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Gold and petroleum are also strategic resources of great importance to national security. With the increasing demand for energy, multi-energy cooperative exploration has become an inevitable trend of resource development and utilization. Petroleum and hydrothermal gold deposits may form together, with similar evolutionary trends in their formation, migration, and enrichment. Petroleum reservoirs and gold deposits are closely coupled under certain geological conditions. The solubility of gold in crude oil and its forms of occurrence are important in determining the mechanisms of interaction between gold and petroleum and in facilitating the recovery of gold from gold-bearing petroleum. In this study, the occurrence of gold in crude oil from the Linnan Depression in the Bohai Bay Basin, China, was studied using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Concentrations of gold in crude oil from the Linpan and Shanghe oilfields averaged 44.5 ppb, which is well above the minimum concentration required for hydrothermal gold mineralization. Gold has an affinity with carbon, oxygen, and sulfur, and its concentration in crude oil is positively correlated with total acid and sulfur contents. We speculate that gold may exist in crude oil as complexes with organic acids or thiols, with crude oil thus being a transport medium for gold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of Precambrian dolomites has attracted research interest as a result of their association with petroleum resources. The long diagenetic history of these dolomites and multiple periods of hydrothermal activity mean that dating and identifying different periods of dolomite formation is challenging. This study focuses on dolomites in the Precambrian Dengying Formation of the Sichuan Basin, central China, and presents new petrographic, in situ laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry U–Pb and trace element, and Sr–C–O isotopic data to characterize three types of dolomite and constrain their age and origin. In situ U–Pb dating of type I dolomite yielded a lower intercept age of 637 ± 35 Ma. The rare earth element (REE) patterns, 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.70827–0.70903), and δ13C VPDB (0.8‰–1.0‰) and δ18O VPDB (−1.5‰ to −1.0‰) values of type I dolomite indicate their derivation from seawater or a precursory source with seawater characteristics. Type II dolomite yielded an age of 636 ± 15 Ma and has lower ΣREE and slightly higher δ13C VPDB (1.2‰–1.5‰) and δ18O VPDB (−0.9‰ to −0.3‰) values than type I, as well as similar 87Sr/86Sr ratios and parallel REE patterns that are indicative of formation by reflux seepage dolomitization. The type III dolomite is characterized by large crystals, unique REE patterns, high 87Sr/86Sr values (0.70942–0.70975), and negative δ18O VPDB values (−6.4‰ to −3.1‰) that indicate a hydrothermal origin. The relationships between hydrothermal dolomite and bitumen indicate that the paleo-oil charging within the Dengying Formation reservoir occurred after the hydrothermal activity at 516 ± 49 Ma. The early hydrothermal activity provided space for the subsequent fluid movement, and oil and gas charging. Our integrated approach, incorporating petrographic, geochemical, isotopic, and geochronological data, constrains the ages of different dolomite phases and an oil-charging event within the Dengying Formation reservoir and provides new insights into the evolution of petroleum systems in general. • We identified three types of dolomites of Dengying Formation matching with the age of diagenesis and fluid activity. • The LA–ICP–MS in situ U–Pb dating of Dengying Formation dolomite yields a lower intercept age of 637 ± 35 Ma. • The dating results suggest an extensional event existed at 516 ± 49 Ma, and accounted for the deposition of hydrocarbon source rocks. • This study outlines potential approaches for furthering our understanding of dolomites and ancient petroleum systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many metal deposits were formed by carbonic fluids (rich in CO2) as indicated by fluid inclusions in minerals, but the precise role of CO2 in metal mineralization remains unclear. The main components in fluid inclusions, i.e. H2O and CO2, correspond to the decomposed products of organic acids, which lead us to consider that in the mineralization process the organic acids transport and then discharge metals when they are stable and unstable, respectively. Here we show that the thermal stability of copper acetate solution at 15–350 °C (0.1–830 MPa) provides insight as to the role of organic acids in metal transport. Results show that the copper acetate solution is stable at high P-T conditions under low geothermal gradient of <19 °C/km, with an isochore of P = 1.89 T + 128.58, verifying the possibility of copper transportation as acetate solution. Increasing geothermal gradient leads to thermal dissociation of copper acetate in the way of 4Cu(CH3 COO)2 + 2H2O = 4Cu + 2CO2 + 7CH3COOH. The experimental results and inferences in this contribution agree well with the frequently observed fluid inclusions and wall-rock alterations of carbonate, sericite and quartz in hydrothermal deposits, and provide a new dimension in the understanding of the role of CO2 during mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploration of high production, natural gas wells (>106 m3/d) has been extremely successful in the Gaoshiti and Moxi areas of the Leshan–Longnvsi paleo‐uplift, in the west‐central Sichuan Basin. This paper focuses on the Sinian and Cambrian reservoirs from the Gaoshiti and Moxi areas, where a dataset of new trace elements in bitumen and potential source rock is reported and where hydrocarbon‐source correlation is attempted based on trace elements characteristics of the 12 potential source rocks and 22 bitumen samples. Results show that the bitumen from the three reservoirs can be distinguished from each other using trace element distribution patterns and redox‐ and provenance‐sensitive elemental ratios. Bitumen in the second and fourth members of the Sinian Dengying Formation were derived primarily from the third member of the source rocks of the Dengying Formation, which represents a self‐sourced paleo‐petroleum system. In contrast, bitumen in the reservoirs of the Cambrian Longwangmiao Formation is derived from the Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation and third member of Dengying Formation. The trace element method used in this study improves our understanding of the complex hydrocarbon–source relation and confirm the potential target for petroleum exploration in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• gma-miR169c is widely expressed in soybean tissues and induced by polyethylene glycol, high salt levels, cold stress and abscisic acid. • Arabidopsis overexpressing gma-miR169c is more sensitive to drought stress, with reduced survival, accelerated leaf water loss, and shorter root length than the wild-type plants. • gma-miR169c negatively regulates the drought stress response by inhibiting the expression of the targets AtNFYA1 and AtNFYA5 and reducing the transcript levels of the stress response genes AtRD29A , AtRD22 , AtGSTU25 and AtCOR15A. The miR169 family, a large-scale microRNA gene family conserved in plants, is involved in stress responses, although how soybean miR169 functions in response to drought stress remains unclear. We show that gma-miR169c exerts a negative regulatory role in the response to drought stress by inhibiting the expression of its target gene, nuclear factor Y–A (NF-YA). A real-time RT-PCR analysis indicated that gma-miR169c is widely expressed in soybean tissues and induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG), high salt, cold stress and abscisic acid (ABA). Histochemical ß-glucuronidase (GUS) staining showed that the gma-miR169c promoter drives GUS reporter gene expression in various transgenic Arabidopsis tissues, and the stress-induced pattern was confirmed in transgenic Arabidopsis and transgenic soybean hairy roots. Arabidopsis overexpressing gma-miR169c is more sensitive to drought stress, with reduced survival, accelerated leaf water loss, and shorter root length than wild-type plants. We identified a precise cleavage site for 10 gma-miR169c targets and found reduced transcript levels of the AtNFYA1 and AtNFYA5 transcription factors in gma-miR169c -overexpressing Arabidopsis and reduced expression of the stress response genes AtRD29A , AtRD22 , AtGSTU25 and AtCOR15A. These results indicate that gma-miR169c plays a negative regulatory role in drought stress and is a candidate miRNA for improving plant drought adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrobitumen has been discovered in the dolostone reservoir of the Central Sichuan Basin, southwest China, accumulates coevally with hydrothermal minerals in pores. The pyrobitumen has strong anisotropy with an evolutionary sequence from mosaic to a fibrous texture. A similar sequence of anisotropy has also been observed in mesophase pitch during the process of coking coal. Reflectance of the pyrobitumen shows a positive correlation with anisotropic evolution and increasing depth. Hopane and sterane biomarkers are abundant in extracts of highly anisotropic pyrobitumen with smooth, rough, hyperplastic surface and honeycomb micropores. Methylpyrene and methylchrysene maturity indicators and the reflectance values of pyrobitumen show a positive linear correlation in Cambrian samples, but show random correlation in Sinian samples. Fluid inclusion microthermometry of hydrothermal minerals, together with the burial and heat flow history of the reservoir indicate an abrupt thermal event that may have impacted the generation and evolution of pyrobitumen. This appears to be confirmed by the reflectance values of pyrobitumen in the source rock and reservoir. The pyrobitumen in source rock was less heated by the hydrothermal fluid due to its poor porosity and have lower reflectance values. However, the pyrobitumen in weathering crust reservoir was more heated by the hydrothermal fluid and have higher reflectance values, because the reservoir rocks have higher porosity. The occurrence and characteristics of pyrobitumen indicate an in-situ pyrolysis of oil, which was triggered by an abrupt thermal event in the reservoir. The reconstruction of burial history and heat flow, as well as the hydrothermal fluid minerals of the dolomite reservoir all indicate the thermal event of the Sichuan Basin might correlate with the Emei mantle plume in Late Permian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The C H Raman spectroscopic band (2800–3000 cm −1 ) of pristane was measured in a diamond anvil cell at 1.1–1532 MPa and ambient temperature. Three models are used for the peak-fitting of this C H Raman band, and the linear correlations between pressure and corresponding peak positions are calculated as well. The results demonstrate that 1) the number of peaks that one chooses to fit the spectrum affects the results, which indicates that the application of the spectroscopic barometry with a function group of organic matters suffers significant limitations; and 2) the linear correlation between pressure and fitted peak positions from one-peak model is more superior than that from multiple-peak model, meanwhile the standard error of the latter is much higher than that of the former. It indicates that the Raman shift of C H band fitted with one-peak model, which could be treated as a spectroscopic barometry, is more realistic in mixture systems than the traditional strategy which uses the Raman characteristic shift of one function group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MYB transcription factors are a large family of proteins involved in plant development and responses to stress. In this study, the wheat salinity-induced R2R3-MYB transcription factor TaSIM was functionally characterized, with a focus on its role in salt stress tolerance. TaSIM protein enters the nucleus and binds to the MYB-binding site II motif. Expression analysis revealed that TaSIM was induced by drought, high salinity, low temperature, and abscisic acid treatment. Overexpression of TaSIM improved salt stress tolerance in transgenic plants. Furthermore, the transcript levels of genes involved in abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent ( RD22 ) and ABA-independent ( RD29A ) signaling were higher in TaSIM -overexpressing plants than in the wild type. These results suggest that TaSIM positively modulates salt stress tolerance and has potential applications in molecular breeding to enhance salt tolerance in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought, one of the most widespread factors reducing agricultural crop productivity, affects biological processes such as development, architecture, flowering and senescence. Although protein analysis techniques and genome sequencing have made facilitated the proteomic study of cotton, information on genetic differences associated with proteomic changes in response to drought between different cotton genotypes is lacking. To determine the effects of drought stress on cotton seedlings, we used two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry to comparatively analyze proteome of drought-responsive proteins during the seedling stage in two cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars, drought-tolerant KK1543 and drought-sensitive Xinluzao26. A total of 110 protein spots were detected on 2-DE maps, of which 56 were identified by MALDI-TOF and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. The identified proteins were mainly associated with metabolism (46.4 %), antioxidants (14.2 %), and transport and cellular structure (23.2 %). Some key proteins had significantly different expression patterns between the two genotypes. In particular, 5-methyltetrahydropteroyltriglutamate-homocysteine methyltransferase, UDP- d-glucose pyrophosphorylase and ascorbate peroxidase were up-regulated in KK1543 compared with Xinluzao26. Under drought stress conditions, the vacuolar H-ATPase catalytic subunit, a 14-3-3g protein, translation initiation factor 5A and pathogenesis-related protein 10 were up-regulated in KK1543, whereas ribosomal protein S12, actin, cytosolic copper/zinc superoxide dismutase, protein disulfide isomerase, S-adenosylmethionine synthase and cysteine synthase were down-regulated in Xinluzao26. This work represents the first characterization of proteomic changes that occur in response to drought in roots of cotton plants. These differentially expressed proteins may be related to biochemical pathways responsible for drought tolerance in KK1543. Although further studies are needed, this proteomic analysis underlines the role of post-translational events. The differentially expressed proteins and their corresponding genes may be used as markers for the breeding of drought tolerance in cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A distinct oil group was discovered in the Dongying Depression. • Related source rock of the distinct oil group has abundant bacteria/algae inputs. • Norcholestanes and triaromatic steroids are effectively used in oil classification. • This oil group has a higher abundance of nordiacholestanes than norcholestanes. • This oil group contains extremely high abundances of 4-methyltriaromatic steroids. The lower third and upper fourth members of the Eocene Shahejie Formation (lower Es3 and upper Es4) are known as two sets of effective source rocks in the Dongying Depression, Bohai Bay Basin. In this study, the saturated and aromatic steroids of 20 crude oil samples from the Dongying Depression were systematically investigated using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and GC–MS metastable reaction monitoring. Based on the distribution patterns of the steranes, norcholestanes, and triaromatic steroids, the Group I and II oils were clearly identified and shown to be derived from the lower Es3 and upper Es4 source rocks, respectively. Significantly, it was discovered that three oil samples collected from the Eocene Kongdian Formation and the Ordovician reservoirs exhibit completely different steroid and isotopic compositions from those of the Group I and II oils. These oils, as a distinct oil group (Group III), have the characteristics of abnormally high concentrations of C 29 steranes, 24-nordiacholestane, 27-nordiacholestane, C 28 triaromatic steroids, C 27 4α-methyltriaromatic steroids, and C 29 4α-methyl-24-ethyltriaromatic steroids, and low concentrations of 24-norcholestane, 27-norcholestane and triaromatic dinosteroids, and 13C depletion. Although the related source rock of Group III oils needs to be further clarified in the study area, the 13C depletion, abundant C 29 steranes, and low 24-norcholestane content may suggest greater bacteria/algae inputs (e.g., green algae rather than dinoflagellates) than both the lower Es3 and upper Es4 source rocks. Identification of the Group III oils indicates that the norcholestanes and triaromatic steroids may be more effective molecular fossils for the classification of crude oils in complicated petroleum exploration fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The cotton cytoplasmic subgroup gene GhHSP70-26 is transcribed in response to polyethylene glycol and abscisic acid treatment and salt, cold, and heat