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The Dong Taijinar (DT) and Xi Taijinar (XT) Salt Lakes have been extensively researched for their mineral richness. However, the composition and distribution of their microbial communities are still poorly known. In this study, we employed metagenomic sequencing to explore the diversity and potential functions of the microbial populations in DT and XT. Our findings indicate that the salinity levels in DT (332.18–358.30 g/L) were tenfold higher than in XT (20.09–36.83 g/L). Notably, archaea dominated the DT domain at 96.16%, while bacteria prevailed in XT at 93.09%. In DT, the bacterial community comprised 33 phyla and 1717 genera, with Marinobacter emerging as the dominant genus, showing a positive correlation with the total phosphorus content. The archaeal community in DT included four main phyla and 153 genera. The most abundant genera were Natronomonas (24.61%) and Halorubrum (23.69%), which had a strong positive correlation with the concentrations of Na+, Ca2+, and Cl−. Conversely, XT hosted 33 phyla and 1906 bacterial genera, with Loktanella as the dominant genus. The archaeal taxonomy in XT encompassed four phyla and 149 genera. In both salt lakes, Proteobacteria and Euryarchaeota were the most abundant bacterial and archaeal phyla, respectively. Our analysis of the halophilic mechanisms of these microorganisms suggests that the bacteria in XT tend to synthesize compatible solutes, whereas the archaea in DT adopt a 'salt-in' strategy, integrating salt into their cellular machinery to cope with the high-salinity environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superhydrophobic materials have received widespread attention due to their special non-wetting properties. Superhydrophobic coatings have important characteristics such as waterproof, self-cleaning, and anticorrosive candle. Therefore, Superhydrophobic coatings have broad application prospects in self-cleaning materials, metal protection, waterproof fabrics, oil-water separation, biological materials, etc. In this article, a novel fluoropolymer fluorine-modified perhydropolysilazane(PHPS) was prepared. The hydrophobic coating and the superhydrophobic coating were fabricated by spraying and flow coating methods, respectively. The water contact angle (CAwater) of the hydrophobic coating and the superhydrophobic coating are 113.0° and 150.1°, respectively. Compared to the PHPS coating, fluorine-modified PHPS coating increased the CAwater dramatically by 22°. In addition, the fluorine-modified PHPS coatings also exhibit excellent adhesion, heat resistance and UV resistance. To sum up, these merits of the fluorine-modified PHPS coatings show great potential of application in hydrophobic/superhydrophobic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractDamqiong Co Lake (DCL) is a high-altitude (4,450 m) soda lake with high salinity (122.45 ± 6.20 g/L) and carbonate concentrations ((10 ± 0.21 g/L of CO32- and 8.77 ± 0.07 g/L of HCO3-) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes was used to examine bacterial and archaeal community compositions in the DCL. The result showed that bacterial diversity (Shannon index values of 4.18 ± 0.42) in DCL were significantly higher (P = 0.012) than Archaeal (2.27 ± 1.01). Bacterial communities comprised by 25 phyla, 40 classes, and 205 genera. The dominant bacterial phyla were the Firmicutes (11.23%–70.05%), Proteobacteria (15.47%–45.27%), Bacteroidetes (9.87%–27.88%) and Actinobacteria (0.98%–11.55%). The dominant bacterial genera were Gracilimonas (1.25%–18.95%), Halomonas (3.99%–15.02%), Nitriliruptor (0.76%–11.30%), Bradymonas (0.08%–6.66%), and Brumimicrobium (0.04%–6.47%). Archaeal communities comprised by 5 phyla, 4 classes, and 26 genera. The dominant archaeal phyla were Euryarchaeota (3.69%–97.12%) and Woesearchaeota (2.85%–92.26%), while the dominant genera were Methanomassiliicoccus (0.36%–76.88%), Woesearchaeota AR16 (2.18%–48.61%), Methanolobus (0.32%–19.87%), and Woesearchaeota AR15 (0.27%–18.20%). Correlation heatmap indicated that the diversity in DCL was highly correlated with pH, CO32-, Cl-, Na+, Mg2+, and temperature (P < 0.001). The unique dominant genera of Bacteria (Bradymonas) and Archaea (Methanomassiliicoccus) in DCL suggests that valuable microbial resources may exist in high-altitude soda lakes like the DCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important challenge in industrial laser ablation is laser-induced damage. In this study, reduced damage was achieved through the transition of the laser distribution from a Gaussian beam to a top-hat beam using diffractive optical elements (DOE), which overcome inhomogeneous irradiation. The higher peak fluence of a Gaussian beam far exceeded the ablation threshold and led to severely melted silicon at a higher depth covering the polished texture. The top-hat beam, with uniform irradiation, had a superior ablation characteristic and created a uniform square opening with the shallow melted silicon in the lift-off process. Thus, its effective minor carrier lifetime was 15.35% less at an ablated area fraction of 2% after re-passivation because of the decreased damage. After optimizing the ablation pattern with a top-hat beam, the local contacts improved the average open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current (Isc) values of the cells due to the decreased damage and the uniform openings, but the damage