, having had active or passive anal kiss, having had active or passive coitus with fingers, alcohol consumption weekly at least once or more, hurt by gays because of attitude and/or same-sex sexual activity and hurt by heterosexual men because of attitude and/or same-sex sexual activity were significantly higher in gays and bisexual men with suicide ideas than those without (P0.05). Data from multivariate logistic regression models suggested that harm from gays (Waldχ(2) = 6.637, P = 0.010) and heterosexual men (Waldχ(2) = 5.835, P = 0.016) due to attitude on homosexual activity appear to be the risk factors causing the suicide ideas.Reducing the social discrimination and harm towards gays and bisexual men could reduce the occurrence of the suicide ideas and have a positive effect on curbing the prevalence of AIDS.

Small Tail Han (STH) sheep is a famous Chinese local breed and has perfect prolificacy performance, but it is inferior to imported mutton sheep breeds on meat production. In this study, six imported male sheep populations (White Suffolk, Black Suffolk, Texel, Dorper, South African Mutton Merino and East Friesian) were crossbred with STH female sheep respectively. The heterosis values of litter size, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of crossbred sheep were analyzed for seeking the optimal cross. Meanwhile 28 microsatellite markers were used to measure the genetic distance between imported populations and STH population. Regression between the genetic distance and heterosis was analyzed for evaluating potential of microsatellite on predicting heterosis. Results showed a significant positive linear correlation (r = 0.892, P

Genetic polymorphisms of microsatellite locus BMS2508, which was closely linked to the ovine fecundity gene FecB, were detected in prolific (Small Tail Han sheep) and non-prolific breeds of sheep (Texel, Dorset and Chinese Merino). The linkage disequilibrium between microsatellite locus BMS2508 and FecB gene of Small Tail Han sheep was also analyzed. There was the same mutation (A746G) of BMPR-IB gene in Small Tail Han sheep as that of FecB in Booroola Merino ewes, but the FecB mutation was absent in Texel, Dorset and Chinese Merino sheep. The genotype frequencies of BB, B+ and ++ were 0.485, 0.398 and 0.117 in Small Tail Han sheep, respectively. There were eight alleles varied from 94 bp to 116 bp and 15 genotypes detected at BMS2508 locus in four sheep breeds totally 438 individual. The preponderant allele was 100 bp, 94 bp, 94 bp, 112 bp, 100 bp, 100 bp, 112 bp, and the frequency was 0.453, 0.544, 0.802, 0.475, 0.483, 0.439, 0.389 in Small Tail Han (n=307), Texel (n=45), Dorset (n=46), Chinese Merino (n=40), and BB group (n=149), B+ group (n=122), ++ group (n=36) from Small Tail Han, respectively. In Small Tail Han sheep, linkage analysis indicated that there was certain linkage disequilibrium between 100 bp allele of microsatellite BMS2508 and B allele of FecB gene (D' =0.408), and certain linkage disequilibrium between 110 bp and 114 bp alleles of microsatellite BMS2508 and + allele of FecB gene (D'=0.513).

When solving unsteady computational fluid dynamics problems in aerodynamics with a gridless method, a cloud of points is usually required to be regenerated due to its accommodation to moving boundaries. In order to handle this problem conveniently, a fast dynamic cloud method based on Delaunay graph mapping strategy is proposed in this paper. A dynamic cloud method makes use of algebraic mapping principles and therefore points can be accurately redistributed in the flow field without any iteration. In this way, the structure of the gridless clouds is not necessarily changed so that the clouds regeneration can be avoided successfully. The spatial derivatives of the mathematical modeling of the flow are directly determined by using weighted least-squares method in each cloud of points, and then numerical fluxes can be obtained. A dual time-stepping method is further implemented to advance the two-dimensional Euler equations in arbitrary Lagarangian–Eulerian formulation in time. Finally, unsteady transonic flows over two different oscillating airfoils are simulated with the above method and results obtained are in good agreement with the experimental data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The main goal of this paper is to address the numerical solution of a wave equation with discontinuous coefficients by a finite element method using domain decomposition and semimatching grids. A wave equation with absorbing boundary conditions is considered, the coefficients in the equation essentially differ in the subdomains. The problem is approximated by an explicit in time finite difference scheme combined with a piecewise linear finite element method in the space variables on a semimatching grid. The matching condition on the interface is taken into account by means of Lagrange multipliers. The resulting system of linear equations of the saddle-point form is solved by a conjugate gradient method.

The main goal of this paper is to discuss the numerical simulation of propagation phenomena for time harmonic electromagnetic waves by methods combining controllability and fictitious domain techniques. These methods rely on distributed Lagrangian multipliers, which allow the propagation to be simulated on an obstacle free computational region using regular finite element meshes essentially independent of the geometry of the obstacle and on a controllability formulation which leads to algorithms with good convergence properties to time-periodic solutions. This novel methodology has been validated by the solutions of test cases associated to non trivial geometries, possibly non-convex. The numerical experiments show that the new method performs as well as the method discussed in Bristeau et al. [1998] where obstacle fitted meshes were used.

