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Abstract Soybean is a photoperiod-sensitive staple crop. Its photoperiodic flowering has major consequences for latitudinal adaptation and grain yield. Here, we identify and characterise a flowering locus named Time of flower 4b (Tof4b), which encodes E1-Like b (E1Lb), a homologue of the key soybean floral repressor E1. Tof4b protein physically associates with the promoters of two FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) genes to repress their transcription and delay flowering to impart soybean adaptation to high latitudes. Three E1 homologues undergo subfunctionalisation and show differential subcellular localisation. Moreover, they all possess self-repression capability and each suppresses the two homologous counterparts. Subfunctionalisation and the transcriptional regulation of E1 genes collectively finetune flowering time and high-latitude adaptation in soybean. We propose a model for the functional fate of the three E1 genes after the soybean whole-genome duplication events, refine the molecular mechanisms underlying high-latitude adaption, and provide a potential molecular-breeding resource.

Abstract Background Biochar, a carbon-rich source and natural growth stimulant, is usually produced by the pyrolysis of agricultural biomass. It is widely used to enhance plant growth, enzyme activity, and crop productivity. However, there are no conclusive studies on how different levels of biochar application influence these systems. Methods and results The present study elucidated the dose-dependent effects of biochar application on the physiological performance, enzyme activity, and dry matter accumulation of tobacco plants via field experiments. In addition, transcriptome analysis was performed on 60-day-old (early growth stage) and 100-day-old (late growth stage) tobacco leaves to determine the changes in transcript levels at the molecular level under various biochar application levels (0, 600, and 1800 kg/ha). The results demonstrated that optimum biochar application enhances plant growth, regulates enzymatic activity, and promotes biomass accumulation in tobacco plants, while higher biochar doses had adverse effects. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed a total of 6561 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were up- or down-regulated in the groupwise comparison under different treatments. KEGG pathways analysis demonstrated that carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms (ko00710), photosynthesis (ko00195), and starch and sucrose metabolism (ko00500) pathways were significantly up-regulated under the optimal biochar dosage (600 kg/ha) and down-regulated under the higher biochar dosage (1800 kg/ha). Conclusion Collectively, these results indicate that biochar application at an optimal rate (600 kg/ha) could positively affect photosynthesis and carbon fixation, which in turn increased the synthesis and accumulation of sucrose and starch, thus promoting the growth and dry matter accumulation of tobacco plants. However, a higher biochar dosage (1800 kg/ha) disturbs the crucial source-sink balance of organic compounds and inhibits the growth of tobacco plants.

Background: The rapid development of neurosurgical techniques, such as awake craniotomy, has increased opportunities to explore the mysteries of the brain. This is crucial for deepening our understanding of motor control and imagination processes, especially in developing brain–computer interface (BCI) technologies and improving neurorehabilitation strategies for neurological disorders. Objective: This study aimed to analyze brain activity patterns in patients undergoing awake craniotomy during actual movements and motor imagery, mainly focusing on the motor control processes of the bilateral limbs. Methods: We conducted detailed observations of patients undergoing awake craniotomies. The experimenter requested participants to perform and imagine a series of motor tasks involving their hands and tongues. Brain activity during these tasks was recorded using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG). The study included left and right finger tapping, tongue protrusion, hand clenching, and imagined movements corresponding to these actions. Results: fMRI revealed significant activation in the brain's motor areas during task performance, mainly involving bilateral brain regions during imagined movement. ECoG data demonstrated a marked desynchronization pattern in the ipsilateral motor cortex during bilateral motor imagination, especially in bilateral coordination tasks. This finding suggests a potential controlling role of the unilateral cerebral cortex in bilateral motor imagination. Conclusion: Our study highlights the unilateral cerebral cortex's significance in controlling bilateral limb motor imagination, offering new insights into future brain network remodeling in patients with hemiplegia. Additionally, these findings provide important insights into understanding motor imagination and its impact on BCI and neurorehabilitation.

Background and aimsNitrogen (N) distribution in plants is intricately linked to key physiological functions, including respiration, photosynthesis, structural development, and nitrogen storage. However, the specific effects of different N morphologies on N accumulation and plant growth are poorly understood. Our research specifically focused on determining how different N morphologies affect N absorption and biomass accumulation.MethodsThis study elucidated the impact of different application rates (CK: 0 g N/plant; T1: 4 g N/plant; T2: 8 g N/plant) of N fertilizer on N and biomass accumulation in tobacco cultivars Hongda and K326 at different growth stages.ResultsOur findings emphasize the critical role of N distribution in various plant parts, including leaves, stems, and roots, in determining the complex mechanisms of N and biomass accumulation in tobacco. We found that in relation to total N, a greater ratio of water-soluble N (Nw) in leaves facilitated N accumulation in leaves. In contrast, an increased ratio of SDS (detergent)-insoluble N (Nin-SDS) in leaves and non-protein N (Nnp) in roots hindered this increase. Additionally, our results indicate that a greater proportion of Nnp in leaves has a negative impact on biomass accumulation in leaves. Furthermore, elevated levels of Nin-SDS, Nw, and Nnp in roots, and Nnp in leaves adversely affected biomass accumulation in tobacco leaves. The Hongda cultivar exhibited greater biomass and N accumulation abilities as compared to K326.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the significant role of distribution of N morphologies on plant growth, as well as N and biomass accumulation in tobacco plants. Understanding N distribution allows farmers to optimize N application, minimizing environmental losses and maximizing yield for specific cultivars. These insights advance sustainable agriculture by promoting efficient resource use and reducing environmental impact.

