Vector solitonic pulses excitation in microresonators via free carrier effects.

We numerically investigate the excitation of vector solitonic pulse with orthogonally polarized components via free-carrier effects in microresonators with normal group velocity dispersion (GVD). The dynamics of single, dual and oscillated vector pulses are unveiled under turn-key excitation with a single frequency-fixed CW laser source. Parameter spaces associated with detuning, polarization angle, interval between the pumped orthogonal resonances and pump amplitude have been revealed. Different vector pulse states can also be observed exploiting the traditional pump scanning scheme. Simultaneous and independent excitation regimes are identified due to varying interval of the orthogonal pump modes. The nonlinear coupling between two modes contributes to the distortion of the vector pulses' profile. The free-carrier effects and the pump polarization angle provide additional degrees of freedom for efficiently controlling the properties of the vector solitonic microcombs. Moreover, the crucial thermal dynamics in microcavities is discussed and weak thermal effects are found to be favorable for delayed vector pulse formation. These findings reveal complex excitation mechanism of solitonic structures and could provide novel routes for microcomb generation.

Forensic characteristics and genetic substructure analysis of the Handan Han population, Northern China.

We analysed the forensic characteristics and substructure of the Handan Han population based on 36 Y-STR (short tandem repeat) and Y-SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) markers. The two most dominant haplogroups in Handan Han, O2a2b1a1a1-F8 (17.95%) and O2a2b1a2a1a (21.51%), and their abundant downstream branches, reflected the strong expansion of the precursor of the Hans in Handan. The present results enrich the forensic database and explore the genetic relationships between Handan Han and other neighbouring and/or linguistically close populations, which suggests that the current concise overview of the Han intricate substructure remains oversimplified.

Assembling a Heterobimetallic Actinide Metal-Organic Framework by a Reaction-Induced Preorganization Strategy.

Periodically arranging coordination-distinct actinides into one crystalline architecture is intriguing but of great synthetic challenge. We report a rare example of a heterobimetallic actinide metal-organic framework (An-MOF) by a unique reaction-induced preorganization strategy. A thorium MOF (SCU-16) with the largest unit cell among all Th-MOFs was prepared as the precursor, then the uranyl was precisely embedded into the MOF precursor under oxidation condition. Single crystal of the resulting thorium-uranium MOF (SCU-16-U) shows that a uranyl-specific site was in situ induced by the formate-to-carbonate oxidation reaction. The heterobimetallic SCU-16-U exhibits multifunction catalysis properties derived from two distinct actinides. The strategy proposed here offers a new avenue to create mixed-actinide functional material with unique architecture and versatile functionality.

Dual origins of the Northwest Chinese Kyrgyz: the admixture of Bronze age Siberian and Medieval Niru'un Mongolian Y chromosomes.

The Kyrgyz are a trans-border ethnic group, mainly living in Kyrgyzstan. Previous genetic investigations of Central Asian populations have repeatedly investigated the Central Asian Kyrgyz. However, from the standpoint of human evolution and genetic diversity, Northwest Chinese Kyrgyz is one of the more poorly studied populations. In this study, we analyzed the non-recombining portion of the Y-chromosome from 298 male Kyrgyz samples from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern China, using a high-resolution analysis of 108 biallelic markers and 17 or 24 STRs. First, via a Y-SNP-based PCA plot, Northwest Chinese Kyrgyz tended to cluster with other Kyrgyz population and are located in the West Asian and Central Asian group. Second, we found that the Northwest Chinese Kyrgyz display a high proportion of Y-lineage R1a1a1b2a2a-Z2125, related to Bronze Age Siberian, and followed by Y-lineage C2b1a3a1-F3796, related to Medieval Niru'un Mongols, such as Uissun tribe from Kazakhs. In these two dominant lineages, two unique recent descent clusters have been detected via NETWORK analysis, respectively, but they have nearly the same TMRCA ages (about 13th-14th centuries). This finding once again shows that the expansions of Mongol Empire had a striking effect on the Central Asian gene pool.

[Polygonati Rhizoma: a crop with potential of being consumed as food and medicine].

