Effects of Vegetation Restoration Type on Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Associated Microbial Regulation on the Loess Plateau.

Investigating responses of soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to vegetation restoration is important for global warming mitigation. On the Loess Plateau, a wide range of vegetation restoration strategies have been implemented to control land degradation. However, the thorough quantification of soil GHG emissions triggered by different modes of vegetation restoration is insufficient.

Quantitative relationship between surface chemistry of graphene and compatibility with rubbers established by two-dimensional solubility parameters.

Hildebrand ( ) and Hansen ( , , ) solubility parameters are important indexes to predict the compatibility of components intuitively. Currently, almost all the experiments only measured the solubility parameters of the pristine graphene. Therefore, there is a lack of quantitative relationship between the surface chemistry of graphene and solubility parameters, resulting in no theoretical guidance for the surface modification of graphene.

On the Relationship Between the Gini Coefficient and Skewness.

Skewness, a measure of the asymmetry of a distribution, is frequently employed to reflect a biologically important property. Another statistic, the Gini coefficient (GC), originally used to measure economic inequality, has been validated in measuring the inequality of biological size distributions. Given that the GC and skewness control overlapping domains and interact with each other, researchers are perplexed by their relationship (varying with the biological [organ, tissue or cell] size distributions) and use both of them together to provide a more complete picture of the data.

Multi-scaled regulation for cholesteric organization of cellulose nanocrystals based on internal and external factors.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), as one of the most promising bio-sourced materials, have been drawing increasing attention as they offer an attractive route for the rational design and sustainable manufacturing of photonic materials owing to their cholesteric self-assembly from the suspension to solid state. Such an organization process can be readily regulated depending on either internal factors or external forces. In this review, recent advances in the control over the self-assembly process and photonic organizations of CNCs are summarized.

Enhancing the nutritional value and antioxidant properties of foxtail millet by solid-state fermentation with edible fungi.

Foxtail millet is typically dehulled before consumption or processing. However, foxtail millet bran also contains abundant phenolic compounds and other nutrients. Edible fungi have rich extracellular enzyme systems; are environmentally friendly and safe for consumption; and have been shown to effectively degrade lignin and cellulose.

Predicting the Global Potential Suitable Areas of Sweet Osmanthus () Under Current and Future Climate Scenarios.

is a valuable landscaping tree that is appreciated worldwide. However, the optimal environmental conditions for . cultivation have yet to be studied in detail, which hinders the preservation of wild resources of this plant and its commercial exploitation.

Comparison of quality characteristics of reconstituted glutinous rice flour and sweet dumplings with various beans.

This study blended five types of beans-florid kidney bean, red adzuki bean, chickpea, black bean, and white kidney bean-with glutinous rice flour (GRF) to create a synergistic heat-moisture treatment (HMT). We investigated the effects of this combination on the digestibility of the glutinous rice mixture and the quality of sweet dumplings. The inclusion of beans, along with HMT, altered the granular morphology, adhesive qualities, thermal characteristics, crystallinity, and protein secondary structure of the blended powders compared to GRF.

When microplastics/plastics meet metal-organic frameworks: turning threats into opportunities.

Significant efforts have been devoted to removal and recycling of microplastics (MPs; <5 mm) to address the environmental crises caused by their ubiquitous presence and improper treatment. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) demonstrate compatibility with MPs/plastics through adsorption, degradation, or assembly with the MPs/plastic polymers. Above 90% of MPs/plastic particles can be adsorbed on MOF materials the hydrophobic interaction, electrical attraction, π-π stacking, and van der Waals forces.

Resurrection of (Rosaceae) based on molecular and morphological evidence.

(Rosaceae) from Taibai Shan, Qinling, China, has been treated as a synonym of . Both species belong to a distinctive group characterized by white tomentose buds, relatively large flowers, and red fruits. However, these two species do not cluster together in the plastome-based phylogenetic analysis.

Promoting oxygen electrode reaction kinetics in photo-assisted Li-O batteries through heterostructure design and built-in electric field construction.

