The adsorption capacity of the water hyacinth-derived biochar on U(VI) was investigated in this study. The as-prepared sample was characterized by methods of SEM, XRD, XPS, FT-IR and BET. Functional ...groups on the biochar surface could undergo complexation with U(VI). Effects of adsorption dose, temperature, contact time, solution pH and ionic strength were studied by static batch experiments. Results show that the adsorption could be better fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation and Langmuir model. The solution pH has a great impact on the U(VI) adsorption, while the ionic strength exerts no significant effect.
Key message
Bi-axis training increased vegetative shoot light interception and modeled photosynthetic rate, and reduced fruiting shoot mutual shading and vegetative growth by optimizing canopy ...structure compared to single-axis in young apple trees.
Improving light interception and distribution within canopy are constant objectives of training through manipulating tree architecture. A bi-axis training system with two primary scaffolds has been proposed to improve flowering and dry matter production in apple trees. In this study, ‘Fuji’ apple trees trained using a bi-axis or single-axis training system were compared. Twelve three-dimensional (3D) virtual apple trees were reconstructed by combining 3D digitizing and allometric relationships for three shoot types (vegetative long shoot, VL; fruiting shoot, FS; vegetative short shoot, VS), to evaluate canopy structure impacts on light interception. Light interception efficiency was evaluated by silhouette to total area ratio (STAR). The potential canopy photosynthetic rate was evaluated by the eco-physiological RATP model. The leaf area of VL in bi-axis trained trees was approximately 40% lower than that in single-axis trees. Lower leaf area and more uniform spatial distribution were noted in VL in bi-axis than in single-axis trees. This led to more even spatial light distribution and more shoots having higher STAR in bi-axis than in single-axis trees, regardless of the whole tree or shoot type. In the virtual orchard, bi-axis trees had a 25% and 10% STAR increase in VS and VL, respectively, but a similar STAR for FS compared to single-axis trees. Mutual shading between neighboring trees in the virtual orchard made of bi-axis trees was significantly lower than that with single-axis trees for FS. The modeled canopy net photosynthetic rate was 26% higher in bi-axis than in single-axis trees. With the increase in tree age, the projected leaf area increased, but the porosity of the canopy decreased, and mutual shading increased for the whole canopy and all shoot types, irrespective of training systems. These results indicated that manipulating scaffolds in apple trees can regulate canopy structure, light interception, and vegetative growth during the early developmental stages.
The objective of this investigation was to understand the epidemiology of fascioliasis in yaks in the alpine pastoral areas of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China. The prevalence of Fasciola hepatica ...infection was estimated by examining eggs in the feces of yaks and by autopsy after the slaughter. Yaks were sampled from a total of 16 representative counties in Qinghai province, and risk factors were assessed based on regional and age characteristics. Fecal samples were obtained from 1542 yaks aged 0–1 (<1 year old), 1–2 (≥1 year old and <3 years old), and over 3 years (≥3 years old). In addition, 242 yaks over 3 years old who had not undergone fecal examinations were randomly selected for autopsy. A total of 267 fecal samples were positive for Fasciola spp. eggs. The average infection rate was 17.32% (0–60.61%), and the average infection intensity was 51.9 eggs per gram (epg) of feces, with intensities ranging from 18 to 112 epg. In Maduo, Dari, Zhiduo, Chengduo, and Datong counties, the Fasciola spp. eggs infection rate was zero. Fasciola spp. adult flukes were detected in 66 out of 242 yaks at autopsy, with a total infection rate of 27.27% and an average infection intensity of 21.2 (adult worms), with intensities ranging from 3 to 46 worms. Logistic regression model analysis showed that age was a significant risk factor for yak infection with Fasciola spp. In addition, the risk varied between regions: Haiyan, Gangcha, Duran, and Wulan were all high-risk areas for yak infection with Fasciola spp. The spatial distribution of the Fasciola spp. infection rate in each region showed a very weak negative correlation (Moran’s I = −0.062), Duran formed a spatial distribution of high–low clusters with surrounding areas, and Datong formed a low–high clustering distribution characteristic with the surrounding areas. This investigation revealed that the infection rate of Fasciola spp. in yaks was higher on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Increasing age was a risk factor for infection with Fasciola spp.; different regions also have a different risk of Fasciola spp. infection. Only two regions showed clustering characteristics in the spatial distribution of infection rates. These findings extend the epidemiological information on Fasciola spp. infection in yaks and provide baseline data for the execution of control measures against Fasciola spp. infection.
African chironomid (Polypedilum vanderplanki) larvae can suspend their metabolism by undergoing severe desiccation and then resume this activity by simple rehydration. We present a microdevice using ...interdigital comb electrodes to detect the larval motion using the natural surface charge of the living larvae in water. The larvae were most active 2 h after soaking them in water at 30°C; they exhibited motions with 2 Hz frequency. This was comparable to the signal obtained from the microdevice via fast Fourier transform (FFT) processing. The amplitude of the voltage and current were 0.11 mV and 730 nA, respectively. They would be enough to be detected by a low power consumption microcomputer. Temperature and pH sensing were demonstrated by detecting the vital motions of the revived larvae under different conditions. This multi-functional biosensor will be a useful microdevice to search for survivable locations under extreme environmental conditions like those on other planets.
