Early Stages Of Evolution Research Articles

Insight on AGB Mass-Loss and Dust Production from PNe

The asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase, experienced by low- and intermediate-mass stars (LIMSs), plays a crucial role in galaxies due to its significant dust production. Planetary nebulae (PNe) offer a novel perspective, providing valuable insights into the dust production mechanisms and the evolutionary history of LIMSs. We selected a sample of nine PNe from the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), likely originating from single stars. By modeling their spectral energy distributions (SEDs) with photoionization techniques, we successfully reproduced the observed photometric data, spectra, and chemical abundances. This approach enabled us to constrain key characteristics of the central stars (CSs), dust, and gaseous nebulae, which were then compared with predictions from stellar evolution models. By integrating observational data across ultraviolet (UV) to infrared (IR) wavelengths, we achieved a comprehensive understanding of the structure of the PNe in our sample. The results of the SED analysis are consistent with evolutionary models and previous studies that focus on individual components of the PN, such as dust or the gaseous nebula. Our analysis enabled us to determine the metallicity, the progenitor mass of the CSs, and the amount of dust and gas surrounding the CSs, linking these properties to the previous AGB phase. The PN phase provides critical insights into the physical processes active during earlier evolutionary stages. Additionally, we found that higher progenitor masses are associated with greater amounts of dust in the surrounding nebulae but lower amounts of gaseous material compared to sources with lower progenitor masses.

Early Ediacaran Xueqiong ophiolite in the East Kunlun Orogen, northern Tibetan Plateau: Insights into the early evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean

Reshaping the tectonic evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean is of paramount significance for comprehending the ocean-continent transitions since the Neoproterozoic. Nevertheless, the intricacies of this evolution, particularly during its early stage, remain a pivotal issue that needs further deciphering. The discovery of early Ediacaran ophiolites within the East Kunlun Orogen offers a crucial clue for exploring this issue. This study presents intergrade field geology, zircon U–Pb geochronology and whole-rock geochemistry on the related rocks from this specific ophiolite identified in the Xueqiong area, easternmost East Kunlun Orogen. Field investigations reveal the currently remaining dismembered Xueqiong ophiolite merely include gabbro, basalt and chert, which are in the form of tectonic blocks within an ophiolitic mélange. Zircon U–Pb dating results show that the gabbro samples from two near rock slices yield consistent weighted mean ages of 597 ± 5 Ma and 601 ± 2 Ma, whereas the basalt sample gives a similar age of 600 ± 6 Ma as well, indicating the magmatic component of the ophiolitic suite was formed at ca. 600 Ma during the early Ediacaran. Geochemical analysis indicates that all the gabbro and basalt share a common parental magma. Patterns of rare earth and trace elements show their properties between the enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt and oceanic island basalt models, along with their characteristic trace element covariances aligning with enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt, suggesting a mantle source similar to the enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt, with interaction with the residual asthenosphere mantle material. Relatively low SiO2, TFe2O3 and MnO2 contents and flat rare earth element patterns of chert, suggesting its lithogenic property and restricted basin setting near the continental margin. These findings collectively indicate that the Xueqiong ophiolite represents remnants of the oceanic lithosphere and overlying deep-sea sediments from the early-stage evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean, when the ocean evolution might not have been fully mature and oceanic floor sedimentation capable of receiving terrigenous detritus. This evidence further supports that the Proto-Tethys Ocean in the East Kunlun domain could be traced back at least to the early Ediacaran.

A high-resolution two-step evolution experiment in yeast reveals a shift from pleiotropic to modular adaptation.