Li-O batteries (LOBs) boast an exceptionally high theoretical energy density; however, the slow kinetics of the oxygen electrode reaction have been a significant hurdle in their advancement and practical application. In this study, a composite of bismuth oxyhalide heterojunction incorporated with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) was engineered on carbon cloth (Zr-MOF/BiOIBr/CC) as an efficient bifunctional catalyst to enhance the oxygen electrode reaction in photo-assisted LOBs. Compared to Zr-MOF/CC, Zr-MOF/BiOIBr/CC significantly expands the light absorption spectrum of the catalyst.

The redescription and complete mitogenomes of two species (Hemiptera, Oxycarenidae) and phylogenetic implications.

In this study, the two Oxycarenidae species, Horváth, 1926 and Distant, 1904, are redescribed, and their complete mitogenomes are sequenced and analyzed. The phylogeny of Lygaeoidea is examined using 45 complete mitogenomes of lygaeoid species and four outgroup species. The gene orientation and arrangement of the two mitogenomes are found to be consistent with typical Lygaeoidea mitochondrial features, comprising 37 genes, including 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and a control region.

Mitochondrial phylogeography of grassland caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Lymantriinae: ) endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau.

Grassland caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Lymantriinae: ) are the most damaging pests to alpine meadows in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). Here, we conducted extensive sampling from 39 geographic populations covering almost the entire distribution of the eight QTP (Hübner) species to investigate phylogeographic patterns and speciation based on two mitochondrial genes ( and ). A total of 40 haplotypes were detected in the 39 populations, with >70% of all haplotypes not shared between populations.

Synergistic atom co-sharing and S-scheme heterojunction: constructing Cu/CuO/CuO with ultrathin graphene-like carbon derived from basil seeds for enhanced photo-oxidation of benzyl alcohols to aldehydes.

This study is centered on the oxidative transformation of alcohols into their respective aldehyde compounds, employing an S-scheme heterostructure featuring CuO/CuO on graphene-like carbon (GLC) derived from a basil seed hydrogel. Experimental characterization and theoretical calculations highlight that the implementation of S-scheme heterostructures achieves not only enhanced charge-separation efficiency, facilitated by the interfacial built-in electric field, Cu co-sharing at the CuO/CuO interface, and electron carrier activity of the GLC support, but also maintains a strong driving force for photocatalytic organic conversion. The resulting nanocomposites play a crucial role in transferring and reducing the recombination of photoexcited charge carriers, preserving the oxidizability of CuO holes and the reducibility of CuO electrons.

Nanoconfined tandem three-phase photocatalysis for highly selective CO reduction to ethanol.

The conversion of CO and HO into ethanol with high selectivity photocatalysis is greatly desired for effective CO resource utilization. However, the sluggish and challenging C-C coupling hinders this goal, with the behavior of *CO holding the key. Here, a nanoconfined and tandem three-phase reaction system is established to simultaneously enhance the *CO concentration and interaction time, achieving an outstanding ethanol selectively of 94.

Effects of functional composition on plant competitors, stress-tolerators, ruderals ecological strategies in forest communities across different climatic zones.

Ecological strategies identified by plant functional traits are valuable descriptors for understanding species, populations, communities, and ecosystems in response to environmental conditions. Ecological strategies, in conjunction with the functional structure of plant communities, serve as crucial tools for investigating complex relationships among the environment, vegetation, and ecosystem functions. However, it remains unclear whether the functional structure (specifically, community-weighted mean [CWM] traits) accurately reflects the optimal ecological strategies in forest communities.

A novel extraction method for three ochratoxins in human urine based on polystyrene/polyethersulfone electrospun nanofibers coated with copper nanoparticles.

