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Background: The impact of triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a surrogate marker for insulin resistance, on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in general populations remains controversial. We aimed to comprehensively study the relationship between TyG index with the risk of incident CVD events in the general population in Shanghai. Methods: A total of 42,651 participants without previous history of CVD events from Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank (SSACB) were included. SSACB was a community-based natural population cohort study using multistage cluster sampling method. TyG index was calculated as Ln [fasting serum triglyceride (mg/dL) * fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test and cox proportional hazards model were used to calculate the association between TyG index and incident CVD, including stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD). Restricted cubic spline analyses were used to determine whether there was a non-linear relationship between TyG index and CVD events. Results: During a median follow-up of 4.7 years, 1,422 (3.3%) individuals developed CVD, including 674 (1.6%) cases of stroke and 732 (1.7%) cases of CHD. A one unit increment higher TyG index was associated with [HR(95%CI)] 1.16(1.04–1.29) in CVD and with 1.39(1.19–1.61) in stroke. Only linear relationships between TyG and CVD/stroke were observed, while no relationship was observed with CHD after adjustments for confounders. In subgroup analyses, younger (< 50y) and diabetic participants had higher risk of CVD than their counterpart groups, while hypertensive and dyslipidemic participants depicted lower risks than their counterparts. Conclusion: Elevated TyG index was associated with a higher risk of incident CVD and stroke. TyG index may help in the early stage of identifying people at high risk of CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The continuous imbalance between nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) deposition is expected to shift many ecosystems from N‐ to P limitation. Extraradical hyphae of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi play important roles in plant nutrient acquisition under nutrient deficiency. However, whether and how ECM hyphae enhance soil P availability to alleviate N‐induced P deficiency remains unclear.We investigated the impacts of ECM hyphae on transformations among different soil P fractions and underlying mechanisms under N deposition in two ECM‐dominated forests.Ectomycorrhizal hyphae enhanced soil P availability under N addition by stimulating mineralization of organic P (Po) and desorption and solubilization of secondary mineral P, as indicated by N‐induced increase in positive hyphal effect on plant‐available P pool and negative hyphal effects on Po and secondary mineral P pools. Moreover, ECM hyphae increased soil phosphatase activity and abundance of microbial genes associated with Po mineralization and inorganic P solubilization, while decreasing concentrations of Fe/Al oxides.Our results suggest that ECM hyphae can alleviate N‐induced P deficiency in ECM‐dominated forests by regulating interactions between microbial and abiotic factors involved in soil P transformations. This advances our understanding of plant acclimation strategies via mediating plant–mycorrhiza interactions to sustain forest production and functional stability under changing environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imperatorin, an active ingredient extracted from Angelica and Qianghuo, has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress damage, blocking calcium channels, and other properties. Our preliminary findings revealed the protective role of imperatorin in the treatment of vascular dementia, we further explored the underlying mechanisms concerning the neuroprotection function of imperatorin in vascular dementia. The cobalt chloride (COCl2)-induced chemical hypoxia and hypoglycemia of hippocampal neuronal cells was applied as in vitro vascular dementia model. Primary neuronal cells was isolated from the hippocampal tissue of SD suckling rats within 24 h of birth. Hippocampal neurons were identified by immunofluorescence staining of microtubule-associated protein 2. Silencing or overexpression of Nrf2 was conducted by transfection of corresponding plasmids in hippocampal neuronal cells. Cell viability was detected by MTT assay to determine the optimal modeling concentration of CoCl2. Mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular reactive oxygen species and apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry. The expression of anti-oxidative proteins was detected by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot, including Nrf2, NQO-1 and HO-1. Nrf2 nuclear translocation was detected using laser confocal microscopy. The modeling concentration of CoCl2 was 150umol/l, and the best interventional concentration of imperatorin was 7.5umol/l. Significantly, imperatorin facilitated the nuclear localization of Nrf2, promoted the expressions of Nrf2, NQO-1, and HO-1 relative to the model-control group. Moreover, imperatorin reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential and ameliorated CoCl2-induced hypoxic apoptosis in hippocampal neurons. On the contrary, silencing Nrf2 completely abrogated the protective effects of imperatorin. Imperatorin might be an effective drug for preventing and treating vascular dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover crops (CCs) can increase soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration by providing additional OC residues, recruiting beneficial soil microbiota, and improving soil aggregation and structure. The various CC species that belong to distinct plant functional types (PFTs) may differentially impact SOC formation and stabilization. Biogeochemical theory suggests that selection of PFTs with distinct litter quality (C:N ratio) should influence the pathways and magnitude of SOC sequestration. Yet, we lack knowledge on the effect of CCs from different PFTs on the quantity and composition of physiochemical pools of SOC. We sampled soils under monocultures of three CC PFTs (legume [crimson clover]; grass [triticale]; and brassica [canola]) and a mixture of these three species, from a long‐term CC experiment in Pennsylvania, USA. We measured C content in bulk soil and C content and composition in contrasting physical fractions: particulate organic matter, POM; and mineral‐associated organic matter, MAOM. The bulk SOC content was higher in all CC treatments compared to the fallow. Compared to the legume, monocultures of grass and brassica with lower litter quality (wider C:N) had higher proportion of plant‐derived C in POM, indicating selective preservation of complex structural plant compounds. In contrast, soils under legumes had greater accumulation of microbial‐derived C in MAOM. Our results for the first time, revealed that the mixture contributed to a higher concentration of plant‐derived compounds in POM relative to the legume, and a greater accumulation of microbial‐derived C in MAOM compared to monocultures of grass and brassica. Mixtures with all three PFTs can thus increase the short‐ and long‐term SOC persistence balancing the contrasting effects on the chemistries in POM and MAOM imposed by monoculture CC PFTs. Thus, despite different cumulative C inputs in CC treatments from different PFTs, the total SOC stocks did not vary between CC PFTs, rather PFTs impacted whether C accumulated in POM or MAOM fractions. This highlights that CCs of different PFTs may shift the dominant SOC formation pathways (POM vs. MAOM), subsequently impacting short‐ and long‐term SOC stabilization and stocks. Our work provides a strong applied field test of biogeochemical theory linking litter quality to pathways of C accrual in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant roots and associated mycorrhizae exert a large influence on soil carbon (C) cycling. Yet, little was known whether and how roots and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) extraradical mycelia differentially contribute to soil organic C (SOC) accumulation in alpine forests under increasing nitrogen (N) deposition. Using ingrowth cores, the relative contributions of the root pathway (RP; i.e., roots and rhizosphere processes) and mycelium pathway (MP; i.e., extraradical mycelia and hyphosphere processes) to SOC accumulation were distinguished and quantified in an ECM‐dominated forest receiving chronic N addition (25 kg N ha−1 year−1). Under the non‐N addition, the RP facilitated SOC accumulation, although the MP reduced SOC accumulation. Nitrogen addition enhanced the positive effect of RP on SOC accumulation from +18.02 to +20.55 mg C g−1 but counteracted the negative effect of MP on SOC accumulation from −5.62 to −0.57 mg C g−1, compared with the non‐N addition. Compared with the non‐N addition, the N‐induced SOC accumulation was 1.62–2.21 and 3.23–4.74 mg C g−1, in the RP and the MP, respectively. The greater contribution of MP to SOC accumulation was mainly attributed to the higher microbial C pump (MCP) efficacy (the proportion of increased microbial residual C to the increased SOC under N addition) in the MP (72.5%) relative to the RP (57%). The higher MCP efficacy in the MP was mainly associated with the higher fungal metabolic activity (i.e., the greater fungal biomass and N‐acetyl glucosidase activity) and greater binding efficiency of fungal residual C to mineral surfaces than those of RP. Collectively, our findings highlight the indispensable role of mycelia and hyphosphere processes in the formation and accumulation of stable SOC in the context of increasing N deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Flame evolution of hydrogen-carbon monoxide explosion is captured. • Hydrogen-carbon monoxide explosion overpressure is obtained. • Kinetic factors affecting hydrogen-carbon monoxide explosion are revealed. This work aims at investigating the effect of equivalence ratio and carbon monoxide fraction on the flame tip behaviors and overpressure dynamics of hydrogen-carbon monoxide explosion in a closed duct. The results indicated that an increase in carbon monoxide fraction leads to a reduction in the wrinkled structure on the flame surface and a transition from multi-distorted tulip flame to tulip flame with a single distortion. Both flame tip velocity (FTV) and maximum explosion overpressure decrease with increasing carbon monoxide fraction. The FTV fluctuation in the late stage decreases gradually with