The serine palmitoyltransferase core subunit StLcb2 regulates sphingolipid metabolism and promotes Setosphaeria turcica pathogenicity by modulating appressorium development.

The fungal pathogen Setosphaeria turcica (S. turcica) causes northern corn leaf blight (NCLB), resulting in significant yield and economic losses in maize. To elucidate the metabolic pathways essential for its pathogenicity, we investigated the metabolome of S.

Vegetation restoration strategies in arid or semi-arid regions-From the perspective of optimal control.

Inappropriate human activities contribute to the degradation of ecosystems in arid or semi-arid regions. Therefore, emphasizing the importance of strategies for restoring vegetation in these areas cannot be overstated. However, there has been insufficient research on how to develop effective restoration strategies at minimal cost.

Identifying substrate triggers for appressorium development in Setosphaeria turcica and functional characterization of Zn(II)2Cys6 transcription factors StTF1 and StTF2.

Northern corn leaf blight is a devastating disease caused by Setosphaeria turcica (S. turcica), leading to significant yield losses in maize. S.

Ultrathin Solid Polymer Electrolyte Design for High-Performance Li Metal Batteries: A Perspective of Synthetic Chemistry.

Li metal batteries (LMBs) have attracted widespread attention in recent years because of their high energy densities. But traditional LMBs using liquid electrolyte have potential safety hazards, such as: leakage and flammability. Replacing liquid electrolyte with solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) can not only significantly improve the safety, but also improve the energy density of LMBs.

Spatial dynamics of a vegetation model with uptake-diffusion feedback in an arid environment.

Vegetation patterns with a variety of structures is amazing phenomena in arid or semi-arid areas, which can identify the evolution law of vegetation and are typical signals of ecosystem functions. Many achievements have been made in this respect, yet the mechanisms of uptake-diffusion feedback on the pattern structures of vegetation is not fully understood. To well reveal the influences of parameters perturbation on the pattern formation of vegetation, we give a comprehensive analysis on a vegetation-water model in the forms of reaction-diffusion equation which is posed by Zelnik et al.

Rtr1 is required for Rpb1-Rpb2 assembly of RNAPII and prevents their cytoplasmic clump formation.

RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is an essential machinery for catalyzing mRNA synthesis and controlling cell fate in eukaryotes. Although the structure and function of RNAPII have been relatively defined, the molecular mechanism of its assembly process is not clear. The identification and functional analysis of assembly factors will provide new understanding to transcription regulation.

Electrochemical Corrosion Behaviour of X70 Steel under the Action of Capillary Water in Saline Soils.

In this paper, the electrochemical corrosion behavior of X70 steel in saline soil under capillary water was simulated by a Geo-experts one-dimensional soil column instrument. A volumetric water content sensor and conductivity test were used to study the migration mechanism of water and salt (sodium chloride) under the capillary water. The electrochemical corrosion behavior of the X70 steel in the corrosion system was analyzed by electrochemical testing as well as the macroscopic and microscopic corrosion morphology of the steel.

Npa3-Gpn3 cooperate to assemble RNA polymerase II and prevent clump of its subunits in the cytoplasm.

RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is an essential machinery in eukaryotes that catalyzes mRNA synthesis and controls cell fate. Although the structure and function of RNAPII are relatively well defined, the molecular mechanism of its assembly process is poorly understood. Three members of GPN-loop GTPase family Npa3/Gpn1, Gpn2, and Gpn3 participate in the biogenesis of RNAPII with non-redundant roles.

Dark Septate Endophytes Improve the Growth and the Tolerance of and Under Cadmium Stress.

Although the ecological function of dark septate endophytes (DSEs) is well studied, little is known about the responses of the host plant to DSEs obtained from other plants, especially under conditions of heavy metal stress. This study aimed to investigate how DSEs from a heavy-metal habitat affect non-host plants in cadmium (Cd) stress soils, which then provides a basis for the application of DSEs in the cultivation of different plant and soil remediation strategies for polluted ecosystems. We isolated and identified two species of DSE ( and ) inhabiting the roots of (host plant) which are grown in metal-polluted habitats.

A New Explanation for the Effect of Dynamic Strain Aging on Negative Strain Rate Sensitivity in Fe-30Mn-9Al-1C Steel.

In this study, the evolution of the mechanical properties of Fe-30Mn-9Al-1C steel has been determined in tensile tests at strain rates of 10 to 10 s. The results show that the strain rate sensitivity becomes a negative value when the strain rate exceeds 10 s and this abnormal evolution is attributed to the occurrence of dynamic strain aging. Due to the presence of intergranular κ-carbides, the fracture modes of steel include ductile fracture and intergranular fracture.

Investigation on Wear Behavior of Cryogenically Treated Ti-6Al-4V Titanium Alloy under Dry and Wet Conditions.

Titanium alloys are widely used in many fields because of their excellent comprehensive properties. However, its poor friction and wear properties limit its many potential applications. In general, the surface roughness of important parts manufactured by titanium alloy should meet certain requirements.

