Across two phylogeographic breaks: Quaternary evolutionary history of a mountain aspen (Populus rotundifolia) in the Hengduan Mountains

Biogeographical barriers to gene flow are central to plant phylogeography.In East Asia,plant distribution is greatly influenced by two phylogeographic breaks,the Mekong-Salween Divide and Tanaka-Kaiyong Line,however,few studies have investigated how these barriers affect the genetic diversity of species that are distributed across both.Here we used 14 microsatellite loci and four chloroplast DNA fragments to examine genetic diversity and distribution patterns of 49 populations of Populus rotundifolia,a species that spans both the Mekong-Salween Divide and the Tanaka-Kaiyong Line in southwestern China.Demographic and migration hypotheses were tested using coalescent-based approaches.Limited historical gene flow was observed between the western and eastern groups of P.rotundifolia,but substantial flow occurred across both the Mekong-Salween Divide and Tanaka-Kaiyong Line,manifesting in clear admixture and high genetic diversity in the central group.Wind-borne pollen and seeds may have facilitated the dispersal of P.rotundifolia following prevalent northwest winds in the spring.We also found that the Hengduan Mountains,where multiple genetic barriers were detected,acted on the whole as a barrier between the western and eastern groups of P.rotundifolia.Ecological niche modeling suggested that P.rotundifolia has undergone range expansion since the last glacial maximum,and demographic reconstruction indicated an earlier population expansion around 600 Ka.The phylogeographic pattern of P.rotundifolia reflects the interplay of biological traits,wind patterns,barriers,niche differentiation,and Quaternary climate history.This study emphasizes the need for multiple lines of evidence in understanding the Quaternary evolution of plants in topographically complex areas.

DETECTION OF STRAND BREAKS OF DNA IN HUMAN EARLY CHORIONIC VILLUS CELLS INDUCED BY DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND USING ^(32)P-LABELED ALU HYBRIDIZATION

Objective To explore if strand breaks of DNA in human early chorionic villus cells in uterus were induced by diagnostic ultrasound and to evaluate the method used for detection of single-stranded breaks and double-stranded breaks in human DNA. Methods 60 normal pregnant women aged 20-30, who underwent artificial abortion during 6-8 weeks of gestation, were randomly divided into 2 experimental groups: All 30 cases were exposed to diagnostic ultrasound in uterus for 10 minutes, and 24 hours later chorionic villi were extracted; the other 30 cases were taken as the control group. Single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA in villus cells in all cases were isolated by the alkaline unwinding combined with hydroxylapatite chromatography, and were quantitatively detected using 32 P-labeled Alu probe for dot-blotting hybridization. Results There was no significant difference in quantity and percentage in single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA between 2 groups (P>0.05). 32 P-Alu probe could only hybridize with human DNA, and could detect DNA isolated from as few as 2.5×10 3 chorionic villus cells and 0.45ng DNA in human leukocytes. Conclusion The results suggested that there were no DNA strand damages in human chorionic villus cells when the uterus was exposed to diagnostic ultrasound for 10 minutes. The method,^(32)P-Alu probe for dot-blotting hybridization, was even more specific, sensitive and accurate than conventional approaches.

Auto-pick first breaks with complex raypaths for undulate surface conditions

First-break picking is the key step in seismic data processing for surveying undulate surfaces, and directly infl uences the precision of near-surface modeling and effects of static corrections. The current first-break auto-picking methods may fail when the signalto-noise ratio（SNR） is low for seismic data in the undulate area, and require labor and time intensive manual picking. This study develops an improved super-virtual interferometry（SVI） method that combines multichannel and multidomain quality control（MMQC） techniques to achieve auto-picked first breaks. The improved SVI method extends the SVI application to enhance the SNR for near-surface scattered waves for the first time, which allows for the SVI method to adapt to first breaks with complex raypaths by linear combination of refractions and near-surface scattered waves. Methods of inverse and multidomain interferometry are developed to effectively enhance the virtual records extracted by the SVI method. The deconvolution filter for waveforms is used to increase resolution and reduce false picks, while the MMQC technique is designed to auto-correct false picks and increase the stability of auto-picking first breaks. The robust technique developed in this study enables stable processing of large 3D seismic datasets. Higher quality results are obtained using the approach presented in this paper to actual field data from the mountain areas in western China, when compared to some commonly used commercial software.

