Discovering evolving communities in dynamic networks is essential to important applications such as analysis for dynamic web content and disease progression. Evolutionary clustering uses the temporal ...smoothness framework that simultaneously maximizes the clustering accuracy at the current time step and minimizes the clustering drift between two successive time steps. In this paper, we propose two evolutionary nonnegative matrix factorization (ENMF) frameworks for detecting dynamic communities. To address the theoretical relationship among evolutionary clustering algorithms, we first prove the equivalence relationship between ENMF and optimization of evolutionary modularity density. Then, we extend the theory by proving the equivalence between evolutionary spectral clustering and ENMF, which serves as the theoretical foundation for hybrid algorithms. Based on the equivalence, we propose a semi-supervised ENMF (sE-NMF) by incorporating a priori information into ENMF. Unlike the traditional semi-supervised algorithms, a priori information is integrated into the objective function of the algorithm. The main advantage of the proposed algorithm is to escape the local optimal solution without increasing time complexity. The experimental results over a number of artificial and real world dynamic networks illustrate that the proposed method is not only more accurate but also more robust than the state-of-the-art approaches.
The indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPA) pathway is the main auxin biosynthesis pathway in the plant kingdom. Local control of auxin biosynthesis through this pathway regulates plant growth and development ...and the responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. During the past decades, genetic, physiological, biochemical, and molecular studies have greatly advanced our understanding of tryptophan-dependent auxin biosynthesis. The IPA pathway includes two steps: Trp is converted to IPA by TRYPTOPHAN AMINOTRANSFERASE OF ARABIDOPSIS/TRYPTOPHAN AMINOTRANSFERASE RELATED PROTEINs (TAA1/TARs), and then IPA is converted to IAA by the flavin monooxygenases (YUCCAs). The IPA pathway is regulated at multiple levels, including transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, protein modification, and feedback regulation, resulting in changes in gene transcription, enzyme activity and protein localization. Ongoing research indicates that tissue-specific DNA methylation and miRNA-directed regulation of transcription factors may also play key roles in the precise regulation of IPA-dependent auxin biosynthesis in plants. This review will mainly summarize the regulatory mechanisms of the IPA pathway and address the many unresolved questions regarding this auxin biosynthesis pathway in plants.
Summary
Ammonium (NH4+) is toxic to root growth in most plants, even at moderate concentrations. Transcriptional regulation is one of the most important mechanisms in the response of plants to NH4+ ...toxicity, but the nature of the involvement of transcription factors (TFs) in this regulation remains unclear.
Here, RNA‐seq analysis was performed on Arabidopsis roots to screen for ammonium‐responsive TFs. WRKY46, the member of the WRKY transcription factor family most responsive to NH4+, was selected. We defined the role of WRKY46 using mutation and overexpression assays, and characterized the regulation of NUDX9 and indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA)‐conjugating genes by WRKY46 via yeast one‐hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation‐quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (ChIP‐qPCR).
Knockout of WRKY46 increased, while overexpression of WRKY46 decreased, NH4+‐suppression of the primary root. WRKY46 is shown to directly bind to the promoters of the NUDX9 and IAA‐conjugating genes (GH3.1, GH3.6, UGT75D1, UGT84B2) and to inhibit their transcription, thus positively regulating free IAA content and stabilizing protein N‐glycosylation, leading to an inhibition of NH4+ efflux in the root elongation zone (EZ).
We identify TF involvement in the regulation of NH4+ efflux in the EZ, and show that WRKY46 inhibits NH4+ efflux by negative regulation of NUDX9 and IAA‐conjugating genes.
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•Present status on generation of different forms of bioenergy.•Bioenergy policy initiatives undertaken by various federal agencies of countries.•Feedstock utilization, blending ...targets, and policy assistance schemes assessed.•Current bioenergy market scenario analysis.
Over the last few decades, the globe has much relied on fossil fuels; however, environmental concerns forced the World to look at biofuel as an alternative for stable economic development. Biofuel also facilitates national energy security maintenance and reduces environmental complications. The present study is focused on an in-depth analysis of bioenergy policy measures undertaken by various federal agencies of different countries in order to shed light on the bottlenecks that impede biofuel's growth as a sustainable and alternative fuel. An in-depth assessment of feedstock utilization, blending targets, and policy assistance schemes have been thoroughly reviewed. In addition, the potential of commercial firms for the production of bioenergy is highlighted in order to grasp the current bioenergy market scenario better. Finally, the article is concluded with the viewpoints of the authors to address the standing issues of global bioenergy generation.
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•Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) cause pulmonary cytotoxicity by inducing ROS.•PS-MPs is associated with impaired pulmonary barrier by depleting ZO proteins.•PS-MPs inhalation ...increases the risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Microplastics (MPs) have become a global environmental concern. Recent studies have shown that MPs, of which the predominant type is often polystyrene (PS; known as PS-MPs), can extend to and affect remote, sparsely inhabited areas via atmospheric transport. Although exposure to inhaled MPs may induce lung dysfunction, further experimental verification of the pulmonary toxic potential of MPs and the mechanism underlying the toxicity is needed. Here we used normal human lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells to clarify the association between pulmonary toxicity and PS-MPs. Results revealed that PS-MPs can cause cytotoxic and inflammatory effects in BEAS-2B cells by inducing reactive oxygen species formation. PS-MPs can decrease transepithelial electrical resistance by depleting zonula occludens proteins. Indeed, decreased α1-antitrypsin levels in BEAS-2B cells suggest that exposure to PS-MPs increases the risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and high concentrations of PS-MPs can induce these adverse responses. While low PS-MP levels can only disrupt the protective pulmonary barrier, they may also increase the risk for lung disease. Collectively, our findings indicate that PS-MP inhalation may influence human respiratory health.
