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Abstract Background & aims Gut microbiota is closely related to the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the differences in bacterial co-abundance groups (CAGs) between tumor tissue (TT) and normal tissue (NT), as well as their associations with clinical features, are needed to be clarified. Methods Bacterial 16 S rRNA sequencing was performed by using TT samples and NT samples of 251 patients with colorectal cancer. Microbial diversity, taxonomic characteristics, microbial composition, and functional pathways were compared between TT and NT. Hierarchical clustering was used to construct CAGs. Results Four CAGs were grouped in the hierarchical cluster analysis. CAG 2, which was mainly comprised of pathogenic bacteria, was significantly enriched in TT samples (2.27% in TT vs. 0.78% in NT, p

The sowing depth stability and consistency of the no-tillage planter, particularly the high-speed operation, are poor. A reason for this is that the structure and parameter selection of no-tillage planter row unit profiling mechanism are unreasonable. The stability and consistency of sowing depth is beneficial when the upper and lower links of the parallel 4-bar profiling mechanism (PFPM) are parallel to the ground, but this principle is not satisfied on the uneven no-till soil. To improve the stability of gauge wheels downforce (GWD) and sowing depth of no-tillage planter row unit. The variation law of spring additional downforce (SAD) with tilt angle of parallel 4-bar profiling mechanism (PFPM) and connection offset of spring is discussed by constructing the steady state analysis matrix equation of PFPM. Additionally, the influence of tilt angle of PFPM and SAD on the stability of the sowing depth was analyzed. Based on the single factor control variable test method, bench and field tests were conducted. The test results show that the SAD increases nonlinearly with the increase in the degree of tilt of PFPM from downward to upward. Under the condition that four springs are installed and the tilt angle of PFPM is between (−20°–20°), the maximum SAD is 485.95 N, 1236.64 N, and 2258.05 N when the spring connection offset is 44 mm, 79 mm, and 115 mm, respectively. When the tilt angle is 8° upward, the GWD increases by 429 N, 575 N, and 984 N, GWD stability increases by 42.31 %, 56.16 %, and 50.29 %, and ditching depth stability increases by 30.00 %, 12.50 %, and 30.00 % compared with that of the control group at the sowing speed of 8, 10, and 12 km/h, respectively. At the sowing speed of 10 km/h, when the PFPM is operated with spring-free and additional springs, the average GWD increases by 353 N, and the stability of GWD and ditching depth increases by 34.38 % and 20.00 %, respectively. The results showed that the tilt upward of PFPM and SAD were beneficial to improve the stability of the GWD and sowing depth of the no-tillage planter row unit. The results not only verify the correctness of theoretical analysis, but also provide theoretical basis for the design and application adjustment of high-speed no-tillage planter.

Sensory analysis is an interdisciplinary field that combines multiple disciplines to analyze food qualitatively and quantitatively. At present, this analysis method has been widely used in product development, quality control, marketing, flavor analysis, safety supervision and inspection of alcoholic beverages. Due to the changing needs of analysis, new and more optimized methods are still emerging. Thereinto, intelligent and biometric technologies with growing attention have also been applied to sensory analysis. This work summarized the sensory analysis methods from three aspects, including traditional artificial sensory analysis, intelligent sensory technology, and innovative technologies. Meanwhile, the application sensory analysis in alcoholic beverages and its industrial production was scientifically emphasized. Moreover, the future tendency of sensory analysis in the alcoholic beverage industry is also highlights.

Abstract With the development of processes and reduction of transistor size, transistor sensitivity to voltage changes has increased. Traditional SRAM bit cells struggle to function properly at low voltages, and the lengthy write time necessitated by the write conflict problem will inevitably result in write failure. As ultra‐low‐voltage SRAM has emerged as a significant direction of research for SRAM, this paper proposes an ultra‐low‐voltage 9T SRAM bit cell that is conflict‐free. By circumventing write conflicts and enabling rapid writing, the bit cell demonstrates its superiority, particularly at ultra‐low voltages, by eliminating the requirement for peripheral write‐assist circuitry to accomplish chip writing. To assess the performance of the conflict‐free 9T bit cell, simulation experiments are conducted utilizing the 28 nm process model. Simulation results indicate that the 9T bit cell proposed in this paper requires only 66% of the writing time of the traditional 6T cell. This enables the cell to accomplish fast writing and more stable writing performance.

