Search Results (40,552)

The quality and productivity of peppers have been severely impacted by the pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV). To effectively control the transmission and damage caused by PMMoV, it is crucial to establish a simple, rapid, and field-applicable detection method. In this study, the coat protein of PMMoV was induced expression as an immunogen. After cell fusion and subcloning, a total of 10 hybridoma cell lines that stably secrete the PMMoV monoclonal antibody were screened. Through antibody pairing and screening, using monoclonal antibody 4D7 as the capture antibody and 3B9 as the detection antibody, an immunochromatographic test strip for PMMoV was established. Under ideal conditions, the test strip’s color development indicated that its detection limit for the target protein was 1 ng/mL, and the result was obtained in 10 min. The findings of field testing and specific detection demonstrated that this test strip could reliably identify PMMoV and it is capable of distinguishing between different disease samples collected in this study. It is anticipated that this test strip will be able to offer services for PMMoV field detection. Full article

The global push to advance smart and digital forestry relies on emerging technologies to support efficient, AI-assisted, and data-driven forest management, but many forest operations occur in remote forests where reliable internet connectivity is unavailable. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations such as Starlink may provide reliable connectivity where cellular networks are unavailable. The performance of LEO-based solutions remains poorly understood under forest canopies, and empirical evaluations linking canopy characteristics to connectivity performance are largely lacking. In this study, the effect of forest vegetation on Starlink performance below the canopy was evaluated by placing a satellite receiver at thirty randomly selected permanent single tree inventory plots on the University of Idaho Experimental Forest and measuring connection success, connection time, and upload and download speeds along 50 m transects in all cardinal directions. LiDAR-derived stand density index (SDI), leaf area index (LAI), rumple index (RI), and vegetation cover (VC) were used to quantify canopy structure. Principal Component Analysis and survival analysis showed that higher values of PC1, primarily driven by SDI, LAI, and RI, reduced the probability of establishing a connection. Linear regression analysis indicated that higher SDI increased connection time, indicating that denser stands slowed or prevented connectivity. Linear mixed-effects models demonstrated that internet speed primarily declined with increasing distance, with download and upload rates dropping beyond 40 m from the router. LAI, RI, and VC did not influence connection time or speed, suggesting that overall stand density rather than leaf area per unit ground area has a greater impact on signal obstruction. Overall, dense forest structure and distance are the main constraints on LEO satellite connectivity and performance, and understanding these limitations supports the development and deployment of satellite-based networking to advance smart forestry operations. These results provide one of the first quantitative assessments of LEO satellite connectivity constraints in operational forest conditions, offering practical guidance for deploying satellite-based networks to support smart forestry applications in remote environments. Full article

Under China’s “Dual Carbon” strategy, carbon transparency has become a critical determinant of corporate competitiveness. Using a dataset of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2023, this study constructs an integrated theoretical framework combining signaling theory and the “real effects” hypothesis to investigate the impact of carbon information disclosure (CID) on firm value. The results demonstrate a significant positive relationship between CID quality and firm value, a finding that remains highly robust against the exogenous macro-policy shock of the 2020 Dual Carbon goals. A primary conceptual contribution lies in identifying Green Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) as a vital mediating strategic mechanism. High-quality CID acts as a credible commitment device that triggers internal problemistic search, compelling firms to undertake substantive green M&A to fulfill environmental claims, thereby establishing a “transparency-to-strategy-to-value” continuum. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis indicates that the valuation premium is markedly more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises (Non-SOEs) and non-heavily polluting industries, reflecting their reliance on transparency to alleviate capital constraints and signal “green competitiveness.” These findings confirm that the capital market prices carbon disclosure as a high-quality strategic asset rather than a mere compliance cost, offering targeted empirical evidence for policymakers to refine standardized disclosure frameworks and for investors to screen for substantive “Green Alpha.” Full article

MYB transcription factors (TFs) are crucial for plant growth, development, and response to abiotic stress. However, their exact functions in abiotic stress responses in rapeseed remain largely unexplored. In this study, we identified and characterized BnaMYB73, a member of the R2R3-MYB subfamily, and investigated its role in abiotic stress tolerance. The transcription level of BnaMYB73 was significantly upregulated in response to salt and osmotic stress. Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana lines expressing BnaMYB73 displayed significantly enhanced tolerance to salt and osmotic stress, while showing no phenotypic differences in growth compared with wild-type (WT) plants under normal conditions. Physiological analyses revealed that the BnaMYB73-expressing plants accumulated higher proline levels, exhibited elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content under stress conditions. Moreover, the BnaMYB73-expressing plants significantly upregulated key stress-responsive genes, including AtRD29B, AtDREB2A, AtRAB18, AtP5CS1, AtSOS1 and AtCAT1. Collectively, these findings establish BnaMYB73 functions as a stress-responsive transcription factor that enhances abiotic stress tolerance and provide a promising target for breeding stress-resilient rapeseed cultivars. Full article

