Time Of Formation Research Articles

AgNPs-GO Liquid Bandage is antibacterial and accelerates cutaneous wound healing in mouse model

BackgroundThe liquid bandage is a popular choice for superficial wounds due to its convenient application, comfortable feel, attractive appearance, and waterproof properties. It has gained popularity among consumers in recent years. On the other hand, silver-loaded graphene oxide nanoparticles are composite materials that combine carbon and metal. They possess exceptional performance and well-established manufacturing techniques, and have been extensively studied and developed in various areas such as antimicrobial materials, photocatalysis, and semiconductors. These nanoparticles are commonly used as antimicrobial agents in antimicrobial packaging materials, antimicrobial coatings, and antimicrobial wound dressings. ResultsThe study aimed to develop a new type of liquid bandage that has antimicrobial properties. This was achieved by incorporating silver-loaded graphene oxide nanoparticles into the liquid bandage. We measured various physical properties of the liquid bandage, such as film formation time, water resistance, and breathability, to assess its effectiveness as a bandage. We also conducted in vitro antimicrobial experiments to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of the liquid bandage. The results showed that the liquid bandages exhibited some antimicrobial activity, indicating their potential for preventing infection. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated that the liquid bandage was non-toxic to cells and had good biocompatibility, suggesting its safety for use on wounds. Finally, in vivo wound healing experiments conducted on mice showed that the liquid bandage effectively promoted wound healing. Overall, this study successfully developed a novel liquid bandage with antimicrobial properties, good biocompatibility, and wound healing capabilities. Significance and NoveltyThe AgNPs-GO liquid bandage is expected to be a valuable tool in the medical field for improving wound treatment. It possesses antimicrobial properties. Additionally, it has good biocompatibility, meaning it is well-suited for use in the body and does not cause harm to cells. This liquid bandage also promotes wound healing, which can lead to faster recovery times for patients. Overall, the AgNPs-GO liquid bandage has the potential to greatly enhance the effectiveness of wound treatment.

Garnet stability during crustal melting: Implications for chemical mohometry and secular change in arc magmatism and continent formation

Understanding how new felsic crust is formed and subsequently evolves through time is critical to identifying the geodynamic regimes that have dominated various parts of Earth history, and have important implications for feedbacks between the lithosphere and biosphere, such as controlling the influx of continental detritus into the oceans. In recent years, several trace element-based geochemical proxies have been proposed to allow determination of paleo-crustal thicknesses, which have been calibrated primarily using data collected from modern-day arcs. The application of these proxies through deep time has revealed surprising results, including the suggestion that the mid-Proterozoic continents were atypically thin compared to those in the Archean and the Phanerozoic; however, a range of factors may influence commonly cited trace element ratios (e.g. Sr/Y) rather than just crustal depth, leading to additional and unexpected magnitudes of uncertainty. Here we perform geochemical modelling to deduce the effect of variable bulk-rock composition and geothermal gradient on the trace element signature of felsic melts generated in arc systems. Using a range of protoliths representative of deep arc crust, the results show that considerable care must be taken when analysing simple trace element ratios of granitoid melts and making direct interpretations of the pressure of crystallisation. In particular, changes in geothermal gradients and differences in arc basalt composition impart strong controls on the relative stability of garnet and plagioclase during metamorphism and partial melting, and wide ranges of Sr/Y and La/Yb may be produced in derivative felsic melts produced at the same crustal depth. The interpretation of mid-Proterozoic continental arcs being atypically thin may instead be an artefact of underestimation of the active geothermal gradient at the time of magma formation, which acts to reduce Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, even in normal thickness (∼35–40 km) crust. Furthermore, we argue that the potentially garnet-free residua during the formation of mid-Proterozoic felsic magmas points to crust formation without lower crustal foundering, and thus, that this commonly invoked paradigm for formation of the continental crust may only be applicable to certain periods of Earth history.

