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This is an article in the field of mining engineering. Li-Be-Nb-Ta are not only the important highly-demanded rare metals, but also key minerals in emerging strategic industries. They have both commonality and individuality in mineralization mechanism and R&D with new progress. This article aims to comprehensively and accurately measure and evaluate the global resource and reserve data of Li-Be-Nb-Ta, and timely reflect new developments in exploration and development and technological progress. The multi-cycle metallogenic theory of granite pegmatite has made important breakthrough in exploration, the technical output of lithium deposits in South American salt lakes is approaching, the potential for lithium extraction and storage increase in clay rocks and geothermal brines is increasing, the alkaline-peralkaline volcanic intrusive pegmatite type Nb-Ta mineralization has been highlighted in the Americas and the Qinghai-Xizang region, and the exploration of Li-Be deposits in mainland China has made important breakthroughs. The construction of the resource base for Nb-Ta-REE in northwest Hubei can learn from the progress and experience of enterprise level exploration and testing such as Avalon Rare Metals Company in North America. Based on the analysis of 1396 lithium beryllium niobium tantalum deposits and typical cases in the world, this article proposes that multi stage thermal events and multi cycle magmatic differentiation and melting may be the key conditions for large to super large deposits.

Abstract Background PD-1/PD-L1 blockade has become a powerful method to treat malignant tumors. However, a large proportion of patients still do not benefit from this treatment, due to low tumor immunogenicity and low tumor penetration of the agents. Recently, neutrophil elastase has been shown to induce robust tumor immunogenicity, while the insufficient enzyme activity at the tumor site restricted its anti-tumor application. Here, we designed polyethyleneimine-modified neutrophil elastase (PEI-elastase) loaded with PD-L1small interfering RNA (PD-L1 siRNA) for improving enzymatic activity and delivering siRNA to tumor, which was expected to solve the above-mentioned problems. Results We first demonstrated that PEI-elastase possessed high enzymatic activity, which was also identified as an excellent gene-delivery material. Then, we synthesized anti-tumor lipopolymer (P-E/S Lip) by encapsulating PEI-elastase and PD-L1siRNA with pH-responsive anionic liposomes. The P-E/S Lip could be rapidly cleaved in tumor acidic environment, leading to exposure of the PEI-elastase/PD-L1 siRNA. Consequently, PEI-elastase induced powerful tumor immunogenicity upon direct tumor killing with minimal toxicity to normal cells. In parallel, PEI-elastase delivered PD-L1siRNA into the tumor and reduced PD-L1 expression. Orthotopic tumor administration of P-E/S Lip not only attenuated primary tumor growth, but also produced systemic anti-tumor immune response to inhibit growth of distant tumors and metastasis. Moreover, intravenous administration of P-E/S Lip into mice bearing subcutaneous tumors leaded to an effective inhibition of established B16-F10 tumor and 4T1 tumor, with histological analyses indicating an absence of detectable toxicity. Conclusions In our study, a protease-based nanoplatform was used to cooperatively provoke robust tumor immunogenicity and down-regulate PD-L1 expression, which exhibited great potential as a combination therapy for precisely treating solid tumors. Graphical Abstract

AbstractObjective This study aimed to evaluate the combined efficacy of hyperthermia and chemotherapy using a bladder cancer organoid model and to explore hyperthermia-related molecular pathways.Method Tumor organoids were generated by embedding RT4 bladder cancer cells into Matrigel. The resulting organoids were treated with pirarubicin or gemcitabine at 37 °C or 42 °C. Proliferation was determined by Ki67 immunofluorescence staining, and apoptosis was assessed using a TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. RNA sequencing was used to identify the differentially expressed genes.Results Bladder cancer organoids were successfully established and exhibited robust proliferative abilities. Treatment with gemcitabine or pirarubicin under hyperthermic conditions caused pronounced structural damage to the organoids and increased cell death compared to that in the normothermically treated group. Furthermore, Ki67 labeling and TUNEL assays showed that the hyperthermia chemotherapy group showed a significantly reduced proliferation rate and high level of apoptosis. Finally, RNA sequencing revealed the IFN-γ signaling pathway to be associated with hyperthermia.Conclusion Overall, hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy exerted better therapeutic effects than those of normothermic chemotherapy in grade 1-2 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, potentially through activation of the IFN-γ-JAK-STAT pathway.

As an immune-related tumor type, bladder cancer has been attracting much attention in the study of its markers. In recent years, researchers have made rapid progress in the study of immune-related markers for bladder cancer. Studies have shown that immune-related markers play an important role in the diagnosis, prognosis assessment and treatment of bladder cancer. In addition, the detection of immune-related markers can also be used to evaluate the efficacy of immunotherapy and predict the treatment response of patients. Therefore, in depth study of the expression of immune-related markers in bladder cancer and their application in the clinic is of great significance and is expected to provide new breakthroughs for individualized treatment of bladder cancer. Future studies will focus more on how to detect immune-related markers with low cost and high accuracy, as well as develop new immunotherapeutic strategies to bring better therapeutic outcomes to bladder cancer patients.

Abstract The cultivation of microalgae and microalgae–bacteria consortia provide a potential efficient strategy to fix CO2 from waste gas, treat wastewater and produce value-added products subsequently. This paper reviews recent developments in CO2 fixation and wastewater treatment by single microalgae, mixed microalgae and microalgae–bacteria consortia, as well as compares and summarizes the differences in utilizing different microorganisms from different aspects. Compared to monoculture of microalgae, a mixed microalgae and microalgae–bacteria consortium may mitigate environmental risk, obtain high biomass, and improve the efficiency of nutrient removal. The applied microalgae include Chlorella sp., Scenedesmus sp., Pediastrum sp., and Phormidium sp. among others, and most strains belong to Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta. The bacteria in microalgae–bacteria consortia are mainly from activated sludge and specific sewage sources. Bioengineer in CBB cycle in microalgae cells provide effective strategy to achieve improvement of CO2 fixation or a high yield of high-value products. The mechanisms of CO2 fixation and nutrient removal by different microbial systems are also explored and concluded, the importance of microalgae in the technology is proven. After cultivation, microalgae biomass can be harvested through physical, chemical, biological and magnetic separation methods and used to produce high-value by-products, such as biofuel, feed, food, biochar, fertilizer, and pharmaceutical bio-compounds. Although this technology has brought many benefits, some challenging obstacles and limitation remain for industrialization and commercializing. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Pyroptotic cell death, an inflammatory form of programmed cell death (PCD), is emerging as a potential therapeutic opportunity for radiotherapy (RT). RT is commonly used for cancer treatment, but its effectiveness can be limited by tumor resistance and adverse effects on healthy tissues. Pyroptosis, characterized by cell swelling, membrane rupture, and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, has been shown to enhance the immune response against cancer cells. By inducing pyroptotic cell death in tumor cells, RT has the potential to enhance treatment outcomes by stimulating anti-tumor immune responses and improving the overall efficacy of RT. Furthermore, the release of danger signals from pyroptotic cells can promote the recruitment and activation of immune cells, leading to a systemic immune response that may target distant metastases. Although further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and optimize the use of pyroptotic cell death in RT, it holds promise as a novel therapeutic strategy for improving cancer treatment outcomes. This review aims to synthesize recent research on the regulatory mechanisms underlying radiation-induced pyroptosis and to elucidate the potential significance of this process in RT. The insights gained from this analysis may inform strategies to enhance the efficacy of RT for tumors.

