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Heat stress is a major environmental factor that could induce premature leaf senescence in plants. So far, a few rice premature senescent leaf mutants have been reported to involve in heat tolerance.We identified a premature senescence leaf 50 (psl50) mutant that exhibited a higher heat susceptibility with decreased survival rate, over-accumulated hydrogen peroxide (HPSL50 negatively regulates heat-induced premature leaf senescence in rice.

Key message We demonstrate that the C-terminus of OsCDC48 is essential for maintaining its full ATPase activity and OsCDC48/48E interaction is required to modulate cellular processes and plant survival in rice. Abstract Cell division cycle 48 (CDC48) belongs to the superfamily protein of ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities (AAA). We previously isolated a rice CDC48 mutant (psd128) displaying premature senescence and death phenotype. Here, we showed that OsCDC48 (Os03g0151800) interacted with OsCDC48E (Os10g0442600), a homologue of OsCDC48, to control plant survival in rice. OsCDC48E knockout plants exhibited similar behavior to psd128 with premature senescence and plant death. Removal of the C-terminus of OsCDC48 caused altered expression of cell cycle-related genes, changed the percentage of cells in G1 and G2/M phases, and abolished the interaction between OsCDC48 itself and between OsCDC48 and OsCDC48E, respectively. Furthermore, the truncated OsCDC48–PSD128 protein lacking the C-terminal 27 amino acid residues showed a decreased level of ATPase activity. Overexpression of OsCDC48–psd128 resulted in differential expression of AAA-ATPase associated genes leading to increased total ATPase activity, accumulation of reactive oxygen species and decreased plant tiller numbers while overexpression of OsCDC48 also resulted in differential expression of AAA-ATPase associated genes leading to increased total ATPase activity, but increased plant tiller numbers and grain yield, indicating its potential utilization for yield improvement. Our results demonstrated that the C-terminal region of OsCDC48 was essential for maintaining the full ATPase activity and OsCDC48/48E complex might function in form of heteromultimers to modulate cellular processes and plant survival in rice. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11103-019-00851-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Heat stress is a major environmental factor that could induce premature leaf senescence in plants. So far, a few rice premature senescent leaf mutants have been reported to involve in heat tolerance. Findings We identified a premature senescence leaf 50 (psl50) mutant that exhibited a higher heat susceptibility with decreased survival rate, over-accumulated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content and increased cell death under heat stress compared with the wild-type. The causal gene PREMATURE SENESCENCE LEAF 50 (PSL50) was isolated by using initial map-based resequencing (IMBR) approach, and we found that PSL50 promoted heat tolerance probably by acting as a modulator of H2O2 signaling in response to heat stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Conclusions PSL50 negatively regulates heat-induced premature leaf senescence in rice.

Background The chloroplast signal recognition particle 54 (cpSRP54) is known for targeting the light-harvesting complex proteins to thylakoids and plays a critical role for chloroplast development in Arabidopsis, but little is known in rice. Here, we reported two homologous cpSRP54s that affect chloroplast development and plant survival in rice. Results Two rice cpSRP54 homologues, OscpSRP54a and OscpSRP54b, were identified in present study. The defective OscpSRP54a (LOC_Os11g05552) was responsible for the pale green leaf phenotype of the viable pale green leaf 14 (pgl14) mutant. A single nucleotide substitution from G to A at the position 278, the first intron splicing site, was detected in LOC_Os11g05552 in pgl14. The wild type allele could rescue the mutant phenotype. Knockout lines of OscpSRP54b (LOC_Os11g05556) exhibited similar pale green phenotype to pgl14 with reduced chlorophyll contents and impaired chloroplast development, but showed apparently arrested-growth and died within 3 weeks. Both OscpSRP54a and OscpSRP54b were constitutively expressed mainly in shoots and leaves at the vegetative growth stage. Subcellular location indicated that both OscpSRP54a and OscpSRP54b were chloroplast-localized. Both OscpSRP54a and OscpSRP54b were able to interact with OscpSRP43, respectively. The transcript level of OscpSRP43 was significantly reduced while the transcript level of OscpSRP54b was apparently increased in pgl14. In contrast, the transcript levels of OscpSRP54a, OscpSRP43 and OscpSRP54b were all significantly decreased in OscpSRP54b knockout lines. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that both OscpSRP54a and OscpSRP54b were essential for normal chloroplast development by interacting with OscpSRP43 in rice. OscpSRP54a and OscpSRP54b might play distinct roles in transporting different chloroplast proteins into thylakoids through cpSRP-mediated pathway.

