Salt Ions Research Articles

Research progress on plant‐based glue in meat substitutes: main components, formation mechanisms, challenges, and development

SummaryThe growing recognition of environmental conservation and human well‐being has led to a surge in the advancement of plant‐based meat. These meat alternatives are similar to animal meat products regarding texture, flavour, shape, and other characteristics. These products consist of three main components: plant tissue proteins, fat mimetics, and plant‐based glues that act as binders. Since meat substitutes are subjected to high temperatures and pressures or refrigeration, the junction between the tissue proteins and fat mimetics is prone to cracking, necessitating the development of adhesives with excellent bonding characteristics. The physicochemical properties and functional applications of plant glues are currently attracting significant research attention. Plant‐based glues are essentially gels derived from substances such as proteins, polysaccharides, or various compounds. This article summarised the basic principles of gel formation, focusing on acid‐, salt‐, heat‐, and enzyme‐induced gel formation pathways, as well as the role of pH adjustment and enzyme or salt ion addition in improving their functional properties. Optimal conditions can enhance the adhesive properties of plant‐based glues. This article reviewed the types, gelation mechanisms, influencing factors, and challenges of plant‐based glues to provide a theoretical basis for research on their application potential.

Understanding Ion Distribution and Diffusion in Solid Polymer Electrolytes.

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs)─polymer melts with added salts─exhibit ion conduction and high mechanical properties, and are thus promising materials for future energy storage devices. The ion conductivity in an SPE is intricately connected to the salt ion distribution in the polymer matrix. The relationship between ion diffusion and ion distribution in SPEs remains unresolved. Here, we conduct coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations and establish correlations between ion distribution and transport for a phenomenological SPE model. We propose phase diagrams of SPEs as a function of ion pair size, ion concentration, and the Bjerrum length of the material. A crossover from a discrete ion aggregate to a percolated ion aggregate is demonstrated as a function of ion pair size for low ion concentration in the SPE. The ion diffusion shows a strong correlation with its size, as has been found experimentally. The work provides important design strategies for controlling the ion distribution and enhancing ion conductivity in a polymer matrix.

Wetland plant species and biochar amendments lead to variable salinity reduction in roadway-associated soils

Salinization is an emerging threat in freshwater wetlands, with few techniques available to mitigate anthropogenic inputs such as road salts. Phytoremediation and biochar addition have each been proposed to remediate salt-affected soils generally, but interactive effects in wetland environments to improve soil conditions adjacent to roadways are not well understood. We conducted an 88-day fully factorial greenhouse experiment to quantify the effects of three plant treatments (unvegetated, Typha × glauca and Phragmites australis) and three biochar rates (0.0, 2.5, 5.0 % wt/wt) on the soil and leachate of a simulated wetland system. Both plant species significantly reduced soil Cl− content relative to unvegetated controls, while Typha also significantly reduced Cl− content of leachate and soil Na+. The difference in effects was likely due to different salt tolerance strategies: the salt-accumulating Typha contained a significantly higher volume of Na+, Cl−, and water in its tissue than Phragmites, whose greater K+:Na+ ratio and similar soil Na+ to controls indicated a salt exclusion strategy. Biochar did not influence the growth of either species but moderately increased tissue Na+ concentration in Typha. Furthermore, biochar's effects on soil and leachate salt levels varied by application rate with the medium rate moderately increasing soil Na+ and Cl− and leachate Cl−, while the highest application did not differ from controls across all metrics. Our results suggest that phytoremediation can be optimized with salt-accumulating species, whose mechanisms of salt tolerance involve the accumulation of salt ions from the surrounding environment. The consistent flooding in our study may have inhibited the influence of biochar. We recommend future studies parse the effects of water levels and redox potential on biochar's ability to influence wetland salinity.Data repository: doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/9QFZ7

Degradation mechanism of cement–sodium silicate hardened grout bodies under ion erosion