Abstract Reservoir flood control scheduling is a challenging optimization task, particularly due to the complexity of various constraints. This paper proposes an innovative algorithm design approach to address this challenge. Combining the basic walrus optimization algorithm with the adaptive ε-constraint method and introducing the SPM chaotic mapping for population initialization, spiral search strategy, and local enhancement search strategy based on Cauchy mutation and reverse learning significantly enhances the algorithm's optimization performance. On this basis, innovate an adaptive approach ε A New Algorithm for Constraints and Multi Strategy Optimization Improvement (ε-IWOA). To validate the performance of the ε-IWOA algorithm, 24 constrained optimization test functions are used to test its optimization capabilities and effectiveness in solving constrained optimization problems. Experimental results demonstrate that the ε-IWOA algorithm exhibits excellent optimization ability and stable performance. Taking the Taolinkou Reservoir, Daheiting Reservoir, and Panjiakou Reservoir in the middle and lower reaches of the Luanhe River Basin as a case study, this paper applies the ε-IWOA algorithm to practical reservoir scheduling problems by constructing a three-reservoir flood control scheduling system with Luanxian as the control point. A comparative analysis is conducted with the ε-WOA, ε-DE and ε-PSO (particle swarm optimization) algorithms.The experimental results indicate that ε-IWOA algorithm performs the best in optimization, with the occupied flood control capacity of the three reservoirs reaching 89.32%, 90.02%, and 80.95%, respectively. The control points in Luan County can reduce the peak by 49%.This provides a practical and effective solution method for reservoir optimization scheduling models. This study offers new ideas and solutions for flood control optimization scheduling of reservoir groups, contributing to the optimization and development of reservoir scheduling work.

Abstract Background Oral leukoplakia (OLK) is a prevalent precancerous lesion with limited non-pharmacological treatment options. Surgery and various lasers are the mainstay of treatment; however, their relative efficacy and optimal choice remain unclear. This first network meta-analysis compared the effects of different lasers and surgical excision on post-treatment recurrence and comfort in OLK patients. Methods We searched four databases for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to April 2023. The primary outcome was post-treatment recurrence, and secondary outcomes included intraoperative hemorrhage and postoperative pain scores. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the study quality. Meta-analysis and network meta-analysis were employed to determine efficacy and identify the optimal intervention. Results A total of 11 RCTs including 917 patients and 1138 lesions were included. Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment showed significantly lower recurrence rates compared to CO2 laser (OR: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01–0.18), CO2 laser with margin extension (OR: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01–0.60), Er:YAG laser (OR: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.03–0.37), electrocautery (OR: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.00–0.18), and standard care (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.02–0.33). Er,Cr:YSGG laser also ranked the best for reducing recurrence, followed by standard care and CO2 laser combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT). Er:YAG and Er:Cr:YSGG lasers minimized bleeding and pain, respectively. None of the interventions caused severe adverse effects. Conclusion For non-homogeneous OLK, Er:YAG, Er:Cr:YSGG, and CO2 laser combined with PDT offer promising alternatives to surgical excision, potentially reducing recurrence and improving patient comfort. Further high-quality RCTs are necessary to confirm these findings and determine the optimal laser–PDT combination for OLK treatment.

