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Abstract Background Imprinted genes play important functions in placentation and pregnancy; however, research on their roles in different placental diseases is limited. It is believed that epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation, of placental imprinting genes may contribute to the different pathological features of severe placental diseases, such as pre-eclampsia (PE) and placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS). Results In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the methylation and expression of placental imprinted genes between PE and PAS using bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative PCR, respectively. Additionally, we assessed oxidative damage of placental DNA by determining 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels and fetal growth by determining insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and cortisol levels in the umbilical cord blood using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results indicated that methylation and expression of potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1, GNAS complex locus, mesoderm specific transcript, and IGF2 were significantly altered in both PE and PAS placentas. Additionally, our results revealed that the maternal imprinted genes were significantly over-expressed in PE and significantly under-expressed in PAS compared with a normal pregnancy. Moreover, DNA oxidative damage was elevated and positively correlated with IGF2 DNA methylation in both PE and PAS placentas, and cortisol and IGF2 levels were significantly decreased in PE and PAS. Conclusions This study suggested that DNA methylation and expression of imprinted genes are aberrant in both PE and PAS placentas and that PE and PAS have different methylation profiles, which may be linked to their unique pathogenesis.

Abstract The influence of greenhouse warming on mesoscale air-sea interactions, crucial for modulating ocean circulation and climate variability, remains largely unexplored due to the limited resolution of current climate models. Additionally, there is a lack of theoretical frameworks for assessing changes in mesoscale coupling due to warming. Here, we address these gaps by analyzing eddy-resolving high-resolution climate simulations and observations, focusing on the mesoscale thermal interaction dominated by mesoscale sea surface temperature (SST) and latent heat flux (LHF) coupling in winter. Our findings reveal a consistent increase in mesoscale SST-LHF coupling in the major western boundary current regions under warming, characterized by a heightened nonlinearity between warm and cold eddies and a more pronounced enhancement in the northern hemisphere. To understand the dynamics, we develop a theoretical framework that links mesoscale thermal coupling changes to large-scale factors, which indicates that the projected changes are collectively determined by historical background wind, SST, and the rate of SST warming. Among these factors, the large-scale SST and its warming rate are the primary drivers of hemispheric asymmetry in mesoscale coupling intensification. This study introduces a simplified approach for assessing the projected mesoscale thermal coupling changes in a warming world.

Soil metabolomics is an emerging approach for profiling diverse small molecule metabolites, i.e., metabolomes, in the soil. Soil metabolites, including fatty acids, amino acids, lipids, organic acids, sugars, and volatile organic compounds, often contain essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur and are directly linked to soil biogeochemical cycles driven by soil microorganisms. This paper presents an overview of methods for analyzing soil metabolites and the state-of-the-art of soil metabolomics in relation to soil nutrient cycling. We describe important applications of metabolomics in studying soil carbon cycling and sequestration, and the response of soil organic pools to changing environmental conditions. This includes using metabolomics to provide new insights into the close relationships between soil microbiome and metabolome, as well as responses of soil metabolome to plant and environmental stresses such as soil contamination. We also highlight the advantage of using soil metabolomics to study the biogeochemical cycles of elements and suggest that future research needs to better understand factors driving soil function and health.

The 21st century grapples with rising atmospheric CO2 and anthropogenic solid waste. Ex-situ CO2 mineralisation, converting CO2 into stable carbonates via reacting with solid waste, shows great promise. However, concerns over the extensive consumption of chemicals urge sustainable and recyclable alternatives. This paper critically reviews recyclable chemicals for CO2 mineralisation with various industrial solid wastes, and systematically examines their efficacy and reaction mechanisms. This study offers a comprehensive comparison of these chemicals and outlines clear future research directions.The main findings are briefed below: first, we emphasize the pivotal role of trapping and recycling NH3 gas for achieving effective and efficient CO2 mineralisation using ammonium salts. Second, scaling up amines-based mineralisation could be feasible by replacing conventional strippers with mineralisation units. This transition is contingent upon resolving technical challenges such as amines' low leaching capacity and limited applicability to solid feedstocks that contain water-soluble Ca/Mg-bearing species. Third, leveraging their unique zwitterionic structures, amino acids may cater to diverse industrial needs and achieve a satisfactory CO2 mineralisation efficiency with good recyclability at low temperatures. Fourth, a novel HCl regeneration technology known as ‘oxy-pyrohydrolysis,’ can achieve simultaneous CO2 mineralisation and HCl regeneration in a single step. However, both amino acids-based mineralisation and oxy-pyrohydrolysis are nascent technologies requiring further research to ascertain their applicability and advance their development. Fifth, despite employing recyclable chemicals, operational costs of mineralisation could remain significant when high temperatures are used. Thus, energy optimization strategies should be explored, such as exploring low-energy consumption chemicals and integrating waste energy harvesting units. This review paper aims to delineate potential avenues for cost-effective CO2 mineralisation facilitated by recyclable chemicals, thereby alleviating post-processing costs and environmental concerns associated with chemical residues.

Abstract [Objective] The study aims to explore the effects of tree species composition and other stand factors on species diversity of plantation communities in different road areas, and provide reference for the construction and management of plantation communities in Chengdu. [Methods] By using the typical plot method, the stand factors and understory vegetation species diversity of 5 different tree species in the plantation community (Ⅰ, poplar pure forest. Ⅱ, camphor and poplar mixed forest. Ⅲ, pure camphor forest. Ⅳ, mixed forest of camphor and eucalyptus. Ⅴ, eucalyptus grandis forest) of Chengdu Ring Expressway were investigated. [Results] (1) A total of 190 species of understory plants belonging to 71 families and 131 genera were recorded in the study area. The number of species of plant families recorded under the forest was more in the herbaceous layer than in the shrub layer, among which the number of understory species recorded in the pure camphor forest was the highest. (2) The important values of Broussonetia papyrifera and Humulus scandens dominated the shrub layer and herb layer of different plantation communities, respectively. (3) The shrub species richness index (D ) of pure camphor forest was significantly higher than that of the other communities (P Ⅳ > Ⅰ > Ⅱ > Ⅴ, of which H of pure camphor forest was significantly higher than that of the other communities, except mixed forest of camphor and eucalyptus (P

Abstract The East China Sea Kuroshio (ECS‐Kuroshio) and the Ryukyu Current are the major poleward heat carriers in the North Pacific. Anomalous changes of ECS‐Kuroshio and Ryukyu Current could exert substantial influence on the climate in mid‐latitude regions. However, owing to limited observations and coarse resolution of climate models, how they might change under anthropogenic warming remains unknown. Here, we find an accelerating ECS‐Kuroshio (1.5 Sv) and a decelerating (−2.2 Sv) Ryukyu Current using in‐situ observation during 1958–2022, equivalent to 7% strengthening and 20% weakening in the 65 years. The trend is also simulated by four high‐resolution climate models, with multi‐model ensemble‐mean acceleration (deceleration) of the ECS‐Kuroshio (Ryukyu Current) of 1.2 ± 0.6 Sv (−6.2 ± 2.5 Sv) over 1950–2050. The weakening subtropical wind field reduces their summed transport o. Enhanced stratification, which induces uplift of current system and weaker topography‐flow interaction, leads to the intensifying ECS‐Kuroshio and disappearing Ryukyu Current.

Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of controlling nutritional status score (CONUT) in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods CNKI, Wanfang, China Biomedical Literature Library, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were electronically searched for collecting relevant studies on the application of preoperative CONUT scores to the prognosis of gastric cancer patients after surgery. The search period was from database establishment to April 20, 2023. After screening literature, extracting data, and assessing quality assessment, Meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.0 software. Results A total of 17 studies involving 9 233 patients were included. The results of Meta-analysis showed that, compared with the low CONUT group, patients in the high CONUT group had poorer overall survival ［HR=1.70, 95%CI(1.54,1.87), P＜0.01］, tumor specific survival ［HR=2.55, 95%CI (1.23,5.27), P=0.01］, and progression free survival ［HR=1.53, 95%CI(1.29,1.82), P＜0.01］. The CONUT score was significantly correlated with complications ［OR=2.10, 95%CI (1.53,2.90), P＜0.01］, nerve infiltration ［OR=1.54, 95%CI(1.02,2.32), P=0.04］, mortality ［OR=2.24, 95%CI (1.25,4.01), P＜0.01］, T3/4 ［OR=2.06, 95%CI (1.73,2.46), P＜0.01］, N2/3 ［OR=1.76, 95%CI (1.51,2.05), P＜0.01］, Stage Ⅲ ［OR=1.62, 95%CI (1.39,1.90), P＜0.01］, but not with tumor differentiation ［OR=0.88, 95%CI (0.75,1.04), P=0.13］. Conclusion Preoperative CONUT score is an independent prognostic indicator of gastric cancer patiem associated with clinicopathological parameters of gastric cancer.

Abstract Microplastics are polymer-based materials with carbon as their main framework. During degradation, they release greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. Additionally, environmental microplastics can enter plant tissues, triggering oxidative stress in plant cells, adversely affecting photosynthesis, metabolism, gene expression, and other growth parameters. This reduction in plant efficiency in sequestering and utilizing atmospheric carbon dioxide indirectly impacts global carbon cycling, exacerbating the global greenhouse effect. Furthermore, environmental microplastics significantly alter soil structure and the composition of microbial communities, affecting the emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, thus indirectly promoting greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing research suggests a mutual reinforcement between microplastic pollution and global climate warming, where microplastic pollution exacerbates global climate warming, and the rise in global average temperature leads to the resuspension of microplastics in sediments, intensifying microplastic pollution in the environment. This article primarily focuses on the impacts of environmental microplastic pollution on different ecosystems and the relationship between microplastic pollution and global climate warming. It summarizes the effects of microplastic pollution on greenhouse gas emissions in marine, terrestrial, and atmospheric ecosystems, as well as the mechanisms by which microplastics and climate change affect ecosystem services. By delving into the intricate connection between microplastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, this paper aims to raise awareness of the climate change caused by microplastic pollution and calls for further research on the impacts of microplastics on ecosystems and global climate change, with the ultimate goal of protecting ecosystems and human health. Graphical Abstract

The magnetotelluric (MT) responses are explicitly solved for a stratiform earth containing multiple transitional layers in which the conductivity varies linearly with depth. In the model under consideration, any one homogeneous layer with constant conductivity or transitional one may be absent in the geometry. The traditional one-dimensional (1D) models with sharp boundaries will be obtained if all the transitional layers are absent in the geometry, while a special 1D model consisting of a sequence of contiguous transitional layers may be obtained if all the homogeneous layers (except the basement layer) are removed from the geometry. The tangential electric and magnetic fields as well as the surface impedance are analytically expressed by Airy functions. The analytical formula is validated in three theoretical examples by comparing with the results from available codes. The apparent resistivity and impedance phase on the surface of three different transitional models are illustrated to analysis the influence of the transitional layers on MT responses. The new formula provides an alternative way to obtain the analytic MT responses for the special layered earth.

Abstract Iron-carbon micro-electrolysis system is a promising method for promoting electron transfer in nitrate removal. However, many traditional approaches involving simple physical mixing inevitably suffered from the confined iron-carbon contact area and short validity period, leading to the overuse of iron. Here, a ceramsite-loaded microscale zero-valent iron (mZVI) and acidified carbon (AC) coupled-galvanic cell (CMC) was designed to support chemical, autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrification. Long-term experiments were conducted to monitor the nitrogen removal performance of denitrification reactors filled with CMC and thus optimized the denitrification performance by improving fabrication parameters and various operating conditions. The denitrification contributions test showed that the chemical denitrification pathway contributed most to nitrate removal (57.3%), followed by autotrophic (24.6%) and heterotrophic denitrification pathways (18.1%). The microbial analysis confirmed the significant aggregation of related denitrifying bacteria in the reactors, while AC promoted the expression of relevant nitrogen metabolism genes because of accelerated uptake and utilization of iron complexes. Meanwhile, the electrochemical analysis revealed a significantly improved electron transfer capacity of AC compared to pristine carbon. Overall, our study demonstrated the application of a novel mZVI-AC coupled material for effective nitrate removal and revealed the potential impact of CMC in the multipathway denitrification process. Graphical Abstract

A disparidade entre o número de mulheres e homens atuantes nas áreas de STEM é um assunto difundido entre pesquisadores e pesquisadoras ao redor do mundo, o entanto, dada a sua complexidade, sempre há elementos a serem refletidos e problematizados. Pensando nisso, o presente trabalho apresenta uma pesquisa que teve como objetivo analisar, a partir de preceitos da análise do discurso de Pêcheux, perfis eiros do Instagram sobre mulheres nas tecnologias, tendo como base para a escolha dos perfis um levantamento feito pela rede ELLAS. Foram encontrados 63 perfis, e dentre eles, foram escolhidos como alvo de análise 18 perfis individuais, nos quais pôde-se verificar o foco em ensinar como se inserir e progredir nessa área.

O número reduzido de mulheres nas áreas chamadas STEM tem sido objeto de pesquisas ao redor do mundo. Tais investigações são importantes para ampliar, cada vez mais, a discussão e reflexão acerca da disparidade existente entre o número de homens e mulheres nessas áreas. Pensando nisso, o artigo busca contribuir para uma compreensão do cenário acadêmico brasileiro sobre a participação das mulheres no (mundo do) trabalho em STEM. Dessa forma, a pergunta que norteou nosso mapeamento foi: o que há de produção nacional que verse sobre a participação das mulheres no cenário brasileiro de STEM? Para tanto, realizou-se levantamento nas seguintes bases de dados: SCOPUS, Web of Science, Google Acadêmico e Scielo, tendo sido encontrado um total de 47 referências que foram analisadas e separadas em seis grupos de acordo com sua proposta central.