Cement-sodium silicate (C-S) grout is extensively employed as a grouting material in shield tunnel synchronous grouting projects. However, in water-rich areas, its hardened grout bodies are vulnerable to erosion damage caused by various ions. In order to elucidate the degradation mechanism of C-S hardened grout bodies' strength under salt ion erosion. This study analyzed the influence of SO42- ions, Cl- ions, and SO42- and Cl- mixed ions at different concentrations on the compressive strength of C-S hardened grout bodies through laboratory experiments. Moreover, microscopic techniques (XRD, SEM-EDS) were employed to illustrate the phase characteristics and microstructure of ion-eroded C-S hardened grout bodies, and the distribution of surface calcium elements. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation investigated the adsorption, diffusion degree, and energy change of erosive ions in C-S-H gel. The results show that the higher the concentration of erosion ions, the faster the erosion rate. A nonlinear spatiotemporal strength degradation prediction model was developed, assessing the deterioration degree of hardened grout bodies due to ions: SO42- > SO42-and Cl- mixture > Cl- > water. Additionally, microscopic observations reveal a tight correlation between the degradation level of C-S hardened grout bodies and the loss of Ca2+ ions inside. The more significant the loss of Ca2+ ions from hydration products, the more evident the strength degradation of C-S hardened grout bodies. MD simulations demonstrate that SO42- ions and Cl- ions occupy adsorption sites like SiOCa+ and SiOH, altering interatomic Coulomb forces and intermolecular van der Waals forces, changing system energy, thereby influencing the structure of C-S-H gel, leading to strength degradation in C-S hardened grout bodies.

Enabling room temperature solid-state lithium batteries by blends of copolymers and ionic liquid electrolytes

High lithium-concentration phosphonium ionic liquids electrolytes have shown outstanding properties even overcoming ammonium derivatives in terms of viscosity and transport properties. Consequently, they have been also combined with fluorinated polymers, such as poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) or poly(ionic liquids), for solid-state batteries with satisfying performance at 50 °C. The aim of this work is to develop highly lithium conducting solid-state electrolyte (≥0.1 mS cm−1) at room temperature but maintaining solid-state properties. For this, polymer electrolytes based on ISOBAM alternating copolymer (isobutylene and maleic anhydride) and ionic liquid (P111i4FSI) were developed. The composition-dependent behavior of the solid electrolytes was studied in terms of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), reaching σLi+ of 0.52 mS cm−1; differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) under different ionic liquid electrolyte loadings and salt concentration. The polymer electrolytes presented a solid-like behavior in the range of 25 to 90 °C with a storage modulus of 2.3·104 Pa. Finally, the best free-standing membrane electrolytes were tested and compared electrochemically in lithium symmetrical cells and lithium iron phosphate full cells exhibiting an excellent cycling at room temperature.

Microscopic insights into water wetting behaviors and physical origin on α-quartz exposed to varying underground gas species

Understanding the wetting behaviors of water on quartz surfaces and underlying mechanisms when immersed in varying gas environments is crucial for the efficient implementation of geological engineering projects, such as H2gas geo-storage, natural gas production, and greenhouse gas geo-sequestration.In the present work, classical molecular dynamic (MD) simulations are applied to investigate the deionized (DI) water and brine (with a salinity of ∼1.5 M and ∼3.5 M) wettability of quartz surfaces and interfacial properties in the presence of various gas species (i.e., H2, CH4, and CO2) under a typical geological condition (333K and 20 MPa). The inherent mechanisms regulating surface wettability are revealed by Young’s equation and interaction energy analysis. Thanks to the strong electrostatic interaction, water forms several adsorption layers on quartz surfaces, whereas gas molecules are mainly adsorbed on the region where the water is not accessible through van der Waals interaction. The presence of salt ions has negligible effects on water and gas distributions as they tend to be depleted from the surface area. When immersed in varying gas species, the contact angle (CA) of water on quartz follows an order of CO2 > CH4 > H2due to the faster decay in gas–solid interaction compared with gas–water interaction. Increasing salt ions is generally unfavorable for the spreading of water on quartz surfaces regardless of gas types resulting in a larger CA value, which is primarily attributed to the augmented gas–water interfacial tension. This study provides important insights into the wettability behaviors of water on quartz surfaces under varying gas conditions and deepens the understanding of the molecular origin of wetting characteristics on quartz surfaces, which is beneficial for explaining relevant phenomena and leading engineering practice.

