ALBERT

Description: Interleukin (IL)-10–expressing B cells play a critical role in the immune homeostasis in the body; its regulation has not been fully understood. Micro-RNA (miR)-17-92 cluster has strong regulation in the immunity. This study tests a hypothesis that miR-17-92 cluster suppresses IL-10 expression in B cells. In this study, peripheral B cells were collected from patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). The B cells were treated with specific allergens, dust mite extracts, in the culture. The expressions of miR-17-92 cluster and IL-10 in the culture were assessed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that the levels of miR-19a, but not the rest of the 5 members (miR-17, miR-18a, miR-19b, miR-20a, and miR-92a), were significantly higher in peripheral B cells from AR patients as than in B cells from healthy participants. Exposure of B cells from AR patients to specific allergen, dust mite extracts, significantly increased the levels if miR-19a and suppressed the expression of IL-10 in B cells. The levels of histone deacetylase 11 and acetylated H3K9 were higher, and the RNA polymerase II and c-Maf (the IL-10 transcription factor) were lower, at the IL-10 promoter locus. In conclusion, miR-19a mediates the allergen-specific immune response–decreased IL-10 expression in B cells.

Description: To understand the effects of substantial topographic relief on deformation localization in the seismically active mountains, like the Longmen Shan thrust belt in the eastern Tibet, sandbox experiments were performed based on the framework of the critical taper theory. Firstly, a reference experiment revealed that the critical taper angle was 12° for our experimental materials. Subsequently, different proto-wedges (subcritical [6° in taper angle], critical [12°], and supercritical [20°]) were introduced to cover the range of natural topographic relief, and we used two setups: setup A considered only across-strike topographic relief, whereas setup B investigated along-strike segmentation of topography, consist of two adjacent proto-wedges. In all experiments, thrust wedges grew by in-sequence accretion of thrust sheets. Setup A revealed an alternating mode of slip partitioning on the accreted thrusts, with large-displacement thrust and small-displacement thrust developing in turn. And contrasting wedge evolutions occurred according to whether the proto-wedge was subcritical or critical–supercritical. In setup B, the differential deformation along the strike produced transverse structures such as tear fault and lateral ramp during frontal accretion. The observed tear fault and its associated thrust system resemble the seismogenic fault system of the 2008 Mw7.9 Wenchuan earthquake. Our experimental results could also explain first-order deformation features observed in the Longmen Shan. Consequently, we conclude that topographic features, including topographic relief across the range and along-strike segmentation of topography, contribute significantly to the kinematics and deformation localization in such active mountains.

Description: Chitin synthase (ChS) plays a critical role in chitin synthesis and excretion. In this study, two ChS genes ( LdChSA and LdChSB ) were identified in Leptinotarsa decemlineata . LdChSA contains two splicing variants, LdChSAa and LdChSAb . Within the first, second, and third larval instars, the mRNA levels of LdChSAa , LdChSAb , and LdChSB coincide with the peaks of circulating 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and juvenile hormone (JH). In vitro culture of midguts and an in vivo bioassay revealed that 20E and an ecdysteroid agonist halofenozide stimulated the expression of the three LdChS s. Conversely, a reduction of 20E by RNA interference (RNAi) of an ecdysteroidogenesis gene LdSHD repressed the expression of these LdChS s, and ingestion of halofenozide by LdSHD RNAi larvae rescued the repression. Moreover, disruption of 20E signaling by RNAi of LdEcR , LdE75 , LdHR3 , and LdFTZ-F1 reduced the expression levels of these genes. Similarly, in vitro culture and an in vivo bioassay showed that exogenous JH and a JH analog methoprene activated the expression of the three LdChS s, whereas a decrease in JH by RNAi of a JH biosynthesis gene LdJHAMT downregulated these LdChS s. It seems that JH upregulates LdChS s at the early stage of each instar, whereas a 20E pulse triggers the transcription of LdChS s during molting in L. decemlineata .

