Identification of the SERK Gene Family in Paulownia fortunei and Its Involvement in the Response to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

Somatic embryogenesis receptor-like kinases(SERKs)are receptor-like proteins that contain leucine-rich repeats and are involved in various signaling pathways.This study identified SERK family members in the Paulownia fortunei genome and analyzed their characteristics and expression profiles using bioinformatics methods.We identified 12 SERK genes with relatively conserved gene structures and motifs that were distributed unevenly on eight Paulownia chromosomes.The gene promoters contained various cis-acting elements that regulated the expression of the PfSERK genes in response to hormones and abiotic stresses.Synteny analysis indicated that 10 segmental duplication events had occurred during evolution of the PfSERK family.The expression profile of PfSERKs in various tissues of Paulownia fortunei was detected by quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR).Many PfSERK genes can respond to drought and salt stress.Combined with RNA-seq and protein interaction network,it is speculated that PfSERK3/11 may participate in the occurrence of Paulownia witches’broom(PaWB)by regulating the plant height of Paulownia.

New insight on correlation between the electrochemical stability and the thermal stability of high nickel cathode materials

Cycle stability and thermal safety are critical to the commercialization of nickel-rich layered materials,yet whether there is a potential correlation between these two factors is still controversial. Herein, the relationship between the cycle stability and thermal stability of nickel-rich cathode materials have been systematically studied through five different calcination temperatures of Li[NiCoMn]O(NCM83) cathode materials. The research results confirm that the cycle stability and thermal safety of nickel-rich cathode materials do not necessarily show a positive correlation. Actually, with the calcination temperature elevated, the thermal stability of the NCM83 is enhanced, while the cycle stability is degraded. This opposite correlation is not commonly reported in previous literatures. In this work, systematical characterizations demonstrate that under the experimental conditions, the capacity retention of NCM83 is mainly determined by the Li/Ni cation disorder and H2-H3 irreversible phase transition,which is optimal at lower calcination temperature. Meanwhile, the thermal stability is mainly impacted by thermal expansion characteristics and interfacial stability of cathode material, and it is dramatically improved by the mechanical strength of the secondary particles reinforced at high calcinated temperature. This study provides some new insights on understanding and designing of the high-energy cathode materials with long cycle-life and superior safety.

Melatonin decreases GSDME mediated mesothelial cell pyroptosis and prevents peritoneal fibrosis and ultrafiltration failure

Peritoneal fibrosis together with increased capillaries is the primary cause of peritoneal dialysis failure.Mesothelial cell loss is an initiating event for peritoneal fibrosis.We find that the elevated glucose concentrations in peritoneal dialysate drive mesothelial cell pyroptosis in a manner dependent on caspase-3 and Gasdermin E,driving downstream inflammatory responses,including the activation of macrophages.Moreover,pyroptosis is associated with elevated vascular endothelial growth factor A and C,two key factors in vascular angiogenesis and lymphatic vessel formation.GSDME deficiency mice are protected from high glucose induced peritoneal fibrosis and ultrafiltration failure.Application of melatonin abrogates mesothelial cell pyroptosis through a MT1R-mediated action,and successfully reduces peritoneal fibrosis and angiogenesis in an animal model while preserving dialysis efficacy.Mechanistically,melatonin treatment maintains mitochondrial integrity in mesothelial cells,meanwhile activating m TOR signaling through an increase in the glycolysis product dihydroxyacetone phosphate.These effects together with quenching free radicals by melatonin help mesothelial cells maintain a relatively stable internal environment in the face of high-glucose stress.Thus,Melatonin treatment holds some promise in preserving mesothelium integrity and in decreasing angiogenesis to protect peritoneum function in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Multi-objective optimization of mechanical ventilation with the aid of purifiers in two scenarios:Regular operation and mitigating the spread of respiratory infectious diseases

COVID-19 and its impact on society have raised concerns about scaling up mechanical ventilation(MV)systems and the energy consequences.This paper attempted to combine MV and portable air cleaners(PACs)to achieve acceptable indoor air quality(IAQ)and energy reduction in two scenarios:regular operation and mitigating the spread of respiratory infectious diseases(RIDs).We proposed a multi-objective optimization method that combined the NSGA-II and TOPSIS techniques to determine the total equivalent ventilation rate of the MV-PAC system in both scenarios.The concentrations of PM_(2.5) and CO_(2) were primary indicators for IAQ.The modified Wells-Riley equation was adopted to predict RID transmissions.An open office with an MV-PAC system was used to demonstrate the method’s applicability.Meanwhile,a field study was conducted to validate the method and evaluate occupants’perceptions of the MV-PAC system.Results showed that optimal solutions of the combined system can be obtained based on various IAQ requirements,seasons,outdoor conditions,etc.For regular operation,PACs were generally prioritized to maintain IAQ while reducing energy consumption even when outdoor PM_(2.5) concentration was high.MV can remain constant or be reduced at low occupancies.In RID scenarios,it is possible to mitigate transmissions when the quanta were<48 h^(−1).No significant difference was found in the subjective perception of the MV and PACs.Moreover,the effects of infiltration on the optimal solution can be substantial.Nonetheless,our results suggested that an MV-PAC system can replace the MV system for offices for daily use and RID mitigation.