Sulfur vacancies and heterogeneous interfaces promote high performance sodium storage of bimetallic chalcogenide hollow nanospheres

Transition metal sulfides have high theoretical capacities and are considered as potential anode materials for sodium-ion batteries.However,due to low inherent conductivity and significant volume expansion,the electrochemical performance is greatly limited.In this study,a nickel/manganese sulfide material(Ni_(0.96)S_(x)/MnS_(y)-NC)with adjustable sulfur vacancies and heterogeneous hollow spheres was prepared using a simple method.The introduction of a concentration-adjustable sulfur vacancy enables the generation of a heterogeneous interface between bimetallic sulfide and sulfur vacancies.This interface collectively creates an internal electric field,improving the mobility of electrons and ions,increasing the number of electrochemically active sites,and further optimizing the performance of Na~+storage.The direction of electron flow is confirmed by Density functional theory(DFT)calculations.The hollow nano-spherical material provides a buffer for expansion,facilitating rapid transfer kinetics.Our innovative discovery involves the interaction between the ether-based electrolyte and copper foil,leading to the formation of Cu_9S_5,which grafts the active material and copper current collector,reinforcing mechanical supporting.This results in a new heterostructure of Cu_9S_5 with Ni_(0.96)S_(x)/MnS_(y),contributing to the stabilization of structural integrity for long-cycle performance.Therefore,Ni_(0.96)S_(x)/MnS_(y)-NC exhibits excellent electrochemical properties following our modification route.Regarding stability performance,Ni0_(.96)S_(x)/MnS_(y)-NC demonstrates an average decay rate of 0.00944%after 10,000 cycles at an extremely high current density of 10000 mA g^(-1),A full cell with a high capacity of 304.2 mA h g^(-1)was also successfully assembled by using Na_(3)V_(2)(PO_(4))_(3)/C as the cathode.This study explores a novel strategy for interface/vacancy co-modification in the fabrication of high-performance sodium-ion batteries electrode.

Identification of stable quantitative trait loci underlying waterlogging tolerance post-anthesis in common wheat(Triticum aestivum)

Waterlogging is a growing threat to wheat production in high-rainfall areas.In this study,a doubled haploid(DH) population developed from a cross between Yangmai 16(waterlogging-tolerant) and Zhongmai895(waterlogging-sensitive) was used to map quantitative trait loci(QTL) for waterlogging tolerance using a high-density 660K single-nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) array.Two experimental designs,waterlogging concrete tank(CT) and waterlogging plastic tank(PT),were used to simulate waterlogging during anthesis in five environments across three growing seasons.Waterlogging significantly decreased thousand-kernel weight(TKW) relative to non-waterlogged controls,although the degree varied across lines.Three QTL for waterlogging tolerance were identified on chromosomes 4AL,5AS,and 7DL in at least two environments.All favorable alleles were contributed by the waterlogging-tolerant parent Yangmai16.QWTC.caas-4AL exhibited pleiotropic effects on both enhancing waterlogging tolerance and decreasing plant height.Six high-confidence genes were annotated within the QTL interval.The combined effects of QWTC.caas-4AL and QWTC.caas-5AS greatly improved waterlogging tolerance,while the combined effects of all three identified QTL(QWTC.caas-4AL,QWTC.caas-5AS,and QWTC.caas-7DL) exhibited the most significant effect on waterlogging tolerance.Breeder-friendly kompetitive allele-specific PCR(KASP) markers(K_AX_111523809,K_AX_108971224,and K_AX_110553316) flanking the interval of QWTC.caas-4AL,QWTC.caas-5AS,and QWTC.caas-7DL were produced.These markers were tested in a collection of 240 wheat accessions,and three superior polymorphisms of the markers distributed over 67elite cultivars in the test population,from the Chinese provinces of Jiangsu,Anhui,and Hubei.The three KASP markers could be used for marker-assisted selection(MAS) to improve waterlogging tolerance in wheat.

