CmMYB3-like negatively regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis and flower color formation during the post-flowering stage in Chrysanthemum morifolium

Color fading caused by a decrease in anthocyanin accumulation during the post-flowering stage significantly affects postharvest quality of chrysanthemum.However,the underlying mechanism by which anthocyanin accumulation decreases during the post-flowering stage still unclear,which greatly restricts design of molecular breeding in chrysanthemum.Here,a chrysanthemum SG7 R2R3 MYB transcription factor(TF),CmMYB3-like,was identified to have a function in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis during the post-flowering stage.Quantitative real time PCR(qRT-PCR)assays showed that the expression of CmMYB3-like was gradually downregulated when anthocyanin content increased during the flowering stage and was significantly upregulated during the post-flowering stage.Genetic transformation of chrysanthemum and dual-luciferase assays in N.benthamiana leaves showed that CmMYB3-like suppressed anthocyanin accumulation by inhibiting the transcription of CmCHS and CmANS directly and that of CmF3H indirectly.However,overexpression or suppression of CmMYB3-like did not affect the biosynthesis of flavones or flavonols.Genetic transformation of chrysanthemum revealed that the overexpression of CmMYB3-like inhibited anthocyanin accumulation,but its suppression prevented the decrease in anthocyanin accumulation during the post-flowering stage.Our results revealed a crucial role of CmMYB3-like in regulating the color of petals during the post-flowering stage and provided a target gene for molecular design breeding to improve the postharvest quality of chrysanthemum.

Interaction between MAPKs and MKPs in hexaploid chrysanthemum illuminates functional paralogue diversification in polyploids

Mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs,also known as MPKs)regulate diverse cellular and physiological functions,and dual-specificity MAPK phosphatases(MKPs)modulate MAPK signalling through MAPK dephosphorylation and inactivation.Due to lacking of overall understanding for the regulatory networks between Chrysanthemum morifolium MKPs(CmMKPs)and C.morifolium MAPKs(CmMPKs),we systematically studied the interactions between four groups of CmMPKs and eight identified CmMKPs in chrysanthemum and found that the interaction between the specific CmMKP and the specific CmMPK differed from those in other plants.Furthermore,the expression of CmMKP1 and CmMKP1-LIKE1showed opposite trends during the development of chrysanthemum flower buds under salt treatment and Alternaria alternata inoculation,but these genes could interact with the same CmMPKs,providing insight into the subfunctionalization of paralogues.Amino acid variations(M87V,T277P and V6L)in dual-specificity protein phosphatases(DsPTP1)-LIKE1/2/3 changed the interactions of these proteins with the four CmMPK groups in chrysanthemum,providing evidence for the de/neofunctionalization of paralogues in polyploids,suggesting that we can identify the key functional sites of proteins by studying polyploid paralogues.

Privacy-Preserving Prepayment Based Power Request and Trading in Smart Grid

Demand response has been intensively studied in recent years. It can motivate customers to change their consumption patterns according to the dynamic(time-varying) electricity price, which is considered to be the most cost-effective and reliable solution for smoothing the demand curve. However, many existing schemes, based on users' demand request in each period, require users to consume their requested electricity exactly, which sometimes causes inconvenience and losses to the utility, because customers cannot always be able to consume the accurate electricity demand due to various personal reasons. In this paper, we tackle this problem in a novel approach. Instead of charging after consumption, we adopt the prepayment mechanism to implement power request. Furthermore, we propose a trading market running by the control center to cope with the users' dynamic demand. It is noteworthy that both users' original demand and trading records are protected against potential adversaries including the curious control center. Through the numerical simulation, we demonstrate that our scheme is highly efficient in both computation and communication.

Technology for recycling and regenerating graphite from spent lithium-ion batteries

With the annual increase in the amount of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs),the development of spent LIBs recycling technology has gradually attracted attention.Graphite is one of the most critical materials for LIBs,which is listed as a key energy source by many developed countries.However,it was neglected in spent LIBs recycling,leading to pollution of the environment and waste of resources.In this paper,the latest research progress for recycling of graphite from spent LIBs was summarized.Especially,the processes of pretreatment,graphite enrichment and purification,and materials regeneration for graphite recovery are introduced in details.Finally,the problems and opportunities of graphite recycling are raised.

