Search Results (866)

For over 3000 years, the perennial herb mugwort (Artemisia argyi) has served as a cornerstone of traditional Asian medicine. Its clinical efficacy is driven by a diverse array of specialized metabolites, most notably flavonoids and volatile oils. While B-box (BBX) transcription factors are known to dictate photomorphogenic development and secondary metabolic pathways in plants, this specific gene family has not yet been systematically analyzed in A. argyi. Leveraging a chromosome-level genomic assembly, we comprehensively identified and analyzed the complete repertoire of AarBBX genes, profiling their structural organization, physicochemical attributes, conserved motifs, promoter architecture, and spatial expression dynamics. The AarBBX family segregates into five distinct evolutionary clades and comprises 114 members, exceeding the gene counts in the diploid relatives Artemisia annua (27) and Arabidopsis thaliana (32), a numerical increase potentially attributable to the tetraploid genome architecture of A. argyi. Promoter scanning revealed a high density of cis-acting elements linked to light perception and environmental stress responses. Integrating RNA-seq transcriptomics with tissue-specific expression profiling, we identified prominent candidate light-responsive AarBBX genes that are highly active in green, photosynthetic tissues and acutely responsive to shifts in light conditions, providing a foundation for future exploration of their potential relationship with secondary metabolic pathways, including flavonoid and terpenoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, we validated the potential operational compartments and structural interactions of these proteins utilizing green fluorescent protein (GFP) subcellular localization and yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screenings. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into the evolutionary trajectory and regulatory potential of the B-box (BBX) proteins in A. argyi, offering a prioritized candidate gene set for subsequent investigations into their potential roles in light-regulated secondary metabolism, including flavonoid and terpenoid pathways. Full article

Dendrobium lindleyi is an orchid species valued for both ornamental and medicinal purposes; its secondary metabolites possess heat-clearing and fluid-generating properties. Dirigent (DIR) proteins play a key regulatory role in plant lignin polymerization and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses; however, systematic studies of DIR family genes in D. lindleyi are lacking. The objective of this study was to systematically characterize the DIR gene family in D. lindleyi. To achieve this, bioinformatics methods were used to identify DIR genes genome-wide, followed by analyses of their post-translational modifications, gene and protein structures, phylogeny, promoter cis-regulatory elements, expression patterns, and subcellular localization. The results show that 15 DIR family genes were identified in the D. lindleyi genome. The DIR family is divided into five subfamilies: DIR-a, DIR-b/d, DIR-c, DIR-e, and DIR-g, among which DIR-b/d has the most members (9), and DlDIR2 and DlDIR4 exhibit a fragment duplication event. The promoter regions are rich in light-responsive, ABA, MeJA, MYB, MYC, WRKY, and oxidative stress-related elements, suggesting that DIR genes in D. lindleyi may be involved in multiple signaling pathways. Transcriptomic and qRT-PCR analyses revealed that DlDIR8 exhibits a strong response to ABA treatment, with ABA inducing its downregulation. Subcellular localization studies revealed that the DlDIR8 protein is localized to the nucleus. These findings provide a foundation for the functional characterization of the DIR gene family in D. lindleyi and highlight DlDIR8 as a candidate in the ABA-mediated stress response, offering a theoretical basis for the potential genetic improvement of this species. Full article

Variable-speed pumped storage units perform flexible and rapid regulation tasks in power grids. However, under the “power-priority” control mode, the superposition of maximum energy operating point and extreme transient events such as load rejection can induce severe vibrations. This study investigates the vibration characteristics of a variable-speed unit under a typical extreme condition (Case RT-5): power-priority mode, maximum energy superposition point, and load rejection at extreme rotational speed. A one-way fluid–structure interaction (FSI) numerical method is employed, combining unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) with a shear stress transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model and finite element structural analysis. The innovation lies in quantitatively linking the transient hydraulic excitation (water hammer pressure waves, non-stationary pulsation field) to the mechanical response (centrifugal force, variable stiffness) to identify the root causes of vibration. Results show that under RT-5, the maximum equivalent stress reaches 97.09 MPa and maximum deformation 0.66 mm, occurring at the blade-crown connection root—a stress concentration zone. However, below the material yield strength (265 MPa), the stress rises 2.4-fold within 12 s, and secondary stress peaks appear, indicating high-cycle fatigue risk. Severe fluctuations of stress and displacement, driven by coupled hydraulic-mechanical excitation, are the main causes of vibration. This study provides a theoretical basis for safety assessment and control strategy optimization, and proposes that RT-5 be included as a mandatory verification case for variable-speed units. Full article

