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Understanding the distribution, dispersal, and correlation of modern pollen with vegetation in mountainous regions is essential for establishing accurate modern analogs for fossil pollen records. This study, conducted in Leigong Mountain on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau of southwestern China, involved the collection of 35 surface soil samples from diverse vegetation communities along an elevational gradient ranging from 1210 to 1875 meters. The results reveal a close correspondence between modern pollen assemblages and vegetation zones. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results indicate that pollen assemblages can effectively distinguish between subtropical montane evergreen broad-leaved forest (SEBF) and subtropical montane deciduous broad-leaved forest (SDBF). However, both SEBF and SDBF show significant overlap with subtropical montane evergreen-deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest (SEMF). Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) results clearly distinguish the three vegetation zones, and the first axis of DCA shows a significant positive correlation with elevation (p<0.01, R=0.48). Discriminant Analysis (DA) successfully assigns 94.4% of the modern pollen samples to their respective vegetation zones. Pollen taxa such as Impatiens, Aster-type, and Rosaceae exhibit significant indicative capabilities for the SEBF zone, effectively distinguishing this vegetation zone from others. Pinus and Alnus display overrepresentation in the Leigong Mountain region, while Quercus (D, deciduous-type) and Poaceae exhibit high representation in the SEBF zone. In the SEBF zone, both pollen diversity and richness are the lowest. Our study reveals the complex relationship between the richness and diversity of pollen and vegetation. The diversity and richness of tree and shrub pollen are found to be lower than those of the corresponding plants. The pollen-vegetation relationship elucidated in this study serves as a critical reference for reconstructing ancient environments from fossil pollen retrieved in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance to chemotherapy has been a major hurdle that limits therapeutic benefits for many types of cancer. Here we systematically identify genetic drivers underlying chemoresistance by performing 30 genome-scale CRISPR knockout screens for seven chemotherapeutic agents in multiple cancer cells. Chemoresistance genes vary between conditions primarily due to distinct genetic background and mechanism of action of drugs, manifesting heterogeneous and multiplexed routes towards chemoresistance. By focusing on oxaliplatin and irinotecan resistance in colorectal cancer, we unravel that evolutionarily distinct chemoresistance can share consensus vulnerabilities identified by 26 second-round CRISPR screens with druggable gene library. We further pinpoint PLK4 as a therapeutic target to overcome oxaliplatin resistance in various models via genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition, highlighting a single-agent strategy to antagonize evolutionarily distinct chemoresistance. Our study not only provides resources and insights into the molecular basis of chemoresistance, but also proposes potential biomarkers and therapeutic strategies against such resistance. Chemoresistance limits the success of chemotherapy in patients with cancer. Here, the authors perform 30 genome wide CRISPR knockout screens to identify genes associated to resistance against commonly used chemotherapeutics across multiple cancer types, followed by 26 second round CRISPR screens to identify druggable targets of chemoresistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon fiber-reinforced composites (CFRCs) have been widely used in automotive, aerospace, sports equipment, and other industrial fields, due to the higher strength-to-weight ratio and modulus compared with metals and alloys. Innovations in additive-manufactured CFRCs have opened up new avenues for designing and manufacturing high-performance, low-cost complex composite structures. According to the structure and substrate type of carbon fiber, this paper firstly reviews the existing feasible technologies as well as their key elements and focuses on the research of additive manufactured CFRCs by fused deposition molding (FDM) and selective laser sintering (SLS). Furthermore, the typical applications and envisions of additive manufactured CFRCs were elaborated. Moreover, the existing challenges and problems are summarized from the aspects of materials, equipment, and software. In the future, more interdisciplinary research is needed on advanced materials, multiple processes, advanced equipment, and structural design, and there will be a broader research space for robot-assisted additive manufacturing and green manufacturing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper differentiation of corneal epithelial cells (CECs) from limbal stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) is required for maintenance of ocular homeostasis and clear vision. Here, using a single-cell transcriptomic atlas, we delineate the comprehensive and refined molecular regulatory