Abstract The multifaceted chemo-immune resistance is the principal barrier to achieving cure in cancer patients. Identifying a target that is critically involved in chemo-immune-resistance represents an attractive strategy to improve cancer treatment. iRhom1 plays a role in cancer cell proliferation and its expression is negatively correlated with immune cell infiltration. Here we show that iRhom1 decreases chemotherapy sensitivity by regulating the MAPK14-HSP27 axis. In addition, iRhom1 inhibits the cytotoxic T-cell response by reducing the stability of ERAP1 protein and the ERAP1-mediated antigen processing and presentation. To facilitate the therapeutic translation of these findings, we develop a biodegradable nanocarrier that is effective in codelivery of iRhom pre-siRNA (pre-siiRhom) and chemotherapeutic drugs. This nanocarrier is effective in tumor targeting and penetration through both enhanced permeability and retention effect and CD44-mediated transcytosis in tumor endothelial cells as well as tumor cells. Inhibition of iRhom1 further facilitates tumor targeting and uptake through inhibition of CD44 cleavage. Co-delivery of pre-siiRhom and a chemotherapy agent leads to enhanced antitumor efficacy and activated tumor immune microenvironment in multiple cancer models in female mice. Targeting iRhom1 together with chemotherapy could represent a strategy to overcome chemo-immune resistance in cancer treatment.

In forehand strokes with different grips in tennis, the forearm muscle activities, the distribution and attenuation of the impact loads, and the effects of the muscles on the impact load attenuation exhibited different characteristics. This study aimed to explore these characteristics by analyzing electromyography (EMG) and acceleration data, and comparing the differences between the Eastern and Western grips. Fourteen level II or above tennis players (ten males, aged 22.4 ± 3.6 years; four females, aged 19.8 ± 2.0 years) were recruited and instructed to perform forehand strokes using the Eastern and Western grips, respectively. The EMG of eight forearm muscles and the acceleration data at the ulnar and radial sides of the wrist and elbow were collected. The root mean square (RMS), the peaks of the impact load, the amplitude of impact load attenuation (AC), and the jerk value (Jerk) were calculated. The cross-correlation coefficients and time delays of EMG–EMG, EMG–AC, and EMG–jerk were obtained using the cross-correlation method. The results showed that in the Eastern grip group (group E), the RMS of the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) was significantly greater than that in the Western grip group (group W). In group E, the peaks of impact load, AC, and Jerk on the Y axis of the wrist ulnar side were all significantly higher than those in group W. The activity of the extensor digitorum commonis (EDC) had significantly different effects on the amplitude and rate of impact load attenuation at specific locations in different grips, especially at the elbow (p < 0.05). The conclusion indicated that the FCU exhibited higher levels of EMG activity in the Eastern grip. This grip responded to greater impact loads with more substantial and rapid attenuation on the wrist ulnar side. Furthermore, the EDC appeared to contribute more to the amplitude of impact load attenuation in the Western grip and to have a more significant influence on the rate of impact load attenuation in the Eastern grip, especially at the elbow. These results suggest that tennis players and coaches should pay more attention to improving the strength of the EDC and FCU, which can improve sports performance and comfort, as well as prevent sports injuries.

