Characterization of the Evolutionary Pressure on Anisodus tanguticus Maxim. with Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence

Anisodus tanguticus Maxim. (Solanaceae), a traditional endangered Tibetan herb, is endemic to the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Here, we report the de novo assembled chloroplast (cp) genome sequences of A. tanguticus (155,765 bp). The cp contains a pair of inverted repeated (IRa and IRb) regions of 25,881 bp that are separated by a large single copy (LSC) region (86,516 bp) and a small single copy SSC (17,487 bp) region. A total of 132 functional genes were annotated in the cp genome, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Moreover, 199 simple sequence repeats (SSR) and 65 repeat structures were detected. Comparative plastome analyses revealed a conserved gene order and high similarity of protein-coding sequences. The A. tanguticus cp genome exhibits contraction and expansion, which differs from Przewalskia tangutica and other related Solanaceae species. We identified 30 highly polymorphic regions, mostly belonging to intergenic spacer regions (IGS), which may be suitable for the development of robust and cost-effective markers for inferring the phylogeny of the genus Anisodus and family Solanaceae. Analysis of the Ka/Ks ratios of the Hyoscyameae tribe revealed significant positive selection exerted on the cemA, rpoC2, and clpP genes, which suggests that protein metabolism may be an important strategy for A. tanguticus and other species in Hyoscyameae in adapting to the adverse environment on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. tanguticus clustered closer with Hyoscyamus niger than P. tangutica. Our results provide reliable genetic information for future exploration of the taxonomy and phylogenetic evolution of the Hyoscyameae tribe and related species

Characterization of the Evolutionary Pressure on Anisodus tanguticus Maxim. with Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence

Anisodus tanguticus Maxim. (Solanaceae), a traditional endangered Tibetan herb, is endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Here, we report the de novo assembled chloroplast (cp) genome sequences of A. tanguticus (155,765 bp). The cp contains a pair of inverted repeated (IRa and IRb) regions of 25,881 bp that are separated by a large single copy (LSC) region (86,516 bp) and a small single copy SSC (17,487 bp) region. A total of 132 functional genes were annotated in the cp genome, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Moreover, 199 simple sequence repeats (SSR) and 65 repeat structures were detected. Comparative plastome analyses revealed a conserved gene order and high similarity of protein-coding sequences. The A. tanguticus cp genome exhibits contraction and expansion, which differs from Przewalskia tangutica and other related Solanaceae species. We identified 30 highly polymorphic regions, mostly belonging to intergenic spacer regions (IGS), which may be suitable for the development of robust and cost-effective markers for inferring the phylogeny of the genus Anisodus and family Solanaceae. Analysis of the Ka/Ks ratios of the Hyoscyameae tribe revealed significant positive selection exerted on the cemA, rpoC2, and clpP genes, which suggests that protein metabolism may be an important strategy for A. tanguticus and other species in Hyoscyameae in adapting to the adverse environment on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. tanguticus clustered closer with Hyoscyamus niger than P. tangutica. Our results provide reliable genetic information for future exploration of the taxonomy and phylogenetic evolution of the Hyoscyameae tribe and related species.Peer reviewe

Optimization of conceptual design on the lead-based modular nuclear power reactor core loaded with U-10Zr alloy fuel

As one of the forth-generation nuclear energy system reactor types, lead fast reactor has good safety and economical properties due to the stable chemical properties of the coolant and the proliferation characteristics of the fuel, and modular nuclear power faster reactor designed for nuclear plant can further improve the economics of the reactor. In this article, the conceptual design of the lead-based modular power reactors with different power levels loaded with uranium alloy fuel is found to be found that when reactor core size increased to a certain level, the proliferation performance is too high due to the increase of the reactor core size under a specific core life such as 2000EFPD, so at the end of core life, the reactor core still has a large remaining reactivity. The proliferation advantage of the core cannot be fully released during the current core life time. Based on this phenomenon, in this article, we optimized the conceptual design of lead-based modular nuclear power reactor core loaded with uranium alloy fuel, and proposed to choose the appropriate rod to diameter ratio and effective density of fuel based on the power level and life time of the core. By adjusting the amount of uranium and 235U per unit volume, the proliferation performance of the core can be changed to match the power level and life time of the core. So the reactivity of core during the life period does not change, which not only reduce the difficulty of the reactivity control, but also make full use of the proliferation performance of the core. And at the same time, the reasonable rod to diameter ratio can provide safety and design margin for the analysis of thermal and hydraulic safety, and effectively improve the economy and safety of the core