Background: 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu), a prominent chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, is often associated with gastrointestinal toxicities, particularly diarrhea. Our previous study demonstrated that berberine (BBR) ameliorates 5-Fu-induced intestinal mucosal injury by modulating the gut microbiota in rats. Nevertheless, the precise molecular mechanism underlying BBR's protective effect on intestinal mucosa remains elusive, and its impact on the anti-tumor efficacy of 5-Fu warrants further investigation. Methods: The effect of BBR on 5-Fu-induced intestinal mucosal injury was investigated using a tumor-bearing murine model, employing H&E staining, 16 S rDNA sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, Western blot analysis, cell experiments and constructing a pseudo-germ-free tumor xenograft model. Result: Our findings demonstrate that BBR alleviates intestinal mucosal damage, reduces the levels of inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β), and inhibits epithelial cell apoptosis in 5-Fu-treated mice without compromising 5-Fu's anti-tumor efficacy. Moreover, 16 S rDNA sequencing indicated that BBR significantly increases the abundance of Akkermansia and decreases the abundance of pathogenic bacteria Escherichia/Shigella at the genus level. Mechanistically, transcriptome sequencing and Western blot analysis confirmed that BBR upregulates PI3K/AKT/mTOR expression in the intestinal mucosa. However, this effect was not observed in tumor tissues. Notably, BBR did not demonstrate a direct protective effect on 5-Fu-treated CCD841 and SW480 cells. Additionally, BBR had no effect on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in the intestinal tissue of the 5-Fu-treated mouse model with a depleted gut microbiota. Conclusion: This study indicates that BBR alleviates 5-Fu-induced intestinal mucosal injury by modulating the gut microbiota and regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway without compromising the anti-tumor efficacy of 5-Fu.

While strides in cancer treatment continue to advance, the enduring challenges posed by cancer metastasis and recurrence persist as formidable contributors to the elevated mortality rates observed in cancer patients. Among the multifaceted factors implicated in tumor recurrence and metastasis, cancer stem cells (CSCs) emerge as noteworthy entities due to their inherent resistance to conventional therapies and heightened invasive capacities. Characterized by their notable abilities for self-renewal, differentiation, and initiation of tumorigenesis, the eradication of CSCs emerges as a paramount objective. Recent investigations increasingly emphasize the pivotal role of post-translational protein modifications (PTMs) in governing the self-renewal and replication capabilities of CSCs. This review accentuates the critical significance of several prevalent PTMs and the intricate interplay of PTM crosstalk in regulating CSC behavior. Furthermore, it posits that the manipulation of PTMs may offer a novel avenue for targeting and eliminating CSC populations, presenting a compelling perspective on cancer therapeutics with substantial potential for future applications.

Carrots as a representative type of delicious and healthy vegetables has become increasingly popular due to its unique flavors and nutritional value. Vast amount of research has been completed on chemical composition and aroma profile of fresh carrot. However, the knowledge of fresh carrot is only scattered. Therefore, a more comprehensive review to fresh carrot is requisite to be reported. This review first describes the botany of carrots; then, the chemical ingredients and their various functions are discussed. The volatile constituents and the effects of terpenoids on aroma profiles of fresh carrot are also discussed. Finally, sources of variation in the formation and development of carrot aroma through heat processing and dehydration are analyzed. This information will further help researchers to solve the problem of insufficient aroma of carrot products and standardize for each type of carrot through improving the production process.

Abstract In recent decades, rising air temperatures (AT) and apparent temperatures (AP) have posed growing health risks. In the context of China's rapid urbanization and global climate change, it is crucial to understand the impact of urban land use/land cover (LULC) changes on AP. This study investigates the spatial distribution and long-term variation patterns of AT and AP, using data from 834 meteorological stations across China from 1996 to 2020. It also explores the relationship between AT, AP, and LULC in the urban core areas of 30 major cities. Study reveals that AT and AP exhibit overall high spatial similarity, albeit with greater spatial variance in AP. Notably, regions with significant disparities between the two have been identified. Furthermore, it's observed that the spatial range of high AP change rates is wider than that of AT. Moreover, the study suggests a potential bivariate quadratic function relationship between ΔT (the difference between AT and AP) and Wa_ratio and Ar_ratio, indicating the presence of a Least Suitable Curve (LSC), $${\text{W}}_{{\text{a}}} \_{\text{ratio}} = {0}{{.263(}} \pm {0}{{.0269)}} - {0}{{.437(}} \pm {0}{{.0417)}} \times {\text{Ar}}\_{\text{ratio}}$$ W a _ ratio = 0 . 263 ( ± 0 . 0269 ) - 0 . 437 ( ± 0 . 0417 ) × Ar _ ratio . Urban LULC planning should carefully avoid intersecting with this curve. These findings can provide valuable insights for urban LULC planning, ultimately enhancing the thermal comfort of urban residents.