Biomimetic hydrogel evaporator with excellent salt-rejection performance via edge-preferential crystallization and ion-transport effects

Solar steam generation has been considered a compellent desalination technology due to its environmental friendliness and sustainability, while interfacial salt crystallization and low freshwater yield are two serious issues that constrain its widespread application. In this work, inspired by lotus seedpod, a biomimetic evaporator containing conductive hydrogel was fabricated through 3D printing. The printed evaporator has excellent solar absorption, good mechanical properties, high water capture ability, and reduced vaporization enthalpy, which are exactly desired by good evaporators. Furthermore, the vertical micro-channels and networks inside hydrogel promote the transport of ions from the interface to bulk seawater, and the constructed edge petals drive salt ions to crystallize at the edges, both of these strategies suppress the salt crystallization and ensure long-term continuous operation of the evaporator in concentrated (25 wt%) seawater. Due to these positive effects, the evaporator can achieve 2.413 and 1.889 kg·m−2·h−1 steam yield under one sun in pure water and concentrated (25 wt%) seawater, which is much higher than the 2D evaporator and competitive among the reported evaporators. This work paves the road for the practical utilization of hydrogel in solar desalination.

Label-free SELEX of aptamers for ultra-sensitive electrochemical aptasensor detection of amanitin in wild mushrooms

BackgroundMushroom poisoning poses a significant global health concern, with high morbidity and mortality rates. The primary lethal toxins responsible for this condition are alpha-amanitin (ɑ-AMA) and beta-amanitin (β-AMA). As a promising bio-recognition molecules in biosensors, aptamers, have been broadly used in the field of food detection. However, the current SELEX-based methods for screening aptamers for structurally similar small molecules were limited by the labelling or salt ion induction. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel label-free SELEX strategy for the screening of aptamers with high affinity and constructed new aptasensors for the detection of ɑ-AMA and β-AMA. ResultsA novel label-free SELEX strategy based on the positively charged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was proposed to simultaneous screening of aptamers for ɑ-AMA and β-AMA. Only 18 rounds of SELEX were required to obtain new aptamers. The candidate aptamers were analyzed by colloidal gold assay, and the sequences of ɑ-30 and β-37 displayed great affinity with Kd values of 22.26 nM and 23.32 nM, respectively, without interference from botanical toxins. Notably, the truncated aptamers ɑ-30-2 (50 bp) and β-37-2 (57 bp) exhibited higher affinity than their original counterpart (79 bp). Subsequently, the selected aptamers were utilized to construct recognition probes for electrochemical aptasensors based on hairpin cyclic cleavage of substrates by Cu2+ dependent DNAzyme and Exo I-triggered recycling cascades. The detection platform showed excellent analytical performance with limits of detection as low as 4.57 pg/mL (ɑ-AMA) and 8.49 pg/mL (β-AMA). Moreover, the aptasensors exhibited superior performance in mushroom and urine samples. SignificanceThis work developed a simple and efficient label-free SELEX method for screening new aptamers for ɑ-AMA and β-AMA, which employed the positively charged AuNPs as the screening medium, without the need for chemical labelling of libraries or induction of salt ions. Furthermore, two novel electrochemical aptasensors were developed based on our newly obtained aptamers, which offer the new biosensing tool for ultrasensitive detection of the AMA poisoning, showing great potential in practical applications.

