Human DDX17 Unwinds Rift Valley Fever Virus Non-Coding RNAs

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-transmitted virus from the Bunyaviridae family that causes high rates of mortality and morbidity in humans and ruminant animals. Previous studies indicated that DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) restricts RVFV replication by recognizing two primary non-coding RNAs in the S-segment of the genome: the intergenic region (IGR) and 5′ non-coding region (NCR). However, we lack molecular insights into the direct binding of DDX17 with RVFV non-coding RNAs and information on the unwinding of both non-coding RNAs by DDX17. Therefore, we performed an extensive biophysical analysis of the DDX17 helicase domain (DDX17_135–555) and RVFV non-coding RNAs, IGR and 5’ NCR. The homogeneity studies using analytical ultracentrifugation indicated that DDX17_135–555, IGR, and 5’ NCR are pure. Next, we performed small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments, which suggested that DDX17 and both RNAs are homogenous as well. SAXS analysis also demonstrated that DDX17 is globular to an extent, whereas the RNAs adopt an extended conformation in solution. Subsequently, microscale thermophoresis (MST) experiments were performed to investigate the direct binding of DDX17 to the non-coding RNAs. The MST experiments demonstrated that DDX17 binds with the IGR and 5’ NCR with a dissociation constant of 5.77 ± 0.15 µM and 9.85 ± 0.11 µM, respectively. As DDX17_135–555 is an RNA helicase, we next determined if it could unwind IGR and NCR. We developed a helicase assay using MST and fluorescently-labeled oligos, which suggested DDX17_135–555 can unwind both RNAs. Overall, our study provides direct evidence of DDX17_135–555 interacting with and unwinding RVFV non-coding regions.     

汽车加油口双色注射模设计

分析了汽车加油口塑件结构,确定了注射成型方案、进胶方式,并介绍了通过滑块与开模动作配合实现塑件脱模的过程。     

Crosstalk between MicroRNA and Oxidative Stress in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), a chronic neurodegenerative disease that damages the trabecular meshwork (TM) cells, inducing apoptosis of the retinal ganglion cells (RGC), deteriorating the optic nerve head, and leading to blindness. Aqueous humor (AH) outflow resistance and intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation contribute to disease progression. Nevertheless, despite the existence of pharmacological and surgical treatments, there is room for the development of additional treatment approaches. The following review is aimed at investigating the role of different microRNAs (miRNAs) in the expression of genes and proteins involved in the regulation of inflammatory and degenerative processes, focusing on the delicate balance of synthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) regulated by chronic oxidative stress in POAG related tissues. The neutralizing activity of a couple of miRNAs was described, suggesting effective downregulation of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic signaling pathways, including nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB), transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2), Wnt/β-Catenin, and PI3K/AKT. In addition, with regards to the elevated IOP in many POAG patients due to increased outflow resistance, Collagen type I degradation was stimulated by some miRNAs and prevented ECM deposition in TM cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction as a consequence of oxidative stress was suppressed following exposure to different miRNAs. In contrast, increased oxidative damage by inhibiting the mTOR signaling pathway was described as part of the action of selected miRNAs. Summarizing, specific miRNAs may be promising therapeutic targets for lowering or preventing oxidative stress injury in POAG patients.     

Investigating the effect of silver nanorods embedded in polydimethylsiloxane matrix using nanoindentation and its use for flexible electronics

The stretchable electrodes with excellent flexibility, electrical conductivity, and mechanical durability are the most fundamental components in the emerging and exciting field of flexible electronics. This article proposes a method for fabrication of such a stretchable electrode by embedding silver nanorods (AgNRs) into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix that is grown by a unique glancing angle deposition technique. The surface, mechanical, and electrical properties of PDMS are significantly changed after embedding the AgNRs in it. The results show that surface roughness and polarity increase after AgNRs are embedded in the PDMS matrix. Elastic modulus (E) and hardness (H) decrease with an increase in the indentation load as a result of the indentation depth effect. Due to strong interfacial adhesion of AgNRs embedded in the PDMS matrix, the E and H of nanocomposite are increased by 167.6 and 93.3% compared with PDMS film, respectively. Furthermore, the AgNRs-PDMS film has an electrical resistivity value in the order of 10⁻⁷ Ωm. It remains conductive during various mechanical strains such as bending, twisting, and stretching, which is demonstrated using a light-emitting diode circuit. Simultaneously, the antimicrobial activity of silver could make it a promising candidate for wearable electronics.     

