9 research outputs found

    Study on Heat Resistance of Peony Using Photosynthetic Indexes and Rapid Fluorescence Kinetics

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    To investigate the effects of high-temperature stress on the chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics of peony and to determine indicators for the rapid screening of varieties responding to high temperatures, three four-year-old peony variety, ‘Fengdanbai’, ‘Huhong’, and ‘Yinhongqiaodui’, were selected as materials. The photosynthetic curves (Pn-PAR) and fast chlorophyll fluorescence curves (OJIP curves) of peony leaves were measured at different times under high-temperature stress conditions (40 °C), the changes in the photosynthetic characteristics of different peony varieties under high-temperature stress were analyzed, and the heat tolerance of peony was evaluated. The results showed that ‘Huhong’ grew well within 16 days, while all of the other varieties showed obvious wilting at 6–9 days. High temperatures damaged the structure and function of the photosystem of peony leaves, indicating that the maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pnmax), apparent quantum efficiency (AQE), maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), and photosynthetic performance index (PIABS) all tended to decrease under high-temperature stress, while the rate of closing the PS II reaction center (Mo) and the absorption per reaction center (ABS/RC), the capture (TRo/RC), and the dissipation (Dio/RC) of light energy per reaction center showed an overall increasing trend. The ability to cope with high-temperature stress differed among varieties, and the heat tolerance was determined to be in the descending order of ‘Fengdanbai’ < ‘Yinhongqiaodui’ < ‘Huhong’. The correlation analysis among the parameters and the analysis of the morphological change patterns in peony leaves concluded that PIABS, Dio/RC, and Mo could be used as indicators of peony tolerance to high-temperature stress. The results of the study can provide a basis for the screening of heat-tolerant peony species and peony heat defense in the Jiangnan area

    Rare-earth separations enhanced by magnetic field

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    The separation of rare earth (RE) elements is a challenge from their discovery to the present day, due to the chemical and physical similarities as a group. The intrinsic properties of REs are basic for separation mechanisms. Due to the large difference in magnetic moment, a new method of selected crystallization enhanced by magnetic field was developed to separate REs efficiently, at room temperature and pressure without complex equipment. An experimental proof of concept is provided for the binary systems RE2(SO4)3-Lu2(SO4)3 (RE = Gd, Nd, Tb, Dy or Ho). This magnetic separation process increases the separation factors of Gd(III)/Lu(III) from their mixture by 39% in kinetics, but similar in or near thermodynamic equilibrium without magnetic field. The beta RE/Lu (RE = Gd, Nd, Tb, Dy or Ho) were promoted by 17%-47% with permanent magnet, increasing with raising of the applied magnetic field strength. A process based on magnetic moment difference is a potential alternative method for rare-earth separations, with low energy consumption and high efficiency in the presence of an external magnetic field

    Rare-earth separation based on the differences of ionic magnetic moment via quasi-liquid strategy

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    The separation of rare earth elements is particularly difficult due to their similar physicochemical properties. Based on the tiny differences of ionic radius, solvent extraction has been developed as the "mass method" in industry with hundreds of stages, extremely intensive chemical consumption and large capital investments. The differences of the ionic magnetic moment among rare earths are greater than that of ionic radius. Herein, a novel method based on the large ionic magnetic moment differences of rare earth elements was proposed to promote the separation efficiency. Rare earths were firstly dissolved in the ionic liquid, then the ordering degree of them was improved with the Z-bond effect, and finally the magnetic moment differences between paramagnetic and diamagnetic rare earths in quasi-liquid system were enhanced. Taking the separation of Er/Y, Ho/Y and Er/Ho as examples, the results showed that Er(III) and Ho(III) containing ionic liquids had obvious magnetic response, while ionic liquids containing Y(III) had no response. The separation factors of Er/Y and Ho/Y were achieved at 9.0 and 28.82, respectively. Magnetic separation via quasi-liquid system strategy provides a possibility of the novel, green, and efficient method for rare earth separation

    Innovative Application of Medicinal Insects: Employing UHPLC-MS, Bioinformatics, In Silico Studies and In Vitro Experiments to Elucidate the Multi-Target Hemostatic Mechanism of Glenea cantor (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Charcoal-Based Medicine