Description: Two trinuclear Co II and Zn II complexes, [(CoL) 2 (OAc) 2 Co] and [(ZnL) 2 (OAc) 2 Zn], with an asymmetric Salen-type bisoxime ligand [H 2 L = 4-( N , N -diethylamine)-2,2′-[ethylenediyldioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol] were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV/Vis, and fluorescent spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the Co II and Zn II complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The Co II atom is pentacoodinated by N 2 O 2 donor atoms from the (L) 2– unit and one oxygen atom from the coordinated acetate ion, resulting in a trigonal bipyramid arrangement. With the help of intermolecular hydrogen bonding C–H ··· O and C–H ··· π interactions, a self-assembled continual zigzag chain-like supramolecular structure is formed. The Zn II atom is pentacoodinated by N 2 O 2 donor atoms from the (L) 2– unit and one oxygen atom from the coordinated acetate ion, resulting in an almost regular trigonal bipyramid arrangement. A self-assembled continual 1D supramolecular chain-like structure is formed by intermolecular hydrogen bonding C–H ··· O and C–H ··· π interactions. Additionally, the photophysical properties of the Co II and Zn II complexes were discussed.

Description: Abstract. Two bis-triazole-bis-amide-based copper(II) pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylate coordination polymers (CPs), [Cu(2,3-pydc)(dtb) 0.5 (DMF)] · 2H 2 O ( 1 ) and [Cu(2,3-pydc)(dth) 0.5 (DMF)] · 2H 2 O ( 2 ) (2,3-H 2 pydc = pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, dtb = N , N ′-bis(4 H -1,2,4-triazole)butanamide, and dth = N , N ′-bis(4 H -1,2,4-triazole)hexanamide), were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. CPs 1 and 2 show similar two-dimensional (2D) structures. In 1 , the 2,3-pydc anions bridge the Cu II ions into a one-dimensional (1D) chain. Such 1D chains are linked by the dtb ligands to form a 2D layer. The adjacent 2D layers are extended into a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular architecture by hydrogen-bonding interactions. The electrochemical properties of 1 and 2 were investigated.

Description: Life-history traits from four geographical populations (tropical Ledong population [LD], subtropical Guangzhou [GZ] and Yongxiu populations, and temperate Langfang population [LF]) of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis were investigated at a wide range of temperatures (20–32°C). The larval and pupal times were significantly decreased with increasing rearing temperature, and growth rate was positively correlated with temperature. The relationship between body weight and rearing temperature in O. furnacalis did not follow the temperature–size rule (TSR); all populations exhibited the highest pupal and adult weights at high temperatures or intermediate temperatures. However, development time, growth rate, and body weight did not show a constant latitudinal gradient. Across all populations at each temperature, female were significantly bigger than males, showing a female-biased sexual size dimorphism (SSD). Contrary to Rensch's rule, the SSD tended to increase with rising temperature. The subtropical GZ population exhibited the largest degree of dimorphism while the temperate LF exhibited the smallest. Male pupae lose significantly more weight at metamorphosis compared to females. The proportionate weight losses of different populations were significantly different. Adult longevity was significantly decreased with increasing temperature. Between sexes, all populations exhibit a rather female-biased adult longevity. Finally, we discuss the adaptive significance of higher temperature-inducing high body weight in the moth's life history and why the moth exhibits the reverse TSR. Our results reveal that the relationship between body size and rearing temperature in Ostrinia furnacalis did not follow the temperature–size rule; all populations exhibited the highest pupal and adult weights at high temperatures or intermediate temperatures. Contrary to Rensch's rule, the sexual size dimorphism tended to increase with rising temperature. Development time, growth rate, and body weight did not show a latitudinal gradient.

Description: Despite the importance of net primary productivity (NPP) and net biome productivity (NBP), estimates of NPP and NBP for China are highly uncertain. To investigate the main sources of uncertainty, we synthesized model estimates of NPP and NBP for China from published literature and the Multi-Scale Synthesis and Terrestrial Model Intercomparison Project (MsTMIP). The literature-based results showed that total NPP and NBP in China were 3.35 ± 1.25 and 0.14 ± 0.094 Pg C yr -1 , respectively. Classification and regression tree analysis based on literature data showed that model type was the primary source of the uncertainty, explaining 36% and 64% of the variance in NPP and NBP, respectively. Spatiotemporal scales, land cover conditions, inclusion of the N cycle, and effects of N addition also contributed to the overall uncertainty. Results based on the MsTMIP data suggested that model structures were overwhelmingly important (〉90%) for the overall uncertainty compared to simulations with different combinations of time-varying global change factors. The interannual pattern of NPP was similar among diverse studies and increased by 0.012 Pg C yr -1 during 1981 - 2000. In addition, high uncertainty in China's NPP occurred in areas with high productivity, whereas NBP showed the opposite pattern. Our results suggest that, to significantly reduce uncertainty in estimated NPP and NBP, model structures should be substantially tested on the basis of empirical results. To this end, coordinated distributed experiments with multiple global change factors might be a practical approach that can validate specific structures of different models.

