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Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans. Low concentrations of Se can promote plant growth and development. Enhancing grain yield and crop Se content is significant, as major food crops generally have low Se content. Studies have shown that Se biofortification can significantly increase Se content in plant tissues. In this study, the genetic transformation of wheat was conducted to evaluate the agronomic traits of non-transgenic control and transgenic wheat before and after Se application. Se content, speciation, and transfer coefficients in wheat grains were detected. Molecular docking simulations and transcriptome data were utilized to explore the effects of selenium-binding protein-A TaSBP-A on wheat growth and grain Se accumulation and transport. The results showed that TaSBP-A gene overexpression significantly increased plant height (by 18.50%), number of spikelets (by 11.74%), and number of grains in a spike (by 35.66%) in wheat. Under normal growth conditions, Se content in transgenic wheat grains did not change significantly, but after applying sodium selenite, Se content in transgenic wheat grains significantly increased. Analysis of Se speciation revealed that organic forms of selenomethionine (SeMet) and selenocysteine (SeCys) predominated in both W48 and transgenic wheat grains. Moreover, TaSBP-A significantly increased the transfer coefficients of Se from solution to roots and from flag leaves to grains. Additionally, it was found that with the increase in TaSBP-A gene overexpression levels in transgenic wheat, the transfer coefficient of Se from flag leaves to grains also increased.

This study introduces a low-friction composite based on PEEK to improve its friction and wear properties. The composite incorporates PTFE as a solid lubricant and utilizes PPTA as a reinforcing material within the PEEK matrix. These components were prepared utilizing a compression molding method, followed by a series of exploratory experiments to identify the optimal preparation conditions for PEEK. This research assesses how the PTFE/PPTA/PEEK composites perform in terms of friction and wear under dry and oil-lubricated conditions. By examining wear tracks using scanning electron microscopy and white light interference microscopy, this study aims to uncover the wear mechanisms of PEEK and its composites under different lubrication scenarios. Results show that the main wear mechanisms for the PTFE/PPTA/PEEK composites and bearing steel are ploughing and adhesive wear. The presence of PPTA helps reduce wear by leveraging its strong fibers and thermal stability, while the coefficient of friction decreases as PTFE creates a smooth, solid lubricating film on the surface. Notably, PEEK composites containing 25 wt% PTFE and 6 wt% PPTA demonstrate the lowest wear rates and reduced coefficient of friction in both dry and oil-lubricated conditions.

As train operating speeds increase, the aerodynamic characteristics of the train within the tunnel become more pronounced, and effectively addressing the issue of micro-pressure wave (MPW) over-limits becomes especially crucial. This paper utilized the control volume method to investigate the key influencing parameters of tunnel exit hoods on the mitigation effectiveness of MPWs. Additionally, numerical simulation methods were used to validate these crucial parameters. The analysis considered various opening ratios, different opening forms, and the influence of hoods at tunnel entrances and exits on the amplitude and spatial distribution patterns of MPWs. A design methodology that comprehensively takes into account the advantages of tunnel entrance and exit hoods was proposed. The results showed that a higher opening ratio of tunnel exit hoods led to lower MPW amplitudes. Compared to without opening in the hood, when the opening ratio of the exit hood reached 90%, the maximum amplitude of MPWs at a distance of 20 m from the hood outlet decreased by 48.7%. Various opening forms of exit hoods resulted in distinct spatial distribution patterns of MPW amplitudes, with amplitudes near the openings notably higher than in other areas. There were differences in the mitigation mechanisms between entrance and exit hoods. In comparison to entrance hoods, exit hoods exhibited higher mitigation efficiency within a specific range of MPW amplitudes. Additionally, when both entrance and exit hoods were installed, they achieved the most effective mitigation of MPWs.

GATA transcription factor genes participate in plant growth, development, morphogenesis, and stress response. In this study, we carried out a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of wheat GATA transcription factor genes to reveal their molecular evolutionary characteristics and involvement in salt and drought tolerance. In total, 79 TaGATA genes containing a conserved GATA domain were identified in the wheat genome, which were classified into four subfamilies. Collinear analysis indicated that fragment duplication plays an important role in the amplification of the wheat GATA gene family. Functional disproportionation analysis between subfamilies found that both type I and type II functional divergence simultaneously occurs in wheat GATA genes, which might result in functional differentiation of the TaGATA gene family. Transcriptional expression analysis showed that TaGATA genes generally have a high expression level in leaves and in response to drought and salt stresses. Overexpression of TaGATA62 and TaGATA73 genes significantly enhanced the drought and salt tolerance of yeast and Arabidopsis. Protein–protein docking indicated that TaGATAs can enhance drought and salt tolerance by interacting between the DNA-binding motif of GATA transcription factors and photomorphogenesis-related protein TaCOP9-5A. Our results provided a base for further understanding the molecular evolution and functional characterization of the plant GATA gene family in response to abiotic stresses.

Spelt wheat (Triticum spelta L., 2n=6x=42, AABBDD) is a valuable source of new gene resources for wheat genetic improvement. In the present study, two novel high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) 1Ax2.1* at Glu-A1 and 1By19* at Glu-B1 from German spelt wheat were identified. The encoding genes of both subunits were amplified and cloned by allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR), and the complete sequences of open reading frames (ORF) were obtained. 1Ax2.1* with 2478 bp and 1By19* with 2163 bp encoded 824 and 720 amino acid residues, respectively. Molecular characterization showed that both subunits had a longer repetitive region, and high percentage of α-helices at the N- and C-termini, which are beneficial for forming superior gluten macropolymers. Protein modelling by AlphaFold2 revealed similar three-diamensional (3D) structure features of 1Ax2.1* with two x-type superior quality subunits (1Ax1 and 1Ax2*) and 1By19* with four y-type superior quality subunits (1By16, 1By9, 1By8 and 1By18). Four cysteine residues in the three x-type subunits (1Ax2.1*, 1Ax1 and 1Ax2*) and the cysteine in intermediate repeat region of y-type subunits were not expected to participate in intramolecular disulfide bond formation, but these cysteines might form intermolecular disulfide bonds with other glutenins and gliadins to enhance gluten macropolymer formation. The SNP-based molecular markers for 1Ax2.1* and 1By19* genes were developed, which were verified in different F2 populations and recombination inbred lines (RILs) derived from crossing between spelt wheat and bread wheat cultivars. This study provides data on new glutenin genes and molecular markers for wheat quality improvement.