The potential benefits of biochar, a carbon-rich substance derived from biomass, for enhancing agricultural yield and soil health have drawn increasing interest. Nevertheless, owing to the lack of specialized studies, the role of its poly-spatial structure in the success of fostering plant growth remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the effects of various biochar pore shapes on tobacco growth and the underlying microbiological processes. Three pyrolysis temperatures (250 °C, 400 °C, and 550 °C) were used to produce biochar from tobacco stems, resulting in different pore structures (T3 > T2 > T1). We then used BET-specific surface area (BET), t.Plot micropore specific surface area (t.Plot), mesopore specific surface area (MSSA), specific pore volume (SPV), average pore size (AP), and mesopore pore volume (MPV) measurements to evaluate the effects of these biochars on tobacco growth and biomass accumulation, and microbial analyses were performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. When applied to plants, biochar increased their growth compared to untreated controls. The most notable improvement in tobacco growth was observed in the biochar produced at 400 °C (T3), which possessed the largest and most advantageous pore structure among all treatments. Further studies demonstrated that biochars with greater specific surface areas (BET, t.Plot, and MSSA) positively altered the abundance of key microbial taxa (e.g., Stenotrophobacter, Ensifer, Claroideoglomus) and community composition, thereby encouraging plant development and biomass accumulation. Conversely, greater pore volumes (SPV, AP, and MPV) inhibited microbial activity and significantly affected growth and biomass accumulation. Structural equation modeling further demonstrated that the pore structure of biochar greatly affected plant growth by changing the relative abundance and community composition of soil microbes. Maximizing the benefits of biochar in stimulating plant growth and improving soil microbial communities depends on optimizing the material’s pore structure, particularly by increasing the specific surface area. These findings will help expand the use of biochar in sustainable agriculture.

Abstract Major cereal crops have benefitted from Green Revolution traits such as shorter and more compact plants that permit high-density planting, but soybean has remained relatively overlooked. To balance ideal soybean yield with plant height under dense planting, shortening of internodes without reducing the number of nodes and pods is desired. Here, we characterized a short-internode soybean mutant, reduced internode 1 (rin1). Partial loss of SUPPRESSOR OF PHYA 105 3a (SPA3a) underlies rin1. RIN1 physically interacts with two homologs of ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5), STF1 and STF2, to promote their degradation. RIN1 regulates gibberellin metabolism to control internode development through a STF1/STF2–GA2ox7 regulatory module. In field trials, rin1 significantly enhances grain yield under high-density planting conditions comparing to its wild type of elite cultivar. rin1 mutants therefore could serve as valuable resources for improving grain yield under high-density cultivation and in soybean–maize intercropping systems.

The effect of non-isothermal creep aging (NICA) on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance of 7075 alloy was investigated. The results showed that the tensile strength of the alloy increased to 565 MPa when the alloy was heated to 210 °C (CH210) and reached 580 MPa when it was subsequently cooled to 120 °C (CC120). Simultaneously, the SCC susceptibility of rtf increased from 50.8 % to 98.4 %. As compared with traditional creep aging process [1], a large strength increment with excellent stress corrosion resistance have been obtained by NICA. The microstructure revealed that a lot of dislocations have been introduced by creep during the heating stage which could improve the precipitates volume fraction and accelerate the diffusion of solutes; while during the cooling stage, η′ was greatly refined, and GPI and GPⅡ were re-precipitated from the matrix due to the decreased solid solubility and increased critical radius R*; both of them are responsible for the continuous strength increase during NICA. Moreover, the width of the precipitate free zone (PFZ) was narrowed from 46.1 nm (CH210) to 28.6 nm (CC120). The microchemical analysis reveals that solutes were more homogenously distributed in grain boundary precipitates (GB-ppts), matrix precipitates, the PFZ, and the matrix with the help of creep. The narrower PFZ and homogeneous solute distribution are responsible for improving the SCC susceptibility in the CC120 alloy.

The advancement in performance in the domain of flexible wearable strain sensors has become increasingly significant due to extensive research on laser-induced graphene (LIG). An innovative doping modification technique is required owing to the limited progress achieved by adjusting the laser parameters to enhance the LIG’s performance. By pre-treating with AgNO3, we successfully manufactured LIG with a uniform dispersion of silver nanoparticles across its surface. The experimental results for the flexible strain sensor exhibit exceptional characteristics, including low resistance (183.4 Ω), high sensitivity (426.8), a response time of approximately 150 ms, and a relaxation time of about 200 ms. Moreover, this sensor demonstrates excellent stability under various tensile strains and remarkable repeatability during cyclic tests lasting up to 8000 s. Additionally, this technique yields favorable results in finger bending and hand back stretching experiments, holding significant reference value for preserving the inherent characteristics of LIG preparation in a single-step and in situ manner.

Promoting the social integration of rural migrants is key to improving the mechanism of rural-urban integration and development. This study utilizes the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey and matched urban macro data to systematically explore the impact of homesteads on the social integration of rural migrants. Research has shown that social integration of rural migrants will be inhibited if they own homesteads. Simultaneously, the degree of inhibition varies according to the individual characteristics of rural migrants, the region to which they belong, and other factors. Specifically, when rural migrants aged 18 to 50 own homesteads, their degree of social integration into the cities they move into will be low. At the same time, for rural migrants in the central region, homestead ownership will not affect their degree of social integration. In addition, the mechanism analysis shows that increased housing expenditure inhibits rural migrants' willingness to integrate. Meanwhile, owning contracted land and owning a house in the city also affect the degree of social integration of rural migrants to a certain extent. The findings of this study can broaden research on the effects of land on the free movement of population factors. In the meantime, it provides theoretical references for improving the level of social integration of migrants, enhancing people's well-being, and improving the mechanism of urban-rural integration and development.

