Search Results (10,115)

Elemental migration and enrichment are important processes influencing tea plant growth and the assembly of rhizosphere bacterial communities within the rock–soil–plant continuum. This study explores how soil parent materials (granite, quartz schist, and sericite schist) are potentially associated with these processes and their observed associations with the elemental composition of tea leaves. Exploratory statistical analyses revealed distinct, lithology-specific biogeochemical patterns that serve as a foundation for hypothesis generation. In granite soils, chlorite correlated with the mobility of Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, Mg, and Na, coinciding with shifts in the relative abundances of Verrucomicrobia, Armatimonadetes, and Chloroflexi. In quartz schist, kaolinite exhibited notable correlations with the dynamics of Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, and As, which were statistically linked to Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteria. Complex mineral–microbe interactions were observed in sericite schist soils, where clay minerals (e.g., chlorite, illite) were closely associated with the migration of multiple elements (Pb, K, Ca, Cd, As, Al, Fe, Zn), paralleling structural variations in communities of Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi, and Proteobacteria. Potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and manganese (Mn) showed bioaccumulation tendencies in tea leaves across all lithologies, with an enrichment capacity order of Ca > K > Mn > Mg > Na > Al. Exploratory Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis suggested that the migration of K, Ca, Cu, Zn, and Hg corresponded most closely with their soil concentrations. Manganese (Mn) exhibited a mineral-associated trend, with kaolinite content as a potential correlate, while cadmium (Cd) migration was statistically linked to the relative abundance of Armatimonadetes. These findings highlight potential candidate relationships between mineralogy, microbes, and elemental mobility rather than confirming causal mechanisms, emphasizing the need for further validation in larger or experimental datasets. Full article

Saline–alkali soils suffer from severe deficiencies in available phosphorus, and externally added phosphorus is readily immobilized by metal ions in the soil. Therefore, activating inorganic phosphorus in the soil represents a significant challenge. In this study, 35 salt–alkali-tolerant bacteria were isolated from rhizosphere soils (pH 9.20–9.68). Three phosphate-solubilizing strains (HA2, HPA5, and KA1) capable of growing under severe saline–alkali stress conditions (pH 10, 5% NaCl) and possessing multiple plant growth-promoting traits (nitrogen fixation, potassium solubilization, siderophore production, and IAA secretion) were screened and co-cultured to form the microbial consortium HHK. It was hypothesized that this consortium might exhibit synergistic effects, resulting in significantly higher phosphorus solubilization capacity compared to individual strains. The results showed that under saline–alkali stress, the phosphate solubilization capacity of HHK (484.59 ± 15.79 mg/L) was significantly higher than that of any single strain (285.59 ± 12.60 mg/L). Non-targeted metabolomics and enzyme assays indicated that HHK solubilizes P via organic acids (e.g., citric, L-malic acid) and synergistically modulates core metabolic pathways, including ABC transport, TCA cycle, and glycolysis, alleviating oxidative damage and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Short-term soil incubation confirmed that HHK significantly increased available phosphorus (53.67%) and soil fertility, indicating its potential as a biofertilizer. Full article

This study employs a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach based on the Two-Fluid Model (TFM) to investigate the CO₂ capture characteristics in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor using potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) as the sorbent. The simulations are conducted at five superficial gas velocities ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 times the minimum bubbling velocity (u_mb = 0.26 m/s), with a particle diameter of 0.4 mm, particle density of 2300 kg/m³, and an initial solid volume fraction of 0.55. The gas mixture consists of CO₂, H₂O, and N₂ at a molar ratio of 0.1:0.1:0.8 and a temperature of 343 K. First, the numerical simulation was validated against experimental data reported in the literature, confirming its accuracy in quantitatively describing the adsorption process. Subsequently, the distributions of CO₂ concentration and adsorption reaction rate in both the bubble phase and the emulsion phase were analyzed under different superficial gas velocities. The simulation results indicate that CO₂ concentration and adsorption reaction rate in both phases decrease along the bed height. Compared to the emulsion phase, the bubble phase exhibits higher CO₂ concentration and gas temperature but a lower adsorption reaction rate. As the gas velocity increases, CO₂ concentration rises in both the bubble and emulsion phases, accompanied by an increase in the proportion of the bubble phase, and a higher CO₂ concentration at the reactor outlet. Further comparison of CO₂ concentrations in the bubble and emulsion phases at the upper part of the bed with the outlet concentration reveals that the outlet CO₂ primarily originates from the unadsorbed portion within the bubble phase, while the contribution from unadsorbed CO₂ in the emulsion phase is almost negligible. Full article

