Supplementation of alanine improves biomass accumulation and lipid production of Chlorella pyrenoidosa by increasing the respiratory and metabolic processes

The function of exogenous alanine(Ala)in regulating biomass accumulation,lipid production,photosynthesis,and respiration in Chlorella pyrenoidosa was studied.Result shows that the supplementation of Ala increased C.pyrenoidosa biomass and lipid production in an 8-d batch culture.The concentration of 10 mmol/L of Ala was optimum and increased the microalgal cell biomass and lipid content by 39.3%and 21.4%,respectively,compared with that in the control(0-mmol/L Ala).Ala supplementation reduced photosynthetic activity while boosting respiratory activity and pyruvate levels,indicating that C.pyrenoidosa used exogenous Ala for biomass accumulation through the respiratory metabolic process.The accelerated respiratory metabolism due to Ala supplementation elevated the substrate pool and improved the lipogenic gene expression,promoting lipid production at last.This study provided a novel method for increasing biomass accumulation and lipid production and elucidated the role of Ala in regulating lipid production.

The study of lithographic variation in resistive random access memory

Reducing the process variation is a significant concern for resistive random access memory(RRAM).Due to its ultrahigh integration density,RRAM arrays are prone to lithographic variation during the lithography process,introducing electrical variation among different RRAM devices.In this work,an optical physical verification methodology for the RRAM array is developed,and the effects of different layout parameters on important electrical characteristics are systematically investigated.The results indicate that the RRAM devices can be categorized into three clusters according to their locations and lithography environments.The read resistance is more sensitive to the locations in the array(~30%)than SET/RESET voltage(<10%).The increase in the RRAM device length and the application of the optical proximity correction technique can help to reduce the variation to less than 10%,whereas it reduces RRAM read resistance by 4×,resulting in a higher power and area consumption.As such,we provide design guidelines to minimize the electrical variation of RRAM arrays due to the lithography process.

PSI-driven cyclic electron fl ow partially alleviates the peroxidation of red alga Gelidium amansii(Gelidiaceae)caused by temporary high temperature

PSI-driven cyclic electron fl ow(CEF-I)helps higher plants avoid severe heat damage.Gelidium amansii,a red seaweed used in the production of agar,inhabits subtidal rocks but can be found in the intertidal zone.The biological role of CEF-I is still unclear in this organism.Wild G.amansii was exposed to 30℃heat stress for 12 h with continuous lighting.The results showed that treatment at 30℃gradually decreased maximal PSII photochemical effi ciency(F_(v)/F_(m)),linear electron transfer rate,and activity of photosynthetic reaction center.Both the maximal photochemical effi ciency under light(F_(v)'/F_(m)')and maximum quantum yield of light-adapted PSII(Φ_(PSII))were maintained at a relatively stable level during the initial 6 h and then signifi cantly decreased at 12 h.The up-regulated CEF-I helps to enhance proton gradient transfer across thylakoid membrane to protect oxygen-evolving complex against heat damage.Following the addition of a CEF-I inhibitor to plants,the F_(v)/F m greatly decreased,suggesting that the CEF-I alleviates degree of photoinhibition caused by strong light.The results of measurement of antioxidant enzymes,including superoxide dismutase(SOD),ascorbate peroxidase(APX)and catalase(CAT),and the contents of H_(2)O_(2)and malonaldehyde(MDA)provided additional evidence that CEF-I plays a protective role to a certain extent for G.amansii to manage stress at 30℃.Therefore,it can be concluded that CEF-I enables G.amansii to survive in intertidal zones by protecting it from the heat damage caused by high temperature stress.

Limiting climatic factors in shaping the distribution pattern and niche differentiation of Prunus dielsiana in subtropical China

Subtropical forest in China has received much attention due to its complex geologic environment and bioclimatic heterogeneity.There have been very few studies addressing which climatic factors have shaped both distribution patterns and niche differentiation of species from this region.It also remains unclear whether phylogenetic niche conservatism retains in plant species from this biodiversityrich subtropical region in China.In this study,we used geographic occurrence records and bioclimatic factors of Prunus dielsiana(Rosaceae),a wild cherry species,combined with the classical ENM-based DIVA-GIS software to access contemporary distribution and richness patterns of its natural populations.The current distribution of P.dielsiana occupied a relatively wide range but exhibited an uneven pattern eastward in general,and the core distribution zone of its populations are projected to concentrate in the Wushan and Wuling Mountain ranges of western China.Hydrothermic variables,particularly the Temperature Seasonality(bio4)are screened out quantitatively to be the most influential factors that have shaped the current geographical patterns of P.dielsiana.By comparison with other sympatric families,climatic niche at regional scale showed a pattern of phylogenetic niche conservatism within cherry species of Ros aceae.The effect of habitat filtering from altitude is more significant than those of longitude and latitude.We conclude that habitat filtering dominated by limiting hydrothermic factors is the primary driving process of the diversity pattern of P.dielsiana in subtropical China.