This paper presents the design, construction, and calibration of a modular low-cost 3D printer based on open-source technologies, developed as part of an academic research project. The printer utilises fused filament fabrication (FFF) and is built using locally available materials and components, including a T-slot aluminium frame, NEMA 23 stepper motors, and an Arduino Mega 2560 with RAMPS 1.4 control board. The system integrates Marlin firmware and CURA slicing software, enabling autonomous operation via an LCD panel and encoder interface. A detailed methodology is provided for mechanical assembly, electronic integration, firmware configuration, and calibration procedures. Special attention is given to the challenges encountered during the initial testing phase, including filament feeding issues, thermal inconsistencies, and mechanical misalignments. Solutions such as replacing inadequate components (e.g., fibreglass bushings with PTFE), adjusting spring tension, and refining firmware parameters are discussed. The results demonstrate successful printing of complex geometries after iterative calibration, validating the printer’s performance and replicability. This work contributes to the democratisation of additive manufacturing by offering a replicable, open-source solution for educational and prototyping purposes. The findings are relevant to machine design, automation, and robotics communities seeking practical insights into low-cost fabrication systems. Full article

Amid global climate change and rapid urbanization, megacities such as Shanghai confront prominent ecological challenges. A critical issue is the growing mismatch between the supply of and demand for urban green space (UGS) ecosystem services. This study aims to explore the supply–demand compatibility of Shanghai’s UGS ecosystem services and simulate future scenarios. Guided by the SSP1-2.6 scenario, it integrates the PLUS model, InVEST model, and nSFCA method to conduct dynamic analysis, quantifying supply–demand alignment and identifying imbalance areas. Results show a significant spatial mismatch: high demand but low supply in Shanghai’s inner ring and low demand but high supply in the outer ring. UGS attractiveness presents a core-concentrated and peripheral-diffused pattern by level. By 2030, a coordinated supply framework of “city-level dominance, community-level support, and neighborhood-level supplementation” will form, improving supply–demand alignment, though accessibility gaps persist. The study reveals that urbanization, planning policies, and population–spatial expansion asynchrony drive these patterns, providing scientific decision-making support for optimizing Shanghai’s green space planning and building an ecologically livable city. Full article

Natural protected areas harbor ecosystems with significant ecological functions and economic value. The scientific accounting of Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) is therefore critical for harmonizing ecological conservation with regional development. Using China’s Xilingol Grassland National Nature Reserve as a case study, this paper develops and applies a novel “3M” GEP accounting framework, integrating the three core elements of multi-dimensional indicators, multi-source data, and multi-method adaptation. This framework was employed to systematically quantify the values of the reserve’s provisioning, regulating, and cultural ecosystem services. The results show an annual GEP of CNY 170.5229 billion for the 5835.65 km² reserve. Regulating services constituted the dominant share (97.77%), with climate regulation being the most significant component (CNY 160.15 billion). It is important to note that this high proportion is method-dependent, stemming from the industrial-substitution scenarios used to value non-market services. The combined contribution of provisioning and cultural services was 2.23%, representing 1.00% and 1.23%, respectively. Uncertainty analysis indicated a total error margin of ±9.3% (95% confidence interval), which is within an acceptable range for ecological accounting. The primary sources of uncertainty were data-resolution limitations, methodological choices, and regional parameter variability. These findings, corroborated by sensitivity analysis, confirm the robustness of the GEP estimate and clarify the influence of key ecological parameters on the valuation. By optimizing regional indicator adaptation, methodological localization, and multi-source data cross-validation, the proposed framework enhances the accuracy and policy relevance of ecosystem service valuation. It thus provides a methodological reference for GEP accounting and ecological asset management in other natural protected areas. Full article