A chromosome-scale reference genome of Lobularia maritima,an ornamental plant with high stress tolerance

Lobularia maritima(L.)Desv.is an ornamental plant cultivated across the world.It belongs to the family Brassicaceae and can tolerate dry,poor and contaminated habitats.Here,we present a chromosome-scale,high-quality genome assembly of L.maritima based on integrated approaches combining Illumina short reads and Hi–C chromosome conformation data.The genome was assembled into 12 pseudochromosomes with a 197.70 Mb length,and it includes 25,813 protein-coding genes.Approximately 41.94%of the genome consists of repetitive sequences,with abundant long terminal repeat transposable elements.Comparative genomic analysis confirmed that L.maritima underwent a species-specific whole-genome duplication(WGD)event~22.99 million years ago.We identified~1900 species-specific genes,25 expanded gene families,and 50 positively selected genes in L.maritima.Functional annotations of these genes indicated that they are mainly related to stress tolerance.These results provide new insights into the stress tolerance of L.maritima,and this genomic resource will be valuable for further genetic improvement of this important ornamental plant.

The effects of acetaminophen combined with radiation on the radiosensitivity of irradiated human glioma cell progeny

Objective： To study the effects of acetaminophen （ACE） combined with radiation on the progeny of the human glioma cell line SHG-44, and to investigate if ACE may be an useful therapeutic radiosensitivity agent in the treatment of recurrent human glioma. Methods： A randomized, controlled experiment, was performed at the Department of Radiology Laboratory, the First Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, between September 2004 and January 2006. Brain glioma SHG-44 cells were divided into three groups： SHG-44, SHG-44-10, and SHG-44-10 ＋ ACE cells groups. The SHG-44-10 cells group was irradiated with dose of 10 Gy by a linear accelerator （6 MVX）. It was passaged for 15 generations and cultured in RPMI-1640 culture media. Then SHG-44-10 ＋ ACE cells group was treated with ACE. Measures： Community re-double time, mean lethal dose （DO）, extrapolation number （N）, fraction surviving fraction irradiated by 2 Gy dose （SF2）, quasi-threshold dose （Dq）, and cell cycle. Results： The SF2 of the SHG-44, SHG-44-10, and SHG-44-10 ＋ ACE cells groups were 70.8%, 80.6% and 45.2%, respectively, with significance （P = 0.040）. The SHG-44-10 and SHG-44-10 ＋ ACE cells groups were irradiated with 8 Gy. After 12 hours, the G2/M ratio of the SHG-44-10 and SHG-44-10 ＋ ACE cells groups were indicating significantly higher ratio compared to pre-irradiated groups （P 〈 0.01）. After 24 hours, the G2/M ratio of the SHG-44-10 cells group decreased rapidly, while the ratio of the SHG-44-10 ＋ ACE cells group still maintained in high level. Conclusion： In the present study, Subtoxic dose of ACE increased the radiosensitivity of the progeny of irradiated human glioma cell. ACE may be an useful radiosensitivity agent in the treatment of recrudescent human malignant glioma.

Discussion on Mode of Key Link in Increase and Decrease Connection of Urban and Rural Construction Land

With the methods of qualitative analysis, induction and deduction, modes of key links in increase and decrease connection of urban and rural construction land are proposed in view of the involved three key links, namely reclamation of rural construction land, fund raising and management of connection turnover index, based on the comprehensive analysis of political connotation in increase and decrease of urban and rural construction land. The modes include "village relocation and combination", "hollow village" reconstruction, high-rise stereo, village relocation in the mountain and related capital raising and turnover index management and the applicable regions of various modes are analyzed and studied. The research result provides reference for the reasonable operation of increase and decrease link of urban and rural construction land.

