| 1. |
- Ma, Tao, et al.
(author)
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Genomic insights into salt adaptation in a desert poplar
- 2013
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 4, s. 2797-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Despite the high economic and ecological importance of forests, our knowledge of the genomic evolution of trees under salt stress remains very limited. Here we report the genome sequence of the desert poplar, Populus euphratica, which exhibits high tolerance to salt stress. Its genome is very similar and collinear to that of the closely related mesophytic congener, P. trichocarpa. However, we find that several gene families likely to be involved in tolerance to salt stress contain significantly more gene copies within the P. euphratica lineage. Furthermore, genes showing evidence of positive selection are significantly enriched in functional categories related to salt stress. Some of these genes, and others within the same categories, are significantly upregulated under salt stress relative to their expression in another salt-sensitive poplar. Our results provide an important background for understanding tree adaptation to salt stress and facilitating the genetic improvement of cultivated poplars for saline soils.
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| 2. |
- Du, Mulong, et al.
(author)
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Cyp2a6 activity and cigarette consumption interact in smoking-related lung cancer susceptibility
- 2024
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In: Cancer Research. - : American Association For Cancer Research (AACR). - 0008-5472 .- 1538-7445. ; 84:4, s. 616-625
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cigarette smoke, containing both nicotine and carcinogens, causes lung cancer. However, not all smokers develop lung cancer, highlighting the importance of the interaction between host susceptibility and environmental exposure in tumorigenesis. Here, we aimed to delineate the interaction between metabolizing ability of tobacco carcinogens and smoking intensity in mediating genetic susceptibility to smoking-related lung tumorigenesis. Single-variant and gene-based associations of 43 tobacco carcinogen–metabolizing genes with lung cancer were analyzed using summary statistics and individual-level genetic data, followed by causal inference of Mendelian randomization, mediation analysis, and structural equation modeling. Cigarette smoke–exposed cell models were used to detect gene expression patterns in relation to specific alleles. Data from the International Lung Cancer Consortium (29,266 cases and 56,450 controls) and UK Biobank (2,155 cases and 376,329 controls) indicated that the genetic variant rs56113850 C>T located in intron 4 of CYP2A6 was significantly associated with decreased lung cancer risk among smokers (OR = 0.88, 95% confidence interval = 0.85–0.91, P = 2.18 X 10-16), which might interact (Pinteraction = 0.028) with and partially be mediated (ORindirect = 0.987) by smoking status. Smoking intensity accounted for 82.3% of the effect of CYP2A6 activity on lung cancer risk but entirely mediated the genetic effect of rs56113850. Mechanistically, the rs56113850 T allele rescued the downregulation of CYP2A6 caused by cigarette smoke exposure, potentially through preferential recruitment of transcription factor helicase-like transcription factor. Together, this study provides additional insights into the interplay between host susceptibility and carcinogen exposure in smoking-related lung tumorigenesis.
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| 3. |
- Luo, Yiqi, et al.
(author)
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Transient dynamics of terrestrial carbon storage : Mathematical foundation and its applications
- 2017
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In: Biogeosciences. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 1726-4170 .- 1726-4189. ; 14:1, s. 145-161
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Terrestrial ecosystems have absorbed roughly 30 % of anthropogenic CO2 emissions over the past decades, but it is unclear whether this carbon (C) sink will endure into the future. Despite extensive modeling and experimental and observational studies, what fundamentally determines transient dynamics of terrestrial C storage under global change is still not very clear. Here we develop a new framework for understanding transient dynamics of terrestrial C storage through mathematical analysis and numerical experiments. Our analysis indicates that the ultimate force driving ecosystem C storage change is the C storage capacity, which is jointly determined by ecosystem C input (e.g., net primary production, NPP) and residence time. Since both C input and residence time vary with time, the C storage capacity is time-dependent and acts as a moving attractor that actual C storage chases. The rate of change in C storage is proportional to the C storage potential, which is the difference between the current storage and the storage capacity. The C storage capacity represents instantaneous responses of the land C cycle to external forcing, whereas the C storage potential represents the internal capability of the land C cycle to influence the C change trajectory in the next time step. The influence happens through redistribution of net C pool changes in a network of pools with different residence times. Moreover, this and our other studies have demonstrated that one matrix equation can replicate simulations of most land C cycle models (i.e., physical emulators). As a result, simulation outputs of those models can be placed into a three-dimensional (3-D) parameter space to measure their differences. The latter can be decomposed into traceable components to track the origins of model uncertainty. In addition, the physical emulators make data assimilation computationally feasible so that both C flux-and pool-related datasets can be used to better constrain model predictions of land C sequestration. Overall, this new mathematical framework offers new approaches to understanding, evaluating, diagnosing, and improving land C cycle models.
