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Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a promising technology through which carbon dioxide is converted into chemicals via bioelectrochemcal reaction. In this study, a natural loofah sponge (LS) was directly converted into a 3D macroporous carbon cathode through carbonization. The LS was codecorated with polydopamine and Mo2C (Mo2C/N-doped LS). Results revealed that the acetate production rate of MES with Mo2C/N-doped LS increased by 2.5 times compared with that of carbon felt. The maximum acetate concentration of 6.08 g L−1 and 64% of coulomb efficiency (CE) were obtained in MES with Mo2C/N-doped LS. Electrochemistry, scanning electron microscopy, and microbial community analyses showed that Mo2C/N-doped LS contributed to biofilm formation and improved the enrichment of electrochemically active bacteria. Thus, this study introduced a promising method for the fabrication of 3D cathodes with a high electrocatalytic activity from low-cost sustainable natural materials to improve MES efficiency.

Asymmetric functionalization of inert C(sp3)-H bonds is a straightforward approach to realize versatile bond-forming events, allowing the precise assembly of molecular complexity with minimal functional manipulations. Here, we describe an asymmetric photocatalytic C(sp3)-H bond addition to α-substituted acrylates by using tetrabutylammonium decatungstate (TBADT) as a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) photocatalyst and chiral phosphoric acid as a chiral proton-transfer shuttle. This protocol is supposed to occur via a radical/ionic relay process, including a TBADT-mediated HAT to cleave the inert C(sp3)-H bond, a 1,4-radical addition, a back hydrogen abstraction, and an enantioselective protonation. A variety of inert C-H bond patterns and α-substituted acrylates are well tolerated to enable the rapid synthesis of enantioenriched α-stereogenic esters from simple raw materials.

Background Drought stress can severely affect plant growth and crop yield. The cloning and identification of drought-inducible promoters would be of value for genetically-based strategies to improve resistance of crops to drought. Results Previous studies showed that the MaPIP1;1 gene encoding an aquaporin is involved in the plant drought stress response. In this study, the promoter pMaPIP1;1, which lies 1362 bp upstream of the MaPIP1;1 transcriptional initiation site, was isolated from the banana genome..And the transcription start site(A) is 47 bp before the ATG. To functionally validate the promoter, various lengths of pMaPIP1;1 were deleted and fused to GUS to generate pMaPIP1;1::GUS fusion constructs that were then transformed into Arabidopsis to generate four transformants termed M-P1, M-P2, M-P3 and M-P4.Mannitol treatment was used to simulate drought conditions. All four transformants reacted well to mannitol treatment. M-P2 (− 1274 bp to − 1) showed the highest transcriptional activity among all transgenic Arabidopsis tissues, indicating that M-P2 was the core region of pMaPIP1;1. This region of the promoter also confers high levels of gene expression in response to mannitol treatment. Using M-P2 as a yeast one-hybrid bait, 23 different transcription factors or genes that interacted with MaPIP1;1 were screened. In an dual luciferase assay for complementarity verification, the transcription factor MADS3 positively regulated MaPIP1;1 transcription when combined with the banana promoter. qRT-PCR showed that MADS3 expression was similar in banana leaves and roots under drought stress. In banana plants grown in 45% soil moisture to mimic drought stress, MaPIP1;1 expression was maximized, which further demonstrated that the MADS3 transcription factor can synergize with MaPIP1;1. Conclusions Together our results revealed that MaPIP1;1 mediates molecular mechanisms associated with drought responses in banana, and will expand our understanding of how AQP gene expression is regulated. The findings lay a foundation for genetic improvement of banana drought resistance.

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is an emerging strategy for converting electrical energy into chemical energy. Many efforts have been made toward the enhancement of cathode-microorganism interacti...

BACKGROUND: p‐Chloronitrobenzene (p‐CNB) is easily accumulated in the environment and subsequently is a threat to humans and the ecosystem. The anaerobic process as an important pathway for p‐CNB degradation has a relatively low degradation rate. This study illustrated that the strain Pseudomonas fluorescens was evaluated as the biocatalyst for bioaugmentation to enhance the p‐CNB removal in bioelectrochemical system (BES). RESULTS: When the initial p‐CNB concentration was 100 mg L⁻¹, the p‐CNB removal efficiency reached 100% at 12 h in BES with P. fluorescens. All the p‐CNB removal efficiencies in BES were higher than that in anaerobic degradation and electrocatalysis. Meantime, the highest total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiency was obtained at 89.8% after augmentation with P. fluorescens. During the bioaugmentation, microbial community analysis showed that the main abundance changes were in Pseudomonas, Romboutsia and Macellibacteroides. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed BES with bioaugmentation had the highest activity in reducing p‐CNB and hydrogen evolution. Combined with intermediates analysis, bioaugmentation possibly stimulated nitro reduction and hydrodechlorination rate in p‐CNB reduction. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that BES with P. fluorescens bioaugmentation could serve as a potential treatment process for p‐CNB removal. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Plant-specific NAM, ATAF, and CUC (NAC) transcription factors (TFs) play clear roles in plant development and abiotic stress responses. Chinese dwarf cherry (Cerasus humilis) is an economically important shrub, that has strong resistance to drought. In this study, we isolated and functionally characterized a novel NAC TF from C. humilis. The ChNAC1 ORF contained 894 nucleotides, encoding 297 amino acid residues. ChNAC1 amino acid sequences had the highest similarity with homologous petunia (Petunia hybrida) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) NAM proteins. The ChNAC1 transcripts were most abundant in the leaves of seedlings and significantly up-regulated by drought stress. The nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of the C-terminal domain further confirmed that ChNAC1 functions as a TF. Yeast two-hybrid results showed that ChNAC1 can homodimerize in yeast cells. Next, we transformed ChNAC1 into wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana and found that the ectopic expression of ChNAC1 increased chlorophyll, water, proline, and protein contents as well as higher peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities while decreasing electrolyte conductivity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents compared to wild-type and mutant lines. Further, overexpression of ChNAC1 positively regulated ABA-responsive genes under drought stress and increased ABA sensitivity during root growth. Collectively, these results demonstrate the key role of ChNAC1 in drought stress tolerance.