As revealed by the investigation on the name change, biological characteristics, artificial cultivation, and edible history of Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium, it was described as a variation pattern of P. kingianum in the Chinese version of Flora of China(1978) and as a variant of P. kingianum in the revised English version of the Flora of China(2000). P. kingianum var. grandifolium, long been consumed as food by local folks, has been widely cultivated in its natural distribution area and circulated as Polygonati Rhizoma in the market. The important biological properties of P. kingianum var. grandifolium make it possess a great potential of being consumed as both medicine and food. The shoots of P. kingianum var. grandifolium sprout immediately out of the ground after seed germination and a new seedling will be formed at the same year, implying that its seedling cultivation period is at least two years shorter than that of P. cyrtonema. It can sprout more than twice a year, and the adult plants always remain evergreen, thereby obtaining higher biomass. Its rhizome biomass can be more than one time higher than that of P. cyrtonema. With reference to the diploid P. cyrtonema, flow cytometry revealed the polyploid and aneuploid forms in natural populations, which were tall and light-adapted with large underground rhizome. It can grow normally under the forest canopy and in the open field. Furthermore, P. kingianum var. grandifolium has important theoretical values for the study of ploidy variation, bud dormancy mechanism, etc.

[Relative molecular mass distribution and monosaccharide composition of polysaccharides in Polygonatum kingianum var.grandifolium].

Polygonatum kingianum var.grandifolium, different from most Polygonatum species in biological characteristics, sprouts and blooms in spring and autumn, respectively, and it is evergreen in winter.It is difficult to learn from the patterns of other Polygonatum plants because the chemical composition in P.kingianum var.grandifolium changes with phenology, which consequently restricts the production of high-quality medicinal and eatable substances.Samples of P.kingianum var.grandifolium in different months and ages collected from Xiushan, Chongqing were analyzed for polysaccharide content, polysaccharide relative molecular mass, and mono-saccharide composition by anthrone-sulfuric acid colorimetric assay, high-performance gel-permeation chromatography, and trimethylsilane(TMS) derivatization prior to GC-MS.The results showed that the polysaccharide content and composition in the rhizome of P.kingianum var.grandifolium were closely related to the growth period.New shoot sprouting promoted the accumulation of polysaccharides, and flowering and fruiting consumed polysaccharides.The highest polysaccharide content was found in April, reaching 134.04 mg·g~(-1).Polysaccharides in P.kingianum var.grandifolium were divided into five fractions according to the weight-average M_W, i.e., P1(2.02×10~7), P2(5.09×10~6), P3(1.37×10~6), P4(4.73×10~5), and P5(5.11×10~3), and P5 had the highest content.In terms of monosaccharide composition, polysaccharides were mainly composed of fructose, glucose, galactose, mannose, xylose, and arabinose with the average molar ratio of 1.31∶1.00∶0.90∶0.53∶0.22∶0.21.The results of the study provide a scientific basis for the precise harvesting and resource utilization of P.kingianum var.grandifolium.

Y-chromosome evidence confirmed the Kerei-Abakh origin of Aksay Kazakhs.

Aksay Kazakhs are the easternmost branch of Kazakhs, residing in Jiuquan city, the forefront of the ancient Silk Road. However, the genetic diversity of Aksay Kazakhs and its relationships with other Kazakhs still lack attention. To clarify this issue, we analyzed the non-recombining portion of the Y-chromosome from 93 Aksay Kazakhs samples, using a high-resolution analysis of 106 biallelic markers and 17 STRs. The lowest haplogroup diversity (0.38) was observed in Aksay Kazakhs among all studied Kazakh populations. The social and cultural traditions of the Kazakhs shaped their current pattern of genetic variation. Aksay Kazakhs tended to migrate with clans and had limited paternal admixture with neighboring populations. Aksay Kazakhs had the highest frequency (80%) of haplogroup C2b1a3a1-F3796 (previous C3*-Star Cluster) among the investigated Eurasian steppe populations, which was now seen as the genetic marker of Kerei clan. Furthermore, NETWORK analysis indicated that Aksay Kazakhs originated from sub-clan Kerei-Abakh in Kazakhstan with DYS448 = 23. TMRCA estimates of three recent descent clusters detected in C2*-M217 (xM48) network, one of which incorporate nearly all of the C2b1a3a1-F3796 Aksay Kazakhs samples, gave the age range of 976-1405 YA for DC1, 1059-1314 YA for DC2, and 1139-1317 YA for DC3, respectively; this is coherent with the 7th to the 11th centuries Altaic-speaking pastoral nomadic population expansion.

