Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acidovorax citrulli type III effector AopU interferes with plant immune responses and interacts with a watermelon E3 ubiquitin ligase

Acidovorax citrulli is a seed-borne bacterium that causes bacterial fruit blotch of watermelon and other cucurbit plants worldwide. It uses a type III secretion system to inject type III effectors (T3Es) into plant cells, which affect the host immune responses and facilitate pathogen colonization. However, the current understanding of the specific molecular mechanisms and targets of these effectors in A. citrulli is limited. In this study, we characterized a novel T3E called AopU in A. citrulli group II strain Aac5, which shares homology with XopU in Xanthomonas oryzae. The Agrobacterium-mediated gene transient expression system was used to study the effect of AopU on host immunity. The results showed that AopU localized on the cell membrane and nucleus of Nicotiana benthamiana, inhibited reactive oxygen species burst induced by flg22 and the expression of marker genes associated with pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity, but activated salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signal pathways. Further investigations revealed that AopU interacts with E3 ubiquitin ligase ClE3R in watermelon, both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, the deletion of aopU did not affect the virulence of A. citrulli, suggesting that AopU may have functional redundancy with other effectors in terms of its role in virulence. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into the mechanism of plant immune responses regulated by A. citrulli T3Es.
Exploring Microeukaryote Community Characteristics and Niche Differentiation in Arid Farmland Soil at the Northeastern Edge of the Tibetan Plateau

The northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau exhibits diverse climate and landform variations, and has experienced substantial recent environmental changes, which may significantly impact local agricultural practices. Understanding the microeukaryote community structure within agricultural soils is crucial for finding out the biological responses to such changes and may guide future agricultural practices. In this study, we employed high-throughput amplicon sequencing to examine 29 agricultural soil samples from seven research areas around the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The findings revealed that the predominant biological communities in these soils were characterized by a high abundance of Alveolata, Amoebozoa, and Rhizaria. Ascomycota displayed the highest relative abundance among fungal communities. Moreover, notable distinctions in microeukaryote community composition were observed among the study sites. Co-occurrence network analysis highlighted interactions between the biological communities. Furthermore, our results elucidated that deterministic and stochastic processes exerted diverse influences on the distribution of protozoan and fungal communities. This study provides valuable insight into the microeukaryote structure in the agricultural soils of the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, shedding light on the intricate relationships between environmental factors, microeukaryote communities, and agricultural productivity.
Spatial variation of amount effect over peninsular India and Sri Lanka: Role of seasonality

The relationship between rain amount and rain δ18O of monsoon rain (amount effect) helps to reconstruct past monsoon variability from proxies (e.g., tree rings and speleothems). Analysis of new (and published) data of the δ18O of monsoon rains and vapor at nine stations shows that in regions of distinct seasonality in precipitation (e.g., peninsular India), the noise in such reconstructions can be minimized by a careful selection of sites. Peninsular India receives rain from both the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) and the northeast monsoon (NEM). Significant amount effect is observed only where the NEM rainfall is larger than or comparable to ISM rainfall. This is due to the higher quantity of NEM rain with more depleted 18O relative to ISM rain. NEM rain is more depleted in 18O because of cyclonic activity over Bay of Bengal, and the 18O depletion of Bay of Bengal surface waters due to post‐ISM river runoff.
Spatial and Temporal Hydrological Variations in the Inner Estuaries of a Large Coastal Lagoon of the Southern Gulf of Mexico

ABSTRACT Medina-Gómez, I. ; Villalobos-Zapata, G.J., and Herrera-Silveira, J.A. , 2015. Spatial and temporal hydrological variations in the inner estuaries of a large coastal lagoon of the southern Gulf of Mexico. Coastal lagoons receive significant inputs from river basins, leading to inner estuaries or fluvial lagoon subsystems subject to the bidirectional flow of energy, organic matter, nutrients, and sometimes toxic materials between river mouths and lagoons. Such exchanges are highly dynamic and enhance lagoon productivity. Terminos Lagoon (TL) is a large coastal lagoon in the southern Gulf of Mexico that has two deep permanent inlets connecting the lagoon to the Gulf and strong riverine input. We evaluated the influence of river discharge on seasonal and spatial patterns of water quality in six fluvial lagoon subsystems in TL. Six bimonthly samplings were carried out from February to December 2001. Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved inorganic nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, soluble reactive phosphorus, and soluble reactive silica), and chlorophyll a were measured. There were large differences between the western and eastern river mouths due to differences in river discharge and the nature of their watersheds (e.g., land use, size). Furthermore, the influence that the dominant depositional environment and local habitats (i.e. submerged aquatic vegetation) developing adjacent to these estuarine lagoon subsystems may exert over the nutrient concentrations of the water column is discussed. These differences were more evident during the rainy season when river discharge was highest. It is suggested that the input of N rather than P could have the greatest impact on TL in the future.
A Review on Efficient Energy Consumption in Software-Defined Networking Using Routing Aware Protocols

