2006-10-30
2006-10-29
Love code
1. Chemistry 爱情化学秘方
请听题：我和他不来电怎么说？答案：We have no chemistry.
现代生理学 physiology 研究发现，当你遇到心爱的人，会心跳加速、血压上升，一旦触及她的身体，仿如触电般，而这感觉就是 chemical reaction 哦，所以爱情也就和化学和化学工程师 Chemical Engineer 有瓜葛了。你可以认为浪漫 romance 就是 Roman 的 Chemical Engineer （罗马的化学工程师）来的。
romance 浪漫 =Roman罗马人+ CE 化学工程师
例句：
--“I love you madly!我爱你爱疯了Say you＇re going to marry me, say yes!说你要嫁给我” David pop the question (求婚) to Mary.--“You are not my type!你不是我爱的类型We have no chemistry! 我对你不来电Not if you were the last man on earth!即便你是世界上唯一的男子，我也不会嫁给你”
2. platonic love 精神恋爱
Plato 柏拉图； Platonic 纯精神的，理想的
“爱情教母”琼瑶曾写过一篇杂感《白骆驼之爱》，她认为 one-night stand（一夜情）并不能带来true love（真爱），只有“白骆驼之爱”才能引向（lead to）真正的幸福（true happiness）。所谓“白骆驼”原来就是 platonic love，原是她的 Mr. Right (如意郎君)严重的吴侬软语，把“柏拉图”误读成“白骆驼”。
3. puppy love 初恋
每个人对自己的初恋都难以忘怀，那种纯真的感情恐怕在以后的恋爱中很难再能找到。而英语中表示初恋却很有意思，叫做 puppy love，puppy 本意是未满一岁的小狗，用它们的爱情来表示青涩年代少男少女短暂的爱情再恰当不过了。
4. date 爱情如蜜枣
date 约会，日期，枣；
约会怎么和日期，枣子联系在一起呢？中国婚俗很讲究，一定要选个吉利的日子（date）, 还要将枣(date)和栗子塞到新人的被子里，隐喻“早立子”。这么说大概就能记住了吧。
5. Prince Charming 白马王子
“What a stud! 太帅了He was really my type! 他正是我心中的偶像My Prince Charming 我的白马王子啊!” Mary 回忆着，“I walked directly to Putin，Mr. Big(黑帮老大) and say ‘I love you, I will marry you!”他接受了她，并改邪归正，如今已是她的Mr. Right了。记得张爱玲的《爱》中∶“于千万人之中遇见你所要遇见的人，于千万年之中，时间的无涯的荒野里，没有早一步，也没有晚一步，刚巧赶上了。” Mr. Right 也许就是在恰当的时间（right time），恰当的地点（right place）遇上适合的人（right person）吧！
Mr. Right 如意郎君Miss Right 窈窕淑女，君子好逑啊！Beauty is in the eyes of beholder! 情人眼里出西施。
6. court: 求婚
“That does it!够了 You shacked up （同居）with my daughter and make her in a family way（怀孕）。You must sue for her hand （求婚）or I will sue you and bring you into the jail!”。
真是 shotgun marriage（强迫的婚姻）! 现在，未婚同居（cohabitant；free love）甚至试婚（trial marriage）的越来越多，如果双方情投意合（suit each other）才正式 suit 求婚，否则分道扬镳。但是未婚同居，缺乏法律保护，suitor（求婚者）当不成倒常常成了suitor（起诉者）了。更荒唐的是，有些爱情直到失去，才知道她的可贵，居然到了 court（法庭），才想起 court（求爱）了，只可惜 too late!
suitor 求婚者，起诉者，请愿者；sue 求婚，起诉
pursue 献殷勤； suit套装，适合，求婚
7. taken 名花有主
I love her with all my heart. 我真心真意地爱着她!I will date her this Valentine＇s Day. 情人节我要约她。But she＇s taken and always play the field. 但她名花有主而且脚踩多条船。
请听题：我和他不来电怎么说？答案：We have no chemistry.
现代生理学 physiology 研究发现，当你遇到心爱的人，会心跳加速、血压上升，一旦触及她的身体，仿如触电般，而这感觉就是 chemical reaction 哦，所以爱情也就和化学和化学工程师 Chemical Engineer 有瓜葛了。你可以认为浪漫 romance 就是 Roman 的 Chemical Engineer （罗马的化学工程师）来的。
romance 浪漫 =Roman罗马人+ CE 化学工程师
例句：
--“I love you madly!我爱你爱疯了Say you＇re going to marry me, say yes!说你要嫁给我” David pop the question (求婚) to Mary.--“You are not my type!你不是我爱的类型We have no chemistry! 我对你不来电Not if you were the last man on earth!即便你是世界上唯一的男子，我也不会嫁给你”
2. platonic love 精神恋爱
Plato 柏拉图； Platonic 纯精神的，理想的
“爱情教母”琼瑶曾写过一篇杂感《白骆驼之爱》，她认为 one-night stand（一夜情）并不能带来true love（真爱），只有“白骆驼之爱”才能引向（lead to）真正的幸福（true happiness）。所谓“白骆驼”原来就是 platonic love，原是她的 Mr. Right (如意郎君)严重的吴侬软语，把“柏拉图”误读成“白骆驼”。
3. puppy love 初恋
每个人对自己的初恋都难以忘怀，那种纯真的感情恐怕在以后的恋爱中很难再能找到。而英语中表示初恋却很有意思，叫做 puppy love，puppy 本意是未满一岁的小狗，用它们的爱情来表示青涩年代少男少女短暂的爱情再恰当不过了。
4. date 爱情如蜜枣
date 约会，日期，枣；
约会怎么和日期，枣子联系在一起呢？中国婚俗很讲究，一定要选个吉利的日子（date）, 还要将枣(date)和栗子塞到新人的被子里，隐喻“早立子”。这么说大概就能记住了吧。
5. Prince Charming 白马王子
“What a stud! 太帅了He was really my type! 他正是我心中的偶像My Prince Charming 我的白马王子啊!” Mary 回忆着，“I walked directly to Putin，Mr. Big(黑帮老大) and say ‘I love you, I will marry you!”他接受了她，并改邪归正，如今已是她的Mr. Right了。记得张爱玲的《爱》中∶“于千万人之中遇见你所要遇见的人，于千万年之中，时间的无涯的荒野里，没有早一步，也没有晚一步，刚巧赶上了。” Mr. Right 也许就是在恰当的时间（right time），恰当的地点（right place）遇上适合的人（right person）吧！
Mr. Right 如意郎君Miss Right 窈窕淑女，君子好逑啊！Beauty is in the eyes of beholder! 情人眼里出西施。
6. court: 求婚
“That does it!够了 You shacked up （同居）with my daughter and make her in a family way（怀孕）。You must sue for her hand （求婚）or I will sue you and bring you into the jail!”。
真是 shotgun marriage（强迫的婚姻）! 现在，未婚同居（cohabitant；free love）甚至试婚（trial marriage）的越来越多，如果双方情投意合（suit each other）才正式 suit 求婚，否则分道扬镳。但是未婚同居，缺乏法律保护，suitor（求婚者）当不成倒常常成了suitor（起诉者）了。更荒唐的是，有些爱情直到失去，才知道她的可贵，居然到了 court（法庭），才想起 court（求爱）了，只可惜 too late!
