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Solar-driven CO2conversion into value-added chemical provides an attractive strategy for sustainable development. However, the enhanced CO2photoreduction performance with target product selectivity remains a major challenge. Here, we develop a novel strategy involving Cu2O nanoparticles in situgrown on the surface of ZIF-67-derived Co@C-N nanocages (CC) to create abundant active sites and appropriate heterointerfaces. A remarkable CO selectivity of 95.7% with a yield of 117.39 µmol g−1h−1and an apparent quantum efficiency as high as 1.88% at 420 nm was obtained over CC-60 catalyst in pure water, which was 87.6 times higher than that of pure Cu2O. Theoretical calculations and experiments indicated that Co@C-N nanocages as charge mediator not only rapidly trap photogenerated electrons to promote charge separation efficiency, but also regulate the d-band center of Cu atoms to move to the Fermi energy level, thereby optimizing the reaction kinetics to facilitate the highly selective conversion of the key intermediate *CO desorption to CO.

Surface currents arise in superconductors under magnetic fields and are a key signature of the Meissner effect. Similarly, chiral dynamics have been observed in quantum simulators under synthetic Abelian gauge fields. These simulators offer flexible control, enabling the engineering of non-Abelian gauge fields, although their influence on chiral dynamics remains unclear. Here, we implement a synthetic SU(2) gauge field in a spinful one-dimensional ladder and investigate the resulting chiral dynamics by developing a Raman momentum-lattice technique. We confirm the non-Abelian nature of the synthetic potential by observing the non-Abelian Aharonov–Bohm effect on a single plaquette. Furthermore, we find that the chiral current along the two legs of the ladder is spin dependent and highly tunable through the gauge potential parameters. We experimentally map out different dynamic regimes of the chiral current, revealing the competition between overlaying flux ladders with different spin compositions. Our experiment demonstrates the impact of non-Abelian gauge fields on chiral dynamics and offers a viable approach to implementing exotic synthetic gauge fields using Raman momentum lattices.

The activity of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in facilitating platelet adhesion and aggregation correlates with its multimer size. Traditional ristocetin-dependent functional assays lack sensitivity to multimer sizes. Recently, nanobodies targeting the autoinhibitory module and activating VWF were identified.

Environmentally friendly manufacturing of flexible all-solid-state electrolytes in large-scale and low cost is important for market entering of lithium metal batteries. Herein, a simple and practical solvent-free route to the high performance composite polymer electrolyte is proposed by infiltrating the hot-molten polyether polymer (F127)/Li-salt (LiTFSI) slurry into a thin cellulose fibrous membrane. The good compatibility between the slurry and cellulose membrane allows the formation of a highly dense F127/LiTFSI/cellulose composite electrolyte with a thin thickness of 28 μm. The solvent-free feature without side-reaction as well as the good mechanical stability of such electrolyte makes great significance to ensure the safety and stability of the batteries. Therefore, its Li symmetric cell can stably operate with an ultralong lifespan of more than 3600 h without dendritic growth of metal lithium, and the LiFePO4//Li cell can also deliver an excellent cycling stability with an initial capacity of 130.1 mAh g−1and a capacity retention of 84.11 % after more than 260 cycles at 0.5C and 60 °C. Additionally, the performance of high-loading cathode full cell and the flexible pouch cell further confirm its excellent stability and safety for practical use.

Slurry electrolysis is an effective technology for recovering gold from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs). However, electrochemical oscillation during the gold recovery process is a potential factor affecting power consumption. As a result, the potential oscillation behaviors of gold dissolution at a constant current were studied. These results showed that the periodic formation and dissolution of the Au-OH passive film on the anode induced electrochemical oscillation. The amplitude and frequency of electrochemical oscillation were affected by hydrochloric acid concentration, current intensity, electrode spacing, and sodium chloride concentration, among which the concentration of sodium chloride had a significant inhibitory effect. Under the following conditions: hydrochloric acid concentration of 8 mol/L, current of 0.03 A, and electrode spacing of 1.5 cm, the obtained maximum amplitude potential and frequency were 1.17 V and 0.56 Hz, respectively. The phase space reconstruction results showed that the systems evolved between the near-linear equilibrium region and the periodic oscillation region. Different factors induced two oscillation modes: top-down and bottom-up. The top-down and bottom-up oscillations induced by current intensity, hydrochloric acid concentration, and electrode spacing reduced the relative power consumption by 11.8, 17.2, and 11.8 %, respectively, and increased the relative power consumption by 14.3, 21.2, and 30.1 %, respectively. A critical value was obtained, which varied oscillation patterns and gained a region of lower power consumption. The addition of trisodium citrate and PVP can improve gold recovery rate and current efficiency by regulating process of electrochemical oscillation. This work will provide theoretical support for recovering valuable metals from WPCBs with reduced energy consumption by controlling the external conditions to switch the oscillation mode.

The control and active manipulation of spin–orbit coupling (SOC) in photonic systems are fundamental in the development of modern spin optics and topological photonic devices. Here, we demonstrate the control of an artificial Rashba–Dresselhaus (RD) SOC mediated by photochemical reactions in a microcavity filled with an organic single crystal of photochromic phase-change character. Splitting of the circular polarization components of the optical modes induced by photonic RD SOC is observed experimentally in momentum space. By applying an ultraviolet light beam, we control the spatial molecular orientation through a photochemical reaction, and with that we control the energies of the photonic modes. This way, we realize a reversible conversion of spin splitting of the optical modes with different energies, leading to an optically controlled switching between circularly and linearly polarized optical modes in our device. Our strategy of in situ and reversible engineering of SOC induced by a light field provides a promising approach to actively design and manipulate synthetic gauge fields toward future on-chip integration in photonics and topological photonic devices.