Reprogramming of sugar transport pathways in Escherichia coli using a permeabilized SecY protein-translocation channel.

In the initial step of sugar metabolism, sugar-specific transporters play a decisive role in the passage of sugars through plasma membranes into cytoplasm. The SecY complex (SecYEG) in bacteria forms a membrane channel responsible for protein translocation. The present work shows that permeabilized SecY channels can be used as nonspecific sugar transporters in Escherichia coli. SecY with the plug domain deleted allowed the passage of glucose, fructose, mannose, xylose, and arabinose, and, with additional pore-ring mutations, facilitated lactose transport, indicating that sugar passage via permeabilized SecY was independent of sugar stereospecificity. The engineered E. coli showed rapid growth on a wide spectrum of monosaccharides and benefited from the elimination of transport saturation, improvement in sugar tolerance, reduction in competitive inhibition, and prevention of carbon catabolite repression, which are usually encountered with native sugar uptake systems. The SecY channel is widespread in prokaryotes, so other bacteria may also be engineered to utilize this system for sugar uptake. The SecY channel thus provides a unique sugar passageway for future development of robust cell factories for biotechnological applications.

Haplotype analysis of 36 Y-STR loci in a Chinese Han population from Anhui Province, Eastern China.

We analyzed haplotypes for 36 Y chromosomal STRs (Y-STRs), including 27 Yfiler Plus loci and 9 additional STRs (DYS549, DYS643, DYS508, DYS447, DYS596, DYS444, DYS557, and DYS527a/b) in 2018 unrelated Chinese Han individuals from Anhui Province using DNATyperTM 36Y Kit. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to determine the genetic relationship of the Anhui Han population with other neighboring and/or linguistically close populations.

Paternal heritage of the Han Chinese in Henan province (Central China): high diversity and evidence of in situ Neolithic expansions.

Background: Due to their long history, complex admixture processes and large population sizes, more research is required to explore the fine genetic structure of Han populations from different geographic locations of China.Aim: To characterise the paternal genetic structure of the Han Chinese in Henan province, which was once the central living region of the ancient Huaxia population, the precursors of the Han Chinese.Subjects and methods: We sequenced Y chromosomes of 60 males from Zhengzhou, Henan Province, and reconstructed a phylogenetic tree for these samples with age estimation.Results: We observed high diversity of paternal lineages in our collection. We found that the in situ Neolithic expansion of the "Major lineages" contributed to a large portion of the paternal gene pool of the Han population in Henan Province. We also detected a large number of "Minor lineages" that diverged in the Palaeolithic Age.Conclusion: We suggest that the high genetic diversity in the paternal gene pool of modern Han populations is mainly attributed to the reservation of a larger number of lineages that diverged in the Palaeolithic Age, while the recent expansion of limited lineages contributed to the majority of the gene pool of modern Han populations. We propose that such a structure is a basal characteristic for the genetic structure of modern Han populations.

Relating Clans Ao and Aisin Gioro from northeast China by whole Y-chromosome sequencing.

The Y-chromosome haplogroup C2b1a3a2-F8951 is the paternal lineage of the Aisin Gioro clan, the most important brother branch of the famous Mongolic-speaking population characteristic haplogroup C2*-Star Cluster (C2b1a3a1-F3796). However, investigations on its internal phylogeny are still limited. In this study, we used whole Y-chromosome sequencing to update its phylogenetic tree. In the revised tree, C2b1a3a2-F8951 and C2*-Star Cluster differentiated 3852 years ago (95% CI = 3295-4497). Approximately 3558 years ago (95% CI = 3013-4144), C2b1a3a2-F8951 was divided into two main subclades, C2b1a3a2a-F14753 and C2b1a3a2b-F5483. Currently, samples of C2b1a3a2-F8951 were mainly from the House of Aisin Gioro clan, the Ao family from Daur and some individuals mainly from northeast China. Although other haplogroups are also found in the Ao family, including C2b1a2-M48, C2b1a3a1-F3796, C2a1b-F845, and N1c-M178, the haplogroup C2b1a3a2-F8951 is still the most distinct genetic component. For haplogroup C2b1a3a2-F8951, the time of the most recent common ancestor of the House of Aisin Gioro clan and the Ao family were both very late, just a few hundred years ago. Some family-specific Y-SNPs of the House of Aisin Gioro and the Ao family were also discovered. This revision evidently improved the resolving power of Y-chromosome phylogeny in northeast Asia, deepening our understanding of the origin of these two families, even the Mongolic-speaking population.