Key message We demonstrate that OsNAC109 regulates senescence, growth and development via binding to the cis-element CNTCSSNNSCAVG and altering the expression of multiple senescence- and hormone-associated genes in rice. Abstract The NAC family is one of the largest transcripton factor families in plants and plays an essential role in plant development, leaf senescence and responses to biotic/abiotic stresses through modulating the expression of numerous genes. Here, we isolated and characterized a novel yellow leaf 3 (yl3) mutant exhibiting arrested-growth, increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased level of soluble proteins, increased level of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced activities of ROS scavenging enzymes, altered expression of photosynthesis and senescence/hormone-associated genes. The yellow leaf and arrested-growth trait was controlled by a single recessive gene located to chromosome 9. A single nucleotide substitution was detected in the mutant allele leading to premature termination of its coding protein. Genetic complementation could rescue the mutant phenotype while the YL3 knockout lines displayed similar phenotype to WT. YL3 was expressed in all tissues tested and predicted to encode a transcriptional factor OsNAC109 which localizes to the nucleus. It was confirmed that OsNAC109 could directly regulate the expression of OsNAP, OsNYC3, OsEATB, OsAMTR1, OsZFP185, OsMPS and OsGA2ox3 by targeting to the highly conserved cis-element CNTCSSNNSCAVG except OsSAMS1. Our results demonstrated that OsNAC109 is essential to rice leaf senescence, growth and development through regulating the expression of senescence- and phytohormone-associated genes in rice.

The thylakoid membrane is a highly complex membrane system in plants and plays crucial roles in the biogenesis of the photosynthetic apparatus and plant development. However, the genetic factors involved in chloroplast development and its relationship with intracellular metabolites are largely unknown. Here, a rice (Oryza sativa) chlorotic and necrotic leaf1 (cnl1) mutant was identified and map-based cloning revealed that a single base substitution followed by a 6-bp deletion in the ATP-binding cassette transporter I family member7 (OsABCI7) resulted in chlorotic and necrotic leaves with thylakoid membrane degradation, chlorophyll breakdown, photosynthesis impairment, and cell death in cnl1. Furthermore, the expression of OsABCI7 was inducible under lower temperatures, which severely affected cnl1 chloroplast development, and etiolated cnl1 seedlings were unable to recover to a normal green state under light conditions. Functional complementation and overexpression showed that OsABCI7 could rescue the cnl1 chlorotic and necrotic phenotype. OsABCI7 interacted with HIGH CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE222 (OsHCF222) to regulate cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis for thylakoid membrane stability. OsABCI7 localized to thylakoid membranes, while OsHCF222 targeted to endoplasmic reticulum and chloroplasts. Exogenous application of ascorbic acid eased the yellowish leaf phenotype by increasing chlorophyll content and alleviating ROS stress in cnl1. Unlike cnl1, the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated OsHCF222 knockout lines showed chlorotic leaves but were seedling lethal. Our results provide insight into the functions of ABC transporters in rice, especially within the relationship between ROS homeostasis and stability of thylakoid membranes.

We identified a rapid cell death 2 (rcd2) mutant from an indica cultivar Zhongjian100 mutant bank. The red-brown lesions appeared firstly on young seedling leaves, then gradually merged and the leaves completely withered at the late tillering stage. rcd2 displayed apparent cell death at/around the lesions, accumulation of superoxide anion (O2−) and disturbed ROS scavenging system, impaired photosynthetic capacity with significantly reduced chlorophyll content. The lesion formation was controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene and induced by natural light as well as mechanical wounding. A single base mutation (A1726T) at the 6th exon of OsMH_03G0040800 resulted in I576F substitution in the encoding protein, pheophorbide a oxygenase (PAO). Functional complementation could rescue the mutant phenotype and PAO-knockout lines exhibited the similar phenotype to rcd2. The activity of PAO decreased significantly while the content of PAO substrate, pheophorbide a, increased apparently in rcd2. The expression of chlorophyll synthesis/degradation-related genes and the contents of metabolic intermediates were largely changed. Furthermore, the level of chlorophyllide a, the product of chlorophyllase, increased significantly, indicating chlorophyllase might play a role in chlorophyll degradation in rice. Our results suggested that the I576F substitution disrupted PAO function, leading to O2− accumulation and chlorophyll degradation breakdown in rice.

