Flower Shape Research Articles

Variation in flower size and shape of Impatiens capensis is correlated with urbanization in Montreal, Canada.

Urbanization is changing the conditions in which many species live, forcing them to adjust to these novel environments. Floral size and shape are critical traits for the reproduction of plants pollinated by animals as they are involved in the attraction of pollinators and in efficient pollination. Variation in size and shape could be affected by urbanization via its modification of the abiotic environment (habitat fragmentation, water availability, temperature, soil properties), or via its impact on the biotic environment of plants (pollination, herbivory). Although numerous studies have assessed the impact of urbanization on pollinator communities and many plant traits, few have investigated its impact on floral size and shape while quantifying the proportion of the total urbanization effect that is due to biotic interactions. In this study, we tested if urbanization and pollinator visitation rates affect the flower shape of the spotted jewelweed, Impatiens capensis. We quantified the size and shape of flowers in frontal and profile views using geometric morphometrics for 228 individuals from six populations from the region of Montreal, Canada. Pollinator visitation rates were estimated at each site and the main pollinators were found to be bumblebees, honeybees and hummingbirds. We found that floral size and shape are significantly correlated with urbanization as measured by the amount of vegetation in the surrounding environment of the plants (mean normalized vegetation index, NDVI) and by the visitation rates of bumblebees and honey bees. Partitioning of the total flower shape variation suggests that urbanization affects flower shape through abiotic factors and via its impact on pollinator visitation rates. While further studies from other cities are necessary to confirm the role of urbanization in shaping the floral shape of I. capensis, these results support the idea that urbanization could affect flower shapes.

Complex floral traits shape pollinator attraction to flowering plants in urban greenspaces

Urban greenspaces are recognized as a benefit to pollinator conservation. Selective planting of attractive flowering plants can improve the conservation value of urban greenspaces. However, the functional traits of flowering plants that moderate pollinator preference merits further study. We analyzed 98 ornamental plants and spontaneous plant species for ten categories of floral and plant traits across twelve parks or campus greenspaces in Wuhan, a megacity located in central China. Our results revealed that: (1) Plant species vary enormously in their pollinator visitation rate. (2) For Lepidoptera, the number of individuals to the plot was lower for disk/bowl-shaped flowers than other flower shapes, and it was negatively corelated with corolla tube length. The number of Diptera individuals to the plot was higher for white, red/pink and yellow/orange flowers than blue/violet flowers. (3) Honeybees preferred exotic annual/biennial herbaceous species, with disk/bowl and flag flowers. Solitary bees preferred horizontal, lip or flag flowers. Diptera most frequently visited upward-facing, yellow/orange flower heads and Lepidoptera preferred horizontal, funnel-shaped flowers or flower heads. Blue/violet flowers and a diverse floral orientation were preferred by most pollinator groups. We recommend planting native woody plants (Nandina domestica, Thymus quinquecostatus, Lagerstroemia indica, and Tamarix austromongolica) and attractive exotic plants (Centaurea cyanus, Borago officinalis, Portulaca grandiflora, and Echinacea purpurea) to support multiple pollinator groups. As preferences differ among pollinators, increasing the species richness of flowering plants is conducive to promote overall pollinator diversity.

New mutations of flower shape in Nigella damascena L., its pleiotropic effects and patterns of inheritance

