玉米耐盐基因ZmHKT1;5在烟草中的功能验证

HKT类基因是与植物耐盐性密切相关的一类基因。在作物中HKT蛋白可通过排出Na+来维持植物体内的Na~+/K~+平衡,从而影响植物耐盐性。通过在烟草中过表达玉米ZmHKT1;5基因,验证该基因具有提高植物耐盐性的作用。结果表明,过表达ZmHKT1;5基因的T0代材料即显示出叶片耐盐能力的明显提高;T2代转基因株系种子在含盐培养基上的发芽能力明显强于野生型材料,T2代转基因株系幼苗阶段的耐盐能力也得到了明显的提高。通过比较在盐胁迫后2月龄的转基因材料和野生型材料的生理指标,发现野生型材料中MDA和H_2O_2的含量相较转基因材料发生了更为明显的上升,说明转基因材料中过表达ZmHKT1;5基因有效降低了盐胁迫引起的过氧化物积累。综合转基因验证的结果,证明ZmHKT1;5基因具有提高植物耐盐性的作用。     

Synthesis,structure and thermal protective behavior of silica aerogel/PET nonwoven fiber composite

In recent years, flexible, mechanically strong and environmental friendly thermal insulation materials have attracted considerable attention. In this work, silica aerogel/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nonwoven fiber composite with desirable characteristics was prepared via a two-step sol-gel process followed by an ambient drying method through immersing the PET nonwoven fiber into silica sol. The silica aerogel particles were characterized by FTIR, FE-SEM, TGA and nitrogen adsorption analysis. The morphology and hydrophobic properties of neat PET nonwoven fiber and its silica aerogel composite were also investigated. For studying thermal protective properties, the thermal diffusivity was calculated from temperature distribution curves. The mean pore size of 11 nm, the surface area of 606 m²/g and the total pore volume of 1.77 cm³/g for the silica aerogel particles in the composite are obtained from nitrogen adsorption analysis, indicating the aerogel can maintain its high porosity in the nonwoven composite structure. Silica aerogel particles were efficiently covered the surface of the PET fibers and completely filled the micron size pores of the nonwoven fiber leading to a stronger hydrophobicity and higher thermal insulation performance in the aerogel composite samples compared to the neat PET nonwoven. In this regard, an almost 64 % decrease in the thermal diffusivity was achieved with 66 wt% silica aerogel.     

转AtGA2ox1基因玉米自交系和杂交种的耐旱性分析

AtGA2ox1基因是调控赤霉素代谢的关键基因。以3个AtGA2ox1基因转化体回交转育玉米自交系和配制的杂交组合为研究材料,系统开展玉米自交系和杂交种的耐旱性分析。结果表明,3个转化体在回交转育过程中,多世代间遗传稳定。苗期不同转化体玉米在干旱胁迫24 d后复水仍能正常生长;对照材料胁迫后叶片卷曲至萎蔫,复水后无法恢复生长。通过对丙二醛、超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶等生理生化指标的跟踪监测发现,干旱胁迫条件下转基因玉米的MDA含量低于对照约20%;超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶活性高于对照20%,降低玉米细胞膜氧化损伤来增强转基因玉米耐旱胁迫能力,与玉米耐旱表型一致。成熟期干旱条件下,对照玉米果穗变小,穗长变短,穗重减轻。转基因杂交种的粒重和百粒重显著高于对照,其中杂交种NKYGA09*X923-1百粒重高于对照杂交种21.21%,表现出潜在的育种价值。     

Investigation of the fracture mode for hard and soft wheat endosperm using the loading–unloading bending test

