| 1. |
- Beal, Jacob, et al.
(author)
-
Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density
- 2020
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In: Communications Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2399-3642. ; 3:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
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- 2019
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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| 4. |
- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(author)
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Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
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In: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
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| 5. |
- Kim, Jae-Young, et al.
(author)
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Event Horizon Telescope imaging of the archetypal blazar 3C 279 at an extreme 20 microarcsecond resolution
- 2020
-
In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 640
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 3C 279 is an archetypal blazar with a prominent radio jet that show broadband flux density variability across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. We use an ultra-high angular resolution technique - global Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) at 1.3mm (230 GHz) - to resolve the innermost jet of 3C 279 in order to study its fine-scale morphology close to the jet base where highly variable-ray emission is thought to originate, according to various models. The source was observed during four days in April 2017 with the Event Horizon Telescope at 230 GHz, including the phased Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, at an angular resolution of ∼20 μas (at a redshift of z = 0:536 this corresponds to ∼0:13 pc ∼ 1700 Schwarzschild radii with a black hole mass MBH = 8 × 108 M⊙). Imaging and model-fitting techniques were applied to the data to parameterize the fine-scale source structure and its variation.We find a multicomponent inner jet morphology with the northernmost component elongated perpendicular to the direction of the jet, as imaged at longer wavelengths. The elongated nuclear structure is consistent on all four observing days and across diffierent imaging methods and model-fitting techniques, and therefore appears robust. Owing to its compactness and brightness, we associate the northern nuclear structure as the VLBI "core". This morphology can be interpreted as either a broad resolved jet base or a spatially bent jet.We also find significant day-to-day variations in the closure phases, which appear most pronounced on the triangles with the longest baselines. Our analysis shows that this variation is related to a systematic change of the source structure. Two inner jet components move non-radially at apparent speeds of ∼15 c and ∼20 c (∼1:3 and ∼1:7 μas day-1, respectively), which more strongly supports the scenario of traveling shocks or instabilities in a bent, possibly rotating jet. The observed apparent speeds are also coincident with the 3C 279 large-scale jet kinematics observed at longer (cm) wavelengths, suggesting no significant jet acceleration between the 1.3mm core and the outer jet. The intrinsic brightness temperature of the jet components are ≤1010 K, a magnitude or more lower than typical values seen at ≥7mm wavelengths. The low brightness temperature and morphological complexity suggest that the core region of 3C 279 becomes optically thin at short (mm) wavelengths.
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| 6. |
- Akiyama, Kazunori, et al.
(author)
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The persistent shadow of the supermassive black hole of M 87: I. Observations, calibration, imaging, and analysis*
- 2024
-
In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 681
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration reported the first-ever event-horizon-scale images of a black hole, resolving the central compact radio source in the giant elliptical galaxy M 87. These images reveal a ring with a southerly brightness distribution and a diameter of ∼42 μas, consistent with the predicted size and shape of a shadow produced by the gravitationally lensed emission around a supermassive black hole. These results were obtained as part of the April 2017 EHT observation campaign, using a global very long baseline interferometric radio array operating at a wavelength of 1.3 mm. Here, we present results based on the second EHT observing campaign, taking place in April 2018 with an improved array, wider frequency coverage, and increased bandwidth. In particular, the additional baselines provided by the Greenland telescope improved the coverage of the array. Multiyear EHT observations provide independent snapshots of the horizon-scale emission, allowing us to confirm the persistence, size, and shape of the black hole shadow, and constrain the intrinsic structural variability of the accretion flow. We have confirmed the presence of an asymmetric ring structure, brighter in the southwest, with a median diameter of 43.3-3.1+1.5 μas. The diameter of the 2018 ring is remarkably consistent with the diameter obtained from the previous 2017 observations. On the other hand, the position angle of the brightness asymmetry in 2018 is shifted by about 30 relative to 2017. The perennial persistence of the ring and its diameter robustly support the interpretation that the ring is formed by lensed emission surrounding a Kerr black hole with a mass ∼6.5× 109M. The significant change in the ring brightness asymmetry implies a spin axis that is more consistent with the position angle of the large-scale jet.
