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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a key role in mediating soil–plant relationships within karst ecosystems. Sophora japonica, a medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties, is widely cultivated in karst areas of Guangxi, China. We considered limestone, dolomite, and sandstone at altitudes ranging from 100 to 800 m and employed Illumina sequencing to evaluate AMF diversity and identify the factors driving S. japonica rhizosphere AMF community changes. We showed that the increase in altitude increased S. japonica AMF colonization and the Shannon index. The colonization of limestone plots was higher than that of other lithology. In total, 3,096,236 sequences and 5767 OTUs were identified in S. japonica rhizosphere soil. Among these, 270 OTUs were defined at the genus level and divided into 7 genera and 35 species. Moreover, available nitrogen, soil organic matter, and available calcium content had a coupling effect and positive influence on AMF colonization and Shannon and Chao1 indices. Conversely, available phosphorus, available potassium, and available magnesium negatively affected AMF Shannon and Chao1 indices. Lithology, altitude, pH, and available phosphorus are important factors that affect the dynamics of AMF in the S. japonica rhizosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde by graphite-like C3N4 is one of the most attractive and environmentally friendly strategies to address the significant threat to human health posed by indoor air pollutants. Despite its potential, this degradation process still faces issues with suboptimal efficiency, which may be attributed to the rapid recombination of photogenerated excitons and the broad band gap. As a proof of concept, a series of graphite-like C3N4@C60 composites combining graphite-like C3N4 and C60 was developed via an in situ generation strategy. The obtained graphite-like C3N4@C60 composites exhibited a remarkable increase in the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of formaldehyde, of up to 99%, under visible light irradiation, outperforming pure graphite-like C3N4 and C60. This may be due to the composites' enhanced built-in electric field. Additionally, the proposed composites maintained a formaldehyde removal efficiency of 84% even after six cycles, highlighting their potential for indoor air purification and paving the way for the development of efficient photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major cause death in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. We aimed to find the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in LN and confirm the regulatory mechanism on LN. The mouse model of LN was constructed by subcutaneous injection of pristane. RNA-seq screened 392 up-regulated and 447 down-regulated DEGs in LN mouse model, and KEGG analysis found that the top 20 DEGs were enriched in arachidonic acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, etc. The hub genes, Kynu, Spidr, Gbp3, Cbr1, Cyp4b1, and Cndp2 were identified, in which Gbp3 was selected for following study. Afterwards, the function of Gbp3 on the proliferation, inflammation, and pyroptosis of LN was verified by CCK-8, ELISA, and WB in vitro. The results demonstrated that si-Gbp3 promoted cell proliferation and inhibited the levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-8) and pyroptosis-related proteins (GSDMD, Caspase-1 and NLRP3) in a cell model of LN. In constrast, Gbp3 overexpression played an opposite role. In summary, Gbp3 promoted the progression of LN via inhibiting cell proliferation and facilitating inflammation and pyroptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can play an important role in the ecological restoration of karst areas. They form symbiotic relationships with most karst plants and improve the stress resistance of the host plants. Vegetation-related factors are important determinants of AMF diversity, and AMF diversity is elevated in highly heterogeneous karst areas. Several studies have evaluated the relationships between the environment, climate, and other factors in karst areas and AMF diversity; however, few studies have focused on the relationships between vegetation-related factors and AMF diversity. In this review, we describe the families and genera associated with AMF in root soils of representative vegetation in karst regions. We summarize four key vegetation-related factors associated with AMF diversity in karst areas (i.e., vegetation specificity, dominant species and competition, forest management methods, and plant phenology and age) and provide possible explanations for the correlations between these factors and changes in AMF diversity. We further explore the dynamic relationship between AMF diversity and vegetation in karst areas, demonstrating that the relationship is not determined by a simple coordinated developmental process. Research in this area is expected to further clarify the diversity and distribution characteristics of AMF resources in karst areas, provide a reference for the selection and application of AMF in the process of vegetation restoration in karst areas, and promote the use of broad types of AMF in restoring karst areas. • Mutualistic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play important ecological roles in karst. • Many plants factors can affect AMF diversity and their ecological effects. • Understanding these interactions may benefit management of Karst rocky desertification area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a method for minimizing global buffer access within a deep learning accelerator for convolution operations by maximizing the data reuse through a local register file, thereby substituting the local register file access for the power-hungry global buffer access. To fully exploit the merits of data reuse, this study proposes a rearrangement of the computational sequence in a deep learning accelerator. Once input data are read from the global buffer, repeatedly reading the same data is performed only through the local register file, saving significant power consumption. Furthermore, different from prior works that equip local register files in each computation unit, the proposed method enables sharing a local register file along the column of the 2D computation array, saving resources and controlling overhead. The proposed accelerator is implemented on an off-the-shelf field-programmable gate array to verify the functionality and resource utilization. Then, the performance improvement of the proposed method is demonstrated relative to popular deep learning accelerators. Our evaluation indicates that the proposed deep learning accelerator reduces the number of global-buffer accesses to nearly 86.8%, consequently saving up to 72.3% of the power consumption for the input data memory access with a minor increase in resource usage compared to a conventional deep learning accelerator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass-degrading enzymes produced by microorganisms have a great potential in the processing of agricultural wastes. In order to produce suitable biomass-degrading enzymes for releasing sugars and aroma compounds from tobacco scraps, the feasibility of directly using the scraps as a carbon source for enzyme production was investigated in this study. By comparative studies of ten fungal strains isolated from tobacco leaves, Aspergillus brunneoviolaceus Ab-10 was found to produce an efficient enzyme mixture for the saccharification of tobacco scraps. Proteomic analysis identified a set of plant biomass-degrading enzymes in the enzyme mixture, including amylases, hemicellulases, cellulases and pectinases. At a substrate concentration of 100 g/L and enzyme dosage of 4 mg/g, glucose of 17.6 g/L was produced from tobacco scraps using the crude enzyme produced by A. brunneoviolaceus Ab-10. In addition, the contents of 23 volatile molecules, including the aroma compounds 4-ketoisophorone and benzyl alcohol, were significantly increased after the enzymatic treatment. The results provide a strategy for valorization of tobacco waste by integrating the production of biomass-degrading enzymes into the tobacco scrap processing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the Diophantine equations $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle F_{n}^{q}\pm F_{m}^{q}=y^{p} & & \displaystyle \nonumber\end{eqnarray}$$ with positive integers $q,p\geq 2$ and $\gcd (F_{n},F_{m})=1$ , where $F_{k}$ is a Fibonacci number. We obtain results for $q=2$ or $q$ an odd prime with $q\equiv 3\;(\text{mod}\;4),3 , and complete solutions for $q=3$. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the Diophantine equation , and based on Frey-Hellegouarch curves and their corresponding Galois representations, we solve the equation for various choices of . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The La 3+ doped Y 2-2 y La 2 y MnCrO 6 ( y = 0–0.4, 0.9) polycrystalline samples have been synthesized by means of a standard solid-state reaction method. For lightly doped samples with y ≤ 0.3, the refined structural parameters of XRD patterns display a decrease tendency of structural anisotropy with increasing La content, suggesting a gradual reduction of the octahedral tilting in the compounds with increasing A -site cation size. The temperature dependence of magnetization gives that the ferrimagnetic state at temperatures below ∼75 K for the prototype Y 2 MnCrO 6 remains till y = 0.3, while the samples with y = 0.4 and 0.9 show a much higher transition temperature at ∼120 K. However, for the ferrimagnetic samples with y ≤ 0.2, a detailed analysis on the high-temperature paramagnetic susceptibility reveals that the antiferromagnetic coupling within the Cr 3+ sublattice is obviously enhanced with increasing La 3+ content, which is an unfavorable factor for the ferrimagnetism. The electrical transport properties of the samples are dominated by the thermal activation mechanism, and the activation energy decreases distinctly with increasing y ( y ≤ 0.3). The results indicate that the ferrimagnetism in Y 2 MnCrO 6 oxide is suppressed with increasing A -site average cation size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Let be positive integers. In this paper, we prove that the equation has no solutions in integers and k with , and . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Novel Eu3+ doped zirconate garnet-type ceramics, Li7(La3−x Eu x )Zr2O12 with x=0, 0.001–1.0, have been synthesized by solid state reaction and the purity phase of the samples was checked by XRD. Room temperature steady and time-resolved emission spectra, under UV and visible light excitation energy, have been investigated. The concentration effect on the quenching blue emission, due to the Zr–O charge transfer transition and 5D0→7F2 emission transition of Eu3+ were studied in detail. The results indicate that there exists efficient energy transfer from host to Eu3+. The mechanism of interaction between Eu3+ ions has also been investigated by means of the Inokuti–Hirayama model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Let a, b, c be integers. In this paper, we prove the integer solutions of the equation axy + byz + czx = 0 satisfy max{|x|, |y|, |z|} ≤ 2 max{a, b, c} when a, b, c are odd positive integers, and when a = b = 1, c = -1, the positive integer solutions of the equation satisfy max{x, y, z} < exp(exp(exp(5))). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community Question Answering (CQA) is becoming a popular Web 2.0 application. By analyzing evolutionary topic patterns from CQA applications, one can gain insights into user interests and user responses to external events. This paper proposes a novel evolutionary topic pattern mining approach. This approach consists of three components: 1) extraction of the topics being discussed through a temporal analysis; 2) discovery of topic evolutions and construction of evolutionary graphs of extracted topics; and 3) life cycle modeling of the extracted topics. We show empirically the effectiveness of our approach using two real-world data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Community question answering (CQA) has recently become a popular social media where users can post questions on any topic of interest and get answers from enthusiasts. The variation of topics in questions and answers indicate the change of users’ interests over time. It can help users focus on the most popular products or events and track their changes by exploiting hot topics and analyzing the trend of a specific topic. In this paper, we present a hot topic detection and trend analysis system to capture hot topics in a CQA system and track their evolutions over time. Our system consists of hot term extraction, question clustering and trend analysis. Experimental results using datasets from Yahoo! Answers show that our system can discover meaningful hot topics. We also show that the evolution of topics over time can be accurately exploited by trend graphing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In a Wi-Fi indoor positioning system (IPS), the performance of the IPS depends on the channel state information (CSI), which is often limited due to the multipath fading effect, especially in indoor environments involving multiple non-line-of-sight propagation paths. In this paper, we propose a novel IPS utilizing trajectory CSI observed from predetermined trajectories instead of the CSI collected at each stationary location; thus, the proposed method enables all the CSI along each route to be continuously encountered in the observation. Further, by using a generative adversarial network (GAN), which helps enlarge the training dataset, the cost of trajectory CSI collection can be significantly reduced. To fully exploit the trajectory CSI's spatial and temporal information, the proposed IPS employs a deep learning network of a one-dimensional convolutional neural network–long short-term memory (1DCNN-LSTM). The proposed IPS was hardware-implemented, where digital signal processors and a universal software radio peripheral were used as a modem and radio frequency transceiver, respectively, for both access point and mobile device of Wi-Fi. We verified that the proposed IPS based on the trajectory CSI far outperforms the state-of-the-art IPS based on the CSI collected from stationary locations through extensive experimental tests and computer simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main result in the earlier paper (by the first author) is improved as follows. The number of odd multiperfect numbers with at most $r$ distinct prime factors is bounded by ${4}^{{r}^{2} } / {2}^{r+ 2} (r- 1)!$. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) increase rhizospheric soil macro-aggregates. • AMF hyphal length is positively correlated with soil macro-aggregates. • AMF increase easily extractable glomalin (EEG) content of rocky karst soil. • AMF colonization increase host plant shoot biomass but not root biomass. