Search Results (2,226)

This study introduces a novel control device, the nonlinear air-spring absorber (ASA), aimed at improving the collapse resistance of transmission tower-line systems subjected to severe wind loads. Initially, a detailed finite element (FE) model is developed for a representative transmission tower-line system, grounded in an actual engineering project, and the wind load applied to the system is obtained. Then, the working principle and design method of the ASA are introduced, and the device is embedded into the FE model. The Inter-Segment Displacement Ratio (ISDR) is employed as a collapse indicator to systematically evaluate, via fragility analysis, the effectiveness of the ASA. The effectiveness of the ASA at improving the collapse resistance of the tower-line system under different wind attack angles is systematically studied through a fragility analysis. The results show that the device effectively suppresses the structural wind-induced vibration and significantly improves the system’s collapse resistance. In particular, the vibration suppression effect is most pronounced along the transmission line (90° wind attack angle), with the critical collapse wind speed increasing by up to 23%. This study provides a practical and feasible technical approach for addressing the problem of wind-induced collapse control. Full article

Soils with an albic horizon (characterized by a bleached, nutrient-poor eluvial layer), classified primarily as Albic Planosols and associated groups (e.g., Albic Luvisols and Retisols) in the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB), are widespread in Northeast China and suffer from inherent poor nutrient availability and low crop productivity. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of novel microbial–enzyme composite biofertilizers in ameliorating Albic soils. This comprehensive assessment investigated their effects on soil nutrient availability, microbial community structure, and the activities of key enzymes involved in nutrient cycling (e.g., dehydrogenase and phosphatase). Concurrently, the impact on maize crop performance was determined by measuring changes in agronomic traits, including chlorophyll content, stem diameter, and final grain yield. A field experiment was conducted in Heilongjiang Province during the 2023 maize growing season using a randomized block design with six treatments: CF (conventional chemical fertilizer, 330 kg·ha⁻¹ NPK), OF (chemical fertilizer + 1500 kg·ha⁻¹ organic carrier), BF1 (OF + 75 kg·ha⁻¹ marine actinomycetes), BF2 (OF + 75 kg·ha⁻¹ actinomycetes + 45 kg·ha⁻¹ phytase), BF3 (OF + 75 kg·ha⁻¹ actinomycetes + 45 kg·ha⁻¹ mycorrhizal fungi + 45 kg·ha⁻¹ phytase), and BF4 (OF + 75 kg·ha⁻¹ actinomycetes + 45 kg·ha⁻¹ mycorrhizal fungi + 45 kg·ha⁻¹ phytase + 45 kg·ha⁻¹ β–glucosidase). The results showed that biofertilizers significantly increased microbial abundance and enzyme activity. The integrated treatment BF4 notably enhanced topsoil fungal abundance by 188.1% and dehydrogenase activity in the 0–20 cm layer, while also increasing available phosphorus by 92.6% at maturity. Although BF4 improved soil properties the most, BF3 produced the highest maize yield—boosting grain output by 18.3% over CF—and improved stem diameter and chlorophyll content. Strong correlations between microbial parameters and enzyme activities indicated a nutrient-cycling mechanism driven by microorganisms, with topsoil fungal abundance positively linked to alkaline phosphatase activity (r = 0.72) and subsoil bacterial abundance associated with available phosphorus (r = 0.65), demonstrating microbial–mediated carbon–phosphorus coupling. In conclusion, microbial–enzyme biofertilizers, particularly BF4, provide a sustainable strategy for enhancing Albic soil fertility and crop productivity. Full article

