This paper proposes a novel electrode-less implosion scheme that falls within the category of rotating (magnetic) field (RoF) implosion (RoFI). Using two-dimensional cylindrical symmetric simulations, we investigate the implosion dynamics under different axial distribution patterns of the driving field. The results reveal that the final implosion morphology is highly sensitive to the spatial configuration of the driving field, manifesting in five typical forms: hourglass, quasi-spherical, cylindrical, hourglass-to-quasi-spherical transitional, and an unfavorable severely asymmetric shape. Among these, the quasi-spherical and hourglass-to-quasi-spherical implosions exhibit the greatest potential for efficient three-dimensional compression. To assess stability, we introduce an axial perturbation seed in the initial conditions and compare magnetized Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth between the RoF-driven quasi-spherical implosion and a traditional Z-pinch. Under identical perturbations, the RoFI scheme effectively suppresses perturbation growth. This study preliminarily verifies the significant potential of this electrode-less, distributively induced implosion approach-particularly the quasi-spherical configuration-for achieving efficient and stable compression. The proposed scheme offers a potential technical pathway for inertial confinement fusion and high-energy-density physics experiments, enabling electrode damage avoidance while maintaining good symmetry and stability.

Boron carbide (B4C) ceramic exhibit excellent mechanical properties. However, they are known for its difficulty in machining and sintering. Although vat photopolymerization (VPP) additive manufacturing can enable the high-precision fabrication of complex ceramic structures, the high light absorption value of B4C deteriorates the curing ability of the photosensitive slurry, resulting in a low success rate for VPP process. Moreover, the high content of photosensitive resin complicates the densification process of the fabricated components. In this study, by optimizing the particle size of the B4C powder and the solid loading of the slurry, a slurry with the desired viscosity, curing ability, and sedimentation stability was developed, meeting the requirements for VPP process. Through the optimization of VPP process parameters, the deviation rate between the green body size and the design size was significantly reduced. By analyzing the thermogravimetric curve of the green body in an argon atmosphere, an optimized heating program for debinding was established, yielding debinding samples with minimal defects. Furthermore, a sucrose infiltration-pyrolysis process was applied to introduce free carbon into the samples, enhancing the phase composition and mechanical properties of the samples after liquid silicon infiltration. The flexural strength and Vickers hardness of the reaction bonded B4C (RBBC) composites increased as the residual silicon content decreased, while the fracture toughness showed a slight decrease. Finally, the 2C-Si sample exhibited the optimal mechanical properties. This study presents a promising method for manufacturing RBBC composites with complex structures using VPP additive manufacturing.

In this study, Cyperus esculentus starch (CES) and proteins (CEP) were combined with casein to prepare composite gels, and their gelling behaviors were characterized in a simulated casein-rich food gel system (e.g., yogurt). It was found that hydrophobic interactions were the primary driving force stabilizing both casein-CEP and casein-CES gels, but CES and CEP interacted with casein via different mechanisms. Specifically, CES could effectively occupy the pores of casein gels and interact with casein proteins owing to its branched structure and high viscosity. As CES increased, the interaction increased the surface hydrophobicity, crystallinity, and beta-sheet content of the casein-CES gels, thereby enhancing the gel structure, water-holding capacity, binding capacity, and textural properties. A gradual increase in CES improved the textural properties of casein-CES gels, with the effect becoming pronounced when the casein: CES ratio exceeded 1: 0.8. Alternatively, the effect of CEP incorporation on casein gels was highly dependent on its concentration, with low concentrations filling the gel pores to improve gel texture and high concentrations inducing significant phase separation. When the mass ratio of casein to CEP was below 1: 0.025, an increase in the amount of CEP enhanced the stability of the gel structure. When the mass ratio of casein to CEP exceeded 1: 0.025, increasing CEP led to gradual phase separation, which was detrimental to improving gel characteristics. Overall, CES and CEP could serve as natural ingredients to improve casein-rich gel products; however, their inclusion levels should be optimized to achieve desirable gel properties.

