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Wang Lingguan is a significant deity in Chinese Daoist beliefs and folk worship. His belief's formation and proliferation are rooted in specific spatial contexts. This paper introduces a spatial perspective to provide a fresh interpretation of Wang Lingguan's belief, examining it through the lenses of ritual, temple, and geography. In Daoist rituals that bridged sacred and secular spaces, Wang Lingguan emerged as Sa Shoujian's protector, manifesting his divine power to devotees. For the purposes of ritual simplification and spatial solidification, believers constructed Daoist Temples as emblems of sacredness and reimagined Wang Lingguan as the protector of these temples in their design. The active involvement of the Ming royal family in building Daoist Temples significantly contributed to establishing regional belief centers for Wang Lingguan. During the Qing Dynasty, although Wang Lingguan's royal patronage waned, his belief spread across most of China, becoming more localized and secularized. The dynamic interplay of ritual, temple, and geographical factors illuminates the establishment, dissemination, and evolution of Wang Lingguan's belief throughout China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenced by the topography, the spatial variation of soil thickness on karst slopes is very large, and accordingly the spatial variation of soil moisture is also large. Therefore, analyzing the spatial heterogeneity of soil moisture on hillslopes is important for maintaining ecosystem stability. Combining geostatistical methods and GIS technology, the spatial variability and distribution pattern of soil moisture and the influencing factors of spatial variation and surface soil moisture (0–7 cm) on a typical karst shrub–grass hillslope were analyzed. The results showed that the mean soil moisture and coefficient of variation (CV) ranged between 25.7–42.6% and 10.3–20.9%, respectively, showing a moderate variation. The soil moisture presented a moderate or strong spatial autocorrelation in the sampling scale. The occurrence of rainfall events can exert a great influence on reducing the spatial heterogeneity of soil moisture. The spatial distribution pattern of soil moisture showed roughly plaque or stripe distribution. When soil moisture was much lower, the patch space fragmentation of soil moisture was higher. The soil moisture was higher in the low and middle parts of the plot. We can conclude that factors such as topography, vegetation, and weather conditions will exert a significant effect on soil moisture spatial variability. Areas with lower slope and higher vegetation coverage were more conducive to the retention of soil moisture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BiOBr nanospheres grown in situ on lamellar Ti3C2 were synthesised in an octanol solvothermal system to obtain BiOBr/Ti3C2 heterojunction composites with high visible photocatalytic activity (OBT). The composition, crystal structure and morphology of OBT were characterised using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The photoelectrochemical properties of OBT were tested via UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and transient photocurrents. Results showed that the BiOBr prepared with octanol demonstrates loose nanospheres with a diameter of approximately 2 μm and clear characteristic peak intensity of the (110) crystal plane. Compared with pure-phase BiOBr and BiOBr/Ti3C2 heterojunction synthesis with an ethylene glycol solvothermal method (EBT), the increased visible-light response threshold of the OBT band gap and the significantly enhanced photogenerated current density of OBT effectively improve the oxidation efficiency of the aromatic ring structure. The rhodamine B degradation rate of OBT is approximately 10% higher than that of EBT. Trapping agent experiments confirmed the dominant role of ˙O2− in OBT photocatalytic processes. The results of this study can provide a basis for the analysis of the photocatalytic mechanism of OBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) that contains a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer matrix and 1-octanol (OCT) as specific carrier (PO-PIM) was prepared to investigate the mass transfer behaviour of phenol in aqueous solutions. Results showed that the mass transfer behaviour of the PO-PIM for phenol conformed to the first-order kinetics. In addition, the mass transfer efficiency for phenol reached the maximum when the OCT content was 82.8 wt%. The mass transfer activation energy (E a) was 14.46 kJ mol−1, which indicated that intramembranous diffusion was the main controlling factor in the mass transfer process. The introduction of hydrophobic additives, such as kerosene, liquid paraffin and vegetable oil, into the PO-PIM could remarkably improve its stability. In an aqueous solutions of phenol ranging from 0 mg L−1 to 9000 mg