Potassium (K⁺) is a vital macronutrient for plant growth and stress resilience, with KT/HAK/KUP transporters playing a central role in its homeostasis. Although these transporters are known to influence photosynthesis, the molecular mechanisms by which fertilization promotes assimilate accumulation in peach crops remain poorly understood. In this study, 17 PpHAK genes were identified based on the peach genome and classified into four distinct clades through phylogenetic analysis, a classification further supported by conserved gene structures and motifs. Interspecific collinearity analysis revealed that transporters are highly conserved among Rosaceae species. Physiological measurements demonstrated that foliar application significantly enhanced photosynthetic capacity, as evidenced by a 33% increase in net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and improved photoelectron yield (Y(II)). At the same time, the transcript levels of the transporters PpHAK1, PpHAK5, and PpHAK9 were significantly upregulated, as confirmed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Furthermore, the expression of genes involved in sugar metabolism and transport, particularly PpPLT5-1, was significantly induced. Collectively, these results indicate that foliar K⁺ application enhances photosynthesis and promotes assimilate accumulation by modulating the expression of both K⁺ and sugar transporters. These findings offer a theoretical basis for optimizing nutrient management to improve fruit quality in stone fruit production. Full article

A new universal construction of intermediate-layer-free solid-contact ion-selective electrodes using a novel inner electrode, namely microelectrodes array composed of a large number of individual microelectrodes, was developed. This approach eliminates the need for a conventional solid-contact intermediate layer while maintaining excellent electrochemical performance. The studies were performed on two membrane model systems: potassium-ion-sensitive membranes based on valinomycin and nitrate-ion-sensitive membranes based on tridodecyldimethylammonium nitrate. In both cases, the membrane was applied directly onto the surface of the electrode substrate. The obtained results with such an ion-selective electrode based on a gold microelectrode array (GMA), a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), and a gold electrode (GE) were compared. It has been proven that, despite the lack of solid contact, whether in the form of an intermediate layer or as an addition directly to the membrane, ion-selective electrodes based on gold microelectrode arrays were characterized by very good analytical parameters. For those electrodes, a notable improvement in stability, reversibility, and repeatability of the electrode potential was observed and compared with electrodes using a glassy carbon disc electrode or a gold disc electrode as the electrode substrate. Thanks to the use of such an innovative electrode substrate, the final sensor preparation is shortened and simplified while maintaining good performance and stable readings. Full article

Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) are widely used analytical tools for the determination of specific ions in a variety of analytical applications due to their simplicity, selectivity, and low cost. Recent developments in materials science and digital fabrication have opened new opportunities for redesigning ISEs using modern manufacturing techniques. Here, we present a new application of 3D printing for fabricating potassium-selective electrodes using a simplified membrane composition. The 3D printing cocktail was prepared by mixing potassium tetraphenylborate, silver sulfide or graphite, and industrial ABS (acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) polymer. Membranes were tested both without and with the addition of ZnO nanoparticles. Incorporation of ZnO NPs significantly enhanced the electrode slope, while graphite-based membranes exhibited faster response, with potential stabilizing within 3–7 s across a concentration range of 4.88 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ to 1.00 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹. The optimized 3D printed membrane containing 0.6% ZnO NPs showed near-Nernstian behaviour (slope: 59.178 mV per decade and R² = 0.9989), a limit of detection of 2.06 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ and high selectivity against common interfering ions. These results demonstrate that 3D printing combined with a suitable membrane composition and nanoparticle incorporation provides a versatile platform for rapid, reproducible, and high-performance potassium ISEs. Full article

