Nightmare or delight: Taxonomic circumscription meets reticulate evolution in the phylogenomic era.

Phylogenetic studies in the phylogenomics era have demonstrated that reticulate evolution greatly impedes the accuracy of phylogenetic inference, and consequently can obscure taxonomic treatments. However, the systematics community lacks a broadly applicable strategy for taxonomic delimitation in groups characterized by pervasive reticulate evolution. The red-fruit genus, Stranvaesia, provides an ideal model to examine the influence of reticulation on generic circumscription, particularly where hybridization and allopolyploidy dominate the evolutionary history. In this study, we conducted phylogenomic analyses integrating data from hundreds of single-copy nuclear (SCN) genes and plastomes, and interrogated nuclear paralogs to clarify the inter/intra-generic relationship of Stranvaesia and its allies in the framework of Maleae. Analyses of phylogenomic discord and phylogenetic networks showed that allopolyploidization and introgression promoted the origin and diversification of the Stranvaesia clade, a conclusion further bolstered by cytonuclear and gene tree discordance. With a well-inferred phylogenetic backbone, we propose an updated generic delimitation of Stranvaesia and introduce a new genus, Weniomeles. This new genus is distinguished by its purple-black fruits, thorns trunk and/or branches, and a distinctive fruit core anatomy characterized by multilocular separated by a layer of sclereids and a cluster of sclereids at the top of the locules. Through this study, we highlight a broadly-applicable workflow that underscores the significance of reticulate evolution analyses in shaping taxonomic revisions from phylogenomic data.

Spinful Topological Phases in Acoustic Crystals with Projective PT Symmetry.

For the classification of topological phases of matter, an important consideration is whether a system is spinless or spinful, as these two classes have distinct symmetry algebra that gives rise to fundamentally different topological phases. However, only recently has it been realized theoretically that in the presence of gauge symmetry, the algebraic structure of symmetries can be projectively represented, which possibly enables the switch between spinless and spinful topological phases. Here, we report the experimental demonstration of this idea by realizing spinful topological phases in "spinless" acoustic crystals with projective space-time inversion symmetry. In particular, we realize a one-dimensional topologically gapped phase characterized by a 2Z winding number, which features double-degenerate bands in the entire Brillouin zone and two pairs of degenerate topological boundary modes. Our Letter thus overcomes a fundamental constraint on topological phases by spin classes.

Reticulation Sign on Thin-Section CT: Utility for Predicting Invasiveness of Pure Ground-Glass Nodules.

BACKGROUND. Pure ground-glass nodules (pGGNs) may represent a diverse range of histologic entities of varying aggressiveness. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of the reticulation sign on thin-section CT images for predicting the invasiveness of pGGNs. METHODS. This retrospective study included 795 patients (mean age, 53.4 ± 11.1 [SD] years; 254 men, 541 women) with a total of 876 pGGNs on thin-section CT that underwent resection between January 2015 and April 2022. Two fellowship-trained thoracic radiologists independently reviewed unenhanced CT images to assess the pGGNs for a range of features, including diameter, attenuation, location, shape, air bronchogram, bubble lucency, vascular change, lobulation, spiculation, margins, pleural indentation, and the reticulation sign (defined as multiple small linear opacities resembling a mesh or a net); differences were resolved by consensus. The relationship between the reticulation sign and lesion invasiveness on pathologic assessment was evaluated. RESULTS. On pathologic assessment, the 876 pGGNs included 163 nonneoplastic and 713 neoplastic pGGNs (323 atypical adenomatous hyperplasias [AAHs] or adenocarcinomas in situ [AISs], 250 minimally invasive adenocarcinomas [MIAs], and 140 invasive adenocarcinomas [IACs]). Interobserver agreement for the reticulation sign, expressed as kappa, was 0.870. The reticulation sign was detected in 0.0% of nonneoplastic lesions, 0.0% of AAHs/AISs, 6.8% of MIAs, and 54.3% of IACs. The reticulation sign had sensitivity of 24.0% and specificity of 100.0% for a diagnosis of MIA or IAC and sensitivity of 54.3% and specificity of 97.7% for a diagnosis of IAC. In multivariable regression analyses including all of the assessed CT features, the reticulation sign was a significant independent predictor of IAC (OR, 3.64; p = .001) but was not a significant independent predictor of MIA or IAC. CONCLUSION. The reticulation sign, when observed in a pGGN on thin-section CT, has high specificity (albeit low sensitivity) for invasiveness and is an independent predictor of IAC. CLINICAL IMPACT. Those pGGNs that show the reticulation sign should be strongly suspected to represent IAC; this suspicion may guide risk assessments and follow-up recommendations.