increasing carbon monoxide fraction and equivalence ratio. Under certain conditions: Φ = 0.8 and Ω = 40 %, Φ = 1.0 and Ω = 70 %, Φ = 1.2 and Ω = 70 %, Φ = 1.4 and Ω = 90 %, the increasing carbon monoxide fraction will shift from suppression to a slight enhancement on explosion overpressure fluctuation. CO + OH = CO2 + H is the primary positive elementary reaction, while H + OH + M = H2O + M is the primary negative elementary reaction. The dominant active radicals shift gradually from H radical to O radical with increasing carbon monoxide fraction. In the main reaction path, the H radical, O radical, and OH radical are mainly consumed by CH + H2 = CH2 + H, CH3 + O = CH2O + H, and CO + OH = CO2 + H, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root activity creates a unique microbial hotspot in the rhizosphere and profoundly regulates soil carbon (C) dynamics, but empirical assessments of the soil microbial carbon pump (MCP, the iterative accumulation of necromass after microbial anabolism) and associated ecological consequences on soil C storage based on insight of the rhizosphere are still neglected, especially for different root functional modules.We assessed the soil MCP efficacy (i.e. the contribution of microbial necromass to SOC) by investigating the divergent contribution of microbial necromass based on amino sugar extrapolations to soil organic C (SOC) in the rhizosphere of two root functional modules (i.e. absorptive roots and transport roots) and the bulk soil in an alpine coniferous forest.The results showed that the MCP efficacy in both rhizosphere and bulk soil was more than 50%, suggesting that microbial necromass plays a key role in SOC formation. More importantly, absorptive roots drove a greater rhizosphere MCP efficacy (56%) than transport roots (51%).Synthesis. These observations suggest that the microbial necromass is a major contributor to SOC storage in both rhizosphere and bulk soil in alpine coniferous forests. The magnitude of the contribution of microbial necromass to rhizosphere SOC depends on root functional differentiation. Our study provides novel and direct empirical evidence for the active soil MCP functions in SOC sequestration from the perspective of the rhizosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Rhizobiome confer stress tolerance to ruderal plants, yet their ability to alleviate stress in crops is widely debated, and the associated mechanisms are poorly understood. We monitored the drought tolerance of maize (Zea mays) as influenced by the cross‐inoculation of rhizobiota from a congeneric ruderal grass Andropogon virginicus (andropogon‐inoculum), and rhizobiota from organic farm maintained under mesic condition (organic‐inoculum). Across drought treatments (40% field capacity), maize that received andropogon‐inoculum produced two‐fold greater biomass. This drought tolerance translated to a similar leaf metabolomic composition as that of the well‐watered control (80% field capacity) and reduced oxidative damage, despite a lower activity of antioxidant enzymes. At a morphological‐level, drought tolerance was associated with an increase in specific root length and surface area facilitated by the homeostasis of phytohormones promoting root branching. At a proteome‐level, the drought tolerance was associated with upregulation of proteins related to glutathione metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum‐associated degradation process. Fungal taxa belonging to Ascomycota, Mortierellomycota, Archaeorhizomycetes, Dothideomycetes, and Agaricomycetes in andropogon‐inoculum were identified as potential indicators of drought tolerance. Our study provides a mechanistic understanding of the rhizobiome‐facilitated drought tolerance and demonstrates a better path to utilize plant–rhizobiome associations to enhance drought tolerance in crops. Significance Statement: The rhizobiome from a drought‐tolerant ruderal plant (Andropogon virginicus) alleviates drought‐induced physiological stress of maize (Zea mays) through modifications in root morphology driven by homeostasis of phytohormones and stress‐related proteome upregulations. Thus our study captures the underlying mechanisms through which rhizobiome facilitates drought tolerance in maize, and highlight the importance of cross‐inoculation of rhizobiota from stress‐resilient cogeneric species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an automated manufacturing system (AMS), resources are, in general, subject to unpredictable failures, which invalidate many existing deadlock control strategies. In this article, we propose an adaptive deadlock control policy for an AMS with multiple types of unreliable resources. The considered AMS is modeled with a system of simple sequential processes with resources. First, based on an elementary siphon control method, monitors are added for elementary siphons and some particular dependent siphons to ensure the liveness of a system if there are no resource failures. By considering the fact that an unreliable resource may fail in a system, recovery subnets are added to describe the resource failures and recoveries. Since a monitor added for a siphon may not be able to guarantee that the corresponding siphon is always marked if the failure of a resource in the siphon occurs, the concept of switch controllers is presented so as to make the siphon always remarked if it is emptied by resource failures. It is verified that the adaptive controller proposed in this article can guarantee the liveness of the controlled system no matter whether unreliable resources break down or not. More importantly, if there is no resource failure, the system can maintain predefined production without degrading planned system performance. Finally, examples are presented to illustrate the validity of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though often overlooked, the impact of seismic transient ground deformation on natural gas (NG) pipes can be highly adverse. Particularly, pipe elbows may undergo excessive in-plane bending demand and buckling. In this paper, a critical scenario of a pipe coupling two industrial structures typically found in an NG processing plant is studied. High strain and cross-sectional ovalization on the elbows are probable during an earthquake due to the out-of-phase oscillation of the two structures imposing asynchronous displacement demands at the two pipe ends. A parametric study was first performed to investigate various structure-pipe-structure configurations that increase seismic demands to pipe elbows. Simultaneous mobilization of divergent oscillation between two supporting structures at the low-frequency range, a lower pipe-structure stiffness ratio, a shorter length of straight pipe segments in the linking pipe element, and a higher pipe internal pressure have led to the onset of critical strain demands in pipe elbows. To validate this observation, an experimental campaign was developed in which a full-scale linking pipe element was physically tested by means of hybrid simulation (HS). The study shows that the seismic interaction of the structures coupled with the pipe is nonnegligible and can even be critical for the integrity of the coupling pipe. The finding depends on the structural system's dynamic and geometrical properties as well the frequency content of the earthquake excitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat poses a serious threat to food security in the Yellow-Huai River Valley Winter Wheat Region (YHW) of China. Discovery of new resistant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) or genes and application of them to highly susceptible varieties in the YHW are of great significance for ensuring the grain yield. Here, 160 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross between N553 (resistant) and Yangmai 13 (moderately susceptible) were used to evaluate FHB resistance by point inoculation, spray inoculation, and natural infection. A high-density genetic map was constructed by using a 15K SNP array and 128 polymorphism SSR markers. A total of 1452 polymorphic markers were identified, which formed 21 linkage groups and covered a total of 3555.1 cM in length. Two and four QTLs respectively related to type I and type II resistance were detected, among which QFhb-hnau.3BS.1 and QFhb-hnau.2DL were stably identified in most environments in Yangzhou and Zhengzhou, whereas QFhbn-hnau.5AL was only identified under natural infection in Jianyang. Based on the physical position (IWGSC RefSeq v1.0), QFhb-hnau.3BS.1 from the landrace N553 is likely to be Fhb1, while QFhb-hnau.2DL from Yangmai 13 may be a novel QTL. Significantly higher FHB resistance was observed in the lines with both QFhb-hnau.3BS.1 and QFhb-hnau.2DL, indicating that these two QTLs have apparent additive effects, and the RILs harboring both the two QTLs may have great application potential for the improvement of FHB resistance in wheat breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Plant nitrogen (N) acquisition plays an important role in regulating plant growth and ecosystem functions. However, the seasonal variations in the relative contributions of different N sources to plant N uptake and how plants modify their N absorption preferences, especially in ectomycorrhizal forests, are not well understood. Methods: We used the in situ 15N-labeling method to quantitatively estimate the relative uptake contributions of plants for three different soil N sources (nitrate, ammonium and amino acids) and plant N acquisition preferences in an ectomycorrhizal alpine forest (a 70-year-old spruce plantation on the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China) during the growing season and the nongrowing season. Results: Across the two seasons, plants in the spruce plantation showed a greater preference for acquiring soil NH4+-N, with soil NH4+ contributing more than 50% to the total N uptake of plants (57.88% during the growing season and 52.72% during the non-growing season). Moreover, amino acids exhibited a considerable contribution to the total plant N uptake, and their contribution was significantly higher during the non-growing season (33.47%) than that during the growing season (9.86%). Accordingly, plants showed a greater preference for taking up amino acids over NO3− -N in the soil as the season changed from the growing season to the non-growing season. Conclusions: Collectively, our data demonstrate that soil inorganic N is the predominant N source for plants in alpine forests, irrespective of seasonal variations. However, soil amino acids could also be an important supplementary N source for the plant N