Molecular genealogy of Tusi Lu's family reveals their paternal relationship with Jochi, Genghis Khan's eldest son.

Genghis Khan's lineage has attracted both academic and general interest because of its mystery and large influence. However, the truth behind the mystery is complicated and continues to confound the scientific study. In this study, we surveyed the molecular genealogy of Northwestern China's Lu clan who claim to be the descendants of the sixth son of Genghis Khan, Toghan. We also investigated living members of the Huo and Tuo clans, who, according to oral tradition, were close male relatives of Lu clan. Using network analysis, we found that the Y-chromosomal haplotypes of Lu clan mainly belong to haplogroup C2b1a1b1-F1756, widely prevalent in Altaic-speaking populations, and are closely related to the Tore clan from Kazakhstan, who claim to be the descendants of the first son of Genghis Khan, Jochi. The most recent common ancestor of the special haplotype cluster that includes the Lu clan and Tore clan lived about 1000 years ago (YA), while the Huo and Tuo clans do not share any Y lineages with the Lu clan. In addition to the reported lineages, such as C3*-Star Cluster, R1b-M343, and Q, our results indicate that haplogroup C2b1a1b1-F1756 might be another candidate of the true Y lineage of Genghis Khan.

[Maximal Frequent Association Patterns between Symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease Patients with Blood Stasis Syndrome and Medication Constitutions].

A total of 121 medical cases concerning treating coronary heart disease (CHD) pa- tients with blood stasis syndrome (BSS) by Chinese Medicine were collected to establish a database for CHD patients with BSS. By using data mining authors tried to explore inherent laws of its symptoms and medication of Chinese Medicine, and to probe maximal frequent association patterns between its symp- toms and medication constitutions. Of the 121 medical cases, chest pain, chest stiffness, and headache were their common symptoms. Compatibilities of blood-activating drugs, stasis-resolving drugs, and qi- promoting drugs were most commonly used. The association between symptoms and compatibilities con- stituted a most often seen maximal frequent association pattern, which reflected an idea of treating both principal and subordinate symptoms.

Hemodynamics through the congenitally bicuspid aortic valve: a computational fluid dynamics comparison of opening orifice area and leaflet orientation.

A computational fluid dynamics model of a bicuspid aortic valve has been developed using idealised three-dimensional geometry. The aim was to compare how the orifice area and leaflet orientation affect the hemodynamics of a pure bicuspid valve. By applying physiologic material properties and boundary conditions, blood flow shear stresses were predicted during peak systole. A reduced orifice area altered blood velocity, the pressure drop across the valve and the wall shear stress through the valve. Bicuspid models predicted impaired blood flow similar to a stenotic valve, but the flow patterns were specific to leaflet orientation. Flow patterns developed in bicuspid aortic valves, such as helical flow, were sensitive to cusp orientation. In conclusion, the reduced opening area of a bicuspid aortic valve amplifies any impaired hemodynamics, but cusp orientation determines subsequent flow patterns which may determine the specific regions downstream from the valve most at risk of clinical complications.

[Application of Multiple Genetic Markers in a Case of Determination of Half Sibling].

