High Yield Research Articles

Study on liver tissue derived-extracellular vesicles regulating the osteogenic differentiation ability of mesenchymal stem cells and promoting the healing of jaw bone defects

Objective: To explore the biological process of liver tissue-derived extracellular vesicle (LT-EV) in promoting osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and healing of jaw defects to provide a feasible treatment method for the clinical treatment of jaw bone defects. Methods: Enzymatic hydrolysis and differential centrifugation were used to extract LT-EV, scanning electron microscopy, Western blotting, and nanoparticle tracking analyzers were used to identify and characterize LT-EV, and further to explore the biological functions of LT-EV through proteomics and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Flow cytometry was used to detect LT-EV plasma concentration and to calculate the plasma half-life of LT-EV. Small animal in vivo imaging system was used to detect the biological distribution of LT-EV 24 hours after injection. Six C57BL/6 mice were divided into control group and LT-EV group (3 mice in each group) by simple random sampling method. All mice underwent jaw bone defect surgery and tail vein injection every 7 days (the control group was injected with phosphoric buffer saline, LT-EV group was injected with LT-EV), micro-CT was used to evaluate the degree of mouse jaw bone healing 28 days after surgery, HE staining was used to analyze the multi-organ biosafety of LT-EV, and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the jaw bone expression of osteogenic marker proteins in the defect area. Human jaw bone mesenchymal stem cells (hJBMSC) induced by osteogenic differentiation were treated with LT-EV (obtained from orthognathic surgery patients provided by the Department of Traumatology and Orthognathic Surgery of School of Stomatology of The Fourth Military Medical University resected normal jaw bone fragments), and the difference in osteogenic differentiation ability between the hJBMSC group and the control group (phosphate buffer saline treatment) was compared, and the in vitro bone differentiation promoting effect of LT-EV was verified through alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results: The yield of LT-EV was high, and proteomics and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes showed that LT-EV contained a series of proteins that regulated cell biological functions. LT-EV injected into the tail vein could reach the mouse jaw bone defect area and promote the regeneration and repair of the jaw bone defect [the bone volume fractions of the LT-EV group and the control group were (36.06±4.20)% and (18.58±5.61)%, respectively; t=4.32, P=0.013], and had good biosafety. LT-EV could promote osteogenic differentiation of hJBMSC in vitro. Compared to the control group, ALP staining and osteogenic gene expression levels were significantly enhanced after osteogenic differentiation of hJBMSC (P<0.05). Conclusions: LT-EV exhibits a high yield, ease of acquisition, high biological safety, and excellent bone-promoting effects. It holds promise as a novel cell-free therapy strategy for regenerating craniofacial bone defects.

Ferrocene-based amides, amines and alcohols as a platform for the design and synthesis of redox-active hybrids: Synthesis, electrochemical and computational studies

Herein we report on the synthesis and characterization of a number of the simplest ferrocenes, namely Fc-amides (4a-i), Fc-amines (5a-i) and Fc-alcohol (1), as starting materials for the synthesis of redox-active ferrocene-modified compounds. Suitable conditions allowed preparing a seria of various ferrocenes with aliphatic and aromatic substituents in good to high yields. The title products were characterized by 1H, 13C NMR, IR, ESI-MS analytical methods. The structure of ferrocenyl(ortho-chlorophenyl) methanol (1) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Geometrical parameters in compound 1 were calculated using the ab initio MP2/6-31G* method and based on the advanced DFT calculations, DFT wb97xd/6-31G* and DFT wb97xd/6-311+G*. Electrochemical investigations by cyclic voltammetry revealed reversible redox processes for the ferrocenyl amides. Potentials were also calculated using two basis sets, 6-31G* and 6-311+G*, and demonstrated a high degree of correlation with experimental results.