Investigation of the fracture mode for hard and soft wheat endosperm was aimed at gaining a better understanding of the fragmentation process. Fracture mechanical characterization was based on the three-point bending test which enables stable crack propagation to take place in small rectangular pieces of wheat endosperm. The crack length can be measured in situ by using an optical microscope with light illumination from the side of the specimen or from the back of the specimen. Two new techniques were developed and used to estimate the fracture toughness of wheat endosperm, a geometric approach and a compliance method. The geometric approach gave average fracture toughness values of 53.10 and 27.0 J m⁻² for hard and soft endosperm, respectively. Fracture toughness estimated using the compliance method gave values of 49.9 and 29.7 J m⁻² for hard and soft endosperm, respectively. Compressive properties of the endosperm in three mutually perpendicular axes revealed that the hard and soft endosperms are isotropic composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation of the fracture surfaces and the energy–time curves of loading–unloading cycles revealed that there was a plastic flow during crack propagation for both the hard and soft endosperms, and confirmed that the fracture mode is significantly related to the adhesion level between starch granules and the protein matrix.     

Comparative effects of salt and alkali stresses on organic acid accumulation and ionic balance of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is uniquely capable of growing well under various extreme environmental conditions, such as water deficit, salt stress, low temperature, and high altitude. It is of economic value and its berries are used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. In this study, we compared the effects of salt stresses (9:1 molar ratio of NaCl to Na₂SO₄, pH 6.48–6.65) and alkali stresses (9:1 molar ratio of NaHCO₃ to Na₂CO₃, pH 8.70–8.88) on the levels of inorganic ions and organic acids in H. rhamnoides L. to elucidate the physiological mechanism by which it tolerates salt or alkali stress (high pH). The results showed that, in leaves and stems under alkali stress, the Na⁺ content increased to a much greater extent than under salt stress. Neither salt nor alkali stress decreased the K⁺ content in leaves and stems; however, in roots, the K⁺ content decreased sharply with increasing alkali stress, whereas it remained relatively unchanged with increasing salt stress. This revealed a specific mechanism of absorption or transport for Na⁺ and K⁺ that was affected strongly by alkali stress. The results indicated that accumulation of organic acid (OA) was a central adaptive mechanism by which H. rhamnoides maintained intracellular ionic balance under alkali stress. OA may play different roles in different organs during adaptation to alkali stress, and its percentage contribution to total negative charge was higher in leaf than in stem. H. rhamnoides accumulated mainly malate, oxalate, and citrate in leaves and stems; however, in roots, less malate and citrate was accumulated, and acetate accumulation was enhanced significantly, which indicated that roots and shoots use different mechanisms to modulate OA metabolism.     

Investigation of mechanical and fracture behavior of plane weave glass fiber/polymer composite with inclined through thickness cracks

The aim of this study is to investigate mechanical and fracture behavior of plane weave glass fiber reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) thermoplastic composite using a middle tension (MT) specimen with inclined through-thickness cracks under static tension. In this study, crack growth, crack opening displacement (COD), stress intensity factors and fracture toughness are studied. Crack growth and crack opening displacement values are taken as a damage parameter factor for crack geometry calculations. Experimental results are evaluates using both J-integraland stress intensity factormethods.     

盐生草HgNHX1基因在大麦株系中的功能验证

为了探讨盐和干旱环境胁迫对转盐生草液泡膜型Na⁺/H⁺逆向转运蛋白基因HgNHX1大麦幼苗生长及抗逆性生理指标的影响,以转HgNHX1基因大麦及野生型株系为材料,分析盐(150 mmol· L^-1 NaCl)和自然干旱环境下转基因大麦幼苗的生长特性及生理指标的变化。结果表明,在盐胁迫条件下,随着胁迫时间的延长,转基因株系中HgNHX1 基因相对表达量逐渐上升;干旱胁迫条件下,转基因株系中HgNHX1 基因相对表达量呈先上升后下降的趋势,在处理3 d时达到最高。且在胁迫处理的三个不同时间点,转基因株系的相对含水量和游离脯胺酸含量均高于野生型株系,而相对电导率和丙二醛含量均低于野生型株系。这些结果说明,转基因株系中HgNHX1基因能够应答盐和干旱胁迫,具有提高大麦耐盐、抗旱性的功能。     

