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Rhizobial infection and root nodule formation in legumes require recognition of signal molecules produced by the bacteria and their hosts. Here, we show that rhizobial transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived small RNA fragments (tRFs) are signal molecules that modulate host nodulation. Three families of rhizobial tRFs were confirmed to regulate host genes associated with nodule initiation and development through hijacking the host RNA-interference machinery that involves ARGONAUTE 1. Silencing individual tRFs with the use of short tandem target mimics or by overexpressing their targets represses root hair curling and nodule formation, whereas repressing these targets with artificial microRNAs identical to the respective tRFs or mutating these targets with CRISPR-Cas9 promotes nodulation. Our findings thus uncover a bacterial small RNA–mediated mechanism for prokaryote-eukaryote interaction and may pave the way for enhancing nodulation efficiency in legumes.

Background Evidence of introgression, the transfer of genetic material, between crops and their wild relatives through spontaneous hybridization and subsequent backcrossing has been documented; however, the evolutionary patterns and consequences of introgression and its influence on the processes of crop domestication and varietal diversification are poorly understood. Results We investigate the genomic landscape and evolution of putative crop-wild-relative introgression by analyzing the nuclear and chloroplast genomes from a panel of wild ( Glycine soja ) and domesticated ( Glycine max ) soybeans. Our data suggest that naturally occurring introgression between wild and domesticated soybeans was widespread and that introgressed variation in both wild and domesticated soybeans was selected against throughout the genomes and preferentially removed from the genomic regions underlying selective sweeps and domestication quantitative trait locus (QTL). In both taxa, putative introgression was preferentially retained in recombination-repressed pericentromeric regions that exhibit lower gene densities, reflecting potential roles of recombination in purging introgression. Despite extensive removal of introgressed variation by recurrent selection for domestication-related QTL and associated genomic regions, spontaneous interspecific hybridization during soybean domestication appear to have contributed to a rapid varietal diversification with high levels of genetic diversity and asymmetric evolution between the nuclear and chloroplast genomes. Conclusions This work reveals the evolutionary forces, patterns, and consequences of putative genomic introgression between crops and their wild relatives, and the effects of introgression on the processes of crop domestication and varietal diversification. We envision that interspecific introgression serves as an important mechanism for counteracting the reduction of genetic diversity in domesticated crops, particularly the ones under single domestication.

By examining the ancient and modern educational approaches in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, this study analyzes the changes and processes based on the analysis of Xinjiang’s location, ethnic situation, and educational resources and studies the differences between language education in Xinjiang and the general region, which proposes the importance of the popularization of the common national language for language education. It also analyzes the relationship between the common national language and Chinese language education.The paper is divided into four parts. The first part introduces the background. The second part introduces language education under the new curriculum standards and explores in depth through language learning requirements, teaching materials, and school-based resources. The third part analyzes the current situation of the use of national languages by ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and explores it through students, language teachers, and learning. The fourth part concludes. The shift from “bilingual education” to full Chinese language teaching has been a long-standing educational goal in Xinjiang, and it has been achieved. However, the version of language teaching materials in the region lags, the curriculum reform is slow, and teachers and language curriculum resources are relatively scarce. This will provide some reference for future research and exploration of language education in Xinjiang. This study finds that the versions of the language teaching materials lag, the curriculum reform is slow, and the teacher strength and the language curriculum resources are relatively scarce.

Topologically nontrivial systems can be protected by band topology in momentum space, as seen in topological insulators and semimetals, or real-space topology, such as in lattice deformations known as topological disclinations (TDs). TDs, with inherent chiral symmetry, can support localized states pinned spectrally to the middle of the topological gap, preventing hybridization with bulk bands, and making them promising for topological lasers. Here, we experimentally realize a C 4 v symmetric TD laser based on perovskite exciton-polariton lattices at room temperature. Protected by the chiral and point group symmetries of the lattice, the TD state emerges in the middle of the gap and at the core of the perovskite lattice. Under a non-resonant pulsed excitation, coherent polariton lasing occurs precisely at the TD state with a low threshold of 9.5 μJ/cm 2 , as confirmed by momentum space and real space spectra measurements. This study not only introduces a class of symmetry-protected topological lasers, but also expands the landscape for exploring exciton-polariton light-matter interactions with novel topological structures. Topological lasers with enhanced robustness have revolutionized the paradigm of laser design, yet their implementation in disclination geometries remains largely unexplored. Here, the authors demonstrate a mid-gap topological exciton-polariton laser in a C 4 v disclination perovskite lattice at room temperature.

