Search Results (813)

Leaf senescence is a precisely regulated developmental process that is critical for grapevine growth and yield, which is easily influenced by environmental factors. High temperature is a major factor that accelerates senescence rapidly, adversely affects photosynthetic performance, severely hindering fruit nutrient metabolism and growth. This study investigated chlorophyll fluorescence and physiological traits in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) leaves at different senescence stages under natural high-temperature conditions in Turpan. Measurements included chlorophyll content, MDA levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The results showed that (1) young leaves exhibited higher and more sustained chlorophyll content but were prone to wilting, whereas older leaves showed accelerated chlorosis and functional decline; (2) high temperature severely impaired PSII function, inhibiting electron transport and photochemical efficiency, reflected in increased ABS/RC, TR_o/RCC, and DI_o/RC, and decreased F_v/F_m, F_v/F_o, and PI_abs; (3) POD, SOD, CAT and MDA levels initially increased then decreased, correlating with photosynthetic changes and leaf age; and (4) young leaves maintained stronger photosynthetic capability and physiological resilience than older ones. Although partial recovery occurred after temperature reduction, photosynthetic and antioxidant activities did not fully revert. This suggests persistent heat-induced functional decline and accelerated senescence, providing insights for understanding heat-induced leaf senescence and developing strategies for cultivating grapevines. Full article

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization has become an efficient method in the field of polymer synthesis. Recently, the RAFT polymerization technique has been successfully used to prepare functional materials and develop various sensing methods used in different scenarios. The polymerization reaction can be initiated by thermal, electrochemical, photochemical, enzymatic, and mechanical stimulation. More interestingly, RAFT polymerization can be performed in situ by recruiting a large number of signal tags at the solid interface to amplify the signals. In this review, we addressed the latest achievements in the preparation of sensing materials and the design of different sensors based on the RAFT polymerization technique for sensing ions and small molecules and bioimaging of tumor cells and viruses. Then, electrochemical and optical biosensors through the signal amplification of the RAFT polymerization method were summarized. This work could provide inspiration for researchers to prepare fascinating sensing materials and develop novel detection technologies applied in various fields. Full article

Meta-cresol (m-cresol) is highly corrosive and toxic, and is widely present in industrial wastewater. As a pollutant, it adversely affects various aspects of human production and daily life. To evaluate the feasibility of using sunflowers to remediate m-cresol-contaminated wastewater, this study used Helianthus annuus L. as the test subject to analyze its tolerance and the wastewater purification efficiency under different m-cresol concentrations. The results showed that the net photosynthetic rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r), stomatal conductance (G_s), and light energy utilization efficiency (LUE) of Helianthus annuus L. exhibited an overall decreasing trend, while the intercellular CO₂ concentration (Cᵢ) initially increased and subsequently decreased with increasing m-cresol concentration. When m-cresol concentration reached or exceeded 60 mg·L⁻¹, the net photosynthetic rate and intercellular CO₂ concentration in the leaves showed opposite trends with further increases in m-cresol stress. The inhibition of net photosynthesis in sunflowers by m-cresol was mainly attributed to non-stomatal factors. The maximum photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m), actual photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII), photochemical quenching coefficient (q^P), PSII excitation energy partition coefficient (α), and the fraction of absorbed light energy used for photochemistry (P) all decreased with increasing m-cresol concentration. In contrast, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), the quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation [Y(NPQ)], and the fraction of energy dissipated as heat through the antenna (D) first increased and then decreased. Under low-concentration m-cresol stress, sunflowers protected their photosynthetic system by dissipating excess light energy as heat as a stress response. However, high concentrations of m-cresol caused irreversible damage to Photosystem II (PSII) in sunflowers. Under m-cresol stress, chlorophyll a exhibited strong stability with minimal degradation. As the m-cresol concentration increased from 30 to 180 mg·L⁻¹, the removal rate decreased from 84.91% to 11.84%. In conclusion, sunflowers show good remediation potential for wastewater contaminated with low concentrations of m-cresol and can be used for treating m-cresol wastewater with concentrations ≤ 51.9 mg·L⁻¹. Full article