PREDICTION OF ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESSES OF LOCAL DISSOLUTION OF STAINLESS STEELS. PART 2. ANALYTICAL AND SIMULATION MODELING OF PROCESS DYNAMICS

To analyze the process of pitting corrosion, a state graph was used, which displays the possible states of local dissolution of chromium-nickel steels, taking into account the additional state "unstable passivation of macropitting". The developed analytical model for calculating the process before the formation of stable pitting is based on homogeneous Markov chains. The calculation of conditional probabilities of system changes from one possible state to another determines the time in the VisualStudio 2010 environment on the platform of NetFramework using the C# programming language. A comparison of the calculation of states with “unstable passivation of macropitting” (UPM) and without it allowed us to establish for stainless steels (12X18N10T, 10X17N13M2T, 08X22N6T) that the formation time of stable pitting taking into account UPM is less than the formation time without it, but more for 08X22N6T steel, which is due to the increased chromium content in its composition. A simulation model (SM) has been created, which is based on the Monte Carlo method, in which a random number generator is used to implement random processes of local dissolution due to SM, a sequence of states in which the system is located before its transition to a stable state is obtained. Also, due to this model, it became possible to consider the change in the potential of the system in the process of local dissolution of the studied steels. The use of two modeling approaches taking into account the state of the UPM allowed us to establish that IT is better consistent with experimental results both on a quantitative and qualitative level. An algorithm for selecting the values of the mode parameters is proposed, which became the basis for predicting the formation of macropitting processes. For citation: Vinogradova S.S. Prediction of electrochemical processes of local dissolution of stainless steels Part 2. Analytical and simulation modeling of process dynamics. ChemChemTech [Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved. Khim. Khim. Tekhnol.]. 2024. V. 67. N 6. P. 119-126. DOI: 10.6060/ivkkt.20246706.6972.

SUBSTANTIATION OF METHOD FOR LEVELING INJECTIVITY PROFILE UNDER CONDITIONS OF CARBONATE RESERVOIRS OF FIELD NAMED AFTER R. TREBSA

At the moment, the issue of reducing water cut during the development of carbonate fractured reservoirs is relevant. In the work, the object of the study is the carbonate deep reservoirs of the R. Trebs field. According to the field development analysis, there are production wells with sharp unpredictable breakthrough of injected water.In order to increase the coverage of pay zones by waterflooding, it is necessary to use methods aimed at limiting the filtration of injected water into water-flooded intervals.High formation temperature and mineralization of formation water are complicating factors in the selection of the injection profile alignment (runway) technology.Taking into account the criteria specified in the work, potential candidates for testing the technology were selected for the runway.The article analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the existing runway methods used when exposed to injection wells. The criteria for the applicability of various technologies based on the use of: polymer/gel compositions, emulsion compositions, including reverse emulsions, injection of aqueous salt solutions, silicate, thermotropic and complex reagents are highlighted. Technologies and compositions based on water-soluble polymers that form viscoelastic compositions when crosslinkers of various nature are added are recognized as the most promising for the conditions of the fractured reservoir of the Trebs field.Particular attention is paid to laboratory experiments aimed at studying the physical and chemical properties of crosslinked polymer systems, conducting filtration experiments, determining the applicability of the technology for the geological and physical conditions of the study object.According to the results of physicochemical experiments, such parameters as the time of dissolution of reagents, compatibility with formation water, time and temperature of gelling were determined. Based on the shear test, rheological parameters of the investigated polymer systems are determined. Testing was carried out to determine the conditions under which the crosslinked polymer composition breaks down.Filtration experiments were carried out on linear and volumetric models of the formation using core material from the Trebs field to determine the reagent with the highest colmating abilities calculated from the residual resistance factor.