Two mutants with short sepals were identified after ethyl methanesulfonate treatment of Nigella damascena seeds. In one of them (“shs1” gene = short sepal 1), isolated from the line with double flowers, the sepals, in addition to reduced size, were divided into several rounded lobes, which granted the flower an original rose-like appearance of ornamental value. Another mutant with reduced sepals (“shs2” gene = short sepal 2) was isolated from the line with simple flowers. The allelism test showed that these two genes were non-allelic. Both mutants as pollen parents were crossed with the same line with single flowers. In a dihybrid cross, simple flower, non-reduced sepals (wild type) × double flower, reduced sepals (“shs1” gene) F1 hybrids demonstrated a wild phenotype. F2 progeny, in addition to two parental classes, showed two recombinant classes in a 9:3:3:1 ratio, indicating that flower shape and sepal size were inherited monogenously and independently, and the plant with rose-like flowers was a double recessive homozygote. Reduced sepals (“shs2” gene) in crosses with the single flower line of wild type were inherited as a monogenic recessive trait, showing a 3:1 segregation ratio in F2. Both mutant genes had a number of similar pleiotropic effects, which, however, were different in strength. Thus, both mutant genes shortened leaf segments, divided the cotyledon leaves into several lobes, and caused disturbances in the female generative sphere, leading to a lack of seed setting. At the same time, the identification of mutants as early as at the cotyledon stage, due to the pleiotropic effect, makes it possible to select and maintain them, especially with regard to the mutant with rose-like flowers, which is highly decorative.

A novel “Snowflake”--rGO-CuO for ultrasonic degradation of rhodamine and methyl orange

Graphene-doped CuO (rGO-CuO) nanocomposites with flower shapes were prepared by an improved solvothermal method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy. The active species in the degradation reaction of rGO-CuO composites under ultrasonic irradiation were detected by electron paramagnetic resonance. On the basis of comparative experiments, the photodegradation mechanisms of two typical dyes, Rhodamine B (Rh B) and methyl orange (MO), were proposed. The results demonstrated that the doped CuO could improve the degradation efficiency. The catalytic degradation efficiency of rGO-CuO (2:1) to rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl orange (MO) reached 90 ​% and 87 ​% respectively, which were 2.1 times and 4.4 times of the reduced graphene oxide. Through the first-principles and other theories, we give the reasons for the enhanced catalytic performance of rGO-CuO: combined with internal and external factors, rGO-CuO under ultrasound could produce more hole and active sites that could interact with the OH· in pollutant molecules to achieve degradation. The rGO-CuO nanocomposite has a simple preparation process and low price, and has a high efficiency of degrading water pollution products and no secondary pollution products. It has a low-cost and high-efficiency application prospect in water pollution industrial production and life.

Efficiency in Orchid Species Classification: A Transfer Learning-Based Approach

Orchid is a type of plant that grows on land. It is highly valued for its beauty and is cherished by many because of its graceful flower shape, delicate fragrance, vibrant colors, and noble symbolism. Although there are various types of orchids, some of them look similar in appearance and color, making it challenging for people to distinguish them quickly and accurately. The existing methods for classifying orchid species face issues with accuracy due to the similarities between different species and the differences within the same species. This affects their practical use. To address these challenges, this paper introduces an efficient method for classifying orchid species using transfer learning. The main achievement of this study is the successful utilization of transfer learning to achieve accurate orchid species classification. This approach reduces the need for large datasets, minimizes overfitting, cuts down on training time and costs, and enhances classification accuracy. Specifically, the proposed approach involves four phases. First, we gathered a collection of 12 orchid image sets, totaling 12,227 images, through a combination of network sources and field photography. Next, we analyzed the distinctive features present in the collected orchid image sets. We identified certain connections between the acquired orchid datasets and other datasets. Finally, we employed transfer learning technology to create an efficient classification function for orchid species based on these relationships. As a result, our proposed method effectively addresses the challenges highlighted. Experimental results demonstrate that our classification algorithm, which utilizes transfer learning, achieves a classification accuracy rate of 96.16% compared to not using the transfer learning method. This substantial improvement in accuracy greatly enhances the efficiency of orchid classification.

Artificial flowers as a tool for investigating multimodal flower choice in wild insects.