Abstract Background Depression and anxiety have been found prevalent during all phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. In late December 2022, almost all COVID-19 control measures were lifted in China, leading to a surge in COVID-19 infections. The public’s perceived risk and fear of COVID-19 would be increased. This study aims to examine the prevalence of depression and anxiety in the Chinese general population and explores the mediating role of fear of COVID-19 between COVID-19 perceived risk and depression/anxiety and the moderating role of resilience between fear of COVID-19 and depression/anxiety. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Wenzhou, China, immediately following almost all COVID-19 control measures lifted. The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the COVID-19 Risk Perception Scale, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were used to evaluate depression, anxiety, COVID-19 perceived risk, fear of COVID-19, and resilience, respectively. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Maximum Likelihood (ML) estimator and adjusted for significant background factors was performed to test the moderated mediation. Data obtained from 935 participants were analyzed. Results The prevalence of moderate to severe depression and anxiety was 23.7% and 9.5%, respectively. The present study revealed positive associations among COVID-19 perceived risk, fear of COVID-19 and depression/anxiety, and negative associations between resilience and fear of COVID-19/depression/anxiety. Fear of COVID-19 partially mediated the association between COVID-19 perceived risk and depression/anxiety. Furthermore, resilience significantly moderated the association between fear of COVID-19 and depression/anxiety. Two moderated mediation models were constructed. Conclusion Depression and anxiety were prevalent among Chinese adults during the final phase of the pandemic in China. The significant mediation role of fear of COVID-19 implies that reducing fear of COVID-19 may effectively alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms. Moreover, enhancing public resilience during an epidemic crisis is crucial for promoting mental health.

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) represent some of the most globally prevalent and detrimental diseases. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology has effectively addressed the requirement for the diagnosis of clinical infectious diseases. This study aimed at identifying and classifying opportunistic pathogens from the respiratory tract-colonizing microflora in LRTI patients using data acquired from mNGS analyses. A retrospective study was performed employing the mNGS data pertaining to the respiratory samples derived from 394 LRTIs patients. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis was conducted to discern the discriminant bacteria. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were established to demonstrate discriminant bacterial behavior to distinguish colonization from infection. A total of 443 discriminant bacteria were identified and segregated into three cohorts contingent upon their correlation profiles, detection frequency, and relative abundance in order to distinguish pathogens from colonizing microflora. Among them, 119 emerging opportunistic pathogens (cohort 2) occupied an average area under the curve (AUC) of 0.976 for exhibiting the most prominent predictability in distinguishing colonization from infection, 39 were colonizing bacteria (cohort 1, 0.961), and 285 were rare opportunistic pathogens (cohort 3, 0.887). The LTRIs patients appeared modular in the form of cohorts depicting complex microbial co-occurrence networks, reduced diversity, and a high degree of antagonistic interactions in the respiratory tract microbiome. The study findings indicate that therapeutic interventions should target interaction networks rather than individual microbes, providing an innovative perspective for comprehending and combating respiratory infections. Conclusively, this study reports a profile of LRTIs-associated bacterial colonization and opportunistic pathogens in a relatively large-scale cohort, which might serve as a reference panel for the interpretation of mNGS results in clinical practice.

The molybdenum and nitrogen content of super austenitic stainless steel in Cl− solution is shown to influence pitting resistance using immersion, electrochemical testing, and simulation. Variations in Mo and N content affect the defect density, resistance, and densification of the passive film, thereby reducing the number of pitting. A higher local pH associated with the pitting pits and an increase in NH3(NH4+) are the results of increased N content, which also slows the rate of pitting expansion. The combined effects of fewer actively reactive spots within the passive film retarded pitting, and decreased corrosion rates due to NH3(NH4+) mitigation of local acidity which serves to reduce the corrosion rate. The work function is improved to a greater extent when Mo and N are co-doped compared with individual Mo and N doping, and the adsorption energy is significantly increased when Mo and N are co-doped, indicating a synergistic role for Mo and N in the prevention of corrosion by Cl−.

