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This study was conducted in Hezhang County, Bijie City, Guizhou Province. The soil in the zinc smelting area has been contaminated with cadmium, lead, and zinc. Therefore, these elements are the focus of this research. Rice husk biochar was used as the passivation material. The Fourier infrared spectrum was utilized to study the biochar’s morphology, element content, mineral composition, structure, and surface functional groups. Moreover, the physical and chemical properties of the biochar were analyzed to explore its passivation effect. Biochar is beneficial in the cleaning of cadmium, lead, and zinc minerals and can be used for the passivation of heavy metals in contaminated soil. This study aims to understand the detailed mechanism behind this process and provide experimental data and ideas for pollution control. The results indicate that the biochar contains many functional groups, including -OH, C-H, C-O, C=O, C=C, and C-O-C. It also consists of a significant quantity of potassium salt, calcite, and quartz. Biochar has a noticeable pore structure, and as the pyrolysis temperature increases, the pore structure becomes more developed and thinner, with a smooth surface. The main minerals in the soil are quartz, mica, zeolite, illite, and chlorite. The aromatic degree of biochar increased with pyrolysis temperature. In contrast, the aromatic degree and polarity first increased and then decreased. The 0.2-0.45 mm biochar exhibited the best passivation effect on cadmium, lead, and zinc.

Background: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of leading causes of diabetes-associated mortality. The gut microbiota-derived branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) have been reported to play a central role in the onset and progression of DCM, but the potential mechanisms remain elusive. Results: We found the type 1 diabetes (T1D) mice had higher circulating BCAA levels due to a reduced BCAA degradation ability of the gut microbiota. Excess BCAA decreased hepatic FGF21 production by inhibiting PPARα signaling pathway and thereby resulted in a higher expression level of cardiac LAT1 via transcription factor Zbtb7c. High cardiac LAT1 increased the levels of BCAA in the heart and then caused mitochondrial damage and myocardial apoptosis through mTOR signaling pathway, leading to cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction in T1D mice. Additionally, transplant of faecal microbiota from healthy mice alleviated cardiac dysfunction in T1D mice, but this effect was abolished by FGF21 knockdown. Conclusions: Our study sheds light on BCAA-mediated crosstalk among the gut microbiota, liver and heart to promote DCM and FGF21 serves as a key mediator. BVPaWWrrqVUsPwxN3tcRV1 Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The market demand for optoelectronic devices is increasing, leading to a need for low‐cost, high‐performance image sensors that can operate effectively in challenging environments such as darkness and fog. The emerging 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have garnered significant interest due to their exceptional optoelectronic properties and compatibility with silicon (Si) complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. However, the large‐scale synthesis of TMD films and uniform preparation of photodiode arrays remain challenging. This paper reports a synthesis method for heteroepitaxial growth of 2H‐ molybdeum diyelluride (MoTe2) semiconducting films on 3D wafer‐level Si substrates. Using this method, arrays of 2H‐MoTe2/Si heterojunction photodiodes are prepared that demonstrate excellent uniformity and 100% device yield. The photodiodes exhibit satisfactory optoelectronic properties, including a small dark current maintained within a range of 1–3 nA and a maximum responsivity of 521.1 mAW−1 under near‐infrared light at 800 nm, with rise and fall times of less than 4 ms. To demonstrate the image‐sensing capabilities of the photodiode array under visible and near‐infrared (NIR) light illumination, a complete imaging system is designed.The MoTe2/Si photodiode arrays examined in this study offer a practical solution for integrating Si‐based readout circuits and photodetector arrays on a single chip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To establish a simple model for arteriosclerosis (AS) screening to provide a viable tool for the timely identification of AS risk among residents aged 40-65 years. Methods Data were obtained from the Sleep and Chronic Diseases Program in Fuquan City. The original dataset was divided into a training subset and a validation subset (80%: 20%). LASSO and logistic regression models were used to screen variables, perform multivariate regression analyses. Internal validation was performed using the Bootstrap method. Nomogram Plot was constructed, and risk score thresholds were determined based on ROC curves to classify high-risk populations. Results RS Model was established to include age, gender, napping, sleep efficiency, sleep disorders, hypertension and diabetes, with AUC = 74.80% and a model risk score threshold = 84.20. PHC Model was established to include age, gender, napping, sleep efficiency, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and pulse variables, with AUC = 82.80% and a risk score threshold of 78.00. Decision curves showed that both models performed well in terms of calibration and