Bacteria play an important role in addressing challenges in rice production by promoting plant growth and enhancing stress tolerance through multiple mechanisms. Different types of soil bacteria affect rice growth by improving nutrient absorption, managing stress, and enhancing root structure. The relationship between rice plants and bacteria is intricate, as these bacteria can help reduce problems like salt stress, heavy metal toxicity, and infections. This review summarises studies published up to 2025 on how bacteria influence rice roots, including aspects like root length, density, biomass, and volume. Bibliometric analysis shows an increase of over 900% in research interest after 2020, with most studies conducted under controlled conditions and limited field validation. In addition to identifying key bacterial groups such as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, and Azospirillum, this review identifies research gaps related to context dependency, strain specificity, and scalability. We have also emphasised the need for multi-strain inoculation strategies, field-scale experiments, and integration of microbial selection with rice breeding. The synthesis has highlighted that bacterial strains do not simply stimulate root growth but actively reprogram rice root architecture, modulating elongation, branching, density, and surface area as a response to environmental constraints. These effects are mediated by interconnected mechanisms that include phytohormone production, nutrient solubilisation, deaminase activity, stress-related gene regulation, and microbiome-driven feedback involving root exudation. Overall, viewing bacteria as regulators of root developmental dynamics rather than simple biofertilisers provides new insights for designing climate-adapted and sustainable rice production systems. Full article

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) has the characteristics of being drought-resistant and tolerant to poor soil conditions and a high nitrogen (N) utilization rate. It is an ideal crop for studying stress tolerance and nitrogen utilization. This research examined the regulatory effects of different N fertilizer treatments (0, 75, 150, 225, 300 kg·ha⁻¹) on starch physicochemical properties and metabolic characteristics of waxy (Wutai Red proso millet, P1) and non-waxy proso millet (Ningmi No. 9, P2). The results showed that peak yields for P1 and P2 occurred at N applications of 225 kg·ha⁻¹ and 150 kg·ha⁻¹, respectively. As the amount of N applied increased, the proportion of long chains in P1 amylopectin first increased and then decreased, while P2 continued to rise. As the amount of N applied increased, the peak viscosity of P1 gradually decreased, while P2 showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing. Metabolomics identified 814 metabolites including nonivamide in P1 and P2 under different N treatments. Under the suitable N fertilizer treatment, 130 metabolites, including myristoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and thromboxane B2, were identified in P1, and 98 metabolites, such as trigonelline, 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid, and p-anisaldehyde, were identified in P2. Suitable N regulated P1′s starch physicochemical properties via the tricarboxylic acid cycle, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate, and purine and one-carbon metabolism pathways, and P2′s via purine metabolism pathways. This research provides a theoretical basis for the efficient utilization of N fertilizer in proso millet and the cultivation of high-yield and high-quality millet. Full article

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and therapy-resistant brain tumor, necessitating innovative multi-target strategies. Natural compounds like the triterpenoid Alisol B from Alisma orientale hold promise due to their polypharmacological potential, yet their system-level mechanisms are unclear. Using an integrated multi-omics approach (transcriptomics, proteomics, lysine acetyl-proteomics) in resistant GBM cells and validating findings in vitro and in AB strain zebrafish (Danio rerio) xenografts, we found that Alisol B induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and G2/M arrest, initiated by extensive lysine acetylation reprogramming on histones and metabolic enzymes (e.g., FASN, FDFT1). This epigenetic rewiring leads to disrupted cholesterol biosynthesis, characterized by transcriptional activation of the mevalonate pathway alongside post-transcriptional suppression of terminal enzymes (DHCR7, CYP51A1), suggestive of toxic intermediate accumulation. Alisol B also downregulated the oncogenic axis (BIRC5-FOXM1-ITGA4) and SCD5. This study delineates Alisol B’s novel multi-mechanistic action through concurrent epigenetic rewiring, metabolic dysfunction induction, and survival network dismantling. Our work elucidates the molecular pharmacology of a natural compound and provides a framework for developing polypharmacological therapies against resistant cancers, exemplifying natural products as tools to reveal new therapeutic paradigms. Full article

With the intensification of social aging and the improvement of living standards, delaying aging has become a focus of common concern, especially in regard to skin aging. Although collagen peptides have been widely reported as therapeutic agents in relieving skin aging, the molecular mechanisms remain inadequately elucidated. This review emphasizes that the alleviation of skin aging by collagen peptides is a systematic and complex process, including the removal of reactive oxygen species, inhibition of inflammation, inhibition of extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and melanin deposition, activation of lysosomal and mitochondrial function, and promotion of ECM synthesis. It also highlights that lysosomes and mitochondria may be the key organelles that regulate collagen peptides to alleviate skin aging. Current research on the mechanism of collagen peptides in alleviating skin aging still requires bold breakthroughs and should not be confined to the transforming growth factor (TGF-β)/Smad, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and nuclear factor kappa-B pathways. In addition, many natural antioxidant components have been proven to alleviate skin aging by regulating organelle function. Therefore, the regulatory effects of collagen peptides with antioxidant activity on mitochondrial and lysosome functions in aging skin need more attention and exploration, which is of great significance for further research on precise skin care and targeted anti-skin aging therapy. Full article

