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The aim of this review was to evaluate the feasibility of treating sleep disorders using novel gut microbiota intervention strategies. Multiple factors can cause sleep disorders, including an imbalance in the gut microbiota. Studies of the microbiome-gut-brain axis have revealed bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and gut microbes, providing a more comprehensive understanding of mood and behavioral regulatory patterns. Changes in the gut microbiota and its metabolites can stimulate the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems, which regulate the release of neurotransmitters and alter the activity of the central nervous system, ultimately leading to sleep disorders. Here, we review the main factors affecting sleep, discuss possible pathways and molecular mechanisms of the interaction between sleep and the gut microbiota, and compare common gut microbiota intervention strategies aimed at improving sleep physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nanoconfinement approach for constructing ultra‐small nanoparticles has been effectively utilized in the development of non‐precious metal catalysts. Herein, the catalyst precursor was prepared by host‐guest assembly method, using PCN‐222 as the host and 1,1′‐bis(diphenylphosphino) ferrocene (DPPF) as the guest. After calcination, the sub‐2 nm iron oxide nanoparticles within a phosphorus‐nitrogen co‐doped carbon matrix (Fe3O4@P/N‐CDCM) was obtained. Benefiting from the nanoconfinement effect, the sub‐2 nm Fe3O4 nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on the P/N‐CDCM matrix. As a representative application, Fe3O4@P/N‐CDCM‐600 showed remarkable catalytic activity in the reduction of various nitroaromatic compounds. Under ambient conditions, the efficient reduction of nitro compounds in aqueous solution led to excellent conversion rates (96–99 %) and selectivity (99 %) within 45 minutes. Additionally, the catalyst maintained high efficiency over 5 cycles without experiencing a noticeable decrease in activity. This work provides an innovative and cost‐effective strategy for fabricating highly dispersed non‐precious metal nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aedes sp. mosquitoes are changing their geographic range in response to climate change. This is of concern because these mosquitoes can carry dengue fever and other viral diseases. Changing weather patterns can also increase the numbers of Aedes mosquitoes, leading to greater human exposure and enhancing population health risks. We project the geographic distribution of Aedes and associated changes in populations exposed to dengue in Asian metropolitan areas under warming scenarios from 1.5°C to 5.0°C above pre‐industrial temperatures, using multi‐model ensembles. With global warming, the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, the coast of the Arabian Sea in southern Iran, southern Pakistan in West Asia, the Korean Peninsula, most of the Japanese islands, and parts of North China in East Asia are projected to become suitable for dengue transmission. The numbers of metropolitan areas exposed to dengue is projected to change from 142 (48%) in the reference period (1995–2014) to 211 (71%) at 5.0°C warming. With the combined impact of socioeconomic and climate change, population exposure to dengue in Asian metropolitan areas is projected to increase from 263 (multi‐model range 252–268) million in 1995–2014 to 411 (394–432) million, 446 (420–490) million, 509 (475–601), 558 (493–685) and 587 (529–773) million, respectively, at 1.5°C, 2.0°C, 3.0°C, 4.0°C and 5°C warming, with an average of 2.9 million new people exposed to dengue fever in metropolitan areas each year. Plain Language Summary: Dengue fever, spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, is the most serious arbovirus disease affecting Asia. With global warming, mosquitoes that may carry dengue virus continue to expand in geographic range and vectorial capacity. Continued growth of mosquito populations can lead to a considerable increase in dengue exposure, especially in urban areas, increasing public health risks. Based on the occurrence data of the two mosquito species and climate observations, we explored the correlation between different climate elements and the spread of the mosquitoes. Using the outputs of 34 global climate models, we project the probability of occurrence and mosquito vectorial capacity under different warming levels in Asia. With global warming, much of Asia's area is projected to become suitable for dengue transmission. We have also estimated the future population changes in Asian metropolitan areas, to explore the combined effects of socioeconomy and climate change on exposure to dengue. As population density continues to increase and dengue epidemic potential rises, the population exposed to potential dengue fever transmission in Asian metropolitan areas is projected to surge in the future. Information conveyed in our paper can help increase preparedness for dengue outbreaks. Key Points: With global warming, a large number of areas in Asia are projected to become emerging