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An inorganic-framework molecularly imprinted NiAl layered double hydroxide (MI-NiAl-LDH) with specific template molecule (glyphosate pesticide, Glyp) recognition ability was prepared on Ni nanorod arrays (Ni NRAs) through electrodeposition followed by a low-temperature O

Soil loss by water erosion is one of the main threats to soil health and food production in intensively used agricultural areas. To assess its significance to the overall sediment production we applied the Water and Tillage Erosion Model/Sediment Delivery model (WaTEM/SEDEM) to the Luoyugou catchment, a sub-catchment of the Yellow River basin within the Chinese Loess plateau. WaTEM/SEDEM considers rill and inter-rill erosion and deposition rates, resulting in sediment yield rates leaving the catchment. Although terraces were established in the 1990s to reduce soil loss, no further soil erosion modeling has been published for this area. Applying 1000 Monte Carlo simulations of the WaTEM/SEDEM, modeled average soil loss by rill and inter-rill erosion for 2020 was 12.4 ± 11.8 t ha-1 yr-1, with sediment yield at the outlet of 52949 ± 11215 t yr-1. Terracing reduced erosion rates, while land cover changes, mainly conversion of forests and grassland partly counteracted the mitigation (combined effect: 50% reduction). Modeled sediment loads by rill and inter-rill erosion account for 17.1% of the total long-term sediment production recorded by flow discharge measurements. Other processes not considered by the model like landslides, gully erosion, riverbank erosion, and sediment production by construction seem to dominate overall sediment yield. Considering years with baseline sediment production only, measured and modeled sediment yield compared well, indicating that the latter processes contribute mainly during extreme events.

In this study, B4C–TiB2 composite ceramics with different TiB2 contents sintered via hot pressing are processed into ceramic tools to turn AISI 4340 workpieces. Finite element analysis using the Deform-3D software is conducted to examine the effects of the cutting speed, depth of cut, and feed rate on the main cutting force and tool temperature of the B4C–TiB2 ceramic tools. The wear mechanism is investigated through the microstructural analysis of the wear profile obtained after the turning experiments. Simulation results show that the B4C–30%TiB2 ceramic tool demonstrates the best cutting performance. The optimal cutting parameters for the B4C–30%TiB2 ceramic tool are a cutting speed of 300 m/min, depth of cut of 0.3 mm, and feed rate of 0.1 mm/r. The turning experiments reveal that the B4C–30%TiB2 ceramic tool has a longer tool life than a commercially available YD tungsten carbide tool. The main wear forms of the B4C–30%TiB2 ceramic tool are craters, chipping, and flank wear, and the wear mechanism can be attributed mainly to abrasive wear, adhesive wear, oxidative wear, and diffusion wear. This work can lay a theoretical foundation for the practical application of B4C–TiB2 ceramic tools.

Soil salinization has become one of the important factors affecting the sustainable development of agriculture. Among them, the soda-alkali soil composed of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) has a more serious impact on crops. In this study, 175 Brassica napus accessions from different sources were used as materials, combined with Brassica 60 K SNP chip data, and the root length traits of Brassica napus during germination under Na2CO3 stress (0.15%) and control conditions were analyzed for genome-wide association (GWAS). GWAS analysis detected that 5 SNPs were significantly related to root length traits under stress conditions; a single SNP could explain 10.22–12.01% of the phenotypic variation. A total of 15 candidate genes related to Na2CO3 stress resistance were identified upstream and downstream of significant SNPs, including cation exchange protein genes (CAX1), members of the zinc finger protein family (ZFHD1), peroxidase family proteins (POD), and transcription factors (MYB family and WRKY family), etc. The expression analysis of 5 candidate genes in extreme phenotypic materials showed that BnaA04g21850D (CAX1) and BnaA06g24040D (ACX5) were induced by Na2CO3 stress in both materials; BnaA06g31200D (ZFHD1) and BnaC02g37590D (MYB60) were up-regulated expression in sensitive materials; BnaA04g21990D (POD) was up-regulated expression in alkali-tolerant materials, indicating that these candidate genes may be involved in the process of rapeseed response to Na2CO3 stress. This study can provide a reference for in-depth analysis of the molecular mechanism of Na2CO3 stress resistance in rapeseed.