Abstract Lime is commonly used to neutralize acidic soil in practical farmland management. This study aimed to examine the effect of soil pH change by liming in acidic soil on the mineralization and microbial assimilation of 13C-labelled maize straw-derived hydrophilic and hydrophobic fractions in a 60-d incubation experiment. Our results showed a higher cumulative mineralization of hydrophilic fraction in acidic (34.5%) than neutralized Ferralsol (22.3%), related to lower microbial substrate use efficiency under low soil pH. The cumulative mineralization of hydrophobic fraction was similar between acidic and neutralized Ferralsol. Soil pH affected substrate (hydrophilic and hydrophobic fractions) utilization by actinomycetes and bacteria, but not fungi. The utilization of hydrophilic fraction followed the order: bacteria (57–68%) > actinomycetes (10–19%) > fungi (4.2–5.5%). In contrast, utilization of hydrophobic fraction was the highest for fungi (24–38%), followed by bacteria (21–29%) and actinomycetes (3.2–15%). Actinomycetes showed a greater preference for hydrophilic fraction in neutralized than acidic Ferralsol; bacteria preferred to utilize hydrophilic fraction in both soils, while fungi favored hydrophobic fraction. Also, various substrate uses were found in specific phospholipid fatty acids, which showed that some individual species harbor particular organic C metabolization strategies. In conclusion, soil pH regulates the mineralization of hydrophilic fraction and variously determines the preferential utilization of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fractions by fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes. Graphical Abstract

Long-term exposure to urban dust containing potentially toxic elements (PTEs) poses detrimental impacts on human health. However, studies estimating human health risks in urban dusts from a global perspective are scarce. We evaluated data for twelve PTEs in urban dusts across 59 countries from 463 published articles, including their concentrations, input sources, and probabilistic risks to human health. We found that 34.1 and 60.3% of those investigated urban dusts have been heavily contaminated with As and Cd, respectively. The input of PTEs was significantly correlated with economic structure due to emissions of industrial activities and traffic emissions being the major sources. Based on the Monte Carlo simulation, we found that the mean hazard index below the safe threshold (1.0) could still cause non-negligible risks to human health. Arsenic and Cr were the major PTEs threatening human health, and relatively high risk levels were observed in cities in China, Korea, Chile, Malaysia, and Australia. Importantly, our analysis suggested that PTEs threaten the health of approximately 92 million adults and 280 million children worldwide. Overall, our study provides important foundational understanding and guidance for policy decision-making to reduce the potential risks associated with PTE exposure and to promote sustainable development of urban economies.

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the characteristics of the 100 most cited articles about dental sealants (DS) in dentistry. In September 2023, a search was performed in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS-CC) database. The following information was extracted from each article: number and density of citations, year of publication, authorship, journal, impact factor, keywords, study design, theme, continent, country, and institution. The citations of the WoS-CC were compared with those of the Scopus and Google Scholar databases. The VOSviewer software was used to generate collaborative networks. The number of citations ranged from 33 to 205. The articles were published between 1961 and 2016. Buonocore MG (7%) was the most prominent author among the most cited. The Journal of the American Dental Association was the most frequent journal (25%) and Journal of Dental Research (7.6) had the highest impact factor. Most studies had interventional (41%) and laboratory (31%) designs, mainly addressing DS effectiveness in the prevention and control of dental caries (86%). There was a predominance of publications from North America (46%) and the USA was the country with the highest number of articles (44%). The most frequent institutions were the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA) and the University of Rochester (USA) (6% each). “Retention” was the most frequent keyword. In conclusion, the 100 most cited articles were mostly interventional and laboratory studies, addressing the retention and efficacy of DS. Most of the articles were concentrated in North America and Europe, demonstrating a little collaboration from other continents.

Abstract Global surface temperature short‐term trends fluctuate between cooling and fast‐warming under the combined action of external forcing and internal variability, significantly influencing the detectability of near‐term climate change. A key driver of these variations is anthropogenic aerosols (AAs), which have undergone a non‐monotonic evolution with rapid reduction in recent decades. However, their reduction is projected to decelerate under a high carbon emission scenario, yet the impact on surface temperature trends remains unknown. Here, using initial‐perturbation large ensembles, we find that future slowdown in AA reduction over Europe and North America expedites the subpolar North Atlantic surface warming by intensifying the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. Further, it accelerates the South Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean surface warming through positive low‐cloud feedback and oceanic dynamical adjustment, triggered by the poleward migration of westerlies under interhemispheric energy constraint. These AA‐driven warmings exacerbate greenhouse warming, significantly enhancing the detectability of local decadal warming trends.

Este estudo transversal buscou descobrir como a pandemia impactou a permissividade dos pais no que se refere ao uso de dispositivos eletrônicos, atividades físicas e interações sociais. Os 466 pais de crianças com idade entre 3 e 10 anos responderam um questionário online sobre a frequência com que permitiram que seus filhos fizessem uso de dispositivos eletrônicos e participassem de atividades sociais após o início da pandemia por COVID-19. As variáveis independentes foram idade e sexo da criança, renda familiar e a quantidade de pessoas que contribuem para a renda, forma de trabalho durante a pandemia, se o respondente era responsável pelas atividades domésticas e se estas afetavam a sua rotina, e quem cuidava da criança quando precisava sair de casa. A avaliação da distribuição das variáveis independentes (categóricas) conforme os 3 graus da variável dependente (mais, menos, igual), e a permissão dos pais (categórica ordinal) foi realizada pelo teste do Qui-quadrado. Após o início da pandemia, os pais permitiram menos brincadeiras/atividades físicas em ambientes públicos (409 – 87,76%) e visita à casa de amigos e familiares (421 – 90,34%); e aumentaram a frequência de permissão do uso de dispositivos eletrônicos para entretenimento (358 -76,8%). A frequência de levar os filhos para mercados, lojas, shoppings e similares não teve alteração significativa (p=0.1494). O presente estudo apontou mudanças significativas na permissividade dos pais devido ao isolamento requerido pela pandemia COVID-19.

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal-recessive disorder primarily attributed to biallelic GAA repeat expansions that reduce expression of the mitochondrial protein frataxin (FXN). FRDA is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration, with many patients developing cardiomyopathy that progresses to heart failure and death. The potential to reverse or prevent progression of the cardiac phenotype of FRDA was investigated in a mouse model of FRDA, using an adeno-associated viral vector (AAV8) containing the coding sequence of the FXN gene. The Fxnflox/null::MCK-Cre conditional knockout mouse (FXN-MCK) has an FXN gene ablation that prevents FXN expression in cardiac and skeletal muscle, leading to cardiac insufficiency, weight loss, and morbidity. FXN-MCK mice received a single intravenous injection of an AAV8 vector containing human (hFXN) or mouse (mFXN) FXN genes under the control of a phosphoglycerate kinase promoter. Compared to vehicle-treated FXN-MCK control mice, AAV-treated FXN-MCK mice displayed increases in body weight, reversal of cardiac deficits, and increases in survival without apparent toxicity in the heart or liver for up to 12 weeks postdose. FXN protein expression in heart tissue was detected in a dose-dependent manner, exhibiting wide distribution throughout the heart similar to wild type, but more speckled. These results support an AAV8-based approach to treat FRDA-associated cardiomyopathy.

Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is one of the ideal transportation tools to face the challenge of ‘Carbon peak carbon neutralization’. The high complexity of the latest HEVs result to the difficulties in vehicle fault diagnostics, which is considered to be the main factors of vehicle durability. In this study, a multi-fault mode detection method of a P2 diesel HEV was investigated by using support vector machine(SVM). The HEV physical model was built and validated by using the experimental data under China typical urban driving cycle (CTUDC). The SVM algorithm was coded in Matlab/Simulink environment. The training data vectors for normal mode and fault mode were acquired from the HEV model. Through the analysis of failure mode, the OVO-SVM method was proved as the best accuracy, the success rate of diagnosis reaches 98%. Case studies of single fault mode and multi-fault mode fault detection were conducted. Offline and online level test were performed to show the effectiveness of the detection algorithm. The study may support the development of intelligent diagnostic methods for the different types of HEVs.

Livestock manure and crop residues are significant sources of phosphorus. However, the ineffectiveness of current processing technologies often leads to the suboptimal recovery of this phosphorus, causing considerable resource wastage and environmental pollution. Recently, global research has increasingly been focused on the resource recovery of organic waste materials using hydrothermal carbonization technology. This study investigated variations in phosphorus forms in the hydrochar produced from swine manure and rice straw, employing diverse hydrothermal carbonization conditions and applying the Box–Behnken response surface methodology and Hedley’s phosphorus fractionation method. The results indicated that inorganic phosphorus predominates in the hydrochar, with organic phosphorus comprising 5–30% of the total phosphorus. Furthermore, the study found that the available phosphorus content, as measured by NaHCO3 extraction, decreased as the reaction time and temperature of the hydrothermal carbonization process increased. The concentrations of H2O-P and NaHCO3-P fractions decreased with increasing reaction times and temperatures but increased with a higher swine manure-to-straw ratio. Conversely, the concentrations of NaOH-P and HCl-P fractions showed an increasing trend with rising reaction temperature, prolonging reaction time, andusing a high swine manure-to-straw ratio. Consequently, this study offers vital theoretical and practical insights into the resource utilization of livestock manure and crop straw, significantly contributing to the challenges of waste management and environmental sustainability in agriculture.

Tungsten (W) is a rare element and present in the earth's crust mainly as iron, aluminium, and calcium minerals including wolframite and scheelite. This review aims to offer an overview on the current knowledge on W pollution in complex environmental settlings, including terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, linking to its natural and anthropogenic sources, behavior in soil and water, environmental and human health hazards, and remediation strategies. Tungsten is used in many alloys mainly as wafers, which have wide industrial applications, such as incandescent light bulb filaments, X-ray tubes, arc welding electrodes, radiation shielding, and industrial catalysts. The rigidity and high density of W enable it to be suitable for defence applications replacing lead. In soil, W metal is oxidised to the tungstate anion and occurs in oxidation states from − 2 to + 6, with the most prevalent oxidation state of + 6. However, recently, people have been alerted to the risk posed by W alloys and its particulates, which can cause cancer and have other detrimental health effects in animals and humans. The population is subject to W pollution in the workplace by breathing, ingestion, and dermal contact. Remediation of W-polluted soil and aquatic environments can be accomplished via stabilization or solubilization. Stabilization of W in soil and groundwater using immobilizing agents inhibits the bioavailability of W, thereby preventing the contaminant from reaching the food chain, while solubilization of W in soil involving mobilizing materials accelerates the elimination of W via soil washing and root absorption. Future research opportunities covering risk-based remediation of W pollution in these complex settings are presented.

PURPOSETo review imaging findings in chemotherapy-associated liver morphological changes in hepatic metastases (CALMCHeM) on computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its association with tumor burden.METHODSWe performed a retrospective chart review to identify patients with hepatic metastases who received chemotherapy and subsequent follow-up imaging where CT or MRI showed morphological changes in the liver. The morphological changes searched for were nodularity, capsular retraction, hypodense fibrotic bands, lobulated outline, atrophy or hypertrophy of segments or lobes, widened fissures, and one or more features of portal hypertension (splenomegaly/venous collaterals/ascites). The inclusion criteria were as follows: a) no known chronic liver disease; b) availability of CT or MRI images before chemotherapy that showed no morphological signs of chronic liver disease; c) at least one follow-up CT or MRI image demonstrating CALMCHeM after chemotherapy. Two radiologists in consensus graded the initial hepatic metastases tumor burden according to number (≤10 and >10), lobe distribution (single or both lobes), and liver parenchyma volume affected (10 in 64.4% of patients. The volume of liver involved was

Abstract Background Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder is a major cause of postpartum hemorrhage-associated maternal and fetal death, and novel methods for PAS screening are urgently needed for clinical application. Methods The purpose of this study was to develop new methods for PAS screening using serum biomarkers and clinical indicators. A total of 95 PAS cases and 137 controls were enrolled in a case–control study as cohort one, and 44 PAS cases and 35 controls in a prospective nested case–control study were enrolled as cohort two. All subjects were pregnant women of Chinese Han population. Biomarkers for PAS from maternal blood samples were screened based on high-throughput immunoassay and were further validated in three phases of cohort one. Screening models for PAS were generated using maternal serum biomarkers and clinical indicators, and were validated in two cohorts. The expression levels of biomarkers were analyzed using histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) techniques, and gene expression was examined by QPCR in the human placenta. Binary logistic regression models were built, and the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and Youden index were calculated. Statistical analyses and model building were performed in SPSS and graphs were generated in GraphPad Prism. The independent-sample t test was used to compare numerical data between two groups. For nonparametric variables, a Mann–Whitney U test or a X 2 test was used. Results The results demonstrated that the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) were consistently higher, while the level of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) was significantly lower in PAS patients compared with normal term controls and patients with pre-eclampsia (PE) and placenta previa (PP). IHC and QPCR analysis confirmed that the expression of the identified biomarkers significantly changed during the third trimester in human placenta. The generated screening model combining serum biomarkers and clinical indicators detected 87% of PAS cases with AUC of 0.94. Conclusions Serum biomarkers can be used for PAS screening with low expense and high clinical performance; therefore, it may help to develop a practicable method for clinical prenatal PAS screening.

Abstract Extreme atmospheric rivers (EARs) are responsible for most of the severe precipitation and disastrous flooding along the coastal regions in midlatitudes. However, the current non-eddy-resolving climate models severely underestimate (~50%) EARs, casting significant uncertainties on their future projections. Here, using an unprecedented set of eddy-resolving high-resolution simulations from the Community Earth System Model simulations, we show that the models’ ability of simulating EARs is significantly improved (despite a slight overestimate of ~10%) and the EARs are projected to increase almost linearly with temperature warming. Under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 warming scenario, there will be a global doubling or more of the occurrence, integrated water vapor transport and precipitation associated with EARs, and a more concentrated tripling for the landfalling EARs, by the end of the 21st century. We further demonstrate that the coupling relationship between EARs and storms will be reduced in a warming climate, potentially influencing the predictability of future EARs.