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is recognized as a potent greenhouse gas, and 60% of atmospheric N₂O emissions come from cropland soils. Potassium (K) is an important fertilizer for rice paddy fields. K fertilizer decreased the abundance of functional genes mediating nitrification and denitrification processes, thereby mitigating N₂O emissions. However, few studies have explored the effect of K fertilization rates on N₂O emissions and grain yields, as well as the associated soil properties and aboveground N accumulation in paddy fields under different irrigation regimes. This study aimed to propose an optimum combination of K fertilization rate and irrigation regime to increase grain yield while reducing N₂O emissions. Here, a 2-year field experiment using a split-plot design with three replicates was conducted to assess the effect of three K fertilization rates (K₀: 0 kg ha⁻¹, K₇₅: 75 kg ha⁻¹, K₁₅₀: 150 kg ha⁻¹) on N₂O emissions, grain yield, aboveground N accumulation, and soil properties, including soil redox potential (Eh), NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, soil gene abundance of AOA, AOB, nirK, nirS, nirK/nirS, and nosZ, under continuous flooding irrigation (I_CF) and alternate wetting and drying irrigation (I_AWD). The soil physicochemical properties, the gene abundance and the aboveground N accumulation were evaluated and used to explain how irrigation and K fertilization affect grain yield and N₂O emissions. We found that I_AWD significantly increased N₂O emissions by 38% compared to I_CF, and K fertilizer significantly reduced N₂O emissions by 15% relative to K₀. The effects of I_AWD and K fertilizer on N₂O emissions can be attributed to the combined impact of soil physicochemical properties and the abundance of functional genes governing N₂O emissions. Both irrigation regimes produced equivalent grain yield and aboveground N accumulation. Shifting from I_CF to I_AWD, the increase in N₂O emissions can be mitigated by K fertilization. Moreover, K₇₅ and K₁₅₀ had similar effects in reducing N₂O emissions and yield-scaled N₂O emissions, while K₇₅ had a lower K fertilizer cost and higher K partial factor productivity. Therefore, applying K fertilizer at 75 kg ha⁻¹ under I_AWD is identified as a potentially suitable rate to secure grain yield while effectively mitigating N₂O emissions. Full article

To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying the interaction between straw return and nitrogen (N) fertilization on yield formation, nutrient uptake, and soil N cycling in a continuous maize cropping system, a two-year positioning experiment was conducted. The study established two straw treatments (S0: 0 g/box; S1: 84 g/box) combined with three N levels (N0: 0 g/box; N1: 1.24 g/box; N2: 2.47 g/box). (The box refers to the cylinder used for planting maize.) The responses of maize yield, plant nutrient accumulation and partitioning, fertilizer-derived N ratio, nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency (NUE), and soil microenvironment were analyzed. Results indicated that under N1 conditions, straw return had a negligible effect on crop growth and yield formation. Conversely, under N2 conditions, straw return significantly enhanced maize yield and promoted the accumulation of N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in plant tissues. ¹⁵N isotope tracing revealed a novel mechanism: rather than significantly altering direct fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency, straw return improved crop yield primarily by elevating indigenous soil N content and boosting the activities of N-transforming enzymes, thereby beneficially altering the ultimate environmental fate of the fertilizer N. Furthermore, straw return significantly boosted the activities of enzymes involved in N transformation and optimized the soil microenvironment. Collectively, straw return coupled with increased N application (specifically the S1N2 treatment) significantly maximizes maize yield, providing a theoretical basis for rational straw utilization and N management. Full article

Data-driven approaches are increasingly required to optimize biofertilization strategies in forage systems. Machine learning (ML) provides an efficient tool for identifying functional drivers in complex plant–soil–microbe systems, offering important perspectives for precision data-driven agriculture. However, despite its potential, ML remains data-driven in studies involving diazotrophic inoculation using biochar as a pelletizing material, particularly in forage grasses. This study applied ML to predict the key drivers controlling Brachiaria brizantha performance and soil quality under biochar-pelletized diazotrophic bacteria (DB). Five isolates were inoculated with or without biochar, and plant traits and soil attributes, including pH, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and urease activity were evaluated. These data were integrated into multivariate analyses and ML algorithms, including Linear Discriminant Analysis, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machine, to identify the functional drivers that best discriminate treatment performance and uncover mechanistic functional drivers. All isolates increased soil potassium content, with the highest values in the biochar amended treatments, and a 39% increase. Soil pH and urease activity were significantly modulated by isolate identity, while biomass allocation patterns differed among treatments. Overall, the results highlight that biochar pelletization can enhance the effectiveness of DB inoculants. ML revealed that dry foliar biomass, soil pH, and fresh root weight were the most predictive variables, highlighting consistent signatures explaining plant–soil responses to biochar-pelletized DB. These findings demonstrate that interpretable ML can disentangle complex plant–soil–microbe interactions, support precision biofertilization design, and serve as an efficient decision-support tool for sustainable pasture management. Beyond the present system, this study establishes a transferable and scalable analytical framework for precision biofertilization strategies in forage systems and other biochar-mediated agroecosystems, advancing predictive and data-driven approaches in sustainable agricultural engineering. Full article

