Genetic mapping of QTL for maize leaf width combining RIL and IF2 populations

Leaf width is an important component of plant architecture that affects light capture during photosynthesis and wind circulation under dense planting conditions. To improve understanding of the genetic mechanisms involved in leaf width at different positions, a comprehensive evaluation using the RIL (Recombinant Inbred Line) and IF2 (Immortalized F2) populations and a subsequent meta-analysis were performed. Forty-seven QTL associated with leaf width at different positions below the tassel were detected. The individual effects of QTL explained 3.5% to 17.0% of the observed phenotypic variation, and ten QTL explained over 10%. The initial QTL were integrated into eight mQTL (meta-QTL) through a meta-analysis. Our results suggested that leaf widths at different positions may be affected by several of the same mQTL and may also be regulated by many different mQTL. These results provide useful information for breeding high density tolerant inbred lines and hybrid cultivars, as well as for using marker-assisted selection for important mQTL

GmNAC5, a NAC Transcription Factor, Is a Transient Response Regulator Induced by Abiotic Stress in Soybean

GmNAC5 is a member of NAM subfamily belonging to NAC transcription factors in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Studies on NAC transcription factors have shown that this family functioned in the regulation of shoot apical meristem (SAM), hormone signalling, and stress responses. In this study, we examined the expression levels of GmNAC5. GmNAC5 was highly expressed in the roots and immature seeds, especially strongly in immature seeds of 40 days after flowering. In addition, we found that GmNAC5 was induced by mechanical wounding, high salinity, and cold treatments but was not induced by abscisic acid (ABA). The subcellular localization assay suggested that GmNAC5 was targeted at nucleus. Together, it was suggested that GmNAC5 might be involved in seed development and abiotic stress responses in soybean

Numerical simulation of discharge plasma generation and nitriding the metals and alloys

This research provides the numerical simulation of the plasma generation in a hollow cathode as well as the diffusion of nitrogen atoms into the metal in the low-pressure glow discharge plasma. The characteristics of the gas discharge were obtained and the relation of the basic technological parameters and the structural and phase state of the nitrided material were defined. Authors provided the comparison of calculations with the experimental results of titanium nitriding by low-pressure glow discharge plasma in a hollow cathode

The Somatic Genomic Landscape of Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma

We describe the landscape of somatic genomic alterations of 66 chromophobe renal cell carcinomas (ChRCCs) based on multidimensional and comprehensive characterization, including mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and whole genome sequencing. The result is consistent that ChRCC originates from the distal nephron compared to other kidney cancers with more proximal origins. Combined mtDNA and gene expression analysis implicates changes in mitochondrial function as a component of the disease biology, while suggesting alternative roles for mtDNA mutations in cancers relying on oxidative phosphorylation. Genomic rearrangements lead to recurrent structural breakpoints within TERT promoter region, which correlates with highly elevated TERT expression and manifestation of kataegis, representing a mechanism of TERT up-regulation in cancer distinct from previously-observed amplifications and point mutations

Regulation of poly -c -RNA binding protein 1 functions by Pak1 signaling

Deregulated gene expression as a consequence of alterations in genetic and epigenetic architectures of eukaryotic cells is the main force driving tumorigenesis. Aberrant activities of tumor suppressors and oncogenic proteins result in tumor formation, and they do so by changing or affecting gene expression of target cells. Human p21-activated kinases (Paks) have been found to be important regulators of tumorigenesis and cancer cell invasiveness through modifying diverse cellular processes, including cytoskeletal remodeling and cell motility. Recently, it is suggested that Pak1 has roles in promoting cell proliferation and affecting cell cycle. However, the direct involvement of Pak1 in regulating eukaryotic gene expression, the process that is absolutely required in mediating proliferation and cell cycle, has not been well studied. In the present research, we set out to search for novel downstream Pak1 effectors which can regulate gene expression. Among other proteins, we identified a novel binding partner and substrate, poly-c binding protein 1 (PCBP1), for Pak1 We found that by specific phosphorylating PCBP1 on Thr60 and Thr127 in response to mitogenic signals, Pak1 can affect multiple steps of cellular gene expression. Upon phosphorylation by pak1, PCBP1 is then released from differentiation control element (DICE) containing mRNA which leads to activation of otherwise repressed translation of the mRNA. We also found that Pak1 signaling is required for nuclear localization of PCBP1. In the nucleus, PCBP1 is recruited to eIF4E promoter and transactivates eIF4E, an essential translation initiation factor. Moreover, we showed that Pak1-PCBP1 signaling nodule can affect CD44 v4 and v5 exon based minigene alternative splicing and that the alternative splicing functions of PCBP1 were in turn mediated by its intrinsic interaction with Caper α, a coactivator previously reported to be important for RNA splicing. Finally, we found that phosphorylation of PCBP1 by Pak1 promotes cell proliferation and enhances anchorage independent growth of cancer cells. Collectively, this study discovered a novel Pak1-PCBP1 signaling pathway that can modify multiple steps of gene expression and deregulated activities of this pathway might be responsible for Pak1 mediated tumorigenesis

Dissolution and precipitation of TiC particles and their distribution in a laser clad 30vol.-%TiCp/Ni-alloy composite coating

A 30vol%TiCp/Ni-alloy composite material was clad on steel 1045 using a 2 kW laser. The clad layer of the coating presents TiC particles, primary γ-Ni dendrites and the eutectics of γ-Ni +(Cr, Fe)23C6 in the interdendritic regions. Depending mainly on their sizes. TiC particles can not only be trapped by the advancing solid/liquid interface and thus distribute within the γ-Ni dendrites, but also be pushed away by the interface into the interdendritic regions together with the eutectics. The morphology of TiC particles are closely related to their dissolution and precipitation behavior during laser cladding. The growing mechanism of TiC particles are as follows: (1) radiated or stepped lateral growth at the edges of original particles; (2) bridging growth of the particles in cluster; (3) faceted growth of newly independently nucleated TiC particles in the liquid phase and (4) precipitation of TiC in γ-Ni extended solid solution

Flow noise prediction based on wavenumber-frequency spectrum of turbulent fluctuating pressure

[Objectives] According to the Lighthill acoustic analogy equation and its development theory, it is feasible to analyze the wavenumber-frequency spectrum of turbulent wall pressure fluctuations, then make it an acoustic source in order to predict flow noise. Moreover, the study of the wavenumber-frequency spectrum is useful for understanding the temporal and spatial characteristics of turbulent structures.[Methods] Taking the NACA 0012 airfoil, which was studied by Brooks, as an example, we employ the Large Eddy Simulation (LES)method to calculate the flow field and obtain a numerical solution of the wavenumber-frequency spectrum via the Fourier transform. On this basis, we take the wavenumber-frequency spectrum as an input condition for predicting the radiated noise using the acoustic analogue equation of the Goldstein version. At the same time, acoustic software is used to calculate the flow noise. Comparing these two sets of results with Brooks' empirical formula, the sound pressure level is found to be within the same order of magnitude.[Results] The results show that the spectrum on an airfoil surface with a small curvature change is comparable with the Corcos spectrum model on a flat plate, and their general characteristics are similar. Finally, we conclude that the forecast results of the method in this paper accord better with Brooks' experimental results at low and medium frequencies.[Conclusions] This shows that it is necessary to carry out the study of wavenumber-frequency spectra, and it is reasonable to make it the main sound source in order to predict flow noise produced at subsonic speed