Selection of Multifractal Scaling Breaks andSeparation of Geochemical andGeophysical Anomaly

Spatially superimposed multiple processes such as multiplicative cascade processes often generate multifractal measures possessing so-called self-similarity or self-affinity that can be described by power- law type of functions within certain scale ranges The multifractalities can be estimated by applying multifractal modeling to the measures reflecting the characteristics of the physical processes such as the element concentration values analyzed in rock and soil samples and caused by the underlying mineralization processes and the other geological processes. The local and regional geological processes may result in geochemical patterns with distinct multifractalities as wall as variable scaling ranges. Separation of these multifractal measures on the basis of both the distinct multifractalities and the scaling ranges will be significant for both theoretical studies of multifractal modeling and its applications. Multifractal scaling breaks have been observed from various multifractal patterns. This paper introduces a technique for separating multifractal measures on the basis of scaling breaks. It has been demonstrated that the method is effective for decomposing geochemical and geophysical anomalies required for mineral exploration. A dataset containing the element concentration values of potassium and phosphorus in soil samples was employed for demonstrating the application of the method for studying the fertilizer and yield optimization in agriculture

An Improved Convolutional Neural Network Based Indoor Localization by Using Jenks Natural Breaks Algorithm

With the rapid growth of the demand for indoor location-based services(LBS), Wi-Fi received signal strength(RSS) fingerprints database has attracted significant attention because it is easy to obtain. The fingerprints algorithm based on convolution neural network(CNN) is often used to improve indoor localization accuracy. However, the number of reference points used for position estimation has significant effects on the positioning accuracy. Meanwhile, it is always selected arbitraily without any guiding standards. As a result, a novel location estimation method based on Jenks natural breaks algorithm(JNBA), which can adaptively choose more reasonable reference points, is proposed in this paper. The output of CNN is processed by JNBA, which can select the number of reference points according to different environments. Then, the location is estimated by weighted K-nearest neighbors(WKNN). Experimental results show that the proposed method has higher positioning accuracy without sacrificing more time cost than the existing indoor localization methods based on CNN.

DNA Double-Strand Breaks,Potential Targets for HBV Integration

Hepatitis B virus(HBV)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most fre-quently occurring cancers.Hepadnaviral DNA integrations are considered to be essential agents which can promote the process of the hepatocarcinogenesis.More and more researches were designed to find the relationship of the two.In this study,we investigated whether HBV DNA integration occurred at sites of DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs),one of the most detrimental DNA damage.An 18-bp I-SceI homing endonuclease recognition site was introduced into the DNA of HepG2 cell line by stable DNA transfection,then cells were incubated in patients’ serum with high HBV DNA copies and at the same time,DSBs were induced by transient expression of I-SceI after transfection of an I-SceI expression vector.By using nest PCR,the viral DNA was detected at the sites of the break.It appeared that integra-tion occurred between part of HBV x gene and the I-SceI induced breaks.The results suggested that DSBs,as the DNA damages,may serve as potential targets for hepadnaviral DNA insertion and the integrants would lead to widespread host genome changes necessarily.It provided a new site to investi-gate the integration.

Double-stranded DNA breaks and gene functions in recombination and meiosis

Meiotic prophase I is a long and complex phase. Homologous recombination is an important process that occurs between homologous chromosomes during meiotic prophase I. Formation of chiasmata, which hold homologous chromosomes together until the metaphase I to anaphase I transition, is critical for proper chromosome segregation. Recent studies have suggested that the SPO 11 proteins have conserved functions in a number of organisms in generating sites of double-stranded DNA breaks （DSBs） that are thought to be the starting points of homologous recombination. Processing of these sites of DSBs requires the function of RecA homologs, such as RAD5 1, DMC 1, and others, as suggested by mutant studies; thus the failure to repair these meiotic DSBs results in abnormal chromosomal alternations, leading to disrupted meiosis. Recent discoveries on the functions of these RecA homologs have improved the understanding of the mechanisms underlying meiotic homologous recombination.

