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PeerJ 2024Leaf inclination angle (LIA) and tillering impact the winter wheat ( L.) population canopy structure. Understanding their effects on water use (WU) parameters and yield...
Leaf inclination angle (LIA) and tillering impact the winter wheat ( L.) population canopy structure. Understanding their effects on water use (WU) parameters and yield can guide water-saving strategies through population control. In this study, six near-isogenic lines (NILs) and their parents were selected as materials. These special materials were characterized by varying tillering at the current sowing density, a similar genetic background, and, particularly, a gradient in mean flag leaf LIA. The investigation focused on the jointing to early grain-filling stage, the peak water requirement period of wheat crops. Population-scale transpiration (PT) and evaporation from the soil surface (E) were partitioned from total evapotranspiration (ET) by the means of micro-lysimeters. The results showed decreased PT, E, and ET with increased population density (PD) within a narrow density range derived from varying tillering across genotypes. Significant correlations existed between PD and ET, E, and PT, especially in the wettest 2017-2018 growing season. Within such narrow PD range, all the correlations between WU parameters and PD were negative, although some correlations were not statistically significant, thereby suggesting the population structure's predominant impact. No significant correlation existed between LIA and both ET and PT within the LIA range of 35°-65°. However, significant correlations occurred between LIA and E in two growing seasons. Genotypes with similar LIA but different PD produced varied ET; while with similar PD, the four pairs of genotypes with different LIA each consumed similar ET, thus highlighting PD's more crucial role in regulating ET. The yield increased with higher LIA, and showed a significant correlation, emphasizing the LIA's significant effect on yield. However, no correlation was observed with PD, indicating the minor effect of tillering at the current sowing density. Therefore these results might offer valuable insights for breeding water-saving cultivars and optimizing population structures for effective field water conservation.
Topics: Triticum; Plant Leaves; Plant Transpiration; Soil; Seasons; Water; Genotype
PubMed: 38948218
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17618 -
PeerJ 2024Tolerance against acute warming is an essential trait that can determine how organisms cope during heat waves, yet the mechanisms underlying it remain elusive. Water...
Tolerance against acute warming is an essential trait that can determine how organisms cope during heat waves, yet the mechanisms underlying it remain elusive. Water salinity has previously been suggested to modulate warming tolerance in fish and may therefore provide clues towards these limiting mechanisms. Here, using the critical thermal maximum (CT) test, we investigated whether short (2 hours) and long (10 days) term exposure to different water salinities (2 hours: 0-5 ppt, 10 days: 0-3 ppt) affected acute warming tolerance in zebrafish ( = 263). We found that water salinity did not affect the warming tolerance of zebrafish at either time point, indicating that salinity does not affect the mechanism limiting acute warming tolerance in zebrafish at these salinity ranges, and that natural fluctuations in salinity levels might not have a large impact on acute warming tolerance in wild zebrafish.
Topics: Zebrafish; Animals; Salinity; Hot Temperature; Thermotolerance; Water
PubMed: 38948212
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17343 -
Frontiers in Chemistry 20245-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), serving as a versatile platform compound bridging biomass resource and the fine chemicals industry, holds significant importance in... (Review)
Review
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), serving as a versatile platform compound bridging biomass resource and the fine chemicals industry, holds significant importance in biomass conversion processes. The electrooxidation of HMF plays a crucial role in yielding the valuable product (2,5-furandicarboxylic acid), which finds important applications in antimicrobial agents, pharmaceutical intermediates, polyester synthesis, and so on. Defect engineering stands as one of the most effective strategies for precisely synthesizing electrocatalytic materials, which could tune the electronic structure and coordination environment, and further altering the adsorption energy of HMF intermediate species, consequently increasing the kinetics of HMF electrooxidation. Thereinto, the most routine and effective defect are the anionic vacancies and cationic vacancies. In this concise review, the catalytic reaction mechanism for selective HMF oxidation is first elucidated, with a focus on the synthesis strategies involving both anionic and cationic vacancies. Recent advancements in various catalytic oxidation systems for HMF are summarized and synthesized from this perspective. Finally, the future research prospects for selective HMF oxidation are discussed.
