Demagnetization Research on PMs in the Halbach Magnetized Pulsed Alternator

Demagnetization behavior of Halbach magnetized compensated pulsed alternator(CPA)is studied by using finite element method(FEM)under the different demagnetization factors in this paper.The effect of armature reaction magnetic field and thermal rise on demagnetization of PMs is analyzed.This paper investigates the effect of different demagnetization factors on magnetic field distribution,load current,and no-load phase voltage.A series of dynamic demagnetization points in Halbach array permanent magnet(PM)are evaluated to search the worst working point.Partial demagnetization risk can be represented by the worst working point,and the global demagnetization of the PM is represented by the no-load phase voltage characteristics after discharge.The research results demonstrated that the compensation shield with a certain thickness can increase the discharge current and weaken the demagnetization influence of armature reaction.The demagnetization effect of armature reaction on PMs at high temperatures will be strengthened.

Complicated target recognition by archaeal box C/D guide RNAs

Box C/D RNAs guide the site-specific formation of 2′-O-methylated nucleotides(Nm)of RNAs in eukaryotes and archaea.Although C/D RNAs have been profiled in several archaea,their targets have not been experimentally determined.Here,we mapped Nm in r RNAs,t RNAs,and abundant small RNAs(s RNAs)and profiled C/D RNAs in the crenarchaeon Sulfolobus islandicus.The targets of C/D RNAs were assigned by analysis of base-pairing interactions,in vitro modification assays,and gene deletion experiments,revealing a complicated landscape of C/D RNA-target interactions.C/D RNAs widely use dual antisense elements to target adjacent sites in r RNAs,enhancing modification at weakly bound sites.Two consecutive sites can be guided with the same antisense element upstream of box D or D′,a phenomenon known as doublespecificity that is exclusive to internal box D′in eukaryotic C/D RNAs.Several C/D RNAs guide modification at a single non-canonical site.This study reveals the global landscape of RNA-guided 2′-O-methylation in an archaeon and unexpected targeting rules employed by C/D RNA.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi regulate plant mineral nutrient uptake and partitioning in iron ore tailings undergoing eco-engineered pedogenesis

Excess available K and Fe in Fe ore tailings with organic matter amendment and water-deficiencies may restrain plant colonization and growth,which hinders the formation of eco-engineered soil from these tailings for sustainable and cost-effective mine site rehabilitation.Arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)fungi are widely demonstrated to assist plant growth under various unfavorable environments.However,it is still unclear whether AM symbiosis in tailings amended with different types of plant biomass and under different water conditions could overcome the surplus K and Fe stress for plants in Fe ore tailings,and if so,by what mechanisms.Here,host plants(Sorghum sp.Hybrid cv.Silk),either colonized or noncolonized by the AM fungi(Glomus spp.),were cultivated in lucerne hay(LH,C:N ratio of 18)-or sugarcane mulch(SM,C:N ratio of 78)-amended Fe ore tailings under well-watered(55%water-holding capacity(WHC)of tailings)or water-deficient(30%WHC of tailings)conditions.Root mycorrhizal colonization,plant growth,and mineral elemental uptake and partitioning were examined.Results indicated that AM fungal colonization improved plant growth in tailings amended with plant biomass under water-deficient conditions.Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization enhanced plant mineral element uptake,especially P,both in the LH-and SM-amended tailings regardless of water condition.Additionally,AM symbiosis development restrained the translocation of excess elements(i.e.,K and Fe)from plant roots to shoots,thereby relieving their phytotoxicity.The AM fungal roles in P uptake and excess elemental partitioning were greater in LH-amended tailings than in SM-amended tailings.Water deficiency weakened AM fungal colonization and functions in terms of mineral element uptake and partitioning.These findings highlighted the vital role AM fungi played in regulating plant growth and nutrition status in Fe ore tailings technosol,providing an important basis for involvement of AM fungi in the eco-engineered pedogenesis of Fe ore tailings.

SnoRNP is essential for thermospermine-mediated development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Polyamines have been discovered for hundreds of years and once considered as a class of phytohormones.Polyamines play critical roles in a range of developmental processes.However,the molecular mechanisms of polyamine signaling pathways remain poorly understood.Here,we measured the contents of main types of polyamines,and found that endogenous level of thermospermine(T-Spm)in Arabidopsis thaliana is comparable to those of classic phytohormones and is significantly lower than those of putrescine(Put),spermidine(Spd),and spermine(Spm).We further found a nodule-like structure around the junction area connecting the shoot and root of the T-Spm biosynthetic mutant acl5 and obtained more than 50 suppressors of acl5 nodule structure(san)through suppressor screening.An in-depth study of two san suppressors revealed that NAP57 and NOP56,core components of box H/ACA and C/D snoRNPs,were essential for T-Spm-mediated nodule-like structure formation and plant height.Furthermore,analyses of rRNA modifications showed that the overall levels of pseudouridylation and 2′-O-methylation were compromised in san1 and san2 respectively.Taken together,these results establish a strong genetic relationship between rRNA modification and T-Spm-mediated growth and development,which was previously undiscovered in all organisms.

