GhCO and GhCRY1 accelerate floral meristem initiation in response to blue light to shorten cotton breeding

The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is a special category of tissue with pluripotency that forms new organs and individuals, especially floral individuals. However, little is known about the fate of cotton SAMs as a tunica corpus structure. Here, we demonstrate that cotton SAM fate decisions depend on light signals and circadian rhythms, and the genes GhFKF1, GhGI, GhCRY1 and GhCO were responsible for SAM fate decisions and highlighted via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of different cotton cultivars, as confirmed by genetic analysis via the CRISPR-Cas9 system. In situ hybridization (ISH) analysis showed that the GhCO gene, induced by a relatively high blue light proportion, was highly upregulated during the initiation of floral meristems (FMs). Further blue light treatment analysis showed that the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth of SAM was promoted by a high proportion of blue light, coupled with high expression of the blue light-responsive genes GhCO and GhCRY1. Taken together, our study suggests that blue light signalling plays a key role in the fate decision of cotton SAM. These results provide a strategy to regulate the SAM differentiation of cotton by using the CRISPR-Cas9 system to change the ratio of red and blue light absorption to breed early-maturity cotton.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and risk of age-related macular degeneration in individuals with hypertension

Several observational studies have examined the potential protective effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) use on the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and have reported contradictory results owing to confounding and time-related biases. We aimed to assess the risk of AMD in a base cohort of patients aged 40 and above with hypertension among new users of ACE-I compared to an active comparator cohort of new users of calcium channel blockers (CCB) using data obtained from IQVIA Medical Research database, a primary care database in the UK. In this study, 53,832 and 43,106 new users of ACE-I and CCB were included between 1995 and 2019, respectively. In an on-treatment analysis, patients were followed up from the time of index drug initiation to the date of AMD diagnosis, loss to follow-up, discontinuation or switch to the comparator drug. A comprehensive range of covariates were used to estimate propensity scores to weight and match new users of ACE-I and CCB. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) weighted Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of developing AMD. During a median follow-up of 2 years (interquartile range 1-5 years), the incidence rate of AMD was 2.4 and 2.2 per 1,000 person-years among the weighted new users of ACE-I and CCB, respectively. There was no association of ACE-I use on the risk of AMD compared to CCB use in either the propensity score weighted or matched, on-treatment analysis (aHR: 1.07 (95% CI 0.90-1.27) and 0.87 (0.71-1.07) respectively).

Development of a method for producing effective CdS/CdTe/Cu/Au solar elements on a flexible substrate designed for backup supplying systems prevention of emergency situations

The technology of forming film solar cells based on CdS / CdTe configuration of the "superstrat" type on a flexible substrate has been improved. To increase the efficiency of the developed solar cells on a flexible substrate, a chemical etching procedure in a nitrogen-phosphorus mixture was added to the traditional "chemical treatment". The conducted studies of the output parameters of the developed device structures showed that the highest values are observed in the case of chemical etching, both before the "chloride treatment" and after it. In the course of the study, it was found that a mandatory procedure in the formation of effective device structures is chemical etching in a nitrogen-phosphorus mixture both before the "chloride treatment" and after it. Carrying out the described procedures made it possible to obtain solar cells on a flexible substrate with an efficiency of 13.1 %. The increase in the efficiency of solar cells with two-stage chemical etching can be explained by the formation of excess tellurium on the surface, which leads to a decrease in resistance and, therefore, to a more efficient penetration of chlorine during the subsequent chloride treatment. Analysis of the transverse cleavage of the investigated device structures demonstrates significant grain growth and surface smoothness of the base layer, which ensures good adhesion with back contact. A study of the degradation resistance of the developed device structures during operation has been carried out. It was found that the obtained solar cells based on CdTe on a flexible substrate have a high degradation resistance and after 10 bending cycles there is no decrease in the output parameters. Thus, it has been established that chemical etching in a nitrogen-phosphorus mixture is a mandatory procedure for the formation of efficient solar cells on a flexible substrate.

Outside the Box: Innovative Application of Diversion as a Replacement for Bridge Plug

Effective stage-to-stage isolation is typically accomplished by setting a bridge plug in a properly cemented casing between stages. This isolation plays a vital role in a horizontal well multistage fracturing completion. Failure of isolation not only impacts the well productivity but also wastes fracturing materials. The challenges isolation failure poses for stimulation effectiveness include both detection and remediation. First, there has been historically no reliable and cost-effective solution to detect stage-to-stage isolation onsite. One may only start to realize this problem when inconsistent production is observed. Second, existing remedial actions are seldom satisfying in case of an isolation failure. Most commonly, a new plug is set to replace the failed one. However, because the perforation clusters of an unstimulated stage may create irregularities in well inside diameter (ID) (e.g., casing deformation or burr), there is a risk that the plug will be damaged or become stuck when it passes the perforation area. Also, when the plug passes a perforation cluster, the perforations start to take in the pump-down fluid, which can increase the difficulty of the pump-down job. A novel remedial action uses high-frequency pressure monitoring (HFPM) and diversion to solve both challenges. The stage isolation integrity is evaluated in quasi-real time by analyzing the water hammer after the pump shutdown. In the case of a plug failure, large-particle fracture diversion materials and techniques can establish temporary wellbore isolation through a quick and simple delivery process. To close the cycle, the effect of the diversion can be evaluated by HFPM, which can reveal the fluid entry point of the treatment fluid after diversion. The technique was applied to two cases in Ordos basin in which wellbore isolation failure interrupted the operation. The problem identification, development of the solution workflow, and observation from treatment analysis are discussed. In both cases, the stage-to-stage isolation was recovered, and the drilled sand body was successfully stimulated without involving costly and time-consuming well intervention. The stimulation operation of the entire well was successfully resumed in a timely manner.

