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African swine fever virus (ASFV), a highly virulent double-stranded DNA virus, poses a significant threat to global pig farming, with mortality rates in domestic pigs reaching up to 100%. Originating in Kenya in 1921, ASFV has since proliferated to Western Europe, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and most recently China in 2018, resulting in substantial global agricultural losses. Antigenic epitopes, recognized by the immune system's T cells and B cells, are pivotal in antiviral immune responses. The identification and characterization of these antigenic epitopes can offer invaluable insights into the immune response against ASFV and aid in the development of innovative immunotherapeutic strategies. Vaccine adjuvants, substances that amplify the body's specific immune response to antigens, also play a crucial role. This review provides an overview of the progress in studying T/B-cell epitopes in ASFV proteins and ASFV vaccine adjuvants, highlighting their role in the immune response and potential use in new vaccine development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-sensitivity pH sensor based on an AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistor (HEMT) with a 10 nm thick Au-gated sensing membrane was investigated. The Au nanolayer as a sensing membrane was deposited by electron-beam evaporation and patterned onto the GaN cap layer, which provides more surface-active sites and a more robust adsorption capacity for hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH−) and thus the sensitivity of the sensor can be significantly enhanced. A quasi-reference electrode was used to minimize the sensing system for the measurement of the microliter solution. The measurement and analysis results demonstrate that the fabricated sensor exhibits a high potential sensitivity of 58.59 mV/pH, which is very close to the Nernstian limit. The current sensitivity is as high as 372.37 μA/pH in the pH range from 4.0 to 9.18, under a 3.5 V drain-source voltage and a 0 V reference-source voltage. Comparison experiments show that the current sensitivity of the Au-gated sensor can reach 3.9 times that of the SiO2-gated sensor. Dynamic titration experiments reveal the pH sensor's ability to promptly respond to immediate pH variations. These findings indicate that this pH sensor can meet most application requirements for advanced medical and chemical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The emerging of psychological problems triggered by COVID-19 particularly in children have been extensively highlighted and emphasized, but original research in this respect is still lagging behind. Therefore, we designed this study to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and the effectiveness and attitudes towards online education among Chinese children aged 7–15 years. Methods A detailed questionnaire, comprising of 62 questions was designed and parents or caretakers of 7 to 15 years old children were invited to participate via WeChat, a multi-purpose messaging, social media and mobile payment app, which is widely used by the Chinese population. A total of 668 parents across different regions of China were included. Results During COVID-19 pandemic, 20.7 and 7.2% children report experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PTSD and SMFQ-P scores are significantly higher in middle school and boarding school students compared to primary and day school students. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that school system and province of origin are factors significantly associated with developing PSTD symptoms. 44.3% respondents feel online education is effective in gaining knowledge and improving practical and communications skills. 78.0% believe the online education system is efficient. Overall 79.8% respondents are satisfied and children can adapt to this new education system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we found 1 in five children have PTSD and 1 in 14 children have depressive symptoms. Conclusion In summary, COVID-19 epidemic has caused PTSD and depression symptoms among Chinese children aged 7 to 15 years. In general, a large proportion of respondents are satisfied with online education, but still a substantial proportion of students are not comfortable with this new form of learning. Authorities should optimize online education systems and implement effective interventions to cope with the psychological effects of COVID-19 on children, as it is affecting the global population and remains uncertain when it will end.

The molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)-based photodetectors are facing two challenges: the insensitivity to polarized light and the low photoresponsivity. Herein, three-dimensional (3D) field-effect transistors (FETs) based on monolayer MoS2 were fabricated by applying a self–rolled-up technique. The unique microtubular structure makes 3D MoS2 FETs become polarization sensitive. Moreover, the microtubular structure not only offers a natural resonant microcavity to enhance the optical field inside but also increases the light-MoS2 interaction area, resulting in a higher photoresponsivity. Photoresponsivities as high as 23.8 and 2.9 A/W at 395 and 660 nm, respectively, and a comparable polarization ratio of 1.64 were obtained. The fabrication technique of the 3D MoS2 FET could be transferred to other two-dimensional materials, which is very promising for high-performance polarization-sensitive optical and optoelectronic applications.

Based on the input-process-output-development (IPOD) framework, a survey of current doctoral students and doctoral graduates from six agricultural universities in China found that doctoral students in agriculture have higher graduation delay rates, relatively consistent academic backgrounds, a longer learning input time, and fewer foreign research and teaching experiences, along with insufficient career guidance, and expectations for academic careers. Doctoral graduates have diversified career paths, but their jobs tend to match their specialty. The degree of fit between individuals and jobs is higher than that between individuals and employers. In addition, the satisfaction of current doctoral students is lower than that of doctoral graduates. The survey results indicate that the three-year doctoral education system is not well adapted to the needs of doctoral students, and appropriate adjustments to the length of study should be based on differences between disciplines. Doctoral students have a significant utilitarian motivation, and their rational understand should be enhanced; they also lack career preparation, and their career guidance should be strengthened. [This article was translated by Michelle LeSourd.]

