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Iron-based superconductors (FeSCs), particularly the air-stable (Li,Fe)OHFeSe, have drawn considerable attention due to their complex crystalline structures and intriguing superconducting properties. This study focuses on the synthesis of (Li,Fe)OHFeSe, using hydrothermal ion exchange technology with a nearly vacancy-free (PY) x FeSe precursor. We successfully synthesized samples in both iron-poor and iron-rich reaction systems, with the iron-rich samples exhibiting superconductivity at a transition temperature ( T c ) of 40 K, while iron-poor samples did not. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) results showed an obvious difference in Se content between the original solutions of iron-poor and iron-rich systems after the hydrothermal reaction. We propose that in iron-rich system, Fe 2+ ions migration into the (Li,Fe)OH layer from the reaction solution directly maintains the stability of the FeSe layer in the precursor, facilitating superconductivity. Conversely, in iron-poor system, Fe 2+ ions migrate into the (Li,Fe)OH layer partly from the reaction solution and partly from the FeSe layer, creating Fe vacancies in the FeSe layer, which inhibit the occurrence of superconductivity. Our findings provide valuable insights into the synthesis of intercalated FeSe-based superconducting materials and the realization of superconductivity in FeSe based superconducting materials.

The superconductivity of the FeSe-based superconductor is extremely sensitive to Fe vacancies in the FeSe plane. In order to reduce the formation of Fe vacancies in the FeSe plane, various low-temperature methods are developed. However, it is still complex and time consuming to control the Fe vacancies concentration. Here, a hybrid iron-based superconductor, Li 0.21 Se 0.05 (EG) 0.26 FeSe (EG: ethylene glycol, C 2 H 6 O 2 ), is synthesized by a solvothermal ion-exchange technique using a nearly vacancy-free precursor of (TBA) 0.3 FeSe as the matrix. Bulk superconductivity with transition temperature ( T c ) of 30 K is confirmed by the characterization with the magnetic susceptibility and resistivity measurements. Compared with the pristine FeSe single crystal, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show a decrease of the Fe valence, indicating that electron doping to FeSe plane accounts for the increase of the T c . Our result suggests that (TBA) 0.3 FeSe, a nearly vacancy-free precursor with a large distance between the adjacent FeSe planes, is a good template candidate for the synthesis of other hybrid iron-based superconductors using the ion exchange technique.

Background: Mutations in HBx gene are frequently found in HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1 α ) contributes to HCC development and progression. Wild-type HBx has been demonstrated to activate HIF-1 α , but the effect of HBx mutations on HIF-1 α has not been elucidated. Methods: HBx mutations were identified by gene sequencing in 101 HCC tissues. Representative HBx mutants were cloned and transfected into HCC cells. Expression and activation of HIF-1 α were analysed by western blot and luciferase assays, respectively. The relationship between HBx mutants and HIF-1 α expression in HCC tissues was also evaluated. Results: The dual mutations K130M/V131I enhanced the functionality of HBx as they upregulated the expression and transcriptional activity of HIF-1 α . The C-terminal truncations and deletion mutations, however, weakened the ability of HBx to upregulate HIF-1 α . Meanwhile, the C-terminus was further found to be essential for the stability and transactivation of HBx . In the HCC tissues, there was a positive association between the HBx mutants and HIF-1 α expression. Conclusion: Different mutations of HBx exert differentiated effects on the functionality of HIF-1 α , however, the overall activity of HBx mutants appears to increase the expression and transcriptional activity of HIF-1 α .