dynamics during human CEC development and differentiation. We find that RORA is a CEC-specific molecular switch that initiates and drives LSCs to differentiate into mature CECs by activating PITX1. RORA dictates CEC differentiation by establishing CEC-specific enhancers and chromatin interactions between CEC gene promoters and distal regulatory elements. Conversely, RORA silences LSC-specific promoters and disrupts promoter-anchored chromatin loops to turn off LSC genes. Collectively, our work provides detailed and comprehensive insights into the transcriptional dynamics and RORA-mediated epigenetic remodeling underlying human corneal epithelial differentiation.Ocular homeostasis and vision depend on the differentiation of limbal stem/progenitor cells into corneal epithelial cells. Here, the authors report transcriptional dynamics and RORA-mediated epigenetic remodeling underlying the differentiation of human corneal epithelium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite mammography-based screening for breast cancer has been conducted in many countries, there are still little data on participation and diagnostic yield in population-based breast cancer screening in China. Methods: We enrolled 151,973 eligible women from four cities in Hebei Province within the period 2013–2021 and followed up until December 31, 2021. Participants aged 40–74 who assessed as high risk were invited to undergo breast ultrasound and mammography examination. Overall and group-specific participation rates were calculated. Multivariable analyses were used to estimate the factors associated with participation rates. The diagnostic yield of both screening and no screening groups was calculated. We further analyzed the stage distribution and molecular subtype of breast cancer cases by different modes of cancer detection. Results: A total of 42,547 participants were evaluated to be high risk of breast cancer. Among them, 23,009 subjects undertook screening services, with participation rate of 54.08%. Multivariable logistic regression model showed that aged 45–64, high education level, postmenopausal, current smoking, alcohol consumption, family history of breast cancer, and benign breast disease were associated with increased participation of screening. After median follow-up of 3.79 years, there were 456 breast cancer diagnoses of which 65 were screen-detected breast cancers (SBCs), 27 were interval breast cancers (IBCs), 68 were no screening cancers, and 296 were cancers detected outside the screening program. Among them, 92 participants in the screening group (0.40%) and 364 in the non-screening group (0.28%) had breast cancer detected, which resulted in an odds ratio of 1.42 (95% CI 1.13–1.78; P = 0.003). We observed a higher detection rate of breast cancer in the screening group, with ORs of 2.42 (95% CI 1.72–3.41) for early stage (stages 0–I) and 2.12 (95% CI 1.26–3.54) for luminal A subtype. SBCs had higher proportion of early stage (71.93%) and luminal A subtype (47.22%) than other groups. Conclusions: The significant differences in breast cancer diagnosis between the screening and non-screening group imply an urgent need for increased breast cancer awareness and early detection in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore sex differences in the relationship between thyroid function indicators and suicide attempts in first-episode and drug-naïve young major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with comorbid anxiety (MDA). A total of 917 MDD patients (aged 18–35 years) were recruited. The Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD-17), Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA), positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) positive subscale and clinical global impression of severity scale (CGI-S) were used. 467 patients were classified as MDA. The prevalence of suicide attempts was 31.3% in MDA patients, which was significantly higher than that (7.3%) in MDD patients without anxiety. Compared with MDA patients without suicide attempts, MDA patients with suicide attempts were older, had a later age of onset, higher HAMD-17, HAMA, and PANSS positive symptom subscale scores, as well as higher TSH, TgAb and TPOAb levels. For male patients, TSH and TPOAb levels were independently associated with suicide attempts. For female patients, HAMA, PANSS positive symptom scores, CGI-S score and TPOAb levels were independently associated with suicide attempts. Our results suggest that the indicators of thyroid function which can predict suicide attempts in male and female MDA patients have sex differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low utilization of solar energy due to the narrow response spectra limits the performance of current photocatalysts. Utilizing up-conversion photoluminescence is one of the effective methods to enhance photocatalytic ability. A new photocatalyst, NaYF4: Yb, Tm nanoparticles (NYT) embedded in NH2-MIL-125(Ti) (NYT@NH2-MIL-125(Ti)), was constructed aiming to efficiently degrade pollutant under full-spectrum illumination. The characterization certified that NYT had been successfully embedded in NH2-MIL-125(Ti). The photocatalytic activity of NYT@NH2-MIL-125(Ti) was tested by degrading Rhodamine