Flowers come in a variety of colours, shapes, sizes and odours. Flowers also differ in the quality and quantity of nutritional reward they provide to entice potential pollinators to visit. Given this diversity, generalist flower-visiting insects face the considerable challenge of deciding which flowers to feed on and which to ignore. Working with real flowers poses logistical challenges due to correlations between flower traits, maintenance costs and uncontrolled variables. Here, we overcome this challenge by designing multimodal artificial flowers that varied in visual, olfactory and reward attributes. We used artificial flowers to investigate the impact of seven floral attributes (three visual cues, two olfactory cues and two rewarding attributes) on flower visitation and species richness. We investigated how flower attributes influenced two phases of the decision-making process: the decision to land on a flower, and the decision to feed on a flower. Artificial flowers attracted 890 individual insects representing 15 morphospecies spanning seven arthropod orders. Honeybees were the most common visitors accounting for 46% of visitors. Higher visitation rates were driven by the presence of nectar, the presence of linalool, flower shape and flower colour and was negatively impacted by the presence of citral. Species richness was driven by the presence of nectar, the presence of linalool and flower colour. For hymenopterans, the probability of landing on the artificial flowers was influenced by the presence of nectar or pollen, shape and the presence of citral and/or linalool. The probability of feeding increased when flowers contained nectar. For dipterans, the probability of landing on artificial flowers increased when the flower was yellow and contained linalool. The probability of feeding increased when flowers contained pollen, nectar and linalool. Our results demonstrate the multi-attribute nature of flower preferences and highlight the usefulness of artificial flowers as tools for studying flower visitation in wild insects.

Bumblebee responses to variation in pollinator-attracting traits of Vicia faba flowers.

Adaptations that attract pollinators to flowers are central to the reproductive success of insect-pollinated plants, including crops. Understanding the influence of these non-rewarding traits on pollinator preference is important for our future food security by maintaining sufficient crop pollination. We have identified substantial variation in flower shape, petal size, corolla-tube length, petal spot size and floral volatile compounds among a panel of 30 genetically distinct lines of Vicia faba. Using this variation, we found that Bombus terrestris was able to distinguish between natural variation in petal spot size, floral volatile emissions and corolla-tube length. Foragers showed some innate preference for spotted flowers over non-spotted flowers and preferred shorter corolla-tube lengths over longer tubes. Our results suggest that some floral traits may have significant potential to enhance pollinator attraction to V. faba crops, particularly if paired with optimised rewards.

Morphological Characteristics and Expression Patterns of CmCYC2c of Different Flower Shapes in Chrysanthemum morifolium

The chrysanthemum is widely used as a cut flower, potted flower, and garden flower worldwide and has high ornamental, edible, and medicinal value. The flower heads, composed of ray florets and disc florets, are the most diverse in terms of morphology among ornamental plants. Here, we compared and analyzed the developmental processes of different capitulum types as well as ray florets and disc florets. Morphological differentiation of the two florets occurred on the dorsal domain of the petals at stage Ⅳ of flower development, and differences in stamen development occurred at stage Ⅴ. The dorsal domain of the ray florets and the early stage of flower development were also an essential site and period, respectively, for the differences among capitulum types. In situ hybridization revealed that CmCYC2c, whose homologs are involved in the specification of floret identity in Asteraceae, was expressed in both the dorsal and ventral domains of the ray petals in the tubular-type chrysanthemum, whereas, it was differentially transcribed in the ray petals of flat- and spoon-type chrysanthemum cultivars and had lower or no expression in the dorsal domain and higher expression in the ventral domain at stage Ⅳ. Our study indicates that the expression pattern of CmCYC2c on the dorsal domain of the ray floret at stage Ⅳ contributes to the formation of diverse flower head types in chrysanthemums.

High-fidelity numerical investigation on structural integrity of SFR fuel cladding during design basis events

A high-fidelity numerical analysis methodology was proposed for evaluating the fuel rod cladding integrity of a Prototype Gen IV Sodium Fast Reactor (PGSFR) during normal operation and Design basis events (DBEs). The MARS-LMR code, system transient safety analysis code, was applied to analyze the DBEs. The results of the MARS-LMR code were used as boundary condition for a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. The peak temperatures considering HCFs satisfied the cladding temperature limit. The temperature and pressure distributions were calculated by ANSYS CFX code, and applied to structural analysis. Structural analysis was performed using ANSYS Mechanical code. The seismic reactivity insertion SSE accident among DBEs had the highest peak cladding temperature and the maximum stress, as the value of 87 MPa. The fuel cladding had over 40 % safety margin, and the strain was below the strain limit. Deformation behavior was elucidated for providing relative coordinate data on each active fuel rod center. Bending deformation resulted in a flower shape, and bowing bundle did not interact with the duct of fuel assemblies. Fuel rod maximum expansion was generated with highest stress. Therefore, it was concluded that the fuel rod cladding of the PGSFR has sufficient structural safety margin during DBEs.