Detecting hazardous substances in the environment is crucial for protecting human wellbeing and ecosystems. As technology continues to advance, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool for creating sensors that can effectively detect and analyze these hazardous substances. The increasing advancements in information technology have led to a growing interest in utilizing this technology for environmental pollution detection. AI-driven sensor systems, AI and Internet of Things (IoT) can be efficiently used for environmental monitoring, such as those for detecting air pollutants, water contaminants, and soil toxins. With the increasing concerns about the detrimental impact of legacy and emerging hazardous substances on ecosystems and human health, it is necessary to develop advanced monitoring systems that can efficiently detect, analyze, and respond to potential risks. Therefore, this review aims to explore recent advancements in using AI, sensors and IOTs for environmental pollution monitoring, taking into account the complexities of predicting and tracking pollution changes due to the dynamic nature of the environment. Integrating machine learning (ML) methods has the potential to revolutionize environmental science, but it also poses challenges. Important considerations include balancing model performance and interpretability, understanding ML model requirements, selecting appropriate models, and addressing concerns related to data sharing. Through examining these issues, this study seeks to highlight the latest trends in leveraging AI and IOT for environmental pollution monitoring.

Abstract Air‐sea exchanges across oceanic fronts are critical in powering cloud formation, precipitation, and atmospheric storms. Oceanic submesoscale fronts of scales 1–10 km are characterized by strong sea surface temperature (SST) gradients. However, it remains elusive how submesoscale fronts affect the overlying atmosphere due to a lack of high‐resolution observations or models. Based on rare high‐resolution in situ observations in the Kuroshio Extension region, we quantify the air‐sea exchanges across an oceanic submesoscale front. The cross‐front SST and turbulent heat flux gradients reaches 2.4°C/km and 47 W/m2/km, respectively, far stronger than that typically found in mesoscale‐resolving products. The stronger SST gradient drives substantially stronger air‐sea fluxes and vertical mixing than mesoscale fronts, enhancing cloud formations. The intense air‐sea exchanges across submesoscale fronts are confirmed in idealized model simulations, but not resolved in mesoscale‐resolving climate models. Our finding provides essential knowledge for improving simulations of cloud formation, precipitation, and storms in climate models.

Abstract Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are prolonged extreme warm water events in the ocean, exerting devastating impacts on marine ecosystems. A comprehensive knowledge of physical processes controlling MHW life cycles is pivotal to improve MHW forecast capacity, yet it is still lacking. Here, we use a historical simulation from a global eddy-resolving climate model with improved representation of MHWs, and show that heat flux convergence by oceanic mesoscale eddies acts as a dominant driver of MHW life cycles over most parts of the global ocean. In particular, the mesoscale eddies make an important contribution to growth and decay of MHWs, whose characteristic spatial scale is comparable or even larger than that of mesoscale eddies. The effect of mesoscale eddies is spatially heterogeneous, becoming more dominant in the western boundary currents and their extensions, the Southern Ocean, as well as the eastern boundary upwelling systems. This study reveals the crucial role of mesoscale eddies in controlling the global MHW life cycles and highlights that using eddy-resolving ocean models is essential, albeit not necessarily fully sufficient, for accurate MHW forecasts.

RESUMO A inserção do pensamento computacional no ensino fundamental tem sido valorizada na educação contemporânea, no entanto boa parte dos docentes não tem formação na computação para trabalhar com esses conteúdos. Algumas iniciativas usam atividades desplugadas por causa da limitação de recursos nas escolas, entretanto identificamos que as propostas não conectam os aspectos socioculturais do público envolvido e o pensamento computacional. Este artigo avalia a ausência desses aspectos socioculturais e propõe uma atividade inclusiva contemplando todos esses fatores.

The long-term and large-scale mining of rare earth minerals may lead to an accumulation of rare earth elements (REEs) in the environment, posing potential health risks to residents. We collected scalp hair (n = 254) from residents of a smelting area, a mining area, and a reference area to clarify human exposure to REEs. The contents of 15 REEs investigated in human hair samples were notably higher in the mining and smelting areas than in the reference area. Significant differences between some REEs were observed between the mining and smelting areas, for instance, cerium (Ce), dysprosium, and praseodymium. In the study areas, exposure to different sources of REEs may be one of the factors that contributed to the variations of REE correlations and clusters in human hair. Furthermore, in the smelting area, Ce contents in hair decreased with increasing age of children. However, Ce contents in the hair of adults increased with age. In contrast, Ce accumulation continuously increased in the reference area residents’ hair with age. Regression results indicated that age and location were more important than sex when considering the influence on REE accumulation in residents’ hair. The results of this study may help policymakers to implement guidelines to alleviate residents’ exposure to REE in mining and smelting areas.

The lack of women’s representation in IT has been discussed for decades in different regions worldwide. The participation of women in this area is fundamental for socioeconomic development. In Brazil, girls have a low interest in graduation courses in STEM areas. This article presents the influence of the project “ Meninas Digitais UFSC” on graduated girls’ career development. Two surveys were applied, the first before the pandemic period (COVID-19), and the second in the post-pandemic including some questions about the changes in the work or academic environment. The results have shown that the project’s participation had a positive impact on the career development of these women, influencing from the hiring to their involvement in other similar actions.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, affecting more than 2.1 million people across the globe every year. A very high occurrence and mortality rate of lung cancer have prompted active research in this area with both conventional and novel forms of therapies including the use of nanomaterials based drug delivery agents. Specifically, the unique physico-chemical and biological properties of porous nanomaterials have gained significant momentum as drug delivery agents for delivering a combination of drugs or merging diagnosis with targeted therapy for cancer treatment. This review focuses on the emergence of nano-porous materials for drug delivery in lung cancer. The review analyses the currently used nanoporous materials, including inorganic, organic and hybrid porous materials for delivering drugs for various types of therapies, including chemo, radio and phototherapy. It also analyses the selected research on stimuli-responsive nanoporous materials for drug delivery in lung cancer before summarizing the various findings and projecting the future of emerging trends. This review provides a strong foundation for the current status of the research on nanoporous materials, their limitations and the potential for improving their design to overcome the unique challenges of delivering drugs for the treatment of lung cancer.

Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) resources provide a renewable solution to fuel our future. Here the authors show a significant increase of OTEC resources under greenhouse warming with the increasing rate regulated by oceanic eddies.

Under global warming, increased variability in El Niño sea surface temperature was projected to be detectable by about 2070. Here the authors show that the increased variability of a type of more impactful El Niño events is likely detectable by 2030.