Metallic nanoclusters (NCs), composed of a few to a hundred atoms, occupy a unique space between molecules and nanoparticles, exhibiting discrete electronic states, strong photoluminescence, and size-dependent catalytic activity. Their ultrasmall cores (<3 nm) and ligand-controlled surfaces confer tunable optical, electronic, and catalytic properties, making them attractive for diverse applications. In recent years, significant progress has been made toward developing faster, more reproducible, and scalable synthesis routes beyond classical wet-chemical reduction. Emerging strategies such as microwave-, photochemical-, sonochemical-, and catalytically assisted syntheses, together with smart, automation-driven platforms, have improved efficiency, structural control, and environmental compatibility. These advances have accelerated the deployment of NCs in imaging, sensing, and catalysis. Near-infrared emitting NCs enable deep-tissue, high-contrast fluorescence imaging, while theranostic platforms combine diagnostic precision with photothermal or photodynamic therapy, gene delivery, and anti-inflammatory treatment. NC-based sensors allow ultrasensitive detection of ions, small molecules, and pathogens, and atomically precise NCs have enabled efficient CO₂ reduction, water splitting, and nitrogen fixation. Therefore, in this review, we highlight studies reported in the past five years on the synthesis and applications of metallic NCs, linking emerging methodologies to their functional potential in nanotechnology. Full article

Gas-phase chemistry has been identified as a major computational bottleneck in both the forward and adjoint modes of chemical transport models (CTMs). Although previous studies have demonstrated the potential of deep learning models to simulate and accelerate this process, few studies have examined the applicability and performance of these models in adjoint sensitivity analysis. In this study, a deep learning emulator for gas-phase chemistry is developed and trained on a diverse set of forward-mode simulations from the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model. The emulator employs a residual neural network (ResNet) architecture referred to as FiLM-ResNet, which integrates Feature-wise Linear Modulation (FiLM) layers to explicitly account for photochemical and non-photochemical conditions. Validation within a single timestep indicates that the emulator accurately predicts concentration changes for 74% of gas-phase species with coefficient of determination (R²) exceeding 0.999. After embedding the emulator into the CTM, multi-timestep simulation over one week shows close agreement with the numerical model. For the adjoint mode, we compute the sensitivities of ozone (O₃) with respect to O₃, nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), hydroxyl radical (OH) and isoprene (ISOP) using automatic differentiation, with the emulator-based adjoint results achieving a maximum R² of 0.995 in single timestep evaluations compared to the numerical adjoint sensitivities. A 24 h adjoint simulation reveals that the emulator maintains spatially consistent adjoint sensitivity distributions compared to the numerical model across most grid cells. In terms of computational efficiency, the emulator achieves speed-ups of 80×–130× in the forward mode and 45×–102× in the adjoint mode, depending on whether inference is executed on Central Processing Unit (CPU) or Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). These findings demonstrate that, once the emulator is accurately trained to reproduce forward-mode gas-phase chemistry, it can be effectively applied in adjoint sensitivity analysis. This approach offers a promising alternative approach to numerical adjoint frameworks in CTMs. Full article

Bioponics is a promising agricultural system designed to integrate circular economy principles by recovering nutrients from organic waste. In this context we implemented a tri-trophic circular system, where insect larvae fed on crop residues and fruits were processed into insect meal for fish feed. The water used in fish rearing then irrigated tomato crops in an aquaponic setup, closing the nutritional loop. Tomato was cultivated in this system with the aim of thoroughly evaluating its applicability via assessing the dynamics of growth, yield, and functional responses of the crop across three treatments: coupled aquaponics (CAP), decoupled aquaponics (DCAP), and hydroponics (HP, as control). DCAP matched HP in all parameters assessed and even outperformed it in fertilizer use efficiency by 31%. In contrast, CAP showed reduced growth and yield (by 38%) and limitations in photochemical efficiency and photosynthetic performance, likely due to significant deficiencies in potassium and phosphorus (9-fold and 2-fold lower than in HP, respectively). DCAP demonstrated strong potential to achieve similar crop outcomes to conventional hydroponics with enhanced resource efficiency. Overall, adopting the DCAP variant of aquaponics in this circular nutrition system is a promising alternative to conventional hydroponics, supporting a transition toward more environmentally resilient farming practices. Full article