regions suitable for dengue transmissionThe combined effects of climate and socioeconomic changes are projected to jointly lead to a surge in the population exposed to dengueAn average of 2.9 million new people are projected to be exposed to dengue fever in metropolitan areas each year in the future [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In maize, two pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) regulatory proteins, ZmPDRP1 and ZmPDRP2, are respectively specific to the chloroplast of mesophyll cells (MCs) and bundle sheath cells (BSCs). Functionally, ZmPDRP1/2 catalyse both phosphorylation/inactivation and dephosphorylation/activation of ZmPPDK, which is implicated as a major rate‐limiting enzyme in C4 photosynthesis of maize. Our study here showed that maize plants lacking ZmPDRP1 or silencing of ZmPDRP1/2 confer resistance to a prevalent potyvirus sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). We verified that the C‐terminal domain (CTD) of ZmPDRP1 plays a key role in promoting viral infection while independent of enzyme activity. Intriguingly, ZmPDRP1 and ZmPDRP2 re‐localize to cytoplasmic viral replication complexes (VRCs) following SCMV infection. We identified that SCMV‐encoded cytoplasmic inclusions protein CI targets directly ZmPDRP1 or ZmPDRP2 or their CTDs, leading to their re‐localization to cytoplasmic VRCs. Moreover, we found that CI could be degraded by the 26S proteasome system, while ZmPDRP1 and ZmPDRP2 could up‐regulate the accumulation level of CI through their CTDs by a yet unknown mechanism. Most importantly, with genetic, cell biological and biochemical approaches, we provide evidence that BSCs‐specific ZmPDRP2 could accumulate in MCs of Zmpdrp1 knockout (KO) lines, revealing a unique regulatory mechanism crossing different cell types to maintain balanced ZmPPDK phosphorylation, thereby to keep maize normal growth. Together, our findings uncover the genetic link of the two cell‐specific maize PDRPs, both of which are co‐opted to VRCs to promote viral protein accumulation for robust virus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic cathode materials for aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries (ARZBs) are rapidly gaining prominence, while the exploration of compounds with affordable synthesis, satisfactory electrochemical performance, and understandable mechanisms still remains challenging. In this study, 6,8,15,17‐tetraaza‐heptacene‐5,7,9,14,16,18‐hexaone (TAHQ) as an easily synthesized organic cathode material with novel quinone/pyrazine alternately conjugated molecule structure is presented. This organic electrode exhibits good capacity with highly reversible redox reactions, and the influence of multi‐active structures on the Zn2+/H+ loading behavior is systematically investigated by ex situ spectroscopy, electrochemical tests, and computation. Both experimental and theoretical studies effectively address the Zn2+/H+ intercalation/deintercalation kinetics. Benefitting from the fused active functionalities, the assembled Zn//TAHQ battery displays a maximum discharge specific capacity of 254.3 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, and it maintains remarkable cycle performance with 71% capacity retention after 1000 cycles under 5 A g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ measurements of deformations, stresses, and closure of fractures, affecting water inflow following coal mining, are challenging due to the inaccessibility of fractured rock. In this paper, the authors studied the closure process of the fractured rock mass with the cover stress re-establishment based on a theoretical analysis and a scale model testing. A quantitative analysis is used to study the fracture distribution in the fractured zone. A function to describe a fracture aperture distribution in the fractured zone is proposed, which takes into account the curvature and thickness of the fractured rock. The theoretical analysis and a scale model testing both indicate that the cover stress re-establishment with mining distance increasing and the relationship between the fracture closure and cover stress re-establishment both satisfy a logarithmic function. The scale model test also shows the following features: (1) the fracture ratio (which is the fracture area divided by the total area of fracture and intact rock with a unit width in the vertical or horizontal direction) in the lower part of the fractured rock mass is greater than that in the upper part; (2) the initially fast decreased of fracture ratios is then followed by a slower decrease during the cover stress re-establishment process; (3) in the upper part of the rock mass, the vertical directional fractures with small apertures are being closed with cover stress re-establishment, which indicates an increase in the water resistance reducing the seepage from these parts of the fractured zone. This study improves the general understanding of the fracture closure process and cover stress re-establishment in the fractured rock mass after coal mining ceased, and provides a theoretical basis for water resource protection in case of underground coal mining.

