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Inner Mongolia, a major region in China for growing sugar beet, faces challenges caused by unscientific water and fertilizer management. This mismanagement restricts the improvement of sugar beet yield and quality and exacerbates water waste and environmental pollution. This study aims to evaluate the effects of reduced water and fertilizer on the growth and physiological metabolism of sugar beet taproot. Field experiments were conducted in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, in 2022 and 2023, using a split-plot design with three levels each of fertilization and irrigation. The study analyzed the effects of reduced water and fertilizer treatments on fresh taproot weight, respiration rate, energy metabolism, respiratory enzyme activity, and gene expression in sugar beet taproot. It was found that a 10% reduction in fertilizer significantly increased the beet taproot fresh weight. Further research revealed that during the rapid leaf growth phase and the taproot and sugar growth period, a 10% reduction in fertilizer upregulated HK and IDH gene expression and downregulated G6PDH gene expression in the beet taproot. This increased HK and IDH activities, decreased G6PDH activity, enhanced the activity of the EMP-TCA pathway, and inhibited the PPP. Taproot weight was positively correlated with the respiration rate, ATP content, EC, and ATPase, HK, and IDH activities, thereby increasing the taproot growth rate and taproot fresh weight, with an average increase of 4.0% over two years. These findings introduce a novel method for optimizing fertilizer use, particularly beneficial in water-scarce regions. Implementing this strategy could help farmers in western Inner Mongolia and similar areas improve crop yield and sustainability. This study offers new insights into resource-efficient agricultural practices, highlighting the importance of customized fertilization strategies tailored to local environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I try to document the lived experiences of nurses who were sent to Wuhan to work in the COVID‐19 wards and consider the impact of such experiences on their psychological well‐being. I show the contextual factors in Wuhan, the inherent nature of nursing during the pandemic and the transition from the immediate reactions of nurses to long‐term impacts on their personalities, formed through the whole process of abjection. Therefore, I argue that we need to consider how nursing experiences, before, during and after their professional work in the wards, would instigate abjection within nurses. The abjection of nurses does not start only from the ward, nor does it not end in the ward. Rather, the abjection of nurses, as a reaction to lived experiences, is nuanced and the study of it can reveal rich details of nurses' life both inside and outside of the ward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar beet is an important sugar crop, and its roots are mainly used for processing raw materials to produce products such as sugar, molasses, and saccharin, as well as being used as fodder for livestock. BvCPD, a key enzyme gene for brassinosteroid (BR) synthesis, regulates the development of parenchyma cells and vascular bundles by promoting BR synthesis, which promotes the expansion of the sugar beet taproot and influences the growth, development, and yield of sugar beets. This study investigated the impact of BvCPD on the physiological metabolism of sugar beet utilizing BvCPD overexpression, silent, and wild-type (WT) lines. BvCPD increased the chlorophyll content and maximum photochemical efficiency and improved the photosynthetic characteristics of sugar beet leaves. Simultaneously, BvCPD increased the rate of sugar beet taproot respiration and ATP content by enhancing the activities of phosphoglycerate kinase, alcohol dehydrogenase, sucrose synthase, and sucrose synthase catabolism. Moreover, BvCPD induced changes in the sugar fraction content, which increased the sugar yield of a single plant. In addition, BvCPD promoted water absorption, nitrogen accumulation, and lignin/cellulose synthesis activities, facilitated by increased activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, cellulose synthase, and protein serine/threonine phosphatases, providing the requisite energy and materials for sugar beet growth. These findings not only provide a new perspective for understanding the physiological mechanisms regulating the growth of sugar beets but also provide a theoretical basis for the future improvement of sugar beet varieties through molecular breeding techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cherry tomatoes, a very popular fruit, are highly susceptible to microbial infestation, which cause significant economic losses. In order to preserve cherry tomatoes better, we treat them with a Chitosan (CTS) and Curdlan (CUR) composite coating. The lowest inhibitory concentration of CTS/CUR composite coating on Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas syringae, the growth curves, and the changes of the cell lysis rate were determined to explore the inhibitory mechanism of CTS/CUR composite coating on Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas syringae and the microscopic morphology of Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas syringae was observed using scanning electron microscopy at the same time. The results showed that the CTS/CUR composite coating could effectively inhibit the growth of Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas, and the inhibitory effect reflected the concentration-dependent characteristics. The electron microscopy results indicated that the inhibition of Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas syringae by the CTS/CUR composite coating might originate from its disruptive effect on the cell wall and cell