Unusual formation of NiCoO@MnO/nickel foam/MnO sandwich as advanced electrodes for hybrid supercapacitors.

A facile three-step method is designed for large-scale preparation of a NiCoO@MnO/nickel foam/MnO sandwich architecture with robust adhesion as an advanced electrode for high-performance supercapacitors. The synthesis contains the hydrothermal reaction of a cobalt-nickel hydroxide precursor on a nickel foam (NF) support and subsequent thermal conversion into spinel mesoporous NiCoO nanowire arrays, followed by a hydrothermal oxidation reaction to synthesize NiCoO@MnO/nickel foam/MnO sandwiches. Moreover, the tactics reported in this study enable easy control of the growth of NiCoO on one side of the NF and MnO nanosheets on both sides of the NF to obtain novel NiCoO@MnO/nickel foam/MnO sandwiches.

Highly Stable Gully-Network CoO Nanowire Arrays as Battery-Type Electrode for Outstanding Supercapacitor Performance.

3D transition metal oxides, especially constructed from the interconnected nanowires directly grown on conductive current collectors, are considered to be the most promising electrode material candidates for advanced supercapacitors because 3D network could simultaneously enhance the mechanical and electrochemical performance. The work about design, fabrication, and characterization of 3D gully-network CoO nanowire arrays directly grown on Ni foam using a facile hydrothermal procedure followed by calcination treatment will be introduced. When evaluated as a binder-free battery-type electrode for supercapacitor, a high specific capacity of 582.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) Modified Nanocoating Enhancement on AZ31 Mg Alloy by Combined Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment and Electrochemical Deposition Approach.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocoating was electrodeposited on the surface mechanical attrition treated (SMATed) AZ31 magnesium alloy. Phases, morphologies and the adhesion of coating were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 3D optical profiler. The corrosion resistance of the HA coating was tested by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

Synthesis of Mesoporous Co₃O₄/NiCo₂O₄ Nanorods and Their Electrochemical Study.

Mesoporous Co₃O₄/NiCo₂O₄ nanorods were obtained by a hydrothermal reaction with the assistance of Ni foam and subsequent annealing treatment. The characterization of this composition by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectra and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis revealed that the nanorods consisted of Co₃O₄ and NiCo₂O₄ phase, exhibiting high porosity and rich crystal defects. The electrochemical data showed a specific capacitance of 1173 mF cm and 606 mF cm at 2 mV s and 1 mA cm, respectively.

Corrosion Behavior of the As-Cast and As-Solid Solution Mg-Al-Ge Alloy.

The corrosion behavior of Mg-3Al-Ge ( = 1, 3, 5) alloy in as-cast and as-solid was investigated by virtue of microstructure, corrosion morphology observation, and electrochemical measurement. Among the as-cast alloys, the corrosion rate of Mg-3Al-1Ge with a discontinuous bar-morphology was the highest, which was 101.7 mm·a; the corrosion rate of Mg-3Al-3Ge with a continuous network distribution was the lowest, which was 23.

Dark septate endophytes isolated from a xerophyte plant promote the growth of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus under drought condition.

Dark septate endophytes (DSE) may facilitate plant growth and stress tolerance in stressful ecosystems. However, little is known about the response of plants to non-host DSE fungi isolated from other plants, especially under drought condition. This study aimed to seek and apply non-host DSE to evaluate their growth promoting effects in a desert species, Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, under drought condition.

Controllable thermal and pH responsive behavior of PEG based hydrogels and applications for dye adsorption and release.

A series of controllable thermal and pH dual-responsive copolymeric hydrogels (PMA) were prepared by a one-pot reaction with poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGA), 2-methoxyethyl acrylate (MEA) and acroleic acid (AA). The hydrogels exhibited good mechanical properties and a sensitive response to pH and temperature. Besides, the Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST) of the hydrogels can be adjusted from 37 °C to 58 °C by changing the content of AA.

A simple synthesis of hollow Mn2O3 core-shell microspheres and their application in lithium ion batteries.

Hollow Mn2O3 core-shell microspheres were successfully fabricated via a mixed method including a solution method and a subsequent thermal decomposition. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the average size of Mn2O3 cores was about 0.8 μm and their shell thickness was 120 nm.

Facile Synthesis of Hierarchical Mesoporous Honeycomb-like NiO for Aqueous Asymmetric Supercapacitors.

Three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical nanostructures have been demonstrated as one of the most ideal electrode materials in energy storage systems due to the synergistic combination of the advantages of both nanostructures and microstructures. In this study, the honeycomb-like mesoporous NiO microspheres as promising cathode materials for supercapacitors have been achieved using a hydrothermal reaction, followed by an annealing process. The electrochemical tests demonstrate the highest specific capacitance of 1250 F g(-1) at 1 A g(-1).

Structural characteristics of nanocrystalline copper after carbon ion implantation.

A gradient structure was produced in a pure copper plate by means of surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT). The microstructure of the surface layer was reduced to nanoscale and the grain size increased gradually along the depth of the treated sample. In situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) observation was performed on the nanocrystalline copper after implantation of carbon.