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The planthopper Nilaparvata muiri is a sister species to N. lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), a notorious insect pest in Asian rice fields. N. muiri and N. lugens have a different host preference despite the similarities in many biological features. To better understand the adaptive evolution of planthoppers, comprehensive genomic information on N. muiri and N. lugens are urgently needed. In this study, we used ultra-low input PacBio HiFi libraries and Hi-C sequencing technologies to assemble a reference genome of a single N. muiri at the chromosomal level. The genome size was determined to be 531.62 Mb with a contig N50 size of 2.47 Mb and scaffold N50 size of 38.37 Mb. Totally, 96.61% assembled sequences were anchored to the 15 pseudo-chromosomes. BUSCO analysis yielded an Insecta completeness score of 98.6%. A total of 22,057 protein-coding genes were annotated, and 168.16 Mb repetitive sequences occupying 31.63% of genome were pinpointed. The assembled genome is valuable for evolutionary and genetic studies of planthoppers, and may provide sights to pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bethylidae are the most diverse of Hymenoptera chrysidoid families. As external parasitoids, the bethylids have been widely adopted as biocontrol agents to control insect pests worldwide. Thus far, the genomic information of the family Bethylidae has not been reported yet. In this study, we crystallized into a high-quality chromosome-level genome of ant-like bethylid wasps Sclerodermus sp. 'alternatusi' (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) using PacBio sequencing as well as Hi-C technology. The assembled S. alternatusi genome was 162.30 Mb in size with a contig N50 size of 3.83 Mb and scaffold N50 size of 11.10 Mb. Totally, 92.85% assembled sequences anchored to 15 pseudo-chromosomes. A total of 10,204 protein-coding genes were annotated, and 23.01 Mb repetitive sequences occupying 14.17% of genome were pinpointed. The BUSCO results showed that 97.9% of the complete core Insecta genes were identified in the genome, while 97.1% in the gene sets. The high-quality genome of S. alternatusi will not only provide valuable genomic information, but also show insights into parasitoid wasp evolution and bio-control application in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect wing polyphenism is characterized by its ability to produce two or more distinct wing morphs from a single genotype in response to changing environments. However, the molecular basis of this phenomenon remains poorly understood. Here, we identified a zinc finger homeodomain transcription factor Zfh1 that acts as an upstream regulator for the development of long-winged (LW) or shorted-winged (SW) morphs in planthoppers. Knockdown of Zfh1 directs SW-destined nymphs to develop into LW morphs by down-regulating the transcriptional level of FoxO, a prominent downstream effector of the insulin/IGF signaling (IIS) pathway. The balance between transcriptional regulation via the Zfh1-FoxO cascade and post-translational regulation via the IIS-FoxO cascade provides a flexible regulatory mechanism for the development of alternative wing morphs. These findings help us understand how phenotypic diversity is generated by altering the activity of conserved proteins, and provide an extended framework for the evolution of wing morphological diversity in insects. The molecular mechanisms underlying wing polyphenism remain poorly understood. Here the authors use plant hoppers to show that the development of long and short wing morphs is balanced by the relative activities of the Zfh1-FoxO and insulin signaling cascades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These authors contributed equally: Zhuo-Qi Liu, Ping-Yang Zhu.Correction to: Scientific Datahttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-024-03812-0, published online 28 August 2024In this article the author name Zhuo-Qi Liu was incorrectly written as Zhou-Qi Liu. The original article has been corrected.By Zhuo-Qi Liu; Ping-Yang Zhu; Ni-Tong Xu; Yi Wan; Jin-Li Zhang; Xun Zhou; Yu-Xuan Ye; Hong-Xing Xu and Hai-Jun XuReported by Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author [Extracted from the article]

The extracellular matrix architecture is composed of supramolecular fibrillar networks that define tissue specific cellular microenvironments. Hemicentins (Hmcn1 and Hmcn2) are ancient and very large members (> 600 kDa) of the fibulin family, whose short members are known to guide proper morphology and functional behavior of specialized cell types predominantly in elastic tissues. However, the tissue distribution and function of Hemicentins within the cellular microenvironment of connective tissues has remained largely unknown. Performing in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence analyses, we found that mouse Hmcn1 and Hmcn2 show a complementary distribution throughout different tissues and developmental stages. In postnatal dermal–epidermal junctions (DEJ) and myotendinous junctions (MTJ), Hmcn1 is primarily produced by mesenchymal cells (fibroblasts, tenocytes), Hmcn2 by cells of epithelial origin (keratinocytes, myocytes). Hmcn1−/− mice are viable and show no overt phenotypes in tissue tensile strength and locomotion tests. However, transmission electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural basement membrane (BM) alterations at the DEJ and MTJ of Hmcn1−/− mice, pointing to a thus far unknown role of Hmcn1 for BM and connective tissue boundary integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaon generalized parton distributions (GPDs) and the leading Fock state light-front wave functions are investigated in the framework of Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model with proper time regularization. In addition, we compared the form factors, parton distribution functions, and generalized form factors obtained from them, respectively. The first Mellin moments of GPDs result in the form factors of local currents. The second Mellin moments of vector GPDs are related to gravitational form factors, the quark mass distribution θ 2 and the quark pressure distribution θ 1 . When taking a Fourier transform of GPDs in impact parameter space, we can get the mean-squared impact parameter for the quarks of the kaon: ⟨ b ⊥ 2 ⟩ K u = 0.149 fm 2 , ⟨ b ⊥ 2 ⟩ K s = 0.088 fm 2 . This means that the kaon s quark is nearer to the center of transverse momentum than the u quark. We also give the light-cone energy radius for the quarks of the kaon from the mass distribution θ 2 : r E , L C u , K = 0.187 fm, r E , L C s , K = 0.167 fm, and the light-cone charge radius from quark form factors of the kaon: r c , L C u , K = 0.390 fm, r c , L C s , K = 0.296 fm, which means that the s quark has a smaller extent than the u quark. The light-front transverse-spin distributions ρ u 1 b ⊥ , s ⊥ and ρ u 2 b ⊥ , s ⊥ show distortions, the average shift are ⟨ b ⊥ y ⟩ 1 u = 0.116 fm and ⟨ b ⊥ y ⟩ 2 u = 0.083 fm. On the kinematic domain associated with the valence-quark dominance, the unpolarized Wigner distribution from light-front wave functions is sharply peaked. It extends as the transverse position variable increases in magnitude and has a domain of negative support. Through the comparison of distributions from the two methods, we find that they give the same multi-dimensional mapping of the kaon in the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A contact interaction is used to calculate an array of pion twist-two, -three and -four generalised transverse light-front momentum dependent parton distribution functions (GTMDs). Despite the interaction’s simplicity, many of the results are physically relevant, amongst them a statement that GTMD size and shape are largely prescribed by the scale of emergent hadronic mass. Moreover, proceeding from GTMDs to generalised parton distributions, it is found that the pion’s mass distribution form factor is harder than its electromagnetic form factor, which is harder than the gravitational pressure distribution form factor; the pressure in the neighbourhood of the pion’s core is commensurate with that at the centre of a neutron star; the shear pressure is maximal when confinement forces become dominant within the pion; and the spatial distribution of transversely polarised quarks within the pion is asymmetric. Regarding transverse momentum dependent distribution functions, their magnitude and domain of material support decrease with increasing twist. The simplest Wigner distribution associated with the pion’s twist-two dressed-quark GTMD is sharply peaked on the kinematic domain associated with valence-quark dominance; has a domain of negative support; and broadens as the transverse position variable increases in magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We recently demonstrated that interleukin-6 (IL-6)- and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced osteosarcoma (OS) cell proliferation and migration are parallel to significant increased expression of SH3GL1 and the phosphorylation level of P130. The expression level of SH3GL1 was widely upregulated in human OS tissues, and their overexpression was significantly correlated with more aggressive clinicopathological features. Conversely, depletion of SH3GL1 by adenovirus shRNA abrogates P130 phosphorylation and IL-6- and VEGF-induced OS cell proliferation and migration. To further pinpoint the mechanism how SH3GL1 was responsible for cell proliferation and migration, we deleted SH3GL1 in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, depletion of SH3GL1 abrogates P130 phosphorylation and IL-6- and VEGF-induced OS cell proliferation and migration. SH3GL1 knockdown caused cell cycle arrest in G/G phase via downregulation of cyclin D1, caused activation of p27, and attenuated the activation of p-Rb. Interestingly, SH3GL1 knockdown also markedly attenuated the phosphorylation level of Akt/GSK-3β/FAK. In vivo, depletion of SH3GL1 by shRNA inhibited the tumor tissue growth and the expression of p-P130. Collectively, our results strongly suggest that SH3GL1 is a novel target for anti-osteosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure plate instrument is employed during drying, and unconfined compressive strength test is performed on the unsaturated specimen. Curves of shear force versus shear displacement, and curves of saturation degree versus time are investigated. The results show that the specimens with similar curves of saturation degree versus time have nearly identical mechanical behavior. In particular, the uniform specimens should be chosen within the lower equilibrium saturation degree because steady test results are presented. Further, the conclusion is verified by the repeated test. Thus, the method for distinguishing the uniform unsaturated specimen is obtained. In the light of the method, an improved test process is proposed. The uniform specimens should be chosen by this method under the specific matric suction, and then shear tests are carried out on the chosen unsaturated specimen. Namely, initial value of unsaturated soil is not zero matric suction but a specific suction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of micelle morphology transformation on the structure of mesoporous materials is fundamental in designing optimal, well-ordered, mesoporous materials. Firstly, the steady-state fluorescence technique was adopted to determine the first and second critical micelle concentrations of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) as 125 and 210 mmol L−1 in an equimolar mixture of water and ethanol at 25°C. Using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as the precursor, mesoporous silicas (with a surface area of 545.7–1210.5 m 545.7 ∼ 1210.5 m2 g−1 and a pore volume of 0.26 ∼ 0.80 cm3 g−1) were synthesized with the CTAC templates in the equimolar mixture of water and ethanol. Characterization by small-angle X-ray diffraction and N 2 adsorption/desorption techniques revealed that the surface area and pore volume of silica increased with the content of CTAC, whereas there existed a transition point at the CTAC/TEOS ratio of 0.15 corresponding to the fade-away of well-ordered mesoporous structure. The negative effect of the much higher content CTAC on the periodic structure of mesoporous silica is attributed to micelle transformation from spheres to cylinders related to the second critical micelle concentration of CTAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the QCD chiral phase transition at finite temperature and finite quark chemical potential within the two flavor Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model, where a generalization of the proper-time regularization scheme is motivated and implemented. We find that in the chiral limit the whole transition line in the phase diagram is of second order, whereas for finite quark masses a crossover is observed. Moreover, if we take into account the influence of quark condensate to the coupling strength (which also provides a possible way of how the effective coupling varies with temperature and quark chemical potential), it is found that a CEP may appear. These findings differ substantially from other NJL results which use alternative regularization schemes, some explanation and discussion are given at the end. This indicates that the regularization scheme can have a dramatic impact on the study of the QCD phase transition within the NJL model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]