Significance of marginal vessels in differentiating peripheral small-cell lung cancer and benign lung tumor.

BACKGROUND: Some peripheral small cell lung cancers (pSCLCs) and benign lung tumors (pBLTs) have similar morphological features but different treatment and prognosis. PURPOSE: To determine the significance of marginal vessels in differentiating pSCLCs and pBLTs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 57 and 95 patients with pathological confirmed nodular (≤3 cm) pSCLC and pBLT with similar morphological features were enrolled in this study retrospectively. The patients' clinical characteristics and computed tomography (CT) features of tumors and marginal vessels (vessels connecting with tumors) were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Compared with pBLTs, pSCLCs had a larger diameter (P = 0.001) but lower enhancement (P = 0.015) and fewer had calcification (P = 0.013). Compared with pBLTs, more lesions had proximal (70.2% vs. 22.1%) and distal (59.6% vs. 4.2%) marginal vessels in pSCLCs (each P < 0.0001). In addition, in pSCLCs, the numbers of proximal (1.3 ± 1.4 vs. 0.3 ± 0.6), distal (2.4 ± 3.1 vs. 0.1 ± 0.5), and total (3.6 ± 3.5 vs. 0.4 ± 1.0) marginal vessels were all more than those in pBLTs (each P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed the positive distal marginal vessel sign had the highest specificity (95.8%), and the number of total marginal vessels had the best performance in discriminating pSCLC from pBLT (cutoff value = 1.5, AUC = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.72-0.89, sensitivity = 70.2%, and specificity = 91.6%). CONCLUSION: For peripheral solid nodules similar to pBLTs but without any calcification, the possibility of pSCLC should be considered if they have multiple marginal vessels (≥2), especially the distal ones.

Concise Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Daphenylline Enabled by an Intramolecular Oxidative Dearomatization.

Daphenylline is a structurally unique member of the triterpenoid Daphniphyllum natural alkaloids, which exhibit intriguing biological activities. Six total syntheses have been reported, five of which utilize aromatization approaches. Herein, we report a concise protecting-group-free total synthesis by means of a novel intramolecular oxidative dearomatization reaction, which concurrently generates the critical seven-membered ring and the quaternary-containing vicinal stereocenters. Other notable transformations include a tandem reductive amination/amidation double cyclization reaction, to assemble the cage-like architecture, and installation of the other two chiral stereocenters via a highly enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed challenging hydrogenation of the diene intermediate (90% e.e.) and an unprecedented remote acid-directed Mukaiyama-Michael reaction of the complex benzofused cyclohexanone (13:1 d.r.).

Observation of Dirac Hierarchy in Three-Dimensional Acoustic Topological Insulators.

Dirac cones (DCs) play a pivotal role in various unique phenomena ranging from massless electrons in graphene to robust surface states in topological insulators (TIs). Recent studies have theoretically revealed a full Dirac hierarchy comprising an eightfold bulk DC, a fourfold surface DC, and a twofold hinge DC, associated with a hierarchy of topological phases including first-order to third-order three-dimensional (3D) topological insulators, using the same 3D base lattice. Here, we report the first experimental observation of the Dirac hierarchy in 3D acoustic TIs. Using acoustic measurements, we unambiguously reveal that lifting of multifold DCs in each hierarchy can induce two-dimensional topological surface states with a fourfold DC in a first-order 3D TI, one-dimensional topological hinge states with a twofold DC in a second-order 3D TI, and zero-dimensional topological corner states in a third-order 3D TI. Our Letter not only expands the fundamental research scope of Dirac physics, but also opens up a new route for multidimensional robust wave manipulation.

