Increasing drought and soil salinity pose significant threats to crop production around the world. One potential strategy to mitigate the impacts of these environmental changes is grafting, a horticultural technique that joins tissues from different plants. This study aimed to investigate and model changes in the expression of NAC and WRKY genes in grafted watermelon under varying salt and drought stress conditions (mild to extrem). The control groups were not restricted by any limitations. Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai (watermelon) was used as the scion, and Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl (bottle gourd) served as the rootstock in our experiments. During the 14-day treatment period, individuals from the grafted watermelon and bottle gourd plants were more successful to maintained water balance and growth rates, while ungrafted plants exhibited growth retardation and tissue damage, especially under salt stress. The analysis of gene expression revealed that grafted plants showed significantly increased expression of salt- and drought-sensitive genes, including ClNAC2b, ClNAC69, ClNAC72, ClWRKY13, ClWRKY14, and ClWRKY23, compared to ungrafted plants under low-stress conditions. These adaptations, such as stomatal closure and regulation of evaporation, enabled the improved grafted plants to respond more effectively to abiotic stress, supporting their survival and normal development. Our findings underscore that grafting is an environmentally friendly, rapid, and effective technique to enhance plant resilience against abiotic stresses, offering promising avenues to improve stable food crop production amidst increasing environmental challenges.

Grafting is a technique commonly used in horticulture to minimize damage from soil-borne diseases and bolster plants' ability to withstand stress, ultimately resulting in increased plant productivity. Cucurbit plants are frequently grafted for these purposes, and their seeds are widely used as nuts, food additives, and for medicinal properties worldwide. However, no information is available on the impact of grafting on the seed and oil yield and properties of medicinal pumpkins. This study is the first to investigate the effect of grafting on medicinal pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo var. styriaca) seeds' yield and oil properties. Commercial medicinal pumpkins were grafted onto five different rootstocks (C. pepo hybrids) including: 'code 11', 'code 36', 'code 45', 'code 42' and 'code 21') using three different grafting methods (Side grafting, Hole insertion grafting and cleft grafting). The results showed that the type of rootstock and grafting method significantly affected fruit yield, seed yield, oil yield, and oil qualities. The research revealed that there were no issues with graft incompatibility between the rootstock and medicinal pumpkins. Side-grafting was identified as the most successful method, and these plants were utilized in farm experiments. Furthermore, the rootstocks had a notably positive impact on the success rate, with code 42, code 45, and code 21 rootstocks demonstrating the highest percentage of successful grafts. Medicinal pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo var styriaca) plants grafted through the side grafting technique on code 45 hybrids have demonstrated the highest yield and optimal oil properties. Thus, these grafted plants are highly recommended for the commercial production of medicinal pumpkins.

In this study, a novel multifunctional grid -shaped polymeric composite (MGPC) with reinforcing, autonomous strain, stress, and damage sensing and localizing in addition to targeted heating capabilities, has been developed. Distinct from preceding composites, this grid synthesizes these features collectively for the first time and concurrently addresses current challenges in multifunctional composites, such as environmental impact, data reliability, complexity, and production costs. The fabrication process entails 3D printing an electrical circuit with conductive filaments within a polylactic acid (PLA) host polymer. The conductive filament was composed of a thermoplastic polymer (TPU) infused with carbon nanotubes (CNT)-grafted carbon fibres (CFs) produced via chemical vapour deposition. The mechanical, microstructural, and electrical properties of the grid elements and cementitious slabs reinforced with MGPC were comprehensively examined. The MGPC 's performance in traffic flow monitoring, mechanical behaviour prediction, and damage localization was assessed through wheel tracking, asymmetric punch tests, piezoresistivity response evaluation, and digital image correlation techniques. Furthermore, the self -warming ability of the MGPC in cementitious composites was investigated using different voltages. The extruded TPU containing CNT-grafted CFs exhibited an electrical percolation threshold of approximately 5.0 wt%, resulting in a conductivity of around 70 S/m for the filaments. Incorporating MGPC as reinforcement within cementitious composite slabs led to notable enhancements, with flexural strength increasing by approximately 15 % and failure strain by up to 350 %. Wheel tracking tests revealed changes in the electrical: 5.8 % for 520 N and 7.8 % for 700 N wheel loads, with roughly 5.0 % average error in velocity detection. Transverse elements precisely detected wheel locations demonstrating the MGPC capabilities in accurately detecting wheel speed weight, and location. The study established strong correlations between electrical resistance changes, mechanical behaviour, and damage detection, affirming the MGPC 's reliability and efficacy for damage monitoring and localization. The cementitious slab reinforced with MGPC reached around 52 degrees C through a 20 V direct current, with a heating rate of 0.25 degrees C/s and a power density of 142 W/m 2 , showing its potential for practical applications such as self -healing and de-icing. However, design parameters such as mesh and conductive circuit configuration, long-term performance, as well as Life Cycle Assessment need further investigation.