In this study, four types of nanofibers were prepared electrospinning and characterized through SEM, TEM, EDS, FTIR, TG, XPS and water contact angle analyses, and the novel polystyrene/polyethersulfone nanofibers coated with copper nanoparticles (PS/PES-CuNPs nanofibers) were developed as an ideal adsorbent for the extraction of three ochratoxins from human urine. The solid-phase extractant of sample pretreatment displayed preferable sensitivity and an extraction effect, and the analytical method based on the novel packed-fiber solid-phase extraction strategy followed by high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (PFSPE-HPLC-FLD) achieved an exceedingly low limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.108-0.

Leaf functional traits of from different environments in eastern China.

Functional traits are important in understanding how plants respond and adapt to their immediate environment. is a highly endangered arbor species found throughout eastern China, primarily inhabiting hillsides and valleys, yet, little is known about the variation in leaf traits across these environments. In the present study, we tested this by comparing leaf surface area, leaf weight, leaf length, leaf symmetry and leaf mass per unit area, as well as the relationship between leaf traits and environmental factors and the scaling relationship between leaf surface area versus leaf dry mass.

Influence of tree size on the scaling relationships of lamina and petiole traits: A case study using Decne.

There is a lack of research on whether tree size affects lamina and petiole biomass allocation patterns, whereas the trade-off between leaf biomass allocated to the lamina and the petiole is of significance when considering the hydraulic and mechanical function of the leaf as a whole. Here, Decne was selected for study because of the availability of trees differing in size growing under the same conditions. A total of 600 leaves for two tree size groups and 300 leaves per group differing in height and trunk diameter were collected.

Photophysics and photochemistry of thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters based on the multiple resonance effect: transient optical and electron paramagnetic resonance studies.

The photochemistry of two representative thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters based on the multiple resonance effect (MRE) (DABNA-1 and DtBuCzB) was studied. No significant TADF was observed in fluid solution, although the compounds have a long-lived triplet state ( 30 μs). We found that these planar boron molecules bind with Lewis bases, , 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) or an -heterocyclic carbene (NHC).

The evolutionary adaptation of wood-decay macrofungi to host gymnosperms differs from that to host angiosperms.

Wood-decay macrofungi play a vital role in forest ecosystems by promoting nutrient cycling and soil structure, and their evolution is closely related to their host plants. This study investigates the potential evolutionary adaptation of wood-decay macrofungi to their host plants, focusing on whether these relationships differ between gymnosperms and angiosperms. While previous research has suggested non-random associations between specific fungi and plant deadwood, direct evidence of evolutionary adaptation has been lacking.

Scaling relationships between the total number of leaves and the total leaf area per culm of two dwarf bamboo species.

Total leaf area per plant is an important measure of the photosynthetic capacity of an individual plant that together with plant density drives the canopy leaf area index, that is, the total leaf area per unit ground area. Because the total number of leaves per plant (or per shoot) varies among conspecifics and among mixed species communities, this variation can affect the total leaf area per plant and per canopy but has been little studied. Previous studies have shown a strong linear relationship between the total leaf area per plant (or per shoot) ( ) and the total number of leaves per plant (or per shoot) ( ) on a log-log scale for several growth forms.

Endangered status and threatened population ecological factors in , an endemic species from Hunan, China.

Many species of have excellent ornamental, culinary, and medicinal values. , is an ornamental and highly medicinal perennial herb endemic to the prefecture-level city of Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province, China, with a narrow geographical distribution. However, currently, it has only been assessed as a Critically Endangered species according to the IUCN classification criteria, but its conservation has not yet been studied.

PLA tissue-engineered scaffolds loaded with sustained-release active substance chitosan nanoparticles: Modeling BSA-bFGF as the active substance.

The utilization of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the development of tissue-engineered scaffolds is both challenging and imperative. In our pursuit of creating a scaffold that aligns with the natural healing process, we initially fabricated chitosan-bFGF nanoparticles (CS-bFGF NPs) through electrostatic spraying. Subsequently, polylactic acid (PLA) fiber was prepared using electrospinning technique, and the CS-bFGF NPs were uniformly embedded within the pores of porous PLA fibers.