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Background: Antiviral drugs show significant efficacy in non-severe COVID-19 cases, yet there remains a subset of moderate COVID-19 patients whose pneumonia continues to progress post a complete course of treatment. Plasma-activated water (PAW) possesses anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties. To explore the potential of PAW in improving pneumonia in COVID-19 patients following antiviral treatment failure, we conducted this study. Methods: This was a randomized, controlled trial. Moderate COVID-19 patients with antiviral treatment failure were randomly assigned to the experimental group or the control group. They inhaled nebulized PAW or saline respectively. This was done twice daily for four consecutive days. We assessed improvement in chest CT on day 5, the rate of symptom resolution within 10 days, and safety. Results: A total of 23 participants were included, with 11 receiving PAW and 12 receiving saline. The baseline characteristics of both groups were comparable. The experimental group showed a higher improvement rate in chest CT on day 5 (81.8% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.036). The cumulative disappearance rate of cough within 10 days was higher in the experimental group. Within 28 days, 4 patients in each group progressed to severe illness, and no patients died. No adverse reactions were reported from inhaling nebulized PAW. Conclusion: This pilot trial preliminarily confirmed that nebulized inhalation of PAW can alleviate pneumonia in moderate COVID-19 patients with antiviral treatment failure, with no adverse reactions observed. This still needs to be verified by large-scale studies. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; No.: ChiCTR2300078706 (retrospectively registered, 12/15/2023); URL: www.chictr.org.cn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hymenochaetales is an order with most species as wood-inhabiting fungi that have high phylogenetic complexity and morphological diversity. Species in this order play important roles in forest ecosystems and include wood decomposers, pathogens, and those that form ectomycorrhizal associations. However, we have limited knowledge of the patterns of large-scale evolutionary history of the order. In this study, using 171 genomes, including 113 newly assembled, we reconstructed the phylogenomic relationships, divergence times, biogeographic patterns, morphological evolution of basidiomata, and patterns of speciation/extinction in the Hymenochaetales. The phylogenomic relationships of 12 families within the Hymenochaetales suggested that 10 families can be accepted, and 2 families rejected. Molecular clock dating analyses suggested that the Hymenochaetales possibly started a rapid family-wide and genus-wide radiation during the early Cretaceous to late Jurassic and Cretaceous, respectively. Reconstruction of the ancestral state implied that Hymenochaetales probably originated from the temperate regions of Asia, with the basidiomata of the common ancestor likely being a corticioid species that rapidly transformed between the early Cretaceous and late Jurassic, coinciding with radiations at the family level. Furthermore, we detected a gradually increasing trend of speciation, extinction, and net diversification rates. We provided large-scale genomes of the Hymenochaetales and revealed evolutionary history patterns, which are key to understanding the evolution of fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The machining mechanics of the rotary ultrasonic drilling (RUD) is investigated based on the separation effect of ultrasonic vibration (SEUV), by quantifying the critical force at a certain ultrasonic vibration amplitude. Firstly, the SEUV principle is explored by establishing the kinematic trajectory of the tool. Then, the critical force of SEUV at certain ultrasonic vibration amplitude is modeled. The simulation shows that as the tool interference displacement caused by the axial force is larger than the ultrasonic vibration amplitude, the tool vibration is in a suppressed state and the SEUV effect cannot be achieved. Third, the principles of standard drilling and peck drilling are proposed. The essence of peck drilling in step motion shows advantage to assure SEUV of RUD. Last, the critical force of SEUV is measured in experiments and proves that the SEUV is suppressed as the force exceeds a certain value. The RUD verification experiment on SiC of standard drilling and peck drilling is conducted. It is found that when the cutting force exceeds the critical force in standard drilling, the SEUV is suppressed and there has no significant improvement on the drilling performance. In peck drilling, the cutting force is lower than the critical force periodically, where the SEUV is achieved and the ultrasonic vibration can make effective impacts on the material and improve drilling performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizopus arrhizus is a saprotrophic, sometimes clinically- and industrially-relevant mold (Mucorales) and distributed worldwide, suggesting it can assimilate a broad spectrum of substrates. Here, 69 strains of R. arrhizus were investigated by using the Biolog FF MicroPlate for the profiles of utilizing 95 carbon and nitrogen substrates. The study showed that most R. arrhizus strains were similar in average well color development (AWCD) and substrate richness (SR). Nevertheless, 13 strains were unique in principal component analyses, heatmap, AWCD, and SR analyses, which may imply a niche differentiation within R. arrhizus. The species R. arrhizus was able to utilize all the 95 carbon and nitrogen substrates, consistent with the hypothesis of a great metabolic diversity. It possessed a substrate preference of alcohols, and seven substrates were most frequently utilized, with N-acetyl-d-galactosamine and l-phenylalanine ranking at the top of the list. Eight substrates, especially l-arabinose and xylitol, were capable of promoting sporulation and being applied for rejuvenating degenerated strains. By phenotyping R. arrhizus strains in carbon and nitrogen assimilation capacity, this study revealed the extent of intra-specific variability and laid a foundation for estimating optimum substrates that may be useful for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mechanism involved in the anti-tumor immune response, and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) have achieved impressive therapeutic outcomes in patients with certain cancer types. However, it is unclear how inhibition of DNA methylation bridges the innate and adaptive immune responses to inhibit tumor growth. Here, we report that DNMTi zebularine reconstructs tumor immunogenicity, in turn promote dendritic cell maturation, antigen-presenting cell activity, tumor cell phagocytosis by APCs, and efficient T cell priming. Further in vivo and in vitro analyses reveal that zebularine stimulates cGAS-STING-NF-κB/IFNβ signaling to enhance tumor cell immunogenicity and upregulate antigen processing and presentation machinery (AgPPM), which promotes effective CD4+ and CD8+ T cell-mediated killing of tumor cells. These findings support the use of combination regimens that include DNMTi and immunotherapy for cancer treatment. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors potentiate anti-tumor immunity by inducing tumor immunogenicity and improving antigen processing through the STING-dependent type I interferon response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new approach is presented in this paper for the dynamic modeling of the chemical and isotopic evolution of C1–3 during the hydrocarbon generation process. Based on systematic data obtained from published papers for the pyrolysis of various hydrocarbon sources (type I kerogen/source rock, type II kerogen/source rock, type III kerogen/source rock, crude oil, and asphalt, etc.), the empirical evolution framework of the chemical and isotopic composition of C1–3 during the hydrocarbon generation process was built. Although the empirical framework was built only by fitting a large amount of pyrolysis data, the chemical and isotopic composition of C1–3 derived from the pyrolysis experiments all follow evolution laws, convincing us that it is applicable to the thermal evolution process of various hydrocarbon sources. Based on the simplified formula of the isotopic composition of mixed natural gas at different maturities (δ13Cmixed), δ13Cmixed = X × n i A × δ 13 C i A + Y × n i B × δ 13 C i B X × n i A + Y × n i B , it can be derived that the cumulative isotopic composition of alkane generated in a certain maturity interval can be expressed by the integral of the product of the instantaneous isotopic composition and instantaneous yield at a certain maturity point, and then divided by the cumulative yield of alkane generated in the corresponding maturity interval. Thus, the cumulative isotopic composition (A(X)), cumulative yield (B(X)), instantaneous isotope (C(X)), and instantaneous yield (D(x)) in the dynamic model, comply with the following formula during the maturity interval of (X0~X). A(X) = ∫ X 0 X C X × D X d x B (X) , where A(X) and B(X) can be obtained by the fitting of pyrolysis data, and D(x) can also be obtained from the derivation of B(X). The dynamic model was applied on the pyrolysis data of Pingliang Shale to illustrate the quantitative evolution of the cumulative yield, instantaneous yield, cumulative isotope, and instantaneous isotope of C1–3 with increasing maturity. The dynamic model can quantify the yield of methane, ethane, and propane, as well as δ13C1, δ13C2, and δ13C3, respectively, during the hydrocarbon generation process. This model is of great significance for evaluating the natural gas resources of hydrocarbon source rock of different maturities and for identifying the origin and evolutionary process of hydrocarbons by chemical and isotopic data. Moreover, this model provides an approach to study the dynamic evolution of the isotope series of C1–3 (including reversed isotopic series), which is promising for revealing the mechanism responsible for isotopic reversal when combined with post-generation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There are only four sizes of implantable collamer lens (ICL) available for selection, which cannot completely fit all patients as a result of the discontinuity of ICL sizes. Sizing an optimal ICL and predicting postoperative vault are still unresolved problems. This study aimed to develop and validate innovative data-level data-balancing machine learning-based models for predicting ICL size and postoperative vault. Methods: The patients were randomly assigned to training and internal validation sets in a 4:1 ratio. Feature selection was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal–Wallis feature importance methods. Traditional linear regression model and machine learning-based models were used. The accuracy of models was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC) and confusion matrix. Results: A total of 564 patients (1127 eyes) were eligible for this study, consisting of 808 eyes in the training set, 202 eyes in the internal validation set, and 117 eyes in the external validation set. Compared with the traditional linear regression method, the machine learning model bagging tree showed the best performance for ICL size selection, with an accuracy of 84.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 83.2–85.8%), and the AUC ranged from 0.88 to 0.99; the prediction accuracy of 12.1 mm and 13.7 mm ICL sizes was improved by 49% and 59%, respectively. The bagging tree model achieved the best accuracy [90.2%, (95% CI 88.9–91.5%)] for predicting the postoperative vault, and the AUC ranged from 0.90 to 0.94. The prediction accuracies of internal and external validation dataset for ICL sizing were 82.2% (95% CI 81.1–83.3%) and 82.1% (95% CI 81.1–83.1%), respectively. Conclusions: The innovative data-level data balancing-based machine learning model can be used to predict ICL size and postoperative vault more accurately, which can assist surgeons in choosing optimal ICL size, thus reducing risks of postoperative complications and secondary surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SiO anodes are promising for energy-dense lithium-ion batteries, however, they suffer from short cycle life caused by large volume change (∼200%) and low initial Coulomb efficiency (ICE). Herein, we report a conceptual strategy to boost the electrochemical performance of SiO by enhancing the interaction between binders and conductive additives via a molecular crosslinker with both pyrene ring and adamantyl group (AdPy). Benefiting from the inclusion interaction between beta-cyclodextrin polymers (βCDp) and AdPy as well as the π-π interaction between single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and AdPy, a robustly conductive and adhesive network is constructed for maintaining integral electrode structure and robust conductive network during charge/discharge cycles. The resultant SiO electrode with SWCNT/AdPy-βCDp networks achieves larger initial capacity, higher ICE and better cycle stability than those of SiO electrode with SWCNT/βCDp complex, indicating the key role of AdPy crosslinker in enhancing electrochemical performance. Experimental results suggest that the interaction between binders and conductive additives can effectively alleviate stress generated from SiO volume changes during cycling. This work provides a promising platform to construct dynamic cross-linking conductive and adhesive network for boosting the lithium storage performance of high-capacity electrode materials. [Display omitted] • A molecular crosslinker is developed to construct conductive and adhesive network. • The interaction between binders and conductive additives is studied. • This strategy enables long-term cycle stability for SiO anodes. • Such a design can strengthen constraints for broken SiO particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative analysis and optimal design under uncertainty are active research areas in modern engineering structures and systems. A metamodel, as an effective mathematical modelling tool, plays an important role in it. With the deepening understanding of the complexity of practical problems, the dimensionality of uncertainties in engineering problems is also increasing, which poses a great challenge on effective high-dimensional metamodeling. To handle this issue, researchers have modified metamodeling methods using various techniques to reduce dimensionality of data requirements in high-dimensional engineering applications. We review advances in dimensional decomposition-aided metamodels for high-dimensional uncertainty quantification and optimization in engineering. First, we review the theoretical frameworks and methods for classifying and modelling uncertainty according to its sources and nature. Second, the theoretical foundations and applications of five popular metamodels are presented, and their advantages and limitations are summarized. Third, the basic theories, properties, and applications of dimensional decomposition techniques in uncertainty quantification and optimization are discussed. Different integration methods of dimensional decomposition techniques and metamodels, and their applications in uncertainty