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Problematic use of mobile phones (PMPU) has been described as a serious public health issue. This study was a parallel three-arm randomized controlled trial and has completed registration (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05843591). Ninety college students with PMPU were randomly assigned to the aerobic exercise group (AE group, n = 30), the Tai Chi Chuan group (TCC group, n = 30), or the wait-list control group (WLC group, n = 30). At the end of the intervention, stool samples from the study participants were collected for biological analysis based on 16 S rDNA amplicon sequencing technology. The primary outcome was addiction symptoms assessed by the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV). The secondary outcomes are emotional symptoms, physical symptoms, and flora species. Compared with the WLC group, the AE and TCC groups showed reductions in PMPU levels, physical and mental fatigue, but there was no difference between the two groups. Moreover, the effect of increasing self-esteem embodied in the TCC group was not present in the AE group. Compared to the WLC group, the relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae and Bacteroides were lower in the AE group, while the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae and Alistipes were lower in the TCC group. And the relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae , Bacteroides , and Alistipes were significantly and negatively correlated with the decline in PMPU scores. AE or TCC is an effective, safe and efficient intervention for college students with PMPU, providing some physiological and psychological benefits and having some impact on their intestinal flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, MgGeO 3 :Pr3+ system is prepared by high-temperature solid phase method under the condition of different temperature and Pr content. MgGeO 3 :Pr3+ could emit 622 nm (red), 716 nm (red), 903 nm (NIR) and 1081 nm (NIR) lights under the external excitation of 251 nm and 425–500 nm. Due to the different excitation wavelengths, MgGeO 3 :Pr3+ has completely different electronic transition paths, resulting in a much larger emission intensity under 251 nm excitation than that excited by 425∼500 nm. When the incident light wavelength is 251 nm, the excitation process is VB→1D 2 level of Pr3+, and the emission is due to transition of 1D 2 →3H 4 , 1D 2 →3H 5 , 1D 2 →3H 6 (3F 2) and 1D 2 →3F 3,4. When the wavelength of incident light is 425∼500 nm, the excitation process is 3H 4 →CB, the emission is CB→1D 2 , and then 1D 2 →3H 4 , 1D 2 →3H 5 , 1D 2 →3H 6 (3F 2) and 1D 2 →3F 3,4. At the same time, the emission spectrum and X-ray diffraction measurements show that the most fundamental factor determining the emission intensity of the sample is the concentration of the luminescent center (Pr3+ that can emit light) in the MgGeO 3 grain. Increasing the sintering temperature and Pr element content in raw materials can increase the of Pr3+ concentration in the grain (increase the concentration of the luminescent center). However, if the concentration of Pr3+ in the grain is too high, Pr3+ would lose the function of the luminescence center, resulting in a decrease in the concentration of the luminescence center, thereby reducing the luminescence intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic disease is a complex disorder defined by a group with interrelated factors. There is growing evidence that obesity can lead to a variety of metabolic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Excessive adipose tissue (AT) deposition and ectopic accumulation can lead to increased peri-organ AT thickness. Dysregulation of peri-organ (perivascular, perirenal, and epicardial) AT is strongly associated with metabolic disease and its complications. The mechanisms include secretion of cytokines, activation of immunocytes, infiltration of inflammatory cells, involvement of stromal cells, and abnormal miRNA expression. This review discusses the associations and mechanisms by which various types of peri-organ AT affect metabolic diseases while addressing it as a potential future treatment strategy. • Obesity can cause various metabolic diseases. • Dysregulated peri-organ AT is linked to metabolic disease and complications. • Peri-organ AT is a valuable drug target for metabolic disease treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • CaCl 2 improved the emulsification performance of shrimp MP. • CaCl 2 induced molecular stretching of shrimp MP. • CaCl 2 improved the rheology properties and gel strength of shrimp MP. • CaCl 2 improved the digestibility of MP gel. In this study, the effects of CaCl 2 (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mM) on the gelling and digestive properties of the myofibrillar protein (MP) in Litopenaeus vannamei were investigated. The results showed that increasing CaCl 2 concentration led to changes in the tertiary structure of MP. Specifically, compared with the control group, a 64.31 % increase in surface hydrophobicity and a 45.90 % decrease in the sulfhydryl group were observed after 100 mM CaCl 2 treatment. Correspondingly, the water holding capacity and strength of the MP gel increased by 24.46 % and 55.99 %, respectively. These changes were positively correlated with the rheological properties, microstructure pore size, and content of non-flowable water. The mechanical properties of MP gel were improved, and the microstructure became more compact with the increase in CaCl 2 concentration. Furthermore, the particle size of the digested MP gels decreased in the presence of CaCl 2 , which improved the digestion characteristics of MP gels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Gelation of chitosan dissolved in an alkaline aqueous solution was investigated. • Ethanol-water mixtures were employed as the coagulant for the APS processes. • Gelling film in the ethanol-containing coagulant was in-situ characterized by OCT. • Film morphology was analyzed by combining OCT and network-based modeling. • Internal rejection of particles was correlated with the morphological formation. Gelation of chitosan dissolved in an alkali/urea aqueous solution promotes the mechanistic diversity of forming a membrane via aqueous phase separation (APS), which is conceptualized to highlight the advantages of using environmentally friendly solvents. When aimed at deepening the knowledge of regulating the structural formation, the alkaline dope of chitosan was employed in this study to investigate how the presence of ethanol in the coagulant could regulate the gelation behavior in APS and thereby change the particle-trapping mechanism. Both the gelling films and the particle-filtering membranes were in-situ characterized by optical coherence tomography (OCT) to compare the film-formation kinetics and the morphological variations in the resulting porous substructures, respectively. It was revealed that the ethanol-containing coagulant could induce the shrinkage of the gelling film and thereby favor the transverse coalescence of polymer-rich phases; that is, increasing the content of ethanol in the coagulant (over a range less than a critical value to avoid film deformation) would give rise to more tortuous substructures (for effectively capturing particles) primarily owing to the lower connectivity in the transverse direction. The theoretical analysis was supported by numerically evaluating the topological analog. This study not only confirms effectiveness of the ethanol-based regulation, but also establishes a paradigm for fabricating membranes with tailored topological characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Simple and universal surface grafting strategy on polymeric thin films. • Non-invasive reaction conditions ensure high transparency of the bulk hydrogel. • Antifouling properties on one side of the film and bioadhesive on the other side. • Both surfaces modified with different polymer brushes are highly biocompatible. There have been great technical challenges in preparation of a transparent polymeric thin film with Janus-type antifouling and bioadhesive properties on both surfaces, while maintaining the optical and mechanical characteristics of the bulk material. Herein, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), which is commonly used as an ophthalmic hydrogel, was employed as the bulk material for allowing consecutive surface grafting of functional polymer brushes, which eventually resulted in a Janus-type transparent thin film for potential biomedical implantation. First, a bromine-containing reagent served as the reactive initiator was silanized onto both surfaces of the PHEMA hydrogel thin film under a mild condition. Then, with the presence of selected physical shielding on one side using a scotch tape, polymer brushes with cell-adhesive Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide pendent groups were grafted from the other side of the PHEMA thin film, resulted in a highly improved cell attachment capability. Once the tape was removed and the RGD-modified surface was shielded, the zwitterionic polymer brushes comprising poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) segments were grafted on the surface, again through surface-initiated activators regenerated by electron transfer atom-transfer radical polymerization (SI-ARGET-ATRP). Hence, this side of the PHEMA film became super hydrophilic and exhibited antifouling properties on the surface. After the surface grafting modification, the whole PHEMA hydrogel maintained highly transparent and biocompatible for potential ophthalmic applications. This study provides a simple and rather universal strategy for fabricating Janus-type polymeric thin films with distinct biophysical/biochemical properties on both sides, which potentially applicable for the multifunctional requirements in biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • First discovery, locally π-π conjugated polyimide in TGIC enhances loss capacity. • Increasing the number of conjugated benzenes amplifies the dielectric loss. • Right amount of PPI-D highlights the comprehensive performance for PPI-D/TGIC. • PPI-D/TGIC-0.5 has the best RL min (-15.6 dB, 16.4 GHz) and EAB (3.44 GHz, 6.0 mm). • PPI-D/TGIC-0.5 has elastic modulus (1065.4 MPa) and thermal stability (295 ℃). Creatively, endowing the resin matrix with microwave absorption