Ferroelectric materials have demonstrated novel photovoltaic effect to scavenge solar energy. However, most of the ferroelectric materials with wide bandgaps (2.7–4 eV) suffer from low power ...conversion efficiency of less than 0.5% due to absorbing only 8–20% of solar spectrum. Instead of harvesting solar energy, these ferroelectric materials can be well suited for photodetector applications, especially for sensing near‐UV irradiations. Here, a ferroelectric BaTiO3 film‐based photodetector is demonstrated that can be operated without using any external power source and a fast sensing of 405 nm light illumination is enabled. As compared with photovoltaic effect, both the responsivity and the specific detectivity of the photodetector can be dramatically enhanced by larger than 260% due to the light‐induced photovoltaic–pyroelectric coupled effect. A self‐powered photodetector array system can be utilized to achieve spatially resolved light intensity detection by recording the output voltage signals as a mapping figure.
The photovoltaic–pyroelectric coupled effect is utilized to enhance the sensing performance of a self‐powered ITO/BaTiO3/Ag photodetector for realizing fast 405 nm light detection. A self‐powered photodetector array system can be utilized to achieve spatially resolved light‐intensity detection by recording the output voltage signals as a mapping figure.
Enhancing interfacial charge transfer by the inner electric field is crucial for improving photovoltaic performance of heterojunction solar cells. Recent studies are focusing on how to utilize ...piezo‐phototronic effect (strain‐induced inner electric field) to modulate the interfacial charge transfer, whereas the preservation of solar cells from structure damage and performance decline under long‐term strain becomes increasingly challenging. Here, without use of strain, a thermo‐phototronic effect is presented to enhance the interfacial charge transfer in InP/ZnO nanorod heterojunction solar cells. Under a temperature gradient of 3.5 °C across the device, the output current and voltage of the solar cell under weak light illumination are enhanced by 27.3 and 76%, respectively. Moreover, the performance enhancement can be further regulated by applying different temperature gradients. This study serves as proof‐of‐principle for the thermo‐phototronic effect and pushes forward the maximum utilization of solar energy by a one‐circuit‐based photovoltaic‐thermoelectric system.
A one‐circuit‐based photovoltaic‐thermoelectric system in terms of thermo‐phototronic effect is designed to modulate the interfacial charge transfer for enhancing the output performance of heterojunction solar cells.
We report a hybridized electromagnetic–triboelectric nanogenerator for highly efficient scavenging of biomechanical energy to sustainably power wearable electronics by human walking. Based on the ...effective conjunction of triboelectrification and electromagnetic induction, the hybridized nanogenerator, with dimensions of 5 cm × 5 cm × 2.5 cm and a light weight of 60 g, integrates a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that can deliver a peak output power of 4.9 mW under a loading resistance of 6 MΩ and an electromagnetic generator (EMG) that can deliver a peak output power of 3.5 mW under a loading resistance of 2 kΩ. The hybridized nanogenerator exhibits a good stability for the output performance and a much better charging performance than that of an individual energy-harvesting unit (TENG or EMG). Furthermore, the hybridized nanogenerator integrated in a commercial shoe has been utilized to harvest biomechanical energy induced by human walking to directly light up tens of light-emitting diodes in the shoe and sustainably power a smart pedometer for reading the data of a walking step, distance, and energy consumption. A wireless pedometer driven by the hybrid nanogenerator can work well to send the walking data to an iPhone under the distance of 25 m. This work pushes forward a significant step toward energy harvesting from human walking and its potential applications in sustainably powering wearable electronics.
AtNAP is a NAC family transcription factor gene that plays a key role in leaf senescence but its underlying mechanisms are not known. SENESCENCE-ASSOCIATED GENE113 (SAG113), a gene encoding a ...Golgi-localized protein phosphatase 2C family protein phosphatase, mediates abscisic acid (ABA)-regulated stomatal movement and water loss specifically during leaf senescence. Here we report that SAG113 is a direct target gene of the AtNAP transcription factor. We found that both AtNAP and SAG113 were induced by leaf senescence and ABA. When AtNAP was chemically induced, SAG113 was also induced whereas when AtNAP was knocked out, the ABA-and senescence-induced expression of SAG113 was reduced. These data suggest that the expression of SAG113 is predominantly dependent on AtNAP. Functionally, overexpression of SAG113 restored the markedly delayed leaf senescence phenotype in atnap knockouts to wild type. Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) one-hybrid experiments and electrophoresis mobility shift assays showed that AtNAP could physically bind to the SAG113 promoter in vivo and in vitro, respectively Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that AtNAP binds to a 9-bp core sequence of the SAG113 promoter, 5'CACGTAAGT3'. These results indicate that there is a unique regulatory chain, ABA-AtNAP-SAG113 protein phosphastase 2C, which controls stomatal movement and water loss during leaf senescence.
