Uncovering ghost introgression through genomic analysis of a distinct eastern Asian hickory species.

Ghost introgression, or the transfer of genetic material from extinct or unsampled lineages to sampled species, has attracted much attention. However, conclusive evidence for ghost introgression, especially in plant species, remains scarce. Here, we newly assembled chromosome-level genomes for both Carya sinensis and Carya cathayensis, and additionally re-sequenced the whole genomes of 43 C. sinensis individuals as well as 11 individuals representing 11 diploid hickory species. These genomic datasets were used to investigate the reticulation and bifurcation patterns within the genus Carya (Juglandaceae), with a particular focus on the beaked hickory C. sinensis. By combining the D-statistic and BPP methods, we obtained compelling evidence that supports the occurrence of ghost introgression in C. sinensis from an extinct ancestral hickory lineage. This conclusion was reinforced through the phylogenetic network analysis and a genome scan method VolcanoFinder, the latter of which can detect signatures of adaptive introgression from unknown donors. Our results not only dispel certain misconceptions about the phylogenetic history of C. sinensis but also further refine our understanding of Carya's biogeography via divergence estimates. Moreover, the successful integration of the D-statistic and BPP methods demonstrates their efficacy in facilitating a more precise identification of introgression types.

A high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of Ficus hirta.

Ficus species (Moraceae) play pivotal roles in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. Thriving across diverse habitats, from rainforests to deserts, they harbor a multitude of mutualistic and antagonistic interactions with insects, nematodes, and pathogens. Despite their ecological significance, knowledge about the genomic background of Ficus remains limited. In this study, we report a chromosome-level reference genome of F. hirta, with a total size of 297.27 Mb, containing 28,625 protein-coding genes and 44.67% repeat sequences. These findings illuminate the genetic basis of Ficus responses to environmental challenges, offering valuable genomic resources for understanding genome size, adaptive evolution, and co-evolution with natural enemies and mutualists within the genus.

Odorant-Binding and Chemosensory Proteins in Fig Wasps: Evolutionary Insights From Comparative Studies.

Fig wasps (Agaonidae; Hymenoptera) are the only pollinating insects of fig trees (Ficus; Moraceae), forming the most closely and highly specific mutualism with the host. We used transcriptome sequences of 25 fig wasps from six genera to explore the evolution of key molecular components of fig wasp chemosensory genes: odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs). We identified a total 321 OBPs and 240 CSPs, with each species recording from 6 to 27 OBP genes and 6-19 CSP genes. 318 OBP genes are clustered into 17 orthologous groups and can be divided into two groups: PBP sensitive to pheromone and GOBP sensitive to general odor molecules, such as alcohols, esters, acids, ketones, and terpenoids. 240 CSP genes are clustered into 12 orthologous groups, which can be divided into three major groups and have functions, such as olfactory, tissue formation and/or regeneration, developmental, and some specific and unknown function. The gene sequences of most orthologous groups vary greatly among species and are consistent with the phylogenetic relationships between fig wasps. Strong purifying selection of both OBP and CSP genes was detected, as shown by low ω values. A positive selection was detected in one locus in CSP1. In conclusion, the evolution of chemosensory proteins OBPs and CSPs in fig wasps is relatively conservative, and they play an indispensable role in the life activities of fig wasps. Our results provide a starting point for understanding the molecular basis of the chemosensory systems of fig wasps.

Evolution of Wolbachia reproductive and nutritional mutualism: insights from the genomes of two novel strains that double infect the pollinator of dioecious Ficus hirta.

Wolbachia is a genus of maternally inherited endosymbionts that can affect reproduction of their hosts and influence metabolic processes. The pollinator, Valisia javana, is common in the male syconium of the dioecious fig Ficus hirta. Based on a high-quality chromosome-level V. javana genome with PacBio long-read and Illumina short-read sequencing, we discovered a sizeable proportion of Wolbachia sequences and used these to assemble two novel Wolbachia strains belonging to supergroup A. We explored its phylogenetic relationship with described Wolbachia strains based on MLST sequences and the possibility of induction of CI (cytoplasmic incompatibility) in this strain by examining the presence of cif genes known to be responsible for CI in other insects. We also identified mobile genetic elements including prophages and insertion sequences, genes related to biotin synthesis and metabolism. A total of two prophages and 256 insertion sequences were found. The prophage WOjav1 is cryptic (structure incomplete) and WOjav2 is relatively intact. IS5 is the dominant transposon family. At least three pairs of type I cif genes with three copies were found which may cause strong CI although this needs experimental verification; we also considered possible nutritional effects of the Wolbachia by identifying genes related to biotin production, absorption and metabolism. This study provides a resource for further studies of Wolbachia-pollinator-host plant interactions.