This paper addresses the inherent limitations in traditional color modeling techniques for measuring the flame equivalence ratio (Φ), particularly focusing on the subjectivity involved in threshold settings and the challenges posed by uneven 2D color distribution. To overcome these issues, this study introduces an attention-based convolutional neural network (ACN) model, a novel approach that transcends the conventional reliance on B/G color features (Tf). The ACN model leverages adaptive feature extraction, augmented by a spatial attention mechanism, to more effectively analyze flame images. By amplifying key features, autonomously minimizing background noise, and standardizing variations in color distribution, the ACN model in this experiment achieved a prediction accuracy of 99%, with a 76% reduction in error rate compared to the original model, significantly improving the accuracy and objectivity of flame Φ measurement. This method marks a substantial development in the precision and reliability of flame analysis.

Abstract Alloying is regarded as one of the most promising strategies for boosting performance of catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to the adjustable electronic structure and intermediate adsorption. However, there is no theory (including d‐band center theory) can accurately guide the preparation and design of alloy catalysts, and thus resulting all the reported alloy catalysts are obtained by time‐consuming and laborious experimental exploration. Herein, we proposed a mean d‐band center (εas) as a new accurate descriptor for alloy activity prediction. Theoretical simulation and experiment results revealed that this descriptor exhibits a strong scaling relation with H adsorption energy. Besides, the obtained Cu–Ag alloy displays an optimal overpotential of 223 mV at 10 mA/cm2 in 0.5 mol/L H2SO4, which is more than 300 mV lower than those of pristine Cu (530 mV) and Ag (569 mV) powder. Our work provides a new idea toward designing highly efficient HER catalysts and broadens the applicability of d‐band theory to activity prediction of alloys.

Increasing occurrences of Microcystis surface scum have been observed in the context of global climate change and the increase in anthropogenic pollution, causing deteriorating water quality in aquatic ecosystems. Previous studies on scum formation mainly focus on the buoyancy-driven floating process of larger Microcystis colonies, neglecting other potential mechanisms. To study the non-buoyancy-driven rapid flotation of Microcystis, we here investigate the floating processes of two strains of single-cell species (Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii), which are typically buoyant, under light conditions (150 μmol photons s−1 m−2). Our results showed that M. wesenbergii exhibited fast upward migration and formed surface scum within 4 hours, while M. aeruginosa did not form visible scum throughout the experiments. To further explore the underlying mechanism of these processes, we compared the dissolved oxygen (DO), extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) content, and colony size of Microcystis in different treatments. We found supersaturated DO and the formation of micro-bubbles (50–200 µm in diameter) in M. wesenbergii treatments. M. aeruginosa produces bubbles in small quantities and small sizes. Additionally, M. wesenbergii produced more EPS and tended to aggregate into larger colonies. M. wesenbergii had much more derived-soluble extracellular proteins and polysaccharides compared to M. aeruginosa. At the same time, M. wesenbergii contains abundant functional groups, which was beneficial to the formation of agglomerates. The surface scum observed in M. wesenbergii is likely due to micro-bubbles attaching to the surface of cell aggregates or becoming trapped within the colony. Our study reveals a species-specific mechanism for the rapid floatation of Microcystis, providing novel insights into surface scum formation as well as succession of cyanobacterial species.

mRNA vaccines have shown great potential in responding to emerging infectious diseases, with their efficacy and stability largely dependent on the delivery vehicles—lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). This study aims to explore the mechanisms by which LNPs encapsulate mRNA, as well as the effects of different N/P ratios and acid types in nucleic acid solutions on the structure and properties of LNPs, using the ethanol solvent injection method as the encapsulation technique. Six systems were designed, based on the composition and proportions of the existing mRNA vaccine mRNA-1273, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to investigate the self-assembly process of LNPs. Ethanol was used as a solvent instead of pure water to better mimic experimental conditions. The results indicate that lipid components self-assemble into nanoparticles under neutral conditions, with the ionizable lipid SM-102 predominantly concentrating in the core of the particles. Upon mixing with nucleic acids in acidic conditions, LNPs undergo disassembly, during which protonated SM-102 encapsulates mRNA through electrostatic interactions, forming stable hydrogen bonds. Cluster structure analysis revealed that the four lipid components of LNPs are distributed sequentially from the outside inwards as DMG-PEG 2000, DSPC, cholesterol, and protonated SM-102. Moreover, LNPs constructed under low pH or low N/P ratios using citric acid exhibited larger volumes and more uniform distribution. These findings provide a scientific basis for further designing and optimizing LNP components to enhance the efficacy of mRNA vaccine encapsulation.

The jet stream is a primary factor contributing to turbulence, especially for upper-level aircraft. This study utilized pilot reports and ERA5 data from 2023 to investigate the relationship between upper-level turbulence and the East Asian westerly jet (EAJ). The results indicate that approximately 45.9% of upper-level aircraft turbulence occurs within the jet stream, with the lowest proportion in August and the highest in January. Additionally, the strongest vertical wind shear (VMS) is found concentrated in the lower part of the jet stream core, particularly in the South–Down part of the jet stream, where upper-level aircraft turbulence occurs most frequently (27.1%). The most turbulent area is located between 30–40° N and 110–120° E, with the main air routes experiencing turbulence being the Henan sections of G212 and B208. From a seasonal perspective, there is less frequent occurrence of upper-level aircraft turbulence in summer and autumn but more in winter and spring. The EAJ volume increases with the strengthening of the jet core wind speed, with the jet core regions being most distinct at altitudes of 200~300 hPa. Meanwhile, the jet stream intensity index peaks at 70.6 m/s in January and reaches its lowest value of 7.1 m/s in August. The jet stream axis shifts southward in winter and northward in summer, reaching the southernmost position in December at 32.2° N and the northernmost position in August at 43.5° N. Furthermore, the VMS at turbulence points within the jet stream is higher than that at the turbulence points outside the jet stream, and the Richardson number (RI) is lower. Moreover, the temporal distribution of upper-level aircraft turbulence is primarily determined by the location and intensity of the jet stream, of which the jet stream intensity index provides guidance and thus serves as a reliable indicator.