B (RhB). The NYT@NH2-MIL-125(Ti) showed significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with NH2-MIL-125(Ti), whose degradation kinetic constant of RhB was 3.73 times that of NH2-MIL-125(Ti). The enhanced photocatalytic performance should be attributed to the expanded response light spectra. Under illumination, NYT absorbs near-infrared (NIR) light and emits visible light, which stimulates NH2-MIL-125(Ti) to produce photo-generated electrons–holes. Free radical trapping experiments certified that holes(h+) plays a major role in the photocatalytic process. This work deepens the understanding of construction of high-efficiency photocatalyst with a broad spectrum response and promotes the application of photocatalysis in water pollution control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological vulnerability is the main index to evaluate areal environmental stability and monitor the development of ecological environment. Longdong area is a typical Loess Plateau area with complex terrain, serious soil erosion, mineral resource development, and other human activities leading to the ecological vulnerability evolution of the area, but the monitoring of its ecological status and the determination of its factors are still lacking. Based on the ecological characteristics of Longdong area, this study constructed an ecological vulnerability system including natural, social, and economic data and used the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) to study the temporal and spatial evolution of ecological vulnerability from 2006 to 2018. A model for quantitative analysis of the evolution of ecological vulnerability and correlation of influencing factors was ultimately developed. The results showed that (1) from 2006 to 2018, the ecological vulnerability index (EVI) had a minimum value of 0.232 and a maximum value of 0.695. EVI was high in the northeast and southwest of Longdong area and low in the central region. (2) At the same time, the areas of potential vulnerability and mild vulnerability increased, and the areas of slight vulnerability, moderate vulnerability, and severe vulnerability decreased. (3) The correlation coefficient between average annual temperature and EVI exceeded 0.5 in four years, and the correlation coefficient between population density and per capita arable land area and EVI exceeded 0.5 in two years showed significant correlation. The results reflect the spatial pattern and influencing factors of ecological vulnerability in typical arid areas of northern China. Additionally, it served as a resource for researching the interrelationships of the variables affecting ecological vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The clinical significance and immune correlation of CD103+ cells in prostate cancer (PCa) remain explored. Methods: In total, 1080 patients with PCa underwent radical prostatectomy from three cohorts were enrolled for retrospective analysis. Tumour microarrays were constructed and fresh tumour samples were analysed by flow cytometry. Results: High CD103+ cell infiltration correlated with reduced biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival in PCa. Adjuvant hormone therapy (HT) prolonged the BCR-free survival for high-risk node-negative diseases with CD103+ cell abundance. CD103+ cell infiltration correlated with less cytotoxic expression and increased infiltration of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, M1 macrophages and mast cells in PCa. Intratumoral CD8+ T cell was the predominant source of CD103, and the CD103+ subset of CD8+ T cells was featured with high IL-10, PD-1 and CTLA-4 expression. Tumour-infiltrating CD103+ CD8+ T cells exerted anti-tumour function when treated with HT ex vivo. Discussion: CD103+ cell infiltration predicted BCR-free survival and response to adjuvant HT in PCa. CD103+ cell infiltration correlated with an enriched but immune-evasive immune landscape. The study supported a model that CD103 expression conferred negative prognostic impact and immunosuppressive function to tumour-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, while the CD103+ CD8+ T cells exhibited a powerful anti-tumour immunity with response to HT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon emission trading policy (CETP) is a market-based environmental instrument to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change. It can further have an impact on companies' green innovation (GI). In this regard, we innovatively propose the internal and external theoretical mechanisms of the impact of CETP on the GI of companies and use the financial data and patent data of Chinese listed companies from a micro perspective to empirically verify them. The findings demonstrate that the CETP has an inducing effect on the GI of companies, which is particularly evident in nonstate-owned companies, large companies, and the cleaning industry. The impact of CETP on companies GI is mainly achieved through internal incentive mechanisms, while the role of external influence mechanisms is not obvious. In terms of internal incentives, cost compliance effects and innovation compensation effects are the main channels for promoting GI. In terms of external effects, the carbon market's