L−1, the initial flux (J 0) of kerosene/PVC/OCT-PIM (KPO-PIM) was positively correlated with the initial concentration of phenol. For a stripping solution with a feed solution pH of 2.0 and a sodium hydroxide concentration of 0.1 mol L−1, the maximum permeability coefficient during stable mass transfer reached 12.55 μm s−1. At a mass transfer area of 3.14 cm2, an enrichment factor (EF) of 3.5 for 200 mg L−1 of phenolic aqueous solution was achieved within 48 h through KPO-PIM. Image 1 • Optimal conditions of mass transfer by PO-PIM were confirmed. • Effects of hydrophobic additives on the stability of PO-PIM were evaluated. • Kerosene content in PO-PIM was optimised. • Mass transfer mechanism of PO-PIM for phenol was proposed. • Enrichment of low-concentration phenol by KPO-PIM was confirmed. This study may provide a clean, economical and convenient method for the prevention of phenol pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fouling behaviours and antifouling properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration membranes blending with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) had been investigated using the secondary effluent as the filtration medium. The results demonstrated that the antifouling properties of membranes using PVA and PVP as the additives were generally stronger than those using PMMA. Additives PVA and PVP could effectively improve the structural property and hydrophilicity of the membrane and result in an outstanding antifouling property. A dense membrane surface could prevent low molecular foulants from entering into the membrane pores, depositing on the membrane with a loose spongy layer and penetrating into the internal macropore structure. The not fully generated internal macropores on the membrane surface were trend to be plugged, which resulted in serious flux decay and the membrane fouling was irreversible. Filtration cake formed on the membrane due to concentration polarization, which caused membrane flux decline and high flux recovery after cleaning. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The adhesion forces of membrane–humic acid (membrane–HA) and HA–HA were measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in conjunction with self-made modified membrane-coated and HA-coated probes, respectively. Normalized flux decline rate and the irreversible fouling index of fouling experiments with HA kept good linear correlations with the AFM force measurements. The extended Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (XDLVO) theory was used to explain the influence and regularity of HA solution pH and hydrophilicity of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration (UF) membrane interface on membrane fouling behavior. The results of AFM force measurements illustrated that the adhesion force in acidic environment was much stronger than that in alkaline or neutral environment and the adhesion force of PVDF/polyvinylalcohol membrane–HA (PA–HA) was weaker than that of PVDF/polyvinylpyrrolidone membrane–HA (PP–HA). XDLVO theoretical calculated results demonstrated that the polar component of surface tension ( γ AB ) of membrane–foulant could be effectively increased by improving the hydrophilicity of the PVDF UF membrane interface and reducing the solution acidity, which resulted in the decrease of absolute values of the membrane–HA interfacial free energy of adhesion ( Δ G mlf AD ) , the mitigation of the membrane fouling rate and the irreversible fouling degree. The results preliminarily proved that the measurements of microscopic interfacial forces with modified AFM colloidal probes had potential application values in UF membrane fouling behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging infectious diseases, especially if caused by bat-borne viruses, significantly affect public health and the global economy. There is an urgent need to understand the mechanism of interspecies transmission, particularly to humans. Viral genetics; host factors, including polymorphisms in the receptors; and ecological, environmental, and population dynamics are major parameters to consider. Here, we describe the taxonomy, geographic distribution, and unique traits of bats associated with their importance as virus reservoirs. Then, we summarize the origin, intermediate hosts, and the current understanding of interspecies transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), SARS-CoV-2, Nipah, Hendra, Ebola, Marburg virus, and rotaviruses. Finally, the molecular interactions of viral surface proteins with host cell receptors are examined, and a comparison of these interactions in humans, intermediate hosts, and bats is conducted. This uncovers adaptive mutations in virus spike protein that facilitate cross-species transmission and risk factors associated with the emergence of novel viruses from bats. Tian et al. review interspecies transmission of currently emerging viruses from