University of Hawaii at Manoa

About: University of Hawaii at Manoa is a education organization based out in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 13693 authors who have published 25161 publications receiving 1023924 citations.

Genome of the long-living sacred lotus ( Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.)

Abstract: Background: Sacred lotus is a basal eudicot with agricultural, medicinal, cultural and religious importance. It was domesticated in Asia about 7,000 years ago, and cultivated for its rhizomes and seeds as a food crop. It is particularly noted for its 1,300-year seed longevity and exceptional water repellency, known as the lotus effect. The latter property is due to the nanoscopic closely packed protuberances of its self-cleaning leaf surface, which have been adapted for the manufacture of a self-cleaning industrial paint, Lotusan. Results: The genome of the China Antique variety of the sacred lotus was sequenced with Illumina and 454 technologies, at respective depths of 101× and 5.2×. The final assembly has a contig N50 of 38.8 kbp and a scaffold N50 of 3.4 Mbp, and covers 86.5% of the estimated 929 Mbp total genome size. The genome notably lacks the paleo-triplication observed in other eudicots, but reveals a lineage-specific duplication. The genome has evidence of slow evolution, with a 30% slower nucleotide mutation rate than observed in grape. Comparisons of the available sequenced genomes suggest a minimum gene set for vascular plants of 4,223 genes. Strikingly, the sacred lotus has 16 COG2132 multi-copper oxidase family proteins with root-specific expression; these are involved in root meristem phosphate starvation, reflecting adaptation to limited nutrient availability in an aquatic environment. Conclusions: The slow nucleotide substitution rate makes the sacred lotus a better resource than the current standard, grape, for reconstructing the pan-eudicot genome, and should therefore accelerate comparative analysis between eudicots and monocots.

Minimum information about an uncultivated virus genome (MIUVIG)

Abstract: We present an extension of the Minimum Information about any (x) Sequence (MIxS) standard for reporting sequences of uncultivated virus genomes. Minimum Information about an Uncultivated Virus Genome (MIUViG) standards were developed within the Genomic Standards Consortium framework and include virus origin, genome quality, genome annotation, taxonomic classification, biogeographic distribution and in silico host prediction. Community-wide adoption of MIUViG standards, which complement the Minimum Information about a Single Amplified Genome (MISAG) and Metagenome-Assembled Genome (MIMAG) standards for uncultivated bacteria and archaea, will improve the reporting of uncultivated virus genomes in public databases. In turn, this should enable more robust comparative studies and a systematic exploration of the global virosphere.

Matter effects on three-neutrino oscillations

Abstract: We evaluate the influence of coherent forward scattering in matter upon neutrino oscillations in the three-neutrino picture. We write down the exact solution and also approximate first-order solutions that exhibit general features more transparently. Oscillation characteristics in matter that could be observed in deep-mine experiments are discussed and illustrated using an oscillation solution suggested by solar and reactor data.

Linear models relating xanthophylls and lumen acidity to non-photochemical fluorescence quenching. Evidence that antheraxanthin explains zeaxanthin-independent quenching.

Abstract: Zeaxanthin has been correlated with high-energy non-photochemical fluorescence quenching but whether antheraxanthin, the intermediate in the pathway from violaxanthin to zeaxanthin, also relates to quenching is unknown. The relationships of zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin and ΔpH to fluorescence quenching were examined in chloroplasts ofPisum sativum L. cv. Oregon andLactuca sativa L. cv. Romaine. Data matrices as five levels of violaxanthin de-epoxidation against five levels of light-induced lumen-proton concentrations were obtained for both species. The matrices included high levels of antheraxanthin as well as lumen-proton concentrations induced by subsaturating to saturation light levels. Analyses of the matrices by simple linear and multiple regression showed that quenching is predicted by models where the major independent variable is the product of lumen acidity and de-epoxidized xanthophylls, the latter as the sum of zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin. The interactions of lumen acidity and xanthophyll concentration are shown in three-dimensional plots of the best-fit multiple regression models. Antheraxanthin apparently contributes to quenching as effectively as zeaxanthin and explains quenching previously not accounted for by zeaxanthin. Hence, we propose that all high-energy dependent quenching is xanthophyll dependent. Quenching requires a threshold lumen pH that varies with xanthophyll composition. After the threshold, quenching is linear with lumen acidity or xanthophyll composition.

Cultural Intelligence Understanding Behaviors that Serve People’s Goals

Abstract: Cultural intelligence has various meanings that can be looked on as complementary. On one hand, it refers to behaviors that are considered intelligent from the point of view of people in specific c...