Background Spotted-leaf mutants are important to reveal programmed cell death and defense-related pathways in rice. We previously characterized the phenotype performance of a rice spotted-leaf mutant spl21 and narrowed down the causal gene locus spl21(t) to an 87-kb region in chromosome 12 by map-based cloning. Result We showed that a single base substitution from A to G at position 836 in the coding sequence of Oryza sativa beta-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase (OsGCNT), effectively mutating Tyr to Cys at position 279 in the translated protein sequence, was responsible for the spotted-leaf phenotype as it could be rescued by functional complementation. Compared to the wild type IR64, the spotted-leaf mutant spl21 exhibited loss of chlorophyll, breakdown of chloroplasts, down-regulation of photosynthesis-related genes, and up-regulation of senescence associated genes, which indicated that OsGCNT regulates premature leaf senescence. Moreover, the enhanced resistance to the bacterial leaf blight pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, up-regulation of pathogenesis-related genes and increased level of jasmonate which suggested that OsGCNT is a negative regulator of defense response in rice. OsGCNT was expressed constitutively in the leaves, sheaths, stems, roots, and panicles, and OsGCNT-GFP was localized to the Golgi apparatus. High throughput RNA sequencing analysis provided further evidence for the biological effects of loss of OsGCNT function on cell death, premature leaf senescence and enhanced disease resistance in rice. Thus, we demonstrated that the novel OsGCNT regulated rice innate immunity and immunity-associated leaf senescence probably by changing the jasmonate metabolic pathway. Conclusions These results reveal that a novel gene Oryza sativa beta-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase (OsGCNT) is responsible for the spotted-leaf mutant spl21, and OsGCNT acts as a negative-regulator mediating defense response and immunity-associated premature leaf senescence probably by activating jasmonate signaling pathway. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12870-018-1489-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

We previously reported a spotted-leaf mutant pelota (originally termed HM47) in rice displaying arrested growth and enhanced resistance to multiple races of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Here, we report the map-based cloning of the causal gene OsPELOTA (originally termed splHM47 ). We identified a single base substitution from T to A at position 556 in the coding sequence of OsPELOTA, effectively mutating phenylalanine to isoleucine at position 186 in the translated protein sequence. Both functional complementation and over-expression could rescue the spotted-leaf phenotype. OsPELOTA, a paralogue to eukaryotic release factor 1 (eRF1), shows high sequence similarity to Drosophila Pelota and also localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane. OsPELOTA is constitutively expressed in roots, leaves, sheaths, stems, and panicles. Elevated levels of salicylic acid and decreased level of jasmonate were detected in the pelota mutant. RNA-seq analysis confirmed that genes responding to salicylic acid were upregulated in the mutant. Our results indicate that the rice PELOTA protein is involved in bacterial leaf blight resistance by activating the salicylic acid metabolic pathway.

A premature senescence and death 128 (psd128) mutant was isolated from an ethyl methane sulfonate-induced rice IR64 mutant bank. The premature senescence phenotype appeared at the six-leaf stage and the plant died at the early heading stage. psd128 exhibited impaired chloroplast development with significantly reduced photosynthetic ability, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, root vigor, soluble protein content and increased malonaldehyde content. Furthermore, the expression of senescence-related genes was significantly altered in psd128. The mutant trait was controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene. Using map-based strategy, the mutation Oryza sativa cell division cycle 48 (OsCDC48) was isolated and predicted to encode a putative AAA-type ATPase with 809 amino-acid residuals. A single base substitution at position C2347T in psd128 resulted in a premature stop codon. Functional complementation could rescue the mutant phenotype. In addition, RNA interference resulted in the premature senescence and death phenotype. OsCDC48 was expressed constitutively in the root, stem, leaf and panicle. Subcellular analysis indicated that OsCDC48:YFP fusion proteins were located both in the cytoplasm and nucleus. OsCDC48 was highly conserved with more than 90% identity in the protein levels among plant species. Our results indicated that the impaired function of OsCDC48 was responsible for the premature senescence and death phenotype.

Poly(aryleneethynylene)s containing BODIPY (4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene) (P1) were prepared by palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira polymerization of 2,6-diiodo-functionalized BODIPY monomer (M1) with 1,4-diethynyl-2,5-didodecyl-oxybenzene monomer (M2). The structures of the monomer (M1) and copolymer (P1) were confirmed by 1H-NMR and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies; their optical properties were characterized by UV-Vis absorption, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and the Z-scan technique. Both UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence emission of copolymer P1 red-shifted to longer wavelengths (λabs: from 502 nm to 542 nm; λem: from 511 nm to 631 nm) relative to those of the monomer M1 due to the π-conjugation extension of the copolymer. The third-order nonlinear optical coefficient (χ(3)) of copolymer P1 was 1.94 × 10−10 esu, which is almost two or three orders of magnitude greater than that of common conjugated polymers without BODPIY moiety.