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    Background: Longhorn beetles, a widely recognized group of Chinese traditional medicinal insects, are characterized by their notable hemostatic properties. However, the comprehensive understanding of their medicinal potential has been hindered by the limitations of current research methodologies. Methods: This study focuses on the species Glenea cantor (Fabricius), which can produce several generations per year, and introduces a novel method using microwave carbonization techniques. By employing an in vitro coagulation test, UHPLC-MS, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation, the hemostatic efficacy and mechanism of action of Glenea cantor charcoal medicine (GC-CM) were thoroughly studied. Results: In vitro coagulation tests showed that GC-CM significantly reduced the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT), indicating its ability to enhance the coagulation cascade and preliminarily confirming its hemostatic efficacy (p < 0.01 vs. blank control group). The analysis revealed that GC-CM comprises 453 components, including 137 bioactive components with high human utilization. After predictions via databases such as SwissTargetPrediction and deduplication, 215 targets linked to hemostatic specificity were identified. These targets regulate signaling pathways such as platelet activation, complement and coagulation cascades, and cGMP-PKG. Molecular docking demonstrated strong affinities between key targets such as SRC and PIK3R1 and compounds such as 2′,6′-dihydroxy 4′-methoxydihydrochalcone, and 1-monolinoleoyl-rac-glycerol (binding energy < −5 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations show good binding capacity between core components and targets Conclusions: The aim of this study was to elucidate the material basis and mechanism of the hemostatic efficacy of GC-CM, offering a model for exploring other insect-based medicinal resources

    Antibacterial activity and wound healing promotion of biomass carbon dots derived from a forestry pest, Glenea cantor (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

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    Abstract Forestry pests pose serious ecological challenges, yet their biological value remains underexplored. This study aimed to convert the destructive longhorn beetle Glenea cantor (G. cantor) into biomass carbon dots (GC-CDs) with both antibacterial and wound healing properties. GC-CDs were synthesized by a simple microwave-assisted method and characterized by techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The particles were quasi-spherical with an average size of 1.02 nm and displayed excellent water solubility. In vitro assays confirmed the low cytotoxicity and hemolysis rates of GC-CDs, while in vivo evaluations showed no systemic toxicity. GC-CDs inhibited Escherichia coli growth and enhanced cell migration and wound closure in scratch assays, Transwell tests, and mouse wound models. These results demonstrate that GC-CDs possess dual antibacterial and wound healing activities, offering a sustainable strategy for transforming forestry pests into valuable biomedical resources. Graphical Abstrac

    Changes in Photosynthetic Characteristics of Paeonia suffruticosa under High Temperature Stress

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    This study explored the changes in the photosynthetic characteristics of the Fengdan peony under high-temperature stress to provide a reference for understanding the tolerance of peony plants under heat stress. In this study, the effects of high-temperature stress (40 °C) on the photosynthetic characteristics of the Fengdan leaves were studied. At 25 °C, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and transpiration rate (Tr) of the leaves decreased gradually with the increase in heat stress time, and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) decreased first and then increased. High-temperature stress reduced the light energy absorption (ABS/RC) and capture (TRO/RC), light energy for electron transport (ETO/RC), and heat dissipation (DIO/RC) per unit leaf area. The maximum photochemical efficiency (FV/FM), leaf photochemical performance index (PIabs), the probability that captured excitons can transfer electrons to other electron acceptors in the electron transport chain beyond QA (ψO), and the quantum yield for electron transport (φEo), decreased gradually. The results showed that high temperatures damaged the photosynthetic capacity of the peony leaves and destroyed the photosynthetic apparatus of leaves. This study provides a reference for understanding the photosynthetic characteristics and tolerance of peony plants under heat stress

    Knowledge representation within information systems in manufacturing environments

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    This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Representing knowledge as information content alone is insufficient in providing us with an understanding of the world around us. A combination of context as well as reasoning of the information content is fundamental to representing knowledge in an information system. Knowledge Representation is typically concerned with providing structures and theories that are used as a basis for intelligent reasoning. For this research however, the author defines an alternative meaning, which is related to how knowledge is used in a given context. Thus, this dissertation provides a contribution to the field of knowledge within information systems, in terms of the development of a frame-of-reference that will support the reader in navigating through the different forms of explicit and tacit knowledge use within the manufacturing industry. In doing so, the dissertation also presents the generation of a novel classification of three forms of knowledge (Structural, Interpretive and Evaluative forms); the development of a conceptual framework which highlights the drivers for knowledge transformation; and the development of a conceptual model which seeks to envelop both the content as well as the context of knowledge (Semiotic as well as Symbiotic factors). This is established through the use of an Empirical, Quantitative case study approach, that seeks to explore an interpretivist view of knowledge representation within two information systems contexts, within two UK manufacturing organisations. The first case study presents how a-priori knowledge assumptions are used in a computer aided engineering decision-making task within a high technology manufacturing company. The second case study shows how knowledge is used within the IT/IS investment evaluation decision making process, within a manufacturing SME. In doing so, both case studies attempt to elucidate the inherent, underlying relationship between explicit and tacit knowledge, via a frame-of-reference developed by the author which defines key drivers for knowledge transformation
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