A collapse risk assessment method for subway foundation pit based on cloud model and improved Dempster-Shafer evidence theory.

Collapse is a major engineering hazard in open-cut foundation pit construction, and risk assessment is crucial for considerably reducing engineering hazards. This study aims to address the ambiguity problem of qualitative index quantification and the failure of high-conflict evidence fusion in risk assessment. Thus, a fast-converging and high-reliability multi-source data fusion method based on the cloud model (CM) and improved Dempster-Shafer evidence theory is proposed. The method can achieve an accurate assessment of subway pit collapse risks. First, the CM is introduced to quantify the qualitative metrics. Then, a new correction parameter is defined for improving the conflicts among evidence bodies based on conflict degree, discrepancy degree and uncertainty, while a fine-tuning term is added to reduce the subjective effect of global focal element assignment. Finally, the risk assessment result is obtained according to the maximum affiliation principle. The method is successfully applied to Luochongwei Station, where the difference between the maximum value and the second largest value of the basic probability assignment is 0.624, and the global uncertainty degree is 0.087. Both values satisfy the decision evaluation condition; however, values of other methods only satisfy one or neither condition. In addition, the proposed method requires only four cycles to reach the steady state by fusing data of the same index, which has faster convergence compared with that of other methods. The proposed method has good universality and effectiveness in subway pit collapse risk assessment.

[The value of combined CNV-Seq and chromosomal karyotyping for the detection of amniocytic mosaicisms and a literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of combined copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) and chromosomal karyotyping for the diagnosis of amniocytic mosaicisms, in addition with a literature review. METHODS: Forty cases of amniocytic mosaicisms detected at the Genetic and Prenatal Diagnosis Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to December 2021, in addition with 245 mosaicisms retrieved from 11 recent literature were evaluated in terms of detection rate, consistency rate, and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: The detection rate of amniocytic mosaicisms was 0.46% (40/8 621) in our center. And its consistency rate with chromosomal karyotyping was 75.0% (30/40). After genetic counseling, 30 (75.0%) couples had opted to terminate the pregnancy, 5 (12.5%) had decided to continue with the pregnancy, 3 (7.5%) fetuses were born alive, and 2 cases (5.0%) were lost in touch. By contrast, 245 cases (0.39%) of mosaicisms were identified among 63 577 amniotic samples, with a consistency rate of 62.8% (103/164) with other techniques. Among these, 114 cases (55.1%) were terminated, 75 (36.2%) were born alive, and 18 (8.7%) were lost during the follow up. CONCLUSION: Combined CNV-seq and chromosomal karyotyping has a high value for the detection of amniotic mosaicisms.

Association of vitamin D levels and VDR variant (rs2228570) with allergic rhinitis: A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a most common allergic condition characterised by cough, sneezing and flu-like symptoms. The aetiology of AR is not known. A deficiency of vitamin D has been associated with various allergic diseases. The role of vitamin D in allergic rhinitis has been explored in different populations, but the results remained inconsistent. Furthermore, vitamin D exerts its effect through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), and genetic variations in the VDR gene significantly alter vitamin D. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the role of vitamin D levels and VDR polymorphisms with a predisposition to the development of AR. Materials and methods: All published articles were searched using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Based on rigorous inclusion and exclusion, appropriate studies were identified. Vitamin D levels, VDR genotype and allele frequencies were extracted from the eligible reports. The meta-analysis was performed by comprehensive meta-analysis software v3.3. Results: The present meta-analysis comprised 14 reports with 1504 AR patients and 1435 healthy controls. Compared to healthy controls, AR had significantly lower levels of vitamin D (P = 0.000, standard difference of means = -1.287, 95% CI = -1.921 to -0.652). The meta-analysis of two separate investigations, which included 917 cases and 847 controls, showed no predisposition to allergic rhinitis. The trial sequential analysis also demonstrated the need for future case-control studies of VDR polymorphism to examine their involvement in AR. Conclusions: Lower vitamin D levels are associated with allergic rhinitis, and vitamin D supplementation might be advantageous in addition to standard treatment. The connection of VDR polymorphism (rs2228570) remained equivocal, and additional research is needed. Summary: Vitamin D exerct its beneficial effect through the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and role of vitamin D and VDR variant in the allergic rhinitis has been contradictories. We performed a meta-analysis to draw a definitive conclusion of importance of vitamin D and VDR polymorphisms in predisposition to development of allergic rhinitis. The observations of the meta-analysis revealed a significant association of lower vitamin D with allergic rhinitis. In addition the VDR rs2228570 variant predisposed subject to develop rhinitis. Collectively, the results of the present investigation redirect requirement of individualized vitamin D supplementation in the management of allergic rhinitis.