Mechanical Dewatering of Homogeneous and Segregated Filter Cakes by Vibration Compaction

The solid volume fraction of a slurry requiring solid–liquid separation often fluctuates in industrial cake filtration processes. For low solid volume fractions, particle segregation arises, resulting in an inhomogeneous filter cake structure. Particle segregation has significant impacts on cake formation such as a longer cake formation time compared to homogeneous cakes. This work addresses the impact of this effect on vibration compaction, which is an alternative deliquoring method applying oscillatory shears to the filter cake. The dewatering results of homogeneous and segregated cakes made of the same material with a broad particle size distribution are compared. Although cake deliquoring is achievable despite particle segregation, vibration compaction is more effective for homogeneous cakes. The reason is that no particle size homogenization within segregated cakes occurs due to oscillatory shear, as particle size analyses indicate. The particle size measurements of cakes before and after vibration compaction reveal that the material’s particle size distribution is preserved despite vibration application. Vibration compaction achieves higher deliquoring than the common compaction method by squeezing, as elastic recovery effects after squeezing lead to the reabsorbing of liquid, already expressed and stored in the filter cloth. This demonstrates that vibration compaction is a real alternative for cake deliquoring.

Generation mechanism of overpressures caused by disequilibrium compaction in the northwestern Bozhong subbasin, China

In sedimentary basins, deep-seated overpressure conditions are frequently encountered. However, the precise origins of these overpressure conditions and the assessment of their formation times have long presented challenges. Previous studies have primarily relied on qualitative approaches to investigate overpressure origins, leading to substantial uncertainties in their findings. Based on theories such as the effective stress law, disequilibrium compaction, equilibrium depth, and nested fluid trapping containers in this paper, a new quantitative methodology is introduced for identifying the disequilibrium-compaction-induced origins of overpressure conditions. Additionally, the formation times of overpressure can be also estimated by nested fluid trapping container theory. This methodology is successfully applied to the northwestern Bozhong subbasin in the Bohai Bay Basin, China. The results indicate that the overpressure within the Dongying Formation of the northwestern Bozhong subbasin is primarily attributed to the disequilibrium compaction of mudstone, because the disequilibrium compaction of mudstone accounts for over 90% of the pressure in sandstone. Furthermore, the overpressure system in this area is not singular but comprises multiple nested relative fluid trapping containers. The application of nested fluid trapping container theory allows for an estimation of the overpressure’s formation time, although further validation of these estimates is required. It should be noted that the method proposed in this paper is particularly suited for sedimentary basins with relatively weak tectonic activity.

Influence of breach parameter models on hazard classification of off-stream reservoirs

The classification of dams or off-stream reservoirs concerning potential hazards in the event of failure often involves the use of two-dimensional hydraulic models for computing floodwave effects. These models necessitate defining breach geometry and formation time, for which various parametric models have been proposed. These models yield different values for average breach width, time of failure, and consequently, peak flows, as demonstrated by several researchers. This study analyzed the effect of selecting a breach parametric model on the hydraulic variables, potential damages, and hazard classification of structures. Three common parametric models were compared using a set of synthetic cases and a real off-stream reservoir. Results indicated significant effects of model choice. Material erodibility exerted a significant impact, surpassing that of failure mode. Other factors, such as the Manning coefficient, significantly affected the results. Utilizing an inadequate model or lacking information on dike material can lead to overly conservative or underestimated outcomes, thereby affecting hazard classification.

Research progress on cambium activity and radial growth dynamics monitoring of coniferous species

The radial growth of trees plays a crucial role in determining forest carbon sequestration capacity. Understanding the growth dynamics of trees and their response to environmental factors is essential for predicting forest's carbon sink potential under future climate change. Coniferous forest trees are particularly sensitive to climate change, with growth dynamics responding rapidly to environmental shifts. We collected and analyzed data from 99 papers published between 1975 and 2023, and examined the effects of exogenous factors (such as temperature, water, and photoperiod) and endogenous factors (including tree age and species) on cambial activity and radial growth in conifers. We further explored the mechanisms underlying these effects. The results showed that climate warming had the potential to advance the onset while delayed the end of xylem differentiation stages in conifers in temperate and boreal regions. Water availability played a crucial role in regulating the timing of cambial phenology and wood formation by influencing water potential and cell turgor. Additionally, the photoperiod not only participated in regulating the start and end times of growth, but also influenced the timing of maximum growth rate occurrence. Future climate warming was expected to extend the growing season, leading to increase in growth of conifers in boreal regions and expanding forests to higher altitudes or latitudes. However, changes in precipitation patterns and increased evapotranspiration resulting from temperature increases might advance the end of growing season and reduce growth rate in arid areas. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between radial growth and climatic factors, it is necessary to develop process-based models to elucidate the physiological mechanisms underlying wood formation and the response of trees to climatic factors.