Flocking for Leader-Following Multi-Agent Systems with Time-Varying Delay

This paper investigates the flocking problem in multi-agent system with time-varying delay and a virtual leader. Each agent here is subject to nonlinear dynamics. For the system, the corresponding algorithm with time-varying delay is proposed. Under the assumption that the initial network is connected, it is proved that the distance between agents is in the desired distance. The theoretical deduction shows that the stable flocking motion is achieved.

Biochar amendments increase soil organic carbon storage and decrease global warming potentials of soil CH4 and N2O under N addition in a subtropical Moso bamboo plantation

Background: Nitrogen(N) deposition affects soil greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions, while biochar application reduces GHG emissions in agricultural soils. However, it remains unclear whether biochar amendment can alleviate the promoting effects of N input on GHG emissions in forest soils. Here, we quantify the separate and combined effects of biochar amendment(0, 20, and 40 t·ha) and N addition(0, 30, 60, and 90 kg N·ha·yr) on soil GHG fluxes in a long-term field experiment at a Moso bamboo(Phyllostachys edulis) plantation.Results: Low and moderate N inputs(≤60 kg N·ha·yr) significantly increase mean annual soil carbon dioxide(CO) and nitrous oxide(NO) emissions by 17.0%–25.4% and 29.8%–31.2%, respectively, while decreasing methane(CH) uptake by 12.4%–15.9%, leading to increases in the global warming potential(GWP) of soil CHand NO fluxes by 32.4%–44.0%. Moreover, N addition reduces soil organic carbon(C;SOC) storage by 0.2%–6.5%. Compared to the control treatment, biochar amendment increases mean annual soil CO2emissions, CHuptake, and SOC storage by 18.4%–25.4%, 7.6%–15.8%, and 7.1%–13.4%, respectively, while decreasing NO emissions by 17.6%–19.2%, leading to a GWP decrease of 18.4%–21.4%. Biochar amendments significantly enhance the promoting effects of N addition on soil COemissions, while substantially offsetting the promotion of N2O emissions, inhibition of CHuptake, and decreased SOC storage, resulting in a GWP decrease of 9.1%–30.3%.Additionally, soil COand CHfluxes are significantly and positively correlated with soil microbial biomass C(MBC) and pH. Meanwhile, NO emissions have a significant and positive correlation with soil MBC and a negative correlation with pH.Conclusions: Biochar amendment can increase SOC storage and offset the enhanced GWP mediated by elevated N deposition and is, thus, a potential strategy for increasing soil C sinks and decreasing GWPs of soil CHand NO under increasing atmospheric N deposition in Moso bamboo plantations.

Expression of Clock genes in the pineal glands of newborn rats with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Clock genes are involved in circadian rhythm regulation, and surviving newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy may present with sleep-wake cycle reversal. This study aimed to determine the expression of the clock genes Clock and Bmall, in the pineal gland of rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. Results showed that levels of Clock mRNA v^re not significantly changed within 48 hours after cerebral hypoxia and ischemia. Expression levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 protein were significantly higher after 48 hours. The levels of Bmall mRNA reached a peak at 36 hours, but were significantly reduced at 48 hours. Experimental findings indicate that Clock and Bmall genes were indeed expressed in the pineal glands of neonatal rats. At the initial stage （within 36 hours） of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, only slight changes in the expression levels of these two genes were detected, followed by significant changes at 36-48 hours. These changes may be associated with circadian rhythm disorder induced by hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.

