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\"In The World Upside-Down in 16th Century French Literature and Visual Culture Vincent Robert-Nicoud offers an interdisciplinary account of the topos of the world upside-down in early modern France. To call something 'topsy-turvy' in the sixteenth century is to label it as abnormal. The topos of the world upside-down evokes a world in which everything is inside-out and out of bounds: fish live in trees, children rule over their parents, and rivers flow back to their source. The world upside-down proves to be key in understanding how the social, political, and religious turmoil of sixteenth-century France was represented and conceptualised, and allows us to explore the dark side of the Renaissance by unpacking one of its most prevalent metaphors\"-- Provided by publisher.

Genetic diversity is key to crop improvement. Owing to pervasive genomic structural variation, a single reference genome assembly cannot capture the full complement of sequence diversity of a crop species (known as the ‘pan-genome’ 1 ). Multiple high-quality sequence assemblies are an indispensable component of a pan-genome infrastructure. Barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important cereal crop with a long history of cultivation that is adapted to a wide range of agro-climatic conditions 2 . Here we report the construction of chromosome-scale sequence assemblies for the genotypes of 20 varieties of barley—comprising landraces, cultivars and a wild barley—that were selected as representatives of global barley diversity. We catalogued genomic presence/absence variants and explored the use of structural variants for quantitative genetic analysis through whole-genome shotgun sequencing of 300 gene bank accessions. We discovered abundant large inversion polymorphisms and analysed in detail two inversions that are frequently found in current elite barley germplasm; one is probably the product of mutation breeding and the other is tightly linked to a locus that is involved in the expansion of geographical range. This first-generation barley pan-genome makes previously hidden genetic variation accessible to genetic studies and breeding. Chromosome-scale sequence assemblies of 20 diverse varieties of barley are used to construct a first-generation pan-genome, revealing previously hidden genetic variation that can be used by studies aimed at crop improvement

The targeted deletion, replacement, integration or inversion of genomic sequences could be used to study or treat human genetic diseases, but existing methods typically require double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) that lead to undesired consequences, including uncontrolled indel mixtures and chromosomal abnormalities. Here we describe twin prime editing (twinPE), a DSB-independent method that uses a prime editor protein and two prime editing guide RNAs (pegRNAs) for the programmable replacement or excision of DNA sequences at endogenous human genomic sites. The two pegRNAs template the synthesis of complementary DNA flaps on opposing strands of genomic DNA, which replace the endogenous DNA sequence between the prime-editor-induced nick sites. When combined with a site-specific serine recombinase, twinPE enabled targeted integration of gene-sized DNA plasmids (>5,000 bp) and targeted sequence inversions of 40 kb in human cells. TwinPE expands the capabilities of precision gene editing and might synergize with other tools for the correction or complementation of large or complex human pathogenic alleles. Prime editing of large DNA sequences is achieved with two pegRNAs and site-specific recombinases.

The inversion of artificial source electromagnetic (EM) method data fundamentally involves constructing a mathematical relationship between observable data and geological structures. The aim of imaging and inversion is to construct a geophysical model that matches the observable results, thereby realizing the identification of subsurface targets. The results of EM data inversion, due to the simplicity of geophysical models, limit inversion computing efficiency. Moreover, complexity of actual geological structures, and lack of onsite observable data, are often hindered by non-uniqueness. The challenge in the interpretation of artificial source EM data is in enhancing both the precision and expeditiousness of the inversion process. It can be classified into three main types for EM data inversion: direct imaging inversion, deterministic inversion, and stochastic inversion. To enhance computational efficiency and reduce non-uniqueness in the results, effective inversion methods, prior geological information, geophysical data, and comprehensive analysis can help mitigate the issue of non-uniqueness in EM data inversion, thereby leading to more rational geophysical interpretation results. With the progress of technology such as computing centers and the development of artificial intelligence methods, future inversion techniques will become faster, more efficient, and more intelligent, and will be applied to the interpretation of artificial source EM data.