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| 7. |
- Zhang, Yue-Jiao, et al.
(author)
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Probing the Electronic Structure of Heterogeneous Metal Interfaces by Transition Metal Shelled Gold Nanoparticle-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
- 2016
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In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 120:37, s. 20684-20691
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In heterogeneous catalysis, characterization of heterogeneous metal interfaces of bimetallic catalysts is a crucial step to elucidate the catalytic performance and is a key to develop advanced catalysts. However, analytical techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy can only work in vacuum conditions and are difficult to use for in situ analysis. Here, we present efficient and convenient core-shell nano particle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to explore the in situ electronic structures of heterogeneous interfaces (Au@Pd and Au@Pt core-shell NPs) by varying the shell thickness. The experimental observations reported here clearly show that Pd donates electrons to Au, while Pt accepts electrons from Au at the heterogeneous interfaces. This conclusion gains further support from ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results. The Au core greatly affects the electronic structures of both the Pd and Pt shells as well as catalytic behaviors. Finally, the as prepared core-shell nanoparticles were used to demonstrate their improved catalytic properties in real electrocatalytic systems such as methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions.
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| 8. |
- Blanton, Michael R., et al.
(author)
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Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV : Mapping the Milky Way, Nearby Galaxies, and the Distant Universe
- 2017
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In: Astronomical Journal. - : IOP Publishing Ltd. - 0004-6256 .- 1538-3881. ; 154:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We describe the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV (SDSS-IV), a project encompassing three major spectroscopic programs. The Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment 2 (APOGEE-2) is observing hundreds of thousands of Milky Way stars at high resolution and. high signal-to-noise ratios in the near-infrared. The Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey is obtaining spatially resolved spectroscopy for thousands of nearby galaxies (median z similar to 0.03). The extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) is mapping the galaxy, quasar, and neutral gas distributions between z similar to 0.6 and 3.5 to constrain cosmology using baryon acoustic oscillations, redshift space distortions, and the shape of the power spectrum. Within eBOSS, we are conducting two major subprograms: the SPectroscopic IDentification of eROSITA Sources (SPIDERS), investigating X-ray AGNs. and galaxies in X-ray clusters, and the Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey (TDSS), obtaining spectra of variable sources. All programs use the 2.5 m Sloan Foundation Telescope at the. Apache Point Observatory; observations there began in Summer 2014. APOGEE-2 also operates a second near-infrared spectrograph at the 2.5 m du Pont Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory, with observations beginning in early 2017. Observations at both facilities are scheduled to continue through 2020. In keeping with previous SDSS policy, SDSS-IV provides regularly scheduled public data releases; the first one, Data Release 13, was made available in 2016 July.
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| 9. |
- Cheng, Shi-Ping, et al.
(author)
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Haplotype-resolved genome assembly and allele-specific gene expression in cultivated ginger
- 2021
-
In: Horticulture Research. - : Springer Nature. - 2052-7276. ; 8:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the most valued spice plants worldwide; it is prized for its culinary and folk medicinal applications and is therefore of high economic and cultural importance. Here, we present a haplotype-resolved, chromosome-scale assembly for diploid ginger anchored to 11 pseudochromosome pairs with a total length of 3.1 Gb. Remarkable structural variation was identified between haplotypes, and two inversions larger than 15 Mb on chromosome 4 may be associated with ginger infertility. We performed a comprehensive, spatiotemporal, genome-wide analysis of allelic expression patterns, revealing that most alleles are coordinately expressed. The alleles that exhibited the largest differences in expression showed closer proximity to transposable elements, greater coding sequence divergence, more relaxed selection pressure, and more transcription factor binding site differences. We also predicted the transcription factors potentially regulating 6-gingerol biosynthesis. Our allele-aware assembly provides a powerful platform for future functional genomics, molecular breeding, and genome editing in ginger.