Differential diagnosis of benign and malignant patchy ground-glass opacity by thin-section computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies confirmed that ground-glass nodules (GGNs) with certain CT manifestations had a higher probability of malignancy. However, differentiating patchy ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and GGNs has not been discussed solely. This study aimed to investigate the differences between the CT features of benign and malignant patchy GGOs to improve the differential diagnosis. METHODS: From January 2016 to September 2021, 226 patients with 247 patchy GGOs (103 benign and 144 malignant) confirmed by postoperative pathological examination or follow-up were retrospectively enrolled. Their clinical and CT data were reviewed, and their CT features were compared. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to reveal the predictors of malignancy. RESULTS: Compared to patients with benign patchy GGOs, malignant cases were older (P <  0.001), had a lower incidence of malignant tumor history (P = 0.003), and more commonly occurred in females (P = 0.012). Based on CT images, there were significant differences in the location, distribution, density pattern, internal bronchial changes, and boundary between malignant and benign GGOs (P <  0.05). The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the independent predictors of malignant GGOs were the following: patient age ≥ 58 years [odds ratio (OR), 2.175; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.135-6.496; P = 0.025], locating in the upper lobe (OR, 5.481; 95%CI, 2.027-14.818; P = 0.001), distributing along the bronchovascular bundles (OR, 12.770; 95%CI, 4.062-40.145; P < 0.001), centrally distributed solid component (OR, 3.024; 95%CI, 1.124-8.133; P = 0.028), and well-defined boundary (OR, 5.094; 95%CI, 2.079-12.482; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In older patients (≥58 years), well-defined patchy GGOs with centric solid component, locating in the upper lobe, and distributing along the bronchovascular bundles should be highly suspected as malignancy.

Paracandidimonas lactea sp. nov., a urea-utilizing bacterium isolated from landfill.

A urea-utilizing bacterium, designated Q2-2 T, was isolated from landfill. Cells of strain Q2-2 T were Gram stain-negative, aerobic, short-rod bacteria. Strain Q2-2 T was observed to grow at a temperature range of 15-37℃ (optimum 30 â„ƒ), a pH range of 5.5-9.5 (optimum pH 8.0) and 0-4% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1%). The major respiratory quinone was Q-8, and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, and phosphatidyl glycerol. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain Q2-2 T had the highest similarity with Paracandidimonas caeni 24 T (98.0%), followed by Pusillimonas soli MJ07T (97.5%), Parapusillimonas granuli Ch07T (97.2%), Pusillimonas ginsengisoli DCY25T (97.1%) and Paracandidimonas soli IMT-305 T (96.4%). The ANI values between strain Q2-2 T and the above related type strains were 71.02%, 73.52%, 74.32%, 74.59% and 72.29%, respectively. The DNA G + C content of strain Q2-2 T was 61.1%. Therefore, strain Q2-2 T represents a novel species of the genus Paracandidimonas, for which the name Paracandidimonas lactea sp. nov. (type strain Q2-2 T = CGMCC 1.19179 T = JCM 34906 T) is proposed.

Hydrogen sulfide plays a potential alternative for the treatment of metabolic disorders of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a cardiovascular complication that tends to occur in patients with diabetes, obesity, or insulin resistance, with a higher late mortality rate. Sustained hyperglycemia, increased free fatty acids, or insulin resistance induces metabolic disorders in cardiac tissues and cells, leading to myocardial fibrosis, left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic and/or systolic dysfunction, and finally develop into congestive heart failure. The close connection between all signaling pathways and the complex pathogenesis of DCM cause difficulties in finding effective targets for the treatment of DCM. It reported that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) could regulate cell energy substrate metabolism, reduce insulin resistance, protect cardiomyocytes, and improve myocardial function by acting on related key proteins such as differentiation cluster 36 (CD36) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). In this article, the relative mechanisms of H2S in alleviating metabolic disorders of DCM were reviewed, and how H2S can better prevent and treat DCM in clinical practice will be discussed.

Impact of minimal solid and micropapillary components on invasive lung adenocarcinoma recurrence.

BACKGROUND: The specific impacts of solid and micropapillary components on prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma remain unclear. Herein, we elucidated their distinct contributions to lung adenocarcinoma recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lung adenocarcinoma was classified into solid and micropapillary absent (S-M-); solid absent, micropapillary present (S-M+); micropapillary absent, solid present (S + M-); and solid and micropapillary present (S + M+). Cumulative incidence of recurrence (CIR) was calculated using competing risk analysis. RESULTS: Of 994 adenocarcinomas, 650 (65.4%) were classified as S-M-; 152 (15.3%), S-M+; 148 (14.9%), S + M-; and 44 (4.4%), S + M+. In total, 168 (16.9%) patients had recurrence; 16 (1.6%) died from other causes. S-M- had significantly lower CIR than other groups (S-M- vs. S-M+: P < 0.001, S-M- vs. S + M-: P < 0.001, S-M- vs. S + M+: P < 0.001); S + M- had significantly higher CIR than S-M+ (P = 0.002). These differences remained significant in multivariable analysis. In stage IA, S-M- had significantly lower CIR than other groups (S-M- vs. S-M+: P = 0.006, S-M- vs. S + M-: P < 0.001, S-M- vs. S + M+: P < 0.001); S + M- and S + M+ had significantly higher CIR than S-M+ (P = 0.005, P = 0.008, respectively). These differences remained significant in multivariable analysis. CIR was not significantly different between S + M- and S-M+ subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of solid or micropapillary component (≥1%) was an independent risk factor for CIR; patients with solid component alone had a higher CIR than those with micropapillary component alone. In IA lung adenocarcinoma, patients with both solid and micropapillary components had a higher CIR than those with micropapillary component alone; the proportion of solid or micropapillary component was not associated with CIR.

