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Background As key regulators of gene expression in eukaryotes, small RNAs have been characterized in many seed plants, and pathways for their biogenesis, degradation, and action have been defined in model angiosperms. However, both small RNAs themselves and small RNA pathways are not well characterized in other land plants such as lycophytes and ferns, preventing a comprehensive evolutionary perspective on small RNAs in land plants. Results Using 25 representatives from major lineages of lycophytes and ferns, most of which lack sequenced genomes, we characterized small RNAs and small RNA pathways in these plants. We identified homologs of DICER-LIKE (DCL), ARGONAUTE (AGO), and other genes involved in small RNA pathways, predicted over 2600 conserved microRNA (miRNA) candidates, and performed phylogenetic analyses on small RNA pathways as well as miRNAs. Pathways underlying miRNA biogenesis, degradation, and activity were established in the common ancestor of land plants, but the 24-nucleotide siRNA pathway that guides DNA methylation is incomplete in sister species of seed plants, especially lycophytes. We show that the functional diversification of key gene families such as DCL and AGO as observed in angiosperms occurred early in land plants followed by parallel expansion of the AGO family in ferns and angiosperms. We uncovered a conserved AGO subfamily absent in angiosperms. Conclusions Our phylogenetic analyses of miRNAs in bryophytes, lycophytes, ferns, and angiosperms refine the time-of-origin for conserved miRNA families as well as small RNA machinery in land plants.

Premise of the Study Filmy ferns (Hymenophyllales) are a highly specialized lineage, having mesophyll one‐cell layer thick and inhabiting particularly shaded and humid environments. The phylogenetic placement of Hymenophyllales has been inconclusive, and while over 87 whole fern plastomes have been published, none was from Hymenophyllales. To better understand the evolutionary history of filmy ferns, we sequenced the first complete plastome for this order. Methods We compiled a phylogenomic plastome data set encompassing all 11 fern orders, and reconstructed phylogenies using different data types (nucleotides, codons, and amino acids) and partition schemes (codon positions and loci). To infer the evolution of fern plastome organization, we coded plastome features, including inversions, inverted repeat boundary shifts, gene losses, and tRNA anticodon sequences as characters, and reconstructed the ancestral states for these characters. Key Results We discovered a suite of novel, Hymenophyllales‐specific plastome structures that likely resulted from repeated expansions and contractions of the inverted repeat regions. Our phylogenetic analyses reveal that Hymenophyllales is highly supported as either sister to Gleicheniales or to Gleicheniales + the remaining non‐Osmundales leptosporangiates, depending on the data type and partition scheme. Conclusions Although our analyses could not confidently resolve the phylogenetic position of Hymenophyalles, the results here highlight the danger of drawing conclusions from “all‐in” phylogenomic data set without exploring potential inconsistencies in the data. Finally, our first order‐level reconstruction of fern plastome structural evolution provides a useful framework for future plastome research.

The pathological features of cerebral edema are complicated. The intracranial pressure (ICP) is regarded as the most important indicator for monitoring cerebral edema. Recently, multi-parameter has been used to explore the types and pathogenesis of cerebral edema and design effective treatment strategies. This research focused on investigating the characteristic of the cerebral edema induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats by using simultaneous electrophysical and hemodynamic parameters. The results showed that neurophysiologic parameters (firing rate (FR) and the power spectrum of local field potential (LFP power)) and hemodynamic parameters (relative concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (ΔC HbO2 ), relative concentration of deoxyhemoglobin ΔC HbR ) and relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF)) were linearly correlated, and the Pearson’s correlation coefficient was changed by pathological progression of cerebral edema induced by LPS. Furtherly, the treatment after two agents were observed successfully through these multi-parameters. Our findings revealed the relationship between neural activity and hemodynamic response during the progression of cerebral edema and provided a multi-parameter solution for cerebral edema functional monitoring and anti-edema drug efficacy evaluation.