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| 10. |
- Li, Xing-Yu, et al.
(author)
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Comparative Study of Dayside Pulsating Auroras Induced by Ultralow-Frequency Waves
- 2023
-
In: Universe. - : MDPI AG. - 2218-1997. ; 9:6
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Pulsating auroras are usually observed with ultralow-frequency (ULF) waves in the Pc 3-5 band (period 10-600 s). These auroras are thought to result from interactions between energetic electrons and chorus waves, but their relationship with ULF waves remains an open question. In this study, we investigated this question by conducting a comparative study on two ULF wave events with pulsating auroras observed near the magnetic footprints. Conjugate observations from the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission and the Chinese Yellow River Station were used. In both events, lower-band chorus waves were observed, which were suggested to be connected with the auroral pulsations by wavelet analysis. The intensity of these waves oscillates at the period of the ULF waves, but the physics laid behind them differs by events. During the event of 22 January 2019, compressional ULF waves changed the threshold for the whistler anisotropy instability periodically, affecting the emission of chorus waves. In the event on 10 January 2016, poloidal ULF waves modulated the chorus wave generation by regulating electron temperature anisotropy through drift resonance. ULF waves in these events may originate from perturbations in the solar wind. We highlight the role of ULF waves in the solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, which requires further study.
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| 11. |
- Lu, R.S., et al.
(author)
-
A ring-like accretion structure in M87 connecting its black hole and jet
- 2023
-
In: Nature. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 616:7958, s. 686-690
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The nearby radio galaxy M87 is a prime target for studying black hole accretion and jet formation1,2. Event Horizon Telescope observations of M87 in 2017, at a wavelength of 1.3 mm, revealed a ring-like structure, which was interpreted as gravitationally lensed emission around a central black hole3. Here we report images of M87 obtained in 2018, at a wavelength of 3.5 mm, showing that the compact radio core is spatially resolved. High-resolution imaging shows a ring-like structure of [Formula: see text] Schwarzschild radii in diameter, approximately 50% larger than that seen at 1.3 mm. The outer edge at 3.5 mm is also larger than that at 1.3 mm. This larger and thicker ring indicates a substantial contribution from the accretion flow with absorption effects, in addition to the gravitationally lensed ring-like emission. The images show that the edge-brightened jet connects to the accretion flow of the black hole. Close to the black hole, the emission profile of the jet-launching region is wider than the expected profile of a black-hole-driven jet, suggesting the possible presence of a wind associated with the accretion flow.
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| 12. |
- Luo, Jun, et al.
(author)
-
Effects of carbon pre-silicidation implant into Si substrate on NiSi
- 2014
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In: Microelectronic Engineering. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-9317 .- 1873-5568. ; 120, s. 178-181
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this work, the effects of carbon pre-silicidation implant into Si(1 0 0) substrate on NiSi were investigated. NiSi films with carbon pre-silicidation implant to different doses were characterized by means of sheet resistance measurements, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), planar view transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and second ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). The presence of C is found to indeed significantly improve the thermal stability of NiSi as well as tends to change the preferred orientations of polycrystalline NiSi. The homogeneously distributed C at NiSi grain boundaries and C peak at NiSi/Si interface is ascribed to the improved thermal stability of NiSi. More importantly, the dose of carbon pre-silicidation implant also plays a key role in the formation of NiSi, which is suggested not to exceed a critical value about 5 x 10(15) cm(-2) in practical application in accordance with the results achieved in this work. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Luo, Jun, et al.