Global multifaceted biodiversity patterns,centers,and conservation needs in angiosperms

The Convention on Biological Diversity seeks to conserve at least 30%of global land and water areas by 2030,which is a challenge but also an opportunity to better preserve biodiversity,including flowering plants(angiosperms).Herein,we compiled a large database on distributions of over 300,000 angiosperm species and the key functional traits of 67,024 species.Using this database,we constructed biodiversity-environment models to predict global patterns of taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional diversity in terrestrial angiosperms and provide a comprehensive mapping of the three diversity facets.We further evaluated the current protection status of the biodiversity centers of these diversity facets.Our results showed that geographical patterns of the three facets of plant diversity exhibited substantial spatial mismatches and nonoverlapping conservation priorities.Idiosyncratic centers of functional diversity,particularly of herbaceous species,were primarily distributed in temperate regions and under weaker protection compared with other biodiversity centers of taxonomic and phylogenetic facets.Our global assessment of multifaceted biodiversity patterns and centers highlights the insufficiency and unbalanced conservation among the three diversity facets and the two growth forms(woody vs.herbaceous),thus providing directions for guiding the future conservation of global plant diversity.

Phylotranscriptomics of Swertiinae(Gentianaceae)reveals that key floral traits are not phylogenetically correlated

Establishing how lineages with similar traits are phylogenetically related remains critical for understanding the origin of biodiversity on Earth.Floral traits in plants are widely used to explore phylogenetic relationships and to delineate taxonomic groups.The subtribe Swertiinae(Gentianaceae)comprises more than 350 species with high floral diversity ranging from rotate to tubular corollas and possessing diverse nectaries.Here we performed phylogenetic analysis of 60 species from all 15 genera of the subtribe Swertiinae sensu Ho and Liu,representing the range of floral diversity,using data from the nuclear and plastid genomes.Extensive topological conflicts were present between the nuclear and plastome trees.Three of the 15 genera represented by multiple species are polyphyletic in both trees.Key floral traits including corolla type,absence or presence of lobe scales,nectary type,nectary position,and stigma type are randomly distributed in the nuclear and plastome trees without phylogenetic correlation.We also revealed the likely ancient hybrid origin of one large clade comprising 10 genera with diverse floral traits.These results highlight the complex evolutionary history of this subtribe.The phylogenies constructed here provide a basic framework for further exploring the ecological and genetic mechanisms underlying both species diversification and floral diversity.

Spatiotemporal variation in leaf size and shape in response to climate

Aims Morphological variation of leaves is a key indicator of plant response to climatic change.Leaf size and shape are associated with carbon,water and energy exchange of plants with their environment.However,whether and how leaf size and shape responded to climate change over the past decades remains poorly studied.Moreover,many studies have only explored inter-but not intraspecific variation in leaf size and shape across space and time.Methods We collected>6000 herbarium specimens spanning 98 years(1910–2008)in China for seven representative dicot species and measured their leaf length and width.We explored geographical patterns and temporal trends in leaf size(i.e.leaf length,leaf width and length×width product)and shape(i.e.length/width ratio),and investigated the effects of changes in precipitation and temperature over time and space on the variation in leaf size and shape.Important Findings After accounting for the effects of sampling time,leaf size decreased with latitude for all species combined,but the relationship varied among species.Leaf size and shape were positively correlated with temperature and precipitation across space.After accounting for the effects of sampling locations,leaf size of all species combined increased with time.Leaf size changes over time were mostly positively correlated with precipitation,whereas leaf shape changes were mostly correlated with temperature.Overall,our results indicate significant spatial and temporal intraspecific variation in leaf size and shape in response to climate.Our study also demonstrates that herbarium specimens collected over a considerable period of time provide a good resource to study the impacts of climate change on plant morphological traits.

Patterns and ecological determinants of woody plant height in eastern Eurasia and its relation to primary productivity

