Search

Abstract Background Assessing the current status and identifying the mechanisms threatening endangered plants are significant challenges and fundamental to biodiversity conservation, particularly for protecting Tertiary relict trees and plant species with extremely small populations (PSESP). Ulmus elongata (Ulmus, Ulmaceae) with high values for the ornamental application, is a Tertiary relict tree species and one of the members from PSESP in China. Currently, the wild populations of U. elongata have been threatened by excessive deforestation and urbanization, but limited knowledges of its genetic diversity seriously hinder conservation efforts. Therefore, a further study on the genetic diversity and drivers of genetic pattern in U. elongata is crucial for preserving genetic resources and can serve as a reference for other Tertiary relict plants and PSESP under climate change. Results Here, a total of 12 populations from 70 individuals of U. elongata were collected covering its geographical distribution in China. Utilizing chloroplast genome datasets, we found that U. elongata exhibited remarkably low nucleotide diversity and gene flow (π = 0.00013, Nm = 0.03). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that genetic variation in U. elongata occurs mainly between eight clades (60.95%). The Mantel tests indicated a significant correlation between genetic differentiation and geographical distances (r = 0.3777, p

IntroductionAs adolescent smoking rates rise, its impact on cognitive function has drawn greater attention. This study explores whether exercise can mitigate the negative effects of smoking on executive function in male college students.MethodsSixty male college students were divided into four groups (n = 15 each): sedentary smokers, sedentary nonsmokers, athletic smokers, and athletic nonsmokers. All participants completed the Eriksen flanker task, with prefrontal cortex activation measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. After the baseline test, all sedentary students engaged in 33 min of high-intensity interval training, followed by the same procedures as in the pre-test.ResultsIn the flanker task, college athletes exhibited superior executive function compared to sedentary students, with higher accuracy (p = 0.042), faster reaction times (p = 0.002), and more pronounced brain activation (p = 0.048). Post-exercise, reaction times improved significantly in sedentary groups (p < 0.05). Smoking impaired executive function both before and after exercise, with smokers showing lower accuracy (p < 0.001), slower reaction times (p < 0.001), and diminished brain activation (p < 0.001) compared to nonsmokers.DiscussionEngaging in acute aerobic exercise may improve executive function in sedentary smokers. Exercise may help mitigate smoking-related declines in executive function among college students.

Abstract Background Ulmus mianzhuensis is an endemic tree species in China with high ornamental and economic value. Currently, little is known regarding its genomic architecture, phylogenetic position, or adaptive evolution. Here, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genome (cp genome) of U. mianzhuensis and further compared the variations in gene organization and structure within Ulmus species to define their genomic evolution, then reconstructed the phylogenomic relationship of 31 related Ulmus species to explore the systematic position of U. mianzhuensis and the utility of cp genome for resolving phylogenetics among Ulmus species. Results Our results revealed that all the Ulmus species exhibited a typical quadripartite structure, with a large single copy (LSC) region of 87,170 − 88,408 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,650 − 19,038 bp and an inverted repeat (IR) region of 26,288 − 26,546 bp. Within Ulmus species, gene structure and content of cp genomes were highly conserved, although slight variations were found in the boundary of SC/IR regions. Moreover, genome-wide sliding window analysis uncovered the variability of ndhC-trnV-UAC, ndhF-rpl32, and psbI-trnS-GCU were higher among 31 Ulmus that may be useful for the population genetics and potential DNA barcodes. Two genes (rps15 and atpF) were further detected under a positive selection of Ulmus species. Comparative phylogenetic analysis based on the cp genome and protein-coding genes revealed consistent topology that U. mianzhuensis is a sister group to U. parvifolia (sect. Microptelea) with a relatively low-level nucleotide variation of the cp genome. Additionally, our analyses also found that the traditional taxonomic system of five sections in Ulmus is not supported by the current phylogenomic topology with a nested evolutionary relationship between sections. Conclusions Features of the cp genome length, GC content, organization, and gene order were highly conserved within Ulmus. Furthermore, molecular evidence from the low variation of the cp genome suggested that U. mianzhuensis should be merged into U. parvifolia and regarded as a subspecies of U. parvifolia. Overall, we demonstrated that the cp genome provides valuable information for understanding the genetic variation and phylogenetic relationship in Ulmus.