Abstract There is increasing attention to the production of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from lignocellulosic biomass by enzymatic hydrolysis with cellulase. In this study, the feasibility of the application of a cellulase system from engineered strain Penicillium oxalicum cEES in the production of CNCs was assessed. Using commercial eucalyptus dissolving pulp (EDP) as substrate, the CNCs were successfully obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis with the cellulase cEES, and the total yields of CNCs reached 15.7% through three-step enzymatic hydrolysis of total 72 h (24 h for each step). The prepared CNCs were characterized and found that their crystallinity and thermal stability were higher than that of EDP. In the later stage of enzymatic hydrolysis, the process efficiency of enzymatic preparation of CNCs greatly decreased because of the high crystallinity of cellulosic substrate, and a simple homogenization treatment can promote the enzymatic hydrolysis, as well as produce fusiform CNCs with more uniform size and more fermentable sugar that could be further converted into fuels and bulk chemicals through fermentation. This study provides a feasible enzymatic preparation process for CNCs with engineered cellulase and commercial cellulosic materials. Graphical Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this overview is to assess systematic reviews (SRs)/ meta-analyses (MAs) of Huachansu (HCS) combination chemotherapy for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and provide summarized evidence for clinical decision making. Methods: From the creation of the database to JUNE 2023, 8 databases in English and Chinese were searched. SRs/MAs that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. Two reviewers independently screened research, extracted data and assessed methodological quality, risk of bias, report quality and evidence quality by using relevant criteria from AMSTAR-2, ROBIS scale, PRISMA, and GRADE system. Results: The short-term effect, long-term effect, quality of life improvement, safety and pain relief effect in 8 included SRs/MAs were assessed in this overview according to quantitative synthesis. Results assessed by AMSTAR-2, PRISMA, and ROBIS were generally unsatisfactory, with the results of the AMSTAR-2 assessment showing that all of them were of low or critically low quality; the number of items in the included research that were fully reported (compliance was 100%) by the PRISMA checklist was only 50%, while there were 38.10% of the research reporting less than 60% completeness; the ROBIS assessment showed a small number of systems to be low risk of bias. In addition, 26 items were rated as moderate quality, while 50.94% of items were rated as low or critically low quality by GRADE. Conclusion: HCS may be a promising adjuvant therapy for NSCLC. However, high-quality SRs/MAs and randomized control trials (RCTs) should be conducted to provide sufficient evidence so as to draw a definitive conclusion.

Surface blooms of colony-forming Microcystis are increasingly occurring in aquatic ecosystems on a global scale. Recent studies have found that the Microcystis colonial morphology is a crucial factor in the occurrence, persistence, and dominance of Microcystis blooms, yet the mechanism driving its morphological dynamics has remained unknown. This study conducted a laboratory experiment to test the effect of extracellular polymeric substances on the morphological dynamics of Microcystis. Ultrasound was used to disaggregate colonies, isolating the cells and of the Microcystis suspension. The single cells were then re-cultured under three homologous EPS concentrations: group CK, group Low, and group High. The size, morphology, and EPS [including tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS), loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS), bound polysaccharides (B-polysaccharides), and bound proteins (B-proteins)] changes of colonies were closely monitored over a period of 2 months. It was observed that colonies were rapidly formed in group CK, with median colony size (D50) reaching 183 µm on day 12. The proportion of colonies with a size of 150–500 µm increased from 1% to more than 50%. Colony formation was also observed in both groups Low and High, but their D50 increased at a slower rate and remained around 130 µm after day 17. Colonies with a size of 50–150 µm account for more than 50%. Groups CK and Low successively recovered the initial Microcystis morphology, which is a ring structure formed of several small colonies with a D50 of 130 µm. During the recovery of the colony morphology, the EPS per cell increased and then decreased, with TB-EPS and B-polysaccharides constituting the primary components. The results suggest that colony formation transitioned from adhesion driven to being division driven over time. It is suggested that the homologous EPS released into the ambient environment due to the disaggregation of the colony is a chemical cue that can affect the formation of a colony. This plays an important but largely ignored role in the dynamics of Microcystis and surface blooms.

Abstract Background T‐cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibitory motif domain (TIGIT) is an immune checkpoint molecule that suppresses CD8+ T‐cell function in cancer. However, the expression profile and functional significance of TIGIT in the immune microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain elusive. Interleukin (IL)‐15 has emerged as a promising candidate for enhancing CD8+ T‐cell mediated tumour eradication. Exploring therapeutic strategies that combine IL‐15 with TIGIT blockade in LUAD is warranted. Methods We investigated the regulatory network involving coinhibitory TIGIT and CD96, as well as costimulatory CD226 in LUAD using clinical samples. The potential role of TIGIT in regulating the pathogenesis of LUAD was addressed through a murine model with transplanted tumours constructed in Tigit−/− mice. The therapeutic strategy that combines TIGIT blockade with IL‐15 stimulation was verified using a transplanted tumour murine model and a patient‐derived organoid (PDO) model. Results The frequency of TIGIT+CD8+ T cells was significantly increased in LUAD. Increased TIGIT expression indicated poorer prognosis in LUAD patients. Furthermore, the effector function of TIGIT+CD8+ tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) was impaired in LUAD patients and TIGIT inhibited antitumour immune response of CD8+ TILs in tumour‐bearing mice. Mechanistically, IL‐15 enhanced the effector function of CD8+ TILs but stimulated the expression of TIGIT on CD8+ TILs concomitantly. The application of IL‐15 combined with TIGIT blockade showed additive effects in enhancing the cytotoxicity of CD8+ TILs and thus further increased the antitumour immune response in LUAD. Conclusions Our findings identified TIGIT as a promising therapeutic target for LUAD. LUAD could benefit more from the combined therapy of IL‐15 stimulation and TIGIT blockade.

Abstract Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has been widely used as a lubrication additive for reducing friction and wear; however, the hydrophobic nature of PTFE restricts its application in eco-friendly water-based lubrication systems. In this study, for the first time, we designed novel PTFE@silica Janus nanoparticles (JNs) to meet the requirement for additives in water-based lubricants, which have excellent dispersion stability in water attributed to the unique amphiphilic structure. By introducing the lubrication of the aqueous dispersion of the JNs with a concentration of 0.5 wt%, the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear volume were reduced by 63.8% and 94.2%, respectively, comparing to those with the lubrication of pure water. Meanwhile, the JNs suspension also exhibits better lubrication and wear-resistance performances comparing to commercial silica and PTFE suspensions. The excellent tribological behaviors of PTFE@silica JNs as nano-additives could be attributed to the synergetic effect of the two components, where the PTFE provided lubrication through the formed tribofilms on the friction pairs, and the rigid silica further enhanced the wear-resistance performance. Most importantly, the unique structure of JNs makes it possible to use PTFE as an additive in water-lubrication systems. Our study shed light on the design and application of novel JNs nanomaterials as additives to meet the requirements of future industrial applications.