Five New Species of Aniba (Lauraceae) from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru

Five new species of Aniba Aubl. (Lauraceae) with clustered or verticillate leaves are described and illustrated. Aniba brochidodroma van der Werff from Peru stands out by its short petioles and soft whitish hairs on the lower leaf surface. Aniba glabra van der Werff from Colombia is distinguished by its glabrous flowers and inflorescences. Aniba palaciosii van der Werff from Ecuador can be recognized by the indument of the outer surface of the tepals, with the outer three tepals finely appressed pubescent and the inner three tepals glabrous. Aniba tomentella van der Werff from Peru differs from its congeners in its flower shape; its flowers are wider than long and the tepals are incurved leaving only a small apical pore. Finally, A. verticillata van der Werff from Ecuador differs from morphologically similar species by its subcoriaceous leaves with prominently raised secondary veins and its montane habitat.

Synthesis and characterization of α-Fe2O3 nanoplates/aluminum fumarate metal-organic framework nanosheets as a nanocarrier for anticancer drug

α-Fe2O3 nanoplates/Aluminum Fumarate metal-organic framework (α-Fe2O3/AlFu) nanocarriers were successfully synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method and used as a drug delivery system (DDS). 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) as an anticancer drug was incorporated into the nanocarriers through plunging in the drug solution (5-Fu/α-Fe2O3/AlFu). The developed nanocarriers, including AlFu, α-Fe2O3/AlFu, and 5-Fu/α-Fe2O3/AlFu, were well-characterized which confirmed their successful synthesis. The electron microscopy images indicated that the flower shape of AlFu MOF with an average diameter of 500 nm was decorated with the α-Fe2O3 nanoplates. The flower of AlFu was formed by some nanosheets with a diameter of 20 nm. The average diameter of the nanoplates of α-Fe2O3 was about 200 nm. The α-Fe2O3 nanoplates fell apart from the AlFu flower and were located on the nanosheets of AlFu. The nanocarriers with high surface areas were found to be proper support for loading the 5-Fu drug. The vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) results revealed that 5-Fu/α-Fe2O3/AlFu nanocarriers retained superparamagnetic properties when embedded with α-Fe2O3 nanoplates. Results represent the better loading efficiency of the α-Fe2O3/AlFu nanocarriers (65 %) compared to its components. To demonstrate the efficiency of 5-Fu/α-Fe2O3/AlFu as novel nanocarriers for controlled release of 5-Fu, in-vitro drug delivery tests were carried out in a simulated normal (pH = 7.4 and T = 37.4 °C) and tumor (pH = 5 and T = 42 °C) tissues’ environment. It was shown that low drug release (59.8 %) occurred at neutral pH and that more than 88.8 % of the loaded drug was released at the condition of cancer cells. Temperature and pH stimulate 5-Fu release from nanocarriers. Under cancer cells conditions, the release kinetic follows the Weibull distribution model, while in normal cells conditions, the Korsmeyer-Peppas model is used. Notably, the MTT test established that the α-Fe2O3/AlFu nanocarriers have no toxicity against BT-20 breast cancer cells.