LIM domain proteins have been reported to participate in cytoskeleton dynamics, transcriptional regulation, and stress-related processes in plants. However, the LIM gene family has not been systematically characterized in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum), and its potential roles in stress responses remain unclear. In the present study, 16 LIM genes were identified from the Tartary buckwheat genome and grouped into two subfamilies, CRP-like and DA1 DAR. Comparative analyses showed clear differences between the two subfamilies in gene structure, conserved motifs, and predicted protein architectures, implying functional diversification. Only one segmental duplication event (FtPLIM2a/FtPLIM2b) was detected, and the low Ka/Ks value indicated that this gene pair has undergone purifying selection. Synteny analysis showed that FtLIM genes displayed closer collinearity with dicot species, especially soybean, while no orthologous pairs were detected with the monocots included in this study. Most collinear gene pairs belonged to the CRP-like subfamily. Promoter analysis identified multiple cis-acting elements associated with growth and development, phytohormone responsiveness, and abiotic stress responses. Public transcriptome datasets revealed tissue-specificity expression patterns of FtLIM genes and distinct expression features between the two subfamilies. Several genes showed differential expression under salt, drought, and low-temperature conditions. Among them, FtLIM1a was consistently up-regulated across different stress treatments, while FtDAR4 was down-regulated under all three stress conditions. In the low-temperature dataset, FtWLIM2b showed altered expression under repeated cold treatment, indicating a potential association with cold adaptation. In addition, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that most FtLIM genes responded to exogenous ABA and MeJA treatments. This study provided a genome-wide characterization of the LIM gene family in Tartary buckwheat and identified several candidate genes potentially involved in abiotic stress responses. These results laid a foundation for future functional studies of FtLIM genes.

Herein, the synthesis of a novel borate ester-functionalized monomer was reported, designated mBBDA, through an esterification reaction between 1,3-benzenediboronic acid (mBBA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). This monomer was subsequently formulated with pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA) to produce a series of photocurable resins, denoted as P-mBMAx, with mBBDA content systematically varied from 0 to 100 wt%. P-mBMAx resins served as photoresists for high-resolution two-photon polymerization (TPP) lithography. Mechanical characterization revealed that the resin incorporating 60 wt% mBBDA (P-mBMA6) demonstrated a 12.5% enhancement in impact strength (5.4 kJ m-2) relative to the unmodified PETA benchmark, while also maintaining a high Young's modulus of 6.61 GPa and a hardness of 0.395 GPa. Utilizing a 780 nm femtosecond laser, TPP fabrication with these resins achieved sub-micron feature resolution even at remarkably high scanning speeds of up to 100 000 mu m s-1, thereby enabling rapid prototyping. Furthermore, microarchitectures fabricated via TPP using the P-mBMAx photoresists were successfully converted into porous boron carbide (B4C) ceramics through a subsequent sintering process. The formation of B4C was unequivocally confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Remarkably, the sintered ceramics retained their original three-dimensional architectures with high structural fidelity. This study establishes that mBBDA-modified resins provide a versatile platform, offering tunable mechanical properties, inherent self-healing capability, and dual functionality for both cross-scale additive micro-nanofabrication and the preparation of high-fidelity, porous boron carbide ceramics.

Tartary buckwheat is a nutritionally important crop of the Himalayas and is crucial for local economies and food security. However, key genes and superior alleles for high-altitude adaptability and yield remain poorly defined, constraining the breeding of high-altitude buckwheat varieties. Here, we generated a telomere-to-telomere reference genome and a 16-accession pangenome spanning Himalayan wild populations and globally distributed landraces. We identified 123,131 non-redundant structural variations in 16 accessions, including gene copy-number variations. The graph-based pangenome revealed FtRNH, a wild-specific gene that enhances high-altitude adaptability. We also identified a copy-number variation at the FtPLATZ locus and a 28-bp insertion in the FtPLATZ3 promoter that together contribute to seed-size variation across wild buckwheat and landraces. Leveraging these superior FtRNH and FtPLATZ alleles, we developed buckwheat lines with enhanced high-altitude adaptability and improved yields across sites. These findings establish a pangenome-guided strategy for recovering wild alleles and combining stress adaptation with yield improvement in crops.

The sluggish room-temperature curing kinetics and low-temperature brittle failure of epoxy resins have long constrained their deployment in extreme environments. Although existing acceleration strategies can enhance curing rates, they are invariably accompanied by issues of intense exothermic heat release, cohesive embrittlement, and toxic emissions. Herein, inspired by mussel adhesive proteins, we present an interfacial-bulk synergistic optimization strategy that leverages triazolinedione-indole (TAD-indole) click chemistry to construct a room-temperature, second-scale curable epoxy adhesive (RTIA). This strategy exploits the TAD-indole cycloaddition reaction to form a high-density C-N crosslinked network, while concurrently endowing the crosslinking sites with dicarbonyl hydrogen bond acceptor functionalities, thereby achieving synchronous enhancement of cohesive strength and interfacial adhesion. The RTIA adhesive exhibits a dry shear strength of 9.42 MPa and retains 3.12 MPa after boiling water treatment, demonstrating stable performance across a broad temperature window from -196°C to 80°C. Notably, the indole moieties confer intrinsic antibacterial properties that effectively suppress bacterial adhesion. This heat-free curing mechanism fundamentally circumvents the adverse effects associated with conventional accelerators, enabling compatibility between instantaneous on-site processing and deployment in extreme environments and thereby establishing a new paradigm for the design of high-performance structural adhesives.

