Search Results (3,784)

Salinity is a long-standing global environmental stressor of terrestrial agroecosystems, with important implications for viticulture sustainability, especially in arid and semi-arid environments. Salt-induced physiological and biochemical disruptions to grapevines undermine yield and long-term vineyard sustainability. This review aims to integrate physiological, molecular, and omics-based insights to elucidate how grapevine rootstocks confer salinity tolerance and to identify future breeding directions for sustainable viticulture. This review critically assesses the ecological and molecular processes underlying salt stress adaptation in grapevine (Vitis spp.) rootstocks, with an emphasis on their contribution to modulating scion performance under saline conditions. Core adaptive mechanisms include morphological plasticity, ion compartmentalization, hormonal regulation, antioxidant defense, and activation of responsive genes to stress. Particular emphasis is given to recent integrative biotechnological developments—including transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and genomics—that reveal the intricate signaling and regulatory networks enabling rootstock-mediated tolerance. By integrating advances across eco-physiological, agronomic, and molecular realms, this review identifies rootstock selection as a promising strategy for bolstering resilience in grapevine production systems confronted by salinization, a phenomenon increasingly exacerbated by anthropogenic land use and climate change. The research highlights the value of stress ecology and adaptive root system strategies for alleviating the environmental consequences of soil salinity for perennial crop systems. Full article

5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a natural and environmentally friendly plant growth regulator that plays an important role in enhancing plant tolerance to a wide range of environmental stresses. Exogenous application of ALA enables rapid and efficient physiological regulation. Additionally, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) enhances salt tolerance in tomato seedlings by regulating ALA to promote jasmonic acid (JA) accumulation and strengthening the antioxidant defense system. To investigate how exogenous ALA alleviates salt stress physiologically, this study used ‘Condine Red’ tomato as the experimental material and examined the effects of MeJA-mediated ALA on the growth characteristics and stress tolerance mechanisms of tomato seedlings under salt stress. The results indicated that salt stress significantly inhibited tomato seedling growth, leading to marked reductions in biomass, chlorophyll content, and the enzymatic activities of POD, CAT, and APX. In contrast, SOD activity, MDA content, NPQ, soluble protein content, proline content, endogenous JA levels, and the expression of related genes were significantly increased. Under salt stress, exogenous application of ALA and MeJA alleviated the inhibitory effects on tomato seedlings. However, SHAM (salicylhydroxamic acid) aggravated salt stress damage to plants. The addition of ALA significantly mitigated these salt stress-induced injuries. These findings suggest that ALA may enhance salt tolerance in tomato seedlings by promoting JA accumulation and bolstering the antioxidant defense system. Full article

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely used polymer in composite systems due to its versatility and processability, with growing use in advanced engineering applications. This study presents the formulation, processing optimisation, and detailed characterisation of a hot-dip PVC-based plastisol composite coating developed for electrical insulation in electric vehicle (EV) battery systems. A series of plastisol formulations with varying filler contents were prepared and applied via dip-coating at withdrawal speeds of 5, 10, and 15 mm s⁻¹. The 5 mm s⁻¹ withdrawal speed resulted in the most uniform coatings with thicknesses of 890–2100 µm. Mechanical testing showed that lower filler content significantly improved performance: Group 1 (lowest filler) exhibited the highest tensile strength (11.9 N mm⁻²), elongation at break (465%), tear strength (92 N mm⁻¹), and abrasion resistance. SEM and EDX analyses confirmed more homogeneous filler dispersion in Group 1, while FTIR spectra indicated stronger polymer–plasticiser interactions. Contact-angle measurements showed an increase of ${38}^{\circ }$ in low-filler samples, indicating enhanced surface hydrophobicity. Furthermore, Group 1 coatings demonstrated superior dielectric strength (22.1 kV mm⁻¹) and excellent corrosion resistance, maintaining integrity for over 2000 h in salt-spray testing. These findings highlight the importance of filler optimisation in balancing mechanical, electrical, and environmental performance. The proposed PVC-based composite coating offers a durable, cost-effective solution for next-generation EV battery insulation systems and has potential applicability in other high-performance engineering applications. Full article