economy, especially during the non-growing season, when inorganic N availability is constrained. Our findings also suggest that plants in ectomycorrhizal alpine forests modify their nutrient absorption preference in response to seasonal changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive plants are key drivers of global environmental changes leading to the disruption of ecosystems. Many invasive species engage in novel niche construction through plant–soil feedbacks that are driven by plant secondary compounds. These compounds can persist in the soil even after removing the invader, thus creating a legacy effect that inhibits the return of native flora and fauna. The formulation of active intervention strategies that can reverse niche construction is therefore critical for the restoration of these invaded ecosystems.We conducted this study in an old‐field in Massachusetts, USA, that has been invaded by Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) for >20 years. We chose knotweed as a model system as it alters soil chemistry and microbial community through the input of polyphenols such as tannins that creates a legacy effect. Following the removal of knotweed biomass, we investigated the effect of two soil carbon (C) amendments (biochar and activated carbon) on the growth and establishment of newly seeded native and prairie species. We measured the percent plant cover and above‐ground biomass to assess the establishment of the native and prairie species. We also measured soil and microbial characteristics including nutrient availability, extracellular enzyme activities and fungal biomass to elucidate the effect of C amendments in reversing the legacy effect.Eventhough the native species did not respond positively to C amendments, the biomass of the prairie species was 80% higher in activated carbon and biochar amended plots than the non‐amended control plots. The nitrate content of the C amended plots was five times higher than the non‐amended plots indicating an increased N mineralisation in the C amended plots. This could be potentially due to the amelioration of phenolic compounds by activated carbon and biocharthrough sorption. The phenol peroxidase activity also increased in the activated carbon and biochar amended plots potentially due to the less inhibition by phenolic compounds. With the decrease in polyphenols, the fungal biomass decreased in C amended plots that may have resulted in faster nutrient cycling and increased availability of soil N.Synthesis and applications. The phenolic compounds from the litter of invasive species that persist in soil C fractions can negatively affect the germination and growth of the native or non‐invasive plant species. The polyphenols such as tannins from the litter can complex nitrogenous compounds in soils making the N unavailable to the native or non‐invasive species. Our results revealed the potential of soil C amendments in reversing niche construction and legacy effects of polyphenol‐rich invasive species and indicated that biochar could be a more economically feasible alternative to activated carbon in restoring invaded ecosystems. These results also emphasise thatunderstanding the mechanisms through which invasive species create a legacy effect is pivotal in formulating suitable knowledge‐based practices for restoring invaded ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to complex root–soil interactions, the responses of carbon (C) dynamics in the rhizosphere to elevated nitrogen (N) deposition may be different from those in bulk soil. However, the potentially different response of C dynamics in the rhizosphere and bulk soils and their contributions to soil C sequestration under N deposition is still not elucidated.We conducted an N addition experiment in an alpine shrubland dominated by Sibiraea angustata located on the eastern Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP). We measured the soil organic C (SOC) contents and density fractions in the rhizosphere and bulk soils in the top 15 cm of mineral soil and then employed a numerical model based on the rhizosphere extent to evaluate how the rhizosphere modulates soil C sequestration under N addition. We also measured the microbial gene abundance and C‐acquisition enzyme activities to assess microbial community responses to N addition.The results showed that nitrogen addition had opposite effects on the rhizosphere and bulk‐soil C stocks. Specifically, N addition decreased the rhizosphere SOC content by increasing bacterial abundance, β‐glucosidase activity, and thus accelerating the loss of free light fraction C (FLF‐C). However, N addition increased the bulk‐soil C content, which was corresponding with the reduced oxidase activities and the accelerated accumulation of heavy fraction C (HF‐C) under N addition. Numerical model analysis showed that the decrease induced by N addition in rhizosphere SOC stock ranged from 0.11 to 3.01 kg C/m2 as root exudation diffusion distance extended from 0.5 to 2 mm, while the corresponding increase in the bulk‐soil C stock ranged from 1.91 to 4.08 kg C/m2. By synthesizing the dynamics of the SOC stocks in these two soil compartments under N addition, the SOC stock at the ecosystem level exhibited an increase in range of 0.73–2.44 kg C/m2.Synthesis. Our results suggest that alpine shrublands on the eastern QTP have great potential for soil C sequestration under N deposition, and the magnitude of the sequestration would depend closely on the responses of rhizosphere microbial C processes and the rhizosphere extent. Our results highlight the importance of integrating rhizosphere processes into land surface models to accurately predict ecosystem functions in the background of elevated N deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shark-skin-inspired riblets could effectively reduce the turbulence wall-skin friction compared with the smooth surface. Nevertheless, computations of the flow field over riblets in the practical configurations (e.g., airplanes and wind turbines) remain unfeasible for its huge computational cost. In this study, a general strategy for modelling the effects of riblets in turbulent flows is proposed. Riblets are modelled by adopting a slip-boundary condition on the smooth wall. A quantitative relationship between the riblet geometric parameters and the slip length is theoretically built for the first time. This modelling method could greatly reduce grid numbers in the validating procedure by using Large-Eddy Simulation, and the modelling results indicate that the flow fields in logarithmic and wake regions over riblets could be accurately reproduced. Additionally, considering the slip-boundary model is not capable of reproducing the near-wall flow, a simplified calculating method is developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this paper, we study the spectrum of Toeplitz operators on the Dirichlet space D with bounded conjugate analytic symbols and give a characterization of the kernels of Toeplitz operators with harmonic symbols in P ‾ + M (D). Using this characterization, we show that the spectrum of a Toeplitz operator with symbol, the sum of an analytic polynomial with degree at most two and the conjugate of linear polynomial is connected, but there are Toeplitz operators with general harmonic polynomial symbols having disconnected spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant roots and their associated microbial symbionts impact carbon (C) and nutrient cycling in ecosystems, but estimates of the relative contributions of root‐ versus microbe‐derived dynamic inputs are highly uncertain. Roots release C into soil via exudation and turnover (i.e., root‐derived C), but also by allocating C to mycorrhizal fungal mycelia, which exude C and undergo turnover (i.e., mycelia‐derived C). Given that the relative contributions of root‐ and mycelia‐derived C inputs are unknown, a key knowledge gap lies in understanding not only the relative contributions of root‐ versus mycelia‐derived C inputs, but also the consequences of these fluxes on nutrient cycling.Using ingrowth cores and stable isotope analyses, we quantified root‐ and mycelia‐derived C inputs into the soil and their relative contributions to nitrogen (N) cycling in two ectomycorrhizal alpine forests, a 70‐year‐old spruce plantation and a 200‐year‐old spruce‐fir dominated forest, in western Sichuan, China.Across the two forests, extramatrical mycelia of ectomycorrhizal fungi accounted for up to two‐thirds of the new root C inputs into soil and ~80% of the stimulated N mineralization. Moreover, flux‐specific (per gram) mycelia‐derived C inputs stimulated multiple indices of soil N cycling to a greater degree than the flux‐specific root‐derived C inputs, accounting for ~70% of the stimulated N mineralization in both forests.Collectively, our findings indicate that the effects of mycorrhizal fungi on soil C and N cycling may exceed those of roots in alpine coniferous forests dominated by ectomycorrhizal fungi, highlighting the need to incorporate mycorrhizal fungal inputs into biogeochemical models for ecosystems. A plain language summary is available for this article. Plain Language Summary [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the importance of plant nitrogen (N) acquisition strategies for plant growth and the structure and functioning of ecosystems, few studies have investigated the N acquisition preference of plants and their reliance on various N sources (nitrate (NO 3 − ), ammonium (NH 4 + ), and organic N (DON) in soil) during different stages of plantation restoration caused by land-use change. In this study, we used the isotopic mass-balance methods to quantitatively estimate the contributions of N sources (NO 3 − vs. NH 4 + vs. DON) and plant N preferences in spruce ( Picea asperata Mast.) plantations of different ages (i.e., 20, 30, 40, 50, and 70 years old) on the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China. Across all restoration stages, while plants in spruce plantations preferred soil inorganic N over soil DON, soil DON was a notable N contributor to plant N nutrition, with 23%–44% of plant N derived from DON. Moreover, with the development of plantation restoration, the N source preferences of plants switched from NO 3 − (i.e., 20- and 30-yr-old plantations) to NH 4 + (age of plantations ≥ 40 years old). Our results suggest that soil DON can be an important N source in alpine coniferous forests. In addition, the shift in the dominant N source during plantation restoration may manifest a strategic adjustment of plant N acquisition in response to changes in soil N availability and/or