The concept of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) has been a fascinating and growing interest in the field of research. The programmable network component is allowed by the SDN’s promising characteristics and partitions the control plane together with the forwarding plane. Energy Efficiency (EE) turned out to be a vital design requisite for modern networking mechanisms since the energy costs supply hugely to the entire costs in networks. Nevertheless, as it is necessary to handle the trade-off betwixt EE and Network Performance (NP), designing energy-effective solutions is non-trivial. Thus, by utilizing Energy-Aware Routing (EAR) approaches, this paper reviews the methodologies of Energy Consumption (EC) on SDN. The latest research related to the traffic-aware solution, compacting TCAM solution, end-host aware solutions, rule placement solutions, heuristic approach-centric solution, and EAR routing protocol was highlighted by this review article in terms of optimal EC on SDN. Finally, centered on the EC metrics, the current research methodologies’ performance is assessed in the performance evaluation. By utilizing EAR routing, this type of research is helpful for future research in efficient EC in SDN.
Air Pressure Impact on the Avalanche Size for Turn-to-Turn Insulation of Inverter-Fed Motors

This article endeavors to illuminate the variations of various streamer inception parameters (SIPs) with respect to air pressure based on Schumann’s streamer inception criterion (SCSIC). The results based on measured partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) values and using electric field distribution obtained via electrostatic simulations and ionization swarm parameters reveal that the Schumann constant, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${K}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, which is the natural logarithm of the threshold number of electrons determining the transition from Townsend to streamer discharge, and consequently, the critical avalanche size (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${N} _{\text {c}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) increase with air pressure reduction. Different SIPs such as critical field line length (CFLL), effective ionization coefficient of air (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\alpha _{\text {eff}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>), PD inception field (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${E} _{\text {inc}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>), firing voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V} _{\text {firing}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) across the critical field line (CFL), and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${K}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${N} _{\text {c}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> are analyzed extensively as a function of air pressure. In light of the findings of this contribution, it is demonstrated that the derived <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${K}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> functions as a function of air pressure can improve drastically the accuracy of PDIV prediction in particular for low air pressures rather than a single <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${K}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> parameter value obtained at ground level. The study’s findings represent a guideline for electrical machine designers to improve the insulation design of electrical machines employed in the more electric aircraft (MEA) applications.
Optical test of aspheric elements using instantaneous wedge plate phase shifting lateral shearing interferometer

In the optical testing of aspheric lenses, the phase shifting lateral shearing interferometer has attracted considerable attention because of its advantage in alignment work. And many phase shifting lateral shearing interferometers were developed. But all of them are time delayed methods which have the time lag between the measurements. When air turbulence and vibration is present, this time lag can be onerous error sources. If we measure all the required interferograms for the phase shifting method at the same time, there should be no time leg. We present a simple instantaneous phase shifting lateral shearing interferometer using a wedge plate and two identical transmission gratings and reconstruct the wavefront error of measured instantaneous phase shifting lateral shearing interferograms.
Nocturnal convective cloud formation under clear‐sky conditions at the eastern Andes of south Ecuador

[1] The formation of nocturnal convective clouds at the eastern Andes of south Ecuador and the adjacent Peruvian Amazon basin was investigated in a numerical model study. Their formation is expected to be an interactive procedure of nocturnal downslope flows in the Andean terrain, which forms a concave drainage system in the target area. Satellite imagery were used for both the identification of a sample case with a nocturnal cold cloud appearance and for the verification of the simulated results. The cloud patterns were distinguished on the basis of IR temperatures. A comparison of the data demonstrated the occurrence of a cold cloud shield in the target area, although the modeled cluster is significantly smaller. Further analysis of the development of the convective cells confirmed the assumed underlying processes. A strong current in the lower atmosphere, presumably a drainage flow, was recognizable in association with strong moisture convergence using a cross section through the cluster. Their presence was confirmed on the basis of their characteristic features and the surface energy fluxes as the driving force for thermally induced downslope flows.
Two-photon live imaging of direct glia-to-neuron conversion in the mouse cortex

