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Solar energy, as an abundant, clean and renewable energy source, becomes a promising alternative to traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels and has received extensive research attention. Solar water evaporation, which utilizes sunlight as the sole power source, has become a significant strategy for water purification. Natural polysaccharides and their derived materials are widely used in solar evaporators due to their abundant sources as well as green, sustainable and biodegradable nature. This paper reviews the latest advances of polysaccharide-based solar evaporators in water purification. Polysaccharides including starch, cellulose, alginate, chitin/chitosan, carrageenan, and gum, are usually used as substrates for solar evaporators. Photothermal materials including carbon, polymers, semiconductors and plasmonic particles, serve as light absorbers to enhance the solar energy-to-heat conversion efficiency. Polysaccharides and their derived materials are combined with photothermal materials, resulting in the formation of various efficient solar interface evaporation platforms, such as hydrogels, aerogels, sponges, membranes, etc. Finally, the drawbacks and future directions of polysaccharide-based solar evaporators are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of ecological conservation and high-quality development in the Yangtze River Basin, there is an increasing demand for enhanced water pollution prevention and control in small watersheds. To delve deeper into the intricate relationship between pollutants and environmental features, as well as explore the key factors triggering pollution and their corresponding warning thresholds, this study was conducted along the Jiuqu River, a strategically managed unit in the upstream region of the Yangtze River, between 2022 and 2023. A total of seven monitoring sites were established, from which 161 valid water samples were collected. The k-nearest neighbors mutual information (KNN-MI) technique indicated that water temperature (WT) and relative humidity (RH) were the main environmental factors. The principal component analysis (PCA) of ten water quality parameters and three environmental factors unveiled the distinguishing characteristics of the primary pollution sources. Consequently, the pollution sources were categorized as treated wastewater > groundwater runoff > phytoplankton growth > abstersion wastewater > agricultural drainage. Furthermore, the regression decision tree (RDT) algorithm was used to explore the combined effects between pollutants and environmental factors, and to provide visual decision-making process and quantitative results for understanding the triggering mechanism of organic pollution in Jiuqu River. It conclusively identifies total phosphorus (TP) as the predominant triggering parameter with the threshold of 0.138 mg/L. The study is helpful to deal with potential water pollution problems preventatively and shows the interpretability and predictive performance of the RDT algorithm in water pollution prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The image quality of traditional animated characters is not high, the details are not real enough and so on. The optical image enhancement technology can improve the image quality and visual effect by adjusting the illumination and color of the image, and provide a better image processing means for animation production. This paper explores the effect and feasibility of applying light image enhancement technology to animated character images to provide better visual effects and more realistic image quality for animation production. The embedded image system is selected as the tool, which can process the image in real time and apply the optical image enhancement technology in the animation process. By adjusting the brightness, contrast and color of the image, the quality and fidelity of the animated character image are improved. The results show that the application of light image enhancement technology to animated character images can significantly improve the image quality and visual effect. The images become more realistic and realistic, and the details are sharper. The real-time processing ability of embedded image system ensures the application effect of optical image enhancement technology in animation production, which makes the animated character image more attractive and enjoyable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our Moon is by far the easiest natural, extraterrestrial celestial object for us to reach, and many space agencies, in particular the China National Space Administration, have publicized plans for manned missions there. Such high-profile projects must yield commensurate scientific outputs to justify their cost to the taxpayers. An important criterion for the selection of candidate experiments is the extent to which the Moon plays an integral and irreplaceable role, as opposed to offering only marginal advantages over Earth-orbit, space-based alternatives. In this study, we propose an experiment that excels in this regard, which considers the Moon as part of the experimental apparatus. Specifically, the Moon acts as a Weber bar-style resonant mass that responds to deci-Hertz gravitational waves (GWs). GW-excited lunar vibrations can be picked up by an array of (prefabricated on Earth and easy to transport to the Moon) small laser interferometric seismometers yielding GW detection. Such a setup would plug a gap in the GW frequency range already covered by the existing or underdevelopment detectors, and it can inform us on important astrophysics topics, such as the progenitors of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) or intermediate mass black holes. We provide the instrument design as well as its deployment strategy, and we also summarize relevant science cases according to the estimated