physiological traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cement industry as a high-emission and an energy-intensive sector, has always been a key concern for the sustainable development. In 2020, China produced over half of the world's cement and the relevant carbon emission is enormous. It's an urgent need to development low-carbon cementitious materials, such as the sulphoaluminate cement (SAC), to achieve a low-carbon society. The prerequisite of low-carbon development is to properly quantify the amount of CO 2 emissions during the preparation and utilization of cement. However, there are currently only studies on the calculation of the carbon emission factor of Portland cement (PC), and the carbon emission factor of SAC, especially the calculation of SAC produced using solid wastes is lacking. This study focuses on the quantification of CO 2 emissions of solid waste-based sulphoaluminate cement (SW-SAC) from the preparation (raw material transportation, fuel combustion and transportation, electricity consumption, calcination and product transportation) to the utilization processes (carbonation process), and the influence of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) on carbon emissions of cementitious materials is also considered. The results show that the carbon emission factor of SW-SAC clinker produced using steel slag, red mud, aluminum ash, FGD gypsum and limestone tailing is 361.021–401.641 kgCO 2 /tcl, which is 28.14%–35.40% lower than that of PC. And the net carbon emission of SW-SAC is 448.221–488.841 kgCO 2 /tcl, which is significantly lower than that of PC (693.780 kgCO 2 /tcl). The carbon emission factor of SW-SAC incorporating SCMs is only 111.395–135.767 kgCO 2 /tcl, which accounts for 30.9–33.8% of SW-SAC's, and 36.95–45.0% of that of PC incorporating SCMs. By comparing different sectors, it is found that the calcination process is the main carbon reduction sector of SW-SAC. This study quantitatively affirms that the SW-SAC can benefit the low-carbon development of cement industry, but multiple efforts, such as utilization of renewable energy and reduction of clinker proportion, are also required to achieve carbon neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate warming may change soil nutrient supply and affect the biogeochemical processes, especially the nitrogen (N) cycle in forest ecosystems. However, little is still known about how root N uptake responds to climate warming, and whether forests will experience more intense N limitation under warming. We studied the N absorption and mycorrhizal infection rate in the roots of seedlings of a subalpine coniferous species,Picea asperataMast., under experimental warming, four years after the seedlings were transplanted in the experimental plots. We found that warming had a significant positive effect on root N absorption, with increases of 151.1%, 99.6%, and 71.9% in May, July, and October of 2011, respectively, when compared to the control treatment. In addition, warming increased the N element content and reduced the C:N ratio of the roots over the warming period. Warming also increased mycorrhizal infections by 30.5%, 12.3%, and 108.1% in May, July, and October of 2011, respectively, when compared to the control treatment. Increases in the N absorption and mycorrhizal infection rates in roots may be an important adjustment to meet plant N demand in the subalpine coniferous forest under warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the recognized importance of root exudation to soil biogeochemical processes and soil function in forest ecosystems, few studies have investigated the impact of quantity and stoichiometry of root exudation on soil nitrogen (N) transformations. In addition, the potential mechanism of how climate warming influences soil N cycling via root-soil interactions remains unclear. We performed an experiment in which in situ root exudates were collected from Picea asperata seedling to examine the response of root carbon (C) & N exudation rates and the C: N ratio stoichiometry along with the soil N transformation rates to warming using infrared heaters in the Eastern Tibetan Plateau. The results showed that warming enhanced root C exudation rates (ug C g −1 root biomass h −1 ), with higher C: N ratio stoichiometry simultaneously. Experimental warming also significantly increased the soil net mineralization rates, net nitrification rates, and denitrification rates. Then, we conducted an in vitro experiment in which three bacterial strains ( Bacillus subtilis , Nitrobacter hamburgensis , and Brachymonas denitrificans ) representing ammonifiers, nitrifiers, and denitrifiers, respectively, were cultured with exudates as the culture media. The results indicated that root exudates collected in warmed plots significantly stimulated the growth of the three soil N transformation bacteria, compared with the treatments in control plots. Collectively, our results, to some degree, evidence a linkage that climate warming-induced changes in C fluxes and C: N ratio stoichiometry of root exudation stimulated the growth and reproduction of soil N transformation bacteria, consequently accelerating the soil organic matter decomposition and soil N transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the ecological consequences and potential mechanisms of specific C compounds on soil microbial processes under climate warming, we injected solutions of two modelled root exudates,2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol(BHT) and1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, dibutyl ester(DBP), respectively, into soil at two concentrations (20 and 1000 µg g−1soil). For all treatments, soils amended with the two phenolic compounds were incubated at two temperatures (20°C and 30°C) for 30 days. The responses of soil enzyme activity and microbial property to modelled root exudates to some extent depended on temperature regime, exudation component, and addition concentration. For example, the addition of BHT tended to decrease the soil enzyme activities. However, DBP addition generally increased the two metabolic enzyme activities at 30°C, and tended to decrease the two enzyme activities at 20°C, but a significant reduction was observed only at a high concentration at 20°C. The microbial biomass and enzyme activity were generally lower at 30°C compared to those at 20°C, when averaged across all treatment combinations. Taken together, our results indicated that the amounts and quality of liable root-derived C can differentially affect microbial processes, and various environmental changes will greatly complicate root–microbe–soil interactions in forests. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The fine roots of woody plants can be classified as absorptive roots and transport roots based on their distinct morphological, physiological, and functional traits. The potential ecological consequences of roots with different functional classifications on soil biogeochemical processes have been widely recognized. However, the magnitude of rhizosphere soil C stocks and the associated C stabilization mechanisms driven by these two root functional modules remain unknown. We quantified the soil organic C (SOC) contents and the C fractions in the rhizospheres of absorptive and transport roots in mineral soil in a spruce (Picea asperata Mast.) plantation and further estimated the rhizosphere SOC stocks of the two root functional modules by establishing a numerical model based on the extent of the rhizosphere. We also determined the characteristics of the SOC chemistry and metal-organic complexation in the rhizosphere to distinguish how the two root functional modules differentially impact rhizosphere SOC stability. The SOC content of the rhizosphere of absorptive roots was 15.7% higher than that of the rhizosphere of transport roots. This result can be mainly attributed to the higher stability of SOC (i.e., chemical recalcitrance and metal-organic bond) in the rhizosphere of absorptive roots. The numerical model analysis showed that the rhizosphere SOC pool of absorptive roots (0.27–2.7 kg C/m2) was twice as large as that of transport roots (0.18–1.36 kg C/m2). The contribution of the rhizosphere SOC stock of absorptive roots (63.5%) to the total rhizosphere SOC accrual was much higher than that of the rhizosphere SOC stock of transport roots (36.5%) in the scenario with a 1-mm extent. The rhizosphere soil C stock of absorptive roots plays a predominant role in the total rhizosphere soil C stock in alpine coniferous forests. Our findings highlight the importance of integrating function-based fine root classifications with rhizosphere soil C storage into land surface models of C cycling, which would be instrumental for accurately predicting soil C dynamics in alpine coniferous forest ecosystems. • Rhizosphere SOC stocks are first evaluated based on root function classification in forests. • Absorptive roots and transport roots play different roles in rhizosphere soil C storage. • The size of rhizosphere SOC stocks is mainly modulated by the absorptive roots. • Absorptive roots induce a stronger chemical protection of SOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic sheds are widely used for vegetable production in China, which accounts for ca. 80% cultivation area of plastic-shed vegetable globally. However, the current soil sustainability in plastic sheds in China is severely threatened by soil salinization. Here, we analysed in a meta-analytic study the soil salinity and fertility of 15,739 plastic sheds in China from 234 articles. When compared to open field soils nearby, soils in plastic sheds were greatly salinized as indicated by the concentration of total soluble salts of 2.43 g kg−1 and percent changes (the ratios in percent of values in plastic shed soils to those of open field soils - 100%) of either total soluble salts or electrical conductance (EC) of 141.1%. The concentration of total soluble salts in Yangtze River Basin were 3.08 g kg−1 greatest salinized among all five regions of China. North China and Bohai Rim was the least salt-affected region (1.84 g kg−1) but greatest percent change of soil organic matter (68.5%). Soil soluble salts were 5.76 g kg−1 in top 0–10 cm indicating the greater salt stress in the surface soils. Percent changes of NO 3 − and K+ were 264.8% and 224.3% being the two greatest increments among eight salt ions. The top five soluble salt components in percent were NO 3 − > SO 4 2− > Ca2+ > Cl− > Na+ in mass base (84.0% in total). The special microclimates, and chemical and organic fertilization largely contributed to current soil