membrane of the bacterium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on developing a Pickering emulsion fresh-keeping paper that contained clove essential oil (CEO). Cherry tomatoes served as the test material for assessing the preservative efficacy of fresh-keeping paper. The results showed that Pickering emulsion had strong stability. Additionally, the fresh-keeping paper had a good antioxidant activity and sustained-release effect on CEO. In terms of the preservation effect, 0.75 wt% CEO Pickering emulsion paper reduced the decay incidence and weight loss of cherry tomatoes during 12-day storage. Fresh-keeping paper could also play a positive role in protecting the sensory index and color difference of tomatoes. It slowed the decline rate of soluble solid concentration (SSC) and titrable acid (TA). The vitamin C (Vc) and hardness of preserved tomatoes using fresh-keeping paper were maintained at a high level. The paper also inhibited the growth of microorganisms significantly. Therefore, 0.75 wt% CEO Pickering emulsion fresh-keeping paper displayed considerable potential for application in the preservation of postharvest fruits and vegetables. It is a novel fruit and vegetable preservation material worthy of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of functional cling films presents a promising approach to alleviate post-harvest spoilage caused by microbial activity, oxidative metabolism, and moisture loss in agricultural products. To overcome the environmental problems of conventional packaging materials, in this study, we developed functional fruit and vegetable cling films based on glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride and rosemarinic acid cross-linked gelatin (RQ-GEL). The results indicate that the prepared RQ-GEL film possesses excellent UV light barrier properties and mechanical performance. RQ-GEL inhibited S. aureus and E. coli by 93.79% and 92.04%, respectively. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activities were as high as 87.69% and 84.6%. In the cherry tomato preservation experiment, when compared to uncovered samples, the RQ-GEL group had a 29.77% reduction in weight loss and a significant 26.92% reduction in hardness. Meanwhile, the RQ-GEL group delays the decline of fruit total soluble solids and titratable acidity content, and prolongs the preservation period of cherry tomatoes. Hence, RQ-GEL cling film is poised to emerge as a promising packaging material for the post-harvest preservation of agricultural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During storage, winter jujube often experiences physiological disorders that can result in postharvest quality deterioration. To address this concern, a combination of 1% chitosan (CTS) and varying concentrations (0.02, 0.2, and 2 mg mL-1) of ε-polylysine (ε-PL) was applied. The findings indicated that the treatment involving the combination of 1% CTS with 0.2 mg mL-1ε-PL exhibited superior efficacy in preserving the hardness and titratable acid content of winter jujube. Additionally, the jujube fruits of this treatment exhibited a deceleration in the rise of decay incidence, red index, and weight loss rate. Simultaneously, the application of CTS combined with ε-PL treatment improved the levels of antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, POD, and APX) and enhanced contents of antioxidant compounds (AsA and GSH). Moreover, the generation of reactive oxygen species (H2O2 and O2-.) was suppressed. Consequently, CTS combined with ε-PL treatment effectively enhanced postharvest quality and regulated antioxidant status of winter jujube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northern China faces water scarcity, restricting water usage in place across Inner Mongolia's western region. The integrated irrigation and fertilization model for sugar beet is undergoing rapid development and application in production. However, there is a concerning trend in production where the frequency of irrigation and fertilization is being increased blindly, resulting in the wastage of valuable water and fertilizer resources. Limiting water and fertilizer usage is an effective approach to improve sugar beet production efficiency. Sugar beets are a significant sugar crop in China. A split-plot design was employed to examine the impact of reducing water and fertilizer use on sucrose metabolism in sugar beet root. Our study was performed at the Ulanqab Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences in Inner Mongolia from 2022 to 2023. Three levels of fertilization and irrigation were utilized. We investigated the interactions between irrigation and fertilization on sucrose accumulation in sugar beet root. We examined key enzyme activities involved in sucrose metabolism alongside their gene expression levels. The findings suggested that reducing irrigation by 15%, fertilization by 10%, or both irrigation by 15% and fertilization by 10%, increased sucrose concentrations of sugar beets compared to the control group administered conventional water and fertilizer. Over the two-year period, the average sucrose concentration increased by 0.45, 0.57, and 0.65 degrees, respectively, under each treatment. Subsequent research verified that appropriately reducing water and fertilizer can regulate the expression of enzyme genes, thus influencing enzyme activity. Moreover, due to the higher efficiency of enzyme synthesis compared to decomposition, it contributed to an increase in net enzyme activity. These findings suggest that an appropriate reduction of water and fertilizer can improve sucrose synthesis rates and increase the sucrose concentration in sugar beets, providing a theoretical basis for environmentally friendly generation and enhanced efficiency in sugar beet growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternaria alternata is the main pathogenic fungus of postharvest