MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs that have important regulatory roles in numerous developmental and metabolic processes in most eukaryotes. In Arabidopsis, DICER-LIKE1 (DCL1), HYPONASTIC LEAVES 1, SERRATE, HUA ENHANCER1 and HASTY are involved in processing of primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) to yield precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs) and eventually miRNAs. In addition to these components, mRNA cap-binding proteins, CBP80/ABA HYPERSENSITIVE1 and CBP20, also participate in miRNA biogenesis. Here, we show that STABILIZED1 (STA1), an Arabidopsis pre-mRNA processing factor 6 homolog, is also involved in the biogenesis of miRNAs. Similar to other miRNA biogenesis-defective mutants, sta1-1 accumulated significantly lower levels of mature miRNAs and concurrently higher levels of pri-miRNAs than wild type. The dramatic reductions of mature miRNAs were associated with the accumulation of their target gene transcripts and developmental defects. Furthermore, sta1-1 impaired splicing of intron containing pri-miRNAs and decreased transcript levels of DCL1. These results suggest that STA1 is involved in miRNA biogenesis directly by functioning in pri-miRNA splicing and indirectly by modulating the DCL1 transcript level.

With the rapid development of information technology in hotel booking context, it is no doubt that many hotels consequently enhance the needs of integrating information technologies into their overall business operations. In this study, we developed a research model which consists of perceived value, trust toward a third party online booking site, and trust toward hotels, and tested it by using partial least square techniques. Survey data were collected from 307 individuals who have prior experiences on making a reservation using third-party online booking sites. Based upon our findings, we found that the perceived value, which was affected by both price and quality, was positively related to individuals' intention to book. We also found that both trust toward third-party online booking sites and trust toward hotels, which was influenced by online review, have positive impacts on individuals' intention to book. The implications of these findings for both research and practice are discussed.

The Hadley cell (HC) change from paleoclimate to future climate is examined by comparing coupled model simulations archived for the Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project phase 3 (PMIP3) and phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). Specifically, HC width and strength are evaluated using 100-yr equilibrium simulations for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), preindustrial (PI), and extended concentration pathway 4.5 (ECP4.5) conditions. Where available, ECP8.5 simulations are also examined to increase the sample size. All models show a systematic widening of the HC from the LGM to the PI and to the ECP4.5 and ECP8.5 simulations. Such widening, which is found in both hemispheres with more robust change in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) than in the Northern Hemisphere (NH), is significantly correlated with global-mean surface air temperature change and the associated static stability change in the subtropics. Based on the zero-crossing latitude of 500-hPa mass streamfunction, about 4.5° latitude widening of the HC results from global warming of 10°C. HC strength also exhibits a systematic weakening in the NH. However, in the SH, HC strength shows a rather minor change from LGM to ECP4.5 conditions because of the cancellation between HC weakening during the austral summer–fall and its strengthening during the spring. This result, which suggests no systematic relationship between HC width and strength changes, is discussed in the context of quasigeostrophic zonal-mean dynamics. Overall findings are also compared with recent studies that are based on transient climate model simulations.

Heat shock protein-27 (HSP27) is a member of the small HSP family which has been linked to the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway regulating inflammatory responses. Clinical reports have suggested that low-level light therapy/laser irradiation (LLLT) could be an effective alternative treatment to relieve inflammation during bacterial infection associated with periodontal disease. However, it remains unclear how light irradiation can modulate the NF-κB signaling pathway. We examined whether or not 635 nm irradiation could lead to a modulation of the NF-kB signaling pathway in HSP27-silenced cells and analyzed the functional cross-talk between these factors in NF-κB activation. The results showed that 635 nm irradiation led to a decrease in the HSP27 phosphorylation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, I-κB kinase (IKK)/inhibitor of κB (IκB)/NF-κB phosphorylation, NF-κB p65 translocation and a subsequent decrease in the COX-1/2 expression and prostaglandin (PGE(2) ) release in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced human gingival fibroblast cells (hGFs). However, in HSP27-silenced hGFs, no obvious changes were observed in ROS generation, IKK/IκB/NF-κB phosphorylation, NF-κB p65 translocation, nor in COX-1/2 expression, or PGE(2) release. This could be a mechanism by which 635 nm irradiation modulates LPS-induced NF-κB signaling pathway via HSP27 in inflammation. Thus, HSP27 may play a role in regulating the anti-inflammatory response of LLLT.

Perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) hold promise for the development of next‐generation display and light technologies; however, various problems related to factors such as external quantum efficiency (EQE), long‐term stability, and dependence on toxic species hinder their successful debut in display and lighting markets. Research on PeLEDs involving the small‐molecule approach—the incorporation of small organic molecules into or onto active perovskite layers in PeLEDs for mitigating the aforementioned issues—has burgeoned in the last eight years. This review covers recent advances and challenges in the small‐molecule approach by i) surveying the chemical structures used in the small‐molecule approach, ii) summarizing the methods of molecular insertion into PeLED devices, iii) comprehensively discussing the effects of small‐molecule‐based interfacial engineering and passivation of undercoordinated metal and halide ions on the photophysical functions of devices and their mechanisms, iv) emphasizing the small‐molecule‐induced enhanced performance of devices in the context of long‐term stability and EQE, and v) providing perspectives and discussing challenges for future research.