suitor 求婚者，起诉者，请愿者；sue 求婚，起诉
pursue 献殷勤； suit套装，适合，求婚
7. taken 名花有主
I love her with all my heart. 我真心真意地爱着她!I will date her this Valentine＇s Day. 情人节我要约她。But she＇s taken and always play the field. 但她名花有主而且脚踩多条船。
2006-10-28
454Sequncing LifeScinecesTM——update our new technology to research microRNA
Sequencing Medicago truncatulaexpressed sequenced tags using 454 Life Sciences technology
Foo Cheung , Brian J Haas , Susanne M D Goldberg , Gregory D May , Yongli Xiao and Christopher D Town BMC Genomics 2006, 7:272 doi:10.1186/1471-2164-7-272
Published
24 October 2006Abstract (provisional)
The complete article is available as a provisional PDF. The fully formatted PDF and HTML versions are in production.
Background
In this study, we addressed whether a single 454 Life Science GS20 sequencing run provides new gene discovery from a normalized cDNA library, and whether the short reads produced via this technology are of value in gene structure annotation.
Results
A single 454 GS20 sequencing run on adapter-ligated cDNA, from a normalized cDNA library, generated 292,465 reads that were reduced to 252,384 reads with an average read length of 92 nucleotides after cleaning. After clustering and assembly, a total of 184,599 unique sequences were generated containing over 400 SSRs. The 454 sequences generated hits to more genes than a comparable amount of sequence from MtGI. Although short, the 454 reads are of sufficient length to map to a unique genome location as effectively as longer ESTs produced by conventional sequencing. Functional interpretation of the sequences was carried out by Gene Ontology assignments from matches to Arabidopsis and was shown to cover a broad range of GO categories. 53,796 assemblies and singletons (29%) had no match in the existing MtGI. Within the previously unobserved Medicago transcripts, thousands had matches in a comprehensive protein database and one or more of the TIGR Plant Gene Indices. Approximately 20% of these novel sequences could be found in the Medicago genome sequence. A total of 70,026 reads generated by the 454 technology were mapped to 785 Medicago finished BACs using PASA and over 1,000 gene models required modification. In parallel to 454 sequencing, 4,445 5-prime reads were generated by conventional sequencing using the same library and from the assembled sequences it was shown to contain about 52% full length cDNAs encoding proteins from 50 to over 500 amino acids in length.
Conclusions
Due to the large number of reads afforded by the 454 DNA sequencing technology, it is effective in revealing the expression of transcripts from a broad range of GO categories and contains many rare transcripts in normalized cDNA libraries, although only a limited portion of their sequence is uncovered. As with longer ESTs, 454 reads can be mapped uniquely onto genomic sequence to provide support for, and modifications of, gene predictions.
中文链接 生物通
Foo Cheung , Brian J Haas , Susanne M D Goldberg , Gregory D May , Yongli Xiao and Christopher D Town BMC Genomics 2006, 7:272 doi:10.1186/1471-2164-7-272
Published
24 October 2006Abstract (provisional)
The complete article is available as a provisional PDF. The fully formatted PDF and HTML versions are in production.
Background
In this study, we addressed whether a single 454 Life Science GS20 sequencing run provides new gene discovery from a normalized cDNA library, and whether the short reads produced via this technology are of value in gene structure annotation.
Results
A single 454 GS20 sequencing run on adapter-ligated cDNA, from a normalized cDNA library, generated 292,465 reads that were reduced to 252,384 reads with an average read length of 92 nucleotides after cleaning. After clustering and assembly, a total of 184,599 unique sequences were generated containing over 400 SSRs. The 454 sequences generated hits to more genes than a comparable amount of sequence from MtGI. Although short, the 454 reads are of sufficient length to map to a unique genome location as effectively as longer ESTs produced by conventional sequencing. Functional interpretation of the sequences was carried out by Gene Ontology assignments from matches to Arabidopsis and was shown to cover a broad range of GO categories. 53,796 assemblies and singletons (29%) had no match in the existing MtGI. Within the previously unobserved Medicago transcripts, thousands had matches in a comprehensive protein database and one or more of the TIGR Plant Gene Indices. Approximately 20% of these novel sequences could be found in the Medicago genome sequence. A total of 70,026 reads generated by the 454 technology were mapped to 785 Medicago finished BACs using PASA and over 1,000 gene models required modification. In parallel to 454 sequencing, 4,445 5-prime reads were generated by conventional sequencing using the same library and from the assembled sequences it was shown to contain about 52% full length cDNAs encoding proteins from 50 to over 500 amino acids in length.
Conclusions
Due to the large number of reads afforded by the 454 DNA sequencing technology, it is effective in revealing the expression of transcripts from a broad range of GO categories and contains many rare transcripts in normalized cDNA libraries, although only a limited portion of their sequence is uncovered. As with longer ESTs, 454 reads can be mapped uniquely onto genomic sequence to provide support for, and modifications of, gene predictions.