We previously reported a spotted-leaf mutant pelota (originally termed HM47) in rice displaying arrested growth and enhanced resistance to multiple races of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Here, we report the map-based cloning of the causal gene OsPELOTA (originally termed spl

Multi-element analysis of Marsdenia tenacissima samples was used to develop a reliable method of tracing the geographical origins. 27 elements in 128 samples from four provinces of China were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. First, we used ANOVA and PCA for a preliminary analysis. Then, machine-learning tools for identification and classification were applied to verify the feasibility of using data mining tools to find the region where M. tenacissima samples originated. The study clearly indicated that the support vector machine, the radial basis function neural network, and the random forest chemometric tools had the potential to identify the origins of M. tenacissima . The results revealed that the SVM-grid model was superior to all the other mathematical methods with an average discrimination rate of 98.875% for the training set and 100% for the test set. The order of successful identification rates is as follows: SVM-grid > SVM-ga > RF > RBF-NN > SVM-pso. Moreover, there have been few relevant studies about the application of these machine-learning tools combined with multi-element analysis for tracing the geographical source, so this paper can serve as a reference to identify the origin and perform quality assurance in the field of medicinal plants.

In this paper, a mathematical model of varying condition is established for the three-section heater based on dimensional analysis, then with the combination of the derivation of heat transfer coefficient in the drain cooler section, the model of operating characteristic for the heater at low liquid level is proposed. Taking #1 high pressure feedwater heater of a 330 MW turbine as example, the terminal temperature difference at both normal liquid level and low liquid level and the change of the heat transfer condition in the drain cooler section at low liquid level can be calculated respectively by the proposed model. By comparison with the test data the accuracy of the model is verified. In addition, the influence of liquid level and load on terminal temperature difference is analyzed quantitatively, and the secure liquid level and economic liquid level are reset. The results show that the study can provide a reference for the timely adjustment of the liquid level in actual operation.

A spotted-leaf mutant of rice HM143 was isolated from an EMS-induced IR64 mutant bank. Brown lesions randomly distributed on leaf blades were observed about 3 wk after sowing. The symptom lasted for the whole plant growth duration. Histochemical analysis indicated that cell death occurred in and around the site of necrotic lesions accompanied with accumulation of hydrogen hyperoxide. Agronomic traits were largely similar to the wild type IR64 except seed setting rate and 1 000-grain weight which were significantly decreased in the mutant. Disease resistance of the mutant to multiple races of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae was significantly enhanced. Genetic analysis showed that the mutation was controlled by a single recessive gene, tentatively termed splHM143. In addition, using molecular markers and 1 023 mutant type individuals from an F2 segregating population derived from the cross HM143/R9308, the spotted-leaf gene was finally delimited to an interval of 149 kb between markers XX25 and ID40 on the long arm of chromosome 4. splHM143 is likely a novel rice spotted-leaf gene since no other similar genes have been identified near the chromosomal region.

In this paper, a method based on the thermo-economics structure theories and the prospect diagnosis will apply in the 630MW power plants. To make use of thermodynamic simulation establish system of the thermo-economics produce model. The thermo-economic model and the exergy cost model for the plant based on the Fuel-Product concept have been defined to quantify the productive interaction between different devices. The paper analyses the 3VWO and 4VWO conditions and the effects of the operating parameters on the exergy cost of each component have been studied. The results showed that the Structure Theory is a powerful and effective tool, which can make up the insufficiencies of the conventional thermodynamic methods and can be used for the cost-effective operation analysis and optimization in thermal power plants and other complex energy system.

With a long natural cooling time after a shutdown of steam turbine restricting its available coefficient, this paper presented the analysis and application of a forced cooling process to sub-critical steam turbine. The radiating mechanism of natural cooling was analyzed theoretically, and the required amount of cooling air was calculated for a WH 600MW steam turbine. Moreover, the cooling rate with no life loss principle was determined by the method of quantitative calculation and numerical analysis, together with safety analysis. The research discussed the control strategy of practical application according with steam turbine characteristic and applied to operation, which provided theoretical guidance for the optimization of cooling condition.

