Search Results (6,964)

Understanding the genetic basis of agronomic traits in quinoa adapted to the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is essential for developing high-yield cultivars, as conventional breeding is constrained by limited molecular tools. In this study, 300 cultivated accessions were evaluated for five quantitative traits, and whole-genome resequencing generated 3.69 million high-quality SNPs. Population structure analysis and genome-wide association study (GWAS) were conducted, with integration of seed developmental transcriptomes to refine trait-associated loci. A highly admixed genetic background (K = 7) was revealed, and 11 significant QTLs across seven chromosomes were identified, involving genes related to metabolism, transport, and cell-wall formation. Among these, CesA4 (CQ042210) showed a strong association with thousand grain weight (TGW) and a distinct expression maximum at the early seed-filling stage. These results provide a genomic framework for understanding trait variation in plateau-adapted quinoa and highlight promising targets for marker-assisted breeding. Full article

In recent years, the response mechanism of Pleurotus ostreatus to abiotic stress has received widespread attention. MnSOD is an important antioxidant enzyme that has been widely studied in animals and plants because of its functions. However, there is little research on the function and regulatory mechanism of MnSOD in the growth and development of edible fungi. This study investigated the role of Mnsod3 in the growth and development of P. ostreatus. The results showed that during the nutritional growth stage, heat stress can cause the cell wall of mycelia to shrink and the cells to exhibit cytoplasmic wall separation. RNA-seq revealed that Mnsod3 interference is strongly correlated with increased transcript levels of cell wall synthase genes and with increased tolerance to cell wall disruptors. During the primordium formation stage, the mycelial cell wall also significantly wrinkled under cold and light stresses. RNAi of Mnsod3 alleviated the cell wall wrinkling caused by cold and light stress, restored the smoothness of the cell walls, and increased mycelial tolerance to abiotic stress. This may be related to the slower formation rate of primordia, but the specific molecular mechanism still needs further research. and slowed the rate of primordium formation. In summary, Mnsod3 plays an important role in the growth and development of P. ostreatus under abiotic stress and plays a critical regulatory role in cell wall remodeling under abiotic stress. Full article

Portland cement (PC) is widely regarded as a cost-effective and reliable binding material for the stabilization and solidification of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI FA). However, the soluble salts and heavy metals present in MSWI FA retard PC hydration, thereby limiting the amount of fly ash that can be incorporated. The present study investigates the feasibility of normalizing the hydration of PC-based mixtures containing MSWI FA by applying a fly ash pre-granulation step with 25% PC, followed by coating the resulting granules with a geopolymer layer to reduce the release of harmful ions during the early stages of hydration. Isothermal calorimetry, TG/DTA, XRD, SEM, and mechanical testing were used to investigate the hydration characteristics of composites containing such granules and to assess their properties at 7, 28, and 90 days. It was found that a 20% substitution of PC with the studied FA disrupted PC hydration within the first 48 h. In contrast, both types of granules exhibited the main exothermic peak within the first 10–12 h, with hydration heat release (about 300 J/g) comparable to that of sand-containing references. Uncoated granules exhibited more active behavior with hydration kinetics similar to pure cement paste, whereas the effect of geopolymer-coated granules was close to sand. TG/DTA revealed reduced calcite content in mixtures containing granules, whereas uncoated granules promoted greater portlandite formation than the sand-based system. Hardening the samples under wet conditions resulted in the development of a dense cement matrix, firm integration of the granules, redistribution of chlorine and sulfur ions, and mechanical properties that reached at least 93% of those of the sand-containing reference, despite a lower density of ~4.5%. Full article

Bacillus anthracis has three main virulence factors: an extracellular capsule and two binary toxins (lethal toxin—consists of a lethal factor and a protective antigen, and edema toxin—consists of an edema factor and a protective antigen). In the Russian Federation, the epidemiological situation regarding anthrax infection remains unfavorable. In the late stages of an anthrax infection, antibiotic therapy becomes ineffective and the patient dies within 24 h as a large amount of lethal toxin accumulates in the patient’s blood. Antibodies capable of neutralising lethal toxin (LT) can be an effective treatment for these patients. The objective of the study was to construct a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeting the protective antigen of the LT and to elucidate its mechanism of toxin neutralization. In this work, a chimeric monoclonal antibody (xi1E10) directed against the protective antigen was successfully produced. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated the capacity of xi1E10 to neutralize lethal toxin. Confocal microscopy revealed that xi1E10 effectively suppresses the formation of a functional pore, thereby blocking the translocation of the lethal factor into the cytosol. These findings indicate that the monoclonal antibody xi1E10 represents a promising candidate for the development of a therapeutic drug. Full article