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation have been shown to enhance host plant growth and rhizosphere soil aggregates largely due to the combined effect of extraradical hyphae and glomalin-related soil proteins but their effects on rocky desertified soils remain unknown. Extensive karst area of southwest China has undergone rocky desertification because of soil erosion and vegetation degradation. Karst soils in this area are mainly composed of silty clay loam developed from carbonate rock erosion under subtropical humid monsoon climate. We tested the hypothesis that AMF colonization of tree seedlings would improve water stable aggregates of degraded karst soil and enhance seedling growth. Seedlings of two tree species, Toona sinensis and Delavaya toxocarpa suitable for afforestation in karst area, were inoculated separately with three AMF, Funneliformis mosseae , Glomus versiforme and Rhizophagus intraradices in pots containing rocky desertified soil. Non-inoculated seedlings were used as control. After 12 months we found that the percentage of water stable aggregates (diameter >0.25 mm; WSA >0.25) in the rhizosphere soil of the inoculated seedlings was increased by 15.6–20.5% compared to control. AMF colonization significantly increased the quantity of aggregates with diameter > 2 mm compared to control but soil aggregates of size class 0.25 – 0.5 mm decreased significantly in inoculated seedlings, regardless of tree species. Shoot biomass of inoculated T. sinensis and D. toxocarpa seedling was increased by 15.7–21.2% and 8.5–20.4%, respectively compared to non-inoculated seedlings. In contrast, AMF inoculation minimally influenced the root biomass of the two tree species. The easily extractable glomalin (EEG) content and mean weight diameter (MWD) of rhizospheric soil of the inoculated seedlings increased by 28.9–75.1% and 31.7–48.1%, respectively compared to control. The AMF colonization was highly correlated with WSA >0.25 , EEG and MWD. Overall results support our hypothesis that AMF colonization enhance the quantity of rhizospheric soil aggregates and improve the growth of host seedlings. We conclude that planting tree species inoculated with AMF has a potential for restoration of degraded karst ecosystem. In future research other locally adapted tree and shrub species should be tested following AMF inoculation to prepare a wider planting stocks to be used in restoration of degraded karsts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeycomb panels manufactured from wood and paper materials promote a high-value utilization of wood resources. However, the poor mechanical properties and uncommon thicknesses (32 and 40 mm) of paper honeycomb panels limit their application and promotion in the panel furniture industry. Hence, numerous attempts have been made to develop high-strength and low-density wood sandwich composites for the frames and partitions of cabinet furniture. This paper describes a method for manufacturing lightweight sandwich panels (18 mm thickness) with auxetic cores, made of fast-growing poplar. The mechanical properties of the panels and the negative Poisson's ratio of the perforated sheet cores were determined by three-point bending and uniaxial compression tests. The lower density, higher modulus of elasticity, and bending strength suggest that the developed panel is a good substitute for traditional wood-based panels. A numerical model for panels in bending tests is proposed and validated against the experimental analysis results. These investigations facilitate further research into optimizing the sandwich panel structure and its applicability in the architectural and furniture industry. Graphical Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the circular economy and decreasing earth resources, waste should be converted into value-added materials such as carbon quantum dots, which are fluorescent nanomaterials with promising applications in sensing, biological imaging, energy storage, and photocatalysis. Here, we review carbon quantum dots with focus on their synthesis from biomass, factors controlling their performance, properties, and applications in energy, medicine, and environmental science. Applications include energy storage in batteries and supercapacitors, renewable energy, pollutant sensing and degradation, drug delivery, biosensing, and bioimaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins are widespread in the plant kingdom and are involved in important bioactivities, such as antioxidation. These flavonoids can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes; consequently, they are widely studied for disease prevention and treatment. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of the chemical structures, food sources, and bioactivities of these compounds. We also discuss recent developments and trends related to anthocyanin- and proanthocyanidin-derived products. This review provides insights to inform related research and inspire future studies to help realize the potential of these plant pigments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial wilt negatively impacts the yield and quality of tomatoes. cis-Abienol, a labdane diterpenoid abundantly produced in the trichome secretion of Nicotiana spp., can induce bacterial wilt resistance in plants; however, study on its practical application and acting mechanism is very limited. This study established the application conditions of cis-abienol for inducing tomato bacterial wilt resistance by pot-inoculation experiments and investigated the underlying mechanism by determining the physio-biochemical indexes and transcriptomic changes. The results showed that applying cis-abienol to the roots was the most effective approach for inducing tomato bacterial wilt resistance. The optimal concentration was 60 μg/mL, and 2–3 consecutive applications with 3–6 days intervals were sufficient to induce the bacterial wilt resistance of tomato plants. cis-Abienol could enhance the antioxidant enzyme activity and stimulate the defensive signal transduction in tomato roots, leading to the upregulation of genes involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. It also upregulated the expression of JAZ genes and increased the content of jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA), which control the expression of flavonoid biosynthetic genes and the content of phytoalexins in tomato roots. cis-Abienol-induced resistance mainly depends on the JA signalling pathway, and the SA signalling pathway is also involved in this process. This study established the feasibility of applying the plant-derived terpenoid cis-abienol to induce plant bacterial wilt resistance, which is of great value for developing eco-friendly bactericides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotation welding of wood dowels has the advantages of high bonding strength, fast processing speed and green environmental protection, and is suitable for jointing nodes in furniture and wood products. However, most wood friction welding specimens have poor water resistance where the welded joints are more likely to be damaged in wet environments, which greatly limits their wider application. Previous studies focused on using natural and green materials or methods to enhance bonding strength and water resistance of friction-welded joints. This paper reveals an innovative chemical pretreatment method to improve the water resistance of rotary friction welded joints by treating the substrate blocks or dowels with reagents that successively oxidize and sulfonate the wood, and spraying the dowels with Zinc acetate alcohol solution that has a lubricant effect, followed by friction welding. The findings show that both the dry bonding strength of friction welded joints and the wet bonding strength after impregnation with cold, hot, and boiling water of dowels pretreated with oxidation and sulfonation reactions were higher than those without pretreatment and significantly superior to the traditional polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) adhesive bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most efficient, low-cost, and readily available electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline environments, the nickel-iron electrocatalyst is of great significance to commercial water splitting. In this study, NiFe-layered double hydroxide loaded on nickel foam (NiFe-LDH/NF) was synthesized via a simple one-step hydrothermal method, whose OER catalytic performance could be successfully optimized by further electrochemical reconstruction. The results show that NF is an effective precursor to loading crystallized Ni(OH) 2 nanoparticles during hydrothermal synthesis, leading to the generation of high-performance NiOOH during OER reconstruction. Under the optimal Ni:Fe feeding ratio, Ni 2 Fe 1 -LDH/NF requires an ultra-low OER overpotential of 239 mV at 50 mA cm−2 and 260 mV at 100 mA cm−2, whose Tafel slope is only 64.1 mV dec−1. Impressively, Ni 2 Fe 1 -LDH/NF also achieves an ultra-low voltage of 1.44 V at 10 mA cm−2 with excellent long-term stability for overall water splitting. Unlike the previous viewpoint that only Ni species dominate