Description: Here we document a detailed analytical characterisation of zircon M127, a homogeneous 12.7 carat gemstone from Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Zircon M127 has TIMS-determined mean U-Pb radiogenic isotopic ratios of 0.084743 ± 0.000027 for 206 Pb/ 238 U and 0.67676 ± 0.00023 for 207 Pb/ 235 U (weighted means, 2 s uncertainties). Its 206 Pb/ 238 U age of 524.36 ± 0.16 Ma (95% confidence uncertainty) is concordant within the uncertainties of decay constants. The δ 18 O value (determined by laser fluorination) is 8.26 ± 0.06‰ VSMOW (2 s ), and the mean 176 Hf/ 177 Hf ratio (determined by solution ICP-MS) is 0.282396 ± 0.000004 (2 s ). The SIMS-determined δ 7 Li value is -0.6 ± 0.9‰ (2 s ), with a mean mass fraction of 1.0 ± 0.1 μg g −1 Li (2 s ). Zircon M127 contains ~ 923 μg g −1 U. The moderate degree of radiation damage corresponds well with the time-integrated self-irradiation dose of 1.82 × 10 18 alpha events per gram. This observation, and the (U-Th)/He age of 426 ± 7 Ma (2 s ), which is typical of unheated Sri Lankan zircon, enable us to exclude any thermal treatment. Zircon M127 is proposed as a reference material for the determination of zircon U-Pb ages by means of SIMS analysis in combination with hafnium and stable-isotope (oxygen and potentially also lithium) analysis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Description: A series of Tm 3+ /Yb 3+ codoped tellurite glasses, which demonstrate an interesting dual-mode solar spectral converting for c-Si solar cells, have been successfully prepared by conventional high-temperature melt-quenching technique. The photoluminescence (PL), photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra along with the decay curves have been studied systematically. The results indicate that the transparent glasses show two distinguishable near infrared (NIR) spectral converting behaviors, that is, quantum cutting (QC) and downshifting (DS) processes, sensitized by narrow f–f transition absorption of Tm 3+ : 3 H 6 1 G 4 at 465 nm and broad absorption band due to charge-transfer state (CTS) of Yb 3+ -O 2− at 320 nm, respectively. The Tm 3+ /Yb 3+ codoped tellurite glasses convert ultraviolet (240–400 nm) and blue (450–490 nm) photons into NIR (920–1100 nm) ones, which well match the optimal spectral response of silicon (Si) solar cells. The prepared tellurite glass can be potentially utilized as spectral converter to improve the photovoltaic conversion of c-Si solar cells. The dual-mode solar spectrum converting material might explore a novel approach to realize UV-Vis to NIR downconversion for Si solar cells application.

Description: Understanding the variations of silicon isotopes in terrestrial higher plants can be helpful towards elucidating the global biogeochemical silicon cycle. We studied silicon isotope fractionation in rice and cucumber plants over their entire life cycles. These two different silicon-absorbing plants were grown hydroponically at different external silicon concentrations. The ranges of δ 30 Si values in rice were -1.89‰–1.69‰, -1.81‰–1.96‰, and -2.08‰–2.02‰ at 0.17 mM, 1.70 mM, and 8.50 mM silicon concentrations, respectively. The ranges of δ 30 Si values in cucumber were -1.38‰–1.21‰, -1.33‰–1.26‰, and -1.62‰–1.40‰ at 0.085 mM, 0.17 mM, and 1.70 mM external silicon concentrations, respectively. A general increasing trend in δ 30 Si values from lower to upper plant parts reflected the preferential incorporation of lighter silicon isotopes from transpired water to biogenic opal. Furthermore, the active uptake mechanism regulated by several transporters might have also played an important role in the preferential transport of heavy silicon isotopes into aboveground plant parts. This suggested that silicon isotope fractionation in both rice and cucumber was a Rayleigh-like process. The data on δ 30 Si values for the whole plants and nutrient solutions indicated that biologically mediated silicon isotope fractionation occurred during silicon uptake by roots. At lower external silicon concentrations, heavy silicon isotopes entered plants more readily than light silicon isotopes. Conversely, at higher external silicon concentrations, light silicon isotopes entered plants more readily than heavy silicon isotopes.