The aim of this study was to evaluate a new electrospun P(LLA-CL) nanoscale fibrinogen mesh performance in real-world clinical practice. A prospective, single-center evaluation of Lichtenstein ...inguinal hernia repair using electrospun P(LLA-CL) nanoscale fibrinogen mesh in elderly patients with comorbid diseases was conducted between 2020 and 2022. A suture reinforcement of transversalis fascia was applied before mesh implantation. Hernia recurrence, pain score and overall complication rate were measured. A total of 52 inguinal hernias in 48 patients were included. The age of patients ranged from 33 to 95 years, with a median of 78 years. Comorbid conditions included cardiopulmonary disease, organ dysfunction, anticoagulant use, diabetes and smoking. By optimizing the physical condition perioperatively, all patients finished treatment successfully. Four cases recurred secondary to direct hernias or combined hernias and were diagnosed in the first 24 case cohort during follow-up. With surgical procedural modification involving strengthening the posterior inguinal floor by reef-up suturing of the transversalis fascia and the inferior edge of mesh slit to accommodate the spermatic cord, no further recurrence was diagnosed. Postoperative pain was mild and the pain score decreased three months after surgery compared to 1 week after surgery (p = 0.0099). No severe complications occurred, while seroma occurred in six cases. Electrospun P(LLA-CL) nanoscale fibrinogen mesh is safe and effective in repairing inguinal hernias in elderly patients with comorbid disease. A strengthening of the transversalis fascia by suturing may enhance the performance of this mesh.
Phosphorus deficiency limits plant growth and development. To better understand the mechanisms behind how maize responds to phosphate stress, we compared the proteome analysis results of two groups ...of maize leaves that were treated separately with 1,000 µM (control, +P) and 5 µM of KH2PO4 (intervention group, -P) for 25 days. In total, 1,342 protein spots were detected on 2-DE maps and 15.43% had changed (P<0.05; ≥1.5-fold) significantly in quantity between the +P and -P groups. These proteins are involved in several major metabolic pathways, including photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, secondary metabolism, signal transduction, protein synthesis, cell rescue and cell defense and virulence. The results showed that the reduction in photosynthesis under low phosphorus treatment was due to the down-regulation of the proteins involved in CO2 enrichment, the Calvin cycle and the electron transport system. Electron transport and photosynthesis restrictions resulted in a large accumulation of peroxides. Maize has developed many different reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging mechanisms to cope with low phosphorus stress, including up-regulating its antioxidant content and antioxidase activity. After being subjected to phosphorus stress over a long period, maize may increase its internal phosphorus utilization efficiency by altering photorespiration, starch synthesis and lipid composition. These results provide important information about how maize responds to low phosphorus stress.
Abstract
Leaf senescence, the last stage of leaf development, is a type of postmitotic senescence and is characterized by the functional transition from nutrient assimilation to nutrient ...remobilization which is essential for plants’ fitness. The initiation and progression of leaf senescence are regulated by a variety of internal and external factors such as age, phytohormones, and environmental stresses. Significant breakthroughs in dissecting the molecular mechanisms underpinning leaf senescence have benefited from the identification of senescence-altered mutants through forward genetic screening and functional assessment of hundreds of
senescence-associated genes
(
SAGs
)
via
reverse genetic research in model plant
Arabidopsis thaliana
as well as in crop plants. Leaf senescence involves highly complex genetic programs that are tightly tuned by multiple layers of regulation, including chromatin and transcription regulation, post-transcriptional, translational and post-translational regulation. Due to the significant impact of leaf senescence on photosynthesis, nutrient remobilization, stress responses, and productivity, much effort has been made in devising strategies based on known senescence regulatory mechanisms to manipulate the initiation and progression of leaf senescence, aiming for higher yield, better quality, or improved horticultural performance in crop plants. This review aims to provide an overview of leaf senescence and discuss recent advances in multi-dimensional regulation of leaf senescence from genetic and molecular network perspectives. We also put forward the key issues that need to be addressed, including the nature of leaf age, functional stay-green trait, coordination between different regulatory pathways, source-sink relationship and nutrient remobilization, as well as translational researches on leaf senescence.