(author)
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Thermal Stability and Dopant Segregation for Schottky Diodes With Ultrathin Epitaxial NiSi(2-y)
- 2011
-
In: IEEE Electron Device Letters. - : Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). - 0741-3106 .- 1558-0563. ; 32:8, s. 1029-1031
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Schottky barrier height (SBH) of an ultrathin epitaxial NiSi(2-y) film grown on Si(100) is modified significantly by means of dopant segregation (DS). The DS process begins with the NiSi(2-y) formation and is followed by dopant implantation and drive-in annealing. The rapid lattice restoration and superior morphological stability upon heat treatment up to 800 degrees C allow the epitaxial NiSi(2-y) film to take full advantage of the DS process. For drive-in annealing below 750 degrees C, the effective SBH is altered to similar to 0.9-1 eV for both electrons and holes by B-DS and As-DS, respectively, without deteriorating the integrity of the NiSi(2-y) film.
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| 15. |
- Luo, Jun, et al.
(author)
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Variation of Schottky barrier height induced by dopant segregation monitored by contact resistivity measurements
- 2014
-
In: Microelectronic Engineering. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-9317 .- 1873-5568. ; 120, s. 174-177
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Change of contact resistivity (rho(c)) is monitored for evaluation of Schottky barrier height (SBH) variation induced by dopant segregation (DS). This method is particularly advantageous for metal-semiconductor contacts of small SBH, as it neither requires low-temperature measurement needed in current-voltage characterization of Schottky diodes nor is affected by reverse leakage current often troubling capacitance-voltage characterization. With PtSi contact to both n- and p-type diffusion regions, and the use of opposite or alike dopants implant into pre-formed PtSi films followed by drive-in anneal at different temperatures to induce DS at PtSi/Si interface, the formation of interfacial dipole is confirmed as the responsible cause for modification of effective SBHs thus the increase or decrease of rho(c). A tentative explanation for the change of contact resistivity based on interfacial dipole theory is provided in this work. Influences and interplay of interfacial dipole and space charge on effective SBH are also discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 16. |
- Shi, Tian-Le, et al.
(author)
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High-quality genome assembly enables prediction of allele-specific gene expression in hybrid poplar
- 2024
-
In: Plant Physiology. - : Oxford University Press. - 0032-0889 .- 1532-2548. ; 195:1, s. 652-670
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Poplar (Populus) is a well-established model system for tree genomics and molecular breeding, and hybrid poplar is widely used in forest plantations. However, distinguishing its diploid homologous chromosomes is difficult, complicating advanced functional studies on specific alleles. In this study, we applied a trio-binning design and PacBio high-fidelity long-read sequencing to obtain haplotype-phased telomere-to-telomere genome assemblies for the 2 parents of the well-studied F1 hybrid “84K” (Populus alba × Populus tremula var. glandulosa). Almost all chromosomes, including the telomeres and centromeres, were completely assembled for each haplotype subgenome apart from 2 small gaps on one chromosome. By incorporating information from these haplotype assemblies and extensive RNA-seq data, we analyzed gene expression patterns between the 2 subgenomes and alleles. Transcription bias at the subgenome level was not uncovered, but extensive-expression differences were detected between alleles. We developed machine-learning (ML) models to predict allele-specific expression (ASE) with high accuracy and identified underlying genome features most highly influencing ASE. One of our models with 15 predictor variables achieved 77% accuracy on the training set and 74% accuracy on the testing set. ML models identified gene body CHG methylation, sequence divergence, and transposon occupancy both upstream and downstream of alleles as important factors for ASE. Our haplotype-phased genome assemblies and ML strategy highlight an avenue for functional studies in Populus and provide additional tools for studying ASE and heterosis in hybrids.
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| 17. |
- Tian, Chao, et al.