viable sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal nanoparticles have been widely used for catalysis because of its excellent catalytic activity and selectivity. Green and sustainable supports play a quite important role in the enhancement of the efficiency and recyclability of metal nanoparticles. Here, a cellulose/β-cyclodextrin hydrogel is applied to support tannic acid-encapsulated metal (such as Ag, Au, Pd and Cu) nanoparticles to generate nanocomposite hydrogels for catalysis. TEM analysis indicates that these metal nanoparticles have the average diameters of 6.5 nm for Au nanoparticles, 7.0 nm for Ag nanoparticles, 5.0 nm for Pd nanoparticles and 4.0 nm for Cu nanoparticles, respectively. The catalytic activities of the as-prepared metal nanocomposite hydrogels are estimated in a series of chemical reactions in the aqueous system. The recyclability, applicability and generality of these nanocomposite hydrogels are also well investigated. The nanocomposite hydrogels can be reused for at least 10 times in the 4-nitrophenol reduction, 8 times for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction and 6 times for click reaction, respectively. Furthermore, good yields are obtained in the catalytic process. This study gives a green and sustainable strategy to support metal nanoparticles with good catalytic activity and recyclability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-cost polysaccharides, such as cellulose, chitosan, chitin and alginate, have come into sight for water treatment. Nevertheless, their treatment efficiency and capability are sometimes unsatisfactory because of the lack of active sites and functionalities. In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to the integration of polydopamine (PDA) into polysaccharide-based materials to develop high-performance products for wastewater treatment. PDA modification can endow polysaccharides with plentiful functional moieties (including catechol, amine, and phenyl groups) for binding heavy metals and organic pollutants. PDA coatings may increase interfacial stability and hydrophilicity for oil/water separation. PDA also may anchor various catalysts for catalytic degradation of organic pollutants. Furthermore, the good light-harvesting capability and photothermal transformation feature of PDA are available for solar-driven water purification. This review aims to give the comprehensive overview on the development of PDA-based polysaccharide materials for water treatment. PDA-based polysaccharide materials can be made into cost-effective and high-performance products (including hydrogels, aerogels, membranes, beads and nanocomposites) for adsorption of heavy metals and organic pollutants, oil/water separation, catalytic degradation of organic pollutants, and solar-driven water purification. This review will give valuable information for the design and exploitation of PDA-based polysaccharide materials in water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper "Detecting gravitational wave with an interferometric seismometer array on lunar nearside" [1] was published in SCIENCE CHINA Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy (66, 109513 (2023), doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11433-023-2179-9). Due to an oversight on our part, some errors were made in the originally published paper. We apologize for these errors and offer the corresponding explanations and corrections for the readers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furthermore, the Supplementary Information file published with this Article contained an error, where the raw data of the Phos-p47 SP phox sp immunoblot was an inadvertent duplication of the Iba-1 raw data immunoblot (both shown in Figure 3, panel A). Correction to: I Scientific Reports i https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58422-8, published online 31 January 2020 The original version of this Article contained an error in Figure 3, panel A, where the P-p47 SP phox sp immunoblot was inadvertently duplicated from the Iba-1 immunoblot. (B) p47phox phosphorylation (red) was detected using a phosphorylation specific antibody against p47phox (Ser359) and double stained with antibody against Iba-1 (green) by immunofluorescence. [Extracted from the article]

Microglia express constitutively a Nox2 enzyme that is involved in neuroinflammation by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Amyloid β (Aβ) plays a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease. However, the mechanism of Aβ-induced microglial dysfunction and redox-regulation of microgliosis in aging remains unclear. In this study, we examined Nox2-derived ROS in mediating microglial response to Aβ peptide 1–42 (Aβ42) stimulation in vitro, in aging-associated microgliosis in vivo and in post-mortem human samples. Compared to controls, Aβ42 markedly induced BV2 cell ROS production, Nox2 expression, p47phox and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, cell proliferation and IL-1β secretion. All these changes could be inhibited to the control levels in the presence of Nox2 inhibitor or superoxide scavenger. Compared to young (3–4 months) controls, midbrain tissues from wild-type aging mice (20–22 months) had significantly higher levels of Nox2-derived ROS production, Aβ deposition, microgliosis and IL-1β production. However, these aging-related changes were reduced or absent in Nox2 knockout aging mice. Clinical significance of aging-associated Nox2 activation, microgliosis and IL-1β production was investigated using post-mortem midbrain tissues of humans at young (25–38 years) and old age (61–85 years). In conclusion, Nox2-dependent redox-signalling is crucial in microglial response to Aβ42 stimulation and in aging-associated microgliosis and brain inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury contamination in soil and water has become a major concern