With the advancement of industrial technology toward high speed, heavy load, precision, and automation, traditional sliding bearing materials have been unable to meet modern industrial demands. Surface coating technology, as an efficient surface modification method, has become a key means to enhance the tribological properties, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and fatigue resistance of sliding bearings, thus extending their service life. This paper systematically reviews the research progress of coating technology for sliding bearings in the past, aiming to fill the gap in comprehensive summaries of multi-material systems and multi-process technologies in existing reviews. In terms of materials, it focuses on the performance characteristics and application scenarios of three major coating types—metal-based, ceramic-based, and polymer-based—clarifying their advantages and limitations. In terms of processes, it analyzes the technical characteristics of mainstream methods including electroplating, magnetron sputtering, and laser cladding, as well as their innovative applications in replacing traditional processes. Furthermore, this review summarizes the latest research results in coating performance evaluation, such as tribological testing via pin-on-disk testers and corrosion resistance analysis via salt spray tests. Finally, it discusses future development trends in new materials, new process applications, and environmental sustainability. This work is expected to provide a valuable reference for related research and engineering applications in the field of sliding bearing coatings. Full article

Metal anodes promise improvements in energy density and cost; however, their performance is determined within the first several nanometers at the interface. This review reports on how polymer-based artificial solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs) are engineered to stabilize Li and aqueous-Zn anodes, and how these designs are now evaluated against operando readouts rather than post-mortem snapshots. We group the related molecular strategies into three classes: (i) side-chain/ionomer chemistry (salt-philic, fluorinated, zwitterionic) to increase cation selectivity and manage local solvation; (ii) dynamic or covalently cross-linked networks to absorb microcracks and maintain coverage during plating/stripping; and (iii) polymer–ceramic hybrids that balance modulus, wetting, and ionic transport characteristics. We then benchmark these choices against metal-specific constraints—high reductive potential and inactive Li accumulation for Li, and pH, water activity, corrosion, and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) for Zn—showing why a universal preparation method is unlikely. A central element is a system of design parameters and operando metrics that links material parameters to readouts collected under bias, including the nucleation overpotential (η_nuc), interfacial impedance (charge transfer resistance (R_ct)/SEI resistance (R_SEI)), morphology/roughness statistics from liquid-cell or cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), stack swelling, and (for Li) inactive-Li inventory. By contrast, planar plating/stripping and HER suppression are primary success metrics for Zn. Finally, we outline parameters affecting these systems, including the use of lean electrolytes, the N/P ratio, high areal capacity/current density, and pouch-cell pressure uniformity, and discuss closed-loop workflows that couple molecular design with multimodal operando diagnostics. In this view, polymer artificial SEIs evolve from curated “recipes” into predictive, transferable interfaces, paving a path from coin-cell to prototype-level Li- and Zn-metal batteries. Full article

Fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs primarily have pores and caves as their main storage spaces with poor fracture development, resulting in low reservoir connectivity and strong heterogeneity. During nitrogen injection developments, the fluidity of the medium is poor, and gas tends to form dominant flow channels, leading to a short response time. Consequently, the displacement of crude oil in such reservoirs is limited, leaving a large proportion of residual oil trapped within the pore and vug systems. Based on the Tarim fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoir, a two-dimensional visualized physical model of the fractured-vuggy body was designed and constructed to conduct a foam-assisted gas displacement physical experiment. The research shows that foam has good oil recovery efficiency and dominant channel-blocking ability, which can effectively mobilize the residual oil in the fractures and vugs after gas displacement. In the vertical direction, the foam-assisted gas flooding mechanism primarily involves gravity segregation and interfacial tension reduction between oil and water; horizontally, it operates by selectively blocking large fractures and main channels, redirecting gas into smaller and more tortuous pathways, thus enhancing overall sweep efficiency. Once dominant flow channels develop, injecting salt-sensitive foam at a 2:1 gas–liquid ratio and 0.3 pore volume can raise the recovery factor from around 3% to nearly 19%, representing an improvement of about 16%, thereby boosting both gas flooding performance and overall field development efficiency. Full article