High yield electrosynthesis of oxygenates from CO using a relay Cu-Ag co-catalyst system

As a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-based manufacture of bulk oxygenates, electrochemical synthesis using CO and H2O as raw materials at ambient conditions offers immense appeal. However, the upscaling of the electrosynthesis of oxygenates encounters kinetic bottlenecks arising from the competing hydrogen evolution reaction with the selective production of ethylene. Herein, a catalytic relay system that can perform in tandem CO capture, activation, intermediate transfer and enrichment on a Cu-Ag composite catalyst is used for attaining high yield CO-to-oxygenates electrosynthesis at high current densities. The composite catalyst Cu/30Ag (molar ratio of Cu to Ag is 7:3) enables high efficiency CO-to-oxygenates conversion, attaining a maximum partial current density for oxygenates of 800 mA cm−2 at an applied current density of 1200 mA cm−2, and with 67 % selectivity. The ability to finely control the production of ethylene and oxygenates highlights the principle of efficient catalyst design based on the relay mechanism.

Exome Sequencing has a high diagnostic rate in sporadic congenital hypopituitarism and reveals novel candidate genes.

The pituitary gland is key for childhood growth, puberty, and metabolism. Pituitary dysfunction is associated with a spectrum of phenotypes, from mild to severe. Congenital Hypopituitarism (CH) is the most commonly reported pediatric endocrine dysfunction with an incidence of 1:4000, yet low rates of genetic diagnosis have been reported. We aimed to unveil the genetic etiology of CH in a large cohort of patients from Argentina. We performed whole exome sequencing of 137 unrelated cases of CH, the largest cohort examined with this method to date. Of the 137 cases, 19.1% and 16% carried pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in known and new genes, respectively, while 28.2% carried variants of uncertain significance. This high yield was achieved through the integration of broad gene panels (genes described in animal models and/or other disorders), an unbiased candidate gene screen with a new bioinformatics pipeline (including genes high loss of function intolerance), and analysis of copy number variants. Three novel findings emerged. First, the most prevalent affected gene encodes the cell adhesion factor ROBO1. Affected children had a spectrum of phenotypes, consistent with a role beyond pituitary stalk interruption syndrome. Second, we found that CHD7 mutations also produce a phenotypic spectrum, not always associated with full CHARGE syndrome. Third, we add new evidence of pathogenicity in the genes PIBF1 and TBC1D32, and report 13 novel candidate genes associated with CH (e.g. PTPN6, ARID5B). Overall, these results provide an unprecedented insight into the diverse genetic etiology of hypopituitarism.

Unlocking Genetic Diversity and Germplasm Characterization with Molecular Markers: Strategies for Crop Improvement

Molecular markers have emerged as the most useful tools in assessment of genetic diversity and characterizing germplasm, for crop improvement. This review paper comprehensively analyzes the applications of molecular markers in diversity analysis and germplasm characterization. It underscores the significance of genetic diversity as the bedrock for plant breeding programs, enabling the development of improved varieties with desirable attributes such as higher yields, stress tolerance, and enhanced nutritional profiles. The paper provides an overview of various types of molecular markers, including hybridization-based markers (e.g., RFLPs) and PCR-based markers (e.g., RAPDs, AFLPs, SSRs, and SNPs). It discusses marker selection strategies, emphasizing the consideration of factors like polymorphism, informativeness, and the potential for multiplexing and high-throughput genotyping. Diversity analysis techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis methods (UPGMA and Neighbor-Joining), and population structure analysis (model-based approaches like STRUCTURE), are detailed. These methods enable the assessment of genetic relationships, identification of subpopulations, and selection of diverse parents based on molecular marker data. The review further explores the applications of molecular markers in germplasm management, conservation, and utilization. It discusses the role of markers in targeted introgression of desirable traits from diverse sources, as well as the integration of genotypic and phenotypic data for association mapping, genomic prediction, and selection. Additionally, the paper addresses emerging technologies, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and the integration of molecular markers with other omics data. It also highlights the practical applications and impact of molecular markers in crop improvement programs, including marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection, and the development of genetically modified crops. Finally, the review outlines challenges and future perspectives, including limitations0 of current technologies, the potential of emerging techniques like NGS, and the integration of molecular markers with other omics approaches for a comprehensive understanding of complex traits.