Evolution by natural selection is expected to be a slow and gradual process. In particular, the mutations that drive evolution are predicted to be small and modular, incrementally improving a small number of traits. However, adaptive mutations identified early in microbial evolution experiments, cancer, and other systems often provide substantial fitness gains and pleiotropically improve multiple traits at once. We asked whether such pleiotropically adaptive mutations are common throughout adaptation or are instead a rare feature of early steps in evolution that tend to target key signaling pathways. To do so, we conducted barcoded second-step evolution experiments initiated from 5 first-step mutations identified from a prior yeast evolution experiment. We then isolated hundreds of second-step mutations from these evolution experiments, measured their fitness and performance in several growth phases, and conducted whole genome sequencing of the second-step clones. Here, we found that while the vast majority of mutants isolated from the first-step of evolution in this condition show patterns of pleiotropic adaptation-improving both performance in fermentation and respiration growth phases-second-step mutations show a shift towards modular adaptation, mostly improving respiration performance and only rarely improving fermentation performance. We also identified a shift in the molecular basis of adaptation from genes in cellular signaling pathways towards genes involved in respiration and mitochondrial function. Our results suggest that the genes in cellular signaling pathways may be more likely to provide large, adaptively pleiotropic benefits to the organism due to their ability to coherently affect many phenotypes at once. As such, these genes may serve as the source of pleiotropic adaptation in the early stages of evolution, and once these become exhausted, organisms then adapt more gradually, acquiring smaller, more modular mutations.

Evolution and expression of TLR5a and TLR5b in lamprey (Lampetra japonica)

The lamprey serves as a key model organism for studying the origin and evolution of species, embryonic development, and the immune system. The immune system primarily relies on pattern recognition receptors, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), with Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) having a particularly complex evolutionary history. Currently, although TLR5 is being identified in an expanding array of taxonomic groups, a comprehensive study on its evolutionary aspects is yet to be conducted. In this study, we identified Lj-TLR5a and Lj-TLR5b in Lampetra japonica and examined their distribution across various tissues in this species. Furthermore, we conducted preliminary investigations into their immune functions and discovered that, as primitive genes, they are highly sensitive to various pathogens. Upon recognizing flagellar proteins, both Lj-TLR5a and Lj-TLR5b work together; however, these TLRs may function independently in response to other stimuli. Subsequently, we performed comprehensive structural and evolutionary analyses of the TLR5 family, incorporating TLR5 data from various species at different evolutionary stages. Our findings revealed that TLR5a and TLR5b in lamprey are in a relatively primitive evolutionary state. Meanwhile, TLR5L differentiated during the early stages of evolution and exhibits a pseudogenic trend throughout this evolutionary process; notably, this TLR is currently preserved only in certain amphibian and reptile species. In cartilaginous fish, only one type of TLR5 is usually retained, whereas bony fish typically possess both TLR5 and TLR5S. TLR5S has a relatively simple structure, likely arising from repetitive whole-genome events in bony fishes. Among bony fishes, flesh-finned fish were found to retain only one TLR5, which eventually evolved into the TLR5 found in quadrupeds. In summary, this study provides significant insights into the origin and evolution of the TLR5 family by analyzing the evolutionary status and immune functions of Lj-TLR5a and Lj-TLR5b in Japanese lampreys.

Identification method of cyclic top defects in track geometry measurements in its early stage

Track irregularities in the long wavelengths are often overlooked in the development of new track identification and detection techniques, yet they can have serious implications for the safety of freight wagons and the comfort of passengers. This study is aimed to extend the current published literature, by proposing a methodology for the identification and classification of evolving cyclic top (CT) irregularities in the mid and long wavelength range between 25 and 70 m. The methodology required a dataset of historical vertical track geometry measurements to identify and classify CT irregularities, by analysing the growing wavelength contents. The classification of detected CT into early and advanced stage of evolution allows maintenance interventions to be timely planned, improving transportation efficiency. This study contributes to enhancing monitoring methodologies for track geometry and highlights the importance of considering mid and long wavelength irregularities.

