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Acoustics, as a branch of modern science, holds pivotal significance in advancing sustainable energy and sensing technologies. Despite its potential, the current limitations still persist in acoustic energy harvesting efficiency and acoustic information sensing technology. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), leveraging the coupled mechanisms of contact electrification and electrostatic induction, offer a promising avenue for the development of energy harvesting and sound sensing applications. Its high sensitivity, broad material choices, and versatile structural designs make it particularly suited for this purpose. In this review, we introduce the theoretical foundation of TENGs in acoustics and present a comprehensive overview of triboelectric acoustic transducers, spanning from low-frequency sound to ultrasonic. Furthermore, we summarize the research advancements in triboelectric acoustic devices for sound/auditory sensing, highlighting their integration with machine learning for intelligent voice recognition. These innovative endeavors provide novel solutions across diverse fields such as energy supplementation, biomedicine, wireless communication, human-machine interaction (HMI), and marine localization. Lastly, we discuss the existing challenges and future directions in this domain, proposing strategies to propel the practical deployment of triboelectric technology in acoustics and outlining emerging research directions.

Abstract As sea level rises, previously sequestered blue carbon can be exported offshore as particulate or dissolved organic matter where it may be re-mineralized or sequestered. The priming effect, or interactive effects of organic matter turnover with a mixed substrate, is well described in soils, but still debated in aquatic systems. Priming may contribute to enhanced blue carbon re-mineralization in coastal environments. Here we examined mangrove-derived dissolved organic matter turnover in a lab incubation, with leachates from mangrove peat, 13C-labeled algae, and peat+algae (primed). Particulate and dissolved organic matter were assessed; microbial metatranscriptomes were evaluated; and dissolved organic matter was characterized with high resolution mass spectrometry. Stable isotopes indicated rapid allocation of algal-derived dissolved organic matter into particulate organic matter. The algal treatment had the greatest increase in carbon dioxide, but primed and peat treatments had the greatest loss of dissolved organic carbon, greater RNA concentrations, and similar changes in total carbon dioxide. This suggests that, while total carbon dioxide did not increase under priming conditions, the addition of a peat substrate may promote microbial biomass production relative to carbon dioxide production. This work highlights that more targeted studies investigating the specific mechanisms of priming are necessary to address the molecular and microbial transformations associated with priming in aquatic systems.

Highlights The porous-reinforcement microstructure is constructed by the self-assembly of silicone rubber adhering to the porous framework of the PU sponge. With the excellent performance both for tiny pressure and large mechanical stimuli, the flexible triboelectric patch can be used to monitor pulse wave and plantar pressure. A remote healthcare system for real-time physiological signal monitoring is proposed.

Abstract Background The ex vivo study is to compare the root canal preparation outcomes achieved by five nickel–titanium single-file instrumentation systems (M3-L, Reciproc Blue, V-Taper 2H, WaveOne Gold, XP-endo Shaper) in severely curved molar root canals. Methods A total of 60 root canals were selected from extracted human molar teeth with curvatures ranging from 25° to 50° and divided into five groups based on the instrumentation system employed (n = 12). Before and after root canal preparation, a Micro-CT scan was taken, and pre- and post-operative data were analyzed to evaluate the following parameters: volume increment of root canals (VI), untouched root canal areas (UTA), and canal transportation (CT). Apically extruded debris (AD) was collected during preparation. After that, all samples were separated into two parts and examined respectively by scanning electron microscope (SEM) to assess cleaning ability. Data were statistically analyzed with ANOVA (UTA, AD, VI) or Kruskal–Wallis test (CT, SEM-score), the level of significance was set at α = 0.05. Results There were no significant differences between the five systems regarding the AD, VI, and UTA parameters (P > 0.05). In terms of CT, no significant difference was noted at the straight section of canal and apical levels, while XP-endo Shaper showed less canal transportation than M3-L at the level of curved vertex (P

Seawater intrusion by rising sea levels has created large areas of ghost forests along low-lying coastal wetlands in the southeastern USA, but more information is needed to better understand its soil biogeochemistry. Here, we characterized several soil and environmental parameters, including tree litterfall, surface and soil porewater quality, emissions of greenhouse gases, and microbial communities along a forest-to-marsh transect, including a freshwater forested wetland, a salt-impacted degraded ghost forest, and a salt marsh in Winyah Bay, SC, USA. General water quality parameters such as electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, temperature and aboveground productivity showed distinct trends along the freshwater forested wetland → degraded ghost forest → salt marsh transect, whereas there were no obvious trends in soil biogeochemical parameters. Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the degraded ghost forest were generally similar to the freshwater forested wetland, but on average were higher than those in the salt marsh. More labile molecular features observed through Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry indicated an increase in the DOC biodegradability along the forest-to-marsh transect. Greater DOC biodegradability in the degraded ghost forest was observed and confirmed through its generation of the highest average electrical currents from sediment microbial fuel cells. The lowest CH4 and CO2 fluxes, but the highest degradable DOC, were observed in the degraded ghost forest, suggesting that lateral C export is important in this wetland. Moreover, the degraded ghost forest was dominated by a unique microbial community, including high abundance of Woesearchaeia, which enables carbon metabolism via symbiotic and/or fermentation-based lifestyles. Our study illustrates a ghost forest with very different characteristics compared to its parental freshwater forested wetland and its transitioned salt marsh. Data obtained from the two endmember ecosystems along the salinity gradient transect were not useful in predicting the unique biogeochemical processes in the degraded ghost forest.