Synthesis and chromatographic isolation of blue, green, and orange emissive carbon dots with high quantum yields from Taraxacum

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as a novel class of fluorescent nanomaterials with superior optical properties and biocompatibility compared to traditional quantum dots. This study demonstrates a facile approach for synthesizing high quantum yield tricolor CDs from the natural precursor dandelion via a one-step solvothermal treatment. Chromatographic separation successfully yielded blue, green, and orange emissive CDs with emission peaks at 481 nm, 530 nm, and 587 nm respectively. Structural and optical characterization revealed the CDs possess excellent photostability, salt resistance, and thermal stability, alongside high quantum yields, measured at 43.8 %, 32.9 %, and 48.1 % for B-CDs, G-CDs, and O-CDs, respectively. Taking advantage of the unique properties of the tricolor CDs, their application in analytical sensing was explored using metal ion detection. The CDs displayed selective quenching responses towards Fe3+, Pb2+, and Sn4+ respectively, with strong anti-interference capabilities. This work provides a sustainable and efficient strategy for producing high-performance multicolor CDs, holding significant implications for reducing the synthesis cost of carbon dots and expanding their application spectrum.

Parabolic trough concentrator design, characterization, and application: solar wastewater purification targeting textile industry dyes and pharmaceuticals—techno-economic study

AbstractSolar energy, along with other renewable resources, has the potential to be a major contributor to solving environmental issues in the future, as illustrated by the most recent advancements in solar photocatalytic technology. Indeed, wastewater treatment using a parabolic solar collector for industrial processes is gaining ground owing to improved system performance and economic benefits. The fabricated parabolic trough collector (PTC) incorporates reflective, parabolic panels that focus solar energy onto a transparent tube positioned along the parabolic focal line, where solar-powered photochemical reactions occur. This study investigated the design, implementation, and effectiveness of a concentrated sunlight system for removing industrial dyes and emerging large-use pharmaceutical contaminants in the presence of H2O2 at a small demonstrator scale (10 L/h). A spectrophotometric assessment revealed that subjecting Remazol Brilliant Blue (RBB, 60 ppm) and ciprofloxacin (CIP, 10 ppm) to irradiation in the presence of 0.1 M H2O2 (RBB) or 0.01 M H2O2 (CIP) for 3 h resulted in a degradation rate exceeding 60% and 80%, respectively. Furthermore, the total organic content (TOC) analysis indicates a very high total removal yield for RBB. On these bases, a techno-economic analysis is produced, and economic viability is discussed. The data reveal that the annual costs for water treatment, considering investment, electricity, and catalyst expenses over a 12-month period are significantly lower for our PTC-based prototype than for a comparable artificial UV-based equipment.

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Flavonoids from Fagopyrum tataricum Bran

In this study, eleven kinds of flavonoids were identified from F. tataricum bran (FTB) by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, and HPLC-DAD analysis revealed that four compounds, including rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, and nicotiflorin, were the most significant components. Subsequently, natural deep eutectic solvent-based ultrasound-assisted extraction (NADES-UAE) was employed to extract flavonoids from FTB. Among the six kinds of NADES prepared, choline chloride–ethylene glycol (ChCl-EG) was identified as a promising candidate for extracting flavonoids due to its superior extraction performance. The extraction conditions were statistically investigated using response surface methodology conducted by Box-Behnken design (BBD). The optimal operational conditions were as follows: ultrasonic time 268 s, ultrasonic temperature 76 °C, and liquid–solid ratio 43 mL/g, which resulted in a high total flavonoid yield of 40.29 mg/g. Afterwards, the efficient extraction mechanism of NADES-UAE was comprehensively explored through FT-IR spectra, COSMO model, and microstructural analysis. In conclusion, NADES-UAE extraction is considered a green, efficient, and sustainable method for FTB flavonoids.

Environmental transport of excess nitrogen fertilizer in peach orchard: Evidence arising from 15N tracing trial

In pursuit of high fruit yield, overwhelming amount of nitrogen (N) fertilizer was unreasonably applied in orchard, resulting in lower fertilizer N uptake and higher environmental loss. It is crucial to propose appropriate fertilization timing and optimal N management by clarifying fruit tree N uptake pattern in orchard systems. Here, a 15N isotope enrichment trial was conducted in peach orchard to assess the transport of applied synthesized fertilizer-N to the plant and environment in the Taihu Lake region. Ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4, 10.12 atom % 15N), as the N source, was applied with four split applications at 382.5 kg N ha−1 during one plant growth cycle. Results showed N deriving from fertilizer (NDFF) accounted for 24.5% in leaves and 38.4% in fruits, respectively. During the annual growth cycle, the applied fertilizer-N uptake and utilization was higher in reproductive growth stage than vegetative growth stage. After harvest, 28.8% of applied fertilizer-N was absorbed by peach tree, 9.5% was lost to the environment through surface runoff, ammonia (NH3) volatilization and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission, 29.6% was retained in the 0–160 cm soil profile, the remaining 32.1% was unaccounted N including N leaching and N loss from the N removal progress. Generally, more applied fertilizer-N moved to the environment in high N input peach orchard. In order to promote optimal N management, the applied fertilizer-N rate should be reduced by 30% and emphasized on fertilization at the reproductive growth period according to tree N uptake pattern.