One-step fabrication of high selective hollow fiber nanofiltration membrane module

A novel hollow fiber composite Nanofiltration (NF) membrane was fabricated by an improved preparation procedure. Using hollow fiber ultrafiltration (UF) membrane modules as the supporting modules, hollow fiber composite NF modules were fabricated by the one-step interfacial polymerization method. The effects of preparation conditions (such as concentration of the monomers, reaction time of monomers and ambient relative humidity, etc.) on the performance of the hollow fiber composite membranes were studied. When tested at 0.6 MPa, room temperature, the hollow fiber composite membrane had a rejection sequence of MgSO₄>Na₂SO₄>MgCl₂>NaCl and a permeate flux sequence of NaCl>Na₂SO₄> MgSO₄>MgCl₂. The nagative charge character of the membrane surface was examined by streaming potential methods. The effect of the surface electrolyte properties on the membrane separation performance was investigated. The morphologies of the hollow fiber composite Nanofiltration membranes were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).     

Surface modification of okra bast fiber and its physico-chemical characteristics

The effect of chemical treatment i.e. bleaching, alkalization and graft copolymerization on the morphology changes of okra bast fiber has been investigated by means of infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water absorption and tensile properties measurements. The graft copolymerization reaction of bleached fiber with acrylonitrile monomer (AN) has been carried out under the catalytic influence of K₂S₂O₈ and FeSO₄ redox system. The maximum graft yield (11.43 %) has been found at 70°C temperature, 3×10⁻² mol/l acrylonitrile, 5×10⁻³ mol/l K₂S₂O₈, 5×10⁻³ mol/l FeSO₄ and for 90 min. On the contrary, the fiber has been treated with 10 % NaOH solution, which is much effective to remove the impurities. Based on findings of water absorption, tensile properties and SEM micrograph, the AN-grafted fiber has been showed better properties than bleached and alkali treated fibers. The degree of modification of okra bast fiber by chemical treatment has been evaluated by IR measurement.     

Conductive aramid fiber with Ni-Cu composite coating prepared using the metalation swelling method

Conductive aramid fiber with nickel-copper composite coating is prepared by consecutive steps of metalation swelling, sensitization, activation, nickel electroless deposition, and copper electroless deposition, respectively. The metalation swelling of aramid fiber makes the follow-up sensitization and activation feasible. The as-prepared samples are characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD and XPS. After metalation swelling, the aramid fibers look like cotton fibers with numerous nano-scale pits of 50–300 nm in diameter. Pd metal as nuclei for Ni crystal growth with the size of 10±5 nm is originated from Pd²⁺, which can be reduced to Pd⁰ by Sn²⁺. The Ni-Cu composite coating of 1-µm thickness has polycrystalline structure. And the electrical resistance of conductive Ni-Cu aramid fiber is 0.035 Ω/cm. The synthesis mechanism of the conductive aramid fiber with Ni-Cu composite coating is given.     

Characterization of plant and animal based natural fibers reinforced polypropylene composites and their comparative study

Natural fibers are largely divided into two categories depending on their origin: plant based and animal based. Plant based natural jute fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) matrix composites (20 wt% fiber) were fabricated by compression molding. Bending strength (BS), bending modulus (BM), tensile strength (TS), Young’s modulus (YM), and impact strength (IS) of the composites were found 44.2 MPa, 2200 MPa, 41.3 MPa, 750 MPa and 12 kJ/m², respectively. Animal based natural B. mori silk fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) matrix composites (20 wt% fiber) were fabricated in the same way and the mechanical properties were compared over the silk based composites. TS, YM, BS, BM, IS of silk fiber reinforced polypropylene composites were found 55.6 MPa, 760 MPa, 57.1 MPa, 3320 MPa and 17 kJ/m² respectively. Degradation of composites in soil was measured upto twelve weeks. It was found that plant based jute fiber/PP composite losses its strength more than animal based silk fiber/PP composite for the same period of time. The comparative study makes it clear that mechanical properties of silk/PP composites are greater than those values of jute/PP composites. But jute/PP composites are more degradable than silk/PP composites i.e., silk/PP composites retain their strength for a longer period than jute/PP composites.     