The oral microbiome, associated with both oral disease and systemic disease, is in dynamic status along the whole life, and many factors including maternal microbiomes could impact the oral microbiome. While fewer studies have been conducted to study the characteristics of the oral microbiome in neonates and the associated maternal factors. Hence, we collected the microbiome of 15 mother-infant pairs across multiple body sites from birth up to 4 days postpartum and used high-throughput sequencing to characterize the microbiomes in mothers and their neonates. The oral microbiome in the neonates changed obviously during the 4 days after birth. Many bacteria originating from the vagina, skin, and environment disappeared in oral cavity over time, such as Prevotella bivia and Prevotella jejuni. Meanwhile, Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A phage SP-beta, predominate bacterium in maternal skin microbiome and Streptococcus unclassified, main bacterium in vaginal microbiome, obviously increased in neonatal oral microbiome as time went on. Interestingly, as time progressed, the composition of the oral microbiome in the neonates was more similar to that of the milk microbiome in their mothers. Moreover, we found that the changes in the predominant bacteria in the neonates were in line with those in the neonates exposed to the environment. Together, these data described the sharp dynamics of the oral microbiome in neonates and the importance of maternal efforts in the development of the neonatal microbiome.

Emerging optical synapses with in‐memory computing sensor (IMCS) performance are considered to be one of the most effective candidates to circumvent the bottleneck of the current Von Neumann structure while developing neuromorphic systems with higher effectiveness and lower energy consumption. Biomimetic properties of optical IMCS synapses in function and form indicate the higher requirements for utilized functional materials, such as stronger optical sensitivity and lower energy dissipation. Because of properties with high optical‐sensitivity efficiency and excellent electrical conductivity, low‐dimensional nanomaterials have received tremendous interest in modulating optical‐induced synaptic plasticity and emulating optical‐triggered neuromorphic activity of optical IMCS synapses. Herein, a comprehensive summary of optical IMCS synapses based on low‐dimensional nanomaterials is introduced systematically for the first time, including 0D, 1D, and 2D materials. In addition, the content of biomimetic synaptic characteristics, materials classification, operation mechanism, and neuromorphic applications of optical IMCS synapses based on low‐dimensional nanomaterials are also summarized in this work. At last, the challenges and outlook related to artificial optical IMCS synapses with low‐dimensional nanomaterials are provided.

Abstract Background Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) exhibits proinflammatory and procoagulant effects. Recent data indicated that sCD40L plays a significant role in septic patients. The aim of the present study was to determine sCD40L changes in surgical patients without sepsis (SWS) and surgical sepsis patients (SS) during the first 3 days after intensive care unit (ICU) admission and to observe the association between sCD40L and mortality. Methods Time changes in sCD40L levels were assessed for 3 days after ICU admission in 49 patients with SS and compared with those in 19 SWS patients. Serum sCD40L concentration was detected by ELISA. Survival at 28 days served as the endpoint. Results SS had significantly higher sCD40L levels than SWS and control patients. We observed an association between sCD40L levels ≥1028.75 pg/mL at day 2 and 28-day mortality (odds ratio = 7.888; 95% confidence interval = 1.758 to 35.395; P = 0.007). We could not discover any significant differences in sex, presence of septic shock, site of infection, length of stay in the ICU, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, incidence of AKI, ARDS, or type of surgery between nonsurvivors and survivors. Conclusions Septic patients show persistently higher circulating sCD40L levels in the first 3 days after ICU admission, and serum sCD40L levels are associated with the mortality of patients with sepsis. Thus, serum sCD40L may be used as a reliable biomarker and therapeutic target in sepsis.

The COVID-19 has impacted everyone in a significant way. Many graduate students have shifted to work and study remotely, requiring major lifestyle adjustments. An increasing number of studies have explored graduate students' well-being as it relates to their studies from diverse perspectives, including remote learning and loss of peer connections. This article adds the stories of two Ph.D. students’ experiences during the pandemic using autobiographical narrative inquiry. Personal tellings and retellings demonstrate the complexity of graduate life and of embracing multiple roles. We encourage a new perception of graduate students as a whole person whose studies are one of many complex factors affecting their well-being. The authors emphasize that graduate student well-being extends beyond academic settings. The study aims to shed light on the wholesomeness of a graduate students’ well-being and apply this perspective to the post-pandemic context.

Tawaw, or welcome, to this special digital edition of the Language and Literacy journal. This issue is a direct result of the scholarship shared by participants and the development and management of the 18th annual, but first digital, Language and Literacy Researchers of Canada (LLRC/ACCLL) pre-conference by the co-chairs[1] (Jing Jin, Lara Polak, Velvalee Georges, and Yina Liu). The theme, Literacy Entanglements & Relationality: Time, Space, Place, and Identity, aspires to engage researchers in moving beyond entanglement toward evolving relationality through and in the various dimensions of time, space, place, and identity. This theme was intended to create opportunities for researchers to attend to the complexities inherent in broadening and strengthening our understandings of language and literacy entanglement. We anticipated thoughtful conversation about how humans engage with literacy and language at various stages of relations, from superficial acknowledgment to exploring how our messages are transformed by identity, time, space, and place. We wondered how the course of literacy and language research might become more robust by attending to all dimensions, particularly as we move from face-to-face to virtual contexts and digital means.

