Paternal chromosome elimination of inducer triggers induction of double haploids in Brassica napus

A synthetic octoploid rapeseed, Y3380, induces maternal doubled haploids when used as a pollen donor to pollinate plant. However, the mechanism underlying doubled haploid formation remains elusive. We speculated that double haploid induction occurs as the inducer line’s chromosomes pass to the maternal egg cell, and the zygote is formed through fertilization. In the process of zygotic mitosis, the paternal chromosome is specifically eliminated. Part of the paternal gene might have infiltrated the maternal genome through homologous exchange during the elimination process. Then, the zygote haploid genome doubles (early haploid doubling, EH phenomenon), and the doubled zygote continues to develop into a complete embryo, finally forming doubled haploid offspring. To test our hypothesis, in the current study, the octoploid Y3380 line was back bred with the 4122-cp4-EPSPS exogenous gene used as a marker into hexaploid Y3380-cp4-EPSPS as paternal material to pollinate three different maternal materials. The fertilization process of crossing between the inducer line and the maternal parent was observed 48 h after pollination, and the fertilization rate reached 97.92% and 98.72%. After 12 d of pollination, the presence of cp4-EPSPS in the embryo was detected by in situ PCR, and at 13–23 d after pollination, the probability of F1 embryos containing cp4-EPSPS gene was up to 97.27%, but then declined gradually to 0% at 23–33 d. At the same time, the expression of cp4-EPSPS was observed by immunofluorescence in the 3rd to 29th day embryo. As the embryos developed, cp4-EPSPS marker genes were constantly lost, accompanied by embryonic death. After 30 d, the presence of cp4-EPSPS was not detected in surviving embryos. Meanwhile, SNP detection of induced offspring confirmed the existence of double haploids, further indicating that the induction process was caused by the loss of specificity of the paternal chromosome. The tetraploid-induced offspring showed infiltration of the induced line gene loci, with heterozygosity and homozygosity. Results indicated that the induced line chromosomes were eliminated during embryonic development, and the maternal haploid chromosomes were synchronously doubled in the embryo. These findings support our hypothesis and lay a theoretical foundation for further localization or cloning of functional genes involved in double haploid induction in rapeseed

Identification of novel mutations in Chinese Hans with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited renal disease with an incidence of 1 in 400 to 1000. The disease is genetically heterogeneous, with two genes identified: <it>PKD1 </it>(16p13.3) and <it>PKD2 </it>(4q21). Molecular diagnosis of the disease in at-risk individuals is complicated due to the structural complexity of <it>PKD1 </it>gene and the high diversity of the mutations. This study is the first systematic ADPKD mutation analysis of both <it>PKD1 </it>and <it>PKD2 </it>genes in Chinese patients using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Both <it>PKD1 </it>and <it>PKD2 </it>genes were mutation screened in each proband from 65 families using DHPLC followed by DNA sequencing. Novel variations found in the probands were checked in their family members available and 100 unrelated normal controls. Then the pathogenic potential of the variations of unknown significance was examined by evolutionary comparison, effects of amino acid substitutions on protein structure, and effects of splice site alterations using online mutation prediction resources.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 92 variations were identified, including 27 reported previously. Definitely pathogenic mutations (ten frameshift, ten nonsense, two splicing defects and one duplication) were identified in 28 families, and probably pathogenic mutations were found in an additional six families, giving a total detection level of 52.3% (34/65). About 69% (20/29) of the mutations are first reported with a recurrent mutation rate of 31%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Mutation study of <it>PKD1 </it>and <it>PKD2 </it>genes in Chinese Hans with ADPKD may contribute to a better understanding of the genetic diversity between different ethnic groups and enrich the mutation database. Besides, evaluating the pathogenic potential of novel variations should also facilitate the clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling of the disease.</p