surface reconstruction of NiFe-LDH, in this article the decisive influence related to Fe species on the reconstruction layers' activity and stability is confirmed by electrochemistry, Raman, and XPS analysis during reconstruction process. During OER reconstruction, the surface Ni:Fe ratios can be "self-adaptively" regulated to an appropriate region, thus the stable reconstruction layers rich in NiOOH can be formed as the protective shells for NiFe-LDH. Furthermore, such "self-adaptive" reconstruction, assisted with appropriate initial Ni:Fe feeding ratios, can also stimulate more Ni3+ active sites for OER, benefitting the outstanding catalytic performance of NiFe-LDH/NF for overall water splitting and prospective large-scale application. [Display omitted] • There are some highlights in this paper may be found interested by the general readers. • Unstable iron-rich phases start self-adaptively electrochemical reconstruction. • Self-adaptive reconstruction promotes the OER catalytic activity and stability. • The optimal electrocatalyst exhibits 260 mV overpotential at 100 mA·cm−2 for OER. • The electrocatalyst only needs 1.44 V at 10 mA·cm−2 for overall water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cembranoids produced by tobacco glandular trichomes have bioactivities in resistance to insect pests and pathogens. Cembratrien-ol synthase (CBTS) plays a key role in the biosynthesis of cembranoids and directly determines the cembranoid content in tobacco. This study examined the effect of changing CBTS1 expression on tobacco resistance to the insect pest Spodoptera frugiperda and oomycete pathogen Phytophthora nicotianae. The CDS sequence of CBTS1 was cloned into gene overexpression and silencing vectors and introduced into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. TN90) to obtain CBTS1-overexpression plants (CBTS1-OE) and CBTS1-silenced plants (CBTS1-RI). Compared with control plants, the content of cembratrien-ol (CBT-ol) was increased 4.48 times in the CBTS1-OE plants but decreased by 68% in the CBTS1-RI plants, while that of cembratrien-diol (CBT-diol) was increased 3.17 times in the CBTS1-OE plants but decreased by 76% in the CBTS1-RI plants. The S. frugiperda resistance of transgenic tobacco plants was evaluated by in vitro toxicity test, and the results showed that the resistance of CBTS1-OE plants to S. frugiperda was significantly improved but that of CBTS1-RI plants was reduced. The P. nicotianae resistance of transgenic tobacco plants was assessed by the detached leaf assay, and the results showed that the resistance of CBTS1-OE plants to P. nicotianae was enhanced, while that of CBTS1-RI plants was attenuated. Further gene expression analysis showed that overexpression of CBTS1 increased the expression of the pathogen-related gene PR-1a, while silencing of CBTS1 decreased its expression. This study demonstrated that manipulating the expression of CBTS1 could change the cembranoid content in tobacco plants and alter their resistance to both insect pests and oomycete pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of high-quality development, environmental issues are being paid more and more attention to, and the release of free formaldehyde has become a major problem that needs to be solved. Glueless plywood mainly adopts natural substances as raw materials, without adding chemical products, such as resin adhesives, and it does not contain harmful substances, such as formaldehyde. Glueless plywood is a green product that causes no pollution in the environment and no harm to the human body. In this study, the corresponding weak-phase components in boxwood were pre-delivered by an acidic environmental treatment, and the high-temperature and high-pressure compacting process produced a glueless boxwood panel with excellent water resistance and mechanical properties, while remaining environmentally friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast-growing poplar with low wood density has been generally regarded as a low-grade wood species and cannot be used as a building material due to its poor fire resistance. As the fire resistance of wood materials is positively correlated with density, combined treatment using resin impregnation, which imparts thermal resistance, and compression, which improves density, appeared to be a route toward improved combustion performance. Fast-growing poplar wood was modified with a combination of borate-containing phenol–formaldehyde resin impregnation and compression in a transverse direction at varying intensities. The effects of the combined treatment on fire resistance were then examined and discussed. Char residue morphology analysis and microscopic observations were conducted to reveal the effects and mechanism of the combined treatment on fire resistance improvement. The test results showed that fire resistance was greatly improved, including the static and dynamic bending performance at elevated and high temperatures, as well as the combustion performance. The higher the compression ratio was, the better the fire resistance of the modified wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The luminescence properties of Ba 3 BP 3 O 12 doped with divalent Eu 2+ are investigated in the temperature range 10–525 K. Excitation and emission bands corresponding to f–d transition of Eu 2+ from two crystallographic sites are identified. The PL spectra of Ba 2.99 Eu 0.01 BP 3 O 12 sample at low temperatures further imply that the Eu 2+ emission emanates from two different crystallographic sites for Ba 2+ ions. The temperature dependence of emission intensity and lifetimes are studied. The luminescence intensity of Eu II does not have drastic decrease in the temperature range between 10 and 300 K, while that of Eu I decreases dramatically. Unfortunately, Ba 2.99 Eu 0.01 BP 3 O 12 sample has poor thermal stability at temperatures higher than 300 K. The quantum yield, activation energy and thermal quenching mechanism of the luminescence are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cembranoids and labdanes are two important types of diterpenes in tobacco (Nicotiana genus) that are predominantly found in the leaf and flower glandular trichome secretions. This is the first systematic review of the biosynthesis, chemical structures, bioactivities, and utilisation values of cembranoid and labdane diterpenes in tobacco. A total of 131 natural cembranoid diterpenes have been reported in tobacco since 1962; these were summarised and classified according to their chemical structure characteristics as isopropyl cembranoids (1 – 88), seco-cembranoids (89 – 103), chain cembranoids (104 – 123), and polycyclic cembranoids (124 – 131). Forty natural labdane diterpenes reported since 1961 were also summarised and divided into epoxy side chain labdanes (132 – 150) and epoxy-free side chain labdanes (151 – 171). Tobacco cembranoid and labdane diterpenes are both formed via the methylerythritol 4-phosphate pathway and are synthesised from geranylgeranyl diphosphate. Their biosynthetic pathways and the four key enzymes (cembratrienol synthase, cytochrome P450 hydroxylase, copalyl diphosphate synthase, and Z -abienol cyclase) that affect their biosynthesis have been described in detail. A systematic summary of the bioactivity and utilisation values of the cembranoid and labdane diterpenes is also provided. The agricultural bioactivities associated with cembranoid and labdane diterpenes include antimicrobial and insecticidal activities as well as induced resistance, while the medical bioactivities include cytotoxic and neuroprotective activities. Further research into the cembranoid and labdane diterpenes will help to promote their development and utilisation as plant-derived pesticides and medicines. The chemical structures, biosynthesis, bioactivities, and utilisation values of tobacco diterpenes between 1961 and 2023 were systematically illustrated. [Display omitted] • 131 cembranoids and 40 labdane diterpenes have been identified in tobacco. • Cembranoid and labdane diterpenes are formed via the MEP pathway. • We have