Over the past decade, a growing number of studies have reported transcription factor-based in situ reprogramming that can directly convert endogenous glial cells into functional neurons as an alternative approach for neuroregeneration in the adult mammalian central nervous system. However, many questions remain regarding how a terminally differentiated glial cell can transform into a delicate neuron that forms part of the intricate brain circuitry. In addition, concerns have recently been raised around the absence of astrocyte-to-neuron conversion in astrocytic lineage-tracing mice. In this study, we employed repetitive two-photon imaging to continuously capture the in situ astrocyte-to-neuron conversion process following ectopic expression of the neural transcription factor NeuroD1 in both proliferating reactive astrocytes and lineage-traced astrocytes in the mouse cortex. Time-lapse imaging over several weeks revealed the step-by-step transition from a typical astrocyte with numerous short, tapered branches to a typical neuron with a few long neurites and dynamic growth cones that actively explored the local environment. In addition, these lineage-converting cells were able to migrate radially or tangentially to relocate to suitable positions. Furthermore, two-photon Ca2+ imaging and patch-clamp recordings confirmed that the newly generated neurons exhibited synchronous calcium signals, repetitive action potentials, and spontaneous synaptic responses, suggesting that they had made functional synaptic connections within local neural circuits. In conclusion, we directly visualized the step-by-step lineage conversion process from astrocytes to functional neurons in vivo and unambiguously demonstrated that adult mammalian brains are highly plastic with respect to their potential for neuroregeneration and neural circuit reconstruction.
New high-precision U–Pb dates from western European Carboniferous tuffs; implications for time scale calibration, the periodicity of late Carboniferous cycles and stratigraphical correlation

We present three new high-precision U–Pb zircon chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry (CA-ID-TIMS) dates from western European Carboniferous diagenetically altered volcanic ash layers (bentonites and tonsteins) that occur interbedded with cyclic siliciclastic sedimentary rocks. The dates constrain the average periodicity of western European late Carboniferous (Arnsbergian to early Langsettian) cyclic sedimentation to between 89 and 124 ka per cycle. This is consistent with the 100 ka ‘short’ eccentricity Milankovitch cycle and supports previous suggestions that the cycles are the product of glacio-eustasy. Cyclostratigraphic tuning of Namurian cycles to the 100 ka eccentricity cycle revises the timing of the global Mississippian–Pennsylvanian boundary to c. 323.9 Ma. CA-ID-TIMS dates also facilitate correlation between different facies belts where biostratigraphical correlations are difficult. Correlation between eastern and western European sequences confirms that the base of the Moscovian stage is located within the Duckmantian (Westphalian B) western European regional substage. Supplementary materials: Zircon separation and concentration procedures, U–Pb zircon CA-ID-TIMS methods and data table, average periodicity calculations for western and central European Namurian and Westphalian sedimentary cycles, and procedures for recalibrating legacy 40Ar/39Ar dates are available at www.geolsoc. org.uk/SUP18547.
Directional rock blasting using shaped charges using combined charge liners with different shapes

The shape of a charge liner used in shaped charges with a combined liner will greatly influence the blasting effect. In this study, we examined how combined charge liners with different shapes affected directional rock blasting, and we assessed the influence mechanism. The numerical simulation results showed that among the three shaped charge liners, liners with arc and triangular shapes performed significantly better than the flat‐top liner, and the triangular liner was slightly superior to the arc‐shaped liner. Model testing indicated that principal cracks in the arc‐shaped and triangular liners developed along the combined energy‐gathering direction, while the principal cracks of the flat‐top liner deviated 32° from the axis. Therefore, the directional cracking effect of arc‐shaped and triangular liners was superior to the flat‐top liner. According to the peak strain values on the liners, the peak strain in the combined energy‐gathering direction was greater than that in the slot and nonenergy‐gathering directions, and the order of the peak strain of the three liners followed arc‐shaped liner > triangular liner > flat‐top liner. The directional blasting effect of the triangular liner was slightly better than the arc‐shaped liner. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggested that the best directional rock‐blasting effect was achieved when the shape of the combined charge liner was triangular.
Multichannel Gas Absorption Spectrometer Based on On-Chip Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave Interference System

Absorption spectroscopy based on frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) technology is characterized by a wide measuring range, high detection sensitivity, and high sensing speed. These features enable sensing of multiple target points, and continuous real-time gas monitoring. In this article, an on-chip FMCW multichannel absorption spectrometer is designed for the simultaneous measurement of optical path and gas absorption spectra. The wide tuning range of FMCW facilitates the measurement of multiple absorption bands of gas molecules under test. Based on the characteristics of frequency division multiplexing, the gas absorption spectra corresponding to different points can be detected simultaneously. Frequency modulation nonlinearity is corrected by introducing an auxiliary interference optical path with a fixed delay of 4 m, and the dual-interference optical path of the system is integrated into a silicon chip. Three-way parallel sensing experiments are carried out to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed spectrometer. The results show that the coherent average measurement accuracy of gas absorption peak wavelength is better than 0.002 nm, and the optical path measurement accuracy is better than 25 μm. The system offers several advantages such as excellent integrability, wide band operation, high precision and multichannel synchronous online measurement. Due to these features, this system has high practical value in the field of gas sensing.
Improved depiction of Indian summer monsoon in latest high resolution NCEP climate forecast system reanalysis

