AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field transistor for label-free detection of DNA hybridization

This paper demonstrates electrical detection of single strand deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) conjugation by AlGaN/GaN hetero-structure field effect transistor (HFET) biological sensors. The probe ssDNA molecules are modified by thiol groups. The immobilization of probe molecules is achieved by S-Au bonding on a thin layer of gold film in the sensing area. The immobilization and hybridization process are firstly implemented on Si surfaces and checked by fluorescent and atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging. The hybridization process is monitored on AlGaN/GaN HFETs. Time-dependent current change is observed when a matched ssDNA solution is applied, while no response is observed for a mismatched ssDNA sequence. The DNA hybridization process is dominated by the conjugation between matched ssDNA sequences in the first few tens of seconds. After that, the hybridization process is dominated by mass transfer processes and saturation of the immobilized probe ssDNA molecules.     

The CD1 size problem: lipid antigens,ligands, and scaffolds

Whereas research on CD1d has emphasized a few glycosyl ceramides, the broader family of four human CD1 antigen-presenting molecules binds hundreds of distinct self-lipids. Individual lipid types bind within CD1 grooves in different ways, such that they partially fill the groove, match the groove volume, or protrude substantially from the groove. These differing modes of binding can now be connected to differing immunological functions, as individual lipids can act as stimulatory antigens, inhibitory ligands, or space-filling scaffolds. Because each type of CD1 protein folds to produce antigen-binding grooves with differing sizes and shapes, CD1a, CD1b, CD1c, CD1d, and CD1e have distinct mechanisms of capturing self-lipids and exchanging them for foreign lipids. The size discrepancy between endogeneous lipids and groove volume is most pronounced for CD1b. Recent studies show that the large CD1b cavity can simultaneously bind two self-lipids, the antigen, and its scaffold lipid, which can be exchanged for one large bacterial lipid. In this review, we will highlight recent studies showing how cells regulate lipid antigen loading and the roles CD1 groove structures have in control of the presentation of chemically diverse lipids to T cells.     

EEMD滤波的转子轴心轨迹提纯方法

针对轴心轨迹提纯问题,研究了集合经验模式分解(Ensemble empirical mode decomposition ,EEMD)抑制模态混叠的特性及其滤波特性,提出了基于EEMD滤波的转子轴心轨迹提纯方法。应用EEMD将信号分解成一系列的固有模式函数(Intrinsic mode function,IMF)分量,再根据先验知识选择相应的IMF分量重构信号,组合成提纯轴心轨迹。对小型转子试验台转子轴心轨迹的成功提纯验证了该方法的有效性,与谐波窗和EMD轴心轨迹提纯方法的对比结果表明了该方法的优势,为转子系统故障诊断提供了一种新的手段。     

The draft genome of the transgenic tropical fruit tree papaya (Carica papaya Linnaeus)

Papaya, a fruit crop cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, is known for its nutritional benefits and medicinal applications. Here we report a 3x draft genome sequence of 'SunUp' papaya, the first commercial virus-resistant transgenic fruit tree to be sequenced. The papaya genome is three times the size of the Arabidopsis genome, but contains fewer genes, including significantly fewer disease-resistance gene analogues. Comparison of the five sequenced genomes suggests a minimal angiosperm gene set of 13,311. A lack of recent genome duplication, atypical of other angiosperm genomes sequenced so far, may account for the smaller papaya gene number in most functional groups. Nonetheless, striking amplifications in gene number within particular functional groups suggest roles in the evolution of tree-like habit, deposition and remobilization of starch reserves, attraction of seed dispersal agents, and adaptation to tropical daylengths. Transgenesis at three locations is closely associated with chloroplast insertions into the nuclear genome, and with topoisomerase I recognition sites. Papaya offers numerous advantages as a system for fruit-tree functional genomics, and this draft genome sequence provides the foundation for revealing the basis of Carica's distinguishing morpho-physiological, medicinal and nutritional properties.     

Methane oxidation by an extremely acidophilic bacterium of the phylum Verrucomicrobia

Aerobic methanotrophic bacteria consume methane as it diffuses away from methanogenic zones of soil and sediment. They act as a biofilter to reduce methane emissions to the atmosphere, and they are therefore targets in strategies to combat global climate change. No cultured methanotroph grows optimally below pH 5, but some environments with active methane cycles are very acidic. Here we describe an extremely acidophilic methanotroph that grows optimally at pH 2.0-2.5. Unlike the known methanotrophs, it does not belong to the phylum Proteobacteria but rather to the Verrucomicrobia, a widespread and diverse bacterial phylum that primarily comprises uncultivated species with unknown genotypes. Analysis of its draft genome detected genes encoding particulate methane monooxygenase that were homologous to genes found in methanotrophic proteobacteria. However, known genetic modules for methanol and formaldehyde oxidation were incomplete or missing, suggesting that the bacterium uses some novel methylotrophic pathways. Phylogenetic analysis of its three pmoA genes (encoding a subunit of particulate methane monooxygenase) placed them into a distinct cluster from proteobacterial homologues. This indicates an ancient divergence of Verrucomicrobia and Proteobacteria methanotrophs rather than a recent horizontal gene transfer of methanotrophic ability. The findings show that methanotrophy in the Bacteria is more taxonomically, ecologically and genetically diverse than previously thought, and that previous studies have failed to assess the full diversity of methanotrophs in acidic environments.     

越南勉瑶供奉盘王和度戒仪式

描述了越南勉瑶供奉盘王和为男子举行度戒仪式的过程,指出了越南勉瑶供奉盘王和度戒仪式与很多文化因素有密切关系。这些仪式世代相传,承载着瑶族的特色文化,有连接瑶族文化的重要作用。