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Panicle elongation length (PEL), which determines panicle exsertion, is an important outcrossing-related trait. Mining genes controlling PEL in rice (Oryza sativa L.) has great practical significance in breeding cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) lines with increased PEL and simplified, high-efficiency seed production. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed on the PELs of 440 rice accessions in 2022 and 2023, considering 3.17 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to detect the effects of different genes on PEL. A total of five quantitative trait loci (QTLs) significantly associated with PEL were detected in both years by using the general linear model (GLM) and the mixed linear model (MLM). Notably, our study identified a previously unreported QTL, qPE2.1. Three candidate genes associated with PEL were predicted by non-synonymous SNPs and functional annotation. We characterize one gibberellin (GA)-related gene, LOC_Os02g41954 (OsGA2ox9), which encodes gibberellin 2-beta-dioxygenase 7 located in the cell membrane and nucleus. Gibberellin 2-oxidase (GA2ox) has been reported to control GA levels by inactivating GA via 2-β hydroxylation. Compared with the short PELs of wild plants, mutant plants with Cas9-induced knockout (KO) of OsGA2ox9 exhibit long PELs. Therefore, OsGA2ox9 was identified as the key gene controlling PEL in rice. Haplotype analysis showed that the two polymorphisms of HapD cause amino acid residue changes from phenylalanine to leucine (F/L43) and isoleucine to phenylalanine (I/F52), which lead to the enhancement of panicle exsertion; therefore, we renamed this gene ENHANCED PANICLE EXSERTION (EPE1). Our study showed that EPE1 (OsGA2ox9) negatively regulated GA4 content in rice. Elite alleles of EPE1 can be used to further improve PEL in CMS lines to increase the outcrossing rate and yield or seed production in hybrid rice breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of all‐solid‐state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs) is limited by lithium (Li) anode instability including Li dendrite formation and deteriorating interface with electrolytes. Here, a functional additive, isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) with a non‐resonant structure (O2−N−O−) is reported, which improves its reactivity and is utilized to build a stable N‐rich solid electrolyte interface, effectively alleviating Li dendrite and side reactions for poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)‐lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI)‐based electrolyte (PLE‐ISMN). In addition, the ion‐dipole interaction between ISMN and Li ions facilitates the dissociation of LiTFSI to form carrier ions, improving the ionic conductivity (4.4 × 10−4 S cm−1) and transference number (0.50) of PLE‐ISMN. Consequently, the Li/Li symmetric cell delivers a high critical current density of 2.0 mA cm−2 and stable Li stripping/plating cycling over 5000 h with a capacity of 1.0 mAh cm−2. Moreover, the Li|LiFePO4 cell delivers an excellent initial discharge capacity of 154.0 mAh g−1 with an outstanding capacity retention of 88.9% after 500 cycles at 0.5 C. The Li|LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cell also exhibits a good cycling performance at 4.4 V at 1 C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this investigation was to elucidate the manner in which ginsenoside Rg5 (Rg5) ameliorates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) via the modulation of the gut microbiota milieu. We administered either a standard diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD), coupled with 12-week treatment employing two distinct doses of Rg5 (50 and 100 mg/kg/d), to male C57BL/6J mice. In comparison to the HFD cohort, the Rg5-treated group demonstrated significant enhancements in biochemical parameters, exemplified by a substantial decrease in lipid concentrations, as well as the reduced expression of markers indicative of oxidative stress and liver injury. This signifies a mitigation of hepatic dysfunction induced by an HFD. Simultaneously, Rg5 demonstrates the capacity to activate the LKB1/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, instigating energy metabolism and consequently hindering the progression of NAFLD. Furthermore, we underscored the role of Rg5 in the treatment of NAFLD within the gut-microbiota-liver axis. Analysis via 16S rRNA sequencing unveiled that Rg5 intervention induced alterations in gut microbiota composition, fostering an increase in beneficial bacteria, such as Bacteroides and Akkermansia, while concurrently reducing the relative abundance of detrimental bacteria, exemplified by Olsenella. Furthermore, employing fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments, we observed analogous outcomes in mice subjected to fecal bacterial transplants, providing additional verification of the capacity of Rg5 to mitigate NAFLD in mice by actively participating in the restoration of gut microbiota via FMT. Drawing from these data, the regulation of the gut microbiota is recognized as an innovative strategy for treating or preventing NAFLD and metabolic syndrome. Consequently, these research findings suggest that Rg5 holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for NAFLD management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) based on sulfide solid electrolytes (SEs) are one of the most promising strategies for next‐generation energy storage systems and electronic devices. However, the poor chemical/electrochemical stability of sulfide SEs with oxide cathode materials and high interfacial impedance, particularly due to physical contact failure, are the major limiting factors to the development of sulfide SEs in ASSLBs. Herein, the composite cathode of MOF‐derived Fe7S8@C and Li6PS5Br fabricated by an infiltration method (IN–Fe7S8) with dissoluble sulfide electrolyte (dissoluble SE) is reported. Dissoluble SE can easily infiltrate the porous sheet‐type Fe7S8@C cathode to homogeneously contact with Fe7S8 nanoparticles that are embedded in the surrounding carbon matrixes and form a fast ionic transport network. Benefiting from applying dissoluble SE and Fe7S8@C, the IN‐Fe7S8‐based cells displayed a reversible capacity of 510 mAh g−1 after 180 cycles at 0.045 mA cm−2 at 30 °C. This work demonstrates a novel and practical method for the development of high‐performance all‐sulfide‐based solid state batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co shows excellent performance in the high voltage range for layered oxide cathode materials for sodium ion batteries (SIBs). However, its high cost and toxicity are significant disadvantages.Co‐free cathodes with high performance are urgently needed for development. Herein, cheap Mg and Ti elements are preferred to replace Co elements. A P2‐Na0.67Mn0.53Ni0.30Mg0.085Ti0.085O2 (Ni30MgTi) cathode shows a high reversible specific capacity of 118 mA h g−1 at a current density of 50 mA g−1 in 2.0–4.25 V, which is even higher than that in the base sample with Co. Moreover, Mg and Ti raise the median discharge voltage from 3.21 to 3.59 V, which raises the energy density from 325 to 410 Wh kg−1. On the other hand, ex situ XPS and in situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry tests indicate that Ni30MgTi has a stable anionic redox reaction with reversible capacity in the high voltage range. The concept of bimetallic co‐substitution offers a simple and effective Co‐free strategy to reduce the cost and increase the energy density of layered oxide cathode materials simultaneously for SIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based composite solid electrolytes (CSEs) are attracting widespread attention due to their superior electrochemical and mechanical properties. However, the PVDF has a strong polar group -CF2-, which easily continuously reacts with lithium metal, resulting in the instability of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI), which intensifies the formation of lithium dendrites. Herein, Tetrafluoro-1,4-benzoquinone (TFBQ) was selected as an additive in trace amounts to the PVDF/Li-based electrolytes. TFBQ uniformly formed lithophilic quinone lithium salt (Li2TFBQ) in the SEI. Li2TFBQ has high lithium-ion affinity and low potential barrier and can be used as the dominant agent to guide uniform lithium deposition. The results showed that PVDF/Li-TFBQ 0.05 with a mass ratio of PVDF to TFBQ of 1:0.05 had the highest ionic conductivity of 2.39 × 10−4 S cm−1, and the electrochemical stability window reached 5.0 V. Moreover, PVDF/Li-TFBQ CSE demonstrated superior lithium dendrite suppression, which was confirmed by long-term lithium stripping/sedimentation tests over 2000 and 650 h at a current of 0.1 and 0.2 mA cm−2, respectively. The assembled solid-state LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2||Li cell showed an excellent performance rate and cycle stability at 30 °C. This study greatly promotes the practical research of solid-state electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted much attention due to their abundance, easy accessibility, and low cost. P2‐type layered oxide materials, as one of the most potential cathode candidates for SIBs, have been widely studied. However, various kinds of structural evolution during cycling are harmful to the stability. In the present Minireview, the phase transitions occurring in the process of charge/discharge are summarized, and the mechanism of structural rearrangement and phase transition are introduced. This Minireview is aimed at helping researchers understand the detailed structural evolution, and propose strategies of designing the P2‐type layered oxide cathodes with low strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biomass production as well as the accumulation of secondary metabolites of plant is highly determined by the absorption of nutritional elements, in particular nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can absorb soluble P and transport it to plants, while phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can increase the content of solubilizing P in soil. Previous studies have identified the effects of either AMF or PSB inoculation on altering plant C:N:P stoichiometry, whether AMF interact with PSB in promoting plant growth and changing elemental concentration and composition of secondary metabolites by altering plant C:N:P stoichiometry remains ambiguous. In this study, we investigated the effects of inoculation of AMF, PSB, and their co-inoculation AMP (AMF and PSB) on the biomass growth, the C:N:P stoichiometry, the core microorganisms of rhizosphere soil, and the ginsenoside compositions of ginseng ( Panax ginseng ). The results showed that compared to control or single inoculation of AMF or PSB, co-inoculation of AMF and PSB significantly increased the AMF colonization rate on ginseng roots, increased the biomass of both above and under-ground parts of ginseng. Similarly, co-inoculation of AMF and PSB substantially increased the concentrations of N and P, reduced the ratios of C:P and N:P in the above-ground part of ginseng. The co-inoculation of AMF and PSB also increased concentrations of total ginsenosides and altered the compositions of ginsenosides in both the above and under-ground parts of ginseng. Analysis the rhizosphere microorganism showed that the co-inoculation of AMF and PSB recruited distinct core microorganisms that differ from the control and treatments with single inoculation of AMF or PSB. Our results suggested that PSB inoculation enhanced the positive effect of AMF in improving the absorption of nutrimental elements, altered the C:N:P stoichiometry and, ginsenosides concentration and composition of ginseng, influenced the plant rhizosphere microbial community. These findings offer valuable insights into enhancing plant biomass production and promoting secondary metabolites by improving the plant-fungi-bacterial relationships., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Mu, Ding, Zhang, Jin, Liu, Guan, Zhang, Liang, Zhou and Liu.)

Advanced high-energy-density sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are inseparable from cathode materials with high specific capacities. Layered manganese-rich oxides (Na x MnO 2 , 0.6 ≤ x ≤1) are promising cathode materials owing to their ease of intercalation and extraction of a considerable amount of sodium ions. However, lattice interactions, especially electrostatic repulsive forces and anisotropic stresses, are usually caused by deep desodiatin/sodiation process, resulting in intragranular cracks and capacity degradation in SIBs. Here, boron ions are introduced into the layered structure to build up B─O─Mn bonds. The regulated electronic structure in Na 0.637 B 0.038 MnO 2 (B-NMO) materials inhibits the deformation of MnO 6 octahedra, which finally achieves a gentle structural transition during the deep sodiation process. B-NMO electrode exhibits a high capacity (141 mAh g -1 ) at 1 C with a capacity retention of 81% after 100 cycles. Therefore, anchoring boron to manganese-rich materials inhibits the detrimental structural evolution of deep sodiation and can be used to obtain excellent cathode materials for SIBs., (© 2023 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)