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The significant environmental impact of buildings during their lifecycle has made it a critical area to address the global climate crisis. However, due to the involvement of multiple industrial sectors, a large number of related parties, and the complexity of environmental information flows in the whole lifecycle of buildings, the effectiveness of the traditional centralized management approach is limited, and it is necessary to adopt more advanced management technology tools. With its decentralized, transparent, and secure characteristics, blockchain technology has triggered various applications in several industries, as well as in the field of building environmental sustainability. Using bibliometric and content analysis, this paper comprehensively reviews the current state of research on blockchain technology in the field of building environmental sustainability. A total of 128 articles were reviewed, revealing that blockchain technology has been used to address various types of environmental problems in multiple stages of the building lifecycle, including building material production, construction, operation, and demolition phases, etc. It is shown that blockchain technology can already effectively improve the use of renewable energy and reduce overall energy consumption during the building operation phase, while the great potential for solving other environmental issues, such as the management of building embodied carbon emissions, needs to be further explored. This paper also explores potential research opportunities and future directions based on current gaps and limitations, presenting several critical topics from the perspective of building lifecycle and practice support. This review helps related researchers gain insights into the research frontier and future direction. • Blockchain technology improves environmental performance across building lifecycle. • A comprehensive research status is shown through bibliometric and content analysis. • Main environmental issues and highlighted blockchain technologies are discussed. • Further blockchain applications are urgently needed for building carbon emissions. • Potential research opportunities and priorities for the future are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human somatic cells can be reprogrammed to pluripotent stem cells by small molecules through an intermediate stage with a regeneration signature, but how this regeneration state is induced remains largely unknown. Here, through integrated single-cell analysis of transcriptome, we demonstrate that the pathway of human chemical reprogramming with regeneration state is distinct from that of transcription-factor-mediated reprogramming. Time-course construction of chromatin landscapes unveils hierarchical histone modification remodeling underlying the regeneration program, which involved sequential enhancer recommissioning and mirrored the reversal process of regeneration potential lost in organisms as they mature. In addition, LEF1 is identified as a key upstream regulator for regeneration gene program activation. Furthermore, we reveal that regeneration program activation requires sequential enhancer silencing of somatic and proinflammatory programs. Altogether, chemical reprogramming resets the epigenome through reversal of the loss of natural regeneration, representing a distinct concept for cellular reprogramming and advancing the development of regenerative therapeutic strategies. [Display omitted] • Human chemical reprogramming activates regeneration gene program • Epigenome remodeling of regeneration gene program with enhancer recommissioning • Chemically resetting epigenome through reversal of the loss of natural regeneration • Regeneration program activation requires silencing somatic and inflammatory programs By performing single-cell transcriptomic and histone modification profiling of the chemical reprogramming process, Wang et al. unveil the epigenome remodeling underlying activation of the regeneration program. They discover that sequential enhancer recommissioning and promoter activation mirrors a reversed pathway of regeneration loss in organism maturation and demonstrate the intrinsic barriers to this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A modified isothermal calorimeter was used to measure the hydration heat of DEC cement paste. • The influence of DEC excluding OH effect on fresh cement paste is small. • A theoretical model of simulating electric power per unit mass was established and is well consistent with the measured results. A modified apparatus based on isothermal calorimetry was employed to determine the influence of direct electric curing (DEC) on the hydration of cement paste other than ohmic heating effect. In addition, the effects of DEC on the microstructure of cured cement pastes were investigated by TG, XRD, NMR, SEM and MIP. The results show that the heat release of DEC samples at early-age is increased significantly due to the electrical power. However, the hydration and microstructure of DEC samples in the isothermal environment are familiar with the normal curing sample. This indicates that, other than OH effect, the impact of DEC on the hydration process and microstructure of cement is negligible. Moreover, a theoretical model for predicting the electric power evolution related to porosity, free water content, hydration degree and initial electric power per unit mass was established which is matched well with the actual measurement results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) can affect soil organic carbon (C) cycling in paddy soil by changing microbial function and soil properties. In this study, a laboratory incubation experiment was applied to explore the effect of polyethylene (PE) MP on methane (CH 4) and carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions from paddy soils after rice straw