Soil Contamination with Heavy Metals and Its Impact on Food Security in China

With the rapid economic expansion, environmental degradation has become increasingly sever during the past three decades. Soil pollutions associated with toxic organic compounds and heavy metals have been identified in China. The accumulation of heavy metals in soils and its impact on food safety is of increasing concern. It has been reported that more than 20 million ha of land have been contaminated with heavy metals that can result in the potential health risks to human beings and soil ecosystems. This can potentially jeopardize the food security in China. Accumulation of heavy metals in suburb and rural soils is closely related to many anthropogenic activities, such as application of fertilizers and pesticides, irrigation of wastewater, discharge of mining, improper disposal of metal containing wastes, land application of animal manures, sewage sludge and coal combustion residues. Arable crops and vegetables in suburb and rural can take up heavy metals from contaminated soils, which is one of the main pathways of introducing heavy metals to human food chain. Events related to soil and vegetable contamination, food safety and human health risks, e.g., rice and vegetables with elevated concentrations of cadmium, are often reported in the media in recent years. The Chinese government has recently developed a number of new policies for prevention of soils from further soil contamination, and remediation of contaminated soils. This presentation will provide a comprehensive review on heavy metal pollution in soils and its impacts on food security in China, and also summarize some new technologies for remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals.

Nonradical-dominated peroxymonosulfate activation through bimetallic Fe/Mn-loaded hydroxyl-rich biochar for efficient degradation of tetracycline

Biochar-based transition metal catalysts have been identified as excellent peroxymonosulfate(PMS)activators for producing radicals used to degrade organic pollutants.However,the radical-dominated pathways for PMS activation severely limit their practical applications in the degradation of organic pollutants from wastewater due to side reactions between radicals and the coexisting anions.Herein,bimetallic Fe/Mn-loaded hydroxyl-rich biochar(FeMn-OH-BC)is synthesized to activate PMS through nonradical-dominated pathways.The as-prepared FeMn-OH-BC exhibits excellent catalytic activity for degrading tetracycline at broad pH conditions ranging from 5 to 9,and about 85.0%of tetracycline is removed in 40 min.Experiments on studying the influences of various anions(HCO_(3)^(−),NO_(3)^(−),and H_(2)PO_(4)^(−))show that the inhibiting effect is negligible,suggesting that the FeMn-OHBC based PMS activation is dominated by nonradical pathways.Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements and quenching tests provide direct evidence to confirm that 1O2 is the major reactive oxygen species generated from FeMn-OH-BC based PMS activation.Theoretical calculations further reveal that the FeMn-OH sites in FeMn-OH-BC are dominant active sites for PMS activation,which have higher adsorption energy and stronger oxidative activity towards PMS than OH-BC sites.This work provides a new route for driving PMS activation by biochar-based transition metal catalysts through nonradical pathways.

Synthesis of stimuli-responsive pillararene-based supramolecular polymer materials for the detection and separation of metal ions

A stimuli-responsive supramolecular polymer network(G-(CN)_(2)⊂BXDSP5)with aggregation-induced emission(AIE)properties has been efficiently constructed by host-guest interactions between pillar[5]arene derivative BXDSP5 and a homoditopic guest G-(CN)_(2),which shows not only excellent fluorescence properties due to the AIE effect but also desirable ion-sensing abilities in both solution and solid states,holding great potential in the applicable fluorescence detection for Fe^(3+).The resultant G-(CN)_(2)⊂BXDSP5 can be transformed into supramolecular polymer gel at high concentration via multiple noncovalent interactions,showing multi-stimuli-responsiveness in response to temperature change,mechanical force,and competitive agent.Meanwhile,the xerogel of supramolecular polymer material has been successfully used to remove Fe^(3+)from water with high adsorption efficiency.In addition,an ionresponsive film based on supramolecular polymer has also been developed,which can serve as a practical and convenient fluorescence test kit for detecting Fe^(3+).

Ru-Ni alloy nanosheets as tandem catalysts for electrochemical reduction of nitrate to ammonia

Developing electrocatalysts that exhibit both high activity and ammonia selectivity for nitrate reduction is a significant and demanding challenge,primarily due to the complex nature of the multiple-electron reduction process involved.An encouraging approach involves coupling highly active precious metals with transition metals to enhance catalytic performance through synergy.Here,we report a ruthenium-nickel alloy catalyst with nanosheets(Ru-Ni NSs)structure that achieves a remarkable ammonia Faradaic efficiency of approximately 95.93%,alongside a yield rate of up to 6.11 g·h^(−1)·cm^(−2).Moreover,the prepared Ru-Ni NSs exhibit exceptional stability during continuous nitrate reduction in a flow reactor for 100 h,maintaining a Faradaic efficiency of approximately 90%and an ammonia yield of 37.4 mg·L^(−1)·h^(−1)using 0.05 M nitrate alkaline electrolyte.Mechanistic studies reveal that the catalytic process follows a two-step pathway,in which HONO serves as a migration intermediate.The presence of a partially oxidized Ru(002)surface enhances the adsorption of nitrate and facilitates the release of the migration intermediate by adjusting the strength of the electrostatic and covalent interactions between the adsorbate and the surface,respectively.On the other hand,the Ni(111)surface promotes the utilization of the migration intermediate and requires less energy for NH_(3)desorption.This tandem process contributes to a high catalytic activity of Ru-Ni NSs towards nitrate reduction.

