O3-type layered oxides have garnered great attention as cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries because of their abundant reserves and high theoretical capacity.However,challenges persist in the form of uncontrolla...O3-type layered oxides have garnered great attention as cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries because of their abundant reserves and high theoretical capacity.However,challenges persist in the form of uncontrollable phase transitions and intricate Na^(+)diffusion pathways during cycling,resulting in compromised structural stability and reduced capacity over cycles.This study introduces a special approach employing site-specific Ca/F co-substitution within the layered structure of O_(3)-NaNi_(0.5)Mn_(0.5)O_(2) to effectively address these issues.Herein,the strategically site-specific doping of Ca into Na sites and F into O sites not only expands the Na^(+)diffusion pathways but also orchestrates a mild phase transition by suppressing the Na^(+)/vacancy ordering and providing strong metal-oxygen bonding strength,respectively.The as-synthesized Na_(0.95)Ca_(0.05)Ni_(0.5)Mn_(0.5)O_(1.95)F_(0.05)(NNMO-CaF)exhibits a mild O3→O3+O'3→P3 phase transition with minimized interlayer distance variation,leading to enhanced structural integrity and stability over extended cycles.As a result,NNMO-CaF delivers a high specific capacity of 119.5 mA h g^(-1)at a current density of 120 mA g^(-1)with a capacity retention of 87.1%after 100 cycles.This study presents a promising strategy to mitigate the challenges posed by multiple phase transitions and augment Na^(+)diffusion kinetics,thus paving the way for high-performance layered cathode materials in sodium-ion batteries.展开更多
Background Zonal application maps are designed to represent field variability using key variables that can be translated into tailored management practices.For cotton,zonal maps for crop growth regulator(CGR)applicati...Background Zonal application maps are designed to represent field variability using key variables that can be translated into tailored management practices.For cotton,zonal maps for crop growth regulator(CGR)applications under variable-rate(VR)strategies are commonly based exclusively on vegetation indices(VIs)variability.However,VIs often saturate in dense crop vegetation areas,limiting their effectiveness in distinguishing variability in crop growth.This study aimed to compare unsupervised framework(UF)and supervised framework(SUF)approaches for generat-ing zonal application maps for CGR under VR conditions.During 2022-2023 agricultural seasons,an UF was employed to generate zonal maps based on locally collected field data on plant height of cotton,satellite imagery,soil texture,and phenology data.Subsequently,a SUF(based on historical data between 2020-2021 to 2022-2023 agricultural seasons)was developed to predict plant height using remote sensing and phenology data,aiming to replicate same zonal maps but without relying on direct field measurements of plant height.Both approaches were tested in three fields and on two different dates per field.Results The predictive model for plant height of SUF performed well,as indicated by the model metrics.However,when comparing zonal application maps for specific field-date combinations,the predicted plant height exhibited lower variability compared with field measurements.This led to variable compatibility between SUF maps,which utilized the model predictions,and the UF maps,which were based on the real field data.Fields characterized by much pronounced soil texture variability yielded the highest compatibility between the zonal application maps produced by both SUF and UF approaches.This was predominantly due to the greater consistency in estimating plant development patterns within these heterogeneous field environments.While VR application approach can facilitate product savings during the application operation,other key factors must be considered.These include the availability of specialized machinery required for this type of applications,as well as the inherent operational costs associated with applying a single CGR product which differs from the typical uniform rate applications that often integrate multi-ple inputs.Conclusion Predictive modeling shows promise for assisting in the creation of zonal application maps for VR of CGR applications.However,the degree of agreement with the actual variability in crop growth found in the field should be evaluated on a field-by-field basis.The SUF approach,which is based on plant heigh prediction,demonstrated potential for supporting the development of zonal application maps for VR of CGR applications.However,the degree to which this approach aligns itself with the actual variability in crop growth observed in the field may vary,necessi-tating field-by-field evaluation.展开更多
Assessing spatial variability and mapping of soil properties constitute important prerequisites for soil and crop management in agricultural areas. To explore the relationship between soil spatial variability and land...Assessing spatial variability and mapping of soil properties constitute important prerequisites for soil and crop management in agricultural areas. To explore the relationship between soil spatial variability and land management, 256 samples were randomly collected at two depths (surface layer 0–20 cm and subsurface layer 20–40 cm) under different land use types and soil parent materials in Yujiang County, Jiangxi Province, a red soil region of China. The pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and base saturation (BS) of the soil samples were examined and mapped. The results indicated that soils in Yujiang were acidified, with an average pH of 4.87 (4.03–6.46) in the surface layer and 4.99 (4.03–6.24) in the subsurface layer. SOM and TN were significantly higher in the surface layer (27.6 and 1.50 g kg–1, respectively) than in the subsurface layer (12.1 and 0.70 g kg–1, respectively), while both CEC and BS were low (9.0 and 8.0 cmol kg–1, 29 and 38% for surface and subsurface layers, respectively). Paddy soil had higher pH (mean 4.99) than upland and forest soils, while soil derived from river alluvial deposits (RAD) had higher pH (mean 5.05) than the other three parent materials in both layers. Geostatistical analysis revealed that the best fit models were exponential for pH and TN, and spherical for BS in both layers, while spherical and Gaussian were the best fitted for SOM and CEC in the surface and subsurface layers. Spatial dependency varied from weak to strong for the different soil properties in both soil layers. The maps produced by selecting the best predictive variables showed that SOM, TN, and CEC had moderate levels in most parts of the study area. This study highlights the importance of site-specific agricultural management and suggests guidelines for appropriate land management decisions.展开更多
The effects of yield increase and mechanism of site-specific nitrogen management （SSNM） in five rice varieties from cold areas of northeastern China were studied. Plot experiment for critical SPAD value and experime...The effects of yield increase and mechanism of site-specific nitrogen management （SSNM） in five rice varieties from cold areas of northeastern China were studied. Plot experiment for critical SPAD value and experiments of two fertilization methods, SSNM and farmer＇s fertilization practice （FFP） were conducted to study their effects on the quality and dry matter accumulation of rice population, as well as N uptake. Compared with FFP, SSNM significantly decreased the average N rate by 33.8%, significantly increased average ear-bearing tiller rate and LAI for grain-filling stage by 12.3% and 14.1-27.6%, correspondingly, improved dry matter weight and N uptake after heading period by 4.3-29.1% and 11.8-55.1% （P 〈 0.05）, and heightened recovery efficiency and agronomic efficiency by 38.5-133.4% （P 〈 0.05） and 39.8-194.3% （P 〈 0.05）, respectively, as well as increased the average yield by 9.8% in 2004 and 2005. The results indicated that the accumulation rate of dry matter and N increased the rice yield and N use efficiency, because of improving rice population quality and increasing LAI after heading period.展开更多