Abstract Photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation is a promising approach to address the environmental pollution and energy crisis. In this work, we present a hybridized mechanical and solar energy-driven self-powered hydrogen production system. A rotatory disc-shaped triboelectric nanogenerator was employed to harvest mechanical energy from water and functions as a sufficient external power source. WO3/BiVO4 heterojunction photoanode was synthesized in a PEC water-splitting cell to produce H2. After transformation and rectification, the peak current reaches 0.1 mA at the rotation speed of 60 rpm. In this case, the H2 evolution process only occurs with sunlight irradiation. When the rotation speed is over 130 rpm, the peak photocurrent and peak dark current have nearly equal value. Direct electrolysis of water is almost simultaneous with photoelectrocatalysis of water. It is worth noting that the hydrogen production rate increases to 5.45 and 7.27 μL min−1 without or with light illumination at 160 rpm. The corresponding energy conversion efficiency is calculated to be 2.43% and 2.59%, respectively. All the results demonstrate such a self-powered system can successfully achieve the PEC hydrogen generation, exhibiting promising possibility of energy conversion.

Abstract Continuous deforming always leads to the performance degradation of a flexible triboelectric nanogenerator due to the Young’s modulus mismatch of different functional layers. In this work, we fabricated a fiber-shaped stretchable and tailorable triboelectric nanogenerator (FST–TENG) based on the geometric construction of a steel wire as electrode and ingenious selection of silicone rubber as triboelectric layer. Owing to the great robustness and continuous conductivity, the FST–TENGs demonstrate high stability, stretchability, and even tailorability. For a single device with ~ 6 cm in length and ~ 3 mm in diameter, the open-circuit voltage of ~ 59.7 V, transferred charge of ~ 23.7 nC, short-circuit current of ~ 2.67 μA and average power of ~ 2.13 μW can be obtained at 2.5 Hz. By knitting several FST–TENGs to be a fabric or a bracelet, it enables to harvest human motion energy and then to drive a wearable electronic device. Finally, it can also be woven on dorsum of glove to monitor the movements of gesture, which can recognize every single finger, different bending angle, and numbers of bent finger by analyzing voltage signals.

Abstract Here, we examine how marine microbial communities respond when dissolved organic matter (DOM) is mobilized from coastal wetlands. Biological transformations of this DOM may increase in the presence of reactive substrates, such as algal‐derived DOM (ADOM) in the coastal zone—a process known as priming. We performed laboratory experiments examining transformations of DOM derived from coastal wetland peat (PDOM) with and without the presence ADOM. Associated shifts in microbial community composition and functional gene abundance were measured to evaluate mechanisms of priming effects. ADOM presence stimulated CO2 production when compared to the seawater control, which was further enhanced in the copresence of PDOM. DOM characterization showed a substantial difference in features present at the end of the incubation when PDOM was present with and without ADOM, while metagenomic sequencing indicated shifts in microbial community composition and identified 23 unique functional genes associated with pathways for the breakdown of aromatic compounds.

During the COVID-19 pandemic teachers have been expected to learn new digital literacy skills, often applying them immediately. While professional development structures within school districts and professional associations are organized to offer supports, teachers may be challenged to gain digital skills within existing professional development models. Within our study, teachers explored technologies with the aim of rethinking frames for teaching and learning literacy. Following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic they shared their experiences, insights and challenges. In our article, we address implications for digital literacy teaching and learning and the need for new ways of approaching teacher development.

Energy collection ways using solar energy, wave, wind, or mechanical energy have attracted widespread attention for small self-powered electronic devices with low power consumption, such as sensors, wearable devices, electronic skin, and implantable devices. Among them, triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) operated by coupling effect of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction has gradually gained prominence due to its advantages such as low cost, lightweight, high degree of freedom in material selection, large power, and high applicability. The device with a single energy exchange mechanism is limited by its conversion efficiency and work environment and cannot achieve the maximum conversion of energy. Thus, this article reviews the research status of different types of hybrid generators based on TENG in recent years. Hybrid energy generators will improve the output performance though the integration of different energy exchange methods, which have an excellent application prospect. From the perspective of energy complementation, it can be divided into harvesting mechanical energy by various principles, combining with harvesters of other clean energy, and converting mechanical energy or various energy sources into hydrogen energy. For integrating multitype energy harvesters, mechanism of single device and structural design of integrated units for different application scenarios are summarized. The expanding energy harvesting efficiency of the hybrid TENG makes the scheme of self-charging unit to power intelligent mobile electronic feasible and has practical significance for the development of self-powered sensor network.

In this paper, I present ways that makerspaces could support children’s language and literacy learning and engage young participants in this digital age. In addition, I argue that makerspaces could be a place for newcomer children to embrace their funds of knowledge (Moll et al., 1992) and use them as a foundation to language and literacy learning.

Summary: Sensors are a key component of the Internet of Things (IoTs) to collect information of environments or objects. Considering the tremendous number and complex working conditions of sensors, multifunction and self-powered feathers are two basic requirements. Nanogenerators are a kind of devices based on the triboelectric, piezoelectric, or pyroelectric effects to harvest ambient energy and then converting to electricity. The hybridized nanogenerators that combined multiple effects in one device have great potential in multifunctional self-powered sensors because of the unique superiority such as generating electrical signals directly, responding to diverse stimuli, etc. This review aims at introducing the latest advancements of hybridized nanogenerators for multifunctional self-powered sensing. Firstly, the principles and sensor prototypes based on TENG are summarized. To avoid signal interference and energy insufficiently, the multifunctional self-powered sensors based on hybridized nanogenerators are reviewed. At last, the challenges and future development of multifunctional self-powered sensors have prospected.