Sustainable management of ever-increasing organic biowaste and arable soil contamination by potentially toxic elements are of concern from both environmental and agricultural perspectives. To tackle the waste issue of crawfish shells and simultaneously minimize the threat of arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) to human health, a pot trial was conducted using chitin (CT), crawfish shell biochar (CSB), crawfish shell powder (CSP), and CT–CSB composite to compare their remediation efficiencies in As/Pb co-contaminated soil. Results demonstrated that addition of all amendments decreased Pb bioavailability, with the greatest effect observed for the CT–CSB treatment. Application of CSP and CSB increased the soil available As concentration, while significant decreases were observed in the CT and CT–CSB treatments. Meanwhile, CT addition was the most effective in enhancing the soil enzyme activities including acid phosphatase, α-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, and cellobiohydrolase, whereas CSB-containing treatments suppressed the activities of most enzymes. The amendments altered the bacterial abundance and composition in soil. For instance, compared to the control, all treatments increased Chitinophagaceae abundance by 2.6–4.7%. The relative abundance of Comamonadaceae decreased by 1.6% in the CSB treatment, while 2.1% increase of Comamonadaceae was noted in the CT–CSB treatment. Redundancy and correlation analyses (at the family level) indicated that the changes in bacterial community structure were linked to bulk density, water content, and As/Pb availability of soils. Partial least squares path modeling further indicated that soil chemical property (i.e., pH, dissolved organic carbon, and cation exchange capacity) was the strongest predictor of As/Pb availability in soils following amendment application. Overall, CT–CSB could be a potentially effective amendment for simultaneously immobilizing As and Pb and restoring soil ecological functions in contaminated arable soils.

Oceanic mesoscale eddies are important dynamical processes in the Southern Ocean. Using high-resolution (∼0.1° for the ocean) Community Earth System Model (CESM-HR) simulations under a high-carbon emission scenario, we investigate the role of mesoscale eddies in regulating the response of the Subantarctic Front (SAF) to global warming. The CESM-HR simulates more realistic oceanic fronts and mesoscale eddies in the Southern Ocean than a coarse-resolution (∼1° for the ocean) CESM. Under global warming, the SAF is projected to intensify. The mean flow temperature advection intensifies the front, whereas the mesoscale-eddy-induced temperature advection and atmospheric dampening play primary (∼67%) and secondary (∼28%) roles in counteracting the effect of mean flow temperature advection. Our study suggests the importance of mesoscale eddies on inhibiting the SAF intensification under global warming and necessity of mesoscale-eddy-resolving simulations for faithful projection of future climate changes in the Southern Ocean.

The decadal-scale global-mean surface temperature (GMST) trend fluctuates between rapid-warming, slow-warming and cooling under the combined action of external forcing (EX) and internal variability. However, the principal contributors to the time-varying trends of GMST across decadal scales in current and future climates remain elusive. Here, by leveraging observations and initial-condition large ensembles, we unravel that historical GMST trend fluctuations are predominantly driven by EX on timescales exceeding ∼9 years within the current climate, with anthropogenic and volcanic aerosols being the primary drivers. However, in the warming climate, the significant contribution of EX on decadal scales is projected to decrease. This is primarily due to anthropogenic aerosol mitigation efforts and the absence of unpredictable volcanism. Despite the continuous increase in greenhouse gases, these factors are expected to delay the emergence of EX-dominance to ∼14-year timescale. Our results quantitatively underscore the pivotal role of the EX in modulating GMST trend fluctuations and its potential weakening at decadal scales in the warming climate, indicating that predicting near-term changes in GMST may become less certain in the future.

The beneficial utilization of potentially increasing urban green waste (UGW) is critical for sustainable urban development in China. In this study, UGW was pyrolyzed at different temperatures, and the resulting biochar was used to amend Cd-contaminated soils to grow cabbage. Our results showed that the Cd adsorption capacity of UGW-biochar was positively correlated with the surface area, O/C, and (O+N)/C value of biochar. Furthermore, UGW-biochar was incorporated into three Cd-contaminated soils, including one acidic soil and two neutral soils, to assess its impact on the availability of Cd. The most substantial reduction in the concentration of available Cd was observed in the acidic soil, of the three tested soils. In the neutral soils, a more substantial reduction was found in the heavily Cd-contaminated soil compared to the lightly Cd-contaminated soil. UGW-biochar amendments to the three Cd-contaminated soils resulted in an increase in the cabbage biomass in acidic soil, whereas in neutral soils, it increased in lightly contaminated soils but decreased in heavily contaminated soils. Additionally, the Cd bioaccumulation factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), and removal efficiency (RE), as impacted by the biochar application, were calculated in the lightly Cd-contaminated soil–cabbage system. The BCF decreased from 5.84 to 3.80 as the dosage of the UGW-biochar increased from 0% to 3%, indicating that the UGW-biochar immobilized Cd and reduced its bioaccumulation in cabbage roots. Based on our investigations, UGW-biochar effectively immobilizes Cd by reducing its mobility and bioavailability in a lightly contaminated environment matrix.

Article highlights Crawfish-shell biochar (CSB) pyrolyzed at 350°C showed the highest Sb(III) adsorption and oxidation. DFT calculations highlighted complexation, H-bonding and π–π interactions as key removal mechanisms. Sb(III) oxidation was mainly governed by persistent free radicals and electron transfer capacity of biochar.

RESUMO Os medicamentos reaproveitados são importantes em contextos de recursos limitados porque as intervenções estão mais rapidamente disponíveis, já foram testadas com segurança em outras populações e são, em geral, mais baratas. Os medicamentos reaproveitados são uma solução eficaz, especialmente para doenças emergentes, como a COVID-19. O estudo REVOLUTIOn visa avaliar três medicamentos antivirais reaproveitados: atazanavir, daclatasvir e sofosbuvir, já utilizados em pacientes infectados pelo HIV ou pelo vírus da hepatite C, em um estudo randomizado, controlado por placebo, adaptativo, multibraço e em múltiplos estágios. Os medicamentos serão testados simultaneamente em um ensaio de Fase II para primeiro identificar se algum deles, isoladamente ou em combinação, reduz a carga viral. Se reduzirem, será iniciado um estudo de Fase III para investigar se tais medicamentos são capazes de aumentar o número de dias sem suporte respiratório. Os participantes devem ser adultos hospitalizados com idade ≥ 18 anos com início dos sintomas ≤ 9 dias e saturação de oxigênio ≤ 94% em ar ambiente ou necessidade de oxigênio suplementar para manter saturação de oxigênio > 94%. O tamanho total esperado da amostra varia entre 252 e 1.005 participantes, dependendo do número de estágios que serão concluídos no estudo. Assim, o protocolo é aqui descrito em detalhes, juntamente do plano de análise estatística. Em conclusão, o estudo REVOLUTIOn foi concebido para fornecer evidências se o atazanavir, o daclatasvir ou o sofosbuvir reduzem a carga viral de SARS-CoV-2 em pacientes com COVID-19 e aumentam o número de dias em que os pacientes ficam sem suporte respiratório. Neste artigo de protocolo, descrevem-se a fundamentação, o desenho e a situação do ensaio. Identificador do ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT04468087

Highlights A comprehensive review of technology has been undertaken from biochar-based nitrogen fertilizers (BBNFs). Kinetics and mechanisms of the slow-release of N from BBNFs are revealed. BBNFs enhanced soil properties, N retention in soil and crop yield, and improved N use efficiency.