Sulfur-bearing molecules in a sample of early star-forming cores

The sulfur content in dense molecular regions is highly depleted in comparison to diffuse clouds. The reason for this phenomenon is unclear, and it is therefore necessary to carry out observational studies of sulfur-bearing species toward dense regions, mainly in early evolution stages. In this context, the analysis of sulfur-bearing molecules in a large sample of dense starless molecular cores is of great importance to help us uncover the early sulfur chemistry in these regions. From the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) data archive, we selected a project in Band 7 (275--373 GHz), which contains the emission of several sulfur-bearing species. The observations were performed toward a sample of 37 dense cores that are embedded in the most massive infrared-quiet molecular clumps from the ATLASGAL survey. The lines of 34SO, SO$_ $, NS, SO, SO$^ $, and H$_ $CS were analyzed, and the column densities of each molecular species were obtained. Based on the continuum emission and two CH$_ $OH lines, the 37 cores were characterized in density and temperature, and the corresponding H$_ $ column densities were derived. The abundances of these sulfur-bearing species were derived and studied. We find that the abundances of the analyzed sulfur-bearing species increase with increasing gas temperature. Based on the correlation between abundances and temperature, we suggest that the chemistry involved in the formation of each of the analyzed molecules may similarly depend on T$_ k $ in the range 20 to 100 K. Additionally, we find that the comparisons among abundances are highly correlated in general. Taking into account that this correlation decreases in more evolved sources, we suggest that the sulfur-bearing species we analyzed have a similar chemical origin. Our observational results show that the X(SO$_ $)/X(SO) ratio can be used as a chemical clock of molecular cores. Based on the line widths of the molecular lines, we point out that molecules with an oxygen content (34SO, SO$_ $, SO, and SO$^ $) may be associated with warmer and more turbulent gas than the other molecules. H$_ $CS and NS are associated with more quiescent gas, probably in the external envelopes of the cores, which trace similar physical and chemical conditions. We complement recent similar works done toward more evolved sources with a large sample of sources, but also provide quantitative information about abundances that might be useful in chemical models for explaining the sulfur chemistry in the interstellar medium.

Evaluation of uranium migration during the maturation of hydrocarbon source rocks.

The source of uranium is an important research topic related to the exploration of sandstone-type uranium deposits, and potential uranium sources in deep basins are often overlooked. Black organic-rich shale is a common uranium-bearing rock in deep sedimentary basins. However, relatively few studies have investigated the migration of uranium during hydrocarbon generation in and release from uranium-rich shale. In this study, the uranium-rich shale in the Chang 7 member of the Yanchang Formation of the Upper Triassic in the Ordos Basin was selected to investigate the migration of uranium and other trace elements during the thermal maturation of uranium-rich shale via a semiopen pyrolysis simulation system. The gas and liquid products as well as the solid residue were thoroughly analysed by means of multiple instruments. The results showed that uranium significantly migrated before hydrocarbon generation (Ro < 0.61%), with a leaching rate between 12.1% and 18.8%. The leaching rate of uranium during the hydrocarbon generation stage (0.63% < Ro < 1.35%) was relatively low, ranging from 0 to 7.2%. Cu, Pb, Zn, Mo, and other trace elements also migrated considerably during the early stage of thermal evolution, with leaching rates ranging from 2.9 ~ 11.6%. The yield of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LOAs) was the highest in the early stage of thermal maturity, and the LOA yield exhibited a good correlation with the leaching rates of Cu, Pb, Zn, Co, Mo, etc. The generation of LOAs from source rocks was conducive to the leaching and migration of trace elements. Moreover, according to a statistical analysis of published geochemical data, the total organic carbon (TOC) content, uranium content, and U/TOC ratio in shale decreased significantly with increasing burial depth, indicating that uranium migrated significantly upon kerogen hydrocarbon generation during thermal evolution. Therefore, uranium-rich shale is an important deep uranium source in sedimentary basins.

Thermodynamics of the Primordial Universe.