In this study, CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloys (HEAs) with different aluminum (Al) contents were fabricated, and the effects of Al content on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties were systematically explored. The microstructural characterization results indicated that the Al content exerted a crucial regulatory effect on the crystal structure of the alloy. With increasing Al content, shifts in the characteristic XRD peaks indicate lattice expansion of the alloy. Meanwhile, the phase structure continuously evolved from a single face-centered cubic (FCC) structure to an FCC/body-centered cubic (BCC) dual-phase structure, and then finally transformed into a BCC-dominated structure. Appropriate Al element addition could produce localized stress fields near dislocations and achieve prominent solid-solution strengthening, which effectively inhibited dislocation movement and further improved the yield strength, tensile strength, and hardness of the alloy. In contrast, excessive Al addition would break through the solid solubility limit of the alloy matrix, causing obvious phase separation and the precipitation of brittle B2-ordered NiAl-type intermetallic secondary phases. These brittle secondary phases easily induced crack initiation in the plastic deformation process, which significantly deteriorated the ductility, work-hardening ability, and impact toughness of the alloys. Full article

Thorium (Th) is increasingly considered a promising fertile material for sustainable nuclear energy—which is not fissile itself, but convertible to fissile ²³³U—particularly as a by-product of rare earth element (REE) processing. This study develops a parametric techno-economic assessment (TEA) framework synthesizing published data from China, Russia, the USA, India, and Europe to establish the methodological foundation for evaluating thorium recovery economics from monazite ores and REE tailings under Central Asian conditions. Monazite typically contains 4–12% ThO₂, while tailings contain 0.1–3%, making secondary resources attractive for future recovery strategies. Particular attention is given to integration with uranium tailings and the application of advanced materials such as nanocomposite sorbents and carbon-based electrodes. Reported production costs of ThO₂ range from 50 to 500 USD/kg depending on process scale, feedstock quality, and co-production of REEs. The reviewed studies consistently show that coupling thorium recovery with REE processing improves economic feasibility. Modern approaches, including hybrid technologies and electrosorption systems, may reduce operational costs and improve process efficiency. Despite challenges related to capital investment, market uncertainty, and radioactive waste management, thorium continues to attract growing interest as a potential component of future nuclear fuel cycles and advanced reactor systems, including small modular reactors. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first parametric TEA framework structured around Central Asian conditions, combining literature-derived regional data, scenario-based process economics, and Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis within a single discounted cash flow structure. Full article

Zinc processing generates large volumes of tailings enriched with potentially toxic elements such as zinc, lead, arsenic, and antimony, creating environmental challenges. Conventional disposal in tailings dams is associated with land occupation, contamination risks, and geotechnical concerns, reinforcing the need for more sustainable management strategies. This study presents a bibliometric and semi-systematic review of alkali-activated binders for the stabilization and solidification of zinc mine tailings, based on nine studies published between 2019 and 2026. The results indicate that this is a recent and expanding research field, with a marked concentration of studies in China. Current research mainly focuses on the links between microstructure, heavy metal immobilization, and mechanical performance. Alkali-activated systems, commonly based on blast furnace slag, fly ash, and coal gangue, can produce dense matrices with compressive strengths of up to 100.77 MPa and high immobilization efficiency. Their performance is largely governed by the type of reaction products formed, particularly calcium silicate hydrate, calcium aluminosilicate hydrate, and sodium aluminosilicate hydrate gels, which control microstructural development and stabilization mechanisms such as encapsulation, structural incorporation, and secondary phase formation. Overall, the reviewed studies suggest that alkali-activated binders have potential as alternative binders to Portland cement for the management and valorization of zinc mine tailings. Full article

