Continuous Volumetric Indoor Temperature Monitoring via PMUTs

This work presents a continuous volumetric indoor air temperature measurement scheme using PMUTs (piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers). Advancements as compared to state-of-art works include: (1) 'volumetric' temperature monitoring instead traditional 'pointwise' temperature information; (2) accurate temperature readings spanning an operational distance of 5 m as validated by a commercial thermometer for 3 days; and (3) capable of detecting global average temperature and local temperature events by installing networked/grid PMUT pairs. This innovative sensing technique could be applicable for the precision control of future building/living environments

Soil chemistry, metabarcoding, and metabolome analyses reveal that a sugarcane—Dictyophora indusiata intercropping system can enhance soil health by reducing soil nitrogen loss

IntroductionGreater amounts of fertilizer are applied every year to meet the growing demand for food. Sugarcane is one of the important food sources for human beings.MethodsHere, we evaluated the effects of a sugarcane—Dictyophora indusiata (DI) intercropping system on soil health by conducting an experiment with three different treatments: (1) bagasse application (BAS process), (2) bagasse + DI (DIS process), and (3) the control (CK). We then analyzed soil chemistry, the diversity of soil bacteria and fungi, and the composition of metabolites to clarify the mechanism underlying the effects of this intercropping system on soil properties.Results and discussionSoil chemistry analyses revealed that the content of several soil nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) was higher in the BAS process than in the CK. In the DIS process, a large amount of soil P was consumed by DI. At the same time, the urease activity was inhibited, thus slowing down the loss of soil in the DI process, while the activity of other enzymes such as β-glucosidase and laccase was increased. It was also noticed that the content of lanthanum and calcium was higher in the BAS process than in the other treatments, and DI did not significantly alter the concentrations of these soil metal ions. Bacterial diversity was higher in the BAS process than in the other treatments, and fungal diversity was lower in the DIS process than in the other treatments. The soil metabolome analysis revealed that the abundance of carbohydrate metabolites was significantly lower in the BAS process than in the CK and the DIS process. The abundance of D(+)-talose was correlated with the content of soil nutrients. Path analysis revealed that the content of soil nutrients in the DIS process was mainly affected by fungi, bacteria, the soil metabolome, and soil enzyme activity. Our findings indicate that the sugarcane–DIS intercropping system can enhance soil health

Metabarcoding and Metabolome Analyses Reveal Mechanisms of Leymus chinensis Growth Promotion by Fairy Ring of Leucocalocybe mongolica

Fairy rings are a unique ecological phenomenon caused by the growth of the fungal mycelium in the soil. Fairy rings formed by Leucocalocybe mongolica (LM) are generally distributed in the Mongolian Plateau, where they promote plant growth without fertilization and alleviate fertilizer use. We previously investigated the soil factors regulating growth promotion in a fairy ring ecosystem; however, the aspects of the plant (Leymus chinensis, LC) that promote growth have not been explored. Therefore, the present study investigated the endophyte diversity and metabolome of LC in an LM fairy ring ecosystem. We analyzed the leaf and root samples of LC from the DARK (FR) and OUT (CK) zones. The fairy rings significantly improved the fungal diversity of roots and leaves and the bacterial diversity of leaves in the FR zone. Ralstonia was the dominant bacteria detected in the LC leaves. In addition, Marasmius, another fairy ring fungal genus, was also detected with a high abundance in the roots of the FR zone. Furthermore, widely targeted metabolome analysis combined with KEGG annotation identified 1011 novel metabolites from the leaves and roots of LC and seven pathways significantly regulated by the fairy ring in the FR zone. The fairy ring ecosystem significantly downregulated the flavonoid metabolism in the leaves and roots of LC. The correlation analysis found Ralstonia is a potential regulatory factor of flavonoid biosynthesis in LC. In addition, salicylic acid and jasmonic acid were found upregulated in the leaves, probably related to Marasmius enrichment. Thus, the study details plant factors associated with enhanced growth in an LM fairy ring ecosystem. These findings lay a theoretical foundation for developing the fairy ring ecosystem in an agricultural system

Antioxidant Metabolites in Primitive, Wild, and Cultivated Citrus and Their Role in Stress Tolerance