Neutrino Physics with JUNO

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), a 20 kton multi-purposeunderground liquid scintillator detector, was proposed with the determinationof the neutrino mass hierarchy as a primary physics goal. It is also capable ofobserving neutrinos from terrestrial and extra-terrestrial sources, includingsupernova burst neutrinos, diffuse supernova neutrino background, geoneutrinos,atmospheric neutrinos, solar neutrinos, as well as exotic searches such asnucleon decays, dark matter, sterile neutrinos, etc. We present the physicsmotivations and the anticipated performance of the JUNO detector for variousproposed measurements. By detecting reactor antineutrinos from two power plantsat 53-km distance, JUNO will determine the neutrino mass hierarchy at a 3-4sigma significance with six years of running. The measurement of antineutrinospectrum will also lead to the precise determination of three out of the sixoscillation parameters to an accuracy of better than 1\%. Neutrino burst from atypical core-collapse supernova at 10 kpc would lead to ~5000inverse-beta-decay events and ~2000 all-flavor neutrino-proton elasticscattering events in JUNO. Detection of DSNB would provide valuable informationon the cosmic star-formation rate and the average core-collapsed neutrinoenergy spectrum. Geo-neutrinos can be detected in JUNO with a rate of ~400events per year, significantly improving the statistics of existing geoneutrinosamples. The JUNO detector is sensitive to several exotic searches, e.g. protondecay via the $p\to K^++\bar\nu$ decay channel. The JUNO detector will providea unique facility to address many outstanding crucial questions in particle andastrophysics. It holds the great potential for further advancing our quest tounderstanding the fundamental properties of neutrinos, one of the buildingblocks of our Universe

Transmitter precoding aided spatial modulation achieving both transmit and receive diversity

We propose and investigate a precoding-aided spatialmodulation (PSM) scheme, which can simultaneously achieve transmit and receive diversity and, hence, is referred to as the TRD-PSM scheme. In TRD-PSM systems, information is transmitted jointly using an amplitude-phase modulation (APM) and a receive antenna based space-shift keying (SSK) modulation. We consider two types of linear precoders, namely transmitter zero-forcing (TZF) and transmitter minimum mean-square error (TMMSE), so as to facilitate low-complexity signal detection. In order to satisfy the different requirement for complexity and reliability, we introduce/propose a range of detection algorithms, which include joint maximum likelihood detector (JMLD), simplified JMLD, successive MLD (SMLD), simplified SMLD, and ratio threshold test assisted MLD (RTT-MLD). We address the principles, characteristics, complexity and performance of these detection algorithms. Furthermore, we analyze the average bit error probability (ABEP) of the TZF- and TMMSE-assisted TRDPSM systems employing respectively the JMLD and simplified JMLD and at both small- and large-scale. Finally, numerical and simulation results are provided to demonstrate and compare the achievable performance of TRD-PSM systems employing various precoding and detection algorithms, as well as to validate the formulas derived

Preparation of the

It is widely acknowledged that the 178m2Hf nuclide is the most suitable substance to study the decay characteristic of the isomer induced by low-energy X-ray. In order to conduct the experiment on the induced gamma emission, the research group has started producing the 178m2Hf nuclide based on the 176Yb(α, 2n)178m2Hf reaction. After the chemical purification is conducted, the sample is prepared and used in Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. During the production of isomer, the natural metal Yb target is got through magnetron sputtering. Bombarded by α particles about 27 MeV, the 178m2Hf nuclide reaches about 1012. Yb target prepared in this way is most suitable for the production of 178m2Hf nuclide in the CS30 cyclotron. There are various nuclides in the irradiated target and the main long-lived nuclides are 173Lu, 172Lu, 175Hf, 172Hf and 65Zn. The chemical separation of 178m2Hf is studied and its process is monitored by radioactive tracer. The above result shows that decontamination factors of Zn and Lu are 105 and 103, respectively, and the yield of hafnium is 69%. Under the protection of vacuum filtration technology, the purified 178m2Hf isomers are entirely transferred to the surface of filter paper, in order to form the sample which satisfies requirements of X-ray triggering the 178m2Hf isomer decay experiment in Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility in the future

