Performance of a 4 cm iodine-fueled radio frequency ion thruster

The performance of an iodine radio ion thruster with a 4 cm diameter(IRIT4)was studied experimentally in this paper.Regulation of the mass flow rates of the iodine propellant is achieved by using a temperature control method of the iodine reservoir.Performance of the thruster using iodine as propellants is obtained at different total thruster powers of 40.6–128.8 W,different grid voltages of 1000–1800 V and the iodine flow rate of 100μgs^(-1).Results show that thrust and specific impulse increase approximately linearly with the increasing total thruster power and the screen grid voltage.The thrust of 2.32 mN and the specific impulse of 2361 s are obtained at the nominal total thruster power of 95.8 W and the screen grid voltage of 1800 V.It is also indicated that performance of the iodine propellant is comparable to that of the xenon propellant;and a difference between them is that the iodine thrust is slightly higher than xenon when the total thruster power is more than 62 W.At the nominal 95.8 W total thruster power,the thrust values of them are 2.32 m N and 2.15 mN respectively,and the thrust-to-power ratios of them are 24.2 mN kW^(-1)and 23.5 mN kW^(-1),respectively.

Mitochondrial retrograde regulation tuning fork in nuclear genes expressions of higher plants

In plant cells, there are three organelles: the nucleus, chloroplast, and mitochondria that store genetic information. The nucleus possesses the majority of genetic information and controls most aspects of organelles gene expression, growth, and development. In return, organelles also send signals back to regulate nuclear gene expression, a process defined as retrograde regulation. The best studies of organelles to nucleus retrograde regulation exist in plant chloroplast-to-nuclear regulation and yeast mitochondria-to-nuclear regulation. In this review, we summarize the recent understanding of mitochondrial retrograde regulation in higher plant, which involves multiple potential signaling pathway in relation to cytoplasmic male-sterility, biotic stress, and abiotic stress. With respect to mitochondrial retrograde regulation signal pathways involved in cytoplasmic male-sterility, we consider that nuclear transcriptional factor genes are the targeted genes regulated by mitochondria to determine the abnormal reproductive development, and the MAPK signaling pathway may be involved in this regulation in Brassica juncea. When plants suffer biotic and abiotic stress, plant cells will initiate cell death or other events directed toward recovering from stress. During this process, we propose that mitochondria may determine how plant cell responds to a given stress through retrograde regulation. Meanwhile, several transducer molecules have also been discussed here. In particular, the Paepe research group reported that leaf mitochondrial modulated whole cell redox homeostasis, set antioxidant capacity, and determined stress resistance through altered signaling and diurnal regulation, which is an indication of plant mitochondria with more active function than ever.

Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factors Shape RNA Viruses Resistance in Plants

Viruses are representative of a global threat to agricultural production. Genetic resistance is the preferred strategy for the control of viral infection and against loss of crop yield. Viral protein synthesis requires host cellular factors for translating their viral RNAs, and for regulating their replication and cell to cell systemic movement. Therefore, the viruses are dependent on cellular translation factors. Mutations in the gene encoding eIF4E and eIF4G or their isoforms, eIFiso4 E, eIFiso4 G and eIF2Bβ have been mapped as a source of plant potyvirus while other genus of plant virus recessive resistance genes in many species are originated from these loci. Some of other plant translation factors, such as eIF3,eIF4 A-like helicases, eEF1A and eEF1B, which are required in interacting with viral RNAs and regulating various aspects of the infection cycle,have also been identified. Here, we summarized the mechanisms utilized by RNA viruses of eukaryotic plants and the essential roles of e IFs in virus infection. Moreover, we discussed the potential of e IFs as a target gene in the development of genetic resistance to viruses for crop improvement. This review highlighted newly revealed examples of abnormal translational strategies and provided insights into natural host resistance mechanisms that have been linked to 3 cap-independent translational enhancer activity.

