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An experiment was conducted to evaluate the impacts of dietary supplementation with unprotected benzoic acid (BA) or benzocal-50 (protected BA) on the growth performance and intestinal health in mixed-sex Ross 308 broilers under a high stocking density. A total of 768 one-d-old mixed-sex Ross 308 chickens (BW: 43.52 ± 0.68 g) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments (6 replicates with 32 broilers in each): 1) basal diet (NC); 2) basal diet with 30 mg/kg of avilamycin (PC); 3) basal diet with 1,000 mg/kg of BA (PBA); and 4) basal diet with benzocal-50 (330, 330, and 300 mg/kg in the starter (d 1-14), grower (d 15–28), and finisher (d 29–41) phases) (EBA). The normal stocking density during the finisher phase for broilers is 25.0 kg BW/m², but this study used a density of 29.0 kg BW/m² for a high stocking density. The results revealed an increase in the ADG of the EBA treatment compared to the PBA treatment during d 8 to 14 (P < 0.05). In the grower (d 15–28) and finisher (d 29–41) phases, chickens fed the EBA treatment exhibited lower intestinal digesta pH values than those in the NC treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, the EBA treatment displayed greater AID of dry matter and crude protein than the PC treatment (P < 0.05). The EBA treatment resulted in an upregulation of sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter and peptide transporter (PEPT1) mRNA expressions in the jejunum on d 14, an increased sodium-glucose transport protein 1 mRNA expression in the jejunum on d 28, and enhanced PEPT1 mRNA expression in the jejunum on d 41, when compared to the NC treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, the EBA treatment improved cadherin 1 mRNA expression in the jejunum on d 28 than the NC and PC treatments (P < 0.05). Overall, supplementing benzocal-50 to broilers under a high stocking density led to a decrease in gut pH, contributing to reduced fecal score and an overall enhancement in the gut barrier function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ozone distribution and variation within the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) present challenges for air quality management. UAV-based ozone profile measurements offer advantages in terms of high vertical resolution throughout the PBL and flexibility. However, previous studies on vertical variation in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region have rarely focused on measuring the vertical ozone variation during ozone pollution episodes. In this study, we integrated UAV-based monitoring, ground monitoring, and numerical modeling to investigate ozone variation, driving processes, and source regions of pollution episodic period. UAV-based observations during a 2021 ozone episode at rural areas in the PRD region revealed three ozone profiles: increasing, well-mixed, and decreasing with height. Morning profiles showed multiple layers influenced by meteorology, while peak ozone hours exhibited a well-mixed pattern. By integrating the validated numerical model, we found that chemical processes (CHEM) contributed positively to ozone episodes in both rural and urban scenarios, especially at the middle and upper PBL. Horizontal advection (HADV) significantly contributes to the episode in rural cases, while urban cases were significantly affected by vertical diffusion (VDIF). Backward trajectory and source apportionment analyses categorized PRD cities into upwind/non-upwind/local categories, showing ozone pollution originating from both upwind and non-upwind cities at different vertical levels. It is because wind shear influenced diverse source regions, and the transport channel for city-level ozone pollution exhibited daily and vertical changes. Moreover, it could also be contributed by the formed regional mixing ozone layer (ROM Layer) throughout the PBL during persistent ozone episodes, triggered by enhanced CHEM and significantly contributed by the VDIF. The ROM Layer at center cities, influencing ground-level ozone downwind through horizontal transport and vertical exchange. Considering the complex three-dimensional transport of ozone and the ROM Layer phenomenon, city-level management or regional co-control based on simple transport channels may be insufficient. Emissions control measures should cover all cities or target significant emitters to address regional ozone pollution. [Display omitted] • Vertical ozone variation during an episode was successfully captured by UAV and applied to model validation. • The regional ozone could be vertically well mixed at different levels includes local, upwind, and non-upwind sources. • The transport channel may not be well represented by single-layer wind pattern, it may have complex 3D structure. • For persistent ozone episode, the source contribution from non-upwind cities is also critical for city pollution level. • A regional ozone mixing layer (ROM Layer) was found and raises challenge on emission control of co-prevention and co-control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governments worldwide have taken unprecedented social distancing and community lockdown measures to halt the COVID-19 epidemic, leaving millions of people restrained in locked-down communities and their mental well-being at risk. This study examines Chinese rural residents' mental health risk under emergency lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. It investigates how the environmental, socioeconomic, and behavioral dimensions of community support affect mental health in this emergency context. We also explore whether community support's effectiveness depends on the strictness of lockdown measures implemented and the level of individual perceived COVID-19 infection risk. We collect self-reported mental health risk, community support, and demographics information through a cross-sectional survey of 3892 Chinese rural residents living in small towns and villages. Ordinary least square regressions are employed to estimate the psychological effects of community support. The results suggest that the COVID-19 epidemic and lockdown policies negatively affect psychological well-being, especially for rural females. The capacity for community production has the largest impact on reducing mental health risks, followed by the stability of basic medical services, community cohesion, housing condition, the stability of communications and transportation supply, and the eco-environment. The effectiveness of different community support dimensions depends on the level of lockdown policy implemented and the levels of one's perceived risk of COVID-19 infection. Our study stresses the psychological significance of a healthy living environment, resilient infrastructure and public service system, and community production capacity during the lockdown in rural towns and villages. • Investigates rural community support and mental health issues in the COVID-19 lockdown. • Strong community production capacity reduces mental health risk most effectively. • Effects of community cohesion depend on different lockdown policy and infection risk. • More environmental and socioeconomic supports are associated with lower mental risk. • Highlight the psychological significance of community support system during lockdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of anti-triangular dots by etching MoS 2 has been recently reported as an efficient way to produce active internal edges. However, it is still ambiguous to identify the configuration of etched MoS 2 with comparative hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity to commercial Pt. In this work, the HER activity on etched anti-triangular MoS 2 are investigated by density functional theory calculations. We found the valence electron distribution of inner edge atoms can be affected by the corner, and accordingly determine their activity. The second-nearest atom to anti-triangular corner possesses the highest activity. The simulated polarization curves show etched anti-triangular Mo-edge MoS 2 with moderate size (around 12 Å) maximize the HER performance. Further increasing size of etched MoS 2 deactivate their HER activity to a certain degree, validated by available experimental data. This work suggests etched MoS 2 catalysts with rational design may be a candidate to substitute Pt electrodes as HER electrocatalyst. Image 1 • The second-nearest site to corner possesses the highest HER activity. • The corner affects valence electron distribution and determines HER activity. • Moderate size (12 Å) on etched Mo edge maximizes the HER performance close to Pt. • The result of microkinetic analysis agrees with that of thermodynamic overpotential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to achieve effective in vivo detoxification of deoxynivalenol (DON) contained in piglet feedstuff by developing sodium metabisulfite (SMBS)-containing Eudragit L100-55 (ES) microparticles as a novel feed additive. DON detoxification was assessed in vitro (IPEC-J2 cell) and in vivo (piglet). Within 2 h of exposure to simulated gastric fluid (SGF), 14.31% of encapsulated SMBS was released from ES microparticles, while 82.93% was released in another 80 min in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). In IPEC-J2 cells, 0.1% ES microparticles remediated the toxicity of DON after 2 h incubation in SGF and 40 min in SIF. Forty weaned piglets with similar body weights (10 pigs/treatment) were fed for 28 days. Four diets were used: negative control (NC, 0.00 ppm DON), positive control (PC, 3.33 ppm DON), pure SMBS (PST, 3.33 ppm DON and 0.2% SMBS), and ES microparticles (EST, 3.33 ppm DON and 0.40% ES microparticles). The PC diet reduced ADG by 21.4% and ADFI by 20.1% compared to the NC diet (P < 0.05). The EST diet increased ADG and ADFI by 21.7% and 17.7% compared to the PC diet (P < 0.05), with no significant difference from the NC diet (P > 0.05). Compared to the PC and PST diets, the EST diet increased villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio, mRNA levels of claudin 3 and peptide transporter 1, and decreased mRNA level of toll-like receptor 4 (P < 0.05). ES microparticles could protect SMBS, and the released SMBS could mitigate the toxic effects of DON in piglets. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic activity of molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) is associated with active sites located along the edges, whereas the MoS 2 basal plane is regarded to be inert. However, it is a great challenge to develop a rational way for producing active edges efficiently. Herein, we report a novel, cost-effective top-down process in which we can create a high density of active edge sites on MoS 2 basal plane by selective steam etching. The results show that the etched structure is strongly sensitive to the temperature, which creates 1D nano-channels, 2D in-plane triangular pits and 3D vertical hexagonal cavities on the MoS 2 basal planes by elevating the temperature. The edge configuration is revealed to exhibit a distinct crystallographic orientation. Furthermore, we evaluate the corresponding enhanced electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by measurements of the single etched MoS 2 samples in an electrochemical microcell, where the Tafel slope decrease by 49%, confirming the increased the density of active sites. In addition, the method is not limited to 2D materials in a flat geometry alone, but is also demonstrated on 0D MoS 2 particles by in-situ transmission electron microscopy. The steam etching reported here offers an alternative avenue to engineer the surface structures of MoS 2 facilitating the electrocatalytic applications of MoS 2 for hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) are hopeful clean energy equipment due to the mild reaction condition and the possibility of using Pt-free catalysts for cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Developing excellent Pt-free ORR catalysts for AEMFC is still of great significance. Here, we construct a composite catalyst (Ag NPs @Fe-N-C) of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) surrounded by the atomically dispersed Fe-N-C porous carbon. The Ag NPs @Fe-N-C demonstrates outstanding ORR performance and enhanced durability, and its half-wave potential obviously exceeds Ag NPs -N-C and Fe-N-C counterparts in alkaline condition. Impressively, the Ag NPs @Fe-N-C-based AEMFC exhibits not only the ultrahigh peak power density of 0.848 W cm−2, but also long-term device durability of 200 h in H 2 /air (CO 2 -free) system, which is obviously better than that of the Fe-N-C-based AEMFC. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further reveal the synergistic effect of Ag NPs and Fe-N-C for ORR. In short, this work provides a new route to develop high activity and robust Pt-free ORR catalysts for AEMFCs. [Display omitted] • Ag NPs @Fe-N-C catalyst with Ag nanoparticles surrounded by the Fe-N-C carbon was synthesized. • Ag NPs @Fe-N-C-based AEMFC shows ultrahigh peak power density of 0.848 W cm−2. • Ag NPs @Fe-N-C-based AEMFC also presents long-term durability of 200 h in H 2 /air system. • DFT calculations further reveal the synergistic effect of Ag NPs and Fe-N-C for ORR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Oxidative stress-induced cell death is common in many neurological diseases. However, the role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1-induced cell death (parthanatos) has not been fully elucidated. Here, we found that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) could lead to PARP-1 activation and apoptosis-inducing factor nuclear translocation in a concentration dependent manner. Iduna, as a novel regulator of parthanatos, was also induced by H2O2. Down-regulation of Iduna by genetic ablation promoted H2O2-induced cell damage. Up-regulation of Iduna reduced the loss of mitochondrial potential and ATP and NAD+ production, but did not affect the mitochondrial dysfunction-induced cytochrome c release, increase of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and Caspase-9/Caspase-3 activity. In contrast, overexpression of Iduna inhibited activation of PARP-1 and nuclear translocation of AIF. Further study showed that PARP-1 specific inhibitor, DPQ, blocked the protective effect of Iduna against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, in the presence of proteasome inhibitor (MG-132) or ubiquitin E1 inhibitor (PYR-41), protective effect of Iduna was significantly weaken. These results indicate that Iduna acts as a potential antioxidant by improving mitochondrial function and inhibiting oxidative stress-induced parthanatos, and these protective effects are dependent on the involvement of ubiquitin–proteasome system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Molybdenum disulfide is known as a promising candidate for Pt-based catalysts in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), while the lack of the active-edge-site in-plane dominantly limits their intrinsic activity. Herein, a new strategy is reported to synthesize interface construction between MoS 2 and MoP, derived from the partial phosphidation of MoS 2 by incorporating P source (MoS 2 –MoP/NC). As a novel interface engineering electrode, MoS 2 –MoP/NC exhibits not only Pt-like catalytic activity but robust durability in alkaline electrolyte. Experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations certify that the formation of S vacancies on MoS 2 basal plane are facilitated by interlayer-interface construction between MoS 2 and MoP. Due to the delocalized electron inside S vacancies, the exposed coordination-unsaturated Mo atoms of S-defected MoS 2 offer active sites for water adsorption and activation, which accelerates the water dissociation steps. On the other hand, MoP provides active sites for hydrogen formation and desorption, which could weaken the adsorption strength of atomic hydrogen through van der Waals force of interlayer-interface. Our results show that the origin of the enhanced alkaline HER catalytic performance of MoS 2 –MoP/NC comes from the introduction of new active sites by interface construction, which provides an insight into the development of interlayer-interface engineering