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Ni-rich LiNixCoyMn1−x−yO2 (x ≥ 0.6) layered oxide cathodes are among the most promising cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their superior capacity, prominent energy density and low cost. However, the large volume change caused by phase transition and poor diffusion kinetics limits their application. Herein, a nanorod-like Ni-rich layered LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 cathode is synthesized via a facile surfactant-free co-precipitation route. Due to the unique nanorod morphology, more {010} electrochemically active planes are exposed. As a result, structural stability and diffusion kinetics are greatly improved. In terms of performance, it exhibits outstanding structural stability (the volume change is as small as 2.12% in the processes of charging and discharging) and rate performance (achieving a high discharge capacity of 152.2 mA h g−1 at 5C). Such rationally designed cathode could meet the high high-energy requirements of next generation LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As concerns about the safety of lithium‐ions batteries (LIBs) increases, aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) with a lower cost, higher safety, and higher co‐efficiency have attracted more and more interest. However, finding suitable cathode materials is still an urgent problem in ZIBs. In recent years, a lot of significant works have been reported, including manganese‐based cathodes, vanadium‐based cathodes, Prussian blue analog‐based materials, and sustainable quinone cathodes. In this review, some typical cathode materials are introduced. The detailed storage mechanisms and methods for improving the reaction kinetics of the zinc ions are summarized. Finally, the issues, challenges, and the research directions are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are the most promising candidates as alternatives to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), owing to the natural abundance of sodium salt and the low cost. However, the commercial application of SIBs is principally hampered by the absence of suitable cathode materials. Herein, a novel Na2FeP2O7@carbon/expanded graphite (NFPO@C/EG) composite with a unique microstructure was developed through a scalable sol‐gel process followed by a ball‐milling procedure with expanded graphite. Benefiting from the multiscale carbon‐modified structure, the NFPO@C/EG effectively improves the electronic conductivity and, at the same time, shortens the path of sodium ion transmission. As a consequence, the NFPO@C/EG cathode presents a much higher specific capacity and more stable cycling stability than NFPO@C and NFPO. The unique design of NFPO@C/EG endows a high ratio of pseudocapacitance contribution and a large Na+ diffusion coefficient. As a consequence, the NFPO@C/EG cathode displays stable cycle performance (82 mAh g−1 over 400 cycles at 232 mA g−1) and superior rate capability (60 mAh g−1 at a high charge/discharge density of 2320 mA g−1). This multiscale carbon‐modified design concept builds an avenue for the practical application of polyanionic cathode materials and promotes the development of low‐cost SIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional lithium‐ion batteries, with flammable organic liquid electrolytes, have serious safety problems, which greatly limit their application. All‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) have received extensive attention from large‐scale energy‐storage fields, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and intelligent power grids, due to their benefits in safety, energy density, and thermostability. As the key component of ASSBs, solid electrolytes determine the properties of ASSBs. In past decades, various kinds of solid electrolytes, such as polymers and inorganic electrolytes, have been explored. Among these candidates, organic–inorganic composite solid electrolytes (CSEs) that integrate the advantages of these two different electrolytes have been regarded as promising electrolytes for high‐performance ASSBs, and extensive studies have been carried out. Herein, recent progress in organic–inorganic CSEs is summarized in terms of the inorganic component, electrochemical performance, effects of the inorganic ceramic nanostructure, and ionic conducting mechanism. Finally, the main challenges and perspectives of organic–inorganic CSEs are highlighted for future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As anode materials for high‐performance Li‐ion batteries, peapod‐like Ge‐based composites, including Ge, a Li‐inactive conducting Cu3Ge, and a porous carbon matrix are synthesized simply by annealing CuGeO3@dopamine in a H2/Ar atmosphere. The introduction of the carbon layer and inactive alloying phase Cu3Ge not only enhances the electrical conductivity of the Ge anode, but also reduces the volume change of Ge