In this work, a multifunctional surface engineering strategy was developed to impart both flame-retardant and hydrophobic properties to cotton fabrics. In the first stage, cellulose fibers were modified with poly(methylvinyl)siloxane containing trimethoxysilyl groups, 2,4,6,8-tetramethyl-divinyl-bis(trimethoxysilylpropyltioethyl)cyclotetrasiloxane, or tetrakis(vinyldimethylsiloxy)tetrakis(trimethoxysilylpropyltioethyl)octasilsesquioxane (POSS). All modifiers contained alkoxysilyl groups capable of forming covalent bonds with cellulose hydroxyl groups. The modification was performed using a dip-coating process followed by thermal curing. This procedure enabled the formation of Si-O-C linkages and the generation of a reactive organosilicon layer on the cotton surface. In the second step, O,O′-diethyl dithiophosphate was grafted directly onto the vinyl-functionalized fabrics via a thiol-ene click reaction. This process resulted in the formation of a phosphorus- and sulfur-containing protective layer anchored within the siloxane-based network. The obtained hybrid coatings were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and SEM-EDS. These analyses confirmed the presence and uniform distribution of the modifiers on the fiber surface. Microscale combustion calorimetry demonstrated a substantial reduction in the heat release rate. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG) revealed increased char formation and altered thermal degradation pathways. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) increased for all modified fabrics, confirming enhanced flame resistance. Water contact angle measurements showed values above 130°, indicating effective hydrophobicity. As a result, multifunctional textile surfaces were obtained. In addition, the modified fabrics exhibited partial durability toward laundering and retained measurable flame-retardant and hydrophobic performance after repeated washing cycles. Full article

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a genetic disorder marked by progressive kidney enlargement and cyst formation, often resulting in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Oxidative stress (OxS) significantly contributes to renal damage in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and ADPKD. While the Mediterranean diet (Med-diet) is known for its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, its impact on OxS in ADPKD remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the relationship between adherence to the Med-diet, OxS levels, and renal function in ADPKD patients. We enrolled 63 ADPKD patients aged 18–70 years with CKD stages G2–G4. Adherence to the Med-diet was evaluated using the PREDIMED questionnaire. OxS markers (NOX2-derived peptide [sNOX2-dp] and hydrogen peroxide [H₂O₂]) were measured via ELISA. Correlations between these markers, Med-diet adherence, serum creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were analyzed. Higher adherence to the Med-diet was associated with significantly lower OxS markers (sNOX2, p < 0.001; H₂O₂, p = 0.04). Reduced NOX2 and H₂O₂ levels correlated with lower creatinine and higher eGFR (NOX2, p < 0.001; H₂O₂, p < 0.001), suggesting an inverse relationship between OxS and renal function. In conclusion, adherence to the Mediterranean diet appears to be associated with lower levels of oxidative stress and may slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. These findings suggest that dietary interventions could mitigate disease progression by modulating OxS. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and explore the long-term effects of the Med-diet on disease progression. Full article

