Three Arabidopsis UMP kinases have different roles in pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis and (deoxy)CMP salvage.

Pyrimidine nucleotide monophosphate biosynthesis ends in the cytosol with uridine monophosphate (UMP). UMP phosphorylation to uridine diphosphate (UDP) by UMP KINASEs (UMKs) is required for the generation of all pyrimidine (deoxy)nucleoside triphosphates as building blocks for nucleic acids and central metabolites like UDP-glucose. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome encodes five UMKs and three belong to the AMP KINASE (AMK)-like UMKs, which were characterized to elucidate their contribution to pyrimidine metabolism.

Remarkably high tensile strength and lattice thermal conductivity in wide band gap oxidized holey graphene CO nanosheet.

Recently, the synthesis of oxidized holey graphene with the chemical formula CO has been reported (J. Am. Chem.

A simple light path modifying device to reduce scattering in front-face fluorescence spectra.

This technical note presents a device to diminish scattering signal in front-face fluorescence spectra while obtaining fluorescence signal. The beam path in a commercial fluorescence spectrometer was modified by two deflecting mirrors, leading reflections away from the sensor. This light path modifying (LPM) device was tested with two fluid and three solid substances, where the scattering-to-fluorescence ratio improved by a factor of 1.

The role of microenvironments on computed vibrationally-resolved emission spectra: The case of oxazines.

Oxazine dyes act as reporters of their near environment by the response of their fluorescence spectra. At the same time, their fluorescence spectra exhibit a pronounced vibrational progression. In this work, we computationally investigate the impact of near-environment models consisting of aggregated water as well as betaine molecules on the vibrational profile of fluorescence spectra of different oxazine derivatives.

Achieving near-zero particle generation by simplicity of design-A compliant-mechanism-based gripper for clean-room environments.

Lab Automation facilitates high-throughput processes and improves reproducibility and efficiency while removing human action, primary source of contaminating particles. Handling poses a risk of contamination due to close contact with the objects. We propose a novel gripper (CrocoGrip) relying on compliant mechanisms to reduce the amount of contaminating particles generated by the gripper rather than preventing their emission, the latter being the common approach in current grippers.

Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Investigation on the Permeation of Sodium and Chloride Ions Through Nanopores in Graphene and Hexagonal Boron Nitride Membranes.

Nanoporous membranes promise energy-efficient water desalination. Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), like graphene, exhibits outstanding physical and chemical properties, making it a promising candidate for water treatment. We employed Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations to establish an accurate modeling of Na and Cl permeation through hydrogen passivated nanopores in graphene and h-BN membranes.

Rostral and body shape analyses reveal cryptic diversity of Late Jurassic batomorphs (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) from Europe.

The fossil record of chondrichthyans (chimaeras, sharks, rays and skates) consists largely of isolated teeth, with holomorphic specimens being extraordinary exceptions. However, numerous of these more or less completely preserved specimens are known from several Upper Jurassic deposits of Europe, enabling detailed analysis of their morphology. Batomorphs (rays and skates) resembling modern guitarfishes and wedgefishes (Rhinopristiformes) are among the most common Jurassic chondrichthyans found, but they have been only sporadically studied up to now, resulting in large knowledge gaps concerning their taxonomy and phylogeny.

Pressing of Functionalized Polymer Composite Materials to Improve Mössbauer Measurement Signals.

Coordination compounds, like iron(II) triazole complexes, exhibit spin crossover (SCO) behavior at around room temperature. Therefore, they are interesting for a variety of possible applications, and it is convenient to integrate them into polymers. Due to a reduction of the iron content and thus also Fe content in the sample through integration in polymers, Mössbauer measurements are only possible with greater difficulty or very long measurement times without expensive enrichment of the samples with Fe.

Capturing electron-driven chiral dynamics in UV-excited molecules.

Chiral molecules, used in applications such as enantioselective photocatalysis, circularly polarized light detection and emission and molecular switches, exist in two geometrical configurations that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other. These so-called (R) and (S) enantiomers exhibit different physical and chemical properties when interacting with other chiral entities. Attosecond technology might enable influence over such interactions, given that it can probe and even direct electron motion within molecules on the intrinsic electronic timescale and thereby control reactivity.

Smart Hydrogel Swelling State Detection Based on a Power-Transfer Transduction Principle.

Stimulus-responsive (smart) hydrogels are a promising sensing material for biomedical contexts due to their reversible swelling change in response to target analytes. The design of application-specific sensors that utilize this behavior requires the development of suitable transduction concepts. The presented study investigates a power-transfer-based readout approach that is sensitive to small volumetric changes of the smart hydrogel.

Natural product discovery in soil actinomycetes: unlocking their potential within an ecological context.

Natural products (NPs) produced by bacteria, particularly soil actinomycetes, often possess diverse bioactivities and play a crucial role in human health, agriculture, and biotechnology. Soil actinomycete genomes contain a vast number of predicted biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) yet to be exploited. Understanding the factors governing NP production in an ecological context and activating cryptic and silent BGCs in soil actinomycetes will provide researchers with a wealth of molecules with potential novel applications.

Designer TALEs enable discovery of cell death-inducer genes.

Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) in plant-pathogenic Xanthomonas bacteria activate expression of plant genes and support infection or cause a resistance response. PthA4AT is a TALE with a particularly short DNA-binding domain harboring only 7.5 repeats which triggers cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana; however, the genetic basis for this remains unknown.

Cover crops support the climate change mitigation potential of agroecosystems.