Rapeseed not only provide considerable amount of edible oil with high nutritional properties but can also be used as a raw material for biofuel production in many industries. It is therefore in high ...demand to bring genetic changes in order to fulfill the need of human and of industries. Though traditional breeding techniques such as hybridization and mutagenesis remained the top methods for long time to create improved varieties in oilseed rape. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) is becoming one of the most valuable gene editing technologies that allow precise genome engineering, and open new ways for research in plant functional genomics. Though CRISPR has been used in many other crops for genetic improvement it is expected to be an effective tool for genome editing and molecular design in oilseed rape for seed oil improvement. This mini review will discuss and summarize the past and ongoing research and development in rapeseed in terms of seed oil improvement and fatty acid composition using CRISPR technology. In addition, the factors that hinder the efficiency of this tool and how to eliminate those factors will be briefly summarized. The improvement of CRISPR technology for getting better results in oilseed rape will also be considered here. This minireview will open new windows for researchers in
oil improvement research and genetic improvement using CRISPR technology.
Investigating the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of various industry types is critical for promoting the high-quality transformation and development of China’s industry. ...This study combined the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic method, the random forest-based importance assessment method, and the geographically weighted regression method to determine the spatial distribution characteristics of four industry types and their influencing factors. The results revealed that the raw material industry was primarily concentrated in the surrounding districts and counties of Linyi and Qingdao. The food and light textile industry was mainly concentrated in the surrounding districts and counties of Qingdao, and a few were concentrated in some counties of Linyi. The processing and manufacturing industry was also concentrated in the surrounding districts and counties of Qingdao, and a few were concentrated in the belt regions connecting Jinan, Zibo, and Weifang. The high-tech industry was mainly concentrated in the surrounding districts and counties of Jinan and Qingdao. The key spatial influencing factors of the four industry types were different. The number of employees in the secondary industry and road density were most important in determining the spatial distribution of the raw material industry. The financial environment and number of research institutions were most important to the spatial distribution of the food and light textile industry. The gross domestic product and number of medical facilities were most important to the spatial distribution of the processing and manufacturing industry. Urbanization rate, number of research institutions, and gross domestic product were most important to the spatial distribution of the high-tech industry. Geographically weighted regression analysis revealed that the impact intensity of these key factors on the industry exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity. Taken together, these results are useful for formulating the development strategy for each industrial type in different regions.
Abstract
Cytokinins are one of the most important phytohormones and play essential roles in multiple life processes in planta. Root-derived cytokinins are transported to the shoots via long-distance ...transport. The mechanisms of long-distance transport of root-derived cytokinins remain to be demonstrated. In this study, we report that OsABCG18, a half-size ATP-binding cassette transporter from rice (Oryza sativa L.), is essential for the long-distance transport of root-derived cytokinins. OsABCG18 encodes a plasma membrane protein and is primarily expressed in the vascular tissues of the root, stem, and leaf midribs. Cytokinin profiling, as well as 14Ctrans-zeatin tracer, and xylem sap assays, demonstrated that the shootward transport of root-derived cytokinins was significantly suppressed in the osabcg18 mutants. Transport assays in tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) indicated that OsABCG18 exhibited efflux transport activities for various substrates of cytokinins. While the mutation reduced root-derived cytokinins in the shoot and grain yield, overexpression of OsABCG18 significantly increased cytokinins in the shoot and improved grain yield. The findings for OsABCG18 as a transporter for long-distance transport of cytokinin provide new insights into the cytokinin transport mechanism and a novel strategy to increase cytokinins in the shoot and promote grain yield.
OsABCG18 is essential for long-distance transport of cytokinins from root to shoot, and promotes grain yield in rice.
PDF