efficacy has not contributed to boosting GI for companies; the coordination effect of carbon policy and government intervention on companies' GI is also limited. Our research provides a theoretical basis for effectively encouraging the GI of companies to achieve carbon neutral and carbon peak goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational design and synthesis of bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts with high activity and stability are key challenges in the development of rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZABs). In this paper, tungsten carbide (WC) and Co7Fe3 embedded in N,P co-doped hierarchical carbon (WC/Co7Fe3-NPHC) was prepared by using zeolite imidazolate frameworks as precursor. Density functional theory demonstrates that the mutual adjustment among the WC, Co7Fe3, and N,P co-doped carbon at the three-phase heterojunction interface makes the catalyst possess moderate adsorption strength, and greatly improves the conductivity and electron transfer rate of the catalyst. As a result, the WC/Co7Fe3-NPHC exhibits a low overall oxygen redox potential difference of 0.72 V, while the ZAB assembled by WC/Co7Fe3-NPHC as an air cathode exhibits ultra-long cycle stability of over 550 h. Futhermore, WC/Co7Fe3-NPHC can keep good charge and discharge stability at different bending angles when applied to flexible solid ZAB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phubbing is a social exclusion, which indicates a person being phubbed can feel neglected during a face-to-face conversation. The present study examined how parental phubbing is related to adolescent Internet gaming disorder (IGD), and the role of self-esteem and maladaptive cognition. We recruited 813 Chinese adolescents to participate in the current study. Participants completed measures of parental phubbing, self-esteem, maladaptive cognitions, and IGD. Results indicated that maladaptive cognition mediated the relationship between parental phubbing and IGD. Our studies also found out the sequential mediation effect of self-esteem and maladaptive cognition on the relationship between parental phubbing and IGD. Surprisingly, unlike what was predicted, our findings didn't support the moderator role of self-esteem. This unanticipated orientation and other results are discussed. The findings contributed to the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of adolescent IGD and its possible association with parental phubbing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insights into how genome topology couples with epigenetic states to govern the function and identity of the corneal epithelium are poorly understood. Here, we generate a high-resolution Hi-C interaction map of human limbal stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) and show that chromatin multi-hierarchical organisation is coupled to gene expression. By integrating Hi-C, epigenome and transcriptome data, we characterize the comprehensive 3D epigenomic landscapes of LSCs. We find that super-silencers mediate gene repression associated with corneal development, differentiation and disease via chromatin looping and/or proximity. Super-enhancer (SE) interaction analysis identified a set of SE interactive hubs that contribute to LSC-specific gene activation. These active and inactive element-anchored loop networks occur within the cohesin-occupied CTCF-CTCF loops. We further reveal a coordinated regulatory network of core transcription factors based on SE-promoter interactions. Our results provide detailed insights into the genome organization principle for epigenetic regulation of gene expression in stratified epithelia. Genome topology provides a structural basis for epigenome-mediated transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes. Here the authors characterized the 3D genome of stratified squamous epithelia. They generated a Hi-C map of human limbal stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) and integrated these data with epigenomics, transcription factor binding maps, and transcriptome data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate and reliable wind power forecasting is of great importance for stable grid operation and advanced dispatch planning. Due to the complex, non-stationary, and highly volatile nature of wind power data, Transformer-based methods find it difficult to capture long-term trend features and incur high computational costs. To address these challenging problems, we propose a frequency domain decomposition Transformer architecture with signal enhanced attention mechanism (SEAformer). Firstly, we devise a frequency domain-based trend decomposition structure that enables the Transformer to extract more effective long-term trend features, thereby further improving the long-term prediction accuracy of the model. Secondly, in response to the large fluctuations and instability of wind power data, we design an internal signal enhanced substructure combined with an attention mechanism in the Transformer, which filters out high-frequency noise signals and reduces the computational cost of the Transformer. We conduct extensive experiments on the benchmark dataset, the experimental analysis demonstrates that SEAformer outperforms