CRISPR-Cas9 has transformed microbial biotechnology by enabling precise genome modifications; however, achieving high editing efficiency remains a challenge due to multiple determinants, including on-target specificity, off-target events, PAM sequence, sgRNA scaffold composition, and RNA secondary structure. Our review foresees how artificial intelligence (AI) can address those challenges by enabling automated identification as well as highly active guide RNA (gRNA) optimisation. We highlight the influence of a data-driven training strategy that is focused on high-quality, diverse, and accurately labelled microbial datasets—mainly, given the limitations of models derived from mammalian systems that are not directly transferable to microbial organisms. Moreover, we discuss the key role of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles and centralised, curated CRISPR-Cas databases as foundational elements for developing robust and predictive frameworks. Emerging directions are also explored, including generative AI approaches capable of supporting automated experimental planning. By considering the potential dual use of such technologies, the review further addresses bioethical considerations and regulatory frameworks necessary to ensure responsible genome engineering as a milestone, as well as the implementation of safeguards against misuse, particularly in pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, the convergence of standardised experimental data, specialised microbial datasets, and advanced AI architectures is paving the way to transform microbial biotechnology by accelerating metabolic engineering and synthetic biology applications. Full article

To enhance the precision of Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulation parameters for the grading of mechanically harvested fresh tea leaves, this study systematically measured the intrinsic physical and basic contact parameters of the Yinghong No. 9 cultivar. Addressing the distinction between primary and secondary contact interfaces during roller screening, the extreme boundary validation method was first employed to determine simplified fixed values for the contact parameters of the secondary component. Based on the measured physical angle of repose of 36.3°, Plackett–Burman screening, steepest ascent, and Box–Behnken tests were conducted sequentially to construct and optimize a second-order regression model relating significant parameters to the angle of repose. The results indicated that the static friction coefficient between tea leaves (0.723), the rolling friction coefficient between tea leaves (0.031), and the static friction coefficient between tea leaves and the PVC roller (0.547) were the key parameters affecting the angle of repose. Verification tests demonstrated that the simulated static angle of repose was 36.9° against the measured 36.3°, yielding a relative error of 1.65%. The simulated dynamic angle of repose in the rotating drum was 39.8° compared to the physical 38.3°, representing a relative error of 3.92%, and the errors in screening efficiency on the grading bench were all less than 5%. These results indicate that the calibrated parameters accurately characterize the material properties of mechanically harvested tea leaves, providing a reliable theoretical foundation for the structural optimization of grading equipment. Full article

Objective: To characterize the structural organization of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) component implementation in gynecologic oncology and determine whether ERAS elements operate as an interconnected perioperative system during early pathway integration. Methods: This study represents a secondary analysis of the prospective multicenter Enhanced Recovery in Gynecologic Oncology (ERGO) cohort, including the first 300 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for gynecologic malignancy across five tertiary institutions. Components with prevalence between 5% and 95% were included in a regularized Ising network model to estimate conditional dependencies between pathway elements. Node-level centrality metrics and global network characteristics were calculated to identify structurally influential ERAS components and to describe the overall implementation architecture. Results: Thirteen central ERAS components met the predefined prevalence criterion (5–95%) and were included in the conditional dependency network. The estimated network demonstrated substantial inter-component connectivity, indicating that ERAS practices were frequently implemented in coordinated patterns rather than as isolated interventions. Centrality analysis identified postoperative laxatives or chewing gum, tranexamic acid administration, perioperative intravenous fluid management, and avoidance of drain placement as highly connected elements within the network. Early nutritional advancement and postoperative bowel stimulation measures also demonstrated relatively central positions within the recovery-related component cluster. Community detection analysis revealed distinct modules of co-adopted ERAS practices spanning multiple perioperative phases. Conclusions: ERAS implementation in gynecologic oncology appears to follow a structured architecture characterized by interconnected perioperative practices rather than independent protocol elements. Understanding these implementation structures may help guide targeted quality-improvement strategies aimed at optimizing ERAS integration in routine clinical practice. Full article

