Unbalance between working memory task-activation and task-deactivation networks in epilepsy: Simultaneous EEG-fMRI study.

Working memory (WM) is a cognitive function involving emergent properties of theta oscillations and large-scale network interactions. The synchronization of WM task-related networks in the brain enhanced WM performance. However, how these networks regulate WM processing is not well known, and the alteration of the interaction among these networks may play an important role in patients with cognitive dysfunction. In this study, we used simultaneous EEG-fMRI to examine the features of theta oscillations and the functional interactions among activation/deactivation networks during the n-back WM task in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). The results showed that there was more enhancement of frontal theta power along with WM load increase in IGE, and the theta power was positively correlated with the accuracy of the WM tasks. Moreover, fMRI activations/deactivations correlated with n-back tasks were estimated, and we found that the IGE group had increased and widespread activations in high-load WM tasks, including the frontoparietal activation network and task-related deactivation areas, such as the default mode network and primary visual and auditory networks. In addition, the network connectivity results demonstrated decreased counteraction between the activation network and deactivation network, and the counteraction was correlated with the higher theta power in IGE. These results indicated the important role of the interactions between activation and deactivation networks during the WM process, and the unbalance among them may indicate the pathophysiological mechanism of cognitive dysfunction in generalized epilepsy.

Hyperspectral detection of fresh corn peeling damage using germinating sparse classification method.

Peeling damage reduces the quality of fresh corn ear and affects the purchasing decisions of consumers. Hyperspectral imaging technique has great potential to be used for detection of peeling-damaged fresh corn. However, conventional non-machine-learning methods are limited by unsatisfactory detection accuracy, and machine-learning methods rely heavily on training samples. To address this problem, the germinating sparse classification (GSC) method is proposed to detect the peeling-damaged fresh corn. The germinating strategy is developed to refine training samples, and to dynamically adjust the number of atoms to improve the performance of dictionary, furthermore, the threshold sparse recovery algorithm is proposed to realize pixel level classification. The results demonstrated that the GSC method had the best classification effect with the overall classification accuracy of the training set was 98.33%, and that of the test set was 95.00%. The GSC method also had the highest average pixel prediction accuracy of 84.51% for the entire HSI regions and 91.94% for the damaged regions. This work represents a new method for mechanical damage detection of fresh corn using hyperspectral image (HSI).

Genome-Wide Characterization and Function Analysis of ZmERD15 Genes' Response to Saline Stress in Zea mays L.

Early responsive dehydration (ERD) genes can be rapidly induced by dehydration. ERD15 genes have been confirmed to regulate various stress responses in plants. However, the maize ERD15 members have not been characterized. In the present study, a total of five ZmERD15 genes were identified from the maize genome and named ZmERD15a, ZmERD15b, ZmERD15c, ZmERD15d, and ZmERD15e. Subsequently, their protein properties, gene structure and duplication, chromosomal location, cis-acting elements, subcellular localization, expression pattern, and over-expression in yeast were analyzed. The results showed that the ZmERD15 proteins were characterized by a similar size (113-159 aa) and contained a common domain structure, with PAM2 and adjacent PAE1 motifs followed by an acidic region. The ZmERD15 proteins exhibited a close phylogenetic relationship with OsERD15s from rice. Five ZmERD15 genes were distributed on maize chromosomes 2, 6, 7, and 9 and showed a different exon-intron organization and were expanded by duplication. Besides, the promoter region of the ZmERD15s contained abundant cis-acting elements that are known to be responsive to stress and hormones. Subcellular localization showed that ZmERD15b and ZmERD15c were localized in the nucleus. ZmERD15a and ZmERD15e were localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. ZmERD15d was localized in the nucleus and cell membrane. The results of the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that the expression of the ZmERD15 genes was regulated by PEG, salinity, and ABA. The heterologous expression of ZmERD15a, ZmERD15b, ZmERD15c, and ZmERD15d significantly enhanced salt tolerance in yeast. In summary, a comprehensive analysis of ZmERD15s was conducted in the study. The results will provide insights into further dissecting the biological function and molecular mechanism of ZmERD15s regulating of the stress response in maize.

Comprehensive Identification and Functional Analysis of Stress-Associated Protein (SAP) Genes in Osmotic Stress in Maize.

