A study led by Professor Hui Liu from Central South University, published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2024599), introduces a hybrid deep learning model named “ICEEMDAN-LZC-BVMD-SSA-DELM”, which significantly enhances the prediction accuracy of soybean futures prices. By integrating multi-stage data preprocessing and intelligent optimization algorithms, the model addresses limitations of traditional methods in noise handling, parameter tuning, and generalization capabilities, offering new insights for risk management in agricultural financial markets.

Recently, the team led by Academician Wei-Hong Zhu at East China University of Science and Technology proposed a novel photo-rearrangement reaction of diarylethenes induced by intramolecular proton transfer (IPT), while exploring the reactivity of active carbon sites in diarylethene systems. In this study, published in CCS Chemistry, aldehyde and carboxyl groups were innovatively introduced at the active carbon positions, revealing distinct photoresponsive behaviors. The dialdehyde-substituted system exhibited typical reversible photochromism, whereas the dicarboxylate-substituted counterpart underwent an unexpected photorearrangement to yield polycyclic aromatic structures. Mechanistic studies, including transient absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, demonstrated that the rearrangement proceeds through electrocyclization followed by an IPT-driven decarboxylation process. This work opens a new pathway for light-induced synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and highlights potential applications in molecular modification, photoreaction mechanisms, and synthetic photochemistry.

Famed for its deep purple berries and potent antioxidant properties, black wolfberry (Lycium ruthenicum) thrives in harsh desert climates and holds significant nutritional and medicinal value. 

A new genomic study has unlocked the genetic secrets behind the breeding of flowering Chinese cabbage—a popular leafy vegetable in Asian cuisine. 

Cr-Nb containing refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) excel in high strength beyond 1200℃ but a low density close to Ti-based alloys, which endow them promising for applications in aero engines. However, oxidation is the bottleneck that limits their practical applications. Recently, CrNbO₄ has been found to effectively protect them from oxidation. Nevertheless, little is known about this oxide. To elucidate the protection mechanism of CrNbO₄ and explore its properties, we report herein for the first time the microstructure, mechanical, and thermal properties of CrNbO₄.

Pre-eclampsia (PE), a hypertensive disorder during pregnancy, impairs maternal endothelial function, leading to inflammation and oxidative stress that may increase the risk of severe brain conditions like stroke. This study investigated whether a history of PE causes long-term vascular dysfunction and worsens stroke outcomes during the postpartum period in rats. The findings reveal persistent effects of PE on the maternal brain and offer insights into the underlying mechanisms driving these adverse outcomes.

Nowadays, plastic wastes have seriously endangered human health and ecological safety. Recycling plastics is a promising ap-proach to achieve multiple uses of carbon resources. In this review, photocatalysis is introduced for the conversion of plastics into various valuable chemicals. The state-of-the-art photocatalytic techniques for plastics conversion are divided into two categories of direct and indirect photoconversion. Researchers summarize in detail the photocatalytic small organic molecules conversion from polyeth-ylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene (PE) through the alkaline-assistant and hydrothermal pretreat-ments. Then, they overview the effective strategies of direct photoconverting PE, PLA and polyvinyl chloride into chemicals via the two-step process, amination strategy, and single reactive oxygen species-assistant strategy. Finally, they present some outlooks of the current challenges and propose some potential solutions in the future.