To enhance the applicability of dual-phase high-entropy alloys (HEAs) like Fe32Cr33Ni29Al3Ti3, fabricated via laser beam power bed fusion (LB-PBF), a focus on improving their mechanical properties is essential. As part of this effort, heat treatment was explored. This study compares the microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-printed sample with those cooled in water after undergoing heat treatment at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1200 °C for 1 h. Both pre- and post-treatment samples reveal a dual-phase microstructure comprising FCC and BCC phases. Although heat treatment led to a reduction in tensile and yield strength, it significantly increased ductility compared to the as-printed sample. This strength-ductility trade-off is related to changes in grain sizes with ultrafine grains enhancing strength and micron grains optimizing ductility, also influencing the content of FCC/BCC phases and dislocation density. In particular, the sample heat-treated at 1000 °C for 1 h and then water-cooled exhibited a better combination of strength and ductility, a yield strength of 790 MPa, and an elongation of 13%. This research offers innovative perspectives on crafting dual-phase HEA of Fe32Cr33Ni29Al3Ti3, allowing for tailorable microstructure and mechanical properties through a synergistic approach involving LB-PBF and heat treatment.

In this study, 18 short-column lightweight ceramsite concrete samples were prepared in rectangular stainless steel pipes, which were used for axial pressure performance tests that took the cross-sectional length–width ratio of the rectangular stainless steel pipe (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0), the wall thickness of the steel pipe (3 mm, 4 mm and 5 mm), and the strength grade of the filled concrete (C20 and C30) as the main parameters. Then, the failure patterns, axial load–displacement curve, axial load–strain curve, ultimate bearing capacity and the interaction between the steel pipe and concrete in the specimens were measured. The test results revealed that the short-column concrete specimens in the steel pipes exhibited typical shear failure and “waist-bulging” failure under axial compressive loads. In the elastic stage, the bearing capacity of the specimens was able to reach 65–85% of the ultimate bearing capacity, with the residual bearing capacity essentially reaching 70% of the ultimate bearing capacity. Furthermore, the ultimate bearing capacity of the specimens demonstrated an increase with the rise in the strength grade of the filled concrete, with the thickness of the stainless steel pipe and with the decrease in the length–width ratio of the steel pipe cross-section. The specimens exhibited a distinct hoop effect. As the length–width ratio decreased and the hoop coefficient increased, the ductility coefficient and the strength enhancement coefficient basically displayed an increasing tendency, while the concrete contribution ratio exhibited a decreasing trend.