the baseline methods (Transformer-based, MLP-based, and Traditional methods) in both multivariate and univariate prediction tasks, exhibiting the best prediction performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Flood events increase the risk of sediment erosion and hence the release of particle-bound pollutants besides other processes that can be observed during such events like transportation, lateral distribution and other. Macropollutants, such as acids, salts, nutrients, and natural organic matter, are usually diluted by flooding, while the effect of floods on micropollutants is still unclear. To fill this gap, Qingshui Stream, a tributary of the Jialing River in the city of Chongqing that suffered 75,000 m3·s−1 flood in August 2020 was selected in the current study to clarify effects of flood-induced pollution transportation. 14 surface water samples and 14 sediment samples were collected to analyze the occurrence of micropollutants (including 21 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), 34 organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and 3 estrogenic compounds) before, during and after the flood. Finally, the environmental risks were evaluated by risk quotient (RQ). Results: The concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the surface water decreased from upstream to downstream, and the amounts were diluted by flooding from 0.08 to 0.05 mg·L−1 for TP, from 0.06 to 0.02 mg·L−1 for TN and from 132 to 27 mg·L−1 for COD, respectively. The concentration of estrogenic compound was up to 90 ng·g−1, which was reduced to be lower than the limit of detection during flood. Alpha-endosulfan, delta-BHC, mirex, dichlorvos, phosdrin, thionazine, tetraethyl pyrophosphate, diazinon, methyl parathion, malathion, chlorpyrifos, famphur, and EPN were diluted by flooding, i.e., the concentration of delta-BHC reduced from 6.67 to 0.09 ng·g−1; whereas, pp'-DDD, heptachlor epoxide, o,o,o-triethylphosphorothioate, dimethoate, rabon and fensulfothion were enriched after the flood. The environmental risk was observed to be mainly arise from the presence of OPPs, which increased after flooding. The RQ values of OPPs and OCPs increased after the flood, and the potential environmental risk of OPPs accounted for the majority portion of the risk. Conclusions: The concentrations of macropollutants in surface water and sediments, and 14 micropollutants in sediments were diluted, while pesticides such as pp′-DDD, heptachlor epoxide, o,o,o-triethylphosphorothioate, dimethoate, rabon and fensulfothion were enriched after the flood. These results suggested management on urban river should focus on potential risk of OPPs. The current study therefore could provide scientific evidence and regulatory reference for urban river ecosystem protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dust pollutants generated from the coal transfer process in a high-rise building of the mine hoisting system not only undermine the operating environment but also reduce the surrounding air quality. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of coal dust in the high-rise buildings using field measurement and numerical simulation. Based on the discrete phase model (DPM), the dust migration process under the hybrid ventilation system was investigated in detail. Then, the feasibility of the established model to predict the spatiotemporal distribution of dust pollutants was proven through the measurements of both the airflow and the dust concentration. The present study showed that dust distribution is not uniform in time and space, which also differs for different floors. The dust concentration of the 3rd floor is relatively larger when compared with those of other floors. The dust concentration increases for the upper floors when the upward air velocity increases, while those of the lower floors are not always low due to the backflows, particularly for the 2nd floor. PM2.5 takes up more than 20% of all discharged particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenced by the geological activity, there are a lot of weak interlayers in the surrounding rock of tunnels along railway in China, and the severe cold climate has a great influence on the engineering properties of rock in cold region. To better understand the influence of interlayer dip and freezing–thawing (F-T) cycles on the mechanical properties and failure characteristics of tunnel surrounding rock and therefore providing a theoretical basis for the tunnel support design, rock samples with different dips of weak interlayer and different F-T cycles were prepared in laboratory, and the triaxial compression test was carried out. The results show that (1) the deformation of hard rock part with weak interlayer is small, while the failure of soft rock interlayer is more severe. When the dip angle of the interlayer is small (β = 0° and 30°), the fracture crack is nearly parallel to the dip angle of the interlayer after rock failure. When the dip angle of the interlayer is large, the fracture surface of the rock mass and the interlayer present an X-shaped intersection. The more F-T cycles, the stronger the damage degree of rock mass. (2) Triaxial compression strength (TCS) and elastic modulus of rock mass