PubMed: 38947956
DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1416329 -
ACS Omega Jun 2024An efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of α-deuterated α-amino esters via hydrogen isotope exchange of α-amino esters in DO with...
An efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of α-deuterated α-amino esters via hydrogen isotope exchange of α-amino esters in DO with 2-hydroxynicotinaldehyde as a catalyst under mild conditions. This methodology exhibits a wide range of substrate scopes, remarkable functional group tolerance, and affording the desired products in good yields with excellent deuterium incorporation. Notably, the ortho-hydroxyl group and the pyridine ring of the catalyst play a crucial role in the catalytic activity, which not only stabilizes the carbon-anion intermediates but also enhances the acidity of the amino esters' α-C-H bond.
PubMed: 38947810
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09974 -
Cureus May 2024A rare complication, 5-oxoproline-induced high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA) is associated with chronic acetaminophen use, predominantly reported in outpatient...
A rare complication, 5-oxoproline-induced high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA) is associated with chronic acetaminophen use, predominantly reported in outpatient settings. However, its occurrence in hospitalized patients, particularly those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), remains underreported. We present a case of a 74-year-old female with ESRD on hemodialysis who developed HAGMA highly suspicious for 5-oxoproline toxicity from acetaminophen usage following cardiac surgery. Despite a standard analgesic dose, the patient's renal impairment likely predisposed her to 5-oxoproline accumulation, resulting in severe metabolic acidosis. Discontinuation of acetaminophen led to the resolution of HAGMA, highlighting the importance of recognizing this rare but potentially life-threatening complication in the inpatient and critical care setting. This case suggests a potential interaction between acetaminophen metabolism and renal dysfunction in the pathogenesis of 5-oxoproline-induced HAGMA.
PubMed: 38947688
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61328 -
ACS Central Science Jun 2024Protein-based therapeutics comprise a rapidly growing subset of pharmaceuticals, but enabling their delivery into cells for intracellular applications has been a...
Protein-based therapeutics comprise a rapidly growing subset of pharmaceuticals, but enabling their delivery into cells for intracellular applications has been a longstanding challenge. To overcome the delivery barrier, we explored a reversible, bioconjugation-based approach to modify the surface charge of protein cargos with an anionic "cloak" to facilitate electrostatic complexation and delivery with lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations. We demonstrate that the conjugation of lysine-reactive sulfonated compounds can allow for the delivery of various protein cargos using FDA-approved LNP formulations of the ionizable cationic lipid DLin-MC3-DMA (MC3). We apply this strategy to functionally deliver RNase A for cancer cell killing as well as a full-length antibody to inhibit oncogenic β-catenin signaling. Further, we show that LNPs encapsulating cloaked fluorescent proteins distribute to major organs in mice following systemic administration. Overall, our results point toward a generalizable platform that can be employed for intracellular delivery of a wide range of protein cargos.
PubMed: 38947210
DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.4c00071 -
RSC Advances Jun 2024A new eco-friendly method for creating an optical sensor membrane specifically designed to detect yttrium ions (Y) has been developed. The proposed sensor membrane is...
A new eco-friendly method for creating an optical sensor membrane specifically designed to detect yttrium ions (Y) has been developed. The proposed sensor membrane is fabricated by integrating 4-(2-arsonophenylazo) salicylic acid (APASA), sodium tetraphenylborate (Na-TPB), and tri--octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) into a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) matrix with dimethyl sebacate (DMS) as the plasticizer. In this sensor membrane, APASA functions dually as an ionophore and a chromoionophore, while TOPO enhances the complexation of Y ions with APASA. The composition of the sensor membrane has been meticulously optimized to achieve peak performance. The current membrane exhibits a linear dynamic range for Y ions from 8.0 × 10 to 2.3 × 10 M, with detection and quantification limits of 2.3 × 10 and 7.7 × 10 M, respectively. No interference from other potentially interfering cations and anions was observed in the determination of Y. The membrane showed strong stability and a swift response time of about 3.0 minutes, with no signs of APASA leaching. This sensor is highly selective for Y ions and can be renewed by treating it with 0.15 M HNO. It has been effectively applied to measure Y in nickel-based alloys, as well as in biological and environmental samples.
