Zhejiang Academy of Forestry

Three novel isonicotinamide(inic)-based Cu(II) complexes [Cu(inic)2(cbba)2] (inic is isonicotinamide, cbba is 2-(p-chlorobenzoyl)benzoate) (1), [Cu(inic)2(mpa)2] (mpa is 4-methoxyphenylacetate) (2), and [Cu(inic)2(tmca)2(H2O)]2⋅CH2Cl2 (tmca is 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate) (3) have been acquired by the injection of the carboxylates as the auxiliary ligands and characterized by using the X-ray crystallography, together with the elemental analysis, FT-IR, and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. In all the complexes, the Cu(II) ions are coordinated through two monodentate carboxylates to the two anions, forming approximately a plane. Each Cu(II) ion is then coordinated with the pyridine N atom of the inic molecules that behave as the monodentate ligands. The amide groups of the inic create the H-bonds with other amide and carboxylate residues, engendering a molecular crystal with the three-dimensional H-bond arrangement of the mononuclear units. The X-ray diffraction studies displayed that these complexes possessed mononuclear structures with the square planar/square-pyramidal coordination modes at the Cu(II) ions. The pair of the complementary N–H···O H-bonds between the amides of the inic molecules were set up in compounds 1 and 3, making the dimer motif of inic, while there found the catemer motif of the inic molecules through using the intermolecular single N–H···O H-bond between the CONH2 in 2. The CH–O contacts derived from the py CH of the inic molecules were built in all the compounds. The intricate intra- and intermolecular classical H-bonds, O–C, O–O, Cl–Cl, CH3–CH/CH–CH, CH3–C, CH–O/CH2–O/CH3–O, CH–Cl/CH3–Cl, C–π, O–π, CH–π, and π–π associates are elucidated by using the X-ray crystallographic studies, driving the isolated complexes into the high-dimensional ordered supramolecular structures.

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) curd formation is a highly complex developmental process governed by tightly coordinated genetic and physiological regulation. Here, we performed transcriptome sequencing of curd and peduncle tissues across multiple developmental stages, generating 171.52 Gb of high-quality data. Genes associated with photosynthesis and glucosinolate biosynthesis were strongly upregulated in the shoot apical meristem (SAM), highlighting substantial metabolic investment during the pre-initiation phase of curd morphogenesis. Key floral transition regulators, particularly AP2 and MADS-box transcription factors, were activated to drive the vegetative-to-reproductive switch and initiate curd primordia, ultimately giving rise to the arrested inflorescence architecture characteristic of cauliflower. Furthermore, hormone signaling pathways-including auxin (AUX), jasmonic acid (JA), and brassinosteroid (BR)-showed marked activation during SAM proliferation and peduncle elongation, underscoring their crucial roles in structural patterning. Collectively, our findings delineate an integrated regulatory network that links metabolic activity, hormone signaling, and developmental programs, providing novel molecular insights into curd formation and identifying potential breeding targets for the genetic improvement of Brassicaceae crops.

A new genus of dark-winged fungus gnats, Linana Shah & Huang gen. nov. is described from China, with two newly described species: Linana primaria Shah & Huang gen. et sp. nov. as a type species, and Linana confusa Shah & Huang gen. et sp. nov. Morphologically, this genus combines the characters of different clades, by having long and bottleneck-shaped flagellomeres, an undifferentiated tibial organ and non-setose posterior wing veins, but unique male genitalia. DNA barcode data (COI) further support its genetic distinctiveness.

Petroleum-based plastics are non-renewable and degrade poorly, persisting in the environment and causing serious ecological pollution, so urgent development of alternatives is needed. In this study, all-bamboo fiber thermosetting plastics (BTPs) were successfully prepared through selective sodium periodate oxidation of bamboo fibers followed by hot-pressing. The results demonstrate that the oxidation treatment effectively enhanced fiber reactivity and facilitated the formation of dense composite materials during hot-pressing. Compared with petroleum-based plastics (e.g., PVC), BTPs exhibit outstanding mechanical properties: flexural strength reaches 100.73 MPa, tensile strength reaches 83.31 MPa, while the 72 h water absorption and thickness swelling rates are as low as 5.36% and 4.59%, respectively. This study also reveals the mechanism by which residual lignin affects material microstructure formation through competitive oxidation reactions. Although it imparts initial hydrophobicity, it hinders complete fiber activation, leading to the formation of micro-defects. Furthermore, BTPs can completely degrade in 1% NaOH solution within 24 h, demonstrating excellent degradability. This research provides a new strategy for developing high-performance, degradable all-bamboo-based materials and promotes the value-added utilization of bamboo resources.