Genetic similarity among Dendrobium species from Indonesia using RAPD markers

Abstract. Hartati S, Samanhudi, Cahyono O. 2023. Genetic similarity among Dendrobium species from Indonesia using RAPD markers. Biodiversitas 24: 5015-5021. Dendrobium genus orchids are one of the most popular commodities in the world due to their diverse range of flower sizes, shapes, and colors. To enhance plant breeding programs and genetic resources, it is necessary to obtain information on genetic similarity between orchids of the Dendrobium genus through molecular analysis techniques. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the genetic similarity among five Dendrobium species using molecular markers, specifically RAPD. The plant material used was obtained from five species of the Dendrobium spp, namely (i) Dendrobium mirbelianum; (ii) Dendrobium lamellatum, (iii) Dendrobium secundum, (iv) Dendrobium bracteosum, and (v) Dendrobium purpureum. The analysis was carried out to determine the genetic diversity of the Dendrobium orchids using RAPD markers. A total of five RAPD primers were used for amplification, namely OPD 8, OPA 7, OPA 13, OPB 12, and OPB 18. The scoring data were analyzed using NTSYS-pc (Numerical Taxonomy and Multivariate Analysis System) version 2.02 which produced data in the form of cluster dendrograms. The dendrogram that was constructed by Unweighted Pair Group Method Using Arithmetic Average (UPGMA) classified the five Dendrobium species into two main clusters. The results showed that there were two clusters, namely Cluster A consisting of D. mirbelianum, D. lamellatum, and D. secundum while Cluster B consisted of D. bracteosum and D. purpureum. Furthermore, the polymorphism of the five RAPD primers was very high, ranging from 91.6 to 100%, measuring 250-1900 bp. The coefficient of genetic similarity analyzed using the five RAPD primers ranged from 0.24 to 0.77. The species D. mirbelianum and D. lamellatum had a high coefficient of genetic similarity. Which can be discovered through parental selection in breeding program.

The potential of new hybrid Chrysanthemum as germplasm resource

Many new hybrids of chrysanthemums from Indonesia are adapted to tropical areas. The hybrids were growing well with many characteristics such as consumer preferences and the idiotype of chrysanthemums. The goal of the research was to collect, select and categorize new chrysanthemum hybrids to be the parent’s resource for new breeding. They were Puspita Nusantara, Jayani, Cayapati, Sabiya, Swarna Kencana, Trissa, and Tadasita varieties. There were 2 categories, standard and spray types. Each of the varieties had specific novelty characteristics that could be gen resources as parents in chrysanthemum breeding. The specific and novelty characteristics as gen resources were the vase life period, flower shape, colour, number of petals, and the total number of flowers per plant. The standard type dominated white and yellow colour, and the spray type had more colour, shape, and size variations. Chrysanthemum cultivar (cv.) Swarna Kencana showed the highest plant height in a low area 187.6 meters MASL (meters above sea level). It followed cutting flower standards. Puspita Nusantara variety complied as crossing parents for resistance to Puccinia horianna.

Form and contour: breeding and genetics of organ shape from wild relatives to modern vegetable crops.

Shape is a primary determinant of consumer preference for many horticultural crops and it is also associated with many aspects of marketing, harvest mechanics, and postharvest handling. Perceptions of quality and preference often map to specific shapes of fruits, tubers, leaves, flowers, roots, and other plant organs. As a result, humans have greatly expanded the palette of shapes available for horticultural crops, in many cases creating a series of market classes where particular shapes predominate. Crop wild relatives possess organs shaped by natural selection, while domesticated species possess organs shaped by human desires. Selection for visually-pleasing shapes in vegetable crops resulted from a number of opportunistic factors, including modification of supernumerary cambia, allelic variation at loci that control fundamental processes such as cell division, cell elongation, transposon-mediated variation, and partitioning of photosynthate. Genes that control cell division patterning may be universal shape regulators in horticultural crops, influencing the form of fruits, tubers, and grains in disparate species. Crop wild relatives are often considered less relevant for modern breeding efforts when it comes to characteristics such as shape, however this view may be unnecessarily limiting. Useful allelic variation in wild species may not have been examined or exploited with respect to shape modifications, and newly emergent information on key genes and proteins may provide additional opportunities to regulate the form and contour of vegetable crops.

Efficient double-flowered gentian plant production using the CRISPR/Cas9 system.

