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Medical literature indicates clearly that cystinuria and cystinosis, two severe genetic pathologies, are related to the presence of abnormal L-cystine deposits. While L-cystine adopts a hexagonal crystal morphology consistent with its crystallographic structure (hexagonal, $\mathrm{P}6_{1}22$ space group), abnormal deposits related to cystinosis display a rectangular shape. Because this is unexpected from the hexagonal crystallographic structure of L-cystine, we have investigated this inconsistency using SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and IR (infrared) spectroscopy at micrometre and nanometre scales. Our data clearly indicate the presence of both L-cysteine and L-cystine. Considering that L-cysteine crystals display a rectangular shape, and that a transition phase between L-cysteine and L-cystine is well known, we propose the following model for deposit evolution in cystinosis. The initial abnormal deposit consists of L-cysteine, with a rectangular crystal morphology. The micrometre scale rectangular crystallite shape is retained after the phase transition equilibrium between L-cysteine and L-cystine is established, with some crystalline L-cysteine still remaining.

Legume plants can acquire mineral nitrogen (N) either through their roots or via a symbiotic interaction with N-fixing rhizobia bacteria housed in root nodules. To identify shoot-to-root systemic signals acting in Medicago truncatula plants at N deficit or N satiety, plants were grown in a split-root experimental design in which either high or low N was provided to half of the root system, allowing the analysis of systemic pathways independently of any local N response. Among the plant hormone families analyzed, the cytokinin trans -zeatin accumulated in plants at N satiety. Cytokinin application by petiole feeding led to inhibition of both root growth and nodulation. In addition, an exhaustive analysis of miRNAs revealed that miR2111 accumulates systemically under N deficit in both shoots and non-treated distant roots, whereas a miRNA related to inorganic phosphate (Pi) acquisition, miR399, accumulates in plants grown under N satiety. These two accumulation patterns are dependent on Compact Root Architecture 2 (CRA2), a receptor required for C-terminally Encoded Peptide (CEP) signaling. Constitutive ectopic expression of miR399 reduced nodule numbers and root biomass depending on Pi availability, suggesting that the miR399-dependent Pi-acquisition regulatory module controlled by N availability affects the development of the whole legume plant root system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In numerous developing nations, challenges such as insufficient investment in innovation and limited capabilities for conversion impede the growth of the construction sector, thus affecting the overall economic well-being of these regions. This paper focuses on construction industry innovation (CII) and its correlation with region economic development (RED), providing valuable insights to overcome these challenges and promote sustainable economic advancement. This study references existing literature to devise an evaluation indicator system dedicated for CII and RED. It then proceeds with an empirical analysis of the integration and synergy between CII and the economic development across 31 Chinese provinces from 2012 to 2021. Furthermore, this paper employs ArcGIS and Geoda software to meticulously dissect the spatial distribution characteristics underlying this coordination. The main conclusions are succinctly summarized as follows: CII in China is intricately connected to RED, exhibiting a strong connection that diminishes from south to north. Nonetheless, the coordination level between these factors remains relatively low, with notable regional disparities, particularly from southeast to northwest. The primary obstacles to effective coordination are related to innovation input, output, and economic scale. Additionally, spatial correlation analysis demonstrates pronounced regional clustering, showing stability despite slight fluctuations over the study period. This research underscores the concept of coupling coordination between CII and RED, underpinned by scientific analytical methods. The outcomes provide a definitive guide for advancing the transformation and enhancement of the construction industry while promoting RED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Disability influences physical and mental health of older people, and causes a heavy burden on family and society. The increasing prevalence of empty-nested phenomenon has aroused wide concern for empty and non-empty nesters. Objective To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of comprehensive disability in empty and non-empty nesters in Henan, providing a scientific basis for the prevention and control of disability among these people. Methods By use of multistage stratified sampling, 5 570 older people aged ≥60 years were selected from Henan's 18 provincial cities from January to September 2019 for a questionnaire survey. The comprehensive ability of them was assessed by using the Ability Assessment for Older Adults Scale developed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People's Republic of China. Binary Logistic stepwise regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with comprehensive disability. Results The participants included 3 731 empty nesters and 1 839 non-empty nesters. The prevalence of intact comprehensive ability, and comprehensive disability in empty nesters was 51.97% (1 939/3 731) , and 48.03% 〔1 792 (1 417 mild, 217 moderate, and 104 severe) /3 731〕, respectively. The prevalence of intact comprehensive ability, and comprehensive disability in non-empty nesters was 44.64% (821/1 839) , and 55.36% 〔1 018 (820 mild, 123 moderate, and 75 severe) /1 839〕, respectively. Empty nesters had lower prevalence of comprehensive disability than did non-empty nesters (χ2=26.448, P

Hole transport materials (HTMs) have an important impact on the improvement of perovskite solar cell (PSC) performance. So far, HTMs with symmetrical and unbiased molecular structures have been extensively studied. Azulene, which is composed of a seven-membered ring and a five-membered ring, has shown nice potential in organic field-effect transistors and organic photovoltaic cells. In this research, we synthesized four bias structured HTMs (Azu-diT, Azu-diF, Azu-2T6F and Azu-2F6T) based on 2,6-substituted azulene. Among them, the more bias structured HTMs showed better electronic properties, and peripheral substitution on the 6-position of azulene had a greater influence on the solubility and film formation property. After being applied in PSCs, a power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 16.16% was obtained by Azu-2T6F. These results demonstrate the potential of azulene derivatives as a hole transport material and the impact of biased peripheral regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological apatites (main constituent of natural bones) correspond to non‐stoichiometric hydroxyapatite HAp, presenting a large variety of ions as substituents (CO32−, F−, SiO44−, Mg2+, Na+...). The precise location and configuration of ionic substitutes in the HAp matrix are generally difficult to identify and characterize. This contribution details the structural characterization based on NMR data of a particular case of hydroxyapatite substitution by carbonates. For this purpose, all substitution mechanisms proposed to our knowledge in the literature are modeled by DFT and the corresponding calculated NMR parameters allowed to propose or confirm some interpretations of a certain number of experimental observations to rationalize the dependencies of the 13C chemical shift and energy on these structural parameters. The presented results open the way for a fast interpretation of 13C NMR experiments on defective HAp materials and will allow to predict the most stable arrangement of CO32− for a given family of defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]