This paper presents an effective numerical simulation method for production prediction of in situ recovery of oil shale reservoirs with steam injection. In this method, finite volume-based discretization schemes of heat and mass transfer equations of the thermal compositional model are derived and used. The embedded discrete fracture model is used to accurately handle the fractured vertical well. A smooth non-linear solver is proposed to solve the global equations, then cell pressure, temperature, saturation, component mole fractions, and well production rates can be obtained. Compared with the existing commercial software, this new method can have a smoother non-linear solution and handle the complex fracture geometry theoretically. A numerical example is used to test this presented method and can realize accurate calculation results compared with CMG. Another numerical case with a hydraulic fracture and an open thermal boundary condition is implemented to validate the presented method and can effectively handle the actual situation of steam injection-assisted in situ recovery of oil shale, which was difficult to handle using previous methods.

Abstract Background Endothelial barrier dysfunction is central to the pathogenesis of sepsis-associated acute lung injury (ALI). Microtubule (MT) dynamics in vascular endothelium are crucial for the regulation of endothelial barrier function. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) possesses various biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory activity and endothelial barrier protection during sepsis. Methods Here, we investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of UFH on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction. C57BL/6 J mice were randomized into vehicle, UFH, LPS and LPS + UFH groups. Intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg LPS was used to induce sepsis. Mice in the LPS + UFH group received intravenous UFH 0.5 h prior to LPS injection. Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) were cultured for analyzing the effects of UFH on LPS-induced and nocodazole-induced hyperpermeability, F-actin remodeling, and LPS-induced p38 MAPK activation. Results UFH pretreatment significantly attenuated LPS-induced pulmonary histopathological changes, and increased the lung W/D ratio and Evans blue accumulation in vivo. Both in vivo and in vitro studies showed that UFH pretreatment blocked the LPS-induced increase in guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF-H1) expression and myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1) phosphorylation, and microtubule (MT) disassembly in LPS-induced ALI mouse model and human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs). These results suggested that UFH ameliorated LPS-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction by inhibiting MT disassembly and GEF-H1 expression. In addition, UFH attenuated LPS-induced hyperpermeability of HPMECs and F-actin remodeling. In vitro, UFH pretreatment inhibited LPS-induced increase in monomeric tubulin expression and decrease in tubulin polymerization and acetylation. Meanwhile, UFH ameliorates nocodazole-induced MTs disassembly and endothelial barrier dysfunction.Additionally, UFH decreased p38 phosphorylation and activation, which was similar to the effect of the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580. Conclusions UFH exert its protective effects on pulmonary microvascular endothelial barrier dysfunction via microtubule stabilization and is associated with the p38 MAPK pathway.

Abstract Progress has been developed in harvesting low-frequency and irregular blue energy using a triboelectric–electromagnetic hybrid generator in recent years. However, the design of the high-efficiency, mechanically durable hybrid structure is still challenging. In this study, we report a fully packaged triboelectric–electromagnetic hybrid generator (TEHG), in which magnets were utilized as the trigger to drive contact–separation-mode triboelectric nanogenerators (CS-TENGs) and coupled with copper coils to operate rotary freestanding-mode electromagnetic generators (RF-EMGs). The magnet pairs that produce attraction were used to transfer the external mechanical energy to the CS-TENGs, and packaging of the CS-TENG part was achieved to protect it from the ambient environment. Under a rotatory speed of 100 rpm, the CS-TENGs enabled the TEHG to deliver an output voltage, current, and average power of 315.8 V, 44.6 μA, and ~ 90.7 μW, and the output of the RF-EMGs was 0.59 V, 1.78 mA, and 79.6 μW, respectively. The cylinder-like structure made the TEHG more easily driven by water flow and demonstrated to work as a practical power source to charge commercial capacitors. It can charge a 33 μF capacitor from 0 to 2.1 V in 84 s, and the stored energy in the capacitor can drive an electronic thermometer and form a self-powered water-temperature sensing system.

The components in traditional human–machine interaction (HMI) systems are relatively independent, distributed and low-integrated, and the wearing experience is poor when the system adopts wearable electronics for intelligent control. The continuous and stable operation of every part always poses challenges for energy supply. In this work, a triboelectric technology-based all-in-one self-powered HMI system for wireless remote telemetry and the control of intelligent cars is proposed. The dual-network crosslinking hydrogel was synthesized and wrapped with functional layers to fabricate a stretchable fibrous triboelectric nanogenerator (SF-TENG) and a supercapacitor (SF-SC), respectively. A self-charging power unit containing woven SF-TENGs, SF-SCs, and a power management circuit was exploited to harvest mechanical energy from the human body and provided power for the whole system. A smart glove designed with five SF-TENGs on the dorsum of five fingers acts as a gesture sensor to generate signal permutations. The signals were processed by the microcontroller and then wirelessly transmitted to the intelligent car for remote telemetry and control. This work is of paramount potential for the application of various terminal devices in self-powered HMI systems with high integration for wearable electronics.

