As the second-largest terrestrial carbon (C) flux, soil respiration (R
) has been stimulated by climate warming. However, the magnitude and dynamics of such stimulations of soil respiration are ...highly uncertain at the global scale, undermining our confidence in future climate projections. Here, we present an analysis of global R
observations from 1987-2016. R
increased (P < 0.001) at a rate of 27.66 g C m
yr
(equivalent to 0.161 Pg C yr
) in 1987-1999 globally but became unchanged in 2000-2016, which were related to complex temporal variations of temperature anomalies and soil C stocks. However, global heterotrophic respiration (R
) derived from microbial decomposition of soil C increased in 1987-2016 (P < 0.001), suggesting accumulated soil C losses. Given the warmest years on records after 2015, our modeling analysis shows a possible resuscitation of global R
rise. This study of naturally occurring shifts in R
over recent decades has provided invaluable insights for designing more effective policies addressing future climate challenges.
In this study, we demonstrated the role of Pickering high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) stabilized with the whey protein isolate (WPI)/(-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) covalent conjugates on ...the storage and GIT passage viability of probiotics powder (Lactobacillus Plantarum). At pH 9 value, the WPI-EGCG covalent conjugates by free-radical induction reaction formed hydroxyquinone or hydroxyquinone dimers with better wettability, and digestive enzyme inhibition effect and smaller particle size. Then, the WPI-EGCG covalent conjugates were used to stabilize the O/W type Pickering emulsion. The oil fraction (ϕ) addition led to an increase in the droplet size and modulus of Pickering emulsions toward to generate gel-like structure. On the other hand, at a constant ϕ value, the droplet size of these Pickering HIPEs reduced with increasing particle concentration (c) from 0.5% to 5%, indicating that high c can stabilize more oil droplets. Encapsulation of Lactobacillus Plantarum powder with the Pickering HIPEs was successful to enhance the viable cell count after 14 days storage and GIT digestion. The protective effect of Pickering emulsions was improved with the addition of the c and/or ϕ value. Therefore, Pickering HIPEs can be applied as a promising carrier for enhancing the viability of probiotic powder during storage and GIT digestion by reason of the high oil phase fraction and the adsorption of the WPI-EGCG covalent conjugates on the droplet interface.
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•At pH 9 value, the WPI-EGCG covalent conjugates formed better wettability.•The conjugates were used to stabilize the O/W type Pickering emulsion.•The ϕ addition of Pickering emulsions led to generate gel-like structure.•Encapsulation of probiotics enhanced the viability after storage and digestion.•Pickering HIPEs can be applied as a promising carrier for probiotic powder.
SUMMARY
Nutrient homeostasis is essential for plant growth and reproduction. Plants, therefore, have evolved tightly regulated mechanisms for the uptake, translocation, distribution, and storage of ...mineral nutrients. Considering that inorganic nutrient transport relies on membrane‐based transporters and channels, vesicle trafficking, one of the fundamental cell biological processes, has become a hotspot of plant nutrition studies. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the study of how vesicle trafficking regulates nutrient homeostasis to contribute to the adaptation of plants to heterogeneous environments. We also discuss new perspectives on future studies, which may inspire researchers to investigate new approaches to improve the human diet and health by changing the nutrient quality of crops.
Significance Statement
In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the study of how vesicle trafficking, a fundamental cellular process, regulates the localization and abundance of membrane‐associated transporters and the root apoplastic diffusion barrier to maintain plant nutrient homeostasis. We also discuss bottlenecks in the vesicle trafficking research in crops and new emerging opportunities in the study of plant nutrition based on plant–microbiota interactions.
In this paper, Delphi method was used to evaluate the low-carbon technologies and measures for high agricultural carbon productivity in Taihu Lake Basin. We established the selecting process and ...standards and obtained the final list of low-carbon technologies and management measures of high agricultural carbon productivity in Taihu Lake Basin: (1) the initial list of low-carbon technologies and measures of planting industry included 19 items, of which 10 items were included in the final list. The 10 technologies and measures included in the final list were reducing fertilizers, mixed use of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer, soil testing and formulated fertilization, application of controlled release fertilizer, deep application of fertilizers, cultivation of new variety, extension of conservation tillage, extension of midseason/alternate drainage, paddy-upland rotation (rice-rape/rice-wheat), and reducing pesticides. (2) The initial list of low-carbon technologies and measures of animal husbandry included 11 items, of which 4 items were included in the final list. The 4 technologies and measures included in the final list were reasonable ratio of concentrate to roughage in ration, treatment straw feed by silage/ammoniation/shredding, application of nutritive cube/dietary additives, and promotion of high productivity livestock breeds. (3) Low-carbon agricultural technologies and management measures need to be adapted to local conditions according to different geographical, climatic, and socio-economic development characteristics, and it is necessary to form a regionally differentiated system of low-carbon agricultural technologies and management measures. The final list of low-carbon technologies and management measures of high agricultural carbon productivity can provide decision-making reference for the formulation of agricultural carbon emission reduction technology system and low-carbon agricultural development planning of provinces and cities in Taihu Lake Basin. At the same time, the final list can be considered a priority for the promotion of agricultural low-carbon technologies and measures in China and even in the world.