Long noncoding RNA EPB41L4A-AS1 functions as an oncogene by regulating the Rho/ROCK pathway in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. In terms of cancer-related death, colon cancer ranks second and third among men and women, respectively, and the incidence is increasing annually. Accumulating evidence have indicated that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) plays an important role in tumorigenesis. In this study, we found that lncRNA EPB41L4A-AS1 was highly expressed in CRC tissues and was associated with poor prognosis and tumor metastasis in patients with CRC. In vitro studies showed that the knockdown of EPB41L4A-AS1 inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of CRC cells. Mechanically, we found that EPB41L4A-AS1 may participate in the development of CRC by activating the Rho/Rho-associated protein kinase signaling pathway. Collectively, these results demonstrated that EPB41L4A-AS1 can promote the proliferation, invasion, and migration of CRC, and it may be a novel biomarker for the diagnosis and targeted treatment of CRC.

Completed absorption of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia lesions: a preliminary study.

Background: Complete absorption of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia in a short term was not detailedly reported. We aimed to investigate the clinical and imaging characteristics of COVID-19 patients with complete absorption of pulmonary lesions. Methods: Retrospectively collected the clinical and chest CT data of 224 patients with COVID-19 in one regional medical center. Currently, pulmonary lesions in 37 patients were completely absorbed. The clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, and CT findings of lesions for these patients were summarized. Results: Among the 37 patients (age, 39.0 ± 12.4 [14-63] years, 20 males), disease in 36 (97.3%) was mild and in 1 (2.7%) was from severe to mild. The most common symptoms were cough (24/37, 64.9%) and fever (23/37, 62.2%). Their laboratory indicators at admission were usually normal, while the white blood cell and neutrophil count significantly increased at discharge (p = 0.004, p = 0.006). On initial CT images, all patients had various pulmonary lesions (mean involved lobes: 2.8 ± 1.5, range: 1-5; mean involved segments: 6.6 ± 4.3, range: 1-16), which mainly manifested as multiple patchy and or spherical ground glass opacities (GGOs) (30/37, 81.1%) with fibrous strips (19/30, 63.3%) or consolidation (11/30, 36.7%). After treatment, lesions in most (33/37, 89.2%) patients were continuously absorbed. At discharge, previous lesions were mostly absorbed in 11 patients (11/37, 29.7%), the main residues were GGOs (24/37, 64.9%), followed by fibrous strips (13/37, 35.1%). On the latest CT, all the pulmonary lesions were completely absorbed, the duration of lesions was 31.6 ± 11.4 days (range: 5-50 days). Conclusion: The pulmonary lesions in some mild COVID-19 patients (generally with normal laboratory indicators at admission, GGOs as the main manifestation on initial CT, and representation of continuous absorption after treatment) could be completely absorbed with a mean duration of 31.6 days.

Evaluate the performance of four artificial intelligence-aided diagnostic systems in identifying and measuring four types of pulmonary nodules.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the performance of four artificial intelligence-aided diagnostic systems in identifying and measuring four types of pulmonary nodules. METHODS: Four types of nodules were implanted in a commercial lung phantom. The phantom was scanned with multislice spiral computed tomography, after which four systems (A, B, C, D) were used to identify the nodules and measure their volumes. RESULTS: The relative volume error (RVE) of system A was the lowest for all nodules, except for small ground glass nodules (SGGNs). System C had the smallest RVE for SGGNs, -0.13 (-0.56, 0.00). In the Bland-Altman test, only systems A and C passed the consistency test, P = 0.40. In terms of precision, the miss rate (MR) of system C was 0.00% for small solid nodules (SSNs), ground glass nodules (GGNs), and solid nodules (SNs) but 4.17% for SGGNs. The comparable system D MRs for SGGNs, SSNs, and GGNs were 71.30%, 25.93%, and 47.22%, respectively, the highest among all the systems. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that system A had the best performance in recognizing SSNs and GGNs, with areas under the curve of 0.91 and 0.68. System C had the best performance for SGGNs (AUC = 0.91). CONCLUSION: Among four types nodules, SGGNs are the most difficult to recognize, indicating the need to improve higher accuracy and precision of artificial systems. System A most accurately measured nodule volume. System C was most precise in recognizing all four types of nodules, especially SGGN.