Influence of anode temperature on ignition performance of the IRIT4-2D iodine-fueled radio frequency ion thruster

This paper reports the ignition performance of the iodine-fueled radio frequency(RF)ion thruster(IRIT)at different anode temperaturesT_(a0).The experimental results show that the anode temperature plays important role on the ignition process of the IRIT.There were two characteristic temperatures related to the anode:the minimum ignition temperatureT_(i0)and the stable ignition temperatureT_(is),which were much lower than the pipeline temperature and the storage tank temperature.AtT_(a0)<T_(i0),it failed to discharge.WhenT_(i0)≤T_(a0)<T_(is),it was ignited with dramatical oscillations.AtT_(a0)≥T_(is),the discharge was stable in a large anode temperature range.The analysis showed that the different discharge phenomena at different anode temperatures were attributed to the change of iodine flow rate during the process of the iodine deposition-clogging and sublimation-clearing inside the thruster.The research helps improve the preheating design of the iodine-fueled electric thruster.

Identification of MAM1s in Regulation of 3C Glucosinolates Accumulation in Allopolyploid Brassica juncea

Allopolyploid Brassica juncea is particularly enriched in sinigrin,a kind of 3C aliphatic glucosinolates(GSLs),giving rise to characteristic taste after picking.However,the molecular mechanism underlying 3C aliphatic GSLs biosynthesis in this species remains unknown.In this study,we genome-widely identified GSLs metabolic genes,indicating different evolutionary rate of GSLs metabolic genes between subgenomes of B.juncea.Eight methythioalkylmalate synthase(MAMs)homologs were identified from B.juncea,in which six MAM1s were located in chloroplast and the other two were not detected with any expression.Furthermore,BjMAM1-4,BjMAM1-5,and BjMAM1-6 displayed higher expression levels in leaves than other tissues.Silenced expression analysis revealed that BjMAM1-4 and BjMAM1-6 function in 3C and 4C aliphatic GSLs accumulation.The specificity of the substrate selection for the second cycle reaction is much lower than that of the first cycle,suggesting these genes may preferentially catalyze 3C aliphatic GSLs biosynthesis.Our study provides insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the accumulation of 3C aliphatic GSLs,thereby facilitating the manipulation of aliphatic GSLs content in B.juncea.

Research on Brand Construction of Geographical Indication of Agricultural Products in China under the Background of Rural Revitalization

Geographical indications of agricultural products carry the unique product value accumulated in history. Relying on them to build regional brands is a powerful way to achieve stable income increase of farmers and sustainable development of agriculture. This paper summarized the development of geographical indications of agricultural products in China, and reviewed the development status of overall growth, significant regional differentiation and uneven categories. On the basis of affirming the necessity of brand building of agricultural products, this paper concluded the branding dilemma of the loss of geographical indication resources, weak supervision and insufficient investment of agricultural products in China. Therefore, this paper introduced the idea of "new three Pin and one standardization", and further built a three-stage branding path of "germplasm discovery, quality control, and brand promotion". Based on this, a combination strategy from attaching importance to germplasm quality to formulating brand strategy and enhancing brand competitiveness was proposed. The staged branding construction provides new development ideas for the branding of geographical indications of agricultural products in China, draws out a reference plan for the development of China’s regional characteristic agricultural industry, and lays a solid support for the revitalization of rural industries.

