High Genetic Diversity and Low Differentiation of Michelia coriacea (Magnoliaceae), a Critically Endangered Endemic in Southeast Yunnan, China

Michelia coriacea, a critically endangered tree, has a restricted and fragmented distribution in Southeast Yunnan Province, China. The genetic diversity, genetic structure and gene flow in the three extant populations of this species were detected by 10 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers and 11 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Examination of genetic diversity revealed that the species maintained a relatively high level of genetic diversity at the species level (percentage of polymorphic bands) PPB = 96.36% from ISSRs; PPL (percentage of polymorphic loci) = 95.56% from SSRs, despite several fragmental populations. Low levels of genetic differentiation among the populations of M. coriacea were detected by Nei’s Gst = 0.187 for ISSR and Wright’s Fst = 0.090 for SSR markers, which is further confirmed by Bayesian model-based STRUCTURE and PCoA analysis that could not reveal a clear separation between populations, although YKP was differentiated to other two populations by ISSR markers. Meanwhile, AMOVA analysis also indicated that 22.84% and 13.90% of genetic variation existed among populations for ISSRs and SSRs, respectively. The high level of genetic diversity, low genetic differentiation, and the population, structure imply that the fragmented habitat and the isolated population of M. coriacea may be due to recent over-exploitation. Conservation and management of M. coriacea should concentrate on maintaining the high level of genetic variability through both in and ex-situ conservation actions

How ChatGPT transformed teachers: the role of basic psychological needs in enhancing digital competence

IntroductionWith the rapid development of ChatGPT, its application in the field of education has garnered widespread attention. This study aims to explore the impact of ChatGPT on teachers’ digital competence (TDC) and the mediating role of basic psychological needs satisfaction (BPNS).MethodsThe study was conducted in China, collecting questionnaire data from 632 teachers through the QuestionStar platform. Structural equation modeling was employed using SmartPLS 4.0 to examine the effects of ChatGPT usage on TDC and its relationship with BPNS.ResultsThe findings indicate that ChatGPT has a significant effect on TDC, primarily through the fulfillment of competence and relatedness needs, while the impact of autonomy on TDC was not significant.DiscussionThe results indicate that ChatGPT can enhance TDC and improve intrinsic motivation by satisfying their basic psychological needs. It is recommended that the design of educational tools consider teachers’ psychological needs to promote their professional development and well-being. This provides practical guidance for educational institutions, emphasizing the importance of teachers in the digital transformation process

Electrochromic semiconductors as colorimetric SERS substrates with high reproducibility and renewability

Electrochromic technology has been actively researched for displays, adjustable mirrors, smart windows, and other cutting-edge applications. However, it has never been proposed to overcome the critical problems in the field of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Herein, we demonstrate a generic electrochromic strategy for ensuring the reproducibility and renewability of SERS substrates, which are both scientifically and technically important due to the great need for quantitative analysis, standardized production and low cost in SERS. This color-changing strategy is based on a unique quantitative relationship between the SERS signal amplification and the coloration degree within a certain range, in which the SERS activity of the substrate can be effectively inferred by judging the degree of color change. Our results may provide a first step toward the rational design of electrochromic SERS substrates with a high sensitivity, reproducibility, and renewability

Kirigami inspired shape programmable and reconfigurable multifunctional nanocomposites for 3D structures

The ability to shape and program remotely and contactlessly from two-dimensional (2D) flat multilayer materials into three-dimensional (3D) structures and functional devices could be ideal for applications like space missions, environmental remediation and minimally invasive surgery. However, achieving a fast and accurate deployment of complex 3D shapes contaclessly at low energy consumption, while embedding a number of physical properties and functionalities, remains very challenging. Herein, a strategy to widen the complexity space of 3D shapes and functions achievable is demonstrated, by enabling a controlled sequential folding while incorporating nano-reinforcements. Sequential folding was successfully achieved and a honeycomb structure was developed by designing multilayer polymer films with different kirigami patterns - each responding at a different rate upon heating. A finite element method (FEM) model was developed to better understand the main underlying physical mechanism as well as to feedback into materials and structure design. Moreover, a shape-programmed CNT veil-based honeycomb structure was developed, triggered remotely by thermal stimuli, with capability to self-sense the folding state through the electrical resistance change (ΔR/R0 = 100–300 %). Overall, it was demonstrated that designing layered nanocomposites with different 2D patterns allows an accurate sequential folding into 3D structures, with bespoke physical properties and integrated sensing–actuating functionalities.publishedVersio

The role of botanical gardens in scientific research, conservation, and citizen science

Plant diversity is currently being lost at an unprecedented rate, resulting in an associated decrease in ecosystem services. About a third of the world's vascular plant species face the threat of extinction due to a variety of devastating activities, including, over-harvesting and over exploitation, destructive agricultural and forestry practices, urbanization, environmental pollution, land-use changes, exotic invasive species, global climate change, and more. We therefore need to increase our efforts to develop integrative conservation approaches for plant species conservation. Botanical gardens devote their resources to the study and conservation of plants, as well as making the world's plant species diversity known to the public. These gardens also play a central role in meeting human needs and providing well-being. In this minireview, a framework for the integrated missions of botanical gardens, including scientific research, in/ex situ conservation, plant resource utilization, and citizen science are cataloged. By reviewing the history of the development of Kunming Botanical Garden, we illustrate successful species conservation approaches (among others, projects involving Camellia, Rhododendron, Magnolia, Begonia, Allium, Nepenthes, medicinal plants, ornamental plants, and Plant Species with Extreme Small Populations), as well as citizen science, and scientific research at Kunming Botanical Garden over the past 80 years. We emphasize that Kunming Botanical Garden focuses largely on the ex situ conservation of plants from Southwest China, especially those endangered, endemic, and economically important plant species native to the Yunnan Plateau and the southern Hengduan Mountains. We also discuss the future challenges and responsibilities of botanical gardens in a changing world, including: the negative effects of outbreeding and/or inbreeding depression; promoting awareness, study, and conservation of plant species diversity; accelerating global access to information about plant diversity; increasing capacity building and training activities. We hope this minireview can promote understanding of the role of botanical gardens. Keywords: Botanical gardens, Citizen science, Conservation biology, Endangered plants, Germplasm, Horticultur

