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To solve the problem of cytotoxicity for most antimicrobial agents loaded in packaging materials, we developed a novel bi‐layer fibrous membrane by using centrifugal spinning, which of the outer layer was submicron native potato starch/polyvinyl alcohol (ST/PVA) composite fibers loaded with ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for providing high antibacterial activity. The inner layer was nano‐based calcium alginate/polyethylene oxide (CA/PEO) fiber for providing excellent biocompatibility. The addition of ZnO caused the semicrystalline structures of ST/PVA fibers, while the CA/PEO fibers were shown semicrystalline structures due to the PEO. Fourier transform infrared indicated that posttreatment had not effect on the structures of ST/PVA/ZnO fiber, but the structure of CA/PEO fibers were affected by interaction between COO groups of alginate and Ca2+ ions. The results of mechanical property demonstrated that CA/PEO fibers showed highest stress of 3.83 ± 0.25 MPa and helpful for improving the stress of bi‐layer fibrous membrane. The obtained fibrous membrane had excellent antibacterial property with diameters of bacteriostatic zone against E. coli and S. aureus of 20.5 and 21.5 mm, respectively. On this basis, the shelf life of strawberry was improved up to 6th day by inhibit the growth of microorganisms, which indicated that the obtained fibrous membrane showed great potential for food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employed the model of stigma communication (MSC) to analyze how exposure to COVID-19-related information affected stigma-related information sharing about people who contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic and examined the cognitive process of the MSC in a collectivist culture. Based on a survey of 526 social media users during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, the study found that exposure to contact tracing information and pandemic control information had different impact on stigma-related information sharing through a series of cognitive variables. A dual-path model showed that perceived personal risk influenced stigma-related information sharing through attribution of blame toward the infected (the personal path), while perceived social risk influenced stigma-related information sharing through protection norm conformity (the social path). Compared to the personal path, the social path is more salient in shaping stigmatized attitudes and behaviors. The findings and discussions added to our understanding of the intricate stigma communication process in a collectivist culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano bimetallic oxides as nanoproteases have the great advantages in the heterogeneous hydrolysis of proteins. Here, we report that bimetallic delafossite CuFeO2 submicron particles (CuFeO2 SMPs) display a high protease activity towards selective cleavage of peptide bond involving hydrophobic residue at 25 °C. CuFeO2 SMPs have excellent regeneration performance with high structural stability. The strong Lewis acidity of Fe3+ and the strong nucleophilicity of Cu+ bound hydroxyl groups are both necessary for the high protease activity of CuFeO2 SMPs. Low‐valent metal ion has a great advantage in that low‐valent Cu+ bound hydroxyl has strong nucleophilicity, resulting in promotion of protein hydrolysis via high‐efficient bimetallic catalysis. This study provides evidence that the protease activity of CuFeO2 SMPs depends on metal ion‐bound hydroxyls on their surface. Our findings highlight that the valence of metal ions in artificial protease and their surface hydroxyls are two important factors that determine their catalytic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogeochemical research on fluids is an effective method to understand the formation mechanism, occurrence environment, and circulation process of groundwater. The groundwater sampling sites are located in the town of Dachaidan on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, which was selected as the study object. Samples were collected from hot and cold springs and surface water in the area. This study is based on the analysis of water chemistry and isotopes, and aims (1) to discuss the chemical characteristics of groundwater in Da Qaidam, (2) to estimate the deep reservoir temperatures, recharge elevation and circulation depth of geothermal waters, and (3) to figure out the heat source beneath the geothermal area and its genetic mechanism. The result showed the following: The hydrochemical type of the hot spring is Cl·SO4-Na and Cl-Na, and the hydrochemical type of cold spring is SO4·HCO3-Na·Ca and Cl·HCO3·SO4-Ca·Na. The main source of groundwater recharge is snow and ice melt water. The recharge elevation ranges from 4666.8 m to 5755.9 m. The geothermal reservoir temperature is about 119.15–126.6 °C. Ice and snow melt water infiltrate into the high mountainous areas on the north side of Da Qaidam and circulate underground through the developed deep and large fractures. Part of the groundwater migrates upwards under the water conduction of the Da Qaidam fault fracture zone to form cold springs, while another part is heated by deep circulation and exposed to the surface in the form of medium to low temperature tectonic hot springs. The research results can provide a scientific basis for geothermal resource exploitation and utilization in Qinghai Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are advantageous for large-scale energy storage due to the plentiful and ubiquitous nature of sodium resources, coupled with their lower cost relative to alternative technologies. To expedite the market adoption of SIBs, enhancing the energy density of SIBs is essential. Raising the operational voltage of the SIBs cathode is regarded as an effective strategy for achieving this goal, but it requires stable high-voltage cathode materials. Sodium iron sulfate (NFSO) is considered to be a promising cathode material due to its stable framework, adjustable structure, operational safety, and the high electronegativity of SO4−. This paper reviews the research progress of NFSO, discusses its structure and sodium storage mechanism on this basis, and summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of NFSO cathode materials. This study also evaluates the advancements in enhancing the electrochemical characteristics and structural reliability of SIBs, drawing on both domestic and international research. The findings of this paper offer valuable insights into the engineering and innovation of robust and viable SIB cathodes based on NFSO at ambient temperatures, contributing to their commercial viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) have emerged as one of the promising energy storage devices, and polymer electrolytes with high safety, stability, and structural flexibility are the ideal choice for RMBs. Herein, a novel in situ crosslinked gel polymer electrolyte, PDTE is reported, via facile ring‐opening polymerization in RMBs. The electrolyte exhibits a remarkable room‐temperature