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We propose two analytical relationships between affinity and opinion change. The first one focuses on value homophily, while the second one incorporates affinity in opinion dynamics. Three analytical test models are derived based on these relationships: the value homophily model, the temporal evolution of opinion summation, and the evolution of opinion difference between two individuals. We test these models using data from a previous experiment, and the results demonstrate their validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apocynum venetum L. belongs to the Apocynaceae family and is a plant that is highly resistant to stress. It is important in the fields of ecology, feeding, industry and medicine. The molecular mechanism underlying salt tolerance has not been elucidated. In this study, RNA-seq based transcriptome sequencing of A. venetum leaves after 0, 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h of treatment with 300 mM NaCl was performed. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the transcriptome expression profiles of A. venetum under salt stress using the WGCNA method and identified red, black, and brown as the core modules regulating the salt tolerance of A. venetum. A co-expression regulatory network was constructed to identify the core genes in the module according to the correlations between genes. The genes TRINITY_DN102_c0_g1 (serine carboxypeptidase), TRINITY_DN3073_c0_g1 (SOS signaling pathway) and TRINITY_DN6732_c0_g1 (heat shock transcription factor) in the red module were determined to be the core genes. Two core genes in the black module, TRINITY_DN9926_c0_g1 and TRINITY_DN7962_c0_g1, are pioneer candidate salt tolerance-associated genes in A. venetum. The genes in the brown module were mainly enriched in two pathways, namely photosynthesis and osmotic balance. Among them, the TRINITY_DN6321_c0_g2 and TRINITY_DN244_c0_g1 genes encode aquaporin, which is helpful for maintaining the cell water balance and plays a protective role in defending A. venetum under abiotic stress. Our findings contribute to the identification of core genes involved in the response of A. venetum to salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robust plant immune systems are fine-tuned by both protein-coding genes and non-coding RNAs. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) refer to RNAs with a length of more than 200 nt and usually do not have protein-coding function and do not belong to any other well-known non-coding RNA types. The non-protein-coding, low expression, and non-conservative characteristics of lncRNAs restrict their recognition. Although studies of lncRNAs in plants are in the early stage, emerging studies have shown that plants employ lncRNAs to regulate plant immunity. Moreover, in response to stresses, numerous lncRNAs are differentially expressed, which manifests the actions of low-expressed lncRNAs and makes plant–microbe/insect interactions a convenient system to study the functions of lncRNAs. Here, we summarize the current advances in plant lncRNAs, discuss their regulatory effects in different stages of plant immunity, and highlight their roles in diverse plant–microbe/insect interactions. These insights will not only strengthen our understanding of the roles and actions of lncRNAs in plant–microbe/insect interactions but also provide novel insight into plant immune responses and a basis for further research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) are important assets to fight COVID-19, but most existing nAbs lose the activities against Omicron subvariants. Here, we report a human monoclonal antibody (Ab08) isolated from a convalescent patient infected with the prototype strain (Wuhan-Hu-1). Ab08 binds to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) with pico-molar affinity (230 pM), effectively neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern (VOCs) including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Mu, Omicron BA.1 and BA.2, and to a lesser extent for Delta and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 which bear the L452R mutation. Of medical importance, Ab08 shows therapeutic efficacy in SARS-CoV-2-infected hACE2 mice. X-ray crystallography of the Ab08-RBD complex reveals an antibody footprint largely in the β-strand core and away from the ACE2-binding motif. Negative staining electron-microscopy suggests a neutralizing mechanism through which Ab08 destructs the Spike trimer. Together, our work identifies a nAb with therapeutic potential for COVID-19. Author summary: To fight against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants, we screened and selected one human monoclonal antibody (Ab08) previously isolated from a convalescent patient infected with the SARS-CoV-2 prototype strain (Wuhan-Hu-1). The features of Ab08 are as followed: (1) Ab08 can effectively neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern (VOCs) including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Mu, Omicron BA.1 and BA.2, and to a lesser extent, Delta and Omicron BA.4/BA.5. (2) Ab08 can act as a therapeutic agent in SARS-CoV-2-infected hACE2 mice which are highly susceptible to infection. (3) Ab08 could destruct the Spike trimer which is essential for SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cells. Together, our work identifies an effective neutralizing antibody with therapeutic potential for COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural landscape pattern may enhance biocontrol services by supporting parasitoid populations, including parasitoids of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). In this study, we selected four landscape types in Yunnan province, in south China, which were characterized by flower fields, mountain, river, and urban areas as their main elements. We then carried out systematic surveys in tomato fields found within each landscape type, to determine the diversity, occurrence, and parasitism rate of parasitoids. We found that parasitoids from the genus Encarsia and Eretmocerus were the main natural enemies present, and the most abundant species were recorded in the flower and the mountain landscapes. Also, Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) formed the highest relative abundance regardless of the landscape type. We also found that the population density of B. tabaci in flower landscapes was the lowest than that in other landscape types. During the main activity period of B. tabaci, the parasitism rate in the flower landscape was higher than that in other landscape types. Our findings showed that the occurrence of B. tabaci was relatively mild in the flower landscapes. The landscape type was also beneficial to parasitoids as it enhanced their parasitism rate. Therefore, agriculture environmental schemes should consider increasing the size of flower fields in the surrounding landscape to enhance the sustainable control of B. tabaci by the natural agricultural ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]