A giant outburst two years before the core-collapse of a massive star

The death of massive stars produces a variety of supernovae, which are linked to the structure of the exploding stars. The detection of several precursor stars of type II supernovae has been reported (see, for example, ref. 3), but we do not yet have direct information on the progenitors of the hydrogen-deficient type Ib and Ic supernovae. Here we report that the peculiar type Ib supernova SN 2006jc is spatially coincident with a bright optical transient that occurred in 2004. Spectroscopic and photometric monitoring of the supernova leads us to suggest that the progenitor was a carbon-oxygen Wolf-Rayet star embedded within a helium-rich circumstellar medium. There are different possible explanations for this pre-explosion transient. It appears similar to the giant outbursts of luminous blue variable stars (LBVs) of 60-100 solar masses, but the progenitor of SN 2006jc was helium- and hydrogen-deficient (unlike LBVs). An LBV-like outburst of a Wolf-Rayet star could be invoked, but this would be the first observational evidence of such a phenomenon. Alternatively, a massive binary system composed of an LBV that erupted in 2004, and a Wolf-Rayet star exploding as SN 2006jc, could explain the observations.     

Damage to the prefrontal cortex increases utilitarian moral judgements

The psychological and neurobiological processes underlying moral judgement have been the focus of many recent empirical studies. Of central interest is whether emotions play a causal role in moral judgement, and, in parallel, how emotion-related areas of the brain contribute to moral judgement. Here we show that six patients with focal bilateral damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPC), a brain region necessary for the normal generation of emotions and, in particular, social emotions, produce an abnormally 'utilitarian' pattern of judgements on moral dilemmas that pit compelling considerations of aggregate welfare against highly emotionally aversive behaviours (for example, having to sacrifice one person's life to save a number of other lives). In contrast, the VMPC patients' judgements were normal in other classes of moral dilemmas. These findings indicate that, for a selective set of moral dilemmas, the VMPC is critical for normal judgements of right and wrong. The findings support a necessary role for emotion in the generation of those judgements.     

美国优质紫花苜蓿在宁夏中部干旱带的适应性研究

以宁夏盐池县本地苜蓿XM及宁夏益科农业科技有限公司引进的15个美国紫花苜蓿品种为研究对象,综合考虑生育期、株高、密度、产草量、茎叶比、越冬率等指标,开展苜蓿引种适应性研究.结果表明,以本地种XM为对照,15个外引种紫花苜蓿在生长发育特性上存在显著差异.其中,以品种ZHM,E3006,D4,D2表现较优,其返青早,青绿期长,鲜草产量分别是对照的1.52,1.45,1.28,1.25倍,干草产量分别是对照的1.46,1.25,1.22,1.19倍,且抗旱性强,品质优良,适宜在宁夏盐池县等中部干旱带大面积推广应用.     

集装箱卡车运输问题的基于图的建模方法

对港口和发货人/收货人之间的集装箱卡车运输问题给出了基于图的建模方法. 该图不仅可以描述进出口空箱或满箱的运输,而且可以描述空集装箱作为运输资源的属性. 这种图将确定的活动描述为顶点,将不确定的活动描述为弧, 称为确定活动在顶点上的图( DAOV 图). 基于这种方法,建立了集装箱卡车运输问题的基本情形、 多堆场多港口情形以及堆场上的空箱数目给定情形的数学模型;相应问题被描述为带时间窗的多旅行商问题(m-TSPTW)、 多堆场的m-TSPTW以及带资源约束的m-TSPTW.而且这种方法可以扩展到集装箱卡车运输问题的更一般情形, 这体现出该建模方法的有效性.     

Maternal Rnf12/RLIM is required for imprinted X-chromosome inactivation in mice

Two forms of X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) ensure the selective silencing of female sex chromosomes during mouse embryogenesis. Imprinted XCI begins with the detection of Xist RNA expression on the paternal X?chromosome (Xp) at about the four-cell stage of embryonic development. In the embryonic tissues of the inner cell mass, a random form of XCI occurs in blastocysts that inactivates either Xp or the maternal X?chromosome (Xm). Both forms of XCI require the non-coding Xist RNA that coats the inactive X?chromosome from which it is expressed. Xist has crucial functions in the silencing of X-linked genes, including Rnf12 (refs 3, 4) encoding the ubiquitin ligase RLIM (RING finger LIM-domain-interacting protein). Here we show, by targeting a conditional knockout of Rnf12 to oocytes where RLIM accumulates to high levels, that the maternal transmission of the mutant X?chromosome (Δm) leads to lethality in female embryos as a result of defective imprinted XCI. We provide evidence that in Δm female embryos the initial formation of Xist clouds and Xp silencing are inhibited. In contrast, embryonic stem cells lacking RLIM are able to form Xist clouds and silence at least some X-linked genes during random XCI. These results assign crucial functions to the maternal deposit of Rnf12/RLIM for the initiation of imprinted XCI.     

Whole-genome sequence of Schistosoma haematobium

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by blood flukes (genus Schistosoma; schistosomes) and affecting 200 million people worldwide. No vaccines are available, and treatment relies on one drug, praziquantel. Schistosoma haematobium has come into the spotlight as a major cause of urogenital disease, as an agent linked to bladder cancer and as a predisposing factor for HIV/AIDS. The parasite is transmitted to humans from freshwater snails. Worms dwell in blood vessels and release eggs that become embedded in the bladder wall to elicit chronic immune-mediated disease and induce squamous cell carcinoma. Here we sequenced the 385-Mb genome of S. haematobium using Illumina-based technology at 74-fold coverage and compared it to sequences from related parasites. We included genome annotation based on function, gene ontology, networking and pathway mapping. This genome now provides an unprecedented resource for many fundamental research areas and shows great promise for the design of new disease interventions.