This review delves into the pivotal primordial stage of the universe, a period that holds the key to understanding its current state. To fully grasp this epoch, it is essential to consider three fundamental domains of physics: gravity, particle physics, and thermodynamics. The thermal history of the universe recreates the extreme high-energy conditions that are critical for exploring the unification of the fundamental forces, making it a natural laboratory for high-energy physics. This thermal history also offers valuable insights into how the laws of thermodynamics have governed the evolution of the universe's constituents, shaping them into the forms we observe today. Focusing on the Standard Cosmological Model (SCM) and the Standard Model of Particles (SM), this paper provides an in-depth analysis of thermodynamics in the primordial universe. The structure of the study includes an introduction to the SCM and its strong ties to thermodynamic principles. It then explores equilibrium thermodynamics in the context of the expanding universe, followed by a detailed analysis of out-of-equilibrium phenomena that were pivotal in shaping key events during the early stages of the universe's evolution.

In Situ Conversion of Universal Hydraulic Energy to Electricity to Address Common Challenges in Water Treatment

Diverse water treatment technologies are widely applied to manage water quality, with ubiquitous hydraulic energy remaining. Emerging hydraulic pressure–electricity conversion, along with its in situ utilization, provides a promising strategy for addressing common challenges in water treatment, which is convenient, efficient, and practical. This innovative concept has garnered extensive interest and has achieved exciting progress over the past decade. Piezoelectricity, which induces charges via mechanical deformation, serves as a direct hydraulic energy harvesting mechanism to achieve force–electricity conversion, opening new avenues for innovating traditional water treatment technology while compensating for its shortcomings. However, such in situ hydraulic–electricity coupling is still in its early evolutionary stage and requires thorough investigation to determine future development directions. With this in mind, we discuss hydraulic piezoelectricity as a means of addressing common challenges in water treatment technologies, with a focus on representative membrane fouling, catalytic reactions, and sludge dewatering. Then, we further explore other emerging hydraulic-based technologies, such as hydrovoltaics, solid–liquid triboelectricity, and other energy methods, such as thermal energy, to expand the paradigm and scenarios of in situ electricity advancements in the water treatment process.

NH3 (1,1) hyperfine intensity anomalies in infall sources

Identifying infall motions is crucial for our understanding of accretion processes in regions of star formation. The NH3 (1,1) hyperfine intensity anomaly (HIA) has been proposed to be a readily usable tracer for such infall motions in star-forming regions harboring young stellar objects at very early evolutionary stages. In this paper, we seek to study the HIA toward 15 infall candidate regions in order to assess its reliability as an infall tracer. Using deep observations of the NH3 (1, 1) transition with the Effelsberg 100 m telescope, we identified HIAs toward all 15 targets. Of the 15 sources, 14 exhibit anomalous intensities in either the inner or outer satellite lines. All the derived HIAs conform to the framework of the existing two models, namely hyperfine selective trapping (HST) and systematic contraction or expansion motion (CE) models. In our sample of infall candidates, the majority of the HIAs remain consistent with the HST model. Only in three targets are the HIAs consistent with infall motions under the CE model. Thus, the HIA could indeed be used as an infall tracer, but does not appear to be highly sensitive to infall motions in our single-dish data. Nevertheless, the emission could be blended with emission from outflow activities. HIAs consistent with the HST model show stronger anomalies with increasing kinetic temperatures (TK), which is expected based on the HST model. On the other hand, HIAs consistent with infall motions show little dependence on Tk . Therefore, HIAs may preferably trace the infall of cold gas.

Petrogenesis of early Paleozoic syn-collisional granitoids and enclaves in Western Kunlun, Northwest China: Implications for the growth of continental crust