In this study, {10–12} tensile twins (TTs) were induced in hot-rolled AZ31 Mg sheets via hot tension along the normal direction. The results demonstrate that the volume fraction of TTs at 2 mm/min is greatly lower than their counterparts at 0.5 mm/min at 100 °C and 200 °C. Dynamic recrystallization (DRX) can decrease twin nucleation rate during hot tensile when the strain rate reaches 2 mm/min. Decrease in critical resolved shear stress of non-basal slips at 200 °C enhances the deformation capability among grains, which dramatically reduces the volume fraction of TTs. Hence, TTs are hardly observed in 200°C-2mm/min sample. Tensile temperature significantly affects the morphology of TT lamellae. Grain boundaries prevents the longitudinal growth of the TTs, and then the thickness of TTs begins to grow to coordinate the deformation, resulting in fine TT lamellae in 100°C-0.5 mm/min. Compared with AR, the basal texture intensity of 100°C-2mm/min and 200°C-2mm/min increases and the occurrence of DRX is the main reason, while basal texture weakening of 100°C-0.5 mm/min and 200°C-0.5 mm/min depends on the formation of TTs. Compared with samples at 200 °C, the samples at 100 °C have higher tensile stresses. The maximum stress of 100°C-0.5 mm/min is 64.97 MPa when tensile strain reaches 0.15 owing to its highest dislocation density. 200°C-2mm/min possesses the highest hardness among the four tension samples, which is associated with the largest fraction of DRXed grains (68.8%) and its refinement strengthening effect. Dislocation strengthening exerts more influence on the hardness of 100°C-0.5 mm/min.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different strains and wheat bran on the fermentation quality, antioxidant activity, and bacterial community of mulberry leaf silage. Mulberry leaves were ensiled with Pediococcus acidilactici and Pediococcus pentosaceus (A), Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformi (DK), and Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus licheniformi (AK). Each treatment was supplemented with 10% wheat bran (fresh matter basis), and the strains were added in equal proportions for 7 days. The results indicated that the DK and AK groups exhibited higher dry matter (DM) content compared to the A group (p < 0.05). The A group (37.25 mg/g DM) and AK group (34.47 mg/g DM) demonstrated higher lactic acid content and lower pH (p < 0.05). Additionally, both the A and AK groups exhibited lower levels of ammonia-N content than the DK group (p < 0.05). The number of yeasts, molds, and coliform bacteria were low in mulberry leaf silage. Moreover, the antioxidant activity in the fermentation groups increased, with higher relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, Lactococcus and Lactobacillus, in the AK group. In summary, the AK group was observed to enhance fermentation quality and antioxidant capacity, leading to the establishment of a favorable microbial community composition.

Abstract Flash flooding is a damaging weather event, yet it remains challenging to quantify its severity. We propose a development—the Flashiness‐Intensity‐Duration‐Frequency (F‐IDF) curve—to quantify flash flood intensity based on the frequency and duration of the event. As a proof‐of‐concept, we mapped Contiguous US (CONUS)‐wide F‐IDF values at 3,722 stream gage locations and explored their relations with basin attributes. It is found that (a) The return periods of flash flood events are highly associated with the return peroids of rainfall events; (b) Climatological precipitation amounts exhibit the most positive correlation with flashiness while a basin's drainage area is the most negatively correlated; (c) Correlation of flashiness with basin attributes decreases with increasing F‐IDF return periods and shorter event durations. Both aspects are attributable to the rainfall signal overwhelming the underlying basin attributes as the intensities become more extreme. This new metric has implications for hydrology and emergency responders.

Compared with the traditional anthraquinone method, photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has the advantages of clean and environmental protection, mild conditions, and low power consumption. Graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a promising photocatalyst for H2O2 production. However, owing to its small specific surface area, narrow light response range, and easy recombination of photogenerated electron-hole, the efficiency of H2O2 production is relatively low. In this paper, porous graphite carbon nitride (pg-C3N4) was synthesized by using melamine hydrochloride as precursor, and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were loaded on its surface to prepare pg-C3N4/CQDs composite photocatalyst. The structure, morphology, and optical and electrochemical properties of the samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, UV-Vis, TP, PL, and so on. The catalyst has a large specific surface area. At the same time, the optical characteristics of CQDs and its good properties of capturing and transferring electrons greatly improve the light response range of the composite photocatalyst (even reaching the near-infrared region), and effectively inhibit the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole. In the H2O2 production experiment under the visible light, pg-C3N4/CQDs showed higher photocatalytic H2O2 production activity. After reaction for 5 h, the H2O2 concentration reached 0.301 mmol/L, which was 27 and 13 times those of g-C3N4 and pg-C3N4, respectively. Finally, the possible mechanism of photocatalytic H2O2 production by pg-C3N4/CQDs was proposed through free radical capture experiment.

Abstract Background People’s health belief is an important factor affecting health behavior. However, there has been little use of the health belief model (HBM) in determining the pathway effect of patients’ beliefs on health behavior in dementia prevention in China. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of dementia prevention beliefs on health promoting lifestyle among Chinese adults. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on line by convenience sampling from January to March 2020. A survey about dementia prevention knowledge, health belief of dementia prevention and health-promoting lifestyle was completed by 1201 adults in China. Data was analyzed using a structural equation model with the analysis of moment program. Results The participants were aged 40.50 ± 12.72 years. About 70.3% of participants were female. The purposed model fit the data from the study well. Perceived barriers (total effect-0.322, P

Displaying the correct surface functionality at the right time is important for efficient drug delivery. Here, the authors report on the pH-responsive, sequential presentation of cell-penetrating peptide and liver-targeting moiety designed to improve intestinal absorption and liver targeting and demonstrate this with insulin delivery in vivo.

BackgroundPostbiotics are an emerging research interest in recent years and are fairly advanced compared to prebiotics and probiotics. The composition and function of postbiotics are closely related to fermentation conditions.MethodsIn this study, we developed a solid-state fermentation preparation method for postbiotics with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The antibacterial activity was improved 3.62 times compared to initial fermentation conditions by using optimization techniques such as single factor experiments, Plackett–Burman design (PBD), steepest ascent method (SAM), and central composite design (CCD) methods. The optimized conditions were carried out with an initial water content of 50% for 8 days at 37°C and fermentation strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens J and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SN4 at a ratio of 1:1 with a total inoculum size of 8%. The optimized SSF medium content ratios of peptide powder, wheat bran, corn flour, and soybean meal were 4, 37.4, 30, and 28.6%, respectively.ResultsUnder these optimized conditions, postbiotics with a concentration of 25 mg/mL showed significant broad-spectrum antibacterial capabilities against Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus and strong antioxidant activity against ABTS, DPPH, and OH radicals. Moreover, the optimized postbiotics exhibited good anti-inflammatory ability for reducing nitric oxide (NO) secretion in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells in response to LPS-induced inflammation. Furthermore, the postbiotics significantly improved intestinal epithelial wound healing capabilities after mechanical injury, such as cell scratches in IPEC-J2 cells (p < 0.05).ConclusionIn brief, we developed postbiotics through optimized solid-state fermentation with potential benefits for gut health. Therefore, our findings suggested that the novel postbiotics could be used as potential functional food products for improving body health.

Hydrologic models are a powerful tool to predict water-related natural hazards. Of all hydrologic models, CREST (Coupled Routing and Excess STorage) was developed to facilitate hydrologic sciences and applications across various spatial and temporal scales. The CREST model was the earliest implementation of a quasi-global flood model integrating remote-sensing data and is the first operational deployment of a real-time model in the National Weather Service functioning at flash flood scales across a continent. Since being published in 2011, the CREST model has been evolving to empower flood predictions and to inform water resources management practices. Moreover, the CREST model is convenient to couple with other models/schemes (e.g., weather forecast model, snowmelt model, land surface model, hydrodynamic model, groundwater model, landslide model, vector-based routing) for border practices of investigating water-related natural hazards. To date its 10th anniversary, more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles that have used the CREST model are curated and reviewed from the aspects of model development, worldwide applications, and outreach to emerging regions. Finally, the future directions for the CREST model family are outlined in the hope of stimulating new research endeavors. A digital collection of CREST model family is archived online at https://crest-family.readthedocs.io/en/latest/.