By identifying antibiotics that had the least phytotoxic effects on explants during genetic transformation, we evaluated the effect of various antibiotics on callus induction and morphogenesis from leaf explants and in vitro growth of Fragaria  ×  ananassa Duch. cv. Toyonaka. Results showed that kanamycin (Kan) significantly inhibited callus induction, bud differentiation and root morphogenesis while carbenicillin (Carb), cefotaxime (Cef) and an equal concentration of Cef and Carb up to 500 mg L −1 had no significant effects on callus induction and shoot growth. Kan, even at 2.5 mg L −1 , significantly inhibited callus induction, shoot regeneration and root formation, while no shoots regenerated at concentrations above 15 mg L −1 . Rooting was completely inhibited in the presence of 50 mg L −1 Kan. Cef had negative effects on shoot regeneration from leaf explants and in vitro growth of strawberry. Compared to Cef, Carb at ≤300 mg L −1 significantly promoted shoot and root organogenesis. However, an equal concentration of Carb plus Cef could alleviate the negative effect of Cef on strawberry. Results from relative electrolyte leakage, root and antioxidant activities, O 2 ·− production rate, H 2 O 2 , proline and MDA contents showed that Kan, Cef and Carb caused electrolyte leakage and triggered active enzymatic processes and metabolism. This offers a possible mechanism for the inhibition or stimulation of strawberry growth caused by these antibiotics.

• Background and aims Many indeterminate plants can have wide fluctuations in the pattern of fruit-set and harvest. Fruit-set in these types of plants depends largely on the balance between source (assimilate supply) and sink strength (assimilate demand) within the plant. This study aims to evaluate the ability of functional—structural plant models to simulate different fruit-set patterns among Capsicum culti vars through source—sink relationships. • Methods A greenhouse experiment of six Capsicum culti vars characterized with different fruit weight and fruit-set was conducted. Fruit-set patterns and potential fruit sink strength were determined through measurement. Source and sink strength of other organs were determined via the GREENLAB model, with a description of plant organ weight and dimensions according to plant topological structure established from the measured data as inputs. Parameter optimization was determined using a generalized least squares method for the entire growth cycle. • Key Results and Conclusions Fruit sink strength differed among cultivars. Vegetative sink strength was generally lower for large-fruited cultivars than for small-fruited ones. The larger the size of the fruit, the larger variation there was in fruit-set and fruit yield. Large-fruited cultivars need a higher source-sink ratio for fruit-set, which means higher demand for assimilates. Temporal heterogeneity of fruit-set affected both number and yield of fruit. The simulation study showed that reducing heterogeneity of fruit-set was obtained by different approaches: for example, increasing source strength; decreasing vegetative sink strength, source—sink ratio for fruit—set and flower appearance rate; and harvesting individual fruits earlier before full ripeness. Simulation results showed that, when we increased source strength or decreased vegetative sink strength, fruit-set and fruit weight increased. However, no significant differences were found between large-fruited and small-fruited groups of cultivars regarding the effects of source and vegetative sink strength on fruit-set and fruit weight. When the source-sink ratio at fruit-set decreased, the number of fruit retained on the plant increased competition for assimilates with vegetative organs. Therefore, total plant and vegetative dry weights decreased, especially for large-fruited cultivars. Optimization study showed that temporal heterogeneity of fruit-set and ripening was predicted to be reduced when fruits were harvested earlier. Furthermore, there was a 20 % increase in the number of extra fruit set.

Cr doped TiO 2 and TiO 2 /Cr 2 O 3 powders are prepared by sol–gel technique and solid state reaction respectively. The structural and electronic properties of these powders are investigated. The responses of the materials made from the powders to benzene and formaldehyde vapors are studied. The research results show that Cr 3+ can enter into the lattice as substitutional metal dopant by sol gel route at lower temperature. The segregation of Cr 2 O 3 happens when Cr content exceed 8 at.%. The resistance of TiO 2 can be remarkable decreased by doping Cr 3+ as substitutional metal dopant. Besides Cr 3+ , the segregation of Cr 2 O 3 also contributes to the alteration of conduction from n- to p-type. With some other catalyzer, both of Cr doped TiO 2 -based and Cr 2 O 3 /TiO 2 -based ceramics can detect benzene and formaldehyde vapors at 21 ppm.