[Objective]Solute carrier family 11 member 1(SLC11A1)is a major natural resistance candidate gene,which contributes to defense mechanisms of a variety of intracellular bacteria.The SLC11A1 gene promoter sequence of Xinjiang Brown Cattle,Holstein and Simmental were cloned in the test,and promoter sequence difference was analyzed,in order to provide genetic marker-assisted selection for disease-resistant breeding of dairy cattle.[Method]The Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood collected from three cattle breeds in Xinjiang,and the 5’ flanking region of SLC11A1 gene was amplified by PCR and sequenced.The sequence was analyzed by bioinformatics software CpGplot,RepeatMasker,TFSEARCH,WWW Signal Scan and dual luciferase assay system.[Result]The SLC11A1 gene promoter sequence of 1 463 bp was confirmed,which had promoter activity.No CpG islands were found on promoter sequence.There were four different sites in SLC11A1 gene promoter sequences between Angus from America and three cattle breeds in Xinjiang.Sequence analysis revealed 12 transcription factor binding sites including Sp1,NF1,RelA-p65,GKLF,and CPBP.In promoter region there was an enhancer region(-734- -740)and two short scattered repetitive elements BOV-tA2,MIR3,as well as repeated DNA element Charlie8.[Conclusion]The SLC11A1 gene promoter sequences of three breeds were obtained,which were different from that of Angus.The paper provided a theoretical basis for further studying the influence of SLC11A1 gene polymorphisms on resistance against intracellular bacteria infection.

[Objective]Solute carrier family 11 member 1（SLC11A1）is a major natural resistance candidate gene,which contributes to defense mechanisms of a variety of intracellular bacteria.The SLC11A1 gene promoter sequence of Xinjiang Brown Cattle,Holstein and Simmental were cloned in the test,and promoter sequence difference was analyzed,in order to provide genetic marker-assisted selection for disease-resistant breeding of dairy cattle.[Method]The Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood collected from three cattle breeds in Xinjiang,and the 5’ flanking region of SLC11A1 gene was amplified by PCR and sequenced.The sequence was analyzed by bioinformatics software CpGplot,RepeatMasker,TFSEARCH,WWW Signal Scan and dual luciferase assay system.[Result]The SLC11A1 gene promoter sequence of 1 463 bp was confirmed,which had promoter activity.No CpG islands were found on promoter sequence.There were four different sites in SLC11A1 gene promoter sequences between Angus from America and three cattle breeds in Xinjiang.Sequence analysis revealed 12 transcription factor binding sites including Sp1,NF1,RelA-p65,GKLF,and CPBP.In promoter region there was an enhancer region（-734- -740）and two short scattered repetitive elements BOV-tA2,MIR3,as well as repeated DNA element Charlie8.[Conclusion]The SLC11A1 gene promoter sequences of three breeds were obtained,which were different from that of Angus.The paper provided a theoretical basis for further studying the influence of SLC11A1 gene polymorphisms on resistance against intracellular bacteria infection.

[ Objective] The paper aimed to understand the epidemiological characteristics of Brucella strains in Xinjiang and then provide an available integrated measure to prevent and control brucellosis. [ Method ] Eleven suspected Brucella strains were isolated by traditional methods, which were further identified by AMOS-PCR assay. Conventional biochemical tests were carried out to identify the biological subtype of sheep Brucella. [ Result] Nine strains were all B. meliten- s/s, and biological test indicated that all of them were B. melitensis biotype 3. [ Conclusion] B. melitensis biotype 3 was the predominant strain of Brucella in Xin- jiang, and AMOS-PCR assay could be applied safely and quickly as an assistant tool to detect Brucella. The results of molecular epidemiology laid a foundation for updating prevention and control strategy against brucellosis in Xinjiang.

An old large-scale landslide with a volume of 4.6 × 106 m3 located on the right bank of the Lancang River, Southwest China, was formed by the deep-seated toppling failure of a rock mass. The rock mass located downstream of the landslide toppled intensely with a maximum toppling depth exceeding 200 m and a volume over 1.5 × 108 m3. We studied the formation mechanism of the landslide and determined the most likely future instability range of the toppled rock mass. The results show that the toppled rock mass located downstream of the landslide could be classified into four zones, namely, highly toppled, moderately toppled, weakly toppled and normal rock mass, from the surface to the deep-seated rock mass along the slope according to three factors: the unloading intensity, variation in the occurrence of the rock layer, and toppling fracture zone. The bottom boundary of the highly toppled rock mass was limited by the depth of strong unloading of the rock mass. The landslide deposits mainly originated from the highly toppled rock mass, and the slip zone was formed based on the toppling fracture zones. The highly toppled rock mass in the rock slope located downstream of the landslide will be the most likely area of instability in the future.