Insufficient output and rising pressure after governing stage of a 630 MW supercritical unit occurred only 18 month after the first outage. Though analysis based on measured parameters, fouling existed in governing stage and the first stage group. By virtue of linearization of formula and decoupling the impacts to thermal characteristic parameters, the quantified deposition degree was obtained. The fouling reason was determined by scale sample analysis, and the solution was proposed by quantitative calculation. The problem was successfully solved with boiler pickling, turbine cascade jet-beading and pulsing minimum oxygen to inhibit flow accelerated corrosion. A steam quality detection method was also proposed as the installation of measurement point after governing stage of supercritical unit. These treatments provided building and operation experience for 1000MW ultra-supercritical turbine and the same type of equipments.

为在水稻育种中快速与高效利用稻瘟病抗性基因Pi25, 本文利用该基因不同等位基因编码区序列差异开发了4套CAPS标记(CAP1/ Hinc II、CAP3/ Bgl II、CAP3/ Nde I和CAP3/ Hpy 99I), 并利用169份稻种资源、98个重组自交系(RIL)以及217个水稻转基因后代, 对4套标记的准确性和选择效果进行了验证。结果表明, 4套标记均能准确地检测 Pi25 / pi25 座位。其中, 标记CAP1/ Hinc II和CAP3/ Hpy 99I特异性识别并酶切显性等位基因, 而标记CAP3/ Bgl II和CAP3/ Nde I特异性识别并酶切隐性等位基因。利用稻瘟病菌株JS001-20接种RIL与转基因材料, 抗性表现与标记检测的结果完全一致, 表明该CAPS标记准确可靠。分析稻种资源后发现, Pi25 基因频率较低(1.2%), 说明该基因在我国水稻稻瘟病抗性育种中还没有被充分利用。本文的研究结果特别是开发的2对识别并酶切显性等位基因的CAPS标记可用于分子标记辅助选择, 改良我国早籼稻的稻瘟病抗性。

A stable inherited rice spotted-leaf mutant HM47 derived from an EMS-induced IR64 mutant bank was identified. The mutant expressed hypersensitive response (HR)-like symptoms throughout its whole life from the first leaf to the flag leaf, without pathogen invasion. Initiation of the lesions was induced by light under natural summer field conditions. Expression of pathogenesis-related genes including PAL, PO-C1, POX22.3 and PBZ1 was enhanced significantly in association with cell death and accumulation of H2 O2 at and around the site of lesions in the mutant in contrast to that in the wild-type (WT). Disease reaction to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae from the Philippines and China showed that HM47 is a broad-spectrum disease-resistant mutant with enhanced resistance to multiple races of bacterial blight pathogens tested. An F2 progeny test showed that bacterial blight resistance to race HB-17 was co-segregated with the expression of lesions. Genetic analysis indicated that the spotted-leaf trait was controlled by a single recessive gene, tentatively named spl(HM47) , flanked by two insertion/deletion markers in a region of approximately 74 kb on the long arm of chromosome 4. Ten open reading frames are predicted, and all of them are expressed proteins. Isolation and validation of the putative genes are currently underway.

A light brown spotted-leaf mutant of rice was isolated from an ethane methyl sulfonate (EMS)- induced IR64 mutant bank. The mutant, designated as lbsl1 (light brown spotted-leaf 1), displayed light brown spot in the whole growth period from the first leaf to the flag leaf under natural summer field conditions. Agronomic traits including plant height, growth duration, number of filled grains per panicle, seed-setting rate and 1000-grain weight of the mutant were significantly affected. Genetic analysis showed that the mutation was controlled by a single recessive gene, tentatively named lbsl1(t), which was mapped to the short arm of chromosome 6. By developing simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, the gene was finally delimited to an interval of 130 kb between markers RM586 and RM588. The lbsl1(t) gene is likely a novel rice spotted-leaf gene since no other similar genes have been identified near the chromosomal region. The genetic data and recombination populations provided will facilitate further fine-mapping and cloning of the gene.

The fouling on flow path of steam turbine would lead to the changes of thermal parameters and significantly deteriorated efficiency. In this paper, a qualitative analysis of fouling on flow path based on measured parameters was described for the preliminary diagnosis, and the zooming thermoeconomic diagnosis model combined with the equivalent flow area diagnosis model was proposed to diagnose the specific location of fault. Then the flow performance of a 630 MW supercritical unit was analyzed, and the possible fouling stages were also discussed according to the thermoeconomic diagnosis and quantitative analysis. The result of diagnosis was consistent with the situation of uncovering cylinder, which indicated that though the actual system was complex, the coupling multiple faults of flow path could be diagnosed by combining the above diagnosis models.