Fabrication of Carbon Dots with Singlet Oxygen Generation and Their Potential Photodynamic Therapy Applications.

Due to the unique chemical and biomedical properties of carbon dots (CDs), they have increasingly obtained the attention in many research fields, for example, bioimaging, fluorescence sensing, and drug delivery, etc. Recently, it was found that, under light excitation, CDs can also be exploited as a novel photosensitizer to prepare reactive oxygen species (ROS), which expand their applications in the field of photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment. Nevertheless, the high cost and complex fabrication approach of CDs significantly limit their applications. To address this issue, bottom-up routes usually utilize sustainable and inexpensive carbon precursor as starting materials, employed N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) or ethanol as an environmental-friendly solvent. Bottom-up approach was energy efficient, and the purification process was relatively simple by dialysis. Therefore, carbon dots (CDs) were facilely fabricated in a one-pot solvothermal process using 1-aminoanthraquinone as a precursor, and their application as photosensitizers for in vitro antitumor cells, especially photodynamic therapy (PDT) was established. Then the photophysical and nanoscale dimensions properties of the fabricated CDs were characterized via TEM, UV-visible, fluorescence, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The synthesized N-doped CDs can easily dissolve in water, possess very low biotoxicity, yellow-light emission (maximum peak at 587nm). More importantly, PDT studies demonstrated that the obtained CDs possess a high singlet oxygen yield of 35%, and exhibit significant phototoxicity to cancer cells upon 635nm laser irradiation. These studies highlight that N-doped CDs can be facilely synthesized from only one precursor, and are a potentially novel theranostic agent for in vivo PDT.

Probing Alzheimer's pathology: Exploring the next generation of FDDNP analogues for amyloid β detection

Fluorescent probes are a powerful tool for imaging amyloid β (Aβ) plaques, the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Herein, we report the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of 21 novel probes as well as their optical properties and binding affinities to Aβ fibrils. One of these dyes, 1Ae, exhibited several improvements over FDDNP, an established biomarker for Aβ- and Tau-aggregates. First, 1Ae had large Stokes shifts (138–213 nm) in various solvents, thereby reducing self-absorption. With a high quantum yield ratio (φ(dichloromethane/methanol) = 104), 1Ae also ensures minimal background emission in aqueous environments and high sensitivity. In addition, compound 1Ae exhibited low micromolar binding affinity to Aβ fibrils in vitro (Kd = 1.603 µM), while increasing fluorescence emission (106-fold) compared to emission in buffer alone. Importantly, the selective binding of 1Ae to Aβ1–42 fibrils was confirmed by an in cellulo assay, supported by ex vivo fluorescence microscopy of 1Ae on postmortem AD brain sections, allowing unequivocal identification of Aβ plaques. The intermolecular interactions of fluorophores with Aβ were elucidated by docking studies and molecular dynamics simulations. Density functional theory calculations revealed the unique photophysics of these rod-shaped fluorophores, with a twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) excited state. These results provide valuable insights into the future application of such probes as potential diagnostic tools for AD in vitro and ex vivo such as determination of Aβ1–42 in cerebrospinal fluid or blood.

The effect of balanced N, P, K, Ca, Mg fertilizer on soil and leaf nutrient and its correlation with growth and corn yield (Zea mays L.)

