Binding of PtoRAP2.12 to demethylated and accessible chromatin regions in the PtoGntK promoter stimulates growth of poplar.

DNA methylation is an essential epigenetic modification for gene regulation in plant growth and development. However, the precise mechanisms of DNA methylation remain poorly understood, especially in woody plants. We employed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), assays for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq), and RNA-Seq to investigate epigenetic regulatory relationships in Populus tomentosa treated with DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacitidine.

Predicting rice phenology across China by integrating crop phenology model and machine learning.

This study explores the integration of crop phenology models and machine learning approaches for predicting rice phenology across China, to gain a deeper understanding of rice phenology prediction. Multiple approaches were used to predict heading and maturity dates at 337 locations across the main rice growing regions of China from 1981 to 2020, including crop phenology model, machine learning and hybrid model that integrate both approaches. Furthermore, an interpretable machine learning (IML) using SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) was employed to elucidate influence of climatic and varietal factors on uncertainty in crop phenology model predictions.

A novel halloysite nanotubes-based hybrid monolith for in-tube solid-phase microextraction of polar cationic pesticides.

The accurate determination of polar cationic pesticides in food poses a challenge due to their high polarity and trace levels in complex matrices. This study hypothesized that the use of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) can significantly enhance the extraction efficiency and sensitivity of these analytes because of their rich hydroxyl groups and cation exchange sites. Therefore, we chemically incorporated HNTs with organic polymer monoliths for in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME).

Upward Splashing of a Droplet Impacting an Inclined Superhydrophobic Surface.

It has long been held that when a droplet impacts obliquely onto a smooth dry surface at normal ambient temperature and pressure, upward splashing can be more easily suppressed than downward splashing. However, in this research, we experimentally find that for a superhydrophobic surface, increasing the wall inclination beforehand suppresses downward splashing and subsequently suppresses upward splashing. The spreading theory for an inclined surface is modified to predict the spreading process on an inclined superhydrophobic wall.

Maintenance of estuarine water quality by mangroves occurs during flood periods: a case study of a subtropical mangrove wetland.

Seasonal changes in water quality were measured in samples taken at various distances from shallow water across mudflat to mangroves during flood period and from mangroves across mudflat to shallow water during ebb period in a subtropical mangrove estuary (Zhangjiang Estuary, Fujian, China). The TN (total dissolved nitrogen), TP (total dissolved phosphorus), COD (chemical oxygen demand), and DOC (dissolved organic carbon) contents during the flood period were significantly higher than those during the ebb period. In contrast, the opposite was true for the POC (particulate organic carbon) content and transparency.