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In large-scale group decision-making (LSGDM), incomplete preferences often arise due to the complexity of LSGDM or the limited experience of decision-makers (DMs). When DMs provide preferences using incomplete fuzzy preference relations (IFPRs), most studies focus on cardinal information, overlooking the vital ordinal relations in IFPRs. However, a high level of cardinal consensus may not represent unanimous pairwise comparisons among DMs' preferences. In contrast, ordinal relations are crucial for ranking results by enabling pairwise comparisons. Therefore, this article presents an LSGDM framework mining ordinal–cardinal group consensus by prioritizing ordinal relations followed by cardinal information of IFPRs. We begin by extracting ordinal relations from IFPRs. Next, an ordinal clustering optimization model is constructed to minimize overall conflicts. Finally, a value function-based consensus model is developed, identifying a consensus ranking by considering ordinal and cardinal information within subgroups. By linking this value function with IFPRs, each subgroup achieves a complete FPR that is both ordinal and cardinal consistent. The application example shows the feasibility of this approach. Numerical analyses validate the clustering optimization model's effectiveness in reducing the global average conflict degree, and simulation studies with varying levels of incompleteness in FPRs demonstrate the consensus model's robustness in achieving consistent ranking results.

Novel strategies utilizing light in the second near-infrared region (NIR-II; 900–1,880 nm wavelengths) offer the potential to visualize and treat solid tumours with enhanced precision. Over the past few decades, numerous techniques leveraging NIR-II light have been developed with the aim of precisely eliminating tumours while maximally preserving organ function. During cancer surgery, NIR-II optical imaging enables the visualization of clinically occult lesions and surrounding vital structures with increased sensitivity and resolution, thereby enhancing surgical quality and improving patient prognosis. Furthermore, the use of NIR-II light promises to improve cancer phototherapy by enabling the selective delivery of increased therapeutic energy to tissues at greater depths. Initial clinical studies of NIR-II-based imaging and phototherapy have indicated impressive potential to decrease cancer recurrence, reduce complications and prolong survival. Despite the encouraging results achieved, clinical translation of innovative NIR-II techniques remains challenging and inefficient; multidisciplinary cooperation is necessary to bridge the gap between preclinical research and clinical practice, and thus accelerate the translation of technical advances into clinical benefits. In this Review, we summarize the available clinical data on NIR-II-based imaging and phototherapy, demonstrating the feasibility and utility of integrating these technologies into the treatment of cancer. We also introduce emerging NIR-II-based approaches with substantial potential to further enhance patient outcomes, while also highlighting the challenges associated with imminent clinical studies of these modalities.

The conversion of commercially available chiral sulfinamides into pharmaceutically useful chiral sulfoximines viadirect SIV-functionalization is synthetically attractive but challenging due to the competitive reaction of N-functionalization. Herein, we disclose a novel strain-release strategy to access stereospecific and chemoselective SIV-arylation and alkenylation of sulfinamides using arynes and strained cyclic alkynes. This method tolerates an unprecedented chemical diversity of functional groups attached to the nitrogen center (N–R). The origin of the high SIV-selectivity is elucidated by density functional theory calculations, suggesting a stepwise mechanism for the aryne substrates and a concerted mechanism for the cyclic alkynes.

Time reflection and refraction are temporal analogies of the spatial boundary effects derived from Fermat’s principle. They occur when classical waves strike a time boundary where an abrupt change in the properties of the medium is introduced. The main features of time-reflected and time-refracted waves are the shift in frequency and conservation of momentum, which offer a new degree of freedom for steering extreme waves and controlling the phases of matter. The concept was originally proposed for manipulating optical waves more than five decades ago. However, due to the extreme challenges in the ultrafast engineering of optical materials, the experimental realization of the time boundary effects remains elusive. Here we introduce a time boundary into a momentum lattice of ultracold atoms and simultaneously demonstrate time reflection and refraction experimentally. Through launching a Gaussian-superposed state into the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger atomic chain, we observe the time-reflected and time-refracted waves when the input state strikes a time boundary. Furthermore, we detect a transition from time reflection/refraction to localization with increasing strength of disorder and show that the time boundary effects are robust against considerable disorder. Our work opens a new avenue for the future exploration of time boundaries and spatiotemporal lattices, as well as their interplay with non-Hermiticity and many-body interactions.

In this paper, a velocity estimation-based adaptive dynamic surface asymptotic tracking control strategy for electro-hydraulic actuator (EHA) systems subjected to uncertainties and unmeasurable velocity is proposed. Firstly, an accurate velocity signal is estimated by constructing a new state observer, reducing the influence of measurement noise, system cost, and installation complexity. Moreover, the observer's robust gain is updated by an adaptive law, reducing the conservativeness of its selection. Then, a continuous friction model based on the desired velocity signal is used for feedforward compensation to alleviate the negative effect of estimation noise. Moreover, the adaptive dynamic surface control (ADSC) technique is incorporated to avoid "complexity explosion" and eliminate filtering errors via adaptive terms. Finally, the asymptotical stability of the closed-loop system is theoretically proved via Lyapunov analysis, while the efficacy of the proposed control strategy is experimentally validated and numerically verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) are one of the most prospective candidates for photocatalytic CO2reduction, but their photocatalytic performances are far from satisfactory due to structural instability and severe charge recombination. In this study, we demonstrated a CsPbBr3QDs/In2O3hierarchical nanotube (CPB/IO) for efficient CO2conversion, in which CsPbBr3QDs were well-dispersed on the In-MOF-derived In2O3nanotube by a facile self-assembly process. The optimized CPB/IO catalyst displayed an enhanced photocatalytic CO2performance with a (CO + CH4) generation rate of 16.37 μmol·g–1·h–1upon simulated solar illumination without a photosensitizer and sacrificial agent, which is 3.59 times stronger than that of pristine CsPbBr3QDs (4.56 μmol·g–1·h–1). Besides, the modified CsPbBr3QD catalyst exhibited an obvious increase of CH4selectivity and excellent stability after four cycles. The unique zero-dimensional (0D)/one-dimensional (1D) heterostructure and matching band potentials between CsPbBr3and In2O3supply an intimate interfacial contact, numerous active sites, and effective charge transfer for CO2photoreduction. This work can inspire the formation of novel halide-perovskite-involving photocatalysts for solar fuel formation.