我国中空吹塑行业发展现状及“十四五”期间重点产品、工艺和设备发展方向

从原料、中空成型机和吹塑工艺等方面介绍了我国中空吹塑行业发展现状，并对电子化学品专用超洁净桶、高压储氢四型瓶、全电动中空成型机、微发泡中空成型技术和挤吹聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯（PET）容器等在“十四五”期间的重点产品、工艺和设备发展方向进行了展望。     

西湖凹陷中部西斜坡地区超压成因机制

沉积盆地超压成因研究已取得了重要进展，关于超压主要成因的认识也发生了重要变化，以往一些被普遍认为属于典型不均衡压实成因的超压已被部分或完全否定，生烃作用作为超压成因的普遍性得到愈来愈多的证实。西湖凹陷多个构造带的不同层位均发育超压，目前认为超压的形成仍然离不开不均衡压实（欠压实作用）的贡献。根据异常压力形成的基本地质条件和异常压力产生的地质、地球物理效应两方面因素，利用测井曲线组合分析法、鲍尔斯法（加载-卸载曲线法）、声波速度-密度交会图法、孔隙度对比法、压力计算反推法以及综合分析法系统解剖分析了西湖凹陷中部西斜坡地区平湖组不同岩性异常压力成因。研究结果表明：西湖凹陷中部西斜坡泥岩中烃源岩超压主要为自源生烃增压，非烃源岩超压为邻源压力传导成因。储层中至少存在常压-超压型和常压-超压-常压型两种压力结构类型，异常压力自南向北顶界面逐渐变深，主要为油气在生烃增压驱动下向储层运移过程中的压力传导所致。     

基于种群划分与变异策略的粒子群优化算法

粒子群算法因其形式比较简洁，参数设置灵活，操作简便易行，并且能够快速收敛，从而引起广泛关注。但是传统的粒子群算法也有缺陷：收敛速度慢以及容易陷入局部最优等。针对这些问题，本文借鉴小生境的方法，在进化初始阶段，对种群进行划分，将初始种群分为子种群，对不同的子种群进行不同的变异策略；在进化过程中，针对不同的子种群，设置不同的惯性权重因子ω，用来增强全局搜索能力与局部搜索能力。实验结果表明，本文提出的算法较传统的粒子群算法具有较快的收敛性以及找寻的全局最优解更接近真实解集，收敛精度比较高。     

Influences of the inner diameter of the solid shielding tube on the characteristics of the radio-frequency cold atmospheric plasma jet

Active control of the local environment of the cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) jet is of great importance in actual applications since the CAP operates in an open atmosphere with the inevitable entrainment of the surrounding cold air. In this paper, the solid shielding effects of the cylindrical quartz tubes with different inner diameters on the characteristics of the CAP jets driven by a radio-frequency (RF) power supply are studied experimentally. The experimental results show that the total length of the shielded plasma jet can be increased significantly by an appropriate combination of the quartz tube inner diameter and that of the plasma generator nozzle exit with other parameters being unchanged. This phenomenon may be qualitatively attributed to the loss of diffusion of the charged particles in the radial direction under different inner diameters of the quartz tubes. Compared with the plasma free jet, the plasma shielding jet is produced with optimized parameters including longer plasma jet length, higher concentrations of chemically reactive species, higher rotational, vibrational, and electron excitation temperatures when the inner diameters of the solid shielding tube and the generator nozzle exit are the same. A maximum plasma jet length of 52.0 cm is obtained in contrast to that of 5.0 cm of the plasma free jet in this study. The experimental results indicate that the solid shielding effect provides a new method for the active control of the local environment of the RF-CAP jet operating in an open atmosphere.     

Visually deficient working conditions and reduced work performance in office workers: Is it mediated by visual discomfort?

IntroductionThe main purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether visual discomfort acts as a mediating factor between perceived visual ergonomic working conditions and self-rated visual performance among office workers who carry out administrative tasks and computer-based work at the Swedish Tax Agency.MethodsA questionnaire was sent to 94 office workers addressing: 1) perceived visual quality of the visual display units; 2) prevalence of eye symptoms; and 3) self-rated visual performance. Eighty-six persons (54 women (63%), 31 men (36%), and 1 of unspecified sex) answered the questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis investigated the association between visual ergonomic working conditions and visual performance, both with and without visual discomfort as a mediator.ResultsThe group mean of the Indexed survey questions indicated a reasonably good quality of visual ergonomic working conditions, a relative absence of eye symptoms, and acceptable self-rated visual performance. Results from multiple regression analysis showed a significant association between perceived visual ergonomic working conditions and self-rated visual performance (r² = 0.30, β = 0.327, p < 0.01). When visual discomfort was used as a mediator, the association between perceived visual ergonomic working conditions and self-rated visual performance remained the same (r² = 0.32, β = 0.315, p < 0.01).DiscussionIt was remarkable to discover that self-rated visual performance was independent of visual discomfort. Possible explanations include exposure factors not included in the current study, such as dry air and sensory irritation in the eyes, psychosocial stress, time spent performing near work activities, or time exposed to visually deficient working conditions.Relevance to industryThe strong connection between satisfaction with visual ergonomic working conditions and productivity in this study has implications for workplace profitability and staff satisfaction. If productivity is enhanced by better visual ergonomic working conditions, then managers of workplaces may be able to improve work outcomes by optimizing the physical work environment.     

奥钢联板坯铸机驱动力报警问题的分析及改进

浇铸过程中，驱动力报警会导致紧急停浇甚至滞坯事故发生。为防止事故发生，通常采用降速、强冷等措施，但降速造成成本浪费，强冷又产生裂纹等质量缺陷，两者都难以满足生产需要。通过对铸机的各项参数对比分析，找到影响驱动力报警的主要原因为辊缝异常，轻压下模型参数、冷却工艺设置不合理等，通过调整二冷工艺、优化模型参数、加强轻压下区域扇形段辊缝维护，可以达到明显降低驱动力、消除报警的目的，从而保证连铸生产稳定。