Co-pyrolysis of medical protective clothing and oil palm wastes for biofuel: Experimental, techno-economic, and environmental analyses.

The ongoing global pandemic of COVID-19 has devastatingly influenced the environment, society, and economy around the world. Numerous medical resources are used to inhibit the infectious transmission of the virus, resulting in massive medical waste. This study proposes a sustainable and environment-friendly method to convert hazardous medical waste into valuable fuel products through pyrolysis. Medical protective clothing (MPC), a typical medical waste from COVID-19, was utilized for co-pyrolysis with oil palm wastes (OPWs). The utilization of MPC improved the bio-oil properties in OPWs pyrolysis. The addition of catalysts further ameliorated the bio-oil quality. HZSM-5 was more effective in producing hydrocarbons in bio-oil, and the relevant reaction pathway was proposed. Meanwhile, a project was simulated to co-produce bio-oil and electricity from the co-pyrolysis of OPWs and MPC from application perspectives. The techno-economic analysis indicated that the project was economically feasible, and the payback period was 6.30-8.75 years. Moreover, it was also environmentally benign as its global warming potential varied from -211.13 to -90.76 kg CO2-eq/t. Therefore, converting MPC and OPWs into biofuel and electricity through co-pyrolysis is a green, economic, and sustainable method that can decrease waste, produce valuable fuel products, and achieve remarkable economic and environmental benefits.

[CNV-seq analysis of copy number variations in 217 fetuses with nasal bone dysplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) in the genetic etiology of fetuses with nasal bone dysplasia (NBD). METHODS: A total of 217 fetuses discovered with NBD from December 2017 to December 2020 were divided into the isolated NBD group and NBD combined with other anomalies group, for which copy number variations (CNVs) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 40 fetal abnormalities were detected in 217 cases, with an overall abnormal rate of 18.4%. These included 31 cases with aneuploidies (14.3%, 31/217) and 9 cases with genomic CNVs (4.1%, 9/217). Five cases of trisomy 21 (3.5%, 5/144) and two CNVs cases with unknown clinical significance (1.4%, 2/144) were detected in the isolated group. As for the combined NBD group, 26 aneuploidies (35.6%, 26/73), including 19 cases with trisomy 21, 6 cases with trisomy 18, 1 case with trisomy 13, 5 cases with pathogenic CNVs (6.8%, 5/73), and 2 cases with CNVs of unknown clinical significance (2.7%, 2/73) were detected. A significant difference was detected between the two groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The detection rate of CNV-seq is high for chromosomal aneuploidies and pathogenic CNVs in fetuses with NBD, particularly in those combined with other ultrasonic abnormalities.