Internal solitary waves (ISWs) contain great energy and have the characteristics of emergency and concealment. To avoid their damage to offshore engineering, a new generation of monitoring and early warning system for ISWs was developed using technologies of double buoys monitoring, intelligent real-time data transmission, and automatic software identification. The system was applied to the second natural gas hydrates (NGHs) production test in the Shenhu Area, South China Sea (SCS) and successfully provided the early warning of ISWs for 173 days (from October 2019 to April 2020). The abrupt changes in the thrust force of the drilling platform under the attack of ISWs were consistent with the early warning information, proving the reliability of this system. A total of 93 ISWs were detected around the drilling platform. Most of them occurred during the spring tides in October–December 2019 and April 2020, while few of them occurred in winter. As suggested by the theoretical model, the full-depth structure of ISWs was a typical current profile of mode-1, and the velocities of wave-induced currents can reach 80 cm/s and 30 cm/s, respectively, in the upper ocean and near the seabed. The ISWs may be primarily generated from the interactions between the topography and semidiurnal tides in the Luzon Strait, and then propagate westward to the drilling platform. This study could serve as an important reference for the early warning of ISWs for offshore engineering construction in the future.

In this study, visible-light-responsive carbon dots (CDs)/ZnIn2S4@MIL-88A (C/ZI@ML) photocatalysts were successfully prepared through in situloading CDs and ZnIn2S4nanosheets on MIL-88A(Fe) to form a ternary heterojunction. The detailed characterization indicated that the two-dimensional ZnIn2S4nanosheets were uniformly coated on the surface of MIL-88A(Fe), and ZnIn2S4/MIL-88A(Fe) exhibited enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production performance (1259.63 μmol h–1g–1) compared to that of pristine MIL-88A(Fe) and ZnIn2S4under visible light illumination. After introduction of CDs into ZnIn2S4/MIL-88A(Fe), the C/ZI@ML catalyst remarkably enhanced the photocatalytic activity and the hydrogen evolution rate of 1C/ZI@ML was up to 3609.23 μmol g–1h–1. The photoinduced charge carriers of C/ZI@ML can be efficiently separated and migrated because of the close contacted interface, synergistic effect, and suitable band structure. In combination with photoelectrochemical experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance spectra, a possible photocatalytic mechanism over C/ZI@ML was proposed. This work demonstrated a facile preparation method for fabricating efficient visible-light-driven heterojunction photocatalysts.

Plant architecture and leaf color are important factors influencing cotton fiber yield. In this study, based on genetic analysis, stem paraffin sectioning, and phytohormone treatments, we showed that the dwarf-red (DR) cotton mutant is a gibberellin-sensitive mutant caused by a mutation in a single dominant locus, designated GhDR. Using bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and genotyping by target sequencing (GBTS) approaches, we located the causative mutation to a ~197-kb genetic interval on chromosome A09 containing 25 annotated genes. Based on gene annotation and expression changes between the mutant and normal plants, GH_A09G2280was considered to be the best candidate gene responsible for the dwarf and red mutant phenotypes. A 2-nucleotide deletion was found in the coding region of GhDR/GH_A09G2280in the DRmutant, which caused a frameshift and truncation of GhDR. GhDRis a homolog of Arabidopsis AtBBX24, and encodes a B-box zinc finger protein. The frameshift deletion eliminated the C-terminal nuclear localization domain and the VP domain of GhDR, and altered its subcellular localization. A comparative transcriptome analysis demonstrated downregulation of the key genes involved in gibberellin biosynthesis and the signaling transduction network, as well as upregulation of the genes related to gibberellin degradation and the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway in the DRmutant. The results of this study revealed the potential molecular basis by which plant architecture and anthocyanin accumulation are regulated in cotton.

Jarosite residues, rich in iron and zinc as well as heavy metals such as As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, is a typical hazardous waste, resourceful but hazardous. Here, a novel and short process for directly recovering iron from jarosite residues by slurry electrolysis is put forward. The results show that metallic iron could be recovered in the cathode with a recovery efficiency of 69.95% under the conditions of pulp density of 70g/L, pH value of 2.0, 1mol/L Fe2+, 30mA/cm2and 8h. Meanwhile, the recovery rates of Zn, As, Cd, Cu, Mn and Pb are respectively 27.49%, 20.99%, 52.20%, 41.18%, 36.18% and 22.95%. After slurry electrolysis, its heavy metal leaching toxicity are lower than the limits specified in GB5085.3 and TCLP. Heavy metals in the anode residues after slurry electrolysis are mainly in the residual state, higher than 90%, and its bioavailability is greatly improved. During the slurry electrolysis, Fe-(OH)-O bond of the [(OH,Fe3+)(SO4)2] octahedral in the crystal structure of NH4Fe3(SO4)2(OH)6octahedral are partly destroyed, and Fe3+is released from the crystal lattice, migrated to the cathode and reduced to metallic iron. While ZnFe2O4hardly dissolves due to its stable spinel structure, resulting a lower iron recovery rate.

ABSTRACTGlaciers in the Pamir are the water tower of arid Central Asia, and more than 50 million people depend on meltwater from them. Many studies have reported glacier changes in the Pamir, but the glacier inventories employed in the previous investigations are both outdated and lack comparability. In this study, we present a new multitemporal glacier inventory for the Pamir based primarily on the Landsat ETM+/OLI scenes from the period around 2000 and 2017. Glacier outlines in 2000 and 2017 were delineated manually using Landsat images, SRTM digital elevation model (DEM), and high-resolution Google Earth images, using the same criteria and methods. We mapped 12,186 glaciers covering 10,396.20 ± 421.16 km2in 2017 for the Pamir and demonstrated that the Pamir lost 124.28 ± 81.33 km2of its glacier areas with a shrinkage rate of 1.17 ± 0.77 percent or 0.07 ± 0.05 percent·a−1from 2000 to 2017. Based on the new inventories and the existing elevation change data sets of High Mountain Asia (HMA) from 2000 to 2016, we calculated a weaker glacier mass loss of −0.05 ± 0.06 m w.e. a−1. Spatial heterogeneity of glacier changes has been found in both the area and mass balance, but our results still suggest that the Pamir glaciers changed slightly since 2000.