中文链接 生物通
2006-10-26
An RNA map predicting Nova-dependent splicing regulation
Article
Nature advance online publication 25 October 2006 doi:10.1038/nature05304; Received 5 May 2006; Accepted 3 October 2006; Published online 25 October 2006
An RNA map predicting Nova-dependent splicing regulation
Jernej Ule1,2,6,7, Giovanni Stefani1,2,6,7, Aldo Mele1,2, Matteo Ruggiu1,2, Xuning Wang3, Bahar Taneri4,7, Terry Gaasterland4,7, Benjamin J. Blencowe5 and Robert B. Darnell1,2
Abstract
Nova proteins are a neuron-specific alternative splicing factors. We have combined bioinformatics, biochemistry and genetics to derive an RNA map describing the rules by which Nova proteins regulate alternative splicing. This map revealed that the position of Nova binding sites (YCAY clusters) in a pre-messenger RNA determines the outcome of splicing. The map correctly predicted Nova's effect to inhibit or enhance exon inclusion, which led us to examine the relationship between the map and Nova's mechanism of action. Nova binding to an exonic YCAY cluster changed the protein complexes assembled on pre-mRNA, blocking U1 snRNP (small nuclear ribonucleoprotein) binding and exon inclusion, whereas Nova binding to an intronic YCAY cluster enhanced spliceosome assembly and exon inclusion. Assays of splicing intermediates of Nova-regulated transcripts in mouse brain revealed that Nova preferentially regulates removal of introns harbouring (or closest to) YCAY clusters. These results define a genome-wide map relating the position of a cis-acting element to its regulation by an RNA binding protein, namely that Nova binding to YCAY clusters results in a local and asymmetric action to regulate spliceosome assembly and alternative splicing in neurons.
Nature advance online publication 25 October 2006 doi:10.1038/nature05304; Received 5 May 2006; Accepted 3 October 2006; Published online 25 October 2006
An RNA map predicting Nova-dependent splicing regulation
Jernej Ule1,2,6,7, Giovanni Stefani1,2,6,7, Aldo Mele1,2, Matteo Ruggiu1,2, Xuning Wang3, Bahar Taneri4,7, Terry Gaasterland4,7, Benjamin J. Blencowe5 and Robert B. Darnell1,2
Abstract
Nova proteins are a neuron-specific alternative splicing factors. We have combined bioinformatics, biochemistry and genetics to derive an RNA map describing the rules by which Nova proteins regulate alternative splicing. This map revealed that the position of Nova binding sites (YCAY clusters) in a pre-messenger RNA determines the outcome of splicing. The map correctly predicted Nova's effect to inhibit or enhance exon inclusion, which led us to examine the relationship between the map and Nova's mechanism of action. Nova binding to an exonic YCAY cluster changed the protein complexes assembled on pre-mRNA, blocking U1 snRNP (small nuclear ribonucleoprotein) binding and exon inclusion, whereas Nova binding to an intronic YCAY cluster enhanced spliceosome assembly and exon inclusion. Assays of splicing intermediates of Nova-regulated transcripts in mouse brain revealed that Nova preferentially regulates removal of introns harbouring (or closest to) YCAY clusters. These results define a genome-wide map relating the position of a cis-acting element to its regulation by an RNA binding protein, namely that Nova binding to YCAY clusters results in a local and asymmetric action to regulate spliceosome assembly and alternative splicing in neurons.
Nature教你十步掌握写综述
http://www.nature.com/news/2006/061016/full/nj7113-880b.html
Career View
NaturejobsPublished online: 18 October 2006; doi:10.1038/nj7113-880b
Training peer reviewersTen steps to master the art of peer review.
David A. Mackey
The peer-review process provides an opportunity for clinicians and scientists to train their fellows and postgraduate students as part of a one-on-one journal-club exercise. Supervisors can assess students' critical thinking and writing skills early in their careers. Consider these ten steps to teach the art of reviewing.
1) Explain how to proceed with a peer review, stressing the importance of respecting confidentiality and the rules of the journal or grant body.
2) Establish a submission deadline. The review process should take up to three hours. Set a time for final discussion before the deadline, allowing both student and supervisor time to read and review the work.
3) Adopt the right mindset. Don't accept the manuscript 'as is', and don't be hypercritical. The student might imagine that it's their own manuscript about to be rejected, and that they have the opportunity to improve it.
4) Read the manuscript once, taking rudimentary notes.
5) Follow the journal-specific author and reviewer instructions. Note those pertaining to the category of the manuscript, the word length, abstract structure and the format for references, figures and tables.
6) Verify each citation with PubMed or similar — which also gives you a chance to read generally on the topic. Highlighting minor citation errors shows that the paper has been read thoroughly. Ask the following: does the submitted work complement or duplicate the authors' and others' previous work?
7) Re-read the manuscript armed with the specific author instructions and good background knowledge.
8) Write the review envisaging that the editor is too busy to read the manuscript in-depth. Summarize the key features in a paragraph, stating the topic of the paper, what was performed, the key conclusions drawn, why this is important, and why this is a novel contribution. Strengths or problems with the manuscript or methodology should then be detailed.9) Write all comments as if they will be seen by the authors. Although most reviewers are anonymous, caution students that a disgruntled author could recognize one's spelling variances, grammar or clichés.
10) Submit the review, telling the editor the review was written with a student and that you agree with their assessment. Show the student the submitted review as well as the editor's and other reviewers' comments.
David A. Mackey is an associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Melbourne, Australia.
Article brought to you by: Nature Jobs
Career View
NaturejobsPublished online: 18 October 2006; doi:10.1038/nj7113-880b
Training peer reviewersTen steps to master the art of peer review.
David A. Mackey
The peer-review process provides an opportunity for clinicians and scientists to train their fellows and postgraduate students as part of a one-on-one journal-club exercise. Supervisors can assess students' critical thinking and writing skills early in their careers. Consider these ten steps to teach the art of reviewing.
1) Explain how to proceed with a peer review, stressing the importance of respecting confidentiality and the rules of the journal or grant body.
2) Establish a submission deadline. The review process should take up to three hours. Set a time for final discussion before the deadline, allowing both student and supervisor time to read and review the work.
3) Adopt the right mindset. Don't accept the manuscript 'as is', and don't be hypercritical. The student might imagine that it's their own manuscript about to be rejected, and that they have the opportunity to improve it.
