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Abstract The sudden macroscopic damage to the structure is one of the main factors affecting its safe service. This paper investigates the compressive performance of a fault-tolerant polymer lattice structure [...]

Quercus variabilis (Q. variabilis), a significant broadleaf species used in afforestation across high, sandy, and mountainous regions, presents unique challenges for transplantation. This species is characterized by its slow above-ground growth and rapid taproot development, which suppresses the proliferation of lateral and fibrous roots, negatively impacting post-transplant survival. Research indicates that targeted root pruning—specifically, the removal of one-third of the roots—promotes the development of lateral roots in these seedlings. This study involved pruning the root systems of Q. variabilis and assessing the subsequent root development in comparison to an unpruned control group. Our analysis, which included transcriptome sequencing and plant hormone metabolism assays conducted at 2, 12, and 25 days post-pruning, yielded 126.02 Gb of clean data and identified 7662 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These genes were primarily enriched in the plant hormone signal transduction pathway. Further investigation of this pathway, along with hormone content measurements, elucidated the mechanisms that contribute to enhanced root growth following pruning. Additionally, through a weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), we identified 20 key genes that are instrumental in promoting root development in Q. variabilis saplings. This research advances the theoretical framework for forestry seedling production and afforestation, laying the groundwork for scientifically informed vegetation restoration techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundDiabetes is a common metabolic disease that is associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis and iron metabolism. Salidroside (SAL) is the main ingredient of the traditional Chinese herb Rhodiola, previous studies have shown that SAL could reshape the gut microbiota and limit iron accumulation. Therefore, it is possible that SAL can act as an alternative therapy for diabetes, and its underlying mechanism is worth exploring.MethodsSAL was used to treat diabetic db/db mice. Serum glucose and iron levels and the histopathology of myocardial fibres were evaluated. The gut microbiota composition was determined by 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing technology.ResultsTreatment with SAL significantly reduced blood glucose and ameliorated diabetic cardiomyopathy in diabetic db/db mice, which was accompanied by inhibited ferroptosis and iron accumulation. Furthermore, the 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that SAL induced a change in the gut microbiota composition. Overall, SAL could increase the proportion of probiotic bacteria and decrease Lactobacillus to improve gut microbiota. Specifically, SAL increased the ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes in diabetic mice. The most significant biomarker was the genus Lactobacillus between the MD group and the SAL group. In addition, COG and KEGG analyses suggested that SAL mainly participated in nutrient metabolism, among them iron metabolism was associated with the abundance of Lactobacillus.ConclusionsSAL could reduce the glucose level and protect against diabetic cardiomyopathy in diabetic mice, which might be mediated by the change in the gut microbiota and the regulation of iron metabolism. The findings suggested that SAL was a promising complementary option for diabetes therapy.