Dynamic cross-linking has provided versatile and affordable solutions for the design of strong and recyclable elastomers. However, because of their complex recycling process and low cross-linking bond energy, few types of them were commercialized. Inspired by the Ziegler-Natta catalytic mechanism, the authors report a facile approach for the design of recyclable and strong elastomers by using cation-alkene complexes as the stimuli-reversible and high-energy cross-linking points. These supramolecular cross-linked elastomers are a class of infusible and insoluble soft polymers with unprecedented tensile strength and ductility. The energetic cross-linking points can be local and, overall, can be reversibly released and reconstructed by facile manipulation, conferring these elastomers with multiple stimuli-responsive functions, such as recyclability, self-healing, and adhesion properties, as well as can be used as new wear-resistant materials.

Dynamic covalent bonds exhibit excellent reversibility, high sensitivity and flexible designability among all dynamic covalent bonds. Herein, a dynamically covalent cross-linked polymer (CPPHEA) with triazolinedione (TAD)-indole adducts as cross-linking points was constructed, and the CPPHEA˗6 % exhibits good mechanical properties (51 MPa). In addition, the in-situ relaxation fluorescence spectroscopy was used to characterize the dynamic behavior of C–N bonds in force-reversible polymer networks. Overall, our strategy provides a strong basis for the development of covalent crosslinked polymer materials while enhancing mechanical strength and ductility, which is difficult to achieve with conventional chemical approaches.

Gallium nitride (GaN), as a typical wide bandgap semiconductor, is an excellent candidate to fabricate the high-performance UV photodetector, due to its excellent intrinsic nature. However, the weak light absorption of conventional bulk GaN limits the further improvement of photo-response of GaN-based photodetectors. Here, we have prepared a longitudinal porous GaN using a simple electrochemical etching process, and then fabricated a porous GaN-based photodetector (Porous PD). The photo-response in the Porous PD has been improved significantly compared to the control Planar PD. At -1.2 V, the photo current (Iphoto ) in the Porous PD is ~75 times higher than that of the planar GaN-based photodetector (Planar PD), and the maximum responsivity of the Porous PD can reach 3.11×104 A/W, which is attributed to the large internal gain (>1.06×105). The maximum specific detectivity of the Porous PD has also been calculated to be 5.22×1013 Jones, two orders of magnitude higher than that of the Planar PD. Our work paves the way to develop high-performance GaN-based PDs for detecting weak optical signals.

IntroductionPotentilla anserina Linnaeus (P. anserina) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with ethnic characteristics that grows in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. It has the potential to be used as a novel feed for ruminants. However, the large area of saline-alkaline soils makes it difficult to rationally use Portulaca oleracea as a feed.MethodsIn this study, the effects of volatile metabolites, non-volatile, bacteria and fungi in stems and leaves of P. anserina under three different treatments (fresh grass, hay and silage) in high-salt were investigated using metabolomics and microbiological methods.ResultsSilage under salt stress also improved crude protein and crude fat content compared to hay and fresh treatments. A total of 996 volatile and 928 non-volatile metabolites were identified. Among them, the main volatile substance of silage was 1-Nonen-3-one, while the non-volatile substance was 3-O-Methylgalangin. SC-I-84, Methyloversatilis, and Pseudomonas was specific to P. anserina forage, while Podosphaera is greatly reduced in high-salts. The Pseudomonas bacteria produced specifically improved the drought resistance and salt tolerance of P. anserina.DiscussionThese findings provide essential insights for valorizing P. anserina as a sustainable feed resource, supporting its potential application in animal production within saline-alkaline environments.

Thermosets present significant recycling challenges due to irreversible chemical crosslinking, resulting in resource waste and environmental pollution. This paper introduces a new strategy for designing thermosets with excellent recycling properties driven by Bio-Tailoring technology, achieving amazing green sustainable development. These thermosets are a class of infusible and insoluble polymers owing to chemical crosslinking. The indole groups in the cross-linked network can be accurately identified and tailored by microorganisms, giving rise to the cross-linked network being tailored into new linear polymers and small molecule segments, named the Bio-Tailoring technology. Linear polymers can be used as a new plastic packaging material that involves high transparency and appreciable mechanical properties. Meanwhile, the cross-linked small molecule moiety is a fluorescent functional unit with a unique push-pull electronic structure that leads to color-changing under external stimulation and can be applied to anti-counterfeiting. Overall, this strategy provides an innovative solution for the sustainable recycling of thermosets and opens a new path for the environmental transformation of the plastics industry.