4) Read the manuscript once, taking rudimentary notes.
5) Follow the journal-specific author and reviewer instructions. Note those pertaining to the category of the manuscript, the word length, abstract structure and the format for references, figures and tables.
6) Verify each citation with PubMed or similar — which also gives you a chance to read generally on the topic. Highlighting minor citation errors shows that the paper has been read thoroughly. Ask the following: does the submitted work complement or duplicate the authors' and others' previous work?
7) Re-read the manuscript armed with the specific author instructions and good background knowledge.
8) Write the review envisaging that the editor is too busy to read the manuscript in-depth. Summarize the key features in a paragraph, stating the topic of the paper, what was performed, the key conclusions drawn, why this is important, and why this is a novel contribution. Strengths or problems with the manuscript or methodology should then be detailed.9) Write all comments as if they will be seen by the authors. Although most reviewers are anonymous, caution students that a disgruntled author could recognize one's spelling variances, grammar or clichés.
10) Submit the review, telling the editor the review was written with a student and that you agree with their assessment. Show the student the submitted review as well as the editor's and other reviewers' comments.
David A. Mackey is an associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Melbourne, Australia.
Article brought to you by: Nature Jobs
Nature Genetics_MicroRNA专题
http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/v38/n6s/index.html
Nature Genetics_MicroRNA Special
June 2006, Volume 38 No 6s
Web-Only Materials
Editorial
Perspectives
Review
About the cover
Web-Only Materials
Library
Sponsors
Animation: "Lifecycle of an miRNA"
Editorial
The microRevolution pS1doi:10.1038/ng0606s-S1Full text PDF (50K)
Perspectives
Approaches to microRNA discovery ppS2 - S7Eugene Berezikov, Edwin Cuppen & Ronald H A PlasterkPublished online: 30 May 2006 doi:10.1038/ng1794Abstract Full text PDF (279K)
microRNA target predictions in animals ppS8 - S13Nikolaus RajewskyPublished online: 30 May 2006 doi:10.1038/ng1798Abstract Full text PDF (250K)
Strategies to determine the biological function of microRNAs ppS14 - S19Jan Krützfeldt, Matthew N Poy & Markus StoffelPublished online: 30 May 2006 doi:10.1038/ng1799Abstract Full text PDF (292K)
Canalization of development by microRNAs ppS20 - S24Eran Hornstein & Noam ShomronPublished online: 30 May 2006 doi:10.1038/ng1803Abstract Full text PDF (306K)
Viruses and microRNAs ppS25 - S30Bryan R CullenPublished online: 30 May 2006 doi:10.1038/ng1793Abstract Full text PDF (320K)
Review
Functions of microRNAs and related small RNAs in plants ppS31 - S36Allison C Mallory & Hervé VaucheretPublished online: 30 May 2006 doi:10.1038/ng1791Abstract Full text PDF (328K)
Nature Genetics_MicroRNA Special
June 2006, Volume 38 No 6s
Web-Only Materials
Editorial
Perspectives
Review
About the cover
Web-Only Materials
Library
Sponsors
Animation: "Lifecycle of an miRNA"
Editorial
The microRevolution pS1doi:10.1038/ng0606s-S1Full text PDF (50K)
Perspectives
Approaches to microRNA discovery ppS2 - S7Eugene Berezikov, Edwin Cuppen & Ronald H A PlasterkPublished online: 30 May 2006 doi:10.1038/ng1794Abstract Full text PDF (279K)
microRNA target predictions in animals ppS8 - S13Nikolaus RajewskyPublished online: 30 May 2006 doi:10.1038/ng1798Abstract Full text PDF (250K)
Strategies to determine the biological function of microRNAs ppS14 - S19Jan Krützfeldt, Matthew N Poy & Markus StoffelPublished online: 30 May 2006 doi:10.1038/ng1799Abstract Full text PDF (292K)
Canalization of development by microRNAs ppS20 - S24Eran Hornstein & Noam ShomronPublished online: 30 May 2006 doi:10.1038/ng1803Abstract Full text PDF (306K)
Viruses and microRNAs ppS25 - S30Bryan R CullenPublished online: 30 May 2006 doi:10.1038/ng1793Abstract Full text PDF (320K)
Review
Functions of microRNAs and related small RNAs in plants ppS31 - S36Allison C Mallory & Hervé VaucheretPublished online: 30 May 2006 doi:10.1038/ng1791Abstract Full text PDF (328K)
2006-10-25
ncRNA database
Non-coding RNA database
In conjunction with the RIKEN and Karolinska Institutes, the IMB has developed a comprehensive mammalian noncoding RNA database (RNAdb) which contains over 800 unique experimentally studied noncoding RNAs, including many associated with diseases and/or developmental processes. The database includes microRNAs and snoRNAs, but not infrastructural RNAs such as rRNAs and tRNAs which are catalogued elsewhere. The database also includes over 1200 putative antisense ncRNAs and almost 20,000 putative noncoding RNAs identified in high quality murine and human cDNA libraries, with more to be added in the near future. Many of these RNAs are large, and many are spliced, some alternatively. For ncRNAs listed in RNAdb, sequence data as well as other information including Genbank accessions, references, chromosomal location, transcript length, splicing status, conservation notes, function, disease associations, antisense relationships, imprinting status, and tissue expression patterns are provided wherever possible. The database is searchable by many criteria, and will we hope be useful as a foundation for the emerging field of RNomics and the characterization of the roles of ncRNAs in mammalian gene expression and regulation.
NONCODE
is a brand-new database of all kinds of noncoding RNAs (except tRNAs and rRNAs). It is distinguished from other ncRNA databases by:
1.The data amount of NONCODE is big, and almost all traditional ncRNA classes are included.
2.All the sequences are confirmed by consulting the references manually, more than 80% data are from experiments.
3.We introduced a new classification system--process function classification system, which based on the cellular process it takes part in.
4.NONCODE also provides an efficient search option, allowing recovery of sequence, related publications and other information.