A rice spotted-leaf mutant was isolated from an ethane methyl sulfonate (EMS) -induced IR64 mutant bank. The mutant, designated as spl30 (spotted-leaf30), displayed normal green leaf color under shade but exhibited red-brown lesions under natural summer field conditions. Initiation of the lesions was induced by light and the symptom was enhanced at 33 (°) C relative to 26 (°) C. Histochemical staining did not show cell death around the red-brown lesions. Chlorophyll contents in the mutant were significantly lower than those of the wild type while the ratio of chlorophyll a/b remained the same, indicating that spl30 was impaired in biosynthesis or degradation of chlorophyll. Disease reaction patterns of the mutant to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae were largely unchanged to most races tested except for a few strains. Genetic analysis showed that the mutation was controlled by a single recessive gene, tentatively named spl30(t), which co-segregated with RM15380 on chromosome 3, and was delimited to a 94 kb region between RM15380 and RM15383. Spl30(t) is likely a novel rice spotted-leaf gene since no other similar genes have been identified near the chromosomal region. The genetic data and recombination populations provided in this study will enable further fine-mapping and cloning of the gene.

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most devastating diseases. Using map-based strategy and in silico approach we isolated a new rice (Oryza sativa L.) blast resistance allele of Pid3, designated Pi25, from a stable blast resistance cultivar Gumei2. Over-expression analysis and complementation test showed that Pi25 conferred blast resistance to M. oryzae isolate js001-20. Sequence analysis showed that Pi25 was an intronless gene of 2,772 nucleotides with single nucleotide substitution in comparison to Pid3 at the nucleotide position 459 and predicatively encoded a typical coiled coil--nucleotide binding site--leucine rich repeat (CC--NBS--LRR) protein of 924 amino acid residuals with 100% identity to Pid3 putative protein. The susceptible allele pi25 in Nipponbare contained a nonsense mutation at the nucleotide position 2,209 resulting in a truncated protein with 736 amino acid residuals. In addition, 14 nucleotide substitutions resulting in 10 amino acid substitutions were identified between Pi25 and pi25 upstream the premature stop codon in the susceptible allele. Although the mechanism of Pi25/Pid3-mediated resistance needs to be further investigated, the isolation of the allele would facilitate the utilization of Pi25/Pid3 in rice blast resistance breeding program via transgenic approach and marker assisted selection.

In this paper, temperature variation method and numerical calculation method are both presented for the calculation of the HP–IP steam leakage through midspan packing (N2 packing), which is called N2 leakage for short, and an error analysis mathematical model about the impact of measured parameters error on N2 leakage rate is established. The two methods have been both applied to a 600 MW supercritical steam turbine’s N2 leakage rate estimation, and the results show that numerical calculation method can estimate N2 leakage rate as accurately as temperature variation method, and the chief parameters which affect the accuracy of N2 leakage rate are hot reheat temperature and IP turbine exhaust temperature. Taking the leakage from HP turbine exhaust balance piston to IP turbine exhaust zone (N1 leakage) quantity into account, which has great influence on N2 leakage calculation precision, combined with N2 leakage, IP turbine efficiency is calculated exactly, and the result indicates that: Compared to N1 leakage, N2 leakage is the main factor which affects the IP efficiency.

Many rice spotted-leaf (spl) mutants are ideal sources for understanding the mechanisms involved in blast resistance, bacterial blight resistance and programmed cell death in plants. The genetic controls of 50 spotted-leaf mutants in rice have been characterized and a few spotted-leaf genes have been isolated as well. This article reviews the origin, genetic modes, isolation and characterization of spotted-leaf genes responsible for their phenotypes, and their resistance responses to main rice diseases.

A new approach of installing air deflectors around tower inlet circumferentially was proposed to optimize the inlet airflow and reduce the adverse effect of crosswinds on the thermal performance of natural draft wet cooling towers (NDWCT). And inlet airflow uniformity coefficient was defined to analyze the uniformity of circumferential inlet airflow quantitatively. Then the effect of air deflectors on the NDWCT performance was investigated experimentally. By contrast between inlet air flow rate and cooling efficiency, it has been found that crosswinds not only decrease the inlet air flow rate, but also reduce the uniformity of inlet airflow, which reduce NDWCT performance jointly. After installing air deflectors, the inlet air flow rate and uniformity coefficient increase, the uniformity of heat and mass transfer increases correspondingly, which improve the cooling performance. In addition, analysis on Lewis factor demonstrates that the inlet airflow optimization has more enhancement of heat transfer than mass transfer, but leads to more water evaporation loss.