A new family Yetkhatidae Song, Szwedo et Bourgoin fam. nov. from mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar is described. It is characterized by the tegmina with a triangular basal cell and in having the apex of the clavus closed, the female genitalia with robust endogonocoxal processes, the head capsule with trigones and foliated frontal margins, ridged lora (visible frontally) and by intermediate carinae on the mesonotum. Two new monotypic genera are described in this new family: Yetkhata Song, Szwedo & Bourgoin gen. nov., with Yetkhata jiangershii Song, Szwedo & Bourgoin sp. nov. and Parwaina Song, Szwedo & Bourgoin gen. nov. with Parwaina liuyei Song, Szwedo & Bourgoin sp. nov. A key to recognition of these genera is provided, and their morphological characters and disparity are briefly discussed.

A new dictyopharid genus Neonersia Song & Deckert, gen. nov. is described here based on Dictyophora [sic] fugax Melichar, 1912 (previously also placed in the genus Nersia Stål, 1862) from Cameroon. The new genus is placed in the tribe Orthopagini. It may be easily distinguished from all other Orthopagini genera by carinate tegulae.

Background Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a biocathode-driven process, in which electroautotrophic microorganisms can directly uptake electrons or indirectly via H2 from the cathode as energy sources and CO2 as only carbon source to produce chemicals. Results This study demonstrates that a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst can enhance MES performance. An active HER electrocatalyst molybdenum carbide (Mo2C)-modified electrode was constructed for MES. The volumetric acetate production rate of MES with 12 mg cm−2 Mo2C was 0.19 ± 0.02 g L−1 day−1, which was 2.1 times higher than that of the control. The final acetate concentration reached 5.72 ± 0.6 g L−1 within 30 days, and coulombic efficiencies of 64 ± 0.7% were yielded. Furthermore, electrochemical study, scanning electron microscopy, and microbial community analyses suggested that Mo2C can accelerate the release of hydrogen, promote the formation of biofilms and regulate the mixed microbial flora. Conclusion Coupling a HER catalyst to a cathode of MES system is a promising strategy for improving MES efficiency. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13068-019-1413-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) allows the transformation of CO2 into value-added products by coupling with renewable energy. The enhancement in the microbial activity and electron transfer rate via a new electrode modification method is essential for developing MES. Here, three groups of granular activated carbon decorated by Fe3O4 (Fe3O4/GAC) with mass fractions of 23%, 38% and 50% were prepared and compared with bare GAC. The volumetric acetate production rate of MES with Fe3O4/GAC-38% was the highest (0.171 g L−1 d−1), which was 1.4 times higher that of the control (bare GAC), and the final acetate concentration reached 5.14 g L−1 within 30 days. Linear sweep voltammetry and microbial community analyses suggested that Fe3O4/GAC facilitates extracellular electron transfer and improves the enrichment of electrochemically active bacteria. Fe3O4/GAC is an effective three-dimensional electrode material that enhances biofilm activity on GAC and improves MES efficiency.

The tropiduchid genus Catullioides Bierman, 1910 is redescribed and illustrated. Catullioides includes two species, C. rubrolineata Bierman, 1910 (the type species) and C. taishunensis Zhu, Wang & Song, sp. nov. A key to the species of the genus is provided.

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) is an economically valuable fruit that is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Here, we report an ~1341.7 Mb chromosome-scale genome assembly of passion fruit, with 98.91% (~1327.18 Mb) of the assembly assigned to nine pseudochromosomes. The genome includes 23,171 protein-coding genes, and most of the assembled sequences are repetitive sequences, with long-terminal repeats (LTRs) being the most abundant. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that passion fruit diverged after Brassicaceae and before Euphorbiaceae. Ks analysis showed that two whole-genome duplication events occurred in passion fruit at 65 MYA and 12 MYA, which may have contributed to its large genome size. An integrated analysis of genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic data showed that ‘alpha-linolenic acid metabolism’, ‘metabolic pathways’, and ‘secondary metabolic pathways’ were the main pathways involved in the synthesis of important volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in passion fruit, and this analysis identified some candidate genes, including GDP-fucose Transporter 1-like, Tetratricopeptide repeat protein 33, protein NETWORKED 4B isoform X1, and Golgin Subfamily A member 6-like protein 22. In addition, we identified 13 important gene families in fatty acid pathways and eight important gene families in terpene pathways. Gene family analysis showed that the ACX, ADH, ALDH, and HPL gene families, especially ACX13/14/15/20, ADH13/26/33, ALDH1/4/21, and HPL4/6, were the key genes for ester synthesis, while the TPS gene family, especially PeTPS2/3/4/24, was the key gene family for terpene synthesis. This work provides insights into genome evolution and flavor trait biology and offers valuable resources for the improved cultivation of passion fruit.