[Analysis of chromosomal copy number variations among 163 fetuses with echogenic bowel by using CNV-seq technology].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of low-depth whole-genome copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) for the analysis of chromosomal copy number variations among fetuses with echogenic bowel (EB). METHODS: A total of 163 fetuses were included in this study. Amniotic fluid (162 cases) or chorionic villi (1 case) were collected and subjected to CNV-seq for the analysis of CNVs. RESULTS: Thirteen (8.0%) pathogenic CNVs were detected, including 9 (5.5%) aneuploidies and 4 (2.4%) CNVs. The detection rate of the isolated EB group and combined EB group were 1.7% (1/58) and 11.4% (12/105), respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). A Xp22.1 duplication was detected in both groups, and the fetuses were predicted as female DMD carriers and born healthy. Nine cases of aneuploidies and 2 (likely) pathogenic CNVs were identified in the combined EB group, all of them have warranted induced labor. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chromosomal aneuploidies and pathogenic CNVs in fetuses with combined EB was much higher than isolated EB, and most of them may warrant termination of pregnancy. Compared with isolated EB, more attention should be paid to combined EB, for which prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling should be carried out in time.

Facile fabrication of transparent lignin sphere/PVA nanocomposite films with excellent UV-shielding and high strength performance.

With the rapid development of human society, more and more concerns are directed to utilization of environment-friendly and biodegradable materials. To meet this demand, we fabricated an environment-friendly poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/lignin nanocomposite films with excellent UV-shielding and visible-transparent performance. The lignin-based nanosphere (LNSs) were prepared via self-assembly and uniformly distributed in the PVA matrix by forming strong hydrogen bonds with PVA matrix. With the introduction of LNSs into PVA matrix, the various performance such as tensile strength, thermal stability, and UV-shielding of PVA/Lignin nanocomposite films were enhanced. Amazingly, the UV-shielding results revealed that UVB (320-275 nm) and UVC (275-200 nm) were completely shielded and UVA (400-320 nm) was mostly shielded with addition of 4 wt% LNSs. Meanwhile, the tensile strength of the nanocomposite film was dramatically enhanced, in which the strength increased from 76 MPa to 112 MPa. Since both lignin and PVA were biodegradable materials, this work provides a simple and valuable method for the preparation of biodegradable and functional films.

Gene Expression, Biochemical Characterization of a sn-1, 3 Extracellular Lipase From Aspergillus niger GZUF36 and Its Model-Structure Analysis.

In this study, a sn-1, 3 extracellular lipases from Aspergillus niger GZUF36 (PEXANL1) was expressed in Pichia pastoris, characterized, and the predicted structural model was analyzed. The optimized culture conditions of P. pastoris showed that the highest lipase activity of 66.5 ± 1.4 U/mL (P < 0.05) could be attained with 1% methanol and 96 h induction time. The purified PEXANL1 exhibited the highest activity at pH 4.0 and 40°C temperature, and its original activity remained unaltered in the majority of the organic solvents (20% v/v concentration). Triton X-100, Tween 20, Tween 80, and SDS at a concentration of 0.01% (w/v) enhanced, and all the metal ions tested inhibited activity of purified PEXANL. The results of ultrasound-assisted PEXANL1 catalyzed synthesis of 1,3-diaglycerides showed that the content of 1,3-diglycerides was rapidly increased to 36.90% with 25 min of ultrasound duration (P < 0.05) and later decreased to 19.93% with 35 min of ultrasound duration. The modeled structure of PEXANL1 by comparative modeling showed α/ß hydrolase fold. Structural superposition and molecular docking results validated that Ser162, His274, and Asp217 residues of PEXANL1 were involved in the catalysis. Small-angle X-ray scattering analysis indicated the monomer properties of PEXANL1 in solution. The ab initio model of PEXANL1 overlapped with its modeling structure. This work presents a reliable structural model of A. niger lipase based on homology modeling and small-angle X-ray scattering. Besides, the data from this study will benefit the rational design of suitable crystalline lipase variants in the future.

Effect of cross-linked enzyme aggregate strategy on characterization of sn-1,3 extracellular lipase from Aspergillus niger GZUF36.