Drought and salt stresses are critical environmental constraints affecting plant growth and development, and microorganisms can enhance plant tolerance to these abiotic stresses through complex mechanisms. This review systematically synthesizes the core mechanisms by which microorganisms regulate plant physiological and biochemical processes under such stresses, specifically including the following: (1) regulating the perception and transduction of abiotic stress signals to enhance plant adaptive responses; (2) boosting gene expression and protein synthesis for overall plant metabolic regulation; (3) activating the antioxidant system to strengthen plant tolerance; (4) modulating plant hormone levels to stimulate growth in response to adversity; (5) enhancing plant nutrition and absorption to improve resilience; (6) optimizing the photosynthesis system to promote the synthesis of essential substances, safeguarding plant growth and development amidst adversity. Finally, the application of microbial inoculants in saline–alkali soil improvement and crop cultivation in arid areas and prospective research directions are discussed. Full article

Salt lakes on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) are vital repositories of China’s strategic mineral resources, including boron and lithium. The Budongquan Salt Lake (BDQSL) in eastern Hoh Xil Basin (HXB) represents a hypersaline system with combined geothermal recharge and intense evaporation, yet its hydrochemical characteristics and B-Li enrichment mechanisms remain poorly understood. Through systematic hydrochemical and isotopic analysis (δD, δ¹⁸O, d-excess) of 69 surface samples, 14 depth-stratified profiles, and 131 regional water samples, we reveal that: (1) BDQSL exhibits extremely saline Na-Cl brines (TDS: 192,700–220,700 mg/L) significantly enriched in B and Li (45–54 mg/L), with overall spatial homogeneity and complete vertical mixing; (2) B and Li demonstrate strong correlation (R² = 0.95), controlled by coupled hydrothermal input, water–rock interaction, and evaporative concentration, with hydrothermal delivery as the predominant source; (3) depleted isotopic signatures (δ¹⁸O = −1.4‰, d-excess = −5‰) confirm intense evaporation, while upstream cascade connectivity and climate warming drive lake expansion and brine dilution, indicating transition toward lower salinity; (4) a distinctive hydrothermal–evaporative composite mineralization model differentiates BDQSL from regional mono-evaporative systems. This study elucidates B-Li enrichment mechanisms in hydrothermally active plateau salt lakes, providing geochemical constraints for resource assessment and predictive frameworks for evaluating mineral evolution under climate change. Full article

This study establishes a synergistic Texture–Quota–Salinity (T–Q–S) model to optimize soil water–salt dynamics in arid agricultural systems. Key findings reveal a sand content threshold (S₀ = 45.2%) governing salt transport efficiency: (1) Sandy soils (S > 50%) exhibit high leaching capacity, enabling the use of saline water (4 g·L⁻¹) with a 270 mm quota to achieve >75% desalination. (2) Threshold soils (S ≈ 45.2%) balance leaching and retention, maximizing nutrient conservation under brackish water (2 g·L⁻¹) and 260 mm irrigation. (3) Clayey soils (S < 30%) require freshwater (≤2 g·L⁻¹) and reduced quotas (≤230 mm) to mitigate surface salinization. The S₀ threshold enables precise irrigation strategies: deep leaching in sandy soils, balanced management in threshold soils, and salt-suppression in clayey soils, enhancing water efficiency by 25% while controlling root zone salinity. Full article