The timing of wood formation in peatland trees as obtained with different approaches

Dendrometers offer valuable insights into how tree growth responds to climatic variables and physiological processes over the course of a year. Yet, their applicability to extremely slow-growing trees, such as those in peatlands, has been limited due to the intricate and slow nature of growth, therefore rendering interpretation of results complex. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive monitoring of tree wood formation in both peatland and mineral soil ecosystems in southern Sweden (58.37 N, 12.17 E, 75 m asl) in 2021 and 2022, using both band and point dendrometers. To verify and validate the dendrometer data, we also sampled microcores every two weeks during both growing seasons. We find that peatland trees grow at approximately 30 % the rate of their neighbors on mineral soils. The onset of growth among peatland trees typically occurs between mid-May and early June, consistently lagging the start of the growing season in trees on mineral soils by one to three weeks. Notably, growth peaks are synchronized across peatland trees and coincide with the summer solstice. Both types of dendrometers exhibit varying degrees of accuracy depending on the phenological stages measured. They perform well in identifying growth onset and peak but are less effective at detecting growth cessation. Point dendrometers demonstrate superior accuracy as they better capture daily irreversible growth increments. In the case of band dendrometers, growth increments are obscured by greater reversible fluctuations in dead bark tissues. However, they remain valuable for tracking the wood phenology of trees with growth rates exceeding 2 mm/year. Based on our results, for an effective tree monitoring in peatlands, we strongly recommend (1) using point dendrometers and (2) removing the dead bark tissues on monitored trees.

Neutrophil extracellular traps formation may be involved in the association of propranolol with the development of portal vein thrombosis

Background & aimsNonselective β blockers (NSBBs) facilitate the development of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in liver cirrhosis. Considering the potential effect of NSBBs on neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), we speculated that NSBBs might promote the development of PVT by stimulating neutrophils to release NETs. Materials and methodsSerum NETs biomarkers were measured, use of NSBBs was recorded, and PVT was evaluated in cirrhotic patients. Carbon tetrachloride and ferric chloride (FeCl3) were used to induce liver fibrosis and PVT in mice, respectively. After treatment with propranolol and DNase I, neutrophils in peripheral blood, colocalization and expression of NETs in PVT specimens, and NETs biomarkers in serum were measured. Ex vivo clots lysis analysis was performed and portal vein velocity and coagulation parameters were tested. ResultsSerum MPO-DNA level was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients treated with NSBBs, and serum H3Cit and MPO-DNA levels were significantly higher in those with PVT. In fibrotic mice, following treatment with propranolol, DNase I significantly shortened the time of FeCl3-induced PVT formation, lowered the peripheral blood neutrophils labelled by CD11b/Ly6G, inhibited the positive staining of H3Cit and the expression of H3Cit and MPO proteins in PVT tissues, and reduced serum nucleosome level. Furthermore, the addition of DNase I to tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) significantly accelerated clots lysis as compared with tPA alone. Propranolol reduced portal vein velocity in fibrotic mice, but did not influence coagulation parameters. ConclusionOur study provides a clue to the potential impact of NETs formation on the association of NSBBs with the development of PVT.