IntroductionGermplasm resources are vital for food security and agricultural sustainability, providing the basis for seed industry innovation.MethodsIn the present study, 1,582 proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) germplasm resources, comprising landraces, cultivars, wild varieties, and foreign varieties, were sown in early June 2024 at the Yulin Minor Grain Comprehensive Experimental Demonstration Station. Subsequently, the genetic diversity was analyzed according to 14 agronomic, 5 yield, and 3 grain traits.ResultsSignificant phenotypic diversity was observed: agronomic trait diversity indices ranged from 0.15 to 2.10, with straw weight per plant showing the highest variation coefficients (60.03%). Yield traits exhibited diversity indices of 1.95-2.08 and variation coefficients of 14.94-37.37%. Grain traits had diversity indices exceeding 2, with the lowest variation coefficients (5.22-6.61%). Principal component analysis identified 4 key components, with tiller number and panicle length having the highest loading, leading to the selection of 10 superior germplasms. Cluster analysis grouped 1,582 samples into 5 categories, from which 147 representative germplasms were chosen. Then, 80 SSR primers were designed, 15 of which revealed polymorphism, confirming high genetic variation among these 147 germplasms. Varieties from Northwest China and Loess Plateau region showed the greater diversity.ConclusionThese findings provide a scientific foundation for the efficient utilization and breeding of proso millet germplasm resources.

Polymeric materials with self-healing capabilities have garnered considerable attention across diverse fields such as aerospace and soft robotics in recent years. However, attaining an optimal equilibrium between mechanical strength and self-healing properties remains a formidable challenge, thereby impeding their widespread adoption. To surmount this hurdle, our research endeavors focus on harnessing the dynamic reversible properties of C–N bonds via triazolinedione (TAD) and indole-derived groups. This click chemistry plays a crucial role in crafting high-strength self-healing materials. In this investigation, we introduced C–N dynamically reversible covalent bonds amidst polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) chains, yielding notable enhancements in both mechanical robustness and self-repairing capabilities of thin film materials. The tensile strength of the film surged from 16.3 to 37 MPa, while elongation at break increased from 194 to 440

Starch granule size distribution plays a vital role in determining the physicochemical properties and processing quality of soft wheat. This study analyzed fourteen soft wheat varieties cultivated in the Huaihe River Basin, an agriculturally important but underrepresented region, to evaluate starch granule size distribution, pasting properties, and their interrelationship. The starch granules were categorized into four size classes, with the volume dominated by A-type granules (>10 μm), while numerically, the majority were <2.8 μm. Pasting characteristics measured by the Rapid Visco Analyzer revealed substantial variation among genotypes. Varieties with a higher proportion of A-type granules exhibited stronger pasting profiles, including higher peak and final viscosities, whereas those with more B-type granules showed lower values. These observations indicate a clear relationship between granule morphology and starch functionality. In the present study, there was a significant positive correlation between peak viscosity, final viscosity, and set-back viscosity. The volume % of granules > 10 μm showed a positive correlation with peak viscosity (r = 0.53 *), final viscosity (r = 0.57 *), and set-back (r = 0.53 *), while the volume percentage of granules < 10 μm was significantly negatively correlated with peak viscosity (r = −0.53 *), final viscosity (r = −0.57 *), and set-back (r = −0.53 *) value. It indicated that the higher the percentage of granules > 10 μm, the higher the peak viscosity, final viscosity, and set-back value in soft wheat grain.

In order to obtain a vat photopolymerization resin with high strength, modulus and toughness, dynamic quadruple hydrogen bonds were introduced to enhance mechanical properties, resulting in the resin UBA8. UBA8 has a tensile strength of 84 MPa, an elongation at break of 12 %, toughness of 5.97 MJ/m-3 and modulus of 5.4 GPa. In addition, UBA8 can be applied to a wide range of printing parameters, with excellent two-photon polymerization printing results at scan speeds ranging from 100 to 100,000 mu m/s and working laser powers ranging from 5 to 50 mW. It can also be used for the fabrication of submicron to millimeter scale structures. UBA8 has excellent storage capacity, does not require yellow light or low temperature, and shows UV insensitive. It surpasses most photoresists currently available on the market and boasts an extremely promising application future.