This qualitative content analysis identified patterns and trends in a contemporary set of Canadian verse-novels for young people. Twenty-two books were located in our search for titles published between 1995 and 2016, and many of these emerged as award-winners in various contexts including the Governor General’s Award for children’s literature (text). Dresang’s notion of Radical Change, adapted for this interrogation, illuminated particular elements of these societal artifacts worthy of notice. While studies have occurred regarding textual forms or formats and reader characteristics, specific work with the verse-novel and its use with struggling and reluctant readers is limited, with professional articles appearing in place of research-oriented discussions. Scrutiny of available verse-novels is important as it opens a door for explorations of these resources with participants in classroom settings.

Resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices are receiving increasing extensive attention due to their enhanced properties such as fast operation speed, simple device structure, low power consumption, good scalability potential and so on, and are currently considered to be one of the next-generation alternatives to traditional memory. In this review, an overview of RRAM devices is demonstrated in terms of thin film materials investigation on electrode and function layer, switching mechanisms and artificial intelligence applications. Compared with the well-developed application of inorganic thin film materials (oxides, solid electrolyte and two-dimensional (2D) materials) in RRAM devices, organic thin film materials (biological and polymer materials) application is considered to be the candidate with significant potential. The performance of RRAM devices is closely related to the investigation of switching mechanisms in this review, including thermal-chemical mechanism (TCM), valance change mechanism (VCM) and electrochemical metallization (ECM). Finally, the bionic synaptic application of RRAM devices is under intensive consideration, its main characteristics such as potentiation/depression response, short-/long-term plasticity (STP/LTP), transition from short-term memory to long-term memory (STM to LTM) and spike-time-dependent plasticity (STDP) reveal the great potential of RRAM devices in the field of neuromorphic application.

Knowledge of dynamic interactions between natural organic matter (NOM) and microbial communities is critical not only to delineate the routes of NOM degradation/transformation and carbon (C) fluxes, but also to understand microbial community evolution and succession in ecosystems. Yet, these processes in subsurface environments are usually studied independently, and a comprehensive view has been elusive thus far. In this study, we fed sediment-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) to groundwater microbes and continually analyzed microbial transformation of DOM over a 50-day incubation. To document fine-scale changes in DOM chemistry, we applied high-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) and soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (sXAS). We also monitored the trajectory of microbial biomass, community structure and activity over this time period. Together, these analyses provided an unprecedented comprehensive view of interactions between sediment-derived DOM and indigenous subsurface groundwater microbes. Microbial decomposition of labile C in DOM was immediately evident from biomass increase and total organic carbon (TOC) decrease. The change of microbial composition was closely related to DOM turnover: microbial community in early stages of incubation was influenced by relatively labile tannin- and protein-like compounds; while in later stages the community composition evolved to be most correlated with less labile lipid- and lignin-like compounds. These changes in microbial community structure and function, coupled with the contribution of microbial products to DOM pool affected the further transformation of DOM, culminating in stark changes to DOM composition over time. Our study demonstrates a distinct response of microbial communities to biotransformation of DOM, which improves our understanding of coupled interactions between sediment-derived DOM, microbial processes, and community structure in subsurface groundwater.

We apply principles of Gibbs phase plane chemistry across the entire ocean-atmosphere interface to investigate aerosol generation and geophysical transfer issues. Marine surface tension differences comprise a tangential pressure field controlling trace gas fluxes, primary organic inputs, and sea spray salt injections, in addition to heat and momentum fluxes. Mapping follows from the organic microlayer composition, now represented in ocean system models. Organic functional variations drive the microforcing, leading to (1) reduced turbulence and (by extension) laminar gas-energy diffusion; plus (2) altered bubble film mass emission into the boundary layer. Interfacial chemical behaviors are, therefore, closely reviewed as the background. We focus on phase transitions among two dimensional “solid, liquid, and gaseous” states serving as elasticity indicators. From the pool of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) only proteins and lipids appear to occupy significant atmospheric interfacial areas. The literature suggests albumin and stearic acid as the best proxies, and we distribute them through ecodynamic simulation. Consensus bulk distributions are obtained to control their adsorptive equilibria. We devise parameterizations for both the planar free energy and equation of state, relating excess coverage to the surface pressure and its modulus. Constant settings for the molecular surrogates are drawn from laboratory study and successfully reproduce surfactant solid-to-gas occurrence in compression experiments. Since DOC functionality measurements are rare, we group them into super-ecological province tables to verify aqueous concentration estimates. Outputs are then fed into a coverage, tension, elasticity code. The resulting two dimensional pressure contours cross a critical range for the regulation of precursor piston velocity, bubble breakage, and primary aerosol sources plus ripple damping. Concepts extend the water-air adsorption theory currently embodied in our OCEANFILMS aerosol emissions package, and the two approaches could be inserted into Earth System Models together. Uncertainties in the logic include kinetic and thermochemical factors operating at multiple scales.

Polar petroleum components enter marine environments through oil spills and natural seepages each year. Lately, they are receiving increased attention due to their potential toxicity to marine organisms and persistence in the environment. We conducted a laboratory experiment and employed state-of-the-art Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) to characterize the polar petroleum components within two operationally-defined seawater fractions: the water-soluble fraction (WSF), which includes only water-soluble molecules, and the water-accommodated fraction (WAF), which includes WSF and microscopic oil droplets. Our results show that compounds with higher heteroatom (N, S, O) to carbon ratios (NSO:C) than the parent oil were selectively partitioned into seawater in both fractions, reflecting the influence of polarity on aqueous solubility. WAF and WSF were compositionally distinct, with unique distributions of compounds across a range of hydrophobicity. These compositional differences will likely result in disparate impacts on environmental health and organismal toxicity, and thus highlight the need to distinguish between these often-interchangeable terminologies in toxicology studies. We use an empirical model to estimate hydrophobicity character for individual molecules within these complex mixtures and provide an estimate of the potential environmental impacts of different crude oil components.

