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Background: Laccase (LAC) gene family plays a pivotal role in plant lignin biosynthesis and adaptation to various stresses. Limited research has been conducted on laccase genes in common beans. Results: 29 LAC gene family members were identified within the common bean genome, distributed unevenly in 9 chromosomes. These members were divided into 6 distinct subclades by phylogenetic analysis. Further phylogenetic analyses and synteny analyses indicated that considerable gene duplication and loss presented throughout the evolution of the laccase gene family. Purified selection was shown to be the major evolutionary force through Ka / Ks. Transcriptional changes of PvLAC genes under low temperature and salt stress were observed, emphasizing the regulatory function of these genes in such conditions. Regulation by abscisic acid and gibberellins appears to be the case for PvLAC3, PvLAC4, PvLAC7, PvLAC13, PvLAC14, PvLAC18, PvLAC23, and PvLAC26, as indicated by hormone induction experiments. Additionally, the regulation of PvLAC3, PvLAC4, PvLAC7, and PvLAC14 in response to nicosulfuron and low-temperature stress were identified by virus-induced gene silence, which demonstrated inhibition on growth and development in common beans. Conclusions: The research provides valuable genetic resources for improving the resistance of common beans to abiotic stresses and enhance the understanding of the functional roles of the LAC gene family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wave energy, as a significant renewable and clean energy source with vast global reserves, exhibits no greenhouse gas or other pollution during real-sea operational conditions. However, throughout the entire lifecycle, wave energy convertors can produce additional CO2 emissions due to the use of raw materials and emissions during transportation. Based on laboratory test data from a wave energy convertor model, this study ensures consistency between the model and the actual sea-deployed wave energy convertors in terms of performance, materials, and geometric shapes using similarity criteria. Carbon emission factors from China, the European Union, Brazil, and Japan are selected to predict the carbon emissions of wave energy convertors in real-sea conditions. The research indicates: (1) The predicted carbon emission coefficient for unit electricity generation ( E F co 2 ) of wave energy is 0.008–0.057 kg CO2/kWh; when the traditional steel production mode is adopted, the E F co 2 in this paper is 0.014–0.059 kg CO2/kWh, similar to existing research conclusions for the emission factor of CO2 for wave energy convertor (0.012–0.050 kg CO2/kWh). The predicted data on carbon emissions in the lifecycle of wave energy convertors aligns closely with actual operational data. (2) The main source of carbon emissions in the life cycle of a wave energy converter, excluding the recycling of manufacturing metal materials, is the manufacturing stage, which accounts for 90% of the total carbon emissions. When the recycling of manufacturing metal materials is considered, the carbon emissions in the manufacturing stage are reduced, and the carbon emissions in the transport stage are increased, from about 7% to about 20%. (3) Under the most ideal conditions, the carbon payback period for a wave energy convertor ranges from 0.28 to 2.06 years, and the carbon reduction during the design lifespan (20 years) varies from 238.33 t CO2 (minimum) to 261.80 t CO2 (maximum). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The laboratory test of the wave energy converter model is an important means to evaluate the performance of the device. At present, there are few performance tests for complete specifications under the irregular wave. Referring to the test methods and standards at home and abroad, combined with the actual test work experience in the laboratory, using the irregular wave power calculation formula with the effective wave height and the spectral peak period as parameters, then the wave-wire conversion ratio test method of the wave energy converter physical model under irregular waves in the laboratory is proposed. The method is applied to the basin test experiment of the physical model of the horn-shaped backward bent duct buoy (BBDB) wave energy converter. The research results show that the established test method and process of wave-wire conversion performance have achieved good application results in the irregular waves laboratory test, and can better reflect the device operating characteristics in real sea conditions. The test results provide data support for the model design of the wave energy converter in the next test stage, the demonstration test of the prototype, and the prediction of power generation in real sea conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin (MT) is a key plant growth regulator. To investigate its effect at different growth stages on the yield of soybean under nitrogen deficiency, 