Presplitting Blasting the Roof Strata to Control Large Deformation in the Deep Mine Roadway

As the mining depth increases, under the influence of high ground stress, the surrounding rock of deep mine roadways shows soft rock characteristics. Under the influence of mining disturbance at the working face, large deformation of the roadway has occurred. To control the large deformation of the roadway, many mines have adopted the form of combined support, which has continuously increased the support strength and achieved a certain effect. However, since the stress environment of the surrounding rock of the roadway has not been changed, large deformation of the roadway still occurs in many cases. Based on the theoretical basis of academician Manchao He’s “short cantilever beam by roof cutting,” this paper puts forward the plan of “presplitting blasting + combined support” to control the large deformation of the deep mine roadways. Without changing the original support conditions of the roadway, presplitting blasting the roof strata of the roadway, by cutting off the mechanical connection of the roof strata between the roadway and gob, improves the stress distribution of the roadway to control the large deformation. Through field tests, the results show that after presplitting blasting the roadway roof, the roadway roof subsidence is reduced by 47.9%, the ribs displacement is reduced by 45.7%, and the floor heave volume is reduced by 50.8%. The effect is significant

Joint transmitter-receiver spatial modulation

We propose and investigate a joint transmitterreceiver spatial modulation (JSM) scheme, which transmits information by jointly exploiting the indices of transmit antenna patterns, the indices of receiver antennas, and amplitude-phase modulation. The proposed JSM is capable of simultaneously achieving transmit diversity, receive diversity, as well as multiplexing gain. In order to facilitate the implementation of the JSM with different reliability-complexity trade-off, two types of detectors are introduced, which are the maximum-likelihood detection (MLD), and the proposed sub-optimal detection (SOD), including a two-stage SOD and a three-stage SOD. In order to gain insight into the characteristics of the JSM, we analyse the approximate and asymptotic average bit error probability of the JSM systems employing MLD, when regular-scale and large-scale JSM systems are respectively considered. Finally, the performance of the JSM systems is investigated with the aid of both simulation and numerical evaluation of our derived formulas. Our studies show that the JSM employs a high flexibility for implementation and online configuration, so as to adapt to the communications environments and to attain the best possible performance.</p

Neutron/gamma discrimination performance test for self-developed plastic scintillation detectors

BackgroundPlastic scintillators have potential for application in neutron detection. Two sizes (ø2.54 cm×2.54 cm, ø5.08 cm×5.08 cm) of plastic scintillators are self-developed by scientific research team in the school of physics, Sichuan University.PurposeThis study aims to experimental test the neutron/gamma (n-) discrimination performance for two self-developed plastic scintillators.MethodsA photomultiplier tube (PMT) was used to build detection systems, and high speed oscilloscope (LECROY HDO6104A) was employed to sample signal of detector for the energy calibration of the self-developed plastic scintillator. The pulse amplitude spectrum of 137Cs γ radiation source was measured and compared with the MCNP5 simulation spectrum to obtain the position information of the Compton edge and accurately calibrate the energies of γ rays. The data obtained from a 241Am-Be neutron source were analyzed using the charge integration method, and parameters such as the figure of merit (FOM), peak-to-valley ratio for neutrons, and the proportion of leaked neutrons over all neutron events were used to quantify the n-γ discrimination in different energy zones. The detection efficiencies of two self-developed plastic scintillators relative to the Commercial off-the-Shelf (COTS) EJ-299-33A were determined.ResultsThe results show that the FOM of ø2.54 cm×2.54 cm self-developed plastic scintillator is higher that of ø5.08 cm×5.08 cm self-developed plastic scintillator, and the detection efficiency of two self developed plastic scintillators relative to EJ-299-33A is about 0.49 and 1.0, respectively.ConclusionsThe performance of the ø5.08 cm×5.08 cm self-developed plastic scintillator is comparable to that of the COTS plastic scintillator EJ-299-33A with near the same discrimination ability