Despite advances in immunotherapy for the treatment of cancers,not all patients can benefit from programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)immune checkpoint blockade therapy.Anti-PD-L1 therapeutic effects reportedly correl...Despite advances in immunotherapy for the treatment of cancers,not all patients can benefit from programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)immune checkpoint blockade therapy.Anti-PD-L1 therapeutic effects reportedly correlate with the PD-L1 expression level;hence,accurate detection of PD-L1 expression can guide immunotherapy to achieve better therapeutic effects.Therefore,based on the high affinity antibody Nb109,a new site-specifically radiolabeled tracer,^(68)Ga-NODA-cysteine,aspartic acid,and valine(CDV)-Nb109,was designed and synthesized to accurately monitor PD-L1 expression.The tracer ^(68)Ga-NODA-CDV-Nb109 was obtained using a site-specific conjugation strategy with a radiochemical yield of about 95%and radiochemical purity of 97%.It showed high affinity for PD-L1 with a dissociation constant of 12.34±1.65 nM.Both the cell uptake assay and positron emission tomography(PET)imaging revealed higher tracer uptake in PD-L1-positive A375-hPD-L1 and U87 tumor cells than in PD-L1-negative A375 tumor cells.Meanwhile,dynamic PET imaging of a NCI-H1299 xenograft indicated that doxorubicin could upregulate PD-L1 expression,allowing timely interventional immunotherapy.In conclusion,this tracer could sensitively and dynamically monitor changes in PD-L1 expression levels in different cancers and help screen patients who can benefit from anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy.展开更多
Marker-free GFP transgenic tobacco plants were constructed based on Cre/lox site-specific recombination system. A GFP gene was introduced into the tobacco genome using the Bar gene as a linked selectable marker flanke...Marker-free GFP transgenic tobacco plants were constructed based on Cre/lox site-specific recombination system. A GFP gene was introduced into the tobacco genome using the Bar gene as a linked selectable marker flanked by recombination sites in a directed orientation. The Bar gene expression box was subsequently excised from the plant genome by a strategy of Cre gene retransformation. After removal of the Cre-NPT Ⅱ locus by genetic segregation through self-cross, plants that incorporated only the GFP transgene were obtained. Transgenic tobacco plants mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens were obtained, which resisted herbicide Basta and GFP expressed well, then the Cre gene was subsequently introduced into 5 plants of them, respectively, by retransformation. The leaf disks from Cre transgenic plants were used to test the resistance to Basta on the medium with 8 mg L-1 of PPT. The results showed that few discs were able to regenerate normally, and the excision at 76-100% efficiency depended on individual retransformation events. Evidence for a precise recombination event was confirmed by cloning the nucleotides sequence surrounding the lox sites of the Basta sensitive plants. The result indicated that the excision event in the recombination sites was precise and conservative, without loss or alteration of any submarginal nucleotides of the recombination sites. Bar gene excised plants were selfpollinated to allow segregation of the GFP gene from the Cre-NPT Ⅱ locus. The progenies from self-pollinated plants were scored for Kan senstivity, then the segregation of GFP gene from Cre-NPT Ⅱ locus in the Kan senstive plants were confirmed by PCR analysis subsequently. Hence, constructing marker-free transgenic tobacco plants by Cre/lox sitespecific recombination system was reliable, and the strategy presented here should be applicable to other plants for the construction of marker-free transgenic plants as well.展开更多
Allometric equations developed for the Lama forest, located in southern Benin, West Africa, were applied to estimate carbon stocks of three vegetation types：undisturbed forest, degraded forest, and fallow. Carbon sto...Allometric equations developed for the Lama forest, located in southern Benin, West Africa, were applied to estimate carbon stocks of three vegetation types：undisturbed forest, degraded forest, and fallow. Carbon stock of the undisturbed forest was 2.7 times higher than that in the degraded forest and 3.4 times higher than that in fallow. The structure of the forest suggests that the individual species were generally concentrated in lower diameter classes. Carbon stock was positively correlated to basal area and negatively related to tree density, suggesting that trees in higher diameter classes contributed significantly to the total carbon stock. The study demonstrated that large trees constitute an important component to include in the sampling approach to achieve accurate carbon quantification in forestry. Historical emissions from deforestation that converted more than 30% of the Lama forest into cropland between the years 1946 and 1987 amounted to 260,563.17 tons of carbon per year（t CO2/year） for the biomass pool only. The study explained the application of biomass models and ground truth data to estimate reference carbon stock of forests.展开更多
The study on the characteristics of spatial variability of soil nutrients and fertilizer recommendations in cotton field under certain conditions of agricultural management was conducted with GIS and systematic approa...The study on the characteristics of spatial variability of soil nutrients and fertilizer recommendations in cotton field under certain conditions of agricultural management was conducted with GIS and systematic approach for soil nutrient constrains. The results showed that of the spatial variability of soil nutrient was greatly related to the management condition of previous crops. Grid sampling and variable rate application technology (VRAT) were the tools that would hopefully increase fertilizer efficiency. The fertilizers were applied where they were needed and at proper rate. Balance fertilization demonstration showed that fertilizer recommendations according to the available nutrient level in soil could decrease fertilizer cost with 657.4 yuan / ha and increase seed cotton yield by 19.8%. A net profit of the balanced fertilization was 5314.9 yuan / ha higher than that of local fertilization practice.展开更多
Dear Editor,A common reason for drug failure during long-term treatment of chronic hepatitis B with nucleot(s)ide analogues(NUCs)is the emergence of drug resistance(Das et al.,2001).Most primary NUCs-resistant mutatio...Dear Editor,A common reason for drug failure during long-term treatment of chronic hepatitis B with nucleot(s)ide analogues(NUCs)is the emergence of drug resistance(Das et al.,2001).Most primary NUCs-resistant mutations identified in clinical samples have been limited to a minority of amino acids(usually less展开更多