Genomic Analysis of Plastid-Nuclear Interactions and Differential Evolution Rates in Coevolved Genes across Juglandaceae Species.

The interaction between the nuclear and chloroplast genomes in plants is crucial for preserving essential cellular functions in the face of varying rates of mutation, levels of selection, and modes of transmission. Despite this, identifying nuclear genes that coevolve with chloroplast genomes at a genome-wide level has remained a challenge. In this study, we conducted an evolutionary rate covariation analysis to identify candidate nuclear genes coevolving with chloroplast genomes in Juglandaceae. Our analysis was based on 4,894 orthologous nuclear genes and 76 genes across seven chloroplast partitions in nine Juglandaceae species. Our results indicated that 1,369 (27.97%) of the nuclear genes demonstrated signatures of coevolution, with the Ycf1/2 partition yielding the largest number of hits (765) and the ClpP1 partition yielding the fewest (13). These hits were found to be significantly enriched in biological processes related to leaf development, photoperiodism, and response to abiotic stress. Among the seven partitions, AccD, ClpP1, MatK, and RNA polymerase partitions and their respective hits exhibited a narrow range, characterized by dN/dS values below 1. In contrast, the Ribosomal, Photosynthesis, Ycf1/2 partitions and their corresponding hits, displayed a broader range of dN/dS values, with certain values exceeding 1. Our findings highlight the differences in the number of candidate nuclear genes coevolving with the seven chloroplast partitions in Juglandaceae species and the correlation between the evolution rates of these genes and their corresponding chloroplast partitions.

Antioxidative 2D Bismuth Selenide via Halide Passivation for Enhanced Device Stability.

The topological insulator 2D Bi2Se3 is promising for electronic devices due to its unique electronic properties; however, it is challenging to prepare antioxidative nanosheets since Bi2Se3 is prone to oxidation. Surface passivation using ligand agents after Bi2Se3 exfoliation works well to protect the surface, but the process is time-consuming and technically challenging; a passivation agent that is stable under a highly biased potential is significant for in situ passivation of the Bi2Se3 surface. In this work, the roles of halide anions (Cl-, Br-, and I-) in respect of the chemical properties of synthetic Bi2Se3 nanosheets during electrochemical intercalated exfoliation were investigated to determine the antioxidation capacity. It was found that Bi2Se3 nanosheets prepared in a solution of tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBA+ and Cl-) have the best oxidation resistance via the surface bonding of Bi with Cl, which promotes obtaining better device stability. This work paves an avenue for adjusting the components of the electrolyte to further promote the stability of 2D Bi2Se3-nanosheet-based electronic devices.

Genomic Insights into Adaptation to Karst Limestone and Incipient Speciation in East Asian Platycarya spp. (Juglandaceae).

When challenged by similar environmental conditions, phylogenetically distant taxa often independently evolve similar traits (convergent evolution). Meanwhile, adaptation to extreme habitats might lead to divergence between taxa that are otherwise closely related. These processes have long existed in the conceptual sphere, yet molecular evidence, especially for woody perennials, is scarce. The karst endemic Platycarya longipes, and its only congeneric species, P. strobilacea, which is widely distributed in the mountains in East Asia, provide an ideal model for examining the molecular basis of both convergent evolution and speciation. Using chromosome-level genome assemblies of both species, and whole genome resequencing data from 207 individuals spanning their entire distribution range, we demonstrate that P. longipes and P. strobilacea form two species-specific clades, which diverged around 2.09 million years ago. We find an excess of genomic regions exhibiting extreme interspecific differentiation, potentially due to long-term selection in P. longipes, likely contributing to the incipient speciation of the genus Platycarya. Interestingly, our results unveil underlying karst adaptation in both copies of the calcium influx channel gene TPC1 in P. longipes. TPC1 has previously been identified as a selective target in certain karst-endemic herbs, indicating a convergent adaptation to high calcium stress among karst-endemic species. Our study reveals the genic convergence of TPC1 among karst endemics, and the driving forces underneath the incipient speciation of the two Platycarya lineages.