Appropriate mechanized straw returning and tillage sowing techniques were effective means to optimize soil physical properties and enhance agricultural productivity, as well as important measures for the conservation and restoration of mollisols region in Northeast China. Under the condition of full-scale maize straw returning, four mechanized tillage and sowing modes were set, including plough tillage and sowing (PTS), combined tillage and sowing (CTS), no-tillage and sowing (NTS), and no-tillage and sowing with straw mulching (NTSM). In 2020 and 2021, the study investigated the effects of different mechanized tillage and sowing modes on soil physical properties, soybean yield and economic benefits. The results showed that during the pod-setting and pod-filling period of soybean, the NTS and NTSM treatments exhibited better effects on deep soil insulation and shallow soil moisture retention, the soil physical structure of PTS and CTS treatments were relatively ideal. Compared with PTS and CTS treatments, NTS and NTSM treatments significantly increased soil gravimetric water content (SWC) by 2.35% to 7.98% in the 5-15 cm soil layer and increased soil temperature (ST) by 3.94% to 10.42% in the 2535 cm soil layer (p<0.05), significantly increased soil bulk density (SBD) by 2.98% to 6.72% and significantly reduced soil total porosity (STP) by 3.88% to 6.53% in the 5-25 cm soil layer, and significantly reduced soil gas phase ratio by 8.26% to 6.27% at the 15-25 cm soil layers, which caused soil three-phase ratio (STPR) of PTS and CTS treatment in 15-25 cm soil layer were relatively ideal. The soybean yield of NTSM treatment in 2020 was not significantly different from PTS and CTS treatment (p>0.05), the soybean yield of NTSM treatment in 2021 significantly increased by 7.30% and 5.84% over PTS and CTS treatments, respectively. And the average annual profit per unit area of NTSM treatment increased by 12.84%, 12.41% and 8.57% compared with PTS, CTS and NTS treatments, respectively. Therefore, it was recommended to combine NTSM technique with PTS or CTS technique in a maize-soybean rotation system in mollisols region. The research results provided reference for the selection of appropriate mechanized tillage and sowing techniques in Northeast China's mollisols region and had important guiding significance and practical value for the construction of rational plow layers and the implementation of conservation tillage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Fritillaria ussuriensis is an endangered medicinal plant known for its notable therapeutic properties. Unfortunately, its population has drastically declined due to the destruction of forest habitats. Thus, effectively protecting F. ussuriensis from extinction poses a significant challenge. A profound understanding of its genetic foundation is crucial. To date, research on the complete mitochondrial genome of F. ussuriensis has not yet been reported. Results The complete mitochondrial genome of F. ussuriensis was sequenced and assembled by integrating PacBio and Illumina sequencing technologies, revealing 13 circular chromosomes totaling 737,569 bp with an average GC content of 45.41%. A total of 55 genes were annotated in this mitogenome, including 2 rRNA genes, 12 tRNA genes, and 41 PCGs. The mitochondrial genome of F. ussuriensis contained 192 SSRs and 4,027 dispersed repeats. In the PCGs of F. ussuriensis mitogenome, 90.00% of the RSCU values exceeding 1 exhibited a preference for A-ended or U-ended codons. In addition, 505 RNA editing sites were predicted across these PCGs. Selective pressure analysis suggested negative selection on most PCGs to preserve mitochondrial functionality, as the notable exception of the gene nad3 showed positive selection. Comparison between the mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes of F. ussuriensis revealed 20 homologous fragments totaling 8,954 bp. Nucleotide diversity analysis revealed the variation among genes, and gene atp9 was the most notable. Despite the conservation of GC content, mitogenome sizes varied significantly among six closely related species, and colinear analysis confirmed the lack of conservation in their genomic structures. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close relationship between F. ussuriensis and Lilium tsingtauense. Conclusions In this study, we sequenced and annotated the mitogenome of F. ussuriensis and compared it with the mitogenomes of other closely related species. In addition to genomic features and evolutionary position, this study also provides valuable genomic resources to further understand and utilize this medicinal plant.

This study focuses on three different regions of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis): an inner layer (IB), middle layer (MB), and outer layer (OB), to comprehensively characterize the structural features, chemical composition (ash, extractives and lignin contents), and the lignin monomeric composition as determined by analytical pyrolysis. The results show that bamboo presents a gradient structure. From the IB to OB, the vascular bundle density and fiber sheath ratio increase, the porosity decreases (from 45.92% to 18.14%), and the vascular bundle diameter–chord ratio increases (from 0.85 to 1.48). In terms of chemical composition, the ash, extractives, and acid-soluble lignin content gradually decrease from IB to OB. The holocellulose content follows the trend: MB (66.3%) > OB (65.9%) > IB (62.8%), while the acid-insoluble lignin content exhibits the opposite trend: IB (22.6%) > OB (17.8%) > MB (17.7%). Pyrolysis products reveal the diversity of carbohydrates and lignin derivatives, with a lignin monomeric composition rich in syringyl and guaiacyl units and lower amounts of H-units: the IB has an H:G:S relation of 18:26:55, while 15:27:58 is the ratio for the MB and 15:40:45 for the OB; S/G ratio values were, respectively, 1.22, 1.46, and 0.99. A comprehensive analysis highlights significant gradient variations in the structure and chemistry of bamboo, providing robust support for the classification and refinement methods of bamboo residues for potential applications.