addition. Moreover, the microbial functional genes encoding CH 4 oxidation and production and organic C degradation were measured. MP addition significantly (p < 0.05) affected the release of CH 4 , but this effect varied with soil type. The amendment of PE MPs significantly (p < 0.05) reduced CH 4 emission by 16.9 % for the acidic soil (pH = 5.0) and 16.1 % for the alkaline soil (pH = 8.2), which was probably due to these plastic particles inhibiting CH 4 production by reducing the abundance of the mcrA gene or stimulating CH 4 oxidation with the increasing number of pmoA gene copies, respectively. For the neutral soils, the presence of PE MPs did not significantly (p > 0.05) alter CH 4 emissions and their associated microbial functional genes. Across the experimental paddy soils, the response of CH 4 emissions to MPs was negatively and positively correlated with those of soil ammonium (NH 4 +) content and mcrA gene abundance, respectively, suggesting that the change in these variables may control the release of CH 4 in the presence of MPs. In addition, PE MPs had a negligible effect on soil CO 2 emissions and the abundances of all functional genes encoding starch, hemicellulose, and lignin degradation. Our results demonstrated that the presence of MPs affects the release of CH 4 , probably by regulating NH 4 + substrates and methanogens, and this emerging environmental factor should be considered when estimating CH 4 emissions from paddy fields. • The impact of microplastics (MPs) on CH 4 emissions varied with paddy soils. • MPs reduced CH 4 emission and mcrA gene abundance in acidic soil. • MPs decreased CH 4 emission but increased pmoA gene copy in alkaline soil. • MPs affected CH 4 emission by regulating ammonium substrates and methanogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Clostridia exhibit the potential for sustainable utilization of various feedstocks. • Metabolic and process engineering strategies for feedstocks utilization are discussed. • Different synthetic biology approaches for improved feedstocks utilization are highlighted. The sustainable production of chemicals and biofuels from non-fossil carbon sources is considered key to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Clostridium sp. can convert various substrates, including the 1st-generation (biomass crops), the 2nd-generation (lignocellulosic biomass), and the 3rd-generation (C1 gases) feedstocks, into high-value products, which makes Clostridia attractive for biorefinery applications. However, the complexity of lignocellulosic catabolism and C1 gas utilization make it difficult to construct efficient production routes. Accordingly, this review highlights the advances in the development of three generations of feedstocks with Clostridia as cell factories. At the same time, more attention was given to using agro-industrial wastes (lignocelluloses and C1 gases) as the feedstocks, for which metabolic and process engineering efforts were comprehensively analyzed. In addition, the challenges of using agro-industrial wastes are also discussed. Lastly, several new synthetic biology tools and regulatory strategies are emphasized as promising technologies to be developed to address the aforementioned challenges in Clostridia and realize the efficient utilization of agro-industrial wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Electric curing is proposed for the rapid curing of cement at room temperature. • Suitable electrical curing regime can effectively improve the early strength of cement. • Joule heat is the key to accelerate the hydration of cement. • Electric curing consumes much less energy than steam curing. To understand the effects of direct electric curing condition on the mechanical strength and microstructure of cement paste, a series of experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of alternative current voltages and frequency on compressive strength of samples. And the corresponding microstructure of samples were also analyzed by several measurements including X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porometer. The results show that alternative current electric voltage and frequency can greatly influence the early compressive strength of a cement paste. And a suitable electric curing condition can make hardened cement paste keep a steady growth of compressive strength and excellent microstructure. The Joule heat of direct electric curing on cement paste is the main reason that accelerates the hydration and improve the early strength development of sample. This study will provide an important technical support for exploring low carbon rapid electric curing method to produce green high early strength cement concrete prefabricated element. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing attention on sustainable development, 3D printing construction and recycled concrete have drawn extensive interest as emerging construction technology and novel building materials. At this intersection, we attempted to evaluate the environmental impact and economic benefit of 3D printed buildings made of recycled concrete employing life-cycle assessment tools. Goal and scope definition, materials and scenarios, life-cycle inventory analysis, life-cycle assessment impact, and interpretation were detailed based on the characteristics of concrete 3D printing to better quantify the sustainability potential of recycled concrete used in 3D printed buildings. We found that although increases in using recycled aggregate could produce less pollutant emissions, the environmental impact caused by 3D printing concrete construction is generally larger than traditional cast-in-situ concrete construction. This is because additional cement is required in the 3D printing process to maintain dependable concrete performance. From the economic perspective, 3D printing concrete construction technology has significant advantages over traditional cast-in-situ concrete