Four species in four genera of Dictyopharidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) are recorded from Nepal, including Dictyohimalaya nepalensis Song & Liang, gen. & sp. nov. which is described and illustrated herein, Orthopagus lunulifer Uhler, 1897, Raivuna sp., and Tenguna medogensis Song & Liang, 2007. An identification key to the species of Dictyopharidae currently known from Nepal is provided. The dictyopharid fauna of the country remains poorly studied and further efforts are required to discover its real diversity.

Plant aquaporins (AQPs) are subdivided into eight groups: PIPs, NIPs, GIPs, HIPs, XIPs, LIPs, TIPs, and SIPs. However, the genetic function and physiological mechanisms of the SIP group in abiotic stress response in plants remains unknown. In this study, we cloned and characterized a banana SIP group AQP gene, designated MaSIP2-1. MaSIP2-1 showed upregulation after osmotic, salt, and cold treatments. Overexpression of MaSIP2-1 in bananas resulted in smaller leaf area and lower plant height than wild-type (WT) plants under normal growth conditions. Lines over-expressing MaSIP2-1 showed increased tolerance to drought and cold stresses, demonstrating that transgenic lines had higher content of chlorophyll, proline, soluble sugar, and abscisic acid (ABA), but lower levels of ion leakage (IL), malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2, and gibberellins (GAs), than WT after drought, cold, and recovery conditions. Moreover, transgenic lines had higher expression of ABA biosynthetic and responsive genes than WT under drought and cold conditions. Taken together, our results show that MaSIP2-1 plays a positive role in dwarfing and tolerance to drought and cold stresses through improved osmotic adjustment, less membrane injury, and changes in ABA and GA levels. Therefore, MaSIP2-1 has the potential for utilization to improve abiotic stress tolerance in crop breeding.

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is an electricity-driven technology for the microbial reduction of CO2 to organic commodities. However, the limited solubility of CO2 in a solution and the inefficient electron transfer make it impossible for microorganisms to obtain an efficient surface for catalytic interaction, thus resulting in the low efficiency of MES. To address this, we introduce a multifunctional perovskite-based cathode material Pr0.5(Ba0.5Sr0.5)0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ-carbon felt (Pr0.5BSCF-CF), which provides a simultaneously significant increase in CO2 absorption and hydrogen production. As a result, the volumetric acetate production rate of MES obtained by Pr0.5BSCF-CF is 0.24 ± 0.01 g L-1 day-1, and it achieves a maximum acetate titer of 13.74 ± 0.20 g L-1 within 70 days. An adequate supply of CO2 and H2 also provides a sufficient amount of substrates and energy for the self-replication of the biocatalysts in the MES reactor. This effect not only increases the amount of biocatalysts but also optimizes the functions of the biocatalysts; the above benefits further improve the production efficiency of the MES system. This strategy demonstrates that the development of perovskite-based multifunctional cathodes with a simultaneous supplementation of substrates and electrons is a promising approach toward improving the MES efficiency.

In the present study, we investigated the removal of Cr(VI) and the associated bacterial activity in the systems containing Bacillus subtilis BSn5 (B. subtilis BSn5) and hematite. The microcalorimetry was used to study the effect of hematite on the normal physiological functions of B. subtilis BSn5 towards the removal of Cr(VI) for the first time. The results of the heat flux and the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that hematite does not affect the normal physiological functions of B. subtilis BSn5, and can help the strains maintain their activity in the presence of Cr(VI). More importantly, the relative capacity and intensity of Cr(VI) and total Cr removal by B. subtilis BSn5 in the presence of hematite were higher than that in the absence of hematite. The enhancement effect could be associated with their mineral adsorption, biosorption, Fe(II) reduction, bioreduction and immobilization functions. This study demonstrates the possibility of reducing the toxicity of Cr(VI) and enhancing the Cr(VI) removal efficiency in contaminated environments using a combination of hematite and B. subtilis BSn5.

Drought and salt stresses often affect plant growth and crop yields. Identification of promoters involved in drought and salt stress responses is of great significance for genetic improvement of crop resistance. Our previous studies showed that aquaporin can respond to drought and salt stresses, but its promoter has not yet been reported in plants. In the present study, cis-acting elements of MaAQP family member promoters were systematically analyzed in banana. Expression of MaTIP1; 2 was induced by drought and salt stresses but not sensitive to cold stress, waterlogging stress, or mechanical damage, and its promoter contained five stress-related cis-acting elements. The MaTIP1; 2 promoter (841 bp upstream of translation initiation site) from banana (Musa acuminata L. AAA group cv. Brazilian) was isolated through genome walking polymerase chain reaction, and found to contain a TATA Box, CAAT box, ABRE element, CCGTCC box, CGTCA motif, and TCA element. Transformation of the MaTIP1; 2 promoter into Arabidopsis to assess its function indicated that it responds to both drought and salt stress treatments. These results suggest that MaTIP1; 2 utilization may improve drought and salt stresses resistance of the transgenic plants by promoting banana aquaporin expression.