This paper presents a comprehensive numerical investigation into the transient thermo-structural response of axial bellows during start-up and shutdown cycles in long-distance heating pipelines. Using ANSYS-based transient thermal–structural coupling finite element analysis under the pure linear elasticity and constant internal pressure, the spatio-temporal evolution mechanisms of temperature fields, axial deformation, and equivalent stress are systematically analyzed. The results demonstrate the highly synchronized evolution between temperature and deformation fields, with maximum axial deformation and equivalent stress consistently concentrated at the convolution root and transition arcs. Under steady-state high-temperature conditions (130 °C), the maximum equivalent stress reaches 332.78 MPa. However, after complete cooling and unloading, minimal residual deformation (≤0.001 mm) and residual stress (8.86 MPa) are observed, satisfying the pressure vessel shakedown criteria and confirming the inherent self-limiting nature of thermal secondary stresses. A specific decoupling phenomenon is revealed during the high-temperature steady-state holding period, where the deformation stabilizes while the stress undergoes secondary redistribution. The comparative analysis of different temperature change rates indicates that the fast start-up/shutdown (0.55 °C/s) induces severe transient temperature gradients, causing a nearly 50% increase in the maximum equivalent stress compared to the slow start-up/shutdown (0.275 °C/s). This study provides theoretical foundations for the service safety assessment of axial bellows and recommends gradual heating/cooling operation strategies (≤0.3 °C/s) to mitigate structural thermal shock risks. Full article

TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR (TCP) are plant-specific regulators involved in growth, development, and responses to abiotic stresses, yet their roles in halophytes remain largely unexplored. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification of TCP family members in the extreme halophyte Salicornia europaea, uncovering 15 non-redundant genes (SeurTCPs) classified into PCF, CIN, and CYC/TB1 subfamilies. Gene structure and conserved motif analyses revealed that SeurTCPs are largely intronless and maintain the canonical TCP domain, while showing subfamily-specific variations in motif composition and secondary/tertiary structures. Promoter analysis identified abundant stress and hormone-responsive cis-elements, particularly ABRE and STRE, suggesting potential involvement in salt stress signaling. Protein–protein interaction network prediction highlighted CIN and PCF members as hub nodes, indicating central roles in growth and stress response regulation. Quantitative Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that most SeurTCP genes were responsive to salinity treatment, although the extent of transcriptional variation differed among subfamilies. Collectively, our results indicate that SeurTCPs balance conserved structural functions with subfamily-specific regulatory roles, contributing to S. europaea adaptation to extreme saline environments. This study provides valuable candidate genes for elucidating plant salt tolerance mechanisms and for potential crop improvement. Full article

M-type hexaferrites are widely used in magnetic applications, and tailoring their properties via aliovalent substitution requires a detailed understanding of charge compensation and cation distribution. In this work, Mg²⁺/M⁴⁺ (M = Zr, Hf) co-substituted BaFe₁₂O₁₉ was synthesized via Na₂CO₃ flux and comprehensively characterized by wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Rietveld refinement, X-ray absorption near-edge structure, and magnetic measurements. Increasing substitution levels x, y in BaFe_12−x−yMg_xM_yO₁₉ result in increasing lattice parameters and decreasing the room-temperature magnetic parameters saturation magnetization, remanence, and coercivity, while remanence and coercivity increase at low temperatures. Secondary phases form for nominal substitution ≥ 1. Zr⁴⁺ and Hf⁴⁺ preferentially occupy the 4f₂ site, whereas Mg²⁺ is distributed over multiple sites, as indicated by polyhedral volume analysis. Wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirms homogeneous elemental distribution within individual crystals but reveals significant variation in substitution levels within batches. The maximum degree of substitution for the tetravalent metals was y ≈ 1.2–1.7, with lower Mg incorporation of x ≈ 0.9–1.1. Charge compensation was found to be partially achieved via vacancy formation, while minor Fe²⁺ contributions cannot be excluded. Full article