In conjunction with the RIKEN and Karolinska Institutes, the IMB has developed a comprehensive mammalian noncoding RNA database (RNAdb) which contains over 800 unique experimentally studied noncoding RNAs, including many associated with diseases and/or developmental processes. The database includes microRNAs and snoRNAs, but not infrastructural RNAs such as rRNAs and tRNAs which are catalogued elsewhere. The database also includes over 1200 putative antisense ncRNAs and almost 20,000 putative noncoding RNAs identified in high quality murine and human cDNA libraries, with more to be added in the near future. Many of these RNAs are large, and many are spliced, some alternatively. For ncRNAs listed in RNAdb, sequence data as well as other information including Genbank accessions, references, chromosomal location, transcript length, splicing status, conservation notes, function, disease associations, antisense relationships, imprinting status, and tissue expression patterns are provided wherever possible. The database is searchable by many criteria, and will we hope be useful as a foundation for the emerging field of RNomics and the characterization of the roles of ncRNAs in mammalian gene expression and regulation.
NONCODE
is a brand-new database of all kinds of noncoding RNAs (except tRNAs and rRNAs). It is distinguished from other ncRNA databases by:
1.The data amount of NONCODE is big, and almost all traditional ncRNA classes are included.
2.All the sequences are confirmed by consulting the references manually, more than 80% data are from experiments.
3.We introduced a new classification system--process function classification system, which based on the cellular process it takes part in.
4.NONCODE also provides an efficient search option, allowing recovery of sequence, related publications and other information.
2006-10-22
14 things you can learn from the Google story
- Connections - human, computer, biology - are everything. Life = networks.
- Never compromise your ideals because someone said it's impossible, stupid, or a waste of time.
- Do focus on changing the world, don't focus on the money. If you provide value, the money will come.
- Have a healthy disregard for the impossible. If someone hasn't done it yet, that doesn't mean it's impossible.
- Money is a problem, not a solution. Money cannot solve your problems, but your solutions can solve the money problem.
- Value creativity, not money. View creativity as your company's true bottom-line, or your company will stop growing and die.
- Go against the grain. Don't believe in other people's visions for you, believe in your own.
- Speed is more important than looking good. A shiny, beautiful car isn't impressive when it gets overtaken by an old jalopy; the same applies to software.
- Organic growth is best. Only grow as fast as you need to, don't waste money on advertising a product you won't want your mom to use.
- Focus on users above all else, e.g. don't do something that might annoy your users just to make more money, they won't forget.
- Never betray users' trust, or anyone else's.
- Spend 20% of your time on blue-sky ideas without worrying about how they will make a profit. If it might change the world for the better, it needs to be done, even if it can't make money.
- Don't make enemies of your competitors to stay driven. Be driven by your own values and mission.
- Beat your own path through the wilderness.
Copy from Digital Samurai 's blog, and I can't agree with 2,3,4,6,11,13[ in bold] any more. While studying&working, I can't help taking google products as my role model, e.g. gmail, personal search, talk etc.
2006-10-21
one piece of Song poetry
水调歌头
明月几时有，把酒问青天。不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年。我欲乘风归去, 又恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒，起舞弄清影，何似在人间。
转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。不应有恨，何事长向别时圆。人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。
When will the moon be clear and bright? With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky. I don't know what season it would be in the heavens on this night. I'd like to ride the wind to fly home. Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions are much too high and cold for me. Dancing with my moon-lit shadow, It does not seem like the human world.
The moon rounds the red mansion Stoops to silk-pad doors, Shines upon the sleepless. Bearing no grudge, Why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart? People may have sorrow or joy, be near or far apart,The moon may be dim or bright, wax or wane, This has been going on since the beginning of time. May we all be blessed with longevity Though far apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.
明月几时有，把酒问青天。不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年。我欲乘风归去, 又恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒，起舞弄清影，何似在人间。
转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。不应有恨，何事长向别时圆。人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。
When will the moon be clear and bright? With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky. I don't know what season it would be in the heavens on this night. I'd like to ride the wind to fly home. Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions are much too high and cold for me. Dancing with my moon-lit shadow, It does not seem like the human world.
The moon rounds the red mansion Stoops to silk-pad doors, Shines upon the sleepless. Bearing no grudge, Why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart? People may have sorrow or joy, be near or far apart,The moon may be dim or bright, wax or wane, This has been going on since the beginning of time. May we all be blessed with longevity Though far apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.
Structural basis for messenger RNA movement on the ribosome
Gulnara Yusupova1,2, Lasse Jenner1,2, Bernard Rees1, Dino Moras1 and Marat Yusupov1
Translation initiation is a major determinant of the overall expression level of a gene1, 2, 3. The translation of functionally active protein requires the messenger RNA to be positioned on the ribosome such that the start/initiation codon will be read first and in the correct frame. Little is known about the molecular basis for the interaction of mRNA with the ribosome at different states of translation. Recent crystal structures of the ribosomal subunits4, 5, 6, 7, 8, the empty 70S ribosome9 and the 70S ribosome containing functional ligands10, 11, 12, 13 have provided information about the general organization of the ribosome and its functional centres. Here we compare the X-ray structures of eight ribosome complexes modelling the translation initiation, post-initiation and elongation states. In the initiation and post-initiation complexes, the presence of the Shine–Dalgarno (SD) duplex causes strong anchoring of the 5'-end of mRNA onto the platform of the 30S subunit, with numerous interactions between mRNA and the ribosome. Conversely, the 5' end of the 'elongator' mRNA lacking SD interactions is flexible, suggesting a different exit path for mRNA during elongation. After the initiation of translation, but while an SD interaction is still present, mRNA moves in the 3'5' direction with simultaneous clockwise rotation and lengthening of the SD duplex, bringing it into contact with ribosomal protein S2.
resource
Translation initiation is a major determinant of the overall expression level of a gene1, 2, 3. The translation of functionally active protein requires the messenger RNA to be positioned on the ribosome such that the start/initiation codon will be read first and in the correct frame. Little is known about the molecular basis for the interaction of mRNA with the ribosome at different states of translation. Recent crystal structures of the ribosomal subunits4, 5, 6, 7, 8, the empty 70S ribosome9 and the 70S ribosome containing functional ligands10, 11, 12, 13 have provided information about the general organization of the ribosome and its functional centres. Here we compare the X-ray structures of eight ribosome complexes modelling the translation initiation, post-initiation and elongation states. In the initiation and post-initiation complexes, the presence of the Shine–Dalgarno (SD) duplex causes strong anchoring of the 5'-end of mRNA onto the platform of the 30S subunit, with numerous interactions between mRNA and the ribosome. Conversely, the 5' end of the 'elongator' mRNA lacking SD interactions is flexible, suggesting a different exit path for mRNA during elongation. After the initiation of translation, but while an SD interaction is still present, mRNA moves in the 3'5' direction with simultaneous clockwise rotation and lengthening of the SD duplex, bringing it into contact with ribosomal protein S2.