performance is an effective strategy to improve the comprehensive performance for microwave absorption materials and eliminate the contradiction between matrix and absorbent. Herein, a high polar epoxy resin that triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC) is chemically cross-linked with locally π-π conjugated polyimides (PI) to create a novel absorbing resin matrix designed for special responses in X and Ku bands. By comparing the dielectric properties and microwave absorption performance of PBI-D/TGIC (containing benzene), PNI-D/TGIC (containing naphthalene) and PPI-D/TGIC (containing perylene), their dielectric polarization loss and microwave absorption responses will be enhanced with the increase of conjugated benzene number, which is ascribed to the enhanced π-π conjugated polarization and the instantaneously reduced resistance stimulated by electromagnetic waves (EMWs). Simultaneously, the addition of an appropriate amount of PPI-D significantly enhances the microwave absorption performance, mechanical strength, and thermal stability of TGIC-based resins. When the mixing mass ratio of PPI-D to TGIC is 1:4, the obtained PPI-D/TGIC-0.5 (PPI-D: 25.23 wt%) possesses the best minimum reflection loss (RL min) as −15.6 dB (16.4 GHz, 3.0 mm) and −8.6 dB (8.2 GHz, 4.0 mm), which is three times higher than the RL min of TGIC. Especially, the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB < -10 dB) of PPI-D/TGIC-0.5 resin can reach up to 3.44 GHz (6.0 mm) and 2.88 GHz (3.0 mm), breaking the limitations of conventional resins. Additionally, PPI-D/TGIC-0.5 resin exhibits excellent compression performance (37 MPa), elastic modulus (1065.4 MPa) and thermal stability (T 10wt.% =295 ℃). PPI-D/TGIC-0.5 resin is a strong candidate for the ideal absorbing resin matrix and holds significant potential in the applications for microwave absorption materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Outlines the mechanisms of natural color formation in aquatic products. • Summarises the discoloration mechanisms of aquatic products during storage. • Recapitulates the comprehensive factors that affect the color of aquatic products. • Discusses current cutting-edge technology in color preservation of aquatic products. • Recommends the development of high-quality prefabricated aquatic products. Color plays a pivotal role in guiding and assessing the industrial production of aquatic products due to the swift sensory perception of information through vision. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the following four aspects: (a) mechanisms governing natural color formation in aquatic products, (b) factors and mechanisms contributing to the discoloration of aquatic products, (c) cutting-edge methods for color analysis and detection, and (d) current valuable techniques for preserving color quality. The natural color of aquatic products is derived from skin chromatophores, endogenous pigment proteins, and astaxanthin. Discoloration of aquatic products can occur due to lipid oxidation, as well as enzymatic and non-enzymatic browning. Furthermore, this review examines frontier color protective technologies, encompassing physical methods like ultra-high pressure, irradiation, and low-temperature plasma, as well as chemical methods involving natural preservatives. The findings of this study offer significant insights into the development of high-quality aquatic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitating polymer in a completely aqueous environment is conceptualized as a process of aqueous phase separation (APS) and lends itself to the environmentally friendly fabrication of membranes. In an effort to effectively regulate the morphological formation in APS, it is of fundamental concern to elucidate how asymmetry can be developed in the absence of an unbalanced exchange of the 'nonsolvent' and solvent. Therefore, technical modifications were made by this study to essentially improve the in-situ characterization based on optical coherence tomography (OCT). In particular, a process of APS was modeled by passively contacting an acidic aqueous dope of chitosan with another aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide in a mini-coagulation bath, where the OCT scan was implemented in a high speed mode to capture the onset and evolution of gelation at the coagulant-dope interface with a temporal resolution of 6.25 ms. The quantitative analysis indicated that the gelation could be initiated at the interface in a period shorter than ∼10 ms and evolved in an oscillating way; a skin layer with a smaller critical size would be formed by damping the interfacial oscillations. This study not only sheds light on the APS-based fabrication of membranes, but also establishes a novel paradigm for in-situ characterizing the film formation via an OCT-based approach. [Display omitted] • Formation of asymmetry in APS was modeled by the gelation of chitosan. • OCT was used to in-situ characterize the initial gelation occurring at the interface. • Passive contact was employed to eliminate the delay resulting from immersion. • High speed scan mode enabled achieving a temporal resolution of 6.25 ms. • Interfacial oscillations in the gelation were correlated with the skin rejection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive study of the sediment source-to-sink history of basins arranged along the Bangong-Nujiang Suture Zone (BNSZ) is critical for understanding the early Cenozoic topography and drainage systems of central Tibet and its implications for the uplift history of the Tibetan Plateau. Nevertheless, previous provenance analyses work mainly focused on the middle-eastern segment of the BNSZ, those Paleogene basins in the western segment have received less attention, which hinders a full understanding of the early Cenozoic topography of central Tibet. In this study, based on a chronostratigraphic framework developed for the lower Cenozoic continental redbeds of the Gaize Basin, we applied detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology to the well-exposed Paleogene Suonahu Formation in order to reconstruct the basin's source-to-sink history. Integrating these new data with detrital zircon U-Pb results from the underlying Kangtuo Formation, we recognize a major secular shift in sediment provenance characterized by inputs of Lhasa-derived clasts during the Late Eocene. Moreover, we applied statistical analysis to compare the U-Pb age spectra of Eocene strata in the Gaize-Nima-Lunpola basins in order to assess similarities between them and potential source regions. Our study confirms a paleogeographic scenario in which these Paleogene basins most likely were part of a low-elevation intermontane valley. • Analysis of detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology of Paleogene strata in Gaize Basin. • A major shift in provenance occurred between the Kangtuo and Suonahu formations. • Cenozoic clastic strata in the Gaize-Nima-Lunpola basins share a similar provenance. • The Gaize-Nima-Lunpola basins belonged to a Paleogene low-elevation valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whereas there is a large literature evaluating the impacts of education, most of the focus has been on getting to universal primary enrollment and understanding the returns to basic education; but it misses the major shifts toward higher education in many fast-growing parts of the developing world over the last 20 years. In this paper, I study the returns to higher education in China using the reinstatement of the National College Entrance Examination in 1977 as a natural experiment, investigating the causal impacts of higher education on later life outcomes and well-being. Through a combination of regression discontinuity and difference-in-difference methods, I find that cohorts that were more likely to complete high school and obtain a college education as a result of the reform were no more likely to be employed, but were more likely to have a high-socioeconomic (SES) occupation in their early 30s, and lesser of the same in their 40s. Cohorts with higher education work for fewer days in a week, and, on average, earn a higher monthly income by 56 percent in their late 40s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wnt signaling system is a critical pathway that regulates embryonic development and adult homeostasis. Secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) are extracellular inhibitors of Wnt signaling that act by binding directly to Wnt ligands or Frizzled receptors. SFRPs can act as anti-Wnt agents and suppress cancer growth by blocking the action of Wnt ligands. However, SFRPs are often silenced by promoter methylation in cancer cells, resulting in hyperactivation of the Wnt pathway. Epigenetic modifiers can reverse this silencing and restore SFRPs expression. Despite the potential of SFRPs as a therapeutic target, the effects of SFRPs on tumor development remain unclear. Therefore, a review of the expression of various members of the SFRPs family in different cancers and their potential as therapeutic targets is warranted. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of SFRPs in cancer, focusing on their expression patterns and their potential as novel therapeutic targets. [Display omitted] ● SFRPs as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers in cancers. ● SFRPs sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy ● SFRPs enhance immune responses and modulate tumor microenvironment. ● Combined SFRPs therapies with chemo/immunotherapy hold cancer therapy potential. ● Epigenetic modifiers restore SFRPs expression, a promising cancer therapy target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of microspheres in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments is essential for achieving successful ignition. However, the ICF microsphere surface is easily damaged by the current manipulation devices due to hard contact. To overcome this issue and achieve non-destructive manipulation of ICF microspheres, a novel mode-switching-based piezoelectric acoustic tweezer is proposed in this paper. Six piezoelectric plates are employed to excite three bending vibration modes of the acoustic tweezer, thereby establishing standing wave acoustic fields with different wavelengths within the water medium of the acoustic tweezer. The ICF microspheres is placed on the water surface, and the acoustic forces and lateral hydrodynamic forces acting on it can be adjusted by switching the vibration modes of the acoustic tweezer. This enables non-destructive long-distance transport and precise positioning of the microspheres. Following the completion of the detection process, the ICF microspheres with different surface qualities are trapped in different collection pockets for classification. This paper begins by presenting a theoretical calculation of the acoustic field generated by the vibrator's vibration and an analysis of the forces acting on the floating ICF microsphere. Based on the theoretical analysis results, the structure and the vibration modes of the acoustic tweezer are then designed. Next, the moving trajectories of the ICF microspheres driven by the proposed acoustic tweezer are calculated using the finite element method. Finally, vibration test and ICF microsphere manipulation experiments are carried out on the acoustic tweezer. The results of theoretical analysis, simulation calculation, and experiments are well-matched, verifying the correctness of the device design and the feasibility of the manipulation method. The proposed acoustic tweezer based on acoustic-liquid interaction has the advantages of non-destructive, high accuracy, and simple structure, exhibiting great potential for application in the field of ICF microspheres detection. [Display omitted] • Designing standing wave acoustic fields by planning the resonance modes of the vibrator. • Lateral hydrodynamic force acting on the microspheres is adjusted by planning the shape of the PDMS flow channel. • ICF microspheres are non-destructively manipulated using acoustic and lateral hydrodynamic force on the liquid surface. • A novel acoustic tweezer is proposed for long-distance transport, multiple positioning, and sorting of ICF microspheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer organoids have become promising tools for predicting drug responses on many different types of cancer. Detecting the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) has currently been considered as a decisive test to profile the growth status and drug responses of organoids. ATP profiling using commercial ATP detection kits, which involve cell lysis, can be performed at a single time spot, causing a clinical dilemma of selecting the optimal time spot to adopt diverse cancer types and patients. This study provides a feasible solution to this dilemma by developing a DNA-based ATP nanosensor to realize real-time ATP monitoring in organoids for a long term. The employment of DNA materials ensures high biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity, which are crucial for fragile organoids; The usage of tetrahedral DNA framework ensures cell permeability and intracellular ATP detection; The introduction of ATP-mediated molecular replacement ensures the high sensitivity and selectivity of ATP recognition. These features result in the first successful attempt on real-time monitoring ATP in organoids for up to 26 days and gaining growth status curves for the whole duration of a drug sensitivity test on human lung cancer organoids. A DNA-based ATP nanosensor has been developed to real-time monitor ATP in living human cancer organoids for up to 26 days. [Display omitted] • A DNA-based nanosensor was synthesized to monitor intracellular ATP in real time. • DNA nanosensor features good biocompatibility, permeability, and sensitivity. • Monitoring of ATP variation in organoid with DNA nanosensor for up to 26 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, Zn 2 SnO 4 : x Cr3+ with high near-infrared luminescence intensity (broad emission centered at 800 nm and sharp emission at 703 nm) were successfully prepared by high temperature solid state method. Measurements indicated that the samples exhibited obvious photoluminescence as well as persistent luminescence properties. The results of X-ray diffraction indicated that high temperature facilitated the entry of Cr3+ into the Zn 2 SnO 4 crystal lattice and formed replacement doping and promoted the luminescence efficiency of the samples. And, under the condition of 1450 °C and 0.002 at% Cr3+ concentration, sample with optimum NIR fluorescence properties was prepared. In the high-temperature sintering process, many defects of Zn 2 SnO 4 were generated, which effectively promoted the formation of vacancies. The energy levels of these lattice defects (trap energy levels) facilitated the sub-stable trapping of electrons and produce afterglow properties. Analysis of luminescence mechanism reveals that the broad emission band centered at 800 nm and the sharp emission peak at 703 nm were derived from the energy level transitions of 4T 2 (4F)→4A 2 and 2E→4A 2 of Cr3+, respectively. Though, the long afterglow luminescence duration of Zn 2 SnO 4 :Cr3+ needs to be further improved compared with gallate-based NIR phosphors, Zn 2 SnO 4 :Cr3+ do have a promising application in bio-imaging due to its special NIR emission range. • Zn 2 SnO 4 :Cr3+ with high NIR luminescence intensity was synthesized successful. • The effect of preparation conditions on PL and afterglow properties was clarified. • The NIR emission of Zn 2 SnO 4 :Cr3+ derives from the 2E.→4A 2 and 4T 2 (4F)→4A 2 transitions of Cr3+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Effective bleeding control and wound healing are very important and can be life saving. However, traditional wound dressings with structural deficiencies are not effective in controlling bleeding and promoting the regeneration of functional tissues. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) layered nanofiber sponge was obtained by expanding two-dimensional (2D) nanofiber membranes into the third dimension. This sponge has a layered nanofiber structure, which increases the interfacial interaction between the sponge and blood cells to accelerate hemostasis. Through fine-tuning of structure, the 3D nanofiber sponge acquires properties beneficial to wound healing such as good elasticity and high permeability and fluid absorption ratio. The 3D nanofiber sponges are both highly compressible and resilient, providing tamponade for deep wounds and creating a good 3D dynamic microenvironment to regulate cellular behavior. Further research has demonstrated that the layered nanofiber structure could promote the regeneration of functional dermis and the restoration of differentiated adipocytes during the early repair phase. Experiments using model mice with full-thickness skin defects have shown that the layered nanofiber structure could effectively accelerate wound healing and reduce scar formation. This layered 3D nanofiber sponge design is easy to produce. Due to its excellent wound healing property, this porous nanofiber sponge has great potential for future clinical application as wound dressings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Spent coffee grounds (SCG-1 and SCG-2) were used to study the adsorption of tetracycline (TC) antibiotics and the effects of adsorption time, initial pH, amount of adsorbent and ionic strength were detected. The TC adsorption isotherm on SCG-1 was compared with SCG-2. The results showed that the removal efficiencies of TC (50 mg/L) of SCG-1 and SCG-2 were 83.1% and 97.2%, respectively, shake for 2 h. The probability of adsorption is high and balances in about 20 min. The estimate of parameters got for TC from the Langmuir isotherm saturated adsorption quantity and adsorption balance constant were 64.89 mg/g, 0.0557 L/mg, respectively for SCG-1 and 123.46 mg/g, 0.4735 L/mg, respectively for SCG-2. The adsorption mechanism might be a π–π interaction that occurs in the interface by hydrogen bonding and the between the TC molecular and the SCGs. At last, we found that SCG has a high adsorption size for TC. Highlights • The adsorptive ability of tetracycline on spent coffee grounds (SCG-1 and SCG-2) was investigated. • The adsorption isotherms of tetracycline on SCG-1 and SCG-2 were carried out. • The adsorption rate was very quick with the equilibrium of adsorption within about 20 min. • This SCG-1 and SCG-2 has high adsorption ability for tetracycline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, the development of the north-eastern Tibetan Plateau is investigated via an integrated study of the sedimentology, magnetostratigraphy, palaeogeography, and cross-section comparisons of the Neogene sedimentary basins of the Tibetan Plateau. From 23 to 17 Ma, this region was characterized by widespread angular unconformities and a sedimentary hiatus, indicating the comprehensive uplift of the plateau. The tectonic event that created the Tibetan Plateau triggered the evolution of sedimentary basins. During the Middle Miocene climatic optimum event, the growing Qilian Shan formed a barrier, leading to cooler and drier conditions on the western side of the mountain. However, humid and warm conditions persisted on the eastern side of the range. After this event, this region was influenced by a global cooling trend and enhanced tectonic activity in the north-eastern Tibetan Plateau. At approximately 10–8 Ma, sedimentary data, which were consistent with low-temperature thermochronological records, indicated the inversion of the surrounding mountains and rapid exhumation of the Laji Shan. Since 5.0–3.6 Ma, these intermontane basins gradually shrank and disappeared due to the overall uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and the accelerated global cooling trend and were associated with unconformities and growth strata that formed during stepwise-north-eastward thrusting tectonism. Highlights • During 23–17 Ma, the northeastern Tibetan Plateau was covered by widespread angular unconformities. • The tectonic event creating the Tibetan Plateau triggered the evolution of the sedimentary basins. • Growing Qilian blocking the eastern Asian moisture during the Middle Miocene climatic optimum, lead to westward aridification. • Among 10–8 Ma, the granularity and sedimentary rates of sedimentary basins increased abruptly. • Scince 5.0–3.6 Ma, these basins gradually withered away controlled by the overall uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract As an important geological archive, paleosols have been widely used in reconstruction of paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic conditions. In this study, we undertook detailed analyses of the clay mineralogy and carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of