actual benefits for health management. Conclusion The two AS screening models exhibit acceptable accuracy and differentiation. Therefore, it can be applied in residents' self-health management and in primary care organizations' screening work in a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D semiconductors have emerged as candidates for next‐generation electronics. However, previously reported 2D transistors which typically employ the gate‐first process to fabricate a back‐gate (BG) configuration while neglecting the thorough impact on the dielectric capping layer, are severely constrained in large‐scale manufacturing and compatibility with complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology. In this study, dual‐gate (DG) field‐effect transistors have been realized based on wafer‐scale monolayer MoS2 and the gate‐last processing, which avoids the transfer process and utilizes an optimized top‐gate (TG) dielectric stack, rendering it highly compatible with CMOS technology. Subsequently, the physical mechanism of TG dielectric deposition and the corresponding controllable threshold voltage (VTH) shift is investigated. Then the fabricated TG‐devices with a large on/off ratio up to 1.7 × 109, negligible hysteresis (≈14 mV), and favorable stability. Additionally, encapsulated TG structured photodetectors have been demonstrated which exhibit photo responsivity (R) up to 9.39 × 103 A W−1 and detectivity (D*) ≈2.13 × 1013 Jones. The result paves the way for future CMOS‐compatible integration of 2D semiconductors for complex multifunctional IC applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have shown that co-parenting plays an important role in marital and parent-child interactions. However, little is known about the bidirectional associations between positive co-parenting and marital and parent-child factors, as well as the dynamic underlying mechanisms. This study used cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) to explore the bidirectional longitudinal relationship between positive co-parenting, marital satisfaction, and parental involvement among Chinese parents from a positive family multiple systems perspective. A sample of 668 father-mother dyads (father's M age = 36.47, SD age = 5.34; mother's M age = 35.45, SD age = 5.07) completed a series of questionnaires at three time points (approximately spaced 1 year between each time point). The results showed that positive co-parenting positively predicted marital satisfaction and parental involvement and that marital satisfaction positively influenced parents' positive co-parenting, whereas the effect of parental involvement on positive co-parenting was significant among fathers. Additionally, fathers' marital satisfaction can affect their involvement, but this effect is negligible among mothers. Finally, parental marital satisfaction mediated the relationship between positive co-parenting and the next stage of positive co-parenting. This study provided new ideas and interventions to strengthen family cohesion and harmony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) is a negative regulator of T-cell receptor signaling and as such is an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Although the role of the HPK1 kinase domain (KD) has been extensively characterized, the function of its citron homology domain (CHD) remains elusive. Through a combination of structural, biochemical, and mechanistic studies, we characterize the structure-function of CHD in relationship to KD. Crystallography and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry reveal that CHD adopts a seven-bladed β-propellor fold that binds to KD. Mutagenesis associated with binding and functional studies show a direct correlation between domain-domain interaction and negative regulation of kinase activity. We further demonstrate that the CHD provides stability to HPK1 protein in cells as well as contributes to the docking of its substrate SLP76. Altogether, this study highlights the importance of the CHD in the direct and indirect regulation of HPK1 function. In this work, the authors unveil a mechanism where the Citron homology domain regulates HPK1's kinase domain, shedding light on the relationship between HPK1's structure and function. This enhances our understanding of HPK1, an intracellular target for cancer immunotherapy and provides a direction for immuno-oncology drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sleep problems are a significant risk factor for identifying and preventing suicidal involvement among adolescents. However, there is limited evidence to assess the underlying mechanisms between them. This study investigated the longitudinal relationship between sleep problems and suicidal behavior and examined whether this relationship was moderated by negative emotions, low self‐control, and nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI). Methods: From December 2020 onward, we assessed 1214 Chinese secondary school adolescents (60.7% were boys, aged 13–19 years) three times, 6 months apart. Results: In the direct effects model, sleep problems were found to have a positive impact on adolescent suicidal behavior. In the indirect effects model, we observed that sleep problems were associated with an elevated risk of suicidal behavior through several pathways: one‐mediator path of negative emotions, low self‐control, and NSSI, respectively; two‐mediator path of negative