Japanese cultivated gentians are highly valued ornamental flowers in Japan, but the flower shape is mostly limited to the single-flower type, unlike other flowers such as roses and carnations. To overcome this limitation, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system to increase double-flowered genetic resources in gentians. Our approach targeted an AGAMOUS (AG) floral homeotic gene (AG1), which is responsible for the natural mutation that causes double flowers in gentians. We designed two targets in exon 1 of AG1 for genome editing and found that 9 of 12 herbicide-resistant shoots had biallelic mutations in the target regions of AG1. These nine lines all produced double flowers, with stamens converted into petaloid organs, similar to the natural mutant. We also analyzed the off-target effects of AG2, which is homologous to AG1, and found that such effects occurred in gentian genome editing but with low frequency. Furthermore, we successfully produced transgene-free genome-edited plants (null segregants) by crossing with wild-type pollen. F1 seedlings were subjected to PCR analysis to determine whether foreign DNA sequences, two partial regions of the CaMV35S promoter and Cas9 gene, were present in the genome. As a result, foreign genes were segregated at a 1 : 1 ratio, indicating successful null segregant production. Using PCR analysis, we confirmed that four representative null segregants did not contain transfer DNA. In summary, our study demonstrates that the CRISPR/Cas9 system can efficiently produce double-flowered gentians, and null segregants can also be obtained. These genome-edited plants are valuable genetic resources for future gentian breeding programs.

Community-wide patterns in pollen and ovule production, their ratio (P/O), and other floral traits along an elevation gradient in southwestern China

BackgroundAs the male and female gametophytes of flowering plants, pollen and ovules largely determine the upper and lower boundaries of plant reproductive success. It is commonly predicted that pollen and ovule number per flower should increase, and pollen-ovule ratio (P/O) per flower should decrease with increasing elevation in response to a more stochastic pollination environment. Here, we aimed to determine the response of pollen number, ovule number, and P/O to other floral traits and elevation gradients for 84 insect-pollinated herbaceous flowering plant species in five sub-alpine and alpine communities (2709 to 3896 m a.s.l.) on Yulong Snow Mountain, southwestern China.ResultsSix floral traits, including P/O, floral display area, flower number, tube depth, flower shape, and pollen presentation, were highly correlated with pollen and ovule number per flower. With increasing elevation, pollen number and P/O per flower increased marginally and significantly, respectively; ovule number per individual, flower number per individual, stigma stamen separation, and inflorescence height decreased significantly. However, ovule number per flower and other floral traits (i.e., floral display area, tube depth, stigma height, stamen height, and pollen and P/O per individual) did not change with elevation. We detected significant phylogenetic signals for pollen number, ovule number, and P/O, suggesting that these traits may be highly conserved and with limited response to changing environmental conditions.ConclusionsResults revealed patterns of plant reproductive character evolution along elevation gradients and the potential factors governing their spatial variation in high-elevation environments. Plant species at high elevations are more likely adapted to cross-pollination, indicated by increased P/O per flower at high elevations on Yulong Mountain. Combined effects of phylogenetic history and plant-pollinator interactions should determine plant trait evolution.

Passively crowdsourcing images online for measuring broad-scale fly (Diptera) floral interactions and biodiversity

Flies (Diptera) represent one of the largest and most important groups of pollinators on the planet; however, little is known about the interactions between flies and flowers compared to well-known pollinators, such as bees. Understanding pollinator assemblages is key to conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services, but monitoring Diptera is time and cost intensive. Using photographs of blooming flowers taken by photographers worldwide and uploaded on internet repositories, we built a dataset of 1,275 images of fly-flower visitations and extracted fly and flower taxonomic information, flower characteristics (shape and color), and fly activity (pollen carrying and foraging). The resulting dataset shows taxonomic and other biases but can still provide an initial overview of factors that affect pollination by Diptera. We identified 22 families of flies, with blow flies (Family Calliphoridae) most represented (29%) and 63 families of flowers, with Asteraceae (42%) and Apiaceae (21%) as the most common. Using logistic regression, we found that the likelihood of flies carrying pollen was determined by the interaction between flower color and shape: pollen-carrying was more likely when elongate cluster flowers were green-yellow. Fly foraging on flowers was determined by flower color: flies were more likely to feed on green-yellow and white flowers. Overall, Syrphidae flies were less likely to forage for nectar than non-Syrphidae, but were more likely to carry pollen. While biases exist in crowdsourced data, we show that data from photographs collected through citizen science offers potentially valuable information for monitoring pollinator-flower interactions and augment our understanding of pollinator ecology in an era of global insect declines.