resource
2006-10-15
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2006
This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Roger D. Kornberg for "for his studies of the molecular basis of eukaryotic transcription". His fundamental studies uncovered how the information stored in the genes is copied, and then transferred to those parts ofthe cells that produce proteins. Kornberg was the first to create an actual picture of this process at themolecular level, in the important group of organisms called eukaryotes (which, as opposed to bacteria,have well-defined cell nuclei). Mammals like ourselves, as well as ordinary yeast, belong to this groupof organisms.
Advanced information: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2006/chemadv06.pdf
Original scientific articles:
Cramer, P., Bushnell, D.A. and Kornberg, R.D. (2001) Structural basis of transcription: RNA polymerase II at 2.8ångstrom resolution. Science 292, 1863-1876.
Gnatt, A.L., Cramer, P., Fu, J., Bushnell, D.A. and Kornberg, R.D. (2001) Structural basis of transcription: An RNApolymerase II elongation complex at 3.3 Å resolution. Science 292, 1876-1882.
Bushnell, D.A., Westover, K.D., Davis, R.E. and Kornberg, R.D. (2004) Structural basis of transcription: An RNApolymerase II – TFIIB cocrystal at 4.5 angstroms. Science 303, 983-988.
Review article:Boeger, H., Bushnell, D.A., Davis, R., Griesenbeck, J., Lorch, Y., Strattan, J.S., Westover, K.D. and Kornberg, R.D.(2005). Structural basis of eukaryotic gene transcription. FEBS Lett. 579, 899-903.
Link:Film of transcription: The Dolan DNA learning center – genes in education. http://www.dnalc.org/home.html.Media showcase; Transcription: DNA codes for mRNA, 3D animation.
Advanced information: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2006/chemadv06.pdf
Original scientific articles:
Cramer, P., Bushnell, D.A. and Kornberg, R.D. (2001) Structural basis of transcription: RNA polymerase II at 2.8ångstrom resolution. Science 292, 1863-1876.
Gnatt, A.L., Cramer, P., Fu, J., Bushnell, D.A. and Kornberg, R.D. (2001) Structural basis of transcription: An RNApolymerase II elongation complex at 3.3 Å resolution. Science 292, 1876-1882.
Bushnell, D.A., Westover, K.D., Davis, R.E. and Kornberg, R.D. (2004) Structural basis of transcription: An RNApolymerase II – TFIIB cocrystal at 4.5 angstroms. Science 303, 983-988.
Review article:Boeger, H., Bushnell, D.A., Davis, R., Griesenbeck, J., Lorch, Y., Strattan, J.S., Westover, K.D. and Kornberg, R.D.(2005). Structural basis of eukaryotic gene transcription. FEBS Lett. 579, 899-903.
Link:Film of transcription: The Dolan DNA learning center – genes in education. http://www.dnalc.org/home.html.Media showcase; Transcription: DNA codes for mRNA, 3D animation.
2006-10-13
竟然从一篇发表在PNAS上的文章中挑出错误
I can't belive myself that I have found a mistake in a paper published in PNAS[ Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ] ! The following is the correspondent author's reply after I send a email to him:
Dear Qian,
Many thanks for your email - you are correct, we have mentioned the wrong diet in the text. We should have said the 19:33 diet not the 30:22 diet. Focus on the diamond symbols (both open and closed) and see how they shift to the left along the x-axis from generation 4-8. The square symbols (30:22) move down from generations 1-4 but not from 4 to 8. However, the general point is the same (the statistical test mentioned was based on all diets) - there is a decline in consumption which is unrelated to selection regime.Well spotted!Yours ever,Steve This indicates a decline in consumption of the 30:22 diet, but since the decline was similar for both selection regimes (high-carb and high-protein), it is unrelated to At 21:56 11/10/2006, you wrote:
Dear Prof. **,
I'm a graduate student majored in Plant protection from Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR of China. I apologize for my disturbing you, because when I read your paper "***" published in PNAS ,September 19, 2006 ** I find myself can't follow with you about the result of Shift in Lipid Deposition on Artificial Diet Regimes in the last two sentences--" In particular, there was a pronounced reduction from generation four to eight in the amount eaten of the P/C of 30:22 diet (Fig. 1 B vs.C). However, this pattern occurred in both selection regimes:hence, it apparently was unrelated to changes in lipid accumulation in response to dietary regime (interaction term regime by test diet: F4,60 = 2.16, P = 0.085; regime by generation by test diet: F8,60= 1.30, P= 0.261)."
I'm confused about the pronounced reduction: if it refers to the amount eaten of the P/C of 30:22 diet (Fig. 1 B vs.C), but there seems to be a slight increase of the high-protein selected regime (open square) inconsistent with the description; however, if it can be regarded as the pupal lipid content (intuitively from the figure 1C, dashed lines) there is also conflict with high-protein regime(solid line). Would you explain it to me in your convenient time? I will appreciate your reply and assistant!
Yours,
Qian,**
Dear Qian,
Many thanks for your email - you are correct, we have mentioned the wrong diet in the text. We should have said the 19:33 diet not the 30:22 diet. Focus on the diamond symbols (both open and closed) and see how they shift to the left along the x-axis from generation 4-8. The square symbols (30:22) move down from generations 1-4 but not from 4 to 8. However, the general point is the same (the statistical test mentioned was based on all diets) - there is a decline in consumption which is unrelated to selection regime.Well spotted!Yours ever,Steve This indicates a decline in consumption of the 30:22 diet, but since the decline was similar for both selection regimes (high-carb and high-protein), it is unrelated to At 21:56 11/10/2006, you wrote:
Dear Prof. **,
I'm a graduate student majored in Plant protection from Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR of China. I apologize for my disturbing you, because when I read your paper "***" published in PNAS ,September 19, 2006 ** I find myself can't follow with you about the result of Shift in Lipid Deposition on Artificial Diet Regimes in the last two sentences--" In particular, there was a pronounced reduction from generation four to eight in the amount eaten of the P/C of 30:22 diet (Fig. 1 B vs.C). However, this pattern occurred in both selection regimes:hence, it apparently was unrelated to changes in lipid accumulation in response to dietary regime (interaction term regime by test diet: F4,60 = 2.16, P = 0.085; regime by generation by test diet: F8,60= 1.30, P= 0.261)."
