Genome-wide characterization of the biggest grass, bamboo, based on 10,608 putative full-length cDNA sequences

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>With the availability of rice and sorghum genome sequences and ongoing efforts to sequence genomes of other cereal and energy crops, the grass family (Poaceae) has become a model system for comparative genomics and for better understanding gene and genome evolution that underlies phenotypic and ecological divergence of plants. While the genomic resources have accumulated rapidly for almost all major lineages of grasses, bamboo remains the only large subfamily of Poaceae with little genomic information available in databases, which seriously hampers our ability to take a full advantage of the wealth of grass genomic data for effective comparative studies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we report the cloning and sequencing of 10,608 putative full length cDNAs (FL-cDNAs) primarily from Moso bamboo, <it>Phyllostachys heterocycla </it>cv. <it>pubescens</it>, a large woody bamboo with the highest ecological and economic values of all bamboos. This represents the third largest FL-cDNA collection to date of all plant species, and provides the first insight into the gene and genome structures of bamboos. We developed a Moso bamboo genomic resource database that so far contained the sequences of 10,608 putative FL-cDNAs and nearly 38,000 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) generated in this study.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Analysis of FL-cDNA sequences show that bamboo diverged from its close relatives such as rice, wheat, and barley through an adaptive radiation. A comparative analysis of the lignin biosynthesis pathway between bamboo and rice suggested that genes encoding caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase may serve as targets for genetic manipulation of lignin content to reduce pollutants generated from bamboo pulping.</p

Space advanced technology demonstration satellite

The Space Advanced Technology demonstration satellite (SATech-01), a mission for low-cost space science and new technology experiments, organized by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was successfully launched into a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of similar to 500 km on July 27, 2022, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. Serving as an experimental platform for space science exploration and the demonstration of advanced common technologies in orbit, SATech-01 is equipped with 16 experimental payloads, including the solar upper transition region imager (SUTRI), the lobster eye imager for astronomy (LEIA), the high energy burst searcher (HEBS), and a High Precision Magnetic Field Measurement System based on a CPT Magnetometer (CPT). It also incorporates an imager with freeform optics, an integrated thermal imaging sensor, and a multi-functional integrated imager, etc. This paper provides an overview of SATech-01, including a technical description of the satellite and its scientific payloads, along with their on-orbit performance

A polyoxometalate-based supramolecular chemosensor for rapid detection of hydrogen sulfide with dual signals

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been verified as an important biological mediator in human physiological activities, but its rapid and accurate detection is remaining a challenge. Based on our early work, Eu-containing polyoxometalate/ionic liquid-type gemini surfactant hybrid nanoparticles fabricated by EuW10O36.32H(2)O (Eu-POM) and 1,2-bis(3-hexadecylimidazolium-1-yl) ethane bromide ([C-16-2-C(16)im]Br-2) via ionic self-assembly (ISA) strategy, we modified the hybrids with copper (II) ion and used them as a novel turn-off supramolecular fluorescence probe for H2S immediate response. Although copper (II) ions can cause decrease of the fluorescence intensity, the probe with moderate amount of copper (II) still has a high performance in emission property. The copper (II) ion-modified supramolecular sensor (CSS) shows dual signals in the fluorescence intensity and absorbance for H2S detection, and the detection limit is about 1.25 mu M. Furthermore, CSS displays high selectivity for H2S in the presence of other anions and species (e.g. Cl-, Br-, I-, SO42-, SO32-, S2O32-, AC(-), H2O2, HCO3-, L-cysteine, homocysteine and L-glutathione), and also have potential for preferential imaging in vivo. Besides, the fluorescence quenching mechanism of CSS in the presence of H2S was explored. CuS generated by the reaction between Cu2+ and H2S was testified to act as a quencher, and the nonradiative resonance energy transfer mechanism was speculated to be responsible for fluorescence quenching. It is anticipated that the as-prepared CSS will be used as an efficient chemosensor for the rapid detection of H2S, which is critical for the diagnosis of some diseases, e.g. Alzhermer's disease, Down's syndrome, and diabetes, etc. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

MICROSTRUCTURE OF PLASMA-SPRAYED Al2O3–ZrO2 COMPOSITE COATINGS

Thermal barrier coatings of Al2O3–ZrO2 were prepared by air plasma spraying on the surface of 20G steel. Phase constitution, microstructures and elemental distributions of the coatings were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and electron probe X-ray microanalysis. The results show that the plasma spray coating mainly consists of α-Al2O3, c-ZrO2, and t-ZrO2. The bond state of the interface between the top layer and bond layer is fine, and the bond layer has a good combination with the substrate. ZrO2 and Al2O3 structures can closely integrate together and form compact top layer system.Plasma spraying, thermal barrier coatings, alumina, zirconia–yttria, microstructure

Large-Scale Brain Network Coupling Predicts Total Sleep Deprivation Effects on Cognitive Capacity

<div><p>Interactions between large-scale brain networks have received most attention in the study of cognitive dysfunction of human brain. In this paper, we aimed to test the hypothesis that the coupling strength of large-scale brain networks will reflect the pressure for sleep and will predict cognitive performance, referred to as sleep pressure index (SPI). Fourteen healthy subjects underwent this within-subject functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study during rested wakefulness (RW) and after 36 h of total sleep deprivation (TSD). Self-reported scores of sleepiness were higher for TSD than for RW. A subsequent working memory (WM) task showed that WM performance was lower after 36 h of TSD. Moreover, SPI was developed based on the coupling strength of salience network (SN) and default mode network (DMN). Significant increase of SPI was observed after 36 h of TSD, suggesting stronger pressure for sleep. In addition, SPI was significantly correlated with both the visual analogue scale score of sleepiness and the WM performance. These results showed that alterations in SN-DMN coupling might be critical in cognitive alterations that underlie the lapse after TSD. Further studies may validate the SPI as a potential clinical biomarker to assess the impact of sleep deprivation.</p></div

Recovery Sleep Reverses Impaired Response Inhibition due to Sleep Restriction: Evidence from a Visual Event Related Potentials Study

<div><p>Objective</p><p>To investigate response inhibition after total sleep deprivation (TSD) and the restorative effects of one night of recovery sleep (RS).</p><p>Methods</p><p>Fourteen healthy male participants performed a visual Go/NoGo task, and electroencephalogram recordings were conducted at five time points: (1) baseline, (2) after 12 h of TSD, (3) after 24 h of TSD, (4) after 36 h of TSD, and (5) following 8 h of RS. The dynamic changes in response inhibition during TSD and after 8 h of RS were investigated by examining the NoGo-N2 and NoGo-P3 event-related potential components.</p><p>Results</p><p>Compared with baseline, NoGo-P3 amplitudes were decreased, while the NoGo-N2 latency increased along with the awake time prolonged. NoGo anteriorization, which was minimized after 24 h of TSD, progressively decreased with increasing TSD. After 8 h of RS, recoveries of both the NoGo-P3 amplitude and NoGo-N2 latency in the prefrontal cortex were observed compared with the values after 36 h of TSD.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>TSD induced a dose-dependent functional decline in the response inhibition of NoGo-N2 and NoGo-P3 on prefrontal cortex activation, and 8 h of RS resulted in recovery or maintenance of the response inhibition. However, it was not restored to baseline levels.</p><p>Limitations</p><p>Participants were chosen male college students only, thus the findings cannot be generalized to older people and women. Additionally, the sample size was small, and, thus, speculations on the meaning of the results of this study should be cautious. The EEG continuous recording should be employed to monitor the decline of alertness following TSD.</p></div