SsCut, which functions as an elicitor, can induce plant immunity. In this study, we utilized Nicotiana benthamiana and virus-induced gene silencing to decrease the expression of > 2,500 genes individually. Using this forward genetics approach, several genes were identified that, when silenced, compromised SsCut-triggered cell death based on a cell death assay. A CH-type zinc finger gene was isolated from N. benthamiana Sequence analysis indicated that the gene encodes a 27 kDa protein with 253 amino acids containing two typical CH-type zinc finger domains; this gene was named NbCZF1 We found that SsCut-induced cell death could be inhibited by virus-induced gene silencing of NbCZF1 in N. benthamiana In addition, SsCut induces stomatal closure, accompanied by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by NADPH oxidases and nitric oxide (NO) production. NbCZF1-silenced plants showed impaired SsCut-induced stomatal closure, decreased SsCut-induced production of ROS and NO in guard cells and reduced SsCut-induced resistance against Phytophthora nicotianae Taken together, these results demonstrate that the NbCZF1-ROS-NO pathway mediates multiple SsCut-triggered responses, including stomatal closure, hypersensitive responses and defense-related gene expression. This is the first report describing the function of a CH-type zinc finger protein in N. benthamiana.

No abstract

Currently pressure sensors utilized for water pressure measurement need batteries for direct power supply. However, batteries are lifespan-limited and not so reliable in the buried water pipe environment. The maintenance work due to battery failures leads to high cost to utility owners. Wireless passive surface acoustic wave (WP-SAW) sensors do not need direct power supply from batteries and can work in harsh environment. They are low-cost and compatible with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies. This study investigates a temperature-compensated WP-SAW bidirectional reflective delay line (RDL) pressure sensor and its feasibility in improving water pressure measurement. The linear temperaturecompensated pressure sensing functional model between the output phase shifts and the pressure change is established theoretically and verified by experiments. An experimental framework for testing the sensor node is built. The water pressure sensing adaptor is proposed. Experimental results: the experimental data show good linearities, which fits the established functional relationship; the numerical functional relationship has been derived and expressed; the sensor node has a good performance in the range of pressure difference from 0 to 0.5 MPa, which meets the normal 28-meter water pressure sensing requirements; the accuracy of this sensor is 7.22 kPa, which can be utilized for the water pressure sensing tasks in water distribution systems.

No abstract

The deterioration of drinking water during distribution process is caused by many factors. The microorganisms and substances peeling off from the "growth-ring" make the secondary pollution in drinking water distribution systems. To reduce the secondary pollution, two-phase pulse flushing technology is introduced to quickly remove the "growth-ring". In this study, experiment is undertaken for investigating the efficiency of the two-phase pulse flushing and finding the best setting combination. A case study is undertaken to compare the efficiencies between the two-phase pulse and the single-phase flushing. The best setting combination of the two-phase pulse flushing is at the frequency 4 s-6 s (air inflow time is 4 s and air cut off time is 6 s) and the round air inflow nozzle is set at the bottom of the pipe. Two-phase pulse flushing technology can save 95% of water and 6 h 40 min flushing time.