Baby maize (Zea mays L.) is a high-value horticultural crop widely cultivated due to its short growth cycle and strong market demand. However, intensive production systems often rely heavily on chemical fertilizers, leading to reduced nutrient use efficiency and potential soil degradation. The present study investigated the potential of the Priestia megaterium Thr45 to enhance soil fertility, improve crop performance, and optimize fertilizer management in baby maize cultivation. A field experiment was conducted using a three-factor factorial design consisting of bacterial inoculation, different urea application rates, and different KCl rates. Soil chemical properties, plant growth parameters, yield components, and nutrient composition of edible cobs were evaluated. The results showed that inoculation with P. megaterium Thr45 significantly increased available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium in soil compared with the non-inoculated control. Inoculated plants exhibited higher chlorophyll content, greater leaf development, and increased plant height during early growth stages. Bacterial inoculation also significantly improved yield components, including ear number, ear yield, edible cob yield, and plant biomass. Furthermore, the nutritional quality of baby corn was enhanced, as reflected by increased protein and mineral (N, P, and K) concentrations in edible cobs. Significant interactions between bacterial inoculation and fertilizer treatments indicated that the beneficial effects of P. megaterium Thr45 were closely associated with nutrient management practices. Notably, comparable yield and nutritional quality were achieved under reduced nitrogen and potassium fertilizer inputs when combined with bacterial inoculation. These findings highlight the novel potential of P. megaterium Thr45 as an effective biofertilizer for improving nutrient availability, maintaining high productivity, and supporting sustainable baby maize production with reduced chemical fertilizer inputs Full article

With its excellent physical and mechanical properties, granite is often the first choice for the foundation material for dams in water conservancy engineering. However, alteration can profoundly change the mineral composition, structure, and mechanical behavior of deep granite, posing critical challenges to project safety. The Quwu Mountain area in Baiyin, Gansu Province, a proposed pumped storage reservoir, exposes extensive Silurian granite. Engineering investigation shows that different levels of clay and hydrothermal alteration have taken place in the granite rock mass, and the level of alteration exhibits a distinct vertical zonation as revealed by borehole core logging. In this study, we quantitatively characterize the porosity, compressive strength, wave velocity, and shear parameters of altered granite of different degrees through mineralogical analysis, laboratory tests, and in situ testing. In order to guide the construction in this area, we establish a classification system that distinguishes weak, moderate, and strong alteration degree, based on macroscopic features, RQD, and clay mineral content. Results of this paper show that alteration is dominated by potassium feldspathization and kaolinitization, leading to increased porosity (4–10%) and structural loosening. Strongly altered granite exhibits severe mechanical degradation, moderately altered granite retains medium strength, and weakly altered granite approaches the properties of fresh rock. This research can provide technical support for engineering safety design and risk prevention in the Quwushan reservoir area, but its applicability to other regions requires further validation. Full article

Microbial inoculation represents an environmentally friendly biocontrol strategy that can enhance soil quality, improve crop growth efficiency, and promote sustainable agriculture. However, the long-term effects and ecological safety of non-native microbial inoculants in soil remain uncertain. Here, we explore and evaluate a safer and potentially more effective inoculation strategy—the reintroduction of native microbiota—to maintain agricultural ecosystem health. Native microbiota were extracted from black soil in northeastern China and reintroduced into the indigenous soil. Two treatments were established: original soil (control) and original soil with a mixture of native microbiota, each with nine replicates. Soil samples were collected at 0, 21, and 90 days post-inoculation. Using high-throughput sequencing and agronomic chemical analyses, we dynamically monitored soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents, as well as microbial community composition. Crops were harvested at day 90 to measure dry weight, fresh weight, and SPAD values. The results revealed that the number of colonizing species was lower than the number of inoculated species, yet crop agronomic traits and chemical composition were significantly improved, particularly SPAD values and total phosphorus content. Soil abiotic factors exhibited limited resistance but retained partial recovery capacity, showing a notable increase in readily available potassium at days 0 and 21. Native microbiota inoculation promoted positive synergistic interactions within the microbial community. Furthermore, this study underscores the practical significance of cultivable microorganisms in agricultural applications. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of native microbiota reintroduction, highlighting its potential to optimize soil microbial communities, enhance soil properties, and improve crop performance, thereby providing a scientific basis for soil remediation and sustainable agriculture. Full article