decrease first and then increase with the increase of dip angle of interlayer, and the compressive strength and elastic modulus are the minimum when the dip angle of interlayer β = 45°. Compared with the rock mass with horizontal weak interlayer, the compressive strength decreases by 35.27%, and the elastic modulus decreases by 34.84%. (3) F-T cycles have a significant deterioration effect on the mechanical properties of rock mass. The bearing capacity of rock mass decreases with the increase of F-T cycles, but the plastic deformation capacity increases. There is a negative exponential correlation between TCS, elastic modulus, and F-T cycles and a positive linear correlation between peak strain and F-T cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolutionary necessity of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases being associated into complex is unknown. Human lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS) is one component of the multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC), which is not only critical for protein translation but also involved in multiple cellular pathways such as immune response, cell migration, etc. Here, combined with crystallography, CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, biochemistry, and cell biology analyses, we show that the structures of LysRSs from metazoan are more dynamic than those from single-celled organisms. Without the presence of MSC scaffold proteins, such as aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex-interacting multifunctional protein 2 (AIMP2), human LysRS is free from the MSC. The interaction with AIMP2 stabilizes the closed conformation of LysRS, thereby protects the essential aminoacylation activity under stressed conditions. Deleting AIMP2 from the human embryonic kidney 293 cells leads to retardation in cell growth in nutrient deficient mediums. Together, these results suggest that the evolutionary emergence of the MSC in metazoan might be to protect the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase components from being modified or recruited for use in other cellular pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the coexistence of superconductivity and antiferromagnetic order in the compound Er2O2Bi with anti-ThCr2Si2-type structure through resistivity, magnetization, specific heat measurements and first-principle calculations. The superconducting transition temperature Tc of 1.23 K and antiferromagnetic transition temperature TN of 3 K are observed in the sample with the best nominal composition. The superconducting upper critical field Hc2(0) and electron-phonon coupling constant λe−ph in Er2O2Bi are similar to those in the previously reported non-magnetic superconductor Y2O2Bi with the same structure, indicating that the superconductivity in Er2O2 Bi may have the same origin as in Y2O2Bi. The first-principle calculations of Er2O2Bi show that the Fermi surface is mainly composed of the Bi 6p orbitals both in the paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic state, implying minor effect of the 4f electrons on the Fermi surface. Besides, upon increasing the oxygen incorporation in Er2OxBi, Tc increases from 1 to 1.23 K and TN decreases slightly from 3 K to 2.96 K, revealing that superconductivity and antiferromagnetic order may compete with each other. The Hall effect measurements indicate that hole-type carrier density indeed increases with increasing oxygen content, which may account for the variations of Tc and TN with different oxygen content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new noncentrosymmetric phosphide ThIrP has been synthesized and characterized. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that this compound crystallizes in a LaPtSi-type tetragonal lattice (space group I41md, Z = 4), whose lattice parameters are a = b = 4.0676(1) Å, c = 14.3354(2) Å, and V = 237.191(8) Å3. Moreover, ThIrP is discovered to be an intermediately coupled, type-II superconductor with possibly multiple gaps below Tc = 5.07 K. The upper critical magnetic field, Sommerfield coefficient, and Ginzburg-Laudau parameter are determined based on physical property measurements, which are Bc2 = 0.83 T, γ = 7.5 mJ mol−1 K−2, and κGL = 7.5, respectively. The electronic band structure calculations point out nearly equal contributions of Ir and Th atoms on the density of states around the Fermi surface. In addition, the spin-orbit coupling induced band splitting reaches as large as 270 meV along the Γ-Z line. Our results suggest that ThIrP provides a platform to study the interplay between inversion-symmetry breaking, strong spin-orbit coupling, and superconductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lattice match and charge transfer between distinct block layers (BLs) play an important role in the formation of an intergrowth structure. Herein we propose a simple BL model addressing the different roles of the lattice match and the charge transfer. Inter-BL charge transfer lowers the internal energy, while lattice match minimizes the elastic energy, both of which together make the intergrowth structure stabilized. The model is able to reproduce the lattice parameters precisely for complex iron-based superconductors