A hybrid F1 population of 'Maguili x Jiaohesanyuehong' was created by crossing between the very late ripening cultivar 'Maguili' as the maternal parent and the very early ripening cultivar 'Jiaohesanyuehong' as the paternal parent. Seventy-six randomly chosen F1 individuals were used as the mapping population. SRAP and AFLP molecular marker analysis were carried out with the mapping population and the two parents. Molecular genetic maps for both parents were built. The 'Maguili' map contained 179 loci which fell into 16 linkage groups. The coverage of the map was 610.55cM with an average distance of 3.75cM between markers. The 'Jiaohesanyuehong' map consisted of 82 loci allocated into 15 linkage groups. The map covered 548.09cM and had a mean distance of 8.18cM between markers. IM method was used to determine QTLs for the fruit maturation period. Five QTLs for fruit maturation period were detected. Two QTLs were on LG 'JHSYH2'and 'JHSYH4' of the paternal map and explained a contribution rate of 34.4% and 70.1% respectively. Three QTLs were on LG 'MGL2' and 'MGL5', and the contribution rate they can explain was between 38.3% and 65.8%.

Mutations in HBx gene are frequently found in HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) contributes to HCC development and progression. Wild-type HBx has been demonstrated to activate HIF-1α, but the effect of HBx mutations on HIF-1α has not been elucidated. HBx mutations were identified by gene sequencing in 101 HCC tissues. Representative HBx mutants were cloned and transfected into HCC cells. Expression and activation of HIF-1α were analysed by western blot and luciferase assays, respectively. The relationship between HBx mutants and HIF-1α expression in HCC tissues was also evaluated. The dual mutations K130M/V131I enhanced the functionality of HBx as they upregulated the expression and transcriptional activity of HIF-1α. The C-terminal truncations and deletion mutations, however, weakened the ability of HBx to upregulate HIF-1α. Meanwhile, the C-terminus was further found to be essential for the stability and transactivation of HBx. In the HCC tissues, there was a positive association between the HBx mutants and HIF-1α expression. Different mutations of HBx exert differentiated effects on the functionality of HIF-1α, however, the overall activity of HBx mutants appears to increase the expression and transcriptional activity of HIF-1α.

Cr doped TiO sub(2) and TiO sub(2)/Cr sub(2)O sub(3 ) powders are prepared by sol-gel technique and solid state reaction respectively. The structural and electronic properties of these powders are investigated. The responses of the materials made from the powders to benzene and formaldehyde vapors are studied. The research results show that Cr super(3+) can enter into the lattice as substitutional metal dopant by sol gel route at lower temperature. The segregation of Cr sub(2)O sub(3) happens when Cr content exceed 8 at.%. The resistance of TiO sub(2) can be remarkable decreased by doping Cr super(3+) as substitutional metal dopant. Besides Cr super(3+), the segregation of Cr sub(2)O sub(3) also contributes to the alteration of conduction from n- to p-type. With some other catalyzer, both of Cr doped TiO sub(2)-based and Cr sub(2)O sub(3)/TiO sub(2 )-based ceramics can detect benzene and formaldehyde vapors at 21 ppm.

Plant structure, representing the physical link among different organs, includes many similar substructures. In this paper, a new method is presented to construct plant architectural models of most plant species. The plant structure is decomposed into a stem, a set of lateral substructures and a terminal substructure, which is called substructure decomposition; then based on substructure decomposition, the plant structures are expressed in an iterative way; and further the derivative formula is employed to compute the number of organs in plant structures to get the geometrical sizes of 3D plant organs by borrowing Hydraulic Model. Using 3D organs, a substructure library is built. Based on the substructures stored in substructure library, one can construct 3D plant structure according to certain topological and geometrical rules. The experiments with different plant species are included in this paper to demonstrate the validity of the new method for constructing plant structures. The experimental results show that the approach follows botanical knowledge with high efficiency in constructing plant structures of most plant species. In addition, this method enables users to check the detail information of plant structure.