Glycosylation plays a crucial role in modulating auxin homeostasis through the formation of auxin glycoside conjugates. However, the involved mechanisms and relevant physiological significances are largely unknown or poorly understood. PgUGT84K2 enzyme was purified and the enzyme activity was identified by HPLC and LC/MS analyses. We heterologously overexpressed PgUGT84K2 in Arabidopsis thaliana and analysed glycosyltransferase activity and glycosylated metabolites IBA-Glc in transgenic plants. Drought and salt stress assays of the transgenic plants were conducted and the expression of related genes was analysed by quantitative RT-PCR. Panax ginseng glycosyltransferase PgUGT84K2 was at the first time identified to be an IBA glycosyltransferase. Assessment of enzyme activity and IBA conjugates in transgenic plants ectopically expressing PgUGT84K2 indicated that the PgUGT84K2 catalytic specificity was maintained in planta. Heterologous overexpression of PgUGT84K2 in Arabidopsis thaliana led to significantly enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stresses, with improved germination rates, seedling greening rates and seedling survival rates than the wild type. Overexpression of PgUGT84K2 enhanced ROS scavenging in transgenic plants and quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed the up-regulation of key antioxidant enzyme genes SOD1, SOD3, CAT2, CAT3 and ABA biosynthesis genes AAO1, AAO3, along with down-regulation of ABA signalling repressors EM1 and EM6. Our results suggest that PgUGT84K2, an IBA glycosyltransferase, might enhance stress tolerance through modulating ABA signalling and enhancing ROS scavenging via the enzymatic antioxidant system, and provide a potential strategy to breed drought and salt resistant P. ginseng.
Drawing on cross-country, sector-level panel data, this study employs the Malmquist–Luenberger Productivity Index (MLPI) to evaluate the green total factor productivity (GTFP) of 57 automobile manufacturers across 12 European countries over the period 2010–2019. The findings indicate that the mean Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) equals 1.045, whereas the MLPI accounting for CO₂ emissions is 1.027. The results further suggest that improvements in green productivity are driven primarily by technical efficiency, while conventional productivity growth is largely attributable to efficiency gains. The country-level analysis indicates that German manufacturers consistently achieve higher MLPI scores, while Polish firms exhibit comparatively weaker performance over the entire period. This study identifies four main results. First, increasing geopolitical risk (GPR) exerts a negative direct effect on green total factor productivity. Second, the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) strengthens the resilience of green productivity in the presence of elevated GPR. Third, stringent environmental regulations play a protective role in mitigating the adverse impact of GPR on GTFP. Finally, better access to information gained from close geographic, cultural, and trade linkages enhances the resilience of GTFP against growing geopolitical dynamics. Overall, this study provides empirical evidence that the firm strategies, technological capabilities, and policy frameworks can jointly support green productivity under conditions of geopolitical uncertainty.
Seeking breakthroughs in cathode catalysis for Zn-air batteries (ZABs) remains a challenge. MOFs are promising templates for the construction of efficient electrocatalysts. However, their performance is constrained by limited active sites and narrow mass-transfer channels. The conjugation of hybrid MOFs with dissimilar components is a smart strategy for developing efficient catalysts. Herein, we successfully synthesize ZIF (CoZn-ZIF) on the surface of CoNi(BDC)2(DABCO) (denoted MOF@ZIF) via defect-mediated epitaxial growth. Using MOF@ZIF as a template, CoNi/Co2P@PCN is constructed via partial phosphatization pyrolysis. Owing to the interfacial coupling of MOFs and partial phosphatization treatment, a uniform heterointerface was formed after pyrolysis. The obtained CoNi/Co2P@PCN features a hollow polyhedral outer space and a consecutive tubular inner structure, thereby enhancing the electrolyte storage and transport capacity. CoNi/Co2P@PCN-0.1P exhibits an outstanding ORR and OER performance, achieving an ORR half-wave potential of 0.85 V and an OER overpotential of 316 mV at 10 mA cm-2. Notably, the potential difference of 0.696 V is superior to that of the Pt/C + RuO2 benchmark. DFT calculations show that the partial phosphorization-induced heterostructure construction effectively lowers the reaction energy barriers of the intermediate species. The rechargeable aqueous ZABs assembled with this catalyst demonstrated impressive performance, maintaining stable energy efficiency for more than 1200 h. This work establishes a model for developing size-diverse MOFs, unlocking their vast potential for advanced applications.
Background: Augmented reality (AR) enables students to explore otherwise inaccessible scientific phenomena, offering enhanced learning experiences and outcomes in science education. However, AR-based instruction often lacks structured teacher guidance, which may limit the development of higher order cognitive skills. Blended learning (BL) can address this limitation by combining technology-driven exploration with teacher-student interaction. Yet, the absence of explicit learning strategies frequently hinders the effectiveness of BL approaches. Objectives: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a blended learning model that integrates AR systems and is grounded in the 5E Learning Cycle Model (5ELCM) to support deeper cognitive engagement in elementary science education. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed involving 104 fifth-grade students assigned to one of three conditions: BL-AR with 5ELCM, conventional AR learning, or traditional lecture-based instruction. The intervention was guided by the 5ELCM to scaffold the learning process through structured phases: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate. Results and Conclusions: Findings revealed that students in the BL-AR group demonstrated significantly greater gains in biological knowledge, problem-solving ability and meta-cognitive tendencies compared to those in the other two groups. The integration of AR within a structured BL framework grounded in 5ELCM shows promise for promoting deeper learning and higher order thinking in elementary science classrooms.
Civic education is a core component of the university curriculum, designed to shape students’ values and civic literacy. Its abstract and theoretical nature makes it difficult to sustain student attention, limiting instructional effectiveness under conventional approaches. To explore innovative, evidence-informed teaching strategies, this study used electroencephalography (EEG) to empirically examine the impact of animated micro-lectures on civic education outcomes. Sixty second-year undergraduate students majoring in Chinese Language and Literature at a university in Western China participated in the study. The instructional content centered on the theme “Ideals, Beliefs, and Civic Responsibility.” We developed a multidimensional evaluation framework that integrated real-time EEG-based attention monitoring, standardized achievement tests, and validated questionnaires assessing learning interest and perceived acceptability. Three quasi-experimental designs were conducted to compare: (1) animated micro-lectures versus recorded video micro-lectures, and (2) the differential effects of specific design features —namely, textual elements (e.g., color highlighting, subtitle presence/absence) and visual elements (e.g., inclusion of animated characters, background type). Results showed that animated micro-lectures achieved significantly better teaching effects than recorded video micro-lectures: attention levels increased by 16.6