Abstract With increasing acreage of cash crops, the use of their by-products as supplements for livestock feed becomes an important factor. Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) account for more than half of the world’s loose flower production. However, there is no precedent for the abundantly available marigold crop residue (MCR) being used as feed in agricultural production, probably because of its strong pungent taste. This study aimed to evaluate the biotransformation of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of MCR by mixed ensilage and assess its palatability by cattle. Caryophyllene, the most prevalent VOC in MCR, decreased by 29.11% (P

Crabapples (Malus sp.) are ornamental woody plants that belong to the Rosaceae family. Flooding has severely hampered the growth and development of crabapple, and little is known about the molecular responses of crabapple to waterlogging tolerance. Cuttings of waterlogging-tolerant Malus hupehensis and waterlogging-intolerant Malus halliana received flooding treatment of 30 days and regular planting, respectively. Using transcriptome sequencing, we isolated 5703 and 2735 waterlogging-responsive genes from waterlogging-treated M. hupehensis and M. halliana leaves. Among these differentially expressed genes (DEGs), only 746 were shared by both. Several variables may explain the greater waterlogging tolerance of M. hupehensis: there were more waterlogging response genes related to carbohydrate and energy metabolism; signal transduction; antioxidation; lipid metabolism; protein and amino acid metabolism; and polysaccharide, cell wall, and cytoskeleton metabolism pathway in the waterlogged leaves of M. hupehensis than in M. halliana. In particular, the number of DEGs related to anaerobic metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, γ-aminobutyric acid metabolism and cellulase, pectinase metabolism pathway in the flooded leaves of M. hupehensis was more than that in M. halliana. The alterations in gene expression patterns of the two crabapple species induced by waterlogging varied substantially. These outcomes pave the way for further studies into the functions of genes that may be involved in waterlogging tolerance in crabapples.

In the mobile edge computing environment, aiming at the problems of few classifications of resource nodes and low resource utilization in the process of multi-user and multi-server resource allocation, a resource optimization algorithm based on comprehensive utility is proposed. First, the algorithm improves the Naive Bayes algorithm, obtains the conditional probabilities of job types based on the established Naive Bayes formula and calculates the posterior probabilities of different job types under specific conditions. Second, the classification method of resource service nodes is designed. According to the resource utilization rate of the CPU and I/O, the resource service nodes are divided into CPU main resources and I/O main resources. Finally, the resource allocation based on comprehensive utility is considered. According to three factors, resource location, task priority and network transmission cost, the matching computing resource nodes are allocated to the job, and the optimal solution of matching job and resource nodes is obtained by the weighted bipartite graph method. The experimental results show that, compared with similar resource optimization algorithms, this method can effectively classify job types and resource service nodes, reduce resource occupancy rate and improve resource utilization rate.

The current computation offloading algorithm for the mobile cloud ignores the selection of offloading opportunities and does not consider the uninstall frequency, resource waste, and energy efficiency reduction of the user's offloading success probability. Therefore, in this study, a dynamic computation offloading algorithm based on particle swarm optimization with a mutation operator in a multi-access edge computing environment is proposed (DCO-PSOMO). According to the CPU utilization and the memory utilization rate of the mobile terminal, this method can dynamically obtain the overload time by using a strong, locally weighted regression method. After detecting the overload time, the probability of successful downloading is predicted by the mobile user's dwell time and edge computing communication range, and the offloading is either conducted immediately or delayed. A computation offloading model was established via the use of the response time and energy consumption of the mobile terminal. Additionally, the optimal computing offloading algorithm was designed via the use of a particle swarm with a mutation operator. Finally, the DCO-PSOMO algorithm was compared with the JOCAP, ECOMC and ESRLR algorithms, and the experimental results demonstrated that the DCO-PSOMO offloading method can effectively reduce the offloading cost and terminal energy consumption, and improves the success probability of offloading and the user's QoS.

With the convergence of the Internet of Things, 5G, and artificial intelligence, limited network bandwidth and bursts of incoming service requests seem to be the most important factors affecting user experience. Therefore, caching technology was introduced. In this paper, a caching placement optimization strategy based on comprehensive utility (CPOSCU) in edge computing is proposed. Firstly, the strategy involves quantifying the placement factors of data blocks, which include the popularity of data blocks, the remaining validity ratio of data blocks, and the substitution rate of servers. By analyzing the characteristics of cache objects and servers, these placement factors are modeled to determine the cache value of data blocks. Then, the optimization problem for cache placement is quantified comprehensively based on the cache value of data blocks, data block retrieval costs, data block placement costs, and replacement costs. Finally, to break out of the partial optimal solution for cache placement, a penalty strategy is introduced, and an improved tabu search algorithm is used to find the best edge server placement for cached objects. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed caching strategy enhances the cache service rate, reduces user request latency and system overhead, and enhances the user experience.