stress. • Overexpression of the GhHSP70-26 gene in tobacco and silencing of the GhHSP70-26 gene in cotton showed that the GhHSP70-26 gene can improve plant tolerance to drought stress. • GhbZIP43 and GhHSF8 bind to cis -acting ABREs and HSEs, respectively, to regulate the transcription of GhHSP70-26 , and the GhHSP70-26 protein interacts with the GhAPX2 protein. The 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) is a molecular chaperone that plays an important role in the response of plants to abiotic stress, but the function and molecular mechanism of HSP70 in the cotton drought stress response are unclear. In this study, the HSP70-encoding gene GhHSP70-26 , which belongs to the cytoplasmic HSP70 subgroup, was cloned from upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The transcript level of GhHSP70-26 in cotton leaves was higher than that in cotton stems and roots. GhHSP70-26 was found to respond at the transcriptional level to polyethylene glycol (PEG) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment and to cold, salt, and heat stress, and its transcript level was positively correlated with the drought resistance of different cotton varieties. Heterologous overexpression of the GhHSP70-26 gene improved the drought resistance of transgenic tobacco compared with that of wild-type (WT) tobacco, and the transgenic tobacco plants were characterized by low leaf wilting, high survival, low leaf water loss, increased root length and high chlorophyll content. Moreover, the transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing GhHSP70-26 had higher proline contents, higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) enzyme activities, and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents than the WT tobacco plants. The transcript levels of the stress response-related genes NtLEA , NtERD10D , NtPOD , NtSOD , and NtNCED3-1 in transgenic tobacco overexpressing GhHSP70-26 were significantly higher than those in WT tobacco. In contrast, under drought stress, unlike the results obtained with the pTRV2 empty vector (EV)-transformed and WT cotton plants, the use of virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology to silence the GhHSP70-26 gene in cotton resulted in plants with severely wilted leaves, an increased water loss rate, a higher MDA content, and higher relative electrical conductivity (REC). Furthermore, yeast one-hybrid assays showed that GhbZIP43 and GhHSF8 bind to ABA-responsive elements (ABREs) and heat shock elements (HSEs) in the GhHSP70-26 promoter, respectively. Moreover, yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation and luciferase complementation assays showed that the GhHSP70-26 protein interacts with the ascorbate peroxidase (APX) GhAPX2 protein. These results indicate that by reducing the degrees of cell membrane damage and cellular damage caused by ROS stress, the GhHSP70-26 protein plays a positive role in the response of plants to drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: MicroRNAs, key posttranscriptional regulators of eukaryotic gene expression, play important roles in plant development and response to stress. In this study, a soybean gma-MIR394a gene was functionally characterized, especially with regard to its role in drought stress resistance. Expression analysis revealed that gma-MIR394a was expressed differentially in various soybean tissues and was induced by drought, high salinity, low temperature stress, and abscisic acid treatment in leaves. One target gene of gma-miR394a, Glyma08g11030, was predicted and verified using a modified 5′ RLM-RACE (RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of 5′ cDNA ends) assay. Overexpression of gma-MIR394a resulted in plants with lowered leaf water loss and enhanced drought tolerance. Furthermore, overexpression of gma-MIR394a in Arabidopsis reduced the transcript of an F-box gene (At1g27340) containing a miR394 complementary target site. These results suggest that the gma-MIR394a gene functions in positive modulation of drought stress tolerance and has potential applications in molecular breeding to enhance drought tolerance in crops. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Free oils and inclusion oils were extracted from the third member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation (Es3) reservoir sandstones of the wells Chun 51 and Liang 28 in the Dongying Depression, China, and then analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Results show that biomarker distribution characteristics of the free oils and their associated inclusion oils are similar in each Es3 reservoir sandstones of the two wells, but the distributions of Pr/Ph ratio, gammacerane, hopane series and C 27 –C 29 steranes in well Chun 51 oils are strikingly different from those of well Liang 28 oils. However, the C 29 sterane ββ/(ββ + αα), Ts/(Ts + Tm) and C 31 hopane 22S/(22S + 22R) ratios of inclusion oils are higher than those of related free oils in all the samples, this may indicate that maturity indicators decreased after reaching the maximum and relatively high mature oils were trapped in petroleum inclusions. Comparison with biomarkers of source-rock extracts shows that oils in the Es3 reservoir of well Chun 51 were generated from the upper Es4 source rocks, whereas oils in the Es3 reservoir of well Liang 28 were derived from the lower Es3 source rocks. Moreover, the microthermometric data and burial history indicate one oil-charging episode in the Es3 reservoirs of the two wells, during the late Neogene. It's concluded that different charging histories of these two reservoirs were attributed mainly to the sealing effect of the fault. • Biomarker compositions of fluid inclusions and free oils were discussed. • Oil-sources of the two studied Es3 reservoirs were single but different. • Oil-charging times of the two Es3 reservoirs were defined. • Different oil-charging histories of the two Es3 reservoirs were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea-island cotton (Gossypium barbadense) has drawn great attention in the textile industry for its comprehensive resistance and superior fiber properties. However, the mechanisms involved in fiber growth and development are unclear. As TCP transcription factors play important roles in plant growth and development, this study investigated the TCP family genes in G. barbadense (GbTCP). We identified 75 GbTCP genes, of which 68 had no introns. Phylogenetic analyses categorized the GbTCP transcription factors into 11 groups. Genomic analyses showed that 66 genes are located on 21 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analyses of G. arboreum, G. raimondii, G. hirsutum, G. barbadense, Theobroma cacao, Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, Sorghum bicolor, and Zea mays, Picea abies, Sphagnum fallax and Physcomitrella patens, categorized 373 TCP genes into two classes (Classes I and II). By studying the structures of TCP genes in sea-island cotton, we identified genes from the same evolutionary branches that showed similar motif patterns. qRT-PCR results suggested that the GbTCPs had different expression patterns in fibers at various developmental stages of cotton, with several showing specific expression patterns during development. This report helps lay the foundation for future investigations of TCP functions and molecular mechanisms in sea-island cotton fiber development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium chloride is a common component in geofluids and sylvite is a broadly observed daughter mineral in fluid inclusions along with halite, especially in skarn- and porphyry-type deposits. Interpretation of fluid inclusion microthermometric results requires knowledge of high pressure and temperature (P-T) solubility of salts, which is, however, incomprehensive for sylvite in the KCl-H 2 O system. In this study, the high P-T solubility of sylvite is determined within the compositional (salinity) range of 38–62 wt% KCl, using a new method that applies the three-dimensional reconstruction function of confocal laser fluorescence microscopy (CLFM) to hydrothermal diamond anvil cell (HDAC) experiments. This method is used to retrieve the volumes of phases (i.e., sylvite, aqueous solution and bubble) in the sample chamber of HDAC and thus to achieve quantitative analysis of sylvite solubility at elevated P-T. Combining experimental results in this study with those published in previous literature, the P-T dependence of the solubility of sylvite is retrieved and applied to data interpretation of microthermometric results. For inclusions containing both halite and sylvite daughter minerals, the commonly used approach for evaluating fluid salinity and P is to simplify the