The cotton boll opening rate (BOR) is an important indicator for evaluating the physiological maturation process of cotton and the critical stage of yield formation, and it provides essential guidance for subsequent defoliant application and mechanical harvesting. The investigation of cotton BOR usually relies on manual field surveys, which are time-consuming and destructive, making it difficult to achieve large-scale and efficient monitoring. UAV remote sensing technology has been widely used in crop growth monitoring due to its operational flexibility and high image resolution. However, because of the dense growth of the cotton canopy in UAV remote sensing imagery, the boll opening condition in the lower parts of the canopy cannot be completely observed. In contrast, UAV imagery can effectively monitor cotton leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) and leaf area index (LAI), both of which undergo continuous changes during the boll opening process. Therefore, this study proposes using SPAD and LAI retrieved from UAV multispectral imagery as physiological intermediary variables to construct an empirical statistical equation and compare it with end-to-end machine learning baselines. Multispectral and ground synchronous data (n = 360) were collected in Baibi Town, Anyang, Henan Province, across four dates (8/28, 9/6, 9/13, 9/24). Twenty-eight commonly used vegetation indices were calculated from multispectral imagery, and Pearson’s correlation analysis was conducted to select indices sensitive to cotton SPAD, LAI, and BOR. Prediction models were constructed using the Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Partial Least Squares (PLS) models. The results showed that GBDT achieved the best prediction performance for SPAD (R² = 0.86, RMSE = 1.19), while SVM performed best for LAI (R² = 0.77, RMSE = 0.38). The quadratic polynomial equation constructed using SPAD and LAI achieved R² = 0.807 and RMSE = 0.109 in BOR testing, which was significantly better than the baseline model using vegetation indices to directly regress BOR. The method demonstrated stable performance in spatial mapping of BOR during the boll opening period and showed promising potential for guiding defoliant application and harvest timing. Full article

There exists an east–west trending albitite (breccia) zone, approximately 400 km in length, closely related to gold mineralization, in Devonian strata in the South Qinling tectonic belt. The genesis and formation age of these albitite (breccia) are of great significance for understanding gold enrichment mechanisms and guiding future exploration. Past studies have mainly focused on the Fengxian–Taibai area in the western segment of the albitite (breccia) zone, whereas the eastern segment remains significantly understudied. In this study, a systematic field investigation, as well as petrology, geochemistry, and accessory-mineral geochronology studies were conducted on albitites and albitite breccias in the Shangnan area, the eastern segment of the albitite (breccia) zone. The results show that the albitites are interlayered with or occur as lenses within Devonian clastic rocks. The albitite breccias are mostly enclosed in albitite and Devonian strata, and the clasts within are subangular, uniform in type, and exhibit minimal displacement. Both albitites and albitite breccias exhibit similar trace-element characteristics and detrital zircon age spectra to those of Devonian clastic rocks. Abundant hydrothermal monazites with U–Pb ages ranging from 260 to 252 Ma are present in both albitites and albitite breccias but absent in Devonian clastic rocks. Collectively, these results indicate that the albitites in the Shangnan area are of hydrothermal metasomatic origin, while the albitite breccias record hydraulic fracturing and cementation, and both are products of the same fluid activity event in the Late Permian. We propose that albitite (breccia) zones in the South Qinling tectonic belt were formed under distinct tectonic settings during different evolution stages of the Late Paleozoic Mianlüe Ocean. Specifically, the albitites (breccias) in the Shangnan area are products of thorough metasomatism, local fracturing, and cementation of Devonian clastic rocks by mixed fluids, which ascended along the Fengzhen–Shanyang Fault coeval with the emplacement of magmatic rocks related to subduction of the Mianlüe Ocean. In contrast, the albitite breccias in the Fengxian–Taibai area are the result of fluid activity during the transition from regional compression to extension after the closure of the Mianlüe Ocean. Full article

Tumor-draining lymph nodes function paradoxically not only as key sites for the priming and coordination of anti-tumor CD8+ T cell responses but also as regional hubs through which invading tumor cells can seed distant metastases. The quality of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells elicited at this site is therefore a critical determinant of the outcome of anti-tumor immunity and cancer progression. Recent studies have demonstrated the significance of CD8+ T cell dysfunction within tumor-draining lymph nodes, highlighting it as an important means of tumor immune escape that may arise early in the course of cancer progression. This review aims to bring attention to emerging data on this topic, with particular focus given to the implications that lymph-node-resident CD8+ T cell dysfunction has both for cancer immunotherapy and for pre-metastatic niche formation during early stages of cancer progression. Full article