CmRCD1 represses flowering by directly interacting with CmBBX8 in summer chrysanthemum

The CmBBX8-CmFTL1 regulatory module is a key determinant in the transition from vegetative growth to reproductive development in summer-flowering chrysanthemum.However,the detailed regulatory mechanism of CmBBX8-mediated flowering remains elusive.In this study,we revealed that RADICAL-INDUCED CELL DEATH 1(CmRCD1)physically associated with CmBBX8 through bimolecular fluorescence complementation(BiFC),pulldown and Coimmunoprecipitation(CoIP)assays.Furthermore,the RCD1-SRO1-TAF4(RST)domain of CmRCD1 and the B-box of CmBBX8 mediated their interaction.In addition,Luciferase(LUC)assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSAs)showed that CmRCD1 repressed the transcriptional activity of CmBBX8 and interfered with its binding to the CmFTL1 promoter,thereby leading to delayed flowering in the summer chrysanthemum‘Yuuka’.These results provide insight into the molecular framework of CmRCD1-CmBBX8-mediated flowering in chrysanthemum.

Generation of purple-violet chrysanthemums via anthocyanin B-ring hydroxylation and glucosylation introduced from Osteospermum hybrid F3'5'H and Clitoria ternatea A3'5'GT

Chrysanthemums possess no metabolic pathway to synthesize delphinidin because of the lack of endogenous F3'5'H gene encoding the key enzyme in its biosynthetic pathway;therefore,there are no blue or blue-purple chrysanthemums occurring naturally.Currently,the introduction of exogenous F3'5'H into chrysanthemums is an efficient method for breeding bluish chrysanthemums.In this study,we explored the effects of the introduction of mutant CmF3'H(generated via site-directed mutagenesis,T485S,CmF3'Hm)and exogenous Osteospermum hybrid F3'5'H(OhF3'5'H)genes combined with Clitoria ternatea A3'5'GT(CtA3'5'GT)on delphinidin synthesis in chrysanthemum.Among the F3'5'H transgenic lines,those overexpressing endogenous CmF3'Hm could not generate blue flower color,although red color was changed to light pink due to CtA3'5'GT function.Meanwhile,OhF3'5'H introduction promoted the accumulation of delphinidin and its derivatives in chrysanthemum,changing the flower color from red-purple to purple-violet.These results indicate the applicability of exogenous OhF3'5'H and CtA3'5'GT transformation for promoting delphinidin synthesis during the molecular breeding of violet/blue chrysanthemums.

High-performance wearable bimetallic nanowire-assisted composite foams for efficient electromagnetic interference shielding,infrared stealth,and piezoresistive sensing

With the accelerated development of modern detection and communication technology,the multifunctional wearable materials with excellent electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding,infrared stealth,and human monitoring for improving military combat capability have received extensive attention.In this work,the lightweight melamine foam(MF)@silver nanowires(AgNWs)-iron nanowires(FeNWs)(AgFe-MF)was fabricated by a vacuum-assisted dip-coating method.Due to the porous structure and synergistic electrical and magnetic losses,this lightweight(0.115 g/cm^(3))composite foam with an ultra-low filler content(0.62 vol.%)exhibited an ideal EMI shielding efficiency of 38.4 dB.On the other hand,the AgFe-MF realized a powerful multifunctional integration.The surface saturation temperature of the AgFe-MF reached 94.2℃under a low applied voltage of 1.8 V and remained extremely fast heating and cooling response and terrific working stability,resulting in excellent infrared stealth and camouflage effects.Furthermore,taking virtues of the elastic porous conductive architecture,the AgFe-MF was utilized as a piezoresistive sensor exhibiting board compressive interval of 0–1.62 kPa(50%strain)with a good sensitivity of 0.57 kPa^(−1).This work will provide new ideas and insights for developing multifunctional wearable devices in the fields of EMI shielding,thermal management,and piezoresistive sensing.

Influence and mechanism of N-(3-oxooxtanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone(C_8-oxo-HSL) on biofilm behaviors at early stage

N-acyl-homoserines quenching, enzymatic quenching of bacterial quorum sensing, has recently applied to mitigate biofilm in membrane bioreactor. However, the effect of AHLs on the behavior of biofilm formation is still sparse. In this study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm was formed on ultra-filtration membrane under a series of N-（3-0xooxtanoyl）-L-homoserine lactone （C8-0xo-HSL） concentrations. Diffusing Cs-oxo-HSL increased the growth rate of cells on biofilm where the concentration of Cs-oxo-HSL was over 10-7 g/L. The C8-0xo-HSL gradient had no observable influence on cell density and extracellular polymeric substances of biofilm with over 10-7 g/L Cs-oxo-HSL. Surprisingly, 10-11-10-8 g/L of Cs-Oxo-HSL had no effect on cell growth in liquid culture. The cell analysis demonstrated that the quorum sensing system might enhance the growth of neighboring cells in contact with surfaces into biofilm and may influence the structure and organization of biofilm.

