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Sesuvium portulacastrum L. is a dicotyledonous halophyte belonging to the family Aizoaceae. Its young leaves are highly nutritious, and many ecotypes are used as leafy vegetable and medicinal crops. Additionally, due to their tolerance to soil salinity, flooding, and high temperatures, some ecotypes are used for the remediation of saline soils. As a result, there is an increasing need for a large number of disease-free S. portulacastrum propagules. This study developed an efficient protocol for the regeneration of S. portulacastrum through indirect shoot organogenesis. Leaf explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of zeatin (ZT) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Callus was induced in all explants cultured with 1.5 mg/L ZT only or 1.5 mg/L ZT with 0.5 mg/L IAA. The callus was cut into small pieces and cultured on the same medium on which it was initially induced. ZT at 1.5 mg/L induced 73.7% of callus pieces to produce adventitious shoots, and the shoot numbers per callus piece were up to 20. To improve the in vitro rooting of adventitious shoots, commonly known as microshoots or microcuttings, an endophytic fungus, Cladosporium ‘BF-F’, was inoculated onto the rooting medium. ‘BF-F’ substantially enhanced rooting and plantlet growth, as the root numbers were three times more and plantlet heights were 70% greater than those without ‘BF-F’ inoculation. To detect the genes involved in the enhanced rooting and plantlet growth, qRT-PCR analysis was performed. Results showed that genes related to auxin responses and nitrogen uptake and metabolism were highly upregulated in ‘BF-F’-inoculated plantlets. Plants inoculated with ‘BF-F’ grew vigorously after being transplanted into a sand–soil substrate. Thus, this study not only established an efficient protocol for the regeneration of S. portulacastrum but also developed a novel method for improving the rooting of microshoots and plantlet growth. The established propagation system could be used for producing a large number of S. portulacastrum plantlets for commercial use and also for genetic transformation.

Exploring the combined effects of multisensory interactions in open spaces can help improve the comfort of campus environments. Nine typical spaces on a university campus in Fuzhou were selected for this study. Subjects perceived the environment and then completed an on-site subjective questionnaire. At the same time, meteorological data (global radiation, air temperature, globe temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and illumination intensity) were measured to determine the interactions between visual and acoustic and thermal perceptions. Differences in the meteorological parameters between the measuring points were described using a one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test, and a chi-square test of independence was used to determine significant associations between thermal, acoustic, and visual comfort, which in turn led to the study of interactions between visual, acoustic, and thermal comfort using a two-way ANOVA. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) the Thermal Comfort Vote (TCV) increased with the increasing Acoustic Comfort Vote (ACV) at all levels of thermal stress. (2) The highest and lowest Acoustic Sensation Vote (ASV) values for each sound type were derived from either “slightly cold” or “warm” conditions. Both the Thermal Comfort Vote (TCV) and the Acoustic Comfort Vote (ACV) were positively correlated. (3) When “neutral”, the Thermal Sensation Vote (TSV) increased with increasing illumination intensity (LUX). (4) The Sunlight Sensation Vote (SSV) increased with the increasing Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) when illumination intensity (LUX) was moderate and bright. (5) The highest and lowest Acoustic Sensation Vote (ASV) values for each sound type came from either “slightly cold” or “warm” conditions.

The objective of this study was to deeply understand the adaptation mechanism of the functional traits of Moso bamboo Phyllostachys pubescens syn. edulis (Poales: Poaceae) leaves to the environment under different Pantana phyllostachysae Chao damage levels, analyzing the changes in the relationship between specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC). We combined different machine learning models (decision tree, RF, XGBoost, and CatBoost regression models), and used different canopy heights and different levels of infestation, to analyze the changes in the relationship between the two under different levels of infestation based on the results of the best estimation model. The results showed the following: (1) The SLA of Ph. pubescens showed a decreasing trend with the increase om insect pest degree, and LDMC showed an inverse trend. (2) The SLA of bamboo leaves was negatively correlated with the LDMC under different insect pest degrees; the correlation of the data under the healthy class was higher than that of other insect pest levels, and at the same time better than that of the full sample, which laterally confirmed the effect of insect pest stress on the functional traits of Ph. pubescens leaves. (3) When modeling under different infestation levels, the CatBoost model was used for heavy damage and the RF model was used for the rest of the cases; the decision tree regression model was used when modeling different canopy heights. The findings contribute certain insights into the nuanced responses and adaptive mechanisms of Ph. pubescens forests to environmental fluctuations. Moreover, these results furnish a robust scientific foundation, essential for ensuring the enduring sustainability of Ph. pubescens forest ecosystems.