Salinity is one of the primary limiting factors in the rice production system in northeast Thailand due to the presence of underground salt rocks, and the situation is expected to deteriorate further in the future since rice is particularly susceptible to salinity. In this study, 382 indigenous lowland rice germplasms were evaluated for salt tolerance under hydroponic conditions at the seedling stage. The stress condition was induced by adding NaCl from 2 dS/m to 22 dS/m. Twenty-two varieties (group 1) were selected based on low leaf salinity scores in 2019 and 2020. Ten varieties, LLR050, LLR054, LLR106, LLR216, LLR309, LLR365, LLR377, LLR402, LLR441, and LLR449, were selected from leaf salt injury scores under hydroponic conditions in 2021 and 2022. The response of ten selected varieties was investigated under both hydroponic and soil media at the seedling stage, as well as soil culture at the tillering and flowering stages. The results revealed that LLR054, LLR365, and LLR216 exhibited low leaf injury scores (less than 4.0) at both the seedling and tillering stages. At the seedling stage, most varieties demonstrated high Na+ accumulation in the root, while high accumulation in the shoot was observed at the tillering stage. Varieties LLR054 and LLR441 displayed low leaf damage scores, root sodium accumulation at the seedling stage, and shoot sodium accumulation at the tillering stage, similar to the tolerant check variety Pokkali. Additionally, LLR365 and LLR216 showed high shoot sodium accumulation but low leaf damage scores at the tillering stage. At the flowering stage, LLR050 and LLR449 maintained high yields and filled seeds per panicle under salt stress. Therefore, early-stage LLR054, LLR441, LLR365, and LLR216 had high tolerance and LLR050 and LLR449 maintained high yields, and these varieties are potential sources of salt tolerance for future rice breeding programs. Full article

Epoxy resin coatings are widely employed for steel protection owing to their excellent adhesion, chemical stability, mechanical strength, and barrier properties. However, conventional bisphenol A-based resins and organic solvents may pose risks to reproductive, developmental, and immune systems, as well as contribute to atmospheric pollution. This mini-review critically evaluates recent advancements in fully waterborne bio-based epoxy nanocomposites as sustainable alternatives, with particular emphasis on their enhanced antibacterial and corrosion-resistant performance in tropical marine environments. A central focus is the role of chitosan-grafted graphene oxide (Chi-GO) as a multifunctional nanofiller that significantly enhances both antibacterial efficacy and barrier capabilities. For instance, coatings reinforced with Chi-GO exhibit up to two orders of magnitude lower corrosion current density than pristine epoxy coatings, and achieve over 95% bacterial inhibition against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at a 1 wt.% loading. The review summarizes key synthesis methods, functional modification techniques, and commonly adopted evaluation approaches. Emerging research further underscores environmental performance metrics, including reduced volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and improved life-cycle assessments. By integrating bio-based polymer matrices with Chi-GO, these composite systems present a promising pathway toward environmentally benign and durable protective coatings. Nevertheless, critical challenges concerning scalability and long-term stability under real-world operating conditions remain insufficiently addressed. Future research should emphasize scalable manufacturing strategies, such as roll-to-roll processing, and conduct extended tropical exposure testing (e.g., salt spray tests beyond 2000 h). Additionally, developing comprehensive life-cycle assessment (LCA) frameworks will be crucial for sustainable industrial implementation. Full article

The influence of the conjugate of 24-epibrassinolide with succinic acid (tetrahydrosuccinate of 24-epibrassinolide, EBL THS) and 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on the acclimation of rapeseed plants (Brassica napus L.) to chloride salinity (150 mM NaCl) was investigated. After two weeks of growth in Hoagland–Snyder medium, the rapeseed seedlings were transferred to the same medium supplemented with EBL or EBL THS (10 nM) for 4 h, after which NaCl (150 mM) was added; parameters were taken on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days. It was established that salt stress inhibited growth processes (by 19–45%), reduced the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents (by 19–50%), photosystem II efficiency (by 13–19%), tissue hydration (by 3.54%), and osmotic potential (by three times), increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) (by 1.5–2 times), and proline accumulation (by 1.4–18 times), and altered ion status, increasing the concentrations of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions while decreasing the levels of K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, S²⁺, Fe²⁺, Al³⁺, and P³⁺. The short-term pretreatment of plants with EBL THS, similar to EBL, reduced the inhibitory effects of NaCl on growth processes, pigment content (to a greater extent with EBL THS), the efficiency of photochemical processes in photosystem II, the accumulation of Na⁺ ions, and in the case of EBL THS, the accumulation of Cl⁻ ions. Both regulators (especially EBL THS) reduced LPO, and stimulated the accumulation of NaCl-induced proline, which was organ-specific and dependent on the duration of stress. EBL THS stimulated the activity of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase, whereas EBL primarily stimulated peroxidase. Thus, it was demonstrated for the first time that EBL THS, like EBL, increased the salt tolerance of rapeseed plants, but had a more pronounced stress-protective effect, primarily at the level of antioxidant system components. Full article