HOW to solve shape optimization with un1 Approximate-gradient structured meshes ?We consider exact gradients, descent or one-shot algorithms and hierarchical parametrization. approach A~~l i ca t ionsa re transonic flows governed by equaLet 7 be a set of control parameters for the shape of an tions around an airfoil or in a 3D nozzle. airfoil, and W(y) the corresponding flow variables, implicitly defined from the discretized steady Euler equation written as follows Introduction Q(r , W(7)) = 0 , (1) The optimization of complex systems as those arising from aerodynamics is a challenging field from both intuition standpoint and implementation efficiency. The complexity of the multi-point turbulent 3D aerodynamics is difficult to master intuitively and optimization is no more a convex problem. The analysis of such systems stands at (or yet beyond) the limits of the possibilities of existing methods and computers. In order to answer the first point, powerful non-convex optimization algorithms have to be devised and a part of this paper will concentrate on non-numerical Genetic Algorithms. For addressing the efficiency problems, sensitivity analyses are attempted. The variable-domain question will be considered from two standpoints: in 2D, a variablemesh method is applied and an approximate sensitivity analysis is proposed and assessed; in 3D, a transpiration approach is chosen and combined with a hierarchical gradient method. The plan is the following: Section 1 : Approximate-gradient approach [2]), Section 2 : Towards 3D unstructured multilevel for shapes (see [9]). Section 3 : Genetic algorithms for solving aerodynamic optimum shape design problems. if the mesh is of fixed topology, with a deformation parametrized by 7, then the discrete flow variables W are a smooth function of y. Introducing a discrete cost function : the gradient is given by: where II is an adjoint state, solution of the linear system: and the cost functional to be minimized is given as follows : j(7) = function of q ( y ) (5) where Pl(y) is the pressure variable from W(y), and where I belongs to a set of points on the airfoil wall. In these conditions, the whole chain can be exactly differentiated, the gradient of j is expressed with an adjoint-state and a conjugate gradient algorithm can be applied to the minimization of j. In the study of this section, the Euler system (I) , is discretized on the triangulations by means of unstructured, MUSCL or centraldifferenced, finite-volume methods ([4]). The applica'INRIA, B.P. 93,06902 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France tion of the ODYSSEE automated differentiator in order ~DASSAULT Aviation, 78, Quai Marcel Dassault, 92214 Saintto derive the exact adjoint is studied in ([lll); Cloud, France in the present study, the linearized adjoint Euler system ~ N A I , PR of China and Dassault (1) is based on a first-order Van Leer Flux Vector split§Laforia, Tour 46/00, 2e elage, University of Paris V1, BP 169, ting (i41) to allow an easier by-hand differentiation. 75252 Paris Cedex, France Om1995 bv Dervieux. Published bv the American Institute of The airfoil shape is defined from 20 to 80 spline control Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc, with permission ordinates. The mesh is deformed by an elasticity sytem RAE Zep MdJ.73 d=2 #kg (woigb 0 1 I) Cp initid Cpopt ----Figure 1: Successive airfoil shapes during one optimizaFigure 2: Shock drag reduction: initial and final shapes.

A fast hybrid algorithm based on gridless method coupled with finite volume method (FVM) is developed for the solution to Euler equations. Compared with pure gridless method, the efficiency of the hybrid algorithm is improved to the level of finite volume method for most parts of the flow filed are covered with grid cells. Moreover, the hybrid method is flexible to deal with the configurations as clouds of points are used to cover the region adjacent to the bodies. Mirror satellites and mirror grid cells are introduced to the interface to accomplish data communication between the different parts of the flow field. The Euler Equations are spatially discretized with finite volume method and gridless method in mesh and clouds of points respectively, and an explicit four-stage Runge-Kutta scheme is utilized to reach the steady-state solution. Internal flows in channels and external flows over airfoils are investigated with hybrid method, and the solutions are compared to those using pure finite volume method and pure gridless method. Numerical examples show that the hybrid algorithm captures the shock waves accurately, and it is as efficient as finite volume method.

The present study reports a birth of goat clone produced by nuclear transfer of cultured and cryopreserved fibroblast cells into slaughterhouse-derived oocytes. The donors of somatic cells were fibrob - lasts derived from the ear skin of a Boer goat while the recipient ooplasm was in vitro matured oocytes of Huanghuai white goat, an Anhui native goat species. The reconstructed embryos were cultured in vitro and then the morphologically normal embryos were transferred to the surrogates. The reconstructed embryos were surgically transferred into 37 recipient surrogates, Huanghuai white goats with natural oestrus. Five of them were treated with hCG after transfer. Among them, one was pregnant and gave birth to a live kid. Due to the improper delivery aid, the cloned kid died accidentally after birth. The cloned kid was then anatomised to observe the viscera development, and the results showed that the organs were normal. Paraffin tissue slices were prepared and stained to ensure the viscera development further, and the results suggested that the organs also developed well in spite of incipient hydropericardium. The microsatellite analysis identified the cloning. It is suggested that the optimised nuclear transfer protocol and proper hCG treatment lead to the successful birth of a goat clone.