Polymer‐based sodium metal battery (SMB) has a great development prospect due to its low cost, good safety, and high theoretical energy density. However, sodium (Na) metal electrode suffers low cyclic stability due to the naturally‐formed unstable solid electrolyte interface (SEI). Herein, 3D network polymer, poly‐bis(3‐(2‐methylaziridin‐1‐yl) propanoate (PBMP) is synthesized, for mechanically robust gel polymer electrolyte (GPE), in which the tertiary‐amine functional group with low‐valence N prefers to react with Na metal to produce a thin and ion‐conducive SEI, realizing Na+ fast and uniform plating/stripping. The assembled Na/GPE/Na3V2(PO4)3 full battery shows an ultrahigh capacity retention of 97.8% after 2000 cycles under 2 mA cm−2, which is the top‐level of GPE‐SMB. This work provides a new strategy to construct advanced SEI by regulating functional groups of network polymer for GPE‐SMBs with high safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) are recognized as a major contributor to metabolic resistance in insects to most insecticides, through gene overexpressions and protein mutations. MicroRNA (miRNA), an important post‐transcriptional regulator, has been reported to promote insecticide resistance by mediating the expression of detoxification enzyme genes. RESULTS: In the present study, we reported that a novel microRNA PC‐5p‐3991_515 was involved in the post‐transcriptional regulation of CYP417A2 and mediated the triflumezopyrim susceptibility in the small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén). The tissue expression profiles showed that CYP417A2 was highly expressed in fat body. CYP417A2 was significantly up‐regulated at 12, 36, 60, 84 and 108 h after the triflumezopyrim treatment. RNA interference (RNAi) against CYP417A2 significantly increased triflumezopyrim susceptibility in SBPH. According to the prediction by miRanda and TargetScan software, three miRNAs were indicated to bind to CYP417A2. However, when oversupply of agomir, only two miRNAs, PC‐3p‐625_4405 and PC‐5p‐3991_515, significantly increased the susceptibility to triflumezopyrim and decreased CYP417A2 levels. Furthermore, PC‐5p‐3991_515 was confirmed to be involved in the post‐transcriptional regulation of CYP417A2 by dual luciferase reporter assay. Meanwhile, PC‐5p‐3991_515 was co‐localized with CYP417A2 in the midgut in situ hybridization. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that the novel microRNA, PC‐5p‐3991_515, post‐transcriptionally regulated CYP417A2 expression, which then mediated the triflumezopyrim susceptibility in SBPH. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitive solar-blind ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors are important to various military and civilian applications, such as flame sensors, missile interception, biological analysis, and UV radiation monitoring below the ozone hole. In this paper, a solar-blind UV photodetector based on a buried-gate graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) decorated with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) was demonstrated. Under the illumination of a 325-nm laser (spot size ~2 μm) with a total power of 0.35 μW, a photoresponsivity as high as 118.3 A/W was obtained, at the conditions of zero gate bias and a source-drain bias voltage of 0.2 V. This photoresponsivity is over 600 times higher than that of a recently reported solar-blind UV photodetector based on graphene/vertical Ga2O3 nanowire array heterojunction (0.185 A/W). Experiments showed that the photoresponsivity of the TiO2 NPs decorated GFET photodetectors can be further enhanced by increasing the source-drain bias voltage or properly tuning the gate bias voltage. Furthermore, the photoresponse time of the TiO2 NPs decorated GFET photodetectors can also be tuned by the source-drain bias and gate bias. This study paves a simple and feasible way to fabricate highly sensitive, cost-efficient, and integrable solar-blind UV photodetectors.

The reaction rate bottleneck during interconversion between insulating S8 (S) and Li2S fundamentally leads to incomplete conversion and restricted lifespan of Li−S battery, especially under high S loading and lean electrolyte conditions. Herein, we demonstrate a new catalytic chemistry: soluble semiquinone, 2‐tertbutyl‐semianthraquinone lithium (Li+TBAQ⋅−), as both e‐/Li+ donor and acceptor for simultaneous S reduction and Li2S oxidation. The efficient activation of S and Li2S by Li+TBAQ⋅− in the initial discharging/charging state maximizes the amount of soluble lithium polysulfide, thereby substantially improve the rate of solid–liquid‐solid reaction by promoting long‐range electron transfer. With in situ Raman spectra and theoretical calculations, we reveal that the activation of S/Li2S is the rate‐limiting step for effective S utilization under high S loading and low E/S ratio. Beyond that, the S activation ratio is firstly proposed as an accurate indicator to quantitatively evaluate the reaction rate. As a result, the Li−S batteries with Li+TBAQ⋅− deliver superior cycling performance and over 5 times higher S utilization ratio at high S loading of 7.0 mg cm−2 and a current rate of 1 C compared to those without Li+TBAQ⋅−. We hope this study contributes to the fundamental understanding of S redox chemical and inspires the design of efficient catalysis for advanced Li−S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aprotic lithium‐oxygen (Li–O2) batteries hardly cycle at the condition of high area capacity for realizing their high energy density, because the unconducive lithium peroxide (Li2O2) discharge product limits the electron transfer between electrode and O2/Li2O2. Here, it is demonstrated that one of redox mediator (RM), triethylene glycol bis‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl radical (D‐TEMPO), can be effectively used to promote the electron transfer between electrode and Li2O2, which the shuttle effect of RM can be cooperatively inhibited by regulating the size of RM and the thickness of ion‐selective membrane. As a result, the Li–O2 battery coupled with double cathodes, D‐TEMPO, and ion‐selective membrane can be stably operated for 46 days at a capacity of 5 mAh cm−2. The concept in this work provides the cooperative design of a stable solution‐mediated pathway for high‐capacity Li–O2 battery with long cycle stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]