salinization. We recommend the use of following critical practices for improving soil sustainability in plastic sheds: (1) limit the use of fertilizers containing residual salts (2) top dressing of highly soluble nutrients rather than base chemical fertilization (3) to assimilate NO 3 − or SO 4 2− by plants and microorganisms and water leaching of Cl− and Na+; (4) the use of organic amendments. Future studies should attach more importance to these practices, and investigate the underlying mechanisms to achieve sustainable soil management and vegetable production for the smallholder farmers. • The soil salinity of 15,739 plastic sheds across China were analysed by a meta-analysis. • The concentration of total soluble salts was 2.43 g kg−1 and 141.1% salinized. • The top five salts were NO 3 − > SO 4 2− > Ca2+ > Cl− > Na+ in mass base. • The use of organic amendments, and to reserve NO 3 − were suggested to remediate soil salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant invasion can dramatically impact soil carbon (C) cycling and sequestration while, other global change factors, such as nitrogen (N) deposition, are predicted to promote plant invasion. However, questions remain as to whether the chemical composition of soil organic C (SOC) may alter with plant invasion and how N availability modulates the invasion effects on SOC. In this study, we conducted a 10-year mesocosm experiment simulating the invasion of Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) into a fallow soil, coupled with a simultaneous mineral fertilizer application scheme for the invasive plants. We investigated the invasion effects on the chemical composition of various SOC components at the molecular level, and examined how these effects responded to changes in soil N availability. Compared with the noninvaded soils, the knotweed-invaded soils exhibited a 17% increase in the microbial-derived C, mainly through the accumulation of fungal residue in the form of amino sugars. Despite receiving leaf litter which was abundant in polyphenolic compounds (40% and 3-times higher in lignin and tannins per unit biomass, respectively), the knotweed-invaded soils did not differ in the concentration of plant lipids and lignin monomers compared to the noninvaded soils inhabited by grasses. However, the concentrations of phytosterol in the knotweed-invaded soils were 1.5-fold as that in the noninvaded soils. Fertilizer application significantly increased the retention of plant-derived compounds in the knotweed-invaded soils, but also induced 45% greater degradation of lignin. Moreover, under fertilizer application, the knotweed-invaded soils accumulated 46% more microbial-derived C, primarily due to the altered microbial biomass and community composition. Collectively, our findings suggest that plant invasion has the potential to influence SOC chemical composition through changes in plant-derived and microbial-derived C. Furthermore, N deposition could reinforce the invasion effects on the molecular composition and accrual of SOC. Our results also highlight the need to understand the impacts of biological invasion in the context of other global change drivers that both affect invasion and modulate their effects. • Knotweed invasion increased the accumulation of phytosterols in SOC. • Knotweed invasion had greater effects on microbial-derived C than plant-derived C. • Fertilization reinforced invasion effect on SOC chemical composition and accrual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 100-m X-ray Test Facility (100XF) was developed according to the calibration requirement of the first X-ray astronomical satellite Insight-HXMT in china. After that, the 100XF has provided calibration services for other X-ray astronomical satellites. In order to test the energy response matrices of space-borne detectors and to extend the capability of 100XF, a monochromator based on channel-cut crystals is developed. So far, 3.0-20.7 keV monochromatic X-rays have been realized successfully with Si(111) crystal. The monochromaticity (Δ E FWHM /E) is better than 0.6% @5.9 keV, the flux stability can reach 2.6% in about one hour. The energy stability is particularly good, the variation is 0.05% in about one hour. Further more, the beam spot spreads in the plane orthogonal to the rocking direction after a propagation of 100-meter, which is sufficient and useful for testing detectors with large sensitive area. In this paper, we present the research and establishment of the X-ray monochromator at the 100XF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We had a broad separation of N uptake by the whole ECM root system into the 'root pathway' and the 'mycelia pathway'. • The two pathways were separated based on the discrimination between roots and EMM regarding active region in the soil. • Although needs to be further improved, the validity of our experimental design as a field study remains intact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant root-derived labile carbon (C) delivered to soils can regulate the dynamics and turnover of soil organic matter (SOM); however, it remains largely unclear how inputs of individual labile components (e.g., glucose) affect the formation of physicochemical-protected SOM. In a firmly controlled rhizosphere system, we added a glucose solution through artificial roots to soils collected from two subalpine coniferous forests (an approximately 200-year-old spruce-fir forest and an approximately 70-year-old spruce plantation) with the soils subsequently incubated over 25 days. The results showed that the addition of glucose significantly increased the concentrations of aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) bound in both metal-organic complexes (MOCs) and short-range order phases (SROs) by 45%, 68%, 31% and 38%, respectively (soil-averaged), which indicated that glucose addition enhanced the formation of physicochemical-protected SOM. The induced protection of SOM mainly resulted from the stimulation of interactions of the microbial residues with soil minerals and/or metal cations, as indicated by the concurrently increased microbial communities and zeta potential after glucose addition. Moreover, the glucose-induced absolute changes in MOCs at the spruce-fir site were higher than those at the spruce plantation site, whereas the changes in SROs exhibited an opposite trend to that observed for MOCs. This discrepancy is presumably due to the higher organic matter content with more extractable metals at the spruce-fir site being more beneficial for supporting microbial stabilization of glucose and subsequent necromass sequestration as MOCs. In addition, more clay minerals at the spruce plantation site had larger surface areas and more binding sites to bind microbial-derived organic molecules as SROs. Collectively, our findings provide robust evidence that the input of labile C to soils could facilitate the formation of physicochemical-protected SOM, which is potentially involved in transformation into microbial residues and subsequent interaction with metal cations and/or minerals and may also be mediated by soil properties. The formation of protected SOM may potentially offset native SOM decomposition and thus has ecologically important implications for long-term terrestrial C storage. • Glucose was added daily to well-controlled rhizosphere systems for 25 days. • Glucose input to soils could facilitate the formation of physicochemical-protected SOM. • Transformation of glucose into microbial biomass and necromass or metal oxide sorption is involved in protected SOM formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi associated with plant roots play important roles in facilitating plant nutrient uptake. Ectomycorrhizal trees obtain soil nitrogen (N) through the direct root uptake from the rhizosphere (i.e., root pathway), but also via the extramatrical mycelia of ECM fungi followed by translocation to fine roots (i.e., mycelia pathway). However, estimates of the relative contributions of the root pathway versus the mycelia pathway to plant acquisition of different soil N sources are highly uncertain, leaving a key gap in understanding plant N acquisition strategies and plant-mycorrhiza interactions in forest ecosystems. In this study, by combining an ingrowth core method and in situ 15N labelling techniques, we quantified the plant N uptake (inorganic vs. organic N) from root and mycelia pathways in two ectomycorrhizal alpine forests: a 70-year-old spruce plantation and a 200-year-old spruce-fir dominated forest in western Sichuan, China. We found that, across the two forests and seasons, plants obtained inorganic N in the soil primarily through the root pathway (81.9%), while acquiring ∼ 44% of organic N via the extramatrical mycelia of ECM fungi. The contribution of the mycelia pathway to plant organic N uptake was significantly enhanced during the non-growing season (52.6%) compared to that during the growing season (35.5%). Our study suggests that the mycelia of ECM fungi are of critical importance in the plant organic N economy in alpine coniferous forests. In addition, our findings highlight that plants associated with ECM fungi can adjust the dominance of the root pathway vs. the mycelia pathway in plant N acquisition dependent on their N demand and soil N availability. This study may provide new insight into understanding the ectomycorrhizal effects on N cycling and the structure and function of forest ecosystems. • We quantified contributions of root vs. mycelia to plant N uptake in the field. • Plants obtain soil inorganic N mainly via root pathway rather than mycelia pathway. • The mycelia of ECM fungi contributed considerably to plant organic N acquisition. • Seasonal shift affects the dominance of root vs. mycelia pathway in plant N uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An allelic variation of TaCRTISO is valuable in adjusting spike number per plant and plant height in wheat breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary exposure to heavy metals is threatening human health worldwide. In this study, the concentration of cadmium, mercury, arsenic and chromium in 258 samples of brown rice, grown in Yangtze River Delta where the soils were low-level contaminated, were investigated. In 12 (4.6%) and 10 (3.9%) rice samples the concentrations of Cd and Hg, respectively, exceeded the limit for food. ANOVA showed that Cd and Hg concentrations in rice grains collected from Nanjing and Jiaxing were higher than in the less developed city Yancheng. Students' t-test showed Cd and Hg were accumulated in hybrid rice higher than in conventional rice. The