Grafting in tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) has mainly been used to prevent damage by soil-borne pathogens and the negative effects of abiotic stresses, although productivity and fruit quality can also be enhanced using high vigor rootstocks. In the context of a low nutrients input agriculture, the grafting of elite cultivars onto rootstocks displaying higher Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) supports a direct strategy for yield maximization. In this study we assessed the use of plants overexpressing the Arabidopsis ( AtCDF3 ) or tomato ( SlCDF3 ) CDF3 genes, previously reported to increase NUE in tomato, as rootstocks to improve yield in the grafted scion under low N inputs. We found that the AtCDF3 gene induced greater production of sugars and amino acids, which allowed for greater biomass and fruit yield under both sufficient and limiting N supplies. Conversely, no positive impact was found with the SlCDF3 gene. Hormone analyses suggest that gibberellins (GA 4 ), auxin and cytokinins (tZ) might be involved in the AtCDF3 responses to N. The differential responses triggered by the two genes could be related, at least in part, to the mobility of the AtCDF3 transcript through the phloem to the shoot. Consistently, a higher expression of the target genes of the transcription factor, such as glutamine synthase 2 ( SlGS2 ) and GA oxidase 3 ( SlGA3ox ), involved in amino acid and gibberellin biosynthesis, respectively, was observed in the leaves of this graft combination. Altogether, our results provided further insights into the mode of action of CDF3 genes and their biotechnology potential for transgrafting approaches.

Rechargeable Zinc metal batteries have emerged as promising next-generation energy storage devices, attributed to their affordability, abundant availability, and high safety profile. However, aqueous Zinc anodes encounter challenges such as dendrite formation and electrolyte corrosion. This study addresses these challenges by introducing a biopolymer-based hydrogel electrolyte. The electrolyte is a gelatin (G) hydrogel, enriched with x% beta-cyclodextrin (D) grafted onto chitosan (C), designated as G(DC)(x). It ensures efficient and uniform Zn2+ ion transport through ionic channels to the zinc anode surface, facilitating the formation of parallel, densely arrayed Zn platelets on the anode. This arrangement minimizes the electrolyte-zinc interface area, mitigating interfacial side reactions and preventing dead zinc formation. The enhanced gelatin network endows the hydrogel electrolyte with considerable mechanical strength (1.49 MPa) and extensive stretchability (400 %), effectively inhibiting dendrite growth and penetration. Additionally, the electrolyte demonstrates excellent ionic conductivity at 24.89 mS cm(-1) and a notable transference number of 0.49, synergistically improving the zinc anode's cycling reversibility and lifespan. Symmetric cells using G(DC)2 electrolytes exhibit remarkable cycling stability, exceeding 1200 h at 1 mA cm(-2)/1 mA h cm(-2). Zn-I-2 full cells with G(DC)(2) hydrogel electrolyte show superior cycling performance, maintaining over 300 cycles at 0.1 A g(-1) while retaining excellent mechanical properties. The hydrogel electrolytes, degrading by 85 % in weight within 28 days, also exhibit excellent biodegradability in soil. Consequently, these renewable and biodegradable G(DC)(x) electrolytes present a viable alternative to liquid electrolytes, paving the way for safer, more stable, and eco-friendly zinc metal batteries.