The influence of divalent ions on the osmotic energy conversion performance of 2D cation exchange membrane in reverse electrodialysis process

As reverse electrodialysis (RED) technology evolves, achieving high-performance osmotic energy conversion (OEC) necessitates porous membranes with exceptional ion selectivity and permeability. Two-dimensional membranes crafted from graphene oxide (GO) or MXene stand out for their immensely high surface charges, which facilitate superb ion selectivity during transport. Their unique layered stacking structure further yields ultra-small nanochannel radii, bolstering ion selectivity while maintaining high permeability. This makes them prime candidates for osmotic energy conversion. However, the presence of divalent ions in natural seawater readily alters the surface charge density and interlayer spacing of these 2D membranes, significantly impacting their OEC performance, resulting in a power density reduction of about 6 % -10 %. Prior research focused on the ionic properties of divalent ions but overlooked their impact on the nanochannel structure, including changes in interlayer spacing and surface charge density. This study thus delves into the OEC performance variations of GO and MXene 2D layered membranes under varying divalent ion concentrations and salt ratios. Starting from the ion properties of divalent ions and their impact on the nanochannel structure, combined with simulation research, explain their mechanism of action. This research offers theoretical foundations for the future design and application of 2D layered membranes, providing novel solutions and insights to tackle critical challenges like enhancing power density and adapting to real seawater conditions.

Insight into the salt damage mechanism to the asphalt-aggregate interface in recycled asphalt mixtures at different salt environments using molecular dynamics and DFT simulations

In coastal areas, the complex salt environment poses new challenges to the interfacial stability and service durability of hot recycled asphalt pavements. To investigate the influence mechanism of salt environment on the adhesion properties of asphalt-aggregate interface, this study employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and density functional theory (DFT) to analyze the interfacial interaction energy, molecular diffusion behavior, component distribution, and molecular electrostatic property at asphalt-aggregate interface. The results show that as the content of aged asphalt increased, the interaction between asphalt and anions (Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻) is weaker than that with cations (Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺). H₂O causes the aromatics, saturates and resins to move away from the interface. Cl⁻ causes the saturates to further move away from the interface, while Na⁺ and Mg²⁺ bring the aromatics closer to the interface. Due to the greater polarity of SO₄²⁻, it moves the resins closer to the interface. With increasing aged asphalt content, the number of hydrogen bonds between asphalt and SiO₂ increases from none to some, thus enhancing the interfacial adhesion. However, this adhesion becomes more susceptible to salts. The aging effect redistributes the charge of asphalt molecules, concentrating negative potentials on the carbonyl and sulfoxide functional groups located on the outside of molecules. This increases the polarity of the asphalt molecules, making them more susceptible to salt ion attack. These findings contribute to the understanding of the adhesion properties of recycled asphalt mixtures in extreme salt environments.

Exploration of the structural and electrical characteristics and solar cell applications of an electrolyte membrane derived from acacia gum

The natural and eco-friendly solid-state electrolytes were prepared using varying concentrations (wt%) of ZnSO4.7H2O salt and pure acacia gum through the solution cast method. Multiple analytical methods were employed to characterize the resulting acacia gum electrolyte samples. XRD analysis confirmed the increased presence of the amorphous phase with the introduction of salt. FTIR analysis explored the formation of interlinking bands and their complex nature upon salt incorporation. The ionic conductivity was found from room temperature (RT) to 100 °C range. The optimized high ionic conductivity value was found to be 1.11 × 10−4 S/cm at 100 °C for the electrolyte composed of 70 wt% acacia gum and 30 wt% ZnSO4.7H2O, while at RT it was 1.06 × 10−5 S/cm for the same composition. Activation energy values fell within the 0.6–0.92 eV range for all samples. Complex dielectric (real and imaginary) and complex electric modulus analyses were conducted. Dielectric permittivity and electrical modulus analyses revealed a significant interaction between the segmental movements of acacia gum and salt ions. Ionic relaxation processes were explored in terms of conductivity relaxation time using the electrical modulus. The presence of a long tail in the complex dielectric modulus study indicated that the acacia-based solid electrolyte displayed favorable capacitance properties. Further, the Solar Cell (dye-sensitized solar cell) device was fabricated with (Acacia gum + ZnSO4.7H2O) electrolyte. The current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics of the prepared device were investigated. The outstanding results were optimized in the present work, Voc = 0.81 V, Jsc = 9.56 mA/cm2, Fill Factor of 0.67, and optimum power conversion efficiency ƞ = 5.17 % for the electrolyte composed of 70 wt% acacia gum and 30 wt% ZnSO4.7H2O device.