100 μM MT was applied to soybean supplemented with zero nitrogen (0N), low nitrogen (LN), and control nitrogen (CK) levels, during the plant vegetative growth (V3) and filling (R5) stages. This study revealed that the application of MT mainly enhanced the nitrogen fixation of plants by increasing the root nodule number and provided more substrates for glutamine synthetase (GS) under 0N supply. However, under the LN supply, more ammonium was assimilated through the direct promotion of nitrate reductase (NR) activity by MT. MT enhanced the activity of ammonium-assimilation-related enzymes, such as GOGAT and GDH, and the expression of their coding genes, promoted the synthesis of chlorophyll and amino acids, and increased the photosynthetic capacity under nitrogen deficiency. Exogenous MT directly upregulated the expression of genes involved in the photosynthetic system and stimulated dry-matter accumulation. Thus, MT alleviated the inhibitory effect of nitrogen deficiency on soybean yield. This mitigation effect was better when MT was applied at the V3 stage, and the seed weight per plant increased by 16.69 and 12.20% at 0N and LN levels, respectively. The results of this study provide a new theoretical basis to apply MT in agriculture to improve the resilience of soybean plants to low nitrogen availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an emerging technology for energy harvesting and distributed power supply, triboelectric nanogenerators are mainly based on a dielectric capacitive structure. Here, a new mechanism by introducing an oil phase into a water–solid interface is demonstrated for energy harvesting based on electric double layer (EDL) capacitance. Through squeezing and releasing oil droplets on a dielectric surface in water environment, charge transfer is observed in the back electrode accompanying the movement of the oil–water–solid three‐phase line. The charge transfer is mainly attributed to the effect that the oil phase sweeps away ions near the dielectric surface in the EDL due to the discrepancy of EDL between water–solid and oil–solid interfaces. Under the water environment, the device is shown to be capable of direct energy harvesting and self‐powered sensing without costly packaging. As a new working mode relying on EDL, it allows developing nanogenerators adaptive to severe environments even underwater with low friction and wear, and narrowing the gap between energy harvesting devices and electro‐chemical devices. Through further enhanced EDL, it is reasonable to anticipate devices with an ultrahigh charge density comparable with EDL super capacitors, opening up an avenue toward new nanogenerators with overwhelming performance for practical applications ranging from blue energy harvesting to electro‐catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  The effects of neonatal caffeine therapy in adults born preterm are uncertain. We studied the impact of neonatal caffeine on systemic blood pressure, vessel reactivity, and response to stress in adult mice. Study Design  Mice pups were randomized to caffeine (20 mg/kg/d) or saline by intraperitoneal injection for 10 days after birth. We performed tail-cuff BP (8/12 weeks), urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and fecal corticosterone (14 weeks), and vessel reactivity in aortic rings (16 weeks) in adult mice. Results  No differences were noted in systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures between the two groups at 8 and 12 weeks of age. However, norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction was substantially higher in aortic rings in CAF-treated male mice. More significant vasodilator responses to nitric oxide donors in aortic rings in female mice may suggest gender-specific effects of caffeine. Female mice exposed to caffeine had significantly lower body weight over-time. Caffeine-treated male mice had substantially higher fecal corticosterone and urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine at 14 weeks, suggestive of chronic stress. Conclusion  We conclude sex-specific vulnerability to the heightened vascular tone of the aorta in male mice following neonatal caffeine therapy. Altered vessel reactivity and chronic stress in the presence of other risk factors may predispose to the development of systemic hypertension in adults born preterm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation has emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of neurological disorders such as cerebral ischemia. As the majority of newly generated cells from exogenous NSCs fail to integrate into the ischemic brain and establish functional synaptic networks, NSC transplantation for ischemic stroke experiences limited neurological function recovery. Augment of endogenous neurite growth in the process of NSC differentiation is an avenue to promote synaptic networks. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a tumor suppressor, has been established to regulate axon growth in the adult central nervous system. The aim of this study was to explore the role of PTEN on neurite growth during NSC differentiation. Our results revealed that the protein expression of PTEN was significantly increased during NSC differentiation, whereas the expression of phosphorylated S6 ribosomal (p‐S6R) was markedly decreased. Small interfering RNA knockdown of PTEN in NSCs can accelerate neurite outgrowth during NSC differentiation. These results indicated a remarkable effect of PTEN inhibition on neuronal process after NSC differentiation, and identified a novel route to promote endogenous neurite growth in differentiated NSCs, which may facilitate the application of NSC transplantation in ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitric oxide decreases lung liquid production via guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 280: L923-L929, 2001.--We studied the role of cGMP in nitric oxide (NO)-induced changes in lung liquid production ([J.sub.v]) in chronically instrumented fetal sheep. Forty-five studies were done in which [J.sub.v] was measured by a tracer dilution technique. Left pulmonary arterial flow ([Q.sub.lpa]) was measured by a Doppler flow probe. There were two series of experiments. In the first, we gave 8-bromo-cGMP, a cGMP analog, by either the pulmonary vascular or intraluminal route; in the second, we used agents to inhibit or enhance endogenous cGMP activity. When infused directly into the pulmonary circulation, 8-bromo-cGMP significantly increased [Q.sub.lpa] but had no effect on [J.sub.v]. Conversely, when instilled into the lung liquid, 8-bromo-cGMP had no effect on [Q.sub.lpa] but significantly reduced [J.sub.v]. Inhibition of guanylate cyclase activity with methylene blue totally blocked, whereas phosphodiesterase inhibition with Zaprinast significantly enhanced, the effect of instilled NO on [J.sub.v]. Thus the reduction in lung liquid caused by NO appears to be mediated by cGMP, perhaps through a direct effect on the pulmonary epithelium. pulmonary circulation; guanylate cyclase; birth transition; fetus

Premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), are at risk for frequent respiratory infections and reduced pulmonary function. We studied whether neonatal hyperoxia disrupts adaptive immune responses in adult mice, contributing to higher respiratory-related morbidities seen in these infants. Newborn mice litters were randomized at 3 days to 85% O2 or room air (RA) for 12 days. Whole lung mRNA was isolated in both the groups at 2 weeks and 3 months. Gene expression for T-cell and B-cell adaptive immune response was performed by real-time PCR and qRT-PCR; protein expression (p21, IL4, IL10, IL27, cd4) was performed by enzyme immunoassay along with p21 immunohistochemistry. Hyperoxia increased expression of p21 and decreased expression of 19 genes representing T/B-cell activation by ≥ fourfold; three of them significantly (Rag1, Cd1d1, Cd28) compared to the RA group at 2 weeks. Despite RA recovery, the expression of IFNc, IL27, and CD40 was significantly reduced at 3 months in the hyperoxia group. Expression of p21 was significantly higher and IL27 protein lower at 2 weeks following hyperoxia. Adult mice exposed to neonatal hyperoxia had lower IL4 and IL10 in the lung at 3 months. Adaptive immune responses are developmentally regulated and neonatal hyperoxia suppresses expression of genes involved in T-/B-cell activation with continued alterations in gene expression at 3 months. Dysfunction of adaptive immune responses increases the risk for susceptibility to infection in premature infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear Factor I (Nfi) genes encode transcription factors essential for the development of organ systems including the lung. Nfib null mice die at birth with immature lungs. Nfib hemizygous mice have reduced lung maturation with decreased survival. We therefore hypothesized that these mice would be more sensitive to lung injury and would have lower survival to hyperoxia. Adult Nfib hemizygous mice and their wild-type (Wt) littermates were exposed to 100% O2 for 89, 80, 72 and 66 h for survival studies with lung outcome measurements at 66 h. Nfib hemizygous and Wt controls were also studied in RA at 66 h. Cell counts and cytokines were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); lung sections examined by histopathology; lung angiogenic and oxidative stress gene expression assessed by real-time PCR. Unexpectedly, Nfib hemizygous mice (0/14-0%) had significantly lower mortality compared to Wt mice (10/22-45%) at 80 h of hyperoxia (P < 0.003). LD50 was 80 h in the Wt group versus 89 h in the hemizygous group. There were no differences in BAL cell counts between the groups. Among the cytokines studied, MIP-2 was significantly lower in hemizygous mice exposed to hyperoxia. New vessel formation, edema, congestion, and alveolar hemorrhage were noted on histopathology at 72 and 80 h in wild-type mice. Nfib hemizygous lungs had significant