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• TN and Nr deposition fluxes were 31.8 and 18.6 kg ha−1 yr−1 in 2022, respectively. • Atmospheric TN deposition contributed 17.7% of total N input to the lake. • Atmospheric Nr deposition contributed 24.5% to total Nr input to the lake. Although it has been demonstrated that atmospheric reactive nitrogen (i.e., Nr mainly including NH 3 , NH 4 +, NO x , NO 3 − and etc.) deposition has substantial impacts on nitrogen pools in remote and/or sensitive lakes, there is a scarcity of systematic evaluations regarding the impact on nitrogen burden in eutrophic lakes with riverine input as primary nitrogen source. Utilizing a regional atmospheric chemical transport model, combined with observation-based estimates of atmospheric nitrogen deposition fluxes and riverine nitrogen inputs, we investigate the contribution of atmospheric Nr deposition to the fifth largest freshwater lake located in eastern China, i.e., the Chaohu Lake which is facing frequent outbreaks of algal bloom. The results indicate that in the studied year of 2022, riverine total nitrogen (TN) input to the lake was 11553.3 t N yr−1 and atmospheric TN deposition was 2326.0 t N yr−1. For Nr species which are directly available for the biosphere supporting algae and plant growth, riverine NH 4 + input was 1856.1 t N yr−1 and atmospheric NH x (NH 3 and NH 4 +) deposition was 824.5 t N yr−1. The latter accounts for 30.8% of total NH x input to the lake. For NO y (HNO 3 and NO 3 −), riverine NO 3 − input was estimated as 2621.7 t N yr−1, while atmospheric NO y deposition was 629.3 t N yr−1, accounting for 19.4%. In all, atmospheric Nr deposition accounts for 24.5 % of total Nr input to the lake. Our results suggest that even in regions with dense human activities with primary riverine N input, atmospheric deposition of Nr could also contribute significantly to the bio-available nitrogen in lake systems, and addressing eutrophication in Lake Chaohu and other eutrophic lakes will also need to consider the influence of atmospheric Nr deposition which is related to NH 3 and NO x (i.e., NO + NO 2 , the precursor of NO y) emissions, in addition to the mitigation of riverine N input. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fitness functions of real-world optimization problems often need to be analyzed by expensive experiments or numerical simulations. Integrating these expensive simulations or experiments directly into optimization algorithms would result in substantial computational costs. Surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithms (SAEAs) have attracted massive attention recently due to their high efficiency and applicability in solving real-world optimization problems. As the dimension of the optimization problem increases, the computational cost of constructing surrogates increases, and the surrogate model's prediction accuracy may be severely degraded. High-dimensional model representation (HDMR) is a promising technique to partition a high-dimensional function into low-dimensional component functions. However, HDMR's hierarchical structure limits its applicability in online SAEAs. To address these problems, this paper develops a surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithm with hierarchical surrogate technique and adaptive infill strategy (SAEA-HAS). In this work, we propose a novel hierarchical surrogate technique, in which a composite surrogate model is constructed by the first-order HDMR model and an error value-based surrogate model, then, using the internal contrastive analysis method, a hierarchical surrogate model (HSM) combining the composite surrogate with the fitness value-based surrogate is established. In addition, an adaptive infill strategy is developed to balance the exploration and exploitation of the surrogate-assisted evolutionary search. Various test functions and an antenna optimization problem are employed to compare SAEA-HAS with several well-known SAEAs. The experimental results validate the effectiveness of SAEA-HAS. • Propose a novel hierarchical surrogate technique. • Propose an adaptive infill strategy for enhancing the evolutionary search. • Develop an efficient surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal (loid) pollution is a significant threat to human health, as the intake of heavy metal (loid)s can cause disturbances in intestinal microbial ecology and metabolic disorders, leading to intestinal and systemic diseases. Therefore, it is important to understand the effects of heavy metal (loid)s on intestinal microorganisms and the necessary approaches to restore them after damage. This review provides a summary of the effects of common toxic elements, such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and metalloid arsenic (As), on the microbial community and structure, metabolic pathways and metabolites, and intestinal morphology and structure. The effects of heavy metal (loid)s on metabolism are focused on energy, nitrogen, and short-chain fatty acid metabolism. We also discussed the main solutions for recovery of intestinal microorganisms from the effects of heavy metal (loid)s, namely the supplementation of probiotics, recombinant bacteria with metal resistance, and the non-toxic transformation of heavy metal (loid) ions by their own intestinal flora. This article provides insight into the toxic effects of heavy metals and As on gut microorganisms and hosts and provides additional therapeutic options to mitigate the damage caused by these toxic elements. [Display omitted] • Pb, Cd, As and Cr