This work studied the polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) triblock copolymers functionalized by butyl quaternary ammonium (C4Q) groups and alkyl side chains of different ...chain lengths (Cn, n = 0 to 24). The hydrated membrane morphology was modeled by dissipative particle dynamics simulation at hydration levels from 10 to 30. A hydroxide model was devised to characterize the diffusivity of anions under the coarse-grained framework. In general, the ionomers with alkyl side chains provided ion conductivity of a similar level at a lower ion exchange capacity. All hydrated SEBS–C4Q–Cn ionomers showed clear phase separation of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains, featuring 18.6 mS/cm to 36.8 mS/cm ion conductivity. The hydrophilic channels expanded as the water content increased, forming more effective ion conductive pathways. Introducing excess alkyl side chains enhanced the nano-segregation, leading to more ordered structures and longer correlation lengths of the aqueous phase. The membrane morphology was controlled by the length of alkyl side-chains as well as their tethering positions. Ionomers with functionalized side chains tethered on the same block resulted in well-connective water networks and higher conductivities. The detailed structural analysis provides synthesis guidelines to fabricate anion exchange membranes with improved performances.
Ballistic transport of electrons at room temperature in top-gated InAs nanowire (NW) transistors is experimentally observed and theoretically examined. From length dependent studies, the low-field ...mean free path is directly extracted as ∼150 nm. The mean free path is found to be independent of temperature due to the dominant role of surface roughness scattering. The mean free path was also theoretically assessed by a method that combines Fermi’s golden rule and a numerical Schrödinger–Poisson simulation to determine the surface scattering potential with the theoretical calculations being consistent with experiments. Near ballistic transport (∼80% of the ballistic limit) is demonstrated experimentally for transistors with a channel length of ∼60 nm, owing to the long mean free path of electrons in InAs NWs.
A new ultra‐low‐temperature firing microwave dielectric ceramic, Li2WO4 with the phenacite structure, was prepared via solid‐state reaction method. The Li2WO4 ceramic can be well sintered at ...640°–660°C, with a microwave relative permittivity ∼5.5, a Q×f value about 62 000 GHz, and a negative temperature coefficient of −146 ppm/°C at 15.7 GHz. From an X‐ray diffraction analysis, the Li2WO4 ceramic was found to be chemically compatible with both silver and aluminum powders at 640°C. All the results indicate that the Li2WO4 ceramic is a promising candidate for ultra‐low temperature cofired ceramic technology, especially for dielectric substrate application.
Functionally similar to the tight junctions present in animal guts, plant roots have evolved a lignified Casparian strip as an extracellular diffusion barrier in the endodermis to seal the root ...apoplast and maintain nutrient homeostasis. How this diffusion barrier is structured has been partially defined, but its lignin polymerization and assembly steps remain elusive. Here, we characterize a family of dirigent proteins (DPs) essential for both the localized polymerization of lignin required for Casparian strip biogenesis in the cell wall and for attachment of the strip to the plasma membrane to seal the apoplast. We reveal a Casparian strip lignification mechanism that requires cooperation between DPs and the Schengen pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrate that DPs directly mediate lignin polymerization as part of this mechanism.
Editor’s summary
Plant roots contain a lignin-based diffusion barrier called the Casparian strip that controls nutrient balance. Gao
et al
. found that a family of dirigent proteins controls the synthesis of lignin at the Casparian strip. The authors established a two-stage process of synthesis in which the dirigent proteins initiate lignin biosynthesis in plasma membrane patches. After this, gaps between the patches are filled in by the previously described Schengen pathway. The work extends our understanding of complex polysaccharide patterning in the plant extracellular space. —Madeleine Seale
Dirigent proteins mediate lignin polymerization in the Casparian strip to seal the root.
•Waxy rice starch was subjected to pulsed electric field treatment.•The change of semicrystalline structure and digestibility were investigated.•Structural changes of treated starch significantly ...affected its digestibility.
Waxy rice starch was subjected to pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment at intensity of 30, 40 and 50kVcm−1. The impact of PEF treatment on the granular morphology, molecular weight, semi-crystalline structure, thermal properties, and digestibility were investigated. The micrographs suggested that electric energy could act on the granule structure of starch granule, especially at high intensity of 50kVcm−1. Gelatinization onset temperature, peak temperature, conclusion temperature and enthalpy value of PEF treated starches were lower than that of native starch. The 9nm lamellar peak of PEF treated starches decreased as revealed by small angle X-ray scattering. The relative crystallinity of treated starches decreased as the increase of electric field intensity. Increased rapidly digestible starch level and decreased slowly digestible starch level was found on PEF treated starches. These results would imply that PEF treatment induced structural changes in waxy rice starch significantly affected its digestibility.
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