The Western Kunlun Orogenic Belt (WKOB), along the northwestern margin of the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau, was formed by the collision of Gondwana-derived terranes to the south and the Tarim Block to the north and was closely associated with closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean during the late Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic. We present a combined zircon UPb geochronology, whole-rock composition, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic study of syn-collisional granitoid plutons and mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) in the region. Zircon UPb dating yields ages of 443.8 ± 4.4, 451.9 ± 4.2, 462.9 ± 3.5, and 456 ± 4.2 Ma for the Tongayoupuagezi, Shanjie, and Pishigai plutons and MMEs from the Pishigai pluton, respectively. The granitoids are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.00–1.17) and belong to the high-K calc-alkaline series. They have (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7058–0.7154, εNd(t) values of −8.78 to −0.93, and εHf(t) values of −19.72 to +6.87. The MMEs have variable SiO2 contents (45.7–60.2 wt%) and are more mafic than the host granitoids, but have similar Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions to the host granitoids [(87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.7102–0.7110; εNd(t) = −6.57 to −3.56; εHf(t) = −7.17 to −1.81]. The MMEs are fragments of cumulates formed during the early stages of magma evolution. The granitoids were produced by the partial melting of a mélange source. The new data support the view that the Middle–Late Ordovician syn-collisional granitoids with MMEs distributed along the WKOB represent a magmatic response to terrane collision. This suggests that juvenile crustal growth in older orogenic systems, which occurs by arc addition, also involves some vertical addition during the final stage of orogenic collision. Our study suggests that mélange diaper melting is a key mechanism of crustal growth during the syn-collision stage in continental collision zones, associated with slab breakoff.

The Styrian Basin: an overview with new insights from seismic data

The Neogene Styrian Basin is the westernmost sub-basin of the Pannonian Basin System. The last comprehensive studies on the basin were published in the last millennium. This overview of the current understanding of basin evolution is based on the re-interpretation of partly unpublished reflection seismic data and a wealth of sedimentological and stratigraphic studies performed during the last 25 years. Reflection seismic data indicate the presence of a major east-to-southeast-dipping detachment horizon within the pre-Neogene basement reflecting high-strain upper crustal extension during the early Miocene syn-rift stage of basin evolution. Fault block rotations caused subsidence in several sub-basins, which developed often with marked asymmetric geometry. The maximum basin depth exceeds 4 km (Gnas Basin). Syn-rift deposits include thick alluvial fan and fan delta sediments overlain in the basin centre by deeper marine pelitic rocks. Subduction-related magmatic activity commenced during the syn-rift stage and continued into the middle to late Miocene post-rift stage. Syn- and post-rift sediments are separated by the middle Miocene ‘Styrian Unconformity’. Shallow marine sedimentation, controlled by third- and fourth-order sea-level variations, prevailed during the early post-rift stage. The final stage of basin evolution was characterized by differential surface uplift, erosion and Pliocene–Pleistocene basaltic magmatism.

A Study of Stochastic Low-frequency Variability for Galactic O-type Stars

In order to explore how the ubiquitous stochastic low-frequency (SLF) variability of O-type stars is related to various stellar characteristics, we compiled a sample of 150 O-type stars observed via ground-based spectroscopic surveys, alongside photometric data obtained from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). We analyzed 298 light curves obtained from TESS Sectors 1–65 for the stars in our sample. Leveraging the spectroscopic parameters, we used Bonnsai to determine masses, radii, fractional main-sequence ages, and mass-loss rates for stars of our sample. Subsequently, we identified possible correlations between the fitted parameters of SLF variability and stellar properties. Our analysis unveiled four significant correlations between the amplitude and stellar parameters, including mass, radius, fractional main-sequence ages, and mass-loss rate. For stars with ≳30 M ⊙, we observed a decrease in characteristic frequency and steepness with increasing radius. Finally, we compared various physical processes that may account for the SLF variability with our results. The observed SLF variability may arise from the combined effects of the iron convection zone (FeCZ) and internal gravity waves (IGWs), with IGWs potentially more dominant in the early stages of stellar evolution, and the contribution of FeCZ becoming more significant as stars evolve. Meanwhile, our results indicate that the SLF variability of O-type stars bears certain signatures of the line-driven wind instability and granulation.