ionic conductivity of 2.8 × 10−4 S cm−1 and highly reversible Mg plating/stripping behavior (98.9% Coulombic efficiency, 2000 cycles) with a low overpotential (<0.1 V). Mo6S8||PDTE||Mg coin cells demonstrate exceptional cycling stability and rate capability at a wide temperature range (−20 to 50 °C), characterizing an average discharge capacity of 81.6 mAh g−1 at 10 C for 7500 cycles at room temperature, and 97.4 and 111.7 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C for 400 and 50 cycles at −20 and 50 °C, respectively. The pouch cell exhibits a high energy density of 204 Wh kg−1 with a high retention of 90.6% at 0.2 C for 350 cycles, along with significantly improved safety and remarkable flexibility. Additionally, good compatibility with conversion‐type cathode Cu3Se2 validates the application versatility of PDTE. The development of this gel polymer electrolyte provides a feasible approach for the research on semi‐solid‐state electrolytes for RMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant diseases caused by fungal phytopathogens have led to significant economic losses in agriculture worldwide. The management of fungal diseases is mainly dependent on the application of fungicides, which are not suitable for sustainable agriculture, human health, and environmental safety. Thus, it is necessary to develop novel targets and green strategies to mitigate the losses caused by these pathogens. The target of rapamycin (TOR) complexes and key components of the TOR signalling pathway are evolutionally conserved in pathogens and closely related to the vegetative growth and pathogenicity. As indicated in recent systems, chemical, genetic, and genomic studies on the TOR signalling pathway, phytopathogens with TOR dysfunctions show severe growth defects and nonpathogenicity, which makes the TOR signalling pathway to be developed into an ideal candidate target for controlling plant disease. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the current knowledge on components of the TOR signalling pathway in microorganisms and the diverse roles of various plant TOR in response to plant pathogens. Furthermore, we analyse a range of disease management strategies that rely on the TOR signalling pathway, including genetic modification technologies and chemical controls. In the future, disease control strategies based on the TOR signalling network are expected to become a highly effective weapon for crop protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comprehensive utilisation of solid waste is a critical tool for environmental governance. As a major driver of economic development, industrial structure upgrading and technological innovation are also conducive to environmental governance. As a result, using statistical data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2009 to 2019, this article constructed a spatial econometric model and explored the links between industrial structure upgrading, technological innovation and comprehensive utilisation of solid waste. The results showed that: Industrial structure upgrading has a 'U'-shaped curve relationship that first inhibits and then promotes the comprehensive utilisation of solid waste. In the long run, upgrading industrial structures promotes the comprehensive utilisation of solid waste as a whole. Technological innovation has a significant moderating influence on the impact of industrial structure upgrading on the comprehensive utilisation of solid waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reynoutria multiflora is a widely used medicinal plant in China. Its medicinal compounds are mainly stilbenes and anthraquinones which possess important pharmacological activities in anti‐aging, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidation, but their biosynthetic pathways are still largely unresolved. Here, we reported a near‐complete genome assembly of R. multiflora consisting of 1.39 Gb with a contig N50 of 122.91 Mb and only one gap left. Genome evolution analysis revealed that two recent bursts of long terminal repeats (LTRs) contributed significantly to the increased genome size of R. multiflora, and numerous large chromosome rearrangements were observed between R. multiflora and Fagopyrum tataricum genomes. Comparative genomics analysis revealed that a recent whole‐genome duplication specific to Polygonaceae led to a significant expansion of gene families associated with disease tolerance and the biosynthesis of stilbenes and anthraquinones in R. multiflora. Combining transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, we elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying the dynamic changes in content of medicinal ingredients in R. multiflora roots across different growth years. Additionally, we identified several putative key genes responsible for anthraquinone and stilbene biosynthesis. We identified a stilbene synthase gene PM0G05131 highly expressed in roost, which may exhibit an important role in the accumulation of stilbenes in R. multiflora. These genomic data will expedite the discovery of anthraquinone and stilbenes biosynthesis pathways in medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine how coping style mediates the relationship between risk perception of diabetic complications and self-management, so as to provide evidence for improving the self-management level of patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients and Methods: We recruited patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and conducted a cross-sectional survey using a general information questionnaire, the risk perception survey-diabetes mellitus (RPS-DM), the medical coping modes questionnaire (MCMQ), and the summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA). Descriptive analysis and Pearson correlation analysis were carried out with SPSS 25.0 software, and a structural equation model was constructed with AMOS 24.0 software to verify the mediating effect. Results: A total of 343 valid questionnaires were collected. Diabetes patients' risk perception of complications has a positive impact on self-management behavior. Cope style was analyzed in three dimensions: confrontation, avoidance and acceptance-resignation, where the confrontation dimension is positively correlated with risk perception of complications and self-management behavior, and the acceptance-resignation dimension is negatively correlated with risk perception of complications and self-management behavior. These two dimensions have partial mediating effects (β=0.115, 95% CI = 0.041– 0.225; β = 0.147, 95% CI = 0.056– 0.283) between risk perception of complications and self-management behaviors, accounting for 15.9% and 20.3% of the total effects, respectively. Conclusion: Our study discovered that the risk perception of complications can affect self-management behavior via various coping styles, suggesting that clinical medical staff should assist patients with type 2 diabetes in facing the perceived risk of complications positively, and thus improve their self-management behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]