The Interactions of Self-Assembled Lubricin Coating with Surfaces and Molecules - From Fundamental Studies to Practical Applications

This thesis provides an understanding of the fundamental interactions when coating Lubricin (LUB) on different substrate surfaces, and the synergistic performance between LUB and hyaluronic acid. In addition, potential applications by utilizing self-assembled LUB layers such as biolubricant for contact lenses, drug delivery system, and biosensor for the detection of bodily fluid are investigated.</p

Additional file 8: of Genome-wide identification of SERK genes in apple and analyses of their role in stress responses and growth

Figure S7. Heat map showing MdSERK gene transcript levels in different tissues. Relative transcript levels are based on ArrayExpress data. (TIF 5289 kb

Proteome Analyses Using iTRAQ Labeling Reveal Critical Mechanisms in Alternate Bearing <i>Malus prunifolia</i>

Alternate bearing (AB) trees, including Malus prunifolia, are characterized by alternating cycles of heavy (ON tree) and low (OFF tree) fruit loads. The mechanisms regulating the AB phenomenon have not been fully characterized. We completed an iTRAQ-based investigation of M. prunifolia to identify the proteome and metabolic differences between the leaves of ON and OFF trees. We identified 667 differentially expressed proteins, and they influenced multiple biochemical pathways, including photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, glycolysis, protein processing, redox activities, and secondary metabolism. Bioinformatics analyses indicated photosynthesis was the most significant biological process affecting the AB. We observed that 47 photosynthetic proteins affecting photosystem I and II reaction centers, cytochrome b6/f complex, electron transport, and light-harvesting chlorophyll were less abundant in ON tree leaves than in OFF tree leaves. Additionally, physiological analyses validated the potential metabolic activities. Nitrogen and phosphorus contents were significantly higher in ON tree leaves, while potassium levels were lower. Starch content, ZR, GA4+7 levels, and flower control gene expression levels (i.e., MdFT1, MdLFY, MdAP1, and MdSPL9) were lower in ON tree leaves than in OFF tree leaves, suggesting they affected the AB phenotype. Our findings help further investigate on the photosynthesis as well as other processes in AB. Those identified DEPs and important biological processes can be useful theoretical basis and provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating AB in perennial woody plants

NiFeP Anchored on rGO as a Multifunctional Interlayer To Promote the Redox Kinetics for Li–S Batteries via Regulating d‑Bands of Ni-Based Phosphides

Sluggish kinetics of polysulfide redox reaction give rise to poor electrochemical properties for lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Electrocatalysts are introduced to decrease activation energy and effectively accelerate the dynamics of polysulfide conversion. In this study, we propose a rational strategy of tuning the d-band of catalysts via delivering Fe into Ni2P in situ grown on rGO to construct NiFeP/rGO composites. Based on the first-principles density functional theory calculation, the metallic conduction of Ni2P could be improved by Fe incorporation, facilitating a charge transfer electrocatalytic interface for redox reaction of LiPSs. Moreover, the d-band center of NiFeP also elevates to the Fermi level after incorporation with Fe, which could weaken the S–S bonds of polysulfides due to its redistributed electron population and reduce the activation barrier. Therefore, NiFeP/rGO composites as the functional interlayer for Li–S batteries can not only promote the interaction between polysulfides and NiFeP but also accelerate the conversion of polysulfides. They exhibit a high initial discharge capacity of 1261 mAh g–1 at 0.2 C and an outstanding rate reversible capacity of 671 mAh g–1 even at a high rate of 2 C. The high-efficiency NiFeP/rGO electrocatalyst with a rational structure for Li–S batteries testifies to the availability of the d-band regulating strategy with the low-activation-energy barrier and promotes an in-depth understanding of LiPSs redox reaction at the molecular or atom level

Average percentage (%) of individual chromosome contributing to aneuploids in the seven diploid <i>Malus</i> crosses.

a<p>The percentage was calculated based on the summary data in the <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0029449#pone-0029449-t002" target="_blank">Table 2</a>; Six aneuploid seedlings with cytotype of 2<i>n</i>−1 were found in the seven crosses, and among them two seedlings were affected by the LG02 (See <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0029449#pone-0029449-t002" target="_blank">Table 2</a>), thus the percentage of LG02 was approximately estimated 33.333% as contributors to 2<i>n</i>−1 cytotype.</p

Additional file 3: of Genome-wide identification of SERK genes in apple and analyses of their role in stress responses and growth

Figure S2. Predicted dimensional structures of MdSERK proteins. (TIF 5808 kb

Additional file 3 of Analysis of the genotype–phenotype correlation of MYO15A variants in Chinese non-syndromic hearing loss patients

Additional file 3. Detailed WES procedures

Additional file 7: of Genome-wide identification of SERK genes in apple and analyses of their role in stress responses and growth

Figure S6. Interaction network for proteins encoded by apple SERK genes according to Arabidopsis thaliana orthologs. Line thickness is related to combined score. Homologous genes in apple are indicated in red font in parentheses. (TIF 1893 kb

Additional file 4: of Genome-wide identification of SERK genes in apple and analyses of their role in stress responses and growth

Figure S3. Transmembrane topology analysis of MdSERK proteins. Transmembrane helices of the MdSERK proteins were predicted with TMHMM server v2.0. Red peaks indicate predicted transmembrane helices. (TIF 163 kb

Schematic Summary of the Features of Gametic Combinations for Apple Polyploidization in Diploid <i>Malus</i>.

<p>Ova have two cytotypes, <i>n</i> and 2<i>n</i> ova; spermatozoa have a range but classified-into three cytotypes, <i>n</i>, 2<i>n</i>, and aneuploid spermatozoa for apple polyploidization. ‘<i>n</i>−1’ and ‘<i>n</i>+1’ refers to two aneuploid spermatozoa for aneuploidization. Diploid <i>Malus</i> exhibited a unique gametic combinational pattern, ova preserving euploidy exclusively, while spermatozoa presenting both euploidy and aneuploidy, for polyploidization. Molecular features showed that non-reduced gametes were genetically heterozygous, indicating first-division restitution was the exclusive mode for apple polyploidization. Figure depicts only three basic chromosomes with different colours in the legend to elucidate the basic chromosome number in the apples is odd.</p