This study aims to explore the influence of spatial functional differences on the overall relationship between soundscape and visual landscape in the context of historical blocks and then propose design guidelines for audiovisual elements. Audiovisual stimulus materials were collected from 11 representative locations in typical urban historical blocks along the southeast coast of China and classified into residential, cultural leisure, and commercial spaces based on their primary function, activity, and visual environment characteristics. An evaluation environment was created in the laboratory using virtual reality technology, and a subjective evaluation questionnaire was administered to 71 volunteers regarding the perception of audiovisual elements and the evaluation of the overall environment. Structural equation modeling was used to elucidate the relationships between sound source perception, soundscape perception, visual landscape satisfaction, and overall harmony of the environment and to compare the effects of functional differences at different locations on the overall relationships. The results show significant differences in the types of perceived sound sources at different functional locations, which makes the sound sources affecting soundscape perception and visual landscape satisfaction different. Residential space is mainly affected by artificial sound and mechanical noise; in cultural and leisure spaces, all three types of sound sources have a significant impact, and only natural sound has enhanced subjective perception; the impact of artificial sound in commercial space is crucial. In addition, visual landscape satisfaction should be prioritized over soundscape pleasure to enhance the overall harmony of the environment. In residential and commercial spaces, reducing artificial and mechanical noise can effectively enhance the harmony of the environment; in cultural and leisure areas, reducing artificial sounds and increasing natural sounds or historical landscape elements can enhance the overall harmony of the environment. The results of this paper provide empirical evidence for understanding the overall relationship between soundscape factors in urban contexts and suggest that place function should be considered an important context when designing soundscapes.

The acoustic environment can influence people’s perceptions and experiences and shape the soundscape. The soundscape has a unique role in shaping the cultural identity of a regional culture. Artificial sounds are an essential source of sounds in historical blocks; research has shown the influence of the ratio of perceived artificial sounds to the perceived extent of natural sounds on environmental perception in historical blocks. In order to explore this impact, this study uses the red soundscape index (RSIn), which represents the ratio of perceived artificial sounds to natural sounds, and constructs a structural equation model to elucidate the relationship between RSIn, soundscape perception, and sense of place. The results show that: (1) The evaluation of the sense of place is inversely related to the perception of artificial sounds and positively related to the perception of natural sounds. (2) Different artificial sounds have different effects on soundscape perception and the sense of place; the traditional culture soundscape index (TRSIn) has a significant impact on soundscape pleasantness (β = −0.13, p < 0.001) and soundscape quality (β = −0.09, p < 0.01). (3) The human soundscape index (ARSIn) has a significant impact on the sense of place (β = −0.14, p < 0.001). (4) The music soundscape index (MRSIn) has a significant negative impact on soundscape quality (β = −0.13, p < 0.05) and the sense of place (β = −0.12, p < 0.05). Therefore, the different dominant artificial sound sources should be considered and emphasized when designing and optimizing the soundscape of historic districts. The results of this study can serve as design guidelines and supporting data, providing a reference for the optimization and enhancement of the soundscape of historical blocks.

Adolescence is a developmental epoch characterized by massive neural circuit remodeling; thus, the brain is particularly vulnerable to environmental influences during this period. Excessive high-fat diet (HFD) consumption, which is very common among adolescents, has long been recognized as a potent risk factor for multiple mood disorders, including depression and anxiety. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the influences of HFD consumption in adolescence on emotional health are far from clear. In the present study, C57BL/6 mice were fed a control diet (CD) or HFD for about 4 weeks from postnatal day (P) 28 to P60, spanning most of the adolescence period, and then subjected to behavioral assessments and histological examinations. HFD mice exhibited elevated levels of depression and anxiety, decreased hippocampal neurogenesis, and excessive microglial activation in the ventral hippocampus. Furthermore, in HFD-fed mice, microglia showed increased DCX+ inclusions, suggesting aberrant microglial engulfment of newborn neurons in HFD-fed adolescents. To our knowledge, this is the first observation suggesting that the negative effects of HFD consumption in adolescence on emotion and neuroplasticity may be attributed at least in part to aberrant microglial engulfment of nascent neurons, extending our understanding of the mechanism underlying HFD-related affective disorders in young people.