Summary: Background: Repurposed drugs for treatment of new onset disease may be an effective therapeutic shortcut. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of repurposed antivirals compared to placebo in lowering SARS-CoV2 viral load of COVID-19 patients. Methods: REVOLUTIOn is a randomised, parallel, blinded, multistage, superiority and placebo controlled randomised trial conducted in 35 centres in Brazil. We include patients aged 18 years or older admitted to hospital with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptoms onset 9 days or less and SpO2 94% or lower at room air were eligible. All participants were randomly allocated to receive either atazanavir, daclatasvir or sofosbuvir/daclatasvir or placebo for 10 days. The primary outcome was the decay rate (slope) of the SARS-CoV-2 viral load logarithm assessed in the modified intention to-treat population. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04468087. Findings: Between February 09, 2021, and August 04, 2021, 255 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to atazanavir (n = 64), daclatasvir (n = 66), sofosbuvir/daclatasvir (n = 67) or placebo (n = 58). Compared to placebo group, the change from baseline to day 10 in log viral load was not significantly different for any of the treatment groups (0.05 [95% CI, −0.03 to 0.12], −0.02 [95% CI, −0.09 to 0.06], and −0.03 [95% CI, −0.11 to 0.04] for atazanavir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir/daclatasvir groups respectively). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of serious adverse events between treatment groups. Interpretation: No significant reduction in viral load was observed from the use of atazanavir, daclatasvir or sofosbuvir/daclatasvir compared to placebo in hospitalised COVID-19 patients who need oxygen support with symptoms onset 9 days or less. Funding: Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (MCTI) - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPQ); Cia Latino-Americana de Medicamentos (Clamed); Cia Industrial H. Carlos Schneider (Ciser); Hospital Research Foundation Incorporation, Australia, HCor São Paulo; Blanver Farmoquímica; Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos (Farmanguinhos) da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz); Coordenação Geral de Planejamento Estratégico (Cogeplan)/Fiocruz; and Fundação de apoio a Fiocruz (Fiotec, VPGDI-054-FIO-20-2-13).

In diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI), choice of b-value influences apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values by probing different aspects of the tissue microenvironment. As a secondary analysis of the multicenter ECOG-ACRIN A6698 trial, the purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of alternate b-value combinations on the performance and repeatability of tumor ADC as a predictive marker of breast cancer treatment response. The final analysis included 210 women who underwent standardized 4-b-value DW-MRI (b = 0/100/600/800 s/mm2) at multiple timepoints during neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment and a subset (n = 71) who underwent test–retest scans. Centralized tumor ADC and perfusion fraction (fp) measures were performed using variable b-value combinations. Prediction of pathologic complete response (pCR) based on the mid-treatment/12-week percent change in each metric was estimated by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Repeatability was estimated by within-subject coefficient of variation (wCV). Results show that two-b-value ADC calculations provided non-inferior predictive value to four-b-value ADC calculations overall (AUCs = 0.60–0.61 versus AUC = 0.60) and for HR+/HER2− cancers where ADC was most predictive (AUCs = 0.75–0.78 versus AUC = 0.76), p < 0.05. Using two b-values (0/600 or 0/800 s/mm2) did not reduce ADC repeatability over the four-b-value calculation (wCVs = 4.9–5.2% versus 5.4%). The alternate metrics ADCfast (b ≤ 100 s/mm2), ADCslow (b ≥ 100 s/mm2), and fp did not improve predictive performance (AUCs = 0.54–0.60, p = 0.08–0.81), and ADCfast and fp demonstrated the lowest repeatability (wCVs = 6.71% and 12.4%, respectively). In conclusion, breast tumor ADC calculated using a simple two-b-value approach can provide comparable predictive value and repeatability to full four-b-value measurements as a marker of treatment response.

Abstract Background Although paternal exposure to cigarette smoke may contribute to obesity and metabolic syndrome in offspring, the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. Methods In the present study, we analyzed the sperm DNA-methylation profiles in tobacco-smoking normozoospermic (SN) men, non-tobacco-smoking normozoospermic (N) men, and non-smoking oligoasthenozoospermic (OA) men. Using a mouse model, we also analyzed global methylation and differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of the DLK1 gene in paternal spermatozoa and the livers of progeny. In addition, we quantified DLK1 expression, executed an intra-peritoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), measured serum metabolites, and analyzed liver lipid accumulation in the F1 offspring. Results Global sperm DNA-methylation levels were significantly elevated (p

MACS0647–JD is a triply lensed z ∼ 11 galaxy originally discovered with the Hubble Space Telescope. The three lensed images are magnified by factors of ∼8, 5, and 2 to AB mag 25.1, 25.6, and 26.6 at 3.5 μ m. The brightest is over a magnitude brighter than other galaxies recently discovered at similar redshifts z > 10 with JWST. Here, we report new JWST imaging that clearly resolves MACS0647–JD as having two components that are either merging galaxies or stellar complexes within a single galaxy. The brighter larger component “A” is intrinsically very blue ( β ∼ −2.6 ± 0.1), likely due to very recent star formation and no dust, and is spatially extended with an effective radius ∼70 ± 24 pc. The smaller component “B” ( r ∼ 20 ${}_{-5}^{+8}\,$ pc) appears redder ( β ∼ −2 ± 0.2), likely because it is older (100–200 Myr) with mild dust extinction ( A _V ∼ 0.1 mag). With an estimated stellar mass ratio of roughly 2:1 and physical projected separation ∼400 pc, we may be witnessing a galaxy merger 430 million years after the Big Bang. We identify galaxies with similar colors in a high-redshift simulation, finding their star formation histories to be dissimilar, which is also suggested by the spectral energy distribution fitting, suggesting they formed further apart. We also identify a candidate companion galaxy “C” ∼3 kpc away, likely destined to merge with A and B. Upcoming JWST Near Infrared Spectrograph observations planned for 2023 January will deliver spectroscopic redshifts and more physical properties for these tiny magnified distant galaxies observed in the early universe.

IntroductionThe mental health of young adults is a global public health challenge. Numerous studies have demonstrated that exercise benefits mental health. However, it is still unclear which exercise mode is optimal for protecting mental health and its association with the immune system. This study aimed to compare the intervention effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training (MVCT) on mental health and assess the underlying mechanism of exercise interventions to improve the immune system, which facilitated the mental health status.MethodsThis is a double-blinded RCT study conducted from October 13, 2020 to January 25, 2021 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04830059). Ninety-three participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into the HIIT (N = 33), MVCT (N = 32), and control groups (N = 28) with a mean age of 25.26 (SD = 2.21), and 43% of males enrolled in the study. Professional coaches guided participants in HIIT and MVCT groups to perform 40 min of exercise training three times a week for 12-week while those in the control group received 1 h of health education twice a week. Questionnaires related to mental health status and blood samples of inflammatory factors, including immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), albumin (Alb), globulin (GLO), lymphocytes (LYM), and lymphocyte percentage (LYM) were assessed before and after the intervention.ResultsWe found that blood inflammation factors increased significantly in the control group during 12 weeks (ΔIgA = 0.16 g/L, ΔIgM = 0.092 g/L, ΔAlb = 2.59 g/L, ΔGlo = 3.08 g/L, ΔLYM = 0.36, and ΔLYM% = 3.72%, p < 0.05), and both MVCT and HIIT intervention could effectively defend the increased inflammatory response compared with the control group (IgA: MVCT β = −0.14, p < 0.001, HIIT β = −0.096, p < 0.05; IgM: MVCT β = −0.12, p < 0.001; HIIT β = −0.068, p < 0.05; Alb: MVCT β = −1.64, p < 0.05, HIIT β = −1.14, p > 0.05; Glo: MVCT β = −3.17, p < 0.001, HIIT β = −2.07, p < 0.01; LYM: MVCT β = −0.34, p < 0.05, HIIT β = −0.35, p < 0.05). However, the MVCT intervention modality was more conducive to enhancing positive affect (β = 0.52, p = 0.018) and well-being (β = 1.08, p = 0.035) than HIIT. Furthermore, decreased IgA, Alb, and Glo were associated with improved mental health.ConclusionBoth 12-week HIIT and MVCT are beneficial to the immune system. The MVCT intervention mode is recommended to prevent mental health problems and attenuate immune inflammation, and the immune system is a potential mechanism that exercises improving mental health.Clinical trial registration[ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04830059].