Multistable dynamics and attractors self-reproducing in a new hyperchaotic complex Lü system.

Multistable dynamics analysis of complex chaotic systems is an important problem in the field of chaotic communication security. In this paper, a new hyperchaotic complex Lü system is proposed and its basic dynamics are analyzed. Owing to the introduction of complex variables, the new system has some structurally distinctive attractors, such as flower-shaped and airfoil-shaped attractors. In addition, the evolution process of the limit cycle is also investigated. Next, the multistable coexistence behavior of the system is researched by the method of attraction basins, and the coexistence behavior of two types of hyperchaotic attractors and one type of chaotic and periodic attractors of the system are analyzed. The coexisting hyperchaotic attractors also show flower and airfoil shapes, and four types of coexistence flower-shaped attractors with different structures are perfectly explored. Moreover, the variation of coexistence attractors in the plane and space with parameters is discussed. Then, by introducing a specific piecewise function determined by a two-element method into the new high-dimensional system, the self-reproduction of the attractor can be realized to generate the multistability, and the general steps of attractors self-reproducing in the higher dimensional system are given. Finally, the circuit design of the new system is implemented, which lays a foundation for the application of complex chaotic systems.

Efficient activation of peroxydisulfate by 3D flower spherical-like Fe–NC for organic contaminant removal: Fe(IV)=O as a dominant species

The high-valent iron-oxo species (Fe(IV)O) exhibit great prospects for the removal of organic contaminants in iron-mediated persulfate activation. Nevertheless, an adequate research of the mechanisms involved in Fe(IV)-based activation processes and organic degradation remains elusive. Here, an Fe encapsulated in N-doped carbons catalyst (2Fe–NC) with three-dimensional flower shape and mesoporous structure was developed, which can 100 % remove various organic pollutants such as chloramphenicol (CAP), sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, benzoic acid, and bisphenol A within 30 min by peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation. In the oxidation system, 2Fe–NC as an electron transfer medium was critical to mediate electron transfer from organic compound to PDS, accompanied by the redox cycle of Fe(IV)/Fe(II) and Fe(IV)/Fe(III). Multiple experiments reveal that the oxidation mechanism of 2Fe–NC@PDS system is similar to the dioxygen activation mechanism of binuclear active sites, which activates PDS to form surface-active Fe(IV)O species without producing radicals. The two pathways of CAP degradation simulated by density functional theory calculations release 6.92 and 4.23 eV, respectively, which is thermodynamically favorable. Overall, the new insights gained in this work offer a significant route to design more effective advanced oxidation processes for refractory contaminant treatment.

Effect of Different Drying Media on Different Cut Flowers

The standardization of different drying techniques for various cut flowers is crucial for value addition in the floriculture industry. Drying flowers enhances their longevity, making them available year-round and reducing wastage. By preserving their vibrant colours, shapes, and textures, dried flowers offer novel and aesthetically appealing options for floral arrangements and decorations. Therefore, present investigation was carried out to determine the effect of different drying media on the quality of flowers. Under this experiment, overall, 11 treatments comprising of different drying media were applied for different cut flowers. The present investigation found that treatment T4 (Sand (microwave @ 280°C) and T6 (Silica gel (microwave @ 280°C) responded better among different drying method and T6 (Silica gel (microwave @ 280°C) also showed better colour, shape and texture of cut flowers employed in drying.