Missed retinal breaks in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

AIM： To evaluate the causes and associations of missed retinal breaks（MRBs） and posterior vitreous detachment（PVD） in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment（RRD）.METHODS： Case sheets of patients undergoing vitreo retinal surgery for RRD at a tertiary eye care centre were evaluated retrospectively. Out of the 378 records screened, 253 were included for analysis of MRBs and191 patients were included for analysis of PVD,depending on the inclusion criteria. Features of RRD and retinal breaks noted on examination were compared to the status of MRBs and PVD detected during surgery for possible associations.RESULTS： Overall, 27% patients had MRBs. Retinal holes were commonly missed in patients with lattice degeneration while missed retinal tears were associated with presence of complete PVD. Patients operated for cataract surgery were significantly associated with MRBs（P =0.033） with the odds of missing a retinal break being1.91 as compared to patients with natural lens. Advanced proliferative vitreo retinopathy（PVR） and retinal bullae were the most common reasons for missing a retinal break during examination. PVD was present in 52% of the cases and was wrongly assessed in 16%. Retinal bullae,pseudophakia/aphakia, myopia, and horse shoe retinal tears were strongly associated with presence of PVD.Traumatic RRDs were rarely associated with PVD. CONCLUSION： Pseudophakic patients, and patients with retinal bullae or advanced PVR should be carefully screened for MRBs. Though Weiss ring is a good indicator of PVD, it may still be over diagnosed in some cases. PVD is associated with retinal bullae and pseudophakia, and inversely with traumatic RRD.

Factor Vector Autoregressive Estimation of Heteroskedastic Persistent and Non Persistent Processes Subject to Structural Breaks

In the paper, a general framework for large scale modeling of macroeconomic and financial time series is introduced. The proposed approach is characterized by simplicity of implementation, performing well independently of persistence and heteroskedasticity properties, accounting for common deterministic and stochastic factors. Monte Carlo results strongly support the proposed methodology, validating its use also for relatively small cross-sectional and temporal samples.

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Rainfall Breaks in Senegal

This study analyzes the spatio-temporal distribution of daily rainfall data from 13 stations in the country of Senegal located in the North-West of Africa. These data, covering the period 1950-2010, are extracted from the database of the Regional Study Center for the Improvement of Drought Adaptation (CERAAS). They allow to calculate, in each station, dry episodes and their sequences and the results reveal a latitudinal variability of class 1 breaks (1 - 3 days) with the highest values recorded in the south. Unlike the class 2 episodes (greater or equal than 15 days), the latitudinal gradient is less pronounced but they are more frequent in the north. For most of the regions studied, a break in the trend towards an increase in dry sequences can be noted, most often at the beginning of the 1970s, which coincides with the start of the great drought of the 1970s decade. For all sites, the frequency of dry episodes of class 1 (1 - 3 days) exceeds 70%. The frequency of class 2 of dry episodes (greater or equal than 15 days) decreased from 30% in 1951-1970 to 18% in 1991-2010 in the region of Thiès;from 25% in 1951-1970 to 20% in 1991-2010 in Louga;from 22% in 1951-1970 to 18% in 1991-2010 in Tamba;23% in 1951-1970 to 15% in 1991-2010 in Ziguinchor;25% in 1951-1970 to 16% in 1991-2010 in Kolda;22% in 1951-1970 to 18% in 1991-2010 in Diourbel and finally 20% in 1951-1970 to 17% in 1991-2010 in Fatick. Over the whole period of study, the spatial distribution of the number of dry periods in class 1 is higher in the South than in the Center and in the North of Senegal. For class 2 breaks, the latitudinal gradient is less pronounced and the minimum number of dry periods in this class is recorded in the south, especially in Ziguinchor. However, the maximum is observed in the Center. In the Northern region (Saint-Louis), classes 3 and 4 are much more frequent. This spatial variability of rainfall breaks is clearly associated with the rainfall gradient between the North and the South. The temporal evolution of the numbers of each class intrinsically follows the evolution of the ITCZ.