IntroductionThis study delves into the multifaceted components of talent-training models within China’s physical education domain through Sino-foreign cooperative initiatives. Employing a mixed-methods approach, it systematically evaluates the innovative systems developed by pilot units and outlines their experiential insights.MethodsUsing a mixed-methods approach, this research extensively evaluates the situation of pilot units by collecting and analyzing data from closed-ended and open-ended questionnaires as well as interview responses. The study categorizes and analyzes the data to comprehensively understand cooperative talent-training models.ResultsThe findings are classified into three main themes: Learning, Integration, and Binary Evaluation and Practice Reform. Under the Learning theme, the study observed a selective integration of foreign educational paradigms into the local context, respecting the distinctiveness of Chinese education and aligning with national policies promoting unique educational systems. Additionally, the Integration theme underscores the necessity of meticulously assimilating introduced educational resources into China’s educational fabric, highlighting the need for adaptability when integrating foreign educational elements. Furthermore, the Binary Evaluation and Practice Reform theme reveal the establishment of a dualistic evaluation and reform system tailored to cooperative education specifics, outlining challenges associated with ideological and cultural disparities when integrating certain foreign education aspects into the Chinese context.DiscussionThis research provides insightful exploration into the complexities of collaborative talent-training models in Physical Education. It not only elucidates the assimilation of foreign paradigms but also highlights nuanced challenges and prospects for developing tailored educational systems within specific regional and national contexts.

Flowering time is a key agronomic trait that directly affect the adaptation and yield of soybean. After whole genome duplications, about 75% of genes being represented by multiple copies in soybean. There are four TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1) genes in soybean, and the TFL1b (Dt1) has been characterized as the determinant of stem growth habit. The function of other TFL1 homologs in soybean is still unclear. Here, we generated knockout mutants by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology and found that the tfl1c/tfl1d double mutants flowered significantly earlier than wild-type plants. We investigated that TFL1c and TFL1d could physically interact with the bZIP transcription factor FDc1 and bind to the promoter of APETALA1a (AP1a). RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses indicated that TFL1c and TFL1d repressed the expressions of the four AP1 homologs and delayed the flowering time in soybean. The two genes play important roles in the regulation of flowering time in soybean and mainly act as the flowering inhibitors under long-day conditions. Our results identify novel components in the flowering-time regulation network of soybean and will be invaluable for molecular breeding of improved soybean yield.

In this paper, a new flexible stab-resistant composite material was prepared by growing ZnO nanowires on aramid plain fabric by the hydrothermal method. Through SEM, FTIR, and XRD characterization, it is proved that ZnO nanowires have been grown on aramid fabric and the surfaces of aramid filaments become much rougher. Moreover, the inter-filament friction and breaking strength of aramid fabric with nanowires are increased significantly, especially the inter-filament friction, which has been increased by more than 4 times after ZnO nanowires growth. Stab tests were conducted on the bare aramid fabric sample and aramid fabric sample with ZnO nanowires based on the test standard of GA 68–2019. Both of the two samples are 43 layers and are subject to 5 stabs of D1 knife, 3 stabs of D2 knife and 3 stabs of D3 knife. The stab resistance of aramid fabric grown with nanowires is significantly enhanced, and the average penetration depth under the D1 knife impact is decreased by 49.7%. The reason may be that the inter-filament friction increases dramatically with the nanowires and thus the friction energy consumption increases. The flexibility test results show that the softness characteristics of the single aramid fabric and the 43-layer fabric with the nanowires are still maintained. In addition, although the growth of nanowires will lead to smaller voids and a decrease of air permeability of the fabric, the moisture permeability has been slightly improved because ZnO nanowires have the ability to bind with water.

BackgroundThis study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) in Chinese adolescent sports exam candidates.MethodsOne day before the National Sports College Entrance Examination, 965 Chinese athletes rated the Chinese-language SAS-2. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test the three-factor structure. Factorial invariance was tested by comparing the configural invariance model to three more constrained models. Construct validity and reliability were determined.ResultsFit indices meet the critical values: CFI = 0.953, TLI = 0.943, RMSEA = 0.048 [90% CI, 0.041–0.054], and SRMR = 0.042. All path factor loadings exceed 0.5. The changes in CFI and RMSEA across the configural, metric, scalar, and uniqueness invariance are within the critical values, demonstrating strict measurement invariance across gender, years of training, and type of sports. The average variance extracted of the worry sub-scale is above the cutoff criteria, and McDonald's omega coefficients are over 0.70. Significant correlations exist between the SAS-2, SCAT, and CSAI-2. Factor correlations are all below 0.8. The measurement also distinguishes the known gender effect, with females showing a probability of 58.6% higher anxiety levels. The intraclass correlation coefficient ranges from 0.706 to 0.801.ConclusionThis study validated the Chinese-language SAS-2 in measuring competitive anxiety among Chinese adolescent athletes taking the National Sports College Entrance Examination. The development of the scale's applicability in China is discussed.