Due to its complex composition and toxicity, the waste liquid from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) poses a serious environmental challenge that must be addressed before disposal. In this study, the photochemical treatment of HTC liquid in a microreactor flow system was investigated. The effects of wavelength, the presence of atmospheric oxygen, oxidizing agent (H₂O₂) and catalyst (FeSO₄), residence time and pH on the efficiency of the photo-treatment were investigated. In addition, the influence of the addition of deep eutectic solvent (DES) on photo-treatment was studied. The results showed that the photochemical treatment was more efficient at 365 nm than at 420 nm, and that the acidic conditions gave better results than the basic ones. UV₃₆₅ treatment in the presence of H₂O₂ (at a dosage of 1 vol%) resulted in removal efficiencies of 31.6% for COD, 17.6% for TOC, 16.9% for NH₄-N and 17.2% for PO₄-P. The addition of FeSO₄ caused coagulation/flocculation effects, but improved phosphorus removal. The addition of DES resulted in slight discolouration of the liquid and proved unsuccessful in COD removal. The GC-MS analysis and 3D-EEM spectra showed significant changes in the fate of organics and in the fluorescence intensity of aromatic proteins and humic acid-like substances. Photochemical treatment in a microreactor flow system in the presence of H₂O₂ under the selected operating conditions reduced the content of organics and nutrients in the HTC liquid, but the process liquids still showed toxic effects on the organisms V. fischeri and Daphnia magna. Full article

Researching the photosynthetic activity of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is essential for understanding how different genotypes respond to environmental conditions and utilise solar energy for growth and productivity. The objective of this study was to gain insight into and quantify the adaptation of ten sunflower hybrids during the flowering stage under field conditions. As part of an ongoing sunflower breeding programme, this research aimed to assess genotypic differences in photosynthetic performance and yield-related traits in response to variable environmental conditions. During the flowering stage, chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) parameters revealed significant genotypic differences in energy fluxes, particularly in ABS/RC, DI₀/RC, ET₀/RC, and RE₀/RC. Those results indicate variability in light-harvesting efficiency and electron transport capacity. Although specific photochemical efficiency indicators (e.g., TR₀/RC, TR₀/ABS, ET₀/TR₀) showed slight variation, energy dissipation and photosystem I-related parameters differed significantly among hybrids. Leaf temperature and chlorophyll content also varied and showed moderate correlations with fluorescence-based indicators. Yield components (plant height, head diameter, and seed mass per head) displayed significant differences among sunflower hybrids, with notable opposite patterns between plant height and head size. Revealed strong relationships between photosynthetic performance (PI_TOTAL, RE₀/ABS) and yield traits, particularly plant height and number of seeds per head, were confirmed with correlation analysis. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) distinguished the hybrids into distinct groups. The analysis confirmed physiological and morphological variability among hybrids, enabling effective screening of genotypes for breeding purposes. Photosynthesis is a key physiological trait that directly influences biomass accumulation and seed yield, making it a critical parameter in evaluating the performance and adaptability of various sunflower genotypes. Thus, this study demonstrates the integrative value of combining ChlF, thermal, and agronomic traits for identifying high-performing sunflower hybrids under optimal field conditions. Full article

Epiphytic lichens are vital to tropical biodiversity, their distribution shaped by light. Parmotrema tinctorum and Usnea barbata, common in open Cerrado, endure high radiation, necessitating photoprotection. This study tested the hypothesis that the primary photochemistry of P. tinctorum and U. barbata responds differentially to light conditions across distinct landscapes of the Brazilian Savanna, to the height at which lichens were sampled, and to radiation levels from different components of the visible spectrum. Our results demonstrate that P. tinctorum and U. barbata possess efficient photoprotective mechanisms, such as energy dissipation as heat, which enable their survival in the dry and highly illuminated landscapes of the Brazilian Savanna. In particular, stressful environments such as Cerrado and Cerrado Ralo exhibited high DI₀/RC values, leading to lower photochemical performance in lichen thalli. However, U. barbata showed greater resilience to light stress than P. tinctorum, likely due to the presence of antioxidant metabolites such as usnic acid. Lichens sampled at higher stem positions and exposed to elevated levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) dissipated less energy as heat and exhibited lower photochemical performance, suggesting photosystem II (PSII) damage under these conditions. Conversely, when different components of the visible spectrum were analyzed separately, increasing light intensities reduced DI₀/RC and enhanced Pi_ABS in the thalli, highlighting photodamage resistance in P. tinctorum and U. barbata. The ability of both species to adapt to high-light environments, combined with their physiological plasticity, supports their broad distribution in these tropical ecosystems. Full article