LARGE-SCALE STRAIN PATTERNS,GREAT EARTHQUAKE BREAKS,AND LATE PLEISTOCENE SLIP-RATE ALONG THE ALTYN TAGH FAULT (CHINA)

Fieldwork along several segments of the Altyn Tagh Fault,between 85 and 95°E,confirms that it ranks as one of the most active faults of Asia.In the East,near Aksay,the active fault trace offsets numerous stream channels,terrace risers and fans tens to hundreds of meters. 14 C dating of organic remains and charcoal within terrace gravels indicates that most of the terraces were emplaced after the beginning of the Holocene,implying a left\|slip rate of about 2cm/a.Large mole tracks attest to the occurrence of great earthquakes.Even larger mole tracks are found north of Lenghu,within the Altun Shan push\|up,a 6000 m high range in a restraining bend of the fault,now sliced by its most active strand.North of Huatougou,at the transition between another push\|up mountain and a recent pull\|apart basin,a spectacular sequence of five flat\|floored,hanging channels,beheaded by the fault from a unique source in the mountain,have been horizontally displaced by up to 1250m.Cosmogenic dating of the abandonment of these channels and of nearby offset terrace risers confirms the slip\|rate at Aksay.Several km to the west,pressure ridges exceeding 10m in height across a large young fan,imply the repeat of several great earthquakes in a relatively short time span.

On-Line Structural Breaks Estimation for Non-stationary Time Series Models

Non-stationary time series could be divided into piecewise stationary stochastic signal. However, the number and locations of breakpoints, as well as the approximation function of the respective segment signal are unknown. To solve this problem, a novel on-line structural breaks estimation algorithm based on piecewise autoregressive processes is proposed. In order to find the "best" combination of the number, lengths, and orders of the piecewise autoregressive (AR) processes, the Akaikes Information Criterion (AIC) and Yule-Walker equations are applied to estimate an AR model fit to the data. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed estimation algorithm is suitable for different data series. Furthermore, the algorithm is used in a clinical study of electroencephalogram (EEG) with satisfactory results, and the ability to deal with real-time data is the most outstanding characteristic of on-line structural breaks estimation algorithm proposed.

Volatility spillovers,structural breaks and uncertainty in technology sector markets

This study uses the dynamic conditional correlation to investigate how technology subsector stocks interact with financial assets in the face of economic and financial uncertainty.Our results suggest that structural breaks have diverse effects on financial asset connectedness and that the level of bond linkage increases when the trend breaks.We see a growing co-movement between the technology sector and major financial assets when uncertainty is considered.Overall,our findings indicate that the connectedness response varies depending on the type of uncertainty shock.

Analysis of heavy-ion-induced DNA strand breaks in plasmid pUC18

Plasmid DNA was irradiated or implanted by mixed particle field(CR) or lithium-ion-beam to detect strand breaks.The primary results showed that mixed particle field could induce single and double strand breaks with positive linear-dose-effects;most of sequence changes induced by CR were point mutant.Lithium-ion-beam could induce strand breaks also,but it was only at dose of 20Gy.

Application of Artificially Induced Double-strand Breaks (DSB) and Triplex-forming Oligonucleotides (TFO) in the Improvement of Gene Targeting Efficiency

Gene targeting technology is an important means to investigate gene functions, but its efficiency of gene targeting is very low, especially for somatic cell targeting. Artificially induced double-strand breaks （DSB） and triplex forming oligonucleotide （TFO） are currently developed methods to improve the targeting efficiency. This paper summarized the basic principles, design ideas and application in gene targeting efficiency improvement of these two methods, analyzed and com- pared their characteristics, and finally proposed prospects for their future development.