The sn-1,3 extracellular lipase from Aspergillus niger GZUF36 (EXANL1) has important potential applications. The cross-linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA) of purified EXANL1 (CLEA-EXANL1) achieved optimum activity recovery (148.5 ± 0.9%), immobilization yield (100 ± 0%), and recovered activity (99.7 ± 0.6%) with 80% tert-butanol as the precipitant, glutaraldehyde (GA) concentration of 30 mM, GA treatment time of 1.5 h, and centrifugal speed of 6000×g. The effect of CLEA strategy on the characterization of EXANL1 was evaluated in this work. CLEA-EXANL1 exhibited a broader optimum pH range (4-6) compared with free EXANL1 (6.5). CLEA-EXANL1 presented optimum activity at 40 °C, which was 5 °C higher than that of free EXANL1. CLEA strategy decreased the maximum reaction rate and increased the Michaelis-Menten constant of EXANL1 when olive oil emulsion was used as a substrate. Moreover, after 30 days, free EXANL1 lost more than 80.0% of its activity, whereas CLEA-EXANL1 retained more than 90.0% of its activity. CLEA strategy improved the tolerance of EXANL1 in polar organic solvents. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that the CLEA technique increased the contents of ß-sheets and ß-turns in EXANL1 and reduced those of α-helixes and irregular crimps. CLEA strategy caused no change in the sn-1,3 selectivity of EXANL1. Therefore, EXANL1 in the form of CLEA is a valuable catalyst in the synthesis of 1,3-diacylglycerol. KEY POINTS: • Cross-linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA) strategy broadened the optimum pH range of sn-1,3 extracellular lipase from Aspergillus niger GZUF36 (EXANL1). • CLEA strategy improved the tolerance of EXANL1 in polar organic solvents. • CLEA strategy caused no change in the positional selectivity of EXANL1.

Mild Acetylation and Solubilization of Ground Whole Plant Cell Walls in EmimAc: A Method for Solution-State NMR in DMSO-d6.

Lignocellulosic biomass is mainly composed of polysaccharides and lignin. The complexity and diversity of the plant cell wall polymers makes it difficult to isolate the components in pure form for characterization. Many current approaches to analyzing the structure of lignocellulose, which involve sequential extraction and characterization of the resulting fractions, are time-consuming and labor-intensive. The present study describes a new and facile system for rationally derivatizing and dissolving coarsely ground plant cell wall materials. Using ionic liquids (EmimAc) and dichloroacetyl chloride as a solvent/reagent produced mildly acetylated whole cell walls without significant degradation. The acetylated products were soluble in DMSO-d6 from which they can be characterized by solution-state two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR) spectrometry. A distinct advantage of the procedure is that it realizes the dissolution of whole lignocellulosic materials without requiring harsh ball milling, thereby allowing the acquisition of high-resolution 2D NMR spectra to revealing structural details of the main components (lignin and polysaccharides). The method is therefore beneficial to understanding the composition and structure of biomass aimed at its improved utilization.

Valorization of industrial xylan-rich hemicelluloses into water-soluble derivatives by in-situ acetylation in EmimAc ionic liquid.

In this study, aimed at valorization of industrial xylan-rich hemicelluloses (a by-product of dissolving pulp process), water-soluble hemicelluloses were fabricated with mild acetylation in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ionic liquid (EmimAc) and dichloroacetyl chloride (Cl2AcCl) system by a facile and novel method. The structure of the acetylated hemicelluloses was characterized by FT-IR and NMR spectra. The resultant modified products could fully dissolve in water with the degree of substitution (DS) valued between 0.17 and 0.37. Structural characterization indicated that the modified hemicelluloses were chiefly composed of the (1 â†’ 4)-linked ß-D-Xylp backbone with hydroxyl or -COCH3 linked to O-2 and O-3 of the Xylp units. Moreover, the mild acetylation was achieved by one-pot method, in which the hemicelluloses reacted with mixed anhydride produced between EmimAc and Cl2AcCl rather than Cl2AcCl. Rheological behavior measurements revealed that acetylated hemicelluloses solutions showed shear-thinning behavior and indicated lower viscosity compared with those of the referenced hemicelluloses. The excellent water-solubility of industrial hemicelluloses would widen its application field and be easier for its conversion into desired chemicals.