quantification are subsequently reviewed and summarized. In addition, the applications of the dimensional decomposition-aided metamodels in uncertainty optimization design are reviewed. Finally, recent research progress is summarized, and future research directions are outlined. This review aims to provide guidance and offer insightful perspectives to researchers in the field of high-dimensional uncertainty quantification, revealing areas where further work is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A common carbon nitride delivers great 2eORR activity for H 2 O 2 production in presence of lactic acid as sacrificial agent. • Pyruvic acid is simultaneously produced from selective dehydrogenation of lactic acid. • Other hydroxycarboxylic acids are selectively dehydrogenated into corresponding aldehydic or keto acids. • In-depth experimental and theoretical investigations reveal the detailed reaction mechanism. Photocatalytic H 2 O 2 production is emerging as an alternative technology to contribute H 2 O 2 -based advanced oxidation applications. However, the present reaction systems rarely consider the selective oxidation of sacrificial agent along with oxygen reduction reaction. Herein, we design a reaction system by using hydroxycarboxylic acids as additives to boost photocatalytic H 2 O 2 production. More importantly, hydroxycarboxylic acids could simultaneously be dehydrogenated into aldehydic/keto acids with high selectivity. Lactic acid as one of the typical hydroxycarboxylic acids reveals the feasibility of this hypothesis, delivering 6.56 mM/h of H 2 O 2 generation along with > 70 % pyruvic acid selectivity. The universality of this reaction system is demonstrated by using other hydroxycarboxylic acids. This works sheds new light on coupling H 2 O 2 generation with value-added chemicals production by mild photocatalytic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we demonstrate the selective cellobiose (building block of cellulose) photoreforming for gluconic acid and syngas co-production in acidic conditions by rationally designing a bifunctional polymeric carbon nitride (CN) with potassium/sulfur co-dopant. This heteroatomic doped CN photocatalyst possesses enhanced visible light absorption, higher charge separation efficiency than pristine CN. Under acidic conditions, cellobiose is not only more efficiently hydrolyzed into glucose but also promotes the syngas and gluconic acid production. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal the favorable generation of •O 2 − during the photocatalytic reaction, which is essential for gluconic acid production. Consequently, the fine-designed photocatalyst presents excellent cellobiose conversion (>80%) and gluconic acid selectivity (>70%) together with the co-production of syngas (∼56 μmol g−1 h−1) under light illumination. The current work demonstrates the feasibility of biomass photoreforming with value-added chemicals and syngas co-production under mild condition. [Display omitted] • Bifunctional CN with K, S co-doping is synthesized via a facile calcination process. • Acidic cellobiose photoreforming to simultaneously obtain gluconic acid and syngas. • Cellobiose conversion (>80%) and gluconic acid selectivity (>70%) can be achieved. • Favorable generation of •O 2 − proved by DFT is essential for gluconic acid production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three phosphate ester-based MOFs (UiO-66-(OPO 3) X) containing different amounts and spatial positions were prepared. • UiO-66-(OPO 3) X can efficiently remove Pb2+ from aqueous solution. • Even at pH = 2 and pH = 3, UiO-66-(OPO 3) X maintains a high removal efficiency of Pb2+. • UiO-66-(OPO 3) X has excellent selectivity and anti-interference ability for Pb2+. • The adsorption mechanism was investigated in detail by experiment combined with DFT. Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have emerged as promising candidates for treating heavy metal wastewater because of their controllable pore size, high specific surface area, and abundant active sites. Nevertheless, the currently reported MOFs usually require near-neutral environments (pH = 5–6) to achieve efficient removal of Pb2+ and cannot be applied to acidic environments (pH = 2–3). In this work, the structurally stabilized zirconium-based MOF UiO-66 was chosen as the object of study. Three phosphate ester-based MOFs (UiO-66-(OPO 3) X) containing different amounts and spatial positions were designed and prepared by simple chemical modification and used to remove Pb2+. Adsorption experiments showed that they could reach adsorption equilibrium in 30 min with excellent adsorption rate. Owing to the unique ionization ability of the phosphate ester group, UiO-66-(OPO3) X maintains a high removal efficiency of Pb2+ even at pH = 2 and pH = 3. In addition, selectivity and competition experiments demonstrated that UiO-66-(OPO 3) X possessed excellent selectivity and anticompetitive ability towards Pb2+.The excellent regeneration performance demonstrates their value for practical application. Moreover, the adsorption mechanism was investigated in detail by experiment combined with density functional theory (DFT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seismic response is a critical aspect of structural engineering, as it directly influences the design and safety evaluation of such systems. Structural seismic response becomes more complicated when unavoidable uncertainties in the structure are considered. Therefore, solving and analyzing the stochastic dynamic response of structures efficiently and accurately is of great significance. Various uncertainty quantification methods such as the stochastic finite element method, Monte Carlo method, and polynomial chaos expansion method have made significant progress in this field. However, these methods do not provide a comprehensive study of the seismic response of stochastic structures and efficiency problems rapidly emerge as the number of random variables increases. This paper delivers a comprehensive study of the seismic dynamic response of space truss and reticulated shell structure considering uncertainties in material properties, geometry, and loading. To this end, the finite element model of the structure was first modeled and the deterministic solutions were obtained. Then, polynomial surrogates are modeled for the natural frequency, mode participation factor, mode superposition response, and transient response of the structure under stochastic uncertainties. The sparse grid technique is used to select sparse quadrature points, which overcomes the curse of dimensionality caused by full grid integration. The results demonstrate that the sparse grid-based polynomial chaos expansion is more efficient. Uncertainty quantification reveals the uncertainty of modal analysis, response spectrum analysis, and transient response analysis of space truss and reticulated shell under seismic excitation. In summary, this study provides valuable insights and an efficient and accurate uncertainty quantification tool for the seismic dynamic analysis of stochastic structures, ultimately contributing to safer and more robust structural designs. • Analyzing the seismic dynamic response of stochastic structures comprehensively. • Sparse grid-based PCE for quantifying uncertainty in stochastic dynamics. • Addressing the dimensional catastrophe of traditional non-intrusive PCE. • Sparse grid-based PCE metamodel for post-processing is more efficient and accurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the issue of low accuracy resulting from approximation errors in conventional interval finite element methods, this study presents an ɛ -accelerated