Heavy summer rainfall induces significant soil erosion and shallow landslide activity on the loess hillslopes of the Xining Basin at the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This study examines the mechanica...Heavy summer rainfall induces significant soil erosion and shallow landslide activity on the loess hillslopes of the Xining Basin at the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This study examines the mechanical effects of five native shrubs that can be used to reduce shallow landslide activity. We measured single root tensile resistance and shear resistance, root anatomical structure and direct shear and triaxial shear for soil without roots and five root- soil composite systems. Results show that Atriplex canescens （Pursh） Nutt. possessed the strongest roots, followed by Caragana korshinskii Kom., Zygophyllum xanthoxylon （Bunge） Maxim., Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. and Lycium chinense Mill. Single root strength and shear resistance relationships with root diameter are characterized by power or exponential relations, consistent with the Mohr- Coulomb law. Root mechanical strength reflects their anatomical structure, especially the percentage of phloem and xylem cells, and the degree and speed of periderm lignifications. The cohesion force of root- soil composite systems is notably higher than that of soil without roots, with increasing amplitudes of cohesion force for A. canescens, C. korshinskii, Z. xanthoxylon, N. tangutorurn and L. chinense of 75.9%, 75.1%, 36.2%, 24.6% and 17.0 % respectively. When subjected to shear forces, the soil without root samples show much greater lateral deformation thanthe root-soil composite systems, reflecting the restraining effects of roots. Findings from this paper indicate that efforts to reduce shallow landslides in this region by enhancing root reinforcement will be achieved most effectively using A. canescens and C. korshinskii.展开更多
To investigate the influence of root system architectural properties of three indigenous （cold- adapted） shrubs on the hillslope stability of loess deposits in the Xining Basin, northeast part of Qinghai-Tibet Plate...To investigate the influence of root system architectural properties of three indigenous （cold- adapted） shrubs on the hillslope stability of loess deposits in the Xining Basin, northeast part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau （QTP）, indoor direct shear tests have been conducted on the remolded rooted soil of three shrubs. Test results show that root system architectural indices （root area ratio （RAR）, root length density （RLD） and root density （RD）） of the shrubs decline with depth and the relationship between RAR, RD and depth is exponential, while a power relationship describes the relationship between RLD and depth. The cohesion force of remolded rooted soil for the shrubs initially increases with depth, but it then demonstrates a slightly decreasing trend, which can be described with a power relationship. Power relationships also describe relationships between cohesion force and RAR, RLD and RD for the shrubs. As the growth period increases from lO to 17 months, the incremental increase in RAR is 48.32% ~ 21o.25% for Caragana korshinskii Kom and 0.56% ~ 166.85% for ZygophyUum xanthoxylon （Bunge） Maxim. This proportional increase is notably larger than that for RLD and RD. The increment in RAR is marginally greater for C. korshinskff than it is for Z. xanthoxylon. Correspondingly, the cohesion force incremental rates of remolded rooted soil for C. korshinskii and Z. xanthoxylon are 12.41% ~ 25.22% and 3.45% ~ 17.33% respectively. Meanwhile, as root content increases, the contribution by roots to cohesion force increases markedly until a threshold condition is reached.展开更多
Artificial photosynthesis is deemed as an efficient protocol for transforming abundant solar energy into valuable fuel. In this paper, the well-defined one-dimensional(1D) core–shell MnO_(2)@CdS hybrids were construc...Artificial photosynthesis is deemed as an efficient protocol for transforming abundant solar energy into valuable fuel. In this paper, the well-defined one-dimensional(1D) core–shell MnO_(2)@CdS hybrids were constructed by employing MnO_(2) nanotubes and CdS nanoparticles as nano-building blocks via a chemical coprecipitation route. The rationally designed core–shell structure provided an intimate heterojunction interface between the CdS shell and MnO_(2) core. All the MnO_(2)@CdS core–shell nanocomposites possess higher H_(2) evolution rate through visible light irradiation contrary to pristine CdS, and the optimal MnO_(2)@CdS hybrid exhibits the utmost H_(2) evolution rate of 3.94 mmol·g^(-1)·h^(-1), which is2.8-fold higher compared with that of CdS. Appertaining to XPS and Mott-Schottky(M-S) analysis, such enhanced photocatalytic H_(2) generation of MnO_(2)@CdS heterojunction was ascribed to an S-scheme mechanism, which suppressed the charge recombination along with a fast detachment of electron–hole pairs(e^(-)–h^(+)) and significantly improved the severance of carriers, thus improved H_(2) evolution performance. These findings envision a new insight into the development of S-scheme heterostructure for photocatalytic H_(2) generation.展开更多