Optically Active Flavaglines-Inspired Molecules by a Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Dearomative Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation.

With the aid of a class of newly discovered Trost-type bisphosphine ligands bearing a chiral cycloalkane framework, the Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative dearomative asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) of benzofurans was achieved with high efficiency [0.2-1.0 mol% Pd2(dba)3/L], good generality, and high enantioselectivity (>30 examples, 82-99% yield and 90-96% ee). Moreover, a diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) of previously unreachable flavaglines is disclosed. It features a reliable and scalable sequence of the freshly developed Tsuji-Trost-Stoltz AAA, a Wacker-Grubbs-Stoltz oxidation, an intra-benzoin condensation, and a conjugate addition, which allows the efficient construction of the challenging and compact cyclopenta[b]benzofuran scaffold with contiguous stereocenters. This strategy offers a new avenue for developing flavagline-based drugs.

CT Characteristics for Predicting Invasiveness in Pulmonary Pure Ground-Glass Nodules.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to investigate the differences in the CT features of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), and invasive adenocarcinoma (IA) manifesting as a pure ground-glass nodule (pGGN) with the aim of determining parameters predictive of invasiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 161 patients with 172 pGGNs (14 AAHs, 59 AISs, 68 MIAs, and 31 IAs) were retrospectively enrolled. The following CT features of each histopathologic subtype of nodule were analyzed and compared: lesion location, diameter, area, shape, attenuation, uniformity of density, margin, nodule-lung interface, and internal and surrounding changes. RESULTS. ROC curves revealed that nodule diameter and area (cutoff value, 10.5 mm and 86.5 mm2; sensitivity, 87.1% and 87.1%; specificity, 70.9% and 65.2%) were significantly larger in IAs than in AAHs, AISs, and MIAs (p < 0.001), whereas the latter three were similar in size (p > 0.050). CT attenuation higher than -632 HU in pGGNs indicated invasiveness (sensitivity, 78.8%; specificity, 59.8%). As opposed to noninvasive pGGNs (AAHs and AISs), invasive pGGNs (MIAs and IAs) usually had heterogeneous density, irregular shape, coarse margin, lobulation, spiculation, pleural indentation, and dilated or distorted vessels (each, p < 0.050). Multivariate analysis showed that mean CT attenuation and presence of lobulation were predictors for invasive pGGNs (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION. The likelihood of invasiveness is greater in pGGNs with larger size (> 10.5 mm or > 86.5 mm2), higher attenuation (> -632 HU), heterogeneous density, irregular shape, coarse margin, spiculation, lobulation, pleural indentation, and dilated or distorted vessels.

Hydrogen Sulfide Switch Phenomenon Regulating Autophagy in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a novel gaseous signaling molecule, is a vital physiological signal in mammals. H2S protects the cardiovascular system via modulation of vasodilation, vascular remodeling, and inhibition of vascular calcification, and also has anti-atherosclerosis properties. Autophagy is a lysosomal-mediated intracellular degradation mechanism for excessive or abnormal proteins and lipids. The contribution of autophagy to normal and disease-state cell physiology is extremely complicated. Autophagy acts as a double-edged sword in the cardiovascular system. It can defend against damage to cells caused by environmental changes and it can also induce active cell death under certain conditions. In recent years, accumulating evidence indicates that H2S can up- or downregulate autophagy in many pathological processes, thereby switching from a harmful to a beneficial role. In this review, we summarize progress on understanding the mechanism by which H2S regulates autophagy in cardiovascular disease. We also discuss a H2S switch phenomenon that regulates autophagy and provides protection in cardiovascular diseases.

