Ghost imaging without beam splitter

Many significant results have been achieved in the fields of ghost imaging, in which the beam splitter is an indispensable optical component. This paper introduces a method to realize ghost imaging without beam splitter. And we study this method experimentally and theoretically. Finally, we suggest that our device can be applied to implement the ghost imaging when we use the Sun light as the light source

Evapotranspiration on Natural and Reclaimed Coral Islands in the South China Sea

Studies of evapotranspiration on remote tropical coral islands are important to explore and sustain scarce freshwater resources. However, there is a significant knowledge gap between research to evaluate evapotranspiration based on remote sensing methods and the influences of different land use types on water dynamics on reclaimed coral islands. This study applied the remote-sensing-based Vegetation Interfaces Processes (VIP-RS) model to estimate actual evapotranspiration (ETa) on Zhaoshu Island, Yongxing Island, and Yongshu Island in the South China Sea from 2016 to 2019. The results showed that the average annual ETa of Zhaoshu Island, Yongxing Island, and Yongshu Island was 685 mm, 530 mm, and 210 mm, respectively. Annual transpiration (Ec) and soil evaporation (Es) exhibited similar patterns on the natural islands; however, Es controlled the water consumption on the reclaimed islands. Water dynamics exhibited seasonal fluctuations due to the uneven distribution of precipitation (PRP). However, ETa of the natural islands was higher than PRP in the dry season, indicating vegetation has to absorb water from the groundwater to sustain growth. The results also agreed with the analysis of dominant driving factors based on partial correlation analysis, which demonstrated that the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is the most important factor that influences ETa, while relative humidity (RH) controlled the bare land or sparsely vegetated areas on the reclaimed islands. The setting of different land use types showed that vegetation and built-up or hardened roads took control of evapotranspiration and rainwater collection, respectively, which play important roles in water dynamics on corals islands. The evaluation of ETa based on a remote-sensing-based model overcame the difficulty in fieldwork observation, which improves the certainty and accuracy at a spatial scale. In addition, it gave us a new reference to protect and manage scarce freshwater resources properly

Genome-Wide Analysis and Profile of UDP-Glycosyltransferases Family in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i> L.) under Drought Stress

Drought stress is one of the major constraints that decreases global crop productivity. Alfalfa, planted mainly in arid and semi-arid areas, is of crucial importance in sustaining the agricultural system. The family 1 UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGT) is indispensable because it takes part in the regulation of plant growth and stress resistance. However, a comprehensive insight into the participation of the UGT family in adaptation of alfalfa to drought environments is lacking. In the present study, a genome-wide analysis and profiling of the UGT in alfalfa were carried out. A total of 409 UGT genes in alfalfa (MsUGT) were identified and they are clustered into 13 groups. The expression pattern of MsUGT genes were analyzed by RNA-seq data in six tissues and under different stresses. The quantitative real-time PCR verification genes suggested the distinct role of the MsUGT genes under different drought stresses and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Furthermore, the function of MsUGT003 and MsUGT024, which were upregulated under drought stress and ABA treatment, were characterized by heterologous expression in yeast. Taken together, this study comprehensively analyzed the UGT gene family in alfalfa for the first time and provided useful information for improving drought tolerance and in molecular breeding of alfalfa

Application of screw stacker combined with plate and frame filter press for dewatering of ultra magnetic sludge from river suspensions

The black and odorous water body treatment projects promoted the application of various engineering solutions but also produced large quantity of solid waste, like the ultra-magnetic sludge (UMS) which is the river suspensions thickened and discharged by ultra-magnetic separator. Characterized by high concentration of water content, organic matter and compact structure, the dewatering of UMS will greatly benefit transportation and further use. In this study, the mechanical dewatering methods were tested and combined onsite in order to reduce the water content of UMS to 42~48%. The operating parameters and effects were discussed while the indexes of resultant UMS was analyzed shows promising use as land improvement agent

Water Purification Capacity of the Constructed Wetland to Micro-Pollution Water Source —— a Case Study in Jiaxing