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have revolutionized plant protection spraying due to their high efficiency and adaptability. However, the lack of rapid, portable tools for assessing droplet deposition remains a bottleneck for optimizing spray quality and improving pesticide utilization. The main purpose of this study is to develop a portable, image-based detection device with improved algorithms for real-time analysis (<3 s per card) of droplet deposition on spray cards during UAV plant protection spraying, addressing the limitations of existing methods in portability, real-time capability, and field robustness. This study presents a portable detection device integrated with advanced image processing algorithms for real-time analysis of droplet deposition on copperplate paper cards during UAV operations. The device employs a Raspberry Pi 5 as the core processor, coupled with a high-resolution camera and a standard chessboard calibration board for field-portable image acquisition. Key innovations include an adaptive background subtraction and local contrast enhancement method to address variable field lighting conditions, and an improved adhesion droplet segmentation algorithm combining iterative morphological opening operations with refined distance transform-based concave point matching. Validation on 21 field-collected cards using ImageJ as reference demonstrated a droplet extraction accuracy of 89.4%, with coverage rate improvements of 25.4% and 15.2% compared to OTSU and block thresholding methods, respectively. The adhesion segmentation relative error averaged 6.3%. This low-cost, lightweight device provides farmers and researchers with an effective tool for on-site spray quality evaluation, contributing to precision agriculture and reduced pesticide waste. Full article

Achieving precise sliding perception is crucial for enhancing human–machine interactions. Despite the extensive investigation of tactile sensors for static pressure detection, they still face challenges in detecting dynamic information such as sliding direction, speed, pressure and position in interactive touch scenarios. Herein, we propose a self-powered tactile interface that realizes motion-to-electricity generation by electrostatically regulating the carrier concentration and transport in the semiconductive layer with a top gate in sliding movement. This tactile sliding interface can distinguish various dynamic mechanical information by generating voltage signals related to the sliding direction, speed, pressure, and touch position without external bias voltage. By combining machine-learning algorithms, electrical signals of six representative sliding-touch interactions were accurately classified with a recognition accuracy of 98.33%. Furthermore, by integrating sensors into the smartphone’s side button, customizable functions such as volume control, screen unlocking, and music switching were achieved. This work provides an innovative mechanism for sliding sensing in interactive electronic and intelligent control systems. Full article

Farmers’ adoption of green grain production practices is essential for advancing China’s ecological civilization and achieving carbon neutrality. However, adoption remains uneven because farmers’ decisions are embedded in local social structures and shaped by short-term economic incentives and constraints. Drawing on an embeddedness framework, this study investigates how social mobilization influences farmers’ green grain production practices, while also examining the moderating role of household resource endowments and the mediating role of non-market value perceptions. Using multi-stage survey data collected in Heilongjiang Province between June and September 2023, the results show that grassroots cadres foster farmers’ green production adoption through four dimensions of social mobilization—technical, knowledge, cultural, and relational embeddedness. Moreover, household endowments positively moderate these effects, and non-market value perceptions partially mediate the relationship between social mobilization and green production practices. These findings are robust to alternative model specifications. This study provides micro-level evidence on how a cadre-led, governance-based social mobilization process is associated with farmers’ adoption of green production practices. Overall, this study advances understanding of the behavioral foundations of farmers’ green transitions and highlights actionable policy levers for grassroots governance, helping translate external policy directives into internalized and sustainable production practices. Full article

This research explored the impact of combining electrolyzed functional water (EFW) with modified atmosphere (MA) storage on postharvest ripening, aging, and lignin accumulation in Chinese thorny bamboo shoots. The effects of EFW combined with MA treatment on texture hardness, lignin content, and reactive oxygen metabolism were evaluated. The findings indicated that the EFW + MA treatment was superior in postponing weight reduction, minimizing the increase in shoot hardness and lignin build-up, avoiding epidermal browning, and successfully maintaining elevated activity levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), thus reducing oxidative stress and extending storage time. Moreover, compared with the control group, the EFW/MA treatment markedly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, thereby improving cellular integrity. In addition, KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that PAL, POD, and PPO, along with their corresponding gene expression levels, were significantly up- and down-regulated. The findings suggest that combining EFW and MA can effectively delay quality deterioration and inhibit lignification in bamboo, thereby preserving its freshness and nutritional value. Full article