The genus Citrus contains a vast range of antioxidant metabolites, dietary metabolites, and antioxidant polyphenols that protect plants from unfavorable environmental conditions, enhance their tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, and possess multiple health-promoting effects in humans. This review summarizes various antioxidant metabolites such as organic acids, amino acids, alkaloids, fatty acids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, tocopherols, terpenoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins that are distributed in different citrus species. Among these antioxidant metabolites, flavonoids are abundantly present in primitive, wild, and cultivated citrus species and possess the highest antioxidant activity. We demonstrate that the primitive and wild citrus species (e.g., Atalantia buxifolia and C. latipes) have a high level of antioxidant metabolites and are tolerant to various abiotic and biotic stresses compared with cultivated citrus species (e.g., C. sinensis and C. reticulata). Additionally, we highlight the potential usage of citrus wastes (rag, seeds, fruit peels, etc.) and the health-promoting properties of citrus metabolites. Furthermore, we summarize the genes that are involved in the biosynthesis of antioxidant metabolites in different citrus species. We speculate that the genome-engineering technologies should be used to confirm the functions of candidate genes that are responsible for the accumulation of antioxidant metabolites, which will serve as an alternative tool to breed citrus cultivars with increased antioxidant metabolites

Impact of the Three Gorges Dam on the spawning stock and natural reproduction of Chinese sturgeon in the Changjiang River, China

Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) is the flagship species of the Changjiang River. The migration route of this species is blocked by the first dam, the Gezhou Dam, and its reproduction is affected by the Three Gorges Dam (TGD), one of the largest dams in the world. We studied the impact of the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) since 2003 on the spawning stock and the natural reproduction of the Chinese sturgeon by using our monitoring data from 1997 to 2013. Results indicate that TGR impoundment has delayed the first spawning dates of the fish from middle-late October to late November, decreased the amount of spawning activities from twice to only once each year, and significantly reduced egg production. In particular, the fish did not demonstrate any spawning activities in 2013. Therefore, TGR impoundment significantly affects the natural reproduction of the fish downstream of the TGD. The spawning stock size of the fish is also predicted to further decrease in the future, which will lead to a risk of population extinction. Ecological regulations must be imposed on decreasing the water temperature to 20 degrees C before mid-October and increasing water discharge downstream of the TGD in October to induce spawning of the Chinese sturgeon

Impact of the Three Gorges Dam on reproduction of four major Chinese carps species in the middle reaches of the Changjiang River

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) are the four major Chinese carps and are commercially important aquaculture species in China. Reproduction of these carp has declined since the construction of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) due to an altered water flow and thermal regime in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River. However, details of the changes in reproduction of the four species are not well understood. To assess the impact of the TGD on reproduction of the four carp, we investigated their eggs and larvae at Yidu City, which is 80 km below the TGD, during 2005-2012. We examined differences in larval abundance of the four species in the Jianli section (350 km downstream of the TGD) before (1997-2002) and after (2003-2012) construction of the TGD. Based on these observations, the first spawning date of the four species was delayed a mean of about 25 days after the dam was constructed. Mean egg abundance in the Yidu section of the river was 249 million and mean larval abundance was 464 million, which were significant decreases since the 1980s. Moreover, larval abundance in the Jianli section after the dam was constructed was significantly lower than that before construction (ANCOVA, P<0.05). The observed larval abundance accounted for only 24.66% of the predicted value in 2003 when the dam was first inundated. The present spawning grounds between the TGD and Yidu section of the river are very similar to those described in the 1980s, and some spawning grounds exist upstream of the TGD. Large free-flowing stretches upstream of the TGD and the creation of artificially flooded downstream reaches are needed to stimulate spawning and effectively conserve these four major Chinese carps species

Impact of the Three Gorges Dam on reproduction of four major Chinese carps species in the middle reaches of the Changjiang River

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) are the four major Chinese carps and are commercially important aquaculture species in China. Reproduction of these carp has declined since the construction of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) due to an altered water flow and thermal regime in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River. However, details of the changes in reproduction of the four species are not well understood. To assess the impact of the TGD on reproduction of the four carp, we investigated their eggs and larvae at Yidu City, which is 80 km below the TGD, during 2005-2012. We examined differences in larval abundance of the four species in the Jianli section (350 km downstream of the TGD) before (1997-2002) and after (2003-2012) construction of the TGD. Based on these observations, the first spawning date of the four species was delayed a mean of about 25 days after the dam was constructed. Mean egg abundance in the Yidu section of the river was 249 million and mean larval abundance was 464 million, which were significant decreases since the 1980s. Moreover, larval abundance in the Jianli section after the dam was constructed was significantly lower than that before construction (ANCOVA, P<0.05). The observed larval abundance accounted for only 24.66% of the predicted value in 2003 when the dam was first inundated. The present spawning grounds between the TGD and Yidu section of the river are very similar to those described in the 1980s, and some spawning grounds exist upstream of the TGD. Large free-flowing stretches upstream of the TGD and the creation of artificially flooded downstream reaches are needed to stimulate spawning and effectively conserve these four major Chinese carps species