systematically summarised the agricultural and medical bioactivities of tobacco diterpenes. • This work will guide the development of plant-derived pesticides and medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Thermal molding produced glueless and formaldehyde-free biocomposites. • Alkali treatment produced highly reactive alkali cellulose intermediates. • Lignin acted as an adhesive to strengthen the bonding between fibres. • The biocomposites had strong mechanical property. The efficient utilization of small-diameter shrub resources holds significant potential in averting forest resource waste and mitigating carbon emissions. Herein, glueless biocomposites were prepared using waste small-diameter Buxus megistophylla via alkali pre-treatment and thermal molding. Instead of simple hot-pressing, the biocomposites were prepared using thermal molding, which allows the release of edge stresses in a high-pressure environment. After alkali pretreatment, the flexural and tensile strength of the biocomposites increased by 66.08% and 74.12%. Alkali pre-treatment forms reactive alkali-cellulose, facilitating fiber bonding. Structural disruption leads to fiber swelling, increasing surface area and hydrogen bonding, especially on cellulose. This process disrupts and reconstitutes crystalline regions, enhancing crystallinity. Lignin liberated from the lignin-hemicellulose polymer transitions to a molten state, serving as an adhesive to fortify fiber bonds, creating a 3D lattice structure and hydrophobic surface (Water contact angle 85°). Furthermore, these biocomposites, being adhesive-free and non-emitters of harmful gases like formaldehyde, hold promise as sustainable materials for architectural decoration and furniture applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose has attracted considerable attention as the most promising potential candidate raw material for the production of bio-based polymeric materials. In the last decade, significant progress has been made in the production of biopolymers based on different cellulose forms. In this study, cellulose was obtained in an innovative and environmentally friendly way, using boxwood powder. Crude cellulose was obtained by treating Buxus powder with an ethanol–acetic acid–water mixture. Refined cellulose was then obtained by treatment with an acidic sodium hypochlorite solution and alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution. The novel chemistry of cellulose prepared by this method promises to be not only green, but also highly desirable, because of its lower emissions and low cost. It is crucial for the future of the global polymer industry. The refined cellulose was subjected to a high-temperature hydrothermal treatment under two temperatures and time conditions, with temperature gradients of 120, 140, and 160 °C, and time gradients of 1, 2, and 3 h. The samples were subjected to infrared and thermogravimetric analyses. The cellulose undergoes dehydration and thermal degradation reactions during the heat treatment process, and the thermal stability of the residual is enhanced, compared with that of virgin cellulose. Between 120 and 140 °C, the hydroxyl and hypomethyl groups on the surface of cellulose are shed. Groups in the amorphous region of the polymer are the first to be shed. The dehydration reaction reduces the number of free hydroxyl groups on the surface of the cellulose molecules. The dehydration reaction was accelerated by an increase in temperature. Between 140 and 160 °C, the β-(1,4)-glycosidic bond begins to slowly break and some furans are generated. The structure of cellulose undergoes reorganization during thermal treatment. The thermal stability of the modified material is greater than that of untreated cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To alleviate the environmental pressure, it is of great significance to develop the green and sustainable structural materials by utilization of waste biomass. In this work, an eco-friendly, high-strength, superhydrophobic, and thermally stable material was fabricated through a scalable binder-free lamination method using waste biomass (e.g., wood residues, crop straw, and waste paperboard). The waste biomass was separated and molded into fiber mats by a clean pulping process, and then laminated without adhesives. The finite element method (FEM) was adopted to visually observe fracture behaviors and detect the weakest zones. The utilization of FEM to enhance the mechanical strength is unique in productions of traditional biomass composites. The weakest zones were reinforced by the H 2 O 2 spraying approach, and the flexural strength (FS) was improved from 80.12 to 120.35 MPa. The moisture content (MC) in the mat was used for regulating the softening of cellulosic fibers. In virtue of the water-induced plasticization, the laminated materials showed a high internal bonding strength (IBS) of 2.24 MPa and excellent FS of 134.81 MPa. Being benefitted from the silica modification, the materials exhibited a superhydrophobic surface with the high water contact angle (154.1°), good dimensional stability (a thickness swelling of 14.8%), and superior mechanical stability (remained 94.3% FS after two months of ultraviolet radiation). This work provides a new strategy to develop green and sustainable structural materials for buildings, furniture, and related applications. • Eco-friendly structural materials developed via binder-free lamination of waste biomass. • Incorporation of finite element method to visually observe fracture behaviors. • Improvement of interface bonding strength via H 2 O 2 spraying treatment. • High flexural strength of 134.81 MPa due to water swelling and partial removal of lignin. • Superhydrophobic performance and good dimensional stability benefitting to the silica modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pursuing green and recyclable biocomposites is crucial to promoting sustainable development and carbon balance in the wood-based panel industry. In this study, bamboo and lignin were used as raw materials to create a high-performance biocomposite with better mechanical properties. The biocomposite demonstrates an impressive flexural strength of 97.20 MPa and a tensile strength of 41.43 MPa. These values represent a remarkable increase of 121% and 133%, respectively, compared to traditional fibreboard. This could be due to the lignin in the black liquor undergoing a glassy state transformation during hot pressing and acting as an adhesive to bind bamboo fibres tightly. As a result, the fibres are interconnected by hydrogen bonds and strong chemical bonds. During the recycling experiment, the Hot-pressed B&B20 underwent crushing and partial mixing with bamboo powder in a 1:3 ratio. Despite undergoing this process three times, its strength remained relatively unchanged, with tensile strength ranging from 89.53 to 98.32 MPa and static bending strength ranging from 38.79 to 40.52 MPa. Furthermore, the Hot-pressed B&B20 exhibits excellent machinability, hydrophobicity, heat resistance, and environmental friendliness, which makes it a highly competitive product. [Display omitted] • Glue-free biocomposites produced via hot pressing of bamboo and lignin. • Cell wall collapses enhanced mechanical bonding of fibrous components. • Depolymerization and repolymerization of lignin enhanced hydrogen bonding. • Biocomposites obtained can potentially replace traditional artificial board. • Biocomposites can be recycled after being discarded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast-growing wood species are unsuitable for direct use in load-bearing structures due to their loose fiber structure, low mechanical strength, and inadequate combustion performance. Traditional impregnation using low-molecular-weight resin may enhance certain characteristics but also poses environmental pollution risks. This study explores an alternative approach: subjecting Chinese fir lumbers to thermal treatment, impregnation with an inorganic solution, compression, and utilization as exposed side laminas for glulam beams. The fire