Ascorbic acid (AsA), also known as vitamin C, is a well-known antioxidant found in living entities that plays an essential role in growth and development, as well as in defensive mechanisms. GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase (GGP) is a candidate gene regulating AsA biosynthesis at the translational and transcriptional levels in plants. In the current study, we conducted genome-wide bioinformatic analysis and pinpointed a single AsA synthesis rate-limiting enzyme gene in melon (CmGGP1). The protein prediction analysis depicted that the CmGGP1 protein does not have a signaling peptide or transmembrane structure and mainly functions in the chloroplast or nucleus. The constructed phylogenetic tree analysis in multispecies showed that the CmGGP1 protein has a highly conserved motif in cucurbit crops. The structural variation analysis of the CmGGP1 gene in different domesticated melon germplasms showed a single non-synonymous type-base mutation and indicated that this gene was selected by domestication during evolution. Wild-type (WT) and landrace (LDR) germplasms of melon depicted close relationships to each other, and improved-type (IMP) varieties showed modern domestication selection. The endogenous quantification of AsA content in both the young and old leaves of nine melon varieties exhibited the major differentiations for AsA synthesis and metabolism. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of gene co-expression showed that AsA biosynthesis in leaves was greater than AsA metabolic consumption, and four putative interactive genes (MELO3C025552.2, MELO3C007440.2, MELO3C023324.2, and MELO3C018576.2) associated with the CmGGP1 gene were revealed. Meanwhile, the CmGGP1 gene expression pattern was noticed to be up-regulated to varying degrees in different acclimated melons. We believe that the obtained results would provide useful insights for an in-depth genetic understanding of the AsA biosynthesis mechanism, aimed at the development of improving crop plants for melon.

Conventional sandwich structure photoelectrochemical UV detectors cannot detect UV light below 300 nm due to UV filtering problems. In this work, we propose to place the electron collector inside the active material, thus avoiding the effect of electrodes on light absorption. We obtained a TiO2-nanotubes@Ti@quartz photoanode structure by precise treatment of a commercial Ti mesh by anodic oxidation. The structure can absorb any light in the near-UV band and has superior stability to other metal electrodes. The final encapsulated photoelectrochemical UV detectors exhibit good switching characteristics with a response time below 100 ms. The mechanism of the oxidation conditions on the photovoltaic performance of the device was investigated by the electrochemical impedance method, and we obtained the optimal synthesis conditions. Response tests under continuous spectroscopy confirm that the response range of the device is extended from 300–400 nm to 240–400 nm. This idea of a built-in collector is an effective way to extend the response range of a photoelectrochemical detector.

Abstract Given that COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc around the world, it is imperative to search for a conserved region involved in viral infection so that effective vaccines can be developed to prevent the virus from rapid mutations. We have established a twelve-fragment library of recombinant proteins covering the entire region of spike protein of both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV from Escherichia coli. IgGs from murine antisera specifically against 6 spike protein fragments of SARS-CoV-2 were produced, purified, and characterized. We found that one specific IgG against the fusion process region, named COVID19-SF5, serologically cross-reacted with all twelve S-protein fragments. COVID19-SF5, with amino acid sequences from 880 to 1084, specifically bound to VERO-E6 and BEAS-2B cells, with Kd values of 449.1 ± 21.41 and 381.9 ± 31.53 nM, and IC50 values of 761.2 ± 28.2 nM and 862.4 ± 32.1 nM, respectively. In addition, COVID19-SF5 greatly enhanced binding of the full-length CHO cell-derived spike protein to the host cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, COVID19-SF5 and its IgGs inhibited the infection of the host cells by pseudovirus. The combined data from our studies reveal that COVID19-SF5, a novel cell-binding fragment, may contain a common region(s) for mediating viral binding during infection. Our studies also provide valuable insights into how virus variants may evade host immune recognition. Significantly, the observation that the IgGs against COVID19-SF5 possesses cross reactivity to all other fragments of S protein, suggesting that it is possible to develop universal neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to curb rapid mutations of COVID-19.

The worldwide cobalt ore trade and supply chain crisis has attracted the attention of many countries and institutions, in such a manner that major countries have listed it among their key mineral series or list. The world has huge reserves of cobalt resources, however, with limited production and presence of geopolitical risks. This is mainly manifested in the existence of the highly concentrated production，refinery and consumption of cobalt resources. In addition to seabed cobalt deposits, cobalt exists in the following forms in the continents: layered sedimentary copper-cobalt deposits (about 58%), mainly located in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia; laterite-type nickel-cobalt deposits (about 29%), mainly situated in Australia, New Caledonia and Cuba; magmatic nickel-copper-PGE-cobalt deposits (about 9%), mainly distributed in Australia, Canada, Russia, Finland and the United States. Over 60% of the world’s cobalt concentrate is produced in D.R.Congo. But above 60% of cobalt ore refining and processing are done in China, while more than 60% of refined cobalt are consumed by China, the European Union and the United States. In particular, China, the United Kingdom, and Japan are nearly 100% dependent on import for cobalt supply. In face of such severe situation and intense competition, technological innovation is key. New technologies have actually been gradually applied, for example, the combined process of beneficiation and metallurgy, as well as some new extraction methods. Major challenges lie in the improvement of cobalt ore recovery rate, secondary resource utilization and product recycling. Many departments, institutions and enterprises in China have made long-term and in-depth arrangements in this regard. However, China’s international influence and control over the supply chain remain relatively weak. A big gap still exists as compared against the developed countries, making cobalt supply security an extremely important issue for China. Competition stays intense between China and western nations in terms of raw material supply. To improve the security of cobalt supply, it is crucial to gain a full understanding of the occurrence characteristics of the several major resource types, impose immense efforts on technological innovation in mining, ore processing and metallurgy, and push industrial innovation with high standards and high quality. In the meantime, considerable attention should also be paid to promoting international industrial alliances and technological cooperation, with a vision to get well prepared for the restructuring of the international industrial chain and changes in the competitive landscape.

BackgroundDementia is a growing public health concern worldwide. Community residents still have limited knowledge about dementia prevention, although many sources are accessible for individuals to acquire knowledge.MethodsA questionnaire-based survey was conducted in five communities in Chongqing, China, between March 2021 and February 2022. Participants were divided into three groups according to the dementia-related education they received: physician/nurse-led, mass media, and no relevant education. Covariance analysis was performed to determine the differences among the three groups in knowledge, motivation, and lifestyle, with the covariate of MoCA scores (education-adjusted).ResultsOf the 221 participants, 18 (8.1%) received physician/nurse-led education, 101 (45.7%) received only mass media education, and 102 (46.2%) did not receive any relevant education regarding dementia prevention. Participants who only received mass media education had a higher level of education (t = 5.567, p = 0.004) and cognitive function (t = 13.978, p

In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of Salix matsudana f. tortuosa was sequenced and analyzed. The genome of Salix matsudana f. tortuosa was 155,673 bp in length and was quadripartite in structure, containing a large single-copy region with a length of 84,447 bp, a small single-copy region with a length of 16,320 bp, and two inverted repeats of 27,453 bp in length. The chloroplast genome contains 130 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The GC content is 36.64%. The phylogenetic tree shows that Salix matsudana f. tortuosa, Salix matsudana, and Salix babylonica are closely related and located on the same branch. The chloroplast genome of Salix matsudana f. tortuosa will provide important data for further systematic study of Salicaceae and the genus Salix.