Abstract 140: Exploring Protein Kinase C Theta (PKCθ) Signaling In The Generation Of Procoagulant Platelet: Insights From Phosphoproteomics And Systems Analysis

Background: Platelet activation plays a pivotal role in physiological hemostasis and thrombosis. Protein Kinase C theta (PKCθ) isoforms exert significant regulatory influence on platelet activation. While specific PKC family members have well-defined roles in platelet function, the roles of PKCθ remain less explored. Objectives: To determine mechanisms of PKCθ signaling that orchestrate procoagulant platelet generation. Methods: Platelets were prepared from healthy human donors for ex vivo experiments. Platelet signaling and function were studied following stimulation with GPVI agonist crosslinked collagen-related peptide (CRP-XL). To investigate PKCθ inhibition mechanisms in platelets, small molecule inhibitors targeting the PKCθ (CC-90005 and C20) were employed. Results: From phosphoproteomics, we noted prominent phosphorylation on the C-terminus PKCθ at Ser685. Pretreatment of platelets with inhibitors specific PKC isoforms revealed that PKCα/β, PKCθ, and PKCΔ activities determine PKCθ Ser685 phosphorylation. From the PKC Inhibitors Activity Curves, we noted a robust and selective inhibitory impact of CC-90005 on PKCθ, with specificity surpassing that of C20. Parallel platelet function analyses revealed that inhibiting PKCθ had minimal impact on platelet spreading and aggregation. However, PKCθ inhibition in the presence of Ca 2+ upregulated platelet phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, as measured by flow cytometry. This was accompanied by an increase in platelet procoagulant activity, where PKCθ inhibition reduced the lag time for fibrin formation. Furthermore, fluorescence microscopy also found that PKCθ inhibition significantly augmented the proportion of procoagulant platelets and microparticles. Additionally, compared to the control group, the use of cyclosporin A (CsA) reduced the production of procoagulant platelets, but the addition of CC-90005 or C20 rescued this phenomenon, with signal intensity surpassing that of the control group. Conclusions: Our study proposes a model wherein PKCΔ and PKCα/β activities induce the phosphorylation of PKCθ at S685, influencing mitochondrial calcium signaling and supporting procoagulant platelet generation.

Axionic defects in the CMB: birefringence and gravitational waves

The evidence for a non-vanishing isotropic cosmic birefringence in recent analyses of the CMB data provides a tantalizing hint for new physics. Domain wall (DW) networks have recently been shown to generate an isotropic birefringence signal in the ballpark of the measured value when coupled to photons. In this work, we explore the axionic defects hypothesis in more detail and extending previous results to annihilating and late-forming networks, and by pointing out other smoking-gun signatures of the network in the CMB spectrum such as the anisotropic birefringent spectrum and B-modes. We also argue that the presence of cosmic strings in the network does not hinder a large isotropic birefringence signal because of an intrinsic environmental contribution coming from low redshifts thus leaving open the possibility that axionic defects can explain the signal. Regarding the remaining CMB signatures, with the help of dedicated 3D numerical simulations of DW networks, that we took as a proxy for the axionic defects, we show how the anisotropic birefringence spectrum combined with a tomographic approach can be used to infer the formation and annihilation time of the network. From the numerical simulations, we also computed the spectrum of gravitational waves (GWs) generated by the network in the post-recombination epoch and use previous searches for stochastic GW backgrounds in the CMB to derive for the first time a bound on the tension and abundance of networks with DWs that annihilate after recombination. Our bounds extend to the case where the network survives until the present time and improve over previous bounds by roughly one order of magnitude. Finally, we show the interesting prospects for detecting B-modes of DW origin with future CMB experiments.

Simulation-based approach for the optimization of ground freezing in tunneling

Artificial ground freezing is used in tunnelling for temporary ground improvement primarily to control groundwater flow and provide excavation support. The principle of ground freezing is based on freeze pipes bored into the ground where a coolant flows through the freeze pipes. Eventually, the ground freezing process converts pore water into ice by withdrawing the heat from the soil. In tunneling, artificial ground freezing is applied to form a closed arch frozen ground around the tunnel. Under the presence of high seepage flow, the formation time of the frozen arch is delayed. In some cases, it cannot be formed, leading to high construction costs or unsafe temporary frozen ground support. This study proposes a strategy for systematically reducing the freezing time through an optimal design arrangement of the freeze pipes. The strategy is based on the combination of the numerical modeling of the ground freezing process using a multifield finite element model in conjunction with a surrogate model to enable real-time prediction.