The exceptional performance of graphene has driven the advancement of its preparation techniques and applications. Laser-induced graphene (LIG), as a novel graphene preparation technique, has been applied in various fields. Graphene periodic structures created by the LIG technique exhibit superhydrophobic characteristics and can be used for deicing and anti-icing applications, which are significantly influenced by the laser parameters. The laser surface treatment process was simulated by a finite element software analysis (COMSOL Multiphysics) to optimize the scanning parameter range, and the linear array surface structure was subsequently fabricated by the LIG technique. The generation of graphene was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The periodic linear array structure was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser imaging (CLSM). In addition, CLSM testings, contact angle measurements, and delayed icing experiments were systematically performed to investigate the effect of scanning speed on surface hydrophobicity. The results show that high-quality and uniform graphene can be achieved using the laser scanning speed of 125 mm/s. The periodic linear array structures can obviously increase the contact angle and suppress delayed icing. Furthermore, these structures have the enhanced ability of the electric heating deicing, which can reach 100 °C and 240 °C within 15 s and within 60 s under the DC voltage power supply ranging from 3 to 7 V, respectively. These results indicate that the LIG technique can be developed to provide an efficient, economical, and convenient approach for preparing graphene and that the hydrophobic surface array structure based on LIG has considerable potential for deicing and anti-icing applications.

There has been a significant shift in research focus in recent years toward laser-induced graphene (LIG), which is a high-performance material with immense potential for use in energy storage, ultrahydrophobic water applications, and electronic devices. In particular, LIG has demonstrated considerable potential in the field of high-precision human motion posture capture using flexible sensing materials. In this study, we investigated the surface morphology evolution and performance of LIG formed by varying the laser energy accumulation times. Further, to capture human motion posture, we evaluated the performance of highly accurate flexible wearable sensors based on LIG. The experimental results showed that the sensors prepared using LIG exhibited exceptional flexibility and mechanical performance when the laser energy accumulation was optimized three times. They exhibited remarkable attributes, such as high sensitivity (~41.4), a low detection limit (0.05%), a rapid time response (response time of ~150 ms; relaxation time of ~100 ms), and excellent response stability even after 2000 s at a strain of 1.0% or 8.0%. These findings unequivocally show that flexible wearable sensors based on LIG have significant potential for capturing human motion posture, wrist pulse rates, and eye blinking patterns. Moreover, the sensors can capture various physiological signals for pilots to provide real-time capturing.

An iodine-mediated one-pot synthesis of pyrrolo/indolo [1,2-a]quinoxalines and quinazolin-4-one via utilizing epoxides as alkyl precursors under metal-free conditions has been described. Both 1-(2-aminophenyl)-pyrrole and 2-aminobenzamide could be applied to this protocol. A total of 33 desired products were obtained with moderate to good yields. This methodology was suitable for wide-scale preparation and the obtained products could be further modified into promising pharmaceutically active reagents.

Flowering time influences reproductive success in plants and has a significant impact on yield in grain crops. Flowering time is regulated by a variety of environmental factors, with daylength often playing an important role. Crops can be categorized into different types according to their photoperiod requirements for flowering. For instance, long-day crops include wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), and pea (Pisum sativum), while short-day crops include rice (Oryza sativa), soybean (Glycine max), and maize (Zea mays). Understanding the molecular regulation of flowering and genotypic variation therein is important for molecular breeding and crop improvement. This paper reviews the regulation of flowering in different crop species with a particular focus on how photoperiod-related genes facilitate adaptation to local environments.

Flowering time is an important agronomic trait for soybean yield and adaptation. However, the genetic basis of soybean adaptation to diverse latitudes is still not clear. Four NIGHT LIGHT-INDUCIBLE AND CLOCK-REGULATED 2 (LNK2) homeologs of Arabidopsis thaliana LNK2 were identified in soybean. Three single-guide RNAs were designed for editing the four LNK2 genes. A transgene-free homozygous quadruple mutant of the LNK2 genes was developed using the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9). Under long-day (LD) conditions, the quadruple mutant flowered significantly earlier than the wild-type (WT). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that transcript levels of LNK2 were significantly lower in the quadruple mutant than in the WT under LD conditions. LNK2 promoted the expression of the legume-specific E1 gene and repressed the expression of FT2a. Genetic markers were developed to identify LNK2 mutants for soybean breeding. These results indicate that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis of four LNK2 genes shortens flowering time in soybean. Our findings identify novel components in flowering-time control in soybean and may be beneficial for further soybean breeding in high-latitude environments.