Lithium resources undoubtedly occupy an important position in the current and future new energy structure. In view of the urgency of the carbon neutral goal, mainstream institutions around the world are stepping up research on green carbon reduction plans and implementation paths. Driven by strong global demand, especially new energy vehicles, the lithium mining industry has developed rapidly, which is mainly manifested in the following characteristics: 1. The rise of the entire industry chain, the alliance of exploration, mining, and smelting, and the integration of upstream and downstream; 2. Capital Fierce competition and frequent mergers and acquisitions; 3. Driven by the goal of carbon neutrality, technological innovation is developing rapidly. Driven by the domestic carbon neutral and carbon peak policy, the technological innovation of the whole industry chain of lithium mining mainly shows the following trends: Pay attention to the carbon emission evaluation of different types of lithium mines and the research and development of carbon neutralization programs; With the use of link barriers, data is optimized and shared; mining, dressing and smelting technology is transformed to green and efficient, fire method is transformed to wet method, and AI technologies such as advanced sensors are used on a large scale. Lithium ore and brine, including but not limited to salt lakes and other diversified lithium resources, are determined to promote green development and utilization. Artificial intelligence, advanced sensors and some disruptive technologies will increasingly appear in the development and utilization of lithium resources. China has far-reaching influence in the world market, the Chinese government’s carbon neutrality goal is a world-marker, and Chinese companies have emerged in artificial intelligence, advanced sensor technology, and new technological revolutions. The international monopoly of advanced technology will order a change in the world through the active participation of Chinese technology, thereby improving the global climate problem and the living environment.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant cancer with a poor prognosis, and effective treatments for PDAC are lacking. In this study, we hypothesized that miR-506 promotes antitumor immune response in PDAC by reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages toward an M1 phenotype to reverse its immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). First, the relationship between TME and the expression of miR-506 was assessed using clinical samples. Our results provided evidence that lower expression of miR-506 was associated with poor prognosis and immunosuppressive TME in PDAC patients. In addition, miR-506 inhibit the PDAC progression and reversed its immunosuppressive microenvironment in a macrophage-dependent manner. Next, we established a PDAC mouse model by orthotopic injection to further explore the role of miR-506 in vivo. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that miR-506 could reprogram the polarization of M2-like macrophages toward an M1-like phenotype through targeting STAT3. Meanwhile, miR-506 could also sensitize PDAC to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, because the tumor microenvironment remodeling effects of miR-506 could reprogram macrophage polarization and subsequently promote cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) infiltration. These findings suggest a relationship between miR-506 and TME, especially M2-like macrophages, thus providing novel insights into mechanisms of tumor progression and potential immunotherapeutic targets for further clinical treatment.

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are considered the most practical option for reducing emissions and fuel consumption of conventionally powered vehicles. Energy management strategies (EMSs) are the core technology of HEVs because of decreasing the cost of the system and limiting its negative effects. Equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) can achieve instantaneous optimal control and has attracted attention in recent years. In this study, an adaptive equivalent consumption minimization strategy (A-ECMS) based on driving cycle recognition is constructed for a parallel HEV. First, select the standard driving cycle and analyze its characteristic parameters. And then training learning vector quantization (LVQ) neural network-based driving cycle recognizer to achieve an average of 98% accuracy. At last, the optimal equivalent factor (EF) is selected for ECMS by recognizing the current driving cycle. It is jointly simulated and analyzed by AVL CRUISE and MATLAB/Simulink software under NEDC and CHTC-LT driving cycle. The results show that compared with the logic-based EMS, in the NEDC driving cycle the 100 km fuel consumption of A-ECMS decreases by 3.8%, and the battery state of charge (SOC) increases by 1.1%. In the CHTC-LT driving cycle, fuel economy improves by 3.6%, proving the superiority of the A-ECMS.

Long short-term memory (LSTM) networks have demonstrated successful applications in accurately and efficiently predicting reservoir releases from hydrometeorological drivers including reservoir storage, inflow, precipitation, and temperature. However, due to its black-box nature and lack of process-based implementation, we are unsure whether LSTM makes good predictions for the right reasons. In this work, we use an explainable machine learning (ML) method, called SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), to evaluate the variable importance and variable-wise temporal importance in the LSTM model prediction. In application to 30 reservoirs over the Upper Colorado River Basin, United States, we show that LSTM can accurately predict the reservoir releases with NSE ≥ 0.69 for all the considered reservoirs despite of their diverse storage sizes, functionality, elevations, etc. Additionally, SHAP indicates that storage and inflow are more influential than precipitation and temperature. Moreover, the storage and inflow show a relatively long-term influence on the release up to 7 days and this influence decreases as the lag time increases for most reservoirs. These findings from SHAP are consistent with our physical understanding. However, in a few reservoirs, SHAP gives some temporal importances that are difficult to interpret from a hydrological point of view, probably because of its ignorance of the variable interactions. SHAP is a useful tool for black-box ML model explanations, but the hydrological processes inferred from its results should be interpreted cautiously. More investigations of SHAP and its applications in hydrological modeling is needed and will be pursued in our future study.

Autophagy is a conserved process for self-degradation and provides cells with a rescue mechanism to respond to circumstances such as stress and starvation. The role of autophagy in cancer is extremely complex and often paradoxical. Most of the related published studies on tumors are always focused on cancer cells. However, present studies gradually noticed the significance of autophagy in the tumor microenvironment. These studies demonstrate that autophagy and immunity work synergistically to affect tumor progression, indicating that autophagy could become a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, it is crucial to clarify the correlation between autophagy and various tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. The context-dependent role of autophagy is critical in the design of therapeutic strategies for cancer.

Watermelon fruits exhibit a remarkable diversity of important horticultural phenotypes. In this study, we initiated a primary quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping to identify the candidate regions controlling the ovary, fruit, and seed phenotypes. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was carried out for two differentiated watermelon lines, and 350 Mb (96%) and 354 Mb (97%) of re-sequenced reads covered the reference de novo genome assembly, individually. A total of 45.53% non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (nsSNPs) and 54.47% synonymous SNPs (sSNPs) were spotted, which produced 210 sets of novel SNP-based cleaved amplified polymorphism sequence (CAPS) markers by depicting 46.25% co-dominant polymorphism among parent lines and offspring. A biparental F2:3 mapping population comprised of 100 families was used for trait phenotyping and CAPS genotyping, respectively. The constructed genetic map spanned a total of 2,398.40 centimorgans (cM) in length and averaged 11.42 cM, with 95.99% genome collinearity. A total of 33 QTLs were identified at different genetic positions across the eight chromosomes of watermelon (Chr-01, Chr-02, Chr-04, Chr-05, Chr-06, Chr-07, Chr-10, and Chr-11); among them, eight QTLs of the ovary, sixteen QTLs of the fruit, and nine QTLs of the seed related phenotypes were classified with 5.32–25.99% phenotypic variance explained (PVE). However, twenty-four QTLs were identified as major-effect and nine QTLs were mapped as minor-effect QTLs across the flanking regions of CAPS markers. Some QTLs were exhibited as tightly localized across the nearby genetic regions and explained the pleiotropic effects of multigenic nature. The flanking QTL markers also depicted significant allele specific contributions and accountable genes were predicted for respective traits. Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment was categorized in molecular function (MF), cellular components (CC), and biological process (BP); however, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were classified into three main classes of metabolism, genetic information processing, and brite hierarchies. The principal component analysis (PCA) of multivariate phenotypes widely demonstrated the major variability, consistent with the identified QTL regions. In short, we assumed that our identified QTL regions provide valuable genetic insights regarding the watermelon phenotypes and fine genetic mapping could be used to confirm them.