Modeling Molecular Hydrogen in Low-metallicity Galaxies

We use a suite of hydrodynamics simulations of the interstellar medium (ISM) within a galactic disk, which includes radiative transfer, a nonequilibrium model of molecular hydrogen, and a realistic model for star formation and feedback, to study the structure of the ISM and H2 abundance as a function of local ISM properties. We show that the star formation rate and structure of the ISM are sensitive to the metallicity of the gas with a progressively smoother density distribution with decreasing metallicity. In addition to the well-known trend of the H I–H 2 transition shifting to higher densities with decreasing metallicity, the maximum achieved molecular fraction in the ISM drops drastically at Z ≲ 0.2 Z ⊙ as the formation time of H2 becomes much longer than a typical lifetime of dense regions of the ISM. We present accurate fitting formulae for both volumetric and projected fH2 measured on different scales as a function of gas metallicity, UV radiation field, and gas density. We show that when the formulae are applied to the patches in the simulated galaxy, the overall molecular gas mass is reproduced to better than a factor of ≲1.5 across the entire range of metallicities and scales. We also show that the presented fit is considerably more accurate than any of the previous fH2 models and fitting formulae in the low-metallicity regime. The fit can thus be used for modeling molecular gas in low-resolution simulations and semi-analytic models of galaxy formation in the dwarf and high-redshift regimes.

Contractional strains and maximum displacement-length ratios of lunar wrinkle ridges in four Maria of basalt

Compressional stresses from the basalt basins on the lunar are responsible for the formation of wrinkle ridges in lunar mare basalts. According to the wide angle multispectral camera (WAC) mosaic image, we selected 62, 75, 73, and 58 single wrinkle ridges in Mare Imbrium, Mare Serenitatis, Mare Fecunditatis, and Mare Tranquillitatis, respectively, for this paper. Several topographic profiles near the midpoint of each wrinkle ridge are generated to measure the maximum displacement (Dmax) and height of the wrinkle ridges using digital elevation model (LOLA) data. After that, we create 2D plots of displacement-length (L) for the ridge population in the four Maria and compare the results. A linear fit method derives the Dmax/L ratios (γ) from the D-L data. We calculated the contractional strains in each mare area based on the cap D sub m a. x over cap L data. Moreover, each mare's gravity pattern, mare thickness, and formation age are also presented. The ridges in Mare Imbrium and Mare Serenitatis have a higher γ value (1.83 × 10−2 and 1.98 × 10−2) than the ridges in Mare Fecunditatis and Mare Tranquillitatis, which have γ values of (1.67 × 10−2 and 1.75 × 10−2). Finally, the contractional strains (ε) in Mare Imbrium, Mare Serenitatis, Mare Fecunditatis, and Mare Tranquillitatis are estimated to be 0.23 %, 0.41 %, 0.39 %, and 0.18 % (considering 25° is the fault plane dip θ), respectively. The maximum values of the free-air gravity anomalies in Mare Fecunditatis range from −30 to 250 mGal, while minimum gravity anomalies in Mare Serenitatis range from −80 to 140 mGal. Mare Imbrium, Mare Serenitatis, Mare Fecunditatis, and Mare Tranquillitatis have an average thickness of 300 m, 910 m, 652 m, and 760 m, respectively. Furthermore, the Mare Imbrium ridge group is older than the Lunar Wrinkle Ridges in Mare Serenitatis. Mare Tranquillitatis ridge group formation takes longer than Mare Imbrium ridge group formation. Therefore, we believe that it has thicker basaltic units, a longer wrinkle ridge formation time, and higher gravity anomaly than the Mare Imbrium and Mare Serenitatis basins, even though the formation of the Mare Tranquillitatis and Mare Fecunditatis basins occurred earlier.