To understand the development of rice leaf blades, we identified a new rolled-leaf mutant, w32, from indica cultivar IR64 through EMS mutagenesis. The mutant showed a stable rolled-leaf phenotype throughout the life cycle. Two F2 populations were developed by crossing w32 to cultivar IR24 and PA64. Genetic analysis showed that the rolled-leaf phenotype was controlled by a single recessive gene. To determine the location of the gene, bulked segregant analysis was carried out using mutant and wild-type DNA pools and 1846 mutant-type F2 individuals derived from the cross w32/PA64 were genotyped to locate the gene on the short arm of chromosome 7. The rolled-leaf gene, tentatively named rl11(t), is likely a new gene as no other rolled-leaf genes have been identified near the region. By developing new SSR and InDel markers, the gene was delimited to a 52 kb region near the end of the short chromosome arm. Further fine mapping and cloning of the gene are currently underway.

Previous study showed that a linkage drag between a blast resistance gene Pi25(t) and QTLs conditioning spikelet fertility (qSF-6) and number of filled grains per panicle (qNFGP-6) was detected on the short arm of chromosome 6. A larger population was used for further verification, and the results confirmed the linkage drag between the blast resistance gene and QTL conditioning spikelet fertility, other than QTL conditioning number of filled grains per panicle. Breakdown or avoidance of the linkage drag could be achieved by selection against the genotype background of a heading-date gene (qHD-7) that resided in the region between RM2 and RM214 on chromosome 7. For further validation, two lines with almost identical genotypes on all chromosomal regions except the Pi25(t) region on chromosome 6 were chosen to develop a new population. The results showed that qSF-6 could be further subdivided into qSF-6-1 and qSF-6-2. When the genotype of the region between RM2 and RM214 was from rice variety Zhong 156, the linkage drag between Pi25(t) and qSF-6-2 was detected and the allele of qSF-6-2 from rice variety Gumei 2 reduced the spikelet fertility. When the genotype of the region between RM2 and RM214 was from Gumei 2, no linkage drag was detected. This indicates that the linkage drag between the blast resistance gene and the QTL conditioning spikelet fertility could be broken down or avoided under a certain background genotype selection against heading-date and provides a marker aided solution for high level of blast resistance and yield breeding in rice and other crops as well.

Sixty-three major inbred varieties and parental lines of major F1 hybrids used in the commercial rice production in China were assayed with rice microsatellites screened in a previous study and additional microsatellites on four chromosomes. A set of 24 markers was selected and proposed for its application in the variety identification of rice, which are distributed on all the 12 rice chromosomes with 2 markers on each chromosome. The 63 major varieties and parental lines, as well as 41 major F1 hybrids, were genotyped with the markers. Alleles detected in each line at each marker locus were verified. By matching marker genotypes of corresponding F1, maternal and paternal lines of hybrid rice, high reliability of the maternal lines was verified, data on the paternal lines were modified, and a false hybrid was removed. A database containing genotype data of 103 major rice varieties and parental lines at the 24 marker loci was constructed and analyzed.

The phenotypically uniform indica variety IR64 was chosen for study of the source and inheritance of within cultivar residual variation using a set of SSR markers. Residual heterogeneity in IR64 was identified on the short arm of chromosome 2 involving at least 5 SSR loci spanning nearly 30 cM. The SSR variations originated from the parental lines of IR64 (IR5657-33-2/IR2061-465-1-5-5) and were segregating in the selfed bulk seed stock in a Mendelian manner for more than 20 years. This study verified that the within cultivar variations of SSR in a morphologically uniform variety IR64 of a selfing crop came from its parental lines, which has immediate and commercial applications including test of hybrid seed purity, varietal fingerprinting, and curation and propagation of germplasm collections.

A rice chlorophyll-deficient mutant w67 was isolated from an ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS)-induced IR64 (Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica) mutant bank. The mutant exhibited a distinct yellow-green leaf phenotype in the whole plant growth duration with significantly reduced levels of chlorophyll and carotenoid, impaired chloroplast development and lowered capacity of photosynthesis compared with the wild-type IR64. Expression of a number of genes associated with chlorophyll metabolism, chloroplast biogenesis and photosynthesis was significantly altered in the mutant. Genetic analysis indicated that the yellow-green phenotype was controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene located on the short arm of chromosome 3. Using map-based strategy, the mutation was isolated and predicted to encode a chloroplast signal recognition particle 43 KD protein (cpSRP43) with 388 amino acid residuals. A single base substitution from A to T at position 160 resulted in a premature stop codon. OscpSRP43 was constitutively expressed in various organs with the highest level in the leaf. Functional complementation could rescue the mutant phenotype and subcellular localization showed that the cpSRP43:GFP fusion protein was targeted to the chloroplast. The data suggested that Oryza sativa cpSRP43 (OscpSRP43) was required for the normal development of chloroplasts and photosynthesis in rice.