inclusions as the binary NaCl-H 2 O system. This simplification would lead to underestimation of fluid salinities by up to ~34% and homogenization P by up to 0.25 GPa, for fluid inclusions having relatively high T of daughter mineral dissolution, which are typical of magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposits. • A method for quantitative experiment of HDAC is proposed. • The solubility of sylvite is retrieved at pressures up to 1.6 GPa. • The reliability on data interpretation of KCl-bearing fluid inclusion is evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Natural antisense transcripts (NATs) are a class of RNAs that contain a sequence complementary to other transcripts. NATs occur widely in eukaryotes and play critical roles in post-transcriptional regulation. Soybean NAT sequences are predicted in the PlantNATsDB, but detailed analyses of these NATs remain to be performed. Results: A total of 26,216 NATs, including 994 cis-NATs and 25,222 trans-NATs, were predicted in soybean. Each sense transcript had 1-177 antisense transcripts. We identified 21 trans-NATs using RT-PCR amplification. Additionally, we identified 179 cis-NATs and 6,629 trans-NATs that gave rise to small RNAs; these were enriched in the NAT overlapping region. The most abundant small RNAs were 21, 22, and 24 nt in length. The generation of small RNAs was biased to one stand of the NATs, and the degradation of NATs was biased. High-throughput sequencing of the degradome allowed for the global identification of NAT small interfering RNAs (nat-siRNAs) targets. 446 target genes for 165 of these nat-siRNAs were identified. The nat-siRNA target could be one transcript of a given NAT, or from other gene transcripts. We identified five NAT transcripts containing a hairpin structure that is characteristic of pre-miRNA. We identified a total of 86 microRNA (miRNA) targets that had antisense transcripts in soybean. Conclusions: We globally identified nat-siRNAs, and the targets of nat-siRNAs in soybean. It is likely that the cis-NATs, trans-NATs, nat-siRNAs, miRNAs, and miRNA targets form complex regulatory networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression mainly by guiding cleavage of target mRNAs. In this study, a degradome library constructed from different soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) tissues was deep-sequenced. 428 potential targets of small interfering RNAs and 25 novel miRNA families were identified. A total of 211 potential miRNA targets, including 174 conserved miRNA targets and 37 soybean-specific miRNA targets, were identified. Among them, 121 targets were first discovered in soybean. The signature distribution of soybean primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) showed that most pri-miRNAs had the characteristic pattern of Dicer processing. The biogenesis of TAS3 small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) was conserved in soybean, and nine Auxin Response Factors were identified as TAS3 siRNA targets. Twenty-three miRNA targets produced secondary small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in soybean. These targets were guided by five miRNAs: gma-miR393, gma-miR1508, gma-miR1510, gma-miR1514, and novel-11. Multiple targets of these secondary siRNAs were detected. These 23 miRNA targets may be the putative novel TAS genes in soybean. Global identification of miRNA targets and potential novel TAS genes will contribute to research on the functions of miRNAs in soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought seriously affects the yield and quality of soybean. Previous studies have shown that the gma-miR394a / GmFBX176 module regulates the response of Arabidopsis to drought stress. However, whether the gma-miR394a / GmFBX176 module is involved in the regulation of the soybean drought stress response remains unclear. Here, the function of the gma-miR394a / GmFBX176 module in the soybean drought stress response was evaluated. In soybean hairy roots, drought stress induced the transcription of gma-miR394a and inhibited the transcription of GmFBX176. GUS histochemical staining showed that transgenic GmFBX176p:GUS soybean hairy root staining was weak and that GUS transcript levels decreased under drought stress. A transient expression experiment in tobacco showed that gma-miR394a inhibited GmFBX176 transcription. Under drought stress, composite soybean plants overexpressing gma-miR394a showed increased drought resistance compared with control K599 composite soybean plants (K599); their survival rate and peroxidase activity were higher than those of K599, and their malondialdehyde content was lower. In contrast, composite soybean plants overexpressing GmFBX176m3 (gma-miR394a complement site mutation) presented lower drought resistance than K599 plants. Transcriptomic sequencing showed that the gma-miR394a / GmFBX176 module affected the transcript levels of stress response genes and transcription factors. These results indicate that the gma-miR394a / GmFBX176 module can be used to improve the drought resistance of soybean. • gma-miR394a is upregulated and its target GmFBX176 is downregulated in 10% PEG-simulated drought-stressed soybean hairy roots. • Overexpression of gma-miR394a increased the tolerance of composite soybean plants to drought stress, while overexpression of GmFBX176m3 decreased the tolerance of composite soybean plants to drought stress. • Under PEG treatment, the gma-MIR394a / GmFBX176 module regulates the transcript levels of stress-related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton is one of the most important cash crops in the world. Most of its production areas are in arid or semiarid regions, and drought and salinity seriously affect cotton production. Plant teosinte branched1/cycloidea/proliferating cell factor 1 (TCP) transcription factors play a pivotal role in abiotic stress responses. However, the role of TCPs in the abiotic stress response in cotton has not been fully elucidated. Here, the function of the GbTCP5 transcription factor in the responses to drought and salt stresses was identified. The expression of GbTCP5 was induced by drought, salt, and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments. The exposure of 35S: GbTCP5 transgenic Arabidopsis to drought stress increased its survival rate and ABA content and decreased its leaf water loss rate and malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared with those of the wild type (WT). In addition, the expression levels of the stress response genes AtCOR15 , AtCOR414 , AtRD29A , AtLTP4 , and AtPUB22 and the ABA biosynthesis-related gene AtNCED3 were significantly higher in 35S: GbTCP5 transgenic lines than in the WT. The exposure of 35S: GbTCP5 transgenic Arabidopsis to salt stress accelerated its germination rate, increased its root length, survival rate and chlorophyll content, and decreased the MDA content compared with those of the WT. Under drought or salt stress, cotton with virus-induced gene silencing of GbTCP5 showed a decreased survival rate, a shorter root length, a smaller root area, a reduced root volume and a higher MDA content compared with pTRV2 cotton. Transcriptome sequencing results confirmed that GbTCP5 was involved in several abiotic stress-related metabolic pathways. The results confirmed that GbTCP5 protein activated the expression of GbGLOS2 , GbUBC19 , and GbERD7 and then participated in the drought and salt tolerance of cotton by binding to the TCP cis -acting element in the promoter regions of these genes. All the above results prove that GbTCP5 plays a positive role in plant responses to drought and salt stress. [Display omitted] • The GbTCP5 gene was transcriptionally responsive to polyethylene glycol, NaCl, and abscisic acid treatments. • Overexpression of GbTCP5 in Arabidopsis and silencing of GbTCP5 in cotton indicate that GbTCP5 is a positive regulator of drought and salt stress. • RNA-seq analysis showed that pTRV2- GbTCP5 cotton plants had 489 differentially expressed genes compared with pTRV2 cotton plants, among which 234 were upregulated genes and 255 were downregulated genes. • GbTCP5 enhances drought and salt tolerance in plants by binding to TCP cis -acting elements in the GbERD 7/ GbUBC19 / GbGOLS2 promoter and activating their expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the miniaturization and decentralization characteristics of agricultural equipment factories in China, agricultural equipment manufacturing is well suited to the cloud manufacturing model, but there is no specific research on cloud services optimization for it. To fill the research gap, a cloud service optimization method is proposed in this paper. For the optimization model, the dynamic