A method for protein extraction from different subcellular fractions of laticifer latex in Hevea brasiliensis compatible with 2-DE and MS

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Proteomic analysis of laticifer latex in <it>Hevea brasiliensis </it>has been received more significant attentions. However, the sticky and viscous characteristic of rubber latex as cytoplasm of laticifer cells and the complication of laticifer latex membrane systems has made it challenge to isolate high-quality proteins for 2-DE and MS.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Based on the reported Borax/PVPP/Phenol (BPP) protocol, we developed an efficient method for protein preparation from different latex subcellular fractions and constructed high-resolution reference 2-DE maps. The obtained proteins from both total latex and C-serum fraction with this protocol generate more than one thousand protein spots and several hundreds of protein spots from rubber particles as well as lutoid fraction and its membranes on the CBB stained 2-DE gels. The identification of 13 representative proteins on 2-DE gels by MALDI TOF/TOF MS/MS suggested that this method is compatible with MS.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The proteins extracted by this method are compatible with 2-DE and MS. This protein preparation protocol is expected to be used in future comparative proteomic analysis for natural rubber latex.</p

Applications of CRISPR/Cas Technology to Research the Synthetic Genomics of Yeast

The whole genome projects open the prelude to the diversity and complexity of biological genome by generating immense data. For the sake of exploring the riddle of the genome, scientists around the world have dedicated themselves in annotating for these massive data. However, searching for the exact and valuable information is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Advances in gene editing technology have allowed researchers to precisely manipulate the targeted functional genes in the genome by the state-of-the-art gene-editing tools, so as to facilitate the studies involving the fields of biology, agriculture, food industry, medicine, environment and healthcare in a more convenient way. As a sort of pioneer editing devices, the CRISPR/Cas systems having various versatile homologs and variants, now are rapidly giving impetus to the development of synthetic genomics and synthetic biology. Firstly, in the chapter, we will present the classification, structural and functional diversity of CRISPR/Cas systems. Then we will emphasize the applications in synthetic genome of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) using CRISPR/Cas technology based on year order. Finally, the summary and prospection of synthetic genomics as well as synthetic biotechnology based on CRISPR/Cas systems and their further utilizations in yeast are narrated

Detecting Extratropical Cyclones of the Northern Hemisphere with Single Shot Detector

In this paper, we propose a deep learning-based model to detect extratropical cyclones (ETCs) of the northern hemisphere, while developing a novel workflow of processing images and generating labels for ETCs. We first labeled the cyclone center by adapting an approach from Bonfanti et al. in 2017 and set up criteria of labeling ETCs of three categories: developing, mature, and declining stages. We then gave a framework of labeling and preprocessing the images in our dataset. Once the images and labels were ready to serve as inputs, an object detection model was built with Single Shot Detector (SSD) and adjusted to fit the format of the dataset. We trained and evaluated our model with our labeled dataset on two settings (binary and multiclass classifications), while keeping a record of the results. We found that the model achieves relatively high performance with detecting ETCs of mature stage (mean Average Precision is 86.64%), and an acceptable result for detecting ETCs of all three categories (mean Average Precision 79.34%). The single-shot detector model can succeed in detecting ETCs of different stages, and it has demonstrated great potential in the future applications of ETC detection in other relevant settings

Detecting Extratropical Cyclones of the Northern Hemisphere with Single Shot Detector

In this paper, we propose a deep learning-based model to detect extratropical cyclones (ETCs) of the northern hemisphere, while developing a novel workflow of processing images and generating labels for ETCs. We first labeled the cyclone center by adapting an approach from Bonfanti et al. in 2017 and set up criteria of labeling ETCs of three categories: developing, mature, and declining stages. We then gave a framework of labeling and preprocessing the images in our dataset. Once the images and labels were ready to serve as inputs, an object detection model was built with Single Shot Detector (SSD) and adjusted to fit the format of the dataset. We trained and evaluated our model with our labeled dataset on two settings (binary and multiclass classifications), while keeping a record of the results. We found that the model achieves relatively high performance with detecting ETCs of mature stage (mean Average Precision is 86.64%), and an acceptable result for detecting ETCs of all three categories (mean Average Precision 79.34%). The single-shot detector model can succeed in detecting ETCs of different stages, and it has demonstrated great potential in the future applications of ETC detection in other relevant settings

Spatial ability improvement by tangible interaction: A case study with EasySRRobot