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Carp is a temperate freshwater fish native to Asia, distributed in ai regions of the world except Australia and South America. With the improvement of comprehensive and healthy breeding technology of carp, the unit yield has been greatly increased manly due to the extensive use of compound feed. In this study, the nutritional requirements of carp were summarized from the aspects of protein, amino acids, fat, carbohydrate, calcium and phosphorus, vitamins and taurine. This study provides a certain theoretical reference for scientific formula of carp feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Projection-based embedded discrete fracture model (pEDFM) is an effective numerical model to handle the flow in fractured reservoirs, with high efficiency and strong generalization of flow models. However, this paper points out that pEDFM fails to handle flow barriers in most cases, and identifies the physical projection configuration of fractures is a key step in pEDFM. This paper presents and proves the equivalence theorem, which explains the geometric nature of physical projection configurations of fractures, that is, the projection configuration of a fracture being physical is equivalent to it being topologically homeomorphic to the fracture, by analyzing the essence of pEDFM. Physical projection configurations of fractures may be rigorously established based on this theorem, allowing pEDFM to obtain physical numerical results for many flow models, particularly those with flow barriers. Furthermore, a natural idea emerges of employing flow barriers to flexibly 'cut' the formation to quickly handle the flow problems in the formation with complex geological conditions, and several numerical examples are implemented to test this idea and application of the improved pEDFM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic teachers have been expected to learn new digital literacy skills, often applying them immediately. While professional development structures within school districts and professional associations are organized to offer supports, teachers may be challenged to gain digital skills within existing professional development models. Within our study, teachers explored technologies with the aim of rethinking frames for teaching and learning literacy. Following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic they shared their experiences, insights and challenges. In our article, we address implications for digital literacy teaching and learning and the need for new ways of approaching teacher development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