Constructed wetlands are commonly applied to improve and maintain water quality of micro-polluted water sources as a feasible and cost-effective technique. However, the purification capacity of the constructed wetland for micro-polluted water was lacking of understanding. This study collected the turbidity, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), nitrite nitrogen (NO2-N), total nitrogen (TN), Fe, Mn, total phosphorus (TP), permanganate index (CODMn), dissolved oxygen (DO), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) at the water inlet and outlet of Guanjinggang Wetland in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2021. The comparisons among the pollution indicators showed that the wetland reduced the pollutions and slowed down the fluctuations of pollution indicators, except for Do, TN and COD. The removal rates are different due to the causes of pollution indicators. The partial regression analysis to different influencing factors showed the water temperature were the main influencing factor to the turbidity, NH3-N, Fe with the partial correlation of 0.447, -0.631, 0.510, respectively. Precipitation showed the highest influence on Mn with the partial correlation of 0.323. Flow showed highest influence on COD with the partial correlation of -0.339. Both flow and water temperature were the highest influence factors on No2-N, CODMn, Do and TN. However, water purification agent was not the main influence factor on any pollution indicators. The research results are conducive to improving the understanding of water security in the Yangtze River Delta region

Genome-Wide Analysis of the <i>Rab</i> Gene Family in <i>Melilotus albus</i> Reveals Their Role in Salt Tolerance

Melilotus albus is a high-quality forage, due to its high protein content, and aboveground biomass and salt tolerance. Rab (Ras-related protein in the brain) proteins are the largest GTPase family which play a key role in intracellular membrane transport, and many Rab genes have been identified in eukaryotes. The growth and distribution of M. albus are severely hampered by soil salinization. However, little is known about candidate genes for salt tolerance in M. albus. In this study, 27 Rab family genes were identified for the first time from M. albus, and divided into eight groups (Groups A-H). The number of introns in MaRabs ranged from one to seven, with most genes containing one intron. In addition, most MaRab proteins showed similarities in motif composition. Phylogenetic analysis and structural-domain comparison indicated that Rab family genes were highly conserved in M. albus. Members of the MaRab gene family were distributed across all eight chromosomes, with the largest distribution on chromosome 1. Prediction of the protein interaction network showed that 24 Rab proteins exhibited protein–protein interactions. Analysis of the promoter cis-acting elements showed that MaRab-gene family members are extensively involved in abiotic stress responses. RNA-seq data analysis of the MaRab-gene-expression patterns suggested that the Rab gene family possesses differentially expressed members in five organs and under salt stress, drought stress, and ABA (Abscisic Acid) treatment. Differentially expressed genes under drought stress, salt stress and ABA stress were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. Furthermore, heterologous expression in yeast was used to characterize the functions of MaRab1 and MaRab17, which were upregulated in reaction to salt stress. In summary, this study provided valuable information for further research into the molecular mechanism of the response of M. albus to saline stress, as well as the possibility of developing cultivars with high salt-resistance characteristics

Study on Water Purification Efficiency and Influencing Factors of a Constructed Wetland in Jiaxing

Constructed wetland plays an important role in the removal of micro-polluted water pollutants in urban water sources. However, the water purification capacity and influencing factors of the constructed wetlands still need to be explored. This study monitored the turbidity, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), dissolved oxygen (DO), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) at the water inlet and outlet of Shijiuyang Wetland in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2021. The results showed that the turbidity and the wetland turbidity removal rate stayed high. The DO couldn’t meet national standard III for surface water during the high temperature time in summer, and NH3-N and COD are stable within national standard III. The partial regression analysis shows that the addition of chemicals is the most important factor affecting the turbidity. Temperature had the most important affect to NH3-N and DO, the higher the temperature, the lower the NH3-N value and the DO. The flow rate is the most important factor affecting the COD, the higher the flow rate, the lower the COD. Moreover, this paper proposes operation and maintenance improvement measures for the problem of excessive turbidity and DO in Shijiuyang Wetland. The research results are conducive to improving the understanding of water security in the Yangtze River Delta region