RNA interference(RNAi)is a powerful tool that post-transcriptionally silences target genes in eukaryotic cells.However,silencing efficacy varies greatly among different insect species.Recently,we met with little succe...RNA interference(RNAi)is a powerful tool that post-transcriptionally silences target genes in eukaryotic cells.However,silencing efficacy varies greatly among different insect species.Recently,we met with little success when attempting to knock down genes in the mirid bug Apolygus lucorum via dsRNA injection.The disappearance of double-stranded RNA(dsRNA)could be a potential factor that restricts RNAi efficiency.Here,we found that dsRNA can be degraded in midgut fluids,and a dsRNase of A.lucorum(AldsRNase)was identified and characterized.Sequence alignment indicated that its 6 key amino acid residues and the Mg2+-binding site were similar to those of other insects’dsRNases.The signal peptide and endonuclease non-specific domain shared high sequence identity with the brown-winged green stinkbug Plautia stali dsRNase.AldsRNase showed high salivary gland and midgut expression and was continuously expressed through the whole life cycle,with peaks at the 4th instar ecdysis in the whole body.The purified AldsRNase protein obtained by heterologously expressed can rapidly degrade dsRNA.When comparing the substrate specificity of AldsRNase,3 specific substrates(dsRNA,small interfering RNA,and dsDNA)were all degraded,and the most efficient degradation is dsRNA.Subsequently,immunofluorescence revealed that AldsRNase was expressed in the cytoplasm of midgut cells.Through cloning and functional study of AldsRNase,the enzyme activity and substrate specificity of the recombinant protein,as well as the subcellular localization of nuclease,the reason for the disappearance of dsRNA was explained,which was useful in improving RNAi efficiency in A.lucorum and related species.展开更多
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41162010)Excellent Talents in University of New Century by Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China(Grant No.NCET-04-G983)International Science & Technology Cooperation Program of China(Grant No.2011DFG93160)
文摘Heavy summer rainfall induces significant soil erosion and shallow landslide activity on the loess hillslopes of the Xining Basin at the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This study examines the mechanical effects of five native shrubs that can be used to reduce shallow landslide activity. We measured single root tensile resistance and shear resistance, root anatomical structure and direct shear and triaxial shear for soil without roots and five root- soil composite systems. Results show that Atriplex canescens （Pursh） Nutt. possessed the strongest roots, followed by Caragana korshinskii Kom., Zygophyllum xanthoxylon （Bunge） Maxim., Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. and Lycium chinense Mill. Single root strength and shear resistance relationships with root diameter are characterized by power or exponential relations, consistent with the Mohr- Coulomb law. Root mechanical strength reflects their anatomical structure, especially the percentage of phloem and xylem cells, and the degree and speed of periderm lignifications. The cohesion force of root- soil composite systems is notably higher than that of soil without roots, with increasing amplitudes of cohesion force for A. canescens, C. korshinskii, Z. xanthoxylon, N. tangutorurn and L. chinense of 75.9%, 75.1%, 36.2%, 24.6% and 17.0 % respectively. When subjected to shear forces, the soil without root samples show much greater lateral deformation thanthe root-soil composite systems, reflecting the restraining effects of roots. Findings from this paper indicate that efforts to reduce shallow landslides in this region by enhancing root reinforcement will be achieved most effectively using A. canescens and C. korshinskii.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.41162010,41572306)provincial key project in science and technologies of Qinghai(Grant No.2003-N-134)+1 种基金Excellent Talents in University of New Century by Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China(Grant No.NCET–04–G983)International Science&Technology Cooperation Program of China(Grant No.2011DFG93160)
