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Detecting an unambiguous radar reflectivity signature is vital for investigating cloud-seeding impacts. The radar reflectivity change attributed to seeding depends on both the cloud conditions and the concentration of silver iodide (AgI) particles. In this study, the reflectivity change induced by glaciogenic seeding using different AgI particle concentrations is investigated under various cloud conditions using a 1D ice growth model coupled with an AgI nucleation parameterization. In addition, an algorithm is developed to estimate the minimum AgI particle concentration needed for a measurable glaciogenic cloud-seeding signature, assuming there is sufficient supercooled liquid water. The results show that the 1D model captures the ice growth habit compared to available observations and yields an unambiguous reflectivity change that is consistent with 3D model simulations and previous observational studies. Simulations indicate that seeding at a temperature of about - 15 °C has the highest probability of detecting the radar seeding signature. This finding is consistent with the fact that the seeding temperature was about - 15 °C or slightly warmer in most documented cases of unambiguous seeding signatures. Using the 1D model, 2500 numerical experiments are conducted, and the outputs are used to develop a parameterization to estimate the AgI particle concentration needed to detect an unambiguous seeding signature. Application of this parameterization to a real case suggests that seeding between - 21 and - 11 °C may possibly produce unambiguous seeding signatures and that seeding at about - 15 °C requires the lowest AgI particle concentration. Seeding at warmer temperatures in precipitating clouds requires an extremely high amount of AgI and a very high content of supercooled liquid water. The results shown in this study deepen our understanding of the relationship between AgI particle concentration and radar seeding signatures under different cloud conditions. The parameterization can be used in operational seeding-based decision-making regarding the optimal amount of AgI dispersed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnaporthe oryzae, a filamentous heterothallic ascomycete fungus that serves as the causative agent of rice blast disease, is globally distributed in rice-growing regions. Populations shaped by environmental factors and human intervention play important roles in the formation of genetic structure. In this study, population structures and spatiotemporal dynamics were investigated based on large-scale whole genomic sequences of rice-infecting M. oryzae around the world. By analyzing these genetic structures, we identified divergent clades that crossed geographic boundaries. While we observed associations between the isolates and their geographic origins, we also found that there were frequent migration events occurring across Asia in main rice cultivation regions. Within Asia, China was the migration origin, facilitating gene flows to Japan and South Korea. Since the 1970s, the genetic diversity of M. oryzae populations in China has also shown a steadily increasing trend, continuing through to the 2020s. Additionally, our analysis of the evolutionary history of Asian M. oryzae populations provided insights into the population expansion that has taken place in recent decades. Overall, our findings indicate that human-mediated gene flows played a pivotal role in shaping the genetic structure of M. oryzae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exocyst complex, an evolutionarily conserved octameric protein assembly, plays a central role in the targeted binding and fusion of vesicles at the plasma membrane. In fungal cells, this transport system is essential for polarized growth, morphogenesis, cell wall maintenance and virulence. Recent advances have greatly improved our understanding of the role and regulation of the exocyst complex in fungi. This review synthesizes these developments and focuses on the intricate interplay between the exocyst complex, specific fungal cargos and regulatory proteins. Insights into thestructure of the exocyst and its functional dynamics have revealed new dimensions of its architecture and its interactions with the cellular environment. Furthermore, the regulation of exocyst activity involves complex signaling pathways and interactions with cytoskeletal elements that are crucial for its role in vesicle trafficking. By exploring these emerging themes, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted functions of the exocyst complex in fungal biology. Understanding these mechanisms offers potential avenues for novel therapeutic strategies against fungal pathogens and insights into the general principles of vesicle trafficking in eukaryotic cells. The review therefore highlights the importance of the exocyst complex in maintaining cellular functions and its broader implications in fungal pathogenicity and cell biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samarium carbonate [[Sm.sub.2][(C[O.sub.3]).sub.3]] was taken as the source of [Sm.sup.3+], and methyl acrylic acid (MAA) was employed as the precursor to prepare polymethacrylic acid (PMAA). The mixture of [Sm.sub.2][(C[O.sub.3]).sub.3] and PMAA was marked as 'SmP.' The SmP prepared under different conditions was added to natural rubber (NR) latex to prepare NR/SmP films. The influence of the polymerization temperature of MAA and the amount of SmP on the mechanical properties and structure of NR/SmP films were analyzed. The results show that polymerization temperature has significant effect on the mechanical properties of NR/SmP film; lower temperature is benefit to improve modulus and rigidity, whereas higher temperature helps maintain good elasticity. Compared with neat NR, addition of 5-phr [Sm.sub.2][(C[O.sub.3]).sub.3] results in a 30%-37% increase of tensile strength. Furthermore, the glass transition temperature ([T.sub.g]) can also be increased by the addition of SmP; and the tan [delta] curves of all samples exhibit only one transition peak and indicate no phase separation between SmP and NR matrix. The influence of SmP on the structure and morphology of NR was explored by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy analysis; and the results show that SmP can be dispersed uniformly in the NR latex when loading of [Sm.sub.2][(C[O.sub.3]).sub.3] is lower than 20 phr. KEYWORDS natural rubber latex, PMAA, properties, [Sm.sup.3+], 1 | INTRODUCTION With the development of the electronics industry, the demand for multifunctional materials related to electrical and electronics is increasing, such as human-computer interaction, stretchable wearable electronic devices, [...]