Background Trichome initiation in Arabidopsis is regulated by a MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) transcriptional activator complex formed by the R2R3 MYB transcription factor GLABRA1 (GL1), MYB23 or MYB82, the bHLH transcription factor GLABRA3 (GL3), ENHANCER OF GLABRA3 (EGL3) or TRANSPARENT TESTA8 (TT8), and the WD40-repeat protein TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 (TTG1). However, the functions of the rice homologs of the MBW complex proteins remained uncharacterized. Results Based on amino acid sequence identity and similarity, and protein interaction prediction, we identified OsGL1s, OsGL3s and OsTTG1s as rice homologs of the MBW complex proteins. By using protoplast transfection, we show that OsGL1D, OsGL1E, OsGL3B and OsTTG1A were predominantly localized in the nucleus, OsGL3B functions as a transcriptional activator and is able to interact with GL1 and TTG1. By using yeast two-hybrid and protoplast transfection assays, we show that OsGL3B is able to interact with OsGL1E and OsTTG1A, and OsGL1E and OsTTG1A are also able to interact with GL3. On the other hand, we found that OsGL1D functions as a transcription activator, and it can interact with GL3 but not OsGL3B. Furthermore, our results show that expression of OsTTG1A in the ttg1 mutant restored the phenotypes including alternations in trichome and root hair formation, seed color, mucilage production and anthocyanin biosynthesis, indicating that OsTTG1A and TTG1 may have similar functions. Conclusion These results suggest that the rice homologs of the Arabidopsis MBW complex proteins are able to form MBW complexes, but may have conserved and non-conserved functions.

The reliable detection of entanglement plays a crucial role in the construction of quantum networks. The conventional entanglement witness (EW) method has high requirements for measurement device and relies on reliable implementation of the measurement. With unreliable measurement device, EW process can be easily attacked by eavesdroppers, which can lead to incorrect entanglement detection results. Therefore, a feasible and secure measurement device independent entanglement witness (MDIEW) method is desired for constructing quantum networks. Here, we detect the continuous variable entanglement by a MDIEW in a quantum network. It is demonstrated that the conventional EW method can be affected when the local oscillator intensity is changed, while the MDIEW method can detect entanglement between users without being affected. Our results provide a trustworthy method to detect entanglement, which is an important step for constructing secure quantum networks. We detect the continuous variable entanglement by a measurement-device-independent entanglement witness in a quantum network. Our results provide a trustworthy method of entanglement detection for constructing secure quantum networks.

The spatial-temporal evolution of air passenger flows in China’s aviation sector is critical for optimizing route networks and capacity allocation, particularly in assessing the efficacy of policy interventions to inform future regulatory frameworks. This study leverages air passenger throughput data spanning prefecture-level cities (2005–2023) and employs the Standard Deviation Ellipse (SDE) method to identify spatial agglomeration patterns in 2008, 2017, 2020, and 2022. A Difference-in-Differences (DID) model is further applied to quantify the causal effects of policy interventions on air transportation dynamics, supplemented by robustness tests and heterogeneity analyses to validate the reliability of the findings. Three key conclusions emerge from the analysis. First, while the spatial distribution of air passenger traffic predominantly aligns with a northeast-southwest axis, the strengthened north-south directional influence (reflected in the increased major-to-minor axis ratio of the SDE) indicates a bidirectional expansion of air transport coverage. Second, the spatial centroid of passenger flows exhibited a directional shift from northwestern to southwestern China between 2005 and 2023, highlighting the rising strategic importance of the southwestern region. Notably, by 2023, a reversed spatial transition emerged, with the centroid gradually reverting toward the northeast, signaling a recalibration of passenger flow patterns. Third, policy impacts display marked regional and urban heterogeneity: eastern China experienced significantly higher passenger growth compared to central, western, and northeastern regions, while provincial capitals and megacities—owing to their resource concentration and policy implementation capacity—demonstrated stronger responsiveness to regulatory measures than smaller prefecture-level cities. These findings provide actionable insights for both industry and policymakers. Airlines may utilize the empirical evidence to refine route planning and capacity adjustments, whereas policymakers could prioritize spatially differentiated regulations to mitigate regional imbalances and foster integrated national aviation development.