Geochemical Evolution of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana (IBM) Arc System: Evidence from Volcanic Ashes Recovered by DSDP Leg 60 and ODP Leg 125, Western Pacific

This thesis includes three research topics: geochemical evolution of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana(IBM) arc system- evidence from volcanic ashes, petrogenesis of lower crustal xenoliths from the San Francisco volcanic field, and provenance of northwest Pacific, Plio-Pleistocene dropstones. The IBM ashes are emphasised with the other two topics addressed in Appendices. A systematic geochemical study of a major representative set of volcanic ash samples recovered from DSDP Leg 60 Sites 458 and 459B and ODP Leg 125 Sites 782A, 784A, and 786A drilled in the IBM forearc is presented. A series of analytical techniques have been used to obtain major and/or trace element abundances plus selected Sr-Nd isotopic ratios on individual glass shards and mineral crystal fragments, pure bulk glass separates, pure bulk homogeneous and heterogeneous ashes, and sediment-containing bulk ashes. Notable results are 1) absence of a consistent and monotonic increase in alkalinity from older to younger deposits; 2) a change in comparative fertility of mantle wedge sources in the Izu-Bonin arc from relatively fertile to refractory subsequent to backarc (Shikoku Basin) formation; 3) the absence of such an effect in the Marianas where more extensive backarc basin spreading has occurred; 4) the appearance of alkaline compositions in the Marianas either related to arc renaissance subsequent to initial stages of backarc rifting, or through the tapping of a long-lived wedge heterogeneity centred at present in the vicinity of IwoJima near the junction of the IBM systems; 5) the absence of any evidence of crustal growth in IBM arc systems on the basis of consistency of major element characteristics believed to be a function of crustal thickness; 6) indications of significant compositional controls on the nature of arc volcanism exerted by a lithospheric filter effect; the Marianas (comparatively fertile filter) compared with the Izu-Bonin arc (comparatively refractory lithospheric filter); 7) the presence of high Ba/Rb (20 ± 4) of arc volcanic rocks relative to the mantle value (ll ± 3), possibly indicating sediment incorporation in island arc magmas; 8) the presence of uniform ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios from 0.7032 to 0.7040, flat HREE at 10 to 30 times chondritic abundance patterns, and consistent geochemical relationships among IBM arc and backarc volcanic rocks and N-MORB, indicating a common N-MORB-type mantle source beneath the Philippine Sea Plate, and no systematic temporal and spatial geochemical changes during the development of the Philippine Sea Plate

Reproductive biology of Magnolia sinica (Magnoliaecea), a threatened species with extremely small populations in Yunnan, China

Magnolia sinica is one of the most threatened trees endemic to Southeast Yunnan. Based on our investigations, only 52 individuals and eight populations are found in the wild. M. sinica has been categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and identified as a “Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations (PSESP)”. Its fruit/seed set is very low and seedlings are rarely found in the wild. It is hypothesized that it may encounter obstacles to reproductive success. This study, therefore, focuses on its reproductive biology, knowledge of which is essential for effective conservation. Flowers of this species are protogynous and nocturnal, and possess a two-day rhythm of sexual presentation. For the first night of anthesis, the flowers are in the pistillate stage during which tepals open at dusk and close approx. 1 h later (except for the open outer ones). They remain closed until the next afternoon, when flowers, now in the staminate stage, re-open and remain so until the tepals drop. Nocturnal beetles enter into the flowers and remain trapped throughout the night as the flower closes, during which time they feed on tepals. Pollen-gathering bees are found to visit the re-opened flowers and the beetles are released during this stage. Two species of Pleocomidae and Curculionidae beetles appear to be effective pollinators. M. sinica is a self-compatible, pollinator-dependent species, and its fruit/seed set can be significantly increased by hand-pollination. No functional seed dispersers have been found in its extant natural habitats. These findings suggest that it may face both pollination and seed disperser insufficiencies in its current fragmented habitats, which may account for its low regeneration. Here we propose conservation strategies based on our findings

The complete chloroplast genome of Acer Pubipetiolatum var. pingpienense (Sapindaceae)

The genus Acer is widespread throughout the northern temperate zone, and many species within the genus are of ecological and economical importance. Here we report the newly sequenced chloroplast genome of Acer pubipetiolatum var. pingpienense. This chloroplast genome has a total length of 156,730 bp, and contains a pair of inverted repeats (IRs, 26,743 bp), a large single-copy (LSC) region of 71,582 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,092 bp. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that A. pubipetiolatum var. pingpienense is closely related to A. laevigatum, and both fall into Section Palmata. The complete A. pubipetiolatum var. pingpienense chloroplast genome will provide an important genetic resource for future research into the conservation and evolution of this genus. Our findings also suggest that further research is necessary to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships between plant species within this genus