Richard Wilhelm (1873-1930): An Alternative Way to Bridge the East and the West

This thesis investigates the life and intellectual development of the illustrious German sinologist Richard Wilhelm. It offers the first detailed account of the journey which took Wilhelm to transform from a German Protestant missionary to a “spiritual mediator” between the East and the West thanks to his translations and interpretations of Chinese classics during his twenty-five-year work in China, at a time when China and its culture were experiencing a sharp decline under unprecedented Western aggression. By analysing archival and privately published materials, as well as historical sources contemporary to Wilhelm’s time, this thesis will explore the life and work of Richard Wilhelm in a wholly original manner. The Introduction illustrates how Wilhelm was overlooked and misrepresented due to a lack of serious research into Wilhelm’s unpublished and self-published works. Chapter 1 examines how Wilhelm became a missionary and went to China, and the impact of Christoph Blumhardt’s theology, especially its eschatology, on Wilhelm’s understanding of religion and missionary work, and outlines the interactions between Christianity and Chinese culture, and two German Protestant missionaries’ work in China. Chapter 2 demonstrates how the Confucian scholars attempted to save Confucianism and the Confucian-structured imperial regime under western attack. Chapter 3 analyses how Wilhelm first mediated the conflict, which was caused by the German expansion in Shandong, and the role of his missionary society and his father-in-law in Wilhelm’s work in Qingdao. Chapter 4 explores Wilhelm’s missionary activities in Qingdao and his conversion to Confucianism. Chapter 5 looks at how Wilhelm promoted communications between the East and the West and how he fulfilled his dream of bridging the two worlds through his translations and interpretations of Chinese classics

UV-B Radiation Effects on the Alpine Plant Kobresia humilis in a Qinghai-Tibet Alpine Meadow

Enhanced UV-B radiation resulting from stratospheric ozone depletion has been documented both globally and on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. The response of Kobresia humilis, an important alpine meadow plant species, to enhanced UV-B radiation was experimentally investigated at the Haibei Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Research Station (37°29′–37°45′ N, 101°12′–101°23′ E; alt. 3200 m). K. humilis was exposed to UV-B radiation including ambient UV-B and enhanced UV-B (simulating a 14% reduction in the ozone layer) in a randomized design with three replications of each treatment. Enhanced UV-B radiation resulted in a significant increase of both leaf area and fresh weight chlorophyll and carotenoid but had no effect on UV-B absorbing pigments. Similarly, enhanced UV-B radiation did not significantly change the photosynthetic O2 elevation rate while leaf thickness, width, and length significantly increased (p < 0.01). The enhanced UV-B radiation was associated with 2–3 days earlier flowering and a larger number of flowers per spikelet. The enhanced UV-B generally resulted in larger leaves and more flowers but earlier phenology. In summary, these findings suggest that alpine species of K. humilis have adapted to the strong solar UV-B radiation intensity presented on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, but the interspecies differences and their influence on trophic level should be more concerning

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Pterygocalyx volubilis (Gentianaceae)

Pterygocalyx volubilis Maxim. (Gentianaceae) is a traditional Chinese medicine, and its whole grass is used in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis and other conditions. Here, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of P. volubilis was reported based on the Illumina HiSeq Platform. The chloroplast genome genome is 154,365 bp in length, containing a pair of inverted repeated (IR) regions (25,928 bp) that are separated by a large single copy (LSC) region of 84,033 bp, and a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,476 bp. Moreover, a total of 130 functional genes were annotated, including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. In the maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree, Pterygocalyx clustered with the genus Swertia. This sequenced chloroplast genome of P. volubilis supports that Pterygocalyx belongs to subtribe Swertiinae

Complete chloroplast genome of Meconopsis integrifolia (Papaveraceae)

Meconopsis integrifolia (Maxim.) Franch is a traditional Tibetan medicinal material. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast genome of M. integrifolia. The chloroplast genome is 152,714 bp in length, containing a pair of inverted repeated (IR) region of 25,627 bp that are separated by a large single copy (LSC) region of 83,706 bp, and a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,754 bp. Moreover, a total of 126 functional genes were annotated, including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. In the maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree, M. integrifolia clustered closely with three Papaver species

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of traditional Chinese herb, Solanum japonense Nakai. (Solanaceae)

Solanum japonense Nakai. (Solanaceae) is a traditional Chinese medicine and animal fodder in Asian continent. Here, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. japonense was determined by the Illumina Hiseq technology. The complete chloroplast genome of S. japonense was 155,415 bp and the GC content was 37.81%. The typical circular quadripartite structure was composed with two inverted repeat (IR) regions with 25,588 bp, a large single-copy (LSC) region (85,931 bp) and a small single-copy (SSC) region (18,344 bp). The chloroplast genome of S. japonense contained 132 unigenes, which contained 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA and 8 rRNA genes and one pseudo-gene. Moreover, 183 SSRs were identified and 65% (119)of them located at LSC region. A Maximum-Likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis based on chloroplast genomes indicated that S. japonense was closely related to S.dulcamara, S.nigrum. Our results would provide a valuable resource for resource utilization and the phylogenetic studies of species of Dulcamara sect. in Solanaceae

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of traditional Tibetan herb, Rheum Pumilum Maxim. (Polygonaceae)

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of traditional Tibetan herb, Rheum pumilum Maxim. was analyzed. The complete chloroplast genome of R. pumilum is 162,213 bp in size and has a 27.27% GC content. In the typical circular quadripartite structure, there was a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions with 31,023 bp in length, which separated by a large single-copy (LSC) region (87,424 bp) and a small single-copy (SSC) region (12,743 bp). The chloroplast genome of R. pumilum contained 131 unigenes, which was composed of 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA and 8 rRNA genes. Moreover, 238 SSRs were identified and 58.8% of them existed in LSC region. A maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis based on chloroplast genomes indicated that R. pumilum was closely related to R. pulmatum, R. tangutica, and R. officinale. Our results would provide a valuable resource for resource utilization and the phylogenetic studies of Rheum in Polygonaceae