Growth and metal uptake of energy sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) in different metal mine tailings with soil amendments

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the feasibility of growing energy sugarcane （Sac- charum spp.） in three different metal mine railings （Cu, Sn and Pb/Zn tailings） amended with uncontaminated soil at different mixing ratios. The results indicated that sugarcane was highly tolerant to tailing environments. Amendments of 20% soil to Sn tailings and 30% soil to Cu tailings could increase the biomass of cane-stem for use as the raw material for bioethanol production. Heavy metals were mostly retained in roots, which indicated that sugarcane was useful for the stabilization of the tailings. Bagasse and juice, as the most valuable parts to produce bioethanol, only accounted for 0.6%- 3% and 0.6%-7% of the total metal content. Our study supported the potential use of sugarcane for tailing phytostabilization and bioenergy production.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza and plant chromium tolerance

Arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)fungi are ubiquitous soil fungi that form symbiotic associations with most terrestrial plants.The growth and functions of AM fungi depend on carbohydrates supplied by the plants,in return,the fungi assist the plants to acquire mineral nutrients(e.g.,phosphorus)from soil.The AM symbiosis also improves plant survival in various unfavorable environments,such as metal(loid)contaminated soil.It has been well demonstrated that AM symbiosis improved plant adaptation to Cr contamination,which would have a great potential in phytoremediation and ecological restoration of Cr contaminated soils.In this paper,we have reviewed the role of AM fungi in alleviation of Cr phytotoxicity and associated factors influencing plant Cr tolerance.AM symbiosis improves plant Cr tolerance through its direct roles in Cr stabilization and transformation and indirect roles via AM symbiosis mediated nutrient acquisition and physiological regulation.Future research on physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying Cr behavior and detoxification in AM symbiosis,as well as potential use of AM fungi in ecological restoration and agriculture production in Cr contaminated soils were also proposed.

Rhizophagus irregularis influences As and P uptake by alfafa and the neighboring non-host pepperweed growing in an As-contaminated soil

It was documented that arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi（AMF） play an important role in protecting host plants against arsenic（As） contamination. However, most terrestrial ecosystems contain a considerable number of nonmycorrhizal plants. So far little information is available for the interaction of such non-host plants with AMF under As contaminations. By using a dual compartment cultivation system with a plastic board or a nylon mesh separating roots of non-host pepperweed from roots of the AM-host alfafa plants, avoiding direct root competition, the two plant species were grown separately or partially separated（with rhizosphere effects） in the presence or absence of the AMF Rhizophagus irregularis in As-contaminated soil. The results indicated that mycorrhiza caused phosphorus（P） concentration decrease in the non-host pepperweed, but promoted the P concentration of the AM host alfafa. Mycorrhiza is potentially helpful for non-host pepperweed to adapt to As contamination by decreasing root As concentration and showing no suppressing effect on biomass production. The study provides further evidence for the protective effects of AMF on non-host plants against As contamination, and improved our understanding of the potential role of AMF for non-host plant adaptation to As contaminated soils.

The molecular diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the arsenic mining impacted sites in Hunan Province of China

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi（AMF） can establish a mutualistic association with most terrestrial plants even in heavy metal contaminated environments. It has been documented that high concentrations of toxic metals, such as arsenic（As） in soil could adversely affect the diversity and function of AMF. However, there are still gaps in understanding the community composition of AMF under long-term As contaminations. In the present study, six sampling sites with different As concentrations were selected in the Realgar mining area in Hunan Province of China. The AMF biodiversity in the rhizosphere soils of the dominant plant species was investigated by sequencing the nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA（SSU rR NA） gene fragments using 454-pyrosequencing technique. A total of 11 AMF genera were identified,namely Rhizophagus, Glomus, Funneliformis, Acaulospora, Diversispora, Claroideoglomus, Scutellopora,Gigaspora, Ambispora, Praglomus, and Archaeospora, among which Glomus, Rhizophagus, and Claroideoglomus clarodeum were detected in all sampling sites, and Glomus was the dominant AMF genus in the Realgar mining area. Redundancy analysis indicated that soil pH, total As and Cd concentrations were the main factors influencing AMF community structure. There was a negative correlation between the AMF species richness and the total As concentration in the soil,but no significant correlation between the Shannon–Wiener index of the AMF and plants. Our study showed that high As concentrations can exert a selective effect on the AMF populations.