High power density charging-free thermally regenerative electrochemical flow cycle for low-temperature thermoelectric conversion

Low-temperature thermal energy widely exists in nature and is sustainable. The thermally regenerative electrochemical cycle (TREC) based on the Seebeck effect has attracted widespread attention due to its high thermoelectric efficiency and good cycle stability. However, it has a low power density and cannot sustain continuous operation for extended periods. This work proposes a continuous charging-free thermally regenerative electrochemically cycled flow battery (TREC-FB) system, which can discharge continuously at both high and low temperatures without the assistance of external power source. By adding guanidine hydrochloride (GdmCl) and inorganic salt ions (Cs+, Ca2+, Mg2+, etc.) to the K3Fe(CN)6/K4Fe(CN)6 and I2/KI electrolytes respectively, precipitates are formed in the electrolytes at low temperature and dissolve at high temperature, which creates the concentration gradient of ions. As a result, the temperature coefficient of the full cell increases from −2.24 mV/K to −3.6 mV/K, and both voltage and power density are doubled. Theoretical analysis of the temperature coefficient enhancement is conducted based on the Nernst equation, and the mechanism of the temperature coefficient enhancement is verified using UV–vis spectra. The discharging capacity and energy of the charging-free TREC-FB with high temperature coefficient reach 5 Ah/L and 1.9 kJ/L, respectively, and the thermoelectric efficiency reaches 8.9 % under sufficient heat recuperation. Two TREC-FBs at high and low temperatures are connected to carry out continuous operation experiments of the charging-free TREC-FB system. The use of charge-reinforced ion-selective membrane can effectively inhibit the migration of I− and I3− ions, achieving about 36 h of continuous operation, and the average power density achieves 0.6 W/m2.

Soil Quality Assessment and Influencing Factors of Different Land Use Types in Red Bed Desertification Regions: A Case Study of Nanxiong, China

Soil environmental issues in the red bed region are increasingly conspicuous, underscoring the critical importance of assessing soil quality for the region’s sustainable development and ecosystem security. This study examines six distinct land use types of soils—agricultural land (AL), woodland (WL), shrubland (SL), grassland (GL), bare rock land (BRL), and red bed erosion land (REL)—in the Nanxiong Basin of northern Guangdong Province. This area typifies red bed desertification in South China. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to establish a minimum data set (MDS) for calculating the soil quality index (SQI), evaluating soil quality, analyzing influencing factors, and providing suggestions for ecological restoration in desertification areas. The study findings indicate that a minimal data set comprising soil organic matter (SOM), pH, available phosphorus (AP), exchangeable calcium (Ca2+), and available copper (A-Cu) is most suitable for evaluating soil quality in the red bed desertification areas of the humid region in South China. Additionally, we emphasize that exchangeable salt ions and available trace elements should be pivotal considerations in assessing soil quality within desertification areas. Regarding comprehensive soil quality indicators across various land use types, the red bed erosion soils exhibited the lowest quality, followed by those in bare rock areas and forest land. Within the minimal data set, Ca2+ and pH contributed the most to overall soil quality, underscoring the significance of parent rock mineral composition in the red bed desertification areas. Moreover, the combined effects of SOM, A-Cu, and AP on soil quality indicate that anthropogenic land management and use, including fertilization methods and vegetation types, are crucial factors influencing soil quality. Our research holds significant implications for the scientific assessment, application, and enhancement of soil quality in desertification areas.