Fertilization in agricultural cultivation is important in increasing the supply of necessary nutrients for plants to achieve high yield and quality. This study aims to examine the balance of N,P,K,Ca, and Mg against nutrients in soil and plants and its correlation with the growth and yield of corn. There were 9 treatments of N, P, K, Ca, Mg fertilizer balance used, namely: control (A) and 1: 1: 1: 0: 0 (B); 0.25: 0.25: 0.25: 1: 1 (C); 0.5: 0.5: 0.5: 1: 1 (D); 0.75: 0.75: 0.75: 1: 1 (E); 1: 1:1: 1: 1 (F); 0.75: 0.75: 0.75: 0.25: 0.25 (G); 0.75: 0.75: 0.75: 0.5: 0.5 (H); 0.75: 0.75: 0.75: 0.75: 0.75 (I). Parameters observed included nutrients N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in soil and leaf, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, cob weight with and without husks, and cob length and diameter. The results showed that nutrient balance significantly affected nutrient levels in soil and leaf, plant growth, and yield of corn. N, P, K, Ca, Mg Fertilizer application with ratio 0.5: 0.5: 0.5: 1: 1 (D) increased soil N 100%, P 40%, K 108.33%, Ca 28.08%, Mg 30.17% higher than the control and plant leaf N, P, K, Ca, Mg about 101.60%, 12.50%, 10.13%, 50.98%, 101.41% respectively, thus providing higher growth and yield. There was a significant correlation between plant height with leaf N and K, stem diameter correlated with leaf Ca, and number of leaves correlated with Mg in corn leaf. Meanwhile, yield correlated with P.

Effect of Brønsted Acids on the Activation of Mixed Anhydride/Mixed Carbonic Anhydride and C-Terminal-Free N-Methylated Peptide Synthesis in a Micro-Flow Reactor.

Amidations employing mixed (carbonic) anhydrides have long been favoured in peptide synthesis because of their cost-effectiveness and less waste generation. Despite their long history, no study has compared the effects of additives on the activation of mixed anhydrides and carbonic anhydrides. In this study, we investigated the amidation of mixed (carbonic) anhydride in the presence of a base and/or Brønsted acids. The use of NMI·HCl significantly improved the conversion of the mixed carbonic anhydride, while expediting nucleophilic attacks on the desired carbonyl group. In contrast, in the case of mixed carbonic anhydrides, neither the conversion nor the desired nucleophilic attack improved significantly. We developed a C-terminus-free N-methylated peptide synthesis method using mixed carbonic anhydrides in a micro-flow reactor. Fourteen N-alkylated peptides were synthesized in moderate to high yields (55-99%) without severe racemization (<1%). Additionally, a significant enhancement in the amidation between mixed carbonic anhydrides and bis-TMS-protected N-methyl amino acids with the inclusion of NMI·HCl was observed for the first time. In addition, we observed unexpected C-terminal epimerization of the C-terminus-free N-methyl peptides.

Transforming waste into valuables: Preparation and evaluation of dual-ligand hydrophobic charge-induction chromatography using two poor performing ligands

In conventional chromatographic ligand screening, underperforming ligands are often dismissed. However, this practice may inadvertently overlook potential opportunities. This study aims to investigate whether these underperforming ligands can be repurposed as valuable assets. Hydrophobic charge-induction chromatography (HCIC) is chosen as the validation target for its potential as an innovative chromatographic mode. A novel dual-ligand approach is employed, combining two suboptimal ligands (5-Aminobenzimidazole and Tryptamine) to explore enhanced performance and optimization prospects. Various dual-ligand HCIC resins with different ligand densities were synthesized by adjusting the ligand ratio and concentration. The resins were characterized to assess appearance, functional groups, and pore features using SEM, FTIR, and ISEC techniques. Performance assessments were conducted using single-ligand mode resins as controls, evaluating the selectivity against human immunoglobulin G and human serum albumin. Static adsorption experiments were performed to understand pH and salt influence on adsorption. Breakthrough experiments were conducted to assess dynamic adsorption capacity of the novel resin. Finally, chromatographic separation using human serum was performed to evaluate the purity and yield of the resin. Results indicated that the dual-ligand HCIC resin designed for human antibodies demonstrates exceptional selectivity, surpassing not only single ligand states but also outperforming certain high-performing ligand types, particularly under specific salt and pH conditions. Ultimately, a high yield of 83.9 % and purity of 96.7 % were achieved in the separation of hIgG from human serum with the dual-ligand HCIC, significantly superior to the single-ligand resins. In conclusion, through rational design and proper operational conditions, the dual-ligand mode can revitalize underutilized ligands, potentially introducing novel and promising chromatographic modes.