Expansins are crucial cell wall-loosening proteins that play a vital role in various plant developmental processes, including fruit ripening and softening. However, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the expansin family in apple (Malus × domestica) and the specific functions of its members in postharvest fruit ripening remain to be explored. In this study, we identified 51 expansin genes in the apple genome and classified them into four subfamilies (EXPA, EXPB, EXLA, and EXLB). Cis-element analysis of the promoters of apple expansin genes showed that these promoters are rich in various hormone-responsive elements, including abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive elements (ABREs) and ethylene-responsive elements (EREs), suggesting potential hormonal regulation of expansin genes. Expression profiling identified six ripening-associated expansin genes. Among them, MdEXPA5, MdEXPA17, and MdEXPA23 were positively regulated by both ethylene and ABA, while being suppressed by the ethylene action inhibitor 1-MCP. Further functional characterization demonstrated that transient overexpression of MdEXPA17 accelerated fruit softening, skin yellowing, ethylene production, and increased total soluble solid (TSS) content. Conversely, silencing of MdEXPA17 significantly delayed these ripening processes. Our study provides a systematic overview of the apple expansin gene family and supports a role for MdEXPA17 in promoting postharvest fruit ripening and softening. These findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of apple fruit ripening and provide potential targets for genetic improvement of fruit quality and shelf life. Full article

Sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) hydrogel is a functional polymer known for its excellent water absorption, retention, and thermal stability; however, its thermal conductivity behavior in engineering applications remains insufficiently understood. In this paper, two experimental setups were designed and constructed to measure the specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of PAAS hydrogel in liquid, powder, and fluid–structure coupled states. The results show that the thermal conductivity initially increases rapidly with increasing water content and then decreases, achieving a maximum enhancement of 66% compared with PAAS powder. In contrast, the specific heat capacity exhibits an exponential increase and asymptotically approaches that of water. These findings demonstrate the thermal properties of PAAS hydrogel can be effectively tuned by adjusting its water content. Based on a composite material parameter model, simple predictive relationships for both specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity were established as functions of water content. Numerical simulations using the Fourier heat conduction equation validate the proposed models, with thermal relaxation behaviors in good agreement with experimental observations. Therefore, this work not only quantifies the thermal conductivity performance of PAAS hydrogels but also provides practical predictive models for the thermal design of hydrogel-based materials with enhanced heat transfer efficiency in engineering applications. Full article

The transfer of aircraft on deck relies on the traction system, which is easily affected by the offshore environment. Violent ship motion in the complex marine environment poses a great threat to the aircraft traction process, such as the tire sideslip, off-ground phenomena, the aircraft overturning, traction rod fatigue fracture, and so on. Therefore, it has merits in both academia and engineering practice to study the dynamic behaviors of the ship-borne aircraft towing system under high sea states. Considering the intricate coupling motions of the hull roll, pitch, and heave, the dynamic analysis of the towing system with rod are carried out based on the multibody dynamics theory. The influence of the sea state level and the traction speed on the dynamic characteristics of the towing system is investigated. The results indicate that noticeable tire sideslip occurs under sea state 3, with the peak lateral tire force increasing by approximately 250% compared with sea state 2. Under sea state 4, intermittent off-ground phenomena are observed, accompanied by a further increase of about 22% in lateral tire force. These findings provide quantitative insights into the dynamic characteristics and operational limits of rod-traction systems for ship-borne aircraft in rough marine environments. Full article

To facilitate the large-scale recycling of phosphogypsum (PG) as a construction material and mitigate the environmental safety concerns associated with its stockpiling or discharge, this study proposes an innovative approach. The method employs modified (acid-treated) basalt fibers (MBF) synergistically combined with microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology for PG solidification. This synergistic MBF–MICP treatment not only enhances the strength and further improves the toughness of the solidified PG but also effectively immobilizes heavy metals within the PG matrix. Bacterial attachment tests conducted on fibers subjected to various pretreatment conditions revealed that the maximum bacterial adhesion occurred on fibers treated with a 1 mol/L acid concentration for 2 h at 40 °C. However, MICP mineralization experiments performed on these pretreated fibers determined the optimal pretreatment conditions for mineralization efficiency to be an acid concentration of 0.93 mol/L, a treatment duration of 0.96 h, and a temperature of 30 °C. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests and calcium carbonate content measurements identified the optimal reinforcement parameters for MBF–MICP-solidified PG as a fiber length of 9 mm and a fiber dosage of 0.4%. Furthermore, comparative analysis demonstrated that the UCS and toughness of MBF–MICP-solidified PG were superior to those of bio-cemented PG specimens treated with unmodified fibers or without any fiber reinforcement. It was found by scanning electron microscopy that there was an obvious phosphogypsum particle-fiber-calcium carbonate precipitation interface in the sample, and the fiber had a bridging effect. Finally, heavy metal leaching tests conducted on the solidified PG confirmed that the leached heavy metal concentrations were below the detection limit, complying with national discharge standards. Full article