bats. They focus on the molecular interactions of viral surface proteins with host cell receptors in humans, intermediate hosts, and bats, which provides an understanding of cross-species transmission of zoonotic viruses from bats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polymer inclusion membrane (PDT-PIM) composed of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (D2EHPA) and tributylphosphate (TBP) compound carrier is developed in this study. The PIM membrane carrier composition, thickness, voltage, two-phase solution environment and other factors for Li+ electro-membrane extraction (EME) behaviour are investigated using applied electric field assessment. Results showed that the PDT-PIM system composed of alkaline feed phase and acidic stripping phases can achieve preferential mass transfer to Li+ in the coexisting solution of Na+ and K+ ions. The D2EHPA functional group is responsible for the main mass transfer of ions. Synergistic extraction effect of TBP appears when D2EHPA/TBP (w /w) ratio is 1/2 and reaches maximum at a ratio close to 1/1. The total optimised carrier accounts for 70.6% of the mass percentage of PIM. The applied electric field can effectively increase the mass transfer rate but will reduce the selectivity of Li+ relative to Na+ and K+. Mass transfer coefficient (P) of 70.6% of PDT-PIM to Li+ can reach 12.9 μm s−‍1 and the initial flux of Li+ is 249 mg m−2 s−1 under a voltage of 20 V. Separation factor of Li+ relative to Na+ and K+ (S Li/Na and S Li/K) are 6.41 and 5.64 on 10 V as well as 2.56 and 2.51 on 20 V, respectively. Enrichment factor of Li+ of up to 9.02 shows acceptable stability after 120 h of continuous mass transfer of 1 L of 20 mg L−1 Li+ solution. [Display omitted] • Electro-membrane extraction system based on PDT-PIM for Li(I) was developed. • The compound extractant in PDT-PIM is composed of D2EHPA and TBP. • TBP cooperates with D2EHPA to participate in the complexation of Li(I). • Applied electric field can significantly increase the mass transfer rate of Li(I). • High voltage reduces the mass transfer selectivity of Li(I) relative to Na(I)/K(I). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent pandemics of zoonotic origin were caused by members of coronavirus (CoV) and influenza A (Flu A) viruses. Their glycoproteins (S in CoV, HA in Flu A) and ion channels (E in CoV, M2 in Flu A) are S-acylated. We show that viruses of all genera and from all hosts contain clusters of acylated cysteines in HA, S and E, consistent with the essential function of the modification. In contrast, some Flu viruses lost the acylated cysteine in M2 during evolution, suggesting that it does not affect viral fitness. Members of the DHHC family catalyze palmitoylation. Twenty-three DHHCs exist in humans, but the number varies between vertebrates. SARS-CoV-2 and Flu A proteins are acylated by an overlapping set of DHHCs in human cells. We show that these DHHC genes also exist in other virus hosts. Localization of amino acid substitutions in the 3D structure of DHHCs provided no evidence that their activity or substrate specificity is disturbed. We speculate that newly emerged CoVs or Flu viruses also depend on S-acylation for replication and will use the human DHHCs for that purpose. This feature makes these DHHCs attractive targets for pan-antiviral drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) composite flat sheet membranes were successfully prepared by phase inversion method. Ferric trichloride (FeCl particles were used as cross-linker. PVA is cross-linked during the membrane fabrication. The structures of formed membranes were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The hydrophilic contact angle, pure water flux, and tensile strength were measured to assess the membrane performance. The antifouling performance of modified membrane for the secondary effluent of urban sewage was evaluated by flux decline, washing recovery rate, fouling resistance analysis, and fractions distribution of different hydrophilicities. FTIR showed that the peak intensity, attributed to -OH groups, decrease gradually with the increase of FeCl3, indicating the formation of a PVA-Fe3+ net work structure. The addition of cross-linking agent FeCl3 confined the compaction of membranes, thus the fouling resistances of membranes were lower and the water flux was higher. When the weight ratio of PVA to FeCl3 was 1/0.09, the modified membranes had the best UF performance and antifouling property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Influenza viruses are a public health concern since they cause seasonal outbreaks and occasionally pandemics. Our study investigates the importance of a protein modification called "palmitoylation" in the replication of influenza B virus. Palmitoylation involves attaching fatty acids to the viral protein hemagglutinin and has previously been studied for influenza A virus. We found that this