Identification and characterization of waterlogging-responsive genes in the parental line of maize hybrid An'nong 876.

Waterlogging stress is an important abiotic stress that adversely affects maize growth and yield. The mechanism regulating the early stage of the maize response to waterlogging stress is largely unknown. In this study, CM37 and cmh15 seedlings were treated with waterlogging stress and then examined in terms of their physiological changes. The results indicated that inbred line cmh15 is more tolerant to waterlogging stress and less susceptible to peroxide-based damages than CM37. The RNA sequencing analysis identified 1,359 down-regulated genes and 830 up-regulated genes in the waterlogging-treated cmh15 plants (relative to the corresponding control levels). According to the Gene Ontology analysis for the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), some important terms were identified which may play important roles in the response to waterlogging stress. Moreover, enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were also identified for the DEGs. Furthermore, the substantial changes in the expression of 36 key transcription factors may be closely related to the maize in response to waterlogging stress. This study offers important insights into the mechanism in regulating maize tolerance to waterlogging stress, with important foundations for future research.

Stretchable, Transparent, and Ultra-Broadband Terahertz Shielding Thin Films Based on Wrinkled MXene Architectures.

With the increasing demand for terahertz (THz) technology in security inspection, medical imaging, and flexible electronics, there is a significant need for stretchable and transparent THz electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. Existing EMI shielding materials, like opaque metals and carbon-based films, face challenges in achieving both high transparency and high shielding efficiency (SE). Here, a wrinkled structure strategy was proposed to construct ultra-thin, stretchable, and transparent terahertz shielding MXene films, which possesses both isotropous wrinkles (height about 50 nm) and periodic wrinkles (height about 500 nm). Compared to flat film, the wrinkled MXene film (8 nm) demonstrates a remarkable 36.5% increase in SE within the THz band. The wrinkled MXene film exhibits an EMI SE of 21.1 dB at the thickness of 100 nm, and an average EMI SE/t of 700 dB µm-1 over the 0.1-10 THz. Theoretical calculations suggest that the wrinkled structure enhances the film's conductivity and surface plasmon resonances, resulting in an improved THz wave absorption. Additionally, the wrinkled structure enhances the MXene films' stretchability and stability. After bending and stretching (at 30% strain) cycles, the average THz transmittance of the wrinkled film is only 0.5% and 2.4%, respectively. The outstanding performances of the wrinkled MXene film make it a promising THz electromagnetic shielding materials for future smart windows and wearable electronics.