Stress-associated proteins (SAPs) are a kind of zinc finger protein with an A20/AN1 domain and contribute to plants' adaption to various abiotic and biological stimuli. However, little is known about the SAP genes in maize (Zea mays L.). In the present study, the SAP genes were identified from the maize genome. Subsequently, the protein properties, gene structure and duplication, chromosomal location, and cis-acting elements were analyzed by bioinformatic methods. Finally, their expression profiles under osmotic stresses, including drought and salinity, as well as ABA, and overexpression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae W303a cells, were performed to uncover the potential function. The results showed that a total of 10 SAP genes were identified and named ZmSAP1 to ZmSAP10 in maize, which was unevenly distributed on six of the ten maize chromosomes. The ZmSAP1, ZmSAP4, ZmSAP5, ZmSAP6, ZmSAP7, ZmSAP8 and ZmSAP10 had an A20 domain at N terminus and AN1 domain at C terminus, respectively. Only ZmSAP2 possessed a single AN1 domain at the N terminus. ZmSAP3 and ZmSAP9 both contained two AN1 domains without an A20 domain. Most ZmSAP genes lost introns and had abundant stress- and hormone-responsive cis-elements in their promoter region. The results of quantitative real-time PCR showed that all ZmSAP genes were regulated by drought and saline stresses, as well as ABA induction. Moreover, heterologous expression of ZmSAP2 and ZmSAP7 significantly improved the saline tolerance of yeast cells. The study provides insights into further underlying the function of ZmSAPs in regulating stress response in maize.

Measurement and Analysis of Root Anchorage Effect on Stalk Forces in Lodged Corn Harvesting.

The effect of root anchorage on corn stalk is the main cause of difficulties in stalk lifting and ear picking of lodged corn. To quantify the forces on the stalks caused by root anchorage in corn harvesting, a root force measurement system was designed and applied in this study. The bending moment and torsional moment on the upright and lodged corn stalks were measured in corn harvesting with the designed system and the results were compared with the manually measured failure boundaries. The manually measured results showed bending moments to push down the upright stalks, to lift the lodged corn stalks, and to slip the lodged corn stalks were 35.12, 23.33, and 40.36 Nm, respectively, whereas the torsional moments needed to twist off the upright and lodged corn stalks were 4.02 and 3.33 Nm, respectively. The bending moments that the corn header applied to the upright, forward lodged, reverse lodged, and lateral lodged corn stalks were 10.68, 22.24, 16.56, and 20.42 Nm, respectively, whereas the torsional moments on them were 1.32, 1.59, 1.55, and 1.77 Nm, respectively. The bending force was the main factor that broke the root anchorage and influenced the stalk movement of lodged corn in harvesting. By analyzing the bending moment curves on the lodged corn stalks, it was proposed that for the harvesting of corn lodged in the forward, reverse, and lateral direction, the corresponding harvester header improvement suggestions are enlarging the size of pins on the gathering chains, reducing the speed of gathering chains, and lengthening the snouts with a sleeker surface, respectively. This study provides base data for the root anchorage effect on lodged corn and provides references for the improved design of the corn harvester header.

Genome-wide investigation of the MADS gene family and dehulling genes in tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum).

MAIN CONCLUSION: Genome-wide identification, expression analysis and potential functional characterization of previously uncharacterized MADS family of tartary buckwheat, emphasized the importance of this gene family in plant growth and development. The MADS transcription factor is a key regulatory factor in the development of most plants. The MADS gene in plants controls all aspects of tissue and organ growth and reproduction and can be used to regulate plant seed cracking. However, there has been little research on the MADS genes of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum), which is an important edible and medicinal crop. The recently published whole genome sequence of tartary buckwheat allows us to study the tissue and expression profiles of the MADS gene in tartary buckwheat at a genome-wide level. In this study, 65 MADS genes of tartary buckwheat were identified and renamed according to the chromosomal distribution of the FtMADS genes. Here, we provide a complete overview of the gene structure, gene expression, genomic mapping, protein motif organization, and phylogenetic relationships of each member of the gene family. According to the phylogenetic relationship of MADS genes, the transcription factor family was divided into two subfamilies, the M subfamily (28 genes) and the MIKC subfamily (37 genes). The results showed that the FtMADS genes belonged to related sister pairs and the chromosomal map showed that the replication of FtMADSs was related to the replication of chromosome blocks. In different tissues and at different fruit development stages, the FtMADS genes obtained by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) showed obvious expression patterns. A comprehensive analysis of the MADS genes in tartary buckwheat was conducted. Through systematic analysis, the potential genes that may regulate the growth and development of tartary buckwheat and the genes that may regulate the easy dehulling of tartary buckwheat fruit were screened, which laid a solid foundation for improving the quality of tartary buckwheat.