Abstract Background Marigold (Tagetes erecta L) accounts for over half of the world’s loose flower production, and marigold crop residue (MCR) are abundantly available and should be used as a forage. In this study, MCR from the last commercial flower pickings was ensilaged with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and the shift in their volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profiles was monitored. Samples were collected at 6 different times during ensilage (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 30 days) to determine and quantify the VOCs changes using a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results After 30 days, the caryophyllene and piperitone, which account for 14.7 and 12.1% of total VOCs, decreased by 32.9 and 9.6% respectively, alcohols increased from 2.8 to 8.1%, and the acetic acid content increased by 560%. Conclusion We have confirmed LAB can degrade the content of terpenes and enhance the content of alcohols and acids in MCR, which was for the first time on terpene degradation in fodder by ensilage. These results have shed light on our understanding of how to improve fodder odor and to enhance terpene degradation by lactic acid bacteria fermentation.

Abstract High temperature constitutes a serious threat to crops. 3′,5′‐cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is increasingly proved to play important roles in plants. However, the mechanism of cAMP‐mediated thermotolerance in root remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate cAMP roles in thermotolerance of maize root. Adenylyl cyclase (AC) catalyzes ATP to generate cAMP. For two identified maize AC genes, ZmRPP13‐LK3 and ZmPSiP, the predictive ABA response element was found in their promoter fragments. Both ABA and heat stress treatment increased the promoter activity of ZmRPP13‐LK3 and ZmPSiP. In the roots of maize ABA‐deficient mutant vp5, the heat‐caused increase of these two gene expression and cAMP content was obviously less than that in the roots of its wild‐type Vp5. cAMP pretreatment decreased H2O2 and malondialdehyde content, but increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase in roots compared to no pretreatment under heat stress. By iTRAQ proteomics analysis, 268 cAMP‐mediated differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified from maize roots exposed to heat stress. The integrated analysis of these DEPs showed that cAMP was involved in many important biological processes, including ion uptake, protein degradation via autophagy or ubiquitin–proteasome system, a rapid delivery of stress‐related cargo molecules by vesicle trafficking, and adaptation response by defense proteins. To determine whether the gene expression of these DEPs was regulated by cAMP and ABA, the gene expression of randomly selected 15 DEPs as ion transporters and heat shock proteins was analyzed, and the results indicated that cAMP and ABA pretreatment also enhanced the expression of their genes. Additionally, the cAMP pretreatment increased Ca2+, PO43−, and NO3− uptake, but reduced K+ uptake in roots under heat stress. All above‐mentioned results suggest that ABA‐mediated cAMP signaling may contribute to better thermotolerance in maize roots.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play important roles in the progression of human cancers. Herein, bioinformatic analysis identified that LINC00942 was a highly overexpressed lncRNA in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). The present study aimed to explore the roles and possible molecular mechanisms of LINC00942 in LUAD. Methods: First, on the basis of TCGA database, the expression and prognosis of LINC00942 were analyzed in LUAD tissues. Then, si-LINC00942 was transfected into A549 and H1299 cells to knockdown the expression of LINC00942. Cell viability was detected by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell apoptosis. The expressions of PCNA, Bax, Bcl-2, and wnt/β-catenin pathway proteins were detected by western blotting. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the regulatory relationship between LINC00942 and miR-5006-5p, or miR-5006-5p and FZD1. Results: We discovered that LINC00942 was up-regulated in LUAD tissues compared with adjacent tissues. Besides, we found the increased LINC00942 expression was associated with poor survival. In addition, silencing of LINC00942 suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion and facilitated the apoptosis of A549 and H1299 cells. Moreover, silencing of LINC00942 repressed the expression of PCNA, Bcl-2, and enhanced Bax expression in A549 and H1299 cells. Mechanically, LINC00942 exerted its effects via enhancing Wnt signaling. LINC00942 functioned as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by binding to miR-5006-5p, upregulating the expression of FZD1, which was a direct target of miR-5006-5p. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that LINC00942/miR-5006-5p/FZD1 axis played important roles in LUAD growth through enhancing Wnt signaling. LINC00942/miR-5006-5p/FZD1 axis might serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for LUAD treatment.