In addition to DNA sequence information, site-specific histone modifications are another important determinant of gene expression in a eukaryotic organism. We selected four modification sites in common histones that a...In addition to DNA sequence information, site-specific histone modifications are another important determinant of gene expression in a eukaryotic organism. We selected four modification sites in common histones that are known to significantly impact chromatin function and generated monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies that recognize each of those site-specific modifications. We used these antibodies to demonstrate that the site-specific histone modification levels remain relatively constant in different organs of the same organism. We also compared the levels of selected histone modifications among several representative organisms and found that site-specific modifications are highly variable among different organisms, providing new insight into the evolutionary divergence of specific histone modifications.展开更多
In order to investigate the variation in soil physical and chemical properties and nutrients in the mountainous areas in southern Ningxia, and to provide a theoretical basis for fertilization management in local farml...In order to investigate the variation in soil physical and chemical properties and nutrients in the mountainous areas in southern Ningxia, and to provide a theoretical basis for fertilization management in local farmland, the soil p H, total salt content,crop root length, root weight, soil organic matter, available nitrogen, total nitrogen, total phosphorous and total potassium in different fertilization treatments were measured from 2010 to 2016. Multiple comparisons of the data were performed using Duncan's new multiple range test. The results indicated that in the 0-20 cm soil layer, soil p H value and total salt content changed in different patterns, and varied greatly from 2010 to 2016(P<0.05). The changes of both root length and root weight of millet over time fitted S-shaped curves. The root length and root weight in the four fertilization treatments(Treatment 2 to Treatment5) increased faster than those in the control(Treatment 1). The soil organic matter content in all the five treatments gradually increased from 2010 to 2016. The content of alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen in soil rapidly increased in the first two to three years of the experiment, followed by a slow increase or decrease in 2013, and then raised rapidly again from 2014 to 2016.The soil total nitrogen content varied significantly from 2010 to 2016. The total phosphorus content in soil changed in a different pattern from that of total nitrogen content. The seven-year field trails revealed that soil p H, total salt content, root length, root weight and soil nutrient all changed with the increase of fertilizer level, and that long-term fertilization is of significance for maintaining soil fertility, improving soil quality and reducing soil salinization.展开更多
Stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF1α) is a potent chemokine for the recruitment of stem cells. A challenge is to maintain its activity and control its release. In this study, we engineered a recombinant cysteine-S...Stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF1α) is a potent chemokine for the recruitment of stem cells. A challenge is to maintain its activity and control its release. In this study, we engineered a recombinant cysteine-SDF1α (cysSDF1α) protein, and performed multivalent conjugation of cysSDF1 through the maleimide functional group to two forms of branched nanoparticles: multi-arm poly (ethylene glycol) (MA-PEG) and hyaluronic acid (HA). We characterized the chemotactic activity of the conjugates, and determined how the molecular weight (MW) of MA-PEG and HA affected the chemotactic activity. CysSDF1α had similar efficiency to wild-type SDF1α in cell recruitment. Multivalent conjugation of cysSDF1α to low MW MA-PEG (~18 nm) did not significantly affect the chemotactic activity, while the conjugation of cysSDF1α to high MW MA-PEG (~72 nm) lowered the efficiency, possibly due to the larger spacing between conjugated SDF1α molecules. HA has a linear backbone and a high density of multivalent binding sites;however, the chemotactic activity of HA-linked cys-SDF1α was much lower, which further decreased with the increase of HA MW from 200 kDa (~0.78 μm) to 700 kDa (~2.7 μm). Digestion of HA into smaller fragments using hyaluronidase partially recovered the chemotactic activity of cysSDF1α, suggesting that high MW HA might exert steric hindrance for SDF1α binding to its receptors on cell surface and that HA could be used as a depot for SDF1α storage and release. These results demonstrate that multivalent conjugates of SDF1α to nanoparticles may be used to engineer SDF1α delivery for cell recruitment and tissue regeneration.展开更多
The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that actinomyces phage R4 integrase Sre protein efficiently mediate site-specific recombination in Escherichia coll. An intramolecular recombination assay system in E. coli...The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that actinomyces phage R4 integrase Sre protein efficiently mediate site-specific recombination in Escherichia coll. An intramolecular recombination assay system in E. coli was constructed. The plasmid pBZP contains attB and attP sites in direct orientation flanking a lacZ gene. When pBZP was introduced into E. coli cells, in which the plasmid pSREA containing sre gene was resident, Sre protein catalyzed integration of attP into attB site, resulting in excision of the lacZ gene. This integration changed bacteria colonies from blue to white on agar plates containing X-Gal, which showed that the lacZ was removed. The integrant DNAs were identified by enzyme digestion, PCR and DNA sequencing. The minimal sizes of attB and attP were 50 bp and 47 bp for 100% recombination efficiency. The phage recombinase Sre efficiently integrated attP into attB site to create attR and attL in E. coli host environment without Streptomyces specific cofactors. This intrmolecular assay system is a simple and efficient system for Sre-mediated recombination in E. coll.展开更多
This paper explores how sculpture,as a medium,has transcended traditional boundaries and evolved into a diverse form of artistic expression that engages with both physical and social dimensions.Tracing the evolution f...This paper explores how sculpture,as a medium,has transcended traditional boundaries and evolved into a diverse form of artistic expression that engages with both physical and social dimensions.Tracing the evolution from traditional materials and techniques to modernist breaks and conceptual art,this study delves into key turning points,including the shift towards abstraction,the role of the readymade,and the influence of site-specificity.It also examines how contemporary sculpture serves as a dynamic platform for addressing social,cultural,and political issues,fostering public engagement and transforming public spaces.By analyzing these developments,this paper highlights sculpture’s growing role as a medium that not only reflects but also shapes societal narratives.展开更多