Mechanical properties of fragrant screwpine fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester composite: Effect of fiber length,fiber treatment and water absorption

Fragrant screwpine fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester composites (FSFRUPC) were subjected to water immersion tests in order to examine the effect of water absorption on the mechanical properties. FSFRUP composite specimen containing 30 % fiber volume fraction with fiber length of 3 mm and 9 mm was considered in this study. Water absorption test was performed by immersing specimen in sea, distilled and well water at room temperature under different time durations (24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, 192, 216, 240 hours). The tensile, flexural and impact properties of the water absorption specimen were appraised and compared with those of the dry composite specimen as per the ASTM standard. The tensile, flexural and impact properties of FSFRUPC specimen were found to decrease with the increase in the percentage of moisture uptake. The percentage of moisture uptake of composite was reduced after alkali treatment with 3 % NaoH for 3 hours. In moisture absorption test, the lowest diffusion coefficient, D (6.62513×10^-13 m²/s) and swelling rate parameter, K _sr (6.341×10^-3 h^-1) were obtained through the specimen immersed in sea water. The chemical composition, elemental composition of fiber and surface morphology of the FSFRUPC were analysed by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively.     

Effect of carbonic anhydrase-containing endophytic bacteria on growth and physiological attributes of wheat under water-deficit conditions

Drought is one of the major limitations to agricultural productivity, suppressing plant growth and yield of food crops throughout the world particularly in arid and semiarid regions. Drought-tolerant carbonic anhydrase (CA; EC 4.2.1.1)-containing endophytic bacteria may improve plant growth under stressed conditions. In the present study, effect of drought-tolerant CA-containing endophytic bacteria on growth and physiology of wheat under water-deficit conditions was studied. One hundred and fifty isolates were isolated from wheat plants and screened for their ability to tolerate polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000-induced water-deficit stress (?0.31 to ?3.20 MPa). Fifty isolates exhibiting intrinsic ability to tolerate stress were further screened for CA activity. Ten drought-tolerant isolates with higher CA activity were evaluated for improving wheat growth under water-deficit conditions (?0.04, ?1.09, ?1.23 MPa). Results showed that PEG-mediated water-deficit stress significantly reduced growth of wheat. However, inoculation with isolates WR2, WS11 and WL19 significantly enhanced seedling growth by improving maximum root length, shoot length, root and shoot dry weight under non-stressed as well as stressed conditions. These isolates were identified by 16S rRNA as Bacillus marisflavi (WR2) Bacillus thuringiensis (WS11) and Bacillus subtilis (WL19). Isolate WL19 also improved chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, CA activity and relative water content compared to uninoculated control plants. Overall, our findings suggest that endophytic bacterial isolates WR2, WS11 and WL19 with CA activity can enhance photosynthesis and biomass of wheat seedlings under water-deficit conditions.

Abbreviations: CA: Carbonic anhydrase; PEG: Polyethylene glycol; CO₂: Carbon dioxide; HCO^3–: Bicarbonate; TSA: Tryptic Soy Agar; LB: Luria Bertani; A: CO₂ assimilation rate; E: Transpiration rate; g_s: Stomatal conductance; C_i: Substomatal CO₂ concentration; RWC: Relative water content; EL: Electrolyte leakage     

In vitro reproduction in the annual pasture legumes subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and French serradella (Ornithopus sativus Brot.)