Genomic Insights into Adaptation to Karst Limestone and Incipient Speciation in East Asian Platycarya spp. (Juglandaceae).

When challenged by similar environmental conditions, phylogenetically distant taxa often independently evolve similar traits (convergent evolution). Meanwhile, adaptation to extreme habitats might lead to divergence between taxa that are otherwise closely related. These processes have long existed in the conceptual sphere, yet molecular evidence, especially for woody perennials, is scarce. The karst endemic Platycarya longipes and its only congeneric species, Platycarya strobilacea, which is widely distributed in the mountains in East Asia, provide an ideal model for examining the molecular basis of both convergent evolution and speciation. Using chromosome-level genome assemblies of both species, and whole-genome resequencing data from 207 individuals spanning their entire distribution range, we demonstrate that P. longipes and P. strobilacea form two species-specific clades, which diverged around 2.09 million years ago. We find an excess of genomic regions exhibiting extreme interspecific differentiation, potentially due to long-term selection in P. longipes, likely contributing to the incipient speciation of the genus Platycarya. Interestingly, our results unveil underlying karst adaptation in both copies of the calcium influx channel gene TPC1 in P. longipes. TPC1 has previously been identified as a selective target in certain karst-endemic herbs, indicating a convergent adaptation to high calcium stress among karst-endemic species. Our study reveals the genic convergence of TPC1 among karst endemics and the driving forces underneath the incipient speciation of the two Platycarya lineages.

Genome structure-based Juglandaceae phylogenies contradict alignment-based phylogenies and substitution rates vary with DNA repair genes.

In lineages of allopolyploid origin, sets of homoeologous chromosomes may coexist that differ in gene content and syntenic structure. Presence or absence of genes and microsynteny along chromosomal blocks can serve to differentiate subgenomes and to infer phylogenies. We here apply genome-structural data to infer relationships in an ancient allopolyploid lineage, the walnut family (Juglandaceae), by using seven chromosome-level genomes, two of them newly assembled. Microsynteny and gene-content analyses yield identical topologies that place Platycarya with Engelhardia as did a 1980s morphological-cladistic study. DNA-alignment-based topologies here and in numerous earlier studies instead group Platycarya with Carya and Juglans, perhaps misled by past hybridization. All available data support a hybrid origin of Juglandaceae from extinct or unsampled progenitors nested within, or sister to, Myricaceae. Rhoiptelea chiliantha, sister to all other Juglandaceae, contains proportionally more DNA repair genes and appears to evolve at a rate 2.6- to 3.5-times slower than the remaining species.

Lysine acetylation of Escherichia coli lactate dehydrogenase regulates enzyme activity and lactate synthesis.

As an evolutionarily conserved posttranslational modification, protein lysine acetylation plays important roles in many physiological and metabolic processes. However, there are few reports about the applications of lysine acetylation in metabolic regulations. Lactate is a main byproduct in microbial fermentation, and itself also an important bulk chemical with considerable commercial values in many fields. Lactate dehydrogenase (LdhA) is the key enzyme catalyzing lactate synthesis from pyruvate. Here, we reported that Escherichia coli LdhA can be acetylated and the acetylated lysine sites were identified by mass spectrometry. The effects and regulatory mechanisms of acetylated sites on LdhA activity were characterized. Finally, lysine acetylation was successfully used to regulate the lactate synthesis. LdhA (K9R) mutant overexpressed strain improved the lactate titer and glucose conversion efficiency by 1.74 folds than that of wild-type LdhA overexpressed strain. LdhA (K154Q-K248Q) mutant can inhibit lactate accumulation and improve 3HP production. Our study established a paradigm for lysine acetylation in lactate synthesis regulation and suggested that lysine acetylation may be a promising strategy to improve the target production and conversion efficiency in microbial synthesis. The application of lysine acetylation in regulating lactate synthesis also provides a reference for the treatment of lactate-related diseases.