Arsenic removal from groundwater by acclimated sludge under autohydrogenotrophic conditions

Arsenic in the environment is attracting increasing attention due to its chronic health effects. Although arsenite （As（III）） is generally more mobile and more toxic than arsenate （As（V））, reducing As（V） to As（III） may still be a means for decontamination, because As（III） can be removed from solution by precipitation with sulfide or by adsorption or complexation with other metal sulfides. The performance of As（V） bio-reduction under autohydrogenotrophic conditions was investigated with batch experiments. The results showed that As（V） reduction was a biochemical process while both acclimated sludge and hydrogen were essential. Most of the reduced arsenic remained in a soluble form, although 20% was removed with no addition of sulfate, while 82% was removed when sulfate was reduced to sulfide. The results demonstrated that the reduced arsenic was re-sequestered in the precipitates, probably as arsenic sulfides. Kinetic analysis showed that pseudo first-order kinetics described the bio-reduction process better than pseudo second-order. In particular, the influences of pH and temperature on As（V） reduction by acclimated sludge under autohydrogenotrophic conditions and total soluble As removal were examined. The reduction process was highly sensitive to both pH and temperature, with the optimum ranges of pH 6.5-7.0 and 30-40℃ respectively. Furthermore, Arrhenius modeling results for the temperature effect indicated that the As（V） reduction trend was systematic. Total soluble As removal was consistent with the trend of As（V） reduction.

Novel perspective for urban water resource management: 5R generation

Demand for water is expanding with increases in population,particularly in urban areas in developing countries.Additionally,urban water system needs a novel perspective for upgradation with urbanization.This perspective presents a novel 5R approach for managing urban water resources:Recover(storm water),Reduce(toilet flushing water),Recycle(gray water),Resource(black water),and Reuse(advanced-treated wastewater).The 5R generation incorporates the latest ideas for harvesting storm water,gray water,and black water in its several forms.This paper has briefly demonstrated each R of 5R generation for water treatment and reuse.China has the chance to upgrade its urban water systems according to 5R principles.Already,a demonstration project of 5R generation has been installed in Qingdao International Horticultural Exposition,and Dalian International Convention Center(China)has applied 5R,achieving over 70%water saving.The 5R offers promise for moving solutions for urban water scarcity from“hoped for in the future”to“realistic today”.

超声引导下不同位置收肌管阻滞用于老年全膝关节置换术后的镇痛效果观察

目的探讨超声引导下不同位置收肌管阻滞用于老年患者在全身麻醉下接受单侧全膝关节置换术后的镇痛效果。方法前瞻性收集2019年9月10日至2021年6月30日于秦皇岛市第一医院接受单侧膝关节置换术的老年患者64例,男性34例,女性30例,年龄65~83岁,按照随机数字表法分为两组(n=32),对照组采用超声引导下近端收肌管阻滞,观察组为远端收肌管阻滞。记录两组手术情况包括手术时间,神经阻滞操作时间,术中出血量和术后48 h内引流量,比较两组患者术后疼痛程度、镇痛泵按压和镇痛补救次数、股四头肌肌力以及膝关节活动情况。结果64例患者均获得随访,随访时间10~12个月。两组患者在手术时间、神经阻滞操作时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、术后镇痛药物补救方面差异无统计学意义。两组患者VAS评分和患肢活动情况进行重复测量方差分析,结果显示静息状态下VAS评分不同时间点之间差异有统计学意义(F=29.342,P=0.000)。活动时VAS评分两组间差异有统计学意义(F=12.295,P=0.001),不同时间点之间差异有统计学意义(F=3.373,P=0.010)。术后股四头肌肌力两组患者之间差异有统计学意义(F=6.918,P=0.011),两组术后膝关节活动度有差异(F=7.263,P=0.009),不同时间点差异有统计学意义(F=25.238,P=0.000)。结论远端收肌管阻滞为老年全麻下膝关节置换术后提供较为理想的镇痛效果,对股四头肌肌力影响较小,有利于早期运动功能恢复。

Enhanced struvite recovery from wastewater using a novel cone-inserted fluidized bed reactor