Highly efficient and selective removal of phosphate from wastewater of sea cucumber aquaculture for microalgae culture using a new adsorption-membrane separation-coordinated strategy

Enhanced phosphorus treatment and recovery has been continuously pursued due to the stringent wastewater discharge regulations and a phosphate supply shortage. Here, a new adsorption-membrane separation strategy was developed for rational reutilization of phosphate from sea cucumber aquaculture wastewater using a Zr-modified-bentonite filled polyvinyl chloride membrane. The as-obtained polyvinyl chloride/Zr-modified-bentonite membrane was highly permeability (940 L/(m2·h)), 1–2 times higher than those reported in other studies, and its adsorption capacity was high (20.6 mg/g) when the phosphate concentration in water was low (5 mg/L). It remained stable under various conditions, such as different pH, initial phosphate concentrations, and the presence of different ions after 24 h of adsorption in a cross-flow filtration system. The total phosphorus and phosphate removal rate reached 91.5% and 95.9%, respectively, after the membrane was used to treat sea cucumber aquaculture wastewater for 24 h and no other water quality parameters had been changed. After the purification process, the utilization of the membrane as a new source of phosphorus in the phosphorus-free f/2 medium experiments indicated the high cultivability of economic microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum FACHB-863 and 1.2 times more chlorophyll a was present than in f/2 medium. The biomass and lipid content of the microalgae in the two different media were similar. The innovative polyvinyl chloride/Zr-modified-bentonite membrane used for phosphorus removal and recovery is an important instrument to establish the groundwork for both the treatment of low concentration phosphate from wastewater as well as the reuse of enriched phosphorus in required fields.

Microscopic car-following model for the traffic flow:the state of the art

Car following theory is an important research direction in the field of intelligent transportation systems （ITS）, it describes the one-by-one following process of vehicles on the same lane in traffic flow, and one of its important issues is congestion control To explore the strategy for controlling traffic congestion, this paper introduces and analyzes some classic car following models, and gives a systematic review of their developments. Moreover, in order to introduce the approach to analyze the stability, taking the full velocity difference （FVD） model for example, the local and asymptotic stability analysis is discussed, while the corresponding nonlinear analysis is also conducted. Then, some perspectives of the car following model are given in the final.

Study on the dc flashover performance of standard suspension insulator with ringshaped non-uniform pollution

Under dc electric field,pollution may be more easily deposited around insulator string caps and pins,distributing non-uniformly on its inner and outer parts,and presenting ring-like shape.dc Flashover tests of 7-unit XHP-160 insulator string were carried out.During the tests,the ring-shaped non-uniform pollution was simulated using solid-layer method by changing the ratio I/O of inner-to-outer surface salt deposit density(SDD)and radius(r)of the heavily polluted area(the inner part).On the basis of the test data,the effects of ring-shaped non-uniform pollution on dc flashover characteristics were studied.Then,the relative variation trend of flashover voltage,surface pollution layer resistance,and leakage current were discussed.Research results show that the ratio I/O affects the dc flashover performance of the insulator string.The flashover voltage increases with the increase of I/O.With the increase of the radius r,the flashover voltage will increase at first and then decrease.Under ring-shaped non-uniform pollution,surface pollution layer resistance of insulator will increase,which results in lower leakage current and higher flashover voltage.The results will be of certain value in providing references for outdoor insulation selection.

Platoon control of connected vehicles with heterogeneous model structuresconsidering external disturbances

This article studies the distributed cooperative control problem with the heterogeneous model structures and external disturbances for the connected vehicle(CV)platoon.We propose a hierarchical framework to separate information flow topology from local dynamics control,which aims to deal with the heterogeneous model structures of CV platoon.This hierarchical framework splits the control scheme into two layers,which include an observer in the upper-level layer and an integral sliding mode(ISM)controller in the lower-level layer.Then,the conditions for the asymptotic stability of the CV platoon are derived and the effectiveness of the ISM controller is demonstrated through the Lyapunov method.The research shows that compared with the traditional methods,the hierarchical framework does not need to specify the topology structure as a commonly used topology.Finally,numerical simulation results are performed to test the effectiveness and superiority of the developed controller.