bivariate dimension-reduction interval finite element method. The proposed method aims to accurately and efficiently predict the static response of structures with high dimensionality and large uncertainty parameters. We first approximate the structural interval equilibrium equation using a bivariate dimension-reduction method. An explicit expression for the sequence of displacements is derived by approximating the inverse of the structural interval stiffness matrix using the Neumann series. Adjoint-based sensitivity analysis can effectively avoid the response interval expansion caused by parameter coupling. For improving the convergence speed and computational accuracy, the displacement response sequence is accelerated by a vector ɛ acceleration algorithm and an adaptive strategy. Finally, three engineering structures with uncertain-but-bounded parameters are analyzed with the proposed method. Compared with conventional interval analysis methods, the proposed method effectively balances computational accuracy and efficiency, making it more suitable for non-linear and large uncertainty problems with multiple interval parameters. The study shows that ɛ -accelerated bivariate dimension-reduction interval finite element method has a promising application. • An interval finite element method based on bivariate dimension-reduction is proposed. • Explicit sequences and errors for the bounds of displacements were derived. • Dependencies between parameters are addressed by adjoint-based sensitivity analysis. • Convergence speed and accuracy are improved by the adaptive ɛ algorithm. • Structural response intervals are efficiently and accurately predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, two new Conidiobolus s.s. species were described relying on the morphological studies and phylogenetic analysis utilizing nuclear large subunit of rDNA (nucLSU), mitochondrial small subunit of rDNA (mtSSU), and elongation-factor-like gene (EFL) sequences. Conidiobolus jiangxiensis sp. nov. is distinguished by its short primary conidiophores, a feature not commonly observed in other Conidiobolus s.s. species. Conversely, Conidiobolus marcoconidius sp. nov. is characterized by larger primary conidia and the emergence of 2–5 secondary conidia from each branched secondary conidiophores. Additionally, the taxonomic reassessment of C. polyspermus confirms its distinct status within the genus Conidiobolus s.s. Moreover, molecular analyses, incorporating the nucLSU , mtSSU , and EFL sequences, provide robust support for the phylogenetic placement of the two newly described species and the taxonomic identity of C. polyspermus. This investigation contributes valuable insights into the species diversity of Conidiobolaceae in China, enhancing our understanding of the taxonomy within this fungal family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Photorefining of biomass is increasingly recognized as a pivotal technology for the simultaneous production of hydrogen and value-added chemicals. The intrinsic recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass puts high demands on the rational design of bifunctional photocatalyst. Herein, Ni 2 P/CdS with a strong interfacial effect in this work was designed to overcome lignocellulosic biomass photorefining. The strong interfacial effect between Ni 2 P and CdS not only improved the light absorbance, but also optimized the spatial redistribution of photogenerated electrons and holes. Therefore, Ni 2 P/CdS exhibited an unprecedented H 2 evolution activity (ca. 199.7 mmol·h−1·g−1) in the presence of lactic acid as the traditional sacrificial agent. Considerable H 2 generation was also achieved in the presence of lignin (ca. 322.8 μmol·h−1·g−1), cellulose (ca. 534.3 μmol·h−1·g−1) and hemicellulose (ca. 382.2 μmol·h−1·g−1) as the electron donor respectively. Theoretical calculation results indicated that establishing the interfacial effect between Ni 2 P and CdS optimized their work functions. This optimization fosters improved the redistribution between electrons and holes, as a result, photocatalytic hydrogen production from biomass solution was greatly enhanced. Significantly, Ni 2 P/CdS showed dual functionalities to produce H 2 and value-added compounds from raw biomass directly. This present work demonstrates the potential of raw biomass photorefining through astutely designing photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Focusing auxiliary device brought significant light utilization effects. • Water-energy balance was got by hydrophilization treatment and light concentration. • External auxiliary device is universal in 3D interfacial solar-driven evaporation. Maintaining a water-energy balance is crucial for maximizing efficiency in 3D interfacial solar-driven evaporation. Regrettably, the inherent flaw of 3D evaporators results in insufficient water supply capacity. Herein, taking inspiration from metals that can reflect light, aluminum foil (AF) was utilized to create a light-collecting device with internal reflection capabilities. A 3D sola flower (SF) evaporator with Chinese ink absorption coating and PDA surface hydrophilic treatment (IPSF) was designed. The experimental and simulated results show that by applying surface hydrophilic treatment and using a light-collecting device, a notable increase in temperature on the side of the 3D evaporator is visible, indicating the successful implementation of the spotlight effect. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a water-energy balance and attain a high evaporation rate. The evaporation rate of IPSF was 2.31 kg m−2 h−1 before concentrating light under one sun and 3.5 wt% brine. Comparably, it rose to 3.95 kg m−2 h−1 after concentrating (IPSFCL), marking a 71 % enhancement. This innovative light-collecting device and water-energy balance engineering provides a novel strategy and technique for designing 3D evaporators and can be applied in different environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Water resources is an essential factor to ensure the sustainable development of the society, but along with the utilization and treatment of water resources, a large amount of carbon emissions will be generated. The study of carbon emissions in social water cycle system is of great significance in promoting the achievement of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. This study calculated the carbon emissions generated in social water cycle system in nine provinces along the Yellow River, used the Tapio decoupling model to analyze the decoupling relationship between water and carbon emissions, and constructed the STIRPAT expanded model to analyze the main influencing factors of carbon emissions. Results: (1) The total carbon emissions of the nine provinces showed an increasing trend over time, with a growth rate of 25.13%. (2) The carbon emission intensity of water use (1.60kg/m3) and drainage (1.45kg/m3) system is higher, the carbon emission intensity of water supply (0.30kg/m3) and water withdrawal (0.56kg/m3) system is lower. (3) The relationship between water resources utilization and carbon emissions along the Yellow River is generally in a state of negative decoupling and coupling. (4) Energy structure and population growth are the main factors affecting carbon emissions in social water cycle system, while water supply quantity and water use system are secondary factors. Conclusions: Water use system is the main body of carbon emissions in social water cycle system, and as the water consumption increases, the carbon emissions will continue to increase. In order to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change, carbon emission factors should be incorporated