Developing efficient catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and pollutant degradation is a promising approach to address energy and environmental pollution issues. S-scheme heterojunctions exhibit strong redox capabilities and rapid charge separation rates, presenting enormous potential in realizing such dual-functional reaction systems. In this paper, the core-shell Cu2-xS@Zn0.5Cd0.5S (Cu2-xS@CZS) with S-scheme heterojunction was constructed by traditional hydrothermal reaction. The hydrogen production rate of Cu2-xS@CZS-2 is the best (20.73 mmol g−1h−1), which is 692 times and 4.82 times that of pure Cu2-xS and Zn0.5Cd0.5S. Furthermore, Cu2-xS@CZS-2 catalyst achieved a removal efficiency of 98.1 % for TC within 180 minutes under visible light. This study demonstrates a transition metal sulfide photocatalyst capable of efficiently harnessing solar energy for the production of clean energy and the remediation of water environments.

The environmental effects of Fe/Mn modification on antibiotic adsorption by amphoteric clay was explored using dodecyl dimethyl betaine (BS)-modified diatomite (D) and bentonite (B), which were prepared with the wet method and named BS-12 modified D (BS-D) and BS-B, respectively. Then, Fe-BS-D, Mn-BS-D, Fe/Mn-BS-D, Fe-BS-B, Mn-BS-B, and Fe/Mn-BS-B were prepared by modifying BS-D and BS-B with Fe2+(prepared with FeSO4·7H2O) and Mn2+(prepared with MnSO4·H2O). With D and B as controls, the environmental effects of different modified clays on the adsorption of chlortetracycline (CTC), oxytetracycline (OTC), and tetracycline (TC) were studied using the batch method, and the isothermal and thermodynamic characteristics of different modified clays for antibiotic adsorption were compared under optimum environmental conditions. The following results were obtained: (1) When the pH changed from 1 to 9, the amount of antibiotics adsorbed by each test sample increased first and then decreased, and the maximum amount was obtained at pH 5. With the increase in ionic strength, the amount of antibiotics adsorbed by each test sample decreased in a range of 0.01–0.5 mol/L. (2) The amount of adsorbed antibiotics in each test sample showed a positive temperature effect in a range of 10°C–40°C. The adsorption of antibiotics on different tested samples was spontaneous, endothermic, and entropy increasing. (3) The adsorption of TC, CTC, and OTC by the tested samples was described well by the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption amount of antibiotics was in the range of 1.86–30.26 mol/kg, and ranked in the order of OTC > CTC > TC. (4) The pH of materials played a key role in the determination of the adsorption effect of antibiotics on different tested samples.

The von Willebrand factor (VWF) propeptide (domains D1D2) is essential for the assembly of VWF multimers and its tubular storage in Weibel-Palade bodies. However, detailed molecular mechanism underlying this propeptide dependence is unclear. Here, we prepared Weibel-Palade body-like tubules using the N-terminal fragment of VWF and solved the cryo-electron microscopy structures of the tubule at atomic resolution. Detailed structural and biochemical analysis indicate that the propeptide forms a homodimer at acidic pH through the D2:D2 binding interface and then recruits 2 D’D3 domains, forming an intertwined D1D2D’D3 homodimer in essence. Stacking of these homodimers by the intermolecular D1:D2 interfaces brings 2 D3 domains face-to-face and facilitates their disulfide linkages and multimerization of VWF. Sequential stacking of these homodimers leads to a right-hand helical tubule for VWF storage. The clinically identified VWF mutations in the propeptide disrupted different steps of the assembling process, leading to diminished VWF multimers in von Willebrand diseases (VWD). Overall, these results indicate that the propeptide serves as a pH-sensing template for VWF multimerization and tubular storage. This sheds light on delivering normal propeptide as a template to rectify the defects in multimerization of VWD mutants.

An effective rhodium(III) catalysis for the construction of valuable tetracyclic compounds is described herein. This domino process involving the C–H activation/[3 + 2] annulation/intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction sequences of simple and readily available N-Boc hydrazones and propargylic monofluoroalkynes afforded fused tetracyclic spiro[cyclobutane-1,9′-indeno[1,2-a]indenes] in moderate to good yields, featuring three C–C bond formation. Moreover, control experiments indicated that the C–H activation might be involved in the rate-determining step.

The distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) uses a single optical cable as the sensing unit, which can capture the acoustic and vibration signals along the optical cable in real-time. So it is suitable for monitoring downhole production activities in the process of oil and gas development. The authors applied the DAS system in a gas production well in the South China Sea for in situmonitoring of the whole wellbore for the first time and obtained the distributed acoustic signals along the whole wellbore. These signals can clearly distinguish the vertical section, curve section, and horizontal production section. The collected acoustic signal with the frequency of approximately 50 Hz caused by the electric submersible pump exhibit a signal-to-noise ratio higher than 27 dB. By analyzing the acoustic signals in the production section, it can be located the layers with high gas production rates. Once an accurate physical model is built in the future, the gas production profile will be obtained. In addition, the DAS system can track the trajectory of downhole tools in the wellbore to guide the operation. Through the velocity analysis of the typical signals, the type of fluids in the wellbore can be distinguished. The successful application of the system provides a promising whole wellbore acoustic monitoring tool for the production of marine gas hydrate, with a good application prospect.

Natural gas hydrates (NGHs) are a new type of clean energy with great development potential. However, it is urgent to achieve safe and economical NGHs development and utilization. This study established a physical model of the study area using the FLAC3Dsoftware based on the key parameters of the NGHs production test area in the South China Sea, including the depressurization method, and mechanical parameters of strata, NGHs occurrence characteristics, and the technological characteristics of horizontal wells. Moreover, this study explored the law of influences of the NGHs dissociation range on the stability of the overburden strata and the casing structure of a horizontal well. The results are as follows. With the dissociation of NGHs, the overburden strata of the NGHs dissociation zone subsided and formed funnel-shaped zones and then gradually stabilized. However, the upper interface of the NGHs dissociation zone showed significant redistribution and discontinuity of stress. Specifically, distinct stress concentration and corresponding large deformation occurred in the build-up section of the horizontal well, which was thus prone to suffering shear failure. Moreover, apparent end effects occurred at the end of the horizontal well section and might cause the deformation and failure of the casing structure. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures in the build-up section and at the end of the horizontal section of the horizontal well to prevent damage and ensure the wellbore safety in the long-term NGHs exploitation.