High-Strength MOF-Based Polymer Electrolytes with Uniform Ionic Flow for Lithium Dendrite Suppression.

The uneven formation of lithium dendrites during electroplating/stripping leads to a decrease in the utilization of active lithium, resulting in poor cycling stability and posing safety hazards to the battery. Herein, introducing a 3D continuously interconnected zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF808) network into a polyethylene oxide polymer matrix establishes a synergistic mechanism for lithium dendrite inhibition. The 3D MOF808 network maintains its large pore structure, facilitating increased lithium salt accommodation, and expands anion adsorption at unsaturated metal sites through its diverse large-space cage structure, thereby promoting the flow of Li+. Infrared-Raman and synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering results demonstrate that the transport behavior of lithium salt ion clusters at the MOF/polymer interface verifies the increased local Li+ flux concentration, thereby raising the mobility number of Li+ to 0.42 and ensuring uniform Li+ flux distribution, leading to dendrite-free and homogeneous Li+ deposition. Furthermore, nanoindentation tests reveal that the high modulus and elastic recovery of MOF-based polymer electrolytes contribute to forming a robust, dendrite-resistant interface. Consequently, in symmetric battery systems, the system exhibits minimal overpotential, merely 35mV, while maintaining stable cycling for over 1800 h, achieving low-overpotential lithium deposition. Moreover, it retains redox stability under high voltages up to 5.3V.

Genome-wide identification of the AP2/ERF gene family from Limonium bicolor and functional characterization of LbAP2/ERF32 under salt stress

AP2/ERF transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in plant growth and development, plant morphogenesis and response to environmental stresses. However, their biological roles in recretohalophytes are still not fully revealed. Limonium bicolor L. is a typical recretohalophyte, which secretes excessive salt ions through the salt glands on the epidermis. Here, 64 LbAP2/ERF genes were identified in L. bicolor genome, which were unevenly distributed on the eight chromosomes. Cis-elements related to growth and development, stress response and phytohormone response are distributed in multiple LbAP2/ERF promoters. Expression analysis indicated that LbAP2/ERF genes responsed to NaCl, PEG and ABA. And the salt gland density, salt secretion of leaves and overall salt tolerance of LbAP2/ERF32 silenced lines were significantly reduced. In agreement, the genes related to salt gland development and ion transport were significantly changed in LbAP2/ERF32-silenced lines. Our findings provided fundamental information on the structure and evolutionary relationship of LbAP2/ERF gene family in salt gland development and salt secretion of L. bicolor and gave theoretical guideline for further functional study of LbAP2/ERF genes in response to abiotic stress.

Fluorination Promotes Lithium Salt Dissolution in Borate Esters for Lithium Metal Batteries