pedogenic carbonates in a series of 13 paleosol horizons within a fluvial section of the Eocene (~52–44 Ma) Lulehe Formation in the Qaidam Basin. Pedogenic smectite and illite/smectite (I/S) mixed-layer minerals are the predominant clay minerals in the paleosols, suggesting that the early Eocene paleoclimate of the Qaidam Basin was strongly seasonal with warm-wet summers. The high levels of pedogenic smectite production and high atmospheric p CO 2 reconstructed from soil carbonate nodule δ13C (mean −7.1 ± 0.8‰) are consistent with elevated temperatures during the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO). Coeval paleosol carbonate nodules yield estimated paleo-surface water compositions (δ18O psw) of −7.9‰ to −6.0‰ (VSMOW), which are significantly higher than the δ18O value of modern summer precipitation in the Qaidam Basin. The estimated temperature difference (~5.0 °C cooling) implies uplift of the study area by nearly 1000 m to its current average elevation of ~3000 m above sea level. This paleoelevation estimate agrees with modern meteoric water isotopes of Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation (GNIP) sites in Asia in the same elevation range. Highlights • Multiple well-exposed paleosol horizons present in lower Eocene Lulehe Formation, Qaidam Basin, northern Tibetan Plateau. • These paleosols formed at 51.3–49.7 Ma during the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO). • Abundant pedogenic smectite indicates a strongly seasonal climate with warm-wet summers during early Eocene. • Soil nodule δ13C carb values (mean − 7.1 ± 0.8‰) reflect high atmospheric p CO 2 and elevated paleo-temperatures. • High paleo-precipitation δ18O psw values reflect low paleo-elevations (<2000 m) of Qaidam Basin in the early Eocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is a key region for understanding the region's surface uplift mechanisms. This study focused on the Jiuziyan and Shuanghe Formations (Fms) in the Jianchuan Basin, both of which include lacustrine calcareous mudstones and marls. Ostracods of the genus Austrocypris found within the Jiuziyan and Shuanghe Fms constrain the age of strata to the Late Eocene. This study used two different proxies, i.e. fossil pollen coexistence and the δ18O (VPDB) values of carbonate (δ18O c), to reconstruct paleoelevation and the extant paleoenvironment from lacustrine calcareous mudstones and marls preserved in the Eocene stratigraphy of the Jianchuan Basin. The coexistence approach (CA) using pollen data from the Shuanghe Fm indicates a paleoelevation of 1.3–2.6 km above sea level (asl), which would most probably have been associated with a vegetation cover consisting of tropical-subtropical, deciduous, coniferous, broadleaf forests. The reconstructed mean annual air temperature (MAAT) had a value of 16.8–21.7 °C, warmer than today's MAAT (~6 °C). Oxygen isotope results from the Jiuziyan Fm, with/without modification between Eocene and modern Myanmar sea level, suggested that the surface of the Jianchuan Basin was at a paleoelevation between 0.5+0.8 –0.5 km asl and 2.5 ± 0.7 km asl (δ18O mw : −8.9 ± 1.3‰, 2σ). During the Shuanghe Fm sedimentation the paleoelevation was between 0.9 +0.7 –0.7 km asl and 2.9 ± 0.6 km asl (δ18O mw : −9.5 ± 1.1‰, 2σ). Our results suggest that a stepwise uplift of Jianchuan Basin and crustal thickening initiated during the Eocene was the cause of passive surface uplift of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau (TP) rather than Miocene lower crustal flow. Highlights • Use two different proxies, CA and O isotopes, to reconstruct paleoelevation in the Late Eocene Jianchuan Basin. • Age determination of the Shuanghe Fm from Chara ostracod index fossil, combined with zircon U/Pb ages from volcanics. • The elevation of the northwestern Yunnan Province had a stepwise uplift during the Late Eocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burden distribution plays an important role in the optimization of energy-consuming index of a blast furnace (BF). However, due to the complex mechanism of the burden distribution process and the poor understanding of this process, it is difficult for operators to make a suitable decision for burden distribution parameters. In this paper, a decision-making strategy of burden distribution parameters is devised for improving energy-consuming index, where carbon-monoxide utilization rate (CMUR) is taken as the energy-consuming index. Firstly, the support vector regression is used to build a model between the burden distribution parameters and BF state variables that are closely related to CMUR. Then, a probability-based case-matching model is built by the historical data to predict the trend of CMUR’s change. Finally, based on the trend of CMUR’s change, a decision for burden distribution parameters is obtained. Simulation results based on industrial data show that the devised decision-making strategy provides a good guide on making a suitable decision for burden distribution parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Agaricus bisporus is the mushroom with the highest global production yield. However, due to their natural unprotected structure, shelf-life of this kind of mushroom is quite short. During the postharvest period, mushroom experiences continuous quality degradation, presenting discolouration, moisture loss, texture changes, microbial count increasing, and nutrient and flavour loss. In order to maintain the postharvest quality and to extend the shelf-life of mushroom, postharvest preservation techniques including physical, chemical and thermal processes are essential. Scope and approach This review summarises quality degradation processes of mushrooms including moisture loss, discolouration, texture changes, microbial count increasing, and nutrients and flavour loss, analyses their influential factors including temperature, relative humidity, water activity, and respiration rate, and presents the preservation methods for mushrooms including drying, cooling, packaging, irradiation, washing, and coating. Key findings and conclusions The quality degradation process of mushrooms is complex, which is affected by both the inner factors related to mushroom itself and the outer factors related to storage conditions. For better preserving their postharvest quality, hybrid methods such as thermal techniques combined with physical or chemical techniques and novel non-thermal technologies including plasma, ultrasound and high pressure treatments are highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] As the main systemic treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the bleak medical prognosis of chemotherapy resulted in impaired life quality by tumor recurrence and metastasis. The feasible cancer starvation therapy could inhibit tumor progression by blocking energy supplements, however, the mono-therapeutic modality showed limited curing efficacy due to heterogeneity and abnormal energy metabolism of TNBC. Thus, the development of a synergistic nano-therapeutic modality involving different anti-tumor mechanisms to simultaneously transport medicines to the organelle where metabolism took place, might remarkably improve curing efficacy, targeting ability, and bio-safety. Herein, the hybrid BLG@TPGS NPs were prepared by doping multi-path energy inhibitors Berberine (BBR) and Lonidamine (LND) as well as the chemotherapeutic agent Gambogic acid (GA). Our research indicated that Nanobomb-BLG@TPGS NPs inherited the mitochondria targeting ability from BBR to accumulate precisely at the "energy factory" mitochondria, and then induce starvation therapy to efficiently eradicated cancer cells by coordinately powered off tumor cells via a "three-prone strategy" to cut off mitochondrial respiration, glycolysis, and glutamine metabolism. The inhibition of tumor proliferation and migration was enlarged by the synergistic combination with chemotherapy. Besides, apoptosis via mitochondria pathway and mitochondria fragmentation supported the hypothesis that NPs eliminated MDA-MB-231 cells by violently attacking MDA-MB-231 cells and especially the mitochondria. In summary, this synergistic chemo-co-starvation nanomedicine proposed an innovative site-specific targeting strategy for improved tumor treatment and decreased toxicity to normal tissues, which provided an option for clinical TNBC-sensitive treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an important respiratory pathogen that causes acute respiratory tract infection in children ≤5 years old. • The prevalence peak of HMPV in southern China appeared between March and May. • Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common respiratory virus coinfected with HMPV in children. • The predominant subtype of HMPV in this area is B1, followed by A2c subtype. • Long sunshine duration might decrease the HMPV prevalence. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological and genetic features of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in children in southern China, and the effect of meteorological factors on infection. 14,817 children (≤14 years) with acute respiratory tract infections from 2010 to 2019 were examined for HMPV and other respiratory viruses by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Full-length F gene of 54 positive samples were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The correlation between the HMPV-positive rate and meteorological factors was analyzed by linear regression analysis. HMPV was detected in 524 (3.5%) children, who were mostly younger than 1 year. The seasonal peak of HMPV prevalence mainly occurred in spring. Respiratory syncytial virus was the most common virus coinfected with HMPV (5.3%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequenced HMPV strains belonged to four sublineages, including A2b (1.9%), A2c (31.5%), B1 (50.0%), and B2 (16.7%). After adjusting for all meteorological factors, sunshine duration was inversely correlated with the HMPV-positive rate. HMPV is an important respiratory pathogen that causes acute respiratory tract infections in children in southern China, particularly in children ≤5 years old. The prevalence peak of HMPV in this area appeared in spring, and the predominant subtype was B1. Meteorological factors, especially long sunshine duration, might decrease the HMPV prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