coefficient strategy and the reliability feedback update strategy are added to the mathematical model to strengthen the applicability of farming season. As optimization algorithm, a dynamic artificial ant-bee colony algorithm (DAABA) based on artificial ant colony algorithm and bee colony algorithm is presented. The optimal fusion evaluation strategy is used to save optimization time by reducing the useless iteration, and the iterative adjustment threshold strategy is adopted to improve the accuracy of cloud service by increasing the size of bee colony. Finally, the performance of DAABA is verified to be more superior by comparing with other algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salinity is one of the most significant environmental factors limiting the productivity of cotton. However, the key genetic components responsible for the reduction in cotton yield in saline-alkali soils are still unclear. Results: Here, we evaluated three main components of lint yield, single boll weight (SBW), lint percentage (LP) and boll number per plant (BNPP), across 316 G. hirsutum accessions under four salt conditions over two years. Phenotypic analysis indicated that LP was unchanged under different salt conditions, however BNPP decreased significantly and SBW increased slightly under high salt conditions. Based on 57,413 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis, a total of 42, 91 and 25 stable quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified for SBW, LP and BNPP, respectively. Phenotypic and QTL analysis suggested that there was little correlation among the three traits. For LP, 8 stable QTLs were detected simultaneously in four different salt conditions, while fewer repeated QTLs for SBW or BNPP were identified. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis indicated that their regulatory mechanisms were also quite different. Via transcriptome profile data, we detected that 10 genes from the 8 stable LP QTLs were predominantly expressed during fiber development. Further, haplotype analyses found that a MYB gene (GhMYB103), with the two SNP variations in cis-regulatory and coding regions, was significantly correlated with lint percentage, implying a crucial role in lint yield. We also identified that 40 candidate genes from BNPP QTLs were salt-inducible. Genes related to carbohydrate metabolism and cell structure maintenance were rich in plants grown in high salt conditions, while genes related to ion transport were active in plants grown in low salt conditions, implying different regulatory mechanisms for BNPP at high and low salt conditions. Conclusions: This study provides a foundation for elucidating cotton salt tolerance mechanisms and contributes gene resources for developing upland cotton varieties with high yields and salt stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-specific heat shock protein 70 s (HSP70s) play crucial roles in response to various environmental stimuli. GhHSP70-26, an HSP70 member, is involved in the response to multiple abiotic stresses in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). This study explored the relationship between the genetic diversity of GhHSP70–26 and drought resistance in cotton to aid crop breeding. Indel sites at −650 bp upstream of the GhHSP70–26 promoter were discovered in cotton and designated an M-650 marker. The M-650 marker was significantly associated with the effective boll numbers (M-650-In360 > M-650-Del) in 110 types of cotton under drought stress conditions for three years. The relative expression levels of GhHSP70–26 was linearly correlated with comprehensive drought resistance in cotton seedlings. The gene expression levels were enhanced in BC 2 F 2 (pGhHSP70–26 In360 ) of cotton and the transgenic lines pGhHSP70–26 In360 :GhHSP70–26 of Arabidopsis , and drought resistance was also enhanced. After PEG, ABA and SA treatments, the transgenic lines of M-650-In360 promoter showed higher GUS expression activity than the M-650-del promoter in Arabidopsis. The GhFLZ, GhABF3, and GhRVE8 transcription factors could regulate to In360 bp of pGhHSP70–26 to activate high levels of gene expression. These results provide important genetic information to study the natural variation of drought tolerance in cotton, and the loci or exceptional promoters identified can be used as direct targets for cotton trait improvement and genetic engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Drought is the most serious meteorological disaster affecting wheat production. Members of the R2R3-MYB gene subfamily play a crucial role in the regulation of the wheat drought stress response. In this study, the function of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced expression of the wheat R2R3-MYB gene TaSIM in response to drought stress was characterized. β-Glucuronidase (GUS) histochemical staining revealed that the TaSIM promoter can drive the expression of the GUS gene in the flowers, roots, stems and rosette leaves. Moreover, TaSIM was expressed in the stamens, pistils, roots, stems and leaves of wheat. The TaSIM promoter contains a known stress-responsive cis -acting element and is inducible by stress, PEG and abscisic acid (ABA). Under drought stress, compared with wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis , transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing TaSIM presented significantly lower leaf water loss rates and increased survival. Moreover, the content of soluble sugars and proline and the expression of stress-related genes (RD29A and RD22) in transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing TaSIM were higher than those in WT Arabidopsis under drought stress. Our results indicate that TaSIM plays a positive role in the drought stress response and can be used as a candidate gene for the genetic engineering of wheat drought resistance. Highlights • TaSIM is expressed in the stamens, pistils, roots, stems and leaves of wheat. • ABRE and CRT/DRE cis -acting elements are present in the TaSIM promoter, which is induced by stress, PEG and ABA. • Transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing TaSIM has a low water loss rate, accumulates relatively high contents of soluble sugars and proline, and expresses RD22 and RD29A , thereby enhancing Arabidopsis tolerance to drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Unique geochemistry of high mature reservoir pyrobitumens in Lower Cambrian. • Parallel application and cross-validation of REE, carbon isotopes and biomarkers. • Multiproxy study of oceanographic conditions in the Lower Cambrian. • Variations of inorganic element ratios in probitumens along migration pathways. • A potential means through analysis of bitumen to study paleo-oil reservoirs. Abstract The Moxi–Gaoshiti Bulge of the Sichuan Basin in southwestern China is unique because it provides insights into the geochemistry of Lower Cambrian reservoir bitumens and their geological significance for paleo-oil reservoirs. Analyses of biomarkers, carbon isotopes, trace elements (TE) and rare earth elements (REE) were conducted on reservoir bitumens and the associated source rocks to constrain sedimentary environments and bitumen/paleo-oil sources. Based on biomarkers, carbon isotopes, TE ratios and REE distribution patterns, both of the Cambrian Qiongzhisi (Є 1 q) and Sinian Dengying (Z 2 dn) source rocks can be hydrocarbon sources for the Cambrian Longwangmiao (Є 1 l) bitumens in the MG Bulge (Lower Cambrian Doushantuo Formation not discussed here). Abundant n -alkanes relative to isoprenoids, significant C 21 and C 22 steranes, predominance of dibenzothiophene (DBT), and low ratios of biomarkers, such as Pr/Ph, DBT/P, C 22 TT/C 21 TT and C 35 H(22S)/C 34 H(22S) indicated that the source rock was characterized as shale from an overall highly reducing marine depositional environment. The average δ13C values from the compositions of the solid bitumens show an abnormal order: saturate hydrocarbons < asphaltenes < N-S-O compounds < aromatic hydrocarbons, suggesting that high temperature might affect the normal fractionation among different organic matter fractions. The reservoir bitumens are enriched in Mo, Tl, Pb and Ba, strongly depleted in Bi Compared to PAAS, and mostly well correlated in the REE distribution patterns. In the primary migration pathways suggested by the DBT concentration, the parameters ∑REE and Zr/Cu show an overall increase, and the ratios V/Ni, Ni/Co, V/Zr and V/Cr have decreasing trends. The comprehensive analyses of molecular biomarkers, carbon isotopes, TE and REE in pyrobitumens of the highly mature reservoirs in this study suggest a potential means to study paleo-oil reservoirs, and can thus provide valuable information for