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Heliyon Apr 2024The Pisha Sandstone is widely exposed in the northeastern margin of the Ordos basin. Since the Mesozoic the basin was subjected to uneven uplift several times, strong...
The Pisha Sandstone is widely exposed in the northeastern margin of the Ordos basin. Since the Mesozoic the basin was subjected to uneven uplift several times, strong weathering and erosion have been occurring and a large amount of sediments derived from these erosional strata are input into the lower Yellow River, posing a fragile ecological environment along the river. However, the geochemical characteristics of the Pisha Sandstone have remained poorly understood. In this study, we focus on the Pisha Sandstone from Early-Middle Triassic Liujiagou, Heshanggou and Ermaying Formation, present a very first petrographic and geochemical data together with detailed field geological characteristics, aiming to place geochemical indicators on weathering, provenance and tectonic setting of the Pisha Sandstone. The results show that sandstones in Pisha Sandstone are classified as arkose, litharenite and wacke. The geochemical proxies including Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA = 67.2), Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW = 80.1), Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA = 75.6) and Index of Compositional Variability (ICV = 1.6) indicate Pisha Sandstone experienced first-cycle deposit and moderate to strong chemical weathering. Trace element and rare earth element concentrations together with their ratios (La/Sc, La/Co, Th/Sc, Th/Co, Cr/Th) reveal a felsic provenance, and source rock compositions are predominantly granodiorite and granite from the north margin of the Inner Mongolia Paleo-Uplift (IMPU), with a small amount of mafic or intermediate components. The geochemical signatures and tectonic discrimination diagrams display a collision setting for the Pisha Sandstone and further reveal the sediments had been deposited in a continental island arc setting. The results of this work may provide new theoretical basis for environmental protection in the Pisha Sandstone area.
PubMed: 38681579
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29120 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024, also known as Chinese mahogany, is a high-quality and fast-growing wood species with a high economic value. The wood properties of of different provenances vary...
, also known as Chinese mahogany, is a high-quality and fast-growing wood species with a high economic value. The wood properties of of different provenances vary significantly. In this study, we conducted comprehensive transcriptome and metabolome analyses of red and non-red wood cores of different provenances to compare their wood properties and explore the differential metabolites and genes that govern the variation in their wood properties. Through combined analyses, three differential genes and two metabolites were identified that are possibly related to lignin synthesis. The lignin content in wood cores from of different provenances shows significant variation following systematic measurement and comparisons. The gene Tci09G002190, one of the three differential genes, was identified as a member of the (Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase) gene family of , which is associated with lignin synthesis. Our data provide insights into the determinants of the wood properties in , providing a solid foundation for research into the subsequent mechanisms of the formation of wood.
Topics: Wood; Metabolome; Transcriptome; Lignin; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Gene Expression Profiling; Plant Proteins; Alcohol Oxidoreductases
PubMed: 38674126
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084541 -
PeerJ. Computer Science 2024The robust development of the blockchain distributed ledger, the Internet of Things (IoT), and fog computing-enabled connected devices and nodes has changed our...
The robust development of the blockchain distributed ledger, the Internet of Things (IoT), and fog computing-enabled connected devices and nodes has changed our lifestyle nowadays. Due to this, the increased rate of device sales and utilization increases the demand for edge computing technology with collaborative procedures. However, there is a well-established paradigm designed to optimize various distinct quality-of-service requirements, including bandwidth, latency, transmission power, delay, duty cycle, throughput, response, and edge sense, and bring computation and data storage closer to the devices and edges, along with ledger security and privacy during transmission. In this article, we present a systematic review of blockchain Hyperledger enabling fog and edge computing, which integrates as an outsourcing computation over the serverless consortium network environment. The main objective of this article is to classify recently published articles and survey reports on the current status in the domain of edge distributed computing and outsourcing computation, such as fog and edge. In addition, we proposed a blockchain-Hyperledger Sawtooth-enabled serverless edge-based distributed outsourcing computation architecture. This theoretical architecture-based solution delivers robust data security in terms of integrity, transparency, provenance, and privacy-protected preservation in the immutable storage to store the outsourcing computational ledgers. This article also highlights the changes between the proposed taxonomy and the current system based on distinct parameters, such as system security and privacy. Finally, a few open research issues and limitations with promising future directions are listed for future research work.