Spatial ability is a category of human reasoning skills that plays an important role in affecting a person’s development in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Spatial ability has been demonstrated to be malleable and can be improved through training. In this paper, we present a training scheme by tangible interaction with a reconfigurable robot called EasySRRobot. A preliminary user study based on behavioral and EEG data analysis shows that via interaction with EasySRRobot, users can significantly improve their performance on a task related to spatial ability. Copyright held by the owner/author(s)

Interspecific differences in total flavonoid and sugar content in Taraxacum in Shergyla Mountain and their variation with altitude and slope orientation

Abstract [Objective] Taraxacum is an important medicinal and edible herb distributed commonly in Xizang. We aim to determine the content of the major pharmacologically active ingredients, including total flavonoids, polysaccharides, and other sugars, in different dandelion species and analyze the effect of altitude and slope orientation to provide guidance for the exploitation and utilization of Taraxacum resources in Xizang. [Methods] Six Taraxacum species were used as materials, including T . eriopodum (D. Don) DC., T . calanthodium Dahlst., T . sikkimense Hand.-Mazz., T . maurocarpum Dahlst., T . grypodon Dahlst., and T . stenoceras Dahlst., which were growing at different altitudes and slopes in Shergyla Mountain of Xizang. The content of total flavonoids and several sugars was analyzed. [Results] (1) The total flavonoid content of T . eriopodum on the west slope at 3 900 m (80.9 mg/g) was higher than the others, and the total flavonoid content of T . sikkimense on the east slope at 2 300 m (29.08 mg/g) was lower than the other samples (P <0.05). (2) The total sugar content of T . grypodon on the east slope at 2 000 m was 440.55 mg/g, which was different from other samples, but T . sikkimense on the west slope at 4 200 m was the lowest (63 mg/g). (3) The highest content of reducing sugar was 61.1 mg/g and the lowest was 35.98 mg/g in all samples, but the difference between different species and different altitudes was not as obvious as total sugar. (4) The polysaccharide content in T . grypodon on the east slope at 2 000 m and T . sikkimense on the west slope at 3 000 m was above 320 mg/g, while the content of T . sikkimense on the west slope at 4 200 m and 3 900 m and T . eriopodum on the west slope at 3 900 m was below 70 mg/g, lower than the other samples. [Conclusion] The total flavonoids and polysaccharides of Taraxacum in Shergyla Mountain are high, which vary among different species. Total flavonoids and polysaccharides are altered oppositely with the changes in altitudes and slopes, while polysaccharides and total sugars show a similar pattern with the changes in altitudes and slope orientation. High altitude and west slope orientation may be conducive to the accumulation of flavonoids, while low altitude and east slope orientation may be conducive to the accumulation of polysaccharides

Interactions with reconfigurable modular robots enhance spatial reasoning performance

Reconfigurable modular robots (RMRobots) can change their shape and functionality (e.g., locomotion styles) to fit different environments, and have been widely investigated in applications, such as exploration and inspection. In this paper, we present a new application of RMRobots for improving human spatial ability which plays a significant role in developing an individual&#39;s performance and achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Two user studies are conducted, and the results show that: 1) the task performance of interacting with RMRobots has a significant positive relationship with mental rotation, a widely used measure of spatial ability; and 2) interacting with RMRobots can effectively improve the performance on a task related to spatial reasoning skills according to behavioral data and electroencephalograph (EEG) indices. Our presented study broadens RMRobot research in the area of human-robot interaction.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p

Functional Identification of ICE Transcription Factors in Rubber Tree

ICE (inducer of CBF expression) is a positive regulator of cold signaling pathway in plants. Identification of ICE transcription factors is important for the sustainable development of the natural rubber planting industry in nontraditional regions where sudden cold waves often occur. In this study, five ICE genes were isolated from genome of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) for analysing tolerance to cold stress. They shared an ICE-specific region in the highly conserved bHLH-ZIP domain and were localized in the nucleus. The HbICEs were different in transcript abundance and expression patterns in response to cold and drought stresses and among different rubber tree clones. Generally, the expression level of HbICEs was significantly higher in the cold-tolerant rubber tree clones than that in the cold-sensitive rubber tree clones. Overexpression of HbICE1, HbICE2, and HbICE4 significantly enhanced the cold tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis and tobacco, which showed a significant increase in chlorophyll content and decrease in relative water content and conductivity at the early stage of cold stress in comparison with wild-type plants. Furthermore, overexpression of HbICE2 and HbICE4, but also HbICE1 enhanced drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis. The cold tolerance of rubber tree clones is positively controlled by the expression level of HbICE1, HbICE2, and HbICE4