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, leading to progressive metabolic dysfunction. Flavonoids, such as astragalin, have reported antidiabetic potential; however, their direct effects on pancreatic β-cell ionic mechanisms and insulin secretion remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of astragalin on glucose uptake, insulin secretion, and membrane ionic currents in pancreatic β-cell lines. Methods: Murine MIN6 and rat INS-1 pancreatic β-cells were used as experimental models. Following astragalin treatment, glucose uptake was quantified by bioluminescence, and insulin secretion was measured by ELISA. Ionic currents were analyzed using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Selective pharmacological blockers targeting ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels (KATP), voltage-dependent K⁺ channels (K_v), and L-type voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels were applied to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Results: Astragalin increased glucose uptake in a time-dependent manner, reaching a plateau between 3 and 5 h. Insulin secretion was significantly enhanced after 1 h of exposure to 100 µM astragalin. Patch-clamp recordings demonstrated that astragalin reduced potassium channel currents in pancreatic β-cells. Pharmacological modulation confirmed the involvement of KATP, K_v, and L-type Ca²⁺ channels. Verapamil attenuated the insulinotropic effect, supporting the role of calcium influx in astragalin-induced insulin exocytosis. Conclusions: Astragalin enhances glucose uptake and stimulates insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells through modulation of potassium and calcium channels, promoting calcium-dependent exocytosis. These findings support its potential as a candidate for antidiabetic therapeutic strategies. Full article

Despite the essential role of soil microbial communities in driving nutrient cycling within alpine meadows, their distribution patterns along elevational gradients and their responses to environmental changes remain largely unexplored. To investigate this, soil samples were collected from five elevations (3300–4500 m) in the northeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau to analyze bacterial community composition and diversity, as well as their associations with soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities. The results showed significant variation in bacterial community composition and diversity across elevations. Actinomycetota, Pseudomonadota, and Acidobacteriota were the dominant phyla at all sampling sites. Community diversity, measured by the Shannon index, generally increased with elevation, peaking at 4500 m and lowest at 3300 m. Pearson correlation analysis and redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that soil bacterial community structure was significantly correlated with both soil nutrient factors and enzyme activities. Among these variables, total potassium, available phosphorus, catalase, and urease were strongly correlated with bacterial community differentiation. In addition, PERMANOVA results showed that elevation was the primary factor driving community variation, explaining a substantial proportion of the variation in community composition at a statistically significant level. Overall, this study highlights the distribution of bacterial communities in alpine meadow soils along an elevational gradient and their environmental associations, providing foundational data for understanding microbial community responses to environmental changes in alpine ecosystems. Full article

The clinical renaissance of psychedelic medicine has highlighted the therapeutic potential of rapid-acting neuroplastogens, or “psychoplastogens,” for psychiatric disorders. However, the widespread application of classical psychedelics—such as psilocybin and LSD—and the atypical dissociative ibogaine is severely limited by their hallucinogenic properties and, particularly in the case of ibogaine, life-threatening cardiotoxicity. Addressing these limitations, Tabernanthalog (TBG) has emerged as a frontrunner in the field. This non-hallucinogenic analog of ibogaine was rationally designed to eliminate interactions with the human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG, KCNH2) potassium channel, thereby mitigating cardiotoxic risks. While initially characterized for its anti-addictive and antidepressant-like properties, recent data from 2024–2025 have significantly expanded its therapeutic horizon. TBG demonstrates robust efficacy in preclinical models of neuropathic and visceral pain, as well as in the rescue of cognitive deficits associated with cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). TBG has shown efficacy in reversing cognitive impairments induced directly by the presence of a tumor in preclinical models, rather than by chemotherapy-specific neurotoxicity. Crucially, emerging evidence suggests that TBG’s mechanism extends beyond simple 5-HT2A receptor agonism. New findings point to a multi-target profile involving the inhibition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), positive modulation of NMDA receptors, and functional crosstalk with mGlu2 receptors. Furthermore, TBG appears to induce structural neuroplasticity without the widespread induction of immediate early genes (IEGs) seen with classical hallucinogens, suggesting a decoupling of therapeutic rewiring from the subjective psychedelic experience. This review synthesizes current preclinical evidence to discuss TBG as a promising chemical scaffold for next-generation neurotherapeutics targeting the intersection of psychiatry and neurology. Full article