Population-genomic analyses reveal bottlenecks and asymmetric introgression from Persian into iron walnut during domestication.

BACKGROUND: Persian walnut, Juglans regia, occurs naturally from Greece to western China, while its closest relative, the iron walnut, Juglans sigillata, is endemic in southwest China; both species are cultivated for their nuts and wood. Here, we infer their demographic histories and the time and direction of possible hybridization and introgression between them. RESULTS: We use whole-genome resequencing data, different population-genetic approaches (PSMC and GONE), and isolation-with-migration models (IMa3) on individuals from Europe, Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and China. IMa3 analyses indicate that the two species diverged from each other by 0.85 million years ago, with unidirectional gene flow from eastern J. regia and its ancestor into J. sigillata, including the shell-thickness gene. Within J. regia, a western group, located from Europe to Iran, and an eastern group with individuals from northern China, experienced dramatically declining population sizes about 80 generations ago (roughly 2400 to 4000 years), followed by an expansion at about 40 generations, while J. sigillata had a constant population size from about 100 to 20 generations ago, followed by a rapid decline. CONCLUSIONS: Both J. regia and J. sigillata appear to have suffered sudden population declines during their domestication, suggesting that the bottleneck scenario of plant domestication may well apply in at least some perennial crop species. Introgression from introduced J. regia appears to have played a role in the domestication of J. sigillata.

Curcumin inhibits pancreatic cancer cell proliferation by regulating Beclin1 expression and inhibiting the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α-mediated glycolytic pathway.

Background: Pancreatic cancer has a high degree of malignancy and high mortality. Understanding its biological status can provide more therapeutic targets for the future. The present study was to investigate whether curcumin can inhibit pancreatic cancer cell proliferation by regulating Beclin1 expression and inhibiting the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)-mediated glycolytic pathway. Methods: Two pancreatic cancer cell lines, PANC-1 and SW1990, were treated with different concentrations of curcumin (0, 20, 40, and 60 µM). Cell viability was detected using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry was performed to determine the apoptosis rate and cell cycle arrest of the pancreatic cancer cells. PANC-1 and SW1990 cells were treated with different concentrations of curcumin under hypoxic conditions for 48 hours to detect the relative expression of the Beclin1 protein. The co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) method was used to determine whether curcumin could inhibit the interaction between Beclin1 and HIF-1α. Results: The proliferation inhibition rates of PANC-1 cells after exposure to 0, 20, 40, and 60 µM curcumin were 0%, 31.6%, 47.2%, and 63.9%, respectively, and that of SW1990 cells were 0%, 18.8%, 46.3%, and 63.5% respectively. Western blot analyses showed decreased expression of Beclin1 in cells treated with curcumin. The expression of Beclin1 in the nucleus and cytoplasm decreased with increasing concentrations of curcumin. Co-IP results demonstrated that curcumin inhibited the interaction between Beclin1 and HIF-1α. Treatment with the higher doses of curcumin (40 and 60 µM) significantly decreased the protein expression levels of HIF-1α. In addition, the expression levels of Kidney-Specific Cadherin (HSP70, HSP90, and von Hippel-Lindau protein (pVHL) were significantly decreased in pancreatic cancer cells while the expression of prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) and receptor of activated protein kinase C (RACK1) increased significantly. Furthermore, curcumin reduced cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with control pancreatic cancer cells, the expression levels of GLUT1, HK2, LDHA, and PDK1 gradually decreased with increasing curcumin concentrations. Conclusions: Curcumin can inhibit the expression of Beclin1 and HIF-1α in pancreatic cancer cells under anoxic conditions, thereby affecting the glycolysis pathway and inhibiting cell proliferation.

Dead-End Hybridization in Walnut Trees Revealed by Large-Scale Genomic Sequence Data.