into water resources management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are vital for producing sperm and eggs and are crucial for conserving chicken germplasm and creating genetically modified chickens. However, efforts to use PGCs for preserving native chicken germplasm and genetic modification via CRISPR/Cas9 are limited. Here we show that we established 289 PGC lines from eight Chinese chicken populations with an 81.6% success rate. We regenerated Piao chickens by repropagating cryopreserved PGCs and transplanting them into recipient chickens, achieving a 12.7% efficiency rate. These regenerated chickens carried mitochondrial DNA from female donor PGC and the rumplessness mutation from both male and female donors. Additionally, we created the TYRP1 (tyrosinase-related protein 1) knockout (KO) PGC lines via CRISPR/Cas9. Transplanting KO cells into male recipients and mating them with wild-type hens produced four TYRP1 KO chickens with brown plumage due to reduced eumelanin production. Our work demonstrates efficient PGC culture, cryopreservation, regeneration, and gene editing in chickens. The combination of efficient PGC culture, practical cryopreservation, regeneration from recipient chickens, and CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing to create knockout chickens for conserving and genetically improving rare native breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Recombination-activating genes (RAGs) play a crucial role in the V(D)J recombination process. In this study, we generated RAG2 knockout (KO) pigs and evaluated the impact of RAG2 KO on the development of immune organs and immune cells. The thymus and spleen sizes of RAG2 KO pigs were significantly smaller than those of wild-type (WT) pigs, and their structures were highly disorganized and devoid of notable characteristic structures, indicating that RAG2 KO leads to dysplasia of the organs. The proportion of mature T and B lymphocytes in the circulation of RAG2 KO pigs was significantly reduced as compared to WT pigs. These findings successfully verified the immunodeficiency phenotype of RAG2 KO pigs. This study may provide immunodeficient animals for the development of tumor models and humanized animals. Recombination-activating genes (RAGs) play a crucial role in the V(D)J recombination process and the development of immune cells. The development of the immune system and its mechanisms in pigs exhibit greater similarity to those of humans compared to other animals, thus rendering pigs a valuable tool for biomedical research. In this study, we utilized CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and somatic cell nuclear transfer technology to generate RAG2 knockout (KO) pigs. Furthermore, we evaluated the impact of RAG2 KO on the immune organs and immune cell development through morphological observations, blood analysis and flow cytometry technology. RAG2 KO cell lines were used as donors for cloning. The reconstructed embryos were transplanted into 4 surrogate sows, and after 116 days of gestation, 2 sows gave birth to 12 live piglets, all of which were confirmed to be RAG2 KO. The thymus and spleen sizes of RAG2 KO pigs were significantly smaller than those of wild-type (WT) pigs. Hematoxylin-eosin staining results revealed that the thymus and spleen tissue structures of RAG2 KO pigs were disorganized and lacked the characteristic structures, indicating that RAG2 KO leads to dysplasia of the thymus and spleen. Hematological analysis demonstrated that the total number of white blood cells and lymphocytes in the circulation of RAG2 KO pigs was significantly lower, while the number of eosinophils was higher. Flow cytometry results indicated that the proportions of mature T and B lymphocytes were significantly reduced compared to WT pigs. These findings successfully verified the immunodeficiency phenotype of RAG2 KO pigs. This study may provide experimental animals for the development of tumor models and humanized animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As large-scale, high-proportion, and efficient distribution transformers surge into the grids, anti-short circuit capability testing of transformer windings in efficient distribution seems necessary and prominent. To deeply explore the influence of progressively short-circuit shock impulses on the core winding deformation of efficient power transformers, a finite element theoretical model was built by referring to a three-phase three-winding 3D wound core transformer with a model of S20-MRL-400/10-NX2. The distributions of internal equivalent force and total deformation of the 3D wound core transformer along different paths under progressively short-circuit shock impulses varying from 60% to 120% were investigated. Results show that the equivalent stress and total deformation change rate reach their maximum as the short-circuit current increases from 60% to 80%, and the maximum and average variation rate for the equivalent stress reach 177.75% and 177.43%, while the maximum and average variation rate for the total deformation corresponds to 178.30% and 177.45%, respectively. Meanwhile, the maximum equivalent stress and maximum total deformation reach 29.81 MPa and 38.70 μm, respectively, as the applied short-circuit current increased to 120%. In light of the above observations, the optimization and deployment of wireless sensor nodes was suggested. Therefore, a distributed monitoring system was developed for acquiring the vibration status of the windings in a 3D wound core transformer, which is a beneficial supplement to the traditional short-circuit reactance detection methods for an efficient grid access spot-check of distribution transformers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the high-frequency hybrid sky-surface wave radar (HSSWR) has been increasingly used for target detection applications. Nevertheless, the specific bistatic system layout and the phase path disturbances induced by the ionospheric propagation channel may severely spread the sea clutter spectrum, thereby deteriorating the detection ability of the HSSWR for slow-moving targets. In this work, a novel subspace method based on the hybrid use of the amplitude and phase estimator (APES) and the orthogonal projection (OP) in the spatial–temporal domain, denoted as the APES-OP method, is proposed to suppress the spreading first-order sea clutter of the HSSWR. The distribution characteristics of targets and first-order sea clutter in the spatial–temporal domain were investigated, and a time-domain subspace signal model was adopted to describe targets perturbed by ionospheric phase path modulation. An APES filter was adopted to filter out the potential targets with a traversal approach to avoid attenuating desired signals while suppressing sea clutter. After that, sampling data from multi-channels and slow-time domains at the cell under test were employed to construct a spatial–temporal matrix, which was then utilized to obtain the sea clutter subspace by singular value decomposition. Simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm can suppress sea clutter while retaining the target, even if the target is buried by sea clutter. The processing results of measured data further demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. After sea clutter suppression, the target obscured by clutter can be revealed, and the signal-to-clutter ratio of the target is greatly improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Angong Niuhuang Wan (AGNHW, 安宫牛黄丸), is a classical medicinal formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been appreciated for its neuroprotective properties in ischemic cerebral injuries, yet its