PubMed: 38660154
DOI: 10.7717/peerj-cs.1933 -
The Lancet. Digital Health Jun 2024With the rapid growth of interest in and use of large language models (LLMs) across various industries, we are facing some crucial and profound ethical concerns,... (Review)
Review
With the rapid growth of interest in and use of large language models (LLMs) across various industries, we are facing some crucial and profound ethical concerns, especially in the medical field. The unique technical architecture and purported emergent abilities of LLMs differentiate them substantially from other artificial intelligence (AI) models and natural language processing techniques used, necessitating a nuanced understanding of LLM ethics. In this Viewpoint, we highlight ethical concerns stemming from the perspectives of users, developers, and regulators, notably focusing on data privacy and rights of use, data provenance, intellectual property contamination, and broad applications and plasticity of LLMs. A comprehensive framework and mitigating strategies will be imperative for the responsible integration of LLMs into medical practice, ensuring alignment with ethical principles and safeguarding against potential societal risks.
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Natural Language Processing; Intellectual Property
PubMed: 38658283
DOI: 10.1016/S2589-7500(24)00061-X -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024Information about the resistance and adaptive potential of tree species and provenances is needed to select suitable planting material in times of rapidly changing...
Information about the resistance and adaptive potential of tree species and provenances is needed to select suitable planting material in times of rapidly changing climate conditions. In this study, we evaluate growth responses to climatic fluctuations and extreme events for 12 provenances of northern red oak ( L.) that were tested across three trial sites with distinct environmental conditions in Germany. Six provenances each were sourced from the natural distribution in North America and from introduced stands in Germany. We collected increment cores of 16 trees per provenance and site. Dendroecological methods were used to compare provenance performance and establish climate-growth relationships to identify the main growth limiting factors. To evaluate the provenance response to extreme drought and frost events, three site-specific drought years were selected according to the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and 2010 as a year with an extreme late frost event. Resistance indices for these years were calculated and assessed in relation to overall growth performance. We observed a high variation in growth and in the climate sensitivity between sites depending on the prevailing climatic conditions, as well as a high intra-specific variation. Overall, summer drought and low temperatures in the early growing season appear to constrain the growth of red oak. The resistance of provenances within sites and extreme years showed considerable rank changes and interaction effects. We did not find a trade-off between growth and resistance to late frost, namely, fast growing provenances had a high frost hardiness. Further, there was no evidence for a trade-off between growth and drought hardiness. Still, responses to drought or late frost differ between provenances, pointing to dissimilar adaptive strategies. Provenances from introduced (i.e. German) stands represent suitable seed sources, as they combine a higher growth and frost hardiness compared to their North American counterparts. Drought hardiness was slightly higher in the slow-growing provenances. The results provide a better understanding of the variable adaptive strategies between provenances and help to select suitable planting material for adaptive forest management.
PubMed: 38645393
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1374498 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024Understanding the physiological and biochemical responses of tree seedlings under extreme drought stress, along with recovery during rewatering, and potential...
Understanding the physiological and biochemical responses of tree seedlings under extreme drought stress, along with recovery during rewatering, and potential intra-species differences, will allow us to more accurately predict forest responses under future climate change. Here, we selected seedlings from four provenances (AH (Anhui), JX (Jiangxi), HN (Hunan) and GX (Guangxi)) of Schima superba and carried out a simulated drought-rewatering experiment in a field-based rain-out shelter. Seedlings were progressively dried until they reached 50% and 88% loss of xylem hydraulic conductivity (PLC) (i.e. P and P), respectively, before they were rehydrated and maintained at field capacity for 30 days. Leaf photosynthesis (A), water status, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and proline (Pro) concentration were monitored and their associations were determined. Increasing drought significantly reduced A, relative water content (RWC) and SOD activity in all provenances, and Pro concentration was increased to improve water retention; all four provenances exhibited similar response patterns, associated with similar leaf ultrastructure at pre-drought. Upon rewatering, physiological and biochemical traits were restored to well-watered control values in P-stressed seedlings. In P-stressed seedlings, Pro was restored to control values, while SOD was not fully recovered. The recovery pattern differed partially among provenances. There was a progression of recovery following watering, with RWC firstly recovered, followed by SOD and Pro, and then A, but with significant associations among these traits. Collectively, the intra-specific differences of S. superba seedlings in recovery of physiology and biochemistry following rewatering highlight the need to consider variations within a given tree species coping with future more frequent drought stress.