The improvements in representing the Indian summer monsoon features are assessed using the latest coupled global reanalysis, the climate forecast system reanalysis (CFSR) from National Centre for Environmental Predictions (NCEP) with respect to widely used NCEP‐reanalysis 2 (NCEP2). To validate the reanalysis product corresponding observations are also used. CFSR is more realistic in terms of spatial pattern of seasonal mean rainfall, first and second empirical orthogonal function (EOF) modes of interannual variability as compared with NCEP2 reanalysis. Percentage of total variance was explained by northward and westward propagating intraseasonal oscillation modes in CFSR that are better captured than those from NCEP2 reanalysis. Northward propagating mode is well depicted in CFSR as compared with that of NCEP2 and may be attributed to the strong vertical shear of zonal wind and strong meridional gradient of specific humidity in CFSR. Distribution of the north–south and east–west spectra of CFSR suggests much better conformity with observation as compared with NCEP2. Surface wind patterns of CFSR are having relatively small errors compared to Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) winds. CFSR has some success in simulating observed sea surface temperature (SST)–rainfall relationship as well as in depicting the coupled ocean‐atmosphere phenomena of El Niño and Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in terms of Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) teleconnections. Overall monsoon features in CFSR are much closer to the observation as compared with NCEP2, and these may be because of the realistic representation of ocean–atmosphere feedback owing to the coupled model‐based reanalysis. This study will help in establishing the credibility of the CFSR in terms of realistic representation of Indian summer monsoon as compared with widely used atmospheric only reanalysis.
Temporal changes in macroinvertebrate assemblages following experimental flooding in permanent and temporary wetlands in an Australian floodplain forest

The River Murray, Australia, is a highly regulated river from which almost 80% of mean annual flow is removed for human use, primarily irrigated agriculture. Consequent changes to the pattern and volume of river flow are reflected in floodplain hydrology and, therefore, the wetting/drying patterns of floodplain wetlands. To explore the significance of these changes, macroinvertebrate samples were compared between permanent and temporary wetlands following experimental flooding in a forested floodplain of the River Murray. Weekly samples from two permanent wetlands and four associated temporary sites were used to track changes in macroinvertebrate assemblage composition. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling was used to ordinate the macroinvertebrate data, indicating consistent differences between the biota of permanent and temporary wetlands and between the initial and later assemblages in the temporary sites. There were marked changes over time, but little sign that the permanent and temporary assemblages were becoming more alike over the 25‐week observation period. The apparent heterogeneity of these systems is of particular importance in developing river management plans which are likely to change flooding patterns. Such plans need to maintain a mosaic of wetland habitats if floodplain biodiversity is to be supported. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of an Open-Source OpenFoam for Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of the Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine Blade

This study investigates numerical simulation for fluid-structure interaction in wind turbine blades, emphasizing the influence of dimensionless numbers. Utilizing OpenFoam, the Navier-Stokes equation is accurately solved with the PISO algorithm, ensuring proper interface conditions. The icoFsiFoam solver is validated through dynamic testing, demonstrating its effectiveness. In contrast to the widely adopted Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT), our approach focuses on analyzing blade deformation and resonance phenomena, capturing intricate deformations and stress concentrations. Our investigation explores the impact of reduced velocity on blade behavior across a range of 0.105 to 0.145, while consistently maintaining crucial dimensionless numbers such as Reynolds number (Re = 10⁶), Froude number (Fr = 4.93), and Cauchy number ( Cy = 10-5). The outcomes of this study significantly contribute to the understanding of fluid-structure interaction in wind turbine blades. By examining the oscillatory behavior of the blades, we observe trends similar to those predicted by BEMT. However, our approach surpasses BEMT by providing additional insights into stress concentrations and deformation modes. This advancement enables superior performance optimization and facilitates advanced blade analysis. The implications of our research are paramount for optimizing blade design and performance under varying reduced velocities. By incorporating the findings of this study, blade designers can make well-informed decisions to enhance the efficiency and durability of wind turbine technologies. The presented methodology and results provide a comprehensive investigation into the fluid-structure interaction of wind turbine blades, highlighting the importance of dimensionless numbers and their influence on blade behavior. Overall, this study offers valuable insights for improving wind turbine design and performance.