Neural regulation of sexual function in men

Male sexual response is controlled by a series of neurally mediated phenomena regulating libido, motivation, arousal and genital responses such as penile erection and ejaculation. These neural events that occur in a hormonally defined milieu involve different neurophysiological, neurochemical, and neuropsychological parameters controlled by central mechanisms, spinal reflexes and peripheral nervous system. Epidemiologic studies have suggested the high prevalence of male sexual dysfunction worldwide with significant impact on the quality of life of patients suffering from this problem. The incidence of sexual dysfunction is particularly high among men with neurologic disorders. Sexual dysfunction in men, such as loss of sexual desire, erectile dysfunction(ED), changes in arousal, and disturbances in orgasm and ejaculation may involve organic causes, psychological problems, or both. Organic male sexual disorders include a wide variety of neurologic, vasculogenic, neurovascular or hormonal factors that interfere with libido,erection, ejaculation and orgasm. Neurogenic sexual dysfunction may result from a specific neurologic problem or it could be the presenting symptom of a developing neurologic disease. Neurologic ED could result from complications of chronic neurologic disorders, trauma, surgical injury or iatrogenic causes. These etiologic factors and the underlying pathophysiologic conditions could overlap, which should be considered when making a diagnosis and selecting a treatment. A detailed history of physical examination, neurologic disorders, as well as any past history of psychological and psychiatric disturbances, and a thorough neurological examination will provide better understanding of the underlying causes of neurogenic sexual dysfunction. In patients with spinal cord injury, the location of the lesion and the time of onset of injury should be determined. Therapeutic strategies against erectile dysfunction are initiated with the least invasive options using the phosphodiesterase inhibitors. When oral medication options are exhausted, intraurethral and intracavernosal therapies and ultimately vacuum constriction devices and penile implants are considered. Recent basic research has suggested the potential role of stem cell-based therapeutic strategies to protect penile neural integrity and reverse cavernosal neurodegeneration in experimental models. Further insight into the central, spinal and peripheral neural mechanisms of male sexual response may help precise diagnosis and better management of neurogenic sexual dysfunction in men.

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus:an emerging plant begomovirus threatening cucurbit production

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus(ToLCNDV),a bipartite begomovirus,was first reported to infect tomato and has recently spread rapidly as an emerging disease to Cucurbitaceae crops.To date,the virus has been reported to infect more than 11 cucurbit crops,in 16 countries and regions,causing severe yield losses.In autumn 2022,ToLCNDV was first isolated from cucurbit plants in Southeastern coastal areas of China.Phylogenetic analysis established that these isolates belong to the Asian ToLCNDV clade,and shared high nucleotide identity and closest genetic relationship with the DNA-A sequence from the Chinese tomato-infecting ToLCNDV isolate(Accession no.OP356207)and the tomato New Delhi ToLCNDV-Severe isolate(Accession no.HM159454).In this review,we summarize the occurrence and distribution,host range,detection and diagnosis,control strategies,and genetic resistance of ToLCNDV in the Cucurbitaceae.We then summarize pathways that could be undertaken to improve our understanding of this emerging disease,with the objective to develop ToLCNDV-resistant cucurbit cultivars.

Identification of Flowering Regulatory Genes in Allopolyploid Brassica juncea

Brassica juncea is an allopolyploid originating from the interspecific hybridization between Brassica rapa and Brassica nigra, which is of multiple usage as a vegetable, oilseed and condiment worldwide. Both vernalization and non-vernalization under long-day photoperiod can promote floral transition in B. juncea suggesting merged flowering pathways of its ancestors and better environmental adaptability. We identified genomewide flowering regulatory genes in B. juncea, which include 84 and 79 genes from A and B sub-genomes, respectively. Ka/Ks analysis revealed a purification effect on both photoperiod and vernalization flowering regulation pathways during evolution. Expression profile of those genes during long-day and vernalization treatments suggested Bju ACO4, Bju AFT1, Bju BFT4, Bju ASOC1 and Bju ASOC4 may be the major functional copies of B. juncea flowering regulation. Further functional studies about Bju COs showed three days delayed flowering time in Bju ACO4 or Bju BCO3 silenced plants. Increased transcription of all BjuFLCs in Bju ACO4 or Bju BCO3 silenced plants suggested interactions between photoperiod and vernalization pathways governing flowering time. Our findings provided flowering regulating networks in allopolyploid B. juncea.

On the Discrete Criteria and J?rgensen Inequalities for SL(m,■((t)))

In this paper, the author gives the discrete criteria and J?rgensen inequalities of subgroups for the special linear group on ■((t)) in two and higher dimensions.