with intergrowth structures. The elastic energy and the charge-transfer energy are evaluated with assistance of the first-principles calculations. This work rationalizes the basic principles of BL design for intergrowth structures, which can be utilized not only for finding new superconducting materials but also for investigating other layered materials with various functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superconductivity frequently appears by doping compounds that show a collective phase transition. So far, however, this has not been observed in topological materials. Here we report the discovery of superconductivity induced by Ga doping in orthorhombic Re3Ge7, which undergoes a second-order metal–insulator-like transition at ~58 K and is predicted to have a nontrivial band topology. It is found that the substitution of Ga for Ge leads to hole doping in Re3Ge7−xGax. As a consequence, the phase transition is gradually suppressed and disappears above x = 0.2. At this x value, superconductivity emerges and Tc exhibits a dome-like doping dependence with a maximum value of 3.37 K at x = 0.25. First principles calculations suggest that the phase transition in Re3Ge7 is associated with an electronic instability driven by Fermi-surface nesting and the nontrival band topology is preserved after Ga doping. Our results indicate that Ga-doped Re3Ge7 provides a rare opportunity to study the interplay between superconductivity and competing electronic states in a topologically nontrivial system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although tremendous efforts have been paid on electrocatalysts toward efficient electrochemical hydrogen generation, breakthrough is still highly needed in the design and synthesis of wonderful non-precious-metal electrocatalyst. Herein, a nanovilli Ni2P electrode, which with superaerophobic and superhydropholic can significantly facilitate the mass and electron transfer was constructed via a facial morphology control strategy. Meanwhile, the substitution of sluggish oxygen evolution with urea oxidation, lowering the two-electrode cell voltage to only 1.48 volts to achieve a current density of 10 mAcm−2. Thus, the as-constructed electrode achieves the operation of hydrogen generation by an AA battery. This work sheds new light on the exploration of other high-efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen generation by using intermittent clean energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult stem cell identity, plasticity, and homeostasis are precisely orchestrated by lineage-restricted epigenetic and transcriptional regulatory networks. Here, by integrating super-enhancer and chromatin accessibility landscapes, we delineate core transcription regulatory circuitries (CRCs) of limbal stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) and find that RUNX1 and SMAD3 are required for maintenance of corneal epithelial identity and homeostasis. RUNX1 or SMAD3 depletion inhibits PAX6 and induces LSCs to differentiate into epidermal-like epithelial cells. RUNX1, PAX6, and SMAD3 (RPS) interact with each other and synergistically establish a CRC to govern the lineage-specific cis-regulatory atlas. Moreover, RUNX1 shapes LSC chromatin architecture via modulating H3K27ac deposition. Disturbance of RPS cooperation results in cell identity switching and dysfunction of the corneal epithelium, which is strongly linked to various human corneal diseases. Our work highlights CRC TF cooperativity for establishment of stem cell identity and lineage commitment, and provides comprehensive regulatory principles for human stratified epithelial homeostasis and pathogenesis. Corneal epithelium shares similar molecular signatures to other stratified epithelia. Here, the authors map super-enhancers and accessible chromatin in corneal epithelium, identifying a transcription regulatory circuit, including RUNX1, PAX6, and SMAD3, required for corneal epithelial identity and homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are ubiquitously expressed, essential enzymes, synthesizing aminoacyl-tRNAs for protein synthesis. Functional defects of aaRSs frequently cause various human disorders. Human KARS encodes both cytosolic and mitochondrial lysyl-tRNA synthetases (LysRSs). Previously, two mutations (c.1129G>A and c.517T>C) were identified that led to hearing impairment; however, the underlying biochemical mechanism is unclear. In the present study, we found that the two mutations have no impact on the incorporation of LysRS into the multiple-synthetase complex in the cytosol, but affect the cytosolic LysRS level, its tertiary structure, and cytosolic tRNA aminoacylation in vitro. As for mitochondrial translation, the two mutations have little effect on the steady-state level, mitochondrial targeting, and tRNA binding affinity of mitochondrial LysRS. However, they exhibit striking differences in charging mitochondrial tRNALys, with the c.517T>C mutant being completely deficient in vitro and in vivo. We constructed two yeast genetic models, which are powerful tools to test the in vivo aminoacylation activity of KARS mutations at both the cytosolic and mitochondrial levels. Overall, our data provided biochemical insights into