ObjectivesParticipation in mass sports is one of the most efficient strategies for people to attain physical and mental health in China. Prosocial behavior has a positive effect on social development. This study developed a conceptual model with mass sports activity as the independent variable, prosocial behavior as the dependent variable, and flow trait and subjective wellbeing as the mediating variables.MethodsParticipants (N = 351) completed an online survey. Mass sports activity, flow trait, subjective wellbeing, and prosocial behavior were measured using the physical activity rank scale-3 (PARS-3), short dispositional flow scale (SDFS), index of wellbeing (IWB), and prosocial tendencies measure (PTM), respectively. Descriptive statistics compared differences between sports population (PARS-3, ≥ 36) and non-sports population (PARS-3,

ABSTRACT Ralstonia solanacearum, the causative agent of bacterial wilt disease, has been a major threat to tobacco production globally. Several control methods have failed. Thus, it is imperative to find effective management for this disease. The biocontrol agent Bacillus amyloliquefaciens WS-10 displayed a significant control effect due to biofilm formation, and secretion of hydrolytic enzymes and exopolysaccharides. In addition, strain WS-10 can produce antimicrobial compounds, which was confirmed by the presence of genes encoding antimicrobial lipopeptides (fengycin, iturin, surfactin, and bacillomycinD) and polyketides (difficidin, bacilysin, bacillibactin, and bacillaene). Strain WS-10 successfully colonized tobacco plant roots and rhizosphere soil and suppressed the incidence of bacterial wilt disease up to 72.02% by reducing the R. solanacearum population dynamic in rhizosphere soil. Plant-microbe interaction was considered a key driver of disease outcome. To further explore the impact of strain WS-10 on rhizosphere microbial communities, V3-V4 and ITS1 variable regions of 16S and ITS rRNA were amplified, respectively. Results revealed that strain WS-10 influences the rhizosphere microbial communities and dramatically changed the diversity and composition of rhizosphere microbial communities. Interestingly, the relative abundance of genus Ralstonia significantly decreased when treated with strain WS-10. A complex microbial co-occurrence network was present in a diseased state, and the introduction of strain WS-10 significantly changed the structure of rhizosphere microbiota. This study suggests that strain WS-10 can be used as a novel biocontrol agent to attain sustainability in disease management due to its intense antibacterial activity, efficient colonization in the host plant, and ability to transform the microbial community structure toward a healthy state. IMPORTANCE The plant rhizosphere acts as the first line of defense against the invasion of pathogens. The perturbation in the rhizosphere microbiome is directly related to plant health and disease development. The introduction of beneficial microorganisms in the soil shifted the rhizosphere microbiome, induced resistance in plants, and suppressed the incidence of soilborne disease. Bacillus sp. is widely used as a biocontrol agent against soilborne diseases due to its ability to produce broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds and colonization with the host plant. In our study, we found that the application of native Bacillus amyloliquefaciens WS-10 significantly suppressed the incidence of tobacco bacterial wilt disease by shifting the rhizosphere microbiome and reducing the interaction between rhizosphere microorganisms and bacterial wilt pathogen.

ObjectivesHealth communication campaign that promotes physical activity may aid in reducing the prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity in China. This study examined the effects of message framing and psychological distance on the exercise attitude of Chinese adolescents, along with the interactive role of risk perception.MethodsParticipants in this study were between 10 and 19 years of age. Three experiments were conducted independently. In experiment 1, 76 participants were recruited to assess the effectiveness of message manipulation. In experiment 2, 40 participants were recruited to compare the effects of gain- and loss-framed messages on the exercise attitude. In experiment 3, 37 participants were recruited to explore the interaction between message framing (gain vs. loss), temporal distance (proximal vs. distal), and risk perception (low vs. high) on the exercise attitude. Exercise attitude and risk perception were assessed by Likert-type questionnaires.ResultsThere was a significant main effect of message framing (P < 0.05), with the gain-framed message inducing a stronger exercise attitude than the loss-framed message. There was a significant main effect of temporal distance (P < 0.05), with the proximal temporal distance condition inducing a stronger exercise attitude than the distal temporal distance condition. In addition, a significant interaction (P < 0.05) was observed, and the perception of obesity-related risk was a crucial moderator of the message framing and temporal distance. Regardless of whether they were exposed to a gain- or loss-framed message, the proximal temporal distance condition induced a stronger exercise attitude in participants with a high risk perception (P < 0.05).ConclusionMessages promoting exercise that are framed as having a near-future gain effect and that emphasize disease risks are effective in motivating adolescents to engage in physical activity.