The economically adaptable mulberry (Morus alba L.) has a long history of grafting in China, yet the physiological mechanisms and advantages in drought tolerance remain unexplored. In our study, we investigated the responses of self-rooted 2X (diploid), 3X (triploid), and 4X (tetraploid) plants, as well as polyploid plants grafted onto diploid seedling rootstocks (2X/2X, 3X/2X, and 4X/2X) under drought stress. We found that self-rooted diploid plants exhibited the most severe phenotypic damage, lowest water retention, photosynthetic capacity, and the least effective osmotic stress adjustment compared to tetraploid and triploid plants. However, grafted diploid and triploid plants showed effective mitigation of drought-induced damage, with higher relative water content and improved soil water retention. Grafted plants also improved the photosystem response to drought stress through elevated photosynthetic potential, closed stomatal aperture, and faster recovery of chlorophyll biosynthesis in the leaves. Additionally, grafted plants altered osmotic protective compound levels, including starch, soluble sugar, and proline content, thereby enhancing drought resistance. Absolute quantification PCR indicated that the expression levels of proline synthesis-related genes in grafted plants were not influenced after drought stress, whereas they were significantly increased in self-rooted plants. Consequently, our findings support that self-rooted triploid and tetraploid mulberries exhibited superior drought resistance compared to diploid plants. Moreover, grafting onto seedling rootstocks enhanced tolerance against drought stress in diploid and triploid mulberry, but not in tetraploid. Our study provides valuable insights for a comprehensive analysis of physiological effects in response to drought stress between stem-roots and seedling rootstocks.

Synthetic polymers have established the market due to their low cost and simplicity of production, despite the fact that society now requires a more environment friendly alternative to non-biodegradable polymers. To overcome this problem, natural polymers produced from renewable resources, including starch, cellulose, chitin, pectin, and chitosan, are presently being as an alternative to plastics due to their biodegradability, benign properties, widespread availability, and biocompatibility. According to the current environmental conditions, the creation of bio-based products is crucial. The potential of blending natural biopolymers is effective in addressing the problem of shortening the lifespan of degradation of these polymers, as well as demonstrating the efficiency of biodegradation of polymer blends between synthetic polymers and biopolymers. This article discusses the compatibilizer-based blending of natural and synthetic thermoplastic polymers. The graft copolymerization of natural polymers with monomers utilizing various initiation systems is also highlighted in this article.

偏移量追踪技术不易失相关，是利用光学与SAR卫星影像监测冰川流速的主要手段。该技术通过互相关方法获得像素级偏移量，并通过插值算法达到亚像素级别。实地测量冰川流速不易获取，难以用于验证亚像素级算法精度，因此本文采用图像处理方法对其精度进行分析。本研究以格陵兰Petermann和Kangerlussuaq冰川为例，通过模拟实验设定偏移量场并生成模拟的偏移影像，将COSI-Corr、autoRIFT和ImGRAFT等偏移量追踪软件得到的结果与设定偏移量场对比，而后使用三次函数拟合判断是否存在系统误差，并通过拟合函数的反函数对其进行校正。结果表明COSI-Corr软件的偏移结果的亚像素级系统误差较小，而autoRIFT和ImGRAFT存在一定的亚像素级系统误差且与实验区无关。autoRIFT的亚像素级系统偏差最大，校正后其单方向RMSE平均提升了0.0054 pixels(px)，提升率约为11%；而ImGRAFT(CCF-O)和ImGRAFT(NCC)的单方向RMSE平均分别提升了0.0014 px和0.0012 px，提升率较小。经校正后，autoRIFT精度最优，Petermann和Ka...

偏移量追踪技术不易失相关，是利用光学与SAR卫星影像监测冰川流速的主要手段。该技术通过互相关方法获得像素级偏移量，并通过插值算法达到亚像素级别。实地测量冰川流速不易获取，难以用于验证亚像素级算法精度，因此本文采用图像处理方法对其精度进行分析。本研究以格陵兰Petermann和Kangerlussuaq冰川为例，通过模拟实验设定偏移量场并生成模拟的偏移影像，将COSI-Corr、autoRIFT和ImGRAFT等偏移量追踪软件得到的结果与设定偏移量场对比，而后使用三次函数拟合判断是否存在系统误差，并通过拟合函数的反函数对其进行校正。结果表明COSI-Corr软件的偏移结果的亚像素级系统误差较小，而autoRIFT和ImGRAFT存在一定的亚像素级系统误差且与实验区无关。autoRIFT的亚像素级系统偏差最大，校正后其单方向RMSE平均提升了0.0054 pixels(px)，提升率约为11%；而ImGRAFT(CCF-O)和ImGRAFT(NCC)的单方向RMSE平均分别提升了0.0014 px和0.0012 px，提升率较小。经校正后，autoRIFT精度最优，Petermann和Ka...