o -Chlorophenol (OCP) is a priority pollutant that poses serious health threats to the public. The following study designs a simple electrochemical system to monitor the concentration and toxicity of OCP. This system was primarily characterized by the integration of both physicochemical and biological monitoring procedures that had a synergistic effect between the functionalized carbon nanotubes and rhodamine B. This resulted in excellent electrocatalytic activities toward OCP and cellular purine bases. The peak current of OCP was linear with concentrations ranging from 0.05–125.0 μM and the detection limit was 0.028 μM under optimal testing conditions. There was an enhanced voltammetric signal detected that was caused by the guanine/xanthine of human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. The cytotoxicity of OCP to HepG2 cells was assessed using the proposed system. The obtained IC 50 value was 512.86 μM. This study provided a fast, label-free, and low-cost platform for the comprehensive assessment of OCP. This is highly beneficial for simplifying the environmental monitoring process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hydroxylated carbon nanotubes/platinum nanoparticles/rhodamine B nanocomposite modified glass carbon electrode (CNTs-OH/PtNPs/RhB/GCE) was developed by a simple and environment-friendly method to determine 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), which usually coexist and interfere with each other. Owing to the excellent electron transfer and catalytic property, the CNTs-OH/PtNPs/RhB/GCE significantly facilitated the electro-oxidation of 2,4,6-TCP and 4-CP. The enhanced oxidation peak currents of the two chlorophenols were simultaneously determined with relatively large separation of peak potential (91 mV). Under optimized conditions, the sensor showed a linear response toward 2,4,6-TCP in the range of 5.0–175.0 μM with the detection limit of 1.55 μM (S/N = 3). The linear concentration range for 4-CP was 10.0–300.0 μM, and the detection limit was 3.69 μM (S/N = 3). Furthermore, the proposed sensor was successfully used for the analysis of 2,4,6-TCP and 4-CP in water samples with the recoveries of 96.8–102.8% and 95.6–103.2%, indicating a promising potential in practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we report a room-temperature approach to synthesizing reduced graphene oxide/NiO (RGO/NiO) nanocomposites. The chemical structure of RGO/NiO nanocomposites were investigated by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray power diffraction (XRD). It is shown by the experiment that the RGO/NiO nanocomposites have strong capacity to absorb the hexavalent chromium ion (Cr (VI)), the maximum adsorption capacity of Cr (VI) on RGO/NiO nanocomposites at pH = 4 and T = 25 °C can reach 198 mg g −1 , higher than any other currently reported. The adsorption kinetic data were well described by a pseudo-second-order model. Both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models were applied to the experimental data analysis, and the latter proved to be a better fit. The pH value markedly affected the adsorption behavior of RGO/NiO nanocomposites, but the effect of temperature was insignificant. The probable mechanism of synergistic adsorption of Cr (VI) ions was considered. These results suggest that RGO/NiO nanocomposites have the potential to be applied in industrial wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activity concentration of plutonium (Pu) and its isotopic compositions are extensively used for measuring transport processes of Pu and identifying its source. We investigated the spatial distribution characteristics of 239+240 Pu activity concentrations and 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratio in several sediment cores collected from the Liao River coastal zone. Additionally, we calculated the 239+240 Pu inventories and based on the 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratio to trace Pu source. The activity concentrations of 239+240 Pu in surface sediments of the Liao River estuary ranged between 0.103 ± 0.008 and 0.978 ± 0.035 mBq/g, with an average of 0.294 ± 0.024 mBq/g. The 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratios, ranging from 0.173 ± 0.047 to 0.215 ± 0.061 (mean: 0.188 ± 0.049 (1σ)), were consistent with global fallout value, which indicates the global atmospheric fallout is the main source of Pu in sediment cores from the both sides of Liao River estuary. As for the tidal flat core LT-2, the mean 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratio, slightly higher than that of the global fallout value, was 0.217 ± 0.050. Such pattern of Pu isotopic compositions indicated that Pu on the tidal flat in the Liao River estuary is sourced from a combination of global fallout and close-in fallout from the PPG by ocean currents transporting. And by using a two end-member mixing model, the results indicate the relative contribution of the PPG close-in fallout to core LT-2 is round 27% and 73% can be attributed to global fallout and river input. Therefore, these results clearly indicate that the direct global fallout is the main source of Pu in the Liao River estuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present work was to evaluate and compare of carbon materials for the ability to eliminate Cu (II) and Zn (II) ions from water. Ammonium peroxydisulphate ((NH 4 ) 2 S 2 O 8 )-treated carbon material (Ox-CM) was prepared from the combustion of forest branches and was compared with raw carbon material (CM). The adsorption isotherms and the influence of contact time, initial pH, and ionic strength for the adsorption of Cu (II) and Zn (II) were determined. The results of this work show that the removal ratios of Cu (II) for CM and Ox-CM after 2 h were 8.7 and 94.2%, respectively; and, those of Zn (II) for CM and Ox-CM after 2 h were 7.8 and 89.9%, respectively. The values of the parameters obtained for Cu (II) were based on the Langmuir isotherm saturated adsorption amount ( Q 0 ) and the adsorption equilibrium constant ( K L ): 27.47 mg/g and 0.4556 L/mg on Ox-CM; 3.66 mg/g and 0.2099 L/mg on CM, respectively. Those of Q 0 and K L for Zn (II) were as follows: 22.52 mg/g and 0.4978 L/mg on Ox-CM; 3.07 mg/g and 0.5560 L/mg on CM, respectively. In this work Ox-CM provided the optimal level of adsorption for Cu (II) and Zn (II) ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ∼785 Ma mafic-ultramafic cumulates in West Cathaysia formed from hydrous basaltic magmas. • Their geochemical data are consistent with arc-related cumulate petrogenesis. • They were probably formed at a crustal depth in a subduction setting. • Yangtze and West Cathaysia were not amalgamated in the Tonian, but more likely in the early Paleozoic. The Neoproterozoic tectonic setting of the West Cathaysia terrane and its relationship with the Yangtze Block are critical to understanding the formation and tectonic evolution of South China. A detailed study of late Tonian mafic-ultramafic cumulate slivers embedded in the Shenshan tectonic mélange along the northwest margin of West Cathaysia is presented here with the aim of elucidating its Neoproterozoic tectonic history. These partly-altered mafic-ultramafic rocks include olivine-bearing cumulates (olivine pyroxene hornblendite or olivine hornblende pyroxenite), pyroxene hornblendite, and gabbroic cumulates. The early crystallization of clinopyroxene and the abundance of hornblende indicate that they formed from hydrous magmas. The rocks have similar geochemical distribution patterns and show variable initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.702679 to 0.709742 and positive εNd(t) values of +2.10 to +4.52. The mineral compositions of the clinopyroxene and hornblende and their whole-rock extended normalized trace element patterns show features (e.g., negative Nb anomalies, LILE enrichment) typical of rocks with an arc affinity. The high calculated Mg# values (58–77, average 71) of the equilibrium magmas are close to those of primary mantle-derived basalts. We conclude that these mafic and ultramafic cumulates were derived from a subduction-related, hydrous, magnesian basalt in a subduction setting. The estimated crystallization temperature and pressure, based on the composition of the amphiboles, suggest that the minerals accumulated in magma chambers at middle to lower crustal depths. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of zircon from the gabbroic cumulate indicates crystallization at ca. 785 Ma. A previous interpretation for West Cathaysia at this time involved a continental rift basin (the Nanhua basin) that straddled the southeastern margin of the Yangtze Block and the northwestern margin of West Cathaysia. In contrast, our results suggest that West Cathaysia was an arc at ca. 785 Ma, which supports the interpretation that the amalgamation between Yangtze and West Cathaysia did not occur in the Tonian, but more likely in the early Paleozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estuarine oyster (Crassostrea ariakensis), a species native to Asia, is widespread throughout the estuarine region along the northern and southern coasts of China and has important ecological and economic values. Owing to runoff dropping and environmental threats caused by climate change and anthropogenic influences, the natural resources of C. ariakensis have persistently declined. Therefore, breeding oysters with high adaptability, which requires efficient and accurate genotyping tools, is beneficial to restore the germplasm resources and aquaculture. However, targeted genotyping tools are poorly developed for this species and even in other aquatic species. Previously, we have detected some selective regions and genes associated with temperature and salinity adaptation using selection signature analysis and found that the upstream regulatory regions of the environment-responsive genes exhibited higher differentiation. In this study, we developed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) targeted genotyping tool for C. ariakensis , which includes 30 K SNPs located in previously identified target regions. The target genomic regions were enriched by hybridization capture using double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) biotin-labeled probes, and sequenced with high depth. A total of 24,541 (81.8%) high-quality SNPs were successfully genotyped in 655 samples. Compared to the genotypes obtained from previous