Pasture legumes are important components of both mixed farming rotations and permanent pastures in temperate climates. Breeding of two widely sown pasture legumes, subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and French serradella (Ornithopus sativus Brot.), is constrained by the long generation cycle, typically enabling only one generation per year. We hypothesized manipulation of culture medium and conditions would enable the development of a laboratory‐based protocol for in vitro reproduction in subterranean clover and French serradella. In vitro flowering and viable seed set was induced from both species. For subterranean clover, the most effective treatment was culturing on modified MS medium with 1 μm kinetin and 0·1 m sucrose under a 100 μmol m^?2 s^?1 light intensity and continuous photoperiod. For French serradella, culture on a hormone‐free B5 medium with 5 mm NH₄Cl and 0·1 m sucrose under a 100 μmol m^?2 s^?1 light intensity and 20 h photoperiod was optimum. It is expected this technique will have application in accelerating generation turnover within breeding programs, for the study of factors influencing flowering in pasture legumes, and for the propagation of valuable yet enfeebled plants such as embryo‐rescued hybrids.     

Microstructures and electrical properties of composite films based on carbon nanotube and para-aramid containing cyano side group

We report the microstructures and electrical properties of poly(2-cyano-1,4-phenylene terephthalamide) (cyPPTA)-based composite films including pristine multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) of 0.3-10.0 wt%, which were manufactured by ultrasonication-based solution mixing and casting techniques. FT-IR spectra of the composite films revealed the existence of specific interaction between cyPPTA and MWCNT. Accordingly, the pristine MWCNTs were found to be dispersed uniformly in the cyPPTA matrix, as confirmed by TEM images. The electrical resistivity of the composite films decreased considerably from ~10¹⁰ Ω cm to ~10⁰ Ω cm with the increase of the MWCNT content by forming a conductive percolation threshold at ~0.525 wt%. The composite films with 3.0-10.0 wt% MWCNT contents, which have sufficiently low electrical resistivity of ~10²-10⁰ Ω cm, exhibited excellent electric heating performance by attaining high maximum temperatures and electric power efficiency under given applied voltages of 10-100 V. Since the thermal decomposition of the composite films took place at 520-600 °C under air atmosphere, cyPPTA/MWCNT composite films could be used for high performance electric heating, antistatic, and EMI shielding materials.     

芽胞杆菌对玉米幼苗生长及土壤酶活性和养分含量的影响

以解淀粉芽胞杆菌NECC10723(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NECC10723,Bam723)和阿耶波多氏芽胞杆菌NECC10295(Bacillus aryabhattai NECC10295,Bar295)为试验材料,通过盆栽试验,探究接种不同芽胞杆菌对于玉米幼苗的生长指标、土壤酶活性和土壤养分含量的影响。结果表明,盐碱胁迫下接种不同芽胞杆菌均对玉米幼苗起到不同程度的促生作用,Bam723和Bar295均在1×10⁷cfu/mL浓度下促生效果最为显著,提高盐碱胁迫下玉米幼苗的株高、茎粗、地上部及地下部干重和根冠比。土壤中施加Bam723可显著提升盐碱胁迫下玉米幼苗种植土壤中的酶活和土壤养分含量,与对照处理相比,土壤中脲酶、碱性磷酸酶、蔗糖酶活性分别提高19.31%、31.77%和45.78%;土壤全氮、速效磷、速效钾含量分别提高137.54%、295.49%和3.19%,增加幅度均大于Bar295处理。     

Preparation and characterization of a novel nanofiltration membrane

In this study, poly[2-(N, N-dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA) was prepared by bulk polymerization using AIBN as an initiator. Aqueous PDMAEMA solution was then purified by hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane technology to remove oligomers. PDMAEMA/polysulfone (PSF) positively charged nanofiltration (NF) membrane was developed by interfacial polymerization by using PSF ultrafiltration membrane as the substrate, PDMAEMA aqueous solution as the coating solution and p-xylylene dichloride dissolved in n-heptane as the organic crosslinker. Effects of substrate material, concentration of monomer, pH value of PDMAEMA, coating time and crosslinking time were then carefully examined on the separation properties of the prepared NF membrane. Data suggested that the rejection rate of the composite NF membrane to 1 g/l of MgSO₄ was around 86.7 %, and the water flux was about 18.4 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹. Therefore, the developed NF membrane is suitable for rejection and desalination of alkaline dyes.     