A Novel Design Nomogram for Optimization of Micro Search Coil Magnetometer for Energy Monitoring in Smart Buildings

In this paper, a new analytical method to achieve the maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a micro search coil magnetometer (µSCM) is presented. A planar spiral inductor was utilized to miniaturize conventional bulky search coil magnetometers. First, dimensional analysis was applied to identify three dimensionless parameters for the µSCM’s key performance indices (sensitivity (Se), noise, and SNR). The effect of the parameters on the µSCM’s performance was carefully investigated, and a novel 4D nomogram was developed. Furthermore, an SNR analysis considering noise sources of a low-noise amplifier was performed. By combining the results from the nomogram and the effect of the noise sources from the amplifier circuit, optimum values for the dimensionless parameters were calculated. According to the calculation results, the dominant noise source varied with an increase in the track width ratio to the outer diameter. Seven different samples were fabricated by a single-mask lithography process. The sensitivity of 1612 mV/mT was demonstrated at a 50 Hz input magnetic field, which was better than the previous µSCM (Se = 6.5 mV/mT) by more than 2 orders of magnitude. Finally, one of the fabricated µSCMs was employed to measure the online power consumption of a personal computer while different types of software were running

Dictyophora indusiata and Bacillus aryabhattai improve sugarcane yield by endogenously associating with the root and regulating flavonoid metabolism

IntroductionEndophytes play a significant role in regulating plant root development and facilitating nutrient solubilization and transportation. This association could improve plant growth. The present study has uncovered a distinct phenotype, which we refer to as "white root", arising from the intricate interactions between endophytic fungi and bacteria with the roots in a sugarcane and bamboo fungus (Dictyophora indusiata) intercropping system.MethodsWe investigated the mechanisms underlying the formation of this “white root” phenotype and its impact on sugarcane yield and metabolism by metabarcoding and metabolome analysis.Results and DiscussionInitial analysis revealed that intercropping with D. indusiata increased sugarcane yield by enhancing the number of viable tillers compared with bagasse and no input control. Metabarcoding based on second-generation and third-generation sequencing indicated that D. indusiate and Bacillus aryabhattai dominates the fungal and bacterial composition in the “white root” phenotype of sugarcane root. The coexistence of D. indusiata and B. aryabhattai as endophytes induced plant growth-promoting metabolites in the sugarcane root system, such as lysoPC 18:1 and dihydrobenzofuran, probably contributing to increased sugarcane yield. Furthermore, the association also enhanced the metabolism of compounds, such as naringenin-7-O-glucoside (Prunin), naringenin-7-O-neohesperidoside (Naringin)*, hesperetin-7-O-neohesperidoside (Neohesperidin), epicatechin, and aromadendrin (Dihydrokaempferol), involved in flavonoid metabolism during the formation of the endophytic phenotype in the sugarcane root system. These observations suggest that the “white root” phenotype promotes sugarcane growth by activating flavonoid metabolism. This study reports an interesting phenomenon where D. indusiata, coordinate with the specific bacteria invade, forms a “white root” phenotype with sugarcane root. The study also provides new insights into using D. indusiata as a soil inoculant for promoting sugarcane growth and proposes a new approach for improve sugarcane cultivation

Soil Chemical Properties, Metabolome, and Metabarcoding Give the New Insights into the Soil Transforming Process of Fairy Ring Fungi Leucocalocybe mongolica

A unique ecological landscape distributed in the Mongolian Plateau, called fairy rings, caused by the growth of the fungus Leucocalocybe mongolica (LM) in the soil could promote plant growth without fertilization. Therefore, this landscape can alleviate fertilizer use and has excellent value for agricultural production. The previous studies only investigated several parameters of the fairy rings, such as soil microbial diversity and some soil chemical properties, thus conclusions based on the studies on fairy rings lack comprehension. Therefore, the present study systematically investigated the chemical properties, metabolome, and metabarcoding of LM-transformed soil. We analyzed fairy ring soils from DARK (FR) and OUT (CK) zone correlated growth promotion with ten soil chemical properties, including N, nitrate-N, inorganic-P, cellulose, available boron, available sulfur, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu, which were identified as important markers to screen fairy ring landscapes. Metabolomics showed that the accumulation of 17 carbohydrate-dominated metabolites was closely associated with plant growth promotion. Finally, metabarcoding detected fungi as the main components affecting soil conversion. Among the various fungi at the family level, Lasiosphaeriaceae, unidentified_Auriculariales_sp, and Herpotrichiellaceae were markers to screen fairy ring. Our study is novel and systematically reveals the fairy ring soil ecology and lists the key factors promoting plant growth. These findings lay a theoretical foundation for developing the fairy ring landscape in an agricultural system