construction, saving the heavy cost of formwork and labor. Such benefit is even more pronounced in geometrically irregular buildings. We also found that the cost of buildings made of recycled concrete decreased as the proportion of recycled aggregate increased, owing to the higher price of natural aggregate. This paper contributes to identifying key factors in the life-cycle evaluation of 3D printing construction with cementitious materials. • The sustainability potential of recycled concrete used in 3D printed buildings is evaluated. • 3D printed concrete buildings generate higher environmental impact because of additional cement content. • 3D printed concrete buildings have significant economic advantages, especially for those geometrically irregular buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CRISPR-Cas systems have shown tremendous promise as heterologous tools for genome editing in various prokaryotes. However, the perturbation of DNA homeostasis and the inherent toxicity of Cas9/12a proteins could easily lead to cell death, which led to the development of endogenous CRISPR-Cas systems. Programming the widespread endogenous CRISPR-Cas systems for in situ genome editing represents a promising tool in prokaryotes, especially in genetically intractable species. Here, this review briefly summarizes the advances of endogenous CRISPR-Cas-mediated genome editing, covering aspects of establishing and optimizing the genetic tools. In particular, this review presents the application of different types of endogenous CRISPR-Cas tools for strain engineering, including genome editing and genetic regulation. Notably, this review also provides a detailed discussion of the transposon-associated CRISPR-Cas systems, and the programmable RNA-guided transposition using endogenous CRISPR-Cas systems to enable editing of microbial communities for understanding and control. Therefore, they will be a powerful tool for targeted genetic manipulation. Overall, this review will not only facilitate the development of standard genetic manipulation tools for non-model prokaryotes but will also enable more non-model prokaryotes to be genetically tractable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensively fertilized acidic soils are global hotspots of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions, contributing to net agronomic greenhouse gas outcomes. Identifying the key drivers of soil N 2 O emissions is hampered by the synergistic or antagonistic effects of multiple factors. Within a framework based on the predominant role of microbial communities producing N 2 O, the N 2 O emissions are affected either by proximal regulators: temporary soil property fluctuations affect N 2 O production transcriptionally, or by distal regulators: persistent genetic rearrangements in local microbial communities. The proximal regulators, individually or together, may spontaneously impact distal regulators. Here, we use acidic soils from tea (Camellia sinensis L.) plantations on a broader geographic scale as a model system. Based on amplicon sequencing and properties of 195 acidic (average pH = 5.0) soils, we determined the importance of proximal and distal regulation to N 2 O emissions. Microbial phylogenetic diversity as a distal regulator overwhelms mineral N content as a proximal regulator in explaining high N 2 O emissions. Low-abundance, diverse prokaryotic communities (e.g., Acidothermu) and specialized denitrifying fungal communities (e.g., Fusarium) were associated with high N 2 O emissions. Revisiting the impact of proximal regulators on distal regulators revealed that soil pH is the sole proximal regulator influencing the prokaryotic rare taxa that correlated with high N 2 O emissions. When considering proximal regulators together (here soil properties compiled as soil fertility index), the microbial diversity were independent of soil fertility. The microbial assembly was dominated by stochastic processes. Consequently, proximal regulators have a limited impact on distal regulators of N 2 O emissions from acidic soils. In conclusion, the framework underscored the importance of in situ microbial communities as distal regulators in explaining high N 2 O emissions from acidic soils. • Tea plantation soils as a model system for studying N 2 O emissions from acidic soils. • Microbial assembly processes are independent of soil fertility. • Microbial phylogenetic diversity explains more elevated N 2 O emissions. • Diverse prokaryotes and specialized fungi contributed to high N 2 O emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The planning and synthesis of nanocomposite materials with reasonable core-shell heterostructure are of great significance in enhancing the energy density, structural stability as well as long cycle life of asymmetric supercapacitors. We have successfully prepared CuCo 2 O 4 @CuCo 2 S 4 @Ni(OH) 2 core-shell 3D nanoflower array electrode material, resulting in outstanding performance of the assembled supercapacitor. Firstly, CuCo 2 O 4 (CuC) nanowires are grown directly on nickel foam (NF) through hydrothermal and calcination reactions, followed by the formation of heterogeneous CuCo 2 O 4 @CuCo 2 S 4 (CuC@CuS) nanoflowers via a hydrothermal reaction by using Na 2 S·9H 2 O as a vulcanizing agent. Finally, CuCo 2 O 4 @CuCo 2 S 4 @Ni(OH) 2 electrode material is obtained via the electrodeposition method under a constant voltage. The prepared electrode material is composed of conductive CuC@CuS nanoflowers as the core and deposited Ni(OH) 2 nanosheets as the shell, which effectively promotes ion diffusion, increases the reactive area and thereby enhances the electrochemical performance. Impressively, the composite electrode CuC@CuS@Ni(OH) 2 /NF material achieves an exciting high capacitance of 3753.6 F g−1 (1 A g−1), and the cycle stability is reduced by only 7.1 % after 10,000 cycle tests in the standard three-electrode system. Furthermore, the asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device composed of activated carbon (AC) and CuC@CuS@Ni(OH) 2 exhibits 729.75 W kg−1 power density under 59.11 Wh kg−1 energy density. The aforementioned findings demonstrate that the CuC@CuS@Ni(OH) 2 nanoflower array is a very potential energy storage material. The flower-shaped CuC@CuS@Ni(OH) 2 /NF composite with core-shell structure is constructed via facile hydrothermal and annealing processes followed by electrodeposition. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental factors play an important role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN), and previous study has shown that arsenic exposure can promote kidney damage in DN rats, however there is no relevant mechanism study so far. In this study, an arsenic-exposed (10 mg/L and 25 mg/L) DN mouse model was established through drinking water for 14 weeks. The results showed that 25 mg/L arsenic exposure increased the renal fibrosis in DN mice significantly, and urinary mAlb level increased with the increasing of arsenic exposure level. Transcriptome sequencing showed that autophagy-related pathways were significantly activated under the exposure dose of 25 mg/L, and levels of Beclin1 and p-ATG16L1/ATG16L1 were significantly higher in the 25 mg/L arsenic group compared to the control group. Silico analysis predicted the microRNAs those could regulate the hub genes of Mapk1 , Rhoa and Cdc42 , and dual-luciferase gene reporter assay was used to verify the targeted binding between these mRNAs and microRNAs. Our results suggested that high arsenic exposure could aggravate the progression of DN by altering autophagy, the miRNA-mRNA axles of let-7a-1-3p, let-7b-3p, let-7f-1-3p, miR-98-3p/ Cdc42 , Mapk1 , Rhoa , could be considered promising targets to explore the mechanisms and therapeutic measures of DN after exposure to high levels of arsenic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the performance of long-term time series forecasting is important for real-world applications. Recently, Transformer-based models have achieved significant performance gains in long-term time series prediction. However, these models are memory-intensive and cannot capture temporal patterns at multiple scales. To this end, we propose to integrate the time series decomposition method in the Transformer framework to enable the model to extract short- and long-term time patterns in more predictable seasonal and trend components. In this paper, we propose a Transformer-based model named CLformer. Different from previous methods, we exploit dilated convolutional networks to capture and refine multiple temporally repeated patterns in time series before time series decomposition. To enable the model to capture the dependencies at multiple scales, we propose a local group autocorrelation (LGAC) mechanism. The LGAC mechanism calculates autocorrelation within time series segments, strengthening the model's ability to capture the local temporal dynamics of series. The stacking of multiple LGAC layers enables the model to capture multi-scale dependencies, which in turn improves the model's predictive performance. The CLformer outperforms models using the global autocorrelation mechanism and self-attention in both efficiency and accuracy. Experimental results on six benchmark datasets show that our model obtains a relative performance improvement of 11.75% compared to the state-of-the-art methods. In addition, CLformer achieves a relative performance improvement of 18.89% on two datasets without apparent periodicity, demonstrating the effectiveness of our model on time series without significant periodicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct stockpiling of electrolytic manganese residues (EMR) poses a major environmental issue, and more eco-friendly disposal is urgently needed. The combination of cement solidified waste (CSW) and direct electric curing (DEC) provides a potential solution for hazard-free value-added utilization of EMR. The effects of DEC voltages and EMR dosages on mechanical properties, hydrated products, pore structure of mixture were investigated. The influencing mechanism of DEC on the properties of cement hydration was explored in-depth using TG and XRD results. The environmental and economic evolution of DEC was analyzed, and the leaching test was conducted to evaluate the immobilization of heavy metals. Results indicate that cement-EMR pastes cured in higher DEC voltage and reduced EMR dosage increase mechanical strength and improve pore structure and capillary water absorption with respect to indoor curing (IC). The increased cement dosage improves the effectiveness of CSW, while the increased DEC voltage enhances the ionic driving force. The boosted ettringite formation occurs in system after introducing DEC and amplifying the DEC voltage. The improvement of ion concentration in DEC accelerates the formation of hydration products. The CO 2 -e per MPa (EIF) and cost per MPa (CIF) values of paste DMP-7 cured in 12V-DEC exhibit the lowest values with respect to those cured in other voltages and IC. The decrease in the leaching amount of Mn2+ and NH 4 +-N as the DEC voltage increases, and the 28-d leaching concentration of Mn2+ and NH 4 +-N in pastes are in accordance with the national standards. The application of DEC and cement-solidified disposal for EMR could provide a potential solution for high-value and large-capacity disposal of hazardous solid waste. [Display omitted] • Combined with cement hydration and DEC realizes high dose hazard-free value-added utilization of EMR. • DEC promotes cement hydration for high-early strength and EMR solidification with respect to IC. • The improvement in strength of paste cured in DEC is boosted by ionic migration and pore structure. • Mn2+ and NH 4 +-N below national standards at high-alkali condition from cement hydration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]