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[Display omitted] • Elastocaloric regenerators with tubular structures are investigated by simulation and experiments. • A regenerator of spiral topology improves both specific cooling power and temperature span. • The developed nondimensional numerical model provides a promising pathway for developing energy-efficient elastocaloric cooling systems. Solid-state elastocaloric cooling is increasingly recognized as preferred cooling technology to conventional vapor compressions without using coolants that are volatile atmospheric pollutants or greenhouse gases with global warming potential. However, the specific cooling power (SCP) of current prototypes has yet to be improved in meeting practical requirements. In this work, tubular nickel-titanium (NiTi) elastocaloric regenerators with enhanced heat transfer structures were proposed in order to increase cooling performance in compression-loaded regenerative systems. A numerical model was developed to evaluate this cooling performance. Using a nondimensional analysis of the governing equations, the model simplifies the investigation of the design and operation parameters and greatly reduces the computation complexity of the regenerative elastocaloric cooling systems. As a demonstration, the design principles have been applied to yield an elastocaloric regenerator of spiral-shaped tubular structures, which improves the maximum SCP and maximum temperature span by 186% and 146% respectively, compared to a plain tube design, proving that the numerical model provides a promising pathway for developing energy-efficient elastocaloric cooling systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant breeding is one of the oldest and most important activities accompanying human civilization. During the past thousand years, plant breeding has achieved three significant innovations, each of which derives from introgression of new theories or technologies. These innovations have significantly increased the food supply and allowed for population development. However, with population increases and resource shortages, the world is continuously facing the challenge of food security, which calls for next innovation in plant breeding. Recent technological advances in multiple disciplines have boosted the development of omics, which is accelerating plant breeding. Here, we review the recent advances in omics and discuss our understanding of how interdisciplinary researches will prompt new innovations in plant breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The silage quality of forage soybean (FS) rich in protein with crop corn (CN) or sorghum (SG) rich in water soluble carbohydrate was investigated, and microbial community after ensiling was analyzed. Results showed that pH in mixed silages dropped to 3.5–3.8 lower than 100%FS silage (4.5). Microbial analysis indicated that mixed ensiling could influence the microbial community. Although Lactobacillus and Weissella were the dominant genera in all silage samples, Lactobacillus abundance in mixed silages (33–76%) was higher compared with 100%FS silage (27%). In conclusion, FS ensiled with CN or SG could be an alternative approach to improve FS silage quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to study effects of lactic acid bacteria (L) and molasses (M) on the microbial community and fermentation quality of soybean silage. Soybean was ensiled with no additive control (C), 0.5% molasses (0.5%M), 0.5%M + L (0.5%ML), 2%M, 2%M + L (2%ML) for 7, 14, 30 and 60 days. The M-treated silages could increase the content of lactic acid and decrease butyric acid than control. Besides, higher crude protein was also observed in M-treated silages. With prolonged ensiling time, there was a reduction of the ratio of lactic acid/acetic acid in the 2%M-treated and 2%ML-treated silages. The combined addition of L and 2%M could enhance the account of desirable Lactobacillus and inhibit the growth of undesirable microorganism such as Clostridia and Enterobacter. In summary, the silage quality of soybean was improved with the addition of L and M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]