Direct estimates of nitrogen abundance for Seyfert 2 nuclei

Abstract We derive the nitrogen and oxygen abundances in the Narrow Line Regions (NLRs) of a sample of 38 local (z &amp;lt; 0.4) Seyfert 2 nuclei. For that, we consider narrow optical emission line intensities and direct estimates of the electron temperatures (Te-method). We obtain a new theoretical expression for the nitrogen Ionization Correction Factor [ICF($\rm N^{+}$)] for NLRs. Applying this new ICF, we unexpectedly find that NLRs and disk H ii regions exhibit similar ICF distributions. We find nitrogen abundances in the range $7.6 \: &amp;lt; \: \rm 12+log(N/H) \: &amp;lt; \: 8.6$ (mean value 8.06 ± 0.22) or $\rm 0.4 \: &amp;lt; \: (N/N_{\odot }) \: &amp;lt; 4.7$, in the metallicity regime $8.3 \: &amp;lt; \: \rm 12+log(O/H) \: &amp;lt; \: 9.0$. Our results indicate that the dispersion in N/H abundance for a fixed O/H value in AGNs of ∼0.2 dex agrees with that for disc H ii regions with similar metallicity. We show that Seyfert 2 nuclei follow a similar (N/O)-(O/H) relation to the one followed by star-forming objects. Finally, we find that active galaxies called as ”nitrogen-loud” observed at very high redshift (z &amp;gt; 5) show N/O values in consonance with those derived for local NLRs. This result indicates that the main star-formation event is completed in the early evolution stages of active galaxies.

A Study on Belonging Theory and the Importance of Belonging in Businesses

Research to understand the place of individuals within groups, communities, or social structures has been one of the cornerstones of the social sciences. In this context, the theory of belonging, which examines how individuals relate to social structures and groups, is one of the most interesting and important approaches in this field. The sense of belonging has been intertwined with human strategies for staying, surviving, and reproducing as social beings since the early stages of evolution. The integration of humans into communities has profound effects at both the individual and societal levels. This research aims to take a journey into the depths of the subject by addressing the foundations of the theory of belonging, the importance of the positioning of the individual within the community, and the contributions of this theory to the social sciences. In this context, it discusses in detail the approaches that fed the theory and how it arrived at the form of a theory. The paper then examines how belonging at the organizational level affects organizations and tries to show how benefits can be derived from these effects. These results suggest that the cost of promoting employees' sense of belonging to the organisation is lower compared to the performance to be achieved, but companies may avoid incurring these costs. In addition, the effect of higher-than-expected levels of employee identification on long-term performance is debatable.

Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first appeared in Iraq, including the Iraqi Kurdistan region governorates, in March 2020. 48,494 samples were collected from public hospitals in the Kurdish governates from February 2021 to May 2022. Viral RNA was extracted, and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the COVID-19 variants. Statistical analysis of patients' clinical data was performed. The RT-PCR results identified the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529) variants in the Kurdistan governorates. Young adults (20-39 years) had significantly higher rate of infection than children (1-11 months) and older adults (80-89 years). The Delta wave was more contiguous, spread more easily, and more fatal than the Alpha and Omicron waves. The highest number of COVID-19 cases was reported in Sulaymaniyah and Duhok; and the highest death rate was reported in Sulaymaniyah. The death rate in males was higher than in females, especially among older people. Fatigue, cough, and fever were common symptoms among the three variants. The phylogenetic tree revealed that the L-type of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was a descendant of the S-type at an early stage of evolution. The L-type could spread faster in Kurdistan. Multiple sequence alignment (MSA) confirmed that all L-type variants in different countries were 100% similar in sequence, and all were mutated in the regions 8782: ORF1ab and 28144: ORF8 703. This study described the COVID-19 waves, pathogenesis, and evolution of the virus in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Multiband Analysis of Strong Gravitationally Lensed Post-blue Nugget Candidates from the Kilo-degree Survey