Isolation and Analysis of the Palynomorphs from Khadro Formation Exposed at Ranikot Fort Area Sindh, Pakistan

Seventeen (17) palynomorphs were found from the Khadro Formation comprises of sandstone, shale, and limestone exposed at Ranikot Fort area Sindh, Pakistan. Palynomorphs are microfossils, possessing organic-walled microscopic organisms, their size range is from 5-500 µ (micrometers). Majority of the samples contained angiospermic and algal microfossils. Algal remains indicated the prevalence of sub-tropical to tropical climate, in which marine environmental species were Chaetomorpha akineta, Zygnema terrestre and Synechococcus aeruginosus and also including fresh water species such as, Pinnularia denticulata, Oscillatoria vizagapatensis and Genecularia sp. Arecaceae & Nymphaeaceae also indicated the fresh water vegetation. The fungal counterparts viz,; Dicellaesporites minutus inferred the deposition time of Khadro Formation and the environmental conditions was humid, hot, and with heavy rain fall. Presence of the Pteriodophytic spores (Laevigatosporites sp.) indicated that environment was deltaic, swampy and being estuarine. From Palynomorphs of different groups based on distribution pattern, confirms that during deposition time of Khadro Formation at early environmental condition was hot.

Assessment of Various Substrates for Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinula edodes) Cultivation in the Agro-Climatic Conditions of West Bengal

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different substrates on various stages of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) cultivation to optimize growth and yield. Study Design: A Completely Randomized Design with three replications for each treatment was employed to ensure statistical reliability. Duncan's multiple range tests were utilized at a significance level of 5% to evaluate differences between treatments. Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted at the Mushroom Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), located in Sriniketan, Birbhum district, West Bengal, throughout the year 2023. Methodology: Different substrates including lentil husks, rice straw, wheat straw, sawdust, and mustard pods were evaluated for their impact on spawn run completion, mycelial bump formation, and sporocarp formation durations. Each substrate's performance was assessed in terms of sporocarp production and biological efficiency. Results: Across the three strains (LE-01, LE-02, and LE-03), lentil husks consistently exhibited the shortest spawn run duration, averaging 34.59 to 37.00 days. Following closely, wheat straw displayed favorable performance with durations ranging from 39.20 to 41.23 days. Sawdust also proved efficient, albeit slightly longer than lentil husks and wheat straw. Conversely, maize cobs and sugarcane bagasse exhibited longer spawn run durations, averaging from 57.80 to 64.90 days. For mycelial bump formation, lentil husks again showed the shortest duration, averaging 42.67 to 45.77 days across the strains. Wheat straw followed suit with durations ranging from 48.93 to 50.20 days, while sawdust demonstrated favorable times albeit slightly longer. Conversely, maize cobs and sugarcane bagasse exhibited longer mycelial bump formation times, ranging from 68.11 to 74.40 days. For sporocarp formation, lentil husks and sawdust emerged as top performers with the shortest durations, averaging 76.66 to 81.52 days. Conversely, maize cobs exhibited the longest sporocarp formation time, averaging 97.43 days. In terms of sporocarp yield, rice straw yielded the highest, averaging 27.67 sporocarps per bag, followed by wheat straw with 24.33 sporocarps per bag. Lentil husks, while efficient in other aspects, produced an average of 21.78 sporocarps per bag, trailing slightly behind rice straw and wheat straw. Regarding yield and biological efficiency, sawdust displayed superior performance, yielding an average of 384.57 grams per 750 grams of substrate with a biological efficiency of 51.18%. Lentil husks and rice straw exhibited comparable performance in yield and biological efficiency, with lentil husks yielding 367.81 grams and rice straw yielding 333.09 grams per 750 grams of substrate, both with biological efficiencies around 47-48%. Conversely, mustard pods exhibited the lowest yield and biological efficiency, averaging 269.02 grams per 750 grams of substrate with a biological efficiency of 35.91%. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of substrate selection in optimizing various stages of L. edodes cultivation. Lentil husks emerged as a promising substrate choice for rapid mycelial growth, but its sporocarp production lagged behind other substrates. Sawdust proved to be the top-performing substrate in terms of yield and biological efficiency, indicating its efficacy in supporting robust mushroom growth.

Overexpression of Larch SCL6 Inhibits Transitions from Vegetative Meristem to Inflorescence and Flower Meristem in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh.