during the cell cycle as a buffer. In particular, the anode of this peapod‐like Cu3Ge/Ge@C shows an excellent long cycle life as well as outstanding capacity performance, with a discharge specific capacity up to 934 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amorphous nanoparticles of ZnO and TiO2 embedded in carbon nanocages (AZT⊂CNCs) were successfully synthesized through a simple annealing process of TiO2‐coated zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8). In the current anode of AZT⊂CNCs, tiny ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles were uniformly distributed in the carbon matrix (carbon nanocages), which could effectively buffer the volume expansion of electroactive ZnO and provide excellent electric conductivity. After fully investigating the electrochemical performance of the AZT⊂CNCs samples obtained with different additive amounts of tetrabutyl orthotitanate (TBOT) for TiO2 coating, it has been found that AZT‐30 (0.1 g ZIF‐8 with 30 mL TBOT) shows the best cycle stability (510 mA h g−1 after 350 cycles at 200 mA g−1) and a superior rate capability (610 mA h g−1 after 3500 cycles at 2 A g−1). The greatly enhanced Li‐ion storage performance could be ascribed to the fact that the introduction of amorphous TiO2 could activate the reversible lithiation/delithiation reaction of ZnO during the charge/discharge process. Dramatically enhanced: Amorphous nanoparticles of ZnO and TiO2 embedded in carbon nanocages (AZT⊂CNCs) were successfully synthesized by a simple annealing process of TiO2‐coated ZIF‐8 (see figure). As a Li‐ion battery anode, the hollow structure and porous carbon matrix make these materials useful. Moreover, with the addition of TiO2, the electrochemical reactions of the ZnO anode are greatly activated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The sulfur cathode, as a new generation of lithium‐ion battery cathode material, has a high theoretical energy density of about 2500 Wh kg−1. However, the low conductivity of sulfur and the “shuttle effect”, widely presenting in the lithiation/de‐lithiation process, seriously hinder its practical application. Here, we report a new nanoconfined oxidation route (first complete oxidation of metal sulfide and subsequently partial oxidation of the generated S from sulfide) for S cathode encapsulated with MnO2 nanosheets and N‐doped carbon hollow spheres. This nanoconfined oxidation route can successfully confine the sulfur particles in the interior of the carbon shell, and the rationally introduced nonpolar carbon and polar MnO2 can both reduce the dissolution of polysulfide during the charge‐discharge process. The obtained well‐defined S‐MnO2@C cathode exhibits high specific capacity with excellent cycling performance and superior rate capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three polyacetylenes were isolated and purified from Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC for the first time by high‐speed counter‐current chromatography using a two‐phase solvent system composed of hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (1:31:1:31, v/v/v/v) and high‐performance liquid chromatography with an Agilent ZORBAX® SB‐C18 column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm). After separation by high‐speed counter‐current chromatography and high‐performance liquid chromatography, we obtained 3.5 mg of platetyolin A, 4.1 mg of platetyolin B, and 18.1 mg of lobetyolin with purities of 97.2, 96.7, and 96.9%, respectively. The purity of each compound was assessed by high‐performance liquid chromatography and the chemical structures were evaluated by high‐resolution electrospray ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Among the isolated compounds, platetyolin A and platetyolin B are newly reported compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountain-cultivated ginseng ( MCG) can be considered a mimic of wild ginseng, whose seeds are sowed artificially, cultivated in the natural environment, and returned to the wild state before being used clinically. Cultivated ginseng ( CG) and MCG are mainly used as the commercial material for clinical applications. However, MCG is much more expensive but effective than CG. The aim of this study is to explore the differences in the pharmacokinetics and brain concentration of Rg1, Re, Rb1, and Rd after oral administration of MCG, CG, and pure ginsenosides. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated to determine the concentration of the four ginsenosides in rat plasma and brain tissue. Compared with the pure group, the area under the curve ( AUC) of all the four ginsenosides for CG and MCG increased. The mean brain concentrations of the four ginsenosides were found to be 10- to 15-fold lower than the corresponding contents in the plasma, and the poor permeability of ginsenosides into blood-brain barrier was indicated by the low concentrations of the four ginsenosides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was used to extract three isoflavonoids including irigenin, irisfloretin and dichtomitin from Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC. The parameters including pressure, temperature, sample particle size, and flow rate of CO2 were optimized with an orthogonal test. Under the optimized conditions of 15 MPa, 55°C, a sample particle size of 20–40 mesh and CO2 flow rate of 40 L h−1. The process was then scaled up by 10 times using a preparative SFE system. The yield of the crude extract from SFE was 4.1%, which contained irigenin, irisfloretin, and dichtomitin 0.71%, 0.49%, and 0.05%, respectively. To compare the extraction methods, Soxhlet Extraction (SE) was performed. The results indicated that SFE was better than SE. Irigenin, irisfloretin, and dichtomitin in the SFE extract were then separated and purified by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) with a two-phase solvent system composed of petroleum ether–ethyl acetate–methanol–water (2:4:3:3, v/v). From 5.0 g of dry crude extract, 27.8 mg irigenin, 16.4 mg irisfloretin, and 2.1 mg dichtomitin were obtained at purities of 97.1%, 96.4%, and 98.0%, respectively, as determined by HPLC-PDA. These results well indicate that SFE and HSCCC are very powerful techniques for the extraction and purification of irigenin, irisfloretin, and dichtomitin from B. chinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study analyzed the effect of silicon (Si) application on the occurrence of ginseng black spot caused by Alternaria panax. We explored the differences in soil physical and chemical factors and microbial community structure following Si application as well as the key factors that affected the occurrence of ginseng black spot in soil. Potted Panax ginseng plants were used to assess the effect of Si treatment on ginseng black spot. Soil physical and chemical properties were comprehensively analyzed. Bacterial communities were analyzed using Illumina HiSeq sequencing targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Results: After inoculation with A. panax, the morbidity (and morbidity index) of ginseng with and without Si was 52% (46) and 83% (77), respectively. Soil physical and chemical analysis showed that under the ginseng black spot inoculation, bacterial communities were mainly affected by pH and available potassium, followed by ammonium nitrogen and available Si. NMDS and PLS-DA analyses and the heat maps of relative abundance revealed that Si application elevated the resistance of ginseng black spot as regulated by the abundance and diversity of bacterial flora in rhizosphere soils. Heatmap analysis at the genus level revealed that A. panax + Si inoculations significantly increased the soil community abundance of Sandaracinus, Polycyclovorans, Hirschia, Haliangium, Nitrospira, Saccharothrix, Aeromicrobium, Luteimonas, and Rubellimicrobium and led to a bacterial community structure with relative abundances that were significantly similar to that of untreated soil. Conclusions: Short-term Si application also significantly regulated the structural impact on soil microorganisms caused by ginseng black spot. Our findings indicated that Si applications may possibly be used in the prevention and treatment of ginseng black spot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key to food security is increasing rice yield. Therefore, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to analyse and identify the effects of plant height (PH), effective tiller number (ETN), heading date (HD) and grain weight per plant (GWPP) on rice yield using 1,220,522 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 168 rice accessions. The PH, ETN, HD, and GWPP phenotypes of the 168 rice accessions were analysed in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and an abundance of phenotypic variation was found. One QTL for PH was detected on chromosome 4, one QTL for ETN on chromosome 11, two QTLs for GWPP on chromosome 2, and one QTL for HD on chromosome 5, all of which were detected in 3 years of the study period through a general linear model (GLM) and mixed linear model (MLM). We detected two QTLs related to the traits by using multi-trait GWAS. In addition, we identified four novel genes responsible for rice yield. Haplotype analysis indicated that LOC_Os02g07680 was highly associated with GWPP, LOC_Os11g18570 was highly associated with ETN, LOC_Os04g49210 was highly associated with HD, and LOC_Os05g34600 was highly associated with PH. The results provide important genetic information for PH, ETN, HD and GWPP studies, laying the foundation for increasing rice yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deployment of lithium metal anode in solid‐state batteries with polymer electrolytes has been recognized as a promising approach to achieving high‐energy‐density technologies. However, the practical application