deep oil and gas exploration in Precambrian – Lower Cambrian petroleum systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have important functions in the plant salt stress response. However, the functions of nonconserved miRNAs in soybean salt stress adaptation remain unclear. In this study, the soybean nonconserved miRNA gma-miR4359b and its target mRNA F-box gene GmFBX193 were functionally identified in response to salt stress. gma-miR4359b responded to salt stress in soybean hairy roots, stems, and leaves. Under salt stress, the root length ratio, root surface area ratio, root volume ratio, root tip number, survival rate, chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, proline content, superoxide dismutase activity, and peroxidase enzyme activity of soybean hairy roots overexpressing gma-miR4359b (MIR4359b) were increased compared to those of the K599 (control) soybean hairy roots, while the relative electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content of the MIR4359b soybean hairy roots decreased. In contrast, soybean hairy roots in which target mimicry (MIM4359b) and short tandem target mimic (STTM4359b) inhibited gma-miR4359b exhibited a salt-sensitive phenotype. The transcription level of GmFBX193 was decreased in MIR4359b soybean hairy roots, while the transcription level of GmFBX193 was increased in MIM4359b and STTM4359b soybean hairy roots. GmFBX193 responded to salt stress in soybean roots, and GmFBX193 was identified as a nuclear-localized protein. Under salt stress, soybean hairy roots overexpressing GmFBX193 had a similar phenotype to MIM4359b and STTM4359b soybean hairy roots. Compared with K599 (control) soybean hairy roots, MIR4359b soybean hairy roots had 172 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and MIM4359b soybean hairy roots had 2129 DEGs. Some known stress-related transcription factors were included among the DEGs. Taken together, these results suggest that gma-miR4359b plays a positive role in the soybean salt stress response by negatively regulating GmFBX193. • The nonconserved soybean miRNA gma-miR4359b and its target mRNA F-box gene GmFBX193 responded to salt stress. gma-miR4359b positively regulates the soybean response to salt stress by targeting GmFBX193. • gma-miR4359b is a positive regulator of salt tolerance in soybean. • GmFBX193 negatively regulates soybean tolerance to salt stress. • Transcriptome sequencing showed that gma-miR4359b could affect the transcription levels of some transcription factors related to the salt stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unique Moxi–Gaoshiti Bulge of Sichuan Basin in southwestern China provides insights into the biomarker signatures of bitumens and their geological significance for paleo-oil reservoirs in Precambrian strata. Solid bitumens with various shapes occur widely in the voids, solution pores, cracks, stylolites, and veins of reservoir rocks. Biomarker analysis was conducted on bitumens and the associated source rocks by quantitative detection with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to constrain thermal maturity, sedimentary environments, bitumen/paleo-oil sources, and the possible paleo-oil filling directions, which are dominant geological factors that control paleo-oil accumulations. Quantitative analysis of biomarkers showed that the bitumens in the Sinian dolomite of the Moxi–Gaoshiti Bulge belong to the same group. The bitumens are highly matured, and their reflectance values (%R b ) are greater than 1.5 with an average of 2.96. These bitumens originated from thermal cracking of oil (pyrobitmen) via a high-temperature process. The biomarker characteristics revealed that the bitumens and related paleo-oil reservoirs originated from a highly reduced but moderately saline marine shale environment. The marine shales of the Sinian Dengying and lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi formations are their major source rocks. The directions of the primary oil-filling pathways in the Gaoshiti and Moxi sub-bulges are from west to east and from northwest to southeast, respectively. These directions indicate that the Deyang–Anyue sag west of the Moxi–Gaoshiti Bulge is the major hydrocarbon source kitchen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Moxi–Gaoshiti (MG) Bulge of the Sichuan Basin in southwestern China is unique because of its enormous gas field in old Cambrian and Proterozoic marine strata, where oils in carbonate reservoirs have been nearly completely cracked to solid bitumen and natural gas because of high to post-mature thermal maturity levels. Numerous solid bitumen-bearing dolomites obtained from boreholes in the MG Bulge provide an ideal opportunity to trace the major filling orientations for the Lower Cambrian paleo-oil reservoirs. Biomarker analysis was conducted on solid bitumens through quantitative detection with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results show that all solid bitumen samples in the MG Bulge exhibit similar compositions of molecular markers, thereby implying that they belong to the same oil population and that paleo-oils should be derived from the same source kitchen/bed. Low pristane/phytane and dibenzothiophene (DBT)/phenanthrene ratios, as well as the predominance of DBT among DBT, dibenzofuran, and fluorene, are observed in the solid bitumen samples, which suggest that related paleo-oil reservoirs likely originated from a highly reducing marine shale environment. All isopleth maps of the DBT concentrations, 4-methylDBT/1-methylDBT, 4,6-dimethylDBT/(1,4 + 1,6)-dimethylDBT (DMDBT), and (2,6 + 3,6)-DMDBT/(1,4 + 1,6)-DMDBT ratios consistently indicate that the overall orientation of oil migration in the MG Bulge is primarily from the west-to-east direction, with the strongest filling point located at approximately the Mx12 well. The north-to-west direction is an additional filling orientation. These indicators show that those paleo-oils that had been cracked to pyrobitumens mainly originated from a source kitchen in the western part of the MG Bulge. A hydrocarbon source kitchen in the northern part of the MG Bulge may also have developed but further research on this is needed. The recognition of these solid bitumen molecular signatures, particularly the consistent results using DBT concentrations and alkyl DBT thermal maturity indicators, suggests a potential approach that can be applied to the study of paleo-oil reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geochemistry, origin and charge history of oils from the Yuqi area of Tarim Basin have been investigated, through GC, GC-MS and fluid inclusion microthermometry analysis. The Yuqi oils accumulated mainly in three intervals: (1) in the Lower-Middle Ordovician Yingshan Formation (O 1-2 y ) carbonate reservoirs; (2) in the overlying Upper Triassic Halahatang Formation (T 3 h ); and (3) in the Lower Cretaceous Yageliemu Formation (K 1 y ) sandstones. Oils from different reservoirs have distinct physical properties, varying from extra-heavy (O 1-2 y), heavy (T 3 h ), to light oils (T 3 h and K 1 y ). However, their geochemical compositions show a high degree of similarity, which indicates that they derive from the same source rock. Abundant tricyclic terpanes, gammacerane, dibenzothiophene and C 21 C 22 steranes, together with a low level of diasteranes, indicate an anoxic marine source rock for oils in the Yuqi area. Oil-oil correlation shows that Yuqi oils derive from the same source bed as Tahe oils. The co-occurrence of intact n -alkanes and 25-norhopanes in all the samples supports the proposition that there is a mixture of an early filled severely biodegraded oil and a late filled fresh oil. In this study, charge history is examined on the basis of integration of fluid inclusion homogenization temperature data with 1D burial-thermal history models. Two episodes of oil charging are identified in the O 1-2 y reservoir (well YQX1-1) at around 436-420 Ma (Middle-Late Silurian) and 10-3 Ma (Miocene to Pliocene), respectively. For the samples from the T 3 h and K 1 y intervals, only one episode of oil charge is indicated by the homogenization temperatures of coexisting aqueous inclusions with an inferred timing around 10-3 Ma. The T 3 h heavy oil reservoir is assumed to be a secondary hydrocarbon pool, which accumulated by re-migration and re-distribution of hydrocarbons from O 1-2 y hydrocarbon pools. The few early biodegraded oils in the K 1 y light oils were probably picked up along the migration pathway during the late fresh oil charging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variations in biomarker concentrations, including tricyclic terpanes, tetracyclic terpanes, pentacyclic triterpanes, steranes, methylphenanthrenes