Changes in hemicellulose metabolism in banana peel during fruit development and ripening.

Hemicellulose is key in determining the fate of plant cell wall in almost all growth and developmental stages. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge regarding its involvement in the development and ripening of banana fruit. This study investigated changes in the temporal-spatial distribution of various hemicellulose components, hemicellulose content, activities of the main hydrolysis enzymes, and transcription level of the main hemicellulose-related gene families in banana peels.

Response inhibition of cigarette-related cues in male light smokers: behavioral evidence using a two-choice oddball paradigm.

Behavioral inhibitory control has been shown to play an important role in a variety of addictive behaviors. A number of studies involving the use of Go/NoGo and stop-signal paradigms have shown that smokers have reduced response inhibition for cigarette-related cues. However, it is not known whether male light smokers' response inhibition for cigarette-related cues is lower than that of non-smokers in the two-choice oddball paradigm.

[Chemical composition analysis of bluish-white porcelain unearthed from Fanchang kiln, Anhui province by wave disperse X-ray fluorescence].

Fanchang kiln was the earliest Chinese bluish-white porcelain kiln which first fired this special porcelain class as early as in Five Dynasties (AD 907-960). However, this important kiln declined rapidly in the middle North Song dynasty (AD 1023-1085). As to the decline reason, it is still not clearly identified till now.