Ten simple rules to host an inclusive conference

Conferences are spaces to meet and network within and across academic and technical fields, learn about new advances, and share our work. They can help define career paths and create long-lasting collaborations and opportunities. However, these opportunities are not equal for all. This article introduces 10 simple rules to host an inclusive conference based on the authors’ recent experience organizing the 2021 edition of the useR! statistical computing conference, which attracted a broad range of participants from academia, industry, government, and the nonprofit sector. Coming from different backgrounds, career stages, and even continents, we embraced the challenge of organizing a high-quality virtual conference in the context of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and making it a kind, inclusive, and accessible experience for as many people as possible. The rules result from our lessons learned before, during, and after the organization of the conference. They have been written mainly for potential organizers and selection committees of conferences and contain multiple practical tips to help a variety of events become more accessible and inclusive. We see this as a starting point for conversations and efforts towards building more inclusive conferences across the world. * Translated versions of the English abstract and the list of rules are available in 10 languages in S1 Text: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Tamil, and Thai.     

闽江河口潮汐湿地二氧化碳和甲烷排放化学计量比

为了阐明河口潮汐湿地碳源温室气体排放的化学计量比特征,对闽江河口潮汐湿地二氧化碳和甲烷排放进行了测定与分析。结果表明:芦苇湿地和短叶茳芏湿地二氧化碳与甲烷排放均呈现正相关;涨潮前、涨落潮过程和落潮后芦苇湿地和短叶茳芏湿地CO2∶CH4月平均值分别为55.4和185.0,96.3和305.5,68.7和648.6,3个过程芦苇湿地和短叶茳芏湿地CO2∶CH4差异均不显著(P>0.05),2种植物湿地CO2∶CH4对潮汐的响应并不一致,但均在涨潮前表现为最低;涨潮前、涨落潮过程和落潮后均表现为芦苇湿地CO2∶CH4低于短叶茳芏湿地(P<0.05);河口潮汐湿地CO2∶CH4为空间变异性>时间变异性,潮汐、植物和温度均对CO2∶CH4的变化具有一定的调节作用。     

Nicotinamide riboside and caffeine partially restore diminished NAD availability but not altered energy metabolism in Alzheimer's disease

The redox co‐factor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) declines with age, and NAD deficits are specifically associated with dysfunctional energy metabolism in late‐onset Alzheimer''s disease (LOAD). Nicotinamide riboside (NR), a dietary NAD precursor, has been suggested to ameliorate the aging process or neurodegeneration. We assessed whether NR with or without caffeine, which increases nicotinamide mononucleotide transferase subtype 2 (NMNAT2), an essential enzyme in NAD production, modulates bioenergetic functions in LOAD. In LOAD patients—and young or old control individuals—derived dermal fibroblasts as well as in induced pluripotent stem cell‐differentiated neural progenitors and astrocytes, NR and caffeine cell type‐specifically increased the NAD pool, transiently enhanced mitochondrial respiration or glycolysis and altered the expression of genes in the NAD synthesis or consumption pathways. However, continued treatment led to reversed bioenergetic effects. Importantly, NR and caffeine did not alter the characteristics of a previously documented inherent LOAD‐associated bioenergetic phenotype. Thus, although NR and caffeine can partially restore diminished NAD availability, increasing NAD alone may not be sufficient to boost or restore energy metabolism in brain aging or alter aberrant energy management in LOAD. Nicotinamide riboside might still be of value in combination with other agents in preventive or therapeutic intervention strategies to address the aging process or age‐associated dementia.     

Designing a Biomimetic Ornithopter Capable of Sustained and Controlled Flight

We describe the design of four ornithopters ranging in wing span from 10 cm to 40 cm, and in weight from 5 g to 45 g. The controllability and power supply are two major considerations, so we compare the efficiency and characteristics between different types of subsystems such as gearbox and tail shape. Our current omithopter is radio-controlled with inbuilt visual sensing and capable of takeoff and landing. We also concentrate on its wing efficiency based on design inspired by a real insect wing and consider that aspects of insect flight such as delayed stall and wake capture are essential at such small size. Most importantly, the advance ratio, controlled either by enlarging the wing beat amplitude or raising the wing beat frequency, is the most significant factor in an ornithopter which mimics an insect.     

Targeting ACLY efficiently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the biggest public health challenge the world has witnessed in the past decades. SARS-CoV-2 undergoes constant mutations and new variants of concerns (VOCs) with altered transmissibility, virulence, and/or susceptibility to vaccines and therapeutics continue to emerge. Detailed analysis of host factors involved in virus replication may help to identify novel treatment targets. In this study, we dissected the metabolome derived from COVID-19 patients to identify key host factors that are required for efficient SARS-CoV-2 replication. Through a series of metabolomic analyses, in vitro, and in vivo investigations, we identified ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) as a novel host factor required for efficient replication of SARS-CoV-2 wild-type and variants, including Omicron. ACLY should be further explored as a novel intervention target for COVID-19.     