cause alterations in guts microbial diversity. • Pb, Cd, As and Cr disturbing gut microbes can lead to metabolic abnormalities. • Probiotics as an effective way to alleviate metal(loid)s damage in gut microbes. • Gut metal-resistant bacteria as an important pathway for heavy metal(loid)s detoxification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydrazine sensor based on novel copper sulfide|reduced graphene oxide (CuS|rGO) nanocomposites, which were synthesized with a facile hydrothermal method. It was discovered that the aggregation of graphene nanosheets could be reduced very significantly by the formation of CuS|rGO composites. The sensor was fabricated by simple casting of CuS|rGO aqueous suspension on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and its performance was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and amperometric techniques. It was found that the resulting sensor exhibited good performance toward H2O2 detection with wide linear response ranging from 1×10−6 to 1×10−3 M (R=0.996) at -0.2V and low detection limit of 1×10−7 M estimated at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. In addition, the fabricated sensor also exhibited high sensitivity toward the detection of hydrazine with a low detection limit of 3×10−7 M, wide linear range from 1×10−6 to 1×10−3 M (R=0.999) at 0.4V. For both analytes, the sensor exhibited good reproducibility, selectivity and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Precise assembly and localization of preformed inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) in block copolymer (BCP) assemblies are of great importance in realizing the formation of nano-hybrids with high performance. Properties of the nanocomposites depend not only on those of individual building blocks but also on their spatial organization at different length scales, demonstrating unique optical, electrical, and magnetic properties. With the aid of the BCPs, NPs can form a broader range of structures in the nanoscopically confined geometry. Thus, many studies have focused on the selective localization of NPs in BCP aggregates. In this paper, we will outline recent advances in the preparation strategies for precise localization of inorganic NPs into BCP micelles, including co-precipitation, supramolecular assembly, interfacial instabilities of emulsion droplets, heating–cooling, electrostatic interaction, and others. Manipulating the balance between enthalpic and entropic contributions provides one of the opportunities to precisely control the spatial distribution of NPs in BCPs assemblies. We will focus on the principles of precise control of dispersion and localization of the NPs in BCP micelles. Potential applications of the hybrid micelles will finally be discussed, followed by the summary and outlook of this emerging area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hepatitis E is chronic in immunocompromised patients with HIV infection, organ transplant, or radiation and chemotherapy. General cases are not chronic. Fifty-five cases were collected and followed up for 4–14 years. It was found that chronic hepatitis E is more common in males, but a high degree of inflammatory activity and fibrosis was not evident. After 4–14 years of follow-up observation, cirrhosis or liver cancer did not appear. This is significantly different from the hepatitis B and C viruses. We speculated that the chronic mechanism in the general patients with hepatitis E might be different from that of immunocompromised cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, magnetic starch-based composite hydrogel microspheres (SCHMs) were produced via a Diels-Alder reaction during spray drying. The adsorption behavior of SCHMs for methylene blue (MB) was investigated systematically. The adsorption process could be described by Langmuir isothermal model and pseudo-first-order kinetic model with R2 > 0.95 and R2 > 0.98, respectively, resulting from its dominating physical adsorption. The thermodynamic studies showed the adsorption was spontaneous and the nature of adsorption was endothermic due to that the free energy ∆G was a negative value and the enthalpy ∆H was a positive value. The absorbent had good reusability with 90.5% of removal efficiency after 5 cycles. In addition, the effects of concentration, pH and temperature on the adsorption of MB by SCHMs were optimized using the Box-Behnken Design and response surface methodology. The order of three factors affecting the adsorption capacity of SCHMS is initial pH > initial concentration > temperature. Due to their safe, non-toxic and easily recycled advantages, SCHMs have the potential to be applied to water treatment in the future. [Display omitted] • Novel magnetic starch-based hydrogel microspheres were produced via a Diels-Alder reaction during the spray drying process. • The preparation process of the microspheres was simple, green and economical. • The microspheres were non-toxic and easily recycled and could spontaneously remove methylene blue in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Starch hydrogel microspheres were prepared via the combination of spray drying and a Diels-Alder reaction. • Swelling ratio can be tuned by changing the conditions of spray drying. • The microspheres slowed the release rate of 5-Fu. • Starch hydrogel microspheres were non-toxic for model cells. Herein, starch was used as a raw material to produce hydrogel microspheres via a strategy that combines spray drying and a Diels-Alder reaction. First, the starch was modified with N -maleoyl alanine