Although hybridization plays a large role in speciation, some unknown fraction of hybrid individuals never reproduces, instead remaining as genetic dead-ends. We investigated a morphologically distinct and culturally important Chinese walnut, Juglans hopeiensis, suspected to have arisen from hybridization of Persian walnut (J. regia) with Asian butternuts (J. cathayensis, J. mandshurica, and hybrids between J. cathayensis and J. mandshurica). Based on 151 whole-genome sequences of the relevant taxa, we discovered that all J. hopeiensis individuals are first-generation hybrids, with the time for the onset of gene flow estimated as 370,000 years, implying both strong postzygotic barriers and the presence of J. regia in China by that time. Six inversion regions enriched for genes associated with pollen germination and pollen tube growth may be involved in the postzygotic barriers that prevent sexual reproduction in the hybrids. Despite its long-recurrent origination and distinct traits, J. hopeiensis does not appear on the way to speciation.

Efficient Full-Color Boron Nitride Quantum Dots for Thermostable Flexible Displays.

Hexagonal boron nitride quantum dot (BNQD) has aroused great interest in the optoelectronics field due to their metal-free nature with promising optical properties. However, it has been a great challenge to modulate its photoluminescence to the long-wavelength region so far. Herein, BNQDs with full-color emission (420-610 nm) have been implemented by doping diverse amino ligands in different solvents for the first attempt. This color variation from blue, green, yellow-green, yellow to red is ascribed to the surface states tunable via amination degree. Attractively, the quantum yield of our blue BNQDs has set a record at 32.27%, and rare yellow-green BNQDs have been demonstrated. Combining good thermal dissipation capability and high transparency, our full-color BNQD holds great potential for transparent flexible display and security labels at the elevated temperature.

A fast and robust iterative genome-editing method based on a Rock-Paper-Scissors strategy.

The production of optimized strains of a specific phenotype requires the construction and testing of a large number of genome modifications and combinations thereof. Most bacterial iterative genome-editing methods include essential steps to eliminate selection markers, or to cure plasmids. Additionally, the presence of escapers leads to time-consuming separate single clone picking and subsequent cultivation steps. Herein, we report a genome-editing method based on a Rock-Paper-Scissors (RPS) strategy. Each of three constructed sgRNA plasmids can cure, or be cured by, the other two plasmids in the system; plasmids from a previous round of editing can be cured while the current round of editing takes place. Due to the enhanced curing efficiency and embedded double check mechanism, separate steps for plasmid curing or confirmation are not necessary, and only two times of cultivation are needed per genome-editing round. This method was successfully demonstrated in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae with both gene deletions and replacements. To the best of our knowledge, this is the fastest and most robust iterative genome-editing method, with the least times of cultivation decreasing the possibilities of spontaneous genome mutations.

Comparison of Glucose, Acetate and Ethanol as Carbon Resource for Production of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) and Other Acetyl-CoA Derivatives.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a biodegradable and biocompatible thermoplastic, and synthesized from the central metabolite acetyl-CoA. The acetyl-CoA synthesis from glucose presents low atomic economy due to the release of CO2 in pyruvate decarboxylation. As ethanol and acetate can be converted into acetyl-CoA directly, they were used as carbon source for PHB production in this study. The reductase mutant AdhE A267T/E568K was introduced into Escherichia coli to enable growth on ethanol, and acetate utilization was improved by overexpression of acetyl-CoA synthetase ACS. Comparison of the PHB production using glucose, ethanol or acetate as sole carbon source showed that the production and yield from ethanol was much higher than those from glucose and acetate, and metabolome analysis revealed the differences in metabolism of glucose, ethanol and acetate. Furthermore, other acetyl-CoA derived chemicals including 3-hydroxypropionate and phloroglucinol were produced from those three feedstocks, and similar results were achieved, suggesting that ethanol could be a suitable carbon source for the production of acetyl-CoA derivatives.

Characterization and directed evolution of propionyl-CoA carboxylase and its application in succinate biosynthetic pathway with two CO2 fixation reactions.

Propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC) is a promising enzyme in the fields of biological CO2 utilization, synthesis of natrual products, and so on. The activity and substrate specificity of PCC are dependent on its key subunit carboxyltransferase (CT). To obtain PCC with high enzyme activity, seven pccB genes encoding CT subunit from diverse microorganisms were expressed in recombinant E. coli, and PccB from Bacillus subtilis showed the highest activity in vitro. To further optimize this protein using directed evolution, a genetic screening system based on oxaloacetate availability was designed to enrich the active variants of PccBBs. Four amino acid substitutions (D46G, L97Q, N220I and I391T) proved of great assistance in PccBBs activity improvement, and a double mutant of PccBBs (N220I/I391T) showed a 94-fold increase of overall catalytic efficiency indicated by kcat/Km. Moreover, this PccBBs double mutant was applied in construction of new succinate biosynthetic pathway. This new pathway produces succinate from acetyl-CoA with fixation of two CO2 molecules, which was confirmed by isotope labeling experiment with NaH13CO3. Compared with previous succinate production based on carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate or pyruvate, this new pathway showed some advantages including higher CO2 fixation potentiality and availability under aerobic conditions. In summary, this study developed a PCC with high enzyme activity which can be widely used in biotechnology field, and also demonstrated the feasibility of new succinate biosynthetic pathway with two CO2 fixation reactions.

Recyclable and Flexible Dual-Mode Electronics with Light and Heat Management.

Realizing multiple functions and sustainable manufacturing within the same electronic device would be highly attractive from a design and fabrication perspective. Here we demonstrate a recyclable dual-mode thin-film device that can perform both light emission and heat management simultaneously. The device is composed of a dissolvable emitting layer sandwiched between two undissolvable conducting films. The vertical multilayered device enables a highly flexible and foldable multicolor electroluminescent emission ranging from yellow or blue to white, and the coplanar monolayered conductor achieves tunable Joule heat temperature setting. By utilizing selective dissolution and artificial reconstruction of each layered component, the parent device shows full recyclability and reconstructability without severe performance degradation after several recycles. The proof-of concept device provides an ideal strategy to construct a multifunctional film system with recyclability and makes a significant contribution to scientific and technological advancement in low-cost sustainable electronics and optoelectronics.

Biosynthesis of acetylacetone inspired by its biodegradation.

BACKGROUND: Acetylacetone is a commercially bulk chemical with diverse applications. However, the traditional manufacturing methods suffer from many drawbacks such as multiple steps, harsh conditions, low yield, and environmental problems, which hamper further applications of petrochemical-based acetylacetone. Compared to conventional chemical methods, biosynthetic methods possess advantages such as being eco-friendly, and having mild conditions, high selectivity and low potential costs. It is urgent to develop biosynthetic route for acetylacetone to avoid the present problems. RESULTS: The biosynthetic pathway of acetylacetone was constructed by reversing its biodegradation route, and the acetylacetone was successfully produced by engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli) by overexpression of acetylacetone-cleaving enzyme (Dke1) from Acinetobacter johnsonii. Several promising amino acid residues were selected for enzyme improvement based on sequence alignment and structure analysis, and the acetylacetone production was improved by site-directed mutagenesis of Dke1. The double-mutant (K15Q/A60D) strain presented the highest acetylacetone-producing capacity which is 3.6-fold higher than that of the wild-type protein. Finally, the strain accumulated 556.3 ± 15.2 mg/L acetylacetone in fed-batch fermentation under anaerobic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the first intuitive biosynthetic pathway for acetylacetone inspired by its biodegradation, and shows the potential for large-scale production.

Multifunctional Polymer Memory via Bi-Interfacial Topography for Pressure Perception Recognition.

Emerging memory devices, that can provide programmable information recording with tunable resistive switching under external stimuli, hold great potential for applications in data storage, logic circuits, and artificial synapses. Realization of multifunctional manipulation within individual memory devices is particularly important in the More-than-Moore era, yet remains a challenge. Here, both rewritable and nonerasable memory are demonstrated in a single stimuli-responsive polymer diode, based on a nanohole-nanowrinkle bi-interfacial structure. Such synergic nanostructure is constructed from interfacing a nanowrinkled bottom graphene electrode and top polymer matrix with nanoholes; and it can be easily prepared by spin coating, which is a low-cost and high-yield production method. Furthermore, the resulting device, with ternary and low-power operation under varied external stimuli, can enable both reversible and irreversible biomimetic pressure recognition memories using a device-to-system framework. This work offers both a general guideline to fabricate multifunctional memory devices via interfacial nanostructure engineering and a smart information storage basis for future artificial intelligence.