To explore the phylogenetic basis of the current classification of Dictyopharidae, especially the relationships among the tribes of Dictyopharinae, we present the first cladistic analysis of this family based on 146 morphological characters of adults. Our analysis includes 104 of 125 recognized genera and subgenera within 12 extant tribes of Dictyopharinae, plus nine genera representing all four tribes of Orgeriinae. The results of this study support Dictyopharidae as a monophyletic group with Aluntiini sister to the remaining Dictyopharidae, but do not support Orgeriinae as sister to Dictyopharinae. Seven major lineages – Aluntiini, Arjunini, Hastini, (Taosini + Lappidini) + Nersiini, a Xenochasma⁺ complex (including ‘Orgeriinae’), Orthopagini, and Dictyopharini – are recovered in Dictyopharidae. The Xenochasma⁺ complex is proposed here and includes Xenochasma clade + (Scoloptini + ((Fernandea clade + Phylloscelini) + (Rancodini + [Capenini + Orgeriinae]))). Within this complex, some genera are of uncertain tribal placement, and the Orgeriinae are retained as a subfamily until a molecular phylogeny can confirm the results of this paper. The implied weighting analysis supports the monophyly of most tribes of Dictyopharinae (except Taosini), the sister‐group relationships of (Taosini + Lappidini) with Nersiini, and Orthopagini + Dictyopharini, and the current tribal classification for Dictyopharinae. Most Dictyopharinae genera fit their respective tribal affiliation, but some proposed changes are that Pharodictyon, Paramisia, Dictyopharoides s.s., Chondrophana, Sicoris, Chondrodire, and Tupala are provisionally placed in Hastini; Pukuakanga is moved into Nersiini; Sinodictya and Raphiophora are transferred into Orthopagini; and Chiltana, Litocras, and Viridophara are placed in Dictyopharini.

Background The conversion of CO2 into high value-added products has a very important environmental and economic significance. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a promising technology, which adopts a bioelectrochemical system to transform CO2 into organic chemicals. Results In this study, Clostridium scatologenes ATCC 25775T, an anaerobic acetogenic bacterium, demonstrated its utility as a biocatalyst in a MES system, for the first time. With the cathodic potential of the MES system decreased from − 0.6 to − 1.2 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), the current density of the MES, and the production of organic chemicals, increased. Combining the genetic analysis and the results of the wet lab experiments, we believe C. scatologenes may accept electrons directly from the cathode to reduce CO2 into organic compounds at a potential of − 0.6 V. The acetic and butyric acid reached a maximum value of 0.03 and 0.01 g/L, respectively, and the maximum value of total coulombic efficiency was about 84%, at the potential of − 0.6 V. With the decrease in cathodic potentials, both direct electron transfer and exogenous electron shuttle, H2 might be adopted for the C. scatologenes MES system. At a potential of − 1.2 V, acetic acid, butyric acid and ethanol were detected in the cathodic chamber, with their maximum values increasing to 0.44, 0.085 and 0.015 g/L, respectively. However, due to the low H2 utilization rate by the C. scatologenes planktonic cell, the total coulombic efficiency of the MES system dropped to 37.8%. Conclusion Clostridium scatologenes is an acetogenic bacterium which may fix CO2 through the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway. Under H2 fermentation, C. scatologenes may reduce CO2 to acetic acid, butyric acid and ethanol. It can also be used as the biocatalyst in MES systems.

A new species, Dorytocus jiaxiaoae Song, Szwedo & Bourgoin sp. nov., from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber is described and illustrated. This species represents the first record of the adult of the extinct family Dorytocidae. The supplementary description for the fourth-instar nymph of Dorytocus ornithorhynchus Emeljanov & Shcherbakov is provided. The morphological peculiarities of the new fossil species are briefly discussed, and family diagnosis is now based on the combination of both adult and nymph characters.

In this study, we sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome of Sogatella kolophon (Kirkaldy) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). The mitogenome was 16,708 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and a control region. All PCGs started with ATN, except for atp6 and nad5, which used noncanonical codon GTG, respectively. All tRNAs could fold into typical clover-leaf secondary structures, with the exception of two trnS genes, lacking the dihydrouridine (DHU) stem.

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a biocathode-driven process, producing high-value chemicals from CO2. Here, an in situ self-assembled graphene oxide (rGO)/biofilm was constructed, in MES, for high efficient acetate production. GO has been successfully reduced by electroautotrophic bacteria for the first time. An increase, of 1.5 times, in the volumetric acetate production rate, was obtained by self-assembling rGO/biofilm, as compared to the control group. In MES with rGO/biofilm, a volumetric acetate production rate of 0.17gl-1d-1 has been achieved, 77% of the electrons consumed, were recovered and the final acetate concentration reached 7.1gl-1, within 40days. A three-dimensional rGO/biofilm was constructed enabling highly efficient electron transfer rates within biofilms, and between biofilm and electrode, demonstrating that the development of 3D electroactive biofilms, with higher extracellular electron transfer rates, is an effective approach to improving MES efficiency.

BACKGROUND Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a biocathode-driven process, producing high-value chemicals, from CO2. However, the low efficiency of the biocathode hinders the MES process efficiency significantly. RESULTS A novel 3D graphene–nickel foam (G-NF) cathode has been fabricated, by hydrothermal approach for the improvement of microbially-catalyzed reduction at the MES cathode. An increase of 1.8 times in the volumetric acetate production rate was obtained, compared with the untreated nickel foam. In MES with G-NF, a volumetric acetate production rate of 3.11 mmol L-1 day-1 has been achieved; 70% of the electrons consumed were recovered and the final acetate concentration reached 5.46 g L-1 within 28 days. CONCLUSION The hierarchical porous G-NF cathode improved bacterial colonization and the efficiency of mass, nutrients and protons transfer due to its 3D composition; the graphene coating considerably increased the effective surface area for microbial adhesion, as well as the electron transfer rate of biofilm in the MES. This study attempted to improve the efficiency of the biocathode, and provides a promising large electrode for large-scale MES devices. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry

The Oriental genus Protolepta Melichar is revised to include two species: P. turbata (the type species) and P. linnavuorii sp. nov., both from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Redescription is provided for P. turbata together with habitus photographs and detailed illustrations of the male genitalia for the first time. A key to the species of the genus and a distribution map are given.