to environmental quality and human health. Among the existing remediation technologies for mercury pollution control, sorption via iron-based materials has received wide attention as they are environmental friendly and economic, and their reactivity is high and controllable through modulating the morphology and surface properties of particulate materials. This paper aimed to provide a comprehensive overview on environmental application of a variety of iron-based sorbents, namely, zero valent iron, iron oxides, and iron sulfides, for mercury remediation. Techniques to improve the stability of these materials while enhancing mercury sequestration, such as nano-scale size control, surface functionalization, and mechanical support, were summarized. Mechanisms and factors affecting the interaction between mercury and iron-based materials were also discussed. Current knowledge gaps and future research needs are identified to facilitate a better understanding of molecular-level reaction mechanisms between iron-based materials and mercury and the long-term stability of the immobilized mercury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indole propionic acid (IPA) is one of the important plant growth hormones for promoting rooting and fruiting. Labeling IPA receptor in plant tissues is able to further track the signal transduction processes of IPA and uncover the function mechanism of IPA on crop productions. In this paper, a tunable and nontoxic fluorescent probe for IPA receptors was designed and synthetized base on carbon dots (C dots). Firstly carboxyl-modified carbon dots were prepared by high temperature cracking of citric acid. The fluorescence emission wavelengths of C dots varied with the excitation wavelengths change. Then IPA-modified carbon dots (IPA-C dots) were prepared by coupling the amino of tryptophan with the carboxyl of as-prepared carbon dots. Compared with C dots, the fluorescence intensity of IPA-C dots was double and the fluorescence stability was satisfactory under various conditions. This probe retained the biological activity of IPA and acted as target recognition of IPA receptors in plant tissues. The probe could avoid green fluorescence background of plants. The imaging results showed that the IPA receptors mainly existed on the membrane of stele. The toxicity test indicated the probe was less toxic than traditional inorganic semiconductor quantum dots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginsenoside Re (GRe) exerts diverse effects. Based on our observations, the present study was designed to investigate GRe-exerted bidirectional regulation (BR) on the contractility of isolated jejunal segment. Six pairs of different low and high contractile states of rat jejunal segment were established and used in the study. Stimulatory effects on the contractility of jejunal segment were exerted by GRe (10.0 μM) in all 6 low contractile states, and inhibitory effects were exerted in all 6 high contractile states, indicating that GRe exerted BR on the contractility of jejunal segment. The effects of GRe on the phosphorylation of 20 kDa myosin light chain, protein contents of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and MLCK mRNA expression in jejunal segment in low and high contractile states were also bidirectional. GRe-exerted BR was abolished in the presence of neurotoxin tetrodotoxin or Ca channel blocker verapamil or c-Kit receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib. Atropine blocked the stimulatory effects of GRe on jejunal contractility in low-Ca-induced low contractile state; phentolamine, propranolol and l-NG-nitro-arginine blocked the inhibitory effects in high-Ca-induced high contractile state, respectively. In summary, GRe-exerted BR depends on jejunal contractile state and requires the presence of enteric nervous system, Ca, and interstitial cells of Cajal; the stimulatory effects of GRe on jejunal contractility are related to cholinergic stimulation and inhibitory effects are related to adrenergic activation and nitric oxide relaxing mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroptosis is a novel form of membrane-dependent cell death that differs from other cell death modalities such as necrosis, apoptosis, and autophagy. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system primarily affecting brain and spinal cord neurons. Although the pathogenesis of these two conditions may seem unrelated, recent studies have indicated a connection between ferroptosis and multiple sclerosis. In fact, ferroptosis plays a significant role in the development of MS, as evidenced by the presence of elevated iron levels and iron metabolism abnormalities in the brains, spinal cords, and other neurons of MS patients. These abnormalities disrupt iron homeostasis within cells, leading to the occurrence of ferroptosis. However, there is currently a lack of research on the diagnostic value of ferroptosis-related genes in multiple sclerosis. In this study, we employed bioinformatics methods to identify ferroptosis-related genes (ATM, GSK3B, HMGCR, KLF2, MAPK1, NFE2L1, NRAS, PCBP1, PIK3CA, RPL8, VDAC3) associated with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and constructed a diagnostic model. The results demonstrated that the diagnostic model accurately identified the patients’ condition. Subsequently, subgroup analysis was performed based on the expression levels of ferroptosis-related genes, dividing patients into high and low expression groups. The results showed differences in immune function and immune cell infiltration between the two groups. Our study not only confirms the correlation between ferroptosis and multiple sclerosis but also demonstrates the diagnostic value of ferroptosis-related genes in the disease. This provides guidance for clinical practice and direction for further mechanistic research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]