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important global food crop, being greatly valued for its high carbohydrate content and nutritional profile. In response to the world population’s rapid growth and the increasing need for nutritionally enhanced food quality, potato biofortification has become a key focus of agronomic research. This study investigated the effect of calcium (Ca) biofortification on two potato cultivars (Picasso and Rossi) cultivated in Portugal, assessing its impact on the photosynthetic functioning and the Ca content and distribution of tubers. At the beginning of the tuberization stage, seven foliar applications of CaCl₂ or Ca-EDTA at 12 kg ha⁻¹ were performed. The application of Ca-EDTA led to an increased Ca content in peeled tubers of Picasso (37%) and Rossi (16%), and 88% and 79% in unpeeled tubers, in the same cv. order and as compared to their controls, with Ca predominantly accumulating in the epidermis/peel region. Photosynthetic performance was negatively impacted by the Ca-EDTA treatment in Picasso but not in Rossi, which was reflected in the significant declines in net photosynthesis (P_n) and maximal (F_v/F_m) and actual (F_v′/F_m) photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Additionally, both genotypes showed negative impacts (greater in Picasso) on the quantum yield of non-cyclic electron transport (Y_(II)) and photochemical quenching (q_L) after five foliar applications. This contrasted with the absence of negative impacts under the use of CaCl₂, which resulted in 17.1% (Picasso) and 29.5% (RFossi) increase in Ca content in peeled tubers, without any significant differences between the unpeeled tubers of both cvs. Moreover, only with CaCl₂, the tuber weight and yield were not negatively impacted. These findings pointed out that, although with a lower Ca increase in the tubers, CaCl₂ was the best suitable option for the Ca biofortification of these cvs. at the applied doses. Full article

Understanding how environmental factors regulate photosynthetic energy partitioning is crucial for enhancing crop resilience in future climates. This study investigated the light-response dynamics of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) leaves under combinations of CO₂ concentrations (250, 410, and 550 μmol mol⁻¹) and temperatures (30 °C and 35 °C), using integrated chlorophyll fluorescence measurements and mechanistic photosynthesis modeling. Our results revealed that elevating CO₂ from 250 to 550 μmol mol⁻¹ significantly increased the maximum electron transport rate (J_max) by up to 57%, and enhanced the effective light absorption cross-section (σ′_ik) by 64% under high light and elevated temperature (35 °C), indicating improved photochemical efficiency and light-harvesting capability. Concurrently, these adjustments reduced PSII down-regulation. Increased temperature stimulated thermal dissipation, reflected in a rise in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) by 0.13–0.26 units, accompanied by a reduction in the number of excited-state pigment molecules (N_k) by 20–33%. The strongly coordinated responses between quantum yield (Φ_PSII) and σ′_ik highlight a dynamic balance among photochemistry, heat dissipation, and fluorescence. These findings elucidate the synergistic photoprotective and energy-partitioning strategies that sweet sorghum employs under combined CO₂ enrichment and heat stress, providing mechanistic insights for optimizing photosynthetic performance in C₄ crops in a changing climate. Full article

In this paper, we design a self-powered photoelectrochemical (PEC)-type photodetector based on a hybridization of two-dimensional (2D) few-layer antimony (Sb) nanosheets (NSs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The few-layer Sb NSs obtained by liquid-phase exfoliation can be anchored on the surface of rGO through hydrothermal treatment. Specifically, during photoexcitation, the electron–hole pairs photogenerated on the surface of Sb NSs can be well stimulated and transferred by rGO, reducing the photogenerated carriers recombine on Sb NSs. The excellent electrochemical performance is confirmed by PEC tests. The photobehavior performance of the Sb NSs-rGO composite is significantly improved; its photocurrent density reaches 48.830 nA/cm² at zero potential, approximately twice that of pure Sb NSs. The hybrid exhibits a faster photoresponse speed, with the response time and recovery time being 0.140 s and 0.163 s, respectively. This enhancement arises from the conductive role of rGO as a conductive channel, and as a result, the efficient separation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs is facilitated. This study is a further exploration of hybrid engineering of 2D materials in photochemical photodetectors and demonstrates significant progress in this field. Full article