Natural gas hydrates (NGHs) are globally recognized as an important type of strategic alternative energy due to their high combustion efficiency, cleanness, and large amounts of resources. The NGHs reservoirs in the South China Sea (SCS) mainly consist of clayey silts. NGHs reservoirs of this type boast the largest distribution range and the highest percentage of resources among NGHs reservoirs in the world. However, they are more difficult to exploit than sandy reservoirs. The China Geological Survey successfully carried out two NGHs production tests in the Shenhu Area in the northern SCS in 2017 and 2020, setting multiple world records, such as the longest gas production time, the highest total gas production, and the highest average daily gas production, as well as achieving a series of innovative theoretical results. As suggested by the in-depth research on the two production tests, key factors that restrict the gas production efficiency of hydrate dissociation include reservoir structure characterization, hydrate phase transition, multiphase seepage and permeability enhancement, and the simulation and regulation of production capacity, among which the hydrate phase transition and seepage mechanism are crucial. Study results reveal that the hydrate phase transition in the SCS is characterized by low dissociation temperature, is prone to produce secondary hydrates in the reservoirs, and is a complex process under the combined effects of the seepage, stress, temperature, and chemical fields. The multiphase seepage is controlled by multiple factors such as the physical properties of unconsolidated reservoirs, the hydrate phase transition, and exploitation methods and is characterized by strong methane adsorption, abrupt changes in absolute permeability, and the weak flow capacity of gas. To ensure the long-term, stable, and efficient NGHs exploitation in the SCS, it is necessary to further enhance the reservoir seepage capacity and increase gas production through secondary reservoir stimulation based on initial reservoir stimulation. With the constant progress in the NGHs industrialization, great efforts should be made to tackle the difficulties, such as determining the micro-change in temperature and pressure, the response mechanisms of material-energy exchange, the methods for efficient NGHs dissociation, and the boundary conditions for the formation of secondary hydrates in the large-scale, long-term gas production.

Sperm motility can be enhanced by adding ATP exogenously during in vitrofertilization. However, administering exogenous ATP to the testis to improve sperm motility for in vivoasthenozoospermia treatment has not been investigated yet. Inspired by the recent advances in nanomedicine, we investigated whether the capability of drug delivery nanocarriers to traverse the blood–testis barrier (BTB) can facilitate ATP-dependent asthenozoospermia treatment. We found that the human H-ferritin (HFn) nanocarrier possesses the capability to traverse the BTB and specifically targets the head of elongated sperm cells. Specifically, the HFn nanocarrier traversed the BTB and accumulated in the sperm heads by binding with the HFn receptor (HFR), whose expression was relatively low in Sertoli cells but high in sperm heads. In a gossypol-induced mouse asthenozoospermia model, the administration of an ATP-loaded HFn nanocage through a tail vein injection significantly improved sperm motility. Moreover, the HFn nanocarrier was not toxic to mice in the short (1d) and long terms (30d, 90d) nor did it affect their reproductive health. Thus, the ATP-loaded HFn nanocarrier can potentially serve as a drug-delivery system for treating asthenozoospermia.

Photocatalytic CO2reduction to carbon fuels is regarded as an ideal and sustainable way to provide clean energy and solve environmental crisis. Herein, a p–n Co3O4/TiO2heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized by one-step pyrolysis of self-assembly ZIF-67/MIL-125, which was used in photocatalytic CO2reduction for the first time. Co3O4nanocages were highly dispersed on the surface of TiO2nanoplates with an intimate contact. The optimal Co3O4/TiO2exhibited a significantly enhanced CO evolution rate of 1256 μmol g–1h–1under simulated solar light, which was 2.4 times higher than that of pure Co3O4. The high photocatalytic performance of Co3O4/TiO2was attributed to its enriched active sites and formed p–n heterojunctions. According to the electrocatalytic measurements, the possible mechanism and photoinduced charge transfer process were discussed in detail. We believe that this research provides a facile and efficient approach to fabricate MOF-derived heterojunction photocatalysts for CO2reduction.

High wear resistance, low cytotoxicity and excellent antibacterial properties are the basis for osseointegration of implant materials. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been considered as a potential implant material due to its excellent biocompatibility, natural radiolucency and mechanical properties. In this work, to improve the wear resistance, cytotoxicity and antibacterial properties of PEEK, carbon fiber (CFR) and Black Phosphorus (BP) were used to synergistically modify PEEK by two methods, deposition of BP coating on CFR-PEEK and BP/CFR-PEEK coating on Ti6Al4V (TC4) through electrostatic spraying. After CFR and BP synergistically modified PEEK, the friction coefficient of BP coating on CFR-PEEK and BP/CFR-PEEK coating were 0.14 ± 0.01 and 0.09 ± 0.02, respectively. The wear volume of BP coating on CFR-PEEK (30.54 ± 1.32) was higher than that of BP/CFR-PEEK coating (9.46 ± 1.32), which indicated that BP/CFR-PEEK coating showed high wear resistance. The difference in wear resistance may be caused by the fact that BP was not easily oxidized in BP/CFR-PEEK coating. In addition, BP coating on CFR-PEEK and BP/CFR-PEEK coating showed no obvious cytotoxicity to L929 cell and presented excellent antibacterial efficiency (up to 94.5% ± 2.8% and 96.0% ± 3.8%, respectively) against Staphylococcusaureus(S. aureus). It was concluded that BP/CFR-PEEK coating exhibited high wear resistance, low cytotoxicity and excellent antibacterial properties against S. aureus, which might provide a foundation for osseointegration of implants.

A superabsorbent polymer (SAP) was synthesized by solution polymerization. The influence of synthesis technology was studied and optimized, and FTIR, SEM, and TGA were used to characterize the structure and morphology of the material. Under the optimal synthesis conditions, the water absorption of the material can achieve about 80% of the saturation value in the first 20 min, and the material absorbs distilled water up to 2013 g/g. The SAP also has remarkable water retention and reswelling capability. The excellent performance makes it have a promising application in agriculture. In addition, the results show that the dosage of the reaction medium is a major factor for performance. Under the condition of the optimum value of other factors, the influence of the dosage of the reaction medium on water absorption can reach about 1000 g in distilled water.