Tetracycline (TC) is the second most commonly used antibiotic despite its high toxicity and persistence. In this study, a new approach for the anaerobic biodegradation of TC in a microbial fuel cell (MFC), with glucose–TC mixtures as the substrate, under gradient acclimation conditions was explored. Within 7 days, approximately 79.1% of TC was degraded by the MFC. This value was higher than that obtained through a traditional anaerobic method (14.9%). The TC degradation rates in MFCs with a closed circuit were 31.6% higher than those in MFCs with an open circuit. Furthermore, zebrafish assessment showed that no toxicity was observed after MFC treatment. Microbial community analysis was performed on the anode of the MFCs under gradient acclimation conditions, and the results showed that TC was effectively degraded by the synergy of fermentative bacteria, acid-producing bacteria and electrogenic bacteria. This work confirmed that the anaerobic biodegradation of TC by MFCs is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method.

Aquaporins (AQPs) transport water and other small molecules; however, their precise role in abiotic stress responses is not fully understood. In this study, we cloned and characterized the PIP2 group AQP gene, MaPIP2-7, in banana. MaPIP2-7 expression was upregulated after osmotic (mannitol), cold, and salt treatments. Overexpression of MaPIP2-7 in banana improved tolerance to multiple stresses such as drought, cold, and salt. MaPIP2-7 transgenic plants showed lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and ion leakage (IL), but higher contents of chlorophyll, proline, soluble sugar, and abscisic acid (ABA) compared with wild type (WT) plants under stress and recovery conditions. Additionally, MaPIP2-7 overexpression decreased cellular contents of Na+ and K+ under salt and recovery conditions, and produced an elevated K+/Na+ ratio under recovery conditions. Finally, ABA biosynthetic and responsive genes exhibited higher expression levels in transgenic lines relative to WT under stress conditions. Taken together, our results demonstrate that MaPIP2-7 confers tolerance to drought, cold, and salt stresses by maintaining osmotic balance, reducing membrane injury, and improving ABA levels.

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is potentially useful for the biological conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals and biofuels. The study evaluated several limiting factors that affect MES performance. Among all these factors, the optimization of the applied cell voltage, electrode spacing, and trace elements in catholytes may significantly improve the MES performance. MES was operated under the optimal condition with an applied cell voltage of 3 V, an electrode spacing of 8 cm, 2× salt solution, and 8× trace element of catholyte for 100 days, and the maximum acetate concentration reached 7.8 g L−1. The microbial community analyses of the cathode chamber over time showed that Acetobacterium, Enterobacteriaceae, Arcobacter, Sulfurospirillum, and Thioclava were the predominant genera during the entire MES process. The abundance of Acetobacterium first increased and then decreased, which was consistent with that of acetate production. These results provided useful hints for replacing the potentiostatic control of the cathodes in the future construction and operation of MES. Such results might also contribute to the practical operation of MES in large-scale systems.

The genus Chiltana Shakila-Mushtaq & Akbar, 1995 is redescribed and redefined based on the types and new material from Pakistan. Chiltana includes two species, C.acarinatasp. n. and C.baluchi Shakila-Mushtaq & Akbar, 1995 (the type species), both from Chiltan, Balochistan, Pakistan. A key to the species of the genus is provided. Nomenclatorial remarks on original publication, author, and date of Chiltana are given.

Cerasus humilis is a species of small, perennial, drought-resistant and multipurpose deciduous shrub grown in arid and semi-arid conditions in northern China. In this study, an efficient protocol for the rapid micropropagation of C. humilis has been standardized using stem and/or leaf explants. Direct multiple shoot induction was observed when the stem explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators. The highest shoot induction was obtained when stem explants from adult trees were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L−1 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) and 0.9 mg L−1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The leaf and stem explants cultured on MS medium with 1.0 mg L−1 6-BA and 0.6 mg L−1 NAA, and 0.5 mg L−1 6-BA and 0.8 mg L−1 NAA, respectively, produced the highest induction frequency of callus. Maximum proliferation of callus was observed on MS medium containing a combination of 0.5 mg L−1 6-BA with 0.6 mg L−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic aci...

A feedback control system for quality characteristics is one of the most crucial components in Taguchi’s on-line quality management. In this article, three problems in Taguchi’s on-line quality feedback control system are discussed. Furthermore, countermeasures for improving the system are proposed. First, the quality loss of products that are out of control is reestimated by approximating the probability density of their quality characteristic value to a linear distribution. Second, the quality loss of products that are under control is reestimated by approximating the probability density of their quality characteristic value to a normal distribution. Third, the decreased profit resulting from a process shutdown, which is excluded in Taguchi’s on-line quality feedback control system, is considered in calculating the adjustment cost. The management cost and quality loss constitute the total quality cost. In the improved on-line quality feedback control system, the optimal measurement interval and optimal administrative boundary are calculated by minimizing the total quality cost using an iterative method. An example of the adjustment of the administrative boundary and the measurement interval for manufacturing automobile parts is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the improved on-line system.