downregulation of genes involved in redox signaling and inflammatory pathways. Adult Nfib hemizygous mice are relatively resistant to hyperoxia compared to wild-type littermates. Mechanisms contributing to this resistance are not clear; however, transcription factors such as Nfib may regulate cell survival and play a role in modulating postnatal lung development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality AlPO-18 membranes were synthesized using low-cost symmetric alumina supports by a single hydrothermal step, and showed to be useful for light gas separation. Single-gas permeances of CO2, N2, CH4 and C3H8 decreased with increasing kinetic diameter. Single CO2 and CH4 permeance dependence of pressure drop was predicted by the Maxwell–Stefan diffusion model and was in agreement with experimental data. The best AlPO-18 membrane showed smaller-component permeances of 6.5, 6.3 and 1.0 × 10−7 mol (m2 s Pa)−1 (equal to 1940, 1880 and 300 GPU) and mixture selectivities of 220, 45 and 22 for equimolar CO2/CH4, CO2/N2 and H2/CH4 binary mixtures at room temperature and 0.2 MPa pressure drop, respectively. The effects of temperature and pressure on the membrane's separation performance in the three binary mixtures were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the current paper, a strategy for catalytic degradation of benzene over Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalysts via different atmospheres (H2, N2, He and air) pretreatment was carried out in a fixed bed reactor. The experimental results indicated that H2, N2, and He pretreatments have a significant positive effect on the initial activity of the catalyst compared to air. We have also investigated the effects of pretreatment atmospheres on the catalytic performance for benzene degradation through the information on the chemical state and crystal structure of the catalysts using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and CO chemisorption measurements techniques. The chemical state of Pd species decreased via H2 pretreatment, leading to the increase of the initial catalytic activity, while chemical state increased accompanying with a decrease in degradation benzene via air pretreatment. There is no change in the chemical state of Pd species using inert atmosphere (N2 and/or He) pretreatment, but the initial activity of the catalyst improved significantly due to the modified crystal structure of Pd species in the catalysts, with the crystalline PdO being transformed to amorphous state. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Wireless sensor nodes (WSNs) are widely used in the field of environmental detection; however, they face serious power supply problems caused by the complexity of the environmental layout. In this study, a new ultra-low-power hybrid energy harvesting (HEH) system for two types of microenergy collection (photovoltaic (PV) and soil-temperature-difference thermoelectric (TE)) was designed to provide stable power to WSNs. The power supply capabilities of two microenergy sources were assessed by analyzing the electrical characteristics and performing continuous energy data collection. The HEH system consisted of two separated power converters and an electronic multiplexer circuit to avoid impedance mismatch and improve efficiency. The feasibility of the self-powered HEH system was verified by consumption analysis of the HEH system, the WSNs, and the data analysis of the collected microenergy. Taking the summation of PV and TEG input power of 1.26 mW (PPV:PTEG was about 3:1) as an example, the power loss of the HEH system accounted for 33.8% of the total input power. Furthermore, the ratio decreased as the value of the input power increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality SSZ-13 membranes were synthesized using the combinative structure-directing agents of N , N , N , trimethtyl-1-adamantammonium hydroxide and tetraethylammonium hydroxide by one hydrothermal treatment step. The two organics took a “cooperative structural-directing” role on SSZ-13 crystallization. The best membrane had a CO 2 permeance of 2.0×10 −7 mol/(m 2 s Pa) with a CO 2 /CH 4 selectivity of 300 and a C 2 H 4 permeance of 2.9×10 −9 mol/(m 2 s Pa) with a C 2 H 4 /C 2 H 6 selectivity of 11, at 303 K and 0.2 MPa feed pressure for these equimolar binary mixtures, respectively. SSZ-13 membranes also displayed high performances for CO 2 /CH 4 and C 2 H 4 /C 2 H 6 separations at higher feed pressures of 0.8–1 MPa. These SSZ-13 membranes were hydrothermally stable at steam for at least 4 days at 378 K and acid-resistance at pH=1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A novel gene, MlWRKY12, was isolated from Miscanthus for the first time. [•] MlWRKY12 is a nucleus protein. [•] MlWRKY12 is an ortholog of AtWRKY12 involved in regulating secondary cell wall formation. [•] MlWRKY12 promotes flowering via activating flowering relative genes in Arabidopsis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]