I'm confused about the pronounced reduction: if it refers to the amount eaten of the P/C of 30:22 diet (Fig. 1 B vs.C), but there seems to be a slight increase of the high-protein selected regime (open square) inconsistent with the description; however, if it can be regarded as the pupal lipid content (intuitively from the figure 1C, dashed lines) there is also conflict with high-protein regime(solid line). Would you explain it to me in your convenient time? I will appreciate your reply and assistant!
Yours,
Qian,**
2006-10-08
RNAi and microRNA/siRNA
RNAi wins the Nobel Prize!
We would like to extend our congratulations to Dr. Andrew Fire and Dr. Craig Mello for winning the Nobel Prize in Physiology for the discovery of RNA interference - gene silencing by couble-stranded RNA on Tuesday, October 03, 2006. Their work laid the ground work for what is now an exciting and vibrant area of RNA research.
To read their paper, please see: Fire A., Xu S.Q., Montgomery M.K., Kostas S.A., Driver S.E., Mello C.C. Potent and specific genetic interference by double-stranded RNA in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nature 1998; 391:806-811.
Advanced information:http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2006/adv.html
Further more, there are some resource online about RNA to share with you if you like!
The RNA World Website
Substantial collection of Web links to an array of RNA-related resources, from databases to tutorials; maintained by the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Jena.
RNA Interference and Gene Silencing: History and Overview
Brief survey of historical development of RNAi science, from Ambion Inc.
RNAi Information on the Web
A comprehensive list of papers, labs, and other resources focused on RNAi, provided by Orbigen, Inc.
RNA Webring
Collection of Web sites of molecular biology groups interested in various aspects of RNA.
Developmental Biology: RNAi
Interesting discussion of RNAi, on Web site developed to accompany textbook by S. F. Gilbert.
RNAi Database
Catalog of results from RNAi phenotypic analysis of C. elegans genes.
The siRNA User Guide
Protocols for siRNA preparation for Drosophila knockout experiments, and links to commercial sources for siRNAs.
The RNA Society
The RNA Society was formed in 1993 to facilitate sharing and dissemination of experimental results and emerging concepts in ribonucleic acid research. The Society encompasses RNA research in the broadest sense: from the ribosome to the spliceosome, from RNA viruses to catalytic RNAs. It is a multidisciplinary society, representing molecular, evolutionary and structural biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, chemistry, genetics, and virology as they relate to questions of the structure and function of RNA and of ribonucleoprotein assemblies.
some Labs link:
Robin Allshire (Wellcome Trust Center for Cell Biology)
Victor Ambros (Dartmouth Medical School)
David Bartel (MIT)
Martin A. Gorovsky (University of Rochester)
Ronald H. A. Plasterk (Hubrecht Laboratory)
Phil Sharp (MIT)
Thomas Tuschl (Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry)
Phillip D. Zamore (University of Massachusetts Medical School)
We would like to extend our congratulations to Dr. Andrew Fire and Dr. Craig Mello for winning the Nobel Prize in Physiology for the discovery of RNA interference - gene silencing by couble-stranded RNA on Tuesday, October 03, 2006. Their work laid the ground work for what is now an exciting and vibrant area of RNA research.
To read their paper, please see: Fire A., Xu S.Q., Montgomery M.K., Kostas S.A., Driver S.E., Mello C.C. Potent and specific genetic interference by double-stranded RNA in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nature 1998; 391:806-811.
Advanced information:http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2006/adv.html
Further more, there are some resource online about RNA to share with you if you like!
The RNA World Website
Substantial collection of Web links to an array of RNA-related resources, from databases to tutorials; maintained by the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Jena.
RNA Interference and Gene Silencing: History and Overview
Brief survey of historical development of RNAi science, from Ambion Inc.
RNAi Information on the Web
A comprehensive list of papers, labs, and other resources focused on RNAi, provided by Orbigen, Inc.
RNA Webring
Collection of Web sites of molecular biology groups interested in various aspects of RNA.
Developmental Biology: RNAi
Interesting discussion of RNAi, on Web site developed to accompany textbook by S. F. Gilbert.
RNAi Database
Catalog of results from RNAi phenotypic analysis of C. elegans genes.
The siRNA User Guide
Protocols for siRNA preparation for Drosophila knockout experiments, and links to commercial sources for siRNAs.
The RNA Society
The RNA Society was formed in 1993 to facilitate sharing and dissemination of experimental results and emerging concepts in ribonucleic acid research. The Society encompasses RNA research in the broadest sense: from the ribosome to the spliceosome, from RNA viruses to catalytic RNAs. It is a multidisciplinary society, representing molecular, evolutionary and structural biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, chemistry, genetics, and virology as they relate to questions of the structure and function of RNA and of ribonucleoprotein assemblies.
some Labs link:
Robin Allshire (Wellcome Trust Center for Cell Biology)
Victor Ambros (Dartmouth Medical School)
David Bartel (MIT)
Martin A. Gorovsky (University of Rochester)
Ronald H. A. Plasterk (Hubrecht Laboratory)
Phil Sharp (MIT)
Thomas Tuschl (Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry)
Phillip D. Zamore (University of Massachusetts Medical School)
2006-10-05
Mid-autumn Day
How sunny today! Today is Chinese traditional festival--Mid-autumn Day, buI i can't sit together with my family having mooncakes and enjoying the moonshine as usual. Best regards to you, my family!