Incidental para-ureteral aggressive angiomyxoma: a rare case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive angiomyxoma (AA) is a rare tumor that typically occurs in the pelvis and perineum, most commonly in women of reproductive age. However, no para-ureteral AA has been reported according to the literature. Case presentation We herein describe the first case of para-ureteral AA. A 62-year-old male presented to our institute in March 2017 with a para-ureteral mass that was 15 mm in diameter incidentally. No symptom was observed and laboratory analysis was unremarkable. Magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging showed a non-enhancing mass abutting the left ureter without causing obstruction. Laparoscopic resection of the mass was performed without injury to the ureter. Pathologic and immunohistochemical results were consistent with AA. Till now, no recurrence was noticed. CONCLUSIONS: We reported a rare case of para-ureteral AA, along with a literature review. Early diagnosis, proper surgical plan and long-term close follow-up is recommended for its high risk of recurrence and malignant potential.

Transcriptional reference map of hormone responses in wheat spikes.

BACKGROUND: Phytohormones are key regulators of plant growth, development, and signalling networks involved in responses to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. Transcriptional reference maps of hormone responses have been reported for several model plant species such as Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, and Brachypodium distachyon. However, because of species differences and the complexity of the wheat genome, these transcriptome data are not appropriate reference material for wheat studies. RESULTS: We comprehensively analysed the transcriptomic responses in wheat spikes to seven phytohormones, including indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA), abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene (ET), cytokinin (CK), salicylic acid (SA), and methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA). A total of 3386 genes were differentially expressed at 24 h after the hormone treatments. Furthermore, 22.7% of these genes exhibited overlapping transcriptional responses for at least two hormones, implying there is crosstalk among phytohormones. We subsequently identified genes with expression levels that were significantly and differentially induced by a specific phytohormone (i.e., hormone-specific responses). The data for these hormone-responsive genes were then compared with the transcriptome data for wheat spikes exposed to biotic (Fusarium head blight) and abiotic (water deficit) stresses. CONCLUSION: Our data were used to develop a transcriptional reference map of hormone responses in wheat spikes.

Re-acquisition of the brittle rachis trait via a transposon insertion in domestication gene Q during wheat de-domestication.

De-domestication is a unique evolutionary process during which crops re-acquire wild-like traits to survive and persist in agricultural fields without the need for human cultivation. The re-acquisition of seed dispersal mechanisms is crucial for crop de-domestication. Common wheat is an important cereal crop worldwide. Tibetan semi-wild wheat is a potential de-domesticated common wheat subspecies. However, the crucial genes responsible for its brittle rachis trait have not been identified. Genetic mapping, functional analyses and phylogenetic analyses were completed to identify the gene associated with Qbr.sau-5A, which is a major locus for the brittle rachis trait of Tibetan semi-wild wheat. The cloned Qbr.sau-5A gene is a new Q allele (Qt ) with a 161-bp transposon insertion in exon 5. Although Qt is expressed normally, its encoded peptide lacks some key features of the APETALA2 family. The abnormal functions of Qt in developing wheat spikes result in brittle rachises. Phylogenetic and genotyping analyses confirmed that Qt originated from Q in common wheat and is naturally distributed only in Tibetan semi-wild wheat populations. The identification of Qt provides new evidence regarding the origin of Tibetan semi-wild wheat, and new insights into the re-acquisition of wild traits during crop de-domestication.

DOA Estimation of Unknown Emitter Signal Based on Time Reversal and Coprime Array.

In this paper, a novel direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation for unknown (anonymous) emitter signal (ES) based on time reversal (TR) and coprime array (CA) is proposed. The resolution and accuracy of DOA estimation are enhanced from two aspects: one is from the view of array arrangement: the new distribution of CA is designed to reduce the holes, increase the degree of freedom (DOF) and apertures by rotating and translating only one subarray, which simplifies the operation. The other one is from the view of the algorithm: a neoteric DOA estimation algorithm with noise suppression based on TR, Capon and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is proposed for solving the wide sidelobe, multipath effect, low resolution and accuracy produced by conventional algorithms, in particular, those cannot work effectively under the existed hole condition. Furthermore, the resubmitting distorted noise and channel noise are suppressed effectively, which is not taken into considered in the conventional Capon algorithm. Simulation results including the resolution, accuracy, root mean square error (RMSE), Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB) and the compared analyses on uniform linear array (ULA), nested array (NA) and minimum redundancy array(MRA) demonstrate the performance advantages of the proposed DOA estimation algorithm even at very low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) condition.