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•A biosensor using anhydrobiotic chironomid larva was created•Interdigital comb electrodes were fabricated to detect the larvae motion•Multi-parameters such as temperature or pH can be detected•The device can search survivable locations under extreme environmental conditions
Sensor; Animal physiology; Nanotechnology; Space sciences
Phosphoric acid-activated peanut shells (PS) were prepared by hydrothermal treatment at 200-800 °C and denoted as peanut shell-activated carbons (PACs). The PACs were characterized as adsorbent for ...removing U(VI) from aqueous solutions. The U(VI) adsorption on PACs follows the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation and the Langmuir model. The adsorption capacity depends on solution pH and ionic strength and PAC-800 exhibits the highest adsorption capacity. The increasing U(VI) adsorption could be attributed to C = OOH groups and delocalized π electrons as sorption sites by surface complexation and ion exchange. Therefore, PACs as economic adsorbents could potentially remove U(VI) from aqueous solutions.
Impedance cytometry is a well-established technique for counting and analyzing single cells, with several advantages, such as convenience, high throughput, and no labeling required. A typical ...experiment consists of the following steps: single-cell measurement, signal processing, data calibration, and particle subtype identification. At the beginning of this article, we compared commercial and self-developed options extensively and provided references for developing reliable detection systems, which are necessary for cell measurement. Then, a number of typical impedance metrics and their relationships to biophysical properties of cells were analyzed with respect to the impedance signal analysis. Given the rapid advances of intelligent impedance cytometry in the past decade, this article also discussed the development of representative machine learning-based approaches and systems, and their applications in data calibration and particle identification. Finally, the remaining challenges facing the field were summarized, and potential future directions for each step of impedance detection were discussed.
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•Self-developed impedance cytometry systems and their comparison to commercial setups.•Impedance metrics quantification and their relationships to biophysical properties of single cells.•Representative intelligent impedance cytometry systems: applications and remaining challenges.
The micro-cantilever-based sensor platform has become a promising technique in the sensing area for physical, chemical and biological detection due to its portability, small size, label-free ...characteristics and good compatibility with "lab-on-a-chip" devices. However, traditional micro-cantilever methods are limited by their complicated fabrication, manipulation and detection, and low sensitivity. In this research, we proposed a 10 μm thick ultrathin, highly sensitive, and flexible glass cantilever integrated with a strain gauge sensor and presented its application for the measurement of single-cell mechanical properties. Compared to conventional methods, the proposed ultrathin glass sheet (UTGS)-based cantilever is easier to fabricate, has better physical and chemical properties, and shows a high linear relationship between resistance change and applied small force or displacement. The sensitivity of the cantilever is 15 μN μm
−1
and the minimum detectable displacement at the current development stage is 500 nm, which is sufficient for cell stiffness measurement. The cantilever also possesses excellent optical transparency that supports real-time observation during measurement. We first calibrated the cantilever by measuring the Young's modulus of PDMS with known specific stiffness, and then we demonstrated the measurement of
Xenopus
oocytes and fertilized eggs in different statuses. By further optimizing the UTGS-based cantilever, we can extend its applicability to various measurements of different cells.
Establishment of a 10 μm thick ultrathin, highly sensitive, and flexible glass cantilever integrated with a strain gauge sensor for cell stiffness measurement and real-time observation.
Abstract
Adventitious root (AR) formation plays an important role in vegetatively propagated plants. Cytokinin (CK) inhibits AR formation, but the molecular mechanisms driving this process remain ...unknown. In this study, we confirmed that CK content is related to AR formation and further revealed that a high auxin/CK ratio was beneficial to AR formation in apple (Malus domestica). A correlation between expression of CK-responsive TEOSINTE BRANCHED1, CYCLOIDEA, and PCF17 (MdTCP17) and AR formation in response to CK was identified, and overexpression of MdTCP17 in transgenic apple inhibited AR formation. Yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed an interaction between MdTCP17 and WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX11 (MdWOX11), and a significant correlation between the expression of MdWOX11 and AR ability. Overexpression of MdWOX11 promoted AR primordium formation in apple, while interference of MdWOX11 inhibited AR primordium production. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between MdWOX11 and LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN29 (MdLBD29) expression, and yeast one-hybrid, dual luciferase reporter, and ChIP-qPCR assays verified the binding of MdWOX11 to the MdLBD29 promoter with a WOX-box element in the binding sequence. Furthermore, MdTCP17 reduced the binding of MdWOX11 and MdLBD29 promoters, and coexpression of MdTCP17 and MdWOX11 reduced MdLBD29 expression. Together, these results explain the function and molecular mechanism of MdTCP17-mediated CK inhibition of AR primordium formation, which could be used to improve apple rootstocks genetically.
MdTCP17 inhibits adventitious root primordium formation by mediated cytokinin in apple rootstocks.
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