Gene cloning, expression, purification and characterization of a sn-1,3 extracellular lipase from Aspergillus niger GZUF36.

Sn-1,3 extracellular Aspergillus niger GZUF36 lipase (EXANL1) has wide application potential in the food industry. However, the A. niger strain has defects such as easy degradation and instability in the expression of sn-1,3 lipase. To obtain a stable expression of this lipase and its subsequent enzymatic properties, the gene encoding EXANL1 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells using pET-28a as the expression vector. The temperature-induced conditions were optimized, and we successfully achieved its active expression in E. coli. These conditions significantly influenced the active expression of EXANL1 (P < 0.05), and the highest enzyme activity of the supernatant of lysis cells expressed at 20 °C was at 7.02 ± 0.05 U/mL. The expressed recombinant EXANL1 was purified using Ni-NTA, showing an estimated relative molecular mass of 35 kDa. The recombinant EXANL1 exhibited maximum activity at 35 °C and pH 4.0, with a wide acid pH range. Thin-layer chromatography analysis showed that the enzyme displayed sn-1,3 positional selectivity toward triolein. The recombinant EXANL1 could maintain its relative activities (> 80%) after 24 h of incubation at pH 3-10, suggesting its suitability for a wide range of industrial applications. After comparing these properties with those of the other A. niger lipases, we found that some key amino acids may play a decisive role in enzymology. This work laid a foundation for the stable expression of the EXANL1 gene and its potential industrial application.

An approach for reinforcement of paper with high strength and barrier properties via coating regenerated cellulose.

The applications of cellulose are increasing rapidly attributing to their biodegradability and renewability. However, most of these cellulose-based materials possess poor mechanical performance, which restrict their advanced applications. In this study, a facile method was applied to fabricate composite paper with excellent mechanical and barrier properties via simple coating dissolved cellulose in ionic liquid. Subsequently, the surface wettability, oxygen permeability and mechanical properties of the resulting composites were investigated. Remarkable, both the dry and wet tensile strength of the composite papers was dramatically increased up to 101 and 14.17 MPa, which was greater than controlled paper (63.98 and 1.15 MPa). Moreover, with only 2% weight loading of regenerated cellulose, million times decline of oxygen permeability coefficient was obtained. Though the composite papers showed enhanced hydrophilicity, it exhibited strong water-resistant and shape-retaining properties in water. Therefore, the resultant composite papers showed great potential in packaging application with higher humidity.

Preparative isolation of three anthraquinones from Rumex japonicus by high-speed counter-current chromatography.

Three anthraquinones--emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion--were successfully purified from the dichloromethane extract of the Chinese medicinal herb Rumex japonicus by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). The extract was separated with n-hexane-ethanol-water (18:22:3, v/v/v) as the two-phase solvent system and yielded 3.4 mg of emodin, 24.1 mg of chrysophanol, and 2.0 mg of physcion from 500 mg of sample with purities of 99.2 %, 98.8% and 98.2%, respectively. The HSCCC fractions were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the chemical structures of the three anthraquinones were confirmed by ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR analysis. This is the first time these anthraquinones have been obtained from R. japonicus by HSCCC.

Clematomandshurica saponin E, a new triterpenoid saponin from Clematis mandshurica.

A new triterpenoid saponin, clematomandshurica saponin E, together with four known saponins were isolated and characterized from the roots and rhizomes of Clematis mandshurica (Ranunculaceae), a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine with anti-inflammatory and antirheumatoid activities. On the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including HR-ESI-MS, IR, 1D, and 2D NMR spectral data and hydrolysis followed by chromatographic analysis, the structure of the new triterpenoid saponin was elucidated as 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-ß-D-ribopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-ß-D-glucopyranoside.