Article
Biology
Baihui Wu, Hanzhi Zhang, Menghan Zhang
Summary: The origin of tone, or tonogenesis, is a fascinating aspect of language evolution and human cognition. Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain the origin of tones in tonal languages, but they have not been quantitatively tested. In this study, we analyzed 106 Sino-Tibetan languages, of which around 70% are tonal, to investigate the likelihood of different tonogenetic mechanisms. Our results showed a strong phylogenetic pattern in the presence of tones, suggesting that Proto-Sino-Tibetan languages were most likely non-tonal. We also found that tonal origin was associated with specific phonological changes, such as the loss of syllable-final consonants and changes in vowel quality.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Inessa Voet, Christiane Denys, Marc Colyn, Aude Lalis, Adam Konecny, Arnaud Delapre, Violaine Nicolas, Raphael Cornette
Summary: This study focused on the Crocidura poensis species complex and examined the effects of taxonomy, size, geography, climate, and habitat on skull morphology. It found that taxonomy was the best predictor of skull size and shape, with allometry representing a significant source of morphological variability within the complex of species. The results support a parapatric speciation model where divergence occurred along an ecological gradient rather than a geographic barrier.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Min Wang, Thomas A. Stidham, Jingmai K. O'Connor, Zhonghe Zhou
Summary: Cranial kinesis, the independent movements and flexibility of different parts of the skull, is an evolutionary innovation found in some squamates and crown birds. It plays a major role in the phenotypic and ecological diversity of birds. However, the understanding of the evolutionary development of cranial kinesis in early avialans is hindered by sparse fossil records. A detailed reconstruction of the skull of the Early Cretaceous enantiornithine Yuanchuavis kompsosoura provides insights into the mosaic assembly of features required for modern cranial kinesis in birds.
Review
Cell Biology
Hongfu Jin, Shigang Jiang, Ruomei Wang, Yi Zhang, Jiangtao Dong, Yusheng Li
Summary: Integrins, a family of transmembrane proteins, play essential roles in osteoarthritis (OA). Dysfunction of integrins has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of OA. Understanding the roles of integrins in OA may influence the development of future treatments.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Stephen Lu, Ines Martin-Martin, Jose M. Ribeiro, Eric Calvo
Summary: During evolution, blood-feeding arthropods developed complex salivary mixtures that favor blood acquisition and pathogen transmission. This study identified thousands of coding DNA sequences and non-coding RNA in the salivary glands of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, providing an extended reference for the identification and characterization of pharmacologically active proteins.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eduardo Anitua, Roberto Prado, Sabino Padilla
Summary: Both invertebrates and vertebrates have immune responses called immunoclotting and immunothrombosis to deal with bleeding and microbial invasion. These responses are carried out by different blood cells and proteins. In humans, the proteins involved in coagulation and fibrinolysis have multiple functions and play roles in inflammation and healing. However, their interactions may pose biological paradoxes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lvqin Zheng, Zhenggao Zheng, Xiying Li, Guopeng Wang, Kun Zhang, Peijun Wei, Jindong Zhao, Ning Gao
Summary: The major light-harvesting systems for photosynthesis in cyanobacteria and red algae are phycobilisomes (PBS). Cryo-EM structures of two cyanobacterial PBS from Anabaena 7120 and Synechococcus 7002 reveal characteristics of their energy transfer pathways and the critical aromatic residues involved in excitation energy transfer (EET). The structures also suggest active participation of linker proteins in the process of EET within both rods and cores, providing insights into chromophore organization and EET mechanisms in cyanobacterial PBS.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Min Hu, Ke Ye, Guozhen Zhang, Xiyu Li, Jun Jiang
Summary: The catalytic activity of the oxygen/hydrogen evolution reaction (OER/HER) on dual-site catalysts on graphene has been studied using density functional theory calculations. The results show that both the maximum free energy change (Delta GMax) and the activity barrier (Ea) must be considered in evaluating the catalytic activity of the OER/HER on the dual site. Importantly, there is a negative relationship between Delta GMax and Ea, which is essential for the rational design of effective dual-site catalysts for electrochemical reactions.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jianxiang Ma, Pengchuan Sun, Dandan Wang, Zhenyue Wang, Jiao Yang, Ying Li, Wenjie Mu, Renping Xu, Ying Wu, Congcong Dong, Nawal Shrestha, Jianquan Liu, Yongzhi Yang