genome-wide resequencing, 74.2% of the SNPs had a consistency rate of 1, with an average consistency rate for each sample of 97.8%. Population structure analysis showed three divergent populations (northern, southern, and middle) on the coast of China, consistent with those constructed using SNPs derived from whole-genome resequencing data. Most of the 30 K SNPs were located in the intergenic and regulatory regions, whereas 7% were located in the coding region. These high-quality SNPs were located in 953 genes, including 100 heat-response and 348 high-salinity-responsive genes. Therefore, this panel can be used to evaluate the adaptive divergence between populations, and causative SNPs related to temperature and salinity adaptation in the linkage and association analysis, providing robust support for the molecular breeding of estuarine oyster. To the best of our knowledge, this study proposes the first high-throughput SNP-targeted genotyping tool for studying the genetic basis of environmental adaptation in oyster, and providing insights into the development of targeted SNP genotyping tools for the adaptation study in other aquatic species under climate changes. • We developed a 30 K targeted genotyping tool for Crassostrea. Ariakensis. • 24,541 high-quality SNPs were successfully genotyped in 655 samples. • These high-quality SNPs were located in environment-responsive genes. • 74.2% of the SNPs had a consistency rate of 1 with resequencing. Population structure analysis showed three divergent populations on the coast of China • This study could be used to dissect the genetic basis of environmental adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatty acid metabolism contributes to energy supply and plays an important role in regulating immunity. Free fatty acids (FFAs) bind to free fatty acid receptors (FFARs) on the cell surface and mediate effects through the intra-cellular FFAR signaling pathways. FFAR4, also known as G-protein coupled receptor 120 (GPR120), has been identified as the primary receptor of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs). FFAR4 is a promising target for treating metabolic and inflammatory disorders due to its immune regulatory functions and the discovery of highly selective and efficient agonists. This review summarizes the reported immune regulatory functions of ω-3 PUFAs and FFAR4 in immune cells and immune-related diseases. We also speculate possible involvements of ω-3 PUFAs and FFAR4 in other types of inflammatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 and CsCu 2 I 3 have shown potential applications as optoelectronic materials, but the mechanism of their emission remains controversial. It is widely believed that the Stokes shifts of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 (1.45 eV) and CsCu 2 I 3 (1.63 eV) are caused by self-trapped excitons, but the apparent changes in emission intensity observed experimentally are difficult to explain by this theory. In this paper, the defect emission mechanism is investigated: Iodine vacancies (V I) are widely present in iodide materials, but the effect of such point defects on Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 and CsCu 2 I 3 has been little studied. Theoretical calculations based on the first-principles suggest that the V I defect (3.05 eV) may be directly related to the Stokes shift of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 (similar conclusions were obtained for CsCu 2 I 3). In the experiments related to V I , the emission quenching in the iodination treatment is associated with the decrease of defect concentration, while the emission recovery in the annealing treatment stems from the increase of defect concentration caused by iodine decomposition. The iodination and annealing treatments for CuI shows that V I defects play an important role in the emission of iodide. In addition, experiments to control the defect concentration by RTP treatment also showed that V I defects have an effect on the emission intensity of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 and CsCu 2 I 3. Based on the experimental results and theoretical calculations, the emission mechanism of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 and CsCu 2 I 3 may be the semiconductor defect emission theory. We believe that our research on the defect emission theory will provide new insights into the application of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 and CsCu 2 I 3. • The emissions of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 and CsCu 2 I 3 were analyzed by semiconductor defect emission theory. • The effect of V I defects on Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 and CsCu 2 I 3 was investigated by theoretical calculations. • Iodination and annealing treatments were designed to support the defect emission theory. • Similar treatments were performed for other iodides (CuI) to demonstrate that the emission was associated with V I defects. • RTP treatment was performed on CuI to control V I defect concentration in Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 and CsCu 2 I 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of electric bicycles (EBs) for short- and medium-distance travel provides an opportunity to decarbonize the transport sector. Using life cycle assessment, this study evaluated and compared the environmental and economic performances of EBs powered by four different types of batteries in China. The results show that EBs powered by lead-acid batteries have the worst environmental performance, whereas those powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries have the best environmental performance. Motor production was found to have the highest potential for metal depletion and toxicity for humans and ecology, owing to the use of copper in its production. These environmental consequences can be mitigated by continuous promotion of circular economy. The use stage brings about the most environmental pressure related to energy use. Power cleaning will reduce most environmental indicators by 10–25%. EBs powered by lithium manganate batteries have been a mainstream technology, but the short lifetime and low economic value of recycling the battery may constrain their development. [Display omitted] • Environmental and economic performance of electric bicycles (EBs) are evaluated. • Lead-acid battery EBs have the worst performance but use the least metals. • Motor is the component with the greatest environmental impact due to copper use. • Promoting circular economy can reduce environmental impact related to metal use. • EBs powered lithium-ion batteries have higher total cost but lower cost per km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuprous(Ⅰ) iodide (CuI) is widely used as a conducting material in various optoelectronic devices. However, defect properties and instabilities lead to changes in the semiconductor properties of CuI, which seriously affects the stability of related optoelectronic devices. Therefore, in this paper, the decomposition and defect state properties of CuI films are investigated in depth. CuI was prepared by a simple iodination method and belongs to the zinc blende type structure, preferentially crystallizing along the (111) direction. Microscopic tests reveal that grains in CuI film are tightly bonded without obvious cracks or holes, and the grain size reaches 1.231 μm. In the subsequent spectral analysis, multiple emission peaks (free exciton and defect emission peak) were obtained by Gaussian fitting. The two major point defects (Cu vacancy (V Cu) and I vacancy (V I)) in CuI were analyzed theoretically, and the calculated defect energy levels matched the energies of the emission peaks. The results of Gaussian waveform fitting and density functional calculations indicate the presence of V Cu defects and V I defects in CuI. Significant variations in emission and electrical properties were observed in successive tests, indicating the relatively poor long-term stability of the CuI samples. The changes in the emission characteristics are mainly manifested by the weakening of the 416 nm emission and the enhancement of the 720 nm emission, while the changes in the electrical characteristics are mainly manifested by the increasing resistance. The above changes are attributed to the concentration of defect states, mainly due to the increase of V I defects and the decrease of V Cu defects, hence the severe iodine decomposition occurs in the CuI samples. To inhibit the decomposition, three schemes (multiple iodination, multilayer iodination, and encapsulation) were proposed, and relevant experiments were conducted. • Study on the relationship between the optoelectronic properties of CuI and semiconductor defects. • Demonstrated the presence of iodine decomposition in CuI samples. • Methods to inhibit the decomposition of CuI were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal level of DNA methyltransferase (MTase) – mediated DNA methylation is closely related with cancer and bacterial diseases. Herein, a novel strategy based on the keypad lock of duplex DNA modified meso-SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 was developed for colorimetric assay of Dam MTase activity. When the Dam MTase was introduced, the duplex DNA can be methylated at a palindrome sequence of 5′-GATC-3′ and cleaved by the methylation-sensitive restriction endonuclease Dpn I. Due to the instability of the newly formed DNA fragment, the hybrid will separated into a single-stranded DNA. Then the keypad lock will open, and the catalytic reaction of TMB and H 2 O 2 can be initiated through the pores of meso-SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 , and a high color signal can be clearly observed by the naked eye. Contrarily, without Dam MTase, the catalytic reaction will not be initiated, and result no color signal. The proposed method exhibited a wide dynamic range with a low detection limit of 0.73 U/mL. Additionally, this way can be performed in human serum with satisfying recovery. And the inhibition of Dam MTase can also be well demonstrated by using paclitaxel as a model. Therefore, the designed way not only provides a platform for monitoring Dam MTase activity, but also useful for further application in disease diagnosis and drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a poly(Rhodamine B)/graphene oxide/multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite modified glass carbon electrode (PRhB/GO/MWCNTs/GCE) was developed for the simultaneous determination of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP). The PRhB/GO/MWCNTs film was extensively characterized by emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrochemical behaviors of 2,4,6-TCP and PCP were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Due to the synergistic effect, the PRhB/GO/MWCNTs/GCE significantly facilitated the simultaneous electro-oxidation of 2,4,6-TCP and PCP with peak potential difference of 160 mV and enhanced oxidation currents. Under optimum conditions, the oxidation current of 2,4,6-TCP was linear to its concentration in the ranges of 4.0 × 10 −9 to 1.0 × 10 −7 M and 1.0 × 10 −7 to 1.0 × 10 −4 M with the detection limit (S/N = 3) of 8.0 × 10 −10 M. And the linear concentration ranges for PCP were 2.0 × 10 −9 to 1.0 × 10 −7 M and 1.0 × 10 −7 to 9.0 × 10 −5 M with the detection limit of 5.0 × 10 −10 M. Moreover, the proposed PRhB/GO/MWCNTs/GCE was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of 2,4,6-TCP and PCP in practical water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme precipitation events will cause serious disasters, and their changing trends require thorough evaluation. Spatial distribution and temporal trends of extreme precipitation events were analyzed based on the daily precipitation data of 27 meteorological stations in the Hengduan Mountains region from 1961 to 2012. Twelve indices of precipitation extreme were studied. The results were as follows: except for consecutive dry days, consecutive wet days and maximum 5-day precipitation, other indices of precipitation extreme demonstrated non- significant increasing trends, and most indices fluctuated from 1961 to 2012. Increasing trends in precipitation indices were greater than those in precipitation days. The spatial distribution for precipitation extremes exhibited a declining trend from southwest to northeast, which reflected regional differences and the influence of topography in the Hengduan Mountains region. Furthermore, the relationship between precipitation extremes and elevation indicated that precipitation extreme events decreased with altitude. The extreme precipitation indexes had positive correlations with the annual total precipitation, and their correlation coefficients were statistically significant at the 1% significance level, except for consecutive dry days. Continuous wavelet transform analysis presented significant periodic variations with periods of 2–4 year, 5-year, and 10-year in the extreme precipitation, and there was a 2–4 year resonance cycle with the South/East Asian summer monsoon index. The South/East Asian Summer Monsoon was an important influence on precipitation extremes in the Hengduan Mountains region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch is an important biopolymer widely used in the pharmaceutical, food and textile industries. In this study, low-pressure (0.5 atm) cold plasma was used as an novel technique to modify the rheological behaviours of native tapioca starch using four different feeding gases (air, carbon dioxide, argon, and helium). The induced changes in starch samples were studied by rapid visco analyser (RVA), Rheometer, Fourier transform mid-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, respectively. The plasma significantly (P < 0.05) increased peak viscosity, trough viscosity and breakdown viscosity of the treated starch compared to the control. FTIR spectral absorption peaks of the different plasma treated samples were observed at 924, 994, 1149, 1335 and 3274 cm−1, which are related to C–O–C asymmetric stretching, C–OH bending, C–O–C asymmetric stretching, C–H bending and O–H stretching bonds, respectively. The differences in absorbance intensity at these frequencies revealed chemical changes in the corresponding functional groups. The results of FTIR spectral data support the theory that cross-linking reactions occur between starch molecules during plasma treatment, resulting in changes of pasting and rheological properties. However, there was no obvious fissures or cavities observed on the surface of starch granules observed using SEM imaging. [Display omitted] • Cold plasma treatments could modify rheological properties of tapioca starch. • Plasma treatment time and feeding gases influenced the changes in rheological properties. • Cross-linking reactions were assumed to result in the modification of starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the effect of exercise or tai chi on Internet addiction disorder (IAD) among college students and clarified the abundance and population changes of gut microbiota in different groups. Thus explore the potential role of gut microbiota between exercise and IAD. A total of 93 subjects diagnosed with mild IAD were randomly assigned to the exercise group, the tai chi group, and the control group. The intervention groups received exercise or tai chi for 8 weeks and the control group was evaluated without any intervention. Fecal samples were collected after the intervention. 1) Analysis found a significant intervention effect with the exercise group showing an average decrease of 8.84 points on the Internet addiction test (IAT) compared with the control group (95%CI −15.41 to-2.27, P = 0.004). But there was no significant difference between the control group and the tai chi group. 2) Both exercise (P = 0.018) and tai chi (P = 0.026) could significantly relieve fatigue symptoms. 3) The relative abundance of the Betaproteobacteria, Porphyromonadaceae, Sutterellaceae, and Alistipes were significantly decreased in the exercise group compared with the control group, and the relative abundance of Escherichia was significantly increased in the exercise group. 4) The relative abundance of Betaproteobacteria, Sutterellaceae, and Escherichia had significant differences between the improved group and the no-improved group. Exercise intervention has a considerable effect on treating IAD. Exercise and tai chi might have effectiveness in relieving the symptoms of fatigue. Exercise intervention regulates the gut microflora and changes the abundance of microflora to improve IAD. ClinicalTrials.gov , identifier NCT05529368. • This study was a randomized, 3-arm, parallel clinical trial. • Exercise could significantly relieve the symptoms of Internet addiction (IA). • Dizziness and fatigue symptoms improved significantly after intervention. • Exercise regulates the gut microflora to improve IA. • The improvement of IA was associated with the change of the gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of discretized Lyapunov functional is introduced for stability and hybrid L 2 × l 2 -gain analysis of linear impulsive delay systems. This functional consists of three parts. The first part is the conventional discretized functional for delay-independent stability analysis. The second part is the looped-functionals-like functional for exploiting the internal structure inside impulse intervals, in which the decision matrix functions are approximated by piecewise linear matrix functions. The third part is a discretized adjustive factor, which makes the proposed Lyapunov functional continuous along the system trajectories. Thanks to this continuity, the resultant criteria for exponential stability and finite hybrid L 2 × l 2 -gain are expressed in terms of a combination of the continuous and discrete parts of the system. It is shown through numerical examples that the accuracy of the stability test increases with the increase of the partition number on impulse intervals, and the convergence rate is faster than that of the previous discretized functionals-based approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multicomponent analysis in vitro and in vivo is urgent to study the etiology and optimize therapeutic interventions but remains challenge for designing simple, sensitive and selective optical probes. Herein, by assembling frequently-used sensing moiety (C N isomerization) of fluorescent probe with the same luminophore (fluorescein), a simple unimolecular chemo-fluoro-luminescent probe (Probe-OH) for simultaneous detection of NaClO and ONOO- was designed. Interestingly, the presented probe can be used for direct distinguishing NaClO and ONOO- only by their CL kinetic curves. Moreover, with ultra-sensitive CL signal and real-time fluorescent signal, the dual-mode optical probe was successfully applied for in vitro and in vivo imaging of NaClO and ONOO-. The study not only provides a promising strategy to design simple, sensitive and selective probes for responding multiple targets in vitro and in vivo but also demonstrates the applied potential of CL kinetic curves for discrimination of multiplex analytes. [Display omitted] • A chemo-fluoro-luminescent probe for simultaneous detecting NaClO and ONOO-. • The unimolecular probe was applied for imaging analytes in vitro and in vivo. • NaClO and ONOO- can be discriminated only by their different CL kinetic curves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A machine learning-based approach to design ionic liquids (ILs) promising toward the desired target applications. • A tailor-made design of ILs for two cases of CO 2 capture from 1) flue gas (CO 2 /N 2) and 2) from syngas (CO 2 /H 2) • Great efficiency in designing high-performance ILs using our algorithm. • Assessment on the ability of our algorithm to find high-performing ILs with good diversity. In this article, we present a machine learning-based approach for the tailor-made design of ionic liquids (ILs) promising toward the desired target applications. Our computational framework combines multi-player Monte Carlo tree search and recurrent neural network, within a parallel scheme of generating and testing multiple ILs simultaneously, to improve the efficiency of searching optimal structures. For two cases of CO 2 capture from 1) flue gas (CO 2 /N 2) and 2) from syngas (CO 2 /H 2), target-specific ILs were generated in our computational platform according to objective function values that combine three requirements of high CO 2 solubility, absorption selectivity of IL for CO 2 , and easiness of subsequent desorption. Our results showed that high-performance ILs can be designed with great efficiency using our algorithm. Furthermore, topological data analysis on newly designed ILs demonstrated that our algorithm allows us to explore materials space