To explore conservation strategies for endangered birds, especially for fledglings during breeding periods, the characteristics of habitat and nest site selection, daily activity pattern, and home range size must be understood. In the spring of 2016, we tracked four oriental white stork (Ciconia boyciana) fledglings’ movement patterns in Xingkai Lake National Reserve of Heilongjiang Province in China using miniaturized multi-sensor satellite transmitters from three different artificial nests established in the same wetland fragment. Location information and hourly distance from satellite transmitters were recorded to quantify activity patterns, movement hot spots, and home range size. In this paper, we provide systematic conservation recommendations of oriental white storks with perspective on artificial nests, activity rhythms, and spatial movement patterns in the breeding landscape. Results showed that oriental white stork fledglings were more active during the daytime, significant activity peaks occurred from 03:00–05:00 A.M and from 17:00–19:00 P.M. This suggests that anthropogenic pressure should be reduced or suspended during these activity peaks and captive fledglings should feed following natural rhythms. Fledglings tended to concentrate their movement around two or three hot-spot locations with flat spaces or small ponds and their movement routes between the different hot spots presented different shapes: triangular shape, L shape, and straight line. It is necessary to create enough flat spaces or man-made ponds to support fledglings foraging. The home range area based on 100% Minimum Convex Polygons varied considerably among the four individuals, ranging from 14.79 to 39.40 km2 during the tracking period. This helps determine the core protection boundary of the fledglings in the breeding habitat fragment. Establishing more artificial nests and improving nests monitoring systems are essential to ensure breeding success.

Numerous studies have shown that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to consequential phenotypes of Huntington’s disease (HD), a fatal and inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by the expanded CAG repeats in the N-terminus of the huntingtin (Htt) gene. To maintain proper function, mitochondria develop a dedicated protein quality control mechanism by activating a stress response termed the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR(mt)). Defects in the UPR(mt) have been linked to aging and are also associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, little is known about the role of the UPR(mt) in HD. In this study, we find that ABCB10, a mitochondrial transporter involved in the UPR(mt) pathway, is downregulated in HD mouse striatal cells, HD patient fibroblasts, and HD R6/2 mice. Deletion of ABCB10 causes increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell death, whereas overexpression of ABCB10 reduces these aberrant events. Moreover, the mitochondrial chaperone HSP60 and mitochondrial protease Clpp, two well-established markers of the UPR(mt), are reduced in the in vitro ABCB10-deficienct HD models. CHOP, a key transcription factor of HSP60 and Clpp, is regulated by ABCB10 in HD mouse striatal cells. Furthermore, we find that mutant huntingtin (mtHtt) inhibits the mtUPR by impairing ABCB10 mRNA stability. These findings demonstrate a suppression of the UPR(mt) by mtHtt, suggesting that disturbance of mitochondrial protein quality control may contribute to the pathogenesis of HD.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination has been considered as one of the major environmental concerns for farmland soil all over the world including China. Due to small per capita la...

Li-ion capacitors (LICs), structured with an energy-type lithium-ion battery (LIB) anode and a power-type electrochemical capacitor (EC) cathode, have attracted great attention owing to the combined advantages of high energy density of LIBs and high power density of ECs. Unfortunately, the imbalance in reaction kinetics between the sluggish faradaic lithium-intercalation anode and rapid non-faradaic capacitive cathode is the main impediment in developing high-performance LICs. Herein, a new type of LIC with an orthorhombic T-Nb2O5/graphene-like carbon nanosheet (T-Nb2O5/GCN) anode and graphene-like carbon nanosheet (GCN) cathode is designed and fabricated. Benefiting from the merits of the structure and pseudocapacitive properties of the T-Nb2O5/GCN nanocomposite, a high capacity of ∼170 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 (1.0–3.0 V vs. Li/Li+) and a superior capacity retention of 90% after 500 cycles are obtained in a half-cell. In the voltage range of 0–3.5 V, the LIC exhibits a superior energy density of 129 W h kg−1 and power density of 32 kW kg−1. In addition, the capacity retention of the LIC is 80% after 10 000 cycles. This design provides an effective way to fabricate high-performance LICs.

Fabrication of economic and high-performance electrodes for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) accounts for a crucial issue associated with developing powerful and practical water splitting systems. In this work, free-standing Ni/Ni-M (M = Fe, Co, Mo) bimetallic oxides core/shell nanorod arrays (Ni/Ni-M NRAs) were prepared through electroless deposition of transition metal species on black nickel sheet (nickel nanorod arrays (Ni NRAs)) followed by electrochemical oxidation. All three types of Ni/Ni-M NRAs demonstrated enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen evolution reactions (OER). Especially, Ni/Ni-Fe NRAs electrode exhibit small onset potential of 1.535 V at current density of 10 mA∙cm−2. In contrast, the OER durability of these three samples was distinct. At 500 mV constant overpotential, the current density loss in OER of Ni/Ni-Fe NRAs was merely 13.5% for a period of 20000 s; but Ni/Ni-Mo and Ni/Ni-Co NRAs had almost disappeared catalytic activity under the identical conditions. According to many reports, the results were different for the superior OER stability of Ni-based bimetallic catalysts. Electrochemical analysis revealed that the NRAs structure dramatically improves charge transfer efficiency and electrochemically active surface area (ECSA). The present study might provide a new insight to design and fabricate more practical and high-performance Ni-based electrodes for OER.

