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This article discusses the establishment of a genetic transformation system and gene editing platform for broomcorn millet using CRISPR/Cas12i.3 technology. Broomcorn millet is an ancient crop with desirable traits such as short life cycle, high photosynthetic efficiency, and tolerance to arid and saline-alkali soil. The researchers successfully developed a method for genetic transformation of broomcorn millet using Agrobacterium-mediated techniques. They also used the CRISPR/Cas12i.3 system to edit the BRACHYTIC2 (BR2) gene in broomcorn millet, resulting in dwarf plants with shorter internodes. This research has important implications for improving agronomic traits and developing new varieties of broomcorn millet. [Extracted from the article]

Soft robots have been advancing rapidly, but their control is still limited by rigid control elements. Soft valves offer a solution to this problem by enabling soft robots to no longer rely on rigid control elements. They have become an emerging research topic in soft robotics. However, with a large number of publications on soft valves, it may be challenging for researchers to quickly grasp the advanced technology related to soft valves. To address this issue, this article summarizes the current state of development in soft valves. The design principles and applications of soft valves in terms of structures and materials are discussed, along with the modeling ideas for soft valves. Finally, the current challenges faced by soft valves are outlined, and potential solutions to these problems are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to establish a prediction model of joint movements and realize the prediction of joint movemenst, and the research results are of reference value for the development of the rehabilitation equipment. This will be carried out by analyzing the impact of surface electromyography (sEMG) on ankle movements and using the Hill model as a framework for calculating ankle joint torque. The table and scheme used in the experiments were based on physiological parameters obtained through the model. Data analysis was performed on ankle joint angle signal, movement signal, and sEMG data from nine subjects during dorsiflexion/flexion, varus, and internal/external rotation. The Hill model was employed to determine 16 physiological parameters which were optimized using a genetic algorithm. Three experiments were carried out to identify the optimal model to calculate torque and root mean square error. The optimized model precisely calculated torque and had a root mean square error of under 1.4 in comparison to the measured torque. Ankle movement models predict torque patterns with accuracy, thereby providing a solid theoretical basis for ankle rehabilitation control. The optimized model provides a theoretical foundation for precise ankle torque forecasts, thereby improving the efficacy of rehabilitation robots for the ankle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The Elongator complex was originally identified as an interactor of hyperphosphorylated RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in yeast and has histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity. However, the genome‐wide regulatory roles of Elongator on transcriptional elongation and histone acetylation remain unclear. We characterized a maize miniature seed mutant, mn7 and map‐based cloning revealed that Mn7 encodes one of the subunits of the Elongator complex, ZmELP1. ZmELP1 deficiency causes marked reductions in the kernel size and weight. Molecular analyses showed that ZmELP1 interacts with ZmELP3, which is required for H3K14 acetylation (H3K14ac), and Elongator complex subunits interact with RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) C‐terminal domain (CTD). Genome‐wide analyses indicated that loss of ZmELP1 leads to a significant decrease in the deposition of H3K14ac and the CTD of phosphorylated RNAPII on Ser2 (Ser2P). These chromatin changes positively correlate with global transcriptomic changes. ZmELP1 mutation alters the expression of genes involved in transcriptional regulation and kernel development. We also showed that the decrease of Ser2P depends on the deposition of Elongator complex‐mediated H3K14ac. Taken together, our results reveal an important role of ZmELP1 in the H3K14ac‐dependent transcriptional elongation, which is critical for kernel development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microstructures with flexible and stretchable properties display tremendous potential applications including integrated systems, wearable devices and bio-sensor electronics. Hence, it is essential to develop an effective method for fabricating curvilinear and flexural microstructures. Despite significant advances in 2D stretchable inorganic structures, large scale fabrication of unique 3D microstructures at a low cost remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate that the 3D microstructures can be achieved by grayscale lithography to produce a curved photoresist (PR) template, where the PR acts as sacrificial layer to form wavelike arched structures. Using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process at low temperature, the curved PR topography can be transferred to the silicon dioxide layer. Subsequently, plasma etching can be used to fabricate the arched stripe arrays. The wavelike silicon dioxide arch microstructure exhibits Young modulus and fracture strength of 52 GPa and 300 MPa, respectively. The model of stress distribution inside the microstructure was also established, which compares well with the experimental results. This approach of fabricating a wavelike arch structure may become a promising route to produce a variety of stretchable sensors, actuators and circuits, thus providing unique opportunities for emerging classes of robust 3D integrated systems.

