Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Insights into ABA-Related Genes in Cerasus humilis under Drought Stress.

Cerasus humilis, a small shrub of the Cerasus genus within the Rosaceae family, is native to China and renowned for its highly nutritious and medicinal fruits, robust root system, and remarkable drought resistance. This study primarily employed association transcriptome and metabolome analyses to assess changes in abscisic acid (ABA) levels and identify key regulatory genes in C. humilis subjected to varying degrees of drought stress. Notably, we observed distinct alterations in transcription factors across different drought intensities. Specifically, our transcriptome data indicated noteworthy shifts in GATA, MYB, MYC, WRKY, C2H2, and bHLH transcription factor families. Furthermore, combined transcriptomic and metabolomic investigations demonstrated significant enrichment of metabolic pathways, such as 'Carbon metabolism', 'Biosynthesis of amino acids', 'Biosynthesis of cofactors', 'Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis', 'Starch and sucrose metabolism', and 'Plant hormone signal transduction' under moderate (Mod) or severe (Sev) drought conditions. A total of 11 candidate genes involved in ABA biosynthesis and signaling pathways were identified. The down-regulated genes included secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase-like and PYL2. Conversely, genes including FAD-dependent urate hydroxylase-like, cytochrome P450 97B2, carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 4 (CCD4), SnRK2.2, ABI 5-like protein 5, PP2C 51, and SnRK2.3, were up-regulated under Mod or Sev drought stress. This study lays the genetic foundation for ABA biosynthesis to enhance drought tolerance and provides genetic resources for plant genetic engineering and breeding efforts.

Piezoelectric Shunt Stiffness in Rhombic Piezoelectric Stack Transducer with Hybrid Negative-Impedance Shunts: Theoretical Modeling and Stability Analysis.

Negative-capacitance shunted piezoelectric polymer was investigated in depth due to its considerable damping effect. This paper discusses the novel controlled stiffness performance from a rhombic piezoelectric stack transducer with three hybrid negative-impedance shunts, namely, negative capacitance in series with resistance, negative capacitance in parallel with resistance, and negative inductance/negative capacitance (NINC) in series with resistance. An analytical framework for establishing the model of the coupled system is presented. Piezoelectric shunt stiffness (PSS) and piezoelectric shunt damping (PSD) are proposed to analyze the stiffness and damping performances of the hybrid shunts. Theoretical analysis proves that the PSS can produce both positive and negative stiffness by changing the negative capacitance and adjustable resistance. The Routh-Hurwitz criterion and the root locus method are utilized to judge the stability of the three hybrid shunts. The results point out that the negative capacitance should be selected carefully to sustain the stability and to achieve the negative stiffness effect of the transducer. Furthermore, negative capacitance in parallel with resistance has a considerably better stiffness bandwidth and damping performance than the other two shunts. This study demonstrates a novel electrically controlled stiffness method for vibration control engineering.