This study evaluated the effects of different light spectra (white light; WL, blue light; BL and red light; RL) on the root morphological traits and metabolites accumulation and biosynthesis in Sarcandra glabra. We performed transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling by RNA-seq and ultra-performance liquid chromatography−electrospray ionization−tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS), respectively. When morphological features were compared to WL, BL substantially increased under-ground fresh weight, root length, root surface area, and root volume, while RL inhibited these indices. A total of 433 metabolites were identified, of which 40, 18, and 68 compounds differentially accumulated in roots under WL (WG) vs. roots under BL (BG), WG vs. roots under RL (RG), and RG vs. BG, respectively. In addition, the contents of sinapyl alcohol, sinapic acid, fraxetin, and 6-methylcoumarin decreased significantly in BG and RG. In contrast, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinyl glucoside, quercitrin and quercetin were increased considerably in BG. Furthermore, the contents of eight terpenoids compounds significantly reduced in BG. Following transcriptomic profiling, several key genes related to biosynthesis of phenylpropanoid-derived and terpenoids metabolites were differentially expressed, such as caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase) (COMT), hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA shikimate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HCT), O-methyltransferase (OMT), and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthetase (DXS). In summary, our findings showed that BL was suitable for growth and accumulation of bioactive metabolites in root tissue of S. glabra. Exposure to a higher ratio of BL might have the potential to improve the production and quality of S. glabra seedlings, but this needs to be confirmed further.

Soil fungi play a vital role in soil nutrient dynamics, but knowledge of their diversity and community composition in response to biochar addition into red soil is either limited or inconsistent. Therefore, we determined the impact of bamboo biochar (BB) with increasing concentrations (0, 5, 20, and 80 g kg−1 of soil, referred to as B0, BB5, BB20, and BB80, respectively) on soil physicochemical properties and fungal communities (Illumina high-throughput sequencing) in red soil under Fokenia hodginsii (Fujian cypress). We found that increasing BB levels effectively raised the soil pH and soil nutrients, particularly under BB80. BB addition significantly increased the relative abundance of important genera, i.e., Basidiomycota, Mucoromycota, and Chytridiomycota that could play a key role in ecological functioning, e.g., wood degradation and litter decomposition, improvement in plant nutrients uptake, and resistance to several abiotic stress factors. Soil amended with BB exhibited a substantial ability to increase the fungal richness and diversity; BB80 > BB20 > BB5 > B0. Basidiomycota, Mucoromycota, Glomeromycota, Rozellomycota, Aphelidiomycota, Kickxellomycota, and Planctomycetes were positively associated with soil pH, total nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon, and available potassium and phosphorous. Besides, the correlation analysis between the soil fungal communities and soil properties also showed that soil pH was the most influential factor in shaping the soil fungal communities in the red soil. These findings have significant implications for a comprehensive understanding of how to ameliorate acidic soils with BB addition, as well as for future research on sustainable forest management, which might increase soil fungi richness, diversity, and functionality in acidic soils.

Light is an essential energy source for plant photosynthesis, although it can also be a stress-causing element. Therefore, the current research was aimed to compare photosynthetic responses of Anthurium × ‘Red’ leaves at different positions (bottom old leaf, 1; center mature leaf, 2; top expanded leaf, 3) established under three photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs): 550 μmol·m−2·s−1 as high (H), 350 μmol·m−2·s−1 as medium (M), and 255 μmol·m−2·s−1 as low (L). After six months, all the replicates were relocated to interior rooms with a PPFD of 30 μmol·m−2·s−1. There were no significant differences in chlorophyll concentration of the old leaf among treatments, before (Day 0) and after shifting the plants to interior rooms (Day 30). The total chlorophyll concentrations of the mature and top leaves increased significantly. In greenhouse conditions, H and M treatments did not show any significant change for net photosynthetic rate (Pn) at various leaf positions. However, M2 exhibited an improved Pn in the interior conditions. Plants grown under M treatment were greener and had bigger leaves compared to other treatments. Our study reveals that Anthurium × ‘Red’ photosynthesis responses to different light conditions varied distinctly. However, M treatment can keep the plants looking green by accumulating enough energy for indoor conditions, and middle and lower leaves may be triggered to restore photosynthetic activity under low light or indoor conditions.

One of the room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazoliumchloride ([BMIM]Cl) was chosen to prepare the concentrated solutions of Polyacrylonitrile(PAN). The rheological behaviors of the solutions were measured with rotational rheometryunder different conditions, including temperatures, concentration, and molecular weight ofPAN. The solutions exhibited shear-thinning behaviors, similar to that of PAN/DMFsolutions. The viscosities decreased with the increasing of shear rates. However, theviscosity decreased sharply at high shear rates when the concentration was up to 16wt%. Thedependence of the viscosity on temperature was analyzed through the determination of theapparent activation energy. Unusually, the viscosity of solutions of higher concentration islower than that of lower concentration. Similarly, the viscosity of low molecular weightPAN was higher than high molecular weight PAN at high shear rates. The dynamicrheological measurement indicates the loss modulus is much higher than storage modulus.The trend of complex viscosity is similar with the result of static rheological measurement.The interaction between PAN and ionic liquid [BMIM]Cl was discussed.