During the early stages of galaxy evolution, a significant fraction of galaxies undergo a transitional phase between the “blue nugget” systems, which arise from the compaction of large, active star-forming disks, and the “red nuggets,” which are red and passive compact galaxies. These objects are typically only observable with space telescopes, and detailed studies of their size, mass, and stellar population parameters have been conducted on relatively small samples. Strong gravitational lensing can offer a new opportunity to study them in detail, even with ground-based observations. In this study, we present the first six bona fide samples of strongly lensed post-blue nugget (pBN) galaxies, which were discovered in the Kilo Degree Survey. By using the lensing-magnified luminosity from optical and near-infrared bands, we have derived robust structural and stellar population properties of the multiple images of the background sources. The pBN galaxies have very small sizes of R eff < 1.3 kpc, high mass density inside 1 kpc of log(Σ1/M⊙kpc−2)>9.3 , and low specific star formation rates of log(sSFRGyr-1)≲0 , The size–mass and Σ1–mass relations of this sample are consistent with those of the red nuggets, while their sSFR is close to the lower end of compact star-forming blue nugget systems at the same redshift, suggesting a clear evolutionary link between them.

Monitoring Early-Stage Evolution of Free Water Content in Alkali-Activated Slag Systems by Using 1H Low-Field NMR

Monitoring Early-Stage Evolution of Free Water Content in Alkali-Activated Slag Systems by Using 1H Low-Field NMR

Cancerous time estimation for interpreting the evolution of lung adenocarcinoma.

The evolution of lung adenocarcinoma is accompanied by a multitude of gene mutations and dysfunctions, rendering its phenotypic state and evolutionary direction highly complex. To interpret the evolution of lung adenocarcinoma, various methods have been developed to elucidate the molecular pathogenesis and functional evolution processes. However, most of these methods are constrained by the absence of cancerous temporal information, and the challenges of heterogeneous characteristics. To handle these problems, in this study, a patient quasi-potential landscape method was proposed to estimate the cancerous time of phenotypic states' emergence during the evolutionary process. Subsequently, a total of 39 different oncogenetic paths were identified based on cancerous time and mutations, reflecting the molecular pathogenesis of the evolutionary process of lung adenocarcinoma. To interpret the evolution patterns of lung adenocarcinoma, three oncogenetic graphs were obtained as the common evolutionary patterns by merging the oncogenetic paths. Moreover, patients were evenly re-divided into early, middle, and late evolutionary stages according to cancerous time, and a feasible framework was developed to construct the functional evolution network of lung adenocarcinoma. A total of six significant functional evolution processes were identified from the functional evolution network based on the pathway enrichment analysis, which plays critical roles in understanding the development of lung adenocarcinoma.

Dinotoms possess two evolutionary distinct autophagy-related ubiquitin-like conjugation systems

Autophagy is an intracellular degradation mechanism by which cytoplasmic materials are delivered to and degraded in the lysosome-fused autophagosome (autolysosome) and proposed to have been established at an early stage of eukaryotic evolution. Dinoflagellates harboring endosymbiotic diatoms (so-called “dinotoms”), which retain their own nuclei and mitochondria in addition to plastids, have been investigated as an intermediate toward the full integration of a eukaryotic phototroph into the host-controlled organelle (i.e., plastid) through endosymbiosis. Pioneering studies systematically evaluated the degree of host governance on several metabolic pathways in the endosymbiotic diatoms (ESDs). However, little attention has been paid to the impact of the endosymbiotic lifestyle on the autophagy operated in the ESDs. In this study, we searched for ATG3, ATG4, ATG5, ATG7, ATG8, ATG10, and ATG12, which are required for autophagosome formation, in the RNA-seq data from dinotoms Durinskia baltica and Kryptoperidinium foliaceum. We detected two evolutionally distinct sets of the ATG proteins in the dinotom species, one affiliated with the dinoflagellate homologs and the other with the diatom homologs in phylogenetic analyses. The results suggest that the ATG proteins descended from the diatom taken up by the dinoflagellate host persist for autophagosome formation and, most likely, autophagy.