Germination responses of the halophyte Chloris virgata to temperature and reduced water potential caused by salinity,alkalinity and drought stress

Chloris virgata is considered a useful grass species for grassland restoration in northern China. However, little information exists concerning the germination responses of this species to temperature and water potential caused by stress conditions. Experiments were conducted in growth chambers to assess the effect of temperature, salinity, alkalinity, drought and the interactions of temperature and stress on seed germination. Seeds were germinated at three diurnal temperature regimes, with four water potentials in NaCl, NaHCO₃ and PEG solutions. Results showed that optimal germination under stress occurred at 15–25 °C, and germination percentages and rates were inhibited by either an increase or decrease in temperature from the optimal temperature. The inhibitory effects of the low water potential caused by salinity and drought on germination were greater at 25–35 °C, but seeds were subjected to more stress despite the relatively higher water potential because of the alkalinity at this temperature. The recovery percentage under salinity was highest at ?1·2 MPa at 15–25 °C, and more than 80% of seeds also germinated at this water potential after they were transferred from drought stress. However, seeds lost their viability in higher alkalinities under all temperatures, and at 25–35 °C, there was lower recovery percentage under stress. Results suggest that salinity, alkalinity and drought stress have different impacts on seed germination, and the tolerance to stress of C. virgata seeds is affected by the interactions of temperature and water potential caused by salinity, alkalinity and drought. Chloris virgata shows potential utility as a promising grass species in salinity–alkalinity and drought‐stressed environments.     

Preparation of carbon fiber from heavy oil residue through bromination

A pitch precursor for a general purpose carbon fiber was prepared by condensation of pyrolized fuel oil (petroleum residual oil) with bromine under nitrogen blowing. Such a condensation raised the softening point of the pitch from 40°C to 265°C with a yield of 43%. The pitch precursor showed an enhanced aromaticity and enlarged molecular size, which led to a reduction in molecular mobility and optical isotropy. The precursor was spun into fibers of 20 μm diameter at a take-up speed of 700 m/min. The fiber was stepwise stabilized in air and carbonized in Ar gas to obtain an isotropic carbon fiber. The carbon fiber exhibited tensile strengths of 500–800 MPa though the fiber was formed via a crude method. The electric conductivity of the carbon fiber was relatively high, 2.2×10² S/cm, sufficient to be used as electrode materials.     

Short-term evaluation of oxygen transfer from rice (Oryza sativa) to mixed planted drought-adapted upland crops under hydroponic culture

Mixed cropping is a cultivation method widely practiced in tropical regions. The newly developed close mixed planting technique mitigates the flood stress of drought-adapted upland cereal species by co-growing rice (Oryza sativa) plants under field flood conditions. We tested the hypothesis that O₂ was transferred from rice to upland crops using the model system of hydroponic culture. To confirm the hypothesis, the phenomena of O₂ absorption and release by plants were evaluated in a water culture condition without soil. Experiments were conducted in a climate chamber to estimate the amount of O₂ released from the roots of rice and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) under both O₂-rich (20.0 ± .0% conc. in phase I) and O₂-free dark (.8 ± .0% conc. in phase II) conditions. The total O₂ change (between the two phases) in a single planting of rice and pearl millet was significantly higher than that of the mixed planting of rice and pearl millet, which indicated that O₂ was transferred from rice to pearl millet under a water culture condition. The result indicated that approximately 7 μM O₂ g fresh root weight^?1 h^?1 was transferred between the two plant species. O₂ transfer was confirmed between the two plant species in a mix cultured in water, implying its contribution to the phenomenon that improved the physiological status of drought-adapted upland crops under field flood conditions.