of the polymer electrolytes is currently constrained by various challenges, including low ionic conductivity, inadequate electrochemical window, and poor interface stability. To address these issues, a novel eutectic‐based polymer electrolyte consisting of succinonitrile (SN) and poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGMEA) is developed. The research results demonstrate that the interactions between SN and PEGMEA promote the dissociation of the lithium difluoro(oxalato) borate (LiDFOB) salt and increase the concentration of free Li+. The well‐designed eutectic‐based PAN1.2‐SPE (PEGMEA: SN=1: 1.2 mass ratio) exhibits high ionic conductivity of 1.30 mS cm−1 at 30 °C and superior interface stability with Li anode. The Li/Li symmetric cell based on PAN1.2‐SPE enables long‐term plating/stripping at 0.3 and 0.5 mA cm−2, and the Li/LiFePO4 cell achieves superior long‐term cycling stability (capacity retention of 80.3 % after 1500 cycles). Moreover, Li/LiFePO4 and Li/LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 pouch cells employing PAN1.2‐SPE demonstrate excellent cycling and safety characteristics. This study presents a new pathway for designing high‐performance polymer electrolytes and promotes the practical application of high‐stable lithium metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dihydrochalcones are the main active components of Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd. (Sweet Tea), they are directly related to the sweet tonic beverage and traditional herb. In this work, two runs of preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) with a two-phase solvent system composed of n -hexane/ethyl acetate/ethanol/water (1:4:3:4, v/v) were employed to separate three dihydrochalcones (phloridzin, trilobatin and phloretin) from Sweet Tea. About 6.4 mg of phloridzin, 48.4 mg of trilobatin, and 4.7 mg of phloretin with purities of 96.7%, 98.4% and 98.1% were obtained from 130 mg of the crude Sweet Tea extract. Phloridzin, trilobatin, and phloretin had effective radical scavenging activities, with IC 50 values of 866.80, 20.16 and 179.47 μg/mL, respectively, in a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method. The contents of phloridzin, trilobatin and phloretin in dried old leaves and tender leaves of tea were in the range of 10.1–18.0, 113.7–128.8, 3.6–4.3 mg/g and 9.3–9.8, 82.9–103.1, 1.9–2.5 mg/g, respectively. The results indicated that the HPLC had good precision, accuracy and repeatability for the determination of three dihydrochalcones in samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-doped carbon-encapsulated ZnSe@C with uniform core-shell nanorod structure has been successfully fabricated via a self-sacrificial template route. Due to the special porous nanorods structure, this ZnSe@C anode effectively moderates the volume expansion, improves the electron conductivity, and thus delivers a superior rate capability and stable cycling performance for KIBs. • Uniform core-shell ZnSe@C was synthesized via a facile self-sacrificial route. • Such ZnSe@C anode shows superior rate capability and cycling performance. • 1D carbon-encapsulated porous structure enhances the electrochemical performance. Potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) have now stimulated considerable attention due to the widely distributed potassium salt and low cost, which become the competitive candidate for Na-/Li-ion batteries and suitable application for large-scale energy systems. Here, we have reasonably designed N-doped carbon encapsulated yolk-shell ZnSe@C anode with carbon-coated Zn 2 GeO 4 @C nanorods as the self-sacrificial template. Uniform ZnSe@C nanorods were facilely prepared by the selenidation of carbon-coated Zn 2 GeO 4 @C nanorods, which were synthesized via a simple annealing of ploydopamine-coated Zn 2 GeO 4 nanorods. Such N-doped carbon encapsulated ZnSe@C core-shell nanorods could substantially enhance the electronic conductivity, moderate the volume expansion and provide more pathways for K+ diffusion. In detail, these ZnSe@C nanorods achieve stable galvanostatic discharge/charge performance (deliver 360 mA h g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 60 cycles and 204 mA h g−1 at 2.0 A g−1 over 100 repeated cycles) and superior rate capability (achieve a capacities of 389.4, 379.8, 352.2, 285.6, 226.1, and 167.5 mA h g−1 at 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 A g−1, respectively). The charge-discharge mechanism of ZnSe@C was further investigated by in-situ , ex-situ X-ray diffraction XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) have attracted much attention in the field of electrochemical energy storage due to their high energy density and low cost. However, the 'shuttle effect' of sulfur cathode, resulting in the poor cyclic performance of batteries, is a big barrier for the development of LSBs. To overcome this critical drawback, herein, a