Cover crops have the potential to mitigate climate change by reducing negative impacts of agriculture on ecosystems. This study is first to quantify the net climate change mitigation impact of cover crops including land-use effects. A systematic literature and data review was conducted to identify major drivers for climate benefits and costs of cover crops in maize (Zea maize L.

Genome-Wide Analysis of the WRKY Transcription Factor Family in Roses and Their Putative Role in Defence Signalling in the Rose-Blackspot Interaction.

WRKY transcription factors are important players in plant regulatory networks, where they control and integrate various physiological processes and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we analysed six rose genomes of 5 different species (, , , , and ) and extracted a set of 68 putative genes, extending a previously published set of 58 sequences based on the genome. Analysis of the promoter regions revealed numerous motifs related to induction by abiotic and, in some cases, biotic stressors.

Triple-junction perovskite-perovskite-silicon solar cells with power conversion efficiency of 24.4.

The recent tremendous progress in monolithic perovskite-based double-junction solar cells is just the start of a new era of ultra-high-efficiency multi-junction photovoltaics. We report on triple-junction perovskite-perovskite-silicon solar cells with a record power conversion efficiency of 24.4%.

Size, shape, and stability of organic particles formed during freeze-thaw cycles: Model experiments with tannic acid.

Hypothesis: Freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) in soils can cause the aggregation of dissolved organic matter but controlling factors are little understood.

Experiments: In freeze-thaw experiments with tannic acid (TA) as model substance, we studied the effect of TA concentration, pH, electrolytes (NaCl, CaCl, AlCl), and number of FTC on particle formation. Tannic acid (0.

Chemistry matters: A side-by-side comparison of two chemically distinct methacryloylated dECM bioresins for vat photopolymerization.

Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) is an excellent natural source for 3D bioprinting materials due to its inherent cell compatibility. In vat photopolymerization, the use of dECM-based bioresins is just emerging, and extensive research is needed to fully exploit their potential. In this study, two distinct methacryloyl-functionalized, photocrosslinkable dECM-based bioresins were prepared from digested porcine liver dECM through functionalization with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) or conventional methacrylic anhydride (MA) under mild conditions for systematic comparison.

Trapping Ion Coulomb Crystals in an Optical Lattice.

We report the optical trapping of multiple ions localized at individual lattice sites of a one-dimensional optical lattice. We observe a fivefold increased range of axial dc-electric field strength for which ions can be optically trapped with high probability and an increase of the axial eigenfrequency by 2 orders of magnitude compared to an optical dipole trap without interference but of similar intensity. Our findings motivate an alternative pathway to extend arrays of trapped ions in size and dimension, enabling quantum simulations with particles interacting at long range.

Anatomical limitations in adventitious root formation revealed by magnetic resonance imaging, infrared spectroscopy, and histology of rose genotypes with contrasting rooting phenotypes.

Adventitious root (AR) formation is one of the most important developmental processes in vegetative propagation. Although genotypic differences in rose rooting ability are well known, the causal factors are not well understood. The rooting of two contrasting genotypes, 'Herzogin Friederike' and 'Mariatheresia', was compared following a multiscale approach.

Synthesis and crystal structure of tetra-methyl ()-4,4'-(ethene-1,2-di-yl)bis-(5-nitro-benzene-1,2-di-carboxyl-ate).

The title compound, CHNO, was obtained as a by-product during the planned synthesis of 1,2-bis-(2-nitro-4,5-dimethyl phthalate)ethane by oxidative dimerization starting from dimethyl-4-methyl-5-nitro phthalate. To identify this compound unambiguously, a single-crystal structure analysis was performed. The asymmetric unit consists of half a mol-ecule that is located at a centre of inversion.

Pentavalent U Reactivity Impacts U Isotopic Fractionation during Reduction by Magnetite.

Meaningful interpretation of U isotope measurements relies on unraveling the impact of reduction mechanisms on the isotopic fractionation. Here, the isotope fractionation of hexavalent U [U(VI)] was investigated during its reductive mineralization by magnetite to intermediate pentavalent U [U(V)] and ultimately tetravalent U [U(IV)]. As the reaction proceeded, the remaining aqueous phase U [containing U(VI) and U(V)] systematically carried light isotopes, whereas in the bicarbonate-extracted solution [containing U(VI) and U(V)], the δU values varied, especially when / approached 0.

Far-Field Petahertz Sampling of Plasmonic Fields.

The response of metal nanostructures to optical excitation leads to localized surface plasmon (LSP) generation with nanoscale field confinement driving applications in, for example, quantum optics and nanophotonics. Field sampling in the terahertz domain has had a tremendous impact on the ability to trace such collective excitations. Here, we extend such capabilities and introduce direct sampling of LSPs in a more relevant petahertz domain.

Navigating the energy transition: Identifying critical success factors for ancillary services provision and sustainable energy solutions in Germany.

The provision of ancillary services (AS) is subject to changes associated with the energy transition. Due to new requirements, the power supply quality, reliability, and safety must be achieved by simultaneously complying with technological, economic, and environmental constraints. To mitigate these challenges, we derive factors responsible for a successful venture of all stakeholders, referred to as critical success factors (CSFs).

Penning micro-trap for quantum computing.

Trapped ions in radio-frequency traps are among the leading approaches for realizing quantum computers, because of high-fidelity quantum gates and long coherence times. However, the use of radio-frequencies presents several challenges to scaling, including requiring compatibility of chips with high voltages, managing power dissipation and restricting transport and placement of ions. Here we realize a micro-fabricated Penning ion trap that removes these restrictions by replacing the radio-frequency field with a 3 T magnetic field.