Photosynthetic characteristics are critical for grape growth and development. Drought conditions in arid regions significantly affect these characteristics. To identify grape varieties better suited for cultivation in arid environments, this study evaluated the leaf phenotypes and photosynthetic characteristics of 27 table grape varieties in Hotan Prefecture, China. Results revealed significant variations in leaf phenotypes and chlorophyll content (SPAD) among varieties under Hotan’s drought conditions. ‘Kyoho’ exhibited the largest leaf area (254.34 cm²), while ‘Munage’ had the smallest (112.43 cm²), and ‘Manaizi’ showed the highest chlorophyll content (SPAD = 44.21). ‘Munage’ and ‘Flame Seedless’ recorded the highest net photosynthetic rates (P_Nmax = 16.24 and 16.23 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹, respectively), while ‘Thompson Seedless’ had the lowest respiratory loss (R_D = 1.15 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) and light compensation point (I_c = 22.41 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹), with a highly significant positive correlation between R_D and I_c. ‘Crimson Seedless’ exhibited the highest light saturation point (I_sat = 2745.15 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹). Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis indicated that ‘Autumn Black’ had the highest PSII photochemical yield (F_v/F_m = 0.84), while ‘Zicuiwuhe’ showed high energy transfer indices (PI_abs = 1.78, PI_total = 1.66) and electron transfer efficiency (φ_Eo = 0.39). PIabs was significantly correlated with F_v/F_m, F_v/F_o, and energy flux parameters. ‘Molixiang’ demonstrated superior energy utilization, with the highest light absorption (ABS/CSm = 2440.8) and electron transfer flux (ETo/CSm = 874) and the lowest energy dissipation (DIo/CSm = 455.8), supported by a negative correlation between energy dissipation (DIo/CSm) and photochemical efficiency (φ_Eo). Principal component analysis revealed that ‘Molixiang’ had the highest comprehensive photosynthetic adaptability score (0.97), followed by ‘Zicuiwuhe’ (0.79) and ‘Hetianhong’ (0.73), under Hotan’s drought stress conditions. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting and breeding grape varieties adapted to arid environments and climate change. Full article

Phosphorus (P) is essential for sugarcane growth but often presents low agricultural use efficiency. This research evaluated the effects of Bacillus velezensis UFV 3918 (Bv), applied alone or with monoammonium phosphate (MAP), on sugarcane’s physiological, biochemical, and biomass variables. Six treatments were tested in a completely randomized design: absolute control (AC), commercial control (CC, full MAP dose), Bv alone, and Bv combined with 1/3, 2/3, or full MAP dose. B. velezensis (Bv) and Bv + 1/3 MAP increased soil P availability by 22%, correlating strongly with physiological, biochemical, and shoot biomass variables. These treatments boosted total chlorophyll content (11.4%), electron transport rate (28.5%), and photochemical quenching (16.9%), resulting in higher photosynthetic efficiency. Compared with CC, net CO₂ assimilation, stomatal conductance, and carboxylation efficiency increased by 49.0%, 35.4%, and 72.9%, respectively. Additionally, amino acid content and leaf acid phosphatase activity rose by 12.1% and 13.8%. Key traits associated with biomass production included stomatal density (abaxial face), chlorophyll content, electron transport rate, intercellular CO₂ concentration, and leaf acid phosphatase activity. The results highlight the potential of Bv UFV 3918, particularly with reduced MAP doses, to improve sugarcane photosynthesis and biomass accumulation, offering a sustainable and cost-effective fertilization strategy. Full article

Over a decade ago, WHO introduced the ASSURED (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and Robust, Equipment-free, and Deliverable to end-users) criteria to guide diagnostic assay development. Today, lateral flow assays (LFAs) best meet these standards, evolving from simple rapid tests to advanced diagnostics integrating AI and nanotechnology for precise, quantitative results. Notably, nanoparticle-enhanced LFAs have achieved limits of detection (LOD) as low as 0.01 pg/mL (a 100-fold improvement over conventional methods), while AI algorithms have reduced interpretation errors by 40% in low-contrast conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the societal impact of LFAs, with over 3 billion antigen tests deployed globally, demonstrating 98% specificity in real-world surveillance. Beyond infectious diseases, LFAs are revolutionizing cancer screening through liquid biopsy, achieving a 92% concordance rate with gold-standard assays, food safety and environmental monitoring. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in scalability, reproducibility, sustainable manufacturing, and how to enhance the sensitivities and lower the LOD. However, innovations in biodegradable materials, roll-to-roll printing, CRISPR-integrated multiplexing, and efficient functionalization methods like photochemical immobilization technique offer promising solutions, with projected further cost reductions and scalability. This review highlights the technological evolution, diverse applications, and future trajectories of LFAs, highlighting their critical role in democratizing diagnostics. Full article