Lithium metal batteries promise higher energy densities than current lithium-ion batteries but require novel electrolytes to extend their cycle life. To promote electrolyte stability against lithium metal and improve the reversibility of lithium deposition/stripping, several electrolyte design strategies have been pursued. For example, high concentration electrolytes (HCEs) and localized high concentration electrolytes (LHCEs) produce solvation structure rich in salt aggregates and ion pairs, which can increase lithium metal cycling Coulombic efficiency to as high as 99.5%. Recently, molecular design of fluorinated ether solvents also leads to high lithium metal Coulombic efficiency of up to 99.9% in single-solvent-single-salt ~ 1 M electrolytes. In addition, fluorinated acetals, fluorinated carbonates, and fluorinated sulfonamides are also reported to enable efficient lithium metal cycling. Among those novel electrolytes, fluorinated solvents or diluents are frequently used because fluorinated moieties are known to yield LiF as a preferable component in solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). However, fluorinated groups are believed to weaken ion solvation as most fluorinated solvents show poorer solvation ability or lower ionic conductivity compared to their nonfluorinated counterparts. The trade-off between SEI passivation and ion solvation limits further optimization of fluorinated electrolytes.In this work, we synthesize tris(2-fluoroethyl) borate (TFEB) as a new fluorinated borate ester solvent. Interestingly, moderately fluorinated TFEB shows unexpectedly high lithium salt solubility (~1 M LiFSA) while the nonfluorinated triethyl borate (TEB) and heavily fluorinated tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) borate (TTFEB) can hardly dissolve lithium salt. Through density functional theory (DFT) calculations and ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations, we show that the partially fluorinated -CH2F group in TFEB acts as primary coordination site that promotes lithium salt dissolution. The electrochemical property of TFEB electrolyte is then compared to the methoxy polyethyleneglycol borate esters reported in literature. Owing to the fluorinated solvent structure, TFEB electrolyte passivates lithium metal with LiF-rich SEI and supports compact lithium deposition morphology, high lithium metal Coulombic efficiency, and stable cycling of lithium metal/LiFePO4 cells. This work ushers in a new electrolyte design paradigm where partially fluorinated moieties enable salt dissolution and can serve as primary ion coordination sites for next-generation electrolytes. Figure 1

Interaction of zein/HP-β-CD nanoparticles with digestive enzymes: Enhancing curcumin bioavailability

The low bioavailability of polyphenolic compounds due to poor solubility and stability is a major challenge. Encapsulation of polyphenols in zein-based composite nanoparticles can improve the water dispersion, stability, targeted delivery, and controlled release of polyphenols in the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we investigated the fluorescence properties, bioactivity, and microstructural characteristics of polyphenols during digestion, revealing that zein nanoparticles protect polyphenols from gastric degradation and promote their sustained release in the small intestine. The effects of different ionic species and salt ion concentrations on the digestive properties of polyphenol complex delivery systems have also been explored. In addition, the formation of “protein corona” structures during digestion may affect bioavailability. These findings highlight the potential of nanoparticle formulations to improve polyphenol stability and absorption. The results of this study may provide new insights and references for the study of polyphenol bioavailability enhancement.

Water temperature and salt ions respectively drive the community assembly of bacterial generalists and specialists in diverse plateau lakes

Plateau lakes (e.g., freshwater and saltwater lakes) are formed through intricate processes and harbor diverse microorganisms that mediate aquatic ecosystem functions. The adaptive mechanisms of lake microbiota to environmental changes and the ecological impacts of such changes on microbial community assembly are still poorly understood in plateau regions. This study investigated the structure and assembly of planktonic bacterial communities in 24 lakes across the Qinghai-Tibetan and Inner Mongolia Plateaus, with particular focus on habitat generalists, opportunists, and specialists. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA genes revealed that bacterial generalists had a lower species number (2196) but higher alpha diversity than the specialist and opportunist counterparts. Taxonomic dissimilarity and phylogenetic diversity analyses unraveled less pronounced difference in the community composition of bacterial generalists compared to the specialist and opportunist counterparts. Geographical scale (14.4 %) and water quality (12.6 %) emerged as major ecological variables structuring bacterial communities. Selection by water temperature and related variables, including mean annual temperature, elevation, longitude, and latitude, mainly shaped the assembly of bacterial generalists. Ecological drift coupled with selection by salt ions and related variables, including total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, and salinity, predominantly drove the assembly of bacterial specialists and opportunists. This study uncovers distinct bacterial responses to interacting ecological variables in diverse plateau lakes and the ecological processes structuring bacterial communities across various lake habitats under anthropogenic disturbance or climate change.