emotions via low self‐control, negative emotions via NSSI, and low self‐control via NSSI, and three‐mediator path from negative emotions to NSSI via low self‐control. Conclusions: This longitudinal study provides evidence that sleep problems in adolescents may increase suicidal behavior by exacerbating negative emotions, weakening self‐control, and promoting NSSI. The findings suggest sleep problems should be addressed in suicide prevention and intervention efforts for adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Using actor–partner interdependence modeling, this study examined the dyadic associations of marital satisfaction and harsh discipline and the mediating role of self‐compassion. Background: Harsh discipline is a negative parenting style commonly used by parents, especially Chinese parents. This parenting approach has been reported by some researchers as harmful and universal. It is important to identify the causes and internal mechanisms supporting use of harsh discipline. Method: Participants were 349 Chinese father–mother dyads with school‐age children (Mage of father = 35.4 years, SDage = 5.4 years; Mage of mother = 34.4 years, SDage = 4.9 years). Father and mother self‐reported their marital satisfaction, self‐compassion, and use of harsh discipline at three time points. Results: The results revealed that fathers' and mothers' marital satisfaction negatively predicted the fathers' and mothers' harsh discipline, respectively. However, fathers' and mothers' marital satisfaction did not significantly predict the mothers' and fathers' harsh discipline. Second, we also found that mothers' marital satisfaction positively predicted fathers' and mothers' self‐compassion, while fathers' marital satisfaction did not significantly predict the fathers' and mothers' self‐compassion. Finally, fathers' self‐compassion played a mediating role in the relationship between mothers' marital satisfaction and fathers' harsh discipline. Conclusion: Parents' marital satisfaction promotes the development of self‐compassion and reduces the use of harsh discipline. Implications: Enhancing parents' marital satisfaction may play a role in reducing parents' use of harsh discipline. The researchers highlight the importance of mothers' marital satisfaction in improving mothers' and fathers' self‐compassion, which may be an effective measure to mitigate fathers' harsh discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), as flexible and stretchable materials, have attracted considerable attention in the field of novel flexible electronics due to their excellent mechanical, optical, and electronic properties. Among the various TMD materials, atomically thin MoS2 has become the most widely used material due to its advantageous properties, such as its adjustable bandgap, excellent performance, and ease of preparation. In this work, we demonstrated the practicality of a stacked wafer-scale two-layer MoS2 film obtained by transferring multiple single-layer films grown using chemical vapor deposition. The MoS2 field-effect transistor cell had a top-gated device structure with a (PI) film as the substrate, which exhibited a high on/off ratio (108), large average mobility (∼8.56 cm2 V−1 s−1), and exceptional uniformity. Furthermore, a range of flexible integrated logic devices, including inverters, NOR gates, and NAND gates, were successfully implemented via traditional lithography. These results highlight the immense potential of TMD materials, particularly MoS2, in enabling advanced flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices, which pave the way for transformative applications in future-generation electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes damage to the central nervous system, resulting in cognitive impairment. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) exhibits the potential to alleviate neurodegeneration. However, the therapeutic effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) FGF21 infusion on diabetes-induced cognitive decline (DICD) and its potential mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the impact of FGF21 on DICD was explored, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics plus 13C NMR spectroscopy in combine with intravenous [1-13C]-glucose infusion were used to investigate the underlying metabolic mechanism. Results revealed that i.c.v FGF21 infusion effectively improved learning and memory performance of DICD mice; neuron loss and apoptosis in hippocampus and cortex were significantly blocked, suggesting a potential neuroprotective role of FGF21 in DICD. Metabolomics results revealed that FGF21 modulated DICD metabolic alterations related to glucose and neurotransmitter metabolism, which are characterized by distinct recovered enrichment of [3-13C]-lactate, [3-13C]-aspartate, [4-13C]-glutamine, [3-13C]-glutamine, [4-13C]-glutamate, and [4-13C]- γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from [1-13C]-glucose. Moreover, diabetes-induced neuron injury and metabolic dysfunctions might be mediated by PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway inactivation in the hippocampus and cortex, which were activated by i.c.v injection of FGF21. These findings indicate that i.c.v FGF21 infusion exerts its neuroprotective effect on DICD by remodeling cerebral glucose and neurotransmitter metabolism by activating the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permission@oup.com.)