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IDEAL PLANT ARCHITECTURE1 (IPA1) is a pivotal gene controlling plant architecture and grain yield. However, little is known about the effects of Triticum aestivum SQUAMOSA PROMOTER‐BINDING‐LIKE 14 (TaSPL14), an IPA1 ortholog in wheat, on balancing yield traits and its regulatory mechanism in wheat (T. aestivum L.). Here, we determined that the T. aestivum GRAIN WIDTH2 (TaGW2)‐TaSPL14 module influences the balance between tiller number and grain weight in wheat. Overexpression of TaSPL14 resulted in a reduced tiller number and increased grain weight, whereas its knockout had the opposite effect, indicating that TaSPL14 negatively regulates tillering while positively regulating grain weight. We further identified TaGW2 as a novel interacting protein of TaSPL14 and confirmed its ability to mediate the ubiquitination and degradation of TaSPL14. Based on our genetic evidence, TaGW2 acts as a positive regulator of tiller number, in addition to its known role as a negative regulator of grain weight, which is opposite to TaSPL14. Moreover, combinations of TaSPL14‐7A and TaGW2‐6A haplotypes exhibit significantly additive effects on tiller number and grain weight in wheat breeding. Our findings provide insight into how the TaGW2‐TaSPL14 module regulates the trade‐off between tiller number and grain weight and its potential application in improving wheat yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal, discusses the discovery of a gene in wheat called GRAIN WIDTH2 (TaGW2) that has a dual effect on enhancing leaf rust resistance and increasing grain weight. Leaf rust, caused by the fungal pathogen Puccinia triticina Eriksson, is a major threat to global wheat production. The limited number of cloned resistance genes often have undesirable agronomic traits, so finding new resistance genes while balancing yield is important for breeding strategies. The researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to edit TaGW2 and found that knockout plants had increased resistance to leaf rust and increased grain weight, offering a novel approach to enhancing wheat's resistance without sacrificing yield. [Extracted from the article]

Ether‐based electrolytes are considered as an ideal electrolyte system for sodium metal batteries (SMBs) due to their superior compatibility with the sodium metal anode (SMA). However, the selection principle of ether solvents and the impact on solid electrolyte interphase formation are still unclear. Herein, we systematically compare the chain ether‐based electrolyte and understand the relationship between the solvation structure and the interphasial properties. The linear ether solvent molecules with different terminal group lengths demonstrate remarkably distinct solvation effects, thus leading to different electrochemical performance as well as deposition morphologies for SMBs. Computational calculations and comprehensive characterizations indicate that the terminal group length significantly regulates the electrolyte solvation structure and consequently influences the interfacial reaction mechanism of electrolytes on SMA. Cryogenic electron microscopy clearly reveals the difference in solid electrolyte interphase in various ether‐based electrolytes. As a result, the 1,2‐diethoxyethane‐based electrolyte enables a high Coulombic efficiency of 99.9 %, which also realizes the stable cycling of Na||Na3V2(PO4)3 full cell with a mass loading of ≈9 mg cm−2 over 500 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stable cycling of Mg‐metal anodes is limited by several problems, including sluggish electrochemical kinetics and passivation at the Mg surface. In this study, we present a high‐entropy electrolyte composed of lithium triflate (LiOTf) and trimethyl phosphate (TMP) co‐added to magnesium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (Mg(TFSI)2/1,2‐dimethoxyethane (DME) to significantly improve the electrochemical performance of Mg‐metal anodes. The as‐formed high‐entropy Mg2+‐2DME‐OTf−‐Li+‐DME‐TMP solvation structure effectively reduced the Mg2+‐DME interaction in comparison with that observed in traditional Mg(TFSI)2/DME electrolytes, thereby preventing the formation of insulating components on the Mg‐metal anode and promoting its electrochemical kinetics and cycling stability. Comprehensive characterization revealed that the high‐entropy solvation structure brought OTf− and TMP to the surface of the Mg‐metal anode and promoted the formation of a Mg3(PO4)2‐rich interfacial layer, which is beneficial for enhancing Mg2+ conductivity. Consequently, the Mg‐metal anode achieved excellent reversibility with a high Coulombic efficiency of 98 % and low voltage hysteresis. This study provides new insights into the design of electrolytes for Mg‐metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium metal batteries (SMBs) have been widely studied owing to their relatively high energy density and abundant resources. However, they still need systematic improvement to fulfill the harsh operating conditions for their commercialization. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in SMBs in terms of sodium anode modification, electrolyte exploration, and cathode design. Firstly, we give an overview of the current challenges facing Na metal anodes and the corresponding solutions. Then, the traditional liquid electrolytes and the prospective solid electrolytes for SMBs are summarized. In addition, insertion‐ and conversion‐type cathode materials are introduced. Finally, an outlook for the future of practical SMBs is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence rate of cardiovascular diseases is increasing year by year. The demand for coronary artery bypass grafting has been very large. Acellular blood vessels have potential clinical application because of their natural vascular basis, but their biocompatibility and anticoagulant energy need to be improved. We decellularized the abdominal aorta of SD rats, and then modified with bivalirudin via polydopamine. The mechanical properties, blood compatibility, cytocompatibility, immune response, and anticoagulant properties were evaluated, and then the bivalirudin‐modified acellular blood vessels were implanted into rats for remodeling evaluation in vivo. The results we got show that the bivalirudin‐modified acellular blood vessels showed good cytocompatibility and blood compatibility, and its anti‐inflammatory trend was dominant in the immune response. After 3 months of transplantation, the bivalirudin‐modified acellular blood vessels did not easily form thrombus. It was not easy to form calcification and could make the host cells grow better. Through vascular stimulation and immunofluorescence test, we found that vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells proliferated well in the bivalirudin group. Bivalirudin‐modified acellular blood vessels provided new idea for small diameter tissue engineering blood vessels, and may become a potential clinical substitute for small‐diameter vascular grafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In particular, three main parts of sodium metal batteries are covered: cathode materials, electrolyte systems, and anode design. Dendrites, electrolytes, sodium metal anodes, sodium metal batteries, solid electrolyte interphases Keywords: dendrites; electrolytes; sodium metal anodes; sodium metal batteries; solid electrolyte interphases EN dendrites electrolytes sodium metal anodes sodium metal batteries solid electrolyte interphases 1 1 1 01/16/23 20230112 NES 230112 B Recent developments b in the field of rechargeable sodium metal batteries are summarized in herein. [Extracted from the article]