Background Chromosomal inversion polymorphisms have been associated with adaptive behavioral, physiological, morphological and life history traits in the two main Afrotropical malaria vectors, Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae . The understanding of the adaptive value of chromosomal inversion systems is constrained by the feasibility of cytological karyotyping. In recent years in silico and molecular approaches have been developed for the genotyping of most widespread inversions (2La, 2Rb and 2Rc). The 2Ru inversion, spanning roughly 8% of chromosome 2R, is commonly polymorphic in West African populations of An. coluzzii and An. gambiae and shows clear increases in frequency with increasing rainfall seasonally and geographically. The aim of this work was to overcome the constraints of currently available cytological and high-throughput molecular assays by developing a simple PCR assay for genotyping the 2Ru inversion in individual specimens of both mosquito species. Methods We designed tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR assays based on five tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously shown to be strongly correlated with 2Ru inversion orientation. The most promising assay was validated against laboratory and field samples of An. coluzzii and An. gambiae karyotyped either cytogenetically or molecularly using a genotyping-in-thousands by sequencing (GT-seq) high-throughput approach that employs targeted sequencing of multiplexed PCR amplicons. Results A successful assay was designed based on the tag SNP at position 2R, 31710303, which is highly predictive of the 2Ru genotype. The assay, which requires only one PCR, and no additional post-PCR processing other than electrophoresis, produced a clear banding pattern for 98.5% of the 454 specimens tested, which is a 96.7% agreement with established karyotyping methods. Sequences were obtained for nine of the An. coluzzii specimens manifesting 2Ru genotype discrepancies with GT-seq. Possible sources of these discordances are discussed. Conclusions The tetra-primer ARMS-PCR assay represents an accurate, streamlined and cost-effective method for the molecular karyotyping of the 2Ru inversion in An. coluzzii and An. gambiae. Together with approaches already available for the other common polymorphic inversions, 2La, 2Rb and 2Rc, this assay will allow investigations of the adaptive value of the complex set of inversion systems observed in the two major malaria vectors in the Afrotropical region. Graphical Abstract

The mesospheric inversion layer (MIL) phenomenon is a temperature enhancement (10–50 K) in a vertical layer (∼10 km) lasting several days and spanning thousands of kilometers within the mesosphere. As MILs govern the mesospheric variability, their study is crucial for a better understanding of the middle‐atmosphere global circulation. MIL phenomenon is also important for applications in aeronautics as perturbations in the mesosphere are significant issues for the safe reentry of rockets, space shuttles, or missiles. However, the description of this phenomenon remains incomplete, since no observations of MIL's effects on winds exist, hampering an understanding of the mechanisms responsible for their formation. This study investigates simultaneous wind‐temperature observations in the altitude range of 30–90 km during MIL events. Strong winds deceleration occurred in the same altitude range as the temperature inversion, confirming the role of gravity waves in MIL's formation mechanisms. Plain Language Summary Atmospheric waves propagate from the lower to upper layers, transferring their energy throughout the atmosphere. The mesosphere (50–90 km) is subject to these energy transfers, causing unexpected temperature increases (10–50 K) over a vertical layer (∼10 km). These deviations are called mesospheric inversion layers (MILs). Though largely observed in temperature profiles, the MIL phenomenon remains misunderstood, as MIL's impacts on the wind in the middle atmosphere remain unknown. In this study, we first reported simultaneous wind‐temperature observations between 30 and 90 km during MIL events. We observed a strong wind deceleration in the same altitude range where the temperature increases. This result argues in favor of the role of gravity waves in MIL's formation mechanisms. Key Points First simultaneous wind and temperature observations in the altitude range 30–90 km during mesospheric inversion layer events According to these new observations, there is a strong wind deceleration occurring at the same altitude that the temperature inversion These results argue in favor of the mesospheric inversion layer's formation mechanism involving gravity wave dissipation

Clines in chromosomal inversion polymorphisms—presumably driven by climatic gradients—are common but there is surprisingly little evidence for selection acting on them. Here we address this long-standing issue in Drosophila melanogaster by using diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to estimate inversion frequencies from 28 whole-genome Pool-seq samples collected from 10 populations along the North American east coast. Inversions In(3L)P, In(3R)Mo, and In(3R)Payne showed clear latitudinal clines, and for In(2L)t, In(2R)NS, and In(3R)Payne the steepness of the clinal slopes changed between summer and fall. Consistent with an effect of seasonality on inversion frequencies, we detected small but stable seasonal fluctuations of In(2R)NS and In(3R)Payne in a temperate Pennsylvanian population over 4 years. In support of spatially varying selection, we observed that the cline in In(3R)Payne has remained stable for >40 years and that the frequencies of In(2L)t and In(3R)Payne are strongly correlated with climatic factors that vary latitudinally, independent of population structure. To test whether these patterns are adaptive, we compared the amount of genetic differentiation of inversions versus neutral SNPs and found that the clines in In(2L)t and In(3R)Payne are maintained nonneutrally and independent of admixture. We also identified numerous clinal inversion-associated SNPs, many of which exhibit parallel differentiation along the Australian cline and reside in genes known to affect fitness-related traits. Together, our results provide strong evidence that inversion clines are maintained by spatially—and perhaps also temporally—varying selection. We interpret our data in light of current hypotheses about how inversions are established and maintained.