•There are differences among various riadiotherapy techniques in breast cancer.•The h-IMRT offers more advantages over the VMAT in term of various dosimetric parameters.•h-IMRT is more suitable for HF-WBI of early-stage BC following BCS compared with VMAT.

The photocatalytic conversion of organic wastewater into value-added chemicals is a promising strategy to solve the environmental issue and energy crisis. Herein, Co/In2O3nanotubes with a double-shell structure, as a highly efficient photocatalyst, are synthesized by a one-step calcination method. The Co/In2O3heterostructure shows an outstanding photocatalytic CO2reduction performance of 4902 μmol h–1g–1. Notably, these Co/In2O3photocatalysts also achieve CO2self-generation and in situreduction conversion in acid organic wastewater (phenol solution), in which the high CO2(47.5 μmol h–1g–1) and CO (0.9 μmol h–1g–1) evolution rates are demonstrated under solar irradiation. Transient photovoltage (TPV) tests demonstrate that Co nanoparticles on Co/In2O3double-shell heterostructure serve as the CO2reduction sites for the effective capture and stabilization of the photogenerated electrons.

A rational design of a novel ternary-shelled nanotube is attractive in photocatalytic water splitting. Herein, ZnIn2S4nanosheets were in situgrown on the surface of MIL-88A-derived Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide (LDH) to fabricate ternary-shelled nanotubes (ZIS@Ni–Fe LDH) viaa self-assembly strategy. Characterization indicates that the ZIS@Ni–Fe LDH heterostructure exhibits a high surface area and a well-defined ternary-shelled hollow structure. The optimal heterostructure presents a remarkably improved photocatalytic hydrogen production rate (2035.81 μmol g–1h–1) compared with bare ZnIn2S4and MIL-88A-derived Ni–Fe LDH under visible light illumination. The effect of ZnIn2S4loading on the photocatalytic performance and stability of ZIS@Ni–Fe LDH is systematically studied. The ZIS@Ni–Fe LDH heterostructure can make better use of the inner space, provide abundant reactive sites, improve light harvesting, accelerate interfacial electron transfer, and further promote photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Based on the electrocatalytic performance, the probable photocatalytic mechanism and the electron transfer pathway can be proposed. Our work provides a facile and efficient strategy to construct ternary-shelled heterojunction photocatalysts.

Photocatalytic CO2reduction into renewable fuels by sustainable and clean solar energy can be considered as an ideal option to decrease the atmospheric CO2level and fulfill the energy requirements. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with high surface area, tunable composition as well as exposed active sites have received enormous attention for photocatalytic CO2reduction. Herein, a novel NiAl-LDH/Ti3C2Txnanosheet (NiAl-LDH/TNS) with a core–shell structure was synthesized via an in situ hydrothermal method, and 2D NiAl-LDH coupled with the 2D Ti3C2Txnanosheet to form a Schottky junction can suppress the back-diffusion of electrons and facilitate the transfer of charge carriers. Benefiting from the feature, the optimized sample with the additive Ti3C2Txamount of 75 mg (NiAl-LDH/TNS-75) has the photocatalytic CO2reduction conversion rate of CO (2128.46 μmol h–1g–1) with the selectivity of CO (90.2%) under visible-light irradiation, which is about 8.6 times higher than that of pristine NiAl-LDH. This work provides a new insight into the construction of novel 2D semiconductor photocatalysts.

ABSTRACTProblem and aimThe overexpression of MAP17 has been reported in various human carcinomas. However, its molecular mechanism in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been fully understood. Our study aimed to reveal the molecular mechanism of NSCLC that involved MAP17 and identify its target miRNA.MethodsRT-qPCR and immunoblot assays were conducted to measure the expression of mRNA and protein in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Meanwhile, the A549 cells (an NSCLC cell line) were randomly assigned to the MAP17 overexpression group, the MAP17 knockdown group and negative control group to study the roles of MAP17 in cell viability, cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis by performing Trypan blue exclusion, MTT, colony formation, transwell, wound healing and flow-cytometric apoptosis assays. The luciferase reporter assay was conducted to confirm the target relationship between MAP17 and miR-27a-3p.ResultsThe upregulation of MAP17 mRNA and protein was observed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. In vitro, the positive roles of MAP17 on cell viability, migration, and invasion were confirmed in A549 cells. It was also found that MAP17 could inhibit cell apoptosis by suppressing the activation of the p38 pathway. This research eventually proved the target relationship between MAP17 and miR-27a-3p, and that miR-27a-3p reversed the effects of MAP17 in A549 cells by directly targeting MAP17.ConclusionsMAP17 plays an oncogenic role in NSCLC by suppressing the activation of the p38 pathway. Apart from that, the miR-27a-3p can inhibit the expression of MAP17 to suppress the NSCLC progression.

Acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), such as erlotinib, remains a major challenge in the targeted therapy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). HKB99 is a novel allosteric inhibitor of phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1) that preferentially suppresses cell proliferation and induces more apoptosis in acquired erlotinib-resistant HCC827ER cells compared with its parental HCC827 cells. In this study we identified the molecular biomarkers for HKB99 response in erlotinib-resistant HCC827ER cells. We showed that HCC827ER cells displayed enhanced invasive pseudopodia structures as well as downregulated plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2). Meanwhile, PAI-2 knockdown by siPAI-2 candidates decreased the sensitivity of HCC827 parental cells to erlotinib. Moreover, HKB99 (5?µM) preferentially inhibited the invasive pseudopodia formation and increased the level of PAI-2 in HCC827ER cells. Collectively, this study provides new insight into the role of PAI-2 in regulating the sensitivity of erlotinib resistant NSCLC cells to PGAM1 inhibitor. Furthermore, PAI-2 level might be considered as a potential biomarker for predicting the efficacy of the PGAM1 allosteric inhibitor on the erlotinib resistant NSCLC cells.

ABSTRACTSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease involving multiple organs. However, the underlying etiology and mechanisms remain unclear. This study was performed to identify potential therapeutic targets for SLE using bioinformatics methods. First, 584 differentially expressed genes were identified based on the GSE61635 dataset. Tissue-specific analyses, enrichment analyses, and Protein–Protein interaction network were successively conducted. Furthermore, ELISA was performed to confirm the expression levels of key genes in the control and SLE blood samples. The findings revealed that tissue-specific expression of markers of the hematological system (25.5%, 28/110) varied significantly. CCL2, MMP9, and RSAD2expression was markedly increased in the SLE samples compared with controls. In conclusion, the identified key genes (CCL2, MMP9, and RSAD2) may act as possible therapeutic targets for the treatment of SLE.

p53 is the most intensively studied tumour suppressor1. The regulation of p53 homeostasis is essential for its tumour-suppressive function2,3. Although p53 is regulated by an array of post-translational modifications, both during normal homeostasis and in stress-induced responses2–4, how p53 maintains its homeostasis remains unclear. UFMylation is a recently identified ubiquitin-like modification with essential biological functions5–7. Deficiency in this modification leads to embryonic lethality in mice and disease in humans8–12. Here, we report that p53 can be covalently modified by UFM1 and that this modification stabilizes p53 by antagonizing its ubiquitination and proteasome degradation. Mechanistically, UFL1, the UFM1 ligase6, competes with MDM2 to bind to p53 for its stabilization. Depletion of UFL1 or DDRGK1, the critical regulator of UFMylation6,13, decreases p53 stability and in turn promotes cell growth and tumour formation in vivo. Clinically, UFL1 and DDRGK1 expression are downregulated and positively correlated with levels of p53 in a high percentage of renal cell carcinomas. Our results identify UFMylation as a crucial post-translational modification for maintenance of p53 stability and tumour-suppressive function, and point to UFMylation as a promising therapeutic target in cancer.

ABSTRACTThis case represents aesthetic restoration by full-contour monolithic zirconia crowns without porcelain veneer via a completely digital workflow. Virtual prostheses were designed following intraoral scanning and digital smile design (DSD) process. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-based provisional restorations were used and adjusted as guide for aesthetic and occlusal evaluation. Definite self-glazed zirconia crowns were delivered by superimposing the abutment teeth and modified temporary crowns in situ. Such novel zirconia crowns were formed by net-shape manufacturing process following biogeneric copying of the provisional crowns. The restorations represented functionally tailored hierarchical structures exhibiting superior smoothness on the surface without conventional manual work of grinding, polishing and veneering. The application of full-contour monolithic zirconia restorations in the anterior region via a completely digital workflow indicates a reliable treatment option.

Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) play an essential role in periodontal tissue repair. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been used in the clinical treatment of periodontal disease. However, studies have shown that bFGF inhibits the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs, which is not conducive to alveolar bone repair. Sulfonated chitosan oligosaccharide (SCOS), a heparan‐like compound, can maintain the conformation of bFGF and promote its proliferation activity. This study investigated the effects of bFGF in combination with SCOS on the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. hPDLSCs were isolated from healthy human periodontal ligament and identified by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. The affinity between SCOS and bFGF was analyzed by surface plasmon resonance. Changes in osteogenic differentiation by combination of bFGF with SCOS were analyzed by alkaline phosphatase activity assay, Sirius Red staining, and Alizarin Red staining. Expression of genes and proteins was investigated by western blotting and reverse transcription‐quantitative PCR. Extracted hPDLSCs were mesenchymal stem cells with pluripotent differentiation potential. SCOS exhibited an affinity for bFGF. bFGF (20 ng/mL) promoted the proliferation of hPDLSCs, but inhibited their osteogenic differentiation. SCOS alleviated the inhibitory effect of bFGF on the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. SCOS can reduce the inhibitory effect of bFGF on the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. This study provides evidence for the clinical use of bFGF to repair periodontal tissue.

Clayey silt reservoirs bearing natural gas hydrates (NGH) are considered to be the hydrate-bearing reservoirs that boast the highest reserves but tend to be the most difficult to exploit. They are proved to be exploitable by the first NGH production test conducted in the South China Sea in 2017. Based on the understanding of the first production test, the China Geological Survey determined the optimal target NGH reservoirs for production test and conducted a detailed assessment, numerical and experimental simulation, and onshore testing of the reservoirs. After that, it conducted the second offshore NGH production test in 1225 m deep Shenhu Area, South China Sea (also referred to as the second production test) from October 2019 to April 2020. During the second production test, a series of technical challenges of drilling horizontal wells in shallow soft strata in deep sea were met, including wellhead stability, directional drilling of a horizontal well, reservoir stimulation and sand control, and accurate depressurization. As a result, 30 days of continuous gas production was achieved, with a cumulative gas production of 86.14 ×104m3. Thus, the average daily gas production is 2.87 ×104m3, which is 5.57 times as much as that obtained in the first production test. Therefore, both the cumulative gas production and the daily gas production were highly improved compared to the first production test. As indicated by the monitoring results of the second production test, there was no anomaly in methane content in the seafloor, seawater, and atmosphere throughout the whole production test. This successful production test further indicates that safe and effective NGH exploitation is feasible in clayey silt NGH reservoirs. The industrialization of hydrates consists of five stages in general, namely theoretical research and simulation experiments, exploratory production test, experimental production test, productive production test, and commercial production. The second production test serves as an important step from the exploratory production test to experimental production test.

How to further improve the thermoelectric performance in Cu3SbSe4-based materials after optimizing its carrier concentration is a difficult issue. The present study attempts to address the issue by investigating thermoelectric performance of Cu3SbSe4after Sn and La codoping, and all the samples were obtained by using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis method followed with the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. First, a series of Cu3Sb1–xSnxSe4(x= 0–0.03) compounds have been synthesized, and the hole carrier concentration obviously increased with increasing the Sn content. In addition, La doping subsequently was employed to the Cu3Sb0.98Sn0.02Se4sample to further increase its power factor by band flattening, resulting in a typical high power factor of 1156.5 μWm–1K–2and zTof 0.67 in Cu3Sb0.92Sn0.02La0.06Se4at 623 K. Our study provides a novel methodology through regulating its carrier concentration and band structure for designing high thermoelectric performance Cu3SbSe4-based materials.