modification is important for the influenza B virus to replicate, as mutating the sites where palmitate is attached prevented the virus from generating viable particles. Our experiments also showed that this modification occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum. We identified the specific enzymes responsible for this modification, which are different from those involved in palmitoylation of HA of influenza A virus. Overall, our research illuminates the similarities and differences in fatty acid attachment to HA of influenza A and B viruses and identifies the responsible enzymes, which might be promising targets for anti-viral therapy., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Owing to the symbiotic relationship between the microbiota and the human body, the microbiome is considered a "second human genome". Microorganisms are inextricably associated with human diseases and can affect the host phenotype. In the present study, 25 female patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD5) undergoing hemodialysis in our hospital and 25 healthy subjects were recruited. The structure of the oral microbiota of the study participants was analyzed using the MiSeq PE300 sequencing platform and high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing. The microbiota was compared between the groups using QIIME and the stats package in R. In total, 1,336 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained, and the relative frequencies of 450 OTUs differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05), indicating that the samples were rich in OTUs. A comparison of β-diversity indicated a significant difference in the microbial community structure between the two groups (P < 0.05). These results indicated that the biological diversity of the oral microbiota was highly correlated with CKD5. In this experiment, 189 genera, with significant differences in abundance between the groups (P < 0.05), were found. Furthermore, differences in the structure of the oral microbiota were observed between the groups at the phylum, class, order, family, and genus levels. Collectively, an imbalance in the oral microbiota may accelerate the progression of CKD and cause additional complications., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2023.)

To determine further the enhancement and mitigation mechanisms of protein fouling, filtration experiments were carried out with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes and bovine serum albumin (BSA) over a range of ionic strengths. The interaction forces, the adsorption behavior of BSA on the membrane surface, and the structure of the BSA adsorbed layers at corresponding ionic strengths were investigated. Results indicate that when the ionic strength increased from 0 to 1 mM, there was a decrease in the PVDF-BSA and BSA-BSA electrostatic repulsion forces, resulting in a higher deposition rate of BSA onto the membrane surface, and the formation of a denser BSA layer; consequently, membrane fouling was enhanced. However, at ionic strengths of 10 and 100 mM, membrane fouling and the BSA removal rate decreased significantly. This was mainly due to the increased hydration repulsion forces, which caused a decrease in the PVDF-BSA and BSA-BSA interaction forces accompanied by a decreased hydrodynamic radius and increased diffusion coefficient of BSA. Consequently, BSA passed more easily through the membrane and into permeate. There was less accumulation of BSA on the membrane surface. A more nonrigid and open structure BSA layer was formed on the membrane surface.

To further unravel the organic fouling behavior of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes, the adhesion forces of membrane-foulant and foulant-foulant were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in conjunction with self-made PVDF colloidal probe and foulant-coated colloidal probe, respectively. Fouling experiments with bovine serum albumin, sodium alginate, humic acid, and secondary wastewater effluent organic matter (EfOM) were carried out with PVDF UF membrane. Results showed a positive correlation between the membrane-foulant adhesion force and the flux decline rate and extent in the initial filtration stage, whereas the foulant-foulant interaction force was closely related to the pseudostable flux and the cake layer structure in the later filtration stage. For each type of foulant used, the membrane-foulant adhesion force was much stronger than the foulant-foulant interaction force, and membrane flux decline mainly occurred in the earlier filtration stage indicating that elimination of the membrane-foulant interaction force is important for the control of membrane fouling. Upon considering the foulant-foulant interaction force and the membrane flux recovery rate of fouled membranes, it was evident that the main contributor to physically irreversible fouling is the foulant-foulant interaction force.