Green bamboo (Dendrocalamopsis oldhami) represents a crucial Asian grass with medical and edible value. However, the unpalatable flavor of emerging D. oldhami bamboo shoots has reduced consumer preference. The distinct flavor of bamboo shoots could potentially be attributed to the accumulation of differential metabolites linked to variations in bamboo shoots maturation, leading to a characteristic taste. In this study, to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of the flavor characteristics in bamboo shoots, we performed a joint transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis on the principal flavor components of D. oldhami (L) and D. oldhami ‘Hualvzhu’ (HL) bamboo shoots harvested at two developmental stages, unemerged and after emerging from the soil. Physiological analysis showed that HL presented a higher water content, lower lignin content, lower flavonoids content, a lower bitterness scoring value, and a higher sucrose content compared to L. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 23,064 primary-level differential metabolites from four comparison groups, and the differential accumulation patterns of ascorbic acid and sucrose were found to cause flavor differences. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of the transcriptomic data demonstrated that ‘Biosynthesis of secondary metabolites’ and ‘Starch and sucrose metabolism’ were the major enrichment pathways. The expression levels of GLDH, L-galDH1, and GME1 were positively correlated with ascorbic acid accumulation, whereas those of SPS1, SPP1, and SPP2 were positively correlated with sucrose accumulation. Additionally, transcription factors like AP2/ERF, NAC, and GRAS were potentially involved in the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid and sucrose. Overall, our findings firstly uncovered the flavor formation mechanism of D. oldhami bamboo shoots, offering a theoretical basis for industrial growth.

B4C/Al composite components show significant potential for applications in fields such as mechanical engineering, aerospace, and nuclear industry. Vat photopolymerization (VPP) additive manufacturing is a potential method to fabricate B4C/Al composites with complex structures, owing to its advantages such as minimal thermal stress, high precision, and excellent surface finish. However, challenges such as the poor settling stability of the composite slurry and insufficient curing capability have hindered the VPP process of B4C/Al composites. In this study, we introduced a modified polyurea solution to enhance the shear-thinning properties of the B4C/Al composite slurry, improving its settling stability during static periods without affecting the subsequent 3D printing process. Additionally, large-sized AlSi10Mg and B4C particles were selected to ensure the slurry's curing ability met the requirements of the VPP process. By setting the slice thickness to 25 mu m, adjusting the light intensity to 18-22 mW/cm2, and setting the exposure time to 6-8 s, high-precision printing of complex B4C/Al structures was achieved, with a dimensional deviation rate of less than 5 %. After debinding and sintering, B4C/ Al composite samples were obtained. As the relative content of AlSi10Mg increased, the flexural strength and bulk density of the composite samples also increased, while the open porosity decreased. Finally, the 20B80Al sample exhibited a bulk density of 2.38 g/cm3 , an open porosity of 8.63 %, a flexural strength of 152.83 MPa, a fracture toughness of 6.38 MPa & sdot;m1/2, and a Vickers hardness of 93.43 HV. This study provides a promising approach for fabricating B4C/Al composite with complex structures using the VPP additive manufacturing.

The preparation of soluble photosensitive polyimides maintaining high mechanical properties is a challenge. By synthesizing cross-linked interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) composed of polyacrylate and polyimide, soluble photosensitive polyimides with high mechanical properties were successfully developed. Isophorone diamine (IPDA) was introduced as a bulky group into the polymer backbone, significantly improving the solubility of PAE. PAE demonstrated a solubility of 55 wt% in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Following photopolymerization, PAE was subjected to thermal treatment, leading to the formation of IPNs composed of polyimide and polyacrylate. This process enhanced the mechanical properties, yielding a tensile strength of 122.73 MPa, a breaking elongation of 4.76%, a Young’s modulus of 5.5 GPa, and a hardness of 0.51 GPa.

This study systematically investigates the ultraviolet-assisted direct ink writing (UV-DIW) process, focusing on the influence of critical parameters, including UV intensity, the ratio of printing speed to ink extrusion rate (vP/vE$v_{P} / v_{E}$), and relative nozzle height (H/h), on filament fusion and structural morphology. The rheological behavior of photosensitive resin ink is analyzed, revealing that UV irradiation induces a fluid-to-solid transition critical for shape retention and structural integrity. The results demonstrate that UV intensity plays a pivotal role in controlling filament fusion, with insufficient curing causing filament sagging and excessive fusion, while higher UV intensities improve structural fidelity. Additionally, printability (Pr), calculated from cross-sectional analysis, is used as a quantitative metric to assess filament fusion quality and structure preservation. Parameter phase diagrams are developed to visually map the relationships among printing variables, providing a framework for optimizing UV-DIW conditions. The successful fabrication of dense solid blocks without filament interfaces highlights the potential of UV-DIW for producing high-quality, defect-free 3D structures. This work provides valuable insights into parameter tuning, paving the way for advanced applications in manufacturing, biomedical engineering, and material science.