It is important to improve the overall quality of rice grown in northeastern China, which is famous for its high yield. Therefore, it is necessary to study the quality of japonica rice resources in the region. This study analyzed 71 rice samples from the Liaoning, Heilongjiang, and Jilin Provinces, focusing on grain shape, endosperm composition, and taste. Significant regional differences were observed in taste and edibility, with the samples from Heilongjiang and Jilin generally scoring higher taste value, which was significantly higher than the Liaoning variety. However, the Liaoning varieties were more stable in terms of the sensory evaluation of taste. Obvious differences in grain length were detected among the samples, with the varieties from Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces predominantly having short and medium-to-long grains, respectively, and those from Liaoning Province having diverse grain shapes. However, there was no correlation between grain shape and taste. This indicated that the taste of rice is not affected solely by its external morphology but also by multiple interacting factors. There were significant differences in endosperm composition among the three provinces, but the amylose content of the tested varieties was generally less than 18%, and the protein content was about 6%. Additionally, the Jilin Province varieties had the lowest apparent amylose content and long chain of amylopectin (Fb3), the Heilongjiang Province varieties had the lowest protein content, and there were more medium chains of amylopectin. Notably, protein content was negatively correlated with taste but positively correlated with pasting properties. It can be seen that the premise of varieties in different provinces showing good taste characteristics is to ensure the content of amylose and protein is low, and adjust the proportion of amylopectin chain length.

Nitrogen fertilizer affects rice endosperm protein, which in turn affects rice taste. However, study of nitrogen regulation of protein components is not sufficient. To clarify the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on rice protein components and related traits, we used two high albumin content and two low glutelin content rice varieties as test materials and analyzed the relationship between protein components and rice eating quality. The results showed that nitrogen application significantly affected prolamine and glutelin contents; moreover, a relationship was observed between variety and fertilization level. The protein components of the low glutelin content rice varieties were sensitive to nitrogen treatment; the albumin and globulin contents increased, whereas the prolamine and glutelin contents decreased following treatment with medium level nitrogen. Nitrogen treatment also significantly affected the apparent amylose content (AAC) of varieties except Yinguang. The eating characteristics of the high albumin content varieties differed significantly among nitrogen treatments, and the two varieties tasted better following treatment with high concentrations of nitrogen. In conclusion, the short chain of amylopectin in the endosperm had a greater direct effect on taste, but the effect was opposite in the two varieties. Furthermore, globulin was found to affect the taste of low glutelin content varieties.

In order to optimize the design of high-altitude sprinkling system of fire-fighting aircraft, it is necessary to establish a model reflecting the high-altitude spraying and distribution mechanism of mass fire extinguishing bags during the flight. Based on the discrete element method and the computational fluid dynamics method, a high-altitude spraying and distributing model of aircraft mass fire extinguishing bags is established, and the spraying characteristics and landing area distribution at different flight speeds and altitudes are obtained. The model is verified by experiments. The deviations between simulated landing distribution and experimental data are less than 20.0%. The research results provide a theoretical model for the development of aircraft high altitude fire extinguishing system, so as to significantly improve the fire extinguishing performance of aircraft spraying system.

To effectively obtain the downforce of the gauge wheels in real time, mechanical models of the interaction among the ground, gauge wheels, gauge wheel arms, and depth adjustment lever were constructed. A measuring method was proposed for monitoring the downforce through a two-dimensional radial sensing device, and a corresponding prototype was designed. Through simulation analysis of the sensing device with ANSYS, a 45° angle was determined to exist between the strain gauge axis and the sensing device axis, and the Wheatstone bridging circuit of R1+R3-R5-R7 (R stands for resistance strain gauge, different figures represent the strain gauge number) and R2+R4-R6-R8 was adopted. According to performance and calibration tests for the sensing device, the maximum interaction effect between the X and Y axes was 2.52%, and the output signal was stable and consistent. The standard error of the slope of the fitting equation of the downforce calculation model is 0.008. According to the field test, the average downforce of the gauge wheels was 1148, 1017, 843, and 713 N, at different sowing speeds of 6, 8, 10, and 12 km/h, respectively. The coefficients of variation were 0.40, 0.41, 0.62, and 0.71, respectively. The results indicate that the downforce fluctuation of the gauge wheels became more severe with increasing planting speed. Both the strain simulation analysis and field test verified that the measurement method is accurate and reliable, the performance of the sensing device is stable, the measurement method and sensing device meet the application requirements and lay a foundation for the research of accurate and stable control of downforce of no-till planter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]