hazard quotients (HQs) showed a low risk from rice consumption. Conventional rice was recommended to cultivate to reduce the current risk in the soil defined as safe use level in Yangtze River Delta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Root exudates are generally known to play an important role in ecosystem carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling. We aimed to quantify the responses of root exudates to increased N availability in an alpine shrub-dominated ecosystem, and unravel the associated ecological consequences to N cycling. Methods: After three consecutive years of N addition at three rates (N0, control; N5, 5 g N m−2 year−1; N10, 10 g N m−2 year−1), we measured in situ rate of root exudation for mature Sibiraea angustata shrubs, as well as soil microbial biomass, the activities of three extracellular enzymes, and net N mineralization rates (Nmin) in both rhizosphere and bulk soil. Results: Exudation rates were 13% and 45% lower in the N5 and N10 plots compared to the control plots over the primary growing season. This, together with decreasing fine root biomass and length, lead to an annual decline of 44% and 66% in root exudate C inputs to soil, respectively. These decreased exudation rates were both directly and indirectly, through its effect on the rhizosphere effect (RE) on polyphenol oxidase activity, linked to decreased the RE on Nmin. As a result of N-induced decreases in both the RE on Nmin and rhizosphere volume, we estimated that the ecosystem-level rhizosphere effect for Nmin from 13% in the control plots to 8% in the N5 plots, and to 2% in the N10 plots. Conclusions: Overall, our results demonstrate that N addition may decelerate the C efflux from root exudates, resulting in a slower decomposition of soil organic matter and also gradually decelerating soil N cycling in alpine shrub ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing sewage sludge (SS) to calcinate sulphoaluminate cement (SAC) is a promising technology for low-carbon transition of cement industry, but the unclear effects of SS-contained heavy metals limit the application of this technology. In this study, the effects of SS addition on the calcination of SAC clinker and the transformation of heavy metals were studied from the aspects of mineral phase change, microstructure evolution and heavy metal speciation respectively, covering the mineral formation temperature 900–1250 °C. The results show that the added SS will reduce the formation temperature and change the reaction pathways of mineral phases. When the content of SS increases from 10% to 25%, the compositions of mesophases CaO·Al 2 O 3 and 4CaO·2SiO 2 ·CaSO 4 increase by 6.33% and 9.73%, respectively. Meanwhile, the formation of minerals will solidify Zn, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cr, and convert them into a more stable fraction (residual fraction), indicating a lower probability to harm the environment. Moreover, heavy metals present different migration behaviors. After calcination, Mn migrates from SS to 4CaO·Al 2 O 3 ·Fe 2 O 3 (52.48%), while Zn prefers to enter 3CaO·3Al 2 O 3 ·CaSO 4 (43.74%) and 4CaO·Al 2 O 3 ·Fe 2 O 3 (38.06%). This study offers new insights into the mineral formation mechanism and heavy metal transition behaviors of sewage sludge-based SAC. • The introduction of SS can alter the pathways of C 4 A 3 S ‾ and C 2 S formation and reduce the content of active mineral. • The increase in the amount of SS is beneficial in promoting the curing of Zn, Ni, Mn, Cu and Cr. • Mn tends to be solidified into C 4 AF, while Zn is more likely to enter into C 4 A 3 S ‾. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine root traits vary greatly with environmental changes, but the understanding of root trait variation and its drivers is limited over broad geographical scales, especially for ectomycorrhizal (ECM)‐dominated conifers in alpine forests. Herein, the covariation patterns of and environmental controls for fine root traits among ECM‐dominated conifers were examined to test whether and how climate and soil nutrients differentially affect fine root trait variations.Eight traits of first‐ and second‐order roots were measured, that is, root diameter (RD), specific root length (SRL), branching intensity (BRI), root tissue density (RTD), mycorrhizal colonization rate (MCR) and concentrations of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), across 76 alpine coniferous populations on the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China.Our results showed that variations of the fine root traits fell into two major dimensions: the first dimension (32.39% of the total variance) was mainly represented by RD and SRL, potentially conveying a trade‐off between root life span and efficiency of resource foraging; the second dimension (23.70% of the variance) represented coordinated variation for root nutrients (i.e. N and P) and RTD, which depicts the conservation‐acquisition trade‐off in resource uptake, that is, root economic spectrum. Variations in RD and SRL were mainly driven by climatic variables, characterized by a significant increase in RD and a decrease in SRL with increasing mean annual precipitation. In contrast, variations in fine root nutrients (i.e. N and P) and RTD were primarily driven by soil fertility, showing a significant increase in root N and P concentrations but a decrease in RTD with increasing soil resource levels.Synthesis. Our study clearly shows two distinct dimensions of the variation of fine root traits in ECM‐dominated alpine coniferous forests, providing further evidence of the inherent multidimensionality of root traits. Moreover, our findings highlight different roles of climatic and soil variables in driving the variation of fine root traits, potentially leading to the multidimensionality of root traits. This study provides new insights for understanding and predicting shifts in plant belowground strategies in climate‐sensitive alpine forests world‐wide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Based on the ageing population and the inadequate healthcare system in China, the majority of care for patients with Alzheimerʼs disease (AD) is provided by family caregivers. Caregivers suffer a long‐term heavy care burden and pressure, which affects their physical and mental health. The present study aims at investigating health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) among family caregivers of AD patients and exploring its influencing factors. Methods: This study included 206 family caregivers (76 male, 130 female) of AD patients recruited from one Tier 3 hospital, one psychiatric hospital, two gerocomiums and three communities in Ganzhou city, Jiangxi Province, China. Measures included the World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life (WHO/ QOL‐BREF) questionnaire, Zarit burden of care scale (ZBI), and social support rating scale (SSRS).We performed face‐to‐face or telephone interviews with patients and caregivers. The association between possible factors and changes in HRQOL was examined through stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: The majority of family caregivers felt moderate to severe level of burden. The average HRQOL score was 54.24 ± 10.36. The mean SSRS score was 30.4 ± 10.9. The average ZBI score was 41.2 ± 12.8. The HRQOL of family caregivers of AD patients was negatively correlated with the neuropsychiatric questionnaire score, ZBI score, and chronic diseases of caregivers (P < 0.05), and positively correlated with the SSRS score (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Reduced QOL was highly prevalent among AD patient family caregivers, and the level of burden, neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients, social support, and chronic diseases of caregivers were factors associated with HRQOL, and the effect of care burden is greatest. Interventions aimed at reducing the level of burden should focus not only on the patient but also on the caregiver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interactions between roots and mycorrhizal fungi are critical for our understanding of the multidimensional root economics space. Our knowledge on their relationships comes mainly from arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) plants, and less is known about how roots are coordinated with ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal communities, especially in ECM‐dominated alpine forests that are highly sensitive to climate change worldwide.Here, we investigated the coordination between roots and ECM fungi and their drivers by measuring multiple root traits, ECM fungal composition and environmental factors of 47 coniferous populations across the alpine coniferous forests on the Tibetan Plateau.Our results reveal two independent fine‐root trait dimensions, that is root foraging dimension and root uptake dimension, which are represented by root diameter‐specific root length, root tissue density‐root N concentration. Importantly, the hyphal exploration type based ECM foraging correlated significantly with both root foraging and root uptake dimension. Further, in the low temperature plateau, it is precipitation‐induced changes in soil moisture, soil nutrients and pH that drive the proportion of longer‐distance hyphal exploration types to increase with higher root foraging by higher specific root length, and to decrease with higher uptake by higher root N concentration.Synthesis. The coordination of multidimensional root traits with ECM fungi differs greatly from the well‐recognized pattern in AM plants that mycorrhizal fungi connect predominantly with root foraging and that roots and mycorrhizal fungi are temperature sensitive. These findings provide a new insight for our holistic understanding of how roots and mycorrhizal fungi vary collaboratively and hence driving plant community assembly and responses to the changing climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • A new wake model based on the Monin-Obukhov similarity theory is proposed. • The model takes roughness length and Monin-Obukhov length as input parameters. • The model is validated by a variety of experimental and LES results. • Both roughness length and atmospheric stability inuence wake recovery speed. Abstract The wake flow behind a wind turbine induces a significant slowdown of wind velocity, leading to a great loss of power generation for the turbines located in the downstream region. Hence it is very important to predict the velocity in an efficient way. To satisfy this requirement, we propose a simple analytical wake model based on the Monin-Obukhov