A premature senescence and death 128 (psd128) mutant was isolated from an ethyl methane sulfonate‐induced rice IR64 mutant bank. The premature senescence phenotype appeared at the six‐leaf stage and the plant died at the early heading stage. psd128 exhibited impaired chloroplast development with significantly reduced photosynthetic ability, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, root vigor, soluble protein content and increased malonaldehyde content. Furthermore, the expression of senescence‐related genes was significantly altered in psd128. The mutant trait was controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene. Using map‐based strategy, the mutation Oryza sativa cell division cycle 48 (OsCDC48) was isolated and predicted to encode a putative AAA‐type ATPase with 809 amino‐acid residuals. A single base substitution at position C2347T in psd128 resulted in a premature stop codon. Functional complementation could rescue the mutant phenotype. In addition, RNA interference resulted in the premature senescence and death phenotype. OsCDC48 was expressed constitutively in the root, stem, leaf and panicle. Subcellular analysis indicated that OsCDC48:YFP fusion proteins were located both in the cytoplasm and nucleus. OsCDC48 was highly conserved with more than 90% identity in the protein levels among plant species. Our results indicated that the impaired function of OsCDC48 was responsible for the premature senescence and death phenotype.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of microRNA-30b (miR-30b) in rat myocardial ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury model. We randomly divided Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n = 80) into five groups: 1) control group; 2) miR-30b group; 3) sham-operated group; 4) I/R group, and 5) I/R+miR-30b group. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis were conducted. TUNEL assay was employed for testing cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Our results showed that miR-30b levels were down-regulated in I/R group and I/R + miR-30b group compared with sham-operated group (both P 0.05). However, miR-30b level in I/R + miR-30b group was higher than I/R group (P 0.05). Markedly, the apoptotic rate in I/R group showed highest in I/R group (P 0.05). Additionally, the results illustrated that protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 were at higher levels in ischemic regions in I/R group, comparing to sham-operated group (all P 0.05), while Bcl-2/Bax was reduced (P 0.05). Bcl-2 level and Bcl-2/Bax were obviously increased in I/R + miR-30b group by comparison with I/R group, and expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 were down-regulated (all P 0.05). We also found that in I/R + miR-30b group, KRAS level was apparently lower and p-AKT level was higher by comparing with I/R group (both P 0.05). Our study indicated that miR-30b overexpression had anti-apoptotic effect on early phase of rat myocardial ischemia injury model through targeting KRAS and activating the Ras/Akt pathway.

An operation mode called hybrid sliding pressure operation mode, which considered the valve point and operation load together, was proposed in this paper based on the analysis and study of a large number of unit operation optimization methods. In addition, according to the steam-excited vibration occurred during the optimization process when the nozzle governing steam turbine switch single valve to multi-valve, the steam distribution optimization project was also proposed. This comprehensive operation project considering the steam-excited vibration problem was applied to a 600MW steam turbine unit, the optimal sliding pressure curve and the optimal operation mode were obtained, and the steam-excited vibration problem was solved successfully. Compared with the previous operation optimization mode, this mode is more accurate and safer for the actual operation.

In this paper, the new diagnosis method based on the structure theory and thermoeconomic is introduced-fuel impact. It is applied to diagnose the causes of the additional fuel consumption of a steadily operating plant, due to the inefficiencies of its components. For a 1000 MW supercritical coal-fired power plant, by using the fuel impact method analyze the #5 and #6 LP out of service condition performance data based on the THA condition performance data. Furthermore, it will be able to quantify the effect of a component malfunction in the other components of the plant. As a result the validity of the methodology is proved and quantified. The methodology is validated quantifying its accuracy.

To establish a simple method for molecular identification of original plants of D. chrysanthum and D. fimbriatum using molecular marker rDNA ITS region.Restriction patterns of ITS fragments were obtained using PCR-RFLP method. The PCR products of D. chrysanthum and its morphologically allied species were digested at 37 degrees C by Cla I and Apa LI, those of D. fimbriatum and its morphologically allied species were digested by Sph I.D. chrysanthum, D. fimbriatum and their morphologically allied species could be identified by predicted restriction profiles of PCR-RFLP. The botanical origin of twenty-five fresh samples of "Shihu" collected in markets was identified by this method.The results showed that PCR-RFLP analysis of the rDNA ITS region is a feasible, simple and inexpensive method for determining the botanical origin of the traditional Chinese medicine "Shihu".