PubMed: 38946767
DOI: 10.1039/d4ra03854a -
Chemical Communications (Cambridge,... Jul 2024I hydrolysis, sluggish iodine redox kinetics and the instability of Zn anodes are the primary challenges for aqueous four-electron zinc-iodine batteries (4eZIBs)....
I hydrolysis, sluggish iodine redox kinetics and the instability of Zn anodes are the primary challenges for aqueous four-electron zinc-iodine batteries (4eZIBs). Herein, the OTf anion chemistry in aqueous electrolyte is essential for developing advanced 4eZIBs. It is elucidated that OTf anions establish weak hydrogen bonds (H bonds) with water to stabilize I species while optimizing a water-lean Zn coordination structure to mitigate Zn dendrites and corrosion. Moreover, the interaction of the OTf anions with the iodine species results in an increased equilibrium average intermolecular bond length of the iodine species, facilitating the 4e redox kinetics of iodine with improved reversibility.
PubMed: 38946686
DOI: 10.1039/d4cc02266a -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Jul 2024Amphiphilic block copolymers are promising candidates for the fabrication of ultrafiltration membranes with an isoporous integral asymmetric structure. The membranes are...
Amphiphilic block copolymers are promising candidates for the fabrication of ultrafiltration membranes with an isoporous integral asymmetric structure. The membranes are typically fabricated by the combination of block copolymer self-assembly and the non-solvent-induced phase separation (SNIPS) process resulting in isoporous integral asymmetric membranes. Certainly, all these membranes lack thermal and chemical stability limiting the usage of such materials. Within this study, the fabrication of completely cross-linked isoporous integral asymmetric block copolymer membranes is demonstrated by UV cross-linking resulting in chemical and thermal stable ultrafiltration membranes. The UV cross-linking process of PVBCB-b-P4VP (poly(4-vinylbenzocyclobutene)-b-poly(4vinylpyridine)) block copolymer membranes in dependency of irradiation time, intensity, distance between membrane and UV source and the wavelength is investigated. Furthermore, it is shown that the penetration depths can be increased by soaking the membranes in wave-guiding solutions before UV cross-linking is carried out. Moreover, a completely new and easy cross-linking strategy is developed based on isorefractive solvents resulting in thermal and chemically stable membranes that are cross-linked through the whole membrane thickness. Finally, the new cross-linking strategy in isorefractive solutions is transferred to commercial PVDF and PAN-co-PVC polymer membranes paving the way for more stable and sustainable ultrafiltration membranes.
PubMed: 38946670
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202403288 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Jul 2024Zintl phases typically exhibit low lattice thermal conductivity, which are extensively investigated as promising thermoelectric candidates. While the significance of...
Zintl phases typically exhibit low lattice thermal conductivity, which are extensively investigated as promising thermoelectric candidates. While the significance of Zintl anionic frameworks in electronic transport properties is widely recognized, their roles in thermal transport properties have often been overlooked. This study delves into KCdSb as a representative case, where the [CdSb] tetrahedrons not only impact charge transfer but also phonon transport. The phonon velocity and mean free path, are heavily influenced by the bonding distance and strength of the Zintl anions Cd and Sb, considering the three acoustic branches arising from their vibrations. Furthermore, the weakly bound Zintl cation K exhibits localized vibration behaviors, resulting in strong coupling between the high-lying acoustic branch and the low-lying optical branch, further impeding phonon diffusion. The calculations reveal that grain boundaries also contribute to the low lattice thermal conductivity of KCdSb through medium-frequency phonon scattering. These combined factors create a glass-like thermal transport behavior, which is advantageous for improving the thermoelectric merit of zT. Notably, a maximum zT of 0.6 is achieved for KNaCdSb at 712 K. The study offers both intrinsic and extrinsic strategies for developing high-efficiency thermoelectric Zintl materials with extremely low lattice thermal conductivity.
PubMed: 38946664
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202402209