N-doped carbon nanotube arrays Encapsuled with cobalt‑nickel alloy as superior free-standing electrodes for ultrahigh-rate hydrogen peroxide production

Electrocatalytic oxygen reduction via the two-electron pathway (2e−-ORR) is an environmentally friendly and promising route for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. Carbon-based catalysts with transition metal species have been widely investigated due to their high tunability. However, the H2O2 production performance of such catalysts is still far from the requirement of practical applications, owing to their contradiction between durability and ORR activity/selectivity. In this work, metal alloy is encapsulated within the free-standing N-doped carbon nanotube arrays, named NiCo-CNTs-x (x represents the duration of the cation substitution process in hours), to precisely regulate the activity and selectivity of nitrogen sites on the surface of the carbon layer, meanwhile hindering the dissolution of alloy inside the CNTs, thus realizing long-term stability and high-activity catalysis for 2e−-ORR. Therefore, the NiCo-CNTs-30 demonstrates high activity (onset potential around 0.7 V) and selectivity (greater than 85% within the range of 0–0.8 V), and delivers a high yield of 11.7 mg L−1 h−1 with no current decay or structural damage within 24 h, showcasing its exceptional long-term stability. The catalyst can also effectively degrade organic dyes, making it highly promising for industrial applications.

Biofortification of wheat in salt-affected soil through seed priming and soil application of zinc

ContextGiven the global significance of wheat production and consumption, it is imperative to achieve high yields of nutritious wheat grains. However, the inadequate availability of zinc (Zn) in salt-affected soils can aggravate salt stress, decrease wheat grain yield, and grain Zn concentration. This study compared the effectiveness of soil Zn application and seed Zn priming in increasing Zn biofortification and grain yield of Zn-biofortified wheat grown in alkaline-calcareous soil affected by salts. MethodsEighteen pots were filled with alkaline-calcareous soil containing elevated levels of soluble salts and exchangeable sodium (Na). The pots were subjected to soil Zn application (0 or 8 mg kg−1) and seed priming (control/non-, hydro-, or Zn-primed seeds) treatments, applied to a Zn-biofortified wheat (cv. Zincol-2016). Plant samples were collected at the heading and maturity stages to measure parameters related to plant growth and grain quality. FindingsSoil Zn application increased grain and straw yields across seed priming treatments by a maximum of 23 %, and seed Zn priming increased grain and straw yields across soil Zn rates by a maximum of 21 %. This yield response was accompanied by significant increases in grain potassium and Zn concentrations at maturity, as well as non-significant to significant increases in photosynthetic parameters (stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate) in flag leaves during heading. Additionally, compared to control, the combined treatment of soil Zn application and seed Zn priming decreased grain Na concentration by 14 %. Compared to control, both soil Zn application and seed Zn priming significantly increased grain Zn concentration. With the combined application treatment, the grain Zn concentration reached 27 mg kg−1, but it remained significantly below the desired level of >37 mg kg−1. Seed Zn priming decreased the phytate-to-Zn molar ratio in grains, while the treatments that received soil Zn application exhibited the lowest values of this ratio, potentially increasing Zn bioavailability to humans. ConclusionsThe findings suggest that soil Zn application is more effective in enhancing grain yield and Zn concentration, while seed Zn priming remains crucial in low-Zn and high-salt soils. Future research should optimize Zn application strategies for Zn-biofortified wheat cultivated in salt-affected fields.

Occurrence of Stem Rot on Acacia mangium Caused by Amauroderma subresinosum.