Monitoring bottom-hole pressure (BHP) is critical for reservoir management and flow assurance, especially in offshore fields where challenging conditions and production losses are more impactful. However, reliability issues and high installation costs of Permanent Downhole Gauges (PDGs) often limit access to this vital data. Soft sensors offer a cost-effective and reliable alternative, serving as backups or replacements for physical sensors. This study proposes a novel data-driven methodology for estimating flowing BHP using wellhead and topside measurements from plant monitoring systems. The framework employs ensemble methods combined with clustering techniques to partition datasets, enabling tailored supervised training for diverse production conditions. Aggregating results from sub-models enhances performance, even with simpler machine learning algorithms. We evaluated Linear Regression, Neural Networks, and Gradient Boosting (XGBoost and LightGBM) as base models. A case study of a Brazilian Pre-Salt offshore oilfield, using data from 60 wells across nine platforms, demonstrated the methodology’s effectiveness. Error metrics remained consistently below 2% across varying production conditions and reservoir lifecycle stages, confirming its reliability. This solution provides a practical, economical alternative for studies and monitoring in wells lacking PDG data, improving operational efficiency and supporting reservoir management decisions. Full article

High-pressure intrusion of water and LiCl aqueous solutions at different concentrations in hydrophobic STT-type zeosil was studied for possible applications in absorption and storage of mechanical energy. The water is intruded at a pressure of 35 MPa and remains trapped in the pores after pressure release, which corresponds to bumper behavior with total energy absorption. The use of LiCl solution leads to a change in system behavior, regardless of the concentration investigated (10, 15, or 20 M). Its intrusion is mainly reversible, but a small part of the intruded liquid remains in the pores after the first intrusion–extrusion cycle, which corresponds to a mixed behavior of bumper and shock absorber. The intrusion pressure rises strongly with an increase in salt concentration and reaches 227 MPa for a LiCl 20 M solution; the stored energy of 27 J/g can be achieved. The characterization of STT-type zeosil before and after intrusion–extrusion tests by structural and physicochemical methods shows that silanol defects are formed both under the intrusion of water and LiCl solutions. The relationship between zeosil structure and intrusion–extrusion characteristics is discussed by comparing the results obtained with those of other structural types of zeosils. Full article

Background: A significant concern today is the dependence on low-quality water sources, such as saline water, in hydroponic systems, especially due to the scarcity of freshwater. Halophytes and salt-tolerant species have emerged as viable candidates for cultivation in saline hydroponics. However, their agronomic performance and physiological responses within hydroponic systems require further investigation. Objectives: This research aims to explore the potential of edible halophytes grown in saline nutrient solutions within hydroponic systems within salt-tolerant ranges, focusing on their metabolic profiles and mineral accumulation. Methods: Plantago coronopus (L.), Portulaca oleracea (L.), and Salsola komarovii (Iljin) were grown in walk-in controlled environment chambers in deep water culture hydroponic systems, at 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM·L⁻¹ NaCl salinity; 16h, 250 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹, and wide LED spectrum lighting was maintained. Results: A significant decrease in organic acids, and fresh and dry weight under high saltinity was observed in Plantago coronopus and Portulaca oleracea, but not in Salsola komarovii. An increase in hexoses, particularly glucose, violaxanthin and β-carotene, P⁺ and Zn²⁺, along with a decrease in lutein, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ levels across salinity levels from 0 to 200 mM NaCl was observed in all treated halophytes. Increased salinity did not significantly affect total protein accumulation. Conclusions: These findings reveal that different shifts in osmolytes, mineral elements, and biomass accumulation in tested halophytes indicate species-dependent osmotic adjustment to increased salinity and may be attributed to the morphological differences among halophytic grasses, dicot halophytes, and those with succulent leaves or stems. The PCA score scatterplot results excluded the response of Plantago coronopus from other tested halophytes; also, it demonstrated that Portulaca oleracea was more sensitive to the hydroponic solution salinity compared to Salsola komarovii and Plantago coronopus. Full article