Macro- and microalgae-based foods are becoming popular due to their high nutritious value. The algal biomass is enriched with polysaccharides, protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, ...vitamins and minerals. However, the most promising fraction is polysaccharides (PS) or their derivatives (as dietary fibers) which are not entirely fermented by colonic bacteria hence act as potential prebiotic. Primarily, algae become famous as prominent protein sources. Recently, these are widely adopted as functional food (e.g., desserts, dairy products, oil-derivatives, pastas etc.) or animal feed (for poultry, cattle, fish etc.). Besides prebiotic and balanced amino acids source, algae derived compounds implied as therapeutics due to comprising bioactive properties to elicit immunomodulatory, antioxidative, anticancerous, anticoagulant, hepato-protective, and antihypertensive responses. Despite the above potentials, broader research determinations are inevitable to explore these algal compounds until microalgae become a business reality for broader and specific applications in all health domains. However, scale up of algal bioprocess remains a major challenge until commercial affordability is accomplished which can be possible by discovering their hidden potentials and increasing their value and application prospects. This review provides an overview of the significance of algae consumption for several health benefits in humans and animals mainly as prebiotics, however their functional food and animal feed potential are briefly covered. Moreover, their potential to develop an algal-based food industry to meet the people's requirements not only as a sustainable food solution with several health benefits but also as therapeutics is inevitable.
Bio–wastes and their utilization has been increasing enormously, due to its generation and management practices towards making the clearner environment. Bio–waste disposal that follow the emerging ...global human population has commended the hunt to certain methods sustainably for the bio–waste management to overwhelmed the ecological issues, prompted by means of the collection of such waste materials. The bio–conversion process of the various bio–wastes into high value added products seems to be practicable in various venues in terms of technological and financial supports. Thereby, this preface presentat about of bio–wastes management and new trends towards circular economy and challenges to acheive it by considering the Virtual Special Issue (VSI) dedicated in Bioresourse Technology Journal.
To identify MRI-based radiomics as prognostic factors in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
One-hundred and eighteen patients (training cohort:
= 88; validation cohort:
= 30) with ...advanced NPC were enrolled. A total of 970 radiomics features were extracted from T2-weighted (T2-w) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (CET1-w) MRI. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was applied to select features for progression-free survival (PFS) nomograms. Nomogram discrimination and calibration were evaluated. Associations between radiomics features and clinical data were investigated using heatmaps.
The radiomics signatures were significantly associated with PFS. A radiomics signature derived from joint CET1-w and T2-w images showed better prognostic performance than signatures derived from CET1-w or T2-w images alone. One radiomics nomogram combined a radiomics signature from joint CET1-w and T2-w images with the TNM staging system. This nomogram showed a significant improvement over the TNM staging system in terms of evaluating PFS in the training cohort (C-index, 0.761 vs. 0.514;
< 2.68 × 10
). Another radiomics nomogram integrated the radiomics signature with all clinical data, and thereby outperformed a nomogram based on clinical data alone (C-index, 0.776 vs. 0.649;
< 1.60 × 10
). Calibration curves showed good agreement. Findings were confirmed in the validation cohort. Heatmaps revealed associations between radiomics features and tumor stages.
Multiparametric MRI-based radiomics nomograms provided improved prognostic ability in advanced NPC. These results provide an illustrative example of precision medicine and may affect treatment strategies.
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The reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and Chitosan (CS) hybrid matrix RGO-CS were coated onto the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface, then, poly-l-lysine films (PLL) were prepared by ...electropolymerization with cyclic voltammetry (CV) method to prepare RGO-CS/PLL modified glassy carbon electrode (RGO-CS/PLL/GCE) for the simultaneous electrochemical determination of heavy metal ions Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II). Combining the advantageous features of RGO and CS, RGO and CS are used together because the positively charged CS can interact with the negatively changed RGO to prevent their aggregation. Furthermore, CS has many amino groups along its macromolecular chains and possessed strongly reactive with metal ions. Moreover, PLL modified electrodes have good stability, excellent permselectivity, more active sites and strong adherence to electrode surface, which enhanced electrocatalytic activity. The RGO-CS/PLL/GCE was characterized voltammetrically using redox couples (Fe(CN)63−/4−), complemented with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) has been used for the detection of Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II). The detection limit of RGO-CS/PLL/GCE toward Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II) is 0.01μgL−1, 0.02μgL−1 and 0.02μgL−1, respectively. The electrochemical parameters that exert influence on deposition and stripping of metal ions, such as supporting electrolytes, pH value, deposition potential, and deposition time, were carefully studied.
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