The efficient conversion of CO2into hydrocarbon fuels (CH4) with high selectivity is considered as a great challenge in photocatalysis owing to the multiple-electron transfer pathway and competitive H2generation. Herein, we developed carbon dots (CDs)-modulated S-scheme heterojunction of CDs/NiAl-LDH@In2O3(C-DH@IN) through a facile in-situhydrothermal method. Thanks to the multi-shell nanotube structure, the C-DH@IN shows an enhanced CH4evolution rate of 10.67 μmol h−1g−1and higher selectivity of CH4(85.70%) compared with In2O3and NiAl-LDH@In2O3binary catalyst in the pure water without sacrificial agent. Electron spin resonance (ESR) and in situFourier transform infrared spectra verify that the constructed S-scheme heterojunction can possess the strong redox capability and the HCOO−and CH3O−as critical intermediates play an important role in selective CO2reduction to generate CH4. Furthermore, CDs with superior photoabsorption can boost the electron transfer and absorb H+, thus improving the integration of H+and CO2molecule. Therefore, this work emphasizes a facile strategy to achieve efficient CO2-to-CH4conversion based on construction of CDs-based heterojunction catalysts.

Developing an efficient photocatalyst for CO2conversion to chemical fuels that maximizes the utilization of solar energy, particularly near-infrared light, remains a persistent challenge. Meanwhile, it is difficult to suppress the H2evolution during the photocatalytic process. Herein, Cu/C@Bi/C grafted on the surface of 3D g-C3N4(NCN) can serve as a highly durable and active catalyst for photothermal synergistic catalytic CO2reduction under full-spectrum solar irradiation in solid-liquid-gas three-phase interfaces, wherein the Cu/C@Bi/C serves as a harvesting-near-infrared light nanoreactor and an electron transport bridge for the enhancement of the interface local temperature and the efficient transfer of photoinduced electrons. As a result, the hybrid catalyst shows excellent photothermal catalytic activity of CO2to CO (169.26 μmol·g−1·h−1) and CO2to CH4(1.94 μmol·g−1·h−1), outperforming the majority of the conventional photocatalysts, whereas the competitive reaction of H2evolution can be inhibited. This study presents a feasible approach for the efficient utilization of solar energy by harnessing near-infrared light through nano-reactors, thereby providing a viable strategy for photothermal catalytic CO2reduction.

PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade immunotherapy has gained approval for the treatment of a diverse range of tumors; however, its efficacy is constrained by the insufficient infiltration of T lymphocytes into the tumor microenvironment, resulting in suboptimal patient responses. Here, a pioneering immunotherapy ferritin nanodrug delivery system denoted as ITFn‐Pt(IV) is introduced. This system orchestrates a synergistic fusion of PD‐L1 blockade, chemotherapy, and T‐cell activation, aiming to augment the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy. Leveraging genetic engineering approach and temperature‐regulated channel‐based drug loading techniques, the architecture of this intelligent responsive system is refined. It is adept at facilitating the precise release of T‐cell activating peptide Tα1 in the tumor milieu, leading to an elevation in T‐cell proliferation and activation. The integration of PD‐L1 nanobody KN035 ensures targeted engagement with tumor cells and mediates the intracellular delivery of the encapsulated Pt(IV) drugs, culminating in immunogenic cell death and the subsequent dendritic cell maturation. Employing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) as tumor model, the potent antitumor efficacy of ITFn‐Pt(IV) is elucidated, underscored by augmented T‐cell infiltration devoid of systemic adverse effects. These findings accentuate the potential of ITFn‐Pt(IV) for ESCC treatment and its applicability to other malignancies resistant to established PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade therapies. The ITFn‐Pt(IV) immunotherapy system, integrating PD‐L1 blockade, chemotherapy, and T‐cell activation, aims to enhance tumor immunotherapy efficacy. Using genetic engineering and temperature‐regulated drug loading, it precisely releases T‐cell activating peptides and delivers Pt(IV) drugs, targeting tumor cells effectively. Proven in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, it significantly increases T‐cell infiltration, demonstrating potential for treating malignancies resistant to conventional PD‐1/PD‐L1 therapies.

BackgroundWith the rapid development of higher education in China and the continuous expansion of enrollment in universities, the number of college graduates is rapidly increasing, and the employment situation is severe. Employment anxiety among college students not only affects their physical and mental health but also leads to difficulties in finding employment and social problems. In response to this situation, we aim to alleviate the employment anxiety of college students from the perspective of the development of innovation and entrepreneurship education.Subjects and MethodsTaking college students as the research object, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey method was used to explore the impact and mechanism of innovation and entrepreneurship education development on employment anxiety. The development of innovation and entrepreneurship education intervenes with high employment anxiety among college students and tests its effectiveness.ResultsThe overall employment anxiety of college students is at a moderate to high level, with a mean of 2.66 and a standard deviation of 0.63. The employment anxiety of students after innovation and entrepreneurship education was significantly lower than before intervention, P<0.001. The employment anxiety value of the post-test intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group, with F=12.046, P<0.001.ConclusionsInterventions in innovation and entrepreneurship education have a significant effect on alleviating employment anxiety among college students, and this effect can be maintained within a month.

A hybrid silica monolith containing vinyl groups was synthesized by a sol–gel method, and then ground and treated, yielding silica particles with a 3–5 μm particle size and a 10–20 nm pore size. Cellulose derivatives containing 3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate groups and methacrylate groups regioselectively were then immobilized onto the surface of the above particles by the thiol–ene click reaction using an alkanedithiol as the crosslinking agent, thus forming a solvent-resisting crosslinked network structure attached onto the surface of the particles. The immobilization degree was more than 80%, and the back pressure of the chiral stationary phase (CSP) packed column was relatively low and was maintained at around 3.0 MPa. The as-prepared CSPs were shown to be able to effectively separate various enantiomers with different mobile phases.