The dictyopharid planthopper tribe Aluntiini s.l. is revised and reclassified into two tribes: Aluntiini s.s. and Arjunini Song & Szwedo trib. nov. The tribe Aluntiini s.s. includes five genera: Aluntia Stal, 1866; Dendrophora Melichar, 1903 stat. rev.; Dictyomorpha Melichar, 1912; Indodictyophara Liang & Song, 2012; and Madagascaritia Song & Liang gen. nov. The new tribe Arjunini comprises two genera – Arjuna Muir, 1934 and Pippax Emeljanov, 2008 – both moved from Aluntiini s.l. Four new species – Aluntia longicephalica Song & Szwedo sp. nov., Madagascaritia angusta Song & Liang sp. nov., Arjuna maai Song & Wang sp. nov., and Arjuna muiri Song & Wang sp. nov. – are described. A morphologically based phylogenetic analysis is undertaken for Aluntiini, Arjunini, and the representatives of Dictyopharini, Hastini, Orthopagini, and the fossil Worskaitini within Dictyopharinae, all distributed in the Old World. A matrix of 129 characters of the habitus, coloration, head, thorax, and male and female genitalia of the adults was used for the cladistic analysis. The phylogenetic results show that Aluntiini s.l. as placed in Dictyopharidae is well supported, but it is distinctly paraphyletic and should be separated into two unambiguous tribes. A palaeotropical distribution pattern displayed by Aluntiini is suggested. The origin and diversification of Aluntiini are discussed preliminarily. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London

Cerasus humilis, grown in the northern areas of China, may experience water deficit during their life cycle, which induces oxidative stress. Our present study was conducted to evaluate the role of oxidative stress management in the leaves of twoC. humilisgenotypes, HR (drought resistant) and ND4 (drought susceptible), when subjected to a long-term soil drought (WS). The HR plants maintained lower membrane injury due to low ROS and MDA accumulation compared to ND4 plants during a long-term WS. This is likely attributed to global increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoenzymes and enzymes of the ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle and maintenance of ascorbate (AsA) levels. Consistent closely with enzymes activities, the expression of cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase (cAPX) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) followed a significant upregulation, indicating that they were regulated at the transcriptional level for HR plants exposed to WS. In contrast, ND4 plants exhibited high ROS levels and poor antioxidant enzyme response, leading to enhanced membrane damage during WS conditions. The present study shows that genotypic differences in drought tolerance could be likely attributed to the ability ofC. humilisplants to induce antioxidant defense under drought conditions.

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is an electricity-driven bioreduction of carbon dioxide to a multicarbon chemical process. The structure of catalysts with a high biocompatibility and an enhanced microbe–electrode electron transfer rate is required to improve production rates. Here, carbon felt (CF) cathodes modified with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) were prepared via a simple one-step hydrothermal method with three different preparation temperatures (160 °C,180 °C, and 240 °C). Results showed that the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of CF with MoS2 catalysts was higher than that of bare CF. The CF with MoS2 nanoflowers obtained at 180 °C showed the highest volumetric acetate production rate (0.2 g L−1 d−1), which was 2.2 times that of the bare CF, and the final acetate concentration of 6 g L−1 was reached within 30 days. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and microbial community analyses suggested that the CF with MoS2 obtained at 180 °C facilitated extracellular electron transfer and improved the enrichment of Acetobacterium and Arcobacter. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that a porous nanoflower structure at 180 °C was conducive to microbial colonization and an increase in indirect and direct electron transfer rates. Graphene-like MoS2 nanoflower was excellent and cost-effective materials for cathode modification to improve MES efficiency.

The electricity-driven bioreduction of carbon dioxide to multi-carbon organic compounds, particularly acetate, has been achieved in microbial electrosynthesis (MES). MES performance can be limited by the amount of cathode surface area available for biofilm formation and slow substrate mass transfer. Here, a fluidized three-dimensional electrode, containing granular activated carbon (GAC) particles, was constructed via MES. The volumetric acetate production rate increased by 2.8 times through MES with 16 g L-1 GAC (0.14 g L-1 d-1) compared with that of the control (no GAC), and the final acetate concentration reached 3.92 g L-1 within 24 days. Electrochemical, scanning electron microscopy, and microbial community analyses suggested that GAC might improve the performance of MES by accelerating direct and indirect (via H2) electron transfer because GAC could provide a high electrode surface and a favorable mass transport. This study attempted to improve the efficiency of MES and presented promising opportunities for MES scale-up.

The wide presence of antibiotics in the environment has raised concerns about their potential impact on ecological and human health. This study was conducted to evaluate the degradation of antibiotics (chlortetracycline (CTC) and oxytetracycline (OTC)) in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and the change of toxicity. The degradation rates of 60 mg L−1 CTC and OTC in the MFCs were 74.2% and 78%, respectively, within 7 days. The degradation ability of the two antibiotics followed the order of OTC > CTC. Toxicity test results of the zebrafish illustrated the toxicity of OTC and CTC was largely eliminated by MFC treatment. Furthermore, possible degradation pathways of CTC and OTC were speculated using LC-MS analysis. High-throughput sequencing analysis indicated that Petrimonas, Azospirillum, Dokdonella, Burkholderia and Stenotrophomonas were the predominant genera in the MFC anode biofilm. Therefore, this work is of great significance for future studies on the treatment of antibiotics in wastewater by MFCs.