Platycladus orientalis (P. orientalis) is a common tree used for vegetation restoration in northern China, and its large area propagation helps to improve site conditions. However, under harsh conditions such as poor land, the survival rate of P. orientalis is very low. Numerous studies have shown that root pruning can promote the formation of lateral roots in seedlings, enhancing the roots' capacity to absorb soil nutrients and water, and thereby improving the survival rate of seedlings. In this study, a one-third root pruning treatment was applied to P. orientalis seedlings, and the whole transcriptome of seedlings subjected to both control (CK) and root pruning treatments was sequenced to analyze their gene expression profiles. This study investigated the regulatory mechanisms of lateral root development in response to root pruning damage at the molecular level. Using nine cells, 15.28 Gb of clean data were obtained, which yielded 101,688 high-quality full-length transcript sequences and 22,955 low-quality full-length transcript sequences after clustering. Redundancy was then removed using CD-HIT, and Illumina RNA-seq sequencing produced 139.26 Gb of clean data. A total of 2025 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at three time points following root pruning treatment. Enrichment analysis revealed that the peroxidase gene family plays a significant role in lateral root proliferation. Furthermore, the expression levels of the peroxidase gene family were notably upregulated in comparison to the control group. Pathway enrichment analysis identified 22 relevant genes, which appeared to be highly associated with root growth and resilience to stress. Through examining the expression patterns and correlations of these genes, five central genes emerged as key players. The findings of this research suggest that the peroxidase gene family plays a crucial role in the stress response and root development of P. orientalis, providing reference and guidance for root development in other plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Alum shale (Middle Cambrian to Lower Ordovician) is a set of significant marine source rock in Northern Europe, and the maturity is from immature to over mature. Because of high maturities of the Lower-Paleozoic marine source rocks in China, the immature-early mature Alum shales are important samples for the comparative studies of hydrocarbon generation potential. Thus, the analyses of organic matter, mineral composition and sedimentary characteristics of the Alum shale with low maturity, are the fundamental for the comparative studies on the Lower Paleozoic marine source rocks at home and abroad. OBJECTIVES To uncover the mineral and organic matter compositions, and the sedimentary characteristics of Alum shales. METHODS Based on the organic carbon content (TOC) and organic petrological observations, the integrated mineral analysis (TIMA) technology was used to scan the sample. Scan parameters were refined to obtain the mineral composition, content and particle size distribution of shale. RESULTS The TOC and TRS contents of studied Alum shale (%Rb=0.3) were 11.16%-12.24% and 4.30%-5.31%, respectively. The maceral compositions included the lamalginite from planktonic algae degradation and vitrinite-like macerals from benthic algae. Solid bitumen filled in the fractures and pores. The organic matter (OM) and pyrite (Py) contents acquired from TIMA scanning analyses were 9.79%-10.64% and 4.17%-4.49%, respectively. The OM/Py ratios ranged from 2.18 to 2.55, similar to the C/S ratios from Rock-eval pyrolysis. Grain sizes of OM were 0.9-27.0μm, and 80% grains had sizes of 1.2-5.5μm. Grain size of Py distributed from 0.9 to 17.0μm, and the proportion of grains with the size of lower than 0.5μm was higher than 78%, indicating an oxygen-lacking or sulfurized environment. CONCLUSIONS A combination of C/S ratio, and characteristics of organic petrology and Py grain size distribution indicates the Alum shale was deposited in a closed or sulfurized water system. A new technical support for the research of source rocks (including shale) in the field of petroleum geology is provided through the methods used and discussed in this study.

The pumping test was carried out by arranging pumping holes in the ground of Huangyuchuan Mine to test the water inflow, permeability coefficient and influence radius of different hole positions, and to master the characteristics of water and permeability in the formation to avoid water inrush in underground coal mining. The results show that: Ordovician limestone strata develops water-conducting channels such as water-conducting fracture zone, fracture zone and collapse column; the influence of aquifer on 9# coal seam mining is more serious than other coal seams; after the pumping is completed, the aquifer water is replenished to the pumping hole，and the liquid level is restored to the depth of the water before pumping within 24 hours; the amount of water inflow from the ground drilling pump test is between 0.018 m3/h and 2.412 m3/h, and the average unit water inflow is 0.036 L/s·m, which is a weak aquifer; the permeability coefficient is 0.002 4 m/d, which is a weakly water-permeable aquifer.

Balancing crop productivity with resource use efficiency and beneficial environmental consequences is essential for sustainable agricultural development worldwide. Various strategies and approaches have been proposed and debated, but turning the concept into management practices in the field with measurable outcomes over several scales remains a challenge. An innovative approach, Integrated Soil-Crop System Management (ISSM), for producing more grain with greater nutrient use efficiencies and less environmental pollution is presented. The ISSM approach has been used in China, in field experiments as well as in thousands of farmer fields, to substantially increase the yields of maize, rice and wheat while simultaneously increasing nitrogen use efficiency and reducing environmental footprints. The scientific principle, implementation strategy and procedures of ISSM are discussed and examples of its demonstrated successes at local and regional levels across China are given. Perspectives for further development of ISSM and expanding its potential impact are also proposed and discussed.