(author)
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Overexpression of connective tissue growth factor WISP-1 in Chinese primary rectal cancer patients
- 2007
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In: World Journal of Gastroenterology. - 1007-9327 .- 2219-2840. ; 13:28, s. 3878-3882
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: To clarify the expression change of Wnt-induced secreted protein-1 (WISP-1) in human rectal cancer and to determine whether it is correlated with invasion and metastasis of human rectal cancer. Methods: Eighty-six paired samples of rectal cancer and surgically resected distant normal rectal tissue were collected and allocated into cancer group and control group respectively. WISP-1 mRNA was detected by relative quantitative real-time RT-PCR and WISP-1 protein was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Results: WISP-1 gene overexpression was found in 65% (56/86) primary rectal cancers, 2-30 times that of the level in normal matched rectal tissues (P = 0.001). The mRNA expression level was correlated with Duke's staging, histological differentiation grade and lymph node status. The WISP-1 protein expression was in accordance with mRNA expression level. The positive degree of immunohistochemical staining in the cancer group (1.40 ± 0.35) was different from that in control group (1.04 ± 0.08, P < 0.001). Moreover, in cancer group the positive staining degree in high-level mRNA cancers (1.46 ± 0.37, n = 56) was higher than that in low-level mRNA (1.28 ± 0.28, n = 30, P = 0.018). Conclusion: Aberrant levels of WISP-1 expression may play a role in rectal tumorigenesis. WISP-1 may be used as a specific clinical diagnosis and prognosis marker in rectal cancer. © 2007 WJG. All rights reserved.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Jia, Kai-Hua, et al.
(author)
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Chromosome-scale assembly and evolution of the tetraploid Salvia splendens (Lamiaceae) genome
- 2021
-
In: Horticulture Research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 2052-7276 .- 2662-6810. ; 8:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Polyploidization plays a key role in plant evolution, but the forces driving the fate of homoeologs in polyploid genomes, i.e., paralogs resulting from a whole-genome duplication (WGD) event, remain to be elucidated. Here, we present a chromosome-scale genome assembly of tetraploid scarlet sage (Salvia splendens), one of the most diverse ornamental plants. We found evidence for three WGD events following an older WGD event shared by most eudicots (the γ event). A comprehensive, spatiotemporal, genome-wide analysis of homoeologs from the most recent WGD unveiled expression asymmetries, which could be associated with genomic rearrangements, transposable element proximity discrepancies, coding sequence variation, selection pressure, and transcription factor binding site differences. The observed differences between homoeologs may reflect the first step toward sub- and/or neofunctionalization. This assembly provides a powerful tool for understanding WGD and gene and genome evolution and is useful in developing functional genomics and genetic engineering strategies for scarlet sage and other Lamiaceae species.
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| 20. |
- Liu, Chaocheng, et al.
(author)
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Probing the Néel-Type Antiferromagnetic Order and Coherent Magnon–Exciton Coupling in Van Der Waals VPS3
- 2023
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In: Advanced Materials. - 0935-9648. ; 35:30
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 2D van der Waals (vdW) antiferromagnets have received intensive attention due to their terahertz resonance, multilevel magnetic-order states, and ultrafast spin dynamics. However, accurately identifying their magnetic configuration still remains a challenge owing to the lack of net magnetization and insensitivity to external fields. In this work, the Néel-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) order in 2D antiferromagnet VPS3 with the out-of-plane anisotropy, which is demonstrated by the temperature-dependent spin–phonon coupling and second-harmonic generation (SHG), is experimentally probed. This long-range AFM order even persists at the ultrathin limit. Furthermore, strong interlayer exciton–magnon coupling (EMC) upon the Néel-type AFM order is detected based on the monolayer WSe2/VPS3 heterostructure, which induces an enhanced excitonic state and further certifies the Néel-type AFM order of VPS3. The discovery provides optical routes as the novel platform to study 2D antiferromagnets and promotes their potential applications in magneto-optics and opto-spintronic devices.
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| 21. |
- Nie, Shuai, et al.
