Search

MgtE is a Mg 2+-selective channel regulated by the intracellular Mg 2+ concentration. MgtE family proteins are highly conserved in all domains of life and contribute to cellular Mg 2+ homeostasis. In humans, mutations in the SLC41 proteins, the eukaryotic counterparts of the bacterial MgtE, are known to be associated with various diseases. The first MgtE structure from a thermophilic bacterium, Thermus thermophilus, revealed that MgtE forms a homodimer consisting of transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains with a plug helix connecting the two and that the cytoplasmic domain possesses multiple Mg 2+ binding sites. Structural and electrophysiological analyses revealed that the dissociation of Mg 2+ ions from the cytoplasmic domain induces structural changes in the cytoplasmic domain, leading to channel opening. Thus, previous works showed the importance of MgtE cytoplasmic Mg 2+ binding sites. Nevertheless, due to the limited structural information on MgtE from different species, the conservation and diversity of the cytoplasmic Mg 2+ binding site in MgtE family proteins remain unclear. Here, we report crystal structures of the Mg 2+-bound MgtE cytoplasmic domains from two different bacterial species, Chryseobacterium hispalense and Clostridiales bacterium, and identify multiple Mg 2+ binding sites, including ones that were not observed in the previous MgtE structure. These structures reveal the conservation and diversity of the cytoplasmic Mg 2+ binding site in the MgtE family proteins.

In this study, we explore the potential of assimilating satellite-derived reservoir storage data into the global-scale hydrodynamic model CaMa-Flood, focusing on the Yangtze River basin. We evaluated three data assimilation (DA) methods: direct assimilation (DIR), anomaly based assimilation (ANO), and normalized assimilation (NOM). Our results show that the DIR method achieved the most significant improvements in reservoir storage and downstream discharge simulations. DIR reduced the average relative root mean square error (rRMSE) of reservoir storage estimates by 80.5%, and increased discharge correlation (ΔCC) by 78.6% in the 14 validated discharge stations. ANO, while effective in certain cases, led to mixed results, with 56.4% of the 39 assimilated dams showing improved storage estimates and a modest 7.8% reduction in average RMSE. NOM had minimal impact, with negligible changes in RMSE or discharge correlation (ΔCC). The direct assimilation method (DIR) consistently outperformed the others, improving both reservoir storage and downstream discharge estimates. However, the magnitude of improvement varied across locations, highlighting the need for the further refinement of DA techniques and input data, especially for regions with complex reservoir operations. Our findings enhance reservoir representation in global hydrodynamic models and improve the predictability of river dynamics and water resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: High‐fat‐and‐fructose diet (HFFD) is one of the causes of hyperlipidaemia (HLP), which could directly cause serious diseases that are harmful to human health. The phenolic composition of stevia extract (WeiKe) and its effect of different concentrations on glucose–lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and intestinal microecology in hyperlipidaemia mice were investigated. The results showed that WeiKe could effectively inhibit the increase in body weight and blood glucose levels and regulate lipid metabolism. WeiKe repaired the gut morphology, promoted short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and improved food digestion and absorption. Furthermore, WeiKe reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus. These results suggested that stevia extract had a potential modulatory effect on HFFD‐induced HLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When using runoff infiltration devices to remove nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants from urban runoff, the quality of the effluent is affected by the length of dry spells between rain events. This study presents a novel analysis of how these dry periods impact the device's effectiveness in removing pollutants and the resulting biological succession within the filter. Our analysis examines nitrogen and phosphorus removal in a rainwater filtration context, providing new insights into how dry period duration influences infiltration system performance. The results indicate that biological processes have a significant impact on reducing total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) contents under different drying periods. A 3-day drying period is most effective for reducing TN through biological processes, while a 7-day period is best for TP reduction. This suggests that moderately extending the drying period improves TP removal efficiency but does not enhance TN removal. The dominant bacterial phylum responsible for denitrification and phosphorus removal is Proteobacteria, with Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter as the leading genera. As the drying period lengthens, the dominant genera shift from Pseudomonas to Massilia. At a 3-day drying period, denitrification primarily occurs through Pseudomonas on the surfaces of maifanite and zeolite. At a 7-day dry-out period, Acinetobacter is mainly responsible for phosphate removal on maifanite surfaces. However, after a 14-day dry-out period, both biomass and bioactivity of Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter decrease, leading to reduced efficiency in removing nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants from runoff infiltration devices. These results aid in developing runoff infiltration devices for specific scenarios and offer crucial guidance for regulating runoff pollution control technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study primarily investigates the effect of fly ash (FA) content on the mechanical properties and hydration performance of alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag cement (AAGC) and compares the related properties with ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Additionally, we examined the hydration products; performed thermal analysis, MIP, and SEM; and determined chemically bound water and pH values of AAGC. The compressive strength of AAGC showed a retrogression phenomenon from 3 to 28 days, with the 14-day and 28-day compressive strengths of AAGC being higher than those of OPC. The AAGC with 20% FA content exhibited the highest 28-day compressive strength (75 MPa). The hydration heat release rate curve of OPC and AAGC was divided into the initial induction period, induction period, acceleration period, deceleration period, and steady period. As FA content increased, the 28-day pore volume of AAGC increased, while pH values and chemically bound water decreased. SEM images of AAGC with low FA content showed more microcracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to establish a mechanistic model of using inherent safety and health concepts to conduct industrial workplace risk reduction strategies during the project planning stage. Accordingly, a dedicated implementation tool termed inherently safer and healthier design model for industrial workplaces (ISHDM‐IW) is developed. First, the safety and health by design checklist is adapted to derive industrial workplace safety and health risk indicators. Then, the risk indicators are rated and weighted using the methods of risk matrix and precedence chart. Subsequently, the risk indicators are aggregated via fuzzy risk representation with the indicators' risk values and weights. Last, the inherent safety and health principles are used to do risk‐based baseline design optimization. The case study demonstrates the capabilities of the proposed ISHDM‐IW to upgrade the workplace design scheme from risk level II to risk level I, thus generating a more satisfactory workplace design alternative. The proposed ISHDM‐IW offers a novel design mechanism of inherent safety and health for industrial workplaces, which can be expected to ensure employees' safety, health, and well‐being with fundamentally better ergonomics of industrial work environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]