In this paper, we developed an environmental friendly, cost effective, simple and green approach to reduce graphene oxide (GO) by a sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. The D. desulfuricans reduces exfoliated GO to reduced graphene oxide (rGO) at 25 °C in an aqueous solution without any toxic and environmentally harmful reducing agents. The rGO was characterized with X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscope, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Raman Spectroscopy. The analysis results showed that rGO had excellent properties and multi-layer graphene sheets structure. Furthermore, we demonstrated that D. desulfuricans, one of the primary bacteria responsible for the biocorrosion of various metals, might reduce GO to rGO on the surface of copper and prevented the corrosion of copper, which confirmed that electrophoretic deposition of GO on the surface of metals had great potential on the anti-biocorrosion applications.

The Oriental and eastern Palaearctic planthopper genusOrthopagusUhler, 1897 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Dictyopharidae, Dictyopharinae, Orthopagini) is revised. Six species are included:O.bartlettiSong, Malenovský & Deckert,sp. n.(described from India),O.exoletus(Melichar, 1903),comb. n.,stat. rev.(material studied from India and Sri Lanka),O.hainanensisSong, Chen & Liang,sp. n.(described from China: Hainan island),O.lunuliferUhler, 1897 (the type species of the genus; confirmed from Japan, China, Vietnam, Laos, India, and Nepal),O.philippinusMelichar, 1914 (Philippines), andO.splendens(Germar, 1830) (confirmed from China, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia).OrthopagusheliosMelichar, 1912 is newly synonymized withO.lunulifer. Lectotypes are designated forO.helios, O.heliosvar.diffusus Melichar, 1912,O.elegansMelichar, 1912, andO.philippinus.DictyopharaindianaWalker, 1851 is considered a nomen dubium. All species are redescribed, including habitus photographs and detailed illustrations of the male genitalia. Female genitalia are described for the genus for the first time. A key for identification of the species ofOrthopagusand a distribution map are given.

To demonstrate that an enhanced sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) system can accelerate the degradation of cellulose in fresh water sediments as the accumulation of cellulose in lake sediments may aggravate the lake marsh, increase organic matter content and result in rapid deterioration of water quality and damage the ecosystem. After 330 days the highest cellulose removal efficiency (72.7 ± 2.1 %) was achieved in the presence of a SMFC with a carbon nanotube decorated cathode, followed by a SMFC without the cathode decoration (64.4 ± 2.8 %). The lowest cellulose removal efficiency (47.9 ± 2.1 %) was in the absence of SMFC. The sediment characterization analysis confirmed that the carbon nanotube decorated cathode enhances the electron transfer rate in the SMFC and improves the dissolved organic matter oxidation rate. This study offers a relatively simple and promising new method for cellulose degradation in sediment.

For Cr(VI)-removal microbial fuel cell (MFC), a more efficient biocathode in MFCs is required to improve the Cr(VI) removal and electricity generation. RVC-CNT electrode was prepared through the electrophoretic deposition of carbon nanotube (CNT) on reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC). The power density of MFC with an RVC-CNT electrode increased to 132.1 ± 2.8 mW m −2 , and 80.9% removal of Cr(VI) was achieved within 48 h; compared to only 44.5% removal of Cr(VI) in unmodified RVC. Cyclic voltammetry, energy-dispersive spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry showed that the RVC-CNT electrode enhanced the electrical conductivity and the electron transfer rate; and provided more reaction sites for Cr(VI) reduction. This approach provides process simplicity and a thickness control method for fabricating three-dimensional biocathodes to improve the performance of MFCs for Cr(VI) removal.

Background Drought (Water deficit, WD) poses a serious threat to extensively economic losses of trees throughout the world. Chinese dwarf cherry (Cerasus humilis) is a good perennial plant for studying the physiological and sophisticated molecular network under WD. The aim of this study is to identify the effect of WD on C. humilis through physiological and global proteomics analysis and improve understanding of the WD resistance of plants. Methods Currently, physiological parameters were applied to investigate C. humilis response to WD. Moreover, we used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) to identify differentially expressed proteins in C. humilis leaves subjected to WD (24 d). Furthermore, we also examined the correlation between protein and transcript levels. Results Several physiological parameters, including relative water content and Pn were reduced by WD. In addition, the malondialdehyde (MDA), relative electrolyte leakage (REL), total soluble sugar, and proline were increased in WD-treated C. humilis. Comparative proteomic analysis revealed 46 protein spots (representing 43 unique proteins) differentially expressed in C. humilis leaves under WD. These proteins were mainly involved in photosynthesis, ROS scavenging, carbohydrate metabolism, transcription, protein synthesis, protein processing, and nitrogen and amino acid metabolisms, respectively. Conclusions WD promoted the CO2 assimilation by increase light reaction and Calvin cycle, leading to the reprogramming of carbon metabolism. Moreover, the accumulation of osmolytes (i.e., proline and total soluble sugar) and enhancement of ascorbate-glutathione cycle and glutathione peroxidase/glutathione s-transferase pathway in leaves could minimize oxidative damage of membrane and other molecules under WD. Importantly, the regulation role of carbohydrate metabolisms (e. g. glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathways, and TCA) was enhanced. These findings provide key candidate proteins for genetic improvement of perennial plants metabolism under WD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12953-017-0117-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