The Indian Himalayan region is frequently experiencing climate change-induced landslides.Thus,landslide susceptibility assessment assumes greater significance for lessening the impact of a landslide hazard.This paper ...The Indian Himalayan region is frequently experiencing climate change-induced landslides.Thus,landslide susceptibility assessment assumes greater significance for lessening the impact of a landslide hazard.This paper makes an attempt to assess landslide susceptibility in Shimla district of the northwest Indian Himalayan region.It examined the effectiveness of random forest(RF),multilayer perceptron(MLP),sequential minimal optimization regression(SMOreg)and bagging ensemble(B-RF,BSMOreg,B-MLP)models.A landslide inventory map comprising 1052 locations of past landslide occurrences was classified into training(70%)and testing(30%)datasets.The site-specific influencing factors were selected by employing a multicollinearity test.The relationship between past landslide occurrences and influencing factors was established using the frequency ratio method.The effectiveness of machine learning models was verified through performance assessors.The landslide susceptibility maps were validated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves(ROC-AUC),accuracy,precision,recall and F1-score.The key performance metrics and map validation demonstrated that the BRF model(correlation coefficient:0.988,mean absolute error:0.010,root mean square error:0.058,relative absolute error:2.964,ROC-AUC:0.947,accuracy:0.778,precision:0.819,recall:0.917 and F-1 score:0.865)outperformed the single classifiers and other bagging ensemble models for landslide susceptibility.The results show that the largest area was found under the very high susceptibility zone(33.87%),followed by the low(27.30%),high(20.68%)and moderate(18.16%)susceptibility zones.The factors,namely average annual rainfall,slope,lithology,soil texture and earthquake magnitude have been identified as the influencing factors for very high landslide susceptibility.Soil texture,lineament density and elevation have been attributed to high and moderate susceptibility.Thus,the study calls for devising suitable landslide mitigation measures in the study area.Structural measures,an immediate response system,community participation and coordination among stakeholders may help lessen the detrimental impact of landslides.The findings from this study could aid decision-makers in mitigating future catastrophes and devising suitable strategies in other geographical regions with similar geological characteristics.展开更多
Enhancing the DNA toolbox with innovative photochemical reactions is pivotal for advancing nucleic acid-based technologies.Aldehyde groups,versatile bioorthogonal handles for imine formation under acidic conditions,ar...Enhancing the DNA toolbox with innovative photochemical reactions is pivotal for advancing nucleic acid-based technologies.Aldehyde groups,versatile bioorthogonal handles for imine formation under acidic conditions,are particularly valuable due to their roles in nucleic acid epigenetics.Here,we present the first photocatalytic on-DNA aldehyde allylation,enabling precise DNA functionalization under mild,neutral aqueous conditions.Our approach utilizes a photocatalytic polarity-reversal reaction between DNA-conjugated benzaldehydes and allyl sulfones.This reaction demonstrates exceptional chemoselectivity while preserving DNA integrity.By varying allyl sulfones,we achieve site-specific labeling of non-native DNA with the aldehyde group and cross-linking with DNA-bearing allyl sulfones.Furthermore,our method facilitates selective labeling and pull-down enrichment of 5-formylpyrimidine nucleotides among complex cellular DNA.This photocatalytic on-DNA aldehyde transformation expands the limited bioorthogonal photochemical toolboxes,providing novel avenues for functionalizing both non-native and native aldehyde modifications on DNA.展开更多
Due to the signal reflection and diffraction,site-specific unmodeled errors like multipath effect and Non-Line-of-Sight reception are significant error sources in Global Navigation Satellite System since they cannot b...Due to the signal reflection and diffraction,site-specific unmodeled errors like multipath effect and Non-Line-of-Sight reception are significant error sources in Global Navigation Satellite System since they cannot be easily mitigated.However,how to characterize and model the internal mechanisms and external influences of these site-specific unmodeled errors are still to be investigated.Therefore,we propose a method for characterizing and modeling site-specific unmodeled errors under reflection and diffraction using a data-driven approach.Specifically,we first consider all the popular potential features,which generate the site-specific unmodeled errors.We then use the random forest regression to comprehensively analyze the correlations between the site-specific unmodeled errors and the potential features.We finally characterize and model the site-specific unmodeled errors.Two 7-consecutive datasets dominated by signal reflection and diffraction were conducted.The results show that there are significant differences in the correlations with potential features.They are highly related to the application scenarios,observation types,and satellite types.Notably,the innovation vector often shows a strong correlation with the code site-specific unmodeled errors.For the phase site-specific unmodeled errors,they have high correlations with elevation,azimuth,number of visible satellites,and between-frequency differenced phase observations.In the environments of reflection and diffraction,the sum of the correlations of the top six potential features can reach approximately 88.5 and 87.7%,respectively.Meanwhile,these correlations are stable for different observation types and satellite types.With the integration of a transformer model with the random forest method,a high-precision unmodeled error prediction model is established,demonstrating the necessity to include multiple features for accurate and efficient characterization and modeling of site-specific unmodeled errors.展开更多
Amidst the growing food demands of an increasing population,agricultural intensification frequently depends on excessive chemical and fertilizer applications.While this approach initially boosts crop yields,it effects...Amidst the growing food demands of an increasing population,agricultural intensification frequently depends on excessive chemical and fertilizer applications.While this approach initially boosts crop yields,it effects long-term sustainability through soil degradation and compromised food quality.Thus,prioritizing soil health while enhancing crop production is essential for sustainable food production.Site-Specific Nutrient Management(SSNM)emerges as a critical strategy to increase crop production,maintain soil health,and reduce environmental pollution.Despite its potential,the application of SSNM technologies remain limited in farmers'fields due to existing research gaps.This review critically analyzes and presents research conducted in SSNM in the past 11 years(2013–2024),identifying gaps and future research directions.A comprehensive study of 97 relevant research publications reveals several key findings:a)Electrochemical sensing and spectroscopy are the two widely explored areas in SSNM research,b)Despite numerous technologies in SSNM,each has its own limitation,preventing any single technology from being ideal,c)The selection of models and preprocessing techniques significantly impacts nutrient prediction accuracy,d)No single sensor or sensor combination can predict all soil properties,as suitability is highly attribute-specific.This review provides researchers,and technical personnel in precision agriculture,and farmers with detailed insights into SSNM research,its implementation,limitations,challenges,and future research directions.展开更多