Aims Plant height is a key functional trait related to aboveground bio-mass,leaf photosynthesis and plant fitness.However,large-scale geographical patterns in community-average plant height(cAPH)of woody species and drivers of these patterns across different life forms remain hotly debated.Moreover,whether cAPH could be used as a predictor of ecosystem primary productivity is unknown.Methods We compiled mature height and distributions of 11422 woody spe-cies in eastern Eurasia,and estimated geographic patterns in cAPH for different taxonomic groups and life forms.then we evaluated the effects of environmental(including current climate and historical climate change since the Last Glacial Maximum(LGM))and evolutionary factors on cAPH.Lastly,we compared the predictive power of cAPH on primary productivity with that of LiDAR-derived canopy-height data from a global survey.Important Findings Geographic patterns of cAPH and their drivers differed among taxonomic groups and life forms.the strongest predictor for cAPH of all woody species combined,angiosperms,all dicots and deciduous dicots was actual evapotranspiration,while temperature was the strongest pre-dictor for cAPH of monocots and tree,shrub and evergreen dicots,and water availability for gymnosperms.Historical climate change since the LGM had only weak effects on cAPH.No phylogenetic signal was detected in family-wise average height,which was also unrelated to the tested environmental factors.Finally,we found a strong correlation between cAPH and ecosystem primary productivity.Primary productivity showed a weaker relationship with cAPH of the tallest species within a grid cell and no relationship with LiDAR-derived canopy height reported in the global survey.Our findings suggest that current climate rather than historical climate change and evolutionary history determine the geographical patterns in cAPH.However,the relative effects of climatic factors representing environmental energy and water availability on spatial variations of cAPH vary among plant life forms.Moreover,our results also suggest that cAPH can be used as a good predictor of ecosystem primary productivity.

Spatial patterns and determinants of Moraceae richness in China

Understanding large-scale patterns of biodiversity and their drivers remains central in ecology.Many hypotheses have been proposed,including hydrothermal dynamic hypothesis,tropical niche conservatism hypothesis,Janzen’s hypothesis and a combination model containing energy,water,seasonality and habitat heterogeneity.Yet,their relative contributions to groups with different lifeforms and range sizes remain controversial,which have limited our ability to understand the general mechanisms underlying species richness patterns.Here we evaluated how lifeforms and species range sizes influenced the relative contributions of these three hypotheses to species richness patterns of a tropical family Moraceae.The distribution data of Moraceae species at a spatial resolution of 50 km×50 km and their lifeforms(i.e.shrubs,small trees and large trees)were compiled.The species richness patterns were estimated for the entire family,different life forms and species with different range sizes separately.The effects of environmental variables on species richness were analyzed,and relative contributions of different hypotheses were evaluated across life forms and species range size groups.The species richness patterns were consistent across different species groups and the species richness was the highest in Sichuan,Guangzhou and Hainan provinces,making these provinces the hotspots of this family.Climate seasonality is the primary factor in determining richness variation of Moraceae.The best combination model gave the largest explanatory power for Moraceae species richness across each group of range size and life forms followed by the hydrothermal dynamic hypothesis,Janzen’s hypothesis and tropical niche conservatism hypothesis.All these models has a large shared effects but a low independent effect(<5%),except rare species.These findings suggest unique patterns and mechanisms underlying rare species richness and provide a theoretical basis for protection of the Moraceae species in China.

Global patterns of species richness of the holarctic alpine herb Saxifraga:the role of temperature and habitat heterogeneity

The effects of contemporary climate,habitat heterogeneity and long-term climate change on species richness are well studied for woody plants in forest ecosystems,but poorly understood for herbaceous plants,especially in alpine–arctic ecosystems.Here,we aim to test if the previously proposed hypothesis based on the richness–environment relationship could explain the variation in richness patterns of the typical alpine–arctic herbaceous genus Saxifraga.Using a newly compiled distribution database of 437 Saxifraga species,we estimated the species richness patterns for all species,narrow-and wide-ranged species.We used generalized linear models and simultaneous autoregressive models to evaluate the effects of contemporary climate,habitat heterogeneity and historical climate on species richness patterns.Partial regressions were used to determine the independent and shared effects of different variables.Four widely used models were tested to identify their predictive power in explaining patterns of species richness.We found that temperature was negatively correlated with the richness patterns of all and wide-ranged species,and that was the most important environmental factor,indicating a strong conservatism of its ancestral temperate niche.Habitat heterogeneity and long-term climate change were the best predictors of the spatial variation of narrow-ranged species richness.Overall,the combined model containing five predictors can explain ca.40%–50%of the variation in species richness.We further argued that additional evolutionary and biogeographical processes might have also played an essential role in shaping the Saxifraga diversity patterns and should be considered in future studies.