performance of full-scale beams was evaluated under three-side fire exposure conditions. Results revealed that addressing the mechanical deficiencies of thermally treated wood could be achieved through 2.0 mol/L inorganic solution impregnation combined with a 20% compression ratio. The modifier weight percent gains in specimens after thermal treatment increased by 24.8% under identical conditions. Composite modification notably enhanced both mechanical and combustion properties, manifesting promising flame-retardant effects. Building upon these findings, fire-resistant laminas were created and applied to the tensile zone of the glulam beam to investigate residual bearing capacity post three-side fire exposure. After 60 min, the modified laminas-containing beam in the fire-exposed tension zone showed a 31.4% increase in residual bearing capacity over the untreated beam. This study underscores that the combined modification methods are not only cost-effective and environmentally friendly but also establish a vital theoretical foundation for safeguarding the structural safety of rapidly cultivated fast-growing wood in fire scenarios. • A modification method to improve wood's mechanical and combustion performance. • Containing modified laminas on fire-side of glulam beams reduces charring rate. • An exact formula for calculating glulam beams' residual bearing capacity post-fire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dry-wet cycle corrosion behavior of low alloy steel (Q355B) and 700 MPa grade Ni, Cr composite weathering steel (4 wt% Ni-5 wt% Cr) in 2 wt% NaCl solutions was studied. The distribution characteristics of elements and phases in the corrosion products after 360 h corrosion cycle were analyzed by SEM and Raman spectroscopy. The formation mechanism of protective rust layer of Ni, Cr composite weathering steel in simulated marine environment was briefly described. The results show that the corrosion products of Q355B appear obvious stratification, and the rust layer of Ni, Cr composite weathering steel has no longer stratified. The Ni, Cr composite weathering steel forms a cationic selective rust layer during the corrosion process, which effectively prevents the penetration of Cl- and exhibits excellent corrosion resistance, the corrosion rate of Ni, Cr composite weathering steel after 72 h-360 h corrosion cycle is 1/8–1/3 of that of Q355B. The value of α/γ * increases with the extension of corrosion cycle, which is reach to 1.0 after 360 h corrosion cycle. The corrosion potential increases with the extension of corrosion cycle, the corrosion current density fluctuates slightly around 100 × 10−6 A/cm2. • 700 MPa grade weathering steel was obtained by adding Ni and Cr elements, the corrosion rate of Ni, Cr composite weathering steel after 72 h corrosion cycle is 1/8 of that of low alloy steel. • The rust layer structure and phase composition of low alloy steel and Ni, Cr composite weathering steel were characterized in detail. • During the corrosion process, the rust layer of Ni, Cr composite weathering steel showed obvious cation selectivity, forming a cation selective rust layer, effectively repel Cl-, so that a few Cl- exists in the corrosion products. • The formation mechanism of protective rust layer of Ni, Cr composite weathering steel in simulated marine environment was described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional wood-based panels composed of wood and petroleum based adhesives is widely used in furniture manufacturing and construction industries. However, these adhesives are not biodegradable, inhibiting the recycling of artificial board. More seriously, the emission of carcinogenic formaldehyde will lead to severe pollution and environmental issues. This study presents a method for preparing self-bonding composites. Waste poplar powder is used as raw material in the biocomposite, in which exogenous lignin is added, and lignin is extracted from the waste of the paper industry - black liquor, which is beneficial to the environment and the recycling of resources. The resulting biocomposites are characterized by aldehyde-free, better strength, and water stability. The dimensional stability and mechanical strength, bending strength (84.40 MPa), and tensile strength (35.40 MPa) of the biocomposite are 2.0 and 1.6 times that of composites obtained by hot pressing without pretreatment and are 2.7 and 2.4 times that of medium density fiberboard (MDF), lignin plays an important role as an adhesive, which is the key to improving mechanical properties. Moreover, the biocomposite features higher water stability and fire resistance than the traditional wood fiberboard. In conclusion, the developed black liquor-wood biocomposites are potential alternatives used to replace the formaldehyde wood-based fiberboard. [Display omitted] • An aldehyde-free wood-based panel was prepared by a resource-saving method. • The flexural and tensile strengths are 84.40 MPa and 35.40 MPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jasmonate (JA)-induced plant senescence has been mainly studied with a dark/starvation-promoted system using detached leaves; yet, the induction of whole-plant senescence by JA remains largely unclear. This work reports the finding of a JA-induced whole-plant senescence of tobacco under light/non-starvation conditions and the investigation of underlying regulations. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment induces the whole-plant senescence of tobacco in a light-intensity–dependent manner, which is suppressed by silencing of NtCOI1 that encodes the receptor protein of JA-Ile (the bioactive derivative of JA). MeJA treatment could induce the senescence-specific cysteine protease gene SAG12 and another cysteine protease gene SAG-L1 to high expression levels in the detached leaf patches under dark conditions but failed to induce their expression in tobacco whole plants under light conditions. Furthermore, MeJA attenuates the RuBisCo activase (RCA) level in the detached leaves but has no effect on this protein in the whole plant under light conditions. A genome-wide transcriptional assay also supports the presence of a differential regulatory pattern of senescence-related genes during MeJA-induced whole-plant senescence under non-starvation conditions and results in the finding of a chlorophylase activity increase in this process. We also observed that the MeJA-induced senescence of tobacco whole plants is reversible, which is accompanied by a structural change of chloroplasts. This work provides novel insights into JA-induced plant senescence under non-starvation conditions and is helpful to dissect the JA-synchronized process of whole-plant senescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested the hypothesis that soil texture and nitrogen (N) fertilisation are the primary factors regulating the N cycle and soil bacterial community structure. The response of soil bacterial communities to N fertilisation in different textured soils might help in identifying the specific underlying mechanism and hence management of N fertiliser application in fields. We examined how N fertiliser accumulates in flue-cured tobacco and influences soil bacterial community structure in different textured soils. We conducted plot and micro-plot experimental measurements of N content in soil and tobacco samples using the KNO315N isotope technique. Soil bacterial community structure was determined using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA. Nitrogen absorption and utilisation by tobacco plants were highest in sandy loam soils, followed by loam soil and clay loam. The ability of clay loam to supply N was weak during the plant growth period. Absence of fertilisation could reduce bacterial abundance in soils to various degrees. Bacterial diversity was higher in sandy loam soil than in loam soil and clay loam. Soil texture and N fertilisation significantly affected soil bacterial community structure and diversity. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi were the dominant bacterial phyla, while Bacillus, Nitrobacter, Nitrosospira, Nitrospira, and Rhizobium were the primary N transformation bacteria at the genus level in all treatments. However, relative abundances differed with N fertiliser application, which could lead to differential N availability and N use efficiency of tobacco among soil types. We conclude that both soil texture and N fertilisation influence N accumulation and distribution in flue-cured tobacco and thus regulate soil bacterial communities. N fertiliser application in sandy loam soil should be strictly controlled for its higher N use efficiency, soil bacterial abundance, and diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The presence of forest on south China karst is presumed to increase perennial epikarst spring flow, partly because there is adequate storage in bedrock fractures underlying the shallow soil in the forest. If true, transpiration of the ecosystem would not be strongly reduced by temperate drought if trees develop deep roots to reach the perched epikarst water. Therefore, in karst ecosystem the epikarst–soil–plant–atmosphere continuum (ESPAC) would be different from the SPAC in non-karst system. We measured transpiration and canopy conductance from a Cyclobalanopsis glauca (syn. Quercus glauca) stand on a rocky hill slope in South China during 2006–2007 by using the Granier’s sap-flow method. Annual stand transpiration (836mmy−1) accounted for 48.7% of the rainfall during the experimental year. Per month, daily stand transpiration (Ec ) maximums varied between 2.1mmd−1 in January (cool season) to 5.1mmd−1 in July (hot season). In the driest months, September and October, Ec of C. glauca was still high with maximum Ec 3.82mmd−1 and 2.96mmd−1 respectively. Solar radiation (PAR), vapor pressure deficiency (VPD), and air temperature were simple influences on transpiration of C. glauca, which contributed to a quadratic power model, while soil water content (SWC) moisture influence on transpiration was complicated, which SWC influenced Ec greatly under higher VPD, but did not influence Ec under low VPD. High stomatal openness occurred in C. glauca in the early morning and declined throughout the day. The relation coefficient between canopy stomatal conductance (Gc ) and Ec was high when VPD was more than 1.0kPa, moderate when 0.5kPa< VPD <1.0kPa, and low with VPD of less than 0.5kPa. Under high VPD, stomatal control of transpiration is high. The pattern of seasonal change of transpiration and canopy stomatal conductance of the plant in karst regions is different from that in non-karst regions, with the stand transpiration and canopy stomatal conductance being high even during the dry season in the karst region because karst plants obtain water partially from the epikarst. With high stand transpiration and canopy stomatal conductance, karst vegetation is presumed to be the most important “pathway” for ESPAC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Cembranoids are one kind of diterpenoids with multiple biological activities. The tobacco cembratriene-ol (CBT-ol) and cembratriene-diol (CBT-diol) have high anti-insect and anti-fungal activities, which is attracting great attentions for their potential usage in sustainable agriculture. Cembranoids were supposed to be formed through the 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, yet the involvement of mevalonate (MVA) pathway in their synthesis remains unclear. Exploring the roles of MVA pathway in cembranoid synthesis could contribute not only to the technical approach but also to the molecular mechanism for cembranoid biosynthesis. Results: We constructed vectors to express cembratriene-ol synthase (CBTS1) and its fusion protein (AD-CBTS1) containing an N-terminal GAL4 AD domain as a translation leader in yeast. Eventually, the modified enzyme AD-CBTS1 was successfully expressed, which further resulted in the production of CBT-ol in the yeast strain BY-T20 with enhanced MVA pathway for geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) production but not in other yeast strains with low GGPP supply. Subsequently, CBT-diol was also synthesized by co-expression of the modified enzyme AD-CBTS1 and BD-CYP450 in the yeast strain BY-T20. Conclusions: We demonstrated that yeast is insensitive to the tobacco anti-fungal compound CBT-ol or CBT-diol and could be applied to their biosynthesis. This study further established a feasibility for cembranoid production via the MVA pathway and provided an alternative bio-approach for cembranoid biosynthesis in microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astaxanthin is a ketocarotenoid with stronger antioxidant activity than vitamin E and coenzyme Q10, and with pharmacological effects against cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammation, and others. Increased astaxanthin supplementation in foods, nutraceuticals, and cosmetic products has resulted in tremendous growth in the demand for natural astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is found widely in aquatic animals and some other organisms, but its de novo synthesis is limited to several bacteria, protists, fungi, algae and plants. Metabolic engineering offers approaches to create systems for high-efficiency production of astaxanthin, which will require in-depth dissection of the astaxanthin synthesis enzymes in the available organisms. Here, we review the de novo synthesis of astaxanthin in bacteria, protists, fungi, algae and plants, and the functional enzymes of specific organisms. A protein-sequence based phylogenetic tree was established to reveal the evolutionary relationships of astaxanthin synthesis proteins across organisms. This review will provide valuable information for the metabolic engineering of astaxanthin bioreactors. • Astaxanthin is a strong antioxidant with multiple pharmacological effects. • Astaxanthin supplementation in health products is in tremendous increase. • Engineering of astaxanthin production requires dissection of the synthetic enzymes. • De novo synthesis of astaxanthin in bacteria, protists, fungi, algae and plants is summarized. • Phylogenetic tree of astaxanthin synthetic enzymes is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown spot of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), a fungal disease caused by Alternaria alternata, is widely spread across the world. In the present study, the physiological and transcriptional characteristics correlated with brown spot resistance were investigated using the resistant cultivar Beinhart 1000‐1 and a susceptible cultivar K326. The physiological assays revealed that Beinhart 1000‐1 was more sensitive to jasmonate (JA) than K326 in seed germination and root elongation assays. MYC2, a key regulator of the JA‐signaling pathway, exhibited a much higher expression level in Beinhart 1000‐1 than in K326 after pathogen challenge with A. Alternata or phytohormone treatment with JA, supporting the higher JA sensitivity of Beinhart 1000‐1. The transcriptional analyses showed that brown spot infection could provoke the expression of a set pathogenesis‐related (PR) genes and transcription factor genes from ethylene response factor (ERF), WRKY, and bHLH families, which are potentially involved in pathogen response. Furthermore, a number of these genes were induced to higher transcription levels by JA in Beinhart 1000‐1 than in K326. Cumulatively, this study revealed a set of JA‐mediated physiological and molecular factors that determine the brown spot resistance of tobacco and may provide cues for resistance breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The greatest differences in phenolic content were at the G36 and G120 stages. • iTRAQ-based proteomics analysis revealed 7031 proteins. • During germination, 956 proteins were upregulated and 188 were downregulated. • KEGG analysis indicated significant enrichment of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. • Upregulated enzymes promoted the accumulation of phenolics during germination. Abstract Polyphenols and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulate during seed