Social distancing orders have been enacted worldwide to slow the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, reduce strain on healthcare systems, and prevent deaths. To estimate the impact of the timing and intensity of such measures, we built a mathematical model of COVID-19 transmission that incorporates age-stratified risks and contact patterns and projects numbers of hospitalizations, patients in intensive care units, ventilator needs, and deaths within US cities. Focusing on the Austin metropolitan area of Texas, we found that immediate and extensive social distancing measures were required to ensure that COVID-19 cases did not exceed local hospital capacity by early May 2020. School closures alone hardly changed the epidemic curve. A 2-week delay in implementation was projected to accelerate the timing of peak healthcare needs by 4 weeks and cause a bed shortage in intensive care units. This analysis informed the Stay Home-Work Safe order enacted by Austin on March 24, 2020.

Evaluating private vehicle access to emergency care is crucial for public health resource planning. However, conventional models frequently depend on static traffic data and subjective parameters, neglecting the behavioral complexities involved in hospital selection under time constraints. This study introduces a Gaussian Probability Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (GP2SFCA) framework aimed at addressing these deficiencies. The framework enhances the analysis by: (i) incorporating multi-period real-time traffic data to capture dynamic accessibility; (ii) introducing a two-stage decision process—geographic screening followed by probabilistic choice—to explicitly model how residents select hospitals in urgent situations; and (iii) implementing an objective, multi-constraint calibration to derive the distance-decay coefficient (λ) free from subjective bias. When applied to Chengdu, a megacity characterized by a concentrated distribution of top-tier hospitals, the analysis reveals a dual vulnerability pattern that highlights the significance of this behavioral decomposition. A relatively predictable decline in accessibility, driven by congestion, was observed across suburban areas during weekday peak hours. In contrast, more volatile and localized deficits appeared within the central city on weekends, likely reflecting demand displacement and adaptive choices among high-reputation hospitals. The calibrated λ increased with time pressure, rising from 0.92 at 30 min to 2.68 at 5 min, a trend consistent with heightened sensitivity to travel time under urgent conditions. By differentiating between feasibility-driven and choice-driven disparities, the GP2SFCA framework provides a transferable approach for examining how fixed resource configurations and dynamic human behavior interact to influence access to emergency care.

Phytophthora root and stem rot caused by P. sojae is a destructive soybean soil-borne disease found worldwide. Discovery of genes conferring broad-spectrum resistance to the pathogen is a need to prevent the outbreak of the disease. Here, we show that soybean Rps11 is a 27.7-kb nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR or NLR) gene conferring broad-spectrum resistance to the pathogen. Rps11 is located in a genomic region harboring a cluster of large NLR genes of a single origin in soybean, and is derived from rounds of unequal recombination. Such events result in promoter fusion and LRR expansion that may contribute to the broad resistance spectrum. The NLR gene cluster exhibits drastic structural diversification among phylogenetically representative varieties, including gene copy number variation ranging from five to 23 copies, and absence of allelic copies of Rps11 in any of the non- Rps11 -donor varieties examined, exemplifying innovative evolution of NLR genes and NLR gene clusters. While multiple resistance-to- Phytophthora sojae loci/alleles have been mapped in soybean, many of them have become ineffective to newly evolved isolates. Here, the authors show that a 27.7-kb nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat gene confers broad-spectrum resistance to P. sojae in soybean.