and triaromatic steranes, were investigated at two different pressures (0.1 and 20 MPa) in multiple laboratory simulation experiments of oil-to-gas cracking. The low-maturity non-marine oil samples used in the study are from the Paleogene Shahejie Formation in the Dongying Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, eastern China. The oils were pyrolyzed to gas at elevated temperatures (300–650 °C) in an autoclave. The oil residue was sampled and analyzed at 50 °C temperature intervals. The results show that changes in biomarker concentrations are controlled mainly by temperature, while high pressures exert non-linear suppression effects on these variations. There appear to be different evolution regimes based on biomarker cracking and generation rates in the primary (400–500 °C for 0.1 MPa and 450–550 °C for 20 MPa) and secondary (500–650 °C for 0.1 MPa and 550–650 °C for 20 MPa) oil-to-gas cracking stages. Generally, the biomarker ratio differences are considerable in the early primary oil-to-gas cracking stage but decrease substantially in the later primary oil-to-gas cracking stage. The differences remain stable at high temperatures in the secondary oil-to-gas cracking stage. These oil-to-gas pyrolysis experiments reveal the characteristics of biomarker ratios, which are quite different from their distribution within the conventional “liquid window” at moderate maturity level. They provide new insights on oil biomarker maturity parameters under high temperatures and the change of oil and gas in deep buried basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TCP transcription factors play important regulatory roles in plant growth and development; however, their function in response to salt and drought stress in sea-island cotton (Gossypium barbadense) is unknown. Here, GbTCP4 expression was induced by abscisic acid (ABA), drought, and NaCl treatments. Under drought stress, compared to wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis , transgenic GbTCP4 -overexpressing Arabidopsis showed increased seed germination rate, root length and survival rate; additionally, it was ABA-insensitive at the germination stage but ABA-sensitive at the seedling stage, showing reduced stomatal opening and ABA enrichment. Under salt stress, compared to WT Arabidopsis , transgenic GbTCP4- overexpressing Arabidopsis showed greater root length, survival rate, and SPAD value and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Conversely, under drought or salt stress, virus-induced gene-silenced GbTCP4 cotton showed decreased root length, area and volume and increased MDA content and sensitivity to drought and salt stress compared with control cotton. RNA-seq and quantitative real-time PCR analyses showed that GbTCP4 affected the transcription levels of genes across multiple abiotic stress-related metabolic pathways. Furthermore, GbTCP4 activated the transcription of GbUVR8 and GbbHLH130 by binding to their promoters. These results suggest that GbTCP4 positively regulates drought and salt stress responses and is a suitable candidate gene for improving plant drought and salt tolerance. • The sea-island cotton class II TCP gene GbTCP4 is induced by drought, salt, and ABA treatments. • Overexpression of GbTCP4 in Arabidopsis and silencing of GbTCP4 in cotton indicated that GbTCP4 is a positive regulator of drought and salt stress. • GbTCP4 regulates abiotic stress responses in an ABA-dependent manner. • The GbTCP4 transcription factor can affect the expression of key genes in multiple stress-related metabolic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ordovician reservoir in the Halahatang Depression is one of the most commercially prolific oil reservoirs in the Tabei Uplift of the Tarim Basin, NW China. For this study, a total of 94 oil samples were collected from 88 exploration/production wells in this oilfield. All of the oils possess similar organic molecular compositions and belong to the same oil population. Oil-to-source correlation results indicate that oil accumulations discovered in Halahatang Oilfield were derived from the Upper Ordovician source rocks. The homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusion in the Ordovician reservoir in the Halahatang Oilfield range from 90 °C to 100 °C and from 140 °C to 160 °C. The bimodal distribution pattern shown in a histogram of the homogenization temperatures indicates that the Ordovician oil reservoir in the Halahatang Oilfield has been charged twice. Coupling this information with the reconstructed burial and geothermal histories by 1-D basin modeling, the homogenization temperatures can be related to the relative geological ages of 419 Ma to 410 Ma and 16 Ma to 8 Ma, namely, the Middle to Late Silurian and the Middle Miocene respectively, representing the two phases of oil charging and entrapment. The oil migration orientation and charging pathways can be traced using molecular indicators, such as Ts/(Ts + Tm) and TMNr parameters. The overall oil migration orientation in the oilfield is generally from south to north. Therefore, the source kitchen for the Halahatang Oilfield is predicted to be to the south side of the depression. The southern part of the Halahatang Depression, along the oil charging pathways, is identified as the most promising region for oil exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed correlation of Hetianhe condensates versus typical source rocks from the Tarim Basin was established. Moreover, the genetic relationship between the condensates and their associated gases was also studied based on their geochemical compositions and fluid inclusion data. Hetianhe condensates are characterized by high pristine/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratios, high relative abundances of C regular steranes, C-C triaromatic steroids, and triaromatic dinosteranes, and relatively heavy stable carbon isotopic compositions. They geochemically correlate well with the Cambrian source rocks, indicating that these condensates are derived from the Cambrian rocks. Based on several molecular maturity parameters, the condensates are recognized as being moderately to highly mature, which are too low in maturity to extensively crack into gases. The gases and condensates of the Hetianhe Field are derived from the same source rocks and the gases are from oil-cracking; however, clear evidence indicates that the gases were not cracked from their associated condensates and that the gas generation from oil-cracking did not occur in the present reservoirs. The liquid condensates produced from wellheads were likely dissolved in their associated gases underground and carried into the reservoirs by the gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the place of paleo-oil cracking is crucial to understanding the formation mechanism of the gas reservoirs in the Precambrian–Cambrian strata. For the old strata the attainable information is limited because most paleo-oil have been cracked to gas at high thermal maturity, such as the Anyue giant gas field in the Moxi–Gaoshiti Bulge of Sichuan Basin, Southwestern China. In this study, the place of paleo-oil cracking was discussed based on solid bitumen found in the reservoirs. Numerous solid bitumen from the deep boreholes in the Precambrian Dengying (Z 2 dn 2 and Z 2 dn 4 ) and Lower Cambrian Longwangmiao (Є 1 l) formations of the Moxi–Gaoshiti Bulge were analyzed. Elemental and carbon isotope analyses and optical microscopic observations, such as Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electronic probe, were performed on these solid bitumen samples. The obtained parameters, including the reflectance of the solid bitumen, parameters I(D)/I(G) and S(D)/S(G) from the Raman spectra, the compositions and carbon isotope of gas, burial history, and the predicted "equivalent vitrinite reflectance Ro" (EqVRo) for reservoirs, jointly support that solid bitumen are epigenetic bitumen in reservoirs other than primary bitumen in source rocks. This study provides a relatively solid evidence of in situ cracking of paleo-oil and the thermochemical sulfate reduction reaction between paleo-oil and dolomite reservoirs. Pyrite were found both in carbonate rocks and argillaceous rock, and the sulfur in pyrite is perceived as a pathway of H 2 S formation. The results provide a basis for understanding the formation mechanism of the deep huge gas field that was derived from paleo-oil cracking, and may contribute to future petroleum exploration in deep Precambrian–Lower Cambrian systems. • A vitrinite reflectance profile of the extensive shale form one well was provided. • The solid bitumen was confirmed to be from in situ oil cracking at high thermal maturity. • Evidences