The 70-kDa heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) molecular chaperones have a nucleotide binding domain and a substrate binding domain that become allosterically coupled when Hsp70s bind ATP. The crystal structure of the prototypical Hsp70, Escherichia coli DnaK, in an ATP-bound state is now presented. The structure and functional analyses reveal the conformational changes and interdomain interactions that underlie allosteric coupling. The 70-kilodalton (kDa) heat-shock proteins (Hsp70s) are ubiquitous molecular chaperones essential for cellular protein folding and proteostasis. Each Hsp70 has two functional domains: a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD), which binds and hydrolyzes ATP, and a substrate-binding domain (SBD), which binds extended polypeptides. NBD and SBD interact little when in the presence of ADP; however, ATP binding allosterically couples the polypeptide- and ATP-binding sites. ATP binding promotes polypeptide release; polypeptide rebinding stimulates ATP hydrolysis. This allosteric coupling is poorly understood. Here we present the crystal structure of an intact ATP-bound Hsp70 from Escherichia coli at 1.96-Å resolution. The ATP-bound NBD adopts a unique conformation, forming extensive interfaces with an SBD that has changed radically, having its α-helical lid displaced and the polypeptide-binding channel of its β-subdomain restructured. These conformational changes, together with our biochemical assays, provide a structural explanation for allosteric coupling in Hsp70 activity.

Direct numerical simulations of the droplet impact on a flat solid surface with an annular part are conducted. We investigate droplet impact on a superhydrophobic substrate with a superhydrophilic annulus to understand the formation conditions of droplets in different states. The location and size of superhydrophilic annulus are carried out through the phase diagram. We describe the formation process of droplets in three different states and the spreading radius with time to catch the rupture time of the film. Two different ruptures occur in the spreading stage or the retraction stage, respectively. The rupture times from these two mechanisms observed numerically are found to be a key factor resulting in partial rebound and lens-shaped/ring-shaped droplets. Finally, the influence of non-dimensional numbers on the formation of the ring-shaped droplet is demonstrated. The Weber number can alter the amplitude of the up and down oscillation on the droplet's upper surface, while the Froude number affects primarily the time to form the central penetrating hole. This gives the guidance and method to control the ring-shaped droplets formation time.

Precision livestock farming, particularly the collective rearing of animals, remains a pivotal area of focus within agricultural research. However, tracking group-raised animals under conditions of poor lighting, occlusion, and complex outdoor environments continues to pose significant challenges. Due to the intricacies of these conditions, existing methodologies frequently encounter reduced tracking accuracy, decelerated processing rates, and recurrent failures amid occlusion and drift. In response to these challenges, this study introduces SiamCMR, a sophisticated RGB-Thermal (RGBT) object tracking framework tailored for the prolonged observation of group-raised Holstein cows. Constructed upon a dual-stream Siamese network architecture, SiamCMR incorporates innovative feature fusion techniques to deliver robust, real-time tracking capabilities. The framework utilizes a Complementary Coupled Feature Fusion (CCFF) module that merges semi-shared convolutional filters with adaptive sigmoid weighting to efficaciously amalgamate modality-specific features derived from RGB and thermal inputs. To further refine the fusion quality under diverse illumination conditions, we have developed a Multimodal Weight Penalty Module (MWPM), which selectively emphasizes informative channels via batch normalization scaling and feature variance analysis. The framework’s resilience to occlusions and drift is enhanced through the integration of reinforcement learning. In experimental evaluations using our proprietary dataset, SiamCMR maintained real-time processing at 135 frames per second (FPS), achieving 81.3% precision (PR) and 58.2% success rate (SR). When compared to the baseline Siamese tracker, SiamFT, which recorded 76.5% PR, 56.2% SR, and 45 FPS, our approach exhibited improvements of 4.8% in PR, 2.0% in SR, and a threefold increase in processing speed, thereby enhancing both tracking accuracy and robustness. Moreover, the system’s efficacy has been corroborated through successful implementations on a UAV platform in real-world ranch settings. Results from ablation studies under severe occlusions, light interference, low illumination, and low temperatures validate the effectiveness of the primary components. This research delineates an innovative real-time cattle-tracking solution that augments pasture management by facilitating precise monitoring of cow positions, behaviors, and health, ultimately optimizing feeding strategies and enhancing milk quality and safety.