Search Results (79)

Magnesium metal has a high theoretical volume capacity and abundant reserves. Magnesium ion battery is theoretically secure and eco-friendly. In recent years, magnesium ion battery has attracted wide attention and is expected to become a competitive energy storage candidate in the next generation. However, due to the large polarization effect and slow migration kinetics of magnesium ions, magnesium ions are hard to insert/desert in cathode materials, resulting in a poor cycle and rate performance. CoHCF, a typical Prussian blue analog, has an open frame structure and double REDOX sites, and it is regarded as a candidate for rechargeable ion battery. Herein, a Ni-doping method was utilized to improve the performance of CoHCF. Compared with the original CoHCF, the maximum specific discharge capacity of the Ni-doped CoHCF at 50 mA/g charging and discharging current increased from 70 mAh/g to 89 mAh/g, and the cyclic performance and rate performance improved. These improvements result from the fact that the electrode reaction process of Ni-doped CoHCF changes from diffusion-driven to reaction-driven. The Ni-doped CoHCF is more stable, and the lattice changes during Mg²⁺ (de-)intercalation are smaller. This study can provide a reference for the development of Prussian blue analogs as cathode materials for magnesium ion batteries. Full article

Ustilaginoidea virens is an economically important plant pathogen that causes rice false smut, which causes yield reduction and produces mycotoxins in infected grains that pose a serious threat to human and animal health. The target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway acts as a master regular in regulating cell growth and secondary metabolism in fungi. However, little is known about the function of the TOR pathway in regulating fungal development, pathogenicity and mycotoxin biosynthesis in U. virens. Here, we demonstrate that the TOR signaling pathway positively regulates the cell growth, conidiation and pathogenicity in U. virens through the biochemical inhibition of TOR kinases. The inhibition of TOR in U. virens (UvTOR) by rapamycin significantly induces the expression of genes related to mycotoxin biosynthesis, especially that of ustiloxins. Transcriptome analysis under TOR inhibition revealed that the TOR signaling pathway is a regulatory hub that governs U. virens growth and metabolism. A total of 275 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), consisting of 109 up-regulated DEGs and 166 down-regulated DEGs, were identified after rapamycin treatment. The up-regulated DEGs were enriched in amino acid- and acetyl-CoA-related metabolism pathways and the down-regulated DEGs were enriched in carbohydrate- and fatty acid-related metabolism pathways. Collectively, our results provide the first in-depth insight into the TOR signaling pathway in regulating vegetable growth, virulence and mycotoxin biosynthesis in U. virens. Full article

The global shortage of high-quality forage has significantly constrained the development of animal husbandry. Leveraging the complementary effects of forage rapeseed and hairy vetch intercropping can enhance forage yield and quality; however, the underlying mechanisms of overyielding in forage rapeseed–hairy vetch intercropping systems remain unclear. Over two years of field experiments, three cropping systems—rapeseed sole cropping, hairy vetch sole cropping, and rapeseed–hairy vetch intercropping—were investigated to assess the effects of intercropping on root and stem morphology, canopy light distribution, leaf photosynthetic physiology, and nitrogen metabolism. Our results demonstrated that intercropping increased forage biomass and crude protein yield by 14.3–20.0% and 30.7–92.8%, respectively, compared to sole cropping. Intercropping significantly enhanced root biomass, increasing lateral root biomass by 81% compared to rapeseed sole cropping. It also improved stem anatomical traits, including the cortex area (58.8–80.7%), cortex thickness (25.1–38.3%), number of vascular bundles (18.0–37.3%), vascular bundle length (17.8–18.4%), vascular bundle perimeter (6.7–18.7%), vascular bundle area (34.6–63.9%), and stem breaking strength (25.7–76.6%). Additionally, intercropping optimized vertical canopy light interception, reduced the activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, POD, SOD) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and enhanced the activities of glutamine synthetase and nitrate reductase, stomatal traits, and photosynthetic rates in the leaves of both crops. Structural equation modeling revealed that, in the intercropping system, improved population lodging resistance directly promoted nitrogen metabolism and leaf photosynthetic rates, ultimately increasing population biomass. In summary, rapeseed–hairy vetch intercropping improved canopy light distribution, strengthened rapeseed stem anatomy and root penetration, and enhanced population lodging resistance, leaf photosynthetic physiology, and nitrogen metabolism, thereby boosting forage biomass and quality. The supportive role of rapeseed in the intercropping system elucidates the overyielding mechanisms of rapeseed–hairy vetch intercropping, offering a theoretical framework for optimizing forage production systems worldwide. Full article