the potentially molecular pathological mechanism of KARS c.1129G>A and c.517T>C mutations and provided yeast genetic bases to investigate other KARS mutations in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Wetlands are the largest natural sources of atmospheric methane (CH4) and are often susceptible to plant invasion and hydrological fluctuations. However, the effect of plant invasion on wetland CH4 emissions is still controversial, and little is known about the variation of invasion-induced CH4 emissions under heterogeneous conditions.Materials and methods: A pairwise experimental design between Spartina alterniflora (invasive plant) and Phragmites australis (native plant) stands in high elevation sites (H-sites) and S. alterniflora and Scirpus mariqueter (native plant) stands in low elevation sites (L-sites) of the Yangtze River estuary was used to investigate how plant invasions affect CH4 emissions and whether CH4 emission changes significantly differ between the H- and L-sites with heterogeneous conditions. A static closed chamber method was used to conduct gas sampling measurements at both H- and L-sites. In addition, plant biomass and soil properties were investigated in both invasive and native plant stands.Results and discussion: CH4 emissions from the S. alterniflora stands were all significantly higher than those from the native plant stands at both H- and L-sites. Furthermore, the difference in CH4 emissions between S. alterniflora and P. australis stands in the H-sites was significantly lower than that between S. alterniflora and S. mariqueter stands in the L-sites. Plant biomass, soil organic carbon, and microbial biomass in S. alterniflora stands were all significantly higher than those in the native plant stands in both H-sites and L-sites. The soil properties also changed. Our results indicate that the S. alterniflora invasion significantly enhanced CH4 emissions from wetlands in the Yangtze River estuary. The invasion-related CH4 emissions were highly spatially variable; this variability may have been driven by the soil's anaerobic environments, induced by hydrological dynamics.Conclusions: These results can have important implications for improving our ability to predict invasion-induced changes in CH4 emissions from wetlands in the context of global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Of Review: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common complications associated with chronic hyperglycemia seen in patients with diabetes mellitus. While many facets of DR are still not fully understood, animal studies have contributed significantly to understanding the etiology and progression of human DR. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of the induced and genetic DR models in different species and the advantages and disadvantages of each model.Recent Findings: Rodents are the most commonly used models, though dogs develop the most similar morphological retinal lesions as those seen in humans, and pigs and zebrafish have similar vasculature and retinal structures to humans. Nonhuman primates can also develop diabetes mellitus spontaneously or have focal lesions induced to simulate retinal neovascular disease observed in individuals with DR. DR results in vascular changes and dysfunction of the neural, glial, and pancreatic β cells. Currently, no model completely recapitulates the full pathophysiology of neuronal and vascular changes that occur at each stage of diabetic retinopathy; however, each model recapitulates many of the disease phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24351-4 B Correction to: Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2023) 30:31501-31523 b https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24351-4 The correct affiliations 1 and 3 is shown in this paper. Publisher's note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. [Extracted from the article]

Bating pelt with protease is an important process, which removes unwanted non-collagenous proteins from the pelt and moderately disperse hide collagen network. However, the grain surface, may be excessively hydrolyzed during bating due to the longer retention time of protease in the grain than in the middle layer caused by the low mass transfer rate of protease in pelt. Here, the effects of protease dosage, common auxiliaries and molecular weight of protease on protease transfer during bating were investigated so that we can find the key points to avoid excessive collagen damage, particularly in the grain. Observably, increasing protease dosage led to faster protease transfer and softer leather, but along with more considerable grain damage. Using penetrating agent JFC (fatty alcohol-polyoxyethylene ether) and ammonium sulfate enhanced protease transfer and simultaneously alleviated collagen damage due to the decrease in interfacial tension and electrostatic attraction between protease and pelt, respectively. Additionally, proteases with lower molecular weight transferred faster in pelt, which suggests that a potential strategy to solve the conflict between the mass transfer and the reaction of protease in pelt might be to produce/employ smaller bating proteases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]