文摘To investigate the influence of root system architectural properties of three indigenous （cold- adapted） shrubs on the hillslope stability of loess deposits in the Xining Basin, northeast part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau （QTP）, indoor direct shear tests have been conducted on the remolded rooted soil of three shrubs. Test results show that root system architectural indices （root area ratio （RAR）, root length density （RLD） and root density （RD）） of the shrubs decline with depth and the relationship between RAR, RD and depth is exponential, while a power relationship describes the relationship between RLD and depth. The cohesion force of remolded rooted soil for the shrubs initially increases with depth, but it then demonstrates a slightly decreasing trend, which can be described with a power relationship. Power relationships also describe relationships between cohesion force and RAR, RLD and RD for the shrubs. As the growth period increases from lO to 17 months, the incremental increase in RAR is 48.32% ~ 21o.25% for Caragana korshinskii Kom and 0.56% ~ 166.85% for ZygophyUum xanthoxylon （Bunge） Maxim. This proportional increase is notably larger than that for RLD and RD. The increment in RAR is marginally greater for C. korshinskff than it is for Z. xanthoxylon. Correspondingly, the cohesion force incremental rates of remolded rooted soil for C. korshinskii and Z. xanthoxylon are 12.41% ~ 25.22% and 3.45% ~ 17.33% respectively. Meanwhile, as root content increases, the contribution by roots to cohesion force increases markedly until a threshold condition is reached.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51672113,21975110 and 21972058)。
文摘Artificial photosynthesis is deemed as an efficient protocol for transforming abundant solar energy into valuable fuel. In this paper, the well-defined one-dimensional(1D) core–shell MnO_(2)@CdS hybrids were constructed by employing MnO_(2) nanotubes and CdS nanoparticles as nano-building blocks via a chemical coprecipitation route. The rationally designed core–shell structure provided an intimate heterojunction interface between the CdS shell and MnO_(2) core. All the MnO_(2)@CdS core–shell nanocomposites possess higher H_(2) evolution rate through visible light irradiation contrary to pristine CdS, and the optimal MnO_(2)@CdS hybrid exhibits the utmost H_(2) evolution rate of 3.94 mmol·g^(-1)·h^(-1), which is2.8-fold higher compared with that of CdS. Appertaining to XPS and Mott-Schottky(M-S) analysis, such enhanced photocatalytic H_(2) generation of MnO_(2)@CdS heterojunction was ascribed to an S-scheme mechanism, which suppressed the charge recombination along with a fast detachment of electron–hole pairs(e^(-)–h^(+)) and significantly improved the severance of carriers, thus improved H_(2) evolution performance. These findings envision a new insight into the development of S-scheme heterostructure for photocatalytic H_(2) generation.
基金This study was supported by Jiangsu Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Fund[CX(21)3088,CX(22)2038]Jiangsu Province Key R&D Program(Modern Agriculture)Project:Surface Project(BE2021303).
文摘RNA interference(RNAi)is a powerful tool that post-transcriptionally silences target genes in eukaryotic cells.However,silencing efficacy varies greatly among different insect species.Recently,we met with little success when attempting to knock down genes in the mirid bug Apolygus lucorum via dsRNA injection.The disappearance of double-stranded RNA(dsRNA)could be a potential factor that restricts RNAi efficiency.Here,we found that dsRNA can be degraded in midgut fluids,and a dsRNase of A.lucorum(AldsRNase)was identified and characterized.Sequence alignment indicated that its 6 key amino acid residues and the Mg2+-binding site were similar to those of other insects’dsRNases.The signal peptide and endonuclease non-specific domain shared high sequence identity with the brown-winged green stinkbug Plautia stali dsRNase.AldsRNase showed high salivary gland and midgut expression and was continuously expressed through the whole life cycle,with peaks at the 4th instar ecdysis in the whole body.The purified AldsRNase protein obtained by heterologously expressed can rapidly degrade dsRNA.When comparing the substrate specificity of AldsRNase,3 specific substrates(dsRNA,small interfering RNA,and dsDNA)were all degraded,and the most efficient degradation is dsRNA.Subsequently,immunofluorescence revealed that AldsRNase was expressed in the cytoplasm of midgut cells.Through cloning and functional study of AldsRNase,the enzyme activity and substrate specificity of the recombinant protein,as well as the subcellular localization of nuclease,the reason for the disappearance of dsRNA was explained,which was useful in improving RNAi efficiency in A.lucorum and related species.