matrix of well-designed double carbon shells-encapsulated metallic Mo 2 C nanoparticles (Mo 2 C/C@C) is facilely achieved as an efficient sulfur host for high-performance LSBs. During the electrochemical process, the embedded polar and metallic Mo 2 C nanoparticles could effectively retard polysulfide migration. While for the carbon layers, they can not only act as conductive matrix but also promote the restriction for all sulfur species and maintain the structural stability simultaneously. Specially, the inner carbon layer is mainly for encapsulation and the outside one for surface-modification. As a result, such well-designed Mo 2 C/C@C–S cathode could effectively adsorb soluble polysulfides both from chemical and physical aspects, and well confines them inside the porous structure of Mo 2 C/C@C, thus achieving a high reversible capacity and superior cycling performance. Double carbon shells embedded with metallic and polar Mo 2 C nanoparticles (Mo 2 C/C@C) have been synthesized as efficient sulfur host materials for Li–S batteries. The obtained robust host materials greatly enhance the conductive of the electroactive sulfur and confine polysulfides to mitigate their dissolution effectively as well. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A scalable and facile polymer-blowing and galvanic replacement route for 3D porous carbon framework embedded with uniform Sb nanoparticles have been synthesized Such designed electrode architecture provides porous structure, high structure stabilities, high electronic conductivity and robust buffer layers, which could solve the issue of poor ionic and electronic transport in electrode materials and accommodate the large volume expansion. • 3D porous Sb ⊂ 3DPC was synthesized via a scalable and facile polymer-blowing and galvanic replacement route. • 3D porous Sb ⊂ 3DPC anode show superior rate capability and cycling performance. • Such 3D porous interconnected carbon-encapsulated structure enhances the electrochemical performance. The development of high-performance Na-ion batteries in order to meet the increasing demand of the industrial applications of energy storage requires low cost and large-scale preparation methods for battery electrodes with outstanding performance. In this work, we have designed a novel anode of three-dimensional porous interconnected carbon matrix embedded with Sb nanoparticles (Sb ⊂ 3DPC) via a scalable and facile polymer-blowing and galvanic replacement route. This designed electrode architecture provides large surface areas, large pore volumes and interconnected pore frameworks, supplying enlarged interface of the electrolyte and electrode, reducing the diffusion pathway and inhibiting the volume expansion of Sb during cyclic movement. The as-prepared Sb ⊂ 3DPC anode shows high Na-storage performance, such as an outstanding cycle stability (461 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 over 200 cycles) and exceptional high rate capability (349 mA h g−1 at 5000 mA g−1). As for the application in the full Na-ion batteries, the assembled Sb ⊂ 3DPC//Na 3 V 2 (PO 4) 3 full cell also shows remarkable rate capability. Such polymer-blowing-based approach provides a low cost, uncomplicated and large scale preparation method for porous and stable electrode materials and opens up a wide horizon in other electrochemical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ascomycota and Basidiomycota had the same change trend in ginseng soils of all ages. • Soil harmful microbes predominate as culture time increased in ginseng. • Enhanced synergy of pathogenic bacteria with the extension of cultivation time. • Decreased amino acid synthesis and physiological metabolism in aged ginseng soils. • Soil pH was a driver of microbial community structure in cultivated ginseng soil. Changes in the microbial community are considered important factors affecting the yield and quality of ginseng cultivated in farmland, while the characteristics of the change in the microbial community of the soil before and after cultivation of ginseng in farmland are not well understood. Here, we aimed to fill this research gap by comparing the differences in soil nutrients and microbial communities between continuously cultivated ginseng soils for 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year-old ginseng soils and corresponding uncultivated ginseng soils. The soil properties (pH, total soil organic carbon (TOC) content and total nitrogen (TN) content) of aged ginseng soil (3- and 5-year-old) were significantly reduced compared with those of the control soil after ginseng was cultivated in farmland. With the exception of 2-year-old ginseng, soil bacterial richness and diversity were higher in different ages of cultivated ginseng soils than in the control soil, while fungal diversity decreased in aged ginseng soil and increased in young ginseng soil (1- and 2-year-old). Ascomycota and Basidiomycota