Origin
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festivity for both the Han and minority nationalities. The custom of worshipping the moon (called xi yue in Chinese) can be traced back as far as the ancient Xia and Shang Dynasties (2000 B.C.-1066 B.C.). In the Zhou Dynasty(1066 B.C.-221 B.C.), people hold ceremonies to greet winter and worship the moon whenever the Mid-Autumn Festival sets in. It becomes very prevalent in the Tang Dynasty(618-907 A.D.) that people enjoy and worship the full moon. In the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 A.D.), however, people send round moon cakes to their relatives as gifts in expression of their best wishes of family reunion. When it becomes dark, they look up at the full silver moon or go sightseeing on lakes to celebrate the festival. Since the Ming (1368-1644 A.D. ) and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911A.D.), the custom of Mid-Autumn Festival celebration becomes unprecedented popular. Together with the celebration there appear some special customs in different parts of the country, such as burning incense, planting Mid-Autumn trees, lighting lanterns on towers and fire dragon dances. However, the custom of playing under the moon is not so popular as it used to be nowadays, but it is not less popular to enjoy the bright silver moon. Whenever the festival sets in, people will look up at the full silver moon, drinking wine to celebrate their happy life or thinking of their relatives and friends far from home, and extending all of their best wishes to them.
Moon Cakes
There is this story about the moon-cake. during the Yuan dynasty (A.D. 1280-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (A.D. 960-1280) were unhappy at submitting to the foreign rule, and set how to coordinate the rebellion without being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Backed into each moon caked was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attached and overthrew the government. Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend and was called the Moon Cake.For generations, moon cakes have been made with sweet fillings of nuts, mashed red beans, lotus-seed paste or Chinese dates, wrapped in a pastry. Sometimes a cooked egg yolk can be found in the middle of the rich tasting dessert. People compare moon cakes to the plum pudding and fruit cakes which are served in the English holiday seasons.Nowadays, there are hundreds varieties of moon cakes on sale a month before the arrival of Moon Festival.
Different Celebrated Forms
For thousands of years, the Chinese people have related the vicissitudes of life to changes of the moon as it waxes and wanes; joy and sorrow, parting and reunion. Because the full moon is round and symbolizes reunion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the festival of reunion. All family members try to get together on this special day. Those who can not return home watch the bright moonlight and feel deep longing for their loved ones.Today,festivities centered about the Mid-Autumn Festival are more varied. After a family reunion dinner, many people like to go out to attend special perfomances in parks or on public squares.
People in different parts of China have different ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Guangzhou in South China, a huge lantern show is a big attraction for local citizens. Thousands of differently shaped lanterns are lit, forming a fantastic contrast with the bright moonlight.In East Chia's Zhejiang Province, watching the flood tide of the Qian-tang River during the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a must for local peple, but also an attraction for those from other parts of the country. The ebb and flow of tides coincide with the waxing and waning of the moon as it exerts a strong gravitational pull. In mid autumn, the sun, earth and moon send out strong gravitational forces upon the seas. The outh of the Qiantang River is shaped lik a bugle. So the flood tide which forms at the narrow mouth is particularly impressive. Spectators crowd on the river bank,watching the roaring waves. At its peak, the tide rises as high as three and a half meters.
Origin
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festivity for both the Han and minority nationalities. The custom of worshipping the moon (called xi yue in Chinese) can be traced back as far as the ancient Xia and Shang Dynasties (2000 B.C.-1066 B.C.). In the Zhou Dynasty(1066 B.C.-221 B.C.), people hold ceremonies to greet winter and worship the moon whenever the Mid-Autumn Festival sets in. It becomes very prevalent in the Tang Dynasty(618-907 A.D.) that people enjoy and worship the full moon. In the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 A.D.), however, people send round moon cakes to their relatives as gifts in expression of their best wishes of family reunion. When it becomes dark, they look up at the full silver moon or go sightseeing on lakes to celebrate the festival. Since the Ming (1368-1644 A.D. ) and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911A.D.), the custom of Mid-Autumn Festival celebration becomes unprecedented popular. Together with the celebration there appear some special customs in different parts of the country, such as burning incense, planting Mid-Autumn trees, lighting lanterns on towers and fire dragon dances. However, the custom of playing under the moon is not so popular as it used to be nowadays, but it is not less popular to enjoy the bright silver moon. Whenever the festival sets in, people will look up at the full silver moon, drinking wine to celebrate their happy life or thinking of their relatives and friends far from home, and extending all of their best wishes to them.
Moon Cakes
There is this story about the moon-cake. during the Yuan dynasty (A.D. 1280-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (A.D. 960-1280) were unhappy at submitting to the foreign rule, and set how to coordinate the rebellion without being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Backed into each moon caked was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attached and overthrew the government. Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend and was called the Moon Cake.For generations, moon cakes have been made with sweet fillings of nuts, mashed red beans, lotus-seed paste or Chinese dates, wrapped in a pastry. Sometimes a cooked egg yolk can be found in the middle of the rich tasting dessert. People compare moon cakes to the plum pudding and fruit cakes which are served in the English holiday seasons.Nowadays, there are hundreds varieties of moon cakes on sale a month before the arrival of Moon Festival.
Different Celebrated Forms
For thousands of years, the Chinese people have related the vicissitudes of life to changes of the moon as it waxes and wanes; joy and sorrow, parting and reunion. Because the full moon is round and symbolizes reunion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the festival of reunion. All family members try to get together on this special day. Those who can not return home watch the bright moonlight and feel deep longing for their loved ones.Today,festivities centered about the Mid-Autumn Festival are more varied. After a family reunion dinner, many people like to go out to attend special perfomances in parks or on public squares.
People in different parts of China have different ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Guangzhou in South China, a huge lantern show is a big attraction for local citizens. Thousands of differently shaped lanterns are lit, forming a fantastic contrast with the bright moonlight.In East Chia's Zhejiang Province, watching the flood tide of the Qian-tang River during the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a must for local peple, but also an attraction for those from other parts of the country. The ebb and flow of tides coincide with the waxing and waning of the moon as it exerts a strong gravitational pull. In mid autumn, the sun, earth and moon send out strong gravitational forces upon the seas. The outh of the Qiantang River is shaped lik a bugle. So the flood tide which forms at the narrow mouth is particularly impressive. Spectators crowd on the river bank,watching the roaring waves. At its peak, the tide rises as high as three and a half meters.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