Precocious-fruiting Amomum villosum Lour. is characterized by early fruit set, rapid yield formation, and shortened economic return cycles, indicating strong cultivation potential. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its flowering transition remain unclear. To elucidate the flowering mechanism of A. villosum, we used the Illumina NovaSeq X Plus platform to compare gene expression profiles in three tissues (Rhizomes, R; Stems, S; Leaves, L) during the vegetative stage and three tissues (Rhizomes and Inflorescences, R&I; Stems, S; Leaves, L) during the flowering stage of individual plants: VS-R vs. FS-R&I, VS-S vs. FS-S, and VS-L vs. FS-L. We obtained 52.5 Gb clean data and 789 million reads, and identified 2963 novel genes. The 3061 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, FDR ≤ 0.05 and |log2FC| ≥ 1) identified in the three comparison groups included six overlapping genes. The DEGs were enriched primarily in GO terms related to cellular process, metabolic process, binding, catalytic activity, and cellular anatomical entity, as well as multiple terms associated with development and reproduction. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed enrichment primarily in metabolic pathways, including global and overview maps, energy metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism. Moreover, the most significantly enriched core pathways included metabolic pathways, photosynthesis, and carbon assimilation. Among all alternative splicing (AS) events, skipped exons (SEs) accounted for the largest proportion (59.5%), followed by retained introns (RI, 19.4%), alternative 3′ splice sites (A3SS, 10.7%), alternative 5′ splice sites (A5SS, 6.8%), and mutually exclusive exons (MXE, 3.6%). A preliminary set of 43 key DEGs was predicted, displaying spatiotemporal expression specificity and strong interactions among certain genes. Nine genes were further selected for RT-qPCR validation to confirm the reliability of the RNA-seq results. This study established a foundational framework for elucidating the flowering mechanism of precocious-fruiting A. villosum. Full article

Interactions between alkaline solutions and the surface of pyrolytically coated graphite tubes (PCGTs) with/without a platform for determination of vanadium using high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR CS GFAAS) are discussed. Changes on the surface of tubes, lifetime of tubes, and formation of memory effect in the determination of vanadium in alkaline solutions (NaOH, Na₂CO₃, and real alkaline slag leachates) were investigated. Based on the results obtained, it is possible to state that HR CS GFAAS determination of vanadium content in alkaline solutions reveals that PCGTs with a platform are more susceptible than those without a platform to the formation of deposits and degradation of the platform surface, especially after the application of hydroxide environments. More marked and faster formation of deposits leads to shortening of the analytical lifetime of PCGTs with a platform (approx. 70 atomization/analytical cycles (ACs)) compared to PCGTs without a platform (approx. 290 ACs). The mechanical life of both types of tubes is comparable (approx. 500 ACs). Deposits formed on the internal surface of PCGTs can be removed in the presence of a carbonate environment and higher temperatures. Damage to the PCGT surface leads to the formation of scaled shapes and cavities, which can result in decreased absorbance due to losses of vanadium in the cavities (negative measurement error), or in increased absorbance by washing out of vanadium from the cavities (positive measurement error, and formation of memory effect). It was found that more frequent cleaning of PCGTs by performing ACs in an environment of 4 mol L⁻¹ HNO₃ can eliminate these unfavourable phenomena. Our results have shown that in the case of samples analysed with different sample environments (acidic vs. alkaline), the surface material of the tube/platform wears out more quickly, and therefore it is necessary to include a cleaning stage after changing the nature of the environment. Full article

Transient arcing often occurs as an electric locomotive traverses an electrical sectioning overlap (ESO), deteriorating current collection stability and reducing the durability of the pantograph–catenary (PC) system. In this study, the formation mechanism and electrical evolution characteristics of transient arcing in the ESO region are investigated through theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. First, based on the dynamic motion of the locomotive passing through the ESO, the transient arcing mechanism of the ESO is clarified, and the plasma characteristics of the arc are described. Then, the electromagnetic, airflow, and thermal field interactions within the PC contact gap during arc ignition are analyzed. A Multiphysics coupled PC arc model is developed, incorporating aerodynamic, electromagnetic, and heat transfer effects. Subsequently, finite element meshing and boundary conditions are applied to simulate the transient evolution of the ESO arc. Finally, the transient arcing characteristics of the ESO are analyzed. The results indicate that the current density is highly concentrated at the initial arcing stage and gradually forms an axially symmetric conductive channel (approximately 10⁷ A/m²), which shifts upward as the contact gap increases. Moreover, due to the geometric discontinuity of the ESO, a strong localized electric field develops near the wire edge, leading to arc root migration and reignition. Full article