Acacia mangium has the characteristics of developed root system, nitrogen fixation and soil improvement, fast growth and high yield, and improvement of soil fertility. It is often used as a windbreak tree species in rubber plantations, a highway shade tree, for coastal and mountain restoration in Hainan . In October 2021, a stem rot disease with an incidence of 3% was found in Baisha city(19°22'18″N,109°16'58″E), Hainan Province, China. In the early stage of the disease, the crown showed chlorotic leaves, followed by defoliation. In later stages, whole tree dieback was observed. The basal tissue of the stem of the diseased tree had white rot, and black-brown basidiocarps were observed about 1 m away from the ground. The basidiocarps surface of fresh was disinfected with 75 % ethanol, the epidermal tissue was removed, and the inner tissue blocks were transferred to PDA medium. After culturing in dark at 28°C for 3 days, a colony with white aerial mycelium was isolated and designated: HNBSMZXS20211011001. The basidiocarp was dark brown, sessile, mostly one-year-old, and the cap is nearly semi-circular, wooden, slightly shiny, with a size of 14.7 to 18.1cm × 9.5 to 10.1 cm. The base is thick (5 to 6.5 cm) and the edge is thin (0.3 to 0.7 cm). The basidiospores are oval, 10.7 to 13.65μm × 6.7 to 9.06μm in size, with a double-layer wall. The outer wall is transparent and the inner wall is light yellow. The basidiospores contain 1~2 oil droplets. The morphological features are consistent with those of Amauroderma subresinosum (Murrill) Corner (Zhang et al., 2000). The basidiocarps and type strain cultures were stored as accessions in the Laboratory of Plant Pathogen Fungus Biology, Hainan University. For pathogenicity tests, sawdust culture medium was used (soft sawdust 82%, wheat bran 15%, glucose 2%, gypsum 1%, mixed with water in proportion, sterilized at 121°C for 40min). The mycelium plug from a fresh culture (d=5mm) was taken from the edge of the colony of type strain, and transferred to the sterilized sawdust medium. When mycelium has colonized the media, it was used to inoculate plants. Media without mycelium was used as a control. Naturally growing seedlings (three year old) of A.mangium were selected from the teaching nurseries of Hainan University (20°6'25''N,110°32'24''E). First, 75 % alcohol was sprayed on the stem of the base of A.mangium for surface disinfection. After the surface was dried, a slight wound (about 4×2cm) was made on the surface with a sterilized scalpel. A inoculated and control sawdust media rods were tightly attached to the wound, moistened with cotton balls soaked in sterile water, and then fixed with plastic wrap, and the outer layer was wrapped with newsprint. Inoculation and controls were replicated three times. Two months after inoculated, the stems of the plants inoculated with the isolated fungus grew white hyphae and showed white rot symptoms, and the leaves became chlorotic and defoliated with complete tree decline in six months, which was consistent with the original symptoms observed. By comparison, white callus had grown on the edge of the stem wounds of the control plants. The same fungus was re-isolated from the inoculated plants and confirmed as A.subresinosum based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the ribosomal large subunit(LSU), and the translation elongation factor 1-α(EF1-α) gene sequence, the fungus was not isolated from control plants thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. The ITS region of r-DNA, the ribosomal large subunit(LSU), the translation elongation factor 1-α gene(EF1-α) were amplified using ITS1/ITS4(White et al. 1990), LR0R/LR5(Hu et al. 2021), EF1-983F/EF1-1567R(Buckley et al. 2005) primers, respectively. The sequences of ITS (OQ674500), LSU (OQ674502) and EF1-α gene (OQ883944) were submitted to GenBank. Through with BLAST, the identities of the ITS, LSU and EF1-α sequences to A.subresinosum (GenBank Accession no. ITS: LC176755; LSU: MK119903 and EF1-α: MK121572) was 99.82%; 99.15% and 99.82%, respectively, the identities were more than 99 %. It was reported that A.subresinosum could infect Casuarina equisetifolia and Areca catechu(Chen et al., 2016; Cheng. 2017; Wu et al., 2019). However, this is the first report of Amauroderma subresinosum causing stem rot of Acacia mangiumin Hainan, China. This report will facilitate field diagnosis and provide scientific reference for further research on the disease.

Use of modelling tools to assess climate change impacts on smallholder oil seed yields in South Africa.