The feasibility of struvite recovery at low （12.5 mg/L） and high （120 mg[L） phosphorus concentrations was studied by constructing a novel fluidized bed reactor with cones （FBRwc） and without cones （FBRwoc）. The crystallization process was continuously operated for 133 days under different hydraulic retention times （HRT = 1-10 hr）, pH （7.5-10）, and molar ratios of Mg/P （0.75-1.75）, N/P （1-10） and Ca/Mg （0-2）. The optimum operating conditions of HRT, pH, Mg/P and N/P molar ratios were found to be 2 hr, 9, 1.25, and 7.5, respectively. Under these optimum conditions, the phosphorus precipitation efficiencies of FBRwc were 93% for low and 98% for high phosphorus influent; however, the efficiencies were 78% and 81% for FBRwoc, respectively. Due to crystal losses at each junction （17%-31%）, the crystal recovery efficiency of FBRwoc was relatively low （47%-65%） for both influent concentrations. However, the losses were minimal in FBRwc, which showed 75% and 92% crystal recovery for low and high phosphorus concentrations, respectively. At low calcium concentration, crystal chemical analysis showed the product to be pure struvite （〉 99%）. The scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction results further confirmed that the crystal recovered from FBRwc contained pure struvite, which could be considered a high quality fertilizer. Except HRT, all parameters （pH, Mg/P, N/P and Ca/Mg） were found to be influencing factors for FBRwc performance. Overall, inserting cones in each part of the reactor played a significant role in enhancing struvite recovery from a wide range of phosphorus-containing wastewater.

Bioreduction of vanadium(V) in groundwater by autohydrogentrophic bacteria:Mechanisms and microorganisms

As one of the transition metals, vanadium（V）（V（V）） in trace amounts represents an essential element for normal cell growth, but becomes toxic when its concentration is above 1 mg/L. V（V） can alter cellular differentiation, gene expression, and other biochemical and metabolic phenomena. A feasible method to detoxify V（V） is to reduce it to V（IV）, which precipitates and can be readily removed from the water. The bioreduction of V（V） in a contaminated groundwater was investigated using autohydrogentrophic bacteria and hydrogen gas as the electron donor. Compared with the previous organic donors,H2 shows the advantages as an ideal electron donor, including nontoxicity and less production of excess biomass. V（V） was 95.5% removed by biochemical reduction when autohydrogentrophic bacteria and hydrogen were both present, and the reduced V（IV）precipitated, leading to total-V removal. Reduction kinetics could be described by a first-order model and were sensitive to p H and temperature, with the optimum ranges of p H 7.5–8.0 and 35–40°C, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis by clone library showed that the dominant species in the experiments with V（V） bioreduction belonged to theβ-Proteobacteria. Previously known V（V）-reducing species were absent, suggesting that V（V）reduction was carried out by novel species. Their selective enrichment during V（V）bioreduction suggests that Rhodocyclus, a denitrifying bacterium, and Clostridium, a fermenter known to carry out metal reduction, were responsible for V（V） bioreduction.

保护剂对混合甲烷氧化菌剂中菌群结构的影响

[目的]明晰混合甲烷氧化菌剂制备工艺及保护剂对菌群结构的影响。[方法]通过正交实验优化保护剂配方,并结合高通量测序分析菌剂制备前后菌群结构及甲烷降解能力变化。[结果]当保护剂配比为葡萄糖浓度(单位为g/mL菌液)2.5%、甘油15%、脱脂乳粉10%时,菌群存活率高达112.7%;菌群结构由冻干前的优势菌Methylocystaceae(甲基孢囊菌属)、Acidovorax(食酸菌属)等演替为Ralstonia(罗尔斯顿菌属)、Stenotrophomonas(寡养单胞菌)等,其中对甲烷降解作用的Methylocystaceae(甲基孢囊菌属)冻前丰度71.70%降为冻后的4.26%;甲烷降解率由冻前的76.21%降为冻后的74.23%。[结论]混合菌剂制备过程中保护剂作为新碳源及能源影响了菌群结构,甲烷降解率下降2.6%。菌群对外界因素的响应灵敏,但群体行为之间的关系和机理还有待探析。

Potential acute effects of suspended aluminum nitride (AlN) nanoparticles on soluble microbial products (SMP) of activated sludge

The study aims to identify the potential acute effects of suspended aluminum nitride（Al N）nanoparticles（NPs） on soluble microbial products（SMP） of activated sludge.Cultured activated sludge loaded with 1,10,50,100,150 and 200 mg/L of Al N NPs were carried out in this study.As results showed,Al N NPs had a highly inverse proportionality to bacterial dehydrogenase and OUR,indicating its direct toxicity to the activated sludge viability.The toxicity of Al N NPs was mainly due to the nano-scale of Al N NPs.In SMP,Al N NPs led to the decrease of polysaccharide and humic compounds,but had slight effects on protein.The decrease of tryptophan-like substances in SMP indicated the inhibition of Al N NPs on the bacterial metabolism.Additionally,Al N NPs reduced obviously the molecular weight of SMP,which might be due to the nano-scale of Al N.