To increase fertilizer use efficiency （FUE） and to minimize its negative impact on environment have been the focal points in the world for a long time. It is very important to increase FUE in China for its relativel...To increase fertilizer use efficiency （FUE） and to minimize its negative impact on environment have been the focal points in the world for a long time. It is very important to increase FUE in China for its relatively low FUE and serious losses of nutrients. Recent advances of the technologies to increase FUE are reviewed in this article. These include site-specific and real-time nitrogen management, non-destructive quick test of the nitrogen status of plants, new types of slow release and controlled release fertilizers, site-specific nutrient management, and use of urease inhibitor and nitrification inhibitor to decrease nitrogen losses. Future outlook in technologies related to FUE improvement is also discussed.展开更多
基金supported by the Science and Technology Program of Suzhou(ST202304)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(12275189)+1 种基金the Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science&Technologythe 111 project。
文摘O3-type layered oxides have garnered great attention as cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries because of their abundant reserves and high theoretical capacity.However,challenges persist in the form of uncontrollable phase transitions and intricate Na^(+)diffusion pathways during cycling,resulting in compromised structural stability and reduced capacity over cycles.This study introduces a special approach employing site-specific Ca/F co-substitution within the layered structure of O_(3)-NaNi_(0.5)Mn_(0.5)O_(2) to effectively address these issues.Herein,the strategically site-specific doping of Ca into Na sites and F into O sites not only expands the Na^(+)diffusion pathways but also orchestrates a mild phase transition by suppressing the Na^(+)/vacancy ordering and providing strong metal-oxygen bonding strength,respectively.The as-synthesized Na_(0.95)Ca_(0.05)Ni_(0.5)Mn_(0.5)O_(1.95)F_(0.05)(NNMO-CaF)exhibits a mild O3→O3+O'3→P3 phase transition with minimized interlayer distance variation,leading to enhanced structural integrity and stability over extended cycles.As a result,NNMO-CaF delivers a high specific capacity of 119.5 mA h g^(-1)at a current density of 120 mA g^(-1)with a capacity retention of 87.1%after 100 cycles.This study presents a promising strategy to mitigate the challenges posed by multiple phase transitions and augment Na^(+)diffusion kinetics,thus paving the way for high-performance layered cathode materials in sodium-ion batteries.
文摘Background Zonal application maps are designed to represent field variability using key variables that can be translated into tailored management practices.For cotton,zonal maps for crop growth regulator(CGR)applications under variable-rate(VR)strategies are commonly based exclusively on vegetation indices(VIs)variability.However,VIs often saturate in dense crop vegetation areas,limiting their effectiveness in distinguishing variability in crop growth.This study aimed to compare unsupervised framework(UF)and supervised framework(SUF)approaches for generat-ing zonal application maps for CGR under VR conditions.During 2022-2023 agricultural seasons,an UF was employed to generate zonal maps based on locally collected field data on plant height of cotton,satellite imagery,soil texture,and phenology data.Subsequently,a SUF(based on historical data between 2020-2021 to 2022-2023 agricultural seasons)was developed to predict plant height using remote sensing and phenology data,aiming to replicate same zonal maps but without relying on direct field measurements of plant height.Both approaches were tested in three fields and on two different dates per field.Results The predictive model for plant height of SUF performed well,as indicated by the model metrics.However,when comparing zonal application maps for specific field-date combinations,the predicted plant height exhibited lower variability compared with field measurements.This led to variable compatibility between SUF maps,which utilized the model predictions,and the UF maps,which were based on the real field data.Fields characterized by much pronounced soil texture variability yielded the highest compatibility between the zonal application maps produced by both SUF and UF approaches.This was predominantly due to the greater consistency in estimating plant development patterns within these heterogeneous field environments.While VR application approach can facilitate product savings during the application operation,other key factors must be considered.These include the availability of specialized machinery required for this type of applications,as well as the inherent operational costs associated with applying a single CGR product which differs from the typical uniform rate applications that often integrate multi-ple inputs.Conclusion Predictive modeling shows promise for assisting in the creation of zonal application maps for VR of CGR applications.However,the degree of agreement with the actual variability in crop growth found in the field should be evaluated on a field-by-field basis.The SUF approach,which is based on plant heigh prediction,demonstrated potential for supporting the development of zonal application maps for VR of CGR applications.However,the degree to which this approach aligns itself with the actual variability in crop growth observed in the field may vary,necessi-tating field-by-field evaluation.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41620104006 and 41977104)the Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund for Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences(1630062018005).We thank the staff from Yujiang Soil and Fertilizer Extension Station,Jiangxi,China for help with soil sampling.
文摘Assessing spatial variability and mapping of soil properties constitute important prerequisites for soil and crop management in agricultural areas. To explore the relationship between soil spatial variability and land management, 256 samples were randomly collected at two depths (surface layer 0–20 cm and subsurface layer 20–40 cm) under different land use types and soil parent materials in Yujiang County, Jiangxi Province, a red soil region of China. The pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and base saturation (BS) of the soil samples were examined and mapped. The results indicated that soils in Yujiang were acidified, with an average pH of 4.87 (4.03–6.46) in the surface layer and 4.99 (4.03–6.24) in the subsurface layer. SOM and TN were significantly higher in the surface layer (27.6 and 1.50 g kg–1, respectively) than in the subsurface layer (12.1 and 0.70 g kg–1, respectively), while both CEC and BS were low (9.0 and 8.0 cmol kg–1, 29 and 38% for surface and subsurface layers, respectively). Paddy soil had higher pH (mean 4.99) than upland and forest soils, while soil derived from river alluvial deposits (RAD) had higher pH (mean 5.05) than the other three parent materials in both layers. Geostatistical analysis revealed that the best fit models were exponential for pH and TN, and spherical for BS in both layers, while spherical and Gaussian were the best fitted for SOM and CEC in the surface and subsurface layers. Spatial dependency varied from weak to strong for the different soil properties in both soil layers. The maps produced by selecting the best predictive variables showed that SOM, TN, and CEC had moderate levels in most parts of the study area. This study highlights the importance of site-specific agricultural management and suggests guidelines for appropriate land management decisions.