black spots in fruits and vegetables. This study aimed to explore the antifungal activity of methionine on A. alternata in vitro and to reveal related antifungal mechanisms through a metabolomics analysis. The results showed that the inhibitory effects of L-methionine (Met) treatment on mycelium growth, spore germination, and the germ tube elongation of A. alternata were enhanced with an increase in the Met concentration, but the inhibitory effects decreased when the Met concentration was higher than 50 mmolL−1. The results of propidium iodide staining and scanning electron microscopy showed that the Met treatment damaged the plasma membrane integrity of the A. alternata spores and caused an irreversible deformation of mycelium. In addition, after the Met treatment, the leakage of electrolytes, nucleic acid, and proteins in the A. alternata cells was significantly higher than that in the control group, indicating that the Met treatment increased the permeability of the cell membranes. Eighty-one different metabolites, divided into seven categories, were identified through the metabolomics analysis, including forty-three downregulated metabolites and thirty-eight upregulated metabolites. Among them, these differential metabolites were mainly involved in amino acid synthesis and metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the TCA cycle. Therefore, the antifungal effect of the Met treatment on A. alternata was mainly to damage the integrity of the cell membranes, make nucleic acid and protein contents leak, and affect the TCA cycle, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid synthesis metabolism, and the metabolic pathways associated with cell membrane biosynthesis. Thus, the growth and development of A. alternata were inhibited. The research enriched the investigation of the effect of the antifungal mechanism of Met treatment on A. alternata and provided a theoretical basis for the application of Met to prevent and treat postharvest black spots in fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on developing a composite coating comprising water-soluble chitosan (CTS) and curdlan (CUR). Cherry tomatoes served as the test material for assessing the preservative efficacy of these coatings. The incorporation of CUR markedly enhanced the coating's surface properties, refined its molecular structure, and improved its tensile strength and elongation at break. Additionally, the coating demonstrated enhanced permeability to water vapor, oxygen, and carbon dioxide and improved light transmission. The storage experiment, conducted at 25 ± 1 °C with a relative humidity of approximately 92% over 10 days, revealed that the CTS/CUR composite coating at a 1:1 ratio significantly outperformed the individual CTS or CUR coating and uncoated samples in maintaining the quality of postharvest cherry tomatoes. The 1:1 CTS/CUR composite coating demonstrated superior preservative effects. This study suggested that water-soluble chitosan/curdlan composite coatings have considerable potential for use in the preservation of postharvest fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is a common postharvest fungal disease in fruit and vegetables. The prevention and treatment of postharvest gray mold has been one of the hot research issues addressed by researchers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of L-methionine and L-arginine on Botrytis cinerea in vitro and on cherry tomato fruit. The results of the in vitro experiment showed that L-methionine and L-arginine had significant inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth and spore germination of Botrytis cinerea, and the inhibitory effects were enhanced with increasing L-methionine or L-arginine concentration. In addition, L-methionine and L-arginine treatment increased the leakage of Botrytis cinerea electrolytes, proteins and nucleic acids. The experiment involving propidium iodide staining and malondialdehyde content assay also confirmed that L-methionine and L-arginine treatment could lead to cell membrane rupture and lipid peroxidation. The results of scanning electron microscopy further verified that the morphology of hyphae was damaged, deformed, dented and wrinkled after treatment with L-methionine or L-arginine. Fruit inoculation experiments displayed that L-methionine and L-arginine treatments significantly inhibited the occurrence and development of gray mold in postharvest cherry tomato. Therefore, treatment with L-methionine or L-arginine might be an effective means to control postharvest gray mold in fruit and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to examine the fractal dimension and the difference in the law between intact and compacted loess before and after collapse. Uniaxial compression tests were performed to obtain specimens under various vertical stresses, and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests were conducted to determine the pore size distribution (PSD). Three models were selected to determine the fractal dimensions based on PSD. As a result, the pores were classified into ultra-micropores (d < 0.1 μm), micropores (0.1 μm < d < 2 μm), small pores (2 μm < d < 10 μm), and large pores (d > 10 μm). When the fractal dimensions were determined using the capillary pressure model, there were three fractal intervals (Ds1, Ds2, and Ds3), with only Ds1 and Ds2 meeting the definition of fractal dimension. Ds1 increased considerably after the collapse, but Ds2 declined. The thermodynamic law-based model presented the best linear fit, and there was only one fractal interval. The fractal dimension Dn increased dramatically after the specimen underwent wet collapse. In conjunction with fractal theory, it revealed that collapse changed the uniformity of the pore system, making the microscopic pores coarser and more intricate after collapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]