Drought has a paramount impact on global agriculture and food security. However, the study on future cropland areas that can incur drought is inadequate. This paper uses input parameters from 7 CMIP6 models for 7 future scenarios (SSP1‐1.9, SSP1‐2.6, SSP4‐3.4, SSP2‐4.5, SSP4‐6.0, SSP3‐7.0, and SSP5‐8.5) to measure South Asian cropland exposure to drought and its underlying factors. Some defined epochs such as 2021–2040 (near‐term), 2041–2060 (mid‐term), 2081–2100 (long‐term), and 1995–2014 (reference period) are designed to explore diverse outlooks of the change. The Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index and the Run theory methods are applied to detect drought. Results indicate an intensified cropland (under SSP4‐3.4, SSP3‐7.0, and SSP5‐8.5) in the Indo‐Gangetic Plain region of South Asia, where mostly the variation occurs among scenarios and periods. Notably, the future cropland exposed to drought will increase in the 2021–2040, and 2041–2060 periods, but it intends to decline during the 2081–2100. Relatively, the exposed cropland will upturn highest by 49.2% (SSP3‐7.0) in the mid‐term period and decrease by −8.2% (SSP5‐8.5) in the end future. Spatially, distributed cropland in the central, south‐west, and portion of the northeast of South Asia are subjective to be exposed largely, but it can drop greatly across the eastern part by the end future. Importantly, the climate change effect plays a grounding role in future exposure change over the region during the near to mid‐term periods, while the cropland change effect is predominant in the long‐term perspectives. However, these findings signify the urgency of policymaking focusing on drought mitigation to ensure food security. Plain Language Summary: Estimating drought‐induced cropland exposure is the pivotal aspect of agricultural risk assessment for drought impacts. The purposes of this study are to explore (a) how much of the cropland area would be exposed to drought under SSP scenarios; and (b) the degree to which climate change and cropland change effects contribute to changes in exposure. In this regard, we conducted a multi‐model and multi‐scenario‐based analysis to reveal variations in the cropland area exposed to drought in South Asia. Among the seven scenario combinations, the highest percentage of cropland exposed to drought was found at 49.2% (SSP3‐7.0) in the mid‐term epoch (2041–2060). The climate change effect seems to be the key contributor in the near‐term to mid‐term period, whereas it is the cropland change effect long‐term. To reduce drought risk, we recommend focusing on strong climate change mitigation policy development in the near‐ and mid‐term periods at a global scale and strict land‐use management policy interventions in the long‐term period at the regional level. Key Points: Larger cropland area will experience drought in the 2040–2060 period, while it will decline by the end of 21st centuryThe exposed cropland will increase by 49.2% under SSP3‐7.0 than that of historical timeThe climate change effect is the pivotal contributor in exposure changes over South Asia [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies suggest that hypertension may increase the risk of epilepsy onset, revealing intricate interactions between cardiovascular health and neurological disorders, thus emphasizing the significance of conducting further investigations into their connection. This study aimed to investigate the potential causality between hypertension, either in systolic or diastolic blood pressure, and epilepsy, using a Mendelian randomization strategy. Methods: A two-sample Mendelian randomization design was used in this study. We extracted data from the UK Biobank, FinnGen, and the International Consortium of Blood Pressure, utilizing blood pressure-related single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to evaluate the influence of hypertension on the risk of epilepsy. Inverse variance weighted, weighted median, and MR-Egger approaches were used for analysis. Results: There was a potential association between hypertension, primarily in systolic blood pressure, and an elevated epilepsy risk, while the relationship between hypertension in diastolic blood pressure and epilepsy risk remained inconclusive. Sensitivity analyses suggest an absence of substantial heterogeneity and confounding effects, suggesting the reliability of our findings. Conclusions: Our study lays the groundwork for further investigations into the mechanisms of this causal relationship, which may potentially involve vascular change, neuroinflammatory pathways, and alterations in cerebral blood flow, which are crucial for understanding the complex hypertension-epilepsy nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]