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BACKGROUND: Wheat is an important grain crop that has been under serious threat from Fusarium graminearum. Nup2, a member of the nuclear pore complex, plays an important role in regulating eukaryotic nuclear protein transport and participates in gene regulation. Dissecting the function of nuclear pore proteins in pathogenic fungi may provide effective targets for novel fungicides. RESULTS: Mutants exhibited nutritional growth defects, asexual/sexual developmental abnormalities. Deficiency of FgNup2 resulted in increased resistance of Fusarium graminearum to cell wall disruptors and increased sensitivity to metal ions. Pathogenicity analyses showed that the mutant was significantly less virulent on flowering wheat ears, consistent with the observed decrease in deoxynivalenol (DON) production. Furthermore, we showed that FgNup2 interacts synergistically with FgTri6, a transcription factor of the TRI family, to regulate the expression of toxin‐producing genes, which, in turn, affects the biosynthesis of DON and related toxins. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that FgNup2 plays important roles in the growth and development, cell wall integrity, stress response, pathogenicity, and DON synthesis of F. graminearum. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although eutectic solvents (ESs) have garnered significant attention as promising solvents for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, systematic studies on discovering novel ESs linking machine learning (ML) and experimental validation are scarce. For the reliable prediction of CO2‐in‐ES solubility, ensemble ML modeling based on random forest and extreme gradient boosting with inputs of COSMO‐RS derived molecular descriptors is rigorously performed, for which an extensive experimental CO2‐in‐ES solubility database of 2438 data points in 162 ESs involving 106 ES systems are collected. With the best‐performing model obtained, the CO2 solubilities of 4735 novel combinations of ES components are first predicted for estimating their potential in CO2 capture. The top‐ranked candidate combinations are subsequently evaluated by examining the environmental health and safety properties of individual components and assessing the potential operating window based on solid–liquid equilibrium (SLE) prediction. Three most promising ES systems are finally retained, which are thoroughly studied by SLE and CO2 absorption experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual-shell reactors using hydrothermal flames as internal heat source were proposed for supercritical water gasification (SCWG) and oxidation (SCWO) of oily sludge to achieve fast preheating and avoid corrosion, salt plugging, and overheating. The SCWG and SCWO systems with hydrogen-rich syngas and electricity outputs, respectively, were established and simulated using Aspen Plus 11. Simulation models were validated by comparing with experimental products and temperature profiles. The maximum exergy destruction coefficients of 28.01% and 24.31% appear in the combustion reactor for both the SCWG and SCWO systems, respectively, indicating the indirect preheating method with hydrothermal flame is critical to the energy efficiency. The increase of reaction temperature promotes hydrogen but inhibits methane formation in the SCWG, and more steam but less syngas is output at higher reaction temperatures. Although more steam and electricity outputs are present at higher reaction temperatures for the SCWO, more fuel input is required. Lower exergy efficiencies are obtained at higher reaction temperatures in both the SCWG and SCWO systems for more energy is output as low grade steam. Less fuel input is required for both the SCWG and SCWO systems at higher feed concentrations, and higher exergy efficiencies can be obtained. The net treatment cost for the SCWG and SCWO systems are 119.19 and 215.47 USD/t, respectively, indicating the SCWG is more economically competitive compared with the SCWO. • Reactors with hydrothermal flames were proposed for SCWG and SCWO of oily sludge. • SCWG and SCWO systems with energy output were built and simulated by Aspen Plus. • The maximum exergy destruction appears in the combustion reactor for SCWG and SCWO. • Lower exergy efficiencies appear at higher temperatuers for more steam output. • The SCWG has certain economic superiority compared with the SCWO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A revised detailed mechanism (RDM) including 173 species and 1011 reactions for methanol oxidation under hydrothermal flames is developed via modifying a methanol gas‐phase combustion mechanism with pressure and thermodynamic corrections and validated with experimental data. Different skeletal mechanisms are generated via the directed relation graph (DRG), the DRG with error propagation (DRGEP), the DRG with sensitivity analysis (DRGSA), and the DRGEP with sensitivity analysis methods. Although the skeletal mechanisms have different reaction paths, the evolutions of the main species in the RDM are generally reproduced. The most compact mechanism of 12 species and 35 reactions is obtained via the DRGSA method with an error of 7.59%. The temperatures of hydrothermal flames predicted from the skeletal mechanisms with different reduction methods agree well with those from the RDM within most operating ranges except the 12‐species mechanism under hypoxic conditions. The increase in the reduction degree increases the error of the ignition delay time, while the reduced mechanisms have better adaptability in predicting the ignition delay time at higher preheating temperatures. The increases of preheating temperature and methanol concentration decrease the error in the prediction of the laminar flame speed with the reduced mechanisms. Moreover, the mechanisms with different reduction degrees have little effect on the extinction temperature, with an error of 4–8°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2021 MW 6.0 Yangbi, Yunnan strike‐slip earthquake occurred on an unmapped crustal fault near the Weixi‐Qiaoho‐Weishan Fault along the southeast margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Using