(author)
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Gapless genome assembly of azalea and multi-omics investigation into divergence between two species with distinct flower color
- 2023
-
In: Horticulture Research. - : Oxford University Press. - 2662-6810 .- 2052-7276. ; 10:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The genus Rhododendron (Ericaceae), with more than 1000 species highly diverse in flower color, is providing distinct ornamental values and a model system for flower color studies. Here, we investigated the divergence between two parental species with different flower color widely used for azalea breeding. Gapless genome assembly was generated for the yellow-flowered azalea, Rhododendron molle. Comparative genomics found recent proliferation of long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs), especially Gypsy, has resulted in a 125 Mb (19%) genome size increase in species-specific regions, and a significant amount of dispersed gene duplicates (13 402) and pseudogenes (17 437). Metabolomic assessment revealed that yellow flower coloration is attributed to the dynamic changes of carotenoids/flavonols biosynthesis and chlorophyll degradation. Time-ordered gene co-expression networks (TO-GCNs) and the comparison confirmed the metabolome and uncovered the specific gene regulatory changes underpinning the distinct flower pigmentation. B3 and ERF TFs were found dominating the gene regulation of carotenoids/flavonols characterized pigmentation in R. molle, while WRKY, ERF, WD40, C2H2, and NAC TFs collectively regulated the anthocyanins characterized pigmentation in the red-flowered R simsii. This study employed a multi-omics strategy in disentangling the complex divergence between two important azaleas and provided references for further functional genetics and molecular breeding.
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| 22. |
- Shi, Tian-Le, et al.
(author)
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Differential gene expression and potential regulatory network of fatty acid biosynthesis during fruit and leaf development in yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium), an oil-producing tree with significant deployment values
- 2023
-
In: Frontiers in Plant Science. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-462X. ; 14
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Xanthoceras sorbifolium (yellowhorn) is a woody oil plant with super stress resistance and excellent oil characteristics. The yellowhorn oil can be used as biofuel and edible oil with high nutritional and medicinal value. However, genetic studies on yellowhorn are just in the beginning, and fundamental biological questions regarding its very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) biosynthesis pathway remain largely unknown. In this study, we reconstructed the VLCFA biosynthesis pathway and annotated 137 genes encoding relevant enzymes. We identified four oleosin genes that package triacylglycerols (TAGs) and are specifically expressed in fruits, likely playing key roles in yellowhorn oil production. Especially, by examining time-ordered gene co-expression network (TO-GCN) constructed from fruit and leaf developments, we identified key enzymatic genes and potential regulatory transcription factors involved in VLCFA synthesis. In fruits, we further inferred a hierarchical regulatory network with MYB-related (XS03G0296800) and B3 (XS02G0057600) transcription factors as top-tier regulators, providing clues into factors controlling carbon flux into fatty acids. Our results offer new insights into key genes and transcriptional regulators governing fatty acid production in yellowhorn, laying the foundation for efforts to optimize oil content and fatty acid composition. Moreover, the gene expression patterns and putative regulatory relationships identified here will inform metabolic engineering and molecular breeding approaches tailored to meet biofuel and bioproduct demands.
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| 23. |
- Tian, Xue-Chan, et al.
(author)
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Plant-LncPipe: a computational pipeline providing significant improvement in plant lncRNA identification
- 2024
-
In: Horticulture Research. - 2662-6810 .- 2052-7276. ; 11:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play essential roles in various biological processes, such as chromatin remodeling, post-transcriptional regulation, and epigenetic modifications. Despite their critical functions in regulating plant growth, root development, and seed dormancy, the identification of plant lncRNAs remains a challenge due to the scarcity of specific and extensively tested identification methods. Most mainstream machine learning-based methods used for plant lncRNA identification were initially developed using human or other animal datasets, and their accuracy and effectiveness in predicting plant lncRNAs have not been fully evaluated or exploited. To overcome this limitation, we retrained several models, including CPAT, PLEK, and LncFinder, using plant datasets and compared their performance with mainstream lncRNA prediction tools such as CPC2, CNCI, RNAplonc, and LncADeep. Retraining these models significantly improved their performance, and two of the retrained models, LncFinder-plant and CPAT-plant, alongside their ensemble, emerged as the most suitable tools for plant lncRNA identification. This underscores the importance of model retraining in tackling the challenges associated with plant lncRNA identification. Finally, we developed a pipeline (Plant-LncPipe) that incorporates an ensemble of the two best-performing models and covers the entire data analysis process, including reads mapping, transcript assembly, lncRNA identification, classification, and origin, for the efficient identification of lncRNAs in plants. The pipeline, Plant-LncPipe, is available at: https://github.com/xuechantian/Plant-LncRNA-pipline.