showed a consistent increasing/decreasing trend in cultivated ginseng soils of all ages compared to the control. In addition, ginseng cultivation resulted in a substantial decrease in the complexity of soil bacterial networks but a slight decrease in the complexity of fungal networks. The results from the linear discriminant size effect (LEfSe) analysis showed that beneficial microorganisms were biomarkers of the young ginseng soil, including Nitrosospira , Cephalotrichum and Humicola , while harmful microorganisms were biomarkers of aged ginseng, such as Plectosphaerella , Cladosporium and Alternaria. PICRUSt2 analysis revealed that the increase in the incidence of ginseng disease with continuous cultivation time may be related to the decreases in amino acid synthesis and physiological metabolism and the increase in fungal saprophytes. Soil pH was the most common and best predictor of bacterial and fungal community structure, followed by TOC and ammonium nitrogen (NH 4 +-N) contents. Meanwhile, the decreased of soil pH, TOC and AK may be the driving factors for the growth of ginseng soil pathogens. Overall, this study revealed the changing ginseng rhizosphere soil microbial community at different continuous cultivation times, provided a theoretical basis for ginseng cultivation, and promoted the development of medicinal plants such as ginseng. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Li 2 GeO 3 /EG was prepared by a simple, economical and easily scalable high-energy ball-milling method. • Li 2 GeO 3 particles were uniformly grown on EG nanosheets. • The EG coating can improve the electronic conductivity of Li 2 GeO 3. • The Li 2 GeO 3 /EG composite exhibits remarkably enhanced lithium storage performance. [Display omitted] A simple, economical, and easily scalable high-energy ball-milling method for the synthesis of Li 2 GeO 3 /expanded graphite (LGO/EG) as a high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries is reported. The LGO/EG exhibits a unique architecture with expanded graphite (EG) uniformly coating Li 2 GeO 3 (LGO) particles, which effectively inhibited the agglomeration of LGO particles. The LGO/7 wt%EG anode delivers a discharge capacity of 800.6 mA h g−1 at 5.0 A g−1, with an outstanding capacity retention of 75.9% after 300 cycles at 1.0 A g−1, which is 8.3% higher than that of the uncoated LGO anode. This is attributed to the introduction of EG which improves the electronic conductivity of LGO, and the uniformly coated EG can effectively inhibit the volume change of LGO particles during the charging-discharging process. As a result, LGO/EG has outstanding high-rate performance and long-term cycle stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Continuous cropping depresses American ginseng growth and increases pathogens. • Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) application improves American ginseng growth. • AMF biofertilizer increases the inoculation rate to American ginseng. • AMF enrich rhizosphere beneficial bacteria and fungi and soil available nutrients. • AMF biofertilizer suppresses rhizosphere soil-borne pathogens of American ginseng. Continuous cropping of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is often associated with the scarcity or unavailability of soil nutrients and an imbalance of rhizosphere microbiota, resulting in low yield and poor plant quality. Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) improves plant growth and production by facilitating nutrient acquisition and by modifying the abundance and diversity of rhizosphere microorganisms. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms by which continuous cropping of American ginseng caused growth inhibition and how AMF biofertilizer application relieved these cropping obstacles. The results showed that: 1) continuous cropping of American ginseng significantly decreased the emergence rate, shoot and root dry weight, rhizosphere soil pH, the contents of ammonium, available phosphorus (P), and available potassium (K) in the rhizosphere, while increasing the root rot disease index and the soil content of nitrate; 2) continuous cropping of American ginseng decreased the diversity of bacteria, while increasing the diversity of fungi, and increased the relative abundances of Acidobacteria and Ascomycota, while decreasing the relative abundances of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Zygomycota; 3) in contrast, the application of AMF biofertilizer relieved the negative effects of continuous cropping American ginseng; 4) significant positive correlations were found between Pseudarthrobacter , Streptomyces and the content of ammonium, between Bacillus and the content of available K, and between Mortierella elongata and the content of available P, suggesting that the increase of rhizosphere plant-beneficial bacteria and fungi promoted the contents of available nutrients in the rhizosphere; 5) application of AMF biofertilizer significantly decreased the abundances of soil-borne pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum , F. solani and the deleterious bacteria Candidatus Solibacter. In summary, our results suggest that AMF biofertilizer application improved the continuous cropping of American ginseng growth by increasing the AMF inoculation rate, by recruiting rhizosphere beneficial bacteria and fungi that promote plant-uptake of nitrogen (N) and P, and by suppressing soil-borne pathogens. Therefore, AMF biofertilizer is a probiotic agent that prevents microbial imbalances and nutrient deficiencies during continuous cropping of American ginseng. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron plays a crucial role in plant chlorophyll synthesis, respiration, and plant growth. However, excessive iron content can contribute to ginseng poisoning. We previously discovered that the application of silicon (Si) and potassium (K) can mitigate the iron toxicity on ginseng. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of how Si and K alleviate iron toxicity stress in ginseng. We investigated the physiological and transcriptional effects of exogenous Si and K on Panax ginseng. The results suggested that the leaves of ginseng with Si and K addition under iron stress increased antioxidant enzyme activity or secondary metabolite content, such as phenylalanine amino-lyase, polyphenol oxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, total phenols and lignin, by 6.21%-25.94%, 30.12%-309.19%, 32.26%-38.82%, 7.81%-23.66%, and 4.68%-48.42%, respectively. Moreover, Si and K increased the expression of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with resistance to both biotic and abiotic stress, including WRKY (WRKY1, WRKY5, and WRKY65), bHLH (bHLH35, bHLH66, bHLH128, and bHLH149), EREBP, ERF10 and ZIP. Additionally, the amount of DEGs of ginseng by Si and K addition was enriched in metabolic processes, single-organism process pathways, signal transduction, metabolism, synthesis and disease resistance. In conclusion, the utilization of Si and K can potentially reduce the accumulation of iron in ginseng, regulate the expression of iron tolerance genes, and enhance the antioxidant enzyme activity and secondary metabolite production in both leaves and roots, thus alleviating the iron toxicity stress in ginseng., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Given the pressing depletion of lithium resources, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) stand out as a cost-effective alternative for energy storage solutions in the near future. Layered transition metal oxides (LTMOs) emerge as the leading cathode materials for SIBs due to their superior specific capacities and abundant raw materials. Nonetheless, achieving long-term stability in LTMOs for SIBs remains a challenge due to the inevitable structural degradation during charge-discharge cycles. The complexity and diversity of cation configurations/superstructures within the transition metal layers (TMO 2 ) further complicate the understanding for newcomers. Therefore, it is critical to summarize and discuss the factors leading to structural degradation and the available strategies for enhancing LTMOs' stability. In this review, the cationic configurations of TMO 2 layers are introduced from a crystallographic perspective. It then identifies and examines four key factors responsible for structural decay, alongside the impacts of various modification strategies. Finally, more effective and practical research approaches for investigating LTMOs have been proposed. The work aims to enhance the comprehension of the structural deterioration of LTMOs and facilitate a substantial improvement in their cycle life and energy density.

The conventional fabrication of bulk van der Waals (vdW) materials requires a temperature above 1,000 °C to sinter from the corresponding particulates. Here we report the near-room-temperature densification (for example, ∼45 °C for 10 min) of two-dimensional nanosheets to form strong bulk materials with a porosity of <0.1%, which are mechanically stronger than the conventionally made ones. The mechanistic study shows that the water-mediated activation of van der Waals interactions accounts for the strong and dense bulk materials. Initially, water adsorbed on two-dimensional nanosheets lubricates and promotes alignment. The subsequent extrusion closes the gaps between the aligned nanosheets and densifies them into strong bulk materials. Water extrusion also generates stresses that increase with moulding temperature, and too high a temperature causes intersheet misalignment; therefore, a near-room-temperature moulding process is favoured. This technique provides an energy-efficient alternative to design a wide range of dense bulk van der Waals materials with tailored compositions and properties., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)