near‐source broadband seismic data from ChinArray, we investigate the spatial and temporal rupture evolution of the mainshock using apparent moment‐rate functions (AMRFs) determined by the empirical Green's function (EGF) method. Assuming a 1D line source on the fault plane, the rupture propagated unilaterally southeastward (∼144°) over a rupture length of ∼8.0 km with an estimated rupture speed of 2.1 km/s to 2.4 km/s. A 2D coseismic slip distribution for an assumed maximum rupture propagation speed of 2.2 km/s indicates that the rupture propagated to the southeast ∼8.0 km along strike and ∼5.0 km downdip with a peak slip of ∼2.1 m before stopping near the largest foreshock, where three bifurcating subfaults intersect. Using the AMRFs, the radiated energy of the mainshock is estimated as ∼1.6×1013J $1.6\times {10}^{13}\,\mathrm{J}$. The relatively low moment scaled radiated energy ER/M0 ${E}_{R}/{M}_{0}$ of 1.5 × 10−5 and intense foreshock and aftershock activity might indicate reactivation of an immature fault. The earthquake sequence is mainly distributed along a northwest‐southeast trend, and aftershocks and foreshocks are distributed near the periphery of the mainshock large‐slip area, suggesting that the stress in the mainshock slip zone is significantly reduced to below the level for more than a few overlapping aftershock to occur. Plain Language Summary: On 21 May 2021, an MW 6.0 strike‐slip earthquake occurred in the Yangbi region, Yunnan, China, near the southeast margin of the Tibetan Plateau. It is the largest earthquake in recent decades in the Yangbi region and caused 3 deaths. Due to southeastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau, there are several active faults in the Yangbi region with numerous moderate and small earthquakes, but no previously identified fault at the 2021 epicenter. To understand the mechanism of the 2021 Yangbi earthquake and the potential hazard in this region, we investigate the rupture process using nearby broadband seismic recordings from ChinArray. We find that the Yangbi earthquake propagated to the southeast ∼8.0 km along strike and ∼5.0 km downdip with rupture speed of 2.2 km/s. It stopped near the location of three bifurcating subfaults to the southeast, where diffuse faulting may have hindered further rupture propagation. We estimate the total radiated energy due to the dynamic rupture and find relatively low radiated seismic energy for the mainshock size, suggesting that the rupture occurred on an immature fault. There are few aftershocks and foreshocks within the mainshock slip area, suggesting substantial release of accumulated stress. Key Points: The 2021 MW 6.0 Yangbi earthquake involved unilateral rupture on an unmapped strike‐slip fault with no surface offsetDirectivity analysis shows that the rupture propagated southeast ∼8.0 km with rupture velocity of ∼2.2 km/s and a peak slip of ∼2.1 mForeshocks and aftershocks are distributed near margins of the main slip area, suggesting substantial stress drop during the mainshock [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel supercritical water gasification (SCWG) system using hydrothermal flame as internal heat source (HSCWG) for oily sludge treatment was proposed to achieve rapid preheating and promote gasification rate. The proposed system was firstly simulated using Aspen Plus 11, and the simulation model was validated by comparison with experimental data. The exergy input, output, and destruction for the HSCWG are far smaller than those for the traditional SCWG system using hot water as heat source (TSCWG). The oxidation reactor and electric heater contribute to the maximum exergy destructions in the HSCWG and TSCWG, with the exergy distribution coefficients of 30.80 % and 37.16 %, respectively, indicating the preheating method is a key factor affecting the energy consumption and system efficiency. Lower exergy efficiencies are present at higher gasification temperatures, indicating more exergy destructions are present in the oxidation reactor and electric heater. Moreover, the net operating cost for the TSCWG increases significantly with increasing gasification temperature, which is far higher than that for the HSCWG. The HSCWG is more competitive for the treatment of oily sludge compared with the TSCWG. Fuel concentration adjustment is more efficient than fuel flow adjustment in the regulation of the gasification temperature. • A novel HSCWG was proposed to achieve rapid preheating and promote gasification rate. • SCWG of oily sludge for hydrogen-rich syngas production was simulated using Aspen Plus. • Preheating method is a key factor affecting energy consumption and system efficiency. • HSCWG is more efficient and economical for oily sludge treatment compared with TSCWG. • Adjusting fuel concentration is an efficient way for gasification temperature regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hickory is an abundant source of phenolic compounds that exhibit a diverse range of bioactivities. In this study, phenolic compounds were extracted and purified from hickory green husk (HG), hickory nutshell (HN), and hickory seed coat (HS) using solid-phase extraction and ultrasonication (SPE-US). The effects of the SPE-US treatment on the structure and properties of the phenolic compounds were then investigated, including their composition, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity. The dominant phenolic substances in the different extracts after SPE-US treatment were: ellagic acid and trans ferulic acid (HS); ellagic acid and sinapic acid (HN); and rutin (HG). The HS-SPE-US 1 extract exhibited the highest total polyphenol content (416 ± 11 mg GAE/g DW), total flavonoid content (47.51 ± 0.68 mg RE/g DW), Fe3+ reduction ability (74.2 ± 1.0 mmol Fe2+/g DW), radical (DPPH and ABTS) scavenging ability, and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. [Display omitted] • The hickory phenolic compounds were purified by solid phase extraction-sonication. • The purified phenolic compounds were mainly ellagic acid and rutin. • The highest antibacterial activity was contained in seed coat extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]