文摘The effects of yield increase and mechanism of site-specific nitrogen management （SSNM） in five rice varieties from cold areas of northeastern China were studied. Plot experiment for critical SPAD value and experiments of two fertilization methods, SSNM and farmer＇s fertilization practice （FFP） were conducted to study their effects on the quality and dry matter accumulation of rice population, as well as N uptake. Compared with FFP, SSNM significantly decreased the average N rate by 33.8%, significantly increased average ear-bearing tiller rate and LAI for grain-filling stage by 12.3% and 14.1-27.6%, correspondingly, improved dry matter weight and N uptake after heading period by 4.3-29.1% and 11.8-55.1% （P 〈 0.05）, and heightened recovery efficiency and agronomic efficiency by 38.5-133.4% （P 〈 0.05） and 39.8-194.3% （P 〈 0.05）, respectively, as well as increased the average yield by 9.8% in 2004 and 2005. The results indicated that the accumulation rate of dry matter and N increased the rice yield and N use efficiency, because of improving rice population quality and increasing LAI after heading period.
基金support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.:22076069)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(Grant No.:BK20201135)+1 种基金the Major Scientific Research Project of Jiangsu Commission of Health(Grant No.:ZDA2020007)the Science Technology and Development Project of Wuxi(Grant No.:Y20212013).
文摘Despite advances in immunotherapy for the treatment of cancers,not all patients can benefit from programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)immune checkpoint blockade therapy.Anti-PD-L1 therapeutic effects reportedly correlate with the PD-L1 expression level;hence,accurate detection of PD-L1 expression can guide immunotherapy to achieve better therapeutic effects.Therefore,based on the high affinity antibody Nb109,a new site-specifically radiolabeled tracer,^(68)Ga-NODA-cysteine,aspartic acid,and valine(CDV)-Nb109,was designed and synthesized to accurately monitor PD-L1 expression.The tracer ^(68)Ga-NODA-CDV-Nb109 was obtained using a site-specific conjugation strategy with a radiochemical yield of about 95%and radiochemical purity of 97%.It showed high affinity for PD-L1 with a dissociation constant of 12.34±1.65 nM.Both the cell uptake assay and positron emission tomography(PET)imaging revealed higher tracer uptake in PD-L1-positive A375-hPD-L1 and U87 tumor cells than in PD-L1-negative A375 tumor cells.Meanwhile,dynamic PET imaging of a NCI-H1299 xenograft indicated that doxorubicin could upregulate PD-L1 expression,allowing timely interventional immunotherapy.In conclusion,this tracer could sensitively and dynamically monitor changes in PD-L1 expression levels in different cancers and help screen patients who can benefit from anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30200185)the Science Foundation of Committee of Education of Chongqing Municipality,China (030208)
文摘Marker-free GFP transgenic tobacco plants were constructed based on Cre/lox site-specific recombination system. A GFP gene was introduced into the tobacco genome using the Bar gene as a linked selectable marker flanked by recombination sites in a directed orientation. The Bar gene expression box was subsequently excised from the plant genome by a strategy of Cre gene retransformation. After removal of the Cre-NPT Ⅱ locus by genetic segregation through self-cross, plants that incorporated only the GFP transgene were obtained. Transgenic tobacco plants mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens were obtained, which resisted herbicide Basta and GFP expressed well, then the Cre gene was subsequently introduced into 5 plants of them, respectively, by retransformation. The leaf disks from Cre transgenic plants were used to test the resistance to Basta on the medium with 8 mg L-1 of PPT. The results showed that few discs were able to regenerate normally, and the excision at 76-100% efficiency depended on individual retransformation events. Evidence for a precise recombination event was confirmed by cloning the nucleotides sequence surrounding the lox sites of the Basta sensitive plants. The result indicated that the excision event in the recombination sites was precise and conservative, without loss or alteration of any submarginal nucleotides of the recombination sites. Bar gene excised plants were selfpollinated to allow segregation of the GFP gene from the Cre-NPT Ⅱ locus. The progenies from self-pollinated plants were scored for Kan senstivity, then the segregation of GFP gene from Cre-NPT Ⅱ locus in the Kan senstive plants were confirmed by PCR analysis subsequently. Hence, constructing marker-free transgenic tobacco plants by Cre/lox sitespecific recombination system was reliable, and the strategy presented here should be applicable to other plants for the construction of marker-free transgenic plants as well.
基金conducted as part of the project ‘‘Pilot site:quantification and modelling of forest carbon stocks in Benin’’ funded by the Global Climate Change Alliance and the European Union(No.00009 CILSS/SE/UAM-AFC/2013)
文摘Allometric equations developed for the Lama forest, located in southern Benin, West Africa, were applied to estimate carbon stocks of three vegetation types：undisturbed forest, degraded forest, and fallow. Carbon stock of the undisturbed forest was 2.7 times higher than that in the degraded forest and 3.4 times higher than that in fallow. The structure of the forest suggests that the individual species were generally concentrated in lower diameter classes. Carbon stock was positively correlated to basal area and negatively related to tree density, suggesting that trees in higher diameter classes contributed significantly to the total carbon stock. The study demonstrated that large trees constitute an important component to include in the sampling approach to achieve accurate carbon quantification in forestry. Historical emissions from deforestation that converted more than 30% of the Lama forest into cropland between the years 1946 and 1987 amounted to 260,563.17 tons of carbon per year（t CO2/year） for the biomass pool only. The study explained the application of biomass models and ground truth data to estimate reference carbon stock of forests.
文摘The study on the characteristics of spatial variability of soil nutrients and fertilizer recommendations in cotton field under certain conditions of agricultural management was conducted with GIS and systematic approach for soil nutrient constrains. The results showed that of the spatial variability of soil nutrient was greatly related to the management condition of previous crops. Grid sampling and variable rate application technology (VRAT) were the tools that would hopefully increase fertilizer efficiency. The fertilizers were applied where they were needed and at proper rate. Balance fertilization demonstration showed that fertilizer recommendations according to the available nutrient level in soil could decrease fertilizer cost with 657.4 yuan / ha and increase seed cotton yield by 19.8%. A net profit of the balanced fertilization was 5314.9 yuan / ha higher than that of local fertilization practice.
