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Superhydrophobic metal−organic framework (MOF)-based sponges have received increasing attention in terms of treating oil−water mixtures. However, highly fluorinated substances, commonly used as modifiers to improve the hydrophobicity of MOFs, have aroused much environmental concern. Developing a green hydrophobic modification is crucial in order to prepare superhydrophobic MOF-sponge composites. Herein, we report the preparation of a porous composite sponge via a polydopamine (PDA)-assisted growth of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-90) and eco-friendly hydrophobic short-chain fluorinated substances (trifluoroethylamine) on a melamine formaldehyde (MF) sponge. The composite sponge (F-ZIF-90@PDA-MF) exhibited superhydrophobicity (water contact angle, 153°) and superoleophilicity (oil contact angle, 0°), which is likely due to the combination of the low surface energy brought on by the grafted CF3 groups, as well as the rough surface structures that were derived from the in situ growth of ZIF-90 nanoparticles. F-ZIF-90@PDA-MF showed an excellent adsorption capacity of 39.4–130.4 g g−1 for the different organic compounds. The adsorbed organic compounds were easily recovered by physical squeezing. Continuous and selective separation for the different oil−water mixtures was realized by employing the composite sponge as an absorbent or a filter. The separation efficiency and flux reached above 99.5% and went up to 7.1 ×105 L m−2 h−1, respectively. The results illustrate that the superhydrophobic and superoleophilic F-ZIF-90@PDA-MF sponge has potential in the field of water−oil separation, especially for the purposes of large-scale oil recovery in a water environment.

The digital development in rural areas has become an important driving force for promoting green production in agriculture. But the lack of digital skills among farmers remains a problem. The main reason why farmers cannot master digital skills well is their lack of digital literacy, which leads to market information asymmetry and the inability to truly distinguish the difference between green production and traditional production. Based on this, this article uses field research methods to collect data from 1,116 farmers in China, calculates agricultural green production efficiency using the SBM model, and empirically tests the relationship between farmers’ digital literacy and green production efficiency in agriculture. The results showed that digital literacy has a significant promoting effect on agricultural green production efficiency. Secondly, it was found that digital literacy can effectively enhance farmers’ cognition of green agricultural products and green production technology adoption. Among them, the effect of cognition of green agricultural products is reflected in farmers’ self-cognition and market cognition. The green production technology adoption is reflected in the breadth and depth of technology adoption. Third, we discuss the effect of different dimensions of digital literacy on agricultural green production efficiency. The effect of the digital literacy on the production efficiency of the five typical green technologies used by farmers is further discussed. Although there are certain differences, overall, they all have a significant promoting effect. It is necessary to comprehensively improve farmers’ digital literacy, bridge the digital divide and promote the green transformation of agricultural production.

The RWP-RK transcription factor family plays a pivotal role in nitrogen response and gametophyte development. Despite its biological importance, the evolutionary relationships and functional characteristics of RWP-RK genes in rice remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the structure, classification, expression patterns, and potential regulatory roles of RWP-RK transcription factors in rice (Oryza sativa), with a focus on their involvement in nitrogen signaling and reproductive development. A comprehensive genome-wide analysis was conducted to identify RWP-RK genes in rice. A total of 13 genes encoding 14 proteins, including two alternative splicing variants of OsNLP5, were identified and mapped across 8 of the 12 rice chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis was used to classify the proteins into subfamilies, and gene/protein structure characteristics were examined, including coding sequence length, exon number, and domain composition. Collinearity analysis was performed to explore evolutionary relationships between rice and . Promoter regions of the RWP-RK genes were analyzed for cis-regulatory elements, and tissue-specific as well as nitrogen-responsive gene expression patterns were evaluated using expression profiling. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the 14 RWP-RK proteins into four clades: groups 1-3 were assigned to the NLP subfamily and group 4 to the RKD subfamily. NLP members contained both RWP-RK and PB1 domains, while RKD proteins possessed only the RWP-RK domain. Structural analysis revealed that NLP genes generally have longer CDS, more exons, and larger proteins than RKD genes. Collinearity analysis suggested that rice and RWP-RK genes share a common ancestor, with evidence of gene recombination and species-specific divergence. Promoter analysis revealed numerous hormone- and stress-responsive cis-elements. Expression profiling showed that OsNLP genes are broadly expressed in all tissues, whereas OsRKD genes are predominantly active in reproductive organs. Upon nitrogen resupply after nitrogen starvation, expression levels of all OsNLP genes and three OsRKDs (OsRKD1, OsRKD3, OsRKD5) showed dynamic changes. The findings provide new insights into the classification, structure, and expression dynamics of the RWP-RK transcription factor family in rice. The distinct domain architectures and expression patterns between the NLP and RKD subfamilies suggest functional divergence, with NLP genes potentially playing broader roles in general nitrogen regulation, while RKD genes may be more specialized for reproductive development. The nitrogen-responsive expression changes highlight the potential regulatory role of these transcription factors in nutrient signaling. Overall, this study lays a valuable foundation for future functional investigations into the OsRWP-RK family's roles in nitrogen response and gametophyte development in rice.