induced by a Gaussian beam was too deep and can be partly restored under back surface field (BSF) formation. The overall increment in Isc and Voc enhanced the average efficiency by 0.05% of the absolute value for the PERC cells and 0.03% of the absolute value for bi-facial PERC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global precipitation measurement (GPM) is one of the effective means employed to observe orographic precipitation, and its inversed GPM DPR data can be used to study the microphysical structure of precipitation particles. This study considers statistics on convective precipitation (CP) and stratiform precipitation (SP) events over three types of terrain (plains, mountains, and high mountains) using the DPR onboard the GPM Core Observatory from May to September of 2014–2021 to analyze the vertical structure of heavy CP and SP. In mountain areas and high mountain areas, the updraft rendered by topography or seeder-feeder mechanism is not only conducive to the collision and merger of raindrops into large raindrops, but also increases the concentration of small drops, which is the main reason why the occurrence probability of not only large but also small raindrops increases and the horizontal distribution domain of mass weighted average raindrop diameter (Dm) widens. For heavy SP, the occurrence probability of medium-diameter precipitation particles below the freezing height (FzH) over high mountains is greater than those over plains. The precipitation particles above 10 km altitude of high mountains have characteristics, such as lower droplet number concentration and larger diameter, compared with those over plains. Furthermore, the study also analyzed the correlation between storm top altitude (STA) and Dm, water vapor and STA respectively. This study is helpful to further understand the effect of topography on heavy precipitation through cloud microphysical processes and the vertical structure of precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D materials and their van der Waals heterostructures are of great fundamental interest and have potential applications in emerging electronics devices. However, atomically thin photodetector applications have suffered from performance limitations because of low optical absorption. Here, a near‐infrared photodetector based on methylammonium lead halide perovskite quantum dots (MQDs), combined with Ta2NiSe5 van der Waals heterostructures, is fabricated to take advantage of their energy band alignment. An ultrasensitive photoresponse with a detectivity of 6.0 × 1012 Jones for 800 nm illumination is demonstrated. Furthermore, the field‐effect mobility and responsivity are enhanced by factors of 2 and 7.4, respectively, by interfacing Ta2NiSe5 and the MQDs. These results indicate that the optoelectrical properties of 2D ternary Ta2NiSe5 can be significantly optimized via hybridization with MQDs and can accelerate the evolution of MQD‐van der Waals heterostructure‐based devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is an emerging pathogen that leads to severe outcomes, especially in pediatric patients with multiple sites infection.Case Presentation: We report a case of multiple sites and life-threatening infection caused by CA-MRSA in a 6-year-old girl who manifested sepsis, myelitis, purulent arthritis, purulent meningitis, hydropericardium, pneumonia, and empyema. The girl exhibited good response to the combination therapy of linezolid and rifampicin after treatment failure of vancomycin with maximum dose due to its serum concentration unable to reach therapeutic goal. We performed pleural effusion and hydropericardium effusion drainage and treated left lower limb infection using interdisciplinary approaches.Conclusion: This case highlights the need to be aware of CA-MRSA infection, which requires accurate diagnosis, identification of infected sites, appropriate antibiotic treatment, and surgical debridement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laminated ceramics with weak interface layers have been proven to be effective in toughening ceramics. The energy absorption ability of laminated ceramics may also benefit their ballistic performance. However, the effect of the layer structure on the ballistic performance of laminated ceramics has not been studied. Focusing on the application for body armor, this paper studied the effect of the different layer structures on the ballistic performance of laminated SiC ceramics. The laminated SiC ceramics with different layered structures were designed and prepared by tape-casting and hot-pressing. When used for the 'in conjunction with' armor system, the laminated SiC ceramics with a gradual-layered structure had the backface signature depth of 30% less than the laminated SiC with no interface structure and 50% less than the commercial solid-state sintered SiC. However, when used stand-alone, the laminated SiC had a similar ballistic performance regardless of the layer structure, which was likely due to the weak back support. In conclusion, the ballistic performance of the laminated ceramics was related to the back support of the armor system. When used for the 'in conjunction with' armor system, the laminated SiC had a better ballistic performance than that of the solid-state sintered SiC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholesterol efflux from macrophages is the initial step of reverse cholesterol transport, an important