intricate mechanisms remain only partially elucidated. Aims: This study leverages advanced Mass cytometry (CyTOF) to analyze AGNHW's multifaceted immunomodulation effects in‐depth, emphasizing previously underexplored areas. Results: AGNHW mitigated monocyte‐derived macrophages (MoDM) infiltration in the brain, distinguishing its effects on those from microglia. While the vehicle group exhibited elevated inflammatory markers like CD4, CD8a, and CD44 in ischemic brains, the AGNHW‐treated group attenuated their expressions, indicating AGNHW's potential to temper the post‐ischemic inflammatory response. Systemically, AGNHW modulated fundamental immune cell dynamics, notably augmenting CD8+ T cells, B cells, monocytes, and neutrophil counts in the peripheral blood under post‐stroke conditions. Intracellularly, AGNHW exhibited its targeted modulation of the signaling pathways, revealing a remarked inhibition of key markers like IκBα, indicating potential suppression of inflammatory responses in ischemic brain injuries. Conclusion: This study offers a comprehensive portrait of AGNHW's immunomodulation effects on ischemic stroke, illuminating its dual sites of action—both cerebral and systemic—and its nuanced modulation of cellular and molecular dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) is detrimental to multiple organ systems. Given the factor that aging also alters the cellularity and response of immune system and dysfunction of hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal, ‐gonad and ‐thyroid axes, it is imperative to investigate whether chronic exposure to PM2.5 interacts with aging in these aspects. In this study, two‐months‐old Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to real world PM2.5 for 16 months. PM2.5 exposure diminished the relative numbers of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells and increased the relative number of B cells in the peripheral blood of male rats. Conversely, only reduced relative number of CD4+ T cells was seen in the blood of female rats. These shifts resulted in elevated levels of proinflammatory factors interleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐α in the circulatory systems of both sex, with females also evidencing a rise in interleukin‐1β levels. Moreover, heightened interleukin‐6 was solely discernible in the hippocampus of female subjects, while increased tumor necrosis factor‐α concentrations were widespread in female brain regions but confined to the male hypothalamus. Notable hormonal decreases were observed following PM2.5 exposure in both sex. These comprised declines in biomolecules such as corticotrophin‐releasing hormone and cortisol, generated by the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis, and thyroid‐releasing hormone and triiodothyronine, produced by the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐thyroid axis. Hormonal elements such as gonadotropin‐releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle‐stimulating hormone, derived from the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonad axis, were also diminished. Exclusive to male rats was a reduction in adrenocorticotropic hormone levels, whereas a fall in thyroid‐stimulating hormone was unique to female rats. Decreases in sex‐specific hormones, including testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone, were also noted. These findings significantly enrich our comprehension of the potential long‐term health repercussions associated with PM2.5 interaction particularly among the aging populace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disorders (ID), are highly debilitating childhood psychiatric conditions. Genetic factors are recognized as playing a major role in NDD, with a multitude of genes and genomic regions implicated. While the functional validation of NDD-associated genes has predominantly been carried out using mouse models, the significant differences in brain structure and gene function between mice and humans have limited the effectiveness of mouse models in exploring the underlying mechanisms of NDD. Therefore, it is important to establish alternative animal models that are more evolutionarily aligned with humans. Results: In this study, we employed CRISPR/Cas9 and somatic cell nuclear transplantation technologies to successfully generate a knockout miniature pig model of the MIR137 gene, which encodes the neuropsychiatric disorder-associated microRNA miR-137. The homozygous knockout of MIR137 (MIR137–/–) effectively suppressed the expression of mature miR-137 and led to the birth of stillborn or short-lived piglets. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant changes in genes associated with neurodevelopment and synaptic signaling in the brains of MIR137–/– miniature pig, mirroring findings from human ASD transcriptomic data. In comparison to miR-137-deficient mouse and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neuron models, the miniature pig model exhibited more consistent changes in critical neuronal genes relevant to humans following the loss of miR-137. Furthermore, a comparative analysis identified differentially expressed genes associated with ASD and ID risk genes in both miniature pig and hiPSC-derived neurons. Notably, human-specific miR-137 targets, such as CAMK2A, known to be linked to cognitive impairments and NDD, exhibited dysregulation in MIR137–/– miniature pigs. These findings suggest that the loss of miR-137 in miniature pigs affects genes crucial for neurodevelopment, potentially contributing to the development of NDD. Conclusions: Our study highlights the impact of miR-137 loss on critical genes involved in neurodevelopment and related disorders in MIR137–/– miniature pigs. It establishes the miniature pig model as a valuable tool for investigating neurodevelopmental disorders, providing valuable insights for potential applications in human research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart windows with excellent near-infrared (NIR) light shielding capacity and controlled visible light transmittance are expected to reduce building energy consumption and improve indoor comfort. However, the ability of current thermochromic materials to regulate solar gain with the tunable extinction of phase-change materials is still far from optimum. In this work, an fluorine (F)-doped ATO (FATO) nanocrystals (NCs) are designed as a photothermal material to optimize the solar modulation of thermochromic hydrogels. F ion doping can modify the electronic structure of ATO, resulting in a high concentration of oxygen vacancies and free electrons, thereby enhancing the NIR absorption performance and photothermal conversion performance of the ATO NCs. On this premise, the designed smart window based on FATO NCs and thermochromic hydrogels exhibits the remarkable features of excellent NIR shielding, high initial visible transmittance and fast response speed. The window is capable of shielding 99.5% of the solar radiation from 300 to 2500 nm and permitting 75.0% of initial visible light. Moreover, the simulated indoor temperature of the smart window was 17.2 °C lower compared with the black one, demonstrating potentials in practical application of building energy saving. [Display omitted] • Novel chain-like FATO NCs were prepared by precipitation-hydrothermal method. • F-doping optimized electronic structure of ATO and improved the LSPR absorption. • The fabrication of FATO-PNC hydrogel provides a novel idea for smart window. • The smart window could shield 99.5% of solar radiation after optical switching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a powerful cytogenetic method used to precisely detect and localize nucleic