Monomyristin (MM), a monoacylglycerol with very low water solubility, has been reported to exhibit anti-proliferative property against cervical cancer cells. In order to increase its bioavailability, MM was encapsulated for the first time inside dextran-covered poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles. The use of dextran-based stabilizers with convenient structural characteristics was shown to provide important end-use properties to particle suspensions like colloidal stability during extensive washing steps or in the presence of high ionic strengths, easy reconstitution after lyophilization without particle aggregation in the absence of added cryoprotectant. Furthermore, immobilization of proteins at the surface of loaded particles was investigated with Bovine Serum Albumin and Transferrin using functionalized dextran-based stabilizers. The nature of links (covalent or non-covalent) between proteins and dextran-based superficial layer was discussed.

Objectives: To investigate the immune status of children with very severe aplastic anemia (VSAA), and evaluate the frequencies of CD20+ B cells and Regulatory T cells (Tregs) as potential m...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) occur in the surface water of the Taizi River, China. The levels and composition patterns were studied by high-performance liquid chromatography and PAHs sou...

The use of blood meal was studied for in-site bioremediation of contaminated farmland soil. The combination of blood meal and indigenous microorganisms helped to in-site remediate the combined cont...

An innovative facile interfacial synthetic strategy is demonstrated as a general method for the synthesis of graphyne analogs (GYs), which are composed of benzene rings connected by acetylenic bonds. All these synthesized GYs, which are obtained as uniform films in microscopic morphology, exhibit outstanding conductive properties, endowing excellent applications in many electrical devices.

Current studies on yttrium aluminum garnet (Y3Al5O12, YAG) ceramic are mainly focused on its optical properties and hardly pay attention to its microwave dielectric properties. This work systematically studies the coordination of the microwave dielectric and optical properties of YAG ceramics by exploring the effects of heating rate, sintering temperature, and holding time on the microstructure, dielectric properties, and transmittance of YAG ceramics fabricated by spark plasma sintering. Results show that the sintering parameters affect the microstructure of YAG ceramics, thereby affecting their microwave dielectric properties and transmittance. However, the change trends of the microwave dielectric and optical properties with the changes in sintering parameters are not exactly the same. The microwave dielectric and optical properties of YAG ceramics can be effectively coordinated by regulating the sintering parameters. The tunable ranges of the satisfactory transmittance, Q × f, er, and τf are 80.1%–82.0% at 1064 nm wavelengths, 88,587–105,934 GHz, 10.5–10.7, and −53.5–−54.6 ppm/°C, respectively.

Improved understanding of the spatial dynamics of invasive plant species is critical for effective land management and control of future invasion. The Yancheng National Nature Reserve (YNNR), an internationally important wetland, has the largest distribution of alien Spartina alterniflora in China. This alien plant was intentionally introduced for erosion prevention and dike protection in China. However, it became an aggressive competitor with native salt marsh plants in the coastal regions in China. High resolution imagery, SPOT-5, was used to map plant communities including invasive species in the south core zone of YNNR with the natural ecosystem of salt marshes in 2003, 2005 and 2008. The fuzzy set assessment method significantly improved the classification accuracies over the conventional error matrix, i.e., from 73.8%, 73.5% and 81.4% to 91.5%, 91.6% and 93.4% in 2003, 2005 and 2008, respectively. It shows a great potential for mapping invasive plant species. Phragmites australis and S. alterniflora were the most accurately mapped classes, and sparse and dense Suaeda glauca were the least accurately mapped. From 2003 to 2008, S. alterniflora increased 28.8% from 1664.1 to 2142.6 ha in area size, and more than 2.5 times from 742 to 2608 patches. The highest increase in patch number occurred within the interval between 2001 and 3000 m from the eastern baseline. This increase was dominated by small patches with area less than 200 m2. During the study period, the mean spread width was 405 ± 80.7 m in the original large patch of area over 200 ha. The eastward/seaward spread was distinctively larger than the westward/landward. The results enhance the understanding of alien plant’s invasion patterns and help improve conservation efforts.