process for high‐density lipoprotein‐mediated atheroprotection. G protein‐coupled receptor (GPR) 120, which functions as long‐chain fatty acid receptor, is well known for its anti‐inflammatory and insulin‐sensitizing function in macrophages. However, the role of GPR120 on macrophage foam cell formation, the hallmark of atherosclerotic plaques, has not been verified. In this study, we found for the first time that stimulation of GPR120 by its agonist GW9508 elevated the expression of ATP‐binding cassette transporters (ABC) A1 and ABCG1 in THP‐1 macrophage‐derived foam cells and Raw264.7 macrophages, and promoted ABCA1‐ and ABCG1‐mediated cholesterol efflux and reduced cellular cholesteryl ester (CE) content as well. In addition, GPR120 activation was accompanied with the stimulation of AMPK pathway in macrophages; however, the effect of GPR120 on macrophage cholesterol efflux was largely abolished by AMPK inhibition. Moreover, the AMPK activity and the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 were markedly abrogated by knockdown of GPR120, or application of phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, calcium chelator, or CaMKK inhibitor. Because only free cholesterol can be effluxed from macrophages, we found that activation of AMPK could lead to increase both neutral CEs hydrolysis by upregulation of neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase expression and acid CEs hydrolysis by activation of ULK1. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that GPR120 facilitated ABCA1‐ and ABCG1‐mediated cholesterol efflux through activation of PLC/Ca2+/CaMKK/AMPK signaling pathway, which induced CE hydrolysis and elevated the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 in macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cervical Pedicle Screw (CPS) placement is a challenging work due to the high risk of neurovascular complications. Although there have been several different free-hand or navigation assisted techniques for CPS placement, perforations may occur during screw insertion, especially lateral perforation. The objective of this manuscript is to describe a novel free-hand technique for subaxial CPS placement (C3-C7) and to evaluate if it decreases the chances of perforation.Methods: Thirty-two patients undergoing surgery with CPS instrumentation (C3-C7) at our institute between June 2017 and December 2018 were included in this study. All the patients had cervical trauma, and pedicle screw insertion was performed according to the free-hand "slide technique". The lamina, lateral mass and facet joint of the target area were exposed and the optimal entry point was found on the lateral mass posterior surface. A pedicular probe was then inserted and gently advanced. During the pedicle probe insertion, the cortex of the medial margin of the pedicle acted as a slide to permit the safe insertion of the screw. If the pedicle screw pathway was intact, the screw of the appropriate size was carefully placed. Three-dimensional (3D) CT imaging reconstruction was performed in all the patients after surgery, and screw perforations were graded with the Gertzbein-Robbins classification.Results: Thirty-two patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in this study. A total of 257 CPSs (C3-7) were inserted, of which 41 CPSs were in C3, 61 CPSs were in C4, 55 CPSs were in C5, 53 CPSs were in C6, and 47 CPSs were in C7. The diameter and length of CPSs were 3.5 mm and 22-26 mm respectively. According to the Gertzbein-Robbins classification, grade 0, 231 screws; grade 1, 19 screws; and grade 2, 7 screws. No neurovascular complications occurred stemming from malpositioning of pedicle screws. Among perforated screws (26 screws), there were 16 lateral perforations, 5 medical perforations, and 4 inferior perforations.Conclusions: The initial usage result shows the "slide technique" is a safe, effective and cost-effective technique for pedicle screw placement in the cervical spine. This is the first report of such a technique, and further studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current gradation design in Superpave mix design method is an empirical-based trial-and-error method, which is costly and time-consuming. Moreover, few mechanical properties have been evaluated during the mix design to assist the mix optimization. This paper describes a novel aggregate gradation and asphalt mixture design concept that estimates the target gradation and optimum asphalt content at an early stage. Voids in mineral aggregate (VMA) is used as a media to link the properties of aggregates and asphalt binder to their engineering properties based on an analysis of aggregate packing. A design example is provided to describe the new design method step by step. As a fast and simple design method, it helps to evaluate the quality of an existing gradation and mix design, and adjust the gradation to satisfy both volumetrics and mechanical properties. With local material calibration to take into account the variation in aggregate shape and angularity, and validated in seven different projects of Washington State, this method can be integrated together with the balanced mix design concept as a convenient practical and research tool to achieve better designs that not only satisfy the performance test but also meet the volumetrics criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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