Key messageA yellow green peel mutant (ygp) in cucumber was caused by a mutation in Csa2G352940 encoding MYB36 transcription factor.Peel color is one of the important agronomic traits of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). However, studies on the molecular regulation mechanism of peel color in cucumber are few. In this study, a cucumber yellow green peel mutant (ygp) of cucumber mutagenized with ethylmethylsulfone by using a wild type cucumber with dark green peel was identified. Pigment measurements indicated that the chlorophyll content of the ygp mutant was less than that of the wild type. Genetic analysis revealed that the phenotype of the ygp mutant was monogenic recessive inheritance. MutMap and genotyping results demonstrated that Csa2G352940 (CsMYB36), encoding the transcription factor MYB36, was the causal gene of the ygp mutant in cucumber. CsMYB36 was downregulated in the fruit of the ygp mutant. Transcriptome profile analysis of the fruit peel of the ygp mutant identified 92 candidate genes including genes that encode Casparian strip (CsCASP1) and pigment synthesis protein (CsMYC2) involved in peel color development in cucumber. CsMYB36 may regulate yellow green coloration in cucumber by interacting with these genes. Overall, these results showed that CsMYB36 can regulate the yellow green peel coloration in cucumber.

The development of rural digitalization has become a key driving force for promoting green agricultural production. However, in practical operations, due to the insufficient digital skills and lack of necessary digital human capital among farmers, they struggle to distinguish between green production methods and traditional practices, which in turn reduces their willingness to adopt green production. This study employed empirical research methods to collect data from 854 farmers in China’s largest grain-producing region and used the Probit model to analyze the impact of digital human capital on farmers’ willingness to engage in green production. The results indicate that an increase in digital human capital can significantly enhance farmers’ willingness to engage in green production. Additionally, it was found that online learning can enhance farmers’ willingness towards green production, with informal online learning proving more effective. Further analysis revealed that social networks play a mediating role between digital human capital and farmers’ willingness to engage in green production. The study also explored the heterogeneous impact of digital human capital on different groups of farmers, highlighting that increases in digital human capital have a more pronounced effect on the willingness of small-scale farmers and middle-aged farmers to engage in green production. Therefore, continuously enhancing digital human capital, emphasizing diverse learning channels, and leveraging ’acquaintance networks’ to encourage farmers to improve their awareness of green production through digital platforms are critical for promoting sustainable green agriculture in developing countries.

Organelle genome fragmentation has been found in a wide range of eukaryotic lineages; however, its use in phylogenetic reconstruction has not been demonstrated. We explored the use of mitochondrial (mt) genome fragmentation in resolving the controversial suborder-level phylogeny of parasitic lice (order Phthiraptera). There are approximately 5000 species of parasitic lice in four suborders (Amblycera, Ischnocera, Rhynchophthirina, and Anoplura), which infest mammals and birds. The phylogenetic relationships among these suborders are unresolved despite decades of studies. We sequenced the mt genomes of eight species of parasitic lice and compared them with 17 other species of parasitic lice sequenced previously. We found that the typical single-chromosome mt genome is retained in the lice of birds but fragmented into many minichromosomes in the lice of eutherian mammals. The shared derived feature of mt genome fragmentation unites the eutherian mammal lice of Ischnocera (family Trichodectidae) with Anoplura and Rhynchophthirina to the exclusion of the bird lice of Ischnocera (family Philopteridae). The novel clade, namely Mitodivisia, is also supported by phylogenetic analysis of mt genome and cox1 gene sequences. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that organelle genome fragmentation is informative for resolving controversial high-level phylogenies.