In the present study, an attempt was made to induce rooting from single-node cuttings of hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L. × P. tremuloides Michx.) with different concentrations of Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), Indole-3-Butytric acid (IBA) and 1-Naphthylacetic acid (NAA). Among the three auxins used, 0.54 mM NAA showed more effective induction on rooting as compared to IAA and IBA at the whole level. Thereafter, 0.54 mM NAA was used further for the anatomical and biochemical investigation. The results showed that it took 12 days from the differentiation of primordium to the appearance of young adventitious roots under NAA application. It was found that endogenous IAA, Zeatin riboside (ZR) and Gibberellic Acid (GA3) levels increased, but Abscisic acid (ABA) decreased in cuttings with NAA treatment. In contrast to the endogenous IAA level, NAA resulted in a decrease in IAA-oxidase (IAAO) activity. Similarly, the decreased peroxidase (POD) activity, consistent with down-regulation of expressed levels of POD1 and POD2, was observed in NAA-treated cuttings. Moreover, NAA resulted in a higher activity in polyphenol oxidase (PPO) compared with control cuttings. Collectively, the study highlighted that 0.54 mM NAA is efficient on rooting in hybrid aspen, and its effect on metabolic changes during rooting was discussed, which can provide valuable information for propagating hybrid aspen.

The Afrotropical planthopper genus Centromeriana Melichar, 1912 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Dictyopharidae, Dictyopharinae, Orthopagini) is revised. Four species are included: C. jocosa (Gerstaecker, 1895) (the type species, with confirmed records from Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon), C. lindbergae sp. nov. (described from Sierra Leone), C. rhinoceros sp. nov. (described from Togo) and C. simplex Melichar, 1912 (so far only known from Equatorial Guinea, Bioko island). Lectotypes are designated for C. jocosa and C. simplex and both species are redescribed including habitus photographs and detailed illustrations of the male and female genitalia which are published for the first time. A key for identification of the species of Centromeriana is provided. As far as known, the genus is endemic to the (Guineo-)Congolian region of western Africa.

Heisenberg's uncertainty relation has been extensively studied in spirit of its well-known original form, in which the inaccuracy measures used exhibit some controversial properties and don't conform with quantum metrology, where the measurement precision is well defined in terms of estimation theory. In this paper, we treat the joint measurement of incompatible observables as a parameter estimation problem, i.e., estimating the parameters characterizing the statistics of the incompatible observables. Our crucial observation is that, in a sequential measurement scenario, the bias induced by the first unbiased measurement in the subsequent measurement can be eradicated by the information acquired, allowing one to extract unbiased information of the second measurement of an incompatible observable. In terms of Fisher information we propose a kind of information comparison measure and explore various types of trade-offs between the information gains and measurement precisions, which interpret the uncertainty relation as surplus variance trade-off over individual perfect measurements instead of a constraint on extracting complete information of incompatible observables.

The fidelity of DNA replication by DNA polymerase (DNAP) has long been an important issue in biology. While numerous experiments have revealed details of the molecular structure and working mechanism of DNAP which consists of both a polymerase site and an exonuclease (proofreading) site, there were quite few theoretical studies on the fidelity issue. The first model which explicitly considered both sites was proposed in 1970s' and the basic idea was widely accepted by later models. However, all these models did not systematically and rigorously investigate the dominant factor on DNAP fidelity, i.e, the higher-order terminal effects through which the polymerization pathway and the proofreading pathway coordinate to achieve high fidelity. In this paper, we propose a new and comprehensive kinetic model of DNAP based on some recent experimental observations, which includes previous models as special cases. We present a rigorous and unified treatment of the corresponding steady-state kinetic equations of any-order terminal effects, and derive analytical expressions for fidelity in terms of kinetic parameters under bio-relevant conditions. These expressions offer new insights on how the the higher-order terminal effects contribute substantially to the fidelity in an order-by-order way, and also show that the polymerization-and-proofreading mechanism is dominated only by very few key parameters. We then apply these results to calculate the fidelity of some real DNAPs, which are in good agreements with previous intuitive estimates given by experimentalists., Comment: 11 figures

The Afrotropical planthopper genus Fernandea Melichar, 1912 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Dictyopharidae: Dictyopharinae: Orthopagini) is revised to include two species: F. conradti Melichar, 1912 (the type species), with material studied from Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko island) and Togo, and F. latifemorata sp. nov., described as new from mainland Equatorial Guinea. A lectotype is designated and a redescription is provided for F. conradti together with habitus photographs and detailed illustrations of the male and female terminalia which are published for the first time.

In this study, a simple method of biocathode fabrication in a Cr(VI)-reducing microbial fuel cell (MFC) is demonstrated. A self-assembling graphene was decorated onto the biocathode microbially, constructing a graphene/biofilm, in situ. The maximum power density of the MFC with a graphene biocathode is 5.7 times that of the MFC with a graphite felt biocathode. Cr(VI) reduction was also enhanced, resulting in 100% removal of Cr(VI) within 48 h, at 40 mg/L Cr(VI), compared with only 58.3% removal of Cr(VI) in the MFC with a graphite felt biocathode. Cyclic voltammogram analyses showed that the graphene biocathode had faster electron transfer kinetics than the graphite felt version. Energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) analysis revealed a possible adsorption-reduction mechanism for Cr(VI) reduction via the graphene biocathode. This study attempts to improve the efficiency of the biocathode in the Cr(VI)-reducing MFC, and provides a useful candidate method for the treatment of Cr(VI) contaminated wastewater, under neutral conditions.