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a devastating disease of flue-cured tobacco production which poses significant yield losses all around the world. In this study, we evaluated the rhizosphere microbiome of healthy and bacterial wilt-infected (diseased) flue-cured tobacco plants through amplification of V3-V4 and ITS1-5f variable regions of 16S and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA. The study was based on the location (Qujing, Shilin, and Wenshan), plant components (rhizosphere soil and roots), and sample types (healthy and diseased) to assess the diversity of bacterial and fungal communities. Bacterial and fungal communities present in roots primarily emanated from rhizosphere soil. Healthy flue-cured tobacco plants exhibit high microbial diversity compared to diseased plants. Among three variables, plant components significantly influence the diversity of microbial communities, whereas rhizosphere soil harbors higher microbial diversity than roots. Bacterial phyla Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria were found in high relative abundance in roots and rhizosphere soil samples, respectively. As far as fungi is concerned, a high relative abundance of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota was found in both rhizosphere soil and root. Bacterial genera such as Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer, Neorhizobium, and Lysobacter related to plant growth promotion and disease suppressing abilities were dominant than fungal genera. Analysis of relative abundance at specie-level revealed that most fungal species are pathogenic to flue-cured tobacco and could provide a conducive environment for wilt infection. In conclusion, R. solanacearum significantly influences the microbial diversity of flue-cured tobacco plants and negatively affects the bacterial community composition. Altogether, our study demonstrates the complexity of bacterial and fungal communities that possibly interact with each other (microbe–microbe) and host (host–microbe). This cross-talk could be helpful for healthy flue-cured tobacco plant growth and to induce resistance against bacterial wilt disease.

BackgroundAnxiety sensitivity (AS) is a trait-like predisposing factor for the prevalence of anxiety in patients diagnosed with breast cancer. The Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) has been widely used in both general and clinical samples for measuring AS. However, the data about its psychometric properties in women with breast cancer are deficient. In addition, there is no evidence proving the measure equivalence of ASI-3 across sociodemographic variables in the specific sample. Thus, the present study examined the psychometric properties and conducted measure equivalence testing of ASI-3 in Chinese women diagnosed with breast cancer.MethodsThis study included 815 Chinese women diagnosed with breast cancer. Single group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was administrated to detect the factorial validity of ASI-3, and multigroup CFAs were conducted to test the measurement equivalence of ASI-3 across various sociodemographic variables. The reliability of ASI-3 was tested by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, Guttman split-half coefficient, McDonald’s omega coefficient, and test–retest coefficient. The standardized factor loadings, construct reliability, and the average variance extracted of factors were used to measure the construct validity of ASI-3, and the partial correlations were conducted to examine the criterion-related validity of ASI-3.ResultsThe ASI-3 had satisfactory reliability and validity in Chinese women diagnosed with breast cancer; three-factor model fitted the data well in CFA and reached partial strict invariances across age, education, and residence groups.ConclusionThis study explored the psychometric properties and measurement invariance across sociodemographic variables of ASI-3 in Chinese women diagnosed with breast cancer. Our results not only proved that the ASI-3 is an appropriate instrument for measuring AS but also deepened the understanding of ASI-3 in Chinese women with malignancy.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] is a major plant source of protein and oil. An accurate and well-saturated molecular linkage map is a prerequisite for forward genetic studies of gene function and for modern breeding for many useful agronomic traits. Next-generation sequence data available in public databases provides valuable information and offers new insights for rapid and efficient development of molecular markers. In this study, we attempted to show the feasibility and facility of using genomic resequencing data as raw material for identifying putative InDel markers. First, we identified 17,613 InDel sites among 56 soybean accessions and obtained 12,619 primer pairs. Second, we constructed a genetic map with a random subset of 2841 primer pairs and aligned 300 polymorphic markers with the 20 consensus linkage groups (LG). The total genetic distance was 2347.3 cM and the number of mapped markers per LG ranged from 10 to 23 with an average of 15 markers. The largest and smallest genetic distances between adjacent markers were 52.3 cM and 0.1 cM, respectively. Finally, we validated the genetic map constructed by newly developed InDel markers by QTL analysis of days to flowering (DTF) under different environments. One major QTL (qDTF4) and four minor QTL (qDTF20, qDTF13, qDTF12, and qDTF11) on 5 LGs were detected. These results demonstrate the utility of the InDel markers developed in this work for map-based cloning and molecular breeding in soybean.