Oil seed crops are the second most important field crops after cereals in the agricultural economy globally. The use and demand for oilseed crops such as groundnut, soybean and sunflower have grown significantly, but climate change is expected to alter the agroecological conditions required for oilseed crop production. This study aims to present an approach that utilizes decision-making tools to assess the potential climate change impacts on groundnut, soybean and sunflower yields and the greenhouse gas emissions from the management of the crops. The Decision Support Tool for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT v4.7), a dynamic crop model and the Cool Farm Tool, a GHG calculator, was used to simulate yields and estimate GHG emissions from these crops, respectively. Four representative concentration pathways (RCPs 2.6, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5), three nitrogen (0, 75, and 150 kg/ha) and phosphorous (0, 30 and 60 P kg/ha) fertilizer rates at three sites in Limpopo, South Africa (Ofcolaco, Syferkuil and Punda Maria) were used in field trials for calibrating the models. The highest yield was achieved by sunflower across all crops, years and sites. Soybean yield is projected to decrease across all sites and scenarios by 2030 and 2050, except at Ofcolaco, where yield increases of at least 15.6% is projected under the RCP 4.5 scenario. Positive climate change impacts are predicted for groundnut at Ofcolaco and Syferkuil by 2030 and 2050, while negative impacts with losses of up to 50% are projected under RCP8.5 by 2050 at Punda Maria. Sunflower yield is projected to decrease across all sites and scenarios by 2030 and 2050. A comparison of the climate change impacts across sites shows that groundnut yield is projected to increase under climate change while notable yield losses are projected for sunflower and soybean. GHG emissions from the management of each crop showed that sunflower and groundnut production had the highest and lowest emissions across all sites respectively. With positive climate change impacts, a reduction of GHG emissions per ton per hectare was projected for groundnuts at Ofcolaco and Syferkuil and for sunflower in Ofcolaco in the future. However, the carbon footprint from groundnut is expected to increase by 40 to 107% in Punda Maria for the period up to 2030 and between 70-250% for 2050, with sunflower following a similar trend. We conclude that climate change will potentially reduce yield for oilseed crops while management will increase emissions. Therefore, in designing adaptation measures, there is a need to consider emission effects to gain a holistic understanding of how both climate change impacts on crops and mitigation efforts could be targeted.

Synthesis, characterization, and optical studies of lead-free perovskite, Cs3M2Br9 (M = Bi, Sb) nanocrystals

In recent years, there has been a surge in research interest surrounding all inorganic lead perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) owing to their exceptional performance in various optoelectronic devices. Nevertheless, the presence of lead and concerns regarding its toxicity and stability have cast a shadow over their potential wide-ranging applications. In this study, we present the synthesis of two lead-free all-inorganic perovskite materials, Cs3M2Br9 (where M = Bi or Sb), in bulk form, using an aqueous halide acid medium. Additionally, we describe a top-down approach for the fabrication of two lead-free all-inorganic perovskite, Cs3M2Br9 (M = Bi or Sb) NCs. The Cs3Sb2Br9 NCs display a sheet-like morphology, while Cs3Bi2Br9 NCs exhibit a cubic structure. The PL spectra of Cs3Sb2Br9 and Cs3Bi2Br9 NCs exhibit distinct emission peaks at 476 nm and 472 nm, respectively, with relatively narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 44 nm and 38 nm, respectively. Cs3Sb2Br9 and Cs3Bi2Br9 NCs demonstrate excellent thermal stability up to 320 °C and 470 °C, respectively. Notably, the high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of these NCs, Cs3Sb2Br9 NCs (31 %) and Cs3Bi2Br9 NCs (36 %) are highly beneficial for optoelectronic applications is observed.

Emission behaviors from ZnO microwire pumped CsPbBr3 perovskite microwire.

Perovskite semiconductor materials have attracted significant attention in the fields of photovoltaics and luminescence due to their excellent photoelectric properties, such as high carrier mobility, high absorption coefficient, and high fluorescence quantum yield. In particular, low-dimensional metal-halide perovskite microcrystalline materials have been reported to exhibit low-dimensional lasing phenomena and laser devices due to their high gain and widely tunable bandgap. In this Letter, one-dimensional (1-D) ZnO microwires with their ultraviolet lasing emissions are utilized as an excitation source to pump CsPbBr3 microwire on hybrid ZnO-CsPbBr3 microscale structures. At higher excitation, the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) behaviors from CsPbBr3 microwire are realized with ultralow threshold by indirect pumping from the ZnO lasing emission for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. In comparison, the ASE behaviors from the CsPbBr3 microwire directly pumped by Nd:YAG Q-switched laser and continuous wave laser are also performed at room temperature. There are also no multimode lasing behaviors observed. The paper provides a new method to achieve a low threshold on-chip microlaser by a high-quality perovskite micro-nano structure.