The Interactions between Two Fungal Endophytes Epicoccum layuense R2-21 and Alternaria alternata XHYN2 and Grapevines (Vitis vinifera) with De Novo Established Symbionts under Aseptic Conditions.

In this study, we focused on grapevine-endophyte interactions and reprogrammed secondary metabolism in the host plant due to defense against the colonization of endophytes. Thus, the transcriptional responses of tissue cultured grapevine seedlings (Vitis vinifera L. cv.: Cabernet Sauvignon) to two fungal endophytes Epicoccum layuense R2-21 (Epi R2-21) and Alternaria alternata XHYN2 (Alt XHYN2) at three different time points (6 h, 6 d, 15 d) were analyzed. As expected, a total of 5748 and 5817 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were separately initiated in Epi R2-21 and Alt XHYN2 symbiotic tissue cultured seedlings compared to no endophyte treatment. The up-regulated DEGs at all time points in Epi R2-21- or Alt XHYN2-treated seedlings were mainly enriched in the flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, stilbenoid, diarylheptanoid and gingerol biosynthesis, and circadian rhythm-plant pathways. In addition, the up-regulated DEGs at all sampling times in Alt XHYN2-treated tissue cultured seedlings were enriched in the plant-pathogen interaction pathway, but appeared in Epi R2-21 symbiotic seedlings only after 15 d of treatment. The down-regulated DEGs were not enriched in any KEGG pathways after 6 h inoculation for Epi R2-21 and Alt XHYN2 treatments, but were enriched mainly in photosynthesis-antenna proteins and plant hormone signal transduction pathways at other sampling times. At three different time points, a total of 51 DEGs (all up-regulated, 1.33-10.41-fold) were involved in secondary metabolism, and 22 DEGs (all up-regulated, 1.01-8.40-fold) were involved in defense responses in endophytic fungi symbiotic tissue cultured seedlings. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network demonstrated that genes encoding CHS (VIT_10s0042g00920, VIT_14s0068g00920, and VIT_16s0100g00910) and the VIT_11s0065g00350 gene encoding CYP73A mediated the defense responses, and might induce more defense-associated metabolites. These results illustrated the activation of stress-associated secondary metabolism in the host grapevine during the establishment of fungi-plant endophytism. This work provides avenues for reshaping the qualities and characteristics of wine grapes utilizing specific endophytes and better understanding plant-microbe interactions.

Template-Directing Coupled with Chemical Activation Methodology-Derived Hexagon-like Porous Carbon Electrode with Outstanding Compatibility to Electrolytes and Low-Temperature Performance.

The conversion of asphalt into hexagon-like porous carbon (HPC) with a micro-mesoporous structure is realized by the coupling of template-directing and chemical activation methodologies. The specific surface area of HPC can reach up to 1356 m2 g-1 even at such a low-proportioned dosage of activator (0.5-fold) and is also larger than those of template-directed carbon and activation-derived carbon, as it benefited from the coupling merits of template-directing and chemical activation. Excellent capacitive-energy-storage behavior with respect to rate capability, capacitance retention, and durability are delivered by HPC//HPC symmetric supercapacitors assembled with aqueous and organic electrolytes. This great compatibility for different kinds of electrolytes and electrode properties is owed to the robust hexagon-like microarchitecture feature associated with hierarchical pore structure, which not only hinders the stacking between each other but also provides a buffer function for the volume variation and sufficient active sites for the storage of electrolyte ions. The drastic temperature variation has almost no influence on the diffusion and transfer rate of electrolyte ions, further evidencing the advanced feature of the hierarchical pore structure. Additionally, HPC//Li4Ti5O12 LIC assembled with the Li-based electrolyte also presents a superior Ragone performance. The coexistence of micro- and mesopores for the HPC makes it an attractive electrode material for various capacitive-energy-storage devices. This work provides a promising way to realize the plasticity of pore channels and mass production of high capacitive storage ability of electrode material via the combination of template-directing and chemical activation strategies.

A novel gas-solids separator scheme of coupling cyclone with circulating granular bed filter (C-CGBF).

A novel gas-solids separator scheme of coupling cyclone with circulating granular bed filter (C-CGBF) was proposed. The influences of the operating regimes, the inlet dust concentrations and the inlet gas flow rates on the scheme were investigated in a pilot-scale cold-model experimental apparatus. The pressure drop and the collection efficiency were measured and analyzed. It was shown that, differing from that under the fixed bed (FB) operating regime, the pressure drop tended to assume a steady state after an increasing period under the moving bed (MB). Experiments under the MB revealed that stable/high collection efficiency, typically exceeding 95%, was achieved with considerably low pressure drop. The dust hold-up in the built-in granular bed and the filter cake formed on the outer screen wall contributed to high collection efficiency, as well as increased the pressure drop. Furthermore, the individual contribution of the cyclone shell and the built-in granular bed to the total collection efficiency under the MB were investigated. The size distributions of the captured particles were also analyzed. The contribution ratios of the cyclone shell were around 80%, while the majority of the particles captured by it were larger than 10 µm.