van Krevelen diagrams (O/C vs H/C ratios of elemental formulas) have been widely used in studies to obtain an estimation of the main compound categories present in environmental samples. However, the limits defining a specific compound category based solely on O/C and H/C ratios of elemental formulas have never been accurately listed or proposed to classify metabolites in biological samples. Furthermore, while O/C vs H/C ratios of elemental formulas can provide an overview of the compound categories, such classification is inefficient because of the large overlap among different compound categories along both axes. We propose a more accurate compound classification for biological samples analyzed by high-resolution mass spectrometry based on an assessment of the C/H/O/N/P stoichiometric ratios of over 130 000 elemental formulas of compounds classified in 6 main categories: lipids, peptides, amino sugars, carbohydrates, nucleotides, and phytochemical compounds (oxy-aromatic compounds). Our multidimensional stoichiometric compound classification (MSCC) constraints showed a highly accurate categorization of elemental formulas to the main compound categories in biological samples with over 98% of accuracy representing a substantial improvement over any classification based on the classic van Krevelen diagram. This method represents a signficant step forward in environmental research, especially ecological stoichiometry and eco-metabolomics studies, by providing a novel and robust tool to improve our understanding of the ecosystem structure and function through the chemical characterization of biological samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue-equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) is a very promising dosemeter for radiation protection in mixed radiation fields. In this article, a portable TEPC system including a spherical homemade TEPC detector and the compact low-power integrated circuit prototype was constructed and tested in gamma and neutron radiation fields. The microdosimetric spectra results displayed that the portable TEPC system could deal with four orders of magnitude voltage pulse signals. And the measured dose equivalent values agreed with reference values, which means the portable TEPC system had fulfilled the test and satisfied the requirement for radiation monitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry, such as Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT ICR MS), can resolve thousands of molecular ions in complex organic matrices. A Compound Identification Algorithm (CIA) was previously developed for automated elemental formula assignment for natural organic matter (NOM). In this work, we describe software Formularity with a user-friendly interface for CIA function and newly developed search function Isotopic Pattern Algorithm (IPA). While CIA assigns elemental formulas for compounds containing C, H, O, N, S, and P, IPA is capable of assigning formulas for compounds containing other elements. We used halogenated organic compounds (HOC), a chemical class that is ubiquitous in nature as well as anthropogenic systems, as an example to demonstrate the capability of Formularity with IPA. A HOC standard mix was used to evaluate the identification confidence of IPA. Tap water and HOC spike in Suwannee River NOM were used to assess HOC identification in complex environmental samples. Strategies for reconciliation of CIA and IPA assignments were discussed. Software and sample databases with documentation are freely available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activation of protein C is greatly enhanced by the presence of thrombomodulin (TM) and endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) on the endothelial surface. Impairment of the anticoagulant protein C system occurs during endotoxemia and contributes to sepsis-associated hypercoagulability. Previous studies have demonstrated that unfractionated heparin (UFH) can attenuate coagulation in endotoxemic mice. However, whether UFH has an effect on the protein C system remains to be elucidated. The current study evaluated the therapeutic effect of UFH on the protein C system in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis, and further investigated the effect of UFH on the expression of TM and EPCR in vitro using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The in vivo data indicated that UFH preconditioning attenuated the decline in circulating activated protein C following LPS administration, and also reduced LPS-induced shedding of TM and EPCR. In HUVECs, LPS stimulation led to the downregulation of TM and EPCR expression, and UFH dose-dependently restored the mRNA and protein levels of TM and EPCR. In addition, UFH inhibited the LPS-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase 14, proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src and nuclear factor κB signaling in HUVECs. In summary, these results suggest that UFH has a protective effect on the protein C system during sepsis. Thus, UFH may be a candidate therapeutic agent for the treatment of patients with sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative content analysis identified patterns and trends in a contemporary set of Canadian verse-novels for young people. Twenty-two books were located in our search for titles published between 1995 and 2016, and many of these emerged as award-winners in various contexts including the Governor General's Award for children's literature (text). Dresang's notion of Radical Change, adapted for this interrogation, illuminated particular elements of these societal artifacts worthy of notice. In particular, the verse-novel form seems to be on the rise for young Canadian audiences, with predominantly female authors offering texts that range from realistic fiction (most common) to historical fiction and fantasy (least common), in first-person presenttense narratives that generally feature teenage protagonists. Readability conventions noted include various types of headings, strategic use of fonts and stanzas, and the inclusion of additional information that supports deep comprehension of the subject matter. While studies have occurred regarding other textual forms or formats in relation to reader response, specific work with the verse-novel and its use with struggling and reluctant readers is very limited, with professional articles appearing in place of research-oriented discussions. In the current study, scrutiny of available verse-novels is an important contribution as our findings may open a door for further exploration of these resources with participants in classroom settings. Implications for further research with students in schools are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a systemic inflammation-associated cytokine mediator. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of the downregulation of HMGB1 in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse model of acute lung injury (ALI). It was identified that serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β, lung myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde content, as well as lung wet/dry weight ratios were all increased following LPS challenge. However, LPS-mediated increases in these parameters were significantly downregulated in HMGB1 small interfering (si)RNA-treated mice versus the negative control siRNA-treated mice. In addition, the administration of HMGB1 siRNA in LPS-treated mice resulted in a decreased DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the lung. It was demonstrated that downregulation of HMGB1 decreases inflammation and the severity of sepsis associated with ALI, possibly via inhibiting the NF-κB DNA-binding activity. The present data support HMGB1 as a contributor to the pathogenesis of LPS-induced sepsis and ALI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brominated very short-lived substances (BrVSLS), such as bromoform, are important trace gases for stratospheric ozone chemistry. These naturally derived trace gases are formed via bromoperoxidase-mediated halogenation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in seawater. Information on DOM type in relation to the observed BrVSLS concentrations in seawater, however, is scarce. We examined the sensitivity of BrVSLS production in relation to the presence of specific DOM moieties. A total of 28 model DOM compounds in artificial seawater were treated with vanadium bromoperoxidase (V-BrPO). Our results show a clear dependence of BrVSLS production on DOM type. In general, molecules that comprise a large fraction of the bulk DOM pool did not noticeably affect BrVSLS production. Only specific cell metabolites and humic acid appeared to significantly enhance BrVSLS production. Amino acids and lignin phenols suppressed enzyme-mediated BrVSLS production and may instead have formed halogenated nonvolatile molecules. Dibromomethane production was not observed in any experiments, suggesting it is not produced by the