With gradual warming or increased frequency and magnitude of high temperature, heat stress adversely affects plant growth and eventually reduces plant productivity and quality. Plants have evolved complex mechanisms to sense and respond to heat stress which are crucial to avoiding cell damage and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Recently, 33″,55″-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) has been proved to be an important signaling molecule participating in plant adaptation to heat stress by affecting multi-level regulatory networks. Significant progress has been made on many fronts of cAMP research, particularly in understanding the downstream signaling events that culminate in the activation of stress-responsive genes, mRNA translation initiation, vesicle trafficking, the ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy, HSPs-assisted protein processing, and cellular ion homeostasis to prevent heat-related damage and to preserve cellular and metabolic functions. In this present review, we summarize recent works on the genetic and molecular mechanisms of cAMP in plant response to heat stress which could be useful in finding thermotolerant key genes to develop heat stress-resistant varieties and that have the potential for utilizing cAMP as a chemical regulator to improve plant thermotolerance. New directions for future studies on cAMP are discussed.

As the most important element in improving the service life of a mechanical system, surface coating materials are of key importance in the development of high-end equipment. To improve the comprehensive properties of the surface coating, the common core-shell structure/Ni60 coating was prepared on the surface of #45 steel by supersonic plasma spraying. The results show that the Ni60 has no layer structure, pores, cracks, and other defects on the surface of the coating. The nanohardness of the NNA(Ni60/Ni (Al) mixture powder), NNM(Ni60/Ni (MoS2) mixture powder), and NNC(Ni60/Ni (C) mixture powder) coatings is 6815 μN, 5750 μN, and 2000 μN. The results show that the wear resistance of the NNA coating is better. In the friction and wear test, the NNA coating mainly shows adhesive wear and abrasive wear, while the NNM and NNC coatings mainly show abrasive wear.

Porous titanium was characterized after its surface modification by acid and alkali solution immersion. The results show that the acid surface treatment caused the emergence of flocculent sodium titanate and induced apatite formation. The surface modification of porous titanium promotes biological activation, and the application of porous titanium is also improved as an implant material because of the existence of C and Si. Keywords: Porous titanium, Surface modification, Microstructure, XPS

This paper proposes a special System Architecture for Multi-tenancy SaaS Service (SAMSS), which studies the performance security issues at the business logic layer and data processing layer respectively. The Kalman filtering Admission Control algorithm (KAC) and the Greedy Copy Management algorithm (GCM) are proposed. At the business logic layer, Kalman filtering admission control algorithm is presented. It uses a Kalman filter to conduct the dynamic evaluation for the CPU resource for multi-tenancy SaaS service and reduces the unnecessary performance expenses caused by direct measurement of CPU resources. At the data processing layer, the Greedy Copy Management algorithm (GCM) is presented. It changes the copy placement as a K-partitioning set partitioning problem and adopts a greedy strategy to reduce the number of times for creating a data copy. Finally, the experimental analysis and results prove the feasibility and efficiency of the algorithms proposed.

In photosynthetic organisms, the photorespiratory cycle is an essential pathway leading to the recycling of 2-phosphoglycolate, produced by the oxygenase activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, to 3-phosphoglycerate. Although photorespiration is a widely studied process, its regulation remains poorly understood. In this context, phosphoproteomics studies have detected six phosphorylation sites associated with photorespiratory glycolate oxidases from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtGOX1 and AtGOX2). Phosphorylation sites at T4, T158, S212 and T265 were selected and studied using Arabidopsis and maize recombinant glycolate oxidase (GOX) proteins mutated to produce either phospho-dead or phospho-mimetic enzymes in order to compare their kinetic parameters. Phospho-mimetic mutations (T4D, T158D and T265D) led to a severe inhibition of GOX activity without altering the KM glycolate. In two cases (T4D and T158D), this was associated with the loss of the cofactor, flavin mononucleotide. Phospho-dead versions exhibited different modifications according to the phospho-site and/or the GOX mutated. Indeed, all T4V and T265A enzymes had kinetic parameters similar to wild-type GOX and all T158V proteins showed low activities while S212A and S212D mutations had no effect on AtGOX1 activity and AtGOX2/ZmGO1 activities were 50% reduced. Taken together, our results suggest that GOX phosphorylation has the potential to modulate GOX activity.