Alternative splicing (AS) is a major post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism that greatly expands transcriptomic and proteomic diversity in plants. Recent studies have demonstrated that AS dynamically regulates gene expression during plant development and under diverse environmental conditions through isoform-specific modulation of transcript stability, translation efficiency, protein localization, and signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the roles of AS in plant development and abiotic stress responses. Mechanistically, splice site selection is regulated through coordinated interactions among cis-regulatory elements, RNA-binding proteins, RNA secondary structures, transcriptional kinetics, chromatin organization, and spliceosomal dynamics. AS plays critical roles in various developmental processes, including seed germination, vegetative growth, flowering transition, and senescence, while also contributing to plant adaptation to abiotic stresses such as osmotic, temperature, and oxidative stresses. Particular emphasis is placed on the diverse regulatory outcomes of AS, including isoform-specific protein functions, AS-coupled nonsense-mediated decay, transcript stability control, and context-dependent isoform switching. We further discuss the varying levels of experimental evidence supporting reported AS events, ranging from transcriptome-wide observations to genetically and biochemically validated isoform functions. Moreover, recent advances in long-read sequencing, single-cell transcriptomics, proteogenomics, and genome-engineering technologies are accelerating the functional characterization of splice isoforms and uncovering the complexity of AS-mediated regulatory networks. Collectively, these advances highlight AS as a central mechanism coordinating plant developmental plasticity and environmental adaptation. Full article

Kadsura heteroclita (Roxb.) Craib, commonly known as “Xuetong”, is a traditional Tujia ethnomedicine with anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity, and schizanlactone E (Xuetongsu) is its major bioactive component whose biosynthetic pathway remains uncharacterized. As a cycloartane-type tetracyclic triterpenoid, Xuetongsu’s biosynthesis is likely to involve multiple oxidation steps. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) is a versatile monooxygenase encoded by a large and diverse gene superfamily and plays a critical role in various oxidation reactions in plants’ secondary metabolism. In this study, 367 KhCYP450s were identified and systematically analyzed for their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic analysis, conserved motifs, gene structures, collinearity, and cis-acting elements. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed a turquoise module strongly associated with Xuetong root tissue, which had the highest Xuetongsu accumulation; 32 candidate KhCYP450s within this module were screened via correlation analysis between gene expression and xuetongsu content and partially validated by qRT-PCR. Five of these candidates showed significant homology with known triterpenoid biosynthetic genes via protein structure analyses. This study deepened our comprehension of the CYP450 superfamily in Xuetong and provided a valuable reference for further research on the biosynthesis of Xuetongsu. Full article

This study addresses the fragmented integration of smart technologies into sustainable tourism management, where digital tools are often implemented without sufficient coordination, interoperability, or clear links to sustainability objectives. Such a situation limits the potential of smart solutions to improve destination governance, visitor experience, and the long-term competitiveness of tourism destinations. The aim of the study is to evaluate how the Smart Region concept can be operationalized at the urban level by analysing the city of České Budějovice (Czech Republic)—the primary regional tourism and administrative hub—as a critical case study. The research first analysed relevant municipal and regional strategic documents, then examined secondary data and publicly available digital services and technological solutions, and finally conducted a structured observation of selected tools relevant to tourism management. The findings show that the city has already introduced several elements of smart tourism management, especially in digital information services, transport management, and sustainable mobility. However, the analysis also reveals important shortcomings in data sharing, cross-sector coordination, and the integration of tourism-oriented digital tools. The study concludes that deeper institutional cooperation and more coherent smart governance are necessary to strengthen sustainability, improve efficiency, and support the long-term competitiveness of the destination. Full article