Infectious bronchitis (IB) is a major threat to the global poultry industry. Despite the availability of commercial vaccines, the IB epidemic has not been effectively controlled. The exploration of novel IBV vaccines may provide a new way to prevent and control IB. In this study, BLP-S1, a bacterium-like particle displaying the S1 subunit of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), was constructed using the GEM-PA surface display system. The immunoprotective efficacy results showed that BLP-S1 can effectively induce specific IgG and sIgA immune responses, providing a protection rate of 90% against IBV infection in 14-day-old commercial chickens. These results suggest that BLP-S1 has potential for the development of novel vaccines with good immunogenicity and immunoprotection.

Old industrial bases (municipal districts) play a decisive role in the process of China’s economic development. This study focuses on the upgrading of urban industrial structure. Based on the panel data of 120 old industrial bases (municipal districts) in China from 2010 to 2018, a double difference model was established to empirically analyze the impact of pilot relocation and reconstruction policies on the upgrading of urban industrial structure in old industrial districts. The results demonstrate that 1) The pilot relocation and reconstruction policies play a significant role in promoting the upgrading of urban industrial structure in old industrial districts; 2) Upgrading of urban industrial structure is significantly affected by the urban economic development level, urban population density, land marketization level, industrial enterprise agglomeration degree and infrastructure construction; 3) The impact of relocation and reconstruction policies on the upgrading of urban industrial structure in old industrial districts exhibits certain regional heterogeneity. Finally, some targeted suggestions are proposed for future formulation of effective policies for the relocation and reconstruction of old industrial areas and optimal allocation of urban industrial structure.

To integrate the concept of high-quality development into urban land use, this paper explores the spatial-temporal pattern characteristics of urban land intensive use (ULIU) in the Yangtze River Delta with a constructed evaluation index system, the comprehensive evaluation model and exploratory spatial data analysis based on the spatial panel data of 41 cities from 2010 to 2020. The paper also analyzes the spatial effects and influencing factors of ULIU with the spatial Durbin model and partial differential method. The results demonstrate that: 1) The ULIU in the Yangtze River Delta generally showed consistent growth from 2010 to 2020. However, there was significant spatial differentiation among different regions, as the land intensive use level was higher in cities along the Yangtze River and coastal cities around Hangzhou Bay, while relatively lower in the mountainous and hilly cities in Zhejiang and southwestern Anhui. 2) The ULIU level showed significant positive global spatial autocorrelations, while its local spatial characteristics mainly included four types dominated by high-high agglomeration and low-low agglomeration from 2010 to 2020. 3) Economic development, industrial structure and infrastructure could remarkably promote the ULIU of both local and neighboring cities. Scientific and technological innovation could significantly enhance the ULIU of local cities; population urbanization and government financial pressure showed significant negative effects on the ULIU of local cities; while all the above three factors had insignificant effects on the ULIU of neighboring cities. These findings are of great significance for revealing the internal mechanism underlying the spatial effect of land intensive use and provide some guidance for improving the level of ULIU in the Yangtze River Delta from the perspective of regional cooperation.

Studying complex pore structures and fractal characteristics of gas shale provides significant guidance for clarifying the mechanism of shale gas accumulation and realizing its efficient development. In this paper, 12 samples of Taiyuan Formation shale are used as the research object, and the fractal theory is combined with mercury intrusion porosimetry and N2 adsorption technology to innovatively solve the problem of splicing point selection, which can reveal the full-scale pore size distribution of shale. The results demonstrate that the most common types of pores in the chosen samples are pores between or within clay minerals, micropores and mesopores inside organic matter, and microfractures, based on scanning electron microscopy imagery analyses. The pores of shale samples have fractal geometries. The fractal dimension DM1 values in the mercury intrusion porosimetry experiments range from 2.3060 to 2.6528. Two fractal dimensions, DN1 and DN2, may be obtained using the Frenkel-Halsey-Hill fractal method. DN1 values vary from 2.4780 to 2.6387, whereas DN2 values range from 2.5239 to 2.7388. Most macropores in shale samples have a size range of about 0.2 mm, with a wide pore size distribution, and the largest peak of the micro-mesopore volume is generally about 50 nm. The fractal dimension correlates positively with the corresponding pore volume, although the correlation between volume and composition is weak. The relatively strong correlation between fractals and the basic compositions of shale proves the fractal theory’s relevance in defining pore inhomogeneity. This study would contribute to the development of a fractal perspective-based method for pore splicing while also expanding our understanding of pore morphology and structure in transitional shale.

Abstract Stability of nitrogen cycle is a key indicator to aquatic health. In recent years, water and sediment inflows to the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) have changed significantly. To reveal the effects of such dramatic hydrological changes on aquatic nitrogen cycle, this paper at first analyzed the changing trends of water and suspended sediment discharges of TGR based on dynamic harmonic regression, and found that the intra‐year distribution of water flow was significantly homogenized between flood and dry seasons, with the seasonal variations narrowed by 43.5%–69.9% during 2007–2016, while sediment concentration sharply dropped (the non‐periodic term decreased by 1.48%–2.07%/month). Modified with the effects of sediment concentration variations on nitrification/denitrification rates, the proposed numerical model surprisingly showed that ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen concentrations in TGR were insensitive to either water flow homogenization or sediment reduction, implying relative stability of microbial community related to nitrogen cycle, which is a positive sign for aquatic health. However, N2 emission varied more violently. The variation range of nitrogen gas (N2) emitted from TGR enlarged by 30% with the homogenization of water inflow from 2010 to 2016, while the annual total N2 emission decreased by 7% due to the reduction of sediment concentration, indicating quick response and strong adaption of the microbial N2 producing process to the environmental changes of TGR, which is beneficial for maintaining ecological functions related to nitrogen cycling. This work helps understanding nitrogen cycle of reservoirs experiencing dramatic changes in water and sediment inflows.