Abstract We synthesized 20 years of research to explain the interrelated processes that determine soil and plant responses to biochar. The properties of biochar and its effects within agricultural ecosystems largely depend on feedstock and pyrolysis conditions. We describe three stages of reactions of biochar in soil: dissolution (1–3 weeks); reactive surface development (1–6 months); and aging (beyond 6 months). As biochar ages, it is incorporated into soil aggregates, protecting the biochar carbon and promoting the stabilization of rhizodeposits and microbial products. Biochar carbon persists in soil for hundreds to thousands of years. By increasing pH, porosity, and water availability, biochars can create favorable conditions for root development and microbial functions. Biochars can catalyze biotic and abiotic reactions, particularly in the rhizosphere, that increase nutrient supply and uptake by plants, reduce phytotoxins, stimulate plant development, and increase resilience to disease and environmental stressors. Meta‐analyses found that, on average, biochars increase P availability by a factor of 4.6; decrease plant tissue concentration of heavy metals by 17%–39%; build soil organic carbon through negative priming by 3.8% (range −21% to +20%); and reduce non‐CO2 greenhouse gas emissions from soil by 12%–50%. Meta‐analyses show average crop yield increases of 10%–42% with biochar addition, with greatest increases in low‐nutrient P‐sorbing acidic soils (common in the tropics), and in sandy soils in drylands due to increase in nutrient retention and water holding capacity. Studies report a wide range of plant responses to biochars due to the diversity of biochars and contexts in which biochars have been applied. Crop yields increase strongly if site‐specific soil constraints and nutrient and water limitations are mitigated by appropriate biochar formulations. Biochars can be tailored to address site constraints through feedstock selection, by modifying pyrolysis conditions, through pre‐ or post‐production treatments, or co‐application with organic or mineral fertilizers. We demonstrate how, when used wisely, biochar mitigates climate change and supports food security and the circular economy.

Abstract Background Malocclusion is a condition frequently seen in primary dentition due to the interaction of environmental, genetic and behavioural factors. The occurrence of some types of malocclusions can have an impact on oral health-related quality of life in children. Hence, the present study aimed to verify the impact of primary dentition malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life in preschool children. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Florianopolis, Brazil, with a representative sample of 1050 preschoolers aged between 2 and 5 years, randomly selected. Parents answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale and also to a questionnaire on socio-economic indicators. Data obtained from the questionnaire were obtained by item response theory based on model of gradual response. The malocclusion assessed was: anterior open bite, increased overjet and posterior crossbite. Poisson regression model was employed for multivariate analysis (P

Background. With donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver transplantation (LT), the goal of the recipient implantation procedure is to minimize surgical complexity to avoid a tenuous environment for an already marginal graft. The presence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) at the time of LT adds surgical complexity, yet‚ to date, no studies have investigated the utilization of DCD liver grafts for patients with PVT. Methods. All DCD LT performed at Mayo Clinic-Florida, Mayo Clinic-Arizona, and Mayo Clinic-Rochester from 2006 to 2020 were reviewed (N = 771). Patients with PVT at the time of transplant were graded using Yerdel classification. A 1:3 propensity match between patients with PVT and those without PVT was performed. Results. A total of 91 (11.8%) patients with PVT undergoing DCD LT were identified. Grade I PVT was present in 62.6% of patients, grade II PVT in 27.5%, grade III in 8.8%, and grade 4 in 1.1%. At the time of LT, thromboendovenectomy was performed in 89 cases (97.8%). There was no difference in the rates of early allograft dysfunction (43.2% versus 52.4%; P = 0.13) or primary nonfunction (1.1% versus 1.1%; P = 0.41) between the DCD PVT and DCD without PVT groups, respectively. The rate of ischemic cholangiopathy was not significantly different between the DCD PVT (11.0%) and DCD without PVT groups (10.6%; P = 0.92). Graft (P = 0.58) and patient survival (P = 0.08) were similar between the 2 groups. Graft survival at 1-, 3-, and 5-y was 89.9%, 84.5%, and 79.3% in the DCD PVT group. Conclusions. In appropriately selected recipients with grades I–II PVT, DCD liver grafts can be utilized safely with excellent outcomes.

The recovery of nutrients from livestock manure has generated a lot of interest in biosolids value-adding. There is now more research on manure with high solids content but less study on manure with lower solids content. This study used swine manure slurry as the research object and comprehensively examined the characteristics of organic matter conversion, nitrogen, phosphorus, and metals release during the catalytic-thermal hydrolysis (TH) process. It was found that ammonia nitrogen showed a continuous increase with increasing temperature while inorganic phosphorus showed a rising and then decreasing trend. The addition of HCl and H2O2 (TH-HCl-H2O2) promoted the hydrolysis of organic matter, showing the best nitrogen and phosphorus release performance, releasing 62.2% of inorganic phosphorus and 50.8% of nitrogen. The release characteristics of nutrients and metals from the TH process were significantly affected by the addition of HCl and H2O2, according to structural equation modelling study. The data analysis demonstrated that the liquid fertilizer produced by TH did not surpass the environmental risk associated with nutrients or the ecological risk associated with heavy metals. This study would offer theoretical justification for biowaste conversion for agricultural applications.

The urgent requirement for improving the efficiency of agricultural plant protection operations has spurred considerable interest in multiple plant protection UAV systems. In this study, a performance-guaranteed distributed control scheme is developed in order to address the control of multiple plant protection UAV systems with collision avoidance and a directed topology. First, a novel concept called predetermined time performance function (PTPF) is proposed, such that the tracking error can converge to an arbitrary small preassigned region in finite time. Second, combined with the two-order filter for each UAV, the information estimation from the leader is generated. The distributed protocol avoids the use of an asymmetric Laplace matrix of a directed graph and solves the difficulty of control design. Furthermore, by introducing with a collision prediction mechanism, a repulsive force field is constructed between the dynamic obstacle and the UAV, in order to avoid the collision. Finally, it is rigorously proved that the consensus of the multiple plant protection UAV system can be achieved while guaranteeing the predetermined time performance. A numerical simulation is carried out to verify the effectiveness of the presented method, such that the multiple UAVs system can fulfill time-constrained plant protection tasks.