widely to find high-performing ILs with good diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional multiple graph regularized nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) techniques have shown good performance in image clustering applications. However, existing multiple graph regularized NMF methods are unsupervised learning methods which fail to take full advantage of priori information. To solve this issue, this paper develops a novel multiple graph regularized NMF method, namely the multiple graph regularized semi-supervised NMF with adaptive weights (MSNMF), to capture the discriminative data representation. Specifically, the MSNMF method combines the limited supervised information in the form of pairwise constraints, into multiple graph regularization, and propagates the pairwise constraints from the constrained data samples to the unconstrained data samples. Moreover, convergence, connection with the gradient descent method, and computational cost of the proposed method are studied. The relationships between MSNMF and some typical NMF methods are also discussed. Experimental results on eight practical image datasets have shown that the MSNMF method can obtain better clustering results than several related NMF methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic wounds are difficult to heal, which increases the difficulty of treatment and aggravates the suffering of patients. Especially its intractable large amount of exudate puts forward more stringent requirements for dressings. The accumulation of excessive exudate would prolong inflammation phase and delay wound healing. To manage wound exudate in time and get through the inflammatory phase smoothly, we developed a Janus nanofibrous aerogel with asymmetric wetting properties. The Janus nanofibrous aerogel has a micropattern obtained from cellular nanofibrous structure, which does not require external force to realize the autonomous, rapid and unidirectional transportation of exudate. Benefiting from its structure and fluid gating characteristics, it can not only absorb high-volume liquid but also effectively prohibit liquid penetration in reverse. Besides, the Janus nanofibrous aerogel has excellent antibacterial and antioxidant properties to synergistically promote wound healing. Experiments in diabetic mice model showed that Janus nanofibrous aerogel can prevent maceration of peri-wound tissue, shorten the inflammation phase, and promote diabetic wound healing. Its good elasticity and easy production characteristics are friendly for clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • New paleontological age constraints for the strata of the Yaxicuo Formation in the Hoh Xil Basin. • Palynological results reveal that the Hoh Xil Basin was dominated by temperate broadleaved forest. • Ostracod record indicates that a large freshwater lake existed in the Hoh Xil Basin during the latest Eocene-early Oligocene. • A paleoelevation of 2700 ± 200 m a.s.l. was estimated for the Hoh Xil Basin during the latest Eocene-early Oligocene. As the largest intracontinental basin in the Tibetan Plateau hinterland, the Hoh Xil Basin is an ideal area for exploring the coupled history of climate-tectonic relationships in the plateau's interior. However, the detailed paleoenvironmental research on the Hoh Xil Basin is quite insufficient. In this study, we collected palynological and ostracod samples from well-exposed Cenozoic lacustrine strata in the Hoh Xil Basin to reconstruct the paleoenvironment and paleoelevation of the Hoh Xil Basin. Based on the discovery of two key index fossils (Austrocypris cf. posticaudata and Lychnothamnus vectensis), we propose the latest Eocene-early Oligocene (latest Priabonian-earliest Rupelian) age for the strata of the Yaxicuo Formation in the Tongtianhe section. The palynological assemblage suggests that the Hoh Xil Basin was dominated by temperate broadleaved forest and that a warm climate prevailed in this region during the latest Eocene-early Oligocene. Roughly consistent with the overall warm climate confirmed by palynological evidence, the ostracod record indicates that a large freshwater lake existed within the warm environment of the Hoh Xil Basin during the latest Eocene-early Oligocene. By using the coexistence approach (CoA) to evaluate the fossil palynological assemblage, combined with the calibration of the effects of temperature differences and lapse rates, a paleoelevation of 2700 ± 200 m a.s.l. was estimated for the Hoh Xil Basin during the latest Eocene-early Oligocene, representing the height between the basin lake and the crests of the surrounding mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CuI films prepared by iodination of sputtered Cu films of different thickness. • Morphology and crystallinity of CuI films affected by the thickness. • Iodine decomposition in CuI films studied by resistivity and defect emission measurements. • Stability of 440 nm thick film indicates CuI could be used in optoelectronic devices. In the experiments of preparing Copper(I) Iodide films by iodination, it was found that the thickness affects the properties of the films. As the thickness of the films increased, the grain size increased, and the shape of the grains changed from regular hexagonal to triangular. In the atomic force microscope tests, the root mean square roughness of samples with different thicknesses varied considerably (from 58.6 nm to 101 nm with increasing thickness). The decomposition of iodine was studied indirectly by analyzing the relative intensity of the luminescence peaks of the different defects in the photoluminescence spectra. The decomposition of iodine leads to changes in the type and density of defect states in the films, which has a significant impact on the optoelectronic properties of the films. The resistance of the 440 nm copper(I) iodide prepared in the experiment increased from 0.078 Ω*cm to 0.165 Ω*cm after decomposition, and the intensity of the 710 nm defect emission increased by a factor of 20. The experimental results show that the iodine in thick samples decomposes more drastically. Decreasing the thickness of the films can attenuate the iodine decomposition, but obvious cracks and crystal gaps appear in samples with too small thickness. In-depth analysis of photoluminescence spectra and electrical resistance suggests that iodine decomposition may be directly related to surface roughness. By adjusting the film thickness, Copper(I) Iodide films with structural integrity, good stability and excellent photoelectric properties can be prepared. We hope that these findings will help researchers to synthesize Copper(I) Iodide films through iodination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effects of different interventions on Internet addiction (IA), a meta-analysis and network meta-analyses were performed.Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ProQuest, CNKI, WanFang, VIP database, and CBM from their inception to August 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) where the effects of interventions on IA were assessed. The risk of bias was evaluated according to the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2). The R studio Software and Stata 14.0 were used to perform traditional meta-analysis and network meta-analyses.Results: A total of 59 RCTs including 3832 participants were incorporated into meta-analysis. The results of the traditional meta-analysis of 24 studies showed that CBT, group counseling, sports intervention, and Internet-based intervention could significantly reduce IA levels (SMD = -1.90, 95%CI: -2.26 to -1.55, P < 0.01, I2 = 85.9%) as compared to no-treatment control groups. Network meta-analyses based on different scales showed that combined interventions had the highest probability of being the best interventions for IA (SUCRA = 91.0 % based on IAT; SUCRA = 89.0 % based on CIAS).Discussion: Most interventions have significant effects on the treatment of IA. Compared with single interventions, combined interventions showed a more pronounced improvement in Internet addiction symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there have been numerous reports on the inter-transformation between non-luminous Cs 4 PbX 6 nanocrystals (NCs) and luminous CsPbX 3 nanocrystals (NCs). However, most of these reports have focused on the transformation between Cs 4 PbBr 6 NCs and CsPbBr 3 NCs, with little attention given to Cs 4 PbCl 6 NCs. This paper aims to address this gap by investigating the formation of Cs 4 PbCl 6 through the addition of excess CsCl during thermal evaporation. The presence of Cs 4 PbCl 6 was found to passivate the CsPbCl 3 film and improve its luminescence. The highest photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the sample was observed when the ratio of PbCl 2 to CsCl was 1:1.17. This can be attributed to the enhanced crystal quality and reduced non-radiative recombination resulting from the presence of Cs 4 PbCl 6. Furthermore, rapid annealing led to a two-fold increase in the PL intensity of the film. Notably, the film containing Cs 4 PbCl 6 exhibited excellent thermal stability, maintaining a constant PL intensity within the annealing temperature range of 200°C–300 °C. This can be attributed to the prevention of grain size growth in the film due to the presence of Cs 4 PbCl 6. Finally, the electroluminescent device test results showed that the electroluminescence intensity reached the highest at 6 V driving voltage, which was caused by the effective carrier recombination, while the ratio of PbCl 2 to CsCl was 1:1.17 and the annealing temperature was 180 °C. This study provided a novel approach to enhancing the photoelectric performance of CsPbCl 3. • CsPbCl 3 perovskite film is prepared by thermal evaporation method, and CsPbCl 3 /Cs 4 PbCl 6 mixed film is obtained by adding excess CsCl. • The film maintains violet/blue emission at 409 nm, and the full width at half maximum is only 12 nm, showing excellent monochromaticity. • Photoluminescence intensity is nearly twice the original value at a PbCl 2 to CsCl ratio of 1:1.17. • Annealing can also improve the performance of the film, and the film has good stability under low temperature (200°C–300 °C) annealing conditions. • The presence of an appropriate quantity of Cs 4 PbCl 6 enhances the performance of photoinduced and electro-induced devices of CsPbCl 3 thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]