The expansin-like subfamilies (EXLA and EXLB) are vital for plant cell wall dynamics, but it remains uncharacterized in wild tetraploid and hexaploid Ipomoea batatas, and its role in the storage root (SR) development is poorly understood. In this work, we identified 4, 3, 3, and 3 EXLAs, alongside 11, 9, 13, and 8 EXLBs, in diploid I. trifida strain Y22, wild tetraploid I. batatas strain Y428B, and hexaploid I. batatas strain Y601, and cultivated sweet potato ‘Nancy Hall’, respectively. A comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the expansin-like genes and proteins was performed to reveal their potential roles in SR development. Gene expression profiling showed that EXLA members were expressed during SR development, while approximately half of the EXLB members were expressed in Y22, Y428B (pencil root), Y601, and NH, respectively. Proteomic analysis (4D-DIA) detected 2, 1, 1, and 1 EXLAs, and 3, 3, 3, and 3 EXLBs in the mature SRs of the respective species. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses suggested that downregulating Iba6xEXLB2 and Iba6xEXLB1 may be associated with SR swelling in sweet potato. Furthermore, subcellular localization assays confirmed that Iba6xEXLB2 and Iba6xEXLB8 are localized to the cell wall/membrane. This study enhances the understanding of the expansin-like gene subfamily in sweet potato and its wild relatives and lays the groundwork for future functional studies on the role of expansin-like genes in SR development. Full article

Broodstock nutrition is a key determinant of reproductive output in marine fishes because lipids support yolk formation, embryonic development, and early larval viability. However, the allocation of lipid classes between fertilized eggs and the egg envelope (chorion) remains poorly characterized for many tropical species. In this study, we performed a comparative lipidomic analysis of dechorionated fertilized egg contents and isolated chorion from three tropical marine fishes (Trachinotus ovatus, Platax teira, and Plectropomus leopardus) using UHPLC–Q Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS. Multivariate analyses revealed clear tissue- and species-specific lipid patterns. Dechorionated eggs were enriched in energy-storage lipids, dominated by triacylglycerols and essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, whereas chorion tissues contained higher levels of structural and signaling lipids, including phosphatidylinositols and sphingolipids. Each species exhibited a distinct lipid signature, with T. ovatus characterized by higher secosteroids and free fatty acids, P. teira by glycerophosphoethanolamines and phosphoinositols, and P. leopardus by abundant triradylglycerols. Pathway enrichment highlighted glycerophospholipid metabolism and sphingolipid signaling as prominent processes during early development. These findings clarify lipid partitioning between dechorionated fertilized egg contents and the chorion and provide a biochemical rationale for optimizing species-specific broodstock diets to enhance egg quality in tropical marine aquaculture. Full article

Rapid urbanization in China has driven annual food waste production to 130 million tons, posing severe environmental challenges for anaerobic digestate management. To resolve trade-offs among drying efficiency, resource recovery (fertilizer/fuel), and carbon neutrality by optimizing the biodried product (BDP) recycling ratio (0–15%), six BDP treatments were tested in 60 L bioreactors. Metrics included drying kinetics, product properties, and environmental–economic trade-offs. The results showed that 12% BDP achieved a peak temperature integral (514.13 °C·d), an optimal biodrying index (3.67), and shortened the cycle to 12 days. Furthermore, 12% BDP yielded total nutrients (N + P₂O₅ + K₂O) of 4.19%, meeting the NY 525-2021 standard in China, while ≤3% BDP maximized fuel suitability with LHV > 5000 kJ·kg⁻¹, compliant with CEN/TC 343 RDF standards. BDP recycling reduced global warming potential by 27.3% and eliminated leachate generation, mitigating groundwater contamination risks. The RDF pathway (12% BDP) achieved the highest NPV (USD 716,725), whereas organic fertilizer required farmland subsidies (28.57/ton) to offset its low market value. A 12% BDP recycling ratio optimally balances technical feasibility, environmental safety, and economic returns, offering a closed-loop solution for global food waste valorization. Full article

Blast-induced vibrations from newly constructed tunnels may adversely affect adjacent existing tunnel structures. To ensure the safety of the existing tunnel, it is essential to investigate its dynamic response under blast disturbances. Based on an expansion project for a highway double-arch tunnel, this study employed the dynamic finite element program LS-DYNA to analyze the vibration velocity and effective stress in the tunnel lining subjected to blast vibrations. The distribution characteristics of vibration velocity and effective stress at different locations of tunnel lining were obtained. A relationship model between the peak particle velocity (PPV) and effective stress was established. According to the maximum tensile stress theory, a safety criterion based on vibration velocity was determined. To facilitate field monitoring, a correlation between the vibration velocity at the arch waist and foot was established, leading to a proposed safety threshold for the arch foot vibration velocity. Furthermore, a statistical relationship was developed between the charge weight per hole in the upper bench cut and the vibration velocity at the arch foot to guide blasting design. Using the arch foot vibration velocity as the safety standard, the maximum permissible charge weight to ensure the structural safety of the existing tunnel was recommended. Full article

As a natural flavonoid, the flavonoid luteolin is characterized by its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. While its precise mechanisms require further elucidation, existing evidence confirms its efficacy in ameliorating myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury (MIRI). This research was designed to investigate the mechanism through which luteolin protects against MIRI. We established MIRI rat models through the ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). To evaluate the cardioprotective effects of luteolin, echocardiographic analysis was performed, Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining, and serum cardiac injury markers creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Cardiac vascular permeability was determined using Evans blue staining. To mimic ischemia–reperfusion injury, endothelial cells (ECs) were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in vitro. Endothelial cell barrier function was evaluated through F-actin phalloidin staining and FITC-Dextran fluorescence leakage experiments. To elucidate the molecular mechanism, FOXP1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 were administered. In MIRI rats, luteolin significantly improved cardiac function and preserved endothelial barrier integrity. These effects were associated with upregulation of FOXP1 and suppression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. In OGD/R-treated endothelial cells, luteolin restored barrier function and cell viability. The protective effects of luteolin were abolished after FOXP1 silencing. Pharmacological NLRP3 inhibition (MCC950) mirrored luteolin’s protection. Our study indicates that luteolin enhances endothelial barrier function and attenuates MIRI via the FOXP1-NLRP3 pathway. The current study provides a potential drug for MIRI treatment. Full article

Agricultural soils are the largest anthropogenic source of nitrous oxide (N₂O), primarily due to excessive nitrogen (N) fertilization and inefficient N management. Mitigating N₂O emissions from croplands without compromising productivity is therefore a major global challenge for climate and environmental sustainability. A three-year split-plot field experiment was conducted in an arid maize production region of northwestern China to examine how green manure intercropping combined with reduced chemical N input regulates N₂O emissions and soil N residues. The main plots comprised maize monoculture (M), maize intercropped with common vetch (M/V), and maize intercropped with rape (M/R), while subplots consisted of local conventional N application (N1: 360 kg N ha⁻¹) and a 25% reduced rate (N2: 270 kg N ha⁻¹). Results indicated that intercropping with green manure can offset the reduction in maize grain yield caused by a 25% decrease in N supply. Green manure intercropping significantly decreased cumulative N₂O emissions compared with monoculture maize, and the mitigation effect was further strengthened under reduced N input. The M/V system under reduced N input exhibited the strongest mitigation effect, reducing N₂O emissions per unit of grain yield by 9.2–11.5% compared with the M/R system. This reduction was driven by the ability of M/V to stabilize soil mineral N availability. Notably, the independent maize growth stage contributed 52.6–66.9% of total seasonal N₂O emissions, emphasizing it as a critical period for emission mitigation. Overall, integrating green manure intercropping with reduced chemical N input effectively mitigates N₂O emissions while maintaining maize productivity in arid regions, providing a practical strategy for sustainable and environmentally responsible agricultural intensification. Full article

Aiming to address the problems of the violent fluctuation of winch traction rope and tire forces and the high safety risk caused by coupling ship motions (rolling, pitching, and heaving), wind loads, and deck space limitations in carrier-based aircraft, this paper focuses on a multi-winch traction system on a small deck. A fully coupled dynamic model of an aircraft landing gear–tire–rope–winch system is constructed, ADAMS2020 and MATLAB/Simulink (MATLAB R2021b) co-simulations are used to develop the three-winch and five-winch traction system models, and a Fiala tire model and a telescopic landing gear model are adopted to build a precise mechanical model of the aircraft. The PID control strategy is proposed, based on the Bessel curve, to control the driving trajectory of the aircraft, and the quantitative influence of ship motion, winch number, and preset trajectory on traction dynamic characteristics is systematically studied. Compared to without trajectory control, the peak force of the winch rope before the start-up phase of the three-winch system is reduced by 54.9%, and the five-winch system is reduced by 57.6%. The fluctuation amplitude of the lateral force of the rear wheel is greater than that of the front wheel, up to a maximum of 215% of the front wheel. The correlation coefficient between the theoretical model and the simulation results is 0.91~0.97, and the error is less than 12%. The PID control strategy based on the Bessel trajectory can significantly improve the steadiness and security of the carrier-based aircraft winch traction system on a small deck. The study delivers the requisite theory and engineering means for the optimized design of carrier-based aircraft traction systems. Full article

Electron transfer (ET) is a foundational biogeochemical process in paddy soils, distinctively molded by alternating anaerobic-aerobic conditions from flooding-drainage cycles. Despite extensive research on heavy metal(loid) (denoted as “HM”, e.g., As, Cd, Cr, Hg) dynamics in paddies, ET has not been systematically synthesized as a unifying regulatory mechanism, and the trade-offs of ET-based mitigation strategies remain unclear. These critical gaps have drastically controlled HMs’ mobility, which further modulates bioavailability and subsequent accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L., a staple sustaining half the global population), posing substantial food safety risks. Alongside progress in electroactive microorganism (EAM) research, extracellular electron transfer (EET) mechanism delineation, and soil electrochemical monitoring, ET’s role in orchestrating paddy soil HM dynamics has garnered unparalleled attention. This review explicitly focuses on the linkage between ET processes and HM biogeochemistry in paddy ecosystems: (1) elucidates core ET mechanisms in paddy soils (microbial EET, Fe/Mn/S redox cycling, organic matter-mediated electron shuttling, rice root-associated electron exchange) and their acclimation to flooded conditions; (2) systematically unravels how ET drives HM valence transformation (e.g., As(V) to As(III), Cr(VI) to Cr(III)), speciation shifts (e.g., exchangeable Cd to oxide-bound Cd), and mobility changes; (3) expounds on ET-regulated HM bioavailability by modulating soil retention capacity and iron plaque formation; (4) synopsizes ET-modulated HM accumulation pathways in rice (root uptake, xylem/phloem translocation, grain sequestration); (5) evaluates key factors (water management, fertilization, straw return) impacting ET efficiency and associated HM risks. Ultimately, we put forward future avenues for ET-based mitigation strategies to uphold rice safety and paddy soil sustainability. Full article

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), an inherited retinal disorder, leads to progressive photoreceptor degeneration and irreversible blindness, with limited treatment options available. Emerging evidence implicates microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenesis of retinal disease, yet understanding of their specific roles in RP remains incomplete. In this study, we employed high-throughput RNA sequencing to profile miRNA expression in a rd1 RP mouse model at postnatal day 14. Our analysis revealed 40 upregulated and 27 downregulated miRNAs in rd1 retinas compared to controls. Notably, miR-142a-5p, miR-223-3p, and miR-653-5p were significantly elevated, while miR-25-3p was downregulated. Given miR-142a-5p’s established roles in apoptosis and inflammation, we investigated its contribution to retinal degeneration. Knockdown of miR-142a-5p in rd1 mice improved retinal function and preserved outer nuclear layer thickness, suggesting a protective effect against photoreceptor loss. These findings highlight miR-142a-5p as a key regulator of RP progression and a promising therapeutic target for mitigating vision loss in retinal degenerative diseases. Full article