same pathway as the other BrVSLS. Our results suggest that regional differences in DOM composition may explain the observed BrVSLS concentration variability in the global ocean. Ultimately, BrVSLS production and concentrations are likely affected by DOM composition, reactivity, and cycling in the ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is largely used as anti-thrombotic drug. While UFH has been shown to suppress lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, intracellular upstream events that cause NF-κB down-regulation in response to UFH remain unclear. Thus, we investigated the involvement of phosphoinositide-3-OH kinase (PI3K)/Akt in the inhibition of LPS-activated NF-κB pathway by UFH in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs). Pretreatment with UFH (0.1–1 U/ml) significantly inhibited LPS (10 μg/ml)-stimulated interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 production in HPMECs. LPS activated Akt and NF-κB, whereas UFH suppresses LPS-induced Akt phosphorylation and NF-κB nuclear translocation, which were required for IL-6 and IL-8 gene transcription. Inhibition studies by using wortmannin abrogated NF-κB-mediated IL-6 and IL-8 expression, suggesting the requirement of PI3K/Akt pathway. Our data provided the first evidence that UFH might repress LPS-activated PI3K/Akt pathway, leading to inhibitory effect of NF-κB activation with diminished IL-6 and IL-8 expression in HPMECs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saturation-anomaly measurements of methyl bromide (CH3Br) were made in the eastern Pacific (3/30-<4/27, 2010) and the eastern Atlantic (10/25-11/26, 2010) to assess the oceanic saturation state as the phaseout of fumigation - non-Quarantine and Pie-Shipment (non-QPS) uses of CH3Br nears completion and atmospheric concentrations continue to decline. These cruises occurred 16 years alter the Bromine Latitudinal Air-Sea Transect (BLAST) cruises, which were conducted in the same regions and first established a global oceanic net sink of- 12.6 Gg yr-1 for atmospheric CH3Br in 1994. Results from this study suggest saturation anomalies of CH3Br in Ihe surface ocean have become less negative than those observed 16 years ago as the atmospheric burden has declined over the past decade. The global net sea-to-air flux was estimated at 0 to 3 Gg yr-1 in 2010, suggesting that the ocean may become a net small source to atmospheric CH-3Br. There are no significant differences between this study and previous studies for measured biological loss rate constants and calculated annual production rates, suggesting that annual production rates and biological degradation rate constants for CH3Br in the surface ocean have likely remained relatively constant over the past 16 years. When including the biological loss rate constants from this study and all previous studies, the mean global biological loss rale constant is constrained to 0.05 ± 0.01 d-1 (at a 95% confidence level). Combining chemical and eddy degradation rate constants, and using an updated gas transfer velocity, we estimate the CH-3Br partial atmospheric lifetime with respect to oceanic loss to be 3.1 (2.3 to 5.0) years. Although the new partial atmospheric lifetime is about 1.3 years longer than the best prior estimate, it does not change the overall atmospheric lifetime of CH3Br, 0.8 (0.7-0.9) years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of methyl bromide (CH3Br) and methyl chloride (CH3Cl) were made during the Gulf of Mexico and the East Coast Carbon (GOMECC) cruise in the summer of 2007. This was the first large-scale study of CH3Br and CH3Cl in the coastal ocean. The mean atmospheric mixing ratios were 10.1 ppt for CH3Br and 517 ppt for CH3Cl. Surface seawater concentrations ranged from 0.8 pM to 5.0 pM for CH3Br and from 61.5 pM to 179 pM for CH3CI. Biological processes contribute to the elevated seawater concentrations of CH3Br, while a combination of biological processes and terrestrial sources may contribute to elevated seawater concentrations of CH3Cl. Vertical distributions show highest concentrations of CH3Br and CH3Cl in the subsurface seawater below the mixed layer due to high degradation rates near the surface. Good correlation of the production rates between CH3Br and CH3Cl suggests they have some common sources in the coastal ocean. After excluding the open ocean points, annual coastal emissions in the studied region were 0.01-0.06 Gg yr-1 for CH3Br and 0.3-1.6 Gg yr-1 for CH3Cl. By simple extrapolation, the global coastal emissions were estimated at 0.5-3.6 Gg yr-1 for CH3Br and 19-98 Gg yr-1 for CH3C1. Including the coastal ocean emissions of CH3Br and CH3C1 will increase the estimate of global oceanic emissions by 1%-9% and 1%-8%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial assembly and metabolic potential in the subsurface critical zone (SCZ) are substantially impacted by subsurface geochemistry and hydrogeology, selecting for microbes distinct from those in surficial soils. In this study, we integrated metagenomics and geochemistry to elucidate how microbial composition and metabolic potential are shaped and impacted by vertical variations in geochemistry and hydrogeology in terrestrial subsurface sediment. A sediment core from an uncontaminated, pristine well at Oak Ridge Field Research Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, including the shallow subsurface, vadose zone, capillary fringe, and saturated zone, was used in this study. Our results showed that subsurface microbes were highly localized and that communities were rarely interconnected. Microbial community composition as well as metabolic potential in carbon and nitrogen cycling varied even over short vertical distances. Further analyses indicated a strong depth-related covariation of community composition with a subset of 12 environmental variables. An analysis of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) quality via ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry suggested that the SCZ was generally a low-carbon environment, with the relative portion of labile DOC decreasing and that of recalcitrant DOC increasing along the depth, selecting microbes from copiotrophs to oligotrophs and also impacting the microbial metabolic potential in the carbon cycle. Our study demonstrates that sediment geochemistry and hydrogeology are vital in the selection of distinct microbial populations and metabolism in the SCZ. IMPORTANCE In this study, we explored the links between geochemical parameters, microbial community structure and metabolic potential across the depth of sediment, including the shallow subsurface, vadose zone, capillary fringe, and saturated zone. Our results revealed that microbes in the terrestrial subsurface can be highly localized, with communities rarely being interconnected along the depth. Overall, our research demonstrates that sediment geochemistry and hydrogeology are vital in the selection of distinct microbial populations and metabolic potential in different depths of subsurface terrestrial sediment. Such studies correlating microbial community analyses and geochemistry analyses, including high resolution mass spectrometry analyses of natural organic carbon, will further the fundamental understanding of microbial ecology and biogeochemistry in subsurface terrestrial ecosystems and will benefit the future development of predictive models on nutrient turnover in these environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH), apart from anticoagulant activities, contain a variety of biological properties such as anti-inflammatory actions possibly affecting sepsis. Chemokines are vital for promoting the movement of circulating leukocytes to the site of infection and are involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of UFH on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced chemokine production in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs). HPMECs were pretreated with UFH (0.1 U/ml and 1 U/ml), 15 min prior to stimulation with LPS (10 µg/ml). Cells were cultured under various experimental conditions for 2 h and 6 h for analysis. UFH markedly decreased LPS-induced interleukin (IL)-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA and protein expression in HPMECs. UFH also attenuated the secretion of these chemokines in culture supernatants. In addition, UFH blocked the chemotactic activities of LPS-stimulated HPMECs supernatants on monocytes migration as expected. UFH inhibited LPS-induced Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF-5) mRNA and protein levels. Concurrently, UFH reduced nuclear factor (NF)-κB nuclear translocation. Importantly, transfection with siRNA targeting KLF-5 reduced NF-κB activation and chemokines expression. These results demonstrate that interfering with KLF-5 mediated NF-κB activation might contribute to the inhibitory effects of chemokines and monocytes migration by UFH in LPS-stimulated HPMECs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]