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| 4. |
- Wang, Guangwei, et al.
(author)
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Co-hydrothermal carbonization of polyvinyl chloride and pyrolysis carbon black for the preparation of clean solid fuels
- 2024
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In: Fuel. - : Elsevier BV. - 0016-2361 .- 1873-7153. ; 361
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Large quantities of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and waste tires generated daily have the disadvantage of high content of harmful elements. They cannot be directly applied to blast furnace ironmaking. In this study, Cl in PVC and Zn in pyrolysis products of waste tires (pyrolysis carbon black, CB) were effectively removed by co-hydrothermal carbonization (co-HTC). The results indicated the dechlorination and dezincification efficiencies of co-HTC were improved by 2.78 % and 64.69 %, respectively, compared to HTC. Compositional analysis shows that the ash content of co-HTC is reduced by at least 7.67 % compared to conventional HTC. The hydrochar produced by co-HTC has an higher heating value (HHV) ranging from 30.67 to 34.13 MJ/kg. Results of physical and chemical characteristics analysis showed increasing the proportion of CB can reduce the C–H and -CHCl- functional groups and improve the carbon orderliness of the hydrochar. Combustion characteristics and kinetic analyses show that the combustibility of hydrochar increases with an increase in the proportion of PVC added to the co-HTC. The thermal stability and activation energy of the hydrochar increase with the addition of CB. Overall, this study has removed major harmful elements from PVC and CB through co-HTC, converting both into high-quality solid fuels that can be utilised in blast furnace ironmaking.
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| 5. |
- Guo, Zhiming, et al.
(author)
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Detection model transfer of apple soluble solids content based on NIR spectroscopy and deep learning
- 2023
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In: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. - : Elsevier. - 0168-1699 .- 1872-7107. ; 212
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Transfer and updating of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy model of fruit internal quality has become the focus of the industrial application. Internet of Things (IoT) and deep learning (DL) were proposed to perform soluble solids content (SSC) model transfer of apple by NIR. A model transfer platform including low-power handheld internal quality terminal and interacting cloud data system had been constructed. An autoencoder (AE) neural network model was developed for the spectral correction and model transfer. The average time for transmitting detection results to the detection terminal was 1.5 to 2.0 s, with a 100% effective transmission rate. After 5000 iterations of training, the correlation coefficient of different detection terminals improved by 55%, and the root mean square error was reduced by 94%. Selected samples from the second batch of apples detected by the No. 1 detection terminal were added to the original neural network for training. After adding 30 samples, the correlation coefficient increased by 13% and the root mean square error decreased by 90%. The results demonstrated that the AE neural network for spectral correction was effective in eliminating differences between devices and significantly reducing the impact of different detection terminals on the accuracy of NIR detection of SSC in apples. Therefore, the NIR detection model transfer technique could be practically exploited for fruit quality control assessment using different detection terminals.
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| 6. |
- Li, Zhao, et al.
(author)
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Non-uniform seasonal warming regulates vegetation greening and atmospheric CO2 amplification over northern lands
- 2018
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In: Environmental Research Letters. - : IOP Publishing. - 1748-9326. ; 13:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The enhanced vegetation growth by climate warming plays a pivotal role in amplifying the seasonal cycle of atmospheric CO2 at northern lands (>50° N) since 1960s. However, the correlation between vegetation growth, temperature and seasonal amplitude of atmospheric CO2 concentration have become elusive with the slowed increasing trend of vegetation growth and weakened temperature control on CO2 uptake since late 1990s. Here, based on in situ atmospheric CO2 concentration records from the Barrow observatory site, we found a slowdown in the increasing trend of the atmospheric CO2 amplitude from 1990s to mid-2000s. This phenomenon was associated with the paused decrease in the minimum CO2 concentration ([CO2]min), which was significantly correlated with the slowdown of vegetation greening and growing-season length extension. We then showed that both the vegetation greenness and growing-season length were positively correlated with spring but not autumn temperature over the northern lands. Furthermore, such asymmetric dependences of vegetation growth upon spring and autumn temperature cannot be captured by the state-of-art terrestrial biosphere models. These findings indicate that the responses of vegetation growth to spring and autumn warming are asymmetric, and highlight the need of improving autumn phenology in the models for predicting seasonal cycle of atmospheric CO2 concentration.
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| 7. |
- Luo, Yiqi, et al.