Temperature inversions inhibit the transfer of momentum, heat and moisture in the atmosphere and have led to severe air pollution in China. This study investigated the spatiotemporal variation in temperature inversions in China using sounding data for the past four decades. Surface-based inversion, elevated inversion, and both in one sounding dataset were analysed. Statistical analyses of inversion parameters included frequency, strength and depth. The annual frequency of total inversions showed no significant increasing or decreasing trend with mean values of 0.78, 0.33, 0.24, 0.28, 0.5 and 0.36 at six stations representing different climate zones-Beijing, Harbin, Haikou, Shaowu, Ruoqiang, and Xining, respectively. The annual inversion strength and depth showed downward trends. Monthly variation in inversion frequency and strength differed among stations. The weakest surface-based inversion was found in summer at Beijing and Harbin with mean values of 1 and 1.3 °C, respectively; the strongest surface-based inversion was found in winter with respective mean values of 3.5 and 3.6 °C. Higher surface temperature in summer and subsidence aloft in winter may explain the monthly variation in inversion depth with a minimum in summer, with mean values of 165, 334, 135, 267, 363 and 420 m, and a maximum in winter, with mean values of 250, 646, 140, 591, 806 and 664 m, at the six respective stations. Total inversion was least frequent in southwestern China (mean 0.15), surface-based inversion was most frequent in the north (mean 0.78), and elevated inversion was most frequent in the southeast (mean 0.42). The strongest, deepest surface-based inversion dominated in the north (mean 3.4 °C and 398 m). Elevated inversion strength did not significantly differ among regions (mean 2.5 °C). The deepest elevated inversion dominated in the southeast (mean 654 m). Future efforts should focus on the interactions between aerosols and temperature inversions and accurate model simulations of temperature inversions.

Flat peaches have become popular worldwide due to their novelty and convenience. The peach flat fruit trait is genetically controlled by a single gene at the S locus, but its genetic basis remains unclear. Here, we report a 1.7‐Mb chromosomal inversion downstream of a candidate gene encoding OVATE Family Protein, designated PpOFP1, as the causal mutation for the peach flat fruit trait. Genotyping of 727 peach cultivars revealed an occurrence of this large inversion in flat peaches, but absent in round peaches. Ectopic overexpression of PpOFP1 resulted in oval‐shaped leaves and shortened siliques in Arabidopsis, suggesting its role in repressing cell elongation. Transcriptional activation of PpOFP1 by the chromosomal inversion may repress vertical elongation in flat‐shaped fruits at early stages of development, resulting in the flat fruit shape. Moreover, PpOFP1 can interact with fruit elongation activator PpTRM17, suggesting a regulatory network controlling fruit shape in peach. Additionally, screening of peach wild relatives revealed an exclusive presence of the chromosomal inversion in P. ferganensis, supporting that this species is the ancestor of the domesticated peach. This study provides new insights into mechanisms underlying fruit shape evolution and molecular tools for genetic improvement of fruit shape trait in peach breeding programmes.

Low-level temperature inversions play crucial roles in inhibiting vertical exchange of energy and mass, and may lead to air pollutants accumulation. The climatological study of them provides a fundamental overview of the static stability of atmosphere and is indispensable for air pollution controls. Based on high-vertical-resolution radiosondes at 00 and 12 UTC during 2011–2018, this work comprehensively examined the spatial and temporal variability of three characteristics (occurrences, strengths, and depths) of low-level inversions in China. Results revealed that inversions are prevalent (more than 80% of the observation records) over Eastern China. The northern part of Eastern China is dominated by the thick strong surface-based inversions with median thickness and strength of 200 m and 3 K, while the southern part by thin weak elevated ones of 80 m and 0.8 K. Tibetan Plateau experiences rare inversions (less than 50% of the time) which tend to be strong thick surface-based inversions with median depth and intensity of 170 m and 4 K. Inversion depths and strengths are positively correlated. The three properties of inversions present remarkable seasonal variations. Generally, inversions are strongest, thickest, and most frequent in winter and least so in summer, with median intensity and depth ranging from 0.3 K and 80 m to 5 K and 220 m. This paper also analyzed the monthly variations of inversions of four representative stations (Harbin, Urumqi, Beijing, and Chongqing) in details. These four cities are known for frequent severe air pollution events. The quantitative investigations of inversions may play a significant role in atmospheric environmental management.