Biodegradation potential of immobilized bacteria in the treatment of Tannery Industrial effluents from industrial estates in Kano State, Nigeria

Industrial Effluents Samples from Gashash Tanneries (TAN1) in Bompai Industrial estate, Larabee Tannery Industry (TAN2) in Sharada Industrial estate and Z Tannery Industries (TAN3) in Challawa Industrial estate, Kano State, Nigeria were collected over a period of six months (August 2017 to January 2018) for assessing the biodegradation potentials of bacteria in the treatment of organic pollutants within the effluents. Bacteria were isolated from the effluents and immobilized on agar-agar. Different masses (5 g, 10 g, 15g, 20 g, and 25 g) of the bacteria were used in the treatment of 250 ml of the effluents for ten days in a shaker incubator (Gallenkamp-OC-4364-L) at the temperature 30 °C and speed of 60 rpm. Pre-treatment analysis of the effluents for Temperature, pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Suspended Solid (SS) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) gives the following results; temperature (ºC) ranged (26.38±3.81-30.33±3.79); pH (5.35±1.57-9.00±0.78); BOD (13.85±6.42-38.75±16.20); COD (1406±208-3532±1373); SS (208±235-780±739) and TDS (266±253-5276±2971). No statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05) was observed for all the results among the different industries. The bacterial isolates were identified as Neisseria spp, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus, in TAN1, TAN2, and TAN3, respectively. After treatment of the effluent with the different masses of the isolated bacteria, the mean level of BOD was found to range as (0.55±0.36-6.92±5.49); COD (ND-3134±1595); SS (18±022-898±672) and TDS (4±002-83±078). The results of Post-treatment analysis showed that there is overall decrease in the levels of the parameters determined when compared with that of the pre-treatment. The overall percentage reduction of the immobilised bacteria in the treatment of the respective effluents was in the order TAN2 (72%)>TAN1 (70%)>TAN3 (62%). Hence, the immobilized bacteria are having higher biodegradation potential for the treatment of the tannery effluents.

Analysis of Clinical Characteristics of Hepatitis B and Alcohol-Related Liver Cancer

In order to analyze the clinical characteristics of hepatitis B and alcohol-related liver cancer, this paper combines the investigation and analysis methods to analyze the clinical characteristics of hepatitis B and alcohol-related liver cancer, studies them in combination with the actual situation, and studies multiple parameters with statistical methods. Different causes of liver cancer have different pathogenic mechanisms, which may make the clinical characteristics of liver cancer different. This study mainly explores the difference in clinical characteristics between hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma and alcohol-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Through comparative analysis and analysis of the clinical characteristics of hepatitis B and alcohol-related liver cancer, the study found that hepatitis B and alcohol-related liver cancer have obvious differences in their impact mechanisms. Therefore, targeted prevention and diagnosis and treatment measures can be put forward on this basis to provide a theoretical reference for subsequent clinical treatment analysis of liver cancer.

Heat Treatment Consideration in Structural Simulations of Machine Elements: Analysis of a Starter Clutch Barrel

Consideration of heat treatment in simulations of structural components and its impact on predictions of behaviour during operation is analysed here. An automotive machine element with a complex geometry and dynamic load is analysed rather than a standard laboratory specimen under controlled conditions. The heat treatment analysis of a starter clutch barrel has been performed in DANTE followed by a structural analysis in ANSYS 2019 R3 during operation simulating a load cycle due to the start of an internal combustion engine. The heat treatment simulation consisted of carburisation, quenching and tempering. First, the carbon content and its distribution have been simulated. Next, the hardness of the starter clutch barrel and its distribution have been analysed with respect to the carbon distribution and hardness-dependent material properties of the AISI/SAE 4142 steel. Finally, the stress field after the heat treatment and during the operation of the starter clutch barrel has been thoroughly evaluated and compared to the simulation without the consideration of the heat treatment. Results of the simulation show that the heat treatment introduces favourable compressive stresses at the critical location of the starter clutch barrel and reduces the effective amplitude of the equivalent stress during the operation. Furthermore, the results of the simulation prove that heat treatment should be considered already during the early stages of the R & D process as it can have a decisive effect on the operational behaviour of the structural component. Moreover, a non-consideration of the heat treatment can lead into erroneous conclusions regarding the suitability of machine elements.