acid sequences. This technique is proving to be an invaluable tool in medical diagnostics and has made significant contributions to biology and the life sciences. However, the number of cells is large and the nucleic acid sequences are disorganized in the FISH images taken using the microscope. Processing and analyzing images is a time-consuming and laborious task for researchers, as it can easily tire the human eyes and lead to errors in judgment. In recent years, deep learning has made significant progress in the field of medical imaging, especially the successful application of introducing the attention mechanism. The attention mechanism, as a key component of deep learning, improves the understanding and interpretation of medical images by giving different weights to different regions of the image, enabling the model to focus more on important features. To address the challenges in FISH image analysis, we combined medical imaging with deep learning to develop the SEAM-Unet++ automated cell contour segmentation algorithm with integrated attention mechanism. The significant advantage of this algorithm is that it improves the accuracy of cell contours in FISH images. Experiments have demonstrated that by introducing the attention mechanism, our method is able to segment cells that are adherent to each other more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A 3DOF ultrasonic vibration tool holder was proposed for rotary ultrasonic machining. • Proposed tool holder achieve 1DOF, 2DOF and 3DOF vibration machining. • Structural optimization achieve multi-vibration integration and switching, high rotary speed practicality. • Machining effects of various vibration forms were compared. • Vibration mode affect the machining quality and tool life in grinding. • 2DOF elliptic vibration has better comprehensive machining performance. The vibration form of the tool has a significant impact on the machining effect in rotary ultrasonic machining. Compared with 1DOF rotary ultrasonic machining, multi-DOF rotary ultrasonic machining have comprehensive advantages in the machining performance. However, the current multi-DOF rotary ultrasonic machining faces the challenges of miniaturization, multi-DOF vibration integration and high rotary speed. Therefore, a 3DOF ultrasonic vibration tool holder with decoupled three-channel contactless energy transfer was proposed, which realize 1DOF, 2DOF and 3DOF rotary ultrasonic machining with the same resonant frequency and the vibration conversion functions at high rotation speed. Structure design, principle analysis and simulation verification was carried out to determine the structure size and material. Through manufacturing and testing of prototype, the results show that under the performance of high speed, high transfer efficiency with 93 % and low temperature rise. The prototype of 3DOF ultrasonic vibration tool holder can not only integrate six vibration forms with high amplitude, but also has the function of replacing the milling tool for metal and grinding tool for brittle materials. Finally, through machining experiments with different vibration forms, two kinds of elliptical vibration produce regular textures with different shapes in the Ti-6Al-4V milling. In Al2O3 grinding, the surface roughness is the lowest under 2DOF vertical elliptical vibration grinding. While the 2DOF horizontal elliptical vibration grinding significantly improves the chip removal and prolongs the tool life. These findings provide guidance for machining performance under various vibration mode. It was proved that this tool holder integrated and switch with multiple vibration modes is of great value for high efficiency and high-quality multi-procedure machining. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkalized CN photocatalyst with potassium doping is rationally designed to realize selective co-production of dihydroxyacetone and glyceric acid, resulting in >70 % glycerol conversion and >70 % total selectivity from glycerol photo-oxidation process. [Display omitted] • The alkalized CN with K doping is synthesized via a facile calcination process. • Co-production of dihydroxyacetone and glyceric acid via glycerol photo-oxidation. • Glycerol conversion (>80 %) and co-production selectivity (>70 %) can be achieved. • Superior performance of modified CN for glycerol oxidation is demonstrated by DFT. The emergence of biomass valorization holds great promise in tackling the energy crisis and promote carbon neutrality. Mild and cost-effective photocatalysis offers notable advantages in terms of energy efficiency, environmentally friendly, and facile processes. Here, we demonstrate selective glycerol photo-oxidation for dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and glyceric acid (GLA) co-production by strategically engineering potassium-doped alkalized polymeric carbon nitride (CN). The altered CN demonstrates promoted absorption of visible light, increased efficiency in separating charges, and superior deprotonating functionality of glycerol. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further certificate its superior performance for glycerol oxidation into DHA and GLA. As a result, the rationally-constructed CN achieves exceptional glycerol conversion (>70 %) and maintains total selectivity of DHA and GLA (>70 %) at room temperature. This study showcases the viability of selective glycerol photo-oxidation for co-production of high-value chemicals under mild operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A DPSIR framework model was proposed, covering 21 multi-scale indicators. • RF was introduced as a water cycle health evaluation method. • The obstacle factors affecting the water cycle health were identified. • The main obstacle factors were categorized and analyzed. • Some policy implications were provided for the development of the water cycle. Ecological and socioeconomic systems are interconnected through water cycles. Due to intensive anthropogenic activities and global climate change, the water cycle has undergone profound changes over the last few decades. This study aimed to evaluate the health status of the regional water cycle, explore the etiology of water cycle disorders, and provide suggestions for improving the health of the water cycle. Based on the Driving force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model, an index system was constructed to evaluate regional water cycle health. The water cycle was evaluated using a random forest (RF) model, which can achieve desirable fitting and generalization properties. The Yellow River Basin in Henan Province (YRBHN), China, was used as an example to demonstrate the application of this system. An Extended Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (EFAST)-Cloud model was used to validate the evaluation results of the RF model. The main influencing factors in the water cycle process were then identified using the obstacle degree model, and ensuing policy recommendations were presented. The results demonstrated that the health state of the water cycle in the YRBHN shifted from unhealthy to sub-healthy during 2011–2020, with the response layer showing the most evident positive change. The health states of Zhengzhou and Luoyang were superior to those of the other cities, with average health index numbers of 3.1006 and 3.0078, respectively. Although the evaluation index numbers of the EFAST-Cloud and RF models were slightly different, their evaluation results were similar, indicating that the RF model was applicable for water cycle health evaluation. The proportion of ecological water use and the response (R) layer provided the greatest obstacle degree in the index and criterion