Topics: Droughts; Superoxide Dismutase; Proline; China; Plant Leaves; Photosynthesis; Seedlings; Trees; Water
PubMed: 38627563
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59467-9 -
Data in Brief Jun 2024To identify potential heavy minerals in the Mbiame floodplain in the Northwestern region of Cameroon, geochemical and petrographical data from alluvial deposits were...
To identify potential heavy minerals in the Mbiame floodplain in the Northwestern region of Cameroon, geochemical and petrographical data from alluvial deposits were utilized. The grains are mixed with inclusions of zircon and ilmenite, and the megacrysts come from felsic to intermediate igneous rocks like old basalt-andesite and magmatic gneiss. The Mbiame region lies between latitudes 6° 8' and 6° 24' N and longitudes 10° 39' and 10° 57' E, East of Mount Oku. One of the principal volcanic massifs on the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL), Mt. Oku is situated over a basement composed of migmatites, biotite diorites, and Pan-African granite-gneisses that date back to 600 Ma. The Mbiame Floodplain is located in the Pan African Fold Belt, which is made up of the Benin-Nigeria belt, which is a component of the Central African Fold Belt, and the Trans-Saharan belt. Between the Congo and West African cratons is a heavily eroded and deformed combination of Neoproterozoic plutonic and volcanic arcs and Paleoproterozoic micro-continents. The Central Cameroon Shear Zone serves as the primary lineament for the Pan African Orogeny, which is structurally separated into the Northwestern Cameroon Domain (NWC), the Adamawa-Yade Domain (AYD), and the Yaounde Domain (YD) in Cameroon. The field work was carried out during the dry season. During the field campaign, numerous bulk sediments were sampled from three (03) pits of vertical lithological succession along the left terrace of the Mbiame plain and twelve (12) were selected for laboratory analyses. The criteria for sample collection were based on texture (grain size) and color parameters. To identify the heavy minerals in the sediments and to understand the source of the sediments, the selected 12 bulk samples from the different layer of the pits were dried and sieved for heavy mineral determination. Heavy mineral separation was performed on about 2 g of the concentrate using bromoform liquid and the retained heavy minerals were mounted and observed under a petrographic microscope for optical properties identification. Twelve (12) bulk sediment samples weighing 100 g each were ground up in a mild steel pulverizer before being examined for major and trace elements. At Acme Analytical Laboratories Ltd., Vancouver, Canada, the geochemical study was carried out utilizing a combination of mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for trace elements and inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-ES) for significant oxides. Lithium metaborate/tetraborate (LiBO/LiBO) flux was combined with 0.2 g of sample in crucibles, and the mixture was fused in a furnace. After the beads cooled, they were digested in ACS-grade nitric acid and then subjected to ICP-MS analysis. To calculate loss on ignition (LOI), a sample split at 1000 °C was ignited, and the weight loss was then measured. Data of this paper are further presented and discussed in Etutu et al. [1].
PubMed: 38617021
DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2024.110383 -
Plant Methods Apr 2024BACKGROUND QUERCUS: seeds that are recalcitrant to desiccation and freezing temperatures cannot be stored in gene banks under conventional conditions. However, the...