Fusarium wilt is one of the most destructive and less controllable diseases in melon, which is usually caused by fusarium oxysporum. In this study, transcriptome sequencing and Yeast Two-Hybrid (Y2H) methods were used for quantification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in fusarium oxysporum (f. sp. melonis race 1) stress-induced mechanisms in contrasted melon varieties (M4-45 “susceptible” and MR-1 “resistant”). The interaction factors of Fom-2 resistance genes were also explored in response to the plant-pathogen infection mechanism. Transcriptomic analysis exhibited total 1,904 new genes; however, candidate DEGs analysis revealed a total of 144 specific genes (50 upregulated and 94 downregulated) for M4-45 variety and 104 specific genes (71 upregulated and 33 downregulated) for MR-1 variety, respectively. The analysis of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway depicted some candidate DEGs, including Phenylalanine metabolism, phenylpropane biosynthesis, plants-pathogen interaction, and signal transduction of plant hormones, which were mainly involved in disease resistance metabolic pathways. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) analysis revealed a strong correlation module and exhibited the disease resistance-related genes encoding course proteins, transcription factors, protein kinase, benzene propane biosynthesis path, plants-pathogen interaction pathway, and glutathione S-transferase. Meanwhile, the resistance-related specific genes expression was relatively abundant in MR-1 compared to the M4-45, and cell wall-associated receptor kinases (MELO3C008452 and MELO3C008453), heat shock protein (Cucumis_melo_newGene_172), defensin-like protein (Cucumis_melo_newGene_5490), and disease resistance response protein (MELO3C016325), activator response protein (MELO3C021623), leucine-rich repeat receptor protein kinase (MELO3C024412), lactyl glutathione ligase (Cucumis_melo_newGene_36), and unknown protein (MELO3C007588) were persisted by exhibiting the upregulated expressions. At the transcription level, the interaction factors between the candidate genes in response to the fusarium oxysporum induced stress, and Y2H screening signified the main contribution of MYB transcription factors (MELO3C009678 and MELO3C014597), BZIP (MELO3C011839 and MELO3C019349), unknown proteins, and key enzymes in the ubiquitination process (4XM334FK014). The candidate genes were further verified in exogenously treated melon plants with f. oxysporum (Fom-2, Race 1), Abscisic acid (ABA), Methyl Jasmonite (MeJA), and Salicylic acid (SA), using the fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. The overall expression results indicated that the SA signal pathway is involved in effective regulation of the Fom-2 gene activity.

In this study, the yield of exopolysaccharide (EPS) from Lactobacillus plantarum R301 was optimized using a single-factor experiment and response surface methodology (RSM). After optimization, the EPS yield was increased with a fold-change of 0.85. The significant factors affecting EPS production, as determined through a Plackett–Burman design and Central Composite Design (CCD), were MgSO4 concentration, initial pH, and inoculation size. The maximum yield was 97.85 mg/mL under the condition of 0.01% MgSO4, an initial pH 7.4, and 6.4% of the inoculation size. In addition, the EPS exhibited strong antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by its ability to scavenge DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radicals. The scavenging rate was up to 100% at concentrations of 4 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL, and 2 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the EPS also exhibited reducing power, which was about 30% that of ascorbic acid when both tended to be stable with the increased concentration. These results suggest that L. plantarum R301 EPS possesses different antioxidant mechanisms and warrants further investigation. In addition to its antioxidant activity, the EPS also demonstrated good anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 cells, which could decrease nitric oxide (NO) production and expression of the proinflammatory cytokine Il-6. These findings suggest that L. plantarum R301 EPS could be used as a potential multifunctional food additive in the food industry.

[Background] Bacillus LFB112 is a strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens screened in our laboratory. Previous studies found that it has a strong ability for fatty acid metabolism and can improve the lipid metabolism of broilers when used as feed additives. [Methods] This study aimed to confirm the fatty acid metabolism of Bacillus LFB112. Sterilized soybean oil (SSO) was added to the Beef Peptone Yeast (BPY) medium, and its effect on fatty acid content in the supernatant and bacteria, as well as expression levels of genes related to fatty acid metabolism, were studied. The control group was the original culture medium without oil. [Results] Acetic acid produced by the SSO group of Bacillus LFB112 decreased, but the content of unsaturated fatty acids increased. The 1.6% SSO group significantly increased the contents of pyruvate and acetyl-CoA in the pellets. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of enzymes involved in the type II fatty acid synthesis pathway of FabD, FabH, FabG, FabZ, FabI, and FabF were up-regulated. [Conclusions] Soybean oil increased the content of acetyl-CoA in Bacillus LFB112, activated its type II fatty acid synthesis pathway, and improved the fatty acid metabolism level of Bacillus LFB112. These intriguing results pave the way for further investigations into the intricate interplay between Bacillus LFB112 and fatty acid metabolism, with potential applications in animal nutrition and feed additive development.

Fruit pedicel (FP) is an important determinant of premium fruit quality that directly affects commercial market value. However, in-depth molecular and genetic basis of pedicel-related traits has not been identified in watermelon. Herein, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping strategy was used to identify the potential genetic regions controlling FP traits based on newly derived whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphism based cleaved amplified polymorphism sequence (SNP-CAPS) markers. Next-generation sequencing based whole-genome re-sequencing of two watermelon parent lines revealed 98.30 and 98.40% of average coverage, 4,989,869 SNP variants, and 182,949 CAPS loci pairs across the reference genome, respectively. A total of 221 sets of codominant markers exhibited 46.42% polymorphism rate and were effectively genotyped within 100-F2:3 derived mapping population. The developed linkage map covered a total of 2,630.49 cM genetic length with averaged 11.90 cM, and depicted a valid marker-trait association. In total, 6 QTLs (qFPL4.1, qFPW4.1, qFPD2.1, qFPD2.2, qFPD8.1, qFPD10.1) were mapped with five major effects and one minor effect between the whole genome adjacent markers positioned over distinct chromosomes (02, 04, 08, 10), based on the ICIM-ADD mapping approach. These significant QTLs were similarly mapped in delimited flanking regions of 675.10, 751.38, 859.24, 948.39, and 947.51 kb, which collectively explained 8.64–13.60% PVE, respectively. A highly significant and positive correlation was found among the observed variables. To our knowledge, we first time reported the mapped QTLs/genes affecting FP traits of watermelon, and our illustrated outcomes will deliver the potential insights for fine genetic mapping as well as functional gene analysis through MAS-based breeding approaches.

Few studies focus on the quantitative impact of upslope inflow rate and slope gradient on rill development and erosion processes. Field plot experiments under varying inflow rates (6–36 L min−1m−1) and slope gradients (26, 42 and 57%) were conducted to address this issue. The results showed soil loss rates significantly demonstrated temporal variability in relevance to the rill developing process. Rill erosion and its contribution to soil loss increased with increasing inflow rates and slope gradients by power functions. There was a threshold inflow discharge (12–24 L min−1m−1), under which, rill erosion became the dominant erosion pattern. At the initial stage, downcutting of rill bottom and headward erosion were obvious, whereas rill broadening was significant at the actively rill developing period. Rill density increased with slope gradient increasing from 26% to 42%, and then decreased. For the 57% slope under high inflow rates (24–36 L min−1m−1), gravity caused an increase in the collapse of rills. Mean rill width increased with increasing inflow rates but decreased as slope gradients increased, while mean rill depth increased with increasing inflow rates and slope gradients. Stream power and rill flow velocity were the best hydrodynamic parameter to simulate rill erosion and rill morphology, respectively. HIGHLIGHTS Rill erosion and its contribution to soil loss increased with inflow rate and slope gradient by a power function.; The threshold inflow rate that made rill erosion dominated decreased with increasing slope gradient.; There was a threshold slope gradient between 42.3% and 57.4% where the rill network development began to weaken.; Stream power was the best parameter simulating rill erosion with a good linear relationship.;

Colossal permittivity (CP) materials are potential for the important applications of device miniaturization and energy storage. In this work, (Zn2+1/3Ta5+2/3)xTi1-xO2 ceramics were fabricated by conventional solid-state method. Large dielectric permittivity (>104) and low tanδ (