and succinic acid amide. Second, starch hydrogel microspheres (SGPs) and drug-loaded hydrogel microspheres (5-Fu/SGPs) were produced by spray drying an aqueous solution of the as-prepared modified starch, forming chemical crosslinks via an in situ Diels-Alder reaction during the spray drying. The microspheres slowed the release rate of 5-Fu. In vitro cytotoxicity tests indicated that the SGPs are non-toxic for model human breast cancer cells; however, the 5-Fu/SGPs demonstrated clear cytotoxicity for human breast cancer cells. Taking into account the ease of the spray drying process and the good performance of the prepared microspheres, the strategy presented here has the potential to be applied to the green preparation of drug-loaded hydrogel microspheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its high efficiency, surrogate models have been extensively used in black-box-type engineering optimization problems. However, due to the nature of black-box functions, it is difficult to decide which surrogate model is the best for a given problem. In addition, it is difficult to accurately estimate the prediction accuracy of a surrogate on an expensive black-box function in advance. Because we cannot use many real expensive samples to test the prediction accuracy of different surrogates due to the limited computational resources. Ensembles of surrogates fully exploit the advantages of each surrogate model in predicting a given implicit function and have been shown to be effective in improving the robustness of surrogates. The use of ensembles of surrogates to the engineering design optimization has recently attracted huge attention. This work reviews the state-of-the-art ensembles of surrogates and their applications in black-box-type engineering optimization problems. We first familiarize readers with ensembles of surrogates, and give a description of different types of ensembles of surrogates. Further, the recent advances in using ensembles of surrogates for black-box-type engineering optimization are reviewed, and the applications in various optimization needs are highlighted. Finally, we identify the research gaps and most important trends. This review aims to serve as a comprehensive guide that enhances the accessibility of ensembles of surrogates, which can act as an insurance policy in predicting expensive black-box functions and are increasingly used in the field of black-box-type engineering optimization. • Analysis of cutting-edge ensembles of surrogates. • Review the applications of ensemble of surrogates to engineering optimization. • Identify challenges and trends in ensemble of surrogates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet the demand for miniaturization and integration of electronic and electrical equipments, developing dielectric capacitors with excellent energy storage properties is of utmost importance. Bi 0.5 Na 0.5 TiO 3 -based ceramics have been investigated extensively for potential energy storage applications. However, its low breakdown strength E b and high remnant polarization P r limit the energy storage density and efficiency (η). Therefore, we explored a synergistic design strategy of domain control and grain size adjustment via La doping to successfully synthesize 0.8Bi 0.5 Na 0.5 TiO 3 -0.2NaNbO 3 - x La 2 O 3 (0.8BNT-0.2NN- x La 2 O 3) ceramics with superior energy storage properties to overcome above issues. It shows that the composition regulation by antiferroelectric NaNbO 3 results in improved disrupted long rang order ferroelectric domain structure, effectively promoting the formation of polar nanoregions, subsequently weakening P r and enhancing relaxation behavior. The introduction of antiferroelectric NaNbO 3 effectively improves the η of the system. Moreover, the grain size is decreased and densification is enhanced after La tailoring, which is beneficial for the E b and recyclable energy storage density (W rec). Finally, a high W rec of 4.40 ± 0.20 J/cm3 and η of 80.1 ± 2.1% at 450 kV/cm are obtained in 0.8BNT-0.2NN-0.07La 2 O 3 ceramic. Besides, the sample demonstrates admirable temperature stability (25–175 °C) and frequency stability (10–100 Hz). Simultaneously, it displays stable discharge energy density, rapid discharge time of 0.36 μs, and good fatigue endurance (105 cycles). The results offer useful guidance for the design of novel ceramic capacitors with comprehensive energy storage performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flower-like CuS nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized with a simple and mild hydrothermal method. XRD analysis indicated that the product is pure hexagonal phase CuS. The morphology of the particles was studied by TEM. The electrode modified with CuS nanoflowers showed excellent electrocatalytic activities to the oxidation of glucose and reduction of hydrogen peroxide in pH 7.2 phosphate buffer. It is the first reported copper sulfide based sensor of both glucose and hydrogen peroxide. Electrochemical analysis of the particulate CuS for detecting H2O2 and glucose is described, showing remarkable sensitivity in both cases. The estimated detection linear ranges and sensitivities for H2O2 (1×10−6–1×10−4 M, 3.64×104 μAM−1) and glucose (1×10−5 M–1×10−2 M, 5.86×103 μAM−1) suggest that the response for H2O2 detection is higher than that for glucose detection. The good analytical performance makes CuS NPs/chitosan modified glassy carbon electrode (CuS/CS/GCE) a promising electrochemical sensor for glucose and hydrogen peroxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]