BACKGROUND QUERCUS: seeds that are recalcitrant to desiccation and freezing temperatures cannot be stored in gene banks under conventional conditions. However, the germplasm of some recalcitrant seeded species can be stored in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C). Unfortunately, for many species, among them for almost the whole genus Quercus, an effective cryostorage method is still unknown. In this study, we propose a successful cryostorage protocol for Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. germplasm using plumules (a shoot apical meristem of an embryo) frozen on aluminium cryo-plates. RESULTS: The plumules isolated from the acorns of ten provenances were prestored in 0.5 M sucrose solution (for 18 h). To form alginate beads (one plumule per bead), the plumules were placed in the wells of a cryo-plate and embedded in calcium alginate gel. For cryoprotection, the encapsulated plumules were immersed in cryoprotectant solution containing 2.0 M glycerol and different concentrations of sucrose (0.8-1.2 M) for 40 min at 25 °C and desiccated under a laminar flow cabinet for 1.0-4.0 h. Cryo-plates with plumules were directly immersed in liquid nitrogen and then cryostored for 30 min. For rewarming, cryo-plates with plumules were immersed in 1.0 M sucrose solution and rehydrated for 15 min at 25 °C. Survival rates varied from 25.8 to 83.4 were achieved after cryoprotection in 1.0 M sucrose solution and the drying of plumules for 2 h. The in vitro regrowth rate of cryopreserved plumules varied among provenances and was 26-77%. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents, for the first time, a successful, simple and effective protocol for the cryopreservation of Q. petraea germplasm that could be used in gene banks. The experiment was successfully repeated on seeds from various provenances, each yielding similar, good results. However, seed quality and storage time after harvesting are important factors in plumule regrowth after cryopreservation.
PubMed: 38610046
DOI: 10.1186/s13007-024-01161-y -
Frontiers in Genetics 2024is one of the most important species for short-fiber pulp production in regions where other species of the genus are affected by poor soil and climatic conditions. In...
is one of the most important species for short-fiber pulp production in regions where other species of the genus are affected by poor soil and climatic conditions. In this context, holds promise as a resource to address and adapt to the challenges of climate change. Despite its rapid growth and favorable wood properties for solid wood products, the advancement of its improvement remains in its early stages. In this work, we evaluated the performance of two single nucleotide polymorphism, (SNP), genotyping methods for population genetics analysis and Genomic Selection in . Double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) was compared with the EUChip60K array in 308 individuals from a provenance-progeny trial. The compared SNP set included 8,011 and 19,008 informative SNPs distributed along the 11 chromosomes, respectively. Although the two datasets differed in the percentage of missing data, genome coverage, minor allele frequency and estimated genetic diversity parameters, they revealed a similar genetic structure, showing two subpopulations with little differentiation between them, and low linkage disequilibrium. GS analyses were performed for eleven traits using Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (GBLUP) and a conventional pedigree-based model (ABLUP). Regardless of the SNP dataset, the predictive ability (PA) of GBLUP was better than that of ABLUP for six traits (Cellulose content, Total and Ethanolic extractives, Total and Klason lignin content and Syringyl and Guaiacyl lignin monomer ratio). When contrasting the SNP datasets used to estimate PAs, the GBLUP-EUChip60K model gave higher and significant PA values for six traits, meanwhile, the values estimated using ddRADseq gave higher values for three other traits. The PAs correlated positively with narrow sense heritabilities, with the highest correlations shown by the ABLUP and GBLUP-EUChip60K. The two genotyping methods, ddRADseq and EUChip60K, are generally comparable for population genetics and genomic prediction, demonstrating the utility of the former when subjected to rigorous SNP filtering. The results of this study provide a basis for future whole-genome studies using ddRADseq in non-model forest species for which SNP arrays have not yet been developed.
PubMed: 38606359
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1361418 -
Nature Methods May 2024Neuroscience is advancing standardization and tool development to support rigor and transparency. Consequently, data pipeline complexity has increased, hindering FAIR...
Neuroscience is advancing standardization and tool development to support rigor and transparency. Consequently, data pipeline complexity has increased, hindering FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) access. brainlife.io was developed to democratize neuroimaging research. The platform provides data standardization, management, visualization and processing and automatically tracks the provenance history of thousands of data objects. Here, brainlife.io is described and evaluated for validity, reliability, reproducibility, replicability and scientific utility using four data modalities and 3,200 participants.
Topics: Neurosciences; Cloud Computing; Humans; Neuroimaging; Reproducibility of Results; Software; Brain
PubMed: 38605111
DOI: 10.1038/s41592-024-02237-2