基金supported in part by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81671997)Chongqing Science&Technology Commission(cstc2015jcyj A10023)+1 种基金Chongqing Education Commission(CYB15099)the Program for Innovation Team of Higher Education in Chongqing(CXTDX 201601015)
文摘Dear Editor,A common reason for drug failure during long-term treatment of chronic hepatitis B with nucleot(s)ide analogues(NUCs)is the emergence of drug resistance(Das et al.,2001).Most primary NUCs-resistant mutations identified in clinical samples have been limited to a minority of amino acids(usually less
文摘In addition to DNA sequence information, site-specific histone modifications are another important determinant of gene expression in a eukaryotic organism. We selected four modification sites in common histones that are known to significantly impact chromatin function and generated monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies that recognize each of those site-specific modifications. We used these antibodies to demonstrate that the site-specific histone modification levels remain relatively constant in different organs of the same organism. We also compared the levels of selected histone modifications among several representative organisms and found that site-specific modifications are highly variable among different organisms, providing new insight into the evolutionary divergence of specific histone modifications.
基金Supported by National Grain and Sorghum Industry Technical System(CARS-06-13.5-A18)Program for the Integrated Development of the Primary,Secondary and Tertiary Sectors in Rural Area of Ningxia(YES-06-08)
文摘In order to investigate the variation in soil physical and chemical properties and nutrients in the mountainous areas in southern Ningxia, and to provide a theoretical basis for fertilization management in local farmland, the soil p H, total salt content,crop root length, root weight, soil organic matter, available nitrogen, total nitrogen, total phosphorous and total potassium in different fertilization treatments were measured from 2010 to 2016. Multiple comparisons of the data were performed using Duncan's new multiple range test. The results indicated that in the 0-20 cm soil layer, soil p H value and total salt content changed in different patterns, and varied greatly from 2010 to 2016(P<0.05). The changes of both root length and root weight of millet over time fitted S-shaped curves. The root length and root weight in the four fertilization treatments(Treatment 2 to Treatment5) increased faster than those in the control(Treatment 1). The soil organic matter content in all the five treatments gradually increased from 2010 to 2016. The content of alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen in soil rapidly increased in the first two to three years of the experiment, followed by a slow increase or decrease in 2013, and then raised rapidly again from 2014 to 2016.The soil total nitrogen content varied significantly from 2010 to 2016. The total phosphorus content in soil changed in a different pattern from that of total nitrogen content. The seven-year field trails revealed that soil p H, total salt content, root length, root weight and soil nutrient all changed with the increase of fertilizer level, and that long-term fertilization is of significance for maintaining soil fertility, improving soil quality and reducing soil salinization.
文摘Stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF1α) is a potent chemokine for the recruitment of stem cells. A challenge is to maintain its activity and control its release. In this study, we engineered a recombinant cysteine-SDF1α (cysSDF1α) protein, and performed multivalent conjugation of cysSDF1 through the maleimide functional group to two forms of branched nanoparticles: multi-arm poly (ethylene glycol) (MA-PEG) and hyaluronic acid (HA). We characterized the chemotactic activity of the conjugates, and determined how the molecular weight (MW) of MA-PEG and HA affected the chemotactic activity. CysSDF1α had similar efficiency to wild-type SDF1α in cell recruitment. Multivalent conjugation of cysSDF1α to low MW MA-PEG (~18 nm) did not significantly affect the chemotactic activity, while the conjugation of cysSDF1α to high MW MA-PEG (~72 nm) lowered the efficiency, possibly due to the larger spacing between conjugated SDF1α molecules. HA has a linear backbone and a high density of multivalent binding sites;however, the chemotactic activity of HA-linked cys-SDF1α was much lower, which further decreased with the increase of HA MW from 200 kDa (~0.78 μm) to 700 kDa (~2.7 μm). Digestion of HA into smaller fragments using hyaluronidase partially recovered the chemotactic activity of cysSDF1α, suggesting that high MW HA might exert steric hindrance for SDF1α binding to its receptors on cell surface and that HA could be used as a depot for SDF1α storage and release. These results demonstrate that multivalent conjugates of SDF1α to nanoparticles may be used to engineer SDF1α delivery for cell recruitment and tissue regeneration.
文摘The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that actinomyces phage R4 integrase Sre protein efficiently mediate site-specific recombination in Escherichia coll. An intramolecular recombination assay system in E. coli was constructed. The plasmid pBZP contains attB and attP sites in direct orientation flanking a lacZ gene. When pBZP was introduced into E. coli cells, in which the plasmid pSREA containing sre gene was resident, Sre protein catalyzed integration of attP into attB site, resulting in excision of the lacZ gene. This integration changed bacteria colonies from blue to white on agar plates containing X-Gal, which showed that the lacZ was removed. The integrant DNAs were identified by enzyme digestion, PCR and DNA sequencing. The minimal sizes of attB and attP were 50 bp and 47 bp for 100% recombination efficiency. The phage recombinase Sre efficiently integrated attP into attB site to create attR and attL in E. coli host environment without Streptomyces specific cofactors. This intrmolecular assay system is a simple and efficient system for Sre-mediated recombination in E. coll.
文摘This paper explores how sculpture,as a medium,has transcended traditional boundaries and evolved into a diverse form of artistic expression that engages with both physical and social dimensions.Tracing the evolution from traditional materials and techniques to modernist breaks and conceptual art,this study delves into key turning points,including the shift towards abstraction,the role of the readymade,and the influence of site-specificity.It also examines how contemporary sculpture serves as a dynamic platform for addressing social,cultural,and political issues,fostering public engagement and transforming public spaces.By analyzing these developments,this paper highlights sculpture’s growing role as a medium that not only reflects but also shapes societal narratives.