Purpose Products that espouse environmental ethical principles have received increasing attention in recent years. However, one key barrier against sustainable consumption is that green attributes could result in consumer’s expectation of decreased product physical performance. This study aims to investigate how green attributes existing in different product categories affect consumer purchase intention. Design/methodology/approach Two experimental studies were conducted to test the hypotheses. Study 1 provides initial evidence of the interaction effects between green attributes and product category on consumer purchase intention. Study 2 replicates the findings of Study 1 and further tests a benefits-based mechanism in the relationship between green attributes and consumer purchase intention. Findings The findings show that in the utilitarian product category, products with green peripheral attributes result in a higher purchase intention than those with green core attributes, whereas, in the hedonic product category, products with green core attributes result in a higher purchase intention than those with green peripheral attributes. Furthermore, the authors demonstrate that green attributes, as universal sustainability cues predominantly affect consumers’ perceptions of utilitarian environmental benefits and self-expression benefits, which further enhance their purchase intention towards utilitarian products and hedonic products, respectively. Originality/value This study responds to the calls for more empirical studies into discussing the role of green attributes in consumer purchase intention. Furthermore, it uncovers a benefits-based mechanism that explains how green attributes existing in utilitarian product categories and hedonic product categories trigger consumers’ analysis of benefits, leading to positive consumer purchase intention.

Efficient drying is crucial for the preservation and high-value utilization of tricholoma matsutake (TM). Traditional hot-air drying is inefficient, energy-intensive, and prone to quality degradation. This study investigates the application of microwave drying for TM, systematically analyzing its dielectric properties and moisture states, and elucidating the dielectric response mechanisms during drying. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize key process parameters, including microwave power, drying time, and sample mass, and to validate the feasibility of the optimized process for industrial applications. Results revealed that the dehydration process of TM comprises three distinct stages, with free water evaporation contributing 69.8% of the total weight loss. Dielectric properties correlated strongly with apparent density and temperature, with the loss tangent (tanδ) increasing by 213.0% at higher temperatures, confirming dipole loss as the primary heating mechanism. Under optimized drying conditions (power: 620.00 W, time: 2.70 min, mass: 13.2 g), a dehydration rate (DR) of 85.41% was achieved, with a 1.50% deviation from the model-predicted values. The optimized process effectively maintained the relative integrity of the microstructure of TM, with the C/O ratio increasing from 1.03 to 1.31. Steam pressure-driven moisture migration was identified as the primary mechanism facilitating microwave-enhanced dehydration. Pilot-scale experiments scaled up the processing capacity to 15 kg/h and confirmed that the new process reduced total costs by 38% compared to traditional hot-air drying. The study developed an efficient and reliable microwave drying model, supporting industrial-scale TM processing.

The main characteristic of skin aging is the change in the composition of the dermis, mainly resulting from fibroblast senescence. Mesenchymal stem cells derived from fetal dermis are defined as fetal dermal mesenchymal stem cells; they reportedly exert wound healing effects on the skin and regulate keloid fibroblast proliferation. D-Galactose is widely used in animal aging models. In this study, we confirmed that D-galactose inhibits adult dermal fibroblast proliferation, and the inhibitory effect gradually increased with increasing concentration. Finally, we chose a concentration of 40 g/L D-galactose to induce adult dermal fibroblast senescence. D-Galactose increased the intensity of senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining and the levels of reactive oxygen species in adult dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, D-galactose increased the mRNA expression of p16,p21, and p53. The fetal dermal mesenchymal stem cell−conditioned medium improved the above-mentioned effects. Overall, fetal dermal mesenchymal stem cells exerted anti-aging effects against adult dermal fibroblasts induced by D-galactose via paracrine functions.

A substantial quantity of discarded tires has inflicted harm on the environment. Microwave pyrolysis of discarded tires emerges as an efficient and environmentally friendly method for their recycling. This research innovatively utilizes the characteristics of microwave rapid and selective heating to pyrolyze waste tires into porous graphene under the catalysis of KOH etching. Moreover, this study comprehensively investigates the dielectric characteristics and heating behavior of waste tires and different proportions of waste tire–KOH mixtures. It validates the preparation of graphene through KOH-catalyzed microwave pyrolysis of waste tires, tracking morphological and structural changes under varying temperature conditions. The results indicate that optimal dielectric performance of the material is achieved at an apparent density of 0.68 g/cm 3 at room temperature. As the temperature increases, the dielectric constant gradually rises, particularly reaching a notable increase around 700 °C, and then stabilizes around 750 °C. Additionally, the study investigates the penetration depth and reflection loss of mixtures with different proportions, revealing the waste tire–KOH mass ratio of 1:2 demonstrates favorable dielectric properties. This research highlights the impressive microwave responsiveness of the waste tire–KOH mixture, Upon the addition of KOH, the mixed material exhibits an augmented dielectric constant and relative dielectric constant, supporting the viability of KOH-catalyzed microwave pyrolysis for producing porous graphene from waste tires. This method is expected to provide a new method for the valuable reuse of waste tires and a technology for large-scale, efficient and environmentally friendly production of graphene.