Configurable SNAP microresonators induced by axial pre-strain-assisted CO laser exposure.

Flexible engineering of the complex shapes of the surface nanoscale axial photonics (SNAP) bottle microresonators (SBMs) is challenging for future nanophotonic technology applications. Here, we experimentally propose a powerful approach for the one-step fabrication of SBMs with simultaneous negative and positive radius variations, exhibiting a distinctive "bump-well-bump" profile. It is executed by utilizing two focused and symmetrical CO laser beams exposed on the fiber surface for only several hundred milliseconds.

Holin-assisted bacterial recombinant protein export.

A simple generic method for enhancing extracellular protein yields in engineered bacteria is still lacking. Here, we demonstrated that phage-encoded holin can be used to export proteins to the extracellular medium in both Gram-negative Escherichia coli and -positive Lactococcus lactis. When a putative holin gene LLNZ_RS10380 annotated in the genome of L.

Dissection of the Genetic Basis of Yield Traits in Line per se and Testcross Populations and Identification of Candidate Genes for Hybrid Performance in Maize.

Dissecting the genetic basis of yield traits in hybrid populations and identifying the candidate genes are important for molecular crop breeding. In this study, a BC1F3:4 population, the line per se (LPS) population, was constructed by using elite inbred lines Zheng58 and PH4CV as the parental lines. The population was genotyped with 55,000 SNPs and testcrossed to Chang7-2 and PH6WC (two testers) to construct two testcross (TC) populations.

New NIR spectroscopic probe with a large Stokes shift for Hg and Ag detection and living cells imaging.

A new near-infrared (NIR) probe based on a coumarinyl ligand (CL) was designed and synthesized. The probe CL can be used for simultaneous fluorescent turn-on and colorimetric detection of Hg and Ag in ethanol/water medium. Colorless solution of probe CL changed to light yellow or dark yellow after addition of Hg or Ag ions.

Genomic Prediction across Structured Hybrid Populations and Environments in Maize.

Genomic prediction (GP) across different populations and environments should be enhanced to increase the efficiency of crop breeding. In this study, four populations were constructed and genotyped with DNA chips containing 55,000 SNPs. These populations were testcrossed to a common tester, generating four hybrid populations.

Coumarin Thiourea-Based Fluorescent Turn-on Hg Probe That Can Be Utilized in a Broad pH Range 1-11.

A novel coumarin-thiourea conjugate was synthesized facilely. It served as a fluorescent turn-on chemosensor for selective detection of Hg ion over other common competitive metal ions including Li, Na, K, Ag, Cu, Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, Mn, Sr, Ca, Mg, Al, Cr and Fe ions based on the Hg-promoted desulfurization and cyclization reactions. Addition of Hg ion to the sensor solution in 2:8 EtOH/HO induced a hypsochromic shift of the UV-Vis absorption band from 360 nm to 340 nm accompanying distinct enhancement in the absorption intensity while addition of other metal ions failed to bring about substantial change in the absorption spectra.

Label-Free Comparative Proteomic Analysis Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection Suggests Important Roles of Stress Responses in the Black Layer of Maize Kernels.

The black layer (BL) is traditionally used as an indicator for kernel harvesting in maize, as it turns visibly dark when the kernel reaches physiological maturity. However, the molecular roles of BL in kernel development have not been fully elucidated. In this work, microscopy images showed that BL began to appear at a growth stage earlier than 10 days after pollination (DAP), and its color gradually deepened to become dark as the development period progressed.

Correction: Enhancing genomic selection by fitting large-effect SNPs as fixed effects and a genotype-by-environment effect using a maize BC1F3:4population.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Enhancing genomic selection by fitting large-effect SNPs as fixed effects and a genotype-by-environment effect using a maize BC1F3:4 population.

The popularity of genomic selection (GS) has increased owing to its prospects in commercial breeding. It is necessary to enhance GS to increase its efficiency. In this study, a maize BC1F3:4 population, consisting of 481 families, was evaluated for days to anthesis in four environments, and genotyped with DNA chips including 55,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Isolation, structural characterizations and bioactivities of exopolysaccharides produced by Bacillus licheniformis.

Extraction polysaccharide from microorganism is a research hotspot. In this work, a new type of water-soluble exopolysaccharides (EPS) was isolated from Bacillus licheniformis. Firstly, response surface methodology (RSM), based on a three-level, three-factor, was used to determine optimum conditions for EPS extraction.

A New Spiropyran-Based Sensor for Colorimetric and Fluorescent Detection of Divalent Cu and Hg Ions and Trivalent Ce, Cr and Al Ions.

A new spiropyran derivative acts as colorimetric and fluorescent sensor for metal ions. Addition of Cu, Al, Cr and Ce to the sensor solution brings about marked increase in the absorption intensities while addition of other metal ions (Na, K, Li, Sr, Hg, Zn, Co, Ni and Ag) fails to cause substantial change in the UV-Vis spectra. The sensor can be used for detection of Hg, Cu, Ce, Cr and Al ions by the naked eye and by fluorescence enhancement.

A novel bifunctional fluorescent and colorimetric probe for detection of mercury and fluoride ions.

A fluorescent and colorimetric probe L1 based on a simple coumarin derivative for detection of Hg and F ions was developed. Upon addition of Hg and F ions, L1 underwent desulfurization and desilylation, respectively, to induce marked increase in the fluorescence intensity and sharp color change from light yellow to dark purple and light brown, respectively. Probe L1 could be used for sensing and for quantitative measurement of Hg and F ions by both UV-vis and fluorescence spectra.

A highly efficient and selective turn-on fluorescent sensor for Cu2+ ion based on calix[4]arene bearing four iminoquinoline subunits on the upper rim.

A new fluorescent chemosensor based on calix[4]arene bearing four iminoquinoline subunits on the upper rim was conveniently synthesized, which showed a remarkable enhanced fluorescent intensity in the presence of Cu(2+) ion and a high selectivity toward Cu(2+) ion over a wide range of tested metal ions in acetonitrile.

A new approach to enantiopure inherently chiral calix[4]arenes: determination of their absolute configurations.

A new approach to the synthesis of meta-substituted enantiopure inherently chiral calix[4]arenes by introducing L-Boc-proline as dual functions of the chiral auxiliary has been described. Moreover, the absolute configurations of the enantiomers were determined by CD spectra, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and the chemical derivative method.