Objective To explore the impacts of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) GNAS antisense RNA1 (GNAS-AS1) on the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer ( GC) cells by regulating the miR-449a/ Notch1 axis. Method Tumor tissue and adjacent tissue samples were collected from 30 patients diagnosed with GC at Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from September 2013 to September 2017; GC cells AGS were randomly divided into Control group, si-NC group, si-GNAS-AS1 group, si-GNAS-AS1+inhibitor NC group, and si-GNAS-AS1+miR-449a inhibitor group. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method was applied to detect the expression of GNAS-AS1, miR-449a, and Notch1 mRNA; MTT experiments and plate cloning experiments were applied to detect the proliferation ; wound healing test was applied to detect cell migration ; Transwell experiment was applied to detect cell invasion. Western Blot was applied to detect the expression of Notch1, E-cadherin, Vimentin, and N-cadherin proteins. Double Luciferase reporter gene experiment was applied to verify the relationship between GNAS-AS1 and miR-449a, between miR-449a and Notch1, respectively. Results Compared with adjacent tissues, the expression of GNAS-AS1 and Notch1 mRNA in tumor tissue was increased, the expression of miR-449a was reduced (P < 0.05). Compared with the Control group and si-NC group, the expression of GNAS-AS1, OD490 value, number of clones formed, scratch healing rate, number of cell invasions, and the expression of Notch1, Vimentin, and N-cadherin proteins in AGS cells in the si-GNAS-AS1 group reduced, the expression of miR-449a and E-cadherin protein increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the si-GNAS-ASl group and the si-GNAS-ASl+inhibitor NC group, the OD490 value, scratch healing rate, number of cell invasions, Notch1, Vimentin, and N-cadherin expression in the si-GNAS-AS1+miR-449a inhibitor group increased, the expression of miR-449a and E-cadherin protein reduced (P < 0.05). GNAS-AS1 targeted and negatively regulated miR-449a expression, while miR-449a targeted and negatively regulated Notch1 expression. Conclusion Silencing GNAS-AS1 may inhibit the expression of Notchl protein by up-regulating miR-449a, thereby inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and invasion processes of GC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The backlash and stiffness are important parameters of vector rotate（ RV） reducer,a backlash and stiffness measurement system is designed. The measuring method of the fixed output,loaded input and angle tested input is put forward. The relation between input and output torque and angle of the RV reducer is used to process the data. The RV-40 E-121 reducer is tested and the model of RV reducer stiffness curve fitting is proposed,the stiffness curve of RV-40 E reducer is obtained. The backlash and stiffness of the RV-40 E reducer meet the performance requirements,which indicated that the measurement system is reasonable.

In order to realize the function of the working station automatic turning and resetting,the multi station rotary automatic turning and resetting mechanism which is powered by cylindrical cam is proposed. Each working station is composed of a crank slider mechanism,the displacement of the slider is controlled by the change of the cam curve which drives the rotation of the crank and completes the turning of the working station.The mathematical model of this mechanism is established,through the variation of the design parameters can meet the requirements of different engineering requirements. In order to research the structure of multi station automatic turning and resetting mechanism fitting the empty request,the case of automatically empty the prefabricated hard cigarette is used as an example. The optimization of the automatic turning and resetting mechanism which is multi- objective is carried out. The minimum cam lift and vertical height,the maximum flip angle are the objective. The independent variables of this optimization are the parameters,such as the length of the crank and the connecting rod,the cam lift and so on. The optimization effect is obvious,and the rationality of the design parameter is verified by the simulation analysis.