germination, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to elucidate the accumulation of these bioactive compounds in Chinese wild rice during germination. The greatest differences in the phenolic content were at 36-h (G36) and 120-h germination (G120) stages. An iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis revealed 7031 proteins, and a comparison of the G120 and G36 stages revealed 956 upregulated and 188 downregulated proteins. The KEGG analysis revealed significant protein enrichment in the "metabolic pathways", "biosynthesis of secondary metabolites" and "phenylpropanoid biosynthesis". Four phenylalanine ammonia-lyases, one 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, one cinnamoyl-CoA reductase, two cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenases, and four glutamate decarboxylases exhibited higher expression at the G120 than at the G36 stage and promoted phenolics and GABA accumulation. This study revealed bioactive compound accumulation in germinating Chinese wild rice, and the finding may help develop functional foods derived from this cereal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Chinese and North American wild rice differ in secondary metabolite composition. • Differential secondary metabolites were compared using UHPLC-QqQ-MS. • Zizania latifolia and Z. palustris had 357 differential metabolites. • "Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis" pathway showed significant enrichment. • We provide solid reference values for functional food development from wild rice. Abstract Wild rice (Zizania spp.) is considered by many consumers to be a health-promoting food. The perennial Z. latifolia (native to Asia) and annual Z. palustris (native to North America) are crops to produce Chinese and North American wild rice, respectively. In this study, we compare the metabolomes of the two species using a UHPLC-QqQ-MS-based metabolomics approach. In total, 672 metabolites were identified; of those, 357 showed differential expression (160 up-regulated versus 197 down-regulated). Metabolic pathway analysis of these differential metabolites showed a significant enrichment of the "Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis" pathway. A hierarchical cluster analysis of differential metabolites of the two species showed a clear grouping pattern in which the relative contents of five anthocyanins and four catechin derivatives differed significantly between the two groups. This study provides reference values for isolation and identification of functional compounds from wild rice and for research and development of functional foods from the two species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract Nature provides us the most effective way of harnessing solar energy, that is photosynthesis. The investigation of natural photosynthetic components integrated electrodes for the construction of photoelectrochemical cells has attracted more and more attention. However, the efficiency of assembled systems still be plagued by the complex and unclear electron transfer process. In this research, thylakoid membrane was integrated with graphene materials for the construction of photoelectrochemical cells and photocurrent of mediated electron transfer was investigated. Moreover, the main route of electron transfer within the composite film modified electrode was discussed. The functional groups and structural support of graphene oxide could increase local mediator concentration and accelerate diffusional mass transport, thus enhancing the photocurrent density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprouting is a key factor affecting the quality of potato tubers. The present study aimed to compare the differential expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the apical meristem during the dormancy release and sprouting stages by using lncRNA sequencing. Microscopic observations and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed the changes in the morphology and expression of lncRNAs in potato tubers during sprouting. Meristematic cells of potato tuber apical buds divided continuously and exhibited vegetative cone bulging and vascularisation. In all, 3175 lncRNAs were identified from the apical buds of potato tubers, among which 383 lncRNAs were up-regulated and 340 were down-regulated during sprouting. The GO enrichment analysis revealed that sprouting mainly influenced the expression of lncRNAs related to the cellular components of potato apical buds (e.g., cytoplasm and organelles) and cellular metabolic processes. The KEGG enrichment analysis also showed significant enrichment of specific metabolic pathways. In addition, 386 differentially expressed lncRNAs during sprouting were identified as putative targets of 235 potato miRNAs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction results agreed with the sequencing data. Our study provides the first systematic study of numerous lncRNAs involved in the potato tuber sprouting process and lays the foundation for further studies to elucidate their precise functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to study the underlying mechanisms of growth inhibition of Valsa mali var. mali , the causative pathogen of apple tree canker disease, by α-cembratrien-diol. The half maximal inhibitory concentration of α-cembratrien-diol against V. mali var. mali is 18.0 mg/L. Treatment of V. mali var. mali with α-cembratrien-diol resulted in various mycelial and cellular abnormalities, and the up- and down-regulation of 94 and 170 differentially expressed genes, respectively. Gene Ontology term enrichment analysis revealed that α-cembratrien-diol substantially altered the expression of genes involved in the redox process, tetrapyrrole binding, coenzyme binding, heme binding, and iron binding. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis also showed significant enrichment of specific metabolic pathways involving the set of differentially expressed genes. The present study will assist in the development of alternative α-cembratrien-diol-based biological control agents and ultimately facilitate organic apple production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Glue-free biocomposites produced via hot pressing of artificial shrub. • Biocomposites show excellent hydrophobicity and high stability towards strong chemical. • Cell wall collapses enhanced mechanical bonding of fibrous components. • Depolymerization and repolymerization of lignin enhanced hydrogen bonding components. • Biocomposites obtained can potentially replace the composites prepared using adhesives. There are abundant shrub species resources in the world, but their natural defects such as short growth cycle, loose material, easy cracking plus deformation, and low strength have seriously affected their scope of application. With the ever-decreasing of natural forest resources, the research on quality improvement and efficiency enhancement of small-diameter timber of artificial shrub represents a promising effort in global continual advancement. In this study, an innovative and environmentally-friendly approach was developed to produce high-quality biocomposites from Buxus sinica. Pretreatment of Buxus sinica in an alkaline sodium sulfite solution had degraded part of the amorphous structure from the cell walls. The fiber cell walls collapsed completely in further thermoforming, resulting in a closer alignment of the fiber filaments before the formation of high-strength physical and chemical bonding, expanded crystalline regions, and enhanced dimensional stability. The resulted biocomposites show higher ultimate tensile strength (5.31 times) and ultimate flexural strength (5.22 times) than that of Buxus sinica. In addition, the preparation method also endows the biocomposites with excellent hydrophobicity and high chemical stability towards concentrated strong acid and alkali. Overall, this study reveals a promising method to effectively transform the artificial shrub resources into high-quality biocomposites with versatile applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]