OBJECTIVE: A case of half sibling was determined with multiple genetic markers, which could be potentially applied for determination of half sibling relationship from same father. METHODS: Half sibling relationship was detected by 39 autosomal STR genetic markers, 23 Y-chromosomal STR genetic markers and 12 X -chromosomal STR genetic markers among ZHAO -1, ZHAO -2, ZHAO -3, ZHAO -4, and ZHAO-5. RESULTS: According to autosomal STR, Y-STR and X-STR genotyping results, it was determined that ZHAO-4 (alleged half sibling) was unrelated with ZHAO-1 and ZHAO-2; however, ZHAO-3 (alleged half sibling), ZHAO-5 (alleged half sibling) shared same genetic profile with ZHAO-1, and ZHAO-2 from same father. CONCLUSION: It is reliable to use multiple genetic markers and family gene reconstruction to determine half sibling relationship from same father, but it is difficult to determination by calculating half sibling index with ITO and discriminant functions.

[Establishment and Verification of 6-color Fluorescent-labeled Rapid PCR Amplification System].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the rapid PCR amplification program and system and to verify the technical indexes. METHODS: PCR multiplex and capillary electrophoresis detection of 24 autosomal STR loci and one Y-STR loci using the 6-color fluorescence marking technology, as well as A melogenin and Y-InDel. Meanwhile, sensitivity, specificity, identity, stability, mixing and a batch of sample tests were investigated, and the genotype of various routine samples and degraded, exfoliated cell samples were observed. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the system was 0.062 5 ng. In addition, the genotype could be detected accurately only around 65 min via rapid amplification. The species-specificity was high and the genotyping of all kinds of dry blood specimens of filter paper and mixed, degraded, exfoliated cell samples were accurate. CONCLUSION: The rapid amplification system can significantly improve the detection rate, and obtain accurate and stable genotyping results, which may be important implications for the establishment of STR database and study on population genetics and forensic identification.

Forensic discrimination of three common brands of kitchen knives in China by ICP-AES and infrared absorption.

A block of an injury instrument will be left in wounds sometimes, and the suspect instrument can be discriminated by comparison with the block that was left through elemental analysis. In this study, three brands (Shibazi, Zhangxiaoquan, Qiaoxifu) of kitchen knives with forged, chop, and slice application series were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Infrared Absorption to investigate the type, number of elements and the reference range used for comparing. The results show that when regarding one or more element as the discriminative threshold, together with 5% relative standard deviation (RSD) as the reference range, all the samples could be distinguished among different series. Furthermore, within the same series, the discriminative capability could reach up to 88.57% for all samples. In addition, elements with high content, such as Cr, Mn, and C, were useful to discriminate among different series, and trace elements, such as Ni, Si, and Cu, were useful within the same series. However, in practice, it is necessary to evaluate the accuracy of the method by Standard Reference Material (SRM) before an examination is performed.

Integration of cloud-based molecular networking and docking for enhanced umami peptide screening from Pixian douban.

This study presents an innovative cloud-based approach, using Pixian Douban, a well-known Chinese fermented seasoning, as a case study, to improve the identification of umami peptides and explore their interactions with the T1R1/T1R3 receptor. A feature-based molecular networking method was utilized to rapidly identify a total of eighteen peptides, including seven previously unrecorded ones. Notably, the umami threshold of QIVK in an aqueous solution was determined to be 0.3215 mmol/L, surpassing the majority of peptides reported in the past three years. Molecular docking analysis further revealed the strong binding of QIVK to T1R3 receptor residues through hydrogen bonds, as well as interactions via salt bridges and electrostatic attractions. As a result, this research significantly contributes to the efficient screening of umami peptides and the elucidation of the molecular basis of umami sensory perception in complex food systems.

Sol-gel synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles and their evaluation as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Aim: We synthesized MgO NPs via sol-gel reaction and investigated them as carriers to deliver Mg2+ to the affected joint for osteoarthritis (OA). Materials & methods: The physicochemical properties of samples were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The release of Mg2+ was monitored by ICP-MS. The potential cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assay. The efficacy and biosafety were evaluated in a rabbit OA model. Results: MgO NPs can prolong the Mg2+ release time from 0.5 h to 12 h. No significant cytotoxicity was observed when concentrations below 250 µg/ml. Intra-articular samples could effectively alleviate the degeneration and destruction of the cartilage. Conclusion: this study demonstrates the potential of MgO NPs as a safe and effective treatment of OA. Simultaneously, the size of the particles may play a significant role in influencing the therapeutic outcome.

[Box: see text].