similarity theory. The new model adopts a Gaussian function and takes surface roughness length and Obukhov length into account for the first time. Then the model is validated from the following three aspects. Firstly, compared with experimental and numerical data, it is shown that the model can present a satisfactory prediction of the ambient turbulence intensities in three spatial directions and the wake expansion parameters. In addition, wind velocity deficits in the wake calculated by the model are compared with the LES data and the Lidar measurements. The results indicate that there is a good agreement with the referenced data. Finally, wake expansion parameters and wind velocity deficits are estimated for three atmospheric stabilities and compared with high resolution LES results. Even though some predicting errors exist in near wakes and for low incoming turbulence intensities, acceptable results are achieved in most of the regions of the wake. Overall speaking, roughness length and atmospheric stability have a great impact on ambient turbulence intensity, which significantly influences the velocity recovery speed in the wind turbine wake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While multiple lines of evidence suggests that root carbon (C) can significantly impact the soil organic C (SOC) pool and subsequent C cycles via rhizosphere priming effects, the relative magnitude of the effects that root- and fungal-derived C inputs have in driving the priming of SOC decomposition are currently unknown. In this study, we used ingrowth cores and stable C isotope analyses to quantify root- and mycelium-derived C sequestered in soil labile and recalcitrant C pools and their relative contributions to the decomposition of native SOC in a spruce-fir-dominated coniferous forest on the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China. The results showed that new C sequestered in the soil labile C pool was primarily (77%) from mycelium-derived C, while 60% of the root-derived C sequestered in the soil was incorporated into the recalcitrant pool. Furthermore, although the total native SOC pool was not significantly influenced by new C derived from both roots and mycelia, mycelium-derived C induced a remarkably greater negative priming effect (−12.0%) on the native labile C pool than did root-derived C (−5.8%); in contrast, mycelium-derived C induced a greater positive priming effect (13.8%) than root-derived C (7.1%) on the native recalcitrant C pool. Collectively, our findings suggest that mycelium-derived C make a greater contribution to the newly sequestered C in the soil labile C pool than root-derived C, thereby inducing a remarkably greater positive priming effect on the decomposition of native soil recalcitrant C. Therefore, mycelium-derived C inputs may play a dominant role in soil C dynamics and long-term C storage, at least in alpine forest ecosystems where ectomycorrhizal mutualisms dominate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Einstein Probe (EP) satellite is designed for X-ray time-domain astronomy. The Follow-up X-ray Telescope (FXT) is one of the scientific payloads onboard EP. It will mainly be used for the follow-up X-ray observation, and it will also be used for the sky survey and Target of Opportunity (ToO) observation. The focal plane detector of FXT provided by the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) adopts a PNCCD sensor. For detector cooling, a helium pulse tube refrigerator is used, provided by the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry (TIPC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), to keep the detector working at a temperature of −90 ± 0.5 °C. The PNCCD driving and data acquisition electronics are developed by the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), CAS. To observe different celestial sources, we designed six filter wheel positions and three scientific operating modes for the PNCCD detector: the full-frame mode, the partial-window mode, and the timing mode. In the full-frame mode, the system frame rate is 20 frame/s and the energy resolution of the whole system reaches 92 eV @ 1.49 keV (FWHM). The frame rate of partial-window mode is 500 frame/s. In the timing mode, the time resolution is about 94 μs. This paper mainly introduces the design and test results of the focal plane camera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microgravity exposure during spaceflight causes the disordered regulation of liver function, presenting a specialized mechano-biological coupling process. While YAP/TAZ serves as a typical mechanosensitive pathway involved in hepatocyte metabolism, it remains unclear whether and how it is correlated with microgravity-induced liver dysfunction. Here, we discussed liver function alterations induced by spaceflight or simulated effects of microgravity on Earth. The roles of YAP/TAZ serving as a potential bridge in connecting liver metabolism with microgravity were specifically summarized. Existing evidence indicated that YAP/TAZ target gene expressions were affected by mechanotransductive pathways and phase separation, reasonably speculating that microgravity might regulate YAP/TAZ activation by disrupting these pathways via cytoskeletal remodeling or nuclear deformation, or disturbing condensates formation via diffusion limit, and then breaking liver homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a novel and green pretreatment technique to trace samples, polyoxyethylene cetyl ether (POELE20)-(NH)SO aqueous two-phase extraction system was coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography to analyse synchronously chloramphenicol (CAP), thiamphenicol (TAP) and florfenicol (FF) in chicken and pork samples. It was found that the extraction efficiency ( E%) and enrichment factor ( F) of the three antibiotics were influenced by the types of salts, the concentration of salt, the concentration of POELE20, system temperature and pH. The final optimal condition was as following: the phase-forming salt is (NH)SO, the concentration of (NH)SO is 0.141 g mL, the concentration of POELE20 is 0.03 g mL, the temperature is 298.15 K, and the system pH is 4.5. This POELE20-(NH)SO ATPS was applied to separate and enrich three antibiotics in real sample under the optimal conditions, and it was found that the recovery was 97.20-102.00 % with a RSD of 0.61-4.85 %. The limit of detection for CAP, TAP and FF were 0.10, 0.50 and 0.50 μg kg, and the limit of quantitation for CAP, TAP and FF was 0.15, 1.50 and 1.50 μg kg. Seven times the experiments were used to verify the repeatability and veracity of this method, and the RSD for the intra-day and inter-day were 1.13-3.22 and 1.74-4.72 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat stripe (yellow) rust is a worldwide disease that seriously reduces wheat grain yield and quality. Adult-plant resistance (APR) to stripe rust is generally more durable but usually controlled by multiple genes with partial resistance. In this study, a recombinant inbred line population was developed from a cross between a Chinese wheat landrace, Tutoumai, with APR to stripe rust, and a highly susceptible wheat cultivar, Siyang 936. The population was genotyped by genotyping-by-sequencing and phenotyped for APR to stripe rust in four consecutive field experiments. Three QTLs, QYr.sdau-1BL, QYr.sdau-5BL, and QYr.sdau-6BL, were identified for APR to stripe rust, and explained 8.0–21.2%, 10.1–22.7%, and 11.6–18.0% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. QYr.sdau-1BL was further mapped to a 21.6 Mb region using KASP markers derived from SNPs identified by RNA-seq of the two parents. In the QYr.sdau-1BL region, 13 disease-resistance-related genes were differently expressed between the two parents, and therefore were considered as the putative candidates of QYr.sdau-1BL. This study provides favorable gene/QTL and high-throughput markers to breeding programs for marker-assisted selection of the wheat stripe rust APR genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study systematically investigates the effects of SO 3 and Fe 2 O 3 variations in the raw mix on the mineral phase formation, transformation and regulation of iron-rich calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) clinker. The findings reveal that excess SO 3 can simultaneously facilitate the formation of C 4 A 3 S̅ phase and C 2 S phase. Moreover, elevated levels of SO 3 also enhance ions substitution within different mineral phases. In C 4 A 3 S̅ phase and ferrite phases, the substitution rate of Fe3+ for Al3+ gradually increases with rising SO 3 content, which contributes to the formation of C 4 A 3 S̅-c phase and induces a continuous transformation of ferrite phases through the sequence C 4 AF → C 4 A 1-y F 1+y → C 2 F → Fe 2 O 3. Essentially, excess SO 3 modulates the species and crystalline structures of the mineral phases containing aluminum and iron through strategically directing the fate of Fe 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3. Furthermore, the increase of Fe 2 O 3 postpones the effect of excess SO 3 on mineral phases formation and transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transplanting functional cells to treat myocardial infarction (MI), a major disease threatening human health, has become the focus of global therapy. However, the efficacy has not been well anticipated, partly due to the lack of microvascular system that supplies nutrients and oxygen. Here, spheroids of early vascular cells (EVCs) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), rather than single‐cell forms, as transplant "seeds" for reconstructing microvascular networks, are proposed. Firstly, EVCs containing CD34+ vascular progenitor cells are identified, which effectively differentiate into endothelial cells in situ and form vascular networks in extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel. Secondly, cardiac microtissues and cardiac patches with well‐organized microvasculature are fabricated by three‐dimensional (3D) co‐culture or bioprinting with EVCs and cardiomyocytes in hydrogel. Notably, in 3D‐bioprinted myocardial models, self‐assembly vascularization of EVC spheroids is found to be significantly superior to EVC single cells. EVC spheroids are also injected into ischemic region of MI mouse models to explore its therapeutic potential. These findings uncover hESCs‐derived EVC spheroids rather than single cells are more accessible for complex vasculature engineering, which is of great potential for cardiac tissue vascular engineering and MI treatment by cell therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant belowground carbon (C) inputs from roots and associated mycorrhizal hyphae are increasingly recognized as critical drivers impacting soil organic C (SOC) pool. However, whether roots and mycorrhizal hyphae differentially regulate SOC formation and accumulation under elevated nitrogen (N) deposition remains to be addressed. Using an ingrowth-core technique, the relative contributions of roots and mycorrhizal hyphae to SOC accumulation were distinguished and quantified in a karst forest receiving three levels of N additions (control (0 kg N ha−1 yr−1), low N (150 kg N ha−1 yr−1) and high N (300 kg N ha−1 yr−1)). Our results showed that N addition stimulated SOC accumulation (indicated by the increase of both bulk SOC and mineral associated organic C fraction) influenced by both roots and hyphae, especially for higher N doses. Moreover, N addition increased the contribution of the root effect relative to the hyphal effect in the SOC accrual. The correlation analysis showed that, for the hyphal effect, the change in SOC content was solely and positively correlated with the change in protective mineral phases of SOC, but not with the microbial necromass. In contrast, for the root effect, the change in SOC content was significantly and positively correlated with the changes in both soil microbial C pump efficacy and protective mineral phases of SOC. These results suggest that roots and mycorrhizal hyphae may influence the accumulation of microbial necromass and the formation of mineral-organic associations in a different magnitude under enhanced N supply. These findings advance our understanding of the root-mycorrhizal interactions in mediating SOC dynamics in forests under future N deposition scenarios. • Nitrogen (N) addition promoted SOC accumulation influenced by both roots and hyphae. • N addition enhanced the contribution of roots relative to hyphae in SOC accrual. • Roots and hyphae influenced N-induced SOC accumulation in a different magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are highly specific endothelial cells which play an essential role in the maintenance of liver homeostasis. During the progression of liver fibrosis, matrix stiffening promotes LSEC defenestration, however, the underlying mechanotransduction mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we applied stiffness-tunable hydrogels to assess the matrix stiffening-induced phenotypic changes in primary mouse LSECs. Results indicated that increased stiffness promoted LSEC defenestration through cytoskeletal reorganization. LSECs sensed the increased matrix stiffness via focal adhesion kinase (FAK), leading to the activation of p38-mitogen activated protein kinase activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) pathway, thereby inducing actin remodeling via LIM Kinase 1 (LIMK1) and Cofilin. Interestingly, inhibition of FAK or p38-MK2 pathway was able to effectively restore the fenestrae to a certain degree in LSECs isolated from early to late stages of liver fibrosis mice. Thus, this study highlights the impact of mechanotransduction in LSEC defenestration, and provides novel insights for potential therapeutic interventions for liver fibrosis. [Display omitted] • Liver tissue stiffness is increased markedly during early stages of liver fibrosis. • Increased matrix stiffness induces FAK activation within LSECs. • FAK promotes LSEC defenestration via p38-MK2-LIMK1-Cofilin-F-actin axis. • Inhibition of FAK or p38 restores fenestrae in LSECs from fibrotic livers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on investigation of rural buildings in china, there are more than 20% of the masonry structures constructed in 1970s. Thus, the old blue bricks (OBB) and old red bricks (ORB), which demolished from the typical brick masonry structures was built in 1970s, was chosen in the test. During demolishing the OBB and ORB, the original mortar was destroyed. Thus, the 1:7.8 cement mortar was chosen instead of original mortars and the 1:5 cement mortar was chosen as the reinforcement mortar. In order to know the performant of the reinforcement methods, there are three-level test plan was put forward in the study. Firstly, the mechanical properties of OBB and ORB and mortars was tested; Secondly, the experiment tested the shear strength of the reinforced and unreinforced masonry specimens along mortar joints; Thirdly, there are four walls (OBB reinforced wall and unreinforced wall, ORB reinforced wall and unreinforced wall) have been made for the pseudo-static tests. This research conducted physical performance tests on masonry bricks, masonry components, and masonry walls of typical masonry structures. Through experiments, the shear capacity of the masonry structure reinforced by high-strength mortar and steel bars can be obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While accumulating evidence suggests that root exudate inputs can significantly affect soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamic and stability through rhizosphere priming effects, our understanding of the effects of specific exudate components on soil C storage and the underlying mechanisms remains largely limited. In a well-controlled rhizosphere simulation system, we added three exudate components (i.e., glucose, glycine, and oxalic acid) through artificial roots to soils collected from a ~200-year-old spruce-fir forest for an incubation period of 25 days. The results showed that oxalic acid addition induced a net soil C loss (−1.12%) through two synergistic priming processes. On the one hand, the addition of oxalic acid accelerated SOC mineralization by stimulating microbial activity and enzyme production (biotic process); on the other hand, the previously mineral-protected SOC was released for microbial utilization through the disruption of mineral-organic associations after oxalic acid addition (abiotic process). In contrast, glucose addition increased soil C accumulation (1.28%) by two antagonistic priming processes. Glucose not only enhanced microbial activity and enzyme production and consequently accelerated SOC mineralization (biotic process), but also promoted the formation of mineral-organic associations to inhibit the microbial accessibility of SOC (abiotic process). Compared to glucose, glycine addition induced a greater soil C accumulation (2.52%) mainly via inhibiting microbial degradation (biotic process). These observations suggested that distinct components of root exudates profoundly mediate soil C dynamics and soil C storage in forests through different biotic and abiotic priming mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the complicated pathophysiological process of vascular dementia (VD), drugs for the clinical treatment of VD mainly target related risk factors, while drugs with excellent efficacy in cognitive function are still relatively lacking. Imperatorin (IMP), an active constituent extracted from angelica dahuricae and notopterygium Notopterygii, which has anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, anticoagulant, block calcium channel, anticonvulsant, and anti oxygen free radical injury properties. Therefore,the present study examined its effects on VD rats and the underlying molecular mechanisms, in order to provide promising therapeutic methods. VD was established by modified ligation of perpetual two-vessel occlusion (2VO). After 2VO surgery, IMP (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) was administered by intraperitoneal injection for 12 consecutive weeks to evaluate therapeutic effects. Cognitive function was verified by the Morris water maze. The neuronal morphological changes were examined via Hematoxylin–Eosin staining. Real-Time PCR and Western blot were used for detecting pro- and antiapoptotic biomarkers, and the hippocampus synaptic damage was examined by Transmission electron microscope. We revealed that 2VO-induced cognitive impairment, hippocampus CA1 neuron damage, apoptosis and synaptic damage. IMP-treatment significantly improved 2VO-induced cognitive deficits and hippocampus neuron damage. Molecular analysis revealed that IMP inhibited apoptosis through the down regulation of Bax, Caspase-3 and upregulation of Bcl-2. Meanwhile, IMP-treatment markedly improved synaptic ultrastructure morphology, increased the SAZ length, PSD thickness and up-regulated PSD-95 expression. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that IMP was effective in the treatment of 2VO-induced VD via inhibiting apoptosis of hippocampus neurons and reducing the synaptic plasticity destroy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: While the coupled effects of root exudates and microbial feedbacks on soil processes are well-recognized, we still lack an understanding of differences in root exudate fluxes and the associated ecological consequences among tree growth forms. Methods: Two deciduous tree species (i.e., Cercidiphyllum japonicum and Larix kaempferi) and two evergreen tree species (i.e., Pinus armandi and Pinus tabulaeformis) were selected to perform an in-situ collection of root exudates during the growing season in 2016. The net N mineralization rates and associated microbial enzyme activities were measured in rhizosphere and bulk soils to evaluate rhizosphere effects. Moreover, we compiled the dataset related to root exudation and their associated biological traits and the soil chemical properties for 21 tree species from temperate forests. Results: The root exudation rates and the annual root exudate carbon (C) fluxes of two deciduous tree species were significantly higher than those of the two evergreen tree species. Correspondingly, the rhizosphere effects of deciduous tree species on the microbial biomass, enzyme activity and net N mineralization rate were approximately 1.9, 1.6 and 2.4 times greater than those of the evergreen tree species, respectively. Rhizosphere effects were positively correlated with the root exudation rate. The compiled dataset also suggest that deciduous tree species tend to have higher exudation rates than evergreen tree species in temperate forests. Conclusions: Collectively, these results suggest that the two tree growth forms exhibit different patterns in root exudate inputs and associated rhizosphere microbial processes. Generally, deciduous tree species tend to exude more C into the soil and consequently induce greater microbial feedback on soil N transformations during the growing season in temperate regions, implying that deciduous tree species induced a greater effect on the C and nutrient cycling in rhizosphere soil than evergreen tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]