不同植物生长调节剂对中华猕猴桃扦插生根的影响

以中华猕猴桃"桂海4号"为试材,采用500mg·L-1、1000mg·L-1、1500mg·L-1三种不同浓度的吲哚丁酸、萘乙酸、和ABT生根粉处理插条,进行了猕猴桃扦插试验。结果表明:吲哚丁酸1500mg·L-1的扦插生根率极显著高于萘乙酸和ABT生根粉的各个处理,显著高于吲哚丁酸1000mg·L-1;吲哚丁酸对根数和根长的促进作用优于萘乙酸和ABT生根粉,ABT生根粉对于根粗的促进作用却较其它两者强;主成分分析结果表明,吲哚丁酸1500mg·L-1处理的插条生长情况最好。     

13C脉冲标记法：不同生育期水稻光合碳在植物-土壤系统中的分配

定量生育期内植物光合碳在植物组织-土壤的分配规律,对于理解全球碳循环有着重要意义。采用~(13)C-CO_2脉冲标记结合室内培养,通过元素分析仪-稳定同位素联用(Flash HT-IRMS)分析植物各部分及土壤δ~(13)C值,比较了不同生育期下水稻光合碳在不同组织间的分配规律,并量化了水稻光合碳向土壤碳库的转移。结果表明:(1)水稻地上部和根系干物质量随水稻生育期的增加而呈现递增趋势,不同的生育期表现为:分蘖期拔节期抽穗期扬花期成熟期。而整个生育期的根冠比为0.2—0.4,分蘖期的根冠比最高,随着水稻生育期的增加而递减,到抽穗期以后根冠比稳定在0.2左右。(2)脉冲标记6h后,水稻地上部和地下部(根系)的δ~(13)C值在-25.52‰—-28.33‰,不同器官的δ~(13)C值存在明显分馏效应,且趋势基本一致,即茎杆(籽粒)叶片(根系);这种由于水稻生育期特性导致的各器官碳同位素分馏的现象,可用于指示不同生育期下水稻光合碳的分配和去向。(3)不同生育期~(13)C-光合碳在植物-土壤系统的分配规律不同,生长前期光合碳向根系及土壤中分配的比例高,具有较强的碳汇能力,而随生育期光合碳在根系及土壤中的分配比例呈下降趋势,但积累量不断增加。(4)不同生育期~(13)C光合碳在水稻-土壤系统中的分配比例差异明显。水稻分蘖期有近30%光合碳用于根系建成并部分通过根系分泌物进入土壤有机碳库(10%),而到成熟期则向籽粒中分配较多,而且光合碳在土壤中的分配比例也随生育期呈下降趋势。研究结果对稻田土壤有机碳循环过程和调控机制的揭示具有重要的理论意义。     

挺水植物与浮叶植物光合荧光特性的差异

为探讨自然生境中不同生活型水生植物光合生理特征的差异,选取4种挺水植物菖蒲(Acorus calamus L.)、再力花(Thalia dealbata Fraser)、梭鱼草(Pontederia cordata L.)、茭草(Zizania latifolia(Griseb.)Stapf),以及4种浮叶植物黄睡莲(Nymphaea mexicana Zucc.)、莼菜(Brasenia schreberi J.F.Gmel.)、金银莲花(Nymphoides indica(L.)O.Kuntze)、菱(Trapa bispinosa Roxb.)为研究对象,比较其叶绿素荧光参数、色素组成和比叶重的差异。研究发现,高光强下挺水植物电子传递速率(ETR)、非光化学淬灭(NPQ)等光合荧光参数、以及低光强下ETR拟合曲线的初始斜率(α)均值显著大于浮叶植物。不同挺水植物间光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、ETR、NPQ、最大潜在电子传递速率(Ps)、最大电子传递速率(ETR_m)及饱和光强(E_m)变化幅度较大;不同浮叶植物间上述参数变化幅度较小。挺水植物叶绿素(Chls)、类胡萝卜素(Cars)含量均值也高于浮叶植物。但由于比叶重(SLW)的影响,不同水生植物间单位叶面积和单位叶鲜重色素含量的变化规律略有不同。挺水植物中再力花、梭鱼草光合能力较强,其光合荧光参数和色素比例均符合典型阳生型特征;菖蒲、茭草光合能力略弱,部分指标符合阴生型特征。4种浮叶植物各指标均符合阳生型特征。实验推测,挺水植物和浮叶植物由于叶片所处环境不同,其光合适应机制存在明显分化。挺水植物叶片所处环境异质性较大,因而不同物种之间光合参数适应范围也大;浮叶植物叶片所处环境相对均一,因而光合参数差异也小。浮叶植物也不依赖NPQ进行高光保护。在湿地植被恢复工具种筛选过程中应综合考虑环境异质性和不同物种光适应能力的差异。     

作物分枝的分子调控研究进展

分枝的数量及角度是决定作物株型的重要农艺性状.有效分枝数决定着作物的穗数或荚果数,进而决定着作物的产量;而分枝角度与光合效率、种植密度和抗病性密切相关,不仅影响作物的产量,也会影响作物的品质.由于分枝在作物生产中具有十分重要的作用,吸引了越来越多的研究者的注意,多个与分枝性状相关的关键基因被鉴定,分枝数目调控的分子机制...     

天山北坡甜菜内生菌分离鉴定及其动态变化

对新疆昌吉和石河子两地种植的甜菜内生菌进行了分离、鉴定和分析,结果表明甜菜内生菌多属于细菌,其中假单胞菌 (Pseudomonas sp. )和芽孢菌类(Bacillus sp.)的分离频率分别在33.2%～59.2%和12.7%～28.1%,是甜菜植株中的优势内生菌群.16S rDNA 和 ITS 序列同源性比较和系统发育分析表明内生菌具有丰富的多样性.根中内生菌的多样性高于茎、叶,昌吉地区种植的甜菜中分离出的内生菌种类较多.从感病品种及生长不良甜菜植株中分离出的内生菌种类比较丰富.通过回接分离及利用扫描电镜观察内生菌在植物体内分布发现,内生菌能够定殖于甜菜块根.