Summary: The study reports the high-quality genome of Chloranthus sessilifolius, revealing the genome duplication within the species and the phylogenetic relationships with other Mesangiospermae lineages. Additionally, the findings suggest that both hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting may have contributed to the phylogenetic incongruities.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Michael I. H. Hartnady, Christopher L. Kirkland, R. Hugh Smithies, Simon P. Johnson, Tim E. Johnson
Summary: This study reports the lead isotope compositions of K-feldspar grains from Paleoarchaean to Neoarchaean granites in the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia. The results indicate that the granites were derived from crustal precursors of different ages, which separated from a chondritic mantle source between 3.2 and 3.8 billion years ago and rapidly differentiated into continental crust. These findings are important for understanding the processes and timescales of early continental formation on Earth.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Dameng Liu, Qifeng Jia, Yidong Cai, Changjin Gao, Feng Qiu, Zheng Zhao, Siyu Chen
Summary: Coalbed methane (CBM) recovery in the Qinshui Basin can be supported by the abundant coal-bearing rocks and favorable geological conditions. This study comprehensively investigates various aspects of geological and reservoir characteristics to gain insights into CBM exploration and exploitation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lin Yang, Qiuting Ren, Xu Ma, Mingwei Wang, Jinge Sun, Shen Wang, Xiaoyu Wu, Xinglin Chen, Chenxin Wang, Qingqing Li, Jinsheng Sun
Summary: This study found that riluzole (RIL) can enhance cadmium (Cd) tolerance in duckweed. RIL treatment alleviates leaf chlorosis and reduces root abscission, while decreasing Cd accumulation by regulating glutamate levels. Furthermore, RIL treatment leads to differential gene expression in duckweed under Cd stress.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shenlong Zhao, Yongchao Yang, Zhiyong Tang
Summary: Studying the structure-activity correlations of electrocatalysts is crucial for improving the conversion of electrical to chemical energy. Recent evidence obtained through operando characterization techniques shows that the structural evolution of catalysts, caused by their interaction with electric fields, electrolytes, and reactants/intermediates, leads to the formation of real active sites. It is therefore important to summarize the research advances in structural evolution and envision future developments. In this Minireview, the fundamental concepts associated with structural evolution, the triggers of this evolution, and advanced operando characterizations are discussed. The reversibility of structural evolution in heterogeneous electrocatalysis, with a focus on the oxygen evolution and CO2 reduction reactions, is also highlighted. Finally, the key challenges and opportunities in this exciting field are presented.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Qing Dong, Qing-Cheng Zou, Li-Hui Mao, Dan-Qing Tian, Wei Hu, Xue-Rui Cao, Hua-Qiao Ding
Summary: This study presents a chromosome-level genome assembly of Curcuma alismatifolia, providing insights into the biosynthetic pathways of anthocyanins and terpenoids in this ornamental plant. The transcriptome analysis and co-expression network analysis identified key genes and transcription factors involved in color formation in bracts. Characterization of terpenoid biosynthesis genes revealed their dispersal and tandem duplications, contributing to the species-specific expansion of terpene synthase genes. This research enhances our understanding of the genetic basis of anthocyanin and terpenoid biosynthesis and facilitates selective breeding for improved ornamental and medicinal value of C. alismatifolia.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuying Jiang, Jing Xie, Zhenjiang Lu, Jindou Hu, Aize Hao, Yali Cao
Summary: Surface modification with hydrophilic functional group greatly enhances the catalytic performance of SrTiO3 in photocatalysis, piezocatalysis, and piezo-photocatalysis for hydrogen production. The OH-modified SrTiO3 showed about two times higher hydrogen generation compared to pristine SrTiO3 due to its super hydrophilicity and increased oxygen vacancies. The optimal piezo-photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of OH-modified SrTiO3 was 5.3 times higher than the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution process of SrTiO3. This study presents a low-energy approach for the rational design of functional group modification nanomaterials with excellent piezo-photocatalytic performance.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)