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Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of important regulatory factors for many biological processes in plants, have received much attention in recent years. To explore the molecular roles of lncRNAs in sweet cherry fruit ripening, we conducted widely targeted metabolome, transcriptome and lncRNA analyses of sweet cherry fruit at three ripening stages (yellow stage, pink stage, and dark red stage). The results show that the ripening of sweet cherry fruit involves substantial metabolic changes, and the rapid accumulation of anthocyanins (cyanidin 3-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside) is the main cause of fruit coloration. These ripening-related alterations in the metabolic profile are driven by specific enzyme genes related to the synthesis and decomposition of abscisic acid (ABA), cell wall disintegration, and anthocyanin biosynthesis, as well as transcription factor genes, such as MYBs, bHLHs, and WD40s. LncRNAs can target these ripening-related genes to form regulatory modules, incorporated into the sweet cherry fruit ripening regulatory network. Our study reveals that the lncRNA-mRNA module is an important component of the sweet cherry fruit ripening regulatory network. During sweet cherry fruit ripening, the differential expression of lncRNAs will meditate the spatio-temporal specific expression of ripening-related target genes (encoding enzymes and transcription factors related to ABA metabolism, cell wall metabolism and anthocyanin metabolism), thus driving fruit ripening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the effect of storage temperature on Jingcai 1 watermelon, the fruits of Jingcai 1 watermelon were storaged under 5, 15 and 25 °C . The firmness, rate of weight loss, chilling injury, soluble solids, pectin, cellulose, soluble sugar, organic acid, lycopene, β-carotene and vitamin C contents were determined under different temperature treatments. The results showed that, with the storage extending, the weight loss rate of Jingcai 1 watermelon fruit increased, the fruit firmness decreased, the content of water-soluble pectin (WSP) increased, the sodium carbonate-soluble pectin (SSP) decreased, the vitamin C, lycopene and β-carotene showed decreasing trend, the variation of soluble solids fluctuated within a small rage, the cellulose decreased at first and then increased, while the content of soluble sugar and organic acid showed different changing trends at different storage temperatures. When stored at 5 °C, the vitamin C and soluble sugar of fruit could be high level, but a long-term storage would raise the chilling injury rate and cause gradual wastage of nutrients, resulting undoubtedly in loss of the edible and commercial values. When stored at 15 °C, the contents of water, organic acids and cytochromes could be better maintained, giving watermelons better quality and flavor. When stored at 25 °C, the quick loss of soluble sugar, organic acid and pectin of the fruit leaded to soft rot, depriving original flavors of watermelons and making it difficult to maintain its quality. Above results provided a theoretical basis for the commercialization of its storage, transportation and preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through an activation reaction sintering method, porous (Mo2/3Y1/3)2AlC ceramics were prepared by Mo, Y, Al, and graphite powders as raw materials. The phase composition, microstructure, element distribution, and pore structure characteristics were comprehensively studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Archimedes method, and bubble point method. A detailed investigation was conducted on the influence of sintering temperature on the phase composition. Possible routes of phase transition and pore formation mechanisms during the sintering process were provided. The experimental results reveal that at 650–850 °C, transition metals react with aluminum, forming aluminum-containing intermetallics and a small amount of carbides. At 850–1250 °C, transition metals collaborate with graphite, producing transition metal carbides. Then, at 1250–1450 °C, these aluminum intermetallics interact with transition metal carbides and remaining unreacted Y, Al, and C, yielding the final product (Mo2/3Y1/3) 2AlC. Simultaneously, the pore structure alters correspondingly with the solid-phase reaction at different reaction temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C44H42N4O15P4Cd2Si, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 13.4778(9) Å, b = 14.2036(9) Å, c = 15.2206(10) Å, α = 69.637(1)°, β = 72.355(1)°, γ = 64.861(1)°, V = 2431.1(3) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0428, wRref(F2) = 0.0987, T = 120(2) K.

The practical application of carbon dots (CDs) as lubricant additives was tremendously restrained by their complex and time-consuming preparation, separation, purification, and modification procedures. Here, the CD-based nanofluid was in situ prepared by pyrolyzing a deep eutectic solvent for 6 h under 180 °C and directly applied as a versatile lubricant additive of polyethylene glycol (PEG200) and polyalphaolefin (PAO4). At an optimum loading concentration of 3 wt %, the nanofluid distinctly improved the friction-reducing and antiwear properties of base oils. The tribological performance of the nanofluid as an additive was not only much better than that of DES but also far beyond that of the industrial additive of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate. The wear scar surface analyses illustrated that the ester compounds and CDs in nanofluid corporately induced the formation of thick tribofilms on the rubbing surfaces lubricated by PEG200 with nanofluid. These tribofilms composed of iron oxides, CDs, and carbon oxides protected the surface asperities of frictional interfaces from direct contacts, accounting for the distinguished tribological performance of the nanofluid. Considering the prominent tribological performance, S/P free merit, and possibility of preparation on a large scale, the CD-based nanofluid can be a promising lubricant additive in the field of mechanical lubrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]