BackgroundGiven that emotion regulation counts for much in breast cancer, it is important to fully understand its construct. The cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire (CERQ) is a widely applied instrument for measuring conscious cognitive coping strategies in both general and clinical samples; however, there are no data on its factor structure in women with breast cancer, not to mention evidence of measurement invariance (MI) across sociodemographic variables. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the latent factor structure and MI between different sociodemographic groups for CERQ in specific patients.MethodsThe sample consisted of 1032 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, with a mean age of 47.54 years (SD = 8.51). The latent factor structure for CERQ was tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Further, MI various sociodemographic variables was evaluated by a series of multiple-group CFA process.ResultsThe nine-factor CFA model was an adequate fit for the data collected in women with breast cancer. Also, this nine-factor structure had strong factorial invariance across age, place of residence, educational levels, and employment status.ConclusionThis study firstly examined the latent factor structure for CERQ among Chinese women with malignancy and MI across various sociodemographic variables, which deepens the understanding of the construct for CERQ as a useful tool for assessing patients’ conscious cognitive component of emotion regulation based on self-report.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a major legume crop that is mainly distributed in temperate regions. The adaptability of soybean to grow at relatively high latitudes is attributed to natural variations in major genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control flowering time and maturity. Identification of new QTLs and map-based cloning of candidate genes are the fundamental approaches in elucidating the mechanism underlying soybean flowering and adaptation. To identify novel QTLs/genes, we developed two F8:10 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and evaluated the traits of time to flowering (R1), maturity (R8), and reproductive period (RP) in the field. To rapidly and efficiently identify QTLs that control these traits, next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based QTL analysis was performed. This study demonstrates that only one major QTL on chromosome 4 simultaneously controls R1, R8, and RP traits in the Dongnong 50 × Williams 82 (DW) RIL population. Furthermore, three QTLs were mapped to chromosomes 6, 11, and 16 in the Suinong 14 × Enrei (SE) RIL population. Two major pleiotropic QTLs on chromosomes 4 and 6 were shown to affect flowering time, maturity, and RP. A QTL influencing RP was identified on chromosome 11, and QTL on chromosome 16 was associated with time to flowering responses. All these QTLs contributed to soybean maturation. The QTLs identified in this study may be utilized in fine mapping and map-based cloning of candidate genes to elucidate the mechanisms underlying flowering and soybean adaptation to different latitudes and to breed novel soybean cultivars with optimal yield-related traits.

Objective . The study aimed to explore latent profiles of coping in Chinese women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and examine the differences of psychological distress, demographic, and medical characteristics across profiles. Methods . Latent profile analysis was used to identify 3 classes of copers based on data from 618 Chinese women newly diagnosed with breast cancer who completed questionnaires assessing their coping strategies and psychological distress. Results . “Adaptive coper,” reporting most use of adaptive cognitive coping strategies, behaviors of acceptance and shifting attention, and least use of maladaptive cognitive coping strategies, had the best psychological adjustment. “Negative coper,” characterized by most use of maladaptive cognitive coping strategies, least use of adaptive cognitive coping strategies except “putting in perspective,” and median levels of medical coping behaviors, had the worst psychological adjustment. “Inconsistent coper,” with great use of all cognitive coping strategies, and most behaviors of fighting against the disease, and fewest behaviors of attention shift, had relatively high levels of psychological distress. Younger age, less education, shorter time since diagnosis, widowed, living in rural areas, and undergoing chemotherapy are possible markers for patients with less adaptive coping patterns. Conclusions . Interventions should be developed according to the different coping profiles of patients, and the key group to target is “negative copers,” who may benefit from cognitive behavioral approaches that combine emotion, cognition and behavior, which could help them more effectively appraise and cope with stressful events.

Introduction: This study delves into the multifaceted components of talenttraining models within China's physical education domain through Sino-foreign cooperative initiatives. Employing a mixed-methods approach, it systematically evaluates the innovative systems developed by pilot units and outlines their experiential insights. Methods: Using a mixed-methods approach, this research extensively evaluates the situation of pilot units by collecting and analyzing data from closed-ended and open-ended questionnaires as well as interview responses. The study categorizes and analyzes the data to comprehensively understand cooperative talent-training models. Results: The findings are classified into three main themes: Learning, Integration, and Binary Evaluation and Practice Reform. Under the Learning theme, the study observed a selective integration of foreign educational paradigms into the local context, respecting the distinctiveness of Chinese education and aligning with national policies promoting unique educational systems. Additionally, the Integration theme underscores the necessity of meticulously assimilating introduced educational resources into China's educational fabric, highlighting the need for adaptability when integrating foreign educational elements. Furthermore, the Binary Evaluation and Practice Reform theme reveal the establishment of a dualistic evaluation and reform system tailored to cooperative education specifics, outlining challenges associated with ideological and cultural disparities when integrating certain foreign education aspects into the Chinese context. Discussion: This research provides insightful exploration into the complexities of collaborative talent-training models in Physical Education. It not only elucidates the assimilation of foreign paradigms but also highlights nuanced challenges and prospects for developing tailored educational systems within specific regional and national contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]