SCARECROW-LIKE6 (SCL6) plays a role in the formation and maintenance of the meristem. In Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr., an important afforestation tree species in China, SCL6 (LaSCL6) has two alternative splicing variants-LaSCL6-var1 and LaSCL6-var2-which are regulated by microRNA171. However, their roles are still unclear. In this study, LaSCL6-var1 and LaSCL6-var2 were transformed into the Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. genome, and the phenotypic characteristics of transgenic A. thaliana, including the germination percentage, root length, bolting time, flower and silique formation times, inflorescence axis length, and branch and silique numbers, were analyzed to reveal their functions. It was found that LaSCL6-var1 and LaSCL6-var2 overexpression shortened the root length by 41% and 31%, respectively, and increased the inflorescence axis length. Compared with the wild type, the bolting time in transgenic plants was delayed by approximately 2-3 days, the first flower and silique formation times were delayed by approximately 3-4 days, and the last flower and silique formation times were delayed by about 5 days. Overall, the life cycle in transgenic plants was prolonged by approximately 5 days. These results show that LaSCL6 overexpression inhibited the transitions from the vegetative meristem to inflorescence meristem and from the flower meristem to meristem arrest in A. thaliana, revealing the roles of LaSCL6-var1 and LaSCL6-var2 in the fate transition and maintenance of the meristem.

Model test study on the formation of basin-shaped freezing range in sandy gravel stratum under seepage conditions

The basin-shaped freezing method has a wide range of engineering application prospects because it is environmentally friendly and not sensitive to the depth of the phreatic layer. Based on the similarity theory, multiple sets of model tests were performed to study the development of the basin-shaped freezing range and analyse the influence of seepage velocity, the distance between the freeze pipes and the refrigerant temperature. The test results revealed that, under the influence of group pipe effect, the cooling rate in the middle of the basin bottom was the fastest, and the formation time was the shortest. A single factor had no noticeable impact on the formation time of the closed basin bottom. However, the formation speed of the top surface of basin wall was the slowest under the influence of boundary effect and was significantly influenced by various factors. When the basin wall freeze pipes were arranged with the same spacing along and perpendicular to the water flow direction, the formation time of the top surface of the basin wall perpendicular to the water flow direction was the longest. When the spacing of the freeze pipes along the water flow direction was greater than that perpendicular to the water flow direction, attention should be given to the temperature of the top surface of the basin wall in both directions. The empirical relationships between the formation time of the basin wall and the distance between freeze pipes and the seepage velocity were obtained through regression analysis.

Formation of the four terrestrial planets in the Jupiter–Saturn chaotic excitation scenario: fundamental properties and water delivery

The Jupiter–Saturn chaotic excitation (JSCE) scenario proposes that the protoplanetary disk was dynamically excited and depleted beyond ∼1–1.5 au in a few Myr, offering a new and plausible explanation for several observed properties of the inner solar system. Here, we expanded our previous work by conducting a comprehensive analysis of 37 optimal terrestrial planet systems obtained in the context of the JSCE scenario. Each optimal system harbored exactly four terrestrial planets analogs to Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. We further investigated water delivery, feeding zones, and accretion history for the planet analogs, which allowed us to better constrain the water distribution in the disk. The main findings of this work are as follows: 1) the formation of four terrestrial planets with orbits and masses similar to those observed in our solar system in most of our sample, as evidenced by the dynamically colder and hotter orbits of Venus–Earth and Mercury–Mars analogs, and the high success rates of similar mutual orbital separations (∼40–85%) and mass ratios of the planets (∼70–90%) among the 37 systems; and 2) water was delivered to all terrestrial planets during their formation through the accretion of water-bearing disk objects from beyond ∼1–1.5 au. The achievement of Earth’s estimated bulk water content required the disk to contain sufficient water mass distributed within those objects initially. This requirement implies that Mercury, Venus, and Mars acquired water similar to the amount on Earth during their formation. Several of our planet analogs also matched additional constraints, such as the timing of Moon formation by a giant impact, Earth’s late accretion mass and composition, and Mars’s formation timescale.