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| 24. |
- Tian, Xue-Chan, et al.
(author)
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Unique gene duplications and conserved microsynteny potentially associated with resistance to wood decay in the Lauraceae
- 2023
-
In: Frontiers in Plant Science. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-462X. ; 14
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Wood decay resistance (WDR) is marking the value of wood utilization. Many trees of the Lauraceae have exceptional WDR, as evidenced by their use in ancient royal palace buildings in China. However, the genetics of WDR remain elusive. Here, through comparative genomics, we revealed the unique characteristics related to the high WDR in Lauraceae trees. We present a 1.27-Gb chromosome-level assembly for Lindera megaphylla (Lauraceae). Comparative genomics integrating major groups of angiosperm revealed Lauraceae species have extensively shared gene microsynteny associated with the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites such as isoquinoline alkaloids, flavonoid, lignins and terpenoid, which play significant roles in WDR. In Lauraceae genomes, tandem and proximal duplications (TD/PD) significantly expanded the coding space of key enzymes of biosynthesis pathways related to WDR, which may enhance the decay resistance of wood by increasing the accumulation of these compounds. Among Lauraceae species, genes of WDR-related biosynthesis pathways showed remarkable expansion by TD/PD and conveyed unique and conserved motifs in their promoter and protein sequences, suggesting conserved gene collinearity, gene expansion and gene regulation supporting the high WDR. Our study thus reveals genomic profiles related to biochemical transitions among major plant groups and the genomic basis of WDR in the Lauraceae.
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| 25. |
- Wang, Yao, et al.
(author)
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Polaronic Trions Induced by Strong Interfacial Coupling in Monolayer WSe2
- 2023
-
In: Advanced Electronic Materials. - : Wiley. - 2199-160X. ; 9:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The weak dielectric screening in 2D semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides give rise to strongly bound quasiparticles, which provides a platform to investigate the diverse excitonic phenomena and correlated physics. However, how to effectively control these quasiparticles is still a challenge for their applications in optoelectronic and valleytronic devices. Herein, by means of fabricating monolayer WSe2 and transition metal oxide (TMO) heterostructures, polaronic trion, that is a trion dressed with soft rotational optical (RO) phonons, is realized due to the strong interfacial coupling. This Fröhlich bound state of trion dramatically increases the trion binding energy (BE) from room temperature to 65 meV at 80 K in WSe2/LaAlO3 (LAO). However, the increase of the trion BE for WSe2/SrTiO3 (STO) occurs below the phase transition temperature. This work expands the possibilities of the TMDs/TMOs heterostructures and promotes the development of 2D van der Waals materials for quasiparticle-based devices.
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| 26. |
- Wu, Hao Yu, et al.
(author)
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Transient response of a TLP-type floating offshore wind turbine under tendon failure conditions
- 2021
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In: Ocean Engineering. - : Elsevier BV. - 0029-8018. ; 220
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Among various types of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs), the tension leg platform (TLP) floating wind turbines have relatively small motions due to stiff tendons. Similar to TLP applications in the offshore industry, tendon failure may lead to deteriorated stability and large transient responses, which should be considered as part of accidental limit state (ALS) checks at the design stage of the TLP FOWTs. This paper takes the WindStar TLP system as a representative and investigates the transient effects of one-tendon failure on the system responses. A coupled numerical model is first established using the aero-hydro-servo-elastic simulation tool FAST. Subsequent numerical simulations of tendon failure are carried out to consider different tendon breakage and turbine shutdown scenarios in both operational and parked conditions. Response statistics of key design parameters including platform motion, nacelle acceleration, and tendon tension are analyzed. The results indicate that several transient responses of the FOWT under operational conditions may be even higher than the extreme values under 50-year conditions. Our analyses also reveal that the shutdown strategies, if not applied appropriately, may have limited effects in reducing the responses of the FOWT, thus in certain scenarios threaten the safety of the tendon closest to the broken tendon if no other actions are taken. For the considered TLP FOWT, the ALS design requirements dominate over the ultimate limit state requirements. These findings can be relevant to the ALS design of TLP FOWTs.