Etoposide-induced apoptosis results in chromosome breaks within the <i>AF</i>9 gene: Its implication in chromosome rearrangement in leukaemia

Treatment with etoposide (VP-16) has been associated with translocation of the mixed lineage leukaemia (MLL) gene seen in treatment-related acute myeloid leukaemia (t-AML). Among the different partner genes, AF9 is the most common partner gene of MLL. AF9 shares similar structural element with the MLL gene. Various mechanisms of translocation have been proposed for the MLL gene, including apoptosis, particularly the apoptotic nuclease. In the current study, we show that VP-16 induced cleavage of the AF9 gene in both leukaemic cells and cultured normal blood cell. All the breakpoints were mapped within the BCR1 of the AF9 gene. AF9 cleavages in leukaemic cells were abolished by pre-treatment with caspase inhibitor (Z-DEVD-FMK), suggesting the involvement of caspase-activated DNase (CAD). The absence of AF9 cleavage in K562 cells further supported the involvement of apoptosis. However, AF9 cleavages in cultured normal blood cell were not eliminated by caspase inhibitor. The possible role of CAD and other apoptotic nucleases/effectors that could be involved in AF9 translocation are discussed.

Study of Bouble－strand Breaks in Fish Sperm DNA Molecules after Heavy－ion Irradiation by Pulsed－field Gel Electrophoresis

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A New Mechanism of Nonrandom Distribution of DNA Double Strand Breaks

Since 1996, it has been widely accepted that the distribution of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) induced by ionizing radiation is nonrandom. The explanation to this phenomenon is focused in two parts. One is the ionizing characteristic of the particles and the other is the high-ordered configuration of chromosome in eukaryote~[1,2]. As reported before~[3], we revealed the nonrandom distribution of DSBs when the

Exposure to Long Magnetic Resonance Imaging Thermometry Does Not Cause Significant DNA Double-Strand Breaks on CF-1 Mice

The purpose of the study was to investigate if the high gradient strength and slew rate used for long MRI-thermometry monitoring could cause DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs). To this end, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify γH2AX, a molecular marker for DSBs, in the blood of mice after a 6-hour exposure to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fourteen CF-1 female mice were separated into 4 experimental groups: Untreated negative control, MRI-treated, MRI-Control, and exposed to ionizing radiation positive control. Untreated negative control was used as a baseline for ELISA to quantify γH2AX. MRI-treated consisted of a 6-hour continuous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence with a slew rate of 192 mT/m/s constituting a significantly longer imaging time than routine clinical imaging. MRI-control mice were maintained under the same conditions outside the MRI scanner for 6-hours. Mice in the irradiation group served as a positive control of DSBs and were exposed to either 2 Gy, 5 Gy or 10 Gy of ionizing radiation. DSBs in the blood lymphocytes from the treatment groups were analyzed using the γH2AX ELISA and compared. Total protein concentration in lysates was determined for each blood sample and averaged 1 ± 0.35 mg/mL. Irradiated positive controls were used to test radiation dose-dependency of the γH2AX ELISA assay where a linear dependency on radiation exposure was observed (r2 = 0.93) between untreated and irradiated samples. Mean and standard error mean of γH2AX formation were calculated and compared between each treatment group. Repeated measures 1-way ANOVA showed statistically significant differences between the means of irradiated controls and both the MRI-control and MRI-treated groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the MRI-treated samples and the MRI-control groups. Our results show that long MRI exposure at a high slew rate did not cause increased levels of γH2AX when compared to control mice, suggesting that no increase in DSBs was caused by the long MR thermometry imaging session. The novelty of this work contradicts other studies that have suggested MRI may cause DSBs;this work suggests an alternative cause of DNA damage.

16^(th) Edition Breaks New Ground

Breaking new ground,Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics,successfully closed its doors on October 22nd,2010 at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre,attracting a