Increasing planting density is an effective measure to mitigate the negative impacts of late-sowing on yield formation in winter wheat. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying source-sink coordination and high-yield performance through density regulation in hybrid wheat with high yield potential remain unclear. A two-year field experiment was conducted using the hybrid variety Jingmai 17 and conventional variety Jimai 22 as experimental materials, with three planting densities: 150 plants·m⁻² (M1), 300 plants·m⁻² (M2), and 450 plants·m⁻² (M3). The effects of planting density on the source-sink relationship and yield were systematically investigated. The results showed that both Jingmai 17 (2.4–9.7%) and Jimai 22 (1.4–10.6%) exhibited the most significant yield increases under the M2 treatment. This density maintained photosynthetic capacity during the mid-to-late grain-filling stage, delayed leaf senescence, promoted assimilate translocation to the grains, and simultaneously improved grain number per spike and thousand-grain weight by optimizing source-sink coordination efficiency. Compared with Jimai 22, the hybrid wheat Jingmai 17 demonstrated a significant yield advantage (8.2–10.1%), which was attributed to its stronger and more persistent source function, larger and more stable sink capacity, and higher source-sink coordination efficiency. In conclusion, under late-sowing conditions, the hybrid variety Jingmai 17 at a density of 300 plants·m⁻² achieved the most effective optimization of the source-sink relationship, fully exploited its yield potential, and achieved a balance between high and stable yield. This study provides a theoretical and practical cultivation reference for the selection of hybrid wheat varieties in this region. Full article

This study examines how the Alkali–Silica Reaction (ASR) modifies chloride transport and chloride-induced corrosion (CIC) in reinforced concrete beams. Non-reactive and reactive concrete beams were cast with blue metal and dacite aggregates and subjected to a two-stage exposure: (i) alkali-rich immersion at 38 °C to induce ASR, and (ii) impressed-current CIC and NT BUILD 492 chloride migration testing. Microstructural changes were characterized using SEM–EDS and TGA. The reactive specimens developed extensive surface cracking, but after one year of ASR exposure, exhibited 47–53% lower non-steady-state migration coefficients (Dnssm: 7.03–8.02 × 10⁻¹² m²/s) than the non-reactive beam (15.09 × 10⁻¹² m²/s). After two years, Dnssm was reduced by approximately 37–56% (4.78–6.93 vs. 10.92 × 10⁻¹² m²/s). Crack mapping confirmed higher crack density and width in reactive beams, while SEM–EDS and TGA evidenced Ca depletion and the formation of C–(N,K)–S–H gels, which fill cracks and refine the pore structure. Electrical resistance monitoring showed earlier corrosion initiation in ASR-damaged beams but less pronounced resistance loss during the propagation phase. Overall, the results indicate that ASR can initially accelerate corrosion initiation through microcracking and reduced resistivity, but long-term gel deposition can partially seal transport paths and lower chloride migration under the specific conditions of this study. Full article

Horizontal wells combined with multi-stage fracturing are key techniques for extracting tight oil formation. However, due to the ultra-low permeability and porosity of reservoirs, energy depletion occurs rapidly, necessitating external supplements to sustain production. During the hydraulic fracturing process, large volumes of fracturing fluid are injected into reservoirs, increasing its pressure to a certain extent. However, due to the oil-wet nature of the formation, the fracturing fluid cannot penetrate the rock, failing to enhance oil recovery during the shut-in period. Surfactant-based nanofluids have been introduced as fracturing fluid additives to reverse rock wettability, thereby boosting imbibition-driven recovery. Although the imbibition has been studied to inspire the tight oil recovery, few studies have demonstrated the imbibition in enhanced fossil hydrogen energy, which further promotes the imbibition recovery. In this paper, complex nanofluid dispersions (CND) have been proved to enhance the tight reservoir pressure. Through contact angle and imbibition experiments, it is shown that CND can transform oil-wet rock to water-wet, reduce the adhesion of oil, and improve the ultimate oil recovery through the imbibition effect. Then, core flow testing experiments were conducted to show CND can decrease the flow resistance and improve the swept area of the injected fluid. In the end, pressure transmission tests were conducted to show CND can enhance the formation energy and production after fracturing. Results demonstrate that CND enables the fracturing fluid to travel further away from the hydraulic fractures, thus decreasing the depletion of tight formation pressure and maintaining a higher oil production rate. Results help optimize the design of the hydraulic fracturing of tight offshore reservoirs. Full article