The monokaryotic filamentous fungus Ustilago sp. HFJ311 promotes plant growth and reduces Cd accumulation by enhancing Fe transportation and auxin biosynthesis

Infection with smut fungus like Ustilago maydis decreases crop yield via inducing gall formation. However, the in vitro impact of Ustilago spp. on plant growth and stress tolerance remains elusive. This study investigated the plant growth promotion and cadmium stress mitigation mechanisms of a filamentous fungus discovered on a cultural medium containing 25 μM CdCl2. ITS sequence alignment revealed 98.7 % similarity with Ustilago bromivora, naming the strain Ustilago sp. HFJ311 (HFJ311). Co-cultivation with HFJ311 significantly enhanced the growth of various plants, including Arabidopsis, tobacco, cabbage, carrot, rice, and maize, and improved Arabidopsis tolerance to abiotic stresses like salt and metal ions. HFJ311 increased chlorophyll and Fe contents in Arabidopsis shoots and enhanced root-to-shoot Fe translocation while decreasing root Fe concentration by approximately 70 %. Concurrently, HFJ311 reduced Cd accumulation in Arabidopsis by about 60 %, indicating its potential for bioremediation in Cd-contaminated soils. Additionally, HFJ311 stimulated IAA concentration by upregulating auxin biosynthesis genes. Overexpression of the Fe transporter IRT1 negated HFJ311's growth-promotion effects under Cd stress. These results suggest that HFJ311 stimulates plant growth and inhibits Cd uptake by enhancing Fe translocation and auxin biosynthesis while disrupting Fe absorption. Our findings offer a promising bioremediation strategy for sustainable agriculture and food security.

High-Strength Controllable Resin Plugging Agent and Its Performance Evaluation for Fractured Formation.

Lost circulation is a common and complicated situation in drilling engineering. Serious lost circulation may lead to pressure drop in the well, affect normal drilling operations, and even cause wellbore instability, formation fluid flooding into the wellbore, and blowout. Therefore, appropriate preventive and treatment measures need to be taken to ensure the safe and smooth operation of drilling operations. So, it is necessary to conduct in-depth research on the development and performance of the plugging materials. In this study, urea formaldehyde resin with high temperature resistance and strength was used as the main raw material, and the curing conditions were optimized and adjusted by adding a variety of additives. The curing time, compressive strength, temperature resistance, and other key performance indexes of the resin plugging agent were studied, and a resin plugging agent system with excellent plugging performance was prepared. The formula is as follows: 25% urea formaldehyde resin +1% betaine +1% silane coupling agent KH-570 + 3% ammonium chloride +1% hexamethylenetetramine +1% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. The optimal curing temperature is between 60 and 80 °C, with a controllable curing time of 1-3 h. Experimental studies examined the rheological and curing properties of the resin plugging agent system. The results showed that the viscosity of the high-strength curable resin system before curing remained stable with increasing shear rates. Additionally, the storage modulus and loss modulus of the resin solutions increased with shear stress, with the loss modulus being greater than the storage modulus, indicating a viscous fluid. The study also investigated the effect of different salt ion concentrations on the curing effect of the resin plugging system. The results showed that formation water containing Na+ at concentrations between 500 mg/L and 10,000 mg/L increased the resin's curing strength and reduced curing time. However, excessively high concentrations at lower temperatures reduced the curing strength. Formation water containing Ca2+ increased the curing time of the resin plugging system and significantly impacted the curing strength, reducing it to some extent. Moreover, the high-strength curable resin plugging agent system can effectively stay in various fracture types (parallel, wedge-shaped) and different fracture sizes, forming a high-strength consolidation under certain temperature conditions for effective plugging. In wedge-shaped fractures with a width of 10 mm, the breakthrough pressure of the high-strength curable resin plugging agent system reached 8.1 MPa. As the fracture width decreases, the breakthrough pressure increases, reaching 9.98 MPa in wedge-shaped fractures with an outlet fracture width of 3 mm, forming a high-strength plugging layer. This research provides new ideas and methods for solving drilling fluid loss in fractured loss zones and has certain application and promotion value.