proved that the TSR reaction was involved in this crude oil cracking. • The reaction of pyrite with hydrocarbons was considered as a pathway of H 2 S formation. • Maturities" of solid bitumen and reservoirs were quantitative calculated and compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The GmNF-YA10 gene encodes an NF-YA transcription factor located in the nucleus that responds to PEG and ABA treatment at the transcription level. • Overexpression of the GmNF-YA10 gene increases the drought resistance of transgenic Arabidopsis by accumulating osmotic substances, slowing membrane lipid peroxidation, enhancing photosynthesis, regulating ABA-mediated stomatal closure, reducing the leaf water loss rate, and affecting the transcript levels of stress-related genes. • GmNF-YA10 gene participates in Arabidopsis response to drought stress through two pathways, ABA-dependent and ABA-independent. Nuclear factor (NF)-Y is composed of three subunits, NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC, and plays important roles in the regulation of plant abiotic stress response gene expression. However, the function of individual soybean NF-YA proteins in response to drought stress is unclear. In this study, the soybean NF-YA subunit gene GmNF-YA10 was cloned, and its function in response to drought stress was identified. GmNF-YA10 is broadly expressed in soybean tissues and is specifically located in the nucleus. In soybean roots, the transcription level of the GmNF-YA10 gene was induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated drought stress and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Under mannitol stress, the germination rate of transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing GmNF-YA10 was higher than that of wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis. After drought stress, the survival rate, relative water content, ABA content, proline content and chlorophyll content of transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing GmNF-YA10 were higher than those of WT Arabidopsis while the rate of water loss and the contents of malondialdehyde and sucrose were lower than those of WT Arabidopsis , indicating that transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing GmNF-YA10 has better drought resistance than WT Arabidopsis. Under the ABA treatment, the root length of transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing GmNF-YA10 was shorter than that of WT Arabidopsis and the degree of stomatal closure was greater than that of WT Arabidopsis , indicating that transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing GmNF-YA10 was more sensitive to ABA at the post-germination stage. Transcriptome sequencing and real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that GmNF-YA10 affected the expression of both ABA-dependent and ABA-independent signalling pathway genes. These results indicate that GmNF-YA10 significantly improves the drought resistance of transgenic Arabidopsis through ABA-dependent and ABA-independent signal transduction pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The GbTCP5 gene encodes a sea-island cotton class II TCP CIN subclass transcription factor. • The GbTCP5 transcription factor is located in the nucleus, has transcriptional activation activity, and can bind to TCP II cis -acting elements. • Heterologous overexpression of the GbTCP5 gene increased root hair length, root hair and stem trichome density, and stem lignin content in transgenic Arabidopsis. • GbTCP5 binds the promoters of the GL3 , EGL3 , CPC , MYB46 , LBD30 , CesA4 , VND7 , CCOMT1 , and CAD5 genes to upregulate their expression. Teosinte branched1/cycloidea/proliferating cell factor1 (TCP) is a plant-specific protein family member involved in plant growth and development. However, the functions of most members of the cotton TCP family are unknown. In this study, the GbTCP5 gene encodes a sea-island cotton class II TCP CIN subclass transcription factor. The GbTCP5 transcription factor is located in the nucleus, has transcriptional activation activity, and can bind to TCP II cis -acting elements. GbTCP5 was widely expressed in tissues with the highest transcript level in the calyx. GbTCP5 is expressed at different developmental stages of the fiber and has significantly high transcriptional level expression in the fibers at 20, 30 and 35 days post anthesis (DPA). Heterologous overexpression of the GbTCP5 gene increased root hair length, root hair and stem trichome density, and stem lignin content in transgenic Arabidopsis compared to the wild type (WT). GbTCP5 binds the promoters of the GL3 , EGL3 , CPC , MYB46 , LBD30 , CesA4 , VND7 , CCOMT1 , and CAD5 genes to upregulate their expression. Moreover, the homologous genes of these genes are expressed in the fibers of different developmental stages of the sea-island cotton fiber. These results indicate that GbTCP5 regulates root hair development and secondary wall formation in Arabidopsis and may be a candidate gene for improving cotton fiber quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• GmFBX176 encodes a nuclear-localized F-box protein that responds to PEG treatment, ABA treatment, and salt stress at the transcriptional level. • Stress tolerance analysis of heterologous GmFBX176-overexpressing Arabidopsis revealed that GmFBX176 is a negative regulatory protein that improves tolerance to drought and salt stress. • GmFBX176-overexpressing Arabidopsis displayed reduced sensitivity to ABA. • Constitutive heterologous overexpression of the GmFBX176 gene affects stress-related physiological indicators and the transcript levels of stress response genes in transgenic Arabidopsis. As key components of the E3 ubiquitin ligase in the Skp1/Cullin or CDC53/F-box (SCF) complex, F-box proteins are involved in plant abiotic stress responses. However, the functions of F-box proteins in soybean in response to abiotic stress remain unclear. In this study, the soybean F-box protein-encoding gene GmFBX176 was cloned and functionally analyzed. GmFBX176 localized to the nucleus, was widely expressed in tissues (with the highest level in the roots), and responded to polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment, abscisic acid (ABA) treatment, and salt stress at the transcriptional level. GmFBX176 -overexpressing Arabidopsis had lower survival rates; faster water loss rates; lower proline, sucrose and chlorophyll contents; greater malondialdehyde (MDA) contents; greater relative electrical conductivity (REC); and greater drought stress sensitivity than did wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis. Moreover, GmFBX176 -overexpressing Arabidopsis had lower survival rates, lower chlorophyll content, lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, greater sensitivity to salt stress, longer roots, greater stomatal opening rates, and lower sensitivity to ABA than did WT Arabidopsis. Transcriptome sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analyses revealed that GmFBX176 affects the transcript levels of stress response genes. These results indicate that GmFBX176 regulates ABA-mediated responses to drought and salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two class I family teosinte branched1/cycloidea/proliferating cell factor1 (TCP) proteins from allotetraploid cotton are involved in cotton fiber cell differentiation and elongation and root hair development. However, the biological function of most class II TCP proteins is unclear. This study sought to reveal the characteristics and functions of the sea-island cotton class II TCP gene GbTCP4 by biochemical, genetic, and molecular biology methods. GbTCP4 protein localizes to nuclei, binding two types of TCP-binding cis-acting elements, including the one in its promoter. Expression pattern analysis revealed that GbTCP4 is widely expressed in tissues, with the highest level in flowers. GbTCP4 is expressed at different fiber development stages and has high transcription in fibers beginning at 5 days post anthesis (DPA). GbTCP4 overexpression increases primary root hair length and density and leaf and stem trichomes in transgenic Arabidopsis relative to wild-type plants (WT). GbTCP4 binds directly to the CAPRICE (CPC) promoter, increasing CPC transcript levels in roots and reducing them in leaves. Compared with WT plants, lignin content in the stems of transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing GbTCP4 increased, and AtCAD5 gene transcript levels increased. These results suggest that GbTCP4 regulates trichome formation and root hair development in Arabidopsis and may be a candidate gene for regulating cotton fiber elongation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]