(author)
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Toward more realistic projections of soil carbon dynamics by Earth system models
- 2016
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In: Global Biogeochemical Cycles. - 0886-6236. ; 30:1, s. 40-56
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Soil carbon (C) is a critical component of Earth system models (ESMs), and its diverse representations are a major source of the large spread across models in the terrestrial C sink from the third to fifth assessment reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Improving soil C projections is of a high priority for Earth system modeling in the future IPCC and other assessments. To achieve this goal, we suggest that (1) model structures should reflect real-world processes, (2) parameters should be calibrated to match model outputs with observations, and (3) external forcing variables should accurately prescribe the environmental conditions that soils experience. First, most soil C cycle models simulate C input from litter production and C release through decomposition. The latter process has traditionally been represented by first-order decay functions, regulated primarily by temperature, moisture, litter quality, and soil texture. While this formulation well captures macroscopic soil organic C (SOC) dynamics, better understanding is needed of their underlying mechanisms as related to microbial processes, depth-dependent environmental controls, and other processes that strongly affect soil C dynamics. Second, incomplete use of observations in model parameterization is a major cause of bias in soil C projections from ESMs. Optimal parameter calibration with both pool- and flux-based data sets through data assimilation is among the highest priorities for near-term research to reduce biases among ESMs. Third, external variables are represented inconsistently among ESMs, leading to differences in modeled soil C dynamics. We recommend the implementation of traceability analyses to identify how external variables and model parameterizations influence SOC dynamics in different ESMs. Overall, projections of the terrestrial C sink can be substantially improved when reliable data sets are available to select the most representative model structure, constrain parameters, and prescribe forcing fields.
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| 8. |
- Sinn, Thomas, et al.
(author)
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Lessons learned from REXUS12'S suaineadh experiment : Spinning deployment of a space Web in milli gravity
- 2013
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In: 21st ESA Symposium. - : ESA Communications. - 9789290922858 ; , s. 329-338
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- On the 19th of March 2012, the Suaineadh experiment was launched onboard the sounding rocket REXUS 12 (Rocket Experiments for University Students) from the Swedish launch base ESRANGE in Kiruna. The Suaineadh experiment served as a technology demonstrator for a space web deployed by a spinning assembly. Following launch, the experiment was ejected from the ejection barrel located within the nosecone of the rocket. Centrifugal forces acting upon the space web spinning assembly were used to stabilise the experiment's platform. A specifically designed spinning reaction wheel, with an active control method, was used. Once the experiment's motion was controlled, a 2 m by 2 m space web is released. Four daughter sections situated in the corners of the square web served as masses to stabilise the web due to the centrifugal forces acting on them. The four daughter sections contained inertial measurement units (IMUs). After the launch of REXUS 12, the recovery helicopter was unable to locate the ejected experiment, but 22 pictures were received over the wireless connection between the experiment and the rocket. The last received picture was taken at the commencement of web deployment. Inspection of these pictures allowed the assumption that the experiment was fully functional after ejection, but probably through tumbling of either the experiment or the rocket, the wireless connection was interrupted. A recovery mission in the middle of August was only able to find the REXUS 12 motor and the payload impact location.
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| 9. |
- Sinn, T., et al.
(author)
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Results of rexus12's suaineadh experiment : Deployment of a spinning space web in micro gravity conditions
- 2012
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In: Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC. - : International Astronautical Federation. - 9781622769797 ; , s. 803-810
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- On the 19th of March 2012, the Suaineadh experiment was launched onboard the sounding rocket REXUS12 (Rocket Experiments for University Students) from the Swedish launch base ESRANGE in Kiruna. The Suaineadh experiment served as a technology demonstrator for a space web deployed by a spinning assembly. The deployment of this web is a stepping stone for the development of ever larger structures in space. Such a structure could serve as a substructure for solar arrays, transmitters and/or antennas. The team was comprised of students from the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, UK), the University of Glasgow (Glasgow, UK) and the Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm, Sweden), designing, manufacturing and testing the experiment over the past 24 months. Following launch, the experiment was ejected from the ejection barrel located within the nosecone of the rocket. Centrifugal forces acting upon the space webs spinning assembly were used to stabilise the experiment's platform. A specifically designed spinning reaction wheel, with an active control method, was used. Once the experiment's motion was controlled, a 2 m by 2 m space web is released. Four daughter sections situated in the corners of the square web served as masses to stabilise the web due to the centrifugal forces acting on them. The four daughter sections contained inertial measurement units (IMUs). Each IMU provided acceleration and velocity measurements in all three directions. Through this, the positions of the four corners could be found through integration with respect to known time of the accelerations and rotations. Furthermore, four cameras mounted on the central hub section captured high resolution imagery of the deployment process. After the launch of REXUS12, the recovery helicopter was unable to locate the ejected experiment, but 22 pictures were received over the wireless connection between the experiment and the rocket. The last received picture was taken at the commencement of web deployment. Inspection of these pictures allowed the assumption that the experiment was fully functional after ejection, but perhaps through tumbling of either the experiment or the rocket, the wireless connection was interrupted. A recovery mission in the middle of August was only able to find the REXUS12 motor and the payload impact location.
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| 10. |
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