Genome sequence and analysis of the tuber crop potato

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the world's most important non-grain food crop and is central to global food security. It is clonally propagated, highly heterozygous, autotetraploid, and suffers acute inbreeding depression. Here we use a homozygous doubled-monoploid potato clone to sequence and assemble 86% of the 844-megabase genome. We predict 39,031 protein-coding genes and present evidence for at least two genome duplication events indicative of a palaeopolyploid origin. As the first genome sequence of an asterid, the potato genome reveals 2,642 genes specific to this large angiosperm clade. We also sequenced a heterozygous diploid clone and show that gene presence/absence variants and other potentially deleterious mutations occur frequently and are a likely cause of inbreeding depression. Gene family expansion, tissue-specific expression and recruitment of genes to new pathways contributed to the evolution of tuber development. The potato genome sequence provides a platform for genetic improvement of this vital crop.     

A kinesin-mediated mechanism that couples centrosomes to nuclei

The M-type kinesin isoform, Kif9, has recently been implicated in maintaining a physical connection between the centrosome and nucleus in Dictyostelium discoideum. However, the mechanism by which Kif9 functions to link these two organelles remains obscure. Here we demonstrate that the Kif9 protein is localized to the nuclear envelope and is concentrated in the region underlying the centrosome point of attachment. Nuclear anchorage appears mediated through a specialized transmembrane domain located in the carboxyl terminus. Kif9 interacts with microtubules in in vitro binding assays and effects an endwise depolymerization of the polymer. These results suggest a model whereby Kif9 is anchored to the nucleus and generates a pulling force that reels the centrosome up against the nucleus. This is a novel activity for a kinesin motor, one important for progression of cells into mitosis and to ensure centrosome-nuclear parity in a multinuclear environment.     

MULTIPLE CRITERIA DECISION MAKING： DISCORDANT PREFERENCES AND PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

There are many practical decision problems where decision makers＇ preferences may be inconsistent and contradictory. In this paper, new methods for ordering and classifying multi-attribute objects by discordant collective preferences are suggested. These methods are based on the theory of multiset metric spaces. The proposed techniques are applied to ranking companies and a competitive selection of projects, which are estimated by several experts upon multiple qualitative criteria.     

Digital Earth surface maps for radar ground clutter simulation

This paper dwells upon optimizing the azimuth samp-ling interval of digital surface maps used to model radar ground clutter. The resulting equations can be used...     

西伯利亚南部黄土沉积物的磁学性质

对西伯利亚南部Ｋｕｒｔａｋ剖在末次间冰期以来黄土－古土壤进行了较为详细的岩石磁学研究。实验结果表明该剖面磁化率变化特征与阿拉斯加风成沉积物相同，与中国黄土完全相反，Ｋｕｒｔａｋ剖面黄土和古土壤的频率磁化率值基本一致，这表明其成土作用较弱，磁化率随温度的变化特征以及等温剩磁测定结果揭示出黄土和古土壤的磁性的都是以磁铁矿为主，只含有极少的磁赤铁矿和赤铁矿，磁化率各向异性研究表明，Ｋｕｒｔａｋ地区黄土沉     

Twisted plasma waves driven by twisted ponderomotive force

We present the results of twisted plasma waves driven by twisted ponderomotive force. With the beating of two, co-propagating, Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) orbital angular momentum (OAM) laser pulses with different frequencies and also different twist indices, we can obtain the twisted ponderomotive force. Three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations are used to demonstrate the twisted plasma waves driven by lasers. The twisted plasma waves have an electron density perturbation with a helical rotating structure. Different from the predictions of the linear fluid theory, the simulation results show a nonlinear rotating current and a static axial magnetic field. Along with the rotating current is the axial OAM carried by particles in the twisted plasma waves. A detailed theoretical analysis of twisted plasma waves is also given.     

Rock-magnetic investigation of Siberia loess and its implication

Multiple-rock magnetic investigations conducted on the loess-paleosol sequences at Kurtak in Southwestern Siberia reveal that the mass-normalized low-field magnetic susceptibility profiles reflect changes in lithology between relatively unweathered primary loess of glacial periods and the interglacial paleosols. Maxima in susceptibility values correspond with the least-weathered loess horizons, and minima with the humic horizons of soils. Frequency-dependent susceptibility of the loess-paleosol sequences at Kurtak is very low and practically uniform, indicating the dominance of non-SP ferrimagnetic minerals and negligible pedogenesis. The history of temperature-dependence of susceptibility (TDS) and stepwise acquisition of the isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) have confirmed that magnetite is predominant magnetic mineral, and only few maghemite and probably hematite are present within the studied section. Anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility (AMS) can be used to monitor tilt and disturbance of the sedimentary layers, and also to provide information about the paleo-transport direction for Siberia loess.