layers, respectively. Based on the current state of the water cycle in the YRBHN, some policy implications were proposed. This study proposed a new method for regional water cycle health evaluation and decision making that provides theoretical support for regional water resource management and is of considerable practical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High efficiency extractants play a necessary role in the selective removal of uranium from rare earth minerals. In this paper, a novel cyclic bidentate diamine extractant, 1, 4-dioctyl-1, 4-dihydroquinoxaline-2, 3-dione (DODQ), was synthesized, and the complexation and extraction of UO 2 2+ in nitric acid medium were systematically studied. The results indicate that DODQ exhibits a unique combination of properties in removing UO 2 2+, with an extraction capacity 132 times higher than that of DODPhOA (acyclic structure). Extraction isotherm experiments and slope analyses illustrate the formation of a 1:1 DODQ/UO 2 2+ regime during the extraction process. Electrospray mass spectrometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, and X-ray crystal diffraction analyses further corroborated its stoichiometric properties. In addition, DODQ can remove UO 2 2+ from rare earth solutions containing UO 2 2+ with high selectivity. This study provides an alternative method to separate uranium from the leaching solution of rare earth ore and has a new understanding of the coordination and complexing behavior of UO 2 2+ with bidentate oxygen-containing ligands. Due to the design of the bidentate oxygen of the extractant structure itself, which is orthogonal to the uranyl ion, DODQ has a good extraction ability and selectivity towards UO 2 2+, and achieves the separation of UO 2 2+ and Ln3+. [Display omitted] • A new and effective extractant for UO 2 2+ is synthesized and characterized. • Fixing the orientation of carbonyl groups (C=O) onto the extractant structure. • The extraction capacity of DODQ was determined to be 132 times higher. • The extraction ability of 0.1 mol/L DODQ is better than that of 0.1 mol/L TBP. • DODQ can selectively concentrate UO 2 2+ in a rare earth ore simulation solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactate is a glycolysis end product, and its levels are markedly associated with disease severity, morbidity, and mortality in sepsis. It modulates key functions of immune cells, including macrophages. In this investigation, transcriptomic analysis was performed using lactic acid, sodium lactate, and hydrochloric acid-stimulated mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (iBMDM), respectively, to identify lactate-associated signaling pathways. After 24 h of stimulation, 896 differentially expressed genes (DEG) indicated were up-regulation, whereas 792 were down-regulated in the lactic acid group, in the sodium lactate group, 128 DEG were up-regulated, and 41 were down-regulated, and in the hydrochloric acid group, 499 DEG were up-regulated, and 285 were down-regulated. Subsequently, clinical samples were used to further verify the eight genes with significant differences, among which Tssk6, Ypel4, Elovl3, Trp53inp1, and Cfp were differentially expressed in patients with high lactic acid, indicating their possible involvement in lactic acid-induced inflammation and various physiological diseases caused by sepsis. However, elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 3 (Elovl3) was negatively correlated with lactic acid content in patients. The results of this study provide a necessary reference for better understanding the transcriptomic changes caused by lactic acid and explain the potential role of high lactic acid in the regulation of macrophages in sepsis. • Transcriptomic analysis of iBMDM stimulated with lactic acid, sodium lactate, and hydrochloric acid. • TSSK6, YPEL4, ELOVL3, TRP53INP1, and CFP were highly expressed in septic patients with hyperlactic acid. • Elovl3 was negatively correlated with lactic acid content in patients with sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhanced visible-light-driven porous O/P-C 3 N 4 for persulfate photoactivation to remove refractory organic pollutants (bisphenol A and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole) and depolymerize lignin to vanillic acid and various gases. [Display omitted] • Surface electron density on HAPA-CN was enhanced by oxygen and phosphorus doping. • 0.05 HAPA-CN exhibits excellent performance for persulfate photoactivation to remove BPA and MBT. • In-depth exploration of the intermediate products during the photodegradation. • Remarkable sodium lignosulfonate conversion and vanillic acid selectivity achieved. • The transformation of sodium lignosulfonate synergistically produces a variety of gases (H 2 , CO, CH 4 , C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 6). In this research, an enhanced visible light response of oxygen and phosphorus-doped porous g-C 3 N 4 (HAPA-CN) was prepared by thermo-polymerization of urea, hydroxyacetic acid and phytic acid. Its internal structure was verified by solid-state nuclear magnetism (NMR) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The surface electron density on HAPA-CN was enhanced by the inclusion of oxygen and phosphorus. The boosted photocatalytic activity was attributed to the high spectral utilization of sunlight and meliorated charge separation efficiency. The experimental results showed that the 0.05 HAPA-CN/persulfate (PS) system exhibited a higher efficiency in the photodegradation process of bisphenol A (BPA) and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT). Compared with ordinary g-C 3 N 4 , the integration of photocatalysis and persulfate oxidation led to an increase in the removal of BPA and MBT pollutants, which increased by 68.11 and 11.18 times, respectively. 0.05 HAPA-CN also exhibited a certain photodegradation of BPA under long-wavelength light irradiation such as blue, green, and red light. In the photocatalytic conversion of sodium lignosulfonate (SL), the 0.05 HAPA-CN/PS system achieved a maximum yield of 134.34 mg/g SL vanillic acid at 30 min, which was significantly better than that of g-C 3 N 4. Synergistic gas production (H 2 , CO, CH 4 , C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 6) was also significantly enhanced. Combined with theoretical calculations, the mechanism was also analyzed. This work provides new insights for exploring high efficiency photocatalyst that combine porous structure, oxygen and phosphorus co-doping and PS activation technology for removal of organic pollutants and lignin valorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractSNX29 is a potential functional gene associated with meat production traits. Previous studies have shown that SNX29 copy number variation (CNV) could be implicated with phenotype in goats. However, in Diannan small-ear (DSE) pigs, the genetic impact of SNX29 CNV on growth traits remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the associations between SNX29 CNVs (CNV10810 and CNV10811) and growth traits in 415 DSE pigs. The results revealed that the CNV10810 mutation was significantly associated with backfat thickness in DSE pigs at 12 and 15 months old (P < 0.05), while the CNV10811 mutation had significant effects on various growth traits at 6 and 12 months old, particularly for body weight, body height, back height and backfat thickness (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). In conclusion, our results confirm that SNX29 CNV plays a role in regulating growth and development in pigs, thus suggesting its potential application for pig breeding programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]