A forest environment can promote the mental state of people and the effect can result within short frames (e.g., minutes of visit). Most studies to date have used questionnaire investigation or medical examination to study how forest affect people. However, these methods were not rapid enough to assess real-time emotion of visitors who were immersed in a forest experience. In this study, twenty-four university students (21 years old, 11 females and 13 males) were recruited to visit four urban forest-park locations or to walk along an urban street in two early-summer days. Participants were asked to take selfies every 30 min between the hours of 09:00 am and 14:00 pm by posing with their natural facial expressions and real-time emotion. Environmental factors were monitored simultaneously at every photographing phase. Photographs were analyzed using the FireFACE™ software to obtain scores for happy, sad, and neutral expressions, which were also used to calculate the positive response index (PRI) which is an expression of happy minus sad facial expressions. The forest experience evoked higher happy and PRI scores, but lower neutral scores compared to that in urban environment. Analysis of variance using a mixed model indicated a higher green-light spectrum-ratio in the sunlight spectrum, higher relative humidity (RH), lower temperatures, and lower noise in forests especially at noon and all were significant explanations of facial expression. Stepwise regression indicated that the green-light spectrum-ratio had a positive relationship with happy scores and the combination of lower noise and higher humidity contributed to a higher PRI in the forest. In conclusion, the forest experience can result in more positive emotional expressions on visitors’ faces, and the understory conditions of green colored light, less noisy peaceful atmosphere, and moist air measured through RH likely led to this experience.

Asymmetric supercapacitor as a promising energy storage system utilizes both redox-type and electric double-layer type electrodes in one single device, but it is urgent to design sustainable electrodes with low-cost and high-performance. Herein, hybrid NiCo2S4/carbon and porous carbon electrodes are prepared by using carboxylated cellulose nanofibers as the carbon source due to the carbon-rich backbone and abundant hydroxyl groups on the surface. The NiCo2S4/carbon electrode displays a large specific capacity/capacitance of 783C g−1/1569 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 with the capacity retention ratio of 78% after 5000 cycles. The specific capacitance of porous carbon material is 376 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. With the utilization of the different electrochemical potential windows, an asymmetric device is fabricated by using the NiCo2S4/carbon hybrid and porous carbon as the positive and negative electrodes, showing a high energy density of 53.7 W h kg−1 at 184.4 W kg−1. The asymmetric device maintains an excellent capacity retention rate of 97% after 10,000 cycles. These promising properties are related with the synergistic effect from the high-performance positive and negative electrodes. Considering the advantage in terms of sustainability, this work paves the way for the design of advanced electrodes for high-efficiency energy storage equipment.

To investigate the immune status of children with very severe aplastic anemia (VSAA), and evaluate the frequencies of CD20We systematically analyzed CD20In newly diagnosed VSAA patients, the percentage of CD20There is a moderate negative correlation between the percentage of Tregs and CD20

River monitoring networks play an important role in water environmental management and assessment, and it is critical to develop an appropriate method to optimize the monitoring network. In this study, an effective method was proposed based on the attainment rate of National Grade III water quality, optimal partition analysis and Euclidean distance, and Hun River was taken as a method validation case. There were 7 sampling sites in the monitoring network of the Hun River, and 17 monitoring items were analyzed once a month during January 2009 to December 2010. The results showed that the main monitoring items in the surface water of Hun River were ammonia nitrogen (NH4+–N), chemical oxygen demand, and biochemical oxygen demand. After optimization, the required number of monitoring sites was reduced from seven to three, and 57% of the cost was saved. In addition, there were no significant differences between non-optimized and optimized monitoring networks, and the optimized monitoring networks could...

Traditional water depth survey of waterbird habitats takes huge amount of labor, time and money. The optical remote sensing image from passive multispectral scanner has been widely employed to estimate water depth. We developed a water depth model based on the characteristics of visible and near infrared spectra of Landsat ETM+ image at Etoupao shallow wetland. The wetland is the largest stopover habitat of the critically-endangered Siberian Crane, which mainly feed on the tubers of Scirpus planiculmis and S. nipponicus. Water control is critical for maintaining tubers production and food availability for the crane. Multi-band approach is employed in the model, which effectively simulates water depth for the shallow wetland. The parameters of NDVI and GREEN in the model indicated that the vegetation growth and coverage affecting reflectance from water column change were uneven. Combined with observed water level data in the same day of image acquisition, the digital elevation model (DEM) for underwater terrain was generated. The findings provide a good reference to manage water level and water demand, and create suitable foraging habitats for the crane. The methods can be adapted for underwater terrain simulation and water management in waterbirds habitats, especially in the shallow heterogeneous wetlands.

The tribological behaviors of hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings under varied load conditions lubricated with polyalpha olefin (PAO), molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC) and zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) additives were investigated in this paper. Hydrogenated DLC coatings were synthesized through the decomposition of acetylene by the ion source. The tribological performances were measured on a SRV tribometer. The morphologies and chemical structures of the DLC coatings were investigated by the scanning electron microscope (SEM), Raman spectrometer (Raman) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS). It was shown that the low friction and high wear were achieved on the hydrogenated DLC coating under MoDTC lubrication, while low wear was found on the hydrogenated DLC coating lubricated by ZDDP. The primary reason was attributed to different tribofilms formed on the contact area and the formation of graphitic layer. Both factors working together leaded to quite different tribological behaviors.