文摘The Indian Himalayan region is frequently experiencing climate change-induced landslides.Thus,landslide susceptibility assessment assumes greater significance for lessening the impact of a landslide hazard.This paper makes an attempt to assess landslide susceptibility in Shimla district of the northwest Indian Himalayan region.It examined the effectiveness of random forest(RF),multilayer perceptron(MLP),sequential minimal optimization regression(SMOreg)and bagging ensemble(B-RF,BSMOreg,B-MLP)models.A landslide inventory map comprising 1052 locations of past landslide occurrences was classified into training(70%)and testing(30%)datasets.The site-specific influencing factors were selected by employing a multicollinearity test.The relationship between past landslide occurrences and influencing factors was established using the frequency ratio method.The effectiveness of machine learning models was verified through performance assessors.The landslide susceptibility maps were validated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves(ROC-AUC),accuracy,precision,recall and F1-score.The key performance metrics and map validation demonstrated that the BRF model(correlation coefficient:0.988,mean absolute error:0.010,root mean square error:0.058,relative absolute error:2.964,ROC-AUC:0.947,accuracy:0.778,precision:0.819,recall:0.917 and F-1 score:0.865)outperformed the single classifiers and other bagging ensemble models for landslide susceptibility.The results show that the largest area was found under the very high susceptibility zone(33.87%),followed by the low(27.30%),high(20.68%)and moderate(18.16%)susceptibility zones.The factors,namely average annual rainfall,slope,lithology,soil texture and earthquake magnitude have been identified as the influencing factors for very high landslide susceptibility.Soil texture,lineament density and elevation have been attributed to high and moderate susceptibility.Thus,the study calls for devising suitable landslide mitigation measures in the study area.Structural measures,an immediate response system,community participation and coordination among stakeholders may help lessen the detrimental impact of landslides.The findings from this study could aid decision-makers in mitigating future catastrophes and devising suitable strategies in other geographical regions with similar geological characteristics.
基金Financial support was provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22337005,22277133,91753126)Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAs(2023266)+2 种基金CAS Interdisciplinary Innovation Team(JCTD-2020-16)Program of Shanghai Academic/Technology Research Leader(21XD1424700)International Partnership Program of the Chinese Academy of Science(033GJHZ2023006FN).
文摘Enhancing the DNA toolbox with innovative photochemical reactions is pivotal for advancing nucleic acid-based technologies.Aldehyde groups,versatile bioorthogonal handles for imine formation under acidic conditions,are particularly valuable due to their roles in nucleic acid epigenetics.Here,we present the first photocatalytic on-DNA aldehyde allylation,enabling precise DNA functionalization under mild,neutral aqueous conditions.Our approach utilizes a photocatalytic polarity-reversal reaction between DNA-conjugated benzaldehydes and allyl sulfones.This reaction demonstrates exceptional chemoselectivity while preserving DNA integrity.By varying allyl sulfones,we achieve site-specific labeling of non-native DNA with the aldehyde group and cross-linking with DNA-bearing allyl sulfones.Furthermore,our method facilitates selective labeling and pull-down enrichment of 5-formylpyrimidine nucleotides among complex cellular DNA.This photocatalytic on-DNA aldehyde transformation expands the limited bioorthogonal photochemical toolboxes,providing novel avenues for functionalizing both non-native and native aldehyde modifications on DNA.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42374014,42004014).
文摘Due to the signal reflection and diffraction,site-specific unmodeled errors like multipath effect and Non-Line-of-Sight reception are significant error sources in Global Navigation Satellite System since they cannot be easily mitigated.However,how to characterize and model the internal mechanisms and external influences of these site-specific unmodeled errors are still to be investigated.Therefore,we propose a method for characterizing and modeling site-specific unmodeled errors under reflection and diffraction using a data-driven approach.Specifically,we first consider all the popular potential features,which generate the site-specific unmodeled errors.We then use the random forest regression to comprehensively analyze the correlations between the site-specific unmodeled errors and the potential features.We finally characterize and model the site-specific unmodeled errors.Two 7-consecutive datasets dominated by signal reflection and diffraction were conducted.The results show that there are significant differences in the correlations with potential features.They are highly related to the application scenarios,observation types,and satellite types.Notably,the innovation vector often shows a strong correlation with the code site-specific unmodeled errors.For the phase site-specific unmodeled errors,they have high correlations with elevation,azimuth,number of visible satellites,and between-frequency differenced phase observations.In the environments of reflection and diffraction,the sum of the correlations of the top six potential features can reach approximately 88.5 and 87.7%,respectively.Meanwhile,these correlations are stable for different observation types and satellite types.With the integration of a transformer model with the random forest method,a high-precision unmodeled error prediction model is established,demonstrating the necessity to include multiple features for accurate and efficient characterization and modeling of site-specific unmodeled errors.
基金supported by the U.S.Department of Agriculture,agreement number 58-3060-3-022supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture,Hatch project number ND01487.
文摘Amidst the growing food demands of an increasing population,agricultural intensification frequently depends on excessive chemical and fertilizer applications.While this approach initially boosts crop yields,it effects long-term sustainability through soil degradation and compromised food quality.Thus,prioritizing soil health while enhancing crop production is essential for sustainable food production.Site-Specific Nutrient Management(SSNM)emerges as a critical strategy to increase crop production,maintain soil health,and reduce environmental pollution.Despite its potential,the application of SSNM technologies remain limited in farmers'fields due to existing research gaps.This review critically analyzes and presents research conducted in SSNM in the past 11 years(2013–2024),identifying gaps and future research directions.A comprehensive study of 97 relevant research publications reveals several key findings:a)Electrochemical sensing and spectroscopy are the two widely explored areas in SSNM research,b)Despite numerous technologies in SSNM,each has its own limitation,preventing any single technology from being ideal,c)The selection of models and preprocessing techniques significantly impacts nutrient prediction accuracy,d)No single sensor or sensor combination can predict all soil properties,as suitability is highly attribute-specific.This review provides researchers,and technical personnel in precision agriculture,and farmers with detailed insights into SSNM research,its implementation,limitations,challenges,and future research directions.
文摘To increase fertilizer use efficiency （FUE） and to minimize its negative impact on environment have been the focal points in the world for a long time. It is very important to increase FUE in China for its relatively low FUE and serious losses of nutrients. Recent advances of the technologies to increase FUE are reviewed in this article. These include site-specific and real-time nitrogen management, non-destructive quick test of the nitrogen status of plants, new types of slow release and controlled release fertilizers, site-specific nutrient management, and use of urease inhibitor and nitrification inhibitor to decrease nitrogen losses. Future outlook in technologies related to FUE improvement is also discussed.