on MoS 2. It is expected that this interface construction strategy can be extended to other 2D metal sulfides for enhancing their electrocatalytic activity. Image 1 • An interface construction between MoS 2 and MoP (MoS 2 –MoP/NC) was synthesized for HER. • MoS 2 –MoP/NC exhibits Pt-like HER activity and robust durability in alkaline solution due to the interface effect. • The interface can introduce new active sites by creating S vacancies and exposing coordination-unsaturated Mo atoms. • Coordination-unsaturated Mo atoms can strength H 2 O adsorption and decrease H 2 O dissociation barrier. • MoP provides sites for hydrogen formation and desorption, promoted by weakening atomic hydrogen adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-dopant modification is a promising approach to enhance the catalytic performance of titanium silicate molecular sieve. Herein, titanium silicalite-1 (TS-1) with different titanium contents and a series of metal-doping modified TS-1 are prepared, to enhance the synthesis of ethylene glycol (EG) through oxidative hydration of ethylene. The EG selectivity show a volcano relationship along with the increase of Ni addition, and reach maximum in 80.63 % at 0.13 wt % Ni loading. The Ni promoter mechanism is revealed that NiO species enhances the electropositivity of skeleton Ti and neutralizes the surface acidity of TS-1, which improves the efficient utilization of H 2 O 2 and selectivity of EG. Furthermore, Ni-modified TS-1 shows superior stability to TS-1, as well as satisfactory reusability since the deactivation of catalyst is reversible through high-temperature calcination. This work demonstrates the feasibility and mechanism of Ni promoter and provides a promising strategy for the development of TS-1 catalysts. [Display omitted] • The promoter role of Ni in Ni-TS-1 zeolite over oxidative hydration of ethylene is studied. • The effective utilization of H2O2 and selectivity of EG over Ni-modified TS-1 are superior to TS-1. • The Ni species neutralizes the acidity of TS-1 zeolite to prevent the continuous polymerization of ethylene glycol. • The moderate addition of Ni enhances the electrophilicity of skeleton Ti, which is conducive to the adsorption of H2O2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of non-precious-metal is a promising approach to develop Pd-based catalysts for the direct synthesis of H 2 O 2. Herein, we prepare W modified Pd/Al 2 O 3 for enhanced synthesis towards H 2 O 2. With fixed Pd loading, the H 2 O 2 productivity show a volcano relationship with increasing W addition, and reach up to peak value for slice W content. It is found that W species in the form of WO 3 existing on the surface of Pd particles. The small addition of W optimizes the ratio between surface PdO and Pd, which simultaneously augments the productivity of H 2 O 2 and hinders hydrogenation/decomposition of H 2 O 2. Nevertheless, excess W addition not only leads to overmuch metallic state of Pd species, but also impedes the O 2 adsorption on Pd particles surface, resulting in a decrease in H 2 O 2 synthesis. This work demonstrates the promoter mechanism of W and offers a promising strategy developing Pd-based catalysts for the direct synthesis of H 2 O 2. [Display omitted] • The promoter role of W in W-Pd/Al 2 O 3 for direct synthesis of H 2 O 2 is studied. • The H 2 O 2 productivity and selectivity of W-Pd/Al 2 O 3 are superior to Pd/Al 2 O 3. • The W species covers on the surface of Pd particles to prevent the oxidation of Pd. • The moderate addition of W enhances selective hydrogenation from O 2 to H 2 O 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the population pharmacokinetics (PPK) of daptomycin in kidney transplant patients. The present study established a pharmacokinetic model for daptomycin in kidney transplant patients in China and examinee the important factors affecting the pharmacokinetic parameters of daptomycin. Methods: The study population included 49 kidney transplant patients with 537 daptomycin concentrations. The PPK model of daptomycin was developed using a nonlinear mixed-effects model, a two-compartment structural model, and a mixed residual error model. The stability and predictive ability of the final model were evaluated based on bootstrapping, visual prediction checks and normalized prediction distribution errors. Results: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and total body weight significantly affected clearance, and body weight influenced the central volume of distribution. The average clearance of the population was 0.316 L/h, the central volume of distribution was 6.04 L, the intercompartmental clearance was 2.31 L/h, and the peripheral volume of distribution was 2.46 L. Based on the established model and the target of area under curve (AUC 0-24h)/minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) ≥666, we developed a recommended dose regimen for kidney transplant patients according to their renal function and weight. The daily doses were 4.0±0.31, 4.7±0.36, 5.1±0.40, 5.5±0.43, 5.8±0.45, and 6.1±0.48 mg/kg when the GFRs were 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Conclusion: This study provides a reference for individualized daptomycin administration in kidney transplant recipients, and it is a valuable resource for improving the treatment effect and reducing the toxic effects of daptomycin. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]