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| 27. |
- Xu, Peng, et al.
(author)
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Ultra-shallow junctions formed using microwave annealing
- 2013
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In: Applied Physics Letters. - : AIP Publishing. - 0003-6951 .- 1077-3118. ; 102:12, s. 122114-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Microwave annealing is shown to be viable for achieving low thermal budget formation of ultra-shallow junctions. Regrowth of a 10 nm thick amorphous Si layer that is generated during a Ge amorphization process prior to BF2 or As dopant implantation proceeds at rates up to 0.53 nm/min for BF2 and up to 0.33 nm/min for As at 370 degrees C. The fraction of electrical activation for implanted dopants is as high as 13% for BF2 and 32% for As with negligible diffusion at 540 degrees C.
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| 28. |
- Yan, Xue-Mei, et al.
(author)
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Unraveling the evolutionary dynamics of the TPS gene family in land plants
- 2023
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In: Frontiers in Plant Science. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-462X. ; 14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Terpenes and terpenoids are key natural compounds for plant defense, development, and composition of plant oil. The synthesis and accumulation of a myriad of volatile terpenoid compounds in these plants may dramatically alter the quality and flavor of the oils, which provide great commercial utilization value for oil-producing plants. Terpene synthases (TPSs) are important enzymes responsible for terpenic diversity. Investigating the differentiation of the TPS gene family could provide valuable theoretical support for the genetic improvement of oil-producing plants. While the origin and function of TPS genes have been extensively studied, the exact origin of the initial gene fusion event - it occurred in plants or microbes - remains uncertain. Furthermore, a comprehensive exploration of the TPS gene differentiation is still pending. Here, phylogenetic analysis revealed that the fusion of the TPS gene likely occurred in the ancestor of land plants, following the acquisition of individual C- and N- terminal domains. Potential mutual transfer of TPS genes was observed among microbes and plants. Gene synteny analysis disclosed a differential divergence pattern between TPS-c and TPS-e/f subfamilies involved in primary metabolism and those (TPS-a/b/d/g/h subfamilies) crucial for secondary metabolites. Biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) analysis suggested a correlation between lineage divergence and potential natural selection in structuring terpene diversities. This study provides fresh perspectives on the origin and evolution of the TPS gene family.
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| 29. |
- Zhao, Shi-Wei, et al.
(author)
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Haplotype-resolved genome assembly of Coriaria nepalensis a non-legume nitrogen-fixing shrub
- 2023
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In: Scientific Data. - : Springer Nature. - 2052-4463. ; 10:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Coriaria nepalensis Wall. (Coriariaceae) is a nitrogen-fixing shrub which forms root nodules with the actinomycete Frankia. Oils and extracts of C. nepalensis have been reported to be bacteriostatic and insecticidal, and C. nepalensis bark provides a valuable tannin resource. Here, by combining PacBio HiFi sequencing and Hi-C scaffolding techniques, we generated a haplotype-resolved chromosome-scale genome assembly for C. nepalensis. This genome assembly is approximately 620 Mb in size with a contig N50 of 11 Mb, with 99.9% of the total assembled sequences anchored to 40 pseudochromosomes. We predicted 60,862 protein-coding genes of which 99.5% were annotated from databases. We further identified 939 tRNAs, 7,297 rRNAs, and 982 ncRNAs. The chromosome-scale genome of C. nepalensis is expected to be a significant resource for understanding the genetic basis of root nodulation with Frankia, toxicity, and tannin biosynthesis.
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