In this study, the effects of using different scrap ratios in a converter on carbon emissions were analyzed based on life cycle assessment (LCA) theory, and the carbon emissions from the converter were evaluated with the use of coke and biochar as heating agents at high scrap ratios. In this industrial experiment, the CO₂ emissions during the converter smelting process decreased with the increase in the scrap steel ratio. For every 1% increase in the scrap steel ratio, the carbon emissions during the steelmaking process decreased by 14.09 kgCO₂/t steel. Based on statistical data for the actual use of a charcoal heating agent in the converter, the relationship between the utilization coefficient of the heating agent and the scrap ratio was calculated as $\eta =7.698\times {10}^2{x}^{-2.596}.$ When biochar was used as a converter heating agent, the scrap ratio required to achieve the lowest carbon emissions was 36%, and the converter emissions could be reduced by 172 kgCO₂/t·steel relative to the use of coke. The use of biochar as a converter heating agent can contribute to the elimination of 330 million tons of scrap through furnace–converter long-process steelmaking, yielding an annual reduction in CO₂ emissions of 158 million tons. Full article

Rice sheath blight (RSB), caused by the pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani, poses a significant threat to global food security. The defense mechanisms employed by rice against RSB are not well understood. In our study, we analyzed the interactions between rice and R. solani by comparing the phenotypic changes, ROS content, and metabolite variations in both tolerant and susceptible rice varieties during the early stages of fungal infection. Notably, there were distinct phenotypic differences in the response to R. solani between the tolerant cultivar Zhengdao22 (ZD) and the susceptible cultivar Xinzhi No.1 (XZ). We observed that the activities of five defense-related enzymes in both tolerant and susceptible cultivars changed dynamically from 0 to 72 h post-infection with R. solani. In particular, the activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase were closely associated with resistance to RSB. Metabolomic analysis revealed 825 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) between the tolerant and susceptible varieties, with 493 DAMs responding to R. solani infection. Among these, lipids and lipid-like molecules, organic oxygen compounds, phenylpropanoids and polyketides, organoheterocyclic compounds, and organic acids and their derivatives were the most significantly enriched. One DAM, P-coumaraldehyde, which responded to R. solani infection, was found to effectively inhibit the growth of R. solani, Magnaporthe grisea, and Ustilaginoidea virens. Additionally, multiple metabolic pathways, including amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, and metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides, are likely involved in RSB resistance. Our research provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between rice and R. solani. Full article

Since thermal insulation materials with a single function cannot satisfy the increasing requirements for complex usage, the combination of thermal insulation with flame retardancy is desirable in multiple applications. Herein, phosphorous-containing flame retardant modifier (5.0 wt.%, 9.0 wt.%, and 13.0 wt.%) and hollow silica microsphere (130 nm of diameter) were composited with polyacrylonitrile-based carbon nanofibers via electrospinning technique. Electrospun phosphorous/silica/carbon nanofibers (P/HSM/CF) exhibited a uniform and clear fibrous structure (508, 170, and 1550 nm of average fiber diameter) with modified uniform and complete spherical silica. Reduced thermal conductivity (39.9–41.2 mW/m/K) and enhanced limiting oxygen index (29.5–33.5%) were achieved, enabling fire protection grade of fiber membrane from UL-94 V-1 grade to UL-94 V-0 grade efficiently. Moreover, favorable tensile strength (8.64–9.27 MPa) and elongation at break (43.28–48.54%) were obtained, presenting expected applications in structural components. The findings of this work provided a valuable reference for the fabrication of carbon nanofiber-based thermal insulation materials with excellent flame retardant and mechanical properties. Full article

Heortia vitessoides (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a severe pest of Aquilaria plants, which produce high-priced agarwood. The larval stage of this pest is gregarious, usually forming large aggregates during young instars and becoming solitary during the fifth instar. We hypothesize that the cuticle chemicals of young-instar H. vitessoides larvae could promote larval aggregating, whereas the cuticle chemicals of late-instar larvae would no longer attract young-instar larvae. In this study, two-choice tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of cuticle extracts of second- and fifth-instar H. vitessoides larvae on the aggregation preference of second-instar larvae. Results show that significantly more larvae aggregated on the leaves treated with the hexane extract of second-instar H. vitessoides larvae than on untreated leaves. However, the hexane extract of fifth-instar larvae had no significant effect on the aggregation preference of the second-instar conspecific larvae. Interestingly, acetone extracts of both second- and fifth-instar H. vitessoides larvae repelled the second-instar conspecific larvae throughout the 8 h experiment. Our study shows that cuticle chemicals of H. vitessoides larvae may play a role in the group dynamics of this pest, which may contribute to screening novel attractants and repellents for H. vitessoides. Detailed chemical analyses of the extracts and identification of the compounds involved in larval attracting and repelling would be valuable in future studies. Full article

With the profound integration of digital technology and traditional agriculture, the whole industry chain of rural e-commerce, as an advanced system, is reshaping the production, sales, and management models of agriculture and is emerging as a new catalyst for the advancement of digital agriculture through significant innovation. This paper focuses on the digital empowerment attributes and strategic attributes of the whole industrial chain of rural e-commerce, and evolutionary game models under market mechanisms and regulations are constructed. It examines the influence of various elements, such as the digital technology empowerment coefficient, on collaborative innovation within the whole industry chain of rural e-commerce. Using case simulations, this paper discusses the role of government regulation and intervention when market mechanisms are inadequate. The study reveals that factors such as the digital technology empowerment coefficient, technology absorptive capacity, and the amount of technology and information stored in collaborative innovation positively influence the whole industry chain. Potential risk losses and free-rider gains have negative effects on the evolution of the system toward collaborative innovation. When market mechanisms are inadequate, a combination of operational cost subsidies and incentive measures can yield more effective policy synergy, with the incentive impact of cost subsidies being particularly notable. The strategic application of enterprise-liquidated damage and government penalties will aid in regulating and directing corporate behavior. The findings of this research not only offer a new microlevel explanation for understanding the decision-making mechanism behind collaborative innovation in the whole industrial chain of rural e-commerce but also serve as a reference for government policy formulation to ensure the stability of the whole rural e-commerce industry chain. Full article

Multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly prevalent due to technological advancements. During rapeseed’s seedling stage, UAV-generated airflow, known as wind-induced response, affects leaf movement, tied to airflow speed and distribution. Understanding wind-induced response aids early rapeseed lodging prediction. Determining airflow distribution at various UAV heights is crucial for wind-induced response study, yet lacks theoretical guidance. In this study, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was employed to analyze airflow distribution at different UAV heights. Fluid–solid coupling simulation assessed 3D rapeseed model motion and surface pressure distribution in UAV downwash airflow. Validation occurred via wind speed experiments. Optimal uniform airflow distribution was observed at 2 m UAV height, with a wind speed variation coefficient of 0.258. The simulation showed greater vertical than horizontal leaf displacement, with elastic modulus inversely affecting displacement and leaf area directly. Discrepancies within 10.5% in the 0.5–0.8 m height range above the rapeseed canopy validated simulation accuracy. This study guides UAV height selection, leaf point determination, and wind-induced response parameter identification for rapeseed seedling stage wind-induced response research. Full article

This research introduces a novel framework utilizing a sequential gated graph convolutional neural network (GGCN) designed specifically for botnet detection within Internet of Things (IoT) network environments. By capitalizing on the strengths of graph neural networks (GNNs) to represent network traffic as complex graph structures, our approach adeptly handles the temporal dynamics inherent to botnet attacks. Key to our approach is the development of a time-stamped multi-edge graph structure that uncovers subtle temporal patterns and hidden relationships in network flows, critical for recognizing botnet behaviors. Moreover, our sequential graph learning framework incorporates time-sequenced edges and multi-edged structures into a two-layered gated graph model, which is optimized with specialized message-passing layers and aggregation functions to address the challenges of time-series traffic data effectively. Our comparative analysis with the state of the art reveals that our sequential gated graph convolutional neural network achieves substantial improvements in detecting IoT botnets. The proposed GGCN model consistently outperforms the conventional model, achieving improvements in accuracy ranging from marginal to substantial—0.01% for BoT IoT and up to 25% for Mirai. Moreover, our empirical analysis underscores the GGCN’s enhanced capabilities, particularly in binary classification tasks, on imbalanced datasets. These findings highlight the model’s ability to effectively navigate and manage the varying complexity and characteristics of IoT security threats across different datasets. Full article

Ecosystem carbon use efficiency (CUE) is a key parameter in the carbon cycling of terrestrial ecosystems. The magnitude of CUE reflects the ecosystem’s potential for CO₂ sequestration. China’s grasslands play an important role in the carbon cycle. Here, we aimed to investigate the comparation of CUE and its environmental regulation among different grassland in Northern China based on eddy covariance carbon fluxes measurements of 31 grassland sites. The results showed that the average CUE of grassland in Northern China was 0.05 ± 0.22, with a range from −0.42 to 0.66. It was demonstrated that there were significant differences in CUE among different grassland types, and CUE values were ranked by type as follows: alpine grassland > temperate meadow steppe > temperate typical steppe > temperate desert steppe, driven by a combination of climatic, soil, and biological factors, with net ecosystem productivity (NEP) having the greatest impact on them. Except for meadow steppes, moisture had a greater impact on grassland CUE in Northern China than temperature. While temperate desert grassland CUE decreased with increasing soil water content (SWC), the CUE of other grassland types increased with higher precipitation and SWC. These findings will advance our ability to predict future grassland ecosystem carbon cycle scenarios. Full article

The semi-circular breakwater (SBW) has been implemented at numerous global locations due to its outstanding wave dissipation effectiveness and high structural performance. This study extends prior research by investigating the seabed dynamic response and hydrodynamic response characteristics around perforated SBWs. A coupled numerical model is developed to integrate waves, a semi-circular breakwater, and a sandy seabed. Wave behavior is simulated using Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations with a k-ε turbulence closure scheme, and the seabed response is numerically simulated using Biot’s full-dynamic (u-w) equations. After verifying computational accuracy, a series of tests is conducted to explore the effects of marine environments and SBW characteristics. Test results reveal a positive correlation between seabed response and wave height, wave period, and perforation number, while showing a negative correlation between seabed response and water depth and perforation rate. The basic perforation type is more effective than front and rear perforation types in maintaining a stable flow field and seabed response. These findings provide insights for designing SBWs for effective wave dissipation and seabed stability in complex marine environments, offering valuable recommendations for future designs. Full article

The global expansion of rapeseed seed quality has been focused on maintaining glucosinolate (GSL) and erucic acid (EA) contents. However, the influence of seed GSL and EA contents on the germination process under drought stress remains poorly understood. Herein, 114 rapeseed accessions were divided into four groups based on GSL and EA contents to investigate their performance during seed imbibition under drought stress. Our results revealed significant variations in seed germination-related traits, particularly with higher GSL and EA, which exhibited higher germination % (G%) and lower mean germination time (MGT) under drought stress conditions. Moreover, osmoregulation, enzymatic system and hormonal regulation were improved in high GSL and high EA (HGHE) versus low GSL and low EA (LGLE) seeds, indicating the essential protective role of GSL and EA during the germination process in response to drought stress. The transcriptional regulation mechanism for coordinating GSL–EA-related pathways in response to drought stress during seed imbibition was found to involve the differential expression of sugar metabolism-, antioxidant-, and hormone-related genes with higher enrichment in HGHE compared to LGLE seeds. GO enrichment analysis showed higher variations in transcription regulator activity and DNA-binding transcription factors, as well as ATP and microtubule motor activity in GSL–EA-related pathways. Furthermore, KEGG analysis identified cellular processes, environmental information processing, and metabolism categories, with varied gene participation between GSL, EA and GSL–EA-related pathways. For further clarification, QY7 (LGLE) seeds were primed with different concentrations of GSL and EA under drought stress conditions. The results showed that 200 μmol/L of GSL and 400 μmol/L of EA significantly improved G%, MGT, and seedling fresh weight, besides regulating stress and fatty acid responsive genes during the seed germination process under drought stress conditions. Conclusively, exogenous application of GSL and EA is considered a promising method for enhancing the drought tolerance of LGLE seeds. Furthermore, the current investigation could provide a theoretical basis of GSL and EA roles and their underlying mechanisms in stress tolerance during the germination process. Full article

Well pattern infilling optimization is a crucial measure to enhance gas recovery, especially in tight gas reservoirs with low permeability and small-scale sand bodies. Traditional methods of determining well pattern density rely on qualitative analysis from the perspective of gas blocks. However, these methods are challenging to apply to sand bodies with different properties, and there have been no studies conducted on infilling time, which significantly impacts production increment. In response to this situation, this paper establishes a series of evaluation indexes and proposes a numerical simulation of economic well pattern density and infilling time based on real parameters obtained from the Linxing–Shenfu gas field. To quantitatively determine the economic well pattern density and infilling time based on fine characterization of sand bodies, a sensitivity analysis is conducted, considering various permeability levels and reserve abundance. Two intersection charts of economic well pattern density and infilling time, relating to reserve abundance and permeability, are then drawn. Furthermore, a real well site is selected as an example, and the infilling effect analysis confirms the reliability of the charts. The new method of determining economic well pattern density and infilling time presented in this article can provide theoretical support for the economic and efficient development of the Linxing–Shenfu gas field, serving as a useful reference for the beneficial development of similar gas reservoirs. Full article

In the laboratory experiment, 1:25 scaled models are constructed to investigate the effect of different swell and wind-sea proportions on the wave transformation. The source of the wave spectrum is related to the wave conditions in the Gulf of Guinea. Swell from the westerlies and local wind-sea forms the bimodal spectral waves in the region. To better understand the transformation of bimodal spectral waves, a series of wave conditions are measured by the wave gauges in a wave flume. Based on the wave spectrum at the Bight of Benin, the wave transformation along the slopes and variations of different swell proportions are analyzed. The result of the wave height variations shows that the slope and swell proportion play a significant role in the maximum wave height, and the wave